In the News: Mar-27

US diplomats warned about Baghdad - 27 Mar 2008 at 3:18pm - WASHINGTON -- The State Department is instructing all personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad not to leave reinforced structures due to incoming insurgent fire that has killed two American government workers this week.

The fact that it's getting worse means it's getting better, right?

EPA cautious global warming. - 27 Mar 2008 at 3:15pm - WASHINGTON (AP - The Environmental Protection Agency is making clear it will not be rushed into a decision on whether to regulate emissions linked to global warming, as directed by the Supreme Court.

Bush scolds Congress about Iraq - 27 Mar 2008 at 11:28am - DAYTON, Ohio -- President Bush on Thursday defended the slow pace of progress in Iraq, asserting "it is not foot-dragging" as Iraqi politicians try to reach agreement on political, security and economic goals.

So it's simple ineptitude? Or a mal-formed strategy?

Iraq PM vows to continue crackdown on Shiite militiamen - 27 Mar 2008 at 9:48am - BASRA (AFP) - Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki vowed on Thursday to enforce a crackdown on Shiite gunmen despite protests and mounting casualties, as Iraqi troops battled militias in the cities of Basra and Kut.

So, if Iraqi troops are able to take on such missions without assistance from the U.S., what is the purpose of the continued U.S. occupation? There was something about standing up and standing down -- was it "lean to the left, lean to the right, stand up, stand down, fight, fight, fight"?

Abbas gets ticket to White House - 27 Mar 2008 at 9:37am - WASHINGTON -- President Bush has invited Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas to the White House in an effort to give a kick to Mideast peace talks, the White House said Thursday.

Imagine if Bill Clinton had done anything like this.

Thought for the day:
The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just sort of a tired feeling. -Paula Poundstone