"Over There" Overhyped?

So I watched the premiere of "Over There" an FX (fictional) series on soldiers in Iraq last night and don't see what all the hubub would be about.

Not to say that it's a bad show, it was sort of interesting. It may grow too sentimental and relationship-based to hold my interest but the viewing public seems to like that so.... like... whatever...

I don't see where it's disrespectful of the military personnel serving in Iraq. As long as these aren't taken as the archetypical soldiers in people's minds (doubtful, I'm guessing most people don't so much as get FX) all should be well.

Karl Rove

When I included politics as one of my "interests" in this blog, I knew I had to say that just so that people would understand this blog wouldn't focus much on the latest news from Tinseltown.

That said, politics is pretty much uninteresting as far as it is alone. I am interested in public policy, ie decisions by politicians which affect the larger reality.

That should explain why despite the "furor" over the Karl rove story you haven't heard me say a word about it.

The story is short:
Policy implications= Zero

Whether Karl Rove is shipped of to Alcatraz or wins the lottery really doesn't matter so I won't concern myself or this blog with it.

I don't waste my time....

Well I do, but that's an entirely different matter.

Anyway, I won't waste yours.

Shedding A Little Light on London

Listen to NPR?

You should. I don't care what you've heard a person who listens to "Morning Edition","All Things Considered", "The World" etc. Is a more informed person.

The net is great and has largely made TV news obsolete, but it still hasn't quite caught up to NPR. Besides they have a website for all you webheads with Broad band.

http://www.npr.org

Go, Listen, Learn.

But enough of that, let me tell you what I heard lately on NPR.

It is becoming common for people to speak of London's Muslim community from the outside yelling in so to speaks. NPR gave the the heads up on the BBC's Asian Network. Many of Britain's Muslims are of South Asian origin. The bombers themselves were Pakistani.

The Asian Network plays Asian music and also includes news with occasional input from the Asian community.

The chance for first-hand voices from a little understood community may well be valuable.

Appendicitis...Brief Hiatus

If there is one thing I can be always faulted for it's organization. Try as I might (or might not... whatever) scheduling seems to be an unattainable goal. This week an unwanted appointment forced its way in. Minor surgery.

Sunday morning I had my appendix removed, which sort of put a damper on things. I'm back at home and will spend a week or two recovering before I'm back at full again.

Ah well...

London Bombings

Although this blog, like its owner, takes a facts based approach to commentary on the news....

...and facts are a little thin concerning Thursday's murderous attacks in London. I would be absolutely remiss to stay silent on the issue.

It is as it was.

We have seen since 9/11 major attacks in Madrid, Istanbul, Bali, Casablanca, Baghdad, Islamabad and Nairobi. Such a wide cross-section of humanity could not have been chosen better purposefully and perhaps it was.

This merely cements the fact that the War on Terrorism, for it is a war will spare no corner of the globe.

Do not fall into the trap of seeing this as another attack on "The West."

There has been a tendency for apologists to remark that these attacks are merely revenge for collateral damage in Western ventures but the targets lists show hat lie for what it is.

What collateral damage did Turkey, Morocco, and Kenya cause lately?

Killings of civilians by accident in a war is moral worlds away from purposefully murdering those who had no interest in fighting.

This is a judgment call, yes. It is one I can repeat with absolute certainty however.

If others choose to operate by different morals and if their viewpoint precipitates actions like we saw in London on Thursday then let there be no mistaking the proper response.

This is not the time to equivocate. If the defense of our moral standard against there's is to become violent then so be it.

Does violence solve the underlying issue? No of course not

No more than prison can stop the underlying issues of serial killers. But violence can stop thoughts from becoming actions and that is the tack we must take.

Gearing up for G8

I trust everyone stateside had a fine Fourth of July Weekend. I know I did. The less I do on a holiday the finer it is.

Anyone tune into Live 8?

Commentary is welcome.

Meanwhile the G8 Summit in Scotland is ready to start tomorrow full coverage (or whatever I feel like droning about) will be available.

The famed protestors are getting ready too, this ought to be interesting...

Live 8 Begins Tomorrow!

I should have given everyone more notice but I've been a bit busy and this is outside my area of expertise.

Live 8 is, of course, a huge group of worldwide concerts ahead of the G8 summit in Scotland.

I on the other hand am only of moderate size with two left feet and a tin ear.

That said, everyone who's interested should definitely have a chance to get involved.

If you haven't heard about this one the cave is not for you, my friend.

This is going to be the largest global broadcast in history.

Web links are forth coming.
Live 8 site

Full Coverage form the BBC

Yahoo! News Coverage