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.

The Glittering Eye, “Hostis Humani Generis”

In my submission for this week I examine how the experience in putting down piracy may related to dealing with Islamist terrorism.

Done With Mirrors, “A Case of Race”

Callimachus considers the case of Stephen Swails, a lieutenant with the 54th Massachusetts infantry, celebrated in the movieGlory. It’s an interesting historic case with echoes down to the present day.

American Future, “Japan, Korea, and Nuclear Weapons”

I linked to Marc’s submission earlier this week. It’s an excellent backgrounder on the history and status of nuclear weapons in the region.

Soccer Dad, “Sharkey’s Flying Machine”

Soccer Dad recounts the story of a mid-air collision in Brazil.

ShrinkWrapped, “Talkin’ ‘Bout My Generation”

ShrinkWrapped celebrates the announcement that there are now 300 million people living in the United States with a reflection on the continuing influence of the Baby Boomers, his (and my) generation.

Gates of Vienna, “When Will the First IED Explode in Paris?”

Dymphna’s submission this week is a discussion of the ongoing disorder and violence in the Parisian suburbs perpetrated by racailles. I believe she’s a little more concerned about the influence of Islamists there than I am but I think the point she makes is valid:

This is a problem largely made by the French. They are snobs. They don’t integrate easily — Quebec’s drooling dreams of a state separate from Canada is a good example — because they know they’re better than these immigrants. Actually, they know they’re better than anyone else.

There are two problems faced by the ethnic states of Europe: a structural problem and a social problem. France may have formally addressed the structural problem but genuine implementation remains elusive and the social problem is growing.

AbbaGav, “To Deter or Not? Time to Choose”

AbbaGav examines the alternatives in dealing with rogue states, namely North Korea and Iran, that have nuclear weapons. I think that the alternatives and threats for the United States and Israel, while similar and interrelated are not identical: the U. S. has 10,000 nuclear weapons vs. a presumed few hundred in the possession of the Israelis and an ocean separates us from these threats—they’re not a few hundred miles away. These do make some difference.

Rhymes With Right, “I Must Be a Threat to Someone…”

Greg responds to a detractor.

The Education Wonks, “The Mexican Eagle Flies Over a Texas High School”

I do think that the incident that EdWonk takes note of is troubling. I completely understand a sentimental attachment to the country or countries from which one’s ancestors originally came. Living in Chicago as I do, I’ve frequently encountered Irish, Italian, Polish, and Mexican flags and no one thinks a thing of them. I see some difference between flying an Irish flag thousands of miles and many years away from Ireland in the absence of an Irish claim to Chicago and the flying of a Mexican flag not all that far from the Mexican border while nutcases claim that Texas belongs to Mexico. EdWonk notes the absence of reciprocity on this issue, which is fair comment as well.

Joshuapundit, “Chairman of House Armed Services Committee Wants CNN Imbedded Reporters Kicked Out of Iraq”

Freedom Fighter reacts to CNN’s airing of footage showing the murder of an American soldier by an Iraqi sniper. At best I think CNN’s action was poor judgment.

The Sundries Shack, “Wake Up. Please?”

Jimmie Bise takes note of two cases involving the media and points out that there are limits to tolerance.

Right Wing Nut House, “A Liberal Manifesto and Other Halloween Frights”

Rick Moran fisks a Liberal Manifesto recently published by The American Prospect. Thoroughly, with zest, and with some unbecoming glee.

A very, very difficult choice this week—there are just too many good posts. If you’d lower the quality a little, guys, it would be easier to make a choice.

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

2 comments… add one
  • Amusing, in a sad way: Gates of Vienna, “When Will the First IED Explode in Paris?”

    Shrieking on about Islamist uprisings in France….. IEDs?

    Nothing like exagerated adoption of military jargon of the moment to render oneself ridiculous. Typical urban riots become IEDs……

Leave a Comment