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| Current Topic: Current Events |
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Shooting raises questions, provokes conspiracy theorists |
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| Topic: Current Events |
12:27 pm EST, Mar 21, 2004 |
Text messages were quickly circulating in Taiwan with questions about whether the shooting had been staged to gain a sympathy vote for the president. Sisy Chen - a defector from President Chen's party who is now an outspoken foe - also noted that his security detail had visited the shooting scene and the hospital beforehand. Presidential assassination is the new pop. Shooting raises questions, provokes conspiracy theorists |
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The Price of Freedom in Iraq |
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| Topic: Current Events |
9:28 am EST, Mar 19, 2004 |
This week, as we mark the one-year anniversary of the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, it is useful to recount why we have fought. Today, as we think about the tens of thousands of United States soldiers in Iraq -- and in Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world fighting the global war on terrorism -- we should say to all of them: "You join a long line of generations of Americans who have fought freedom's fight. Thank you." Donald Rumsfeld writes in the New York Times. The Price of Freedom in Iraq |
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The Spanish dishonoured their dead | Telegraph | Opinion |
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| Topic: Current Events |
12:06 am EST, Mar 17, 2004 |
To be sure, there are all kinds of John Kerry-esque footnoted nuances to Sunday's stark numbers. But no one will remember the footnotes, the qualifications, the background -- just the final score: terrorists toppled a European government. The rain in Spain falls mainly on the slain. For the non-complacent, the question is fast becoming whether "civilised society" in much of Europe is already too "undermined". There are strong horses and weak horses, but right now western Europe is looking like a dead horse. Smitty wrote:
] Outstanding reflection on the meaning of Spain's recent election. Now that is an op-ed. Outstanding, indeed. (I had trouble choosing a category for this one -- it goes in War on Terrorism, but it also goes in Elections. When in doubt, bump it up a level.) Al Qaeda, intent on fomenting animosity within the growing European Union, and having no success with Turkey, apparently sees Spain as the weakest link. Go West, young men? The Spanish dishonoured their dead | Telegraph | Opinion |
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Furor over Bush's 9/11 ad |
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| Topic: Current Events |
9:06 pm EST, Mar 5, 2004 |
Elonka wrote:
] If people are going to blame Bush for everything that goes
] wrong, then I believe that they should also give him credit
] for some of the things that go *right*. And say what you
] will, we haven't had another 9/11 while on his watch. Homer: Not a bear in sight. The Bear Patrol must be working like a charm.
Lisa: That's specious reasoning, Dad.
Homer: Thank you, dear.
Lisa: By your logic I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away.
Homer: Oh, how does it work?
Lisa: It doesn't work.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Lisa: It's just a stupid rock.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Lisa: But I don't see any tigers around, do you?
[Homer thinks of this, then pulls out some money]
Homer: Lisa, I want to buy your rock. Sigh ... so many levels ... Furor over Bush's 9/11 ad |
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| Topic: Current Events |
10:56 pm EST, Feb 15, 2004 |
Lycos, the Internet search engine, reported that the number of searches for Janet Jackson tied the record set by 9/11-related searches on and just after 9/11. "That a single breast received as much attention as the first attack on United States soil in 60 years is beyond belief," wrote Aaron Schatz, the columnist on the Lycos Top 50 site. Okay. Now, I've seen everything. (Why did he cite Lycos? Was no one at Google available for comment? Who uses Lycos?) When MTV proposed that part of the show be devoted to a performance of the song "An American Prayer" by Bono to increase awareness of the horrific AIDS epidemic in Africa, the NFL said no. Of course they said no -- it would have killed the mood. It's all about fantasy, not reality. As you'll recall, CBS also denied air time to a public advocacy organization but allowed advertisements for Cialis, complete with a rather graphic disclaimer. "Suckers, liars, get me a shovel ..." My Hero, Janet Jackson |
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Mr. Bush's Version (of History? of the Present? of Reality?) |
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| Topic: Current Events |
10:51 am EST, Feb 9, 2004 |
The only clarity in the president's vision appears to be his own perfect sense of self-justification. The questions average Americans are asking about Iraq seem much clearer than the ones Mr. Bush is willing to confront. I'm sure this will get old soon, but ... let's hear it for average Americans! (sincerely, this time!) Mr. Bush's explanation ... was simply silly. ... very hard to take seriously ... ... The president's claim ... was inaccurate ... questions even more disturbing ... responds by overreacting ... In the coming campaign, Mr. Bush ... [must] show that he is capable ... and has the courage to tell the nation the truth ... Nothing in the interview offered much hope in that direction. Freedom of the press in action. The word 'skewer' comes to mind. Looking back, this interview will be seen as a turning point. There is at least one question I didn't hear Tim Russert ask yesterday. Can you guess it? On a related note, another editorial in today's New York Times offers this comment: The Bush administration needs to shed the melodrama, the "good and evil" posturing. It serves no purpose, and creates a lot of irritation. Mr. Bush's Version (of History? of the Present? of Reality?) |
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Video of Tenet's Speech at Georgetown |
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| Topic: Current Events |
11:36 pm EST, Feb 5, 2004 |
Courtesy of C-SPAN, this is a link to streaming RealVideo of George Tenet's speech today at Georgetown University. It may not work to click through directly. You may need to start RealPlayer and enter this URL directly: rtsp://cspanrm.fplive.net/cspan/archive/iraq/iraq020504_tenet.rm A transcript of the speech is online at http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/05/international/middleeast/05CND-ITEX.html?pagewanted=print&position= Including introductions and a follow-up Q&A session, the full running time is approximately one hour. Video of Tenet's Speech at Georgetown |
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Intelligence on the Eve of War |
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| Topic: Current Events |
3:35 pm EST, Jan 31, 2004 |
The information on which Congress based its war vote seems out of kilter with the government's own most expert opinions. The great unanswered question is whether this was wholly the work of top intelligence officials or was the result of pressure from above. Only a broad and truly independent investigation can unravel the roots of this colossal failure. Asking questions is a Good Thing. (Is there a public petition somewhere that calls for an independent investigation?) Intelligence on the Eve of War |
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White House to Review Prewar Intelligence on Iraqi Arms |
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| Topic: Current Events |
2:06 am EST, Jan 27, 2004 |
Bush administration officials insisted today that the Iraq war was justified, but they promised further review of prewar intelligence after the outgoing chief American weapons inspector said that he was almost certain that Iraq had no significant banned weaponry before the war. The White House said today the CIA had already begun reviewing its prewar analyses. White House to Review Prewar Intelligence on Iraqi Arms |
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