From DefenseLINK: The highest-ranking military officer in Iraq said over the past year his country’s armed forces have accomplished “almost a miracle.” Speaking through a translator, Army Gen. Babakir Shawkat Zebari said only one battalion was capable of operating with coalition forces when he became the Iraqi military’s chief of staff. Now dozens are taking the lead in the counterinsurgency fight, and many more are operating with coalition forces.

he WSJ today features this powerful account of the Dem establishment turning it’s back on one-time Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman.  From “Lieberman at the Bridge” (subscription only, so I’ll quote at length):

Barring Supreme Court intervention, Williams will be executed one minute after midnight PST. I’ll post Schwarzenegger’s statement here when it becomes available, but from initial reports, he seems to have based his decision on showing deference to the jury.  Initial AP report here.

If you’re down and confused And you don’t remember who you’re talking too Concentration slips away Cause you’re baby is so far away Well there’s a rose in the fisted glove And eagle flies with the dove And if you can’t be with the one you love honey — Rent yourself some porn or something. Don’t be angry—don’t be sad Don’t sit crying over good times you’ve had There’s a

John Hawkins has compiled his choices for “The 40 Most Obnoxious Quotes For 2005”.  I’ve plucked from the list two I believe deserve a pointed juxtaposition: “I’d like to say to the good citizens of Dover: if there is a disaster in your area, don’t turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city. And don’t wonder why He hasn’t helped you when problems begin, if they begin. I’m

I was happy to hear from Barry, Trish, and Lauren on the questions I raised yesterday—though I admit that I wasn’t always satisfied with the answers they gave (as I’m sure they weren’t satisfied with mine).  Allow me to highlight a few remaining points of disputation, and to push for the next step in establishing workable grounds for debate. Trish, it seems to me, best sums up the position of

me: “I don’t understand.  Was it something I said, or…?” new rimless glasses: “Okay, now you’re just acting needy.”

In a comment to this post from The Countess today noting the recent dustup between my response¹ to Feministe’s post on “hijabing” as a potentially empowering feminist performative, and Lauren’s, uh, spirited reply to that response (the substantive parts of which I answered here), Alon Levy observes that I deploy what he calls the “spurious” distinction between “equity feminism” and “gender feminism”—a remark that solicits this explanation from The Countess,

Sure, it isn’t the most glamorous kitchen improvement.  But one thing is certain:  chicks dig gargage disposals! So let’s get to it. First though, take note:  because disposals vary in size and bowl depth, be sure to check the dimensions and match them to the space under your sink. Also, because installing a disposal requires both plumbing and electrical skills, the project is best suited to experienced do-it-yourselfers. To simplify

Let me take a moment to note the passing of two extraordinarily influential Americans, both of whom passed away yesterday: