News – Dark World, Light Humor (1/2)

A big news day today. A little from all the major events still resolving worldwide. Some optimism, some pessimism. A typical day.

In another incident of civilian protest in Iraq, US solders opened fire on protesting Iraqis. The reasoning is they were being fired upon. Reports vary, but 13-15 dead and about 75 or more wounded is the general average noted by sources I’ve heard from. The unfortunate thing is, they may well have been fired upon, but regardless of the catalyst, it will still inflame anger that is already there and spark anger in others. Situations like this have to be stopped altogether, though I’m at a loss as to how to do it. In other news, despite a ban on celebrating Saddam’s birthday, Tikrit, his hometown, did it anyway. Trying to ban it was another boneheaded idea. It seems, to others, petty. The US did nothing to Tikrit, which only weakens the weight of their words. And if they had done something, it likely would have flared up, with the fallout probably being worse. Shooting people for celebrating a dead man’s birthday? I’m just glad that didn’t happen.

Meanwhile Slate’s Fray has a bevy of interesting comments on Slate’s new section on rebuilding Iraq.

By mutual agreement, US forces are pulling out of Saudi Arabia now. This is a good move. It removes one of the reasons for friction in Saudi Arabia at a time when we need to let off some of the pressure. Unfortunately, they’re also moving more forces into Baghdad. Whatever happened to small and agile? A greater show of force won’t help, IMHO.

Amir Muhammed Rasheed, Saddam’s oil minister, is in US custody now. What seems interesting to be is that he was on their top 55 list(the playing cards that are so popular now), while his wife, Rihab Taha, a bioweapons scientist nicknamed “Dr. Germ” wasn’t even on the list. Not drawing conclusions, you can do that yourself. I just find it interesting.

Palestine’s new PM seems determined to have security forces be the only armed force in Palestine, hinting that he intends to see militants disarmed. This is a promising sign. Hopefully it’ll force Sharon to back off some and stop killing more people along with Hamas. Rummy remains optimistic.

North Korea, predictably, is saying that diplomacy won’t work if the US doesn’t try to compromise at all. Without a nonaggression pact, they aren’t ditching the nuke program. It’s likely the only thing that keeps Bush at bay. Bush has few options and everyone knows it. He’ll have to compromise on something eventually, blackmail or not. That or bring about more death and destruction to the world.

The US’ subtle punishment against those who didn’t fall into line on Iraq started with Chile. They were about to sign a trade agreement with us, bundled with one with Singapore. They’ve since been unbundled and Chile left to wait. Canada has been as well. A trip to Ottawa was canceled due to Bush being busy, yet there was time to host a visit by John Howard of Australia at Bush’s ranch. Mexico, France and Germany are likely next. Personally, I find this morally repugnant, but such is the fait of he who is in power. Always looking to grudges rather than looking to the future or what is best for the world. What I find interesting is that three of them are the US’ biggest scientific collaborators. It would be a terrible thing if, in retaliation they decided to pull away from the US and focus amongst themselves.

Remember those documents of alQueda meetings with Saddam? They’re being played down now. I suppose that wasn’t the breakthrough they were hoping for. Meanwhile, Maher “Mike” Hawash, an Intel software contractor who has been held since March 20th, has finally been charged. He’s suspected of aiding alQueda and the Taliban. Apparently he and five others are suspected of having gonr to China to seek entry to Afghanistan so they could fight against US forces there. They neve got into Afghanistan. What do you think of that? Sounds like they have to prove intent, which is somewhat difficult.

International Papers muse the million dollar deal that Tareq Aziz seems to be making with the US and Britain. Was he a key traitor in Baghdad or is this on the spot improvised? Eve more secrets revealed inside. Come have a read. Today’s Papers covers the government’s 1.4B deal with 10 top investment firms that mislead investors, the US’ ceasefire agreement with the People’s Mujahedeen and more.

Would you pay a buck a track for music in Apple’s new online music store? Personally, I don’t know yet, but its mere existence is something of a feat. We’ll see if Job’s RDF(Reality Distortion Field) has positive results at the end of the day. I’m erring toward the optimistic.

More violence in India, as their leaders discuss with Pakistan on ways of improving relations. A routine nuke capable missile test comes a day after India’s first high level contact with Pakistan in a while.