Iraq and 1776

Imagine if you will the day when an Iraqi will take it into his head to write about these elections this past Sunday -- the date on which the people of Iraq -- against threat of personal and family injury -- commenced to form their day of independence. It reminds me of what John Adams wrote about that steamy July day in 1776 when the Continental Congress adopted a resolution on American independence?

"I am apt to believe," Adams exulted in a letter from Philadelphia to his wife Abigail in Massachusetts, "that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance. . . . It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forevermore."

Who would think of greeting Iraqi elections with such jubilation? After all, as the papers and the TV talking heads keep instructing us, Iraq is beset by problems. Sovereignty or no sovereignty, insurgents' bombs daily claim new victims, hospitals are desperately short of medicine, power blackouts last for hours, oil production has been crippled by sabotage, and terrorists cross the border with impunity. So why would January 31, 2005 be anything to celebrate?

Well, why was July 4, 1776, anything to celebrate? Declaration of Independence or no Declaration of Independence, the American colonies were a mess. American troops were ill-trained and poorly equipped, they were fighting a military superpower, the economy was a shambles, inflation was about to worsen into hyperinflation, and thousands of colonials loyal to the enemy -- Tories -- were taking up arms and committing sabotage in order to undermine the American cause.

Sixteen months after George Washington took command of the Continental Army, things were far worse in America than in Iraq. American forces were experiencing "a series of traumatic defeats. They'd lost every single battle since the Declaration of Independence, and had depleted 90 percent of their military strength in heavy fighting. Most of the remaining soldiers declared they were going to go home when their enlistments expired, and in many parts of the new nation, citizens were pledging fresh oaths of allegiance to the tyrant King George."

So was Adams simply deluded, to be rhapsodizing about "the great anniversary festival" that should be celebrated "from this time forward forevermore?" Did he really not understand just how dire the American predicament was?

He understood.

"You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not," his letter to Abigail continued. "I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction."

Posterity did indeed triumph in the "transaction" of July 4, 1776. With luck and hard work -- and with some of the faith and fervor that sustained John Adams -- the posterity of today's newly liberated Iraqis will likewise triumph in the election of January 30, 2005.

New Strain of Disease CDC Warning

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Latest news from the Center for Disease Control

New Disease

The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning about a new virulent strain of sexually transmitted disease. This disease is contracted through dangerous and high risk behavior. The disease is called Gonorrhea Lectim (pronounced "gonna re-elect him"). Many victims have contracted it after having been screwed for the past 4 years, in spite of having taken measures to protect themselves from this especially troublesome and virulent disease.

Cognitive sequellae of individuals infected with Gonorrhea Lectim include, but are not limited to: Anti-social personality disorder traits; delusions of grandeur with a distinct messianic flavor; chronic mangling of the English language; extreme cognitive dissonance; inability to incorporate new information; pronounced xenophobia; inability to accept responsibility for actions; exceptional cowardice masked by acts of misplaced bravado; uncontrolled facial smirking; ignorance of geography and history; tendencies toward creating evangelical theocracies; and a strong propensity for categorical, all-or-nothing behavior. The disease is sweeping Washington. Naturalists and epidemiologists are amazed and baffled that this malignant disease originated only a few years ago in a Texas Bush.

CNN - Visions of China - China's Military

CNN - Visions of China - China's Military

For those of you with an interest in things going on in China here are some interesting facts about the largest military in the world. We should know something about the United States largest Communist trading partner. . .shouldn't we?

Myths & Realities: About Social Security

Myths & Realities: Get the Facts

About the only thing that makes me more nervous than politicians messing with the US Constitution by adding amendments is the idea that they might want to get their grubby little mitts on Social Security. Anyone with me on this? Just because they can't seem to get the economy going and creating jobs they think it would be a swell idea if we blame social security instead of the massive tax cuts imposed irresponsibly during a time of war. Let me be clear I am a fiscal conservative. I would like the United States government to attempt to live within its means when possible. When war and other activities such as recessions and depressions warrant I understand extra spending. We all know that this gets us out of our economic troubles and or softens the blow. This is all part of economics 101.

Sadly, some would like us to believe that a shortfall in the long term is causing our current financial condition. This is not true. What is true is that the war is costing 300 million. At a time of extra expenditure we could curtail spending in other areas or gasp just pay for it as we go. Instead like a drunken sailor leading an oil tanker aground we--and by we I mean America and this administration--suggest we should keep cutting revenue in order to stimulate the economy. Shouldn't the war in and of itself expand the economy. Expanding an economy this way is fun because we are running up the credit card through the tax cuts. Spending this money is fun--paying it back is not. So why are we ignoring the projections of the long term costs of making the Bush tax cut permanent that are huge when compared to the amount needed to shore up social security. Your guess is as good as mine but I have my suspicions.