In the News: May-12

Ex-State officials allege corruption cover up - 12 May 2008 at 2:19pm - WASHINGTON -- Two ex-State Department employees say the Bush administration ignored corruption at the highest levels within the Iraqi government and kept secret potentially embarrassing information.

Taser group's chair to defend stun guns at public inquiry - 12 May 2008 at 10:39am - The chair of Taser International is expected to defend the safety record of his company's stun guns on Monday, when he appears at a public inquiry examining police use of the weapons.

Iraqi PM says crackdown shows he's not sectarian - 12 May 2008 at 10:00am - BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's prime minister said on Monday a crackdown on Shi'ite militias proved his government was not sectarian, in the face of persistent accusations by Sunni Arabs that he has favored Shi'ites since taking office.

Not sectarian, I guess, if one considers all Shi'ites to be of one sect. I hope that's a talking point given to him by the U.S., and not what he really thinks. In any case, his eagerness to take up arms against those with whom he would be at peace doesn't go too far toward demonstrating his commitment to a peaceful and unified Iraq.

Thought for the day:
Behind every great fortune there is a crime. -Honoré de Balzac (1799 - 1850)