Blogging Lite

Tank's having a couple of rough days after his chemo (Vincristine this time) Wednesday. So, I'm going to just toss up a couple of articles I've found interesting. Commentary (mine) may or may not be included.

I wonder how anyone can take the op-eds Molly Ivins writes seriously. Unfortunately, too many do. The day after Iraq's latest elections, Ivin's nonsense is titled Despite Bush's claims, situation grows steadily worse in Iraq.

. . . the oil production and electricity in Iraq both remain below pre-war standards.

I don't know about oil production, but based on her obvious familitarity with Iraq's electrical system, I doubt Ivins does, either.

Iraq's electrical system is being extended throughout the entire country instead of it just being available to Saddam and his favored few. Its capacity has also being increased. Both are continuing projects.

In addition to the insurgency blowing up sections of it at every opportunity, there's another "problem," a bigger one, that Ivins has no interest in and it isn't going to be solved any time soon.

Iraq's booming economy has people going out and buying television sets, air conditioning units and other electricty-eating appliances that they never had before, and this new usage is outstripping the increases. Bad. Add to that one other thing: Right now and a holdover from Saddam's time, Iraqis don't pay for the electricity they consume. It's free so there's no need for individuals or families to conserve.

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We are so constituted that we believe the most incredible things; and, once they are engraved upon the memory, woe to him who would endeavor to erase them.

—Goethe, 1774

Writing for Commentary Magazine, Wilfred M. McCray takes a look at the blame game in The Storm Over Katrina.

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Eye on the UN (if you haven't bookmarked this site, you really should) points to a webcast, and says that John Bolton isn't the only UN ambassador telling Kofi & Company that unless they get busy on reform, their country's purse strings may tighten. Way to go Canada!

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Grab a barf bag before Seeing the humanity in the man When lights went out during Tookie interview, reporter was illuminated.

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That's it. Tank's saying "I think I gotta go, again."