Becker Posner has a blogpost on the decline of newspapers. This led one commenter to say that what's bearing on national politics in the dominant papers is a lie until proven otherwise. One is reminded of Maliki's defeat in Basra, followed by the collapse of an Iraqi Company in Sadr City but finally there is David Brooks article in the NYTimes on the success of the surge. Sometimes I think it's like reading of the defeat of the Allied forces in WWII by German Arms in hypothetical German newspapers. You'd have articles with headlines like 'German Army takes Stalingrad but communication tenuous,' and 'AngloAmerican Army destroyed at Normandy' but then 'German Army Quits Paris to Save Vichy Government' and, finally, 'Hitler Spurns Russian Immigrants, prefers Early Sainthood.' All of these articles could go in a book 'Disasters of American and Allied Arms' to kind of go with the current reports of disasters in Iraq. Of course going along with this kind of reporting is, for instance, the Dallas Morning News (sorry, registration required) saying that McCain's aide shouldn't say that a terrorist attack would highlight his bosses advantage as a candidate. It's impolite I guess to think of how things could really go wrong.

Michael Weiss says Bloomberg is overrated and gets confirmation from the commenters.

Bill Gates made billions and brief and engaging transition remarks.

The departing Air Force secretary who had been in a dispute re: plans, 'philosophy,' with his boss says, in such a circumstance, 'When you have a difference of philosophy with your boss, "He owns the philosophy and you own the difference."' Well put. There's more at the link though a WSJ subscription is required to go very far.

"Why Iraqi's back McCain" in the Wall Street today.

Update: Some however seem invested in defeat for the Iraqis.

Update: Change you can take to the bank.

Candide, a story written by Voltaire, presented an attractive girl who was schemed against and said of things that were disasters, 'All is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.' Candide was naive about aggressive intentions of others, essentially saying I'll be innocent, optimistic and that will win. It seems to me Bush has taken the role of Candide in spite of his image as BushHitler. In part he has gotten this image from not taking appropriately into account the aggression that others were up to.

Was just listening to Fox News Sunday's program from last Sunday, June 8, on podcast. I was surprised by the views of several of the panelists that 'the election is about Obama.' McCain is really the alternative candidate if Obama can't close the deal. Also Chris Wallace had the criticism that he was surprised McCain didn't have any more of an economic plan in his Tuesday night speech. In my view, McCain needs to bring economic ideas into his plans that show more detailed insight into what might be done. All the more reason that he needs Bloomberg as part of his ticket to be competitive. An analogy might be that the Cowboys can't rely on the NY Giants stumbling; they need to bring speed to the team. Some people may not like it but you've got to have the capability to be competitive. OTOH, Beldar has some nice photos and things say about Palin.

Senator Obama is confirmed as the Democratic nominee and Rasmussen has him ahead of McCain and oil goes up over $10 a barrel in the week. Irrational or an Obama risk premium? Megan McArdle got me thinking about this.

Will Obama say, 'Bye, bye, Israel?'

The Trojan Women by Euripides reviewed. The experience of a Marine in VN is in my comment. The Gospel for June 8 might be seen as taking up the idea of empathy (it is verse 9-13 in the link). Jesus' comments could be seen as reflecting Euripedes' views if embodied in Greek culture brought to Judea.

Thoughts on Clinton for VP; mine at 12:10 PM

Megan Mcardle puts up a blogpost that gets comments instructive about guns in defense.