Republicans Anonymous

The US has once again used bombs to "send a message" to terrorists - much like the terrorists use bombs to "send a message" to the US. Neither side seems to care much about the innocent folks trapped in the middle.

At first, the "liberal media" didn't seem to care about "collaterally damaging" (i.e. killing) a bunch of civilians:

U.S. Airstrike Targets Al Qaeda's Zawahiri

By Dafna Linzer and Griff Witte
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, January 14, 2006; Page A09

Ayman Zawahiri, the second-ranking al Qaeda leader and chief deputy to Osama bin Laden, was targeted by a deadly U.S. missile strike on a compound in Pakistan yesterday, but U.S. intelligence could not confirm whether he was killed, according to U.S. sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Acting on sensitive intelligence describing the whereabouts of Zawahiri and other top al Qaeda figures, the CIA ordered the airstrike by a Predator drone that fired an air-to-ground missile at the compound, nestled on the border with Afghanistan. The sources said more than a dozen people may have died in the attack. It was too early to confirm the identities of the dead, but U.S. military officials said Zawahiri may be among them.

However, the ends apparently don't justify the means if you fail to achieve those ends:

Pakistan Condemns Purported CIA Airstrike

By RIAZ KHAN
The Associated Press
Saturday, January 14, 2006; 1:06 PM

DAMADOLA, Pakistan -- Pakistan on Saturday condemned a purported CIA airstrike on a border village that officials said unsuccessfully targeted al-Qaida's second-in-command, and said it was protesting to the U.S. Embassy over the attack that killed at least 17 people.

Thousands of local tribesmen, chanting "God is Great," demonstrated against the attack, claiming the victims were local villagers without terrorist links and had never hosted Ayman al-Zawahri.

Smart money says some of W's Bush League minions wanted to kill a top-ranked al Qaeda member to distract voters from the various Republican scandals, took a chance, and failed. I wonder whether al Qaeda planted a false story with this very result in mind. After all, this incident sure will help al Qaeda recruiting efforts, weaken US-Pakistani relations, and put extremist religious fanatics one step closer to taking over Pakistan. Helping Taliban-style fanatics gain control of Pakistan's nukes - another Bush League policy triumph in the making!

It seems likely that W and his Bush League minions now know a terrible civil war is looming in Iraq - they just want to postpone it until after the US midterm elections.

Mr. Hakim criticized the United States and Sunni parties that encouraged the insurgency. Responsibility for the attacks, he said, rested "on the multinational forces and the political powers that declared publicly their support for terrorism."

"Our people will not be patient for much longer with these dirty sectarian crimes," he said.

Mr. Hakim's criticism of the United States referred to recent pressure from the American forces to rein in the Iraqi security forces, which are under Shiite control. American officials have cited growing evidence that Shiite leaders have carried out a program of torture and assassination against Sunni Arabs.
(Source: New York Times An Iraqi Leader Says No More Changes to Charter, Jan 11, 2006)

Before W's Excellent Iraq Adventure, anti-war activists reminded everyone about George Bush Sr's prediction of anarchy and civil war if Saddam Hussein was overthrown by US troops. Interesting that W and his Bush League minions will talk the news media into blaming those same anti-war activists for Bush's complete failure in "bringing democracy to Iraq."

Looks like Israel isn't letting Pat "the Mouth" Robertson get away with his outrageous comments about Ariel Sharon:

Israel punishes US TV evangelist
Israel is pulling out of a $50 million deal with US TV evangelist Pat Robertson after he said Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution.

Tourism Ministry spokesman Ido Hartuv said Israel would not sign a contract with Mr Robertson to build a biblical theme park by the Sea of Galilee.
(Source: BBC News, Jan 11, 2006)

Is it being unduly cynical to wonder whether both those deals were going to be cancelled anyway?

It is depressing to note how making really outrageous, hate-filled comments seems to be the road to the top of the evangelical Christian heap. Of course, that is what makes them Kristians rather than followers of Christ's word...

Click on the link, see something to smile about

Look who's talking - with SPINICH on his tooth!

Once again we're back to a culture of permissiveness! Bush has turned into a damn hippy!

And, of course, Jon Carroll:

So what I can't get is the Bush administration's hysterical reaction to the revelations. A presidential spokesman named Trent Duffy said, "The fact that al Qaeda's playbook is not printed on Page One, and when America's is, it has serious ramifications."

(Al Qaeda's playbook? Does it sometimes seem to you that the government is being run by retired athletic directors?)

But seriously, can you envision a terrorist picking up the New York Times and saying, "My God, men, the government may have been listening in to our telephone calls. Quick, let's find another way to communicate." I think probably they've figured that part out by now. I think the idea that the New York Times somehow leaked super-duper secrets to the enemy is ludicrous.

Remember when $60/barrel oil was considered expensive? Now, it's the new floor:

Oil prices rally by more than $1
Crude oil prices have rallied by more than $1 a barrel after sinking to four-and-a-half month lows on Thursday.

US light sweet crude jumped $1.42 to settle at $64.21 a barrel, while in London benchmark Brent crude rose $1.59 to $62.72.

Concern over geopolitical factors in the Middle East had helped drive up prices, experts said.

But a rise in the number of investors opting to move into the market was the main factor for the surge, they added.
(Source: BBC News, Jan 6, 2006.)

I can't help think this is linked to the euro-denominated Iranian Oil market (bourse) set to open in March. Using one's dollars to buy oil futures sure is a great way to hedge against inflation and also do a little currency speculation without much risk.