More From Den Beste

Steven also has this sober and insightful analysis of the progress of the war from a friend and a retired military officer.

And more... Steven offers a delightful description of France's recent mangled olive branch. To take it, "all we have to do is apologize and repent, and France won't hold our misbehavior against us." That reminds me of a former friend's attempt at reconciliation after a rather serious break. There too, acceptance would have required me to grovel in apology and repentance -- but I had little hope of wiping the slate clean of my allegedly horrible crimes. (I won't name her, but surely my friends -- often former friends of hers as well -- know exactly who I'm talking about.)

Oh hell, forget this piecemeal stuff. Just start at the top and read down.