With all this broug-haw about the report from the UN, one aspect should not be forgotten. One of the main sources of the report is a repeatedly convicted fraudster. as this article in the Spiegel reports.

We all have heard that the Syrians are upset that they are accused of being involved in the killing of the former Lebanese Prime minister. But what is interesting is that the guy that did the research did not want this information to be published

"The names were not in copies of the report released for general distribution."

- because it was only one single source that supported it.

In einer neuen Fassung habe er die Namen gelöscht, weil sie von einem Zeugen nur genannt und nicht bestätigt worden seien. "Es hätte einen falschen Eindruck" von Schuld erwecken können, sagte Mehlis.

In a new version those names were blackened, since only one witness named them, and I did not want to create the impression that it has been confirmed. "A wrongful impression of guilt could have been construed." said Mehlis the prosecutor and author of the report.

Now Rice is calling to invade Syria. - well not quite yet : find a way to hold Syrian authorities accountable.

sorry I read all these entries in the energy dairies on how we all know from the 1970ties how bad fuel consumptionn is and that we should change our behaviour and blah, blah blah, but really it is an old hut and we know the arguments and anyhow, nothing happened in the last 30 years and they did say 30 years ago everybody would have a plane and be able to fly to the moon by themselves and that didn;t happen so why should I worry now. I live, drive my car and everything is fine, why should I worry? la la la lalalalalal la

Apparently Bush said yesterday that this is worse than 9/11.

President Bush, who flew over flood-stricken areas on Wednesday, compared the devastation to the 11 September 2001 attacks.

"It is so devastating that it is hard to describe it. 9/11 was a man made attack. This was a natural disaster," he said.

I really don;t understand this guy - well what is there to understand.

The only level where one can compare these two events is on the scale of the incompetence of Team Bush in its reaction to them.

All of Europe prays for clean water, quick rescue and a quick return to normality in all the areas. We will do everything we are allowed to by the Bush Administration.
America you don't have to be alone in this!

You might have read here, here or here (unfortunately all in German, nothing found about him in an English language publication)
A German Major has been found within his legal rights by the highest German Court. Florian Pfaff had refused to continue to programme software that could have been used in Irak for military purposes. His reason was his conscience forbade him to become active in creating this software. He joined the army to defend Germany and programming this software was in breach of the stated goal of the German Army - only to be used to defend Germany.
After refusing the order, he was demoted. The court judged in his favour and stated:  
In the German Army you not only have the right, but the duty to question all orders and to test them against your consciense before acting on them. The German law demands "nicht den bedingungslosen, sondern den gewissenhaften Gehorsam." Not unconditional, but conscientious obedience.

(snark)
I blame you Americans, that Germany doesn't have a fighting army that just follows orders anymore and tortures willy nilly. (snark over)

When your child asks you in time to come (Deut 6.20a)
I hadn't realised that this phrase comes from a biblical context.
The reason I am bringing this up, is because it is also being used as the theme for this years 30th Kirchentag taking place from 25th to 29th May 2005. It is taking place in Hanover, Germany and they expect up to 150.000 people to desent on the town. It is a huge festival.

Hi, I thought some of you might be interested in a German perspective on the European Constitution and the vote to come.
It is of course by Juergen Habermas who most of you will have heard of.
This link is to the site http://www.signandsight.com/ with his article. btw. this is a very good site to check out it gives you a German intellectual perspective on Europe (slightly right of centre) - its sister site (in German) is http://www.perlentaucher.de
Back to Habermas after the break.

Sorry, some people just don't seem to be able to remain stumm. I say it is good. Even though Billmon has been removed from the links list, I am sure you all remember his page. for all the others: Billmon

And I wouldn't point it out, if it weren't poignant and relevant. So.
Go on.

Go on...

Go on....

Have some Tea (with Whiskey of course)

Maybe the October surprise is, that American Troops have secured the explosives, which will all be revealed on Monday, just in time for the election.

That would explain Arbustos explanation for not providing an answer, for saying Kerry should not jump to conclusions, afterall it was the puppets in Irak that planted the story.

They might as well have been ferried away by some american troops and (nobody seems to know, what they are doing and where they are most of the time anyway.
maybe i am just too paranoid.

Der Spiegel just publishes that Frederick got eight years. other witnesses accuse CIA and military

this could be a new meme.

Bush needs to be replaced with a fresh commmander in chief, because he does not have the energy levels, that are needed anymore.

Dear indecided:
So you voted Bush last time. You will have to agree, all the strain and difficulties that Bush had to deal with, would have taken toll on even the strongest of persons.

To the prznit:
So, thanks Bush, you made a job well done, but really, you do have to agree, don't you, more of the same, is just a sign, that you don't have the energy of creatively, sustainibly fighting forward for another four years.
I think, Mr President, you have to agree, it is time for you to step down.

Thanks.

I could not be there, but would like to have been.  The bits I have seen - and so much more here in Bloggistan than in the Media have dispelled another myth. There is no such thing as mindless protest from the left. The creativity and energy and joy, the celebration of protest was a glorious sight.

And the peacefullness.

Everybody was talking about Chicago, but the only thing broken, was our human rights to protest and the window of the Democratic Headquarters in Centre County.

My thanks go out to each and everyone, that went on the street and demonstrated.

Thanks.

Just because I am addicted to Billon...

here is his latest installment, if you haven't seen it. It's a "short" summary of the Enron scandal in his usual succinct and excellent style.

Are there any jokes about Bush?
I mean different from true statements made by him, Bushisms or things that really happened.
I mean jokes like Clinton jokes and stuff.

I watched Letterman the other night and he made a Clinton joke but apart from Bushisms he does not seem to make Bush jokes.

I think this is quite significant, because in my opinion it still shows a subliminal admiration for the man accross the board (or the Bushisms are just to good).

Or have I missed something?

Well, if you know any unique Bush jokes, what is your favourite one. (No Bushism, please)

It's worth seeing it again....

Liberal oasis

I really don't know why this is so satisfyingly funny...

I know it is a bit early, since the primaries are not over yet. but as an uninvolved observer. is there such a thing as a shadow cabinets in American politics? It seems all is focused on President and VP.
here in britain, you have for each cabinet minister a (more or less) capable opponent, critising policy developments, statements, etc pp.
Advantages I could see:
Focus would be less on one, or two individuals.
Cricism can be spread, experts on certain themes can become more prominent.
A member of a shadow cabinet, does not necessarliy become a member of the real cabinet, so real experts can be presented as advisors...
More talking points could be produced as there are so many different things to critizise.
A consistent policy against a government, not just from one person, but from people with an office (even if a shadow one...)
If this idea grips hold, journalists could apporach and use them as talking heads. afterall they speak also for the candidate, not just for themselves.

Anyway, just a thought.

Spiegel reports that Germany is sending a couple of GSG9 - Special Forces - to Irak to protect the German participation of the reconstruction efforts. It doesn't sound as if there were huge numbers though. Afterall they only have to protect 4 people from the technical support team sent there in September.
mmh another attempt to ease the tensions between Germany and the US...

I think this this Guardian article is a must read.

Some quotes:
 "the US is in denial about what is, beyond any question, potentially its most dangerous enemy. While millions of words have been written every day for the past two years about the threat from vengeful Islamic terrorists, the threat from a vengeful Nature has been almost wholly ignored. Yet the likelihood of multiple attacks in the future is far more certain."

"Bush has danced like a dervish with the folks who brung him. ... Thus every new measure passed to favour business interests and ease up on pollution regulations is presented in an eco-friendly, sugar-coated, summer's morning kind of way, such as Clear Skies, the weakening of the Clean Air Act. "

"Maybe biotechnology, pesticides, natural gas and American ingenuity and optimism will indeed see everything right. It does seem like a curiously reckless gamble for the US to be taking, though, staking the future of the planet on the spin of nature's roulette wheel. "

"And yet. Time and again, around the US, one is struck by the stunning beauty of the landscape, not in the obvious places, but in corners that few Americans will have heard of: amazing rivers such as the Pearl in Louisiana, or the Choptank in Maryland or the Lost River in West Virginia; the Chocolate Mountains and the San Diego back country in California; the bits that are left of the Outer Banks...

And equally one is struck by the sheer horrendousness of what man has done in the century or so since he seriously got to work over here. In the context of ages, the white man is merely a hotel guest in this continent: he has smashed the furniture and smeared excrement on the walls. He appears to be looking forward to his next night's stay with relish. "