News – Bombs Away

It’s been a bad week. Too many bombings, too much death. Is this what will be the status quo in our world for the next decade? Eternal war, strife spreading as combatants strike back and forth at each other, both assured of the rigorousness of their cause. They’re all madmen. From Bush to Sharon, to Osama, to Saddam, to Arafat. Lunatics and madmen.

Iraq

The offices of a U.S.-appointed local council in Ramadi on Wednesday and the Kirkuk offices of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan on Thursday were both hit by bomb attacks. The body count was low for these, two and four respectively. But no less tragic.

The CIA has expanded its investigation of prewar intelligence to gauge if the agency missed signs that Iraq had indeed dismantled its weapons before the war. I’ll be interested to see if they come up with anything.

Despite claims to the contrary by US officials, Bush has raising the number of US troops in Iraq as an potion to meet the increased aggression of terrorists.

Sargoun Nanou Murado, a pro-US politician, was killed after being abducted in Basra on his way to work Tuesday.

Lieutenant Colonel Allen West of the 4th Infantry Division tells why he fired his pistol to the side of a detained Iraqi man’s head. He believed the man knew of attacks that might threaten his men and he wanted to intimidate answers out of him.

Israel/Palestine

Bush speaks against the big Israeli wall from the UK. Israeli officials dismiss it as always.

Copies of the Geneva Accord, denounced by Sharon as close to treason, will be distributed to homes this week.Three million will be delivered, with Sharon’s office refusing a hand delivered copy. But while Sharon is fighting against it, Colon Powell and Jakc Straw are writing in encouragement to the creators.

Iran

ElBaradei, head of the IAEA, has said Iran was in breech of its international non-proliferation obligations. However, he’s also said there was “a new spirit” of cooperation. He wants the UN to pass a resolution that “strengthens my hand” and reacts to the “the bad news and the good news” of Iran’s nuke programs. Seems fair to me. Quite a bit more fair that Bush and his cronies will be.

Turkey

The British Consulate and HSBC Bank headquarters in Istanbul were struck by bombs today. Apparently alQueda’s doing(called in claim of responsibility) with at least 15 dead.

The Istanbul attacks are a travesty. There we can see anti-Semitism. This was note Israel under attack, but men and women attacked at the most insulting of times, while in the midst of their devotions. We must learn the careful difference that gives that word meaning.

UK

Police have said they’ve spotted well known trouble makers in the crowd of protestors. Personally, I’d like to know who they are.. what sort of trouble makers they are. Are they the mischievous type of the malignant type?

Blair says he’s committed to wiping out terrorism. Looking at the above news bits, I’d have to say he’s doing a shitty job with Bush.

Bush meets with British families that lost loved ones. Some have had nothing to do with it, describing it as “a propaganda means for Bush’s re-election.” Many have noted that Bush has hardly done the same for the families of fallen US soldiers, though aides say he has. In private and writing personal notes of condolence. Somehow, I doubt Bush would do something like that in private.

Bush and Blair are coming to an understanding over the fate of British folk held at Guantanimo. But what about the rest? I suppose as long as Tony gets back his countrymen, the rest can just rot. They’re just ‘nasty terrorists’ after all.

US

As expected, backlash from conservative groups has been predictable when it comes the gay marriage issue in Massachusetts. But then comes the perfection of how to debate it from Slate. It isn’t about sexual orientation, it’s about marriage. So from now on you can consider me to be pro-marriage. Even though I don’t plan to have one myself. 😉

Bush claims the Iraq war saved the UN from going the way of the League of Nations. I find it humorous he’s still defending what is already done.

General

Michael Jackson now faces multiple child sex charges. He’ll be allowed to turn himself in and will have bail set at three million.

Bill Gates unveils the Action Stick.

Today’s Papers has the White House not so freaked over Shiites dominating Iraq, Bush amid pomp and circumstance, bombs galore and more on the one page news.

Amusements

Smoke Kills

Ninja Massage Therapist

Mark Fiore: Are you a patriot?

Mark Fiore: Buster and his friends