16 March 2004

A Wonderful Week of Cracking Cricket A group of astonishing performances from all over the world in the last few days.  First, from Sri Lanka, we had Australia succumbing meekly to Muralitharan to be bowled out before tea on the first day of the first test for 220 -when did that last happen?  No matter, they came roaring back in the second innings with hundreds for Hayden, Martyn and Lehmann (he who loves Sri Lankans); but the real story was Shane Warne, out of cricket in disgrace for a year, with many doubting he could ever come back, rolling them over cheaply and taking 10 wickets in the match, including his 500th test wicket - an incredible comeback.  One has to respect the guy for his commitment and skill - really one of the greats. Then we had the long-awaited and much hyped first one day match between India and Pakistan, with all sorts of things at stake, including peace negotiations between the two countries, which turned out to be one of the most enthralling one-day games ever, with a record combined score, a typically forceful knock of 122 in 102 balls from Inzamam and tension right down to the last over and the last ball. Good sportsmanship, no violence or other disturbances in Karachi, where many teams, including South Africa, have refused to play in recent years because of fears of violence sets the scene for an intriguing series.  An historic occasion, which sets up an intriguing series. In New Zealand, Jacques Kallis continues his amazing run of form, on a difficult (and shamefully doctored) pitch to score an undefeated second innings 150, and has now scored a century in each of his last five test matches, more than anyone since Bradman, and another one in the second test would equal the great man's record.  Jacques is realizing his enormous talent recently, and one hopes his equally talented team mate Herschelle Gibbs shows similar application and consistent success.  Gazza Kirsten underscored yet again his enormous value to the team by grinding out his 21st test ton in the first innings. Finally, out of nowhere, Steve Harmison of England takes 7 for 12 to blast out a strong West Indies batting side for 47.  Where did that come from?  We have seen a bit of Harmison in the last year or two, and he has never threatened that kind of performance.  Looks like he is coming right.   5:36:10 PM    comment []

The Madrid Bombings and their Electoral Aftermath This sad, savage and unforgiveable act, five days ago on March 11, will take its place alongside September 11, 2001 as a dark milestone in the terrifying advance of mass terrorism.  It has resulted in the surprise fall of the Spanish centre-right government in the general election on Suday, which they were expected to win comfortably.  While there was, purposely or not, some confusion in the early days whether the perpetrators were the home-grown ETA separatists or Islamic jihadists, it now seems clear that the dark hand of Al Qaïda is responsible.  Was it to punish the Spaniards for supporting the US Coalition invasion of Iraq, or was it delayed revenge for the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of the Moors in 1492.  It certainly has had the effect of waking up European governments and people as to the threat of this kind of terrorism in the European homeland.  It also adds impetus and urgency to the Greek security preparations for Athens 2004. For the record, both the BBC and CNN have extensive special reports on the events and their aftermath.   Instapundit had links to many early reports and reactions to the bombings, and more links and reaction to the election result, while Tim Blair also has an extensive collection of links and comments on this issue.  Andrew Sullivan's response is worth quoting in full: BIN LADEN'S VICTORY IN SPAIN: It's a spectacular result for Islamist terrorism, and a chilling portent of Europe's future. A close election campaign, with Aznar's party slightly ahead, ended with the Popular Party's defeat and the socialist opposition winning. It might be argued that the Aznar government's dogged refusal to admit the obvious quickly enough led people to blame it for a cover-up. But why did they seek to delay assigning the blame on al Qaeda? Because they knew that if al Qaeda were seen to be responsible, the Spanish public would blame Aznar not bin Laden! But there's the real ironic twist: if the appeasement brigade really do believe that the war to depose Saddam is and was utterly unconnected with the war against al Qaeda, then why on earth would al Qaeda respond by targeting Spain? If the two issues are completely unrelated, why has al Qaeda made the connection? The answer is obvious: the removal of the Taliban and the Saddam dictatorship were two major blows to the cause of Islamist terror. They removed an al Qaeda client state and a potential harbor for terrorists and weapons of mass destruction. So it's vital that the Islamist mass murderers target those who backed both wars. It makes total sense. And in yesterday's election victory for the socialists, al Qaeda got even more than it could have dreamed of. It has removed a government intent on fighting terrorism and installed another intent on appeasing it. For good measure, they murdered a couple of hundred infidels. But the truly scary thought is the signal that this will send to other European governments. Britain is obviously next. The appeasement temptation has never been greater; and it looks more likely now that Europe - as so very often in the past - will take the path of least resistance - with far greater bloodshed as a result. I'd also say that it increases the likelihood of a major bloodbath in this country before the November elections. If it worked in Spain, al Qaeda might surmise, why not try it in the U.S.? GREATER ISLAM: But there's another obvious reason for the targeting of Spain. It was once in part a Muslim-controlled country. The agenda of bin Laden and other Islamo-fascists is to reconquer those regions in Europe and the former Soviet Empire for a new Islamic Reich. The existence of Israel is obviously the most horrifying because it is in the heart of the Muslim world. But Spain, too, was once a region in an Islamic world, as this piece in the Daily Telegraph explains. In October 2002, according to Debka.com, al Qaeda began issuing a stream of fatwas designating its main operating theatres in Europe. Spain was on the list, but not the first. 1. Turkey was first. Islamic fundamentalists were constrained to recover the honor and glory of the Ottoman caliphates which were trampled by Christian forces in 1917 in the last days of World War I. 2. Spain followed. There, al Qaeda set Muslims the goal of recovering their lost kingdom in Andalusia. 3. Italy and its capital were third. Muslim fundamentalists view Rome as a world center of heresy because of the Vatican and the Pope. 4. Vienna came next because the advancing Muslim armies were defeated there in 1683 before they could engulf the heart of Europe. It's hard for modern Europeans and Americans to credit this kind of kooky, historical vengeance. But it's precisely this vision that sustains and nourishes the Islamist terror network and their state sponsors in Iran, Syria, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. And that is why the current lull in the terror war is not good news. While we wait and work patiently for democratic progress in Iraq, the enemy is retooling and rethinking.   11:35:26 AM    comment []

Scientists Begin to Question Benefit of 'Good' Cholesterol. Some heart experts have concluded that H.D.L. should play at most a minor role in deciding whether to prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs. By Gina Kolata. [New York Times: NYT HomePage] 8:42:03 AM    comment []