"freaking me out"

"I didn't think I was going to talk about "man on dog" with a United States senator, it's sort of freaking me out." -- And to think, if I lived thirty miles west and across the Delaware, this idiot would be (not) representing me. At least some Republicans are repulsed. But this guy will probably avoid what Lott got. It's a pity.

And Somehow We Survived

The Risks of (our) Childhood -- And somehow we survivied.

Almost here - Babylon 5 Second Season

Almost here - Babylon 5 Second Season DVD Set -- With more features and commentary than Season One...the avalanche has begun; it's too late for the pebbles to vote.

New job for the minister of information

Big White Guy (Randall) has some interesting suspicions about our favorite PR flack...

"Everyone wants to know what happened to the Iraqi Information Minister, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf. But his sudden disappearance, combined with mainland China's persistent denials about the true extent of SARS in its country, leads me to one conclusion...

One never knows, do one?

A Major Loss in Iraq - World Heritage

A Major Loss in Iraq - World Heritage -- Scott Rosenberg's Links & Comment blog has comments on the plundering of artifacts...

"For a war that wasn't about oil...

"I imagine the planners in Washington consider the looting that has wrecked Iraqi cultural edifices, including the legendary National Museum of Antiquities in Baghdad, in the wake of the U.S. "liberation" to be so much minor "collateral damage" -- eggs that have to be broken to make the omelette, that sort of thing. "Regrettable," you know. "Can we move on to the next question?"

"But I can't help thinking about this: While U.S. forces were unable to protect museums in Baghdad (or Mosul, as Salon's Phillip Robertson reported) from looting crowds destroying millennia-old artifacts, it seemed to have plenty of troops available to protect the Iraqi oil ministry in Baghdad."

(link via Ming)

I saw a piece on the news about this story, featuring a very distraught museum director. She was wailing at the destruction of smashed statues from millenia before Christ, and of the disappearance of examples of the first cuneiform writing on clay tablets.

Of course, the loss of such reading material might not seem all that important to a head of state, who responded "I read the newspaper.," in answer to a question about his reading habits, George W. Bush, New Hampshire Republican Debate, Dec. 2, 1999, and later, "Reading is the basics for all learning.," announcing his "Reading First" initiative in Reston, Va., March 28, 2000. (Quote courtesy of speedygrl.)

While the fate of Saddam is still uncertain...

While the fate of Saddam is still uncertain today, one thing is sure -- Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead!

Baptism pool lures grimy soldiers

Baptism pool lures grimy soldiers -- I guess this is what they call a "faith-based" war. I call it grounds for court-martial. Or maybe the good padre should be assigned to test Saddam's white powder stash to see if it's anthrax. If it is, it'll get him closer to his god quicker. (via Backup Brain)

Fashion Statements in Surgical Masks

Big White Guy doesn't seem to appreciate adding style to safety. Why not? A little whimsy can help to get people through difficult times.

Crossing Jordan Soundtrack CD

Crossing Jordan Soundtrack CD -- This wouldn't usually get my attention, if I hadn't been impressed by the music on last night's episode. Looks like good artists and good songs.