Turning Points

Mystery underwear stymies Guantanamo investigators - 17 Oct 2007 at 8:30pm - GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) - The U.S. military has ended an inquiry into who smuggled unauthorized underwear and a bathing suit to two prisoners at Guantanamo Bay without learning the source of the contraband skivvies, an attorney said on Wednesday.

Really, probably the only greater question than "where would the terrorists be kept if Guantanamo were to be closed?" is where the illegal undies came from.

Blackwater likely to be out of Iraq - 17 Oct 2007 at 8:03pm - WASHINGTON -- 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, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

Iraq is way ahead of the U.S. on this.

Pentagon to alert 8 Guard units for duty - 17 Oct 2007 at 8:03pm - WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon is preparing to alert eight National Guard units that they should be ready to go to Iraq or Afghanistan beginning late next summer, The Associated Press learned Wednesday.

Wasn't it just yesterday that the AP declared the planned withdrawal of some forces from Diyala province a "turning point" in the war?

Iraq drawdown to begin in volatile area - Tue Oct 16, 7:48 PM ET - WASHINGTON - Commanders in Iraq have decided to begin the drawdown of U.S. forces in volatile Diyala province, marking a turning point in the U.S. military mission, The Associated Press has learned.

Yes, I think it was.

House surveillance bill pulled - 17 Oct 2007 at 8:59pm - WASHINGTON -- Republicans successfully maneuvered to derail a Democratic government eavesdropping bill Wednesday, delaying a House vote until next week at the earliest.