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TOP TOPICS
- The 2 week warning has sounded, with only 14 days until the handover the bad guys are mounting an all out push with attacks on infrastructure, individuals, and military targets. It can be argued that the latter attack is a smokescreen for the former attacks, as James Carville is so fond of saying, "It's the Economy Stupid!"
- Iraqis have identified their assailants as out-of-towners, and Al-Qaeda, in their never ending quest to become martyrs and get laid, has been kind enough to take credit.
- Meanwhile, back at Galactic Headquarters, it is easy to imagine the military versus political arguments are flying behind closed doors regarding the handover of the great evil one himself - Saddam Hussein. Of course, his defense lawyers, like all great lawyers who can simultaneously defend their client and shamelessly promote themselves, are insisting the the interim government is unfit to try him.
Other Topics Today Include: U.N. Explains WMD Mystery; Iraqis Anger Proved in Poll; $500 million for Army Reconstruction Fund; Mehdi Army retreats; Al Sadr changes tactics; A fine Zarqawi wine; Iranian Army on the Move; Concerns about Future Iranian Influence; and Contractor Immunity.
REPORTS FROM THE FIELD
- Revelation from the U.N.: We didn't find them, (wait for it) ... Because they were hidden! Those folks make an awful lot of money to come up with these ground breaking conclusions.
- According to pollsters, using unconfirmed methods, Iraqis are angry with us. Of course, the poll was 'requested' by the CPA and leaked to the AP. There's more to this story but I'll leave the analysis to others.
RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY
- The Pentagon has replenished the Army C.O.'s reconstructions funds and will be focusing on Sadr City. This is extremely good news as this program has had excellent results in other parts of the country.
IRAQI POLITICS
- Is Al Sadr finally coming in from the cold? He actually appears to be honoring the agreement he made to pull out of Kufa and Najaf. Wary of his new-found support, Iraqi politicians are even speculating on his transition to politics.
THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE
- Meanwhile, Zarqawi whines to Osama, or is this just an inexpensive disinformation campaign? How many times do you have to intercept the enemies mail before he learns?
- Some people are nervous about Iranian troop movements, while others point out that this activity is litte different from the traditional Iranian status quo vis-a-vis the Iraqi border.
- All this activity leads to a lot of speculation regarding Iranian influence. There ought to be a line in Vegas on how this is going to play out (Admiral Poindexter, are you listening?)
ETCETERA
- Somebody has the ludicrous idea that removing accountability for contractors will encourage responsible behavior. They must be from a different dimension (Inside the Beltway?).
- The troops are still there. So is the Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops: not just Americans, but other nations with soldiers on the front lines. Anyone out there with more information, contact us!
- Another way to support the troops is to help them to help the locals. That's exactly what Spirit of America does. Winds of Change.NET supports them 100% - and not just because "Armed Liberal" is their COO. Get involved! Spirit of America wants YOU!
- Finally, a local Arizona columnist makes some good points regarding a rather interesting political proposal that has been in much of the news lately.
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Jeff Goldstein posted on the World Trib story a few days ago, and also has other links. But I can't find any source that presents the story as "resolving the mystery of the WMD" other than the Trib. And the phrase "WMD components" is a bit misleading, because I think they're talking about dual use stuff that they always knew was there (and had, in fact, tagged). It's important, and it could very well point to something, but it's not yet the "resolution of the mystery."
Of course, we have found WMD in the form of binary chemical weapons, which was apparently dug up and used without really knowing what it was.
Put that together with these findings, and it suggests very strongly that there are more WMD either under the ground, or sitting an a "scrap metal" stockpile somewhere, or in some Jihadist's cache.