News – Iraq Anarchy (2/2)

An interesting Guardian article this, which looks at the symbolism of the US assistance of tearing down a Saddam statue and the second mistake in sticking the US flag where it doesn’t belong. Portents and signs, my friends, portents and signs. I’m not a superstitious person, but I can see patterns of behavior this obvious. Some others can as well.

Now Iraqis will have a new coalition run Iraqi TV station. A new bid to win hearts and minds. Trade one propagandist for another it seems. We also have US art dealers lobbying for a change to Iraq’s strict export laws, raising fears of looting Iraqi treasures in the chaos of the post war era. Something that happened during the last Gulf War.

Palestinian gunmen kill Israeli soldiers, who will kill more Palestinians, who will kill more Israelis, who will.. Are you getting tired of this yet? It’s the same thing all the time, only the names and faces change. At least the targets were military and not civilian this time. Then again, we have this. A bomb went off at a West bank playground, killing 20 children. A Jewish group called Revenge of the Infants claimed responsibility. The next note is that Israeli police doubt the groups claim and there was even a suggestion that one of the children might have brought the bomb to school. This said without investigation. Then the article goes into some disquieting history. This is going too far. How can the US so unabashedly continue to support Israel as it does? It’s time we pulled our fingers out and let them raze each other to the ground.

Sigh, frustration in that last. I’m calmed some by another diary entry from Gershom Gorenberg, in which he recounts his trip to a symphony. There’s a surprise twist ending that you’ll just have to read. 😉

The bill that mixes conservation perks with drilling for oil in a protected wildlife refuge is soon to be voted on. Personally, I don’t see how 16 million barrels of oil will help. That’ll be consumed fast. Way too fast.

US Experts say, unintelligently, SARS is likely in Asia to stay. Thanks for the blisteringly positive verdict, boys. What use is your little statement? Can someone fill me in? On a more positive note, Roche says he could have the SARS test in six weeks. Good good.

Yesterday’s cross dialogue on Women in Combat continues with both sides bringing to bear their arguments in a good ole debate, peppered with points of amused smirkage. Interesting.