Just a quick update to my predictions and then some laughs, in a catch-all post:

So a few people have expressed surprise at my preference for a troop surge since it theoretically puts me in agreement with Bush, whom people know I think of as a psychopath.

Like anything, I think there’s a right and a wrong way to do things. In my perfect world, Bush would realize the error of his ways and send upwards of 30,000 troops to Iraq for a nonnegotiable term of 6-8 months. He would include, at the same time, well over $6 billion in reconstruction packages to native Iraqis that are only usable for the most vital infrastructure repairs. Priority number one would be getting everyone water and electricity. All of this with a PR/diplomatic campaign that makes clear to everyone this change in priority, while shifting the responsibility of secure urban areas to the local army and police.

A recent article in the New Yorker poses the ‘war on terror’ as primarily a war of information that we are badly losing. Our arrogance and lack of compassion are playing right into the hands of the insurgency. We need to change our global image through both spin and practice.

Hit that comments button to let me know what you think.

As far as Somalia, it looks like a whole new batch of problems is just beginning. The Ethiopian forces misplayed their hand a bit, announcing they would be leaving as soon as possible due to the poverty of their own country. This seemed to be an attempt to get other countries in the area to commit forces, but despite promises from those countries, no troops have shown up. Shortly thereafter, local militiamen started attacking the presidential palace.

Meanwhile the pentagon is patting themselves on the back for a job well-done. Never mind the starving, angry people with guns, we got those damn al Qaeda!

So now that I’ve made you read my dangerously naive opinions about world events, I’d like to give something back:

Have you ever played any early Final Fantasy games? I think this is genius …