The government may have blown the Moussaoui death penalty case. More government incompetence that makes us look like we can't get our act together in fighting this war. On the bright side, even if they can't get the death penalty, Moussaoui will still do life in prison without parole. Still, for me (and, my guess is, the average American), if we can't execute the only living suspect tied to 9/11 after he has been justly convicted by a jury, then how can we expect to win this war?

Some inside Iran are unhappy with President Ahmadinejad, according to this story in the Washington Times. I hope it is true. Even if it is, I know that in 1933 there were quite a few people in Germany who were unhappy with their Chancellor but, as everyone knows, they weren't able to translate that unhappiness into regime change. Ahmadinejad isn't a dictator yet but, then again, neither was Chancellor Hitler in 1933.

H.D.S. Greenway says Iranian meddling is having an impact in Iraq.

If there is any question why the Israelis fear a nuclear Iran, this column, based on the personal experience of a Jewish reporter who traveled through the country and talked to some top officials, should settle the matter.

Here is a ringing defense of the decision to invade Iraq, and a vitriolic condemnation. It appears, even after three years has passed, both sides still cling to their pre-conceived notions. Unfortunately for the President, here in America the people who were initially in favor of the invasion if it was quick and decisive, long ago grew tired of this war. Those who wanted to stay the course have slowly, one by one, dropped into the "let's get out" column. It is the same pattern seen in public opinion about the wars in Korea and Vietnam. Initial solid support, followed by a slow erosion when more and more Americans could no longer envision a traditional victory. This process, of course, is exacerbated by the media's biased and inaccurate reporting from Iraq. Ralph Peters lists the myths being peddled by the MSM about Iraq, having recently spent time in the country. I have long believed that the only way America can win a long war in the modern age is by using censorship and propaganda. Without it, we have seen how public support for a long war (Korea, Vietnam, Iraq) is slowly eroded by the images common to all wars, and by the incessant appetite of the MSM for highlighting the mistakes and failures of the military and the administration. Only the stubbornness of George W. Bush, having successfully won re-election in '04, will keep the course steady through the rest of his term (although it will be made more difficult if the Democrats win control of Congress in November).

David Keene speculates about that very possibility in this column. He is trying to be optimistic that the GOP can hold back the tide, but suspects that he is thinking like the Democrats did in the Spring of '94.

In Boston, there is a big controversy about the decision of Catholic Charities to stop doing adoptions because of a state law that prohibits discrimination against gay couples wishing to adopt children. Here is one argument for allowing the Catholic Church to be exempt from the law (which won't happen, by the way), and another argument against their position (which won't change, by the way).

The New York Times supports an effort to circumvent the Electoral College in Presidential elections. I've never liked the Electoral College, as much as I hate to agree with the NYT.

Robert Samuelson thinks the rejection of the Dubai Ports World deal was all about political demagoguery, and has damaged the nation's reputation among friendly Arabs, who we need to
help combat the unfriendly ones.

Finally, my interest in the concept of 'demography as destiny' was piqued by this headline; "The Liberal Baby Bust". Check it out.