News – Understanding the Kurds

Iraq

This latest episode of Kurd Sellout Watch, marking up day 355, lays out pretty clearly the situation with the Kurds and their peshmerga. I don’t see how Bremer could have expected the Kurds would just comply with such an openly ignorant request. Given how thing are, unless Iraq was safe and stable and the Kurds liked and wanted to be under the wing of a central government, then it would be easy to consider. But since none of that is true, there is no way they’ll give up their military force.

February 28th, the date set for an interim constitution to be approved by the IGC. Bremer says they’re on schedule. We’ll see if they are and what is said after such a thing is approved.

A bomber in Kirkuk drives his explosive packed car into a police station as officers were gathering to get the day’s orders. Ten dead, many injured.

Four US solders and intelligence officers wounded in an ambush by gunmen. Their translator was killed

Israel/Palestine

Arafat says no peace possible while the west Bank barrier stands. And the Israeli government continues to reject the ICC bid by Palestine’s government to find the wall illegal. Ultimately, these clashes will result in the same general standstill that has lingered throughout this little tiff. Meanwhile the bombers will explode, the IDF will raid and both peoples will continue to grind each other into dust gradually.

Ten thousand Palestinian protestors of the Israeli barrier marched in the West Bank. Israeli soldiers fired off some tear gas to keep them from coming too close to that barrier.

A look at where the line between valid criticism and anti-Semitism lies. We must take care to not demonize, only to look to the true mistakes and fallacies with the taint of hatred.

Iran

As predicted, the conservatives have swept the election in Iran. Reformist candidates are justifiably upset. Some claim the election was rigged. It seems so on some levels at the very least. If not directly, then by this mass disqualification of reformist candidates.

Libya

The first snag in Libya’s disarming has come. Libya’s government wants to keep three nuclear plants, one of which is suspect and the US wants dismantled.

Haiti

The rebels have taken over the country’s second largest city, Cap Haitien. Meaning they’ve driven the police from their headquarters. There have been reports of some looting of the port for grain and that prisoners were released from the jail as well as some fires.

US

Nader will run, marking another light ulcer period for democrats. Most are saying he won’t have as much impact, which seems a logical assessment as many who supported him in the past aren’t this year.

Arnie supports amending the constitution to allow foreign born Americans to run for prez. Personally, so long as there are protections to keep just anyone from coming over, like a length of time living in the country to qualify, I don’t really see anything wrong with it.

The furor over gay marriage in Massachusetts continues. People moved too fast and too hard on this. But given the chance for overreaction by the opposing side, I think things will eventually settle back into a state of equilibrium with no one benefiting in the end. Hmmm.. interesting addition. Hundreds of folks from around the world are sending flowers by via the Internet to be delivered to random gay couples in San Fran who are getting married. Those silly total strangers.

The photo of John Kerry beside Jane Fonda? A fake. And the photographer who shot the pic of Kerry is considering legal action against whoever made the fake.

Thank goodness the railing has begun against Reality TV. Perhaps in a year or two the love affair will be over and we can get back to some more good shows like 24.

Explainer details the secret service.

General

James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing. A game as good as a movie. Which, for the sake of movies, isn’t a compliment. I’d have to agree that some movies are becoming more like games(a series of action sequences in search of a plot). Fortunately, I like that stuff. So I’ll likely be getting that game eventually.

Today’s Papers notes an outdated White House webpage on disarming Saddam, a coordinated spring offensive between the US and Pakistan along the border of Afghanistan, the IGC not signing an agreement with the US on keeping US troops in Iraq and more.

Amusements

HomestarRunner.com: Strongbad Email: Different Town

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Farker’s little sister’s boyfriend’s rockin’ Satan-metal band

Man shows up to airport late, argues with airline employees, and punches cop while holding his daugther.</A