Monthly Archives: March 2010

“Countries have interests, not friends.” (roughly)

Posted on March 14, 2010 by Pat Lang

 "Israel and the U.S. have mutual interests," Netanyahu told the Cabinet, then pointedly added, "but we will act according to the vital interests of the state of Israel."  Yahoo News ————————————————————————————— Excellent principle.  We should follow it in crafting American policy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel, Policy | 32 Comments

Open Thread for a Rainy Saturday.

Posted on March 13, 2010 by Pat Lang

Who do you suppose that this is?  pl 

Posted in Open Thread | 18 Comments

Who can you trust these days?

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Pat Lang

 "In a tense, 43-minute phone call on Friday morning, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel’s plans for new housing units for Jews in East Jerusalem sent a “deeply negative signal” about Israel-American relations, and not just because it spoiled a … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel | 35 Comments

The Allawi Factor

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Pat Lang

They are busy counting in Iraq.  Maliki's coalition seems to be doing well but the big story there is that Ayad Allawi's grouping, "Al-'Iraqiya" is also doing surprisingly well. Allawi represents in some sense the old Iraq that emerged in the '50s under Hashemite … Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq | 19 Comments

Hagee and Natanyahu

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Pat Lang

 "Hagee also slammed the UN-sponsored Goldstone Report on Israel’s Gaza offensive last winter, calling the document a “fallacious report,” and putting the onus for war crimes on Hamas members, whom Hagee said, “hid behind the skirts of women to increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel | 31 Comments

In Memoriam – Colonel Robert K. Sawyer, US Army

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Pat Lang

Bob Sawyer (the father) was a close friend.  I was lucky enough to have several mentors and "fathers" in life, our dad, uncle John, Doctor Les Upton and Colonel Robert K. Sawyer.  I learned belatedly today that he is buried … Continue reading →

Posted in The Military Art | 16 Comments

Joe Biden is a flunky for Natanyahu & Co.

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Pat Lang

 "So what is Israel actually trying to achieve? Basically, nothing. There is a superficial peace process which is going nowhere but eases international pressure on Israel to reach a deal with the Palestinians.  Netanyahu prides himself on his decades-long relationship … Continue reading →

Posted in Israel | 46 Comments

Joe the gardener.

Posted on March 10, 2010 by Pat Lang

 "Israel blindsided Vice President Joe Biden''s fence-mending mission Tuesday by announcing a settler building boom in East Jerusalem. The move to expand an Orthodox Jewish settlement by 1,600 units embarrassed Biden, who was trying to jump-start "indirect" talks with the Palestinians. Biden … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 18 Comments

Dover Beach – M. Arnold

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Pat Lang

The sea is calm to-night.The tide is full, the moon lies fairUpon the straits; on the French coast the lightGleams and is gone; the cliffs of England stand;Glimmering and vast, out in the tranquil bay.Come to the window, sweet is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Beck against Christianity

Posted on March 9, 2010 by Pat Lang

 "On his daily radio and television shows last week, Fox News personality Glenn Beck set out to convince his audience that "social justice," the term many Christian churches use to describe their efforts to address poverty and human rights, is … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Religion | 36 Comments