Although the violence today was not as dramatic as yesterdays’, a number of attacks left at least 12 dead and 36 more wounded. Surprisingly, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden made an unannounced trip to Baghdad even though troops are scheduled to finish withdrawal in just one month.
Early Friday morning, shots rang out to herald the first days of the holiday season. Men were shot in Walmart parking lots in California and Missouri, and gunfire was reported outside of a Fayetteville, N.C., mall as shoppers were gathering to enter. Newscasters were almost giddy in their reaction to the wave of “shocking” stories …
Continue reading “Don’t Be a Tool This Christmas”
What if the whole purpose of the Constitution was to limit the government? What if Congress’ enumerated powers in the Constitution no longer limited Congress, but were actually used as justification to extend Congress’ authority over every realm of human life? What if the president, meant to be an equal to Congress, has become a …
Continue reading “What If the Constitution No Longer Applied?”
Bombers staged several attacks against government and security forces today. Among them was a probable assassination attempt at the parliament building in Baghdad. That one was overshadowed by another at a prison just north of the capital, in which dozens were left dead or wounded. Less successful attacks targeting a Turkmen politician and a Sahwa commander also took place. Overall, at least 29 Iraqis were killed and 57 more were wounded.
When I arrived at Zuccotti Prison one afternoon last week, the “park” was in its now-usual lockdown mode. No more tents. No library. No kitchen. No medical area. Just about 30 leftover protesters and perhaps 100 of New York’s finest as well as private-security types in neon-green vests in or around a dead space enclosed …
Continue reading “Thought Crime in Washington”
This Tuesday will be the 64th anniversary of a fateful day for our lives. A day in November. A day to remember. On Nov. 29, 1947, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted, by 33 votes against 13 (with 10 abstentions), the Palestine Partition Plan. This event has become a subject of endless debates, …
Continue reading “A Day in November”
Is there a single region of the world where the United States government isn’t scheming to grab more control, more influence, and have more of a military presence? In Pakistan, a memo has been unearthed from “President” Zardari to Admiral Mike Mullen, head of the joint chiefs of staff, proposing a coup d’etat in which …
Continue reading “The Price of Empire”
Anbar province is now considering whether to seek converting to a semi-autonomous region. Meanwhile, at least eight Iraqis were killed and 17 more were wounded across central and northern Iraq.
A secret deal may be filling Iraq’s security forces with former Mahdi Army militiamen. Meanwhile, the uptick in violence continues. At least 30 Iraqis were killed and 54 more were wounded in attacks that focused on central Iraq.
Hannah Gurman on the city’s health issues
