James Wolcott (welcome to the LearnRoll™) notes that Romans would consider disasters right before wartime as omens of tragedy to come. Maybe the Bushies should have used the same caution.
Camille Paglia observed on Salon in February, 2003 that the explosion of the Columbia shuttle on the eve of the war on Iraq was a "stunning omen," one that would make a Roman general think twice. A catastrophe strewing death, fire, and human remains across Bush's home state of Texas was inauspicious to our undertaking; and so it has proven to be. Frances is the second hurricane to afflict Florida, home of brother Jeb, in rapid succession. The gods are not pleased.
