Prisoner Abuse

I tend to support our administration in what they do, generally giving them the benefit of the doubt. I figure that if they aren't as evil as many left-leaning pundits would have us believe, then probably these are ordinary people running our country in the best way they know how. It doesn't hurt that I tend to agree with their policies much more than I do with the Democratic agenda.

However. In recent and not so recent reports we have been made aware of the (alleged) tactics of this administration's army during prisoner interogations. Some of the accounts are sickening, but many of them are rightfully not given the full weight of truth due to their source. What has come about now is a seemingly reliable person with extensive knowledge of army practices directly confronting our leaders. There is an account here of Capt Ian Fishback's actions and the response of Senator John McCain. There is another report here.

If these allegations turn out to be true, and there are so many of them from such reliable sources that it's hard to believe they are all false, then I can give this administration the benefit of the doubt no more. This behavior is unacceptable, and when we have frontline soldiers telling us they would rather die than behave like this, I think we can all agree it has to stop. I'll admit, I first read in "Bush at War" that the "gloves came off" (I'm paraphrasing) and thought that was probably a good thing. But no more can I support that philosophy, seeing where (and how far) it has taken us. Thus, I am extremely pleased to hear Senator McCain is on the case. If there's anyone with the credibility to convince people and the spine to see reforms through, it has got to be him. Moreover, I'm equally pleased to hear that Capt Fishback is a devout Christian. Too many people think this administration speaks for those of us who are incommunicado Sundays at 10. Now there's someone showing us what real Christians do, at the expense of his career. God speed, Capt Fishback.

Via Andrew Sullivan

Six more weeks of summer, or something like that

Recently I saw my first one of the year. My first Robin? No, it's a little late for that. My first shooting star? Not quite.

It was my first in person sighting of Pontiac's new Solstice. It's finally out of its hole, and since there was no shadow evident I think we'll be seeing six more weeks of summer.

The Solstice is a direct competitor to the Mazda MX-5 (i.e. the Miata to everyone who doesn't work for Mazda's advertising agency), and the initial comparison tests (e.g. Car and Driver's recent informal back to back drives) have given a slight driving dynamics edge to the MX-5 but an overall advantage to the Solstice. Having not driven one, I can't comment on the Solstice's dynamics. What I want to rant about is its looks and style.

The Miata is a bit "soft" for some people, though realizing that it's based on the Lotus Elan does a lot for my appreciation. However, I love the Solstice's styling. It's very dramatic, and I think I see a bit of the British bug-eyed look in it as well. Many of the parts are borrowed from other vehicles, but the overall look never lets on about it's patchwork underpinnings. To me, this is the best sort of design, and if Bob Lutz were here I'd give him a big hug in appreciation for pushing this car through. He'd probably punch me, but it'd still be worth it.