Race

What's the difference between "finding bread and soda from a local grocery store" and "looting a grocery store?"

Iraq Withdrawal

Democracy Arsenal has more on the question of troop withdrawal. If we were to start withdrawing, the way to do it would be in the manner that Juan Cole talks about.

Troop Withdrawal

Over at Democracy Arsenal, Heather Hurlburt makes A Glum Prediction about the future of Iraq if we start pulling troops out of Iraq. The only valid reason for going in to Iraq in the first place was to remove a vicious tyrant and provide a stable, democratic government in Saddam's place. If all we do is to remove the tyrant without leaving stability, then we fail.

I'm back!

After many adventures (I spent a couple of weeks in Guatemala) I am back home and ready to get back to blogging. I have a digital camera now, so maybe I'll start putting some pictures up.

I think a good way to return to the blogosphere is with Belgravia Dispatch's analysis of where we are in Iraq. Like BD, this talk of withdrawing troops does not sound good to me. The argument that our troops are provoking the insurgents does not seem to take into account the increasing number of insurgent attacks against Iraqis. A significant reduction in US troops would likely increase those attacks, and therefore the liklihood of civil war.

So for once, I actually agree with what Bush seems to be saying. I just can't understand why Rumsfeld still has a job.