February 22, 2005

The EU's foreign policy chief  Javier Solana had an interview with with the International Herald Tribune.   He doesn't feel the January 31st Iraq elections vindicated the decision to invade.  "Is this a vindication when you count how many billions of dollars have been spent, how many people have been killed, how many soldiers have died? It is a little too early to say." He also said that the leaders of Egypt and Jordan were "in panic" over what was happening in Iraq. Here he is exactly correct, I would go so far as to say the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, and all of the dictator nations of the Middle East are panicked about what is happening in Iraq.  I don't think that is a bad thing.  Certainly Syria's Baby Assad has his hands full with Lebanon, and he can blame two events;  the Iraq elections, and what is now being called Lebanon's 9/11, the murder of the popular former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri.  2:28:53 PM

1:16:53 PM

Pizzeria owner denies Sgro's libel claims, countersues for $1.25 million Macleans, Canada - The now deported pizza-store owner who brought down former immigration minister Judy Sgro with allegations of influence peddling is blaming the Media for any libel against her, and is counter-suing her for $1.25 million. Documents obtained by The Canadian Press show Harjit Singh, his daughter-in-law, and two friends all deny virtually every aspect of Sgro's claim against them, including making numerous statements widely reported in the media. 12:35:23 PM

Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) must believe these accusations, I wonder, if he could possibly be of the right mind to be a member of the US Congress. The idea that he thinks it is OK to slander (with no facts) a close advisor to a popular sitting president during a time of war, is remarkable. More on the story today: The congressman from Hurley said he expected his comments might end up on the Internet. "I knew that was going to happen when I saw this guy sitting in the front row with a tape recorder. They have been following me around taping everything I say in the hope they can find something to use against me," he said yesterday. He stands by his comments. "I didn't allege I had any facts. I said this is what I believe and take it for what it's worth," said Hinchey, now in his seventh term. He pointed to the fake documents in the CBS case as well as a scandal involving a leak from the Bush administration that revealed the name of an undercover CIA agent to the media. "My theory is they came from the same place, which is the Bush administration and Karl Rove." he said. The White House did not return a call for comment by deadline last evening. Hinchey said he has no plans to stop making allegations against Rove and the Bush administration. "What we are seeing is very new and very dangerous," Hinchey said. "No administration has attempted to manipulate the facts and information and to manipulate the news media to distort the facts ... as what we are seeing in this administration." 12:20:17 PM