Whiskey: That Russia achieved a tactical surprise of the US should give everyone pause. Though I agree with Hanson that Russia may like the Japanese in WWII overestimate their ability to continue to surprise the US.

It’s always possible to achieve tactical surprise with a “sucker punch” like when bin Laden hit us on 9-11. But you only get one short sharp shot, dig it? And the the Law of Unintended Consequences changes the whole strategic environment. Already the US has canceled a NATO-Russian summit and a naval exercise with the US, Russia, Britain, and France. There’s probably a whole other diplomatic and economic array of pain lined up for Russia to eat I don’t know about. And they either just handed the election to McCain, or caused Obama to quit jerking around with Tim Kaine or Evan Bayh as potential VP picks in favor of some Scoop Jackson type democrat. Even “The Nation” magazine recognizes what Putin just did.

Eggplant: I’m a Linux bigot and laugh at viruses and worms. Malware bounces harmlessly off my computer. Also, Linux is free and you don’t have Bill Gates looking over your shoulder.

I’m running Mandriva 2008, it’s such a joy. Even plays DVDs right out of the box. Every time you install any version of Linux you have a full suite of free software you can start using right away, and if you don’t have it now, you can install it in a heartbeat. But most people are content to pay the Microsoft Tax, get a computer with a buggy, bloated operating system installed, and then start buying all the third party software they need (Photoshop, Nero) to make the computer minimally usable.

He’s Cedarford, our resident neofascist and Jew hater.

He’s not a Zionist. He doesn’t think the secular state of “Israel” should get special rights. That doesn’t necessarily translate to hating Jews.

hdgreene: And Teresita? I would just figure she’s trying to get voted off the island.

This is in response to which comment? Or are you just trolling?