Michael Totten - On Target

Michael Totten has an entry up regarding the upheavel in Lebanon that is exactly on track. He notes:

I wouldn’t say the Berlin Wall has fallen. I won’t say that until it looks like the Terror War has come to an end. But perhaps this is the end of the beginning. At least it’s the beginning of a new and interesting chapter. The Brett Scowcrofts and Henry Kissingers of the world think it’s a lousy idea to destabilize tyrannical parts of the globe. This week reminds me – in spades – why I just can’t subscribe to their worldview.

I knew next to nothing about blogs at the time except for occasional viewing at Instapundit. But, though Glen Reynolds is the "grand-daddy" (in terms of longevity on the web, not age) of blogging, mostly he presents snippits and seldom lengthy thoughts (but, when he does, or when he posts at Tech Central Station - Wow!). Michael on the other hand, presented material that grabbed and held from the first paragraph... and Michael ALSO posts at TCS.

Michael also introduced me to Marc Coopers blog and Marc has become my pal, and ultimately, the one who encouraged me to start this blog. So, in a way, this blog is Michael's fault because he grabbed my awareness, sent me to Cooper and got me thinking. And, in the long run, isn't that what blogs are supposed to do? Get you thinking? Michael Totten's blog does just that.

Michael, thanks for the many hours of fine reading.

Now, back to the subject at hand. As Michael noted, "...this may not be the end of the beginning, but it IS the beginning of something new." Watching, reading and listening to those who from the first "millions will starve in Afghanistan during the first winter." to "Democracy can't spread to the middle east, these people are just not ready for it" I have thought that far too many folk are underestimating the power of the smell of freedom and democracy. Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Palistine, Lebanon, and even Saudi Arabia (though women don't have, yet, the right to vote) is absolutely something new. Syria turns over Saddam Hussein's half brother, pulls back in Lebanon (but not out), Mubarak agreeing to allow opposition candidates after him being "president" since 1981 and grooming his son to take over a heretofore assumed hereditary presidency. Kofi Annan admitting that perhaps there is too much corruption in the UN and even, if you can believe it, Nancy Soderburg admitting she want's Republicans to fail though as an American, she want's us to win. What is equally if not more amazing Jon Stewart was unrelenting in attacking her positon and noting the increasingly liklihood of Bush having been right all along.

As MJT said "...this may not be the end of the beginning, but it IS the beginning of something new."

On Target Michael, On Target!