Odds and Ends

Another series of news/commentary flying under the radar amidst the madness-

First up, good news from the United Nations! Reuters reports that "The U.N. Security Council on Thursday voted to create a United Nations peacekeeping force in Sudan's Darfur region, despite the Khartoum government's strong opposition... The United Nations wants to replace or absorb an African Union force in Darfur, which has only enough money to exist until its mandate expires on September 30 and has been unable to end the humanitarian crisis in the lawless west of the country, which the United States has called a 'genocide'." Of course, it must be noted that "the troops will not be deployed until Sudan agrees".

In other positive news, U.S. Muslims speak out against the extremists in their religion.

An Iraqi public opinion poll finds that "91.7% of Iraqis oppose the presence of coalition troops in the country, up from 74.4% in 2004. 84.5% are 'strongly opposed'. Among Sunnis, opposition to the US presence went from 94.5% to 97.9% (97.2% 'strongly opposed'). Among Shia, opposition to the US presence went from 81.2% to 94.6%, with 'strongly opposed' going from 63.5% to 89.7%. Even among the Kurds, opposition went from 19.6% to 63.3%. In other words, it isn't just that Iraqis oppose the American presence - it's that their feelings are intense".

Why are we there again?

Meanwhile, an AP/Ipsos polls finds 60% of America say the war increases the risk of terrorism.

And U.S. military leaders plan to spend $20 million to buy good PR for the war.

In other news, Pat Buchanan really hates minorities.

Republican Senator Conrad Burns said that the United States is up against a faceless enemy of terrorists who "drive taxi cabs in the daytime and kill at night." Take a bow, Senator, you earned it.

Is the GOP planning to play the race card as the elections approach?

Two old coot Senators- Ted Stevens (R-AK) and Robert Byrd (D-WV)- were unmasked by a bipartisan blog effort to uncover who in the Senate was blocking legislation to create a public, user-friendly database of all government spending (in short: pork accountability). Kudos to the bloggers and fingers crossed for the bill's passage.

When asked if he was worried his candidacy might hurt the chances of Democratic congressional candidates in Connecticut, Sen. Lieberman said "They should have thought of that during the primary, but here we are." Gosh, I can't imagine why you lost that election, Joe.

Barry Goldwater... liberal hero?

Powerline's John Hinderaker wants Bill Frist for President. Please God, please God, let the Republicans be stupid enough to nominate this moron in 2008. Why that'd be like the Democrats... being stupid enough to nominate Hillary Clinton.

Finally, Robert Scheer doesn't think Bill Clinton should celebrate his 'welfare reform'.