C James

There is a huge problem with a "call to engagement": It simply cannot work, and worse, it is misleading as it seems to offer the hope that it might. There are many reasons why it cannot work with Iran: The largest is that it ignores the internal political dynamic (The Guardian Council's desire to retain its shaky hold on power) that is the prime motivator for Iran's behavior. In other words, the dynamic is internal, not external, and it is one that we cannot affect via "engagement". The Guardian council are not fools: they have not been inept and confrontational for no reason. Their reason is to generate external crises to shore up domestic support. Also, "engagement" and above all "trade" are so often cited as an alternative to rivalry and conflict. The problem there is that they do not work, or, more precisely, they create what they seek to avoid. Europe, for example, is very "engaged" with Iran, both economically and politically. It isn't working. All it has succeeded in doing is making the West look weak and spineless. Let us also look to history as we judge the efficacy of engagement and trade. What was Japan's largest trading partner in Dec 6th, 1941? The US. What were Germany's #1 and #2 trading partners on Aug 30th, 1939? France and the UK. What was Germany's largest trading partner and military partner on June 21st, 1941 (the day before Germany launched operation Barbarossa? The USSR. If we want to get serious about Iran (the same Iran that has topped the Terror-supporting states list for four consecutive US administrations) the first thing to address is their nuclear program, as everything else is secondary. Given the Guardian council's preposterous claims that they seek nuclear power for energy, combined with the vast amount of internal dissent in Iran, the most obvious strategic opening is to exploit those circumstances. The regime has set it self up for a massive backlash, if it can be shown to be misleading the people, to their detriment. The key here is Gasoline. Iran does not have exploitable reserves of Uranium, so they can never have (as they have claimed as their goal) a nuclear energy program not reliant on foreign sources. This fact has been ignored by the West. Further, so has the Iranian Gasoline situation: for all their claims of needing nuclear power to reduce their energy vulnerability, Iran, which has some of the world's greatest oil reserves, has never bothered to build the refining capability to produce gasoline sufficient for their needs. As a result, Iran is one of the world's largest importers of Gasoline. Were that supply (much of it currently from Venezuela, one of the few countries with sufficient surplus refining capacity) cut, Iran would face a fuel crisis, and the Guardian Council would be made to look like fools for pursuing nuclear power while ignoring Iran's fossil-fuel refining capability. Thus, their internal dissent problem might be exploited. The only answer to the Iranian situation is greater pressure, either what I outline above or other means. Engagement isn't the answer, because it ignores the causal factors. We also don't have much time: The further along their nuclear program progresses, the less effect an air strike, even if successful, will have upon it. We have no need to invade Iran, and we certainly do have the military ability to conduct air strikes, but the window of opportunity is closing fast.

Personally, I can only see one explanation: Pelosi is working for Karl Rove! (OK, I'm being sarcastic). But, could she have possibly done more to help Republicans than she has done since the election? That intel-committee chair is, at least, slightly better than the impeached scumbag she was considering, but that isn't saying much! Reyes claimed that Al Quaeda was mainly Shia, and when I saw that I nearly choked. The vast majority of it is Sunni. There is, contrary to most media reports, indeed co-operation between Al Quaeda and Shia groups, even a few joint operations such as Kobar towers, and Iran (which is Shia) has been exceedingly accommodating to Al Quaeda. However, it is overwhelmingly Sunni, and also overwhelmingly (to a lesser degree) Wahabbist. This is so incredibly basic that it clearly indicates that Reyes has no business being on the intel committee, let alone chairing it! I'd also like to know why, exactly, that it fell to a reporter to ask the nominee such a basic question? It should have been asked (along with many others) during the vetting process, though I doubt they even had one.

Thanks Myr! That is really cool! I love it! (I love statistics) Matthew!! It is unreasonable to expect a new feature to work perfectly. Statistical glitches, is all. CJ (Just a quiet and shy forum lurker )

Chapter 6, "ENDGAME", is now online Enjoy!

Thank you!!!!!! I do agree that the blackmail plot could have been done better. I can't really say too much without giving spoilers, but some of the above will be in Ch 6. BTW, Ch 6 will be online Tuesday afternoon, US time. Thanks again!!

Hi Jack! That would be the honorable <cough, gag, sputter!) William Jefferson, who also abused his power to get the national guard to airlift his belongings out after Katrina (Hmmm, I wonder if a freezer was amongst them?) which interfered with rescue operations. This is, however, consistent. Pelosi tried to install Murtha as majority leader, the same Murtha of Abscam fame, the notorious "unindicted co-conspirator". Polosi also made noise about installing an impeached (and removed) federal judge turned congressman as chairman of the Intel committee (gee, install someone with a penchant for taking bribes to be in charge of the nation's most sensitive information). Hmmm, I think I might blog about this very soon. I think DK's tagline applies: we get the government we deserve. And clearly, the voters of the benighted district (a majority of them, at least) deserve the worst possible, of anything.

ROFL!! Well, those "squealing tires" were added, along with a few other things to improve the imagery of the car chase, thanks to your suggestions regarding "showing rather than telling". So, anyone have any guesses as to what Steve meant when he said "LOOK!" at the end of the chapter?

Wow, that IS a lot of twists and turns! I hope those two "wise up" soon, though, because life can be awfully unforgiving. Hmmm, minor spoiler time: We know they survive the attack, as I suspect that there wouldn't be 25 more chapters if they were both dead.

Thank you for that link!!!!! I love astronomy photos!

EMoe! Not you too? Surely you are not allowing yourself to be mislead by a few incongruous numbers? It's slander, i say, SLANDER! Perhaps I should hereby issue a call for everyone who believes that I am a lurker to join the fray? My fellow lurkers, UNITE! I think I'm just about over the flu (which is why I wasn't around GA very much these past few days). Ugh, I have decided that the flu is not fun. ROFL!!! Well, there is always the the fun of interaction with the local homophobic fundies and Mormons, to see which one can out-do themselves coming up with new ways to say "abomination". Actually, it is often quite amusing to hear them struggle with words that are unfamiliar to them, (basically, anything in excess of two syllables).

Hmmmm, well, that's assuming that Jocob's emotions were reliable at that moment. He may very well, come the light of day, decide that he can't give up his Sponge Bob fetish after all.

Myr, THANK YOU for saying this. I'm astounded that so many just don't seem to get it. OK, everyone forget for a minute that there is no good reason for adults to be flirting with minors, and just look at the risks. #1 This is a gay site. #2 A lot of people hate gays. #3 There are also lots of people who think gays are all child molesters. #4 There are such a things as "reporters". They like to dig up scandal. #5 There is an organization called the FBI, that has gone knocking on doors over far less. OK, if someone on the "other side" of the "chat debate" wants to enlighten me, please PM me and do so, but I fail to see any reason whatsoever for not following a few simple rules. I also can't see a single reason to re-open chat unless there is a clear consensus on this issue, becuase it is a risk to the site and site owner with no upside to that risk. Guys, this site is like a party in someone's house. That means we are guests, and guests DO NOT stir up trouble for the person throwing the party. Myr, thank you for all that you do, and have done.

Thank you Myr, for this wonderful place, and all that you have done over these many years to build and maintain it.

Congratulations on your 100th post! Wow, those are some very deep questions! I'll give it a try... As for what moment I'd treasure the most, that is a tough one. Probably, my first solo flight. What made my heart pound like the whole world was shaking? For me the answer is literal; The Northridge Earthquake in California (I was in Northridge). I've been in a lot of quakes, some larger than that, but I was on top of a two story ladder when that hit. (yes, i was climbing a ladder at 4:30 am). Travel has always been a big part of what makes me tick. I can't really think of a favorite place as I have many, but what I enjoy most is staying away from the tourists and big cities, and just going to a grocery store or walking down the street in another country.

Great chapter, Vance! Things are really looking up for Ian. Hmmm, I notice Matt didn't say he wasn't gay...

:king: :king: :king: :king: Happy Birthday Davey!!! :king: :king: :king: :king:

Kevin, that was great!!! Hmmm, about the chocolate: did you know that chocolate is now considered by many to be a health food, due to the isoflavones and anti-oxidants in it? Just have the drark, rich kind that is high in cocoa and lower in sugar, and eat without guilt.

HAve a great trip, Greame!! And BTW, these are REALLY good chapters!!! That surprised me too. Very much so. However, perhaps she is changing her mind? Why, I was lurking, of course! That's is what lurkers like me do, ya know! Actually, I couldn't read the chapters yesterday. I have the flu and yesterday I just couldn't concentrate to read. So, i waited until today (and it wasn't easy!) Now would I do that? I loved these chapters! I suspected that Billy intended something special for the bachelor's night, but I was shocked that Billy and Garret's mother knew! I suspect that DK might get some complaints for not showing Garret's night with Billy, but personally I think it worked perfectly, more romantically, the way DK did it. Aaron... I was reminded of something; the conditioning/programming mentioned in early chapters that clones undergo, to make them follow orders. I still think Aarons behavior is highly suspicious. Something just is not right there.

LoL!! Well, we shall see! But remember, I could, if my predictive power proves that capable, predict that the Earth will still exist next Tuesday.

It must be a software glitch....

I don't envy you having to move: that is always a pain in the neck, but I hope you enjoy living in Texas again. Don't procrastinate too long: I've always found that packing and other moving preperations take about three times as long as my "worst case estimate".

I don't suppose you would settle for me admitting that, (yes, this might shock people) I do occasionally post? (Even lurkers can post occasionally).

ACK!!!!!!!!! I think it is very unfair that Bardeara isn't on that list! I hereby, out of the goodness of my heart, take myself off the list so that Bardeara can be on it.

Nope, you are Evil! Very Evil! You let Matt and JAcob be interrupted in the middle of having sex, now that is evil!! I love Ch 10!! Sponge Bob? Ok, Jacob is a little strange! LoL! But in a sweet way! That scene where they were stressing out when they heard the yelling was an absolute classic! I loved Joanna's recount of Jacob's "coming out". This was hilarious!!! I loved it!! It was also poigniant in places, and you mix the two very well. Oh, and that line about Jacob's timing, that is my favorite! LoL! Of course, the big fly in the oinment was glossed over in this chapter, but I expect it will come roaring back in Ch 11: Jacob has feelings for Val, and he hasn't really fessed up to Matt about it yet, but Val knows! I suspect BIG trouble when Matt finds that out!