Daily Archives: Dec. 9, 2006

Open thread

Dec. 9, 20061:05 a.m.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Open thread | Comments (141)

No to rapid withdrawal, deadline

Dec. 9, 20061:02 a.m.

Not surprisingly, the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board isn’t impressed with the Iraq Study Group’s report, particularly the proposal for direct talks with Syria and Iran. But the board is claiming one silver lining: “In calling for a withdrawal of most U.S. troops by 2008 — if security conditions allow — the report rejects any rapid withdrawal or deadline. Likewise, it reinforces the case Mr. Bush has been making about the ugly consequences of failure in Iraq for American interests. This includes the chance of a bloodbath that would make Rwanda look tame. If the report helps to politically isolate John Murtha and the get-out-now left, its authors will have done some good.”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Iraq | Comments (27)

Clinton shows how to win friends abroad

Dec. 9, 20061:01 a.m.

What a difference a president makes. Former President Bill Clinton was thronged by admiring Vietnamese during this week’s visit to Hanoi, in stark contrast to the chilly reception given President Bush, who rushed through his recent visit and never mingled with ordinary Vietnamese.
Clinton helped normalize relations with Vietnam and is leading an effort to distribute AIDS drugs to the country’s children.
Dislike of America abroad isn’t inevitable. It does matter who is the face of America to the world, and how he approaches diplomacy. Clinton once again shows how it’s done.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Foreign affairs | Comments (55)

A dark look at city’s trans-free future

Dec. 9, 20061:00 a.m.

My column Friday imagined a Wichita where trans fat is banned. As you might expect, it’s set far in the future, and it’s not pretty.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Wichita government | Comments (48)