We're Movin': This weblog is now here.

Gun Control Stuff: Here's a post on the subject that I should have linked to some time ago, written by someone who's taken a fresh look at the issue and refined his views some.

I helped. 8-)

"Anti-War" Protestors Aim At Prevention, not of Saddam, but of those that oppose him. That article should be paired with this, naturally.

It can also be paired (or, more appropriately, contrasted) with this as well, but for different, more positive reasons.

Of Course They Don't Have Any of These Things, but they're going to use them on the Kurds.

If war comes to Iraq, the Kurds of Kifri will be right in the line of fire. Iraqi officials have threatened that the moment the first American bomb lands, they will reply with a chemical assault on the town.

But in the entire place, there is not a single gas mask to be had, and no detection posts, decontamination centres or safe houses.

This is one reason why we're willing to put up with a lot in order to have a "northern front" that will form a barrier between Saddam's forces and the Kurds.

This is also why I'm reluctant to join those who are joyous over the Turkish refusal because it means we won't have to cut deals with them that might be against Kurdish interests. Frankly, if the price of getting in there in a way that can prevent or at least minimize Iraqi efforts at gassing them to death as soon as the first shot is fired is cutting a deal with Turkey that reduces Kurdish autonomy after the war, I'll accept the deal. I'd rather have the Kurds alive and part of an Iraqi federation than dead but autonomous.

Yes, people are going to die during war. But if we can get our guys in place, fewer will die. Thats why it's been worth it to try and get permission from Turkey even at a fairly steep price and even with all the chain-yanking delays. Though, as I said below, I'm not that patient nor am I keen on re-voting. But I don't think Turkey's refusal is a cause for celebration.

The Turkey Vote is more annoying than anything else. They're talking about re-voting on Tuesday, and they'd only schedule another vote if it's gonna pass. Of course, they (the Turkish government) thought the last vote would give approval. But some of the MPs clearly were voting to play to the crowd last time and will vote "yes" this time.

I have to say, though, that I'm not to keen on a re-vote (though I guess it is part of the game in some of these Parliamentary systems). But then I'd have swung the ships south through the Suez Canal about a week ago and said "fine, play with yourselves all you want, deal is off". But then I'm not that patient after all.

Signs of the Apocalypse: No, not the unexpected, if slight drop in consumer spending. An entry from a landlocked country won what was formerly the America's Cup. Meanwhile, Madonna is hired to write books for children.

If that's not a sign of the apocalypse, I don't know what is.

What's next? Michael Jackson inking a deal to write guides to child care and parenting?

I Was Wrong I admit it. I said I didn't think the "human shield travelling carnival" would get to Iraq before the war started. I said they'd go slow enough and time things so they'd get "stuck" on the other side of the border (and have to protest the war from someplace like Jordan).

Well, I was wrong. But in my defense I don't think they thought it would take so long for the war to start, either. They got to Iraq and, well, realized this human shield stuff might be, um, dangerous, or something (uh-huh-huh-huh). Many of them, when they realized their lives might actually be on the line, decided to go home. Others were molified by the offer of video games (this championing world peace stuff is serious business).

I wonder if any of the games they're playing have violence and stuff in it. Those teach the wrong values, you know. They should be playing "peace games", not war games.