Libya Uranium Story Update

Are We Certain that North Korea Was the Source? No one ever said we were, of course, but today, dedicated axis-of-evil skeptic Glenn Kessler, has written a second WaPo piece on the story in as may days, this time raising doubts, via the IAEA (remember them?), about the U.S. conclusion that North Korea was Libya’s supplier: IAEA tests on the same container — using samples taken at the same time the United States took samples last spring — did not...

Condi Rice and the Tempting Politics of Race

Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, and particularly since the rise of Condi Rice, I have seen a disturbing trend in the rhetoric of conservatives. Many of them have departed from the important principle–though it may be more aspirational than real–that we should be measured by what Martin Luther King Jr. called “the content of our character” rather than the color of our skin. It is tempting to make Condi Rice’s race a part of the discussion about her...

Condi Rice and the Tempting Politics of Race

Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, and particularly since the rise of Condi Rice, I have seen a disturbing trend in the rhetoric of conservatives. Many of them have departed from the important principle–though it may be more aspirational than real–that we should be measured by what Martin Luther King Jr. called “the content of our character” rather than the color of our skin. It is tempting to make Condi Rice’s race a part of the discussion about her...

My Post-Mortem on the Graner Verdict

I’m veering off-topic briefly to talk about an old love that will not die, court-martial practice. In this case, it was superbly performed by Major Michael Holley, who prosecuted Specialist Graner of Abu Ghraib fame. As I’ve previously mentioned in this blog, I was Major Holley’s supervisor when both of us were on active duty, back when he was still Captain Holley. Most of my supervision, incidentally, consisted of me telling him to keep doing what he was already doing,...

My Post-Mortem on the Graner Verdict

I’m veering off-topic briefly to talk about an old love that will not die, court-martial practice. In this case, it was superbly performed by Major Michael Holley, who prosecuted Specialist Graner of Abu Ghraib fame. As I’ve previously mentioned in this blog, I was Major Holley’s supervisor when both of us were on active duty, back when he was still Captain Holley. Most of my supervision, incidentally, consisted of me telling him to keep doing what he was already doing,...

The Alternative Reality of Christine Ahn

Dave at No Illusions wants to know more about Christine Ahn, the North Korean apologist (and American, as it turns out) whose views OhMyNews found worthy of the extensive interview I linked and fisked below. Even a cursory exploration of Christine Ahn’s views immediately raises questions about the honesty of OhMyNews’s coverage of her, given its failure to disclose that she is an active member in a pro-Pyongyang organization based in Oakland, California. Who Is Christine Ahn? North Korea is...

The Alternative Reality of Christine Ahn

Dave at No Illusions wants to know more about Christine Ahn, the North Korean apologist (and American, as it turns out) whose views OhMyNews found worthy of the extensive interview I linked and fisked below. Even a cursory exploration of Christine Ahn’s views immediately raises questions about the honesty of OhMyNews’s coverage of her, given its failure to disclose that she is an active member in a pro-Pyongyang organization based in Oakland, California. Who Is Christine Ahn? North Korea is...

Winter in Korea

I reneged on my promise to give you pictures during the last two weekends. I hope you’re not disappointed with this week’s selection. As always, the photographer is my sister-in-law, who photo-blogs under the name Carou. I’d link her, but her blog isn’t public yet. I’m trying to convince her to change her mind. Apukujong looks cold. I love the light in this picture. Seoul City Hall just before New Year’s Day, 2005. My wife and I were married in...

Winter in Korea

I reneged on my promise to give you pictures during the last two weekends. I hope you’re not disappointed with this week’s selection. As always, the photographer is my sister-in-law, who photo-blogs under the name Carou. I’d link her, but her blog isn’t public yet. I’m trying to convince her to change her mind. Apukujong looks cold. I love the light in this picture. Seoul City Hall just before New Year’s Day, 2005. My wife and I were married in...

America’s Energy Future

Although new oil reserves are routinely discovered in the U.S. and other parts of the world, eventually oil will be almost entirely consumed. And the looming lack of oil is about much more that just transportation (which includes asphalt for roads, by the way), and keeping the lights, heat, and air-conditioning on. Take a look around you ““ see any plastic? Plastics and many other synthetics are manufactured from oil, from the mouse in your hand, to the insulation of...