Iraqnam: ready for its Tet?

While attempts to form an actual government in Iraqnam founder, insurgents acted like a real army in attacking Abu Ghraib prison from several directions and with coordinated tactics. Although taken by surprise, U.S. called in the Marines to secure the area, ending 40 minutes or so of fighting. The Washington Post reports 18 U.S. wounded, the Times reports 20.

While not as dramatic or effective as the Tet offensive in Vietnam, this does indicate that the so-called insurgency is still strong, and may be getting stronger.

More U.S. military are speaking out against the Rumsfeld led war plan. And as the world mourns the death of the Pope, we wonder how many Catholics---particularly American Catholics---remember that this Pope spoke out strongly against this war, early and often.

Insurgent Attack on Abu Ghraib Wounds 18 U.S. Soldiers (washingtonpost.com)

This just in! Proof that evolution is false!

Why you won't be so worried about gas prices

A UN report that inventories the earth and finds that two-thirds of the systems that keep the planet alive are failing, is getting all kinds of headlines, and we do mean all kinds. Take a look at the Google News list and see what we mean. Because it's all in the interpretation.

One of the more ominious interpretations feeds into our previous warning about how the Corporate Right could coopt the climate crisis: the forecasted shortage of water. While it's certainly true that the costs of natural resources haven't been taken into account adequately, and it's true that the water most of us get for free isn't really cost-free, the interpretation of this could very well lead to the world's water going to the highest bidder.

Of course most of us in the U.S. pay for our drinking water already, out of bottles or from filters. But even though $3 a gallon gasoline prices are coming soon to your American neighborhood, how would you feel about $10 a gallon water?

As for our Canadian friends, I'd think again about missile defense. You may need it to protect your water reserves. Just make sure the damn things are aimed at the U.S.

Here's a summary from the Guardian (thanks to cuz Lemuel) and another:
Sci-Tech Today - Science - Abuse of Ecosystem Threatens Earth

In other new...

Two books on the mystic chords of memory at Books in Heat.

Essay on the film, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock at Soul of Star Trek.