Telegraph: 100 jets join attack on Iraq

About 100 American and British aircraft took part in an attack on Iraq's major western air defence installation yesterday in the biggest single operation over the country for four years.

The raid appeared to be a prelude to the type of special forces operations that would have to begin weeks before a possible American-led war....

The raid seemed designed to destroy air defences to allow easy access for special forces helicopters to fly into Iraq via Jordan or Saudi Arabia to hunt down Scud missiles before a possible war within the next few months.

Kuwait's ready and waiting...

As one Kuwaiti concluded: "The only people who are not prepared for war are the florists, for the huge number of flowers which will be given to American troops when they come."

10:25:52 PM  comment []    

Shana Tova

Tonight is Rosh Hashana - the Jewish New Year. Here's wishing everybody a Shana Tova and a happy, safe, and peaceful year.

We went to services last night. The rabbi, Jonathan Singer, gave a remarkable sermon about anti-Semitism rising around the world. Recalling a trip he made to Auschwitz, he talked about the necessity of standing up for Jews and for Israel.

Remember that this is a Reform congregation in an extremely liberal section of an extremely liberal city. Those listening were among the strongest supporters of the peace movement.

He talked about political changes in Europe; anti-Israel comments have become acceptable. Why? Anti-Semitism, for one thing. He even mentioned the "shitty little country" remark from last year (though he didn't actually say "shitty").

Why this increase? Well, the 1940s saw a large majority of Europe's Jews leave: through death or emigration. The recent memory of the holocaust made anti-Semitism unseemly. But now with burgeoning, unassimilated Muslim populations throughout Europe, supporting Israel and Jews becomes politically expensive.

He did a great job of reframing the issue without being strident. Here's the bottom line: Israel has a right to exist, to secure borders, and to defend itself when attacked. These are non-negotiable items. If someone doesn't agree to those fundamentals, there's no use talking to them.

He did a much better job of explaining these issues, and I asked him if I could get a copy of the text and post it here. Even better, I offered to help him set up a weblog of his own. We'll see.

...

Milo and Ella noticed the police officer standing outside the temple. They wanted to know why. We gave a pretty wimpy answer.   

3:16:40 PM  comment []    

Reuters: Australia Tan Implants May Help Prevent Skin Cancer

A new phase of human clinical trials is due to begin within the next few weeks after earlier tests saw white-haired dogs and green frogs turn jet black when they were injected with the drug.

Users will eventually be able to have a matchstick-sized capsule implanted under the skin by a dermatologist to promote a summer-long glow and help prevent the dangerous side effects of suntanning, Millen said.

11:46:47 PM  comment []