Obviously, that’s a problematic construction and not one to take seriously. Still, while this Christian Science Monitor story labors under the heavy freight of that framework, it adds a note of basic maturity to the Park51 pseudocontroversy: Adults look at the manufactured outrage and ask: Seriously, America? This is what you’re reduced to? And then [...]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 748-10 August 20, 2010 DOD Identifies Navy Casualty The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Collin Thomas, 33, of Morehead, Ky., died Aug. 18 during a combat operation in eastern Afghanistan. Thomas was assigned to an east coast-based [...]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 745-10 August 19, 2010 DOD Identifies Army Casualty The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Sgt. 1st Class Edgar N. Roberts, 39, of Hinesville, Ga., died Aug. 17 at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., of wounds sustained June 26 at [...]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 744-10 August 19, 2010 DOD Identifies Marine Casualty The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Lance Cpl. Kevin E. Oratowski, 23, of Wheaton, Ill., died Aug. 18 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Light Armored [...]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 738-10 August 18, 2010 DOD Identifies Army Casualties The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died Aug.17 in Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device caused a military vehicle roll-over. Killed were: Pfc. Benjamen G. Chisholm, 24, [...]

So as best as I can understand the Obama administration’s framework for a final-status agreement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — as reported by Yedioth Ahronoth — it’s to get the contours of a deal in place and then flesh out the implementation of the deal “within a number of years, apparently up to ten years [...]

I see I forgot to ask David Petraeus an important question: Despite admitting that he has not purchased a compact disc in years, General David Petraeus revealed Wednesday that he is “an Enya guy,” referring to the new-age Irish musician. “I do like Celtic music. And Enya is among those,” the top U.S. commander in [...]

BOSTON — What if I told you that for more money* than you’d spend on a hotel room, you could enjoy a hostel-sized “suite” offering off-brand English muffins; barely functional basic cable on a 19″ standard-def screen; a thin membrane of sheet rock to separate you from impossibly loud women yelling into their cellphones; and [...]

Don’t gore Tony Zinni’s ox! When asked about the proposed [rank] cuts, [Zinni] said: “It seems like open season on generals. It’s really starting to bother me.” I know! Who’s more politically vulnerable in this country than general officers? Haven’t their prerogatives been trampled for long enough? If we’re not careful, we’re going to become [...]

I just came across Metal Lungies’ interview with Pete Rock and was gratified — though I guess I can’t be surprised — that Soul Brother Number One sings the praises of Bernard Purdie. “He’s like an unsung hero. He was great,” Pete says. If you’re unfamiliar, “Pretty” Purdie is one of the greatest drummers to [...]