Archives for 2005

Stevenson on Riots in France Roger Stevenson kindly writes: “Thanks so much for your thoughtful and enlightened piece on the riots that are currently besetting France. I, too, am extremely upset over the inflated, sensational and unfactual reporting from the US media outlets. Steyn’s comments make you wonder if he has even ever set foot […]

Judith Miller fired from New York Times Lynne Duke examines the issues around the departure of Judith Miller from the NYT. Toward the end, she raises the question of whether Miller is a Neoconservative (something she denies). I addressed this question in my article for Salon.com, “Judy Miller and the Neocons.”

The Problem with Frenchness Readers have asked me for comment about the riots in France that have now provoked emergency laws and a curfew. What I would rather comment on, however, is the myths that have governed many rightwing American comments on the tragic events. Actually, I can only think that the disturbances must produce […]

Saddam Attorney Assassinated Reuters reports that another attorney working for Saddam’s defense team was assassinated on Tuesday. It is obvious that Saddam cannot be properly tried in Iraq under these circumstances. It is not known who is behind the killings, but Saddam to put it lightly has a lot of enemies. It is also possible […]

Chalabi and Abdul Mahdi An informed reader writes: ‘ There appears to be some Bush Administration disarray in relation to the candidates for Iraqi Prime Minister, which the “Western press” deem to be Messrs. Allawi, Chalabi and Mahdi, although the incumbent should not be counted out. Obviously, much depends on the votes received by List […]

Conyers to Chalabi A press release from the office of Congressman John Conyers: Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman Maurice Hinchey and other Members will send the attached letter to Mr. Ahmed Chalabi asking for a meeting to discuss his role in manipulating the intelligence that led to […]

5 GIs Dead, US Kills 36 in Qaim District; Guerrillas Kill 16 Guerrillas at a checkpoint south of Baghdad detonated a car bomb that killed 4 US GIs. In addition, AFP writes: ‘ A suicide car bomber killed nine people, including six Iraqi policemen, in the southern Dora district of Baghdad on Monday. Ten people […]

Italians Release Video of Phosphorous Attack on Fallujah The Italian television network RAI has released a video that includes an interview with an ex-Marine and footage of the use of phosphorous bombs at Fallujah in November of 2004. The issue is being discussed at Daily Kos. White phosphorus is a form of incendiary bomb. The […]

Comment Section Rules The comment section of Informed Comment is intended to allow readers to weigh in on the issues raised in the postings. The ideal comment would be meaty, with some analysis or information that contributes to the topic, and would be one or two paragraphs in length. Short messages of a sociable nature […]