From the Front

These last couple days, I haven't been blogging about anything of much import--at least globally and politically. Some weeks get weary of the "important" stuff. What a grind the news can be. It's always the same old same old: Republican scandal or trumped up something, outrage, war is bad, Democrats trying to lose without it seeming like losing, Democrats bumbling around, press ignoring it, push start button, repeat.

I don't know what the average, unblogged person makes of all this. Do they understand what's going on underneath the bubbling surface of Washington politics? Are they sick of the power tug-of-war that doesn't really address the substance of any problem?

From the Front, all kinds of things are happening. War simplifies things, really. It's life or death. What goes on in Washington only seems like life or death. Metaphorical life or death is not the same as real life or death. So what's happening?

First, from Bill Ardolino: He makes the point that the GWOT isn't a religious fight, anymore, if it ever was. It's a power war that cloaks itself in religious rhetoric. He also has a post on What It's Like to Be A Cop in Fallujah.

Probably the most interesting blog this week is Iraq the Model. Here, we're updated about everything. How's Baghdad? How are politics in Iraq? Well, they seem to be shifting and realigning. All three posts are very interesting and nothing you'll see in the MSM.

Michael Yon is trying to get a word in edgewise. It's tough when you're dodging bullets and everything is happening so fast. It reminds me, and I know this is a weak analogy, of when I was at summer camp and then college, and going, going, going and so busy and I'd talk to my mom and she'd ask, "So what've you been doing?" And I'd say,"Nothing." Too much was doing. It was hard to decide what to talk about. It was all life-changing and important--or it felt that way at the time. I think that might be how being in the middle of a war is, too. Up and down and so fast and then such relief and then such anxiety and fear. Managing it all must be tremendously difficult. And then, for a writer, he must clear his mind and try to get perspective. Try to get perspective in a perfume shop. All the different smells compete for attention. Well, here's to coffee. It clears the palate--both physical and mental.
Oh, and this very good news. The Al Qaida leader in Iraq was captured. Who will tell the young men to blow themselves to smithereens now? I'm sure there is another guy willing to take on the Devil's work. I think the best we can hope for is that Iraq ends up like Israel. Yes, Israel. Suicide bombings, terrorism, may be the price these people pay for having the nerve to wanting a Democratic, Islam state.

A note: For Bill and Michael, they make their living doing this. They are independent. Even a few dollars can mean more front-line reporting. So please help them out.