Where I've Been Today...

So…Becky puts up this link—Jackson Pollock—along with an “as if you didn’t spend enough time on the internet” statement. It IS cool, and I can see where it’s gonna be a serious time waster for me. That's a sample of my efforts on the right.

Thanks, Becky. I think.

On a much more serious note, Lou gives us a link to Kaziah Hancock, an artist who paints portraits of the fallen, gratis, for their families. Ms. Hancock has also enlisted other artists to participate in her project, and there is an extensive collection of portraits at the link. What a grand gesture, Ms. Hancock!

Even more serious…You’re a better man/woman than I if you can get to the end of this story about Navy Corpsman Chris Walsh with dry eyes. And be sure to read Lex’s post (from whence the link originates), and the comments. I’m gratified to see Corpsman Walsh’s story appeared in the San Diego paper. The MSM, or at least parts thereof, do notice and print some of the good that’s coming out of Iraq. But not nearly enough.

Oh…lest I forget…Lex is a finalist in the “Best Milblog” category of the 2006 Weblogs Awards. Deserved!!

The Iraq Study Group officially released their report about an hour ago, and the President made a statement about the report from the White House, flanked by ISG co-chairmen Hamilton and Baker. The WaPo has an extensive article on the subject, along with links to the Report’s Executive Summary, full text, and appendices (all in pdf format).

"The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating," says the report's executive summary. "There is no path that can guarantee success, but the prospects can be improved."

"Our most important recommendations call for new and enhanced diplomatic and political efforts in Iraq and the region, and a change in the primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq that will enable the United States to begin to move its combat forces out of Iraq responsibly," the summary says. If these recommendations are implemented and the Iraqi government moves ahead with national reconciliation, "terrorism will be dealt a blow," stability enhanced and U.S. credibility and interests protected, it says.

However, "If the situation continues to deteriorate, the consequences could be severe," the summary says. "A slide toward chaos could trigger the collapse of Iraq's government and a humanitarian catastrophe. Neighboring countries could intervene. Sunni-Shia clashes could spread. Al-Qaeda could win a propaganda victory and expand its base of operations. The global standing of the United States could be diminished. Americans could become more polarized."

All of the approaches the study group considered "have flaws," the summary says. "Our recommended course has shortcomings, but we firmly believe that it includes the best strategies and tactics to positively influence the outcome in Iraq and the region."

It will be interesting, to say the very least, to watch how all this unfolds in the coming weeks and months. All y’all have no doubt read, seen, and heard the same punditry as I have over the past week or two as information dribbled out about the report’s contents and recommendations. Well, we now have the “real deal.” It remains to be seen if the administration and its oh-so-vocal critics will take cooperative, substantive action to win this war or if it will be “business as usual.” I’m hopeful, but I’m sure as Hell not optimistic.

Today’s Pic: The follow-up to yesterday’s Prague photo. I told you I went over and had a couple of Budvars immediately after snapping yesterday’s pic…and here’s the view from under the umbrella. And, by the way…Budvar beats the Hell out of that “other” Budweiser. It just goes to show: the original is nearly always better than the copy. June, 1999.