Friday, March 28, 2003

Good News! Kuwaiti officials say there were no casualties in bomb blast in city. Let's hope then it was one of our errant missiles. Would be nice to have made an error and not caused harm. (What a horrible thing to hope. Why is it so difficult for me to say, "Yeah, Saddam missed again?") comment []  permalink  7:31:22 PM

You're Powerful, Smart (and Some of You Blog, Too) The refrain heard in a Pizza Hut advertisement on U.S. television, was the reason for the headline (although they didn't mention blogs. They did though say one chose their product becuae they were powerful and smart. All this while a powerful explosion in Kuwait City wreaked havoc. All this while I have brothers anywhere." I am not powerful; I am smart. And I sign this: "I stand for peace and justice... I stand for democracy and autonomy. I don't think the U.S. or any other country should ignore the popular will and violate and weaken international law..." There are better things than ads. Some include the following smart and powerful blogs blogs worth a look. comment []  permalink  7:19:52 PM

Congrats All Around A recent Senate resolution (S.RES.95 )has been introduced to commend "the President and the Armed Forces of the United States of America." Any chance it can be amended to include one oout of two? Too late. It passed 99 - 0 on 3/20/03. Then there's also S.731 - "a bill to prohibit fraud and related activity in connection with authentication features, and for other purposes." Authentication of what I wonder... documents used to support reasons for war? It was introduced 3/27/03. comment []  permalink  4:12:14 PM

The Numbers in It All Sometimes numbers put things in perspective; sometimes they manage to obscure. Iraqometer offers numbers that are hideous to contemplate. Other sources offer a bit more: 250,000 U.S. troops deployed More than 600 Tomahawks fired 350,000 estimated Iraqi troops... Oh, yes. Towns held by the 'coalition': Umm Qasr. ... and we're "surprised" that we're facing resistance? comment []  permalink  3:53:01 PM

Iraqis Report 50 Dead in 2nd Market Bombing A Reuters report has confirmed there are bodies in a hospital morgue. The explosion happened in the Shula area. Abu Dhabi television says it may have been an American cruise missile. CentCom says it "cannot confirm this." This is a separate incident from yesterday's market blast, At the same time Secretary Rumsfeld is warning Syria and Iran not to intervene. And some German historians are prophesizing an Allied defeat in Baghdad. comment []  permalink  3:02:52 PM

Pres. Addresses Veterans "Welcome to the People's House," began President Bush. "We are enforcing the demands of the United Nations," he continued a few minutes later. Well, in part, that is true since Iraq did not comply with resolutions spanning a decade or so. But it seems that it's a selective view of the truth since there was not even a vote in the UN on the use of armed force this time around. So, I guess, once again, we know best. After all, as the President said, "we will accept no outcome but victory." comment []  permalink  2:49:02 PM

Oil for Food and Still More SARS It's taken seven days, but the oil-for-food program will resume. The voted unanimously to restart the aid program. Cynically, I wonder whether the unanimity had anything to do with President Bush yesterday urging that the program begin again. Fear rise in Japan about SARS; 70 Japanese stayed in same Hong Kong hotel that housed 54 of those who have died. comment []  permalink  2:35:29 PM

More SARS As of this morning, WHO reports a total of 1485 cases worldwide, of which 51 suspected cases are in the US. Canada may begin screening all passengers leaving Toronto. There have been 54 deaths from the syndrome worldwide. comment []  permalink  11:43:33 AM

Defending Home Apparently, Iraqi expatriates are re-entering Iraq by the thousands, ready to fight, to prtect their homeland. It seems, on the whole, that most expatriates who do not like Saddam (look at Horror and Hope) and are vehemently opposed to the US-led invasion of Iraq. Defending homeland, a place of significance given one's birth and learned values and culture, is an admirable reason to fight if fighting must occur. I know many Americans in the US who would also join to defend their homeland for the very same reasons. Kim Jong Il is ready to defend his homeland, as well. When personal security is threatened, outside attack occurs , and a fear of loss of that which binds you begins to consume, fighting might make sense. These occurences united the people in the US after September 11. We are now though on different soil. Are we guilty of instilling these fears in others, thus giving a call for more to rise up and fight us? More than 130,000 U.S. troops to be deployed over the next month. comment []  permalink  7:57:36 AM

The Money Effect US military admits that Iraqi resistance is slowing war plans. Gen. William Wallace, says, "The enemy we're fighting is different from the one we'd war-gamed against." The longer it takes, the more adverse effects. In addition to increasing numbers of casualties, there are economic casualties as well. The International Monetary Fund has warned of a global recession. David Bowers, head investment strategist of Morgan Stanley, warns that investors may be less willing to lend money to Americans, "a trend that would have unimaginable economic consequences." One of those consequences is that current U.S. account deficit is highly dependent on foreign investment to finance borrowing. Already we're looking at $74.7 billion to help finance the war for 30 days. If the fighting persists, obviously the amount increases. Meanwhile, education and healthcare spending are being cut. What costs are justified? comment []  permalink  7:06:11 AM

© Copyright 2003 Jennifer Hicks. Last update: 3/31/03; 7:06:09 AM.

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