Petraeus: The President's General

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I've been meaning to get something on the General Petraeus chapter in our Iraq War woes, as there have been some serious questions about the authenticity of his public statements.

This is Frank Rich's column, so it is a bit shrill (which is often the cost of being a strong writer of rapier rhetoric). In the end, Mr. Rich suggests that it would Be Petraeus's fault if we take some terrorist attacks, for distracting us in Iraq. Of course, it really would be the terrorists' fault, as well as perhaps President Bush's responsibility for his Iraq-mania. At most General Petraeus is Bush's enabler, but if it weren't Petraeus, it would be someone else - it's just that Bush now has his man.

I wish it were Lincoln and Grant, but I'm not a believer.

( Frank Rich )

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Petraeus: The President's General

♠
I've been meaning to get something on the General Petraeus chapter in our Iraq War woes, as there have been some serious questions about the authenticity of his public statements.

This is Frank Rich's column, so it is a bit shrill (which is often the cost of being a strong writer of rapier rhetoric). In the end, Mr. Rich suggests that it would Be Petraeus's fault if we take some terrorist attacks, for distracting us in Iraq. Of course, it really would be the terrorists' fault, as well as perhaps President Bush's responsibility for his Iraq-mania. At most General Petraeus is Bush's enabler, but if it weren't Petraeus, it would be someone else - it's just that Bush now has his man.

I wish it were Lincoln and Grant, but I'm not a believer.

( Frank Rich )

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Feral

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In "Blonde", Norma is in the country and she has taken to feeding cats. These cats won't let her pet them. They squeal and run away. Described as feral cats.

I guess that's what we have: feral cats. I would have thought the kittens were too young to be feral, but I guess they were alone long enough.

We didin't want more pets, right? But it is a disappointment. We feed them; we should get a little love in return. No?

I guess this is the difference between dogs and cats. Feed a dog a couple of times and you have a best friend for life.

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Feral

♠
In "Blonde", Norma is in the country and she has taken to feeding cats. These cats won't let her pet them. They squeal and run away. Described as feral cats.

I guess that's what we have: feral cats. I would have thought the kittens were too young to be feral, but I guess they were alone long enough.

We didin't want more pets, right? But it is a disappointment. We feed them; we should get a little love in return. No?

I guess this is the difference between dogs and cats. Feed a dog a couple of times and you have a best friend for life.

xXx

Don Putin

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But if you really wish to understand the Putin regime in depth, I can recommend some reading. No Karl Marx or Adam Smith. Nothing by Montesquieu or Machiavelli, although the author you are looking for is of Italian descent. But skip Mussolini's "The Doctrine of Fascism," for now, and the entire political science section. Instead, go directly to the fiction department and take home everything you can find by Mario Puzo. If you are in a real hurry to become an expert on the Russian government, you may prefer the DVD section, where you can find Mr. Puzo's works on film. "The Godfather" trilogy is a good place to start, but do not leave out "The Last Don," "Omerta" and "The Sicilian."

-- Garry Kasparov, "Don Putin" in The Wall Street Journal

It has been a while since I've put anything down on Russia. Garry Kasparove, the chess grandmaster and former world champion, has some choice words on the subject.

I think I remember a news report from some time ago about him being arrested in Russia. If so, it is good to see his celebrity status got him out again. It's probably a good idea for him to stay away from Russia. And be careful what you eat, Garry!

( column )

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Don Putin

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But if you really wish to understand the Putin regime in depth, I can recommend some reading. No Karl Marx or Adam Smith. Nothing by Montesquieu or Machiavelli, although the author you are looking for is of Italian descent. But skip Mussolini's "The Doctrine of Fascism," for now, and the entire political science section. Instead, go directly to the fiction department and take home everything you can find by Mario Puzo. If you are in a real hurry to become an expert on the Russian government, you may prefer the DVD section, where you can find Mr. Puzo's works on film. "The Godfather" trilogy is a good place to start, but do not leave out "The Last Don," "Omerta" and "The Sicilian."

-- Garry Kasparov, "Don Putin" in The Wall Street Journal

It has been a while since I've put anything down on Russia. Garry Kasparove, the chess grandmaster and former world champion, has some choice words on the subject.

I think I remember a news report from some time ago about him being arrested in Russia. If so, it is good to see his celebrity status got him out again. It's probably a good idea for him to stay away from Russia. And be careful what you eat, Garry!

( column )

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