Not a "Sole"

from NYTimes:

Just one day after it was unveiled, a giant fiberglass and copper shoe honoring the Iraqi journalist who flung his oxfords at George W. Bush during the former president’s final visit to Iraq was removed by government order on Friday, local officials told CNN.

The Baghdad artist Laith al-Amiri had installed his 8-foot-long sculpture on the grounds of an orphanage in Tikrit, Saddam Hussein’s home town, intending to celebrate the courage of Muntader al-Zaidi, the 29-year-old journalist who took off both of his shoes and rifled them at Mr. Bush on Dec. 14.

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Jimmy Carter wrote (another) book

We Can Have Peace In The Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work is hot off the press. I love Jimmy Carter, but I am a little confused. First, it seems like he just wrote a book. Second, it seems like he wrote the same book. Maybe I am missing something. Disclaimer: I have not yet read this book. But I listened to him on NPR, looked up multiple reviews, and read the press release on the book. I simply cannot figure out what in this book is new. I think as usual, Jimmy Carter displays an incredible depth of understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And for the most part, I tend to agree with his depiction of Israel. But "A Plan That Will Work"? What plan? It seems like the same dual-state plan he has always espoused, with very little in the way of new or innovative ideas. Someone correct me. 'Else I'm going to have to read the book.

The NPR story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=99875313&ft=1&f=1012

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aftermath

"In Israel, officials said that on Sunday, the cabinet is expected to discuss a proposal that the government defend the military if there are any international attempts to accuse it of improper activity or war crimes. The proposal is expected to assert that soldiers and officers operated in accordance with international law, the military’s values and moral principles."

NYTimes

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And now an Afghan War?

I found this post on TIA and thought I'd draw attention to it again. I forgot that Gates had been reworking the Afghanistan story long before Obama decided to keep him as Defense Secretary. Curious to see what will happen with Afghanistan and when. Obama's already dropped the ball on Israel's attack on Gaza, during which he said nothing. Lucky for him the Israelis called a cease-fire a day before his inauguration. Otherwise he might've had to say something about it. But it's all over and wrapped up now, right? Case closed. So saying something about it at inauguration would've just been irrelevant and passe.

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israeli aggression

from the BBC:

Palestinian medical sources say the number of people killed in Gaza now stands at more than 500 1200, with some 2,500 4300 wounded. These figures cannot be independently verified.

Five Thirteen Israelis have been killed since the start of Israel's military operation, which is now in its 10th day.

can this be considered a measured response by the israeli military? can israel stop the rocket attacks by invading gaza and initiating an ever-escalating level of conflict? does israel have the right to overthrow a democratically-elected hamas government? the answer to all these questions is NO. if israelis were living in fear of rocket fire, gaza residents, and not just hamas-supporters, are now living in fear of missile attacks, collateral gunfire, mortar rounds, shrapnel, building collapse, lack of electricity and medical aid, and starvation, as the UN is now reporting an acute lack of food in gaza.

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