First, apologies, as there is lots of bloggable stuff and little time on my part in which to blog it. Deadlines approach, and they are my mistress for now.

The big thing is obviously the widely publicized Army War College article (pdf) by Jeffrey Record, blasting Bush’s conduct of the “Global War on Terrorism”. I’ve glanced at it, and while I’m inclined to grant the author significant knowledge and expertise that I lack, there is a disconnect between the world he describes and what I see. I’m going to chew on that and will have something to say apace. Who knows, I could change my mind…

Jim Hake is still working hard to come up with swag the 1st Marine Division can give away to civilians in Iraq – reminding them that we want badly to be their friends – you can click here to help, or here to donate cash (as of last week, he’d raised over $30,000 and sourced 2,000 frisbees with ‘friendship‘ on them in English and Arabic). Or, if you live in Orange County or San Diego, email me and we’ll be helping him packing and loading early next week.
Scott Tarkington of Demosophia not only offered to do an amazing and kind favor for me (Biggest Guy was stuck at Union Station in D.C. on his way back to VA), but has a bunch of interesting blog stuff worthy of comment and note. See especially:

* Den Beste’s 3 Way War Typologies
* Before the Wave; and
* Sane Talk About Zionism and War.

Comments are queued up after the above.

Steve “300K” Lopez, my favorite target-of-abuse at the LA Times, has a truly stupid column up on state finances. I’ve heard far better at Middle Guy’s high school debate practices, and this guy gets a Times column and big dollars for it? Go figure. Mr. Carroll, I can set you up with some of these smart high school kids…and Mr. Lopez, I can refer you to some knowledgeable – and liberal – folks who could set you a little bit straight on state finances. In case you’d like to understand why I think it’s so dumb, start here.

I’m enjoying the hell out of Carville’s latest book, and am discovering reading a book one (short) chapter at a time is fun, in a frustrating way – amazingly like foreplay.

I’ve been invited to be one of the motorcyclists escorting the limos for the premiere of the new movie ‘Torque’ – a long story, and something cheesy enough that I may actually take the time and go do it. If so I’ll have to practice my xtreme riding sometime tomorrow…

…and, most important of all, today is the fourth anniversary of the day that TG and I admitted to each other that “this relationship matters.” Yes, it does. She still matters to me, and yes, I know how lucky I am to have her, love her, and be loved by her in return.

Snarky political comments to resume soon.