EU Stepping up?

In what could potentially be very good news, it seems that the EU may be seeing the light when it comes to Iraq. Given their own history, its shameful that they had to wait so long to begin and embrace of a blooming democracy and even now they appear rather grudging in their acceptance. However, regardless of how their participation comes about, its high time for the EU to realize that a democratic Iraq is in their best interest and they should be doing everything in their power to assure that. One also should read Arthur Chrenkoff's latest update of the good news from Iraq that is so often lost in the doom and gloom that most people hear. It seems to become longer and longer every time. However, I can imagine that once someone reads it, they would become even more skeptical of the doommongers. Yes, terrorism and the insurgency are a huge threat to the future of Iraq, but the more concrete successes Iraqis have to believe in, the more likely the terrorists and Baathists will ultimately fail.

Genocie/Not Genocide

Maybe its just me, but does it really matter whether the UN calls what is happening in Darfur genocide or not? Only if you want to stick to the letter of the UN and avoid having to take responsibility for what is happening there.

A Prelude to War with Iran?

I sure hope this is not leading anywhere. On the other hand, it would not surprise me if the administration is worried that Israel may very well drag this country into conflict with Iran. It could also just be an attempt to bluff the Iranians into negotiating with the EU - a good cop, bad cop scenario. Unfortunately, since I am a betting man, I'd have to put my chips on door number 1.

Hillary Collapses

I really hope this was just the flu. The Democratic party needs the Clintons to knock some sense back into it. Of course, truthfully, I don't know that the "real" Hillary, who behaves as though she is further to the right of her husband would be all that welcome in the folds of the party once push came to shove. I still remember the vicious attacks on Bill Clinton from the left because he was a Republican in sheep's clothing. Of course, until he was threatened with impeachment, and then the ranks closed.

Linking Iraqi Elections to Vietnam

I usually have a lot of respect for Political Wire, but today it joins the "tear down Iraqi elections at any cost" crowd. And, as is commonly the case, its an attempt to tie Iraq back 30 years to Vietnam (can't they at least come up with something original for once?). Of course, it could also just as easily have been tied back to the first elections held in Germany, France, Japan, etc., but that would not serve the overriding political purpose. In fact, political wire has not one word about the elections OTHER than the post above.  Its sad to see the site fall into the same frenzy that is consuming the left. 

The REAL Truth Behind Iraqi Votes

Of course, the conservative media elite (aka the MSM) hid the real story behind the Iraq elections and it takes BoiFromTroi to set us right.

News out of Iraq should send chills of distress around the world. As voting ended, turnout was estimated at 72%. Although Andrew Sullivan may or may not consider that a success*, it reflects a 28% decline from voting in Iraq's last election. Furthermore, the unity that marked Iraq's 2002 election has been dissolved by the Bush Administration's divisive policies. The consensus which marked the last election has fallen apart to the point that one party may not even gain a majority.

Bush should be ashamed, just ashamed, of the lies he has brought to the Iraqi people. He even has fooled gullible Iraqis who think its a good idea to erect a statue in Bush's honor in Baghdad.

Take Job as Prostitute or Lose Benefits

The modern welfare state in Europe? It seems someone in Germany was told she had to take a job as a prostitute or lose her benefits.

Under Germany's welfare reforms, any woman under 55 who has been out of work for more than a year can be forced to take an available job – including in the sex industry – or lose her unemployment benefit. Last month German unemployment rose for the 11th consecutive month to 4.5 million, taking the number out of work to its highest since reunification in 1990.

UPDATE: The Volokh Conspiracy raises serious doubts about the story.

Michael Moore's Minutemen

I decided to mosey on over to Michael Moore's website to see what was spewing from his mouth on this wonderful day. Would he be upset that his Minutemen were not able to kill enough of those evil, nefarious voters? Well, he did not go that far, but on the front page, the only acknowledgement he has of events in Iraq today is a picture of a cargo plane with the title of "British Troops Killed in Plane Crash Near Baghdad". He's also asking readers to "join 16 House members in demanding the IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL of U.S. troops from Iraq." And he won't even win an oscar. This guy really is Ken Mehlman's wet dream.

Hope in North Korea?

Sounds like the power of the current North Korean regime may be crumbling. Good news? Only time will tell. Maybe not negotiating with Kim was a smart move on the administration's part. That would only have strengthened him. Of course, there has been much false hope in the past, so who knows if this will amount to much.

Computer Virus Infects Car

It was only a matter of time before a car's systems became compromised by a computer virus.