Reading oddbits as opposed to tidbits or odds and ends. 

  • Blackwater: the Rise of the World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill is a good one. It is critical of certain right-wing issues/figures but I felt the author’s questions were valid. It throws SOOOO much light on what exactly the “reconstruction” of Iraq meant…I had no idea that the “contractors” that were killed in Fallujah were private security members (NOT in any way saying their murders were justified). The Bush Administration made it sound like they were civil-freakin’-engineers, though. And also, apparently, these “security” companies are Completely Above the Law because neither civil and military courts (the companies argue that since they have contracts with the U.S. military, they aren’t subject to civilian laws…they also argue that they are not military) have sorted out whose jurisdiction these companies are under.  Ordinary citizens and military folks, be warned—you can be held accountable for your crimes. Private mercenaries, lucky you—do what you want. I’m incapable of pretending to not be angry at the stuff I read.
  • Silent Spring by Rachel Carson is a pretty interesting read as well. She is credited with starting the environmental movement in the 60’s by bringing it to everyday people’s attention that, hey, pollution is real and it will kill us all. I could be accused of being left-wing for these reading choices. Carson’s book, though, is required reading for a class I’m taking.
  • If I were accused of being left-wing, I wouldn’t deny that I am, in fact, left-wing.
  • I don’t think that’s the point, though. I like to pass along my reads. The future will hold several more nature books as well as more military-related books (ranging from how to be a sniper to how it’s like to be a vet coming home with various injuries).
  • Not every post can be a winner.