News – One Vial Enough? You Decide (1/2)

Iraq

The one real find David Kay has is a single vial that is said to have botulinum toxin in it. We’ll assume for now that it is really what they claim and not go into the obvious thoughts that it could just be water(or whatever liquid it looks like). There are other caveats. At first Kay didn’t say where it was found, save that it was hidden. Later it was revealed that it was in a scientists home refrigerator, given to him in 1993, two years before Iraq admitted it has a bio/chem. Weapons program. It isn’t clear if he was given any instructions then or afterward. It isn’t clear if the vial had the bacteria the toxin is drawn from(more significant I believe) or just the toxin itself(less significant). Nor if it was the A or B strain, the A strain the more lethal.

Personally, I don’t consider one vial to be a justification for the war Bush started, regardless of what is in it. Yes, it shows Saddam may well have planned to try and slip in under the radar after the international heat is off, but who among us didn’t expect that? And who thinks the US would have left Iraq out of their sights long enough for Saddam to start up a weapons program? There was no eminent threat from Saddam that justified preemptive war.

Pure and simple. Bush lied. Some people might be able to dismiss that with the warm fuzzy that Saddam is no longer in charge, but the clear and questionable positives don’t erase that breech of confidence.

But what do you think?

Israel/Palestine

Sharon has said he will hit Israel’s enemies anywhere and any way, affirming that he intends to escalate an already hot situation at the drop of a hat. This said at a memorial service marking the 30th anniversary of the 1973 Middle East war. Could the 2003 Middle East war be far off? Or perhaps 2004.

Arafat has sworn in an emergency council, led by his new PM, to address the Palestinian security problem. Good. I don’t for a moment suspect Arafat is Mr. Nice all of a sudden, mind you. But even if he was genuine, it’ll be no small feat to stop the rolling circle of violence.

Bashar Assad accuses Israel of wanting to start a war. But we’d expect he would say something like that.

A musing if Israel’s strike is an act of desperation or a shrewd move to widen an already hot conflict. Personally, I don’t see how widening it would be shrewd, save for perhaps drawing in tighter support from allies(like the US). No doubt if Israel managed to start a war, our administration would feel obligated to help out.

Bush refused to criticize Israel’s attack, asserting it had a right to defend itself. Mr Bush said the Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, should avoid aggravating tensions in the region, but added that Israel’s hands should not be tied.

I’m sure Sharon thanks you for the tacit approval, Bush.

Interesting letters on the situation between Palestine and Israel. Some wise words.

International Papers looks at regional news on the Israeli attack in Syria.

Afghanistan

The US says there are signs that there could be ‘spectacular’ attacks by the Taliban as the second anniversary of our entry into Afghanistan passes. Spectacular? Which administration speech writer got a new thesaurus and has no idea how to use it?

Iran

Iranian leadership as decided they will continue to enrich uranium, despite cessation of such activities being one of the demands associated with the IAEA’s October 31st deadline.

Korea

North Korea, quite suddenly, has said Japan isn’t welcome at talks pertaining to its nuclear program. Japan has replied that their leadership doesn’t see how that’s North Korea’s choice. DarkRen remains morbidly amused by the drama.

Australia

By a narrow margin the Australian Senate censured PM Howard for misleading the country about the Iraq war. The government dismissed it as a political stunt.

US

Bob Graham has decided to drop his bid for president. To be expected as some of the trailing candidates to cut their losses and concede defeat.

Wesley Clark has promised a new US vision. I’ll admit, I’m vaguely intrigued by him and his expressed beliefs. Though, as is usual with politicos, I remain cautious.

House republicans have unveiled their version of Bush’s request for $87 billion</A., snipping $1.7 billion off the Iraq portion and slipping Afghanistan another $400 million. It also adds $245 million for peacekeeping operations in Liberia and $413 million to repair U.S. military installations damaged last month by Hurricane Isabel.

The Gaffes of Joe Lieberman:Looking at Lieberman’s original firm line on school vouchers, which has softened as of late.

Wanted: Legible Voting Ballots – Take a look at the messed up voting methods in California. There are about five different types in the state.