So, the former dictator of Iraq was hiding in a “spider hole”, an 8 foot passage leading to a 6 foot long cavity in the courtyard of a mud hut farmhouse.
Spider holes got their name in Vietnam. The Viet Cong used them as hiding places, crouching in clay pots and jumping up to ambush American troops. If the clay pot broke or cracked, the VC was at risk of being bitten by poisonous snakes or spiders.
Saddam is a bad man, no question about it, an evil psychopath who probably got that way as a combination of lousy genes and an abusive childhood. His being on the earth seems like a karmic mistake, and most of us wish him nothing but ill.
Still: this is someone who until a few months ago, lived in almost unimaginable luxury. For whatever reason, nationalism or lack of opportunity, he chose to remain in Iraq, living for a time in impoverished circumstances until his capture this past weekend.
Regardless of motive, I respect the self-discipline and commitment of anyone who would do that.
If that seems incomprehensible, consider this: do you think Young Master Smirk would, out of conviction, hide in a fissure of the earth, risking humiliation and even death? Or would he instead arrogantly taunt his opponent from the safety of an air-conditioned private jet, expecting others to “bring it on”?
The 15% Solution
I read today that Oracle’s profits were up 15% for Q2.
Oracle is one of the companies that is “Exporting America”, according to CNN’s Lou Dobbs.
In other words, part of that 15% profit resulted from firing “highly paid” American workers and exporting those jobs overseas.
Prediction
Capturing Saddam is a great moment for our troops in Iraq. It vindicates them as “the best of the best” and I hope will provide a morale boost to those brave and deserving women and men.
Conjecture has already begun on whether this will or won’t assure Bush’s reelection.
I predict that come November, this won’t be a major factor, and that the capture of Saddam will be largely symbolic in the long run.
GOTCHA!
Yesterday, while on a Holiday House Tour, I saw a poem entitled “Gotcha Day“.
On inquiry, it was explained that this marked the day the homeowners adopted a child.
In fact, “The Daughter” had introduced herself to me only a few minutes earlier, using that precise third person description, as if, indeed, she were another adornment or object, like an antique desk or an overstuffed chair.
The Democrats Need Libertarians to Win the White House
The mathematics of the Electoral College may lead to irrational results in Presidential elections, but it – and demographics – should make it easier for the loyal opposition to regain the White House in 2004 – if they direct their resources accordingly.
And romancing strongly Libertarian areas like New Hampshire should be part of this strategy.
Friday Five
It’s that time again, boys and girls!
Birthdays
My son’s birthday is today and I was surprised to read what he thinks about that.
7 Million Reasons that Snow Plus Snow Is Snow
The Republican anti-Democrat-attack-ad attack ad is now available on the web.
The Abercrombie Look
60 Minutes has discovered that certain retailers, Abercrombie & Fitch for example, hire sales people of a certain physical “type”.
Donkers
A woman who nursed her infant while driving 65 mph on the Ohio Turnpike was sentenced Thursday to three months of house arrest.