The first cup is for the guest, the second for enjoyment, the third for the sword. ~ An old Arabic saying

The Jawa Report (Howie) Remembering the 7/7 London Bombing — “Though the birth of the United States caused great pains on both sides, we and the British are one. The bond between our peoples is unbreakable and enternal. One will always stand for the other. This event brought home with deadly gravity what it means to have a true ally. Stand together we shall and we shall never forget!”

Outside The Beltway (Chris Lawrence) Calderón Wins Mexico Vote — “Even if AMLO were to somehow overturn the results, the impact on US-Mexican relations would probably be minimal–both candidates staked out similar positions (which mirrored those of the Fox administration) on the issues of immigration and border security, and while AMLO is something of a populist, there is little concern that he would turn out to be another Hugo Chávez in office.”

Captain’s Quarters (Ed Morrissey) — Captain Ed has done some great work bringing captured, translated Iraqi documents. Read Saddam And Anthrax Operations, Project Harmony Documents Show Chemical ‘Projects’ In 2003, and Iraqi Rosters In 2002 Show Interesting Department Names.

Wizbang (Kim Priestap) Army Officer Formally Charged — “Today, these anti-American, anti-war leftists hold up Ehren Watada as courageous and a hero. However, after Watada is found guilty of the charges against him and sentenced to hard labor in Leavenworth, the leftists who praise him now will still have their freedom as they abandon him and move on to their next pawn for the cause.”

Black as the devil, hot as hell, pure as an angel, sweet as love. ~ Talleyrand

ScrappleFace (Scott Ott) Democrats Vow to Fight On After Zarqawi Loss — “As Blackberry devices and cell phones on Capitol Hill hummed with news of the death of terrorist leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi yesterday, Congressional Democrats vowed that despite the loss they would fight on in “the war on the war on terror.” ”

Hot Air (Michelle Malkin) Vent: Anti-American Idol Ehren Watada Video.

Wizbang (Jay Tea) This just in: Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi is still dead — “Yes, the “Prince” is dead. Others may succeed him, but there will not likely be anyone to take his place. He was a canny exploiter of the media, a master manipulator of the latest forms of public relations. He carefully sculpted his public persona as the mighty Islamic warrior (certain blooper reels notwithstanding), and that image was irreparably shattered (along with Zarqawi himself) by a couple of 500-lb. bombs the other day.”

Captain’s Quarters (Ed Morrissey) An Answer From Iran — “It’s hard to respect someone who lies and cheats on a constant basis, and in fact respect seems to be coming to Iran far ahead of schedule. If this incentive package works at all, it will be due to a healthy amount of disrespect as we insist on invasive verification procedures to ensure Iran doesn’t continue cheating. Ronald Reagan once said, “Trust but verify,” but he dealt with a rational enemy with a strong will to continue living. The messianic Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has proven himself at least a non-rational leader, and his fiery rhetoric and fervent public belief in the apocalyptic return of the Twelfth Imam makes the “trust” part of Reagan’s Maxim a poor choice under any circumstances.”

Here is a roundup of blog reaction to this story:

An Army officer who was born and raised in Honolulu is refusing to go with his unit to Iraq because he says the basis of the war is illegal and immoral.

First Lt. Ehren Watada, 27, is with the Stryker unit out of Fort Lewis, Wash. Watada is the son of former state Campaign Spending Commission Executive Director Bob Watada.

“I feel that we have been lied to and betrayed by this administration,” Watada said Tuesday in a telephone interview with the Seattle Times from Fort Lewis. “It is the duty, the obligation of every soldier, and specifically the officers, to evaluate the legality, the truth behind every order — including the order to go to war.”

Confederate Yankee (Bob Owens) Other Than Honorable

Soldiers do not get to pick and choose their wars, yet hundreds of thousands of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Guardsmen, and Reserves have cycled into an out of Iraqi in the past three years of war, and while many perhaps felt that this war was not one they would chose, they followed their lawful orders to deploy.

They do not do this because they love combat, nor death, nor deprivation. They give up families, stability and even their lives, because of honor, duty and loyalty. They do this because of bonds between soldiers that civilians such as you or I will never truly understand.

Wizbang (Kim Priestap) Fort Lewis Officer Says He Will Refuse to Go to Iraq

This is more than just one man refusing to deploy. It’s a coordinated effort by the anti-war left to undermine our troops, our war effort, and President Bush, and Lt. Watada is its pawn.

The Sandbox Officer Refuses Deployment

I recall the questions I answered and the oath I took when I enlisted, and I know I will renew that oath upon earning my commission. If I refuse lawful orders, I open myself up to UCMJ punishment. More importantly, I’d feel a shame I can’t begin to describe. I signed up to serve the United States. To my knowledge, that doesn’t come with a rider which allows for exceptions to policy I don’t agree with.

The Stupid Shall Be Punished How Not To Refuse Unlawful Orders

Expect the evening news tomorrow night to be filled with stories of a “brave” Army Lieutenant. The actions he’ll be lauded for don’t fit the traditional definition of bravery, but you’ll see pundits far and wide hailing his actions.

Cathouse Chat (Romeocat) “Hero”? Only for the lefty anti-war nutcases

No. He is NOT “doing the right thing.” Our military is entirely a volunteer force, and your son, sir, has had ample time to reconsider his choice of a career in the Army. He did not have to enter Officer Candidate School, he did not have to raise his hand and swear to protect the United States of America and the Constitution “against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

Michelle Malkin A DESERTER, NOT A “DISSENTER”

MORE SOON