News – Saddam! And other things too.

Though not quite as much Saddam as most other news sources give. Can’t ignore other things.

Iraq

A little bit of anecdote when it comes to Saddam and his capture. He’s reported to have said, “I’m Saddam Hussein, I’m the president of Iraq and I’m willing to negotiate” to which a soldier replied, “President Bush sends his regards”.

Of course, take it with a grain of salt, we know how anecdotes can be.

As is common, some Iraqis are pensive after the news of Saddam’s capture. As nice as it is to have him under wraps, there remain many issues to deal with in Iraq and true stability is sill lacking as eight Iraqi police are killed in one of two suicide bombings. Markets react positively in many countries and Iran is preparing to put international charges against Saddam.

In a somewhat amusing move, Britain opposes the death penalty for Saddam. I’m pretty sure that the Iraqis will want him dead and I’m more or less sure Bush wouldn’t care either way at best, or wants the same at worse.

For now, Saddam is in Quatar, by report and refusing to cooperate. Of course, refusal to cooperate can be construed in a number of ways.

The US State Department’s charges against Saddam. I find the first most amusing, as it was we who provided him the chemical weapons to use in said war, when they were illegal. Think that charge at the very least can be cancelled out?

Reaction in the Arab world is mixed when it comes to Saddam’s capture. With the unexpectedly meek event, some confused folk turn to conspiracy theory.

The Guardian has many more links to read and some interesting commentary, though I didn’t want to point out every single one here.

US troops disperse a pro-Saddam protest. Let’s muse this a moment. Iraqis are supposed to be able to express themselves, right? My wondering is, were these Iraqis growing violent, which would merit dispersal or were they just chanting what the US force commanders didn’t want to hear? Considering there were no reported fatalities or other such things, I’d wager they weren’t being violent. Just very loud. Which makes it seem wrong to suppress them.

A convoy is attacked twice in Kuwait. Could the violence spill over into that tiny country?

Israel/Palestine

The US will be mediating talks between Israeli and Palestinian parties. Expectations remain low, which is generally where they should be realistically. Optimistically, we can only hope for some progress that won’t crumble to dust.

US

The US public reacts and responds to Saddam’s capture differently. Though I feel for those who hope their loved ones will return from the country soon, for now there seems to be no change on the ground when it comes to security. But we can hope.

Howard Dean wants to set up a multi-billion dollar global fund meant to keep WMD out of terrorist hands. It would expand upon a deal called Nunn-Lugar, a US program to deactivate and destroy chemical, biological and nuclear arms.

Bobby Ross, coach of West Point’s football team makes $600k a year. Pretty good for the coach of a team in a minor football program. While he’s officially an independent contractor to the Army Athletic Association, the AAA’s budget is 35% taxpayer funded. So I guess we’re only paying $210k of his salary.

Wesley Clark has given his testimony in the Milosevic trial. Sadly, as it’s behind closed doors, no info to provide on what he may have said.

Keeping our cows safe from terror. The Department of Homeland security will be putting $33 million into plans to protect our agriculture from terrorist attack. The food supply must be safeguarded.

General

New research shows that coffee drinking doesn’t increase the chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Men with prostate cancer are treated with testosterone blockers. They seem to have varied, but minor effect on the mind. Such as spatial ability being impaired, while verbal memory is improved, both effected slightly.

Today’s Papers has Gen. Pervez Musharraf, ruler of Pakistan, nearly being killed at a bomb rigged bridge. And besides that.. it’s all Saddam! Well, I guess we should have known it would be so. For today at least. 😉

Amusements

Steve Bell: Christmas Comes Early – I’m sure it was a gift for them.

Defendant loses appeal filed on grounds of stupidity

Man thought influenced by Neon Genesis Evangelion(anime) to kill his mother. Apparently the cartoon taught him humans were unnecessary beings who were destroying the world’s environment. So he wanted to kill them. This, my dear readers, is what we call a weak mind.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Create a first-person shoot-’em-up game

Mark Fiore: Toyland