Counterbias : : Ten Reasons to Leave Iraq Now

Michael Boldin provides ten points of common sense:

We fought in Vietnam to stop the "domino effect" of communism, but when the communists took over, the world didn't come to an end. We "saved" Kuwait from an evil dictator, but it's still run by a family dynasty that has no interest in liberty for the people. We waged war on Afghanistan to capture Osama bin Laden. Oddly, rights violations are still rampant and Afghani opium production has soared since the invasion. And then, of course, we have all the "good" done in Iraq.

This foreign policy of aggression and intervention, which we have seen grow in preeminence over the last century, just doesn't work.

Everything You Know Is Wrong

And here's why: 26 common cognitive biases summarized, with links to more in-depth discussions. See how many you can check off in the course of an average day.

Sometimes They Are As Crazy As You Think

Utah County Republicans ended their convention on Saturday by debating Satan's influence on illegal immigrants.
...
Don Larsen, chairman of legislative District 65 for the Utah County Republican Party, had submitted a resolution warning that Satan's minions want to eliminate national borders and do away with sovereignty.

In a speech at the convention, Larsen told those gathered that illegal immigrants "hate American people" and "are determined to destroy this country, and there is nothing they won't do."

Immigrants - in particular illegals - build this country. And apparently they shout "Down with America! Hail Satan!" with every swing of the hammer. Once upon a time, we took pride in taking in the world's hopeful and disadvantaged. "Give us your tired, your poor.", we said. America offered opportunity and freedom to the world.

May those days come again.

Those Fanatical Atheists

Dan Gardner offers some perspective on the claims that the New Atheist movement is 'just as fanatical' as theistic fundamentalism:

Don't you know Stalin was an atheist? That's the way it goes. First you read Richard Dawkins. Then you have an abortion. Then you're putting a fresh coat of paint on the Gulag.

This frames the debate in a pleasingly symmetrical way. Over on that side are the insane religious fanatics who fly jets into skyscrapers and march around with signs saying "God Hates Fags." Over there are fanatical atheists. Between the two extremes are sensible moderates who take the Goldilocks approach to faith and reason. Not too hot. Not too cold. Lukewarm, please, keep it lukewarm.