Conservatives and their Problem with Treason

Morton Kondracke tries to stifle Democrats from comparing Iraq to Vietnam by saying it demoralizes the troops. Kondracke anticipates criticism by claiming he's not questioning Democratic loyalty, just timing, discretion, and judgment. To Kondracke, criticism of U.S. policy and actions gives succor to the enemy, at least as long as troops are in combat.

Other conservatives, I'm sure, would not be as delicate with Democratic sensibilities. Kondracke leaves to others the obvious inference that Democrats are treasonous. Since combat hasn't ended, criticism can't possibly start. Endless combat therefore means endless suspension of debate. Mission Accomplished, indeed!

I don't buy Kondracke's Nixonian (Ciceronian actually) evasions. I, for one, will not stop criticizing U.S. policy or actions, whether troops are in combat or not. The troops themselves can't fulfill that civic duty as long as they are in uniform: it's up to people like me.

John McCain does make some points that Iraq is not like Vietnam, in the sense that there aren't off-limit sanctuaries and there isn't a sponsoring superpower. On the other hand, there may be no need for a distant superpower if a neighboring regional power (e.g., Iran) is available, and there are plenty of human shields around for a variety of ad hoc off-limits sanctuaries in Iraqi cities.

As far as I care, Kondracke can take his jackboots and play Fuhrer in Nasiriya. I will state my opinions as I please.

Various Items

The universe may be shaped as a trumpet
The echoes in George Bush's head
Condoleeza Rice, and the Perfect as the enemy of the Good

Runaway Stage and Joseph

With the DMTC crew, I saw Runaway Stage Production's version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on Friday night. Fine show. Nice acting, singing, lights, etc. There were lots of parallels with DMTC's version that we did in 2002. I mentioned that to Steve Isaacson, who pointed out that all local versions of Joseph since the 1980's relied heavily on Bob Baxter direction and Ron Cisneros choreography, in spirit if not necessarily in fact, and that accounts for the parallels.

Easter

Met Sandra and Juan for the first time on Easter. Arrival was inauspicious, though. When we arrived, there was a blonde teenage girl in a tube top writhing on the lawn in pain and tears and shouting obscenities at the top of her lungs. Sandra leaned over her and cooed "Come on dear, let me help you. I am not your enemy." Someone else might be her enemy, though (apparently the teenagers were living in a squalid parallel universe quite different from the adults). Nevertheless, it was an excellent time, with endless foosball and discussions about growing up superstitious in Cuba.

Loss at Thunder Valley: ~$1550.00