Friday Afternoon Round Up

I did have a nicely written post just about completed when uber-browser Firefox crashed and I lost it all. So much for Blogger's "recover post" option too. Insert strong language here. Repeat.

Instead, here's a quick run down of the items I was most interested today.

Fjordman reports that India refuses Arab backing in its run for a seat on the UN Security Council in return for cutting off ties with Israel. Good for India, say I.

LGF tells us that Palestinian health officials fear for a health crisis in Gaza, following the Israeli withdrawal. They demand Israel continues to dish out medical treatment. Somehow, I can't see that happening anytime soon. Perhaps they'd have been better off spending all that cash on medicine and medical supplies instead of weapons?

Speaking of which, two Qassam rockets have been launched into Israeli territory already and the PA has met with terrorist organisations (should that be other terrorist organisations?) to agree to continue "resistance" to Israel until they withdraw from all "occupied territories", i.e. all of Israel.

Perhaps the fact that it's now up to them to run Gaza and provide for all the people living there, the steam might run out of the terrorist movement a little when the citizens start wondering why they can afford rockets but not basic medical care? Then again, given that the PA refuses to disarm Hamas or Islamic Jihad that seems doubtful. Particularly when the culture we're talking about holds views like this (when talking about a female suicide bomber)-

"Losing a son affects the soul many times more than losing a daughter in our society. Losing even 10 daughters is not as bad as losing one son. That's how it is in our society. A son is more dear to the parents than a daughter...When Wafa Idris did this (October 2003 bombing of the Arab-owned restaurant Maxim in Haifa, Israel, which killed 19), she played a role, I think, in the shaping of a new culture among Palestinian girls. She has become a source of pride. Many girls, for various reasons, wanted to play the same role..."

Turning now to Iraq, where Murdoc points out an environmental success- the return of the marshes drained by Saddam Hussein, up from 10% to 37% coverage in the space of three years.

We also have the good news of the Constitution, although Robert Spencer's Dhimmi Watch is less than enthused. Blogs for Bush has more positive analysis, pointing out that while the document does include - No law can be passed that contradicts the undisputed rules of Islam- the operative term here seems to be "undisputed". How long can anything remain undisputed in the presence of lawyers? BFB also points out this-

Article (14): Iraqis are equal before the law without discrimination because of gender, ethnicity, nationality, origin, color, religion, sect, belief, opinion or social or economic status.

How can that not be cause to celebrate? There's hard work being done now but the steps forward are happening, despite the blackest and most pessimistic views of those on the Left. Perhaps if they would acknowledge the successes when they happen we'd be more inclined to listen to those not on the moonbat-fringe. Or is that the other way round- are the rational liberals the fringe now?

Back to the US now for a brief note on the person camped out near a certain ranch in Crawford, thanks to Jawa Report- speaking of the men who killed her son in Iraq: "Freedom Fighters from other countries are going in."

Got that? The men who killed her son are "freedom fighters". Meanwhile her backers, Code Pink, are organising the protests going outside the Walter Reed medical facility in Washington where wounded troops are being treated. Of course, they claim to be doing it for the troops. By the way, be sure to check out the article over at Red Hot Cuppa Politics on the crosses representing the fallen on display in Crawford. As Frau Budgie points out we know of She-who-must-not-be-named and at least one other anti-war mother while at least seventeen pro-war families have removed crosses bearing the names of their sons and put them in Fort Qualls. So, as she asks, how many of those crosses are there legitimately in the anti-camp with the knowledge of the families of those who fell?

And finally, traitor Galloway is set to speak at an anti-war rally. That's George Galloway MP, buddy of Saddam Hussein- which set me to wondering, is the reason they're anti-war because they want dictator Saddam back in power? They keep saying no, but when they invite Galloway to speak, you have to question their motives.