What Caught My Eye Today

War on Terror - Senate and House Democrats demanded to see two secret memos that reportedly authorize painful interrogation tactics against terror suspects — despite the Bush administration's insistence that it has not violated U.S. anti-torture laws. The memos were disclosed in today's editions of The New York Times, which reported that the first 2005 legal opinion authorized the use of head slaps, freezing temperatures and simulated drownings, known as waterboarding, while interrogating terror suspects, and was issued shortly after then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales took over the Justice Department. That secret opinion, which explicitly allowed using the painful methods in combination, came months after a December 2004 opinion in which the Justice Department publicly declared torture "abhorrent" and the administration seemed to back away from claiming authority for such practices. A second Justice opinion was issued later in 2005, just as Congress was working on an anti-torture bill. That opinion declared that none of the CIA's interrogation practices would violate the rules in the legislation banning "cruel, inhuman and degrading" treatment of detainees. I don't see this turning out very well for us among our international friends. I'm specifically thinking of those 'friends' who will be quick to point out that the U.S. should not be harping on human rights violations in other countries, when it is guilty of the same violations.

Iraq - The opening of a mammoth, $600 million U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, which had been planned for last month, has now been delayed well into next year. The Vatican-sized compound, which will be the world's largest diplomatic mission, has been beset by construction and logistical problems. Problems identified so far are related to the complex's physical plant, including electrical systems, and do not pose a security risk. Well, crap. How am I supposed to plan next year's summer getaway to Baghdad, if the the flippin' embassy isn't open to process my travel visa? And another thing, would someone explain to me the rationale of having an embassy that big in a country that small?

Japan - Japan has placed a satellite in orbit around the moon for the first time in a major space breakthrough for the Asian nation. The mission involves positioning the main satellite at an altitude of about 60 miles and deploying two smaller satellites in polar orbits, according to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA. Researchers will use data gathered by the $279 million Selenological and Engineering Explorer — or SELENE — project to study the moon's origin and evolution. The main orbiter will stay in position for about a year. Japanese officials claim the effort is the largest lunar mission since the U.S. Apollo program in terms of overall scope and ambition. I reported on this several weeks ago. I said it then and I'll say it now. Kudos for the accomplishment. This has to be a big boost for national pride. However, in making the comparison to the Apollo program, they are merely reminding everyone that we've been there and done that more than 40 years ago.

Myanmar - The U.N. Security Council decided to hear a U.N. envoy's report on Myanmar at a public meeting but China said it was opposed to any action by the 15-member body because the junta's crackdown on pro-democracy campaigners was an internal affair. Western nations have urged sanctions against Myanmar, whose security forces continued on Thursday to round up and interrogate protesters after last week's huge demonstrations led by Buddhist monks against military rule. China, which neighbors Myanmar and is one of the country's few allies and major trading partners, has called for restraint but opposes any U.N. Security Council resolution, maintaining Myanmar does not threaten the region or the world. China and Russia in January vetoed a U.S.-drafted Security Council resolution that demanded an end to political repression and human rights violations on grounds that the Myanmar crisis was not a threat to international peace and security, the council's mandate. Interesting quandry isn't this? So like if Myanmar poses no threat to the rest of the world, then are we saying it is okay to the junta to persecute the people however it sees fit? What if we stood by and did nothing in Bosnia or Sudan? Can you imagine the carnage? Oh wait a minute. We did stand by and do nothing, didn't we?

Costa Rica - Costa Rica could lose valuable access to the U.S. market if the country rejects a free-trade agreement with the United States when voters go to the polls on Sunday, a top U.S. official said. "It is difficult to imagine any U.S. administration renegotiating the current agreement or negotiating a new trade agreement with Costa Rica if this agreement is rejected. The opportunity for Costa Rica to enjoy the benefits of regional free trade is now," the official said. The warning came as Costa Rica prepared to vote Sunday on whether to join the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), which the U.S. Congress narrowly approved in 2005. Some Costa Rican opponents of the pact have argued it could be renegotiated and improved if voters reject it. Gee, that doesn't sound threatening at all does it. You want to bet that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez doesn't try to turn this to his advantage and try to buddy up with Costa Rica?