Eye on the Watcher’s Council

As you may know the members of the Watcher’s Council each nominate one of his or her own posts and one non-Council post for consideration by the whole Council. The complete list of this week’s Council nominations is here.

Marc Schulman of American Future has assumed the seat on the Watcher’s Council vacated by Matt Barr. I honestly couldn’t be happier at this outcome. I’ve been pushing Marc’s membership almost since the moment I joined the Watcher’s Council myself. I think Marc is a fabulous blogger and I’m convinced the rest of the Council will find him very congenial. There are any number of superlatives I could apply to Marc but here’s just one: he’s without question the blogosphere’s outstanding scholar of the editorial policy of the New York Times with respect to the War on Terror.

The Glittering Eye, “The Discouraging Situation in Iraq”

In my submission for this week I contemplate the situation in Iraq and speculate on the prospects there if the Democrats take control of the Congress. One more point should probably be added: Jim Baker’s report wll almost undoubtedly give Democrats who are predisposed to withdraw our forces political cover for doing so. I think it’s a done deal.

Done With Mirrors, “I Wasn’t Chasing Blood”

Callimachus posts the third in the series on his friend Kat’s experiences as a contractor in Iraq. This installment deals with the media’s choices in reporting what’s going on there.

Soccer Dad, “Baker’s Family”

Soccer Dad considers the Baker report on Iraq, parts of which have been leaked already. As I noted above it will undoubtedly provide political cover for Democrats eager to withdraw our troops from Iraq and Republicans who believe that getting Iraq off the front page will salve their political fortunes. It will also preclude any similar American adventure for at least a generation and discourage us from engaging in nation-building in any form whatever. So, what then?

ShrinkWrapped, “Trauma, Passivity, & the Fear of Aggression”

In his submission for this week ShrinkWrap juxtaposes two very different issues: the feminization of our culture and effective self-defense. While I agree with his feminization thesis I can’t agree on his ideas about self-defense. Effective self-defense requires training. Avoidance of trouble is the first choice in effective self-defense; flight is the second-best alternative; confronting the problem directly is the last choice.

The prescription of passivity and compliance for schoolchildren when faced with imminent danger is a poor and foolish one but charging a gunman is no better. The correct prescription is flight.

The Education Wonks, “Restricting Kindergarten: Treating Equals Unequally?”

I have to admit that I’m puzzled by EdWonk’s report that the children of illegal immigrants in Colorado are entitled to a free, enriched kindergarten program. I can see making such a determination based on financial or educational need but doing so simply on the lack of legal status sounds loony to me.

AbbaGav, “Running Down the Middle”

In the state of Connecticut nearly half of all registered voters belong to neither political party. That’s why Joe Lieberman’s position, frequently voting with his part, sometimes against it, is prudent constituent service. AbbaGav’s post on Ariana Huffington’s proposed concession speech for Ned Lamont misses this critical point. You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the etc. If Democrats are to resume their position as actual majority party rather than the party of protest, they’ll have to come to terms with the reality that many Americans are driven neither by ideological nor partisan considerations. AbbaGav does get that part right.

Rhymes With Right, “So Julia Wilson and Her Parents Are Idiots But, Hey What Else Is New?”

I have mixed feelings about the story Greg posts on in his submission about a teenage girl who operated a “hate Bush” blog but I completely agree with him that the newspaper headline misses the story.

Joshuapundit, “Nobody But Us ‘Moderates’ Here, Condi!”

Freedom Fighter isn’t too happy about the return of realism to U. S. foreign policy, mentioned above in the return to prominence of James Baker and noted by FF in Condoleezza Rice’s recent meetings with Palestinian leaders. I think I understand his feelings but perhaps it would be best to remember that diplomacy is the art of saying “Nice doggie” while looking around for a stick. Sticks are becoming dramatically harder to come by.

Right Wing Nut House, “No Greater Love”

Rick Moran posts on the gallant sacrifice of Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Monsoor, a Navy Seal who gave his life that his fellows might live. Where do we get such men?

Gates of Vienna, “Arab Sport: Crucifying Christian Children in Iraq”

It was difficult typing the title of Dymphna’s submission for this week let alone read or consider the topic of the persecution of Christians that is going on in Iraq right now. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to write the post.

Every time idiots and thugs murder priests or children under the cloak of Islam it discredits the religion and their fellow-believers.

The Sundries Shack, “Kim’s Last Days?”

Jimmie Bise wonders if, in the recent nuclear test, the Kim regime in North Korea may have overreached by alienating its staunchest support, China.

American Future, “Sanctions on North Korea: the Weakest Link”

Marc Schulman reviews the administration’s position on North Korea after the test of a nuclear device by the North Koreans and after the passage of Resolution 1718 by the UN Security Council, which imposes sanctions on the KFR and authorizes inspections of containers going to and from North Korea.  His question, I fear, is the correct one:  what’s next?

Well, I’ve decided which posts I’ll vote for.  Which would get your vote?