News – Missing the Point

I think the CPA misses the point of winning hearts and minds. When you do that, you want to respect the traditions of those who you are trying to win over. Not embarrass them and cause a scene when they refuse something because of them.

Iraq

US soldiers had to fire into the air to disperse a protest by thousands of Iraqi government workers sparked by their detaining of an Iraqi woman. She refused to be checked by a sniffer dog. Not so strange when one remembers that Islamic cultures consider dogs to be unclean.

The upcoming international donors conference in Madrid is unlikely to get the funds the US will need in Iraq. Potential big spenders such as France, Germany and Russia are not contributing, as already stated and others are still considering their positions.

With another strike on an Iraqi oil pipeline, its obvious that the rebels in the country know just where to hit their enemy. So long as they keep Iraq’s oil industry stymied and at a standstill, it’ll force the US to either pay out of pocket or hold out their hand to the rest of the world. Both of which are fraught with difficulties.

Pro-West Kurds are starting to worry about their status in the new Iraq. They want a federal state. No one has given them the nod yet.

Kurd Sellout Watch Day 232: The deployment of Turkish troops remains an uncertainty. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announce that if Turkish troops weren’t wanted in Iraq, they wouldn’t go, but is that an actual insight into the fragility of the region or simply a feint in negotiations with the US? Who is to say?

A survey notes several purported trends in the public when it comes to the media and the Iraq war. Many thought too much coverage was given. There was concern that anti-war Iraqis and governments weren’t given enough air time and that embedded reporters lacked partiality. Of course, surveys are rarely a reliable source of precise information. Most are simply too small.

Israel/Palestine

Israel has vowed no halt to the attacks on militants and militants have vowed to avenge the day of raids that left many Palestinians, mostly civilians, dead and scores injured. Has anyone noticed a pattern yet? Anyone? If so, you’re a wiser bunch than those chuckleheads.

Arafat wants the international community to do something about Israel’s most recent series of raids. He didn’t specify what and I doubt anyone will do anything really. On a side note, great picture of Arafat in the article. 😉

A new front in the peace propaganda war. Sesame Street will be broadcasting episodes to Israel, Palestine and Jordon that are tailored to local situations. Will it have a positive effect? One can hope, since it does target the group that is most important for the future. The young.

Iran

Iran has both decided to halt uranium enrichment and sign the additional nuclear protocols with the IAEA. Ren likes good news and this looks like some of it.

US

In an unexpected move, John Muhammad, one of two suspects in the DC sniper case, has decided to represent himself. As he’s suspected to not be the trigger man himself, the prosecution is aiming to cement his role as a spotter, picking targets and keeping a lookout. So as to ensure conviction even if he didn’t actually shoot anyone.

An American pope? Not likely.

Massachusetts seems to be going open standards. Not good news for Microsoft, who has all but none. Losing governments as customers could be a very bad thing.

General

Is the beatification of Mother Teresa a fraud? It seems like it might be considering how John Paul seems to be pushing it through double fast so that he can get it done(he having a very close relationship with the woman). That not including the dubious questions of her character, appearing to be quite a bit more fundamentalist than some of our ‘foes’ such as Falwell and Roberts.

Today’s Papers notes the number of Israeli air strikes capped at five. Another US death is noted, but what is not universally noted is that a man killed after the attack may have been executed by US soldiers. Evidenced by the gunshot wound in the back of his head and his hands tied before him with plastic bands. This is a heavy allegation, if true. And more, of course.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad repeated his assertion that Jews rule the world. He says the reaction of the world shows it. I’ll say again that, while his statement is far too broad, over the top and obviously anti-Semitic(As he refers to Jews as a people rather than, say, just Israel), Israel does have a disproportional influence in regard to its size. I think, anyway. But ruling the world? Hardly. The world has reacted through International Papers.

Indonesian clerics are going to tell Bush what they think about his terror policy, but they don’t expect him to listen. Nor do I for that matter.

A review of iTunes on Windows. Considering I need to install a new MP3 player, I think I’ll go download it after I finish the news. 😉

Larry and Andy Wachowski, creators of The Matrix trilogy, are reclusive pair. Wired has some things to share about them.

Does the more edgy of Quizno’s recent ads(the ‘Raised by Wolves’ ones) make you sick? Not me, but I do find it a bit odd.

Day to Day: Skipping the Iowa caucus and the role of newspaper editorial pages.

Amusements

Images not displayed directly as the site they’re on has no(as I saw) pop ups. So I’ll preserve their bandwidth.

Male Brain

Cable Management

Hot Dogs

Note: Link Fix