News – Loose Principals

As it seems, one can’t expect Bush to hold to his principals. Not even the good ones that can be agreed with, such as taking on terrosits.

Iran is, predictably, not at all pleased that we made a deal with the Iraq based Mojahedin Khalq Organisation. I’m not either. Last time I heard, we were after terrorists no matter where they hid or what they do. Nice to see Bush’s hard line cracks when its in his best interests to cozy up to terrorists. That won’t help with the political angle as Russia’s Putin rebuffed Blair harshly in his first public attempt to bring back the love. Personally, I agree with Putin. I’m not comfy with the US taking the leas in everything international right now.

Seven US soldiers were wounded in a grenade attack in Falluja, the same city where protestors were killed by US gunfire. Most likely a retaliation action and I think Captain Alan Vaught agrees. Falluja Mayor Taha Badawi Hamid al-Alwani condemned the grenade attack and anyone who uses violence.

Interesting thing. 19 Iraqi plaintiffs have lodged charges in Belgium against General Tommy Franks, commander of coalition forces in Iraq and potentially several other soldiers. War crimes charges. With Belgium likely to be hurting because they didn’t support the US in the Iraq war and a likely need to get back in the graces of the US, I don’t see this case going anywhere, most likely.

I hate to admit it, but this Slate article makes a pretty good case for ruthless reconstruction of Iraq. It’s risky, but this whole Iraq experiment is a risk. The article looks back at previous events to draw conclusions which are thought out and worth a look. But on some points, we’ve missed the boat already, so it might not be possible to give the rest a good try.

Bush is going to formally end hostilities in Iraq today, though stop short of declaring victory. Does this officially make us an occupying power that is beholden to the Geneva Conventions? Are all the hospitals restocked and ready? He’s also set, according to Newsweek, to name L. Paul Bremer as civilian administrator of Iraq over Jay Garner who is focused on reconstruction rather than administration. Is this good or bad? I don’t know yet. If anyone has an idea or opinion, be sure to leave it for me.

Meanwhile a letter supposedly from Saddam has surfaced, calling for Iraqis to fight US forces. I’ve no doubt it’s a fake, but some might do so anyway.

UN humanitarian officials are getting back into Iraq to aid in the restoration of the country. A good start.

Israel sent in the troops once more, eight Palestinian’s killed in Gaza during the raid, including a child. What I wonder is when will Sharon be chastised for his hand in disrupting the ‘roadmap’? Arafat’s gotten lots of hear(which he deserves), but no comeuppance for Sharon?

A quake in Turkey south eastern Turkey has resulted in at least 84 dead, hundreds injured and 25 structure collapses. Rescuers are racing to dig out a possible 100 children from the rubble of a collapsed school.

A Terrorist Threat Center is being opened in the US. From what I read, it’s to be a central storehouse for terrorism info which would be open to any US government agency that needs it. Some think it’s a good idea, some think it’s bad. Personally, having your information pooled and organized in one place isn’t that bad an idea.. just make sure to keep backups somewhere else cause such a place is a prime target for the very terrorism it documents.

Today’s Papers covers the typical topics, including the capture of Walid Bin Attash, a top al-Qaida operative and a suspected mastermind of the attack against the U.S.S. Cole and possibly the 9/11 attacks. International Papers looks into response from the efforts of France, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg to create a new European Defense Force. As with all other things, response is mixed.

Two bits of bad news on SARS. Hong Kong doctors have noticed some lung scarring in four recovered SARS patients. But they aren’t sure if the virus did it or the cocktail of the anti-viral drug, ribavirin, and steroids used there to treat patients. There was also the revelation that 12 discharged patients had had relapses. An indication for health workers and doctors to take care in declaring a patient healthy. Athletes from countries that were hardest hit by SARS have agreed to go into quarantine before heading to Ireland for the Special Olympics. Good cooperation to make sure SARS doesn’t ruin their games.

A little fuel for the fire on tax cut debate. Moneybox compares Bush’s presidency to Herbert Hoover’s, musing if he’ll match Hoover’s loss record when it comes to jobs. Maybe Bush should look more at common sense ways we can hack and slash the Military budget without really effecting our already proven might. Use the money form that hack and slash to give tax cuts.

Let’s end the article(well, almost. Pic time) with a nice, new Bushism. He really needs to practice improvisational speaking.

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