Thursday, February 17, 2005

LOL.  500 part time bloggers for $410 million in cash.  ;-> 9:31:10 PM

Telegraph.  Unfortunately, this paper's interpretation of Bush's statement below is likely right on. "Clearly, if I was the leader of Israel and I'd listened to some of the statements by the Iranian ayatollahs that regarded the security of my country, I'd be concerned about Iran having a nuclear weapon as well. And in that Israel is our ally, and in that we've made a very strong commitment to support Israel, we will support Israel if her security is threatened." 9:18:56 PM

Iraq.  Pipeline west of Kirkuk was severed today (a total of 4 pipelines in the last 1.5 days).  Hundreds of millions in damage for a few hours of effort.  Not one guerrilla was captured or killed.  The pacing of the attacks is in synch with repair efforts (economy of force).  Unreported: the large number of attacks on eletrical, water, and transportation infrastructure.  Also, with kidnappings on the rise again (the bazaar has again turned its "unblinking eye" to western workers), the drive to employ expensive (25% - 40% of each redevelopment dollar is spent on security) and aggressive (multiple stories on this weblog about that) private security personnel will continue. 4:15:49 PM

Fred on Something...  Flap in Quebec over a total lack of security at major hydro-electric dams that supply a large percentage of power to US customers. 10:48:27 AM

WP.  Internal confusion. Goss:  "Islamic extremists are exploiting the Iraqi conflict to recruit new anti-U.S. jihadists."  "These jihadists who survive will leave Iraq experienced and focused on acts of urban terrorism." "They represent a potential pool of contacts to build transnational terrorist cells, groups and networks in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and other countries."   Rumsfeld: "I see these reports. Frankly, I don't have a lot of confidence in any of them." 7:07:46 AM