can democracy and the middle east mix? all the pieces seem to agree that america cannot force the western kind on the eastern world. that's about as suprising as experts agreeing that water is wetter than sand. still, the arguments are fleshed out and well-reasoned. besides which, each of them is a refreshing combination of ideological opinions: anti-war and critical of the status quo, for example.

don't take this as a sign that you should try to engage me in person on the topic of the war, though. i will continue to find things to distract me. oh look! a bird! ... i will however drink to it, as should you.