"Wary Iraqis Welcome the Handover but Ask, Now What?"
Opinions solicited from several Iraqis regarding the formal transfer of sovereignty that occurred this morning. Those interviewed appear to express some optimism, but much of it is shrouded in caution, cynicism, and doubt. Interesting read.
"New Iraq PM promises amnesty for insurgents"
Potentially powerful strategy on part of the new Iraqi government. I really hope it works.
Edit (29 Jun 2004): See the full text of Allawi's letter.
Excerpts:
[Allawi's] government 'will make a clear distinction between those Iraqis who have acted against the occupation out of a sense of desperation, and those foreign terrorist fundamentalists and criminals whose sole objective is to kill and maim innocent people and to see Iraq fail'.
The objective will be "to reach out to the former group in a national reconciliation effort and invite them to join us in a fresh start to build our country's future together, while at the same time isolating and defeating the latter group". To achieve this "we are drawing up plans to provide amnesty to Iraqis who supported the so-called resistance without committing crimes". ...
Dr Allawi's words appear aimed ... at exploiting a widening split among opponents of the occupation. ...
The storming of police stations and the killing of so many Iraqi police is creating a backlash against the Islamic resistance. Shia and Sunni Muslim preachers have denounced the death of 100 Iraqis in a co-ordinated offensive on Thursday, and expressed fear that foreigners are hijacking the resistance.
Edit (29 Jun 2004): See the full text of Allawi's letter.
Excerpts:
[Allawi's] government 'will make a clear distinction between those Iraqis who have acted against the occupation out of a sense of desperation, and those foreign terrorist fundamentalists and criminals whose sole objective is to kill and maim innocent people and to see Iraq fail'.
The objective will be "to reach out to the former group in a national reconciliation effort and invite them to join us in a fresh start to build our country's future together, while at the same time isolating and defeating the latter group". To achieve this "we are drawing up plans to provide amnesty to Iraqis who supported the so-called resistance without committing crimes". ...
Dr Allawi's words appear aimed ... at exploiting a widening split among opponents of the occupation. ...
The storming of police stations and the killing of so many Iraqi police is creating a backlash against the Islamic resistance. Shia and Sunni Muslim preachers have denounced the death of 100 Iraqis in a co-ordinated offensive on Thursday, and expressed fear that foreigners are hijacking the resistance.
"Biggest Task for U.S. General- Training Iraqis to Fight Iraqis"
Interesting article.
Excerpts:
"I know where this ends," said General Petraeus, 51, who earlier this month took control of a vast project to oversee the training of Iraqi security forces. "It ends with the Iraqis in charge of their country. You get as many Iraqis as possible to have a stake in the success of the new Iraq to defeat the insurgency."
Just a few hundred yards from his office, the magnitude of his challenge loomed in the form of Zhuhair Khamis, an Iraqi Civil Defense officer standing guard at the entrance to the American compound.
"I am not ready to fight Iraqis," said Mr. Khamis, a 33-year-old Iraqi Shiite. "I will throw down my weapon, I will throw down my uniform, and I will give back my badge. I will fight foreigners; but I am not ready to fight Iraqis." ...
"In America, we have this national ethos; you identify with the Pledge of Allegiance and the flag, the stars and stripes," General Eaton said. "In Iraq, that is overshadowed by tribe, imam, family and ethnicity. I talked to countless young soldiers who said, `My name is Muhammad, and I am a Turkoman' or `I am a Sunni' or `I am a Shiite.' "
Excerpts:
"I know where this ends," said General Petraeus, 51, who earlier this month took control of a vast project to oversee the training of Iraqi security forces. "It ends with the Iraqis in charge of their country. You get as many Iraqis as possible to have a stake in the success of the new Iraq to defeat the insurgency."
Just a few hundred yards from his office, the magnitude of his challenge loomed in the form of Zhuhair Khamis, an Iraqi Civil Defense officer standing guard at the entrance to the American compound.
"I am not ready to fight Iraqis," said Mr. Khamis, a 33-year-old Iraqi Shiite. "I will throw down my weapon, I will throw down my uniform, and I will give back my badge. I will fight foreigners; but I am not ready to fight Iraqis." ...
"In America, we have this national ethos; you identify with the Pledge of Allegiance and the flag, the stars and stripes," General Eaton said. "In Iraq, that is overshadowed by tribe, imam, family and ethnicity. I talked to countless young soldiers who said, `My name is Muhammad, and I am a Turkoman' or `I am a Sunni' or `I am a Shiite.' "
"Popular low-carb diets dangerous"
Scientists continue to speak out against these diets. I guess for some people the thought of losing weight by eating cheeseburger is just too exciting...
Excerpts:
Popular low-carbohydrate diets are leading to poor health and are spawning a rip-off industry of "carb-friendly" products, say health experts and consumer advocates. ...
"Eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, which are all predominantly carbohydrate, is linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and a range of other chronic diseases."
Prince said low-carb diets that advocate piling on animal protein and fat are "increasing the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, stroke, type-2 diabetes and other chronic diseases." ...
The new group includes such organizations as the Alliance for Aging Research, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the AICR and the American Obesity Association. ...
"Losing weight on these extreme low-carb diets can lead to such serious health problems as kidney stress, liver disorders and gout," the group advises. ...
Studies show that a low-carbohydrate approach can cause people to lose weight more quickly than a low-fat diet for the first six months, but the low-fat approach catches up after a year.
Excerpts:
Popular low-carbohydrate diets are leading to poor health and are spawning a rip-off industry of "carb-friendly" products, say health experts and consumer advocates. ...
"Eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, which are all predominantly carbohydrate, is linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and a range of other chronic diseases."
Prince said low-carb diets that advocate piling on animal protein and fat are "increasing the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, stroke, type-2 diabetes and other chronic diseases." ...
The new group includes such organizations as the Alliance for Aging Research, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the AICR and the American Obesity Association. ...
"Losing weight on these extreme low-carb diets can lead to such serious health problems as kidney stress, liver disorders and gout," the group advises. ...
Studies show that a low-carbohydrate approach can cause people to lose weight more quickly than a low-fat diet for the first six months, but the low-fat approach catches up after a year.
"Iraqis, Seeking Foes of Saudis, Contacted bin Laden, File Says"
Some interesting stuff. Seems bin Laden was interested in cooperation with the Iraqi government due to a shared opposition to the Saudi government. Evidence of Iraqi cooperation though, if such occurred, is sparse.
Excerpts:
At the time of the contacts described in the Iraqi document, Mr. bin Laden was little known beyond the world of national security experts. It is now thought that his associates bombed a hotel in Yemen used by American troops bound for Somalia in 1992. Intelligence officials also believe he played a role in training Somali fighters who battled Army Rangers and Special Operations forces in Mogadishu during the "Black Hawk Down" battle of 1993. ...
Mr. bin Laden 'also requested joint operations against foreign forces' based in Saudi Arabia, where the American presence has been a rallying cry for Islamic militants who oppose American troops in the land of the Muslim pilgrimage sites of Mecca and Medina.
But the document contains no statement of response by the Iraqi leadership under Mr. Hussein to the request for joint operations, and there is no indication of discussions about attacks on the United States or the use of unconventional weapons. ...
A former director of operations for Iraqi intelligence Directorate 4 met with Mr. bin Laden on Feb. 19, 1995, the document states.
Excerpts:
At the time of the contacts described in the Iraqi document, Mr. bin Laden was little known beyond the world of national security experts. It is now thought that his associates bombed a hotel in Yemen used by American troops bound for Somalia in 1992. Intelligence officials also believe he played a role in training Somali fighters who battled Army Rangers and Special Operations forces in Mogadishu during the "Black Hawk Down" battle of 1993. ...
Mr. bin Laden 'also requested joint operations against foreign forces' based in Saudi Arabia, where the American presence has been a rallying cry for Islamic militants who oppose American troops in the land of the Muslim pilgrimage sites of Mecca and Medina.
But the document contains no statement of response by the Iraqi leadership under Mr. Hussein to the request for joint operations, and there is no indication of discussions about attacks on the United States or the use of unconventional weapons. ...
A former director of operations for Iraqi intelligence Directorate 4 met with Mr. bin Laden on Feb. 19, 1995, the document states.
"Cones, Curves, Shells, Towers: He Made Paper Jump to Life"
Fascinating. Make sure to follow the link to see pictures.
Synopsis:
On the mantel of a quiet suburban home here stands a curious object resembling a small set of organ pipes nestled into a neat, white case. At first glance it does not seem possible that such a complex, curving form could have been folded from a single sheet of paper, and yet it was.
The construction is one of an astonishing collection of paper objects folded by Dr. David Huffman, a former professor of computer science at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a pioneer in computational origami, an emerging field with an improbable name but surprisingly practical applications.
Synopsis:
On the mantel of a quiet suburban home here stands a curious object resembling a small set of organ pipes nestled into a neat, white case. At first glance it does not seem possible that such a complex, curving form could have been folded from a single sheet of paper, and yet it was.
The construction is one of an astonishing collection of paper objects folded by Dr. David Huffman, a former professor of computer science at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a pioneer in computational origami, an emerging field with an improbable name but surprisingly practical applications.
"Book by C.I.A. Officer Says U.S. Is Losing Fight Against Terror"
Sounds like an interesting book.
Excerpts:
[T]he author is identified only as "Anonymous," but former intelligence officials identified him as a 22-year veteran of the C.I.A. who is still serving in a senior counterterrorism post at the agency and headed the bin Laden station from 1996 to 1999. ...
"U.S. leaders refuse to accept the obvious," the officer writes. "We are fighting a worldwide Islamic insurgency — not criminality or terrorism — and our policy and procedures have failed to make more than a modest dent in enemy forces."
The author says the threat is rooted in opposition not to American values, but to policies and actions, particularly in the Islamic world. ...
[A CIA] official said the book had been vetted to insure that it not include classified information. "We still have freedom of speech," the official said. "It doesn't mean that we endorse the book, but employees are free to express their opinions."
Excerpts:
[T]he author is identified only as "Anonymous," but former intelligence officials identified him as a 22-year veteran of the C.I.A. who is still serving in a senior counterterrorism post at the agency and headed the bin Laden station from 1996 to 1999. ...
"U.S. leaders refuse to accept the obvious," the officer writes. "We are fighting a worldwide Islamic insurgency — not criminality or terrorism — and our policy and procedures have failed to make more than a modest dent in enemy forces."
The author says the threat is rooted in opposition not to American values, but to policies and actions, particularly in the Islamic world. ...
[A CIA] official said the book had been vetted to insure that it not include classified information. "We still have freedom of speech," the official said. "It doesn't mean that we endorse the book, but employees are free to express their opinions."
"Breaking codes: An impossible task?"
Pretty good article on how, if true, the NSA may have broken the encryption used by the Iranian intelligence service.
Hint: The answer is not a lot of computers in the NSA basement.
Second thought: Unless they have quantum computers in the basement...
Synopsis:
Recent reports that the United States had broken codes used by the Iranian intelligence service have intrigued experts on cryptology because a modern cipher should be unbreakable.
Hint: The answer is not a lot of computers in the NSA basement.
Second thought: Unless they have quantum computers in the basement...
Synopsis:
Recent reports that the United States had broken codes used by the Iranian intelligence service have intrigued experts on cryptology because a modern cipher should be unbreakable.
"Liposuction Doesn't Offer Health Benefit, Study Finds"
It's not the weight that kills, it's the unhealthy food.
Excerpt:
Having 20 pounds of fat removed by liposuction makes people look better but provides none of the protection from heart disease and diabetes that would result from losing the same amount of weight through diet and exercise, researchers are reporting. ...
One reason for the finding may be that liposuction removes fat only from under the skin, whereas dieting and exercise reduce deeper deposits in the organs and inside the abdomen; such deposits are believed to be more dangerous. In addition, while liposuction removes some fat cells, it does not shrink the billions left behind. Dieting does shrink fat cells, making them less prone to release harmful substances.
Excerpt:
Having 20 pounds of fat removed by liposuction makes people look better but provides none of the protection from heart disease and diabetes that would result from losing the same amount of weight through diet and exercise, researchers are reporting. ...
One reason for the finding may be that liposuction removes fat only from under the skin, whereas dieting and exercise reduce deeper deposits in the organs and inside the abdomen; such deposits are believed to be more dangerous. In addition, while liposuction removes some fat cells, it does not shrink the billions left behind. Dieting does shrink fat cells, making them less prone to release harmful substances.
"At Grand Central, Stuck After 1:30 A.M."
Cute little piece about what happens when people miss the last train to the northern New York suburbs from Grand Central.
Excerpt:
This is the story of the people left behind on the platform when the last train late at night goes out of Grand Central Terminal. These tearful, angry and sometimes inebriated passengers blame that final mojito, a slow-moving high-heeled companion, or a maître d' who swore that rail service to the northern suburbs of New York City never stops.
Excerpt:
This is the story of the people left behind on the platform when the last train late at night goes out of Grand Central Terminal. These tearful, angry and sometimes inebriated passengers blame that final mojito, a slow-moving high-heeled companion, or a maître d' who swore that rail service to the northern suburbs of New York City never stops.
"Some Popular S.U.V.'s Fare Badly in Rollover Tests"
Wait, but I thought an S.U.V. made you invincible! No? Well, at least they'll save on gas money.
Excerpts:
The results underscore that sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks are not as safe as many consumers believe because they ride higher from the ground than passenger cars do. Generally speaking, S.U.V.'s and pickup trucks have higher fatality rates for their occupants than passenger cars, and substantially higher death rates than minivans.
And the problem shows no sign of going away. While the Explorer involved in the lawsuit was a 1997 model, the version tested by the government was an extensively redesigned 2004 model. ...
Consumer groups have been sharply critical of the government's new testing because it has inflated grades for some vehicles; even the Tacoma that tipped up on two wheels received four of five stars on the test, a finding that baffled some experts.
Excerpts:
The results underscore that sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks are not as safe as many consumers believe because they ride higher from the ground than passenger cars do. Generally speaking, S.U.V.'s and pickup trucks have higher fatality rates for their occupants than passenger cars, and substantially higher death rates than minivans.
And the problem shows no sign of going away. While the Explorer involved in the lawsuit was a 1997 model, the version tested by the government was an extensively redesigned 2004 model. ...
Consumer groups have been sharply critical of the government's new testing because it has inflated grades for some vehicles; even the Tacoma that tipped up on two wheels received four of five stars on the test, a finding that baffled some experts.
"Kurds Threaten to Walk Away From Iraqi State"
Not good, not good. Hopefully they aren't truly serious, but only trying to bargain...
Excerpt:
A crisis for the new Iraqi government loomed Tuesday as Kurdish leaders threatened to withdraw from the Iraqi state unless they received guarantees against Shiite plans to limit Kurdish self-rule.
In a letter to President Bush this week, the two main Kurdish leaders, Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani, wrote that the Kurds would "refrain from participating in the central government" in Baghdad if any attempt was made by the new government to nullify the interim Iraqi constitution adopted in March.
Shiite leaders have said repeatedly in recent weeks that they intend to remove parts of the interim constitution that essentially grant the Kurds veto power over the permanent constitution, which is scheduled to be drafted and ratified next year.
Excerpt:
A crisis for the new Iraqi government loomed Tuesday as Kurdish leaders threatened to withdraw from the Iraqi state unless they received guarantees against Shiite plans to limit Kurdish self-rule.
In a letter to President Bush this week, the two main Kurdish leaders, Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani, wrote that the Kurds would "refrain from participating in the central government" in Baghdad if any attempt was made by the new government to nullify the interim Iraqi constitution adopted in March.
Shiite leaders have said repeatedly in recent weeks that they intend to remove parts of the interim constitution that essentially grant the Kurds veto power over the permanent constitution, which is scheduled to be drafted and ratified next year.
"Lawyers Decided Bans on Torture Didn't Bind Bush"
You'd wonder why one would be investigating these directions if he intended not to pursue them...
Excerpt:
A team of administration lawyers concluded in a March 2003 legal memorandum that President Bush was not bound by either an international treaty prohibiting torture or by a federal antitorture law because he had the authority as commander in chief to approve any technique needed to protect the nation's security. ...
The March memorandum, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Monday, is the latest internal legal study to be disclosed that shows that after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks the administration's lawyers were set to work to find legal arguments to avoid restrictions imposed by international and American law.
Excerpt:
A team of administration lawyers concluded in a March 2003 legal memorandum that President Bush was not bound by either an international treaty prohibiting torture or by a federal antitorture law because he had the authority as commander in chief to approve any technique needed to protect the nation's security. ...
The March memorandum, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Monday, is the latest internal legal study to be disclosed that shows that after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks the administration's lawyers were set to work to find legal arguments to avoid restrictions imposed by international and American law.
"Do you get religious about programming languages?"
Interview with Ward Cunningham on MSDN Channel 9. Pretty interesting perspective, particularly the first half.
Warning: It's a video, and I think Windows Media Player is required.
Warning: It's a video, and I think Windows Media Player is required.
"Israel wants Iraq to pay compensation"
I'd have to see more details, but this seems awfully hypocritical of the Israeli government...
Synopsis:
Israel looks set to pursue a compensation claim on behalf of Jews who left Iraq over 50 years ago, despite no such similar consideration for Palestinian refugees.
Synopsis:
Israel looks set to pursue a compensation claim on behalf of Jews who left Iraq over 50 years ago, despite no such similar consideration for Palestinian refugees.
