Open thread - 7 April 2012

Open Thread  pl

Comments

[FB Ali]

I missed out on the rather good discussion on the Unintended Consequences thread, so I'll make my comment here.

I agree with Col Lang and Babak M that this practice has much to do with the segregation of women. But this latter is not due directly to women being “devalued”, Nancy K, but rather to the concepts in male dominated societies of the family ‘honour’ residing in women, and of women being the ‘property’ of the father or husband.

I was glad to discover a couple of fellow-devotees of the Flashman saga; I’m sure there must be many more. Though, Stephanie, I would suggest taking with a pinch of salt that bit about the British were happy to pick up the slack.

[Thomas]

Last night watching CCTV news the crawl had a statement that a Mubark Deputy decides to contest Egyptian Presidency. The thought that crossed my mind was hopefully it is Col Lang's friend.

And today it is confirmed that Omar Suleiman is in the contest.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/06/world/meast/egypt-suleiman-presidency/index.html?hpt=imi_c2

[Jane]

"Feminism is the radical notion that women are people."

Unless this is recognized, valuing them as some kind of mystical gem is still to devalue them.

[robt willmann]

In the picture above and below the words "open thread" in this thread, the man appears to have a green shamrock on the left lapel of his coat! An item of significance, perhaps....

[turcopolier]

Thomas

I am waiting to see if OS qualifies to run for president before I write about this surprising event. pl

[FB Ali]

I couldn't agree more!

Worse, being regarded as repositories of honour or as property is far from being considered as 'mystical gems'.

[stanleyhenning]

The critical aspect in all this back and forth on the Iranian situation, as well as other situations, is effective civil-military assessment of all the plus and minus factors involved. To be completely honest, military intervention should always be at the bottom of the list. We are facing complicated socio-political issues that require a far more balanced and sensitive approach. We really cannot afford to carelessly and precipitately jump into such situations no matter how much military capability we may think we have because the final solution will generally not be military.

[Jose]

WMR's VP picks:

1. Jeb Bush
2. Rob Portman
3. all others not ready for prime time

Your thoughts?

[Bobo]

Has the time come that our country needs to re-assess our political/military/diplomatic policies and pull back to a country more concerned with itself, its neighbors or its hemisphere versus attempting to put out all the fires around the world. We seem to do a half-assed job of it when we do involve ourselves around the world. Granted we do have some wins but is this cost really in our long term interest. To me the day of being the worlds policeman is over or should be over.

This is not a discussion of America in decline but one of what is our long term self interest. We have big problems internally that is receiving only lip service and little money. Our education system is in shambles, our moral view has declined, we have a large minority that has not assimilated into the mainstream, our infrastructure needs an overhaul .....I can go on and you can go further....

[greg0]

A woman might narrow the gender gap.

[Tyler]

"Feminism is the radical notion that women are people."

I thought it was ignoring that there are indeed differences in the sexes, and turning into an emotional lunatic if someone made the faux pas of pointing that out.

[Tyler]

I just picked up a Mosin Nagant a week ago, and took it out to the range. It was the big boy, the 91/30, and it certainly takes a bit more getting used to than my modified AMD-65. However, it will kill anything in North America, and the ammo is cheap and avaliable.

Now I just need to find a scope. Slowly but surely I'm building a nice arsenal.

[Roy G.]

I'm finding the MEK story to be very interesting - Seymour Hirsch's article in the New Yorker is thankfully shining some light on these cockroaches, but still, I lack words to describe how utterly corrupt the entire leadership of the Homeland Security™ industry is when they can do this in public with a straight face.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2012/04/mek.html

[turcopolier]

Tyler

Why do you want a scope? pl

[Redhand]

This story is a shock even to someone as jaded as I am in matters regarding U.S. Govt. policy re "terrorist organizations." Under 18 USC § 2339B (a):

Whoever knowingly provides material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both, and, if the death of any person results, shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life. To violate this paragraph, a person must have knowledge that the organization is a designated terrorist organization (as defined in subsection (g)(6)), that the organization has engaged or engages in terrorist activity (as defined in section 212(a)(3)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act), or that the organization has engaged or engages in terrorism (as defined in section 140(d)(2) of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1988 and 1989).

So, the people providing this assistance are committing crimes for which they could receive life sentences. Of course, a prosecution against them is a likely as one against Bush and Cheney et al for violating 18 USC § 2340A:

(a) Offense.— Whoever outside the United States commits or attempts to commit torture shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both, and if death results to any person from conduct prohibited by this subsection, shall be punished by death or imprisoned for any term of years or for life.

(b) Jurisdiction.— There is jurisdiction over the activity prohibited in subsection (a) if—

(1) the alleged offender is a national of the United States; or

(2) the alleged offender is present in the United States, irrespective of the nationality of the victim or alleged offender.

(c) Conspiracy.— A person who conspires to commit an offense under this section shall be subject to the same penalties (other than the penalty of death) as the penalties prescribed for the offense, the commission of which was the object of the conspiracy.

The first casualty in our "war against terror" is the rule of law.

[LeaNder]

I never struggled with the idea of double standards to the extend I did while studying the 19th righteous and Christian century--from the bowdlerization of Shakespeare to the increase in prostitution and brothels--before I was confronted with the Bush administration. The idea surfaces in Glenn Greenwald's comment on Seymore Hersh's revelation of US support of the Mujahedin-e Khalq, MEK.

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2012/04/mek.html

http://www.salon.com/2012/04/06/report_us_trained_terror_group/singleton/

[Roy G.]

1. Nikki Haley
2. Michelle Bachmann
3. Jan Brewer

I don't see much gain there.

[Babak Makkinejad]

No!

Feminism is a construction of schismatic Christians in their post-Christian phase.

Jewish women and women from Latin countries do not require its clutches.

You should get out and see more of the world.

[toto]

Apparently Romney and Netanyahu have been best pals for a long time:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/08/us/politics/mitt-romney-and-benjamin-netanyahu-are-old-friends.html?ref=global-home

Another parameter to consider for the upcoming election?

[Tyler]

I want to be able to punch out further in case I have to use it as a Designated Marksman rifle. I have an Aimpoint on my AMD-65 that I can use to hit out to 400 yards with, so I'd like something I that can reach out and touch someone with beyond that, and doubles as a hunting rifle.

At least until I get ahold of an FPK/PSL, that is. I haven't really messed with actual scopes too much - I'm much more familiar with optics like Aimpoints, EOTechs, and iron sights.

I figure a Mosin would be a good place to get my feet wet, and make a useful force multiplier if I need to lend a firearm to friends & family.

[Tyler]

John Derbyshire got fired for writing too honestly about race from the neocon rag NRO.

Are there any paleo conservatives over there anymore, or is it pro Israel, open borders, globalism 24/7 now?

[Thomas]

I understand.

On the CCTV African news today, they had a segment talking about disqualification games already underway. Purity of Egyptianess seems to be the main requirement, and the poor Salafist's mother is said to be a US citzen so he is on the outs.

[turcopolier]

Thomas

There used to be alot of Egyptians who were half British. Under that rule I suppose Gamal Mubarak would have been disqualified. pl

[Roy G.]

For anyone who would care to source check, here's a link to what young Tyler thinks is just 'writing too honestly about race,' It confirms a lot of stereotypes imo - but mostly about Tyler.

http://takimag.com/article/the_talk_nonblack_version_john_derbyshire#axzz1rViIamBW

[William R. Cumming]

PL! Care to predict how the "Arab spring" touted by the Obama Administration as one of its accomplishments will have played out by the fall elections?

What exactly are the Obama Administration accomplishments that may sway voters by this fall? Recent MSM says he will be touting his National Security successes and wondering what he thinks they are in fact not spin?

From a fuzzy headed liberal--ME!