Chris' Occasional Rants ...or, how I learned to stop worrying and love the net
Home Blogging for peace www.cbrody.com Stand Down Peaceblogs Peaceblog.net Join the Blue Ribbon Online Free Speech Campaign		24 January 2003   The Iraqi Missile Crisis In its rush to war regardless of the lack of UN and public support, not to mention the possible consequences, the Bush administration is making pointed reference to the infamous Cuban Missile Crisis which nearly took the US and Soviet Union into full-scale nuclear confilict in 1962. An article in the Guardian predicts that Colin Powell will force the issue of military action by publicly presenting evidence of Saddam Hussein's violations of UN resolutions immediately following the weapons inspectors' report to the UN on Monday. This is being referred to as the "Adlai Stevenson moment", Washington shorthand for the dramatic presentation of its intelligence case. (Stevenson, the US ambassador to the UN at the time of the Cuban missile crisis, dramatically confronted the Soviet envoy with evidence of nuclear missiles being unloaded in Cuba.) This begs the question: what if Saddam does indeed have actual "weapons of mass destruction", which the inspectors have yet to find? Surely he will use them, most probably against Israel. What chance of Sharon then tempering his likely (nuclear) response? We'll have just what Al-Qaeda ordered: the War to End Civilisation. 9:53:35 PM  comment []  To the usual suspects: Please don't run Gore's out, Dashcle declines... who will lead the Democrats in 2004? We need a strong progressive candidate who can inspire a broad range of the public. Here's a way to tell prospective leaders whether they should run for the presidency or step aside. Source: workingforchange 2:54:20 PM  comment []  Snood warfare: a new idea for countering global threats?. ...or just a curiously addictive Tetris variant? Still haven't managed to win on the [axis of] evil level though. 1:20:04 PM  comment []  A song for Bush To be sung to the tune of "She'll be coming round the mountain" If you cannot find Osama, bomb Iraq. If the markets are a drama, bomb Iraq. If the terrorists are frisky, Pakistan is looking shifty, North Korea is too risky, Bomb Iraq. If we have no allies with us, bomb Iraq. If we think someone has dissed us, bomb Iraq. So to hell with the inspections, Let's look tough for the elections, Close your mind and take directions, Bomb Iraq. It's "pre-emptive non-aggression", bomb Iraq. Let's prevent this mass destruction, bomb Iraq. They've got weapons we can't see, And that's good enough for me 'Cos it's all the proof I need Bomb Iraq. If you never were elected, bomb Iraq. If your mood is quite dejected, bomb Iraq. If you think Saddam's gone mad, With the weapons that he had, (And he tried to kill your dad), Bomb Iraq. If your corporate fraud is growin', bomb Iraq. If your ties to it are showin', bomb Iraq. If your politics are sleazy, And hiding that ain't easy, And your manhood's getting queasy, Bomb Iraq. Fall in line and follow orders, bomb Iraq. For our might knows not our borders, bomb Iraq. Disagree? We'll call it treason, Let's make war not love this season, Even if we have no reason, Bomb Iraq. Source: Mish 1:14:33 PM  comment []  French hit back at Rumsfeld Donald Rumsfeld provoked fury in Paris by dismissing France and Germany as part of an "old Europe". When asked about European opposition to an attack on Iraq, Rumsfeld said: "You're thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don't. That's old Europe. If you look at the entire NATO Europe today, the centre of gravity is shifting to the east. Francis Mer, French finance minister, said on French television he was "deeply insulted" by Mr Rumsfeld's comments, while Joschka Fischer, the German foreign minister, called on the US defence secretary to tone down his rhetoric. Source: epxNews, Independent, FT 12:14:27 PM  comment []  © Copyright 2003 Chris Brody. Last update: 06/04/2003; 04:50:44. January 2003 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat       1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31   Dec   Feb << Older  |  Newer >>