CREW CHIEF – U.S. Army Spc. Cory McElhatton, a crew chief deployed to the 1st Forward Support Medical Team, cleans a UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter windshield before a mission near Tal Afar, Iraq, Aug. 1, 2006. McElhatton is assigned to the 542nd Medical Company (Air Ambulance), Fort Campbell, Ky. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey

I've mentioned the dangers of moral relativism in passing before, and have been trying to formulate some coherent writing on the subject.

And then today, I found this:

A Few Points That Are Not Morally Equivalent
Moral relativism has been around a long time now, and while its inherent hazards as a practical philosophy have been readily apparent, its more esoteric decrees have sometimes seemed more ridiculous than dangerous.

But now, at least in this controversial little corner of the world where I live, relativism's pronouncements are getting harder to laugh off. Especially the accusations of those who believe Israel's decades-long struggle just to exist is morally equivalent to the violence continually waged against it. After all, they can say, violence is violence and a dead civilian doesn't care whether death arrived by suicide bomb or the explosion of an artillery shell taking out a rocket launcher...


...War without consequences, if so allowed, is an immoral invitation to perpetual conflict since there is no reason for anyone to ever give up such a win-win war, other than the eventual obliteration of its target, when a new target must be found. Fortunately, Israel fights back, rather than choosing simply to lay down and die and in the process of surrender convincing Hizballah's world-wide allies that these tactics are worth trying again, and again. It is obvious that by fighting back some Lebanese civilians will suffer. Israel knows and regrets this, yet struggles to minimize these civilian casualties, sometimes even at the risk of its own ground troops. Hizballah knows and celebrates this, placing military assets in the midst of civilians to exacerbate the problem, and making sure photographers are on hand whenever there are bodies to show. These two sides -- one of which regrets civilian death, the other which celebrates it -- are not morally equivalent...

It's an excellent read, and you can find it at AbbaGav.

IRAQI DETAINEES — U.S. Army soldiers escort detainees to the courthouse in Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 3, 2006. The soldiers are from 1st Battalion, 180th Field Artillery, Arizona Army National Guard. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Richard Rose

News of Note
Israel at War
Israeli Forces May Deepen Lebanese Campaign
Arab nations call for Israeli exit
Israeli PM Considers 'Interesting' Lebanese Troop Proposal
Taiwanese Official Admits Meeting with Hezbollah Leader
Lebanon Rejects Cease-Fire Plan
Terror in the Skies
Israel shoots down bomb drone
An American in Beirut: Time of Need
Bush Outlines Proposed Resolution
Iranian Jews Living in U.S. Speak Out
Video: Explosive-Laden Drone Shot Down
Video: Bush's Statement on Mideast Crisis
Video: Jeff Goldblatt's Close Call
Video: Israeli Commandos in Tyre
Arab nations demand UN shift to end Lebanon war - Video
Bush wants UN resolution on Lebanon conflict fast - Video
Israeli strikes and curfew stymie aid efforts - Video
Hamas official detained by Israel taken to hospital
Lebanon fighting rages as ceasefire remains elusive - Video
Kidnapped soldier's wife seeks his release

Operation Iraqi Freedom
Two Explosions Kill Nine Near Iraqi Interior Ministry
Roadside bombs kill 19 people in Baghdad
US and Iraqi forces battle militia in Baghdad - Video
Iraq PM criticizes U.S.-led attack
Jammers Causing Interference in Iraq
Troops Endure Iraq Heat
Data for 38,000 Veterans Missing

Operation Enduring Freedom
U.S. forces push further into Afghanistan

Homeland Security / War on Terror
DHS Sets Out Policy Shift to Reunite Cuban Families
Google Inks MySpace Ad Deal
FBI Alerts Authorities of 11 Missing Egyptian Students
Jail for man who tried to export sensors to Iran

Troops on Trial
Iraqi Rape-Slay Testimony
Court told US troops gang-raped Iraqi girl - Video

Other Military News
Data for 38,000 Veterans Missing

Immigration / Border Control
SUV Packed With Illegals Rolls Running From Cops, Killing 9
Info lets immigrants see judges' records

NSA / CIA
CIA contractor goes on trial over Afghan abuses

Worldwide Wackos
Cuba brags about succession
Cuba ponders week's events and the future
U.S. asked to not interfere in Cuba

Politics / Government
Lieberman fights for survival in Connecticut
Poll: Sen. Lieberman Cutting Into Lamont's Lead
Bid to Block Ruling Keeping DeLay on Texas Ballot Nixed
Democrats face tough primary challenge
Govs. criticize national energy policy
Ill. governor office tightens hire rules
Hawaii GOP candidate undergoes surgery

Media in the Media
Reuters Fires Photographer Who Doctored Mideast Shots
Video: Reuters Yanks Photos
Doctored photos: Reuters response
Feedback from Reuters readers, editor's note

Mother Nature
Heat wave bakes South, Southeast

Oddities
You know anybody who needs an "anti-stupid" pill? (LOL - I wonder if you can buy 'em in bulk)
Designer creates floating bed
Michael Jackson says conspirators out to ruin him

Other News of Note
BP Closes Alaskan Oil Field
Government May Tap Reserves
Cheese Factory Workers Claim $208.6M Lottery Ticket
Mexico left still hopes for presidential recount
BP: Pipeline closing may last for months
Energy Dept. has oil reserves on standby

Fox News
Floyd Landis: I Didn't Cheat
Suspected Phoenix Serial Shooter: 'I Didn't Do It'
Fed Could See Temporary Halt in Interest Rate Hikes
Stocks to Watch: Google
Google Inks MySpace Ad Deal

Reuters: Top News
Sri Lanka capital blast kills 2
First US beef back in Japan passes inspection
Four-year-old conjoined twins separated in Utah - Video
Gang stirs mayhem in Sao Paulo with night of attacks
Flu pandemic impact can be mitigated in cities: study
Runway system failure in LA causes delays
Shuttle crew in Florida for practice countdown
Alzheimer's drug may be poison antidote
Apple rolls final Macs in move to Intel
MySpace selects Google search system
Young NY singer builds big following with Web exposure
Africans take Christianity back to secular West
Ultrasound affects mouse brains: study
Anesthetic may help severe depression
Swayze joins Jodie Foster in defending Gibson
Spitzer Spoiling for a Fight
Stocks dip on $77 oil; await Fed
Fluor down, Priceline.com shares jump on Inet
Stocks fall as oil price soars - Video
IPCS shares up as ruling fuels Sprint merger talk
Hansen Natural profit disappoints
RR Donnelley shares rise amid buyout talk
The new pension law and you
On the radar: EnCana CorpBP shuts giant Alaska oil field on pipe damage
Google, News Corp. to explore further ties
Apple rolls final Macs in move to Intel
What the Fed has to consider at Tuesday's meeting
Alaska woes threaten BP's "Beyond Petroleum" image
IBM wins reversal in pension discrimination case

AP World News
One high-saturated fat meal can be bad
Janet Jackson poses topless for Vibe
Google, News Corp. sign search, ad deal
Landis doubtful he'll clear his name
AOL: Searches by 650K people got out
Doctors begin conjoined twin surgery
Diamondbacks acquire pitcher Hernandez
Stewart to pay to settle SEC charges
'Talladega Nights' leads box office
Oil prices climb on oil field shutdown
Dow ends down 21, Nasdaq closes down 13
Charges reduced against Kansas teens
Ex-wife: Accused killer threatened me
Hefner denies stroke claim, says he's OK
Landis: Anti-dope officials have agenda
Google, News Corp. sign search, ad deal
Katrina homeless in search of trailers
Man wanted in 2 murders caught in Calif.

LAX malfunctions raise safety questions
Obituaries in the news

Push to drain Yosemite valley renewed
Bodies found in rubble of Mont. fire

Military.com
Services Learn to Get Along

CENTCOM: News Releases
MOSUL POLICE DEFEAT TERRORIST ATTACK

ROADSIDE BOMB KILLS 3 U.S. SOLDIERS

4th Bn., 320th FA Regt., FINDS LARGE WEAPONS CACHE

IRAQI FORCES CONDUCT RAID IN BAGHDAD

SHURA HELPS BUILD BETTER COMMUNICATIONS

COMBINED MISSION NETS 13 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS

FOUR TERRORISTS KILLED WHILE PLANTING ROADSIDE BOMBS

CAB APACHES, MEDEVAC COMPLETE MISSION UNDER ENEMY FIRE; GUN CREWS KILL 6 TERRORISTS ATTACKING MND-B FORCES

MND-B SOLDIERS DETAIN TWO SUSPECTS, SEIZE WEAPONS

IA SOLDIERS FOIL KIDNAPPING, DETAIN TERRORISTS

IRAQI FORCES CONDUCT RAID IN BAGHDAD (UPDATE)

IPS, MND-B SOLDIERS SEIZE WEAPONS, MUNITIONS, DETAIN 13

WOMEN’S CENTER OPENS IN ASSYRIA VILLAGE

172ND SBCT TRANSFERS AUTHORITY TO 3RD SBCT

MOSUL POLICE DEFEAT TERRORIST ATTACK

TARMIYA HOLDS EDUCATION AND YOUTH CENTER GRAND OPENING

IA, MND-B SOLDIERS SEIZE WEAPONS, DETAIN SUSPECTED TERRORIST

COMMANDER PROVES GUILT OF EXTREMISTS IN KHOST PROVINCE

REPLACEMENT FOR 10TH MOUNTAIN DIVISION NAMED

IRAQI POLICE SEIZE ROCKETS IN ZAFARANIYA

IRAQI CITIZEN LEADS MND-B SOLDIERS TO TERRORISTS; TWO TERRORISTS KILLED WHILE EMPLACING ROADSIDE BOMB

Department of Defense
NEWS UPDATES
NATO Reaffirms Commitment - Story
Coalition Forces Conduct Raids
For Top News Visit DefenseLink

ON THE GROUND
Iraqi Army Soldiers Plan Day at the Range - Story
Meeting Clairifies Reconstruction Team's Role - Story
Education and Youth Center Opens in Tarmiya - Story

IN IRAQ
Alaska Stryker Brigade Transfers Authority
Iraqi Soldiers Conduct Cordon and Search
Aviation Brigade Called for Duty in Iraq - Photos
Iraqi Police Focus on Security in Doura
Iraqis, Marines Work to Improve Security
New Hospital to Treat Detainees, Soldiers

IN AFGHANISTAN
Munitions, Weapons Airmen Secure Bombs
Air Force Specialists Keep Planes in Flight

IN DJIBOUTI
Djiboutian Military Police Visit Camp
Exercise Focuses on Crisis Response
U.S., French Marines Train in Desert

IN KENYA
Volunteers Help Task Force with Health Visit

BACKGROUND
IRAQ
Renewal In Iraq
Iraq: Security, Stability
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq (PDF)
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

CASUALTIES
Roadside Bomb Kills Soldiers - Story

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

Today in History
1814 - Peace negotiations begin in Ghent, Belgium.
1815 - Napoleon Bonaparte sets sail for exile on St. Helena.
1918 - Six American Soldiers are surrounded by German troops in France. With Alvin York in command, they kill 20 and capture 132 more.
1919 - In the Treaty of Rawalpindi, the British recognize Afghanistan's independence.
1929 - The German airship Graf Zeppelin begins a round-the-world flight.
1940 - The Battle of Britain begins - Germany launches air attacks.
1942 - In Washington, D.C., six convicted Nazi saboteurs who landed in U.S. are executed.
1945 - Pres Harry S Truman signs the U.N. Charter; the U.S.S.R. declares war on Japan; it also establishes a communist government in North Korea.
1949 - Bhutan becomes an independent monarchy.
1953 - The U.S. and South Korea sign a mutual security pact.
1955 - In Geneva, a conference is held to discuss peaceful uses of atomic energy.
1960 - The Ivory Coast declares independence.
1973 - VP Spiro T. Agnew calls reports he took kickbacks "damned lies," vowing not to resign. 1974 - President Nixon announces he is resigning effective 12PM, August 9th.
1983 - Brigadier General Efrain Rios Montt is deposed as president of Guatemela.
1988 - Russian troops begin pulling out of Afghanistan after 9 years of war.
1988 - In Bolivia, Secretary of State Shultz narrowly escapes an assassination attempt.
1989 - The U.S. space shuttle STS-28 is launched.
1990 - Iraq annexes Kuwait.
1991 - Shite Muslims release British hostage John McCarthy.

Birthdays
1763 - Charles Bulfinch, first American professional architect (MA State House)
1879 - Emiliano Zapata, Mexican revolutionary, peasant leader
1884 - Sara Teasdale, American poet, first Pulitzer Prize winner (1918-"Love Songs")
1901 - Dr. Ernest O. Lawrence, inventor of the Cyclotron, Nobel Prize winner (1939)
1902 - Paul A.M. Dirac, theoretical physicist, Nobel prize winner (1933)
1908 - Arthur J. Goldberg, UN ambassador / Supreme Court justice (1962-65)
1913 - Robert Stafford (Sen-VT)
1926 - Richard Anderson, actor (Oscar Goldman-6 Million Dollar Man)
1927 - Jim Weaver (Rep-OR)
1948 - Svetlana Y. Savitskaya, second woman in space (Soyuz T-7, T-12)
1988 - Princess Beatrice of England

Passings
1961 - Charlie Gemora, actor who portrayed King Kong
1976 - John Roselli, hired by CIA to kill Castro, murdered

Reported Missing in Action
1964
Grainger, Joseph W., Civilian (CT); USAID service worker, died in captivity January, 1965

1966
Flom, Fredric R., USAF (WI); F105D shot down, released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Golberg, Lawrence, USAF (MN); F4C shot down (see Wynne), remains returned September, 1977

Kommendant, Aado, USAF (NJ);F4C shot down (backseater to Walling)

Kasler, James H., USAF (OH); released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998
**endured "third-country interrogations" - read his story here
**Korean War "Ace" flying the F-86 (100 missions), also USA Air Corp B-29 tailgunner, Pacific Theater, WWII (7 missions)**

Walling, Charles M., USAF (AZ); F4C shot down (pilot)

Wynne, Patrick Edward, USAF (FL); F4C shot down (see Golberg), remains returned March, 1977