You’re kidding right? If you’re upset about 1200 deaths in Iraq and a fraction of that figure in Afghanistan, realize that it would be several orders of magnitude worse if not for “unnecessary weapons programs” over the past quarter-century.

If we tried to take out the Taliban and disrupt Al-Queda with Vietnam-era equipment and tactics, I think we’d be wishing we had another Vietnam on our hands.

Wow — three dumb things in one sentence. I’m not sure it’s a record, but it’s certainly a worthy effort.

(1) “It does not make great sense to question why the press is doing nothing with this information….”

Actually, it makes excellent sense: the unpublicized section of the bin Laden tape makes several very specific statements (ie, one that threatens individual states based on their vote) that make it much clearer this was a Kerry endorsement. From Ed Rendell’s explicit argument that the tape was a Bush endorsement, which did get into the MSM, I’d say it’s significant that this is not in the MSM.

(2) “If there is a credible threat of terror…”

This is almost not worth the effort, but I’ll just note the Spanish elections.

(3) “Tom Ridge should be going into action. Is he?”

Actually, this could be just being misinformed, rather than straight out native stupid. It does suggest, though, that you’re unaware of the press conference Ridge had to talk about what steps were being taken (very generally, but then you don’t go broadcasting your plans) and wouldn’t take (no plan to raise the alert level).

John, I used to think this was a bad thing. No more. Straight Republican for me this time around. I think it is time for you to start worrying about the next midterms. The Dems have alienated enough of their old supporters that I suspect they will be out of power for the next decade, if not more. Democracy is a bitch, no?

And when has the NG ever gotten the platinum account, John?

They always got the leftovers.

Do you have experience w/ceramic tolerances, perchance?

How long does it take to make a vest? Did we supply any to our allies? If so, how many? How many mfgrs are there of these vests?

Should I tell you about my dad’s 2 years in Germany in the 50s and bullets then? How many bullet mfgrs do we have?

And list the unnecessary weapons programs.

Pubbies do not control the Senate, if they did, I’d have my judges. The Gang of 41 could have held up the budget if they so chose, they did not. But they’ve been magnificent in holding up the judges for 3 years.

–they have managed to inspire emulators in Spain, Indonesia, and elsewhere.–

What have the buddhists done to the muslims??

As to Spain, didn’t you know there was a document translated by Norweigans about how AQ was to target Spain before their election because they were a weak link? And they were right.

There’s a site called Rantburg and you should start visiting it. It’ll get you up to speed.

And thanks, too, to Syl and Fresh Air and Katherine.

Jamie Irons

The story also notes that the reservists and National Guardsmen didn’t have bullets for training, night vision goggles, radios, body armor, GPS equipment, and computers. It’s now 18 months since the “Mission Accomplished” landing on the Abraham Lincoln (which I saw berthed in the Puget Sound in December of 2001 at a time when no one dreamed it would be used against Iraq within 16 months). Do any of you think that George Bush or Donald Rumsfeld feel any shame or any responsibility for this incompetence which has cost the lives of Americans?

John McCain points out, helpfully, that Bush’s tax cuts in the midst of a war are partially responsible for these failures. What he didn’t mention is that defense contractors have reaped billions in unnecessary weapons programs while the basic needs of ordinary grunts went unmet.

John Moore: it’s time to write your Congressman and ask him to end pork barrel handouts to defense contractors and start providing for the regular GI’s! And be sure to vote for someone other than Bush or a Republican Congressman or Senator on Tuesday. After all, the Republicans have controlled the presidency for almost four years, and both houses of Congress (with one brief interval 2001-2002) for almost ten. So we know where the blame squarely lays. They have controlled the purse strings, the defense budget, and the decisions on when, where, and how to wage war.