Another death in Iraq

The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish. Charlie Chapman – “The Great Dictator“ Saddam Hussein’s sentence, discussed here previously, has been carried out. I maintain that it was immoral to … Continue reading “Another death in Iraq”

On sleeping with an elephant

Happy Birthday Anna Gillibrand At various times, people have asked me why I write so much about the United States: about the foreign and domestic politics of the US, about official American stances on issues from torture to climate change. The answer, of course, is that the American position on these matters is of crucial … Continue reading “On sleeping with an elephant”

Government and secrecy

With increasingly credible revelations about illegal surveillance within the United States, the general concern I’ve felt for years about the present administration is becoming progressively more acute. To be fiscally reckless and socially crusading is one thing. To authorize actions that blatantly violate international law (in the case of torture, rendition, and the indefinite detention … Continue reading “Government and secrecy”

Oxford: starting to resume a term-time pitch

Today went well. I got a good amount of reading done during the morning, afternoon, and early evening. Then, I had dinner with Kelly and her two sisters visiting from Alabama. Having some good, pan-fried potatoes was extremely welcome, and a reminder of so many excellent Greek restaurants left behind. A while after dinner, our … Continue reading “Oxford: starting to resume a term-time pitch”