Wednesday, March 03, 2004

Iraqi deaths and future troubles. Yesterday's coordinated bombings in Baghdad and Karbala, which killed at least 145 people -- and possibly as many 180 -- has led to a surge in anti-Americanism across Iraq as Shi'ites blame the U.S. for security failings. "It is you Americans you have done this!" said a man in the yard outside a Baghdad hospital, moments after he had found his brother lying dead inside. As one of my military sources told me this morning, "It's a bad time to be in Iraq." [Back to Iraq 3.0] Riverbend also wrote about the bombings. 7:11:33 PM    comment () Capitalism With a Human Face: The Movie. Over at Tech Central Station, Amanda Oliver gives two thumbs up to the Oscar-winning film The Barbarian Invasions, which she summarizes thus: Written and directed by Denys Arcand, The Barbarian Invasions is a witty and articulate film that interweaves intimate drama with social satire. This is a compelling human story yet this movie has also a powerful political voice, with its savage indictment of an ailing state healthcare system and strong stand in favor of free choice. It's a fresh take on the failures of state education and the ironies of socialist intellectuals. In the world Denys Arcand satirizes, hospital patients are stripped of human dignity and individual rights: administrators take bribes, trade unions have a tight stranglehold, and staff steal from the helpless. Government control goes so far as to forbid patients from transferring from one hospital to another. [Hit & Run] 5:57:03 PM    comment ()

© Copyright 2006 Ken Hagler. Last update: 2/15/2006; 1:59:57 PM.