I seem to have lost my political edge.  I don’t feel much like saying anything about the world.  Just Above Sunset is more and more photography and publishing my friends.  My new full-time job is incredibly consuming – crises by the hour and managing the unmanageable.  Following the news and commenting on it is becoming more and more difficult, and now I have the flu.  Drat.

Geoff Parkes – in Australia – has a links page that lists Just Above Sunset first under “Brain Candy.”  See this for that.  Ha!  I sent him a nice note.  But now I have to produce more of it.

Bob Patterson’s energy has not flagged.  See this - something he found for those of you despairing liberals thinking of moving to Canada.  And this - which is why you should.  He also sends along this.

And too he points out news of a big Coca-Cola photo contest that seems to be about life in Paris. 

And this is rude - and amusing.

I find Eric Alterman good here -

… consider all of the various ways in which this war differs from the one we fought in Vietnam. 

Unlike Vietnam, our allies are treating the local populace well and are fighting effectively.

Unlike Vietnam, our troops are not torturing anyone or committing any atrocities anywhere.

Unlike Vietnam, our allies are committed to democracy, and are capable and experienced in carrying it out.

Unlike Vietnam, we are backing strong, independent leaders, rather than quislings and puppets whose power base rests with our military forces and economic support.

Unlike Vietnam, we are beloved by the people we are saving.

Unlike Vietnam, our president and his cabinet officers are leveling with the nation about the costs of victory and likelihood of defeat.

Unlike Vietnam, we have the support of the international community.

Unlike Vietnam, it is particularly popular in the region where the war is being fought, and among the alleged audience abroad we seek to impress with our wisdom and resolve.

Unlike Vietnam, our actions are not inspiring anyone to take up arms against us and thereby increase the level of threat we face.

Unlike Vietnam, dissenters within the government, particularly those with expertise in the history and culture of the people we seek to govern, are being heard with care and respect for their views.

Unlike Vietnam, this is also true for experts in academia and with direct experience in these nations.

Unlike Vietnam, our wise leaders have a clear idea of the cultures into which we have inserted ourselves.

Unlike Vietnam, we are not asking the poorest and least well-connected among us to the fighting and dying.

Unlike Vietnam, our troops are well-trained for their well-defined mission, (a particularly hearty congratulations goes to Colin Powell for so effectively preventing the same kind of abuse of grunts he witnessed in Vietnam). 

Unlike Vietnam, our civilian leaders are taking seriously warnings and advice of more experienced military leaders.

Unlike Vietnam, those who point out problems with the present course are not being sullied as “counsels of despair and defeat,” and giving “aid and comfort to the enemy.”

Unlike Vietnam, we have the whole thing well-planned out.

Unlike Vietnam, this is a necessary war against an enemy that had the will and capacity to threaten our lives at home.

I could go on, but you’ll have to take the rest… on faith.

Damn.  Back to the future and all that….

For those of us who were in college in the late sixties it all seems to be coming around again.  Maybe I’m getting too old for all this.