RECOMMENDED READING & DESULTORY COMMENTS

"What America Needs to Do to Achieve Its Foreign Policy Goals ... Improving Intelligence Capabilities- Part V." by William R. Polk at HNN.

When I mention " the bipartisan foreign policy elite" I'm speaking about people like Ambasador Polk, whose exceptionally distinguished career epitomizes that demographic in all its virtues, vices and emoulments, from a Harvard PhD. to marrying into the European aristocracy. He's actually a throwback to what used to be called " The Eastern Establishment" that ran this nation until the 1970's. I disagree with many of his views ( at times strenuously) but his breadth of experience should always get him a fair hearing. The man literally worked with giants.

" A Cruel, New Canada" by Geitner Simmons at Regions of Mind

Geitner's heavy responsibilities as an editor and writer no longer leave him the time that he once had for blogging but his occasional posts still stand out for their quality and intelligence in a blogosphere all too often devoted to the partisan squabble of the moment. Anyone just starting out as a blogger should stroll through the archives at Regions and see the level they should be shooting for.

As an added bonus, Geitner has actor Ian McKellan and noted historian Robert McDougall in the same post. Must be a Scotch-Irish day or something in Omaha :o)

" Cindy Calls for Volunteers " Vanderleun at American Digest

This one is admittedly a minor triviality. Vanderleun is also by the way, a thoughtful foreign policy blogger and there are other posts of his I might have featured- but this one....psychologically...had the same fascination for me as a rubbernecking a car crash. I read it three times over and I still feel both appalled and filled with pity.

" Germanic Jihad" by Younghusband
" Rules are Made to Be Broken" by Chirol
" Stalin Was Right" by Curzon

Always provocative. Ever thoughtful. A sense of humor as well as decorum. Articulate in multiple languages - I read a lot of blogs but I hang out at Coming Anarchy.

Bruce Kesler, businessman, activist and columnist has been exceptionally prolific of late ( unlike myself) but I liked his " Constitutional Common Sense" on the Iraqi Constitutional process

" The Case Against Withdrawal" by Bradford Plumer.

Relatively new to my blogroll, Brad, who has guest blogged for Kevin Drum has great posts and an intelligent readership to spar with in the comment section, if you are so inclined.

"“Nashi” – building civil society or a Kremlin jackboot?" by Peter Lavelle of Untimely Thoughts.

This is Peter's weekly expert round-up on Russian affairs. A definite must read for me as the American MSM coverage of Russian politics usually ranges from the superficially mediocre but semi-accurate to the completely worthless. Untimely Thoughts is a useful antidote.

Finally, if you are reading this on Monday, Mr. Critt Jarvis has strongly suggested that you check out Dr. Barnett's blog. He only gave me tantalizing hints via email so I'm in the dark like the rest of you.

That's it.  ¶ 7:38 PM