The surge is working, just ask Ki-Moon

The AP is reporting that a rocket attack was launched near the Prime Minister office during a joint news conference with UN Secrtary Ban Ki-Moon and Nouri Maliki.

The report states that "Small chips of debris floated downn from the ceiling above the UN chief after the explosion.." He had to duck under the podium for safety. Maybe we could send in another 21,500 troops to help with securing the city. This is incredible.

•  Ban Ki-moon is Korean

  Ki-moon (listed second) is his first name. Ban (listed first) is his last name. Wanted to clarify that.

  by Nathaniel Ament Stone on Thu Mar 22, 2007 at 07:16:29 AM PDT

  •  "Last name" = family name

    and "first name" = given name.  Because in most Asian societies, the (Asian) first name is the (Western) last name.

    by BachFan on Thu Mar 22, 2007 at 08:30:22 AM PDT

    •  And in ancient Rome

      The words, "family names" and "given names" are preferable. Ban is his last name, look how he uses it; it's just his family name.

      The use of family names first has been quite common throughout history. Gaius Julius Caesar had the given name "Caesar."

      by Frank Palmer on Thu Mar 22, 2007 at 09:13:01 AM PDT

•  Maliki

  Does he look a little burned out?That was far from a "normal" reaction even for a resident of Bagdad.

  by kayfromsouth on Thu Mar 22, 2007 at 07:23:42 AM PDT

  •  Burned out indeed, I

    really think he wishes that he could resign, and that he regrets taking the job in the first place.

    by Russ Jarmusch on Thu Mar 22, 2007 at 07:30:24 AM PDT

•  Remember Wolfowitz's wake up call?

  Paul Wolfowitz made a triumphant visit to Iraq only to be greeted by an insurget rocket attack on his hotel that almost killed him. Nothing has changed. We are hated occupiers in a hostile land. How many more Americans must die before we leave?

  by ANKOSS on Thu Mar 22, 2007 at 07:33:54 AM PDT