Chris’ Occasional Rants

Bonjour from the home of the free!

Ben Fritz argues that as the invasion continues,

and debates rage about tactics and policies, some politicians and pundits have been using extreme rhetoric that serves only to shut down open discussion, rather than encourage it.
The New York Post’s Ralph Peters, for instance,

…has referred to the New Yorker as “a minor magazine loosely affiliated [...]

From an article by George Lakoff. (Discuss it here.)

The basic idea of a just war uses the Nation As Person metaphor plus two narratives that have the structure of classical fairy tales: The Self Defense Story and The Rescue Story.
Millions of people around the world can see that the metaphors and fairy tales don’t fit the [...]

Dear Mr Wicks,
I recently read[1] that the US, not being party to the 1997 anti-personnel mine convention, is planning to deploy landmines as part of their military “strategy” in Iraq. I would like to know what the UK government is doing about this, as you are required to uphold the provisions of the treaty. At [...]

The Register comes out all guns firing at the blogging community’s apparent “redefinition” of a term, calling it Orwellian doublespeak. Is it true that a small coterie of A-list bloggers is able to change the way we (for we: read Google users) define a phrase? Or is there really something bigger going on?
Update: Good [...]

Surely it’s only a matter of time before they attempt to try Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld & co. as well? Blair might well escape prosecution this time (he was only obeying orders) but who will come out looking the worst once the international jury is in?
Source: meooglefilter

James Moore, Senior Fellow of Harvard Law School, writes:

As the United States government becomes more belligerent in using its power in the world, many people are longing for a “second superpower” that can keep the US in check. Indeed, many people desire a superpower that speaks for the interests of planetary society, for long-term well-being, [...]

Rummy’s invasion plans seriously flawed? Seymour Hersch investigates.
Source: blogdex