Friday, September 10, 2004

Exodus The UK Guardian reports that the international aid agencies that remain in Iraq may be leaving soon: The remaining international aid agencies in Iraq are considering pulling out of the country after the kidnapping of four humanitarian workers, including two Italian women, from their headquarters in Baghdad, it was claimed yesterday. Jean-Dominique Bunel, a coordinator for the agencies, said the abduction on Tuesday had already prompted some aid workers to leave and others would follow by the end of the week. "We are reviewing the situation," he told Reuters. Speaking to Agence France-Presse, he said: "It seems that most of the international non-governmental organisations are preparing to leave Iraq and some expatriate [staff] already left this morning. "More will follow in coming days. The flights are full until Friday." Mr Bunel said he was speaking for about 50 international agencies operating in Iraq. Oh well, perhaps this will help teach Iraqis how to be more self-reliant. [Via the Iraq Crisis e-mail list.] 11:24:32 AM    comment [] Heightened Security Greets Hollywood Terrorist Bob Harris receives a warm welcome by airport security officials. Clearly he invited the added scrutiny by criticizing the DHS's National Preparedness Month. I mean, who would question National Preparedness Month except someone who doesn't want us to be prepared (i.e. a terrorist)? 2:33:42 AM    comment [] It's baaaaaack... Surely you didn't think we could hold a presidential election without debating the merits of banning flag burning, did you? Yes, with all the genuine problems to resolve in the world (e.g. the worsening situation in Iraq and Afghanistan, the deficit, Medicare, Sudan, assault weapons ...), the Senate has returned from vacation to bring to the floor, among other matters, a constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the flag. SJR 4 (text here) has made it out of the Judiciary Committee and will be on the legislative calendar. I was pleased to see Dianne Feinstein lead the way on the issue, joining Orrin Hatch in garnering a largely Republican group of co-sponsors. I always thought she was a woman of principle. I can't think of a better way to spend the moment of silence to be set aside at 8:46am during this Saturday's third annual Patriot Day than to pray for the passage of the Flag Desecration Amendment. Virtual prayer rally, anyone? Postscript: Colin Powell once spoke out against the amendment, saying: The First Amendment exists to insure that freedom of speech and expression applies not just to that with which we agree or disagree, but also that which we find outrageous. I would not amend that great shield of democracy to hammer a few miscreants. The flag will be flying proudly long after they have slunk away. If only he were still alive. 1:56:05 AM    comment []

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