There’s an interesting confluence of ideas coming together in several news stories today. The first is in an opinion poll from Iraq that finds an increasing number of Iraqis viewing the U. S. as occupiers rather than liberators:

But while they acknowledge benefits from dumping Saddam a year ago, Iraqis no longer see the presence of the American-led military as a plus. Asked whether they view the U.S.-led coalition as “liberators” or “occupiers,” 71% of all respondents say “occupiers.” […]

“I’m not ungrateful that they took away Saddam Hussein,” says Salam Ahmed, 30, a Shiite businessman. “But the job is done. Thank you very much. See you later. Bye-bye.”

This is a disturbing trend. It’s hard to see how we can achieve our objectives in Iraq with a deteriorating level of cooperation from the Iraqi people.
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I’ve been reading the letter sent by fifty British foreign policy experts to Tony Blair.

We the undersigned former British ambassadors, high commissioners, governors and senior international officials, including some who have long experience of the Middle East…

Or, we’ve spent nearly 1,000 years all told letting the the Middle East get into the state it’s in. Okay, what are they concerned about?

The decision by the USA, the EU, Russia and the UN to launch a “Road Map” for the settlement of the Israel/Palestine conflict raised hopes that the major powers would at last make a determined and collective effort to resolve a problem which, more than any other, has for decades poisoned relations between the West and the Islamic and Arab worlds.

I thought so. It’s Israel’s fault.
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Blackfive has a letter that is a must-read. If you haven’t read it yet, read Taking Chance Home. Bring kleenex.

The Internet is a strange and wonderful place. Mamie Van Doren, the 1950’s sex symbol, supports John Kerry!

I’ve decided to start researching a different line than the ones I’ve been researching in my genealogical researches. My Swiss Schuler ancestry has been very easy to research. The efforts of my distant Swiss cousin, Ansgar Schuler, have been of enormous help. Basically I can trace the Schuler ancestry back to the 14th century. Ansgar claims he can go back to the 8th century but I suspect he may be overreaching a little bit here. I’ll post the details later.

My mother’s Blanchard ancestors have been quite difficult to research. They’re a pretty shifty bunch cleverly avoiding being listed in the federal census. I’ve been trying to go back farther than about 1820 without any real luck for about six years now.

So I’ve decided to start researching my Schneider ancestors–my maternal grandmother’s family. I started by going to Ancestry.com.
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Much has been written about the losses sustained in the last few weeks in the war in Iraq and in Afghanistan, particularly about Pat Tillman, the young athlete who gave up fame and fortune to serve his country and ultimately to die for it.

These are words recorded by the Greek historian Thucydides as having been spoken by Pericles in tribute to the dead killed in a year of war.

Most of those who have spoken here before me have commended the lawgiver who added this oration to our other funeral customs. It seemed to them a worthy thing that such an honor should be given at their burial to the dead who have fallen on the field of battle. But I should have preferred that, when men’s deeds have been brave, they should be honored in deed only, and with such an honor as this public funeral, which you are now witnessing. Then the reputation of many would not have been imperiled on the eloquence or want of eloquence of one, and their virtues believed or not as he spoke well or ill. For it is difficult to say neither too little nor too much; and even moderation is apt not to give the impression of truthfulness. The friend of the dead who knows the facts is likely to think that the words of the speaker fall short of his knowledge and of his wishes; another who is not so well informed, when he hears of anything which surpasses his own powers, will be envious and will suspect exaggeration. Mankind are tolerant of the praises of others so long as each hearer thinks that he can do as well or nearly as well himself, but, when the speaker rises above him, jealousy is aroused and he begins to be incredulous. However, since our ancestors have set the seal of their approval upon the practice, I must obey, and to the utmost of my power shall endeavor to satisfy the wishes and beliefs of all who hear me.

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When I rise in the morning I dress and walk Qila and Jenny. After our walk I start my breakfast oatmeal and begin reading blogs.

I start every morning with Lileks. Lileks is a wonderful writer and his blog intermingles his daily life, pop culture, and political commentary.
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I’ve been pretty discouraged over the last few days about the goings-on in Iraq. The current strategy has appeared to be to run out the clock. While this is probably the smartest thing to do in Najaf, I think otherwise in Fallujah. As I say, it’s been discouraging.

There’s a great “Letter from the Front” over on Citizen Smash. Definitely not PC.
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It’s been my experience in life that people tend to do what they’re trained to do. When confronted with a medical problem we wouldn’t be surprised if a surgeon looked for a surgical solution or an internist looked for a non-surgical solution. Why should we be surprised if lawyers view an investigation from the viewpoint of advocacy or prosecution?
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