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Nuclear site in Syria, says US

Anglosphere

What could it be, a nuclear site or military facility? The US says one thing, Syria another.

"Is it logical for a nuclear site to be left without protection and not guarded by anti-aircraft guns?" Assad told the Qatari newspaper Al-Watan.

...

He reiterated that the site destroyed by the Israelis was "a Syrian military position under construction and not a nuclear reactor."

No, it is not very logical for a nuclear site to be left without protection and not guarded by anti-aircraft guns. It is however still a lot more logical than a military facility to be left without protection and not guarded by anti-aircraft guns.

New Hampshire chooses weakness

Anglosphere

Hillary Clinton credited her emotional outburst on Monday for her victory in the Democratic primaries in New Hampshire.

Am I the only one who is alarmed by that? Does part of the USA seriously consider a president who, in response to a terrorist threat or Iranian provocation, would burst out in tears? That ought not be the kind of leadership to look forward to.

That said, I wonder how much the Obama-Clinton race is going to hurt the Democrats in the long run. The media coverage for this race is so high that by the end of the year people might very well be entirely fed up with either candidate. This could possibly play in the hands of either McCain or Huckabee.

Electoral Compass USA 2008

Anglosphere

Too lazy to actually listen to the candidates? Want to know whom to vote for in just a few minutes? Take the electoral compass! I myself ended up closest to Ron Paul, however we don't seem to agree about Iraq very much. When leaving out the issues "Iraq", "national security" and "terrorism", I'm closest to Rudy Giuliani.

Bada-bada-Obama

Anglosphere

Even though I probably would be happiest with Ron Paul for president (based on a test I'll link later), I'm also happy Obama beat Clinton yesterday. Not because I am a huge fan of his, but rather because I can't stand Hillary. Besides, I reckon America is not ready for a black president even more so than it is for a female one. A shame in itself but as it helps the Republicans at the end of the year you won't see me grieve over it.

Happy 4th of July!

Anglosphere

For the 34.2% of my readers who are from the US: happy birthday to your country!

(And now back to work.)

We're at war (duh)

Anglosphere

North Korea says "it would regard harsh sanctions over its nuclear test as a declaration of war".

Shock, horror, eek, panic. Oh wait, isn't this the country that in 1950 was at war with South Korea, the United Nations and through extension, the United States of America? Yup. Well here's a fun fact that apparently even the Koreans are forgetting: it still is. Nothing more than a cease-fire was ever signed - and even from that the DPRK withdrew some time ago.

The not-so-often-told success story of Iraq

Anglosphere

Slow but steady, Iraq is expanding its security forces, allowing the US to gradually withdrawl as has been promised from the start. Or as Neil said off-journal: "we're winning in Iraq". Indeed we are. Where "we" means not just the United States or United Kingdom, but also Iraq itself and basically every single person who stays united in the fight against terrorism.

Check out Neil's post for the map. It's a shame it doesn't include Iran and Syria, but let's be patient just like we were with Iraq. Leave the whining to the Democrats, leftists, appeasers and other jerks.

Netherlands the best

Anglosphere

Looks like Holland cares most about the poor and the environment:

The Netherlands is the rich nation which does the most to improve lives in developing countries, a Center for Global Development (CGD) report says.

While the Netherlands led the pack on generous investment and aid as well as measures to curb greenhouse gases, the CGD added they could work harder.

Yeah? If we lead the pack, shouldn't the CDG moan about everyone else?

I'm really trying to have an open viewpoint here, but this research looks sloppy. For example, the CGD criticises the US for an apparent 90% inefficiency of aid to Iraq, but they include greenhouse gas emission as criterium even though mankind is only responsible for roughly 10% of total global output, so a similar inefficiency is inherent.

I have read some PDFs on their web site and it is still unclear to me what exactly the CDG is proposing we do to solve all the misery in the world. It's easy to say we don't do enough yet criticise all we are doing, but any organisation asking for more effort and money to aid their cause will need to be able to provide some solid arguments for their case.

The Netherlands are the best. But at what exactly? Adhering to vague mission statements?

DKNWZ, Dutch 9/11 political party

European Union

It's summertime and the loonies are active again, at least they are in Holland: action group Dit Kan Niet Waar Zijn (DKNWZ, this cannot be true) is going to run in the elections later this year and promises to re-open the American 9/11 investigation.

Good luck. One of the first laws the party plans to introduce is rumoured to be one where airplanes slamming into concrete leave a cartoon-like shape in the building, so future generations will not consider their paranoid delusions to be somewhat reasonable. Lunacy.

Warped Tour plan

Gigs

It's been four years since I've been to the US. It's about time I'm going again, so hereby I announce the plan to go back next summer - ten years after first setting foot in the New World.

I'll be trying to visit some Warped Tour dates and visit the Bay Area again (San Francisco rules!). I'm going to save up a bit of money upfront, I can do a quick Eurotrip on the fly but for a long US vacation it's a good idea to set some money aside.

Anyone who wants to tag along? Sure, I know everybody is skint but I'm sure we could work something out. No idea who'll be playing at Warped but it will be much fun!

Latest photos

2006-05-21 21:17
All Star and Stripes
All Star and Stripes
(5 comments)
2002-08-09 16:45
Lake Tahoe III
Lake Tahoe III
(0 comments)
2002-08-07 17:09
Typically SF
Typically SF
(0 comments)

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Tom has more friends but mine are prettier! (#1/1)