News – Independent Iraq

Iraq

Iraq’s leadership, such as it is at current, is starting to flex some muscle. It seems they want to have more control over their oil wealth and want a say in the next UN resolution. They also don’t want to pay for Saddam’s past. This leads me to muse what other ‘disobedience’ might crop up as Iraq’s leaders get bolder. It’s intriguing to muse.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has called on everyone with a gun to get out of Iraq’s holy cities. I couldn’t imagine he’d like to have everyone in those cities fighting their battles.

The US remains undeterred by the assassination of Izzedin Salim. As reported, he was in the back of a council convoy waiting to enter the green zone when a ca rbomb went off at the checkpoint. The question now is whether he was taken out accidentally or intentionally.

There is the distinct possibility that a recent roadside bomb contained a small amount of nerve agent. I’ve heard wind of this on Cspan and so far the US government is being very cautious about saying anything yet(likely from the various attempts before to tout proof too quickly). Of course, even if the tests return that it was nerve agent, that leaves the question of if it hints at a new escalation of the weapons used against US troops or an opportunistic use of what was on hand that won’t be repeated. Only time and intelligence can answer that question.

The Pentagon is suspending $160 million in payments to Halliburton, pending resolution of disputes over the feeding of troops. In personal news, I’m just glad I no longer have to suffer through those cornball Halliburton commercials trying to play off the patriotism of America for brownie points.

The prisoner abuse scandal is likely to get worse for the bush Administration before it gets better. Perhaps Fox should make a reality show out of it. I’m sure Political Survivor would get the honest ratings in history, combining a myriad of hot topics. I might even watch it.

Israel/Palestine

Another Israeli raid on Rafah leaves thirteen Palestinians dead(Or twelve). The raid was one o the biggest for years and, as usual, only some of the dead were gunmen.

One thing is for certain, Israel is earning no new friends with it’s actions and generally testing the strength of old alliances. It behooves them to question the effects of their actions. A pity it’s unlikely their leaders will.

Media response regarding a Saturday Israeli peace demonstration for Gaza withdrawl.

Did Briton Jack Roche train and plot with Bin Laden to blow up the Israeli embassy in Canberra?

Chechnya

Chechen rebels killed eight Russian soldiers and four pro-Moscow police in a double ambush. The troops were coming to aid the police after their vehicle hit a mine, only to fall prey to the same.

Pakistan

Pakistani authorities are seeking Aziza, wife of Obaidullah, a member of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. It’s believed she is training female suicide bombers. Though Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Rauf Chaudhry denies this woman is being hunted.

UN

Ruud Lubbers, UN head of refugees, denies the allegations of sexual harassment set against him.

US

Kerry pokes at Bush over gas prices. Usually I don’t look at the prices as I ride the bus to work, but I did today and noted a $1.90 for the cheapest gas at a station I passed. It’s getting spendy to own a car as of late. Especially if you drive a lot. There are still calls for Bush to use the oil reserve, but I know he’ll resist it. Personally, I don’t know that it’s a good idea. How long will the reserve last? Longer than the war’s effect on prices? Perhaps, but it’s impact, I suspect, would be negligible. For the time being, high gas prices are here to stay.

Bush again speaks for an amendment to ban gay marriage. Platitudes to please the conservative base, but he hardly seems to have much focus on such an amendment. It’ll make nice scapegoat material when the amendment fails. Another something to rile the conservative base over against democrats.

If only America would get as hot and focused on US elections and voting as they do about voting for BS TV shows.

We talk much of what effect the war is having on the Middle East, but lets turn our sights for a bit to middle America. Many feel the pain of the war, directly or indirectly.

Time to take a stand against ‘make no mistake’? Sounds silly to me, but words can be powerful. Even when mangled by Bush’s distracted manner of speaking.

General

Today’s Papers has the White House misled by the NYT, interviews with former detainees, pessimism in Iraq and more.

Amusements

Family of the mathematician who coined the term “googol” wants a piece of the Google IPO

Newgrounds: Jedi Training

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Redesign the packaging for a product you dislike to reflect why you dislike it

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this NATO anti-riot demonstration

Fark Photoshop Challenge: In “The Da Vinci Code,” Dan Brown suggests Leonardo left secret clues in his paintings. Photoshop some other clues in famous paintings