Saturday, May 17, 2003

BAGHDAD DISPATCH Beirut Redux by Hassan Fattah Since the American takeover, Baghdad has turned into an Arab version of the Watts riots. Burning buildings dot the city skyline. Armed looters terrorize the population, tearing into homes and emptying them of their possessions. Petty crime has become rampant on the streets, virtually no one feels secure, and homes are never left unguarded at night. The really scary part, however, may be yet to come. Thus far violence in Baghdad has been limited to unorganized gangs of looters carrying Kalashnikovs. But Iraqi security experts and other sources in the capital say that, under the nose of the American forces, Iraq's nascent political groups are forming armed militias and storing weapons as they prepare for a potential civil war for control of the country. Read the whole thing, it is scary. Have I raved about Josh Marshall yet today? Laura 9:55:39 AM    comment [] WEEKLY WORLD NEWS FIRES REPORTER OVER BATBOY STORY Have you seen this?  It's appalling. Laura   8:48:20 AM    comment [] "The USA has a raucous chorus of broadcast shock jocks and rightwing loudmouths, but Ann Coulter is the undisputed star. Arguably more appealing, unquestionably the sharpest shooter, she is, of course, the darling of conservatives and a hate figure for the left - but there are others, among her detested liberals, who are gripped in fascinated awe by her scorching invective. Jonathan Freedland confronts her and recognises a truth about the United States today: Bush isn't an aberration and Coulter expresses what many Americans think " This is the abstract of a story at the Guardian's website (my emphasis).  I don't know if I've ever conveyed my loathing for horse-face here (she looks more like an Afghan breed of dog, really), I hope hating her is the norm for thinking people.  Anyhow, I guess she's looking for more markets across the pond.  Sure, people in Europe will buy her books, if only to confirm what they believe about Americans already:  we're a bunch of mean, stupid, racist assholes.  Now they'll have quotes to go along with it - oh, yeah, and "sources".  Like I've said before, America has a chance to repair the damage Bush has done to alliances in the world, but only if we vote him out in 2004.  I believe Europe will then realize that he did everything he did against the will of the people.  If Bush gets another turn, they'll conclude that we all have decided that world domination is our goal and they will then start actively working against the US.  Until the election, we'll be getting a second chance although some reprisals are starting.   It's a crime that people around the world are more interested in the US government and its workings than are most Americans.  Yeah, yeah, we're busy with our own lives.  Sick and sad. Laura 8:26:21 AM    comment []

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