News – Spanish Withdrawal

Iraq

Spain’s forces have been given orders to pull out of Iraq. Of course, the US is among the first to being expressing disappointment. Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos noted the pull out was made to meet a campaign promise, when it became clear a UN resolution, which met certain requirements, wasn’t likely. Of course, now will come the deluge of folk who will interpret this as capitulation to terrorist. Never mind that Spain does continue to protect it’s people by ferreting out the perpetrators of the train bombing weeks ago. I’m sure that if Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s(He still looks like the Joker in that pic) conditions are met, he’ll recommit forces. For now he will look to his promises and duty to his people. Something I’m sure Bush would understand. He constantly professes to.

What could be more of an issue is if this first step by Spain leads other nations to reevaluate their own commitments to Iraq. Reminds me.. many are calling this pull out a cowardly act. Considering that Spain is going against the wishes of the world’s only remaining superpower and generally risking snubbing, I’d call it a brave thing.

Smartly, US military forces are waiting for the end of talks before they attempt to go in after Sadr in Najaf. It’s possible there is progress in talks. The troops stationed around the city are set to be reduced in number.

The US military blocks off two of Iraq’s major highways “for the foreseeable future” in order to halt bomb attacks.

Israel/Palestine

Mordechai Vanunu, who is nearly finished with an 18 year prison sentence for revealing Israel’s nuclear program to the world, wants the Dimona reactor destroyed. Israel enjoys some deference with their nuclear program, inspected only by US inspectors, with advance warning of impending inspections.

Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi is the latest militant leader assassinated by Israel(Article Two). He was a co-founder of Hamas. Unrest grows. It’s only a matter of time before something happens. And honestly, I’ll find it hard to sympathize with Israel beyond the basic dislike I have for the general state of violence in the region. Their government is set to strike abroad as well, which I’m sure Syria will just love to death.. So much for calls to not escalate the situation.

UK

British police arrest ten in Manchester anti-terror raids today. According to a police statement they were arrested “on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”. A little vague for my tastes.

Cyprus

A Greek Cypriot bishop warns that those who vote yes on an April 24th referendum to reunify the island will go to hell. “Those who say “yes” will be party to this injustice, will lose their homeland and the kingdom of heavens,” Bishop Paul said in a sermon on Sunday How’s that for a message?

US

Bush says renew the Patriot Act or else the US will be open to attack. Democrats and some republicans disagree.

Bush plans a Foreign Peacekeeping Fund. 600 million over the next five years to train, equip and provide logistical support to forces in nations willing to participate in peace operations. In other words, another incentive for mations of lesser military capability to get involved in Iraq and the like.

What actual terror trials the US has are dysfunctional at best. Only those who are possible supporters and guppies are set to trial while sharks are hidden away and treated with dubious due process rather than being publicly tried in a real show of dealing with real terrorists in an honorable way. Sure, some might say these men have no honor, why should they be treated with honor? Because you don’t sink to the level of jackals just because they fight dirty. It’s called principal. The US used to be all about it.

Kerry says the solution for Iraq may be a new prez. Perhaps, perhaps not. Personally, I don’t see that Iraq has any clear solution at this point, save riding out the fluctuations of violence until they play themselves out.

Cheney jabs at Kerry over his stance on gun ownership. Meanwhile, Kerry stands by his statement that foreign leaders support him, without naming names.

Bush’s Campaign Chairman shows negligence when the word ‘crusade’ is used in a March 3rd letter to new campaign charter members in Florida. By and large, you’d expect a Campaign Manager to know that such a word is dangerous to be using, especially with regard to the struggle against terrorism.

Prince Bandar bin Sultan, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the US, has promised a cut in oil prices before November to ensure the US economy is strong on election day. There’s just something so wrong with that sort of promise.

George Ryan, former governor of Illinois who stunned many by stopping executions in his state has called on the UN to set up a campaign for the worldwide abolition of the death penalty. If nothing else, he’s ambitious.

General

Time selects their <A HREF="http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=4856683″>100 most influential people. Among those listed are George W. Bush, Bin Laden, The Clintons, Condoleezza Rice, John Kerry, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, General John Abizaid, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and the founders of al-Jazeera among others.

In a note of morbid irony Jim Cantalupo, the founder of McDonalds dies of a heart attack.

The content filtering DVD player is available. Studios aren’t happy about it, but if you want to play DVDs for your kids without the foul language and other objectionable content, have a look.

Day to Day: Movie Reviews! I saw Kill Bill this weekend and I was pleased. There was a lower body count, but the remainder of the flick was not without good action and some amusing dialogue. As well as a flip ending and two sets of ending credits.

A musing on alQueda and the larger Islamist picture.

Today’s Papers has more casualties in Iraq, assessments of the occupation, Bremer upping the rhetoric and more.

Amusements

Suck My News: #97 Trump and Oma-Whore-OSA

Bush administration to redefine what a “family farm” is

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Tom Cruise saving our asses at historical events.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop the Hang Seng index

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Tom Cruise saving our asses at historical events.

PS: Ahhh… roomy new entry limits. 😉