U.S. Fears Iraq Won't Keep Up Rebuilt Projects

Nov 21, 2009 - BAGHDAD — In its largest reconstruction effort since the Marshall Plan, the United States government has spent $53 billion for relief and reconstruction in Iraq since the 2003 invasion, building tens of thousands of hospitals, water treatment plants, electricity substations, schools and bridges. But there are growing concerns among American officials that Iraq will not be able to adequately maintain the facilities once the Americans have left, potentially wasting hundreds of millions of dollars and jeopardizing Iraq’s ability to provide basic services to its people. The projects run the gamut — from a cutting-edge, $270 million water treatment plant in Nasiriya that works at a fraction of its intended capacity because it is too sophisticated for Iraqi workers to operate, to a farmers’ market that farmers cannot decide how to share, to a large American hospital closed immediately after it was handed over to Iraq because the government was unable to supply it with equipment, a medical staff or electricity. - 11 Comments

Wonderful Definitions

Nov 14, 2009 - School: A place where Papa pays and Son plays. Life Insurance: A contract that keeps you poor all your life so that you can die Rich. Nurse: A person who wakes u up to give you sleeping pills. - 13 Comments

Lunchtime Sex!

Nov 07, 2009 - * Does the thought have you reaching for your sandwich, while blushing with shame? Lunchtime sex is something you should try at least once. Because if you've tried it once, I promise you, you'll want to try it again. - 6 Comments

Baby Cured in Medical First

Nov 05, 2009 - Doctor cures 'Baby Z' of molybdenum cofactor deficiency in medical world first By Grant McArthurHerald SunNovember 05, 2009 07:14am Baby's brain starts dissolving; 'no hope' Drug administered; Baby Z wakes up A MELBOURNE baby given no chance of survival has amazed doctors after being saved with one of the biggest long shots in medical history. "Baby Z's" brain started virtually dissolving soon after she was born 18 months ago because she had too much toxic sulphite in her system. But her parents and doctors refused to give in to the one-in-a-million genetic condition and stumbled on a highly experimental drug. - 8 Comments

McChrystal Doesn’t Get It—Does Obama?

Oct 30, 2009 - Long, but worth the effort (I think) By Scott Ritter There is a curious phenomenon taking place in the American media at the moment: the lionization of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the American military commander in Afghanistan. Although he has taken a few lumps for playing politics with the White House, McChrystal has generally been sold to the American public as a “Zen warrior,” a counterinsurgency genius who, if simply left to his own devices, will be able to radically transform the ongoing debacle that is Afghanistan into a noble victory that will rank as one of the greatest political and military triumphs of modern history. - 0 Comments

More Than 300 Arrested in Two-Day Nationwide Takedown

Oct 23, 2009 - This is a loooong story, so I will cut it down for you. You can find the full story here http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/October/09-ag-1135.html October 22nd 2009 WASHINGTON – Today Attorney General Eric Holder announced the arrest of nearly 1,200 individuals on narcotics-related charges and the seizure of more than 11.7 tons of narcotics as part of a 44-month multi-agency law enforcement investigation known as "Project Coronado." The group first made headlines in Sept. - 5 Comments

More Than 300 Arrested in Two-Day Nationwide Takedown

Oct 23, 2009 - This is a loooong story, so I will cut it down for you. You can find the full story here http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2009/October/09-ag-1135.html October 22nd 2009 WASHINGTON – Today Attorney General Eric Holder announced the arrest of nearly 1,200 individuals on narcotics-related charges and the seizure of more than 11.7 tons of narcotics as part of a 44-month multi-agency law enforcement investigation known as "Project Coronado." The group first made headlines in Sept. - 15 Comments

Who Killed California?

Oct 15, 2009 - by Troy Senik http://nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/who-killed-california My apologies for having nothing originally in this post.  The text was here but didn't show up. Apparently this article is too long to be printed here, at about 11 pages.  It is nevertheless worth reading, unless, as someone has already done, you have made your  mind up what to believe before reading. - 29 Comments

Insurers dropping Chinese drywall policies

Oct 16, 2009 - WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – James and Maria Ivory's dreams of a relaxing retirement on Florida's Gulf Coast were put on hold when they discovered their new home had been built with Chinese drywall that emits sulfuric fumes and corrodes pipes. It got worse when they asked their insurer for help — and not only was their claim denied, but they've been told their entire policy won't be renewed. - 1 Comment

A National Disgrace- troop funds diverted to pet projects- $2.6 billion taken from guns and ammunition

Oct 15, 2009 - U.S. troop funds diverted to pet projects Study finds $2.6 billion taken from guns and ammunition   By Shaun Waterman THE WASHINGTON TIMES Senators diverted $2.6 billion in funds in a defense spending bill to pet projects largely at the expense of accounts that pay for fuel, ammunition and training for U.S. troops, including those fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to an analysis. - 16 Comments