News – Bush Appeals. Still Guilty

You know, for all that is happening in the world you’d think he’d be able to talk for more than 18 minutes.

Iraq

Bush has made his appeal to the world and, in my opinion, he failed miserably in it. For eighteen minutes, when I could have been watching Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon(It was on and interrupted by him) I half listened to him call all terrorists, without exception, enemies of civilization(untrue and irresponsible) and note the fat price tag of 87 billion for his overseas attempts to do in a few years what no one has been able to do for centuries. He gave no solid plan, defined no real targets save his unfounded belief that making a happy, touchy, feelie Iraq will be the key to it all(doubtful). In essence, he said nothing new, heaped a ton of fresh and dull headed insults, then held out his hand for over 80 billion bucks.

I’d deny him his allowance, were I holding the wallet.

Another 1,200 British solders have been sent to Iraq.Drawn from the Second Battalion Light Infantry and First Battalion Royal Green Jackets.

A report in the WMDs is pending. How will the lack of successes be spun into a positive?

Israel/Palestine

Ahmed Korei, Arafat’s next choice for Palestinian PM, has asked the US and Europe for guarantee of support before he takes up the post. Israel is the one he’ll need the most cooperation from and find the hardest time getting it. On the man himself, he’s regarded as a moderate(a good sign) and he was an architect of the 1993 interim Oslo peace accords.

The US wants Arafat to give up control of Palestinian security forces, rightly getting it for once. And again in resisting the Israeli push for expulsion. As much as I despise Arafat, he’s too well connected to kick out.

Amnesty international is highlighting the economic damage that Israel’s fence is doing to Palestine. Of course, Israel ignored that and attacked the report given as one sided.

Powell’s got it. He notes the inevitable consequences of Israel’s assassination policy. Which means he’s told others, so they all know, regardless of if they act like it or not. And he rightly slammed Arafat as well.

Some details on Abbas’ time as PM, why he quit and his standing in general. I do believe he truly wanted peace, but he could only take being the general punching bag for so long. And a profile.

Afghanistan

Five Afghan soldiers were killed and two US solders were wounded in a series of attacks in south and east Afghanistan today. There has been note of a 1 billion dollar package for the country, which I suppose is better late than never.

US

Whopper of the Week: Christie Whitman: The perils of premature assurance.

The Worst of Joe Liberman: His seeming hypocrisy on stock options, which only has a sheepish defense at best.

More evidence of nasty dealings in the White House, largely centered around Cheney and his stonewalling of the GAO. A full article with background and details galore.

General

Ebay closed down an auction of music purchased off iTunes(in digital form) because it violated their listing policies. It doesn’t answer the question of if such digital files can be legally resold as one might sell a single or album. Obviously there is a certain danger in allowing this, as one could sell duplicates of the file over and over again.

Today’s Papers has everyone leading with the president’s little speech. And today’s condensed news carries various angles given by various papers. There are notes of Abbas’ resignation, Bush’s sinking poll numbers, a look at the Patriot Act and more.

International Papers looks at Burma, a repressive country that is tentatively considering reforms.

Day to Day has an analysis of the democratic debate, an explainer tidbit on truth serum, a review of Dickie Roberts and the implications of Embargoed Trading.

RFID tags have the potential to become big. This isn’t necessarily a good thing. If they are used, there had better be a means to deactivate them and it should be made mandatory once you actually buy something with a tag in it. Otherwise it has deep privacy issues.

Amusements

Mark Fiore: Pumping Irony

Shhhhh.. it’s a big secret

Robo Kat

It isn’t?

Drive Thru Parking?

One of a kind, just like the former owner.