Month: April 2007

‘Idiot liberals’ versus welfare-state liberals on the war The recent confrontation between Tina Richards, the mother of a GI home from Iraq, and Rep. David Obey (D-Wisc.), the powerful head of the House Appropriations Committee, over the Democratic leadership’s decision to continue funding the war underscores the tremendous gap between what people thought they were … Continue reading “Showdown at the
Congressional Corral”

The Associated Press reported a major victory for defendants in the AIPAC espionage trial on April 17, 2007: “Prosecutors suffered a setback yesterday in their case against two former pro-Israel lobbyists accused of violating the 1917 Espionage Act when a federal judge rejected the government’s proposal for conducting much of the trial in secret.” The … Continue reading “Is the Media Sabotaging the AIPAC Spy Trial?”

Updated at 12:33 a.m. EDT, April 23, 2007Violence resumed at an accelerated pace today. Two significant bombings took place in Baghdad, and the mass murder of 23 factory workers occurred in Mosul. Overall, 102 Iraqis were killed or found dead today and another 166 Iraqis were injured during attacks. Three American servicemembers were killed and … Continue reading “Sunday: 3 GIs, 102 Iraqis Killed; 166 Iraqis Wounded”

There is a crisis atmosphere at World Bank headquarters here in Washington, with dozens of emergency staff meetings, more calls for the embattled president Paul Wolfowitz to step down, and clearer displays of rebellion inside the Bank. Bank sources speaking to IPS on condition of anonymity reported Friday intense emergency meeting activities "at all levels … Continue reading “Crisis Mode Grips World Bank Headquarters”

Updated at 11:10 p.m. EDT, April, 21, 2008 Saturday was unusually quiet in Iraq. Only 43 Iraqis were reported killed or found dead and 17 were wounded. One Polish soldier and three GIs and a Marine were also reported killed, while four Poles and eight Americans were reported wounded. The U.S. military reported that an … Continue reading “Saturday: 4 GIs, 1 Pole, 43 Iraqis Killed”

There’s a certain charm in hearing a politician tell the truth, but in political terms Majority Leader Harry Reid put his foot in it when he said in public that he told President Bush in private that "this war is lost" and that the "surge" "is not accomplishing anything" given the heavy casualties this week … Continue reading “Getting Out With Some Dignity”

In his State of the Union Address this year, the Commander in Chief of the War on Terror asked the newly-elected Democrat-controlled Congress to join him "in pursuing a great goal." To effect regime change in Iran, thereby delivering "a decisive blow to terrorism," and achieving yet another famous "victory for the security of America … Continue reading “Ethanol: A Threat to National Security?”

BASRA – Oil-rich Basra in the south of Iraq is getting caught up in an increasingly more fierce battle between warring Shi’ite groups. Basra, the second largest city in Iraq with a population of 2.6 million, is the capital city of the southern Basra province, and Iraq’s main port. The largest explored oil reserves in … Continue reading “Basra Splits Between Warring Shi’ites”

Updated at 1:00 a.m. EDT, April 21, 2007Fridays are usually quiet in Iraq. It is the day of prayer and curfews are in place to prevent violence. However, 63 Iraqis were killed or found dead today and 58 more were wounded. In Mosul, 130 Iraqi soldiers felt ill after a meal they believe was poisoned. … Continue reading “Friday: 1 GI, 63 Iraqis Killed; 58 Iraqis Wounded; 130 Iraqi Soldiers Poisoned”

Halfway through the implementation of U.S. President George W. Bush’s "surge" strategy to enhance security in Baghdad and Iraq’s predominantly Sunni Muslim al-Anbar province, evidence that it is turning the tide nationwide is hard to come by. While civilian deaths in the Iraqi capital have fallen from the high levels before the surge was launched … Continue reading “US Surge Strategy Successful – in Shifting the Violence”