Thursday, March 3, 2005
What an amazing feat! The GlobalFlyer is a remarkable technological achievement all by itself. But what really amazes me is that someone could stay awake enough to fly a jet aircraft for 67 hours, taking only catnaps of 20 minutes eacy along the way! You can read all about the GlobalFlyer on its site, along with complete coverage of the voyage...
I haven't linked this, as it's a paid site — but if you happen to be a WSJ subscriber, it's well worth reading the whole thing (today's commentary page). Meanwhile, here's the startling conclusion:
George Bush is an underestimated American president for whom a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a simple corollary of his courageous political vision: the defense of freedom and democracy against Islamic fundamentalism, not only with words, but also with deeds. Added to this, and in contrast to his first term, he is pursuing this idea in harmony with the State Department, together with Condoleezza Rice. Supported by Tony Blair, America — the world power — is determined to defend the free West. Many Europeans, in contrast, stand on the sidelines and confuse multicultural tolerance with tolerance toward the intolerant.
What would these Europeans say if, in four years, the Bush balance sheet even approaches the following scenario: An independent Palestinian state in stable coexistence with Israel; freedom of opinion prevails in Iraq and the people still vote; Iran has no nuclear weapons; al Qaeda is destabilized; the number of terrorist attacks world-wide continues to decrease; and the American economy is flourishing as a result of determined domestic reforms and tax cuts.
What a turnabout, if the cliché of the reactionary cowboy is replaced by the image of a misjudged but later admired fighter for freedom! When Mr. Bush arrived in Europe, he quoted from his second inaugural address: "We cannot carry the message of freedom and the baggage of bigotry at the same time. We must reject anti-Semitism from any source, and we must condemn violence such as we have witnessed in the Netherlands. All our nations must work to integrate minorities into the mainstream of society, and to teach the value of tolerance to each new generation." The Germans couldn't believe their ears. No, they won't immediately give up their anti-Americanism after this visit. But the smiling, congenial George Bush made their dislike a little more difficult to defend.
Writing at townhall.com, Joel Mowbray observes that thought leaders in the conservative ranks seem to have picked their next target: the U.N. Joel begins this way:
It’s official: The United Nations has become the right’s other red meat.
At the 33rd annual Conservative Political Action Conference—the largest annual gathering of conservatives, which took place last month—the UN garnered more passion, more intensity, and more stage time than any other was an issue. Two years ago, it was barely a blip.
Because of its unique mix of heavy-hitter beltway insiders, rank-and-file activists from around the country, and highly motivated college students, CPAC is the best leading indicator of where the conservative movement is headed. And that means the United Nations had better brace itself.
It's an interesting piece, worth reading through (and clicking through to the links he provides)...
Mentioned in a short-but-sweet post at PowerLine:
Reader Carol Herman has forwarded the email message to her son from Charles Hampton, one of the Marines detailed to provide security for Secretary of State Rice in in Jerusalem last month. On the morning of her departure, the Marines positioned themselves to have a photograph taken with Secretary Rice. The forwarded message reports that "she shook every one of our hands, looked us square in the eye, and said, 'thank you for your service.'" Hampton comments: "boy, i don't care what else she might do, i'm behind her 100%! that little, personal touch felt SO good."
Among the few and the proud is Charles Hampton, second from the right in the photograph above. Coincidentally, The Age reports: "Iraq dents Marines' recruitment drive." Shouldn't this photograph be used in the Marines' recruiting efforts?
Note: click on the picture at right to get a larger version of it...
An excellent roundup of the consequences of the January 30th Iraqi elections, thanks to Bill Kristol.
