I thought I'd share here something I posted today to a mailing list I'm on so those reading could gauge my reaction to Powell's presentation.  I'll have more to say on this once the thought-out foreign reactions start rolling in.

"I find the evidence of Iraqi active non-compliance convincing, and I suspect most everyone will have to fall in line eventually or risk irrelevence.  However, I'm a little surprised that no attempt was made to present the immediate need for action.  I suspect this is going to be a hanging point both at the UN and in Congress.

Everyone will eventually fall in line for action against Saddam, but I forsee more calls to let the inspections work before action takes place absent an immediate threat.  I do however see a large opportunity, having presented this evidence, for the US to put serious pressure on Iraq and lead the UN to a tougher inspections regime, which - given Saddam's intransigence - should lead to Iraq's eventually failing the test and clearly demonstrating to the world their deception.  I don't think the inspectors are far from calling the whole thing off anyhow.  Blix seems fairly fed up.  Why Iraq is allowed to nix U2 flyovers is confusing to me.  While I feel we would probably be justified in going in unilaterally now that reasonable evidence has been presented, I think if we choose to do so, our chances of future cooperation in such matters as supressing North Korean silliness and dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian issue are entirely diminished.  For these reasons we are better off- absent non-disclosed evidence of an immediate threat - using our the immense resources we are bringing to bear on Iraq for the  purposes of war to assist the UN inspections effort in every way possible, if for no other reason than to speed up the inevitable failure of the inspections process.

In the meantime, lets get the homeland tightened up.  Let's take all the spare money Bush has lying around to give to the taxpayers and tighten up the borders and strengthen local law enforcement and related agencies.  I'm willing to give up what'd be returned to me for those purposes.  Are you all?"

The Total Information Awareness program may have removed its ominous logo from its Web site -- but you can still get your TIA-insignia T-shirts, teddy bears, mugs and thongs! Hurry, though, they're going fast (into detention)!

I want the greeting cards in hat form.

[via Scott Rosenberg's Links & Comment]

For those who missed the first two episodes and are interested in getting caught up, newly-NBC-owned cable network Bravo will be rebroadcasting them this coming Friday starting at 9pm ET.

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