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Just a thought: if you were to put a pistol to my head and ask me whether Kerry thinks invading Iraq was a mistake, you might as well throw some money on the table and call it Russian roulette, because I have absolutely no frigging idea. Shortly after he flubbed the last debate, Bush (or his advisors) encapsulated it nicely: He stated that Saddam Hussein was a threat and that America had no business removing that threat. Senator Kerry said...

So much for Kerry�s secret plan to end the war. France and Germany have made it clear they�re not playing: Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry conceded yesterday that he probably will not be able to convince France and Germany to contribute troops to Iraq if he is elected president. That leaves Kerry with the argument that he can win because . . . he�s not Bush, which means he�d bring new �credibility� and �better judgment� to the war effort....

Last week�s Bush-Kerry debate hinged on which candidate would be more conspicuously horrible. As it turned out, Bush was so rambling, incoherent, twangy, and cranky that anyone with a complete set of teeth, some command of the English language, and reasonably clear annunciation could have walked away with it–and did, but not without a fatal blunder on one of the key national security issues we face. Kerry actually believes that in 2001, North Korea was safely in the box and...

Just a thought: if you were to put a pistol to my head and ask me whether Kerry thinks invading Iraq was a mistake, you might as well throw some money on the table and call it Russian roulette, because I have absolutely no frigging idea. Shortly after he flubbed the last debate, Bush (or his advisors) encapsulated it nicely: He stated that Saddam Hussein was a threat and that America had no business removing that threat. Senator Kerry said...

So much for Kerry�s secret plan to end the war. France and Germany have made it clear they�re not playing: Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry conceded yesterday that he probably will not be able to convince France and Germany to contribute troops to Iraq if he is elected president. That leaves Kerry with the argument that he can win because . . . he�s not Bush, which means he�d bring new �credibility� and �better judgment� to the war effort....

“While Americans who go abroad to kill people vote Republican, Americans who go abroad to do just about anything else vote Democratic.” –Elisabeth Eaves, on Slate Hey Liz–get over yourself, and shut the fuck up. Now, I realize you’re obviously proud of your past, so listen very carefully: I also happen to be extremely proud of mine. There are actually people in this world–people like me–who volunteered for overseas service in the United States armed forces because they believed in...

“While Americans who go abroad to kill people vote Republican, Americans who go abroad to do just about anything else vote Democratic.” –Elisabeth Eaves, on Slate Hey Liz–get over yourself, and shut the fuck up. Now, I realize you’re obviously proud of your past, so listen very carefully: I also happen to be extremely proud of mine. There are actually people in this world–people like me–who volunteered for overseas service in the United States armed forces because they believed in...

I still remember that “liberalism” once stood for compassion toward the innocent and supportive for individual liberties. Where are the liberal voices today? We heard them for a moment when men like Rep. Tom Lantos and Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Museum of Tolerance lent their weight to the North Korean Human Rights Act and helped it pass both houses of Congress without opposition. You can still see a liberal conscience at freenorthkorea.net, which probably influenced hundreds of people to...

I still remember that “liberalism” once stood for compassion toward the innocent and supportive for individual liberties. Where are the liberal voices today? We heard them for a moment when men like Rep. Tom Lantos and Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Museum of Tolerance lent their weight to the North Korean Human Rights Act and helped it pass both houses of Congress without opposition. You can still see a liberal conscience at freenorthkorea.net, which probably influenced hundreds of people to...

I still remember that “liberalism” once stood for compassion toward the innocent and supportive for individual liberties. Where are the liberal voices today? We heard them for a moment when men like Rep. Tom Lantos and Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Museum of Tolerance lent their weight to the North Korean Human Rights Act and helped it pass both houses of Congress without opposition. You can still see a liberal conscience at freenorthkorea.net, which probably influenced hundreds of people to...

That question requires the unique combination of self-delusion and chutzpah unique to Oh My News. It’s a long, rambling, illogical piece, full of shallow pretensions at understanding America (and for that matter, North Korea). In the process, it touches on everything from Survivor to South Park, without really ever addressing the perfectly good reasons that have united the most polarized American electorate ever in universal contempt for the Dear Leader. By the end of Mr. Kang’s piece, you will be...

The North Korean Human Rights Act has passed the Senate without opposition. It must now go to a joint conference committee to iron out minor differences with the House version. Expect President Bush to sign it shortly thereafter. Thanks to all who wrote letters to the Senate (you too, Mom). Thanks also to the kind comments, E-mails, and prayers after the birth of our daughter. One more post, and I’m off to babysit kids and try to let the wife...

That question requires the unique combination of self-delusion and chutzpah unique to Oh My News. It’s a long, rambling, illogical piece, full of shallow pretensions at understanding America (and for that matter, North Korea). In the process, it touches on everything from Survivor to South Park, without really ever addressing the perfectly good reasons that have united the most polarized American electorate ever in universal contempt for the Dear Leader. By the end of Mr. Kang’s piece, you will be...

The North Korean Human Rights Act has passed the Senate without opposition. It must now go to a joint conference committee to iron out minor differences with the House version. Expect President Bush to sign it shortly thereafter. Thanks to all who wrote letters to the Senate (you too, Mom). Thanks also to the kind comments, E-mails, and prayers after the birth of our daughter. One more post, and I’m off to babysit kids and try to let the wife...

Kaitlyn Margaret, 6 pounds, 15 ounces. Mother and baby are doing well. I’ll be back in a few days.

Kaitlyn Margaret, 6 pounds, 15 ounces. Mother and baby are doing well. I’ll be back in a few days.

My comments are on NKZone, along with new developments on the North Korean Human Rights Act. It’s coming up for a vote in the Senate next week, with the help of Senator Lugar. You may also want to read this article on the Hong Kong elections, where observers are predicting a high turnout. If the pro-democratic forces win, how would China react? If the Chinese cheat, how would the people react? Both sides seem to be on a collision course.

It’s still hard to believe so much time has passed. Three years ago yesterday, I was in the Trial Defense Office in Seoul, folding my uniforms and packing my suitcase, preparing to fly to Japan to litigate about a dozen motions I had filed in a court-martial case there. The TV was on, and I was watching Diane Sawyer talk about J-Lo or “Survivor” or Robert Blake whatever non-story circus was preoccupying us that day. When they cut to the...