Cool Bunny

No government can be long secure without a formidable opposition. Benjamin Disraeli

The Bunny Knows......

Link of the Week

Current Interest/Hot Topic

Current Interest

Political and military items of a topical nature
- Quadrennial Defense Review Report 2006
  
  The new QDR, which in theory provides the basis for defense planning and strategy out into the future.
- Pentagon Plans for 'Long War' on Extremism
  
  A strategy document abandons idea of 'swift defeat' and concentrates on special operations, drone aircraft and help from other nations.
- U.S. Military Pacification Operations in Iraq
  
  A detailed listing and description of all US military operations in Iraq from May 2003 through summer 2006.
- Homeland Security - Planning Scenarios
  
  A set of potential scenarios for terrorist attacks here in the U.S. Created by the Department of Homeland Security.
- Former Powell aide lambasts Bush administration decision making process......
  
  Larry Wilkerson, formerly Chief of Staff in Colin Powell's State Department, offers an insider assesment of this administration decision making process, calling Bush "not versed in international relations and not too much interested in them either."
- "Strategy and the Historical Mind"
  
  Lecture delivered by Prof. Eliot Cohen of Johns Hopkins SAIS on March 1, 2005.
- Clinton Vs. Rice on al Qaeda strategy
  
  Early memos provided to Rice and the Bush administration related to the threat posed by al Qaeda, and proposed strategies for meeting the challenge.
- Neglected Defense: Mobilizing the Private Sector to Support Homeland Security
  
  An examination of shortcomings and proposed improvements in coordinating public and private sector Homeland Security efforts.
9/11 Commission
- 9/11 Commission Report on line
  
  PDF Versions of the 9/11 Commission Report
- 9/11 Public Discourse Project
  
  The 9/11 Commission's follow up effort to monitor efforts to implement the recommendations made in the orginal 9/11 Commission Report.
- Final Report on 9/11 Commission Recommendations December 5, 2005
Recent articles and items of interest....
- Nuclear "Bunker Busters" -- the reality
  
  A report from a group called International Physicians for Prevention of Nuclear War. Highly detailed and thorough, this report raises serious questions about the utility of supposed "clean" small nuclear weapons as "bunker busters."
- Report of the Joint Inquiry into the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001 ? House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
- Congressional Reports: Report of the Select Committee on Intelligence on the U.S. Intelligence Community?s Prewar Intelligence Assessments on Iraq
- Nuclear Weapons Proliferation
  
  Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions, 1 July Through 31 December 2003
- "In Russia, securing its nuclear arsenal is an uphill battle"
  
  Recent article on progress (or lack thereof) of the Nunn-Lugar Nuclear Threat Initiative project to secure Russian (and other) nuclear weapons and material.....
- ComprehensiveReport of the Special Advisor to the DCI on Iraq’s WMD - 30 September 2004
  
  The final report of the administration's findings on what WMD Iraq actually had......as opposed to what the administration THOUGHT they had prior to invasion and occupation.......

Personal Stuff

Stuff that matters to me.......

Groups & Organizations that matter to me.....
- Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Strategic Studies Program
  
  My grad school alma mater.....
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  
  One of the world's greatest museums......
- Business Executives for National Security
  
  Non-partisan, active in defense and homeland security related issues....
- The Studio
  
  A New York City musician's collective for wannabe rock stars.......
- John Hall for Congress
  
  John Hall, musician, song-writer, and community activist is seeking to unseat Susan Kelly, a six term Republican Congressperson in New York State. Kelly, won't even acknowledge she's a Republican in her campaign material.
Friends blogs and websites.....
- secretions.net
  
  A website created and maintained by someone I went to high school with. We weren't very close then, but I always admired his intellect.....now I admire his digital artwork.....
- Targa Newfoundland
  
  North America's largest road rally, held annually in September.

Current reading and listening......

Cobra II : The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq

by Michael R. Gordon, Bernard E. Trainor

COBRA II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq is a balanced, detailed study of the decision making and conduct of the invasion of Iraq. Although the title also promises a discussion of the post-invasion occupation, that portion of the book is far less thorough than the discussion of the pre-war planning and execution of the invasion. The authors have been given unusual access and provide a unique insight into the planning process and implementation of the war plans, offering considerable insight into the thinking of key decision makers, as well as the military personnel charged with carrying out the war. This book is a must for anyone interested in how we got into Iraq, what the assumptions behind key decisions were, and how things went wrong in the conduct of the post-invasion Phase IV stage of the war. Well-written, detailed, and with a wealth of new information, COBRA II is likely to be the standard for some time by which all books on the war will be judged.
All the Roadrunning

by Mark Knopfler, Emmylou Harris

It just doesn't get any better than this.....Mark Knopfler, whose fluid guitar playing and fine song writing place him among rock's greats, and Emmylou Harris, with a voice like an angel and whose roots go back to Gram Parsons and the origins of California Country rock....both together on one album! It's taken them seven years to complete this project and my only complaint is that putting out this album together probably means we won't be seeing individual solo albums from them any time soon. But one album with the two of them is still better than two separate albums....the collaboration being greater than the sum of its parts. The gravelly voiced Knopfler and the angelic Harris meld their vocals together surprisingly well and while one might wish for a bit more adventurousness along the lines of Harris's Wrecking Ball, there's more than enough to like in this album. Overall, I do think it is better than either of their recent solo albums. And if you like Knopfler and/or Emmylou, then this album is one you will want to have.

Reviews

Links

Archive of Past "Links of the Week"

To The End of the Internet.....

Photo Gallery > Venice (13)

The Lion of St. Mark's

The symbol of Venice.
Sunset across the Lagoon
Gondola detail....
Venice Canal
Stairwell

One of the beauties of Venice are the unexpected nooks and crannies one discovers......
Venice Balcony
Architectural detail on a bridge....
Venice Canal #2

A view of the Grand Canal taken from inside the market.
Huh?

Not a chance of ever getting lost in Venice........
Fisherman

Mending his nets......some people in Venice actually still try to make a living that doesn't depend entirely on tourists.
Wedding, Venice style......
Ven-7.JPG
Venice Canal #3

Taken during a ride in the traditional gondola. These rides are an expensive rip-off, no question about it. But any visitor should do it at least once in their lives. The best way to really see Venice, however, is to get up at 5:30am and start walking in any direction away from St. Mark's and the Campanile. Look for the local neighborhoods and the small churches that don't get as much attention.

copyright © 1999-2006, David T. Fuhrmann. All rights reserved. No electrons were injured in the making of this weblog. International observers were on hand at all times during the writing and editing of this weblog to insure strict compliance with all relevant standards and law. The opinions contained herein are entirely and solely those of Mr. Fuhrmann.