Barbara Bush

This is a very interesting article about Barbara Bush in the Washington Post. That she is an interesting woman is an understatement. This is worth reading. You will learn a lot about her, and her sons. She is, by the way, going to be here on April 4 for the 19th Annual John M. Ashbrook Memorial Dinner.

Articles on 9/11

This is a fine article by Dave Barry called "On Hallowed Ground." And here is another excellent piece by David Forte (originally given as a talk on art in Italy) that beautifully explains what we are fighting for. A lovely piece.

This is a cautionary note from Francis Fukuyama.

And George Will on why we fight. Excellent.

John Hughes calls the Iraq issue Bush’s Churchillian moment.

And Bernard Lewis in Wednesday’s Post on the infidels having all the power, and how our response has confused them. They were surprised by the courage and the power.

Politics

This is a clear-eyed Machiavellian analysis from Dick Morris that merits reading. (He is not always this clear.) Here is the gist of it: The Demos have been put in a bind because the whole of the period before the November elections will be taken up with the Iraq debate and then a vote—before the elections. This will mean that all other issues will be pushed to the background, and they can be held accountable for the vote they take. Dangerous for them, and I think they know it. And there is even talk of Bush delivering a nationally televised speech on Iraq in late September. An article in the Boston Globe agrees that in asking for Congressional approval, Bush may have enhanced the GOP’s chances of taking over the Senate and holding on to the House.

In the meantime, Bill Simon’s campaign has put up a website modeled after eBay which shows Governor Gray auctioning off California laws. Gray is considering suing. I think it is a great parody. Take a look before it’s removed.

Middle East and the War

This is Tony Blair’s speech to the Trade Union Congress. There are some very good passages on the war. He has been a stalwart supporter.

Bernard Lewis on Islam. This is a very fine and clear article. It is long.

David Tucker on the current strategy and what is needed. Thoughtful piece.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies says Iraq will have nukes in months.

The Left

Clinton asserts that we ought to get Osama bin Laden before we go after Saddam. Other things aside, if bin Laden is still alive, wouldn’t this then give Saddam an incentive to help bin Laden even more? Here is Jimmy Carter’s fear of Saddam. I think his assertions are painfully silly. Clinton and Carter are like peevish schoolchildren giving advice. They are embarrassing themselves.

This is an analysis from the Left about the Left’s view of 9/11. It’s worth reading; more honest than most left-wing stuff.

Odds and Ends on 9/11

Former Secretary of State George Schultz argues that Bush’s desire to remove Saddam is Churchillian.

This argues that Hamas is now decimated. True.

Is there a link between Saddam and September 11? More on the connection, a very long article and even more connections.

Chris Hitchens (a left-winger) on saving Islam from bin Laden.