The Lee Room

2004-05-28T07:10:00.000-05:00

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss

Kerry Foreign Policy Crew Has a Clintonian Look to It -- Today's New York Times

"They might as well go into the situation room and commit the same mistakes they did before," said Mr. Gelb, a former New York Times foreign affairs columnist. "The ideas they bring to the table are basically ideas that worried the American people for the last 20 years - whether Democrats are clear-sighted enough, tough enough."

Sheesh - and that's from one of Kerry's own advisors.

2004-05-27T08:28:00.000-05:00

Defeatism, thy name is Democrat

"In the speech, Mr. Gore said that soldiers sent to Iraq "were clearly forced to wade into a moral cesspool designed by the Bush White House." He also said that the scandal over abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison was not the result of "a few twisted minds at the lowest ranks of our military enlisted personnel" but of what he described as the Bush administration's systematic disregard for the requirements of the Geneva Conventions"

- James Barron in today's NY Times

"...doubts are growing among Democrats to the open-ended commitment in Iraq that he echoes Bush in supporting. In an ABC/Washington Post survey released Monday, 53% of Democrats said the U.S. "should withdraw its military forces from Iraq … even if that means civil order is not restored there."

-Ron Brownstein in today's LA Times

I'm not sure if I changed after 9/11 or if the Democrats did.

It seems clear that this country would be a lot better off, if the Democrats were as committed to winning the peace in Iraq and defeating Al Queda as they are to defeating Bush in November.

FDR and Kennedy would piss on these Democrats. Their proud legacy of fighting facism and totalitarianism has apparently been subsumed by a bunch of cowards, pussies and defeatists.

2004-05-24T21:13:00.000-05:00

New York City in a Time of War

In a city on the frontlines of the war on terror, anxiety over the unseasonable humidity tends to dominate most conversations. Its only May, and we’ve already had three weeks of hot, hazy “unsettled conditions” and random violent thunderstorms. The kind of days that the Lovin Spoonful were thinking of when they wrote “Summer in the City”.

Two and a half years after terrorists drove planes into buildings, killing thousands of our friends, family and neighbors and causing billions of dollars in damage, New York City is almost back to normal.

It’s remarkable isn’t it? It’s almost hard to think about those days right after 9/11. People don’t tell their “where they were” stories at all anymore. Political talk tends to focus on Iraq and the President, not the terrorists and how are we going to stop them. Its an election year after all.

Sure, when I go to Shea, they check my plastic bag from the deli for explosives and give me a quick wave of the metal detector. Flying has become even more of a pain in the ass. But did 9/11 hurt us deeply? Dude, they’re building luxury condos in Red Hook. The Nets are moving to Brooklyn. They just opened the AOL/Time Warner center and they’re talking about building a stadium for the Jets. Hell they’re even starting on the 2nd Avenue Subway!

The only thing I’ve see New York do since 9/11 is grow, get richer and build bigger and better buildings.

So, are we back to normal?

Of course we’re not.

The day after the Madrid bombing there was a marked presence of the police down in the Subway. The subway is a scary place – cause there is no protection down there.

Anyone who reads the news knows that radical Islam is still a major threat. Islamic Terrorists are beheading people in Iraq, blowing up trains in Madrid and slaughtering a mother and her four little daughters in Gaza. Their will to kill has not abated. Anyone who has been to Ground Zero can attest to what adherents of a psychotic death cult will do if left unchecked. We know, (even the most virulent anti-Bush nut knows) that New York City is number one on their target list.

The anxiety is there. It lies right beneath the surface and the mundane conversations about humidity. You feel it because there’s always a slight hush that comes over a conversation when a plane flies overhead.

You feel it when you see someone on the subway, that doesn’t look quite right, and god knows you don’t want to say anything and you’re probably just being nervous… and then finally sigh in relief when you get off at your stop.

It’s there because every New Yorker is “getting the hell out of town” when the Republicans and the protestors get here.

I tell my friends who live out of the city, living with the threat of random violence has always been part of life in New York. This anxiety is different than worrying that the smelly guy with the ratty coat is going to push you in front of a bus. We know that they’re out to finish the job they started on 9/11. Yet, the collective sentiment of most New Yorkers is “Fuck you Osama! We don’t have time for this terrorist bullshit. Didn’t you hear the Yankees got A-Rod? We’ve really got Boston by the balls now.”

This news is positive. The terrorists’ worst attack happened just miles from where I’m sitting right now, but New York City is far from demoralized. The city I live in is exciting and vibrant, safe and getting stronger. The terrorists bid on 9/11 to sow fear and mistrust through tragedy and murder has failed miserably.

Here in New York, one of the battlegrounds in the War on Terror, the terrorists are losing.

2004-05-22T19:34:00.000-05:00

The Prez and Israel

From now on, when people ask me why I support Bush for re-election, I'm going to point them to this speech:

Money quote:

"Our nation, and the nation of Israel, have much in common. We're both relatively young nations, born of struggle and sacrifice. We're both founded by immigrants escaping religious persecution in other lands. We have both built vibrant democracies, built on the rule of law and market economies. And we're both countries founded on certain basic beliefs: that God watches over the affairs of men, and values every life. (Applause.)

These ties have made us natural allies, and these ties will never be broken. (Applause.) In the past, however, there was one great difference in the experience of our two nations: The United States, through most of our history, has been protected by vast oceans to our east and west, and blessed with friendly neighbors to our north and south. Israel has faced a different situation as a small country in a tough neighborhood. The Israeli people have always had enemies at their borders and terrorists close at hand. Again and again, Israel has defended itself with skill and heroism. And as a result of the courage of the Israeli people, Israel has earned the respect of the American people. (Applause.)"

Man I hope he wins.

2004-05-16T11:10:00.000-05:00

A New Yorker for All Times

I'm about halfway through Ron Chernow's excellent new biography of Alexander Hamilton and so far its great. The character of our nation was determined in large part by Hamilton who was an orphaned native of the West Indies, that rose to prominence among our founding fathers based on his merit, intelligence and brave service during the Revolutionary War.

Hamilton made New York City his home and his influence in making New York the financial and commerical captial of the new nation has lasted to this day. Like so many New Yorkers, Alexander Hamilton came to this city an immigrant and found success greater than he ever could've possibly imagined. He is the founding father that best exemplifies the promise of the American Dream.

Walter Issacson, who wrote a similarly excellent biography of Benjamin Franklin, writes of Hamilton in this week's New York Magazine:

"Hamilton was an ambitious urban social climber, a combative intellectual, and a brilliant advocate of enterprise, competition, and well-oiled financial markets. You know the type. He was, Chernow writes, an “exuberant genius” with a “touchy ego” that made him tortured and ultimately self-destructive. While these New York traits make him less of a schoolbook hero than Washington or Adams, they make him no less of an American archetype"

In these trying times, it helps to remember that our nation was founded by failble men who nonetheless held to their principals of liberal democracy and freedom of determination and opportunity in the face of unimaginable odds.

2004-05-09T22:27:00.000-05:00

My 2 Cents

So it's been a tough couple of weeks for us war supporters. I never thought I'd say this, but thank god for law school exams. Intense studying can lead to a detached view of the news. You read an article here and there, catch a newscast, read a headline on your homepage here and there, but no real time to internalize what's actually going on in the world.

But, this weekend I finally had some free time to catch up on events and give it some thought.

1. Wait Don't Tell Me -- Ross & Rachel end up together.

I love Friends. I watched the finale. We all did. This show premiered the fall of my Freshman year of college. I've watched it on and off since then, falling in and out of watching new episodes, but always watching the re-runs. I'm glad Ross and Rachel ended up together, although any other ending would've been unacceptable. Could you imagine? Ross and Rachel not ending up together would be as shocking as say... pictures surfacing of American soldiers torturing Iraqi POWs...

Which brings me to...

2. You've got to be fucking kidding me right?

I thought about it yesterday. If pictures surfaced of American soldiers being tortured like that, I'd want to nuke the motherfuckers. I know, its the actions of a few. I know the vast majority of soldiers serve with honor, but those pictures. Good lord.

I admit it. I'm a kool-aid drinker when it comes to Bush's rhetoric about Democracy and Freedom and the higher calling of America. I believe that there is a vile, sadistic enemy out there. An enemy that loves our death more than they love their own lives. An enemy that is using propaganda, anti-semitism, anti-intellectualism, promises of power and retribution in the face of constant humiliation to recruit more to its ranks.

I've always believed, and hoped, that the real mission of Iraq, was that the men in power saw Iraq as an opportunity to break the cycle of murder and violence that was unleashed on September 11th. That if we could take out a horrific dictator in their own midst, and show that we could bring freedom, democracy, capitalism and rights that we could change the Arab world. I'm a rational optimist. I like to believe that people are the same. They want their kids to succeed. They want to feel like they'll have opportunities.

The Iraqis are no different. It saddens me that most people in this country care more about Ross and Rachel's fictional relationship than they do about the lives of 25 million people our Union holds in its hands.

And those pictures. Could we have delivered a more potent weapon to our enemies? We have delivered a generation's worth of propaganda posters when our enemy recruits from a culture with a long memories. I'm furious over the pictures. And depressed. I know our enemies do worse. I saw the pictures of the bodies hanging over the bridge. I see the dichotomy between the cheering of mutilation in Fallujah and the disgust and revulsion expressed at the hearings in Washington D.C.

But those pictures. God, with that woman leading an Iraqi like a dog. If that was a terrorist dragging an American, well... I remember how I felt when I saw the Danny Pearl video on CBS.

3. The sad facts of our recent defeats
From 3/11 to today, we have suffered our most serious defeats in the War on Terror. Defeats in the increased casualties of our troops. Defeat of a friendly government in an increasingly unfriendly Europe. Defeats in Chechnya. Defeats of Israeli Dis-Engagement. Defeats to the morale of troops that are being strectched for a mission far more rigirous than the one planned. Defeats to the image of America around the world, for not doing more to state our case to the world. Defeats to the morale of our own citizenry because of the digusting and revolting acts of sadistic bastards that happened to wear the uniform of our Nation's military.

These are all defeats. Whether they are major or minor is debatable. Whether they are the fault of the Bush administration or not is equally debatable. Whether the Democrats would do a better job, is sadly laughable.

4. The President
George W. Bush is not a man accustomed to not getting his way. He fought tooth and nail to win the election. He came in with less popular votes and forced his agenda through Congress even before 9/11. And in the days following 9/11 and up through the invasion of Iraq, he proved a steely voice of resolve against the murderous bastards that attacked us that day, and those states that supported them. He was in many ways, a great leader. He made us feel like we had balls, when our borders had just been violated. And he did the right thing in taking down Saddam Hussein with the goal of bringing democracy to the Arab world.

And now, is his defining moment. I wasn't sure things could get worse after Madrid. Then came Fallujah. Then came the pictures. How we deal with this situation now may determine the course of Iraq for many generations to come. It is a challenge worthy of a great nation and a challenge ready for a great leader to meet.

So I'm rooting for W. I hope that he can pull this one out. We're still way ahead in the War on Terror. We've got the better ideas. The better economies. The better approach to government and rights and law and respect for life. We have to win in Iraq and fix whatever problems we have with Europe and with our military detainee systems.

We have to win because there is no other choice.

The terrorists are laughing at us right now. Let's hope that this string of victories for them is short and that our wounds are not too deep and in the future will no longer be self-inflicted.

2004-04-27T15:53:00.000-05:00

Such clever rhetoric

From the AP:

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry told voters from Ohio's rust belt on Tuesday that President Bush's record on job creation should be described as ``mission not accomplished.''

Its a little sad that the Democrat's nominee has all the wit of Principal Skinner

2004-04-15T22:59:00.000-05:00

I used to think Michael Moore was clever, but now I know he's just hateful

This is just disgusting:

From Michael Moore's website

"There is a lot of talk amongst Bush's opponents that we should turn this war over to the United Nations. Why should the other countries of this world, countries who tried to talk us out of this folly, now have to clean up our mess? I oppose the U.N. or anyone else risking the lives of their citizens to extract us from our debacle. I'm sorry, but the majority of Americans supported this war once it began and, sadly, that majority must now sacrifice their children until enough blood has been let that maybe -- just maybe -- God and the Iraqi people will forgive us in the end."

- Michael Moore

2004-04-15T10:01:00.000-05:00

Bin Laden picks up DNC Talking Point

Osama bin Laden declared a new enemy today, in his statement that offered a truce to Europe.
From MSNBC:

"[Osama] denounced the U.S. war on Iraq, saying it was making “billions of dollars” for companies, “whether those that make weapons or those that take part in reconstruction,”naming the American firm Halliburton."

Hmm... I wonder where Osama bin Laden learned all about this formerly obscure American corporation and their evil war profiteering.

"We learned yesterday what many Americans have suspected for a long time--special interest contributor Halliburton is overcharging the American taxpayers by tens of millions of dollars. Now George W. Bush is preventing entire nations from bidding on contracts in Iraq so his campaign contributors can continue to overcharge the American taxpayers."
- Howard Dean

“We need a plan to ensure that Halliburton and other corporations like Halliburton are not in a position to profiteer on whatever money goes into Iraq,”
- Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle

“Halliburton is guilty of shameful war-profiteering, and they need to be held accountable."
-John Kerry

2004-04-14T22:13:00.000-05:00

Sadr Surrenders:

From the New York Times:

Haidar Aziz, a spokesman in Baghdad for Mr. Sadr's Mahdi Army, said the cleric had decided to turn the militia into "a political and social organization with no military activities."

Finally, the aides said, Mr. Sadr had agreed to submit to a warrant for his arrest in the murder of a rival Shiite cleric last year, but only "after the formation of a legitimate and sovereign government" — meaning after American control of Iraq ends.

The headline of the article is that the Iranians are helping in all of this. Fascinating. Three days ago, Sadr was declaring Iraq was going to be another Vietnam. I don't recall Ho Chi Minh giving up in less than a week.

2004-04-13T08:59:00.000-05:00

Win now

Larry Miller from the Weekly Standard hits the nail on the head:

"But when I saw that banner saying "Mission Accomplished," I thought, no, no, it isn't accomplished at all, it's barely begun, and if we're going to do this thing, accept this challenge, fully absorb the import of this moment, it's going to wind up making the Hundred Years War look like a performance of Nicholas Nickleby.

And please don't hand me that "Well, he just meant the major operations, and the rest of the message was more nuanced, and if you read the text . . ."

Baloney. I support the president in all of this, but what he should have done then, in my opinion, is what he can still do now. What I've been waiting for. What the whole country needs, for, against, and in between.

A speech. A big one. A grave one. Say that the world is a very bad place and has been for a long time, and that we're going to stop it in its tracks and make it better because we have to, and because, as Tony Blair said when he spoke to Congress, "It's your destiny."

Stand next to a map of Iraq, and another one of the world, and point out what's good and what's bad, what's been done and what's left. Say, 'You may disagree, but here's where we are, and here's where we're going.'

Most important, say, 'It may happen before, during, or after the election, but I don't care, I'm doing it because it's right, and if I'm president again next year, I'm going to keep doing it'

And then win. Win in Iraq, and then look around for other threats like a silverback gorilla after slapping the head off of an upstart."

He concludes:

"In service of this goal, I would like to propose a new slogan. It's based on the old anti-war chant from the sixties, "Peace Now!" You must've heard that one. Demonstrators have been shouting it for the last 40 years. "Peace Now, Peace Now, Peace Now." Hell, I think I probably shouted it, myself, somewhere around '73. (This would have been shortly before the drinking age in Massachusetts went down to 18, after which my friends and I took to shouting far more sensible things, like, "You can't cut us off, it's only 11:00. Hey, let go of me.")

Here's the new slogan: Win now."

2004-04-12T20:50:00.000-05:00

Now this is questioning patriotism!

Don't get me wrong. I'm a big hawk on the War on Terror, and do see Iraq as a logical part of that war. But even I think this guy is a little tough on the Democrats:

The truth is the Democratic party is not overly concerned with either the cause of humanity or America's fundamental security interests. What guides them most is a deeply corrosive skepticism of American power. They remain the "blame America first" crowd. A Democrat administration was no more inclined to go after al Qaeda in Afghanistan or to make war on its far-flung network than to stop the killing in Rwanda. - Adam Wolfson, writing for National Review Online.

Read the whole thing. Its pretty rough.

2004-04-12T20:14:00.000-05:00

The War on Terror
"You and all your snide friends in all the foreign offices know in your hearts the cruelty, the evil that emanates from the Moslem world. But you are afraid to hold Islam up to the light and tell your people 'Look this is what we have to live with.' No, let the Jews do it. We once again man the barricades alone, berated by our smug, so-called allies of the Western Democracies. Islam is going to turn this world upside down before this century is out and you'd better have enough guts to deal with it. "

Pg. 213 of the Bantam Books Edition of "The Haj", by Leon Uris
Gideon Asch, speaking to a British Cornel in Tel Aviv on the eve of the Israeli War for Indpendence
First published in 1984.

2004-04-12T19:34:00.000-05:00

The Mission of this Blog
I hope this blog will provide a forum for debate that captures the spirit of the Lee Room. That is open, honest, biting, mean, sarcastic, realistic and above all - honorable.

There's a lot of excitement coming up:

*We've got a contentious electorate that's evenly divided and both sides are all fired up.

*We've got an Olympics being held in a city where half of the stadiums haven't been completed and can't provide security.

*The Republicans are coming to town!

*Iraq is going to be turned over (maybe) to uhm...somebody on June 30th.

*Israel is withdrawing from Gaza.

*Friends is going off the air.

*The Terminator is governor of California and Mad Max is one of the country's foremost religious figures.

2004-04-12T17:55:00.000-05:00

The Lee Room

When I was an undergraduate at Washington & Lee University, the living room of my Fraternity House was called the Lee Room. Students at Washington & Lee revere Robert E. Lee, who became president of the then Washington College after returning to Virginia after the Civil War, and stayed there until he died in 1870. Lee is the spiritual founder of the modern W&L. His strict honor code, in which any student found lying, cheating or stealing was removed from campus is still strictly enforced and cherished at the university today. Lee is buried on campus. So is his horse.

You might say the kids at W&L have a Lee fixation. In any case, that fixation extended to my fraternity house, where an outsized and austere portrait of Lee hung above the mantle and fireplace of our living room and commanded the attention of all who entered.

The "Lee Room" was where the great arguments of college took place. My fraternity had members from all over the country and religious backgrounds, especially for W&L. Our ranks included 4 of the 50 Jews on campus (present company included), a couple of asian kids, and people from diverse backgrounds such as West Virginia, Kentucky, New York City, Dallas, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Winston Salem, Georgia, Minnesota, etc.

This experience really informed my political views. I came to Virginia a pretty standard northeastern Jewish liberal. I was blue state through and through. I left Virginia with a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the people. the culture and the values of the Red States. So my views are pretty all over the place.