Akkam’s Razor

I’ve wanted to write something about John Yoo and the torture memos, but it’s depressing and secondly I don’t like to write things that the more well-read political junkies already know, and I’m not sure how to sum up the intricacies of the entirety of Yoo, Bush, and the law in a way that will challenge any of the uninformed, misinformed, or Bush cheerleaders.  Regardless, I’m tackling it anyway.

John Yoo, an Ivy League educated scholar, American Enterprise Institute scholar and fellow, current professor at UC Berkley, and former clerk for two Supreme Court Justices, has been a central figure in many of the central rethinking controversies of President Bush’s administration, including (via ThinkProgress):

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After the President's 'vision' speech last night, and his attempt to pass the war off on to his (likely-Democratic) successor, it's worthwhile to examine the numbers behind the war, and how much the facts diverge from the "Johnny comes marching home!" headlines appearing across the country today.

Very few tell the real story - that nothing has changed, troop levels are the same as they were prior to the surge, that there will be tens if not hundreds of thousands of soldiers there for years, and lastly that he is handing off responsibility for his war of choice to his successor, absolving his legacy of taint.

• Think Progress » White House ok’d GOP Syria delegation?
  Who’s playing politics now? IOKIYAR? It’s OK if the GOP visits Syria, but not a Democrat?
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Being "right" is small consolation.  Knowing that in a couple months there will be a "Constitutional Crisis" that makes Watergate look like tiddlywinks isn't very rewarding.  Basically, one of those moments where the country stops, and has to reevaluate and reinterpret the Constitution.  It's a matter of framing.  Thomas Paine.  What was it about Common Sense that helped the country see the truth and move towards Independence.

There's a couple things going on here.  Israel, or more appropriately the Likkud Party, their version of the Neocons, want all of Israels enemies liquidated - Iran, Syria, and Iraq.

Bush said the following on 60 Minutes tonight (Sunday):

Q: If you have the authority to put the troops in there no matter what the Congress wants to do.

BUSH: I think I’ve got, in this situation I do, yeah. I fully understand they could try to stop me from doing it. But I’ve made my decision. And we’re going forward. 

At this point, it doesn't matter - Iraq is being escalated just like Vietnam.  Iran and Syria are next.  The New York Times will report that the plans have been in the works for three weeks tomorrow. 

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