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A progressive Pentagon? Talk about an oxymoron! The Pentagon continues to grow and surge with ever larger budgets, ever more expansive missions (for example, a Space Force to dominate the heavens and yet more bases in the Pacific to encircle China), and ever greater ambitions to dominate everywhere, including if necessary through global thermonuclear warfare. No wonder it’s so hard, to the point of absurdity, to imagine a Pentagon that would humbly and faithfully serve only the interests of “national defense.” Yet, as a thought experiment, why not imagine it? What would a progressive Pentagon look like? I’m not talking about a “woke” Pentagon that touts and celebrates its “diversity,” including its belated acceptance of LGBTQ+ members. I’m glad the... Read more

In a previous post (pictured above) I wrote how I would like to enable mobile users to read the title text in the <dfn>
tags. I didn’t mention that I also thought …
Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – September 24, 2023
by Tony Wikrent
USA Government Shutdown
The Looming Government Shutdown Is Not the Fault of Dysfunction
Jason Linkins, September 22, 2023 [The New Republic]
God, I admire Penny Wong. I honestly do.
If you have heard her speaking before the UN General Assembly recently you know why. If you haven’t, just look at her. Listen to her.
The climate threat … Kiribati, Tuvalu and Marshall Islands are only a few metres above sea level … Many developing countries are rightly frustrated … Approaching climate tipping points … We must demand more from permanent members [of the UN’s Security Council], including constraints on the use of the veto …
Powerful words.
Use to discuss topics unrelated to recent posts.