perfidy

Well, so far, TV coverage of the Iraq war has been tactless, banal, near-pornographic, and hysterical, as if the war is really the first season of Survivor.

"In Um Qasr today, the Mogogo tribe bested the Wolodok tribe 4 to 3 in the giant obstacle course race, but the greater number of athletic teammates should help the Mogogos in tomorrow's feats of agility. Both teams say they are hungry, and have not yet figured out how to fashion local vines and twigs into fishing tackle. According to George, de facto leader of the Wolodoks, a coalition is forming to vote Mogogo member Saddam off the island next. Stay tuned for more!"

Yesterday, several coalition soldiers were killed, and others were taken hostage, and the TV press spun themselves into a frenzy of babble and pie charts. May I point out that the number of soldiers shot by Iraqis is still just about countable on fingers and toes? After all, there is a war on. Yet the press treats every show of resistance by Iraqi soldiers as a horrendous deviation from plan. What do you imagine would happen if the fight were to become truly bloody, like Verdun, Normandy, Iwo Jima? God forbid that happens, but if the American press ramps up to report individual casualties, what will they do if the war turns into a War?
Just one frivolous reason to ardently wish for a speedy end to the conflict.

Gulf War II: The Clone Wars

Did anyone else notice how young and fit Saddam is looking now that the war's on? Bombings and mortal terror seem to be just the thing to put some color back in his complexion! Just last week he looked so old, tired, gray, and-dare I say-wizened. But somehow, in the last week, in between the bombings, the fires, and the regime change, he has found the time to get a facelift, a chintuck, slap some Grecian Formula into the hair and 'stache, and hit the treadmill. Lookin' good, Saddam! Kudos to you and your stylist!

Flogging

Mike... thank you for the lengthy analysis. I'm signing off on the empire debate. Your kung fu is the best.