You know, if nothing else, a really good reason for giving the opposition party the government is how many open secrets are revealedThe AfriCom panic wasn't expressed by so many from a bubble of nothing ( Read more... )

PBS offered two fascinating surprises this evening ... first how well Robert Macneil is doing, the second is the rather crucial and frank presentation of the foreign policy choices facing the US now.

The first episode (graphically!) reviewed the situation in Iraq, titled Gangs of Iraq, and interviewed key people in the unraveling situation - both ( Read more... )

1. Regarding all this talk about Khalid Shaikh Mohammad's confession, I'm reminded of what I said at the Riva's about a similar topic...with all these "terrorist confessions" the more interesting bit must be the parts that are kept confidential/classified. I imagine they include such illuminating comments as admissions to assassinating JFK, being ( Read more... )

1. Israel and the US agree to not deal with Palestinian unity government until Israel is recognized by them. Somehow, I just don't think this is going to end well.

2. Forest Whitaker widely greeted at the Uganda premiere of Last King of Scotland

3. China's Tuya's Marriage wins best picture Golden Bear

4. India's unwanted girls - an anonymous ( Read more... )

Interesting dream last night, of my parents, my grandmother, and I all driving to the south of France to eat in a Brazilian restaurant built on the edge of an empty mall. My mother tumbles down the stairs (unhurt), and my grandmother spills cocktail liquid all over my dad and I. Clearly my brain is processing lots of weird information ( Read more... )

By now, every headline has been screaming the outrage in Mumbai today.

It's more than a little disturbing to realise this is the Ninth major mass-casualty event in the last 5 yearsMy condolences to all those who have lost loved ones, and wishes of compassion and calm for those who remain. I just wish the hateful madmen who wilfully commit such ( Read more... )

Amusing, and stinks of counter-propaganda too.

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Also, where are the Vatican Ninjas when you need them? It seems China is doing to Catholicism what it has successfully done to Tibetan Buddhism.

1. World Cup matters...

By now, you've doubtlessly heard that the England team has lost a key striker after he broke his right foot. I hope he takes the time to recover, but is allowed to join the team to stay on the bench - important morale role. All in all though, England will be handicapped without him.

As for the US team, the lineup looks ( Read more... )

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=20591Read more... )

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4708946.stm

What strikes me in particular is this:
When the video apparently showing British soldiers beating up young stone-throwers was shown around the world on Sunday, a spokesman for al-Fadhila, an important moderate ( Read more... )