What Caught My Eye Today

Iraq - A State Department review of private security guards for diplomats in Iraq is unlikely to recommend firing Blackwater USA over the deaths of 17 Iraqis last month, but the company probably is on the way out of that job. Blackwater's work escorting U.S. diplomats outside the protected Green Zone in Baghdad expires in May and U.S. officials expect that the company will not continue to work for the embassy after that. State Department officials gave admiring appraisals of Blackwater's work overall, noting that no diplomats have died while riding in Blackwater's heavily armed convoys. No kidding. Blackwater guards shot anyone who came close to their charges. And another thing. Is it just me or does this whole arrangement between the U.S. Government and Blackwater seem reminiscent of its deal with Halliburton? I wonder who's getting rich off this gig?

These next couple of items show just how much influence Congress wields these days...God, help us all.

Turkey - Parliament voted 507-19 to authorize the government to send troops into northern Iraq to root out Kurdish rebels who've been conducting raids into Turkey. While they now have the authority to strike at PKK bases used to stage attacks in Turkey, the country's leaders appear to be holding back in hopes the threat of an incursion will prod Iraq and the U.S. to move against the guerrillas. The Turkish military, which had little success when it last carried out a major incursion into Iraq a decade ago with 50,000 soldiers, estimates 3,800 Turkish Kurd guerrillas operate from Iraq territory and 2,300 are inside Turkey. Public anger is high in Turkey over a recent spate of guerrilla attacks in the southeast as well as a perception that the United States has failed to back Turkey in its fight with the PKK, even though Washington lists the movement as a terrorist group. Meanwhile, in the United States, President Bush urged the Democratic-controlled Congress not to worsen tensions by approving a resolution labeling as genocide the World War I-era killing of up to 1.5 million Armenians by Turks as the Ottoman Empire crumbled. The House vote to label the bloodshed nearly a century ago as genocide was in jeopardy after several Democrats withdrew their support and sounded alarms it could cripple U.S.-Turkish relations. The House vote to label the bloodshed nearly a century ago as genocide was in jeopardy after several Democrats withdrew their support and sounded alarms it could cripple U.S.-Turkish relations. Oh for heaven's sake, make up your minds, Congress. First you go to all this trouble to piss off everybody, for what I thought was a legitimate reason, and now you are backing off. Did I miss something or were all those historical accounts that you cited when you passed this resolution in committee last week wrong? What a bunch of dumb asses.

Besides having no backbones, Congress (and the President, for that matter) seems to be applying a bit of a double standard when it comes to principles.

China - President Bush, raising Beijing's ire, presented the Dalai Lama with the U.S. Congress' highest civilian honor and urged Chinese leaders to welcome the monk to Beijing. Bush praised a man he called a "universal symbol of peace and tolerance, a shepherd of the faithful and a keeper of the flame for his people." "Americans cannot look to the plight of the religiously oppressed and close our eyes or turn away," Bush said. China reviles the 72-year-old monk as a Tibetan separatist and vehemently protested the elaborate public ceremony. China had demanded that the United States cancel this week's celebrations. The Chinese Foreign Minister said the events "seriously wounded the feelings of the Chinese people and interfered with China's internal affairs." U.S. lawmakers regularly criticize Beijing for human rights abuses and a massive military buildup and claim that China ignores abuse by unsavory foreign governments in Sudan and Myanmar in its pursuit of energy and business deals. Perhaps someone can explain to me why its okay to piss off China by honoring the Dalai Lama, but it is way out of bounds to criticize Turkey for the 1.5 million lives lost there? If you can figure this one out, you are way smarter than I am.

And finally, at a time when most second-term Presidents are starting to feel the effects of the 'lame duck' syndrome, Bush took great pride in slamming Congress on a number of issues. Right or wrong, the dude is getting away with it.

President Bush - President Bush, weakened by record-low poll ratings, asserted he is still politically relevant and scolded the Democratic-led Congress on Wednesday for having "little to show for all the time that has gone by." Bush used a mid morning news conference to lecture lawmakers about their failure to complete action on any spending bills to keep the government running or to send him legislation dealing with education, housing and other matters. Saying he did not share any blame for Congress' failure to act, Bush said, "I think it is their fault that bills aren't moving." With his presidency in its final 15 months, his approval ratings at just 31 percent and Democrats running Congress, Bush has little clout to push his own agenda through Congress. However, he can stop the Democrats' proposals with his veto since Congress has been unable so far to override his rejection of troop withdrawal deadlines in Iraq and expanded stem cell research. The House on Thursday is expected to fail to override his veto of an expansion of a popular children's health insurance program. Bush said his veto pen was "one way to ensure that I am relevant; that's one way to ensure that I am in the process. And I intend to use the veto." I just don't get it. This guy has record low approval ratings, is perpetuating a war that no one wants to continue and is having his way with a Congress that the Democratic party controls the majority in both the House and the Senate. Is he that smart or is the Congressional leadership that dumb? I just don't know.

So as not to end this post on a down note, here's a little tidbit that I'm sure we can all use to enrich our lives...well, at least the guys can.

Libations - According to a relationship expert, the type of drink a woman orders at the bar can say a lot about her:

• Martini - Martini women are typically high-maintenance. They tend to be stressed out, depressed and looking to shift their mood.


• Beer - Beer drinkers are spontaneous and fun, but don't feel comfortable with their femininity.


• Lemon Drops - These women are fashionable, trendy and fun-loving, but may not be the sharpest tools in the shed.


• Red Wine - Wine lovers are health conscious and conservative, but also sensual, warm and nurturing.


• Scotch - Scotch-drinking women are grounded. They know who they are and don't care what anybody thinks.


• Rum and Coke - These girls like to have fun and are really laid-back.


• Champagne - These ladies are elitist, pretentious and want people to think they are intellectuals.


• Cosmopolitan - Cosmo drinkers fall into the high-maintenance category, typically trying a bit to hard to look sophisticated

Yeah, whatever. I think I speak for all guys when I say, who cares what they drink so long as they say 'yes' later. Yes, I know it sounds crude and demeaning, but honestly, am I right or am I right?