News – Life is a Bubble Jungle

Yes, the title makes no sense. But right now little does with regard to the news. The disconnected treads of individual action continue tow wiggle. What will become of them all?

The Iraqi Islamic Party has come from the underground in the wake of Saddam’s fall. They see a bright future without US interference and an Islamic government. Meanwhile US forces continue to exert control, forcing out an impromptu mayor who stepped up in the power vacuum following the war.

Note, with the above two links, I can understand why the US wants to get these guys out of power. Fragmented local powers is not what is needed right now to unify and fix Iraq. There should be a coherent, central authority run by Iraqis. What is bad is that they just bump them out of the way, without regard for any loyalties they might have gathered or without meeting with them to evaluate their possible use as leadership. Only people with a strong drive to leadership step up at a time like this. To not recognize this and seek ‘diplomatic’ means of bringing such individuals into the fold is foolish and hamfisted.

But that’s been how things work with the US occupation force.

Garner’s meeting with potential future leaders was protested, some of the hundreds present upset because the meeting did not include representatives of the hawza(Shi’ite theological college) in Najaf. As one demonstrating cleric said, “ “The Shi’ite parties do not represent the hawza at Najaf. The hawza in Najaf must participate in the conference because it represents the people’s opinions.”“

POWs taken during the war are being released now, in small clusters. They’re understandably happy to be going home.

The UN wants in Iraq, now to conduct their environmental studies in the wake of battle. Meanwhile the NRA is opening a fee based site on protecting the homeland. I wonder how much they care to charge for data most could likely find for free? Easy to see who cares about what.

Iran seems to be seeking to placate Washington and avoid drawing too much of their attention. Which is understandable as the Bush Administration seems intent to threaten and cow anyone who looks at an American funny. Well, maybe not but close enough.

Some Iraqi’s are digging up the dead of the past, delving back into the darkness of Saddam’s reign. Tareq Aziz has told interrogators that he believes Saddam alive. For what it counts, as a senior defense official was quoted as saying Aziz was lying about other things that came up in interrogation.

Today’s Papers leads off with the arrest of Muhammad Mohsen Zobeidi, self proclaimed mayor of Baghdad. There is talk of SARS and Tareq Aziz, as well as an attack on a humvee, four marines wounded in the attack. There is a bit of a potential bombshell within, suggesting that Zobeidi might have been on the US payroll, but played his hand a little too loudly. Near the bottom is a dose of compassion for you from the US military. Go have a read, I’m sure it will give you warm fuzzies.. not!

Rummy had his gloating session when visiting the troops in Iraq. Personally, I find his remarks about compassion ludicrous. But such matters are largely a matter of opinion and point of view. But if seeing himself as a compassionate man lets him sleep at night, well..

Bush will be giving a speech in Detroit Michigan today to Arab Americans. Along with the article comes a new word. Islamic Democracy. My question: What about it will make it Islamic, besides the people who live under it?

Art historians are building a database of the Iraqi treasures looted from museums, hoping to help law enforcement and customs agents in tracking down the stolen treasures. It’s a pretty big project with tens of thousands of entries.

North Korea seems determined to speak only to the US about its nukes, only willing to discuss economic cooperation and improving inter-Korean relations with South Korea. Not unexpected, but not doubt it’s annoying.

Arafat is firm that he won’t be sidelined and says Sharon isn’t ready to pat the price for peace. I have a very short and effective opinion on the whole Israeli-Palestinian embarrassment. Fire Sharon, fire Arafat, then put some reasonable people in charge. That will be the first big step toward peace.

SARS hotspots, save for China, have peaked. A good sign for quelling the spread of the ailment. But China has a lot of work to do, so we shouldn’t expect that things would be handled in mere days. Hopefully they’ll get things well under control soon. SARS seems to mutate as it spreads, but there are some drugs that adjust themselves s as well which could help stem it’s spread.

Picture flurry!

Things are getting bad out there

Everyone has an opinion. Some just have no savvy in expressing it. 😉

I saw this once before. It’s as funny now as it was then. 😉

Ouch

Duct Tape as far as the eye can see

Draw your own conclusions. Personally, I just snicker.

Self Explanitory

Welcome.