Volume 2 Issue 124

August 18, 2003

Third-World America

Some new problems in Iraq, now we have gas shortages here too, and the serious California recall candidates

The Swamp premiers today on the D.C. Metro Blog map, a great collection of DC area blog sites at http://www.reenhead.com/map/metroblogmap.html

Reconstruction Stopped? Things are not going well in Iraq. First, a major oil pipeline was blown up, cutting off oil production, and then a major water main was breached, cutting water off to Baghdad. This is certain not to make the US occupation any easier -
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/08/18/sprj.irq.main/inde x.html

That Other Country: The US will stage naval exercises designed to be a show of force to North Korea -
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/18/international/18DIPL.html? hp=&pagewanted=all&position

Calling for help: The growth of the wireless phone industry has caused some problems for emergency personnel, who's frequencies often abut those of cell phones, causing interference -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7270-2003Aug17.html

First the power, now the gas: Third world, here we come! One week after 80 million lost electricity, many in Arizona are now facing gasoline shortages -
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0817gasshortage18.htm l

Who Turned the Lights Out? The Ohio utility blamed for starting the blackout has begun defending itself, as the debate on how to prevent another blackout continues -
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-blackout18aug18,1,4045132.story?coll=la-home-headlines

But despite their denials, it appears that Ohio based First Energy officials were given warnings of the problems they were causing on the grid -
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/18/national/18GRID.html?hp=&a mp;pagewanted=all&position

Will the lights stay on today?
http://www.iht.com/articles/106704.html

New York Mayor Bloomberg apparently had to threaten legal action to get the lights turned back on -
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/18/nyregion/18MAYO.html

But, in retrospect, it's worth noting that about 95% of human existence has been without electricity -
http://www.nationalpost.com/review/story.html?id=49CE8F32-631F-4A51-BB93-77BC340CD2D9

Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeflation! Deflation is still on the radar, especially in the manufacturing sectors -
http://money.cnn.com/2003/08/18/commentary/bidask/bidask/ind ex.htm?cnn=yes

Look Who's Running for President: TV ads to help draft Gen. Wesley Clark will run this week, as Clark hints he'll make a decision within in the next few weeks -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6994-2003Aug17.html

The California Madness: California Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante has accused Gray Davis of undermining his campaign, and possible endangering the Democratic Party's hold on the governorship -
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/08/18/MN258838.DTL

And not all of the candidates are crazies, some are serious -
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-earnest18aug18,1,5138370.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Bad John Edwards Photo of the Day:

Must...unfreeze...face

Get Ready to Throw out your Computer: Now in stores...the 64-bit computer!
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/18/technology/18NECO.html?8hp ib

The gambling must go on! Atlantic City casino's are prepared if a blackout ever effects them, because the gambling can't stop -
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m081803g.h tm

To the Moon: The Europeans are about to launch an ion-propelled probe to the moon, the first of its kind -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/3159797.stm