arisbe | Opposite Ground Zero

Two enormous cement trucks were lined up outside the bank this morning to pour the new foundations for Seven World Trade Center across the street. The work of building and rebuilding continues along with the work of destruction.

The end of the war is in sight. Remember, it never ended for the Iraqis, only for us. Most of us. Better to have ended it without what we will see in the next few weeks, and not see. But good to know that it will end.

Hard to concentrate on the work of data processing, or (excuse me) information technology. Or on the talk I must give tomorrow night on the uses of philosophy. It is a talk I have never given before. Indeed, I have given few talks in the last couple of years.

I was pretty much planning to cut the Liturgy of the Presanctified tonight, but now I guess I won't. Poor old world needs all the prayers it can get. Maybe I do too.

Courage, all.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The end of the war is in sight. Remember, it never ended for the Iraqis, only for us. Most of us. Better to have ended it without what we will see in the next few weeks, and not see. But good to know that it will end.

I don't think we're anywhere near the end.

But the situation will change. I think there will be an American military occupation of Iraq, and at the beginning most Iraqis will be better off. This will not solve the basic problems of the region, and, if Mr. Bush extends his jihad into Iran, this could make things much worse. Especially for the United States.

this could make things much worse. Especially for the United States.

Why especially? There's not much worse than military occupation. Conditions for the U.S. would only approach that bad if the government determined that martial law was necessary in order to maintain the political stability necessary for such a war. An eventuality which unfortunately cannot be ruled out, but not a mathematical certainty either.

Opposite Ground Zero

no subject

Maybe not the end

Especially for the U.S.?