Ranting

Andrew Bacevich on the loss of his son in a war he protests.

Not for a second did I expect my own efforts to make a difference. But I did nurse the hope that my voice might combine with those of others -- teachers, writers, activists and ordinary folks -- to educate the public about the folly of the course on which the nation has embarked. I hoped that those efforts might produce a political climate conducive to change. I genuinely believed that if the people spoke, our leaders in Washington would listen and respond.

This, I can now see, was an illusion.

The people have spoken, and nothing of substance has changed. The November 2006 midterm elections signified an unambiguous repudiation of the policies that landed us in our present predicament. But half a year later, the war continues, with no end in sight. Indeed, by sending more troops to Iraq (and by extending the tours of those, like my son, who were already there), Bush has signaled his complete disregard for what was once quaintly referred to as "the will of the people."

Thoreau on the uselessness of our leadership.

Happy Villian tells us why she doesn't publicly oppose the war.

Mona on the inability of republicans to see the world in front of them.

A strong summary of what's in Iraqi blogs.

How life for Iraqi women has changed because of the war. No wonder they hate us.

Let's call a spade a spade: Bush Administration taking cues from the Nazis.

Thoreau on how far we've fallen that we have to ask if people are against torture. Think about that for a second. There are actually people who claim to be Americans who support TORTURE. How can they justify themselves? How can they look in the mirror, knowing that they approve of torturing another human being?

Scott Adams on Global Warming, as a man who came to it recently and has had a blog-comment assisted education about it.

Real examples of Feminism.

Legomancer on Memorial Day.

People who watch Fox "News" tend to be really uninformed, basically stupid, about the real world. Here's some stats that might explain why.

The War Prayer by Mark Twain. If you support any war, read this.