Volume 2 Issue 25
March 7, 2003
The St. Patrick's Day War?
War Plans become clearer, New Jersey's governor blows his top, and more from the Iditarod!
Sorry so late today, busy day!
OK, a few brief comments on the President's "news" conference. As some have pointed out, there was no real news. I don't really have the time to go and put together a whole column, but here's some random thoughts. First, what the hell has happened to the media? Most of those questions were softballs, and some were just plain stupid. While one or two people asked about North Korea (but never followed up), not a single question was asked about the economy, or where Osama Bin Laden is (though we apparently may be close to nabbing him). Bush was better as far as performance was concerned, he didn't sound like an asshole as much, but there were times when he seemed spaced out. I mean, it was past his bedtime and all, but come on George, look excited, you're about to start World War III!
Word comes today that March 17 will be set as a deadline for Iraq to disarm, or we'll go in. One area of this conflict that has gotten little press is the role of Israel. Iraq will almost certainly attack them with conventional weapons, and may indeed use chemical or biological weapons in an attack. And unlike 1991, you can be sure Israel will strike back. If that happens, many Arab nations will no longer be able to support the war, and some like Syria may try to strike at Israel. Then again, maybe we've bribed the Israelis enough to not do anything, but regardless its an issue that should at least be getting some press.
I went to my bank today, and while waiting for the teller to process my stuff, I noticed a display reading "Open a new account today and get a free gift!" Nothing unusual, right? So what was the free gift? Toaster? Calendar? Backpack? Nope. It was a home survival kit...complete with MRE's, first aid kits, flashlights, and a gas mask.
Finally, while it is Friday and that's great, I must remark that this is the first time I will not have a "Spring" break. After 6 years in college and graduate school, and then the 12 years before that, next week I will trudge off to work like everyone else in the world. What makes it worse is that my undergrad brother, and many folks I still know in school, will get the week off, so while they're discussing vacation plans and such, I'm making a pile of work for next week on my desk. Yes, in the working world I am always happy to not have work on the nights or weekends to take care of, and I did just take a vacation myself a few weeks ago, but the idea of a widespread holiday for everyone you knew was always nice, and I have to say it's the first time since leaving that I would prefer to be in school. Then again, next week we may get into the 60's here in DC, so maybe that will fade with Spring. To those of you traveling, be safe and have fun, and don't forget to check in with us online at http://www.fromtheswamp.com if you can't get to your e-mail on the road!
Now, onto the insanity:
"News" Conference Coverage: Not a single question was asked about Osama or the economy -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54012-2003Mar6.html
Elisabeth Bumiller gives a good view of the White House's mood -
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/politics/07BUSH.html
TV reviewers gave it bad reviews...thank goodness it wasn't sweeps month!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54629-2003Mar7.html
http://slate.msn.com/id/2079763/
Helen Thomas got snubbed yesterday, as did many reporters who the Administration knew would actually ask thoughtful questions -
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20030307-85033093.htm
Iraq Watch 2003: *Imagine fancy graphics and sound effects here*
*Cut to 50-something newscaster who is trying to look like she's 30*
Will the US opposition worsen our international position?
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/5334563.htm
Blix says there's more cooperation from Iraq -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2829213.stm
Blix's "To Do" list for Iraq -
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-602662,00.html
Powell Says Not Enough -
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-US-Iraq.html
US Continues to sell out the Kurds -
http://slate.msn.com/id/2079752/
The Wall Street Journal reported today that Halliburton, Dick Cheney's old company, has gotten multiple contracts for running oil wells in post-war Iraq. Is the war about oil? Naah... -
http://slate.msn.com/id/2079744/
And Turkey is getting cut out of a trade bill, apparently as punishment for not allowing US troops to invade Iraq from there -
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-602163,00.html
Finally...Washington waits -
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/politics/07MEMO.html
Or, how not to get killed: The Army is teaching troops that will be invading Iraq some Arabian manners -
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/new_jer sey/5334631.htm
Our own weapons of mass destruction: Um...I'll let the headline speak for itself - "Pentagon Pursues Nuclear Earth Penetrator" -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54638-2003Mar7.html
That Other Country: So when will George break the news to us that we have to go to Korea too?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2828201.stm
North Korea will likely have a missile test this weekend as well, thought at least they're letting us know ahead of time -
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-US-NKorea-Missile-Test.html
At least he didn't get 100% of the vote: Fidel Castro won election to a 6th term as Cuba's President yesterday, getting 97% of the vote. Elilan Gonzalez's father was also elected to Parliament -
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/americas/03/06/castro.election .ap/index.html
Stagflation! The unemployment numbers have gone up again -
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/business/07CND-ECON.html
Appropriators at the Trough: The GOP had to pull a bill designed to give tax relief to troops, that got bogged down with hundreds of tax breaks that Republican's threw in there, gaining the attention of the media. Best quote from this? Barney Frank: "You can't have a Christmas Tree during Lent." -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53540-2003Mar6.html
Stress Management Candidate of the Week: New Jersey Governor Jim "One Term" McGreevey went nuts at a press conference this week, cursing out the reporters over his latest scandal, where an aide apparently got a parole board to reverse its decision not to let a mobster out of jail. Of course, when protesters are holding signs that say "Forget Saddam — Exile McGreevey", I guess that wears you down a bit -
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/nyregion/07JERS.html
Audio clips from the conference are available at -
http://www.politicsnj.com/
And, lest you think corrupt politicians are only in New Jersey, the former Attorney General of Texas was indicted yesterday on 12 charges of trying to defraud the state's tobacco settlement fund, among other things. -
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/1808282
Bill, you ignorant slut! Clinton and Dole taped their first 60 Minutes segment yesterday, which will air Sunday. And Clinton and Rush Limbaugh got into another fight -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53630-2003Mar6.html
Look Who's Voting for President: The battle for first in the nation continues -
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/politics/5336427.h tm
Space Challenges: China has announced the identity of its first taikonaut, who will go into Space this fall -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2829349.stm
A former NASA Official says the agencies records are in disarray, and that could have contributed to the Columbia disaster -
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/national/nationalspecial/0 7SHUT.html
Now...if we could only fire the Police Chief: DC Police Chief Charles "Chief Wiggam" Ramsey will fire 7 people, including 5 officers, for negligence during a 911 shift, in which a man died in a fire while callers to 911 kept getting put on hold. Gee, now if only the city would fire the police chief, maybe we could finally clean up crime here -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53895-2003Mar6.html
Because the French have nothing else to worry about: A French group is trying to get the Vatican to drop gluttony as a sin. And they just might do it...the Pope has even met with them. -
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/06/arts/06GLUT.html
Jackpot! Why are so many states and casino's moving to slot players now? Because that's where the action is! -
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/5334558.htm
"Higher" Education? A community college in New Jersey will offer a degree in video game design -
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/new_jer sey/5334677.htm
Whoops: A woman trying to call 411 accidentally dialed 911, then hung up when she realized her mistake. Unfortunately, she didn't tell them it was a mistake, so when the cops showed up, they busted them for the huge marijuana greenhouse -
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2003/03/06/state0455EST0035.DTL
A student at Princeton University, checking his student club's account on-line, found he accidentally could access all of the school's 9.9 million dollar accounts. He didn't take any money, but Princeton may be taking that money to a different bank soon -
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/03/06/offbeat.banking. error.ap/index.html
Who Wants to go to Jail? The trial in England continues, with the Millionaire contestant today being accused of trying to use a two-way pager to cheat as well -
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-602241,00.html
It's back...: The biggest medical story of the week? The Today Sponge is back. The popular contraceptive hasn't been available in the US since 1994, and it's rareness was made popular by a Seinfeld episode in 1995 -
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/health/07SPON.html
And finally...Your Iditarod 31 Action!
Norwegian Firefighter Robert Sorile continues to hold his lead in the great race, a full checkpoint ahead of the rest of the front pack. Sorile arrived early this morning at Eagle Island (Checkpoint #8), and seems to be resting a bit while the rest of the pack tries to catch up (he may also be taking a layover). Jeff King of Alaska, a 3 time Iditarod winner, is in 2nd place, on his way to Eagle Island after completing his 8 hour layover at Kaltag. The front pack has reached a portion of the course where they will make two loops of a circle, so you'll be seeing these checkpoints again. The field is down to 58, and some racers are still stuck back as far as on the road to Ruby (Checkpoint #4). Five-time champion Rick Swenson is in 3rd. Sorile is down to 12 dogs, and he must have 5 at the finish to win.
Sorile was the first musher past the half-way mark, which won him $3,000 in golden nuggets -
http://www.adn.com/iditarod/news/story/2730166p-2777258c.html
The standings -
http://www.iditarod.com/2003standings/data/include/details.h tml
And...the Iditarod Photo of the Day:
What the hell are those people and dogs doing? Don't they realize it's winter in frickin ALASKA?
And one more...
And then I woke up and realized that I was sleeping out in the middle of nowhere on the snow surrounded by dogs...
Next week...Rookies of the Iditarod. Check back to the website over the weekend, if you're lucky I may post some photos of the day as well!
Have a great weekend!
