News – Aristide Out, US Troops In (1/2)

Haiti

Aristide has resigned and left the country this weekend. Only now do US marines enter the country, part of a UN sanctioned peace keeping force. It was an interesting ride into work this morning as I listened to a few people opine on the matter. Many seem to think this is typical of US foreign policy; withholding serious aid until an undesired leader is forced out. Having not studied such matters in depth myself, I couldn’t say. But I could stand to look into it.

Iraq

Iraqi Governing Council members have agreed, finally, on an interim constitution after missing yesterday’s deadline. Differences were set aside, though I’m sure that the issues that blocked them before won’t just disappear. Things like the role of Islam, quotas for women in government and Kurdish demands for autonomy. That last one is likely to be a big, nasty thorn. It also sets the date for elections at late 204, early 2005, between the cries for immediate elections and the US’ original date of late 2005.

Soon the reservists and national guard, with their minimal combat training, could be in Iraq. If there is a sudden rise in the US body count, you’ll know why. Though I hope it doesn’t.

Could the uncertain legality of the Iraq war lead to compensation claims from the family of servicemen killed in the conflict? Well, some families in the UK are considering it.

Gangs in Iraq are shifting from carjacking to kidnapping the kids of the wealthy. With a shift in police power, so goes a shift in the focus of crime to safer profitable ventures.

Israel/Palestine

Islamic Jihad vows revenge after another Israel air strike destroys a car with three of their activists. 15 bystanders were injured. No doubt there will be more attacks in Israel, which will prompt more attacks in Palestine and so on.

Pakistan

It is flatly denied that Pakistan will be letting US troops hunt for Osama within their territory, as a senior administration official is quoted as saying. “We’re going to get our troops inside Pakistan in return for not forcing Musharraf to deal with Khan.”, the official is reported to have said. Meaning Abdul Qadeer Khan, the nuclear scientist recently found to have been selling out Pakistan’s nuclear secrets, previously pardoned.

Russia

Putin has named Mikhail Fradkov, 53, a former chief tax policeman as his new Prime Minster. He noted the man’s strong experience in fighting corruption and more or less has surprised analysts.

US

The Bush team’s secret plan for Social Security reform>. ‘Free-Lunch’ isn’t as good as it sounds.

There are plans in the works for US inspectors to be stationed at foreign airports, screening passengers. Likely this will be targeted at flights into the US as it is meant to catch terrorists before they even enter the US. The program, still under development, is noted as voluntary.

A tanker bearing 11,000 tons of industrial ethanol explodes and sinks off the east coast, near Virginia. Three of the crew are confirmed dead, six have been rescued and 18 more are missing and presumed lost. The Coast Guard will only briefly search Monday morning as there is little chance of anyone surviving so long in the cold waters. The spilled ethanol is evaporating and the fuel oil slick that was also released is floating away from land, which is a good thing.

After tossing out his amendment endorsement, taking things to their highest extreme, Bush takes the moral high ground. “This is a sensitive debate and it is important that people hold true to their beliefs without condemning anybody else,” Bush said. “I call upon all sides in the debate to conduct themselves with dignity and honor and respect,”

I’d comment, but to say what’s on my mind would compromise my dignity and honor. I haven’t got any respect for that man.

New York politicians joined gay demonstrators demanding the mayor of New York open the way for same sex marriage licenses. The issue is accelerating on both fronts.

About 200 Vietnam Vets and Vietnamese protest Kerry. This, of course, centered on his protests of Vietnam, which some see as a betrayal.

A little muse over Arnie and his Cuban cigars.