11-11

from “Exposure” (1918) by Wilfred Owen (1893–1918)

Pale flakes with lingering stealth come feeling for our faces—
We cringe in holes, back on forgotten dreams, and stare, snow-dazed,
Deep into grassier ditches. So we drowse, sun-dozed,
Littered with blossoms trickling where the blackbird fusses.
Is it that we are dying?

My favorite stanza ever.
He was killed in action one week before the armistice.

In memorial I have written a bibliography.
Having gotten the books off the shelf, I think I’ll go buy a bottle of beer and a snack, and spend the evening rereading the introductions.

Obama’s Challenge

“Obama’s Challenge” by George Friedman of Stratfor 2008-11-05

And then, sometime in March or April, things will get interesting.

If he simply withdraws from Iraq without a solid understanding with Iran, the entire American coalition in the region will come apart.

Or he can do what we have suggested is the inevitable outcome, namely, negotiate — and reach a political accord — with the Taliban

Doing so will take cunning, trickery and the ability to make his supporters forget the promises he made while keeping their support. […] In other words, he will have to be cunning and ruthless without appearing to be cunning and ruthless. That’s what successful presidents do.

Reality.