| |
|
9. november 2004
|
|
"Breakthrough deal in Darfur"
More paper is being produced to stop the genocide in Darfur. Excuse my cynicism.
I would love to be proved wrong, though.
11:46:04 PM 
|
|
Fifteen years ago today
The Berlin Wall fell.
10:37:53 PM
|
|
So much for "values" vote
Colorado voted for Bush, but also reduced the Republican majority in Congress from 7-2 to 5-4.
Some strategists believe the legislative upset was a repudiation of Republican Gov. Bill Owens, who has frequently been at odds with Democrats on fiscal issues. In addition, social conservatives have dominated the legislative agenda in recent years, alienating moderate Republicans with highly divisive measures that targeted activist judges, liberal college professors, gay couples and even bookstore owners.
I don't know if this description of the GOP nominees in Colorado is correct, but assuming it is, that also defeates the early post-election slogan it was "values" and "morals" that lead to the republican wins.
Firing up the "base" is always important, but it doesn't help if you sufficiently estrange the center. The moderate message at the GOP Convention, along with the importance of the war on terror, meant Bush didn't lose as many centrists as the Michael Moore pro-jihadist crowd did for the Democrats. As I've said before, it takes a lot for the loonie left to be more scary to moderates than the Christian Coalition, but this time they've actually made it.
7:33:21 PM
|
|
More Fallujah
When there is shooting going on, the Belmont Club is the place for the background and facts MSM rarely gives us.
A friend of mine with strong military background noted that the US marines seem to follow a very similar doctrine for urban fighting to what the British developed ages ago and refined in Northern Ireland: Attack focal points, secure it, fan out, repeat. Previously, the US armed forces had a quite different doctrine, made possible by its bigger size.
5:10:12 PM
|
|
Arafat even more dead
Didn't we hear some days back it would be very politically and culturally convenient if Arafat died on the 27th day of Ramadan, today Tuesday? Yes we did. And did I just read that Arafat's condition is being confirmed as "worsening" and he is falling into a "deeper coma." Certainly.
Don't believe a thing. This is about his money and the power to be the next godfather of the Palestinian Authority.
Update: Oh here we go. "Senior Palestinian political sources" say Arafat is dead. Still it's not official official.
"He is dead," one of the sources close to Arafat said in Paris, where Arafat has been lying in a coma at a French hospital. Officials in the West Bank said they had not been informed that Arafat was dead.
Another official says he has "only hours to live."
Today Ahmed Qurei and Mahmoud Abbas visited the hospital, and at least Qurei saw Arafat. Suha didn't manage to keep them away for more than one day.
2:57:01 PM
|
|
MSM warblogging
The BBC has a battle log from embedded journalists with the US forces attacking Fallujah.
I really hope this is going well, with a minimum of coalition and civilian losses and dealing a destructive blow to the insurgents. However, considering this is one of the most pre-announced attacks in history, I would be surprised if the top terrorists still stay behind in the city.
7:35:48 AM
|
|
|
© Copyright 2004 Jan Haugland.
Last update: 01.12.2004; 07:25:21.
|
|
|
