I am pleased to announce that the seat on the Watcher’s Council has been filled by Scott Kirwin’s blog, The Razor. Scott attended the same high school I did albeit at a much later date and I think I detect a hint of some of the same training that I received in his work. He’s a welcome addition to the Council. Some of Scott’s very best posts have been on the subject of Africa and I look forward to reading more of his work in that vein.
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.
Soccer Dad, “Dear Mr. Hoyt”
Soccer Dad posts a letter to NYT ombudsman Clark Hoyt, questioning the NYT’s coverage of Israel and the Palestinians.
Done With Mirrors, “In Which It Gets Worse”
Callimachus isn’t happy with the state of affairs in the public schools.
Wolf Howling, “Cowbama Diplomacy and Iran”
GW considers Sen. Barack Obama’s accidental foreign policy, particularly his pledge to negotiate with the Iranians.
Rhymes With Right, “An Honest Assesment of the MSM’s Problem”
Greg leaps to the defense of Hillary Clinton against the media. In related news Hell has frozen over. Today’s journalism isn’t about getting the story it’s about telling a story.
Hillbilly White Trash, “Reflections on the State of the Republic”
I agree with Lemuel Calhoon’s assessment: most Americans are too happy with the way things are to engage in armed resistance. But I also think that the tone of the rhetoric that’s going around these days is sadly reminiscent of what was commonplace in the lead-up to the American Civil War.
Bookworm Room, “Why Jews Are Right To Suspect Obama’s Advisers”
I have little add to Bookworm’s criticism of Barack Obama’s advisors in general, Zbigniew Brzezinski in particular on their views on Israel. Anti-semitic views are quite common among European intellectuals. If it’s any solace, they don’t like Americans any better. Or the British.
The Colossus of Rhodey, “Will History Redeem President Bush?”
I disagree with Hube that if GWB has stuck to the General War on Terror rather than invading Iraq his approval rating wouldn’t be as low as it is. I think Bush’s critics would be complaining about the quagmire in Afghanistan and the number of Americans killed there instead.
The Glittering Eye, “Strange Device”
My submission this week is a commentary on Walter Russell Mead’s latest book, God and Gold.
Cheat Seeking Missiles, “Peacekeepers Raping Children… Again”
I think that Laer is right to be outraged on the many incidents of child sexual abuse on the part of troops engaged in UN peacekeeping missions but I think he’s concerned about the wrong things. The UN just does what the member countries authorize it to do. The sexual abuse isn’t the UN’s fault but the fault of the countries supplying the troops. I think the the things to be concerned about are the low morale, lack of discipline and attendant lack of military fitness and readiness, and, probably, racism that the widespread incidents reflect.
The Education Wonks, “Say Goodnight, Hillary”
EdWonk pronounces the Clinton campaign dead.
Joshuapundit, “Looking At The Last Full Measure Of Devotion”
Freedom Fighter reflects on Memorial Day. I think that G. K. Chesterton’s observation is apt: soldiers don’t kill in war (or give their lives for that matter) because they hate what’s in front of them but because they love what’s behind them.
The Razor, “Memorial Day 2008”
In recognition of Memorial Day Scott considers the experiences in war of a single soldier, Arden Yoder, whom I gather is his grandfather.
Well, I’ve decided which posts I’ll vote for this week. Which posts would get your votes?
