Lew: I have grown so weary of those who accuse critics of a dying, destructive, and inhumane political system of not being “realistic.” This guy characterizes Ron Paul’s rejection of the war system — about the only thing America is good at exporting anymore — as “a turn from political realism.” Fine! If “realism” is Salam’s standard — as it ought to be — will he lead efforts to have the news media show the flag-draped coffins being unloaded at military bases? Such a move — quite prevalent during the Vietnam War — will remind all of us of some of the “realistic” costs of warfare.

The Best of Butler Shaffer