Afghanistan: Our fight is against terror and tyranny - not just the Taliban - Telegraph
"The fact that Mullah Omar, the fugitive leader of the Taliban's ruling council, can still terrorise Afghan civilians eight years after he fled into exile tells you all you need to know about the impact of Nato's attempts to improve security in Afghanistan. " The Telegraph article above contains excellent analysis of the state of the War in Afghanistan. It bears noting that 29 American troops have died in Afghanistan so far this month.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Deal with Taliban would not tackle terror's 'root source' - Telegraph
Deal with Taliban would not tackle terror's 'root source' - Telegraph
This view that a settlement with the Taliban in Afghanistan would not end the War on Terror is from the Turkish government (whose sources of intel on the subject are probably better than ours).
This view that a settlement with the Taliban in Afghanistan would not end the War on Terror is from the Turkish government (whose sources of intel on the subject are probably better than ours).
Thursday, January 28, 2010
2010: Obama's Chilly SOTU - HUMAN EVENTS
2010: Obama's Chilly SOTU - HUMAN EVENTS
This is Jed Babbin's view of last night's State of the Union address.
This is Jed Babbin's view of last night's State of the Union address.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
FOXNews.com - Obama's Sorry State of the Union Speech
FOXNews.com - Obama's Sorry State of the Union Speech
Here is an (unduly harsh) critique of the State of the Union address that, nonetheless, highlight's some of the speech's primary weaknesses.
Here is an (unduly harsh) critique of the State of the Union address that, nonetheless, highlight's some of the speech's primary weaknesses.
FOXNews.com - Fact Check: How State of Union Compares With Reality
FOXNews.com - Fact Check: How State of Union Compares With Reality
Here is an interesting "fact-check" on a half-dozen of the statements by the Prez in the State of the Union address.
Here is an interesting "fact-check" on a half-dozen of the statements by the Prez in the State of the Union address.
Hit & Run : Reason Magazine
Hit & Run : Reason Magazine
Here is an initial take from "Reason" magazine on the President's speech.
Here is an initial take from "Reason" magazine on the President's speech.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The True State of the Union: A Politics Daily Sampler -- Politics Daily
The True State of the Union: A Politics Daily Sampler -- Politics Daily
These individual perspectives on the true "State of the Union" are excellent.
These individual perspectives on the true "State of the Union" are excellent.
The top 100 books of all time | Books | guardian.co.uk
The top 100 books of all time | Books | guardian.co.uk
Any list of the "all time best" is highly subjective, but I can never resist them. I like this list especially because it gives me some really good suggestions for books to read that would not have occurred to me otherwise.
Any list of the "all time best" is highly subjective, but I can never resist them. I like this list especially because it gives me some really good suggestions for books to read that would not have occurred to me otherwise.
Ego is the Problem: A Buddhist Viewpoint
Here is an excerpt from the book "No Self No Problem" from the Snow Lion publications web site. I enjoyed this excerpt very much. I hope you like it too!
Dharma Quote of the Week:
Ego is the problem. Sometimes ego is very spoiled, like a child who is constantly throwing tantrums. Sometimes ego doesn't accept where we are. Sometimes ego doesn't accept who we are. Sometimes ego doesn't accept the way things are without any real complaint. So what do we do? There is nothing that we can do. Sometimes ego doesn't accept the fact that the sky is blue but there is nothing that we can do. You see. Sometimes ego doesn't accept that we are living on a planet that is permeated with natural disasters, earthquakes, floods, and other catastrophes. All we can do is accept that and learn how to surrender to the flow of all events.
When we accept the way things are we are able to love everything and everybody. When we are not able to accept even one thing in this world right now, then how could we ever develop boundless love? Lack of acceptance is conflict. Conflict is pain. It is psychological pain. It is a spiritual illness. As long as our hearts are tormented by that pain, we do not have the strength to give our heart to anything and because of that it is impossible to bring about inner awakening. Enlightenment, you see, is just another name for boundless love.
It is almost impossible to practice loving-kindness towards all living beings without addressing, in a meaningful way, the innumerable problems arising in our own lives. It is a contradiction, you see. It does not work. If our heart is tormented because we are not able to accept things the way they are, then it is impossible to open our heart. It is impossible to let go of all of our defenses and embrace others. Therefore we have to constantly practice and deepen our awareness. We have to remind ourselves to accept things as they are. This is pretty much what the teachings called Mind Training are all about. Mind Training in Buddhism is about carrying those perspectives and even reciting slogans, phrases like "I shall accept the way things are."
--from No Self, No Problem by Anam Thubten, edited by Sharon Roe, published by Snow Lion Publications
* * *
Dharma Quote of the Week:
Ego is the problem. Sometimes ego is very spoiled, like a child who is constantly throwing tantrums. Sometimes ego doesn't accept where we are. Sometimes ego doesn't accept who we are. Sometimes ego doesn't accept the way things are without any real complaint. So what do we do? There is nothing that we can do. Sometimes ego doesn't accept the fact that the sky is blue but there is nothing that we can do. You see. Sometimes ego doesn't accept that we are living on a planet that is permeated with natural disasters, earthquakes, floods, and other catastrophes. All we can do is accept that and learn how to surrender to the flow of all events.
When we accept the way things are we are able to love everything and everybody. When we are not able to accept even one thing in this world right now, then how could we ever develop boundless love? Lack of acceptance is conflict. Conflict is pain. It is psychological pain. It is a spiritual illness. As long as our hearts are tormented by that pain, we do not have the strength to give our heart to anything and because of that it is impossible to bring about inner awakening. Enlightenment, you see, is just another name for boundless love.
It is almost impossible to practice loving-kindness towards all living beings without addressing, in a meaningful way, the innumerable problems arising in our own lives. It is a contradiction, you see. It does not work. If our heart is tormented because we are not able to accept things the way they are, then it is impossible to open our heart. It is impossible to let go of all of our defenses and embrace others. Therefore we have to constantly practice and deepen our awareness. We have to remind ourselves to accept things as they are. This is pretty much what the teachings called Mind Training are all about. Mind Training in Buddhism is about carrying those perspectives and even reciting slogans, phrases like "I shall accept the way things are."
--from No Self, No Problem by Anam Thubten, edited by Sharon Roe, published by Snow Lion Publications
Mad World by Paula Byrne reveiwed by Peter Parker - TLS
Mad World by Paula Byrne reveiwed by Peter Parker - TLS
Did you enjoy the novel "Brideshead Revisited" by Evelyn Waugh or one of the movies based upon it? If so then you, like me, may be interested to read a review of a nonfiction book about the lives of members of the real family upon whom Waugh based his fictional characters.
Did you enjoy the novel "Brideshead Revisited" by Evelyn Waugh or one of the movies based upon it? If so then you, like me, may be interested to read a review of a nonfiction book about the lives of members of the real family upon whom Waugh based his fictional characters.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Bombings hit Baghdad's hotels - The Long War Journal
Bombings hit Baghdad's hotels - The Long War Journal
Here is a good article about the most recent suicide bombings in Baghdad and the efforts being made by the Iraqi security forces to pre-empt and stop bombings.
Here is a good article about the most recent suicide bombings in Baghdad and the efforts being made by the Iraqi security forces to pre-empt and stop bombings.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Al Jazeera English - Middle East - Bin Laden warns US of more attacks
Al Jazeera English - Middle East - Bin Laden warns US of more attacks
Some Western news outlets express skepticism about whether the latest audiotape (released to Al Jazeera) is really the voice of Bin Laden. Significantly, the editors of Al Jazeera express no such skepticism. The contents are the usual anti-Israel tirade of hate. I am no expert but based on the contents it sounds like Osama to me.
Some Western news outlets express skepticism about whether the latest audiotape (released to Al Jazeera) is really the voice of Bin Laden. Significantly, the editors of Al Jazeera express no such skepticism. The contents are the usual anti-Israel tirade of hate. I am no expert but based on the contents it sounds like Osama to me.
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