Recommend reading the full docket on Habyarimana, et al v. Kagame, a recently decided case before SCOTUS for those interested in the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. Also recommend reading through recent cases brought under the Alien Tort claims. 

More than anything, I would recommend reading through the ICTR transcripts. Those who committed the genocide are the ones responsible. They made the active decision to slaughter their fellow human beings. They took up arms. They chose to kill Tutsis. No external cultural influence can force thousands and thousands of people, un-involved in politics, to take up machetes and slaughter people of another ethnicity.

Jean-Paul Akayesu orchestrated evil. He wasn't ringing up folks in Europe or the United States for permission, instructions, or ideas. Just as Paul Rusesabagina made the active decision to save lives, to protect Tutsis and Hutus at the Mille Collines. 

Further, the healing in Rwanda has not and is not happening by magic. It is hard work. The troubles with the FDLR and M23 and other militias continues to plague East Kivu and beyond in Congo. But blaming George H. W. Bush isn't on the radar in-country today. That's bollocks.

Add to that list Clinton's evacuation of troops from Somalia after the Black Hawk Down incident. Failing to tackle the problems in The Mog, and the people who were running weapons and laundering weapons led to Sudan's Bashir maintaining his grip on power to this day. He gave safe haven to Osama bin Ladin, committed two genocides and now he runs a campaign of government-orchestrated starvation.  George H. W. Bush sent aid and troops to help end the famine, Clinton walked away from doing the right thing when it got the slightest bit tough - allowing Colin Powell, then the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, to walk away unscathed. It fell to Les Aspin the SecDef, who resigned in disgrace. 

The trouble in Rwanda and the DR Congo (then Zaire) wasn't just George H. W. Bush, it was the restraint placed on all troops who were a part of the Southern European Task Force, now known as AfriCom. It was greed in Belgium and Germany and France that contributed. Kagame wasn't the problem. Evil was. Mining for uranium and gold and copper, etc. was & remains at the heart of the chaos.

In 1981-83, REM's Chronic Town EP and Murmur, their first full length album, REM were very much indie. They broke new ground. It was Iggy Pop meets folk meets something unique, with a helping of Velvet Underground. It's not just hometown pride for me, their accolades for that early work are pretty much universal. Agree some of the more recent stuff has lost their early edge, but they remained true to themselves until they retired. 

Not hating on Mumford, just like a little more edge in my indie music! :)

Thank you both. Will definitely check out the Avett Brothers, but promise me you'll check out the Ambassadors. My gawd I love them. Tremendous live show, positively narcotic.

And to you as well!

I have never once argued abortion was the "best" option, nor did I say it was the "only" option. Be truthful, live right, be worthy. It's blasphemy to take words, lie about them and wrap them up in God's word as if you own Him. Matthew 7: "Judge ye not, lest ye be judged."

The Constitution affords equality and religious freedom, it is the law of the land. If Roe v. Wade, a settled law, offends you then join me ein building a generation upon generation of children who grow to be stewards of kindness. U til the light casts out all evil, and the Father returns, we must coexist and respect the laws that govern us. Equality is about loving our neighbor. Justice is as well.

Congratulations, HOWELLIS!!!!!!!!!

I am completely in love with this book. It's the best fiction, with real world insight, I have read in a decade. I enjoy other books and authors but this one has that X factor. It's truly special.

I will announce the winner on Tuesday, June 26th at Noon Eastern. :-)

I adore Brad Thor! He has a jacket quote on this book as well. "Imagine Clancy, Forsyth, and le Carré all writing in their prime...then kick in the boosters!" Hopefully that clears up how wonderful this book is. :)

Winner will be chosen at random from the comments on this piece :-). So you're all set, good luck! It's seriously the best book I've read in a decade. In love with it!

love the ad. As I recently told CNN, Romney needs to embrace and highlight his inner work, his steady-as-she-goes persona. In person, he is immensely charming and very kind. He goes to work, brings home the bacon, loves his wife and children, gives to his church, and to the community. He wants to make sure everyone else can do the same. No hyperbole, no BS promises, no singing of Al Green. By referring to him as President Romney, it gives the average voter permission to envision Mitt as president and feel comfortable with it - an important thing to do as the Obama campaign wants to make voters feel guilty for firing him.

This is just plain weird. It goes so far beyond aggrandizement. This reaches into L. Ron (Obama) Hubbard territory. Beyond being blatantly partisan, election year shenanigans...it is just freakish. Ick!

Actually, the image is rare. It was taken in a single frame, set at 121 million megapixels. Most images are stitched together. The strange variations in color are due to the type of lens . It took pictures in visible and near-infrared wavelengths. Someone asked me to define 'we.' We the People, either through private or governmental structures. I tend to believe private industry will do it best, and more efficiently. I believe Americans can accomplish most things, given a chance.

Well said, agree!