Will Facts Drive Policy, or the Other Way Around?

One of the Democrats’ chief criticisms of the Bush Administration, one that sometimes had merit, was that it refused to alter its strategy or message in the face of new facts.  In foreign affairs, that meant it took us three years to react to the Iraqi insurgency in a manner beyond “staying the course.”  On [...]

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God for (D), But Not For Thee

I’m still taking in Charlie Gibson’s interview of Sarah Palin, but I am struck (again) by the total inability of the news media to accept the legitimacy of conservative Christians holding public office.  Gibson, in the interview broadcast this evening: Gibson: You said recently in your old church that “Our national leaders are sending U.S. [...]

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The IOC Relents — But Not Without Consequences

Following up on an earlier post, after intense last-minute negotiations, the IOC has lifted its ban on Iraqi athletes at the Beijing games. In exchange, Iraq agreed to hold elections for its National Olympic Committee in November, under IOC observation. That wasn’t very hard, now, was it? Iraq was concerned about the integrity of its [...]

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Say It, John

What I hope to be a regular feature on Marque’s Letters, “Say It, John” is my minor contribution to John McCain’s campaign for President — a phrase, a soundbite, even a small speechy-type thing that would improve his chances of defeating the Obamenon. This week’s entry falls into the category of welcoming the enemy with [...]

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Olympic Outrage

In the latest example of worldwide elites’ passive-aggressive backlash at Iraq for daring to become a democracy, the International Olympic Committee has banned Iraq from participating in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing on the eve of the competition. The stated reason? “Political influence” in the Iraqi committee for the Olympics. The government of Iraq [...]

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Has McCain Lost the Debate Over the Future of Iraq?

As noted in many places across the web today, Iraq’s Premier Nouri al Maliki has all but endorsed Obama’s plan to withdraw most troops from Iraq by 2010. Now, Jim is right when he points out the miniscule differences between the campaigns now. Who really cares whether we’ve got 50,000 or 70,000 troops in Iraq [...]

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