On the nature of protection

Barney Frank's observation that risk is part of the price of freedom was right on target. If we as Americans want to live in a world free of risk (as if that were even possible) it could only be at the cost of the very freedoms that define our nation.

Not all Democrats were timid about opposing the war or cowed by the fear of appearing un-American. As Barney Frank noted, he did not vote for the war.

In the House, Dennis Kucinich was another Representative who did not vote for the war or the authorization to wage war. Kucinich is also a Democrat who has a plan to get us out of the war and should get more attention for his efforts. Kudos to Newsweek for its recent profile of Kucinich and his platform.


On apologizing for telling the truth

As Bill mentioned, talking points drive policy in this administration. Yes, slogans do get people killed.

There are still people who believe that if we weren't fighting "them" over there, "they" would follow us home.

While it is true that sensitivity to the families of fallen soldiers is a concern, it's important to remember that apologizing for telling the truth perpetuates the illusion that a war is always justified and noble when good people with good intentions die in it.

Sacrifice is a word that, by definition, implies loss for the advancement of a noble cause.

The Americanization of Emily, a 1964 movie starring James Garner and Julie Andrews, has a great scene describing why glorifying war perpetuates war. It's a movie worth checking out.

Why is honesty and candor a "gaffe" when what is being said is difficult to take?

When will a candidate step up and stand behind his or her words without apology when the words deal with painful truths?

On Muzzling Whistleblowers

As Joe Scarborough mentioned, not allowing discussion about the state of affairs in parts of the organization at Walter Reed Medical Center belies the very freedoms that our country stands for.

By denying the very real concerns about the treatment of the wounded veterans who should get only the very best care, the administration does a far greater disservice to those who have fought bravely than any "gaffe" by a politician ever could.

It seems that based on Friday's news about shakeups in top Army leadership that the administration appears to have realized that it needs to pay attention to concerns in this area.

On Whether it Would be OK for Jesus to Have a Family

A cottage industry in ticking off Christians? Is criticizing the way that some people interpret Christianity necessarily an indictment of Christian faith? Is Joe Scarborough confident that every title on this list has been written from an open-minded perspective and carries a message of tolerance toward those who do not share the authors' ideas about or definition of Christian faith?

Why is the notion of adding scientific exploration to our understanding of Christianity necessarily mutually exclusive with the concept of faith in Jesus? Why is the (sometimes conflicting) dogma perpetuated by 2000 years of humans with their own agendas necessarily the "real" interpretation of faith? Can’t faith stand the test of critical thinking?