Lies, Damned Lies, & the News*
Holy smoke, something worth reading from The New York Times: Contrarylink. Count me pleasantly surprised.

Interesting remarks on supposedly objective journalism v. nakedly partisan journalism from The Economist: Transparencylink. The Economist openly describes itself as "a liberal paper," using the correct definition of political liberalism instead of the nonsensical contemporary American definition of political liberalism. American "liberalism," as extrapolated from the policies & proposals of President Franklin Roosevelt, Senator Edward Kennedy, & President Barack Obama is often so illiberal as to seem a piece of Newspeak. Liberalism, classical liberalism: freedom of expression & religion, limited & constrained government, respect for property & contracts. Liberalism: the closest thing this benighted world has ever seen to justice.

*From the phrase, "lies, damned lies, & statistics," popularized but not coined by Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain.

The Savage Wars of Peace
If our mission in Libya—now entering its fourth month with no even remotely achievable objective having been articulated by our charlatan president—is really about "protecting the civilian population" & not removing Colonel Qaddafi from power, what exactly is our rationale for doing nothing to protect the civilian population of Syria from "President" Assad's depredations?

Also, if the Syrians are unwilling to live up to the bear minimum of their Vienna Convention responsibilities—such as preventing mobs of vandals from invading the U.S. & French embassies—why exactly have we not severed diplomatic relations with Damascus? What do President Obama & Secretary of State Clinton hope to gain from such a conspicuous display of weakness & indecision?

What is Pakistan's incentive to continuing providing what help they do provide against al-Qaeda & the Taliban if the United States will not reimburse them for services already provided? Allowing Pakistan to fall under the full sway of Islamists would be a disaster of nigh unimaginable proportions; so, why are we failing to prop up Islamabad? Is there anyone reading this who can explain to me the logic of the Obama Administration's decision? Please, I beg thee.

Anyone, please: What is the United States's policy toward Afghanistan & Pakistan? I am a reasonably bright fellow but the unifying theory behind our disparate actions escapes me. I am desperate for your help.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
The Asteroids Galaxy Tour, "The Golden Age" via iTunes (T.L.A.M.)

Dienstag, 12 Juli
The Wombats, "1996" from The Wombats Proudly Present: This Modern Glitch (T.L.A.M.)