Reporter Lawrence Kaplan recently spent time in Iraq for the New Republic. Among the things he witnessed was this:

On the day the preliminary results of December’s elections were announced, [Iraq’s Prime Minister Ibrahim] Jafari invites the election commissioners for dinner. The liberal activist Mustafa Al Kadhimiy wrangles two invitations…

As a television in the corner of the room conveys images of the carnage outside, Jafari admits to being partial to the works of Noam Chomsky. Why won’t Chomsky come to Iraq? he asks.

I think it’s safe to say that—of all the possible futures the Bush administration may have considered when they invaded Iraq—one thing they didn’t anticipate was ending up with a Chomsky fan as prime minister.

Is it really possible that Andrew Sullivan is only now learning about something that’s been common knowledge since 2002?

The most revealing items, of course, are the following: in discussing whether Iraq could have been involved, the notes say: “judge whether good enough [to] hit S.H. at same time.” Later comes: “Hard to get a good case.” Then there’s this: “Go massive … Sweep it all up. Things related and not.” My confidence that there was no deliberate misleading of the American people after 9/11 just slipped a notch.

Unbelievable. I’ve asked this many, many times, but why exactly is it that anyone takes this guy even remotely seriously?

… puts the Orwell quote at the top of his page (“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle”) into context, doesn’t it?

Just looking at that picture takes a little of the edge off, doesn’t it? One of the (many) things I miss about life on the West Coast is the ability to take spontaneous trips down the coast to Big Sur, so this inspired some wistful memories. One thing, though — apparently no one told the writer about my favorite place to stay in the area, Ripplewood. You can camp there, which I have done, but I prefer their cabins, several of which have kitchens, bathrooms, even fireplaces. I haven’t been there in many years, but if their website is up to date, it looks like they’re still the area’s best bargain.

Or else the terrorists have won.

Seriously, I really do need to make a good showing with this one. I could have stayed with St. Martin’s, putting out a compilation every two years that got absolutely no promotional support and sold respectable but modest numbers. Instead I took a risk on a new publisher, and they’re excited about this one and putting a lot into it — I don’t even want to tell you how optimistic they’re being with the first print run — but if it doesn’t do well, I’m sure that excitement will cool down quickly, and I will find myself with even fewer options than before.

As far as my future book publishing career is concerned, I’ve basically put everything on red 23 and the roulette wheel is spinning.

Ad’s over to your left if you want to pre-order.