In Iraq, victory is really a question of numbers, and of time

The Daily Star - Opinion Articles - In Iraq, victory is really a question of numbers, and of time:
Niall Ferguson gets it half right. It's a matter of time. Only.

"history strongly suggests that an American withdrawal from Iraq in the near future would be a disaster. As another U.S. officer told The New York Times recently: 'If we let go of the insurgency ... then this country could fail and go back into civil war and chaos.'"

More troops, which won't help the Iraqis develop democracy any sooner, but will cost more in both budget and American lives, makes Americans less likely to support a longer Liberation operation.

Sugar maples take 40 years of growth before any maple syrup sap can be collected. Had I planted some 10 years ago, like I thought of doing, I'd still be waiting. More or less sun, more or less water, more or less fertilizer. Maybe in perfect conditions 39 or 38 years. But mostly, 40 years -- mostly time.

OpinionJournal - Peggy Noonan

Peggy Noonan: Makes a great case IN FAVOR of PBS, noting that most arguments against are actually because the conservatives don't have control; and most arguments in favor are actually because liberals do have control.

She argues it should be doing better classics/ art. She says it should take some 50 years before something is classic art.

"let's imagine this. PBS mounts a production of 'Hamlet.' No one will watch it? What if Brad Pitt takes the role? He'd be happy to do it; he gets a high-class venue in which to show he can actually act, and in return he earns the gratitude of those who care about culture or say they care, which is most Americans. He'd get points for doing it for scale, which of course he'd have to. Young people would watch. They would thus imbibe Shakespeare, still the jewel in the crown of Western culture. PBS would be thanked for doing a public service. Conservative congressmen would find themselves in the unexpected and delightful position of being called friends of the arts, and liberal congressmen would be able to say 'I told you PBS is worthwhile.'

And so on. Symphonies. A study of the work of George Bellows. A productions of 'Spoon River Anthology.' David McCullough on George Washington. A history of the Second Amendment--why is it in that old Constitution? Angelina Jolie as Juliet, Kathleen Turner as Lady Macbeth, Alec Baldwin as Big Daddy when you get around to Tennessee Williams. It will keep him away from politics. Sean Penn as Hickey in 'The Iceman Cometh.' There are far more great actors than there is great material. Mine the classics, all of them, of the theater and arts and music and history."

Of course, in music it should be less -- maybe 25 years? Who is ever going to remember most of the rap crap music now, in 25 years -- when Beatles will still be played (though less). Best of techno pop, now coming.

TCS - An Iran>>Sweden Immigrant's Tale

TCS - An Immigrant's Tale: "Many people in the camp started stealing from the stores in the neighborhood. For instance, I remember a lady from our lodge that would steal as much as she could from a supermarket and put it in her son's backpack. It really wasn't a problem for her when she got caught. The sentences for crimes in Sweden were nothing compared to those in Iran. And what reputation did she have to defend in her new home country?"

Damning description of Sweden, and by extension the entire EU social/ welfare system.
Living off of Other People's Money.
Without working.

Michael Novak Honors John Paul II

Welcome to MichaelNovak.net

His speech of May 18 points to the fact that even non-Catholics thought John Paul II was their pope, too.

"One of them wrote that John Paul II was one of the most Christ-like men since the time of Christ himself. Since that was his main task–to be a stand-in (vicar) for Christ–I think the Pope would have found that praise excessive, but would have liked its direction. Being vicar of Christ was his job number one."