BIO
Lewis LaCook makes things. He is a programmer/poet. He likes unstable objects. He doesn't eat enough. Send him all your money.
Irrelevance Lost
excellent site for background in middle east history and politics...l
http://www.merip.org/mero/mero032003.htm
Irrelevance Lost
Marc Lynch
(Marc Lynch teaches political science at Williams College.)
March 20, 2003
As the United States and its small band of supporters begin a war against Iraq without Security Council authorization or even a majority show of support, questions about the future of the United Nations seem ever more urgent. For the last several months, Bush administration officials have issued dire warnings that failure to back war against Iraq would condemn the United Nations to irrelevance. Invoking comparisons to the League of Nations, they warned that anything other than full support for the US interpretation of UN Security Council Resolution 1441 -- threatening "serious consequences" for Iraqi non-compliance with disarmament demands -- would constitute a collapse of international resolve. According to the Bush team's interpretation, intransigent French resistance to the US-British-Spanish resolution authorizing war "forced" the United States to lead its "coalition of the willing" into the war that is now underway.
http://www.lewislacook.com/
NEW! Light Has No Tongue: http://www.lewislacook.com/lightHasNoTongue
ARCADIA: long poem serialized in the muse apprentice guild: http://www.muse-apprentice-guild.com/
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/385/lewis_lacook.html
---------------------------------
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http://www.merip.org/mero/mero032003.htm
Irrelevance Lost
Marc Lynch
(Marc Lynch teaches political science at Williams College.)
March 20, 2003
As the United States and its small band of supporters begin a war against Iraq without Security Council authorization or even a majority show of support, questions about the future of the United Nations seem ever more urgent. For the last several months, Bush administration officials have issued dire warnings that failure to back war against Iraq would condemn the United Nations to irrelevance. Invoking comparisons to the League of Nations, they warned that anything other than full support for the US interpretation of UN Security Council Resolution 1441 -- threatening "serious consequences" for Iraqi non-compliance with disarmament demands -- would constitute a collapse of international resolve. According to the Bush team's interpretation, intransigent French resistance to the US-British-Spanish resolution authorizing war "forced" the United States to lead its "coalition of the willing" into the war that is now underway.
http://www.lewislacook.com/
NEW! Light Has No Tongue: http://www.lewislacook.com/lightHasNoTongue
ARCADIA: long poem serialized in the muse apprentice guild: http://www.muse-apprentice-guild.com/
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/385/lewis_lacook.html
---------------------------------
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Fwd: [thingist] This is a mail from your friend - Wolfgang Staehle
--- Wolfgang Staehle <wolfgangsta@thing.net> wrote:
> From: Wolfgang Staehle <wolfgangsta@thing.net>
> To: thingsters <thingist@bbs.thing.net>
> Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 03:43:41 (GMT)
> Subject: [thingist] This is a mail from your friend
> - Wolfgang Staehle
>
> Click this link to read the Article
> http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/opinion.asp?ArticleID
> From: Wolfgang Staehle <wolfgangsta@thing.net>
> To: thingsters <thingist@bbs.thing.net>
> Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2003 03:43:41 (GMT)
> Subject: [thingist] This is a mail from your friend
> - Wolfgang Staehle
>
> Click this link to read the Article
> http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/opinion.asp?ArticleID
Today, I Weep for My Country...
Today, I Weep for My Country...
By Sen. Robert Byrd
March 20, 2003
From the Senate floor Wednesday, Sen. Byrd (D-W.Va.)
asks, "Why can this President not seem to see that
America's true power lies not in its will to
intimidate, but in its ability to inspire?"
I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied
its roots and gloried in the wisdom of its magnificent
Constitution. I have marveled at the wisdom of its
founders and framers. Generation after generation of
Americans has understood the lofty ideals that
underlie our great Republic. I have been inspired by
the story of their sacrifice and their strength.
But, today I weep for my country. I have watched the
events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No
more is the image of America that of the strong yet
benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has
changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us,
our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned.
Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree,
we demand obedience or threaten recrimination. Instead
of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated
ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption
which is understood by few and feared by many. We say
that the United States has the right to turn its
firepower on any corner of the globe which might be
suspect in the war on terrorism. We assert that right
without the sanction of any international body. As a
result, the world has become a much more dangerous
place.
We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance. We
treat UN Security Council members like ingrates who
offend our princely dignity by lifting their heads
from the carpet. Valuable alliances are split.
After war has ended, the United States will have to
rebuild much more than the country of Iraq. We will
have to rebuild America's image around the globe.
The case this Administration tries to make to justify
its fixation with war is tainted by charges of
falsified documents and circumstantial evidence. We
cannot convince the world of the necessity of this war
for one simple reason. This is a war of choice.
There is no credible information to connect Saddam
Hussein to 9/11. The twin towers fell because a
world-wide terrorist group, Al Qaeda, with cells in
over 60 nations, struck at our wealth and our
influence by turning our own planes into missiles, one
of which would likely have slammed into the dome of
this beautiful Capitol except for the brave sacrifice
of the passengers on board.
The brutality seen on September 11th and in other
terrorist attacks we have witnessed around the globe
are the violent and desperate efforts by extremists to
stop the daily encroachment of western values upon
their cultures. That is what we fight. It is a force
not confined to borders. It is a shadowy entity with
many faces, many names, and many addresses.
But this Administration has directed all of the anger,
fear, and grief that emerged from the ashes of the
twin towers and the twisted metal of the Pentagon
towards a tangible villain, one we can see and hate
and attack. And villain he is. But, he is the wrong
villain. And this is the wrong war. If we attack
Saddam Hussein, we will probably drive him from power.
But, the zeal of our friends to assist our global war
on terrorism may have already taken flight.
The general unease surrounding this war is not just
due to "orange alert." There is a pervasive sense of
rush and risk and too many questions unanswered. How
long will we be in Iraq? What will be the cost? What
is the ultimate mission? How great is the danger at
home?
A pall has fallen over the Senate Chamber. We avoid
our solemn duty to debate the one topic on the minds
of all Americans, even while scores of thousands of
our sons and daughters faithfully do their duty in
Iraq.
What is happening to this country? When did we become
a nation that ignores and berates our friends? When
did we decide to risk undermining international order
by adopting a radical and doctrinaire approach to
using our awesome military might? How can we abandon
diplomatic efforts when the turmoil in the world cries
out for diplomacy?
Why can this President not seem to see that America's
true power lies not in its will to intimidate, but in
its ability to inspire?
War appears inevitable. But, I continue to hope that
the cloud will lift. Perhaps Saddam will yet turn tail
and run. Perhaps reason will somehow still prevail.
Along with millions of Americans I will pray for the
safety of our troops, for the innocent civilians in
Iraq, and for the security of our homeland. May God
continue to bless the United States of America in the
troubled days ahead, and may we somehow recapture the
vision that for the present eludes us.
=====
http://www.lewislacook.com/
NEW! Fort! Da! http://www.lewislacook.com/FortDa
ARCADIA: long poem serialized in the muse apprentice guild: http://www.muse-apprentice-guild.com/
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/385/lewis_lacook.html
__________________________________________________
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Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
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By Sen. Robert Byrd
March 20, 2003
From the Senate floor Wednesday, Sen. Byrd (D-W.Va.)
asks, "Why can this President not seem to see that
America's true power lies not in its will to
intimidate, but in its ability to inspire?"
I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied
its roots and gloried in the wisdom of its magnificent
Constitution. I have marveled at the wisdom of its
founders and framers. Generation after generation of
Americans has understood the lofty ideals that
underlie our great Republic. I have been inspired by
the story of their sacrifice and their strength.
But, today I weep for my country. I have watched the
events of recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No
more is the image of America that of the strong yet
benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has
changed. Around the globe, our friends mistrust us,
our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned.
Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree,
we demand obedience or threaten recrimination. Instead
of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated
ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption
which is understood by few and feared by many. We say
that the United States has the right to turn its
firepower on any corner of the globe which might be
suspect in the war on terrorism. We assert that right
without the sanction of any international body. As a
result, the world has become a much more dangerous
place.
We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance. We
treat UN Security Council members like ingrates who
offend our princely dignity by lifting their heads
from the carpet. Valuable alliances are split.
After war has ended, the United States will have to
rebuild much more than the country of Iraq. We will
have to rebuild America's image around the globe.
The case this Administration tries to make to justify
its fixation with war is tainted by charges of
falsified documents and circumstantial evidence. We
cannot convince the world of the necessity of this war
for one simple reason. This is a war of choice.
There is no credible information to connect Saddam
Hussein to 9/11. The twin towers fell because a
world-wide terrorist group, Al Qaeda, with cells in
over 60 nations, struck at our wealth and our
influence by turning our own planes into missiles, one
of which would likely have slammed into the dome of
this beautiful Capitol except for the brave sacrifice
of the passengers on board.
The brutality seen on September 11th and in other
terrorist attacks we have witnessed around the globe
are the violent and desperate efforts by extremists to
stop the daily encroachment of western values upon
their cultures. That is what we fight. It is a force
not confined to borders. It is a shadowy entity with
many faces, many names, and many addresses.
But this Administration has directed all of the anger,
fear, and grief that emerged from the ashes of the
twin towers and the twisted metal of the Pentagon
towards a tangible villain, one we can see and hate
and attack. And villain he is. But, he is the wrong
villain. And this is the wrong war. If we attack
Saddam Hussein, we will probably drive him from power.
But, the zeal of our friends to assist our global war
on terrorism may have already taken flight.
The general unease surrounding this war is not just
due to "orange alert." There is a pervasive sense of
rush and risk and too many questions unanswered. How
long will we be in Iraq? What will be the cost? What
is the ultimate mission? How great is the danger at
home?
A pall has fallen over the Senate Chamber. We avoid
our solemn duty to debate the one topic on the minds
of all Americans, even while scores of thousands of
our sons and daughters faithfully do their duty in
Iraq.
What is happening to this country? When did we become
a nation that ignores and berates our friends? When
did we decide to risk undermining international order
by adopting a radical and doctrinaire approach to
using our awesome military might? How can we abandon
diplomatic efforts when the turmoil in the world cries
out for diplomacy?
Why can this President not seem to see that America's
true power lies not in its will to intimidate, but in
its ability to inspire?
War appears inevitable. But, I continue to hope that
the cloud will lift. Perhaps Saddam will yet turn tail
and run. Perhaps reason will somehow still prevail.
Along with millions of Americans I will pray for the
safety of our troops, for the innocent civilians in
Iraq, and for the security of our homeland. May God
continue to bless the United States of America in the
troubled days ahead, and may we somehow recapture the
vision that for the present eludes us.
=====
http://www.lewislacook.com/
NEW! Fort! Da! http://www.lewislacook.com/FortDa
ARCADIA: long poem serialized in the muse apprentice guild: http://www.muse-apprentice-guild.com/
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/385/lewis_lacook.html
__________________________________________________
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Iraq Acknowledges Strike on Saddam's Home
Iraq Acknowledges Strike on Saddam's Home
16 minutes ago Add Top Stories - AP to My Yahoo!
By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq (news - web sites)'s information
minister acknowledged Friday that one of Saddam
Hussein (news - web sites)'s homes was hit in the U.S.
bombardment, but said no one was hurt.
"They rocketed the residence of his household,"
Mohammed Sa'eed al-Sahhaf said at a news conference.
"But thank God, they are all safe."
Al-Sahhaf lashed out at the "criminal George Bush and
his gang."
"They are superpower of villains. They are superpower
of Al Capone," he said. "We will not allow them to get
out of this quagmire which we trapped them in. They
will see their end there."
Saddam offered a reward of $14,000 to any Iraqi who
kills an enemy soldier, and $28,000 to anyone who
captures an enemy soldier alive, according to a decree
reported by the official Iraqi News Agency.
A semblance of normalcy returned to Baghdad after
Thursday night's bombing.
There was a great deal of traffic on the streets, many
shops were open and many people were out on the
street.
But there was still a heavy security presence,
including armed members of the ruling Baath Party,
security forces and police, and pickup trucks mounted
with heavy machine guns.
The official Iraqi News Agency said 37 people were
injured in Thursday night's raid at heart of Baghdad
and in other locations in and around the city.
Standing next to Al-Sahhaf at the news conference was
Interior Minister Mahmoud Diab al-Ahmed, carrying a
Kalashnikov rifle and ammunition and wearing a
military uniform and flak jacket with a knife in the
pocket and a pistol on his hip.
"Some of you might may be wondering why do I have a
Kalashnikov in my hand and wearing a flak jacket," he
said. "Because we have all in Iraq pledged never to
relinquish our weapons until the day of victory."
Sahhaf also denied any U.S.-led advance into Iraq and
argued that TV images of Iraqis surrendering were
fabricated.
"Those are not Iraqi soldiers at all," he said. "Where
did they bring them from?"
Al-Sahhaf suggested that any captured U.S. and British
soldiers may not be treated as prisoners of war under
the Geneva Conventions. Al-Sahhaf said Iraq was
considering how to treat them.
"Those are mercenaries. Most probably they will be
treated as mercenaries, hirelings and as war
criminals. ... For sure, international law does not
apply to those," he said.
A busload of journalists was taken to the main
Al-Douri power plant, which was damaged in the 1991
Gulf War (news - web sites), where at least 12 human
shields from Switzerland, Turkey, France and the
United States are staying.
The lone American, Mark Ubans of Wallington, Mo.,
said: "There seems to be no way to stop this war. So
the least people can do is to try to protect civilians
here." He said at least five American human shields
are elsewhere in Iraq.
=====
http://www.lewislacook.com/
NEW! Fort! Da! http://www.lewislacook.com/FortDa
ARCADIA: long poem serialized in the muse apprentice guild: http://www.muse-apprentice-guild.com/
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/385/lewis_lacook.html
__________________________________________________
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Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
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16 minutes ago Add Top Stories - AP to My Yahoo!
By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq (news - web sites)'s information
minister acknowledged Friday that one of Saddam
Hussein (news - web sites)'s homes was hit in the U.S.
bombardment, but said no one was hurt.
"They rocketed the residence of his household,"
Mohammed Sa'eed al-Sahhaf said at a news conference.
"But thank God, they are all safe."
Al-Sahhaf lashed out at the "criminal George Bush and
his gang."
"They are superpower of villains. They are superpower
of Al Capone," he said. "We will not allow them to get
out of this quagmire which we trapped them in. They
will see their end there."
Saddam offered a reward of $14,000 to any Iraqi who
kills an enemy soldier, and $28,000 to anyone who
captures an enemy soldier alive, according to a decree
reported by the official Iraqi News Agency.
A semblance of normalcy returned to Baghdad after
Thursday night's bombing.
There was a great deal of traffic on the streets, many
shops were open and many people were out on the
street.
But there was still a heavy security presence,
including armed members of the ruling Baath Party,
security forces and police, and pickup trucks mounted
with heavy machine guns.
The official Iraqi News Agency said 37 people were
injured in Thursday night's raid at heart of Baghdad
and in other locations in and around the city.
Standing next to Al-Sahhaf at the news conference was
Interior Minister Mahmoud Diab al-Ahmed, carrying a
Kalashnikov rifle and ammunition and wearing a
military uniform and flak jacket with a knife in the
pocket and a pistol on his hip.
"Some of you might may be wondering why do I have a
Kalashnikov in my hand and wearing a flak jacket," he
said. "Because we have all in Iraq pledged never to
relinquish our weapons until the day of victory."
Sahhaf also denied any U.S.-led advance into Iraq and
argued that TV images of Iraqis surrendering were
fabricated.
"Those are not Iraqi soldiers at all," he said. "Where
did they bring them from?"
Al-Sahhaf suggested that any captured U.S. and British
soldiers may not be treated as prisoners of war under
the Geneva Conventions. Al-Sahhaf said Iraq was
considering how to treat them.
"Those are mercenaries. Most probably they will be
treated as mercenaries, hirelings and as war
criminals. ... For sure, international law does not
apply to those," he said.
A busload of journalists was taken to the main
Al-Douri power plant, which was damaged in the 1991
Gulf War (news - web sites), where at least 12 human
shields from Switzerland, Turkey, France and the
United States are staying.
The lone American, Mark Ubans of Wallington, Mo.,
said: "There seems to be no way to stop this war. So
the least people can do is to try to protect civilians
here." He said at least five American human shields
are elsewhere in Iraq.
=====
http://www.lewislacook.com/
NEW! Fort! Da! http://www.lewislacook.com/FortDa
ARCADIA: long poem serialized in the muse apprentice guild: http://www.muse-apprentice-guild.com/
http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/385/lewis_lacook.html
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Platinum - Watch CBS' NCAA March Madness, live on your desktop!
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