News – Hump Day Report

Too much has been staying the same as of late. One thing that I see coming is the inevitable tedium of the Iraq reconstruction. In so much as unchanging chaos is tedium, mind you. Rather than it truly becoming a hope filled event of rebirth, I see a lingering, sluggish reawakening occasionally charged with spasms of violence and general disorder.

I wish I saw it as something different, but given what has happened since the end of the war itself, I don’t see much cause for celebration on the horizon. I only hope the Iraqis manage to get the basics they need.

The bombers who hit Riyadh are being hunted as we speak. Bush vowed to capture the perps, but he’s made a few promises in this area that are still pending.

In a questionable move, the new administrator for Iraq is preparing a few security related measures. One includes letting US soldiers shoot Iraqi looters on sight. Something must be done about the looters, but I don’t know that this is the best way to deal with the problem. You know, more shooting, guns and death. The Iraqis see enough death as they plumb the depths of Saddam’s rule.

However, Iraqis are learning the power of protest as they are forcing former Ba’athist officials back out of power in the wake of the war. UK’s BG has urged Blair to turn control of Iraq’s oil back to the people ASAP, saying it won’t invest there until that’s happened. Moreover, why are foreign countries being given the money to rebuild Iraq when it would be a double benefit to use the money for these contracts to reequip and put the Iraqis themselves to work? Many of the people are sitting idle. They’re low on resources, their equipment has been stolen or destroyed and they have no standing orders. It would create jobs and flood the damaged Iraqi economy with cash if we funded the rebuilding of Iraq by Iraqis. It’s so simple and effective, I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before seeing that article. It’s the perfect solution. It could work in response to the latest call for more troops into Iraq to maintain order. Why aren’t they taking some of those billions for reconstruction to arm and pay local Iraqi police?

Want to know who Paul Bremer is? Read. Personally, I’m about as pleased with this next appointee as I was with Garner. There is no change in how things will be done, just a different face of the same lunacy.

Here we have an interesting musing on Justice vs. Reconciliation in Iraq contrasted with history. A good read to consider.

Russia has ratified a nuke treaty that is meant to diminish strategic nuclear arms. But how can Bush’s administration be trusted when the 10 year ban on research and development of low yield nukes has been repealed? Personally, I’d bring that up were I in Putin’s shoes.

More noise from the North Korea situation. They’re pissing each other off and generally being annoyingly disagreeable. Status quo.

International Papers cover the recent suicide bombing of a government compound in northern Chechnya.

Recent violence in Palestine, with Israel left three Palestinian security troops dead. This is a bit different. And, in so many other ways, just the same. The violence hasn’t stopped. Sharon hasn’t stopped. We won’t have a meaningful chance at peace until he takes a step back.

Want something to get you mad? Take a look at the 2004 defense budget in the works and all the extra little ‘goodies’ that are laced into it. Why don’t we just drop the damn bomb now? All those billions should be put toward enriching the core of the US for one year, rather than making a few more planes with which to menace air forceless Middle Eastern countries.

A look at Howard Dean’s health care prescription. The points presented look interesting. Though it is just one issue.

This is an interesting article on the state of Homeland Security. As much as I grumble, I do want to be secure. It is just a matter of how and how well it is done. Are you a glass half empty or a glass half full type of person on this subject?

A study shows that not all parents are against video games. An interesting set of stats that are likely off, but still. It brings to mind that there are those who do watch after their kids like they should.

Want something to laugh at. Then take a look at Microsoft and their little PR debacle over the ‘iLoo’. That Gates, always good for a laugh. 😉

Funny Pictures

Roulette Security

Which is more socially responsible?

Ninja Lessons

Poorly Planned Advertising

Canny counter Protesting