This week, the Republicans announced their grand campaign strategy:
Sure enough, they are already working that strategy like its an "I Win" button.
Fortunately, we have ideas, passion, and maybe even a few people with spines. And more importantly, we have the weekend, and you have a pot of hot tea and a selection of ever-stimulating, ever-entertaining ITEMS!
ITEM! Every war has its signature bloodbath. Six years ago it was Fallujah in Iraq. This year it's Nuristan.
ITEM! Elections are being held now in Iraq, and the conventional wisdom appears to favor a strong-arm, would-be dictator, Ayed Alawi. Of course, Sadr is making his own move even though he remains loyal to Alawi's basic ticket. Pretty much everyone acknowledges that the new government will be nationalistic, will hold up the image of an Iraq united against ethnic and sectarian strife, and will have Iranian support.
Meanwhile, the Kurdish provinces are trending more towards independence.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: if another civil war breaks out, it will be Kurds vs. Everyone Else.
ITEM! What are the odds of health care reform being passed by June 30th? Intrade has it at slightly better than even money. Is this in response to Obama's going "all-in" in HCR?
CAPYBARA!
Yes, I do like these creatures!
ITEM! A defense of the U3 as the "official" unemployment rate here. No, I don't (completely) agree with it; I present it for your consideration.
ITEM! The North Korean government apparently can't even get Linux right. More here.
ITEM! Internet Explorer 6 has reached the end of its support life. In commemoration of this event, a funeral was held.
ITEM! We just got our copies of SilKMilK in the post from Australia, and man, do they look gorgeous! Liv has two of her prints in this edition, Shub-Niggurath and Coagulation, and there are hundreds of other works of art, pretty words and other things to stimulate the mind and the soul in there -- plus a CD of music and a DVD of video works! Why not grab your own? For information on ordering, go here!
And now, a word from our sponsors.
(I think we now understand why the Soviet Union collapsed.)