‘No way to run a war’: Reader No. 1 sends along this latest criticism of the Bush administration’s handling of Iraq, coming from a still-staunch supporter of the cause. Don't agree with the “year-and-a-half delay” argument. More like a “year-and-a-half rush” if you ask me, not that anyone listened to or asked me. No matter. I liked the piece’s “deliberate contempt for history, strategy and thought” part and, most amazing, the regret over the “allies who would have been with us.’’ ... Allies? But didn’t we not need them and/or have a coalition of the willing at the same time? Now they tell us. ... David Brooks, who recently went wobbly, sounds like he’s covering his ass in case things work out. Still, he has a good line: “There are, for example, members of Congress from both parties who feel estranged from this administration. They feel it does not listen to their ideas. But in this troubled hour, they are desperate to help. If but a call were made, they would burst forth with intelligent suggestions: about Iraq, about political tactics, about getting additional appropriations.” ... Listen? To moderates? This administration? ... Tom Oliphant, a pro-war moderate, has something Europeans should listen to: get over the Bush obsession and start helping the administration now, otherwise John Kerry, if he should win in November (big if), will call in the big multilateralist chips next January.

‘No flag’ -- American athletes are being asked not to wave the flag this year at the Olympics due to the world hating us these days. ... But, wait, turns out they were upset with U.S. flag waving four years ago -- before Bush was in office, before 9/11, before Iraq. ... There’s one thing I can’t stand more than this administration: Lefty European anti-American weenie whiners.  ¶ 7:31 AM