No Guns For Iraqi Female Police

Here's a place where guns are being taken away.. from some.

While the verdict is out on whether The Surge is working in Iraq, here’s a sign that things aren’t going well: The Los Angeles Times reports that female police officers in Iraq are being forced to hand in their handguns. “Critics say the move is the latest sign of the religious and cultural conservatism that has taken hold in Iraq since Saddam Hussein's ouster ushered in a government dominated by Shiite Muslims,” the article says. Critics of the plan also point out that there won’t be female police officers to frisk other women at checkpoints, investigate rape charges or defend themselves from kidnappings or assassinations since police officers are targeted.

In a country where security is important, depleting your police force of capable officers is not a smart move.

"Saddam's Secrets"

A new book is out that says Saddam wanted to fool Iran into believing he had WMD. To do that, he wanted to make the U.S. believe he had them, too.

Oops, that appears to have worked for those in the U.S. who wanted to believe it.

But there are other nuggets of info, detailed in the story by NBC News, about Saddam and body doubles, and plots to overthrow him. Saddam told all this to an American interrogator, George Piro, who had access to Saddam for five hours a day for seven months.

Here’s the link:


Saddam’s secrets

Report Card

A progress report on Iraq is expected to be issued today. Some news is expected to be good. Some news, not so good. Washington Post

There’s a meeting this afternoon at the White House to discuss a threat of a terror attack from al-Qaeda this summer. This story was reported on Tuesday night. Why wait at least two days to meet about it? ABC (video) What the Homeland Security chief meant by his “gut feeling.” MSNBC (video) A government report says Al-Qaeda is as strong as it was before 9/11. CNN Is the media making too much of this threat? Was this story of a terror threat placed to divert attention from something else? What are your thoughts?

A former Surgeon General under Bush says politics trumped science when talking to the public about stem cells, sex education, and the health of prisoners. New York Times

After eight days and at least 106 dead, “the operation is over” at the Red Mosque in Islamabad. Guardian What’s next for Musharraf? BBC

Jesus! The Vatican says Protestant and Orthodox faiths are “not proper churches.” In a statement that has the blessing of the Pope, the Vatican says it’s “difficult to see how the title of ‘Church’ could possibly be attributed to them” and Roman Catholicism is “the one true Church of Christ.” (London) Times

Remember UNMOVIC? The U.N. group that correctly asserted Saddam didn’t have WMD? The U.S. and U.K. got it shutdown. Newsweek


“A First Date” has a different feel to it depending on which video-sharing site it comes from.

Violent Weekend

A weekend of bombings in Iraq, including one truck bomb near Kirkuk that killed at least 150. Reuters (video) The Iraqi parliament can’t get it together - even reach quorum - to get anything done. ABC (video)

A case attempting to challenge the NSA wiretap program was dismissed by an appeals court. The program is so secret, no one could prove it’s damaging. The irony is “the program’s secrecy is proving to be its best legal protection.” New York Times

After the attempted bombings in London and Glasgow, will the British Muslim community step up and communicate with police to expose other terror cells? Telegraph Britain needs more Muslim spies, says the country’s former domestic spy chief. (London) Times Scotland asks, “Why us?” New York Times

Brainwashed, 10-year-old, wannabe martyrs and President Musharraf’s shaky regime clash at the Red Mosque in Pakistan. (London) Times

Unemployment at over 80% and children living on the street. These photos show the “Secret Lives” of Zimbabwe. Guardian

You’ve probably been hearing a lot about private equity lately. What’s the deal? Economist

Cellphones are combining all kinds of functions these days. This one can be used for self-defense.

Home Soon?

The troops will come home from Iraq - most of them anyway. A small force will remain there for a long time say Pentagon planners. Washington Post

G8 recap. Maybe that $60 billion commitment to fight AIDS in Africa and the other agreements made there aren’t as great as they sound. BBC Here are some examples of where they fell short: Telegraph Sure, the world leaders said they agreed on several things, but does there need to be a summit with these leaders? Time

Why is everything - EVERYTHING! - such a big secret? Washington Post

Can the rich get richer without the poor getting poorer? New York Times What do you think?


Tony, Carmela and AJ get their onion rings. That guy at the counter goes to bathroom. Meadow walks in. Tony looks up. And that’s it? The end of The Sopranos? Was it a winner or a loser?

Dropping some money when dropping an f–bomb is fine if the cash goes to the office swear jar.

The Search Continues..

The search continues for three missing U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Al-Qaeda claims it is holding them. MSNBC

Robert Mugabe can barely sustain his own brutal dictatorship, let alone any type of development. But oddly enough, Zimbabwe elected was chosen to head the U.N. commission of Sustainable Development. Reuters

Careful, there’s another risk in “going down.” Time

Going green is great. But as with anything, there are consequences. ABC

It’s one thing to have your customer service rep live in Bangalore or Mumbai. It’s another to have your news reporter live there when their beat is the Pasadena, CA City Council. Los Angeles Times

Equity group buys Chrysler. Financial Times

The price of stamps went up 16 months ago. The price goes up again today. And now there are “forever stamps.” AP/MSNBC

It’s always better when other people have friends like these, and you’re just a spectator.

Bon Jour

Who is the guy just elected president of France? France 24 (video)

Mental health and ethical issues plague U.S. Soldiers and Marines serving in Iraq. Example: "Less than half of Soldiers and Marines believed that non-combatants should be treated with dignity and respect." Washington Post

Why has the Bush Administration, and Condoleezza Rice in particular, been seemingly more diplomatic lately? Newsweek

The situation in Zimbabwe seems to be resolved: The oppressive Robert Mugabe will remain in power until 2013! (London) Times

Israelis are saying it’s time for their PM to go. So, why is Olmert sticking around? Time

They may not merge, but Microsoft and Yahoo could hook up in a few different ways. Wall Street Journal

Balls: Astronaut Wally Schirra told his boss “Go to Hell!” and blasted off sitting atop three different spaceships. Have you done either? Time

This clip starts off as yet another Mac/PC parody, but turns into Spider-Man and Batman finding out they have a lot in common.

The Date Is Off

Dems back off on a date to withdraw from Iraq, but they - and some Republicans - still want some conditions for war funding. Washington Post It’s al-Qaeda again? Washington Post Take a look at another effort by King George to execute warrantless searches. New York Times

7/7 bombing victims call for an inquiry on how MI-5 missed the bombers. After the attack investigators said the suicide bombers were “clean skins” - unknown to MI-5. (London) Times Police were pursuing the 7/7 leader five months before the attacks. Guardian

What’s going on with the secularists in Turkey? BBC

Arrests warrants have been issued by the International Criminal Court for a Sudanese minister and a militia leader for war crimes in Darfur. Let’s see if this warrant has teeth and the men are arrested. AP/The Australian

Do you bank with JP Morgan-Chase? According to this video, they don’t dispose of their customer information properly. CNN Money

That contaminant that got into your pet’s food may have also gotten into YOUR food. Reuters (video)

Why did NASA refuse a partnership with Russia on the second Moon shot? Telegraph Meanwhile, be healthy on your trip to Mars or you might get voted off the spaceship. AP/CNN

How much do countries give in aid. Maybe a little. Maybe a lot. It depends on how you count it. Economist

Enjoy a few pints beer over the course of the week? It could make your brain smaller. (Melbourne) Age But making that pint could be good for the environment. BBC

The big De La Hoya-Mayweather fight is on Saturday night. And it will continue on Sunday, and Monday..

Guilty

Five men were found guilty of plotting to use fertilizer to cause a series of explosions in Britain. Telegraph One of the men had links to the 7/7 bombers who killed 52 people in 2005. That link was known before those attacks. ITV

Former spy chief George Tenet defends his role in the lead up to 9/11 and the Iraq invasion. He also chats about enhanced interrogation techniques (um.. Torture?) and the “slam dunk” remark. 60 Minutes (video) Six former CIA officials say Tenet was ”the Alberto Gonzales of the intelligence community.” As head of the CIA they say Tenet was “a grotesque mixture of incompetence and sycophancy shielded by a genial personality." Ouch! CNN

Protesters rally for secularism in Turkey as the military hints at a coup if an candidate with an Islamist past is elected president. (London) Times

Iran will attend a regional meeting this week on creating stability in Iraq. It could lead to a high level one-on-one chit-chat between the U.S. and Iran. Reuters

Still doing a heckuva job. $854 million in foreign assistance was offered to the U.S. after Katrina. Twenty months later, only $40 million has been used. MSNBC (video)

Celebrities come out to raise awareness about the genocide Darfur. AFP/France 24

Hate tying that half-Windsor every morning? A frou-frou group in Hong Kong is promoting the Mandarin collar that doesn’t need a tie. Reuters (video)

Here’s what happens when a Gap parody for Mom and Dad goes wrong. What the hell is a “boyfriend trouser” anyway?

It's A Date

The House of Representatives passes $124 billion spending bill for Iraq. It says U.S. troops must begin to withdraw by October 1. Washington Post

Testify! A House panel votes to subpoena Condoleezza Rice over pre-war intelligence. She and the White House are reluctant to accept the invitation. Reuters

An obit on “Tsar” Boris Yeltsin: Russia’s first democratically elected leader who died on Monday. The Australian He had some memorable moments including dancing and making Bill Clinton howl with laughter. Here’s a list - including video - of his not-so-greatest hits: Guardian

Alberto Gonzales gets the “Brownie, you’re doing a heckuva job,” type of support from Bush. Which means he doesn’t have a lot of job security. Bloomberg

Is the BlackBerry software sweeter than the device? Washington Post

Ever fearful you’re on next Oceanic flight #815? Statistically, air accidents are more or less likely depending on where you go. Economist

He cuts taxes and cuts a rug. Bush boogies at a White House event. Brace yourself. It’s as bad as you think.

There Is Other News

A series of bombings killed at least 158 people and possibly close to 200 in Baghdad on Wednesday. The largest explosion was in a market, which one witness said turned into “a swimming pool of blood.” BBC

The Supreme Court upholds a ban on partial birth abortions. The ruling doesn’t overturn Roe v. Wade, but it could “encourage antiabortion state legislatures to pass laws not only adding new restrictions but looking to challenge Roe itself.” Washington Post

Even after 32 people murdered at VA Tech, Congress isn’t likely to make any big moves on gun control any time soon. MSNBC

UK pound pounded through the $2 mark on Tuesday for the first time since 1992. It stayed over $2 on Wednesday. BBC

Did you think you were “suffering alone?” Or was it a blessing when CrackBerry service went down on Tuesday night? New York Times

Do-over! Some people want to scrap the Internet and start it up again from scratch. (Melbourne) Age

Timing is everything, and the White Sox’s Mark Buehrle pitched his no-hitter at a lucrative time. Fox Sports

You’re supposed to look both ways before crossing the street AND the train tracks.

More Time

The Pentagon extends tours for active-duty soldiers from 12 to 15 months in Iraq and Afghanistan. New York Times

The attack on the Algerian prime minister’s office by a group recently affiliated with al-Qaeda brings renewed fear in that country. BBC What threat could this group cause to France and the rest of Europe? Time

More Power? The National Intelligence Director - America’s spy chief - wants to give intelligence agencies even more power. AP/MSNBC

Behind Iran’s announcement of an industrial-scale nuclear program. It’s not all it’s hyped up to be. Time Background Q&A on the Iran nuclear standoff and nuclear weapons around the world. BBC

Don’t understand the extent of the genocide in Darfur? See it on Google Earth. Reuters

First, Live Aid. Then, Live 8. This summer: Live Earth which intends to raise awareness about the environment. (London) Times

Writer Kurt Vonnegut has died at the age of 84. New York Times


These action figures are pretty realistic.. And gory: Jets, flamethrowers, and in the accessory kit, ground beef!

UK Hostages On Video

Iran releases a letter said to be written by the captured female sailor and a video in which she said the sailors were in Iranian waters. There’s no way to know if she was coerced into speaking. The letter’s included here. Guardian Here are video clips of her and the other captives: CNN (video) Britain says it has evidence showing the marines and sailors weren’t in Iranian waters. BBC ..And steps up the pressure on Iran. Telegraph

We’ll know soon if funding for the Iraq war will be cut. If it is, the effects won’t be felt for several months. Los Angeles Times

If you have the name that even resembles a name or alias of a terrorism suspect, you could be on a list available online that private businesses who can decide whether or not they want to deny you business. Washington Post

Ninety years ago on April 6, the U.S. entered World War I. One of the last four surviving U.S. veterans of “the war to end all wars” talks about serving. Many of the issues of in the world today can be traced back to WWI. USA Today

Certain people can carry a gun in the U.S. Capitol, but they can’t carry it to the Capitol. Besides offering insight on why nothing gets done Washington, do congressmen and senators need to be packing heat? Washington Post

What you drink and your health. New York Times

Shed pounds. Watch porn.. Panda porn. Just another day in life of a panda getting ready to mate. AP/The Australian

JibJab’s new video breaks down breaking news, runaway broncos, President Bush and “Brit’s putty-tat.” It’s what they call The News.

Four Years And Counting

A comprehensive poll about Iraqi opinion four years after the Coalition invasion of the country. ABC Violence by the numbers. BBC Iraqis are turning against al-Qaeda and turning them in. Channel 4/Guardian (video)

Voluntarily or by subpoena, Karl Rove may testify in front of a Senate committee about those U.S. Attorney firings. Reuters

As Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe’s oppressive regime begins to break, here’s a look at how he stayed in power for 27 years by oppressing, starving and kicking Zimbabweans out of their homes. Telegraph

The U.N. is watching, but doing nothing, about the atrocities in Darfur. Economist

She speaks: Valerie Plame, whose outing as a CIA officer lead to former Cheney chief-of- staff Scooter Libby’s conviction of lying to the FBI and a grand jury, told a House committee her side of that long complicated story. Washington Post

Here’s why some conservative Republicans don’t like presidential candidates who are more concerned with the Second Commandment than the Second Amendment. Time

Take a look at what Fido and Whiskers are eating. There is a major pet food recall linked to 10 pet deaths. USA Today Here are the 50 brands of dog food and 40 brands of cat food being recalled.

Evander Holyfield is on the comeback trail and doing well, but maybe “The Real Deal” should throw in the towel while he’s ahead. Sports Illustrated

We wonder what these guns would sound like with silencers.

Gone Fishing

The FBI has been playing fast and loose with it’s Patriot Act Powers by fishing for info on U.S. citizens. Between 2003 and 2005, the Bureau “issued more than 143,000 requests for information on more than 52,000 people” about half of whom were U. S. citizens and asked the phone companies for “more than 3,000 phone numbers -- often without a subpoena, without an emergency or even without an investigative case” by using National Security Letters. Washington Post What is a National Security Letter? AP/Houston Chronicle

“First Step:” The U.S. and Iran met with other countries to figure out what to do about Iraq. New York Times Iran may already be in Iraq (not how you might think). And why would they be so happy to get the U.S. out of Iraq? Independent Iran wants to take its nuclear case to the U.N. Security Council. AP/MSNBC Bush asks for more troops for Afghanistan and even more troops for Iraq. He wants to cut some domestic programs to pay for it. USA Today

Good news from the Bureau, considering the top post today: The FBI has set up a task force to prosecute the “last of the lynchers” thought to be involved in Civil Rights Era crimes. Guardian

There are very few ways to escape that 2-year sentence known as a cell phone contract, but it’s not impossible. New York Times

The game of darts is under fire in - of all places - England, where only 10% of bar-goers surveyed have thrown a dart in the last year. Telegraph

It’s NCAA Tournament Time.. And therefore Tournament Pool Time. Here’s the bracket: Sports Illustrated


The criminally-minded folks that used to produce “The Man Show” put a smart-mouthed boy scout in front of a liquor store to see if people would buy him beer. We wonder if a “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” charge followed this clip.

A Plan Of Their Own?

House Dems may agree on a plan for Iraq: $100 million in appropriation for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, then out of Iraq by the end of ‘07. AP/Yahoo Problem: A general on the ground says the Bush-proposed troop build-up will need to last to February ‘08. New York Times U.S. Commander in Iraq says there’s no “military solution” to Iraq. You gotta start talking. Reuters

Now that the Libby trial is over, the question is: Will Bush pardon him? Washington Post

Why do people who criticize the Russian government end up shot or dead? Telegraph And why is Russia a deadly place for journalists? Guardian

For all the trouble starting Daylight Saving Time this weekend could cause - hopefully we wont’ be calling it Y2K7 - will we be saving any energy the proponents claim? Time

By 2010, you could be one of 32 million paying more taxes because of the AMT. CNN Money

It’s Go Time! 91-year-old man challenges 92-year-old Jack Lalanne to a boxing match. Don King will be asked if he’s interested in promoting it. Only in America. AP/Yahoo

Did your furry friend suddenly died? Or maybe you’re pooch likes leaving deposits on your rug? Wouldn’t it be great if there were a pet service like NetFlix so you always had a cool pet?

Can We Talk?

After resistance talking to Syria and Iran - a recommendation of the Iraq Study Group - the U.S. will talk to the two countries about Iraq. Washington Post This change of course, along with the change in policy over North Korea, isn’t a change that happened overnight. New York Times And now there are doubts about North Korea’s uranium enrichment program. Washington Post

Worldwide markets collectively freaked out on Tuesday when China’s stocks took a dip on Tuesday. Did the rest of the world overreact? Time Amidst its financial ascendance, China proclaimed socialism for another 100 years. Telegraph U.S. stocks to open today lower as Asian stocks have another tough day, but reports and deals could help keep U.S. number up. CNNMoney

McCain tells Letterman he’s officially in the race for president. Presumably, McCain didn’t announce on a news show because he’s already been running for months now. Late Show (video)

Do you have to practice what you preach? Especially if you’ve won an Oscar for your preachin’? Al Gore’s Tennessee home bill averages about $1200 a month. AP/Yahoo

One in four U.S. women age 14 - 59 have HPV, an STD that could lead to cervical cancer. Reuters

Japanese cars top the list of reliable rides according to a Consumer Reports survey. MSNBC Here are the picks: Consumer Reports

What Do You Think? Check this out: A man is suing his ex-fiancé because she won’t return the $48,000 engagement ring he bought her two years ago. No word about who broke it off, but does he have a right to ask for it back? Is an engagement ring given on the condition the couple walks down the aisle? Or once the rock is given, it’s hers even if they go splitsville. Let us know at Joe.


Feeling a little dirty? Being a little sinful? Look out for The Bible Thumpers! This God Squad is out to kick ass and save souls.



The Morning Joe will be taking a break on Monday, March 5. We’ll be posting again on Thursday, March 8. Have a good week!

Movin' Out

The UK will withdraw about 1600 of its 7100 troops out of Iraq. Blair’s statement in the House of Commons: Guardian The Bush Administration said it’s a good thing. AP/USA Today The pullout means more politically than it does on the ground. Economist

Beyond the revelation that the U.S. and Iran are “natural allies,” here’s a very interesting and hopeful interview with a senior Iranian official: CNN Meanwhile, an International Atomic Energy Agency report to be released today is expected to say Iran has accelerated its uranium enrichment program. Reuters

That baby born at only 22 weeks went home on Wednesday. Not to be cold-hearted, but this writer asks if the baby should have been kept alive: Guardian

Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe tNurned 83 on Wednesday and will celebrate with a lavish party on Saturday. Why is that significant? With inflation at 1600%, impoverished Zimbabweans literally can’t find a loaf of bread on store shelves. New York Times

The E.U. wants to say, “We know who you are and we know what you did,” on your mobile and on the Internet. New York Times

Sirriusly, what does the satellite radio XMerger XMean for listeners? AP/Yahoo

Is it looking like you’ll be spending every weekend at a wedding this spring? Here’s one couple’s solution: Reuters


In the latest parody of the PC vs. Mac ads, it’s Gates vs. Jobs, in which we learn Macs get you laid and the Commodore 64 is a dirty old computer.

Do We Believe Them? (Part 2)

Do We Believe Them? (Part 2) Bush says it’s “preposterous” that the Administration would make up the story that Iran is giving weapons to Iraqi insurgents. He added he’s not looking for a pretext for war. Then why does it feel like it’s 2003 and we’re talking about Saddam? Washington Post

A “first step” was reached to dismantle the North Korean nuclear program. BBC Why a deal now with a member of the Axis of Evil? Newsweek What does this mean for the nuke standoff with Iran? Los Angeles Times

Russia, China, Indian chat about making a more “democratic ‘multipolar world.’” (London) Times

New Yorkers and Californians are most likely to be the victims of identity theft. Reuters

DaimlerChrysler cuts 13,000 Chrysler jobs, and could be cutting the entire Chrysler unit. CNBC

Iverson joins Kidd, Nash and others who are out injured for this weekend’s All-Star game because of an injury. Here’s the line-up.. As long as no one else has an injury. ESPN

Beyonce in swimsuits.

Models in Swimsuits.

It’s all in the

2007 Sports Illustrated

Swimsuit Issue.

Do We Believe Them?

U.S. Intelligence says Iran is behind bombings that have killed U.S. troops in Iraq. Washington Post The hottest ticket in Damascus, Syria: Dinner at the Iranian Embassy. Time

It’s official: The BaRock Star threw his hat in. And he had an eventful first weekend. CNN It’s ridiculous that some actually question this, but yes, he is black. New York Times Stephen Colbert breaks it down. The Colbert Report (video)

Since the build-up to the invasion of Iraq, there’s been back and forth about supporting the troops or undermining the troops. What does that mean? Time

He pushed through campaign finance reform legislation. Now McCain is tapping that big cash for his own campaign. Washington Post

Everyone knows an 8-megapixel camera is better than a 4-megapixel camera, right? Blowing up the Megapixel Myth: New York Times

Are the Blue Devils done? Fox Sports

You go to Vegas for gambling, food, shows, and what ever else happens you think should stay there. But would you want to see a pro sports team there? New York Times

There was some sarcasm in the Cafferty file on Anna Nicole Smith when CNN’s Jack Cafferty talked to Wolf Blitzer.