News – Blair visits Iraq

Blair visits Iraq and gets briefed. He’s the first western leader to actually set foot in the country. For whatever that is worth. Some citizens of Brasa where he did visit, dismiss his presence as an empty gesture. Who can blame them, as military success is only half the story.

Meanwhile a senior British official makes damaging remarks on a dossier on Saddam’s WMD supposedly created by British Intelligence. And the best the Pentagon has so far are two trucks with lab equipment which ‘could’ have been used, but had no trace of biological weapons in them. Which means they could have been used five or ten years ago for all they know.

I’m not the only one to find the renewed status of indefinite American occupation disturbing.

In nebulous news, the family of a Spanish journalist, killed when US forces opened fire on the Palestine hotel, are seeking to charge three US soldiers with war crimes. I don’t know, lots of people are playing the ‘war crimes’ card as of late. I’m all for justice, but too many people tossing it around could damage its effectiveness. The court the request has been made to has yet to decide if they will take it on.

Meanwhile another soldier is killed in Iraq. I find myself with little to say on it. I’ve said it all already. I only wonder how long we’ll have to face up to this gradual attrition.

It seems that intrusive weapons searches(for infantry weapons, not WMD) have sparked a riot in the Iraqi town of Hit. Note, the disarming of all but smaller weapons from the Iraqi people is meant to quell lawlessness.

U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz is quoted as saying that WMD was just one reason for the war on Iraq. We know that Paulie, but you guys decided to make that issue #1 on the list. Now you have to take the heat for it, as it seems Saddam didn’t have enough firepower to give the US a rash, much less pose a serious threat to our nation. Stop it with the spin and just accept your lumps like a man.

I find it amusing that Bush wants to ‘put the Iraq war behind‘ and yet continues to snub Schroeder and, on his visit to Krakow, Poland, has decided the mayor can’t be host. Note, the mayor of Krakow was heavily anti-war. And subtle retribution for those who didn’t fall into line continues to adjust American policy, such as Mexico and some deals they need signed, which aren’t being handled. How’s that for general hypocrisy. You want to leave the war debate behind? Prove it by letting go of your own bias, Bush. Until then, stop complaining.

With Bush and his dedication to keep nasty weapons out of terrorist hands, why is he not dealing quickly with the caches of poorly secured nuclear material in Russia?

The EU’s draft constitution has drawn heavy criticism for being unbalanced, as the response is noted and explored in International Papers. So much so, the second and third parts of the draft, later published, were all but ignored.

Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine sees a truce with Hamas coming next week. If adhered to, this would be a good backdrop for the three way summit with Bush. But Israeli response to the potential has been lackluster, claiming it isn’t enough.

Russia has had its first SARS case, on its border with China. Unfortunately, Toronto has not quite shaken SARS yet, with two deaths and measures taken to keep it in check.

For an alternate view: There’s something about Rummy. No comment. 😉

Are the democrats in America spineless? Levy your opinion here.

It seems, after the initial hype wore down, the new Enter the Matrix game has drawn bad criticism, being dubbed mediocre on hindsight. Personally, I’ve only seen it played at game stores, so I can’t say too much about it. Though I don’t plan to buy it.

Funny Pics!

I wonder if they’re full service.

The Freshest Beef

Chastity Bra – No touchy

That’s one use for old AOL CDs. :p