Rusted Sky

It's rather odd I didn't pick up on this before. I've known about Axis Sally and Tokyo Rose - Father used to listen to Tokyo Rose in the Pacific - but didn't realize that the same propaganda techniques used in WW2 were being used by our own media today.

Information Warfare: Japanese Propaganda and American Mass Media

But recently, the troops have been passing around an interesting discovery. Namely, that the Japanese psychological warfare effort during World War II included radio broadcasts that could be picked up by American troops. Popular music was played, but the commentary (by one of several English speaking Japanese women) always hammered away on the same points;

1 Your President (Franklin D Roosevelt) is lying to you.
2 This war is illegal.
3 You cannot win the war.

The troops are perplexed and somewhat amused that their own media is now sending out this message. Fighting the enemy in Iraq is simple, compared to figuring out what news editors are thinking back home.

It's understandable that the propagandists in Japan and Germany tried hard to convince American soldiers that their President was lying, the war was illegal, and that they couldn't win.

What's not so understandable is why our own media would present the same message. I find it difficult to believe when faced with the examples of what's happened in Islamic countries, when seeing the excesses of Al Quaeda and other Islamic groups slaughtering people, that they can rationally believe that the West is at fault. I'm aware of the current leftward leanings of the media - but are they really so blind that they don't see that Western civilization is at stake? The world is far too small these days to believe that distance and the oceans will protect us, and we're so interconnected these days via the internet that someone in Dayton, OH can access jihadi material easily... and if of an Islamist bent can end up looking for ways to join the struggle, either overseas or here at home. (Imagine, if you will, the German American Bund being allowed to freely recruit for soldiers or saboteurs here in the US for Germany in WW2, with the newspapers actively talking it up and praising the work they did.)

The war against radical Islam isn't a matter so much of physical warfare now. Asymmetrical warfare can be pretty hard on the locals, and Al Quaeda's not gathering many friends in the ME. It is much more akin to pest control/eradication than the setpiece warfare we anticipated with the USSR and China. I don't think, after the fall of Saddam, we're going to see another setpiece battle between nations, which is rather comforting... kind of nice to know we're not going to do the MAD thing again for a while.

Now it's more a matter of ideological infection control, and it's necessary to both eradicate the ideology where found and prevent it from sporing off and gaining converts elsewhere. The best way (IMHO) to do this is to deny any victory at all to the Islamists. You don't glorify them, you don't call them 'freedom fighters', you don't have a carbomb going off and killing five people have the headlines and very good progress on the fight against the folks setting carbombs get ignored. You want to deny the enemy good press.

Which is why it's funny that the Western media is acting as a propaganda outlet for the enemy, which would destroy them if they could...

The world is smaller now than it was in 1945. The media won't be protected by distance, and they're knocking down the soldiers and morale of the countries that would protect them from a future they really, really don't want.

J.

Over at Instapundit.com -

MICHAEL YON EMAILS: "Baqubah has gone quiet. Very little fighting. There might be more to come, but overall the people have turned against al Qaeda and are pointing them out day by day. The people are pointing out the bombs. Baqubah received its first food shipment in 10 months just a few days ago, even while light fighting was still on. I was there for the food distribution and am writing a dispatch on it. The primary object now is to start to restore a sense of normalcy in the city. Remember Ramadi? That crazy city of death and fighting? Writers hardly want to go there any more because it's quiet. I am very curious if Baqubah will go that way. So far so good. There are serious sectarian issues here in Diyala Province, but with al Qaeda on defense instead of offense, the people in Baqubah have a chance to do what those in Ramadi and other cities are doing: reclaim their lives."

U.S.: Sunni insurgents battling al-Qaida - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com

American commanders cite al-Qaida's severe brand of Islam, which is so extreme that in Baqouba, al-Qaida has warned street vendors not to place tomatoes beside cucumbers because the vegetables are different genders, Col. David Sutherland said.

But if they see this yam, it's all over. (NSFW, unless you can explain to your boss it's really a yam before they sic the HR folk on you for insensitivity to Vegetable-Americans.) Humorous vegetables on the internets. Gotta love it...

Re Scooter Libby... I'm kind of stonkered on this one. Let's see, there wasn't any crime committed, at least nothing that anyone's been charged with. But because he couldn't remember spot-on what he told to who he got slammed with years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

Meanwhile, Sandy Berger pleads nolo contendre to charges he took classified documents and gives up his law license rather than try to defend himself... which makes me wonder just who he's protecting and what he made off with. Berger loses his license, pays $25k. Seems kind of odd...

Global warming may be caused by something else entirely. One main problem is we don't necessarily know what questions to ask, or what to make of the answers when we do get them. It IS noticeably warmer on Mars and Pluto, which would tie into a more active sun, which would tie into the theory presented above. More info on the same here. Then again...

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | 'Scepticism' over climate claims

The public believes the effects of global warming on the climate are not as bad as politicians and scientists claim, a poll has suggested.

The Ipsos Mori poll of 2,032 adults - interviewed between 14 and 20 June - found 56% believed scientists were still questioning climate change.

There was a feeling the problem was exaggerated to make money, it found.

The Royal Society said most climate scientists believed humans were having an "unprecedented" effect on climate.

The survey suggested that terrorism, graffiti, crime and dog mess were all of more concern than climate change.

Let's see... the folks who did the attempted car bombings are doctors... apparently they're better doctors than bomb-makers. And over at The Daily Brief: Military Musings and Thoughts Less Filtered � The Whip Hand and the Velvet Glove, Sgt. Mom's got some interesting observations.

It is reported in the aftermath of the car-bomb attempt on the Glasgow airport terminal, that bystanders yelled “let the ****er burn!” as rescuers attempted to extinguish the fire burning on the clothes and flesh of one of the aspiring jihadis.

This happening and the fact that it was even noted and reported may be seen as a kind of harbinger. It may be an indication that the masses, or the ordinary people, the proletariat… or whatever you want to call the non-elite are no longer buying the load being sold to them.

Well, that's about it for tonight. I gotta get some sleep, I'm flat out of Provigil... not that I was taking it before... but I really wouldn't mind being able to sleep for only about 3, 4 hours a day...

J.

Terribly insensitive, of course.

The Daily Record - NEWS - HERO CABBIE: I KICKED BURNING TERRORIST SO HARD IN BALLS THAT I TORE A TENDON

A HERO cabbie who took on the Glasgow Airport terror suspects told yesterday how he booted one of them in the privates.

Alex McIlveen, 45, kicked the man, whose body was in flames, so hard that he tore a tendon in his foot.

But he said last night: "He didn't even flinch. I couldn't believe he didn't go down.

"A doctor told me later I'd damaged a tendon in my foot."

The next failed event will likely see the terrorist wanna-bes torn limb from limb. They're TIRED of terrorism, and aren't willing to put up with it.

J.

Consider this...

OpinionJournal - Featured Article

It's easy now, in a nation awash with complaints about what our Founders did not do, what imperfect humans they seem to 21st century eyes, to overlook how startlingly bold their views and actions were in their own day and are, in fact, even today. Who else in 1776 declared, let alone thought it a self-evident truth, that all men were created equal, entitled to inalienable rights, or to any rights at all? How few declare these views today or, glibly declaring them, really intend to treat their countrymen or others as equal, entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

Certainly not America's 20th century enemies, the Nazis and communists; certainly not today's Islamic radicals, who consider infidels unworthy to live and the faithful bound by an ancient and brutal code of law. We are fortunate that the Founders of our nation were enlightened, generous, jealous of their rights and those of their countrymen, and prepared to risk everything to create a free republic.

Never mind the fact that what IS there is a hell of a lot better than any government that's been available before - and constantly being improved. It's the typical leftist binary thinking - if it isn't PERFECT, it's WORTHLESS.

There's been a lot of changes in the last 236 years. I expect even more to come. But it would be well to remember that the Founding Fathers didn't think in binary - they thought about what could be accomplished... even if imperfectly.

J.

Well, maybe it doesn't.

Comparing Economies: Two Respected Measures Put Bush 43's at or Near the Top | NewsBusters.org

Comparing Economies: Two Respected Measures Put Bush 43's at or Near the Top

Today's release of the Institute for Supply Management's Non-Manufacturing Activity Report, which measures business conditions in the 86% of the economy other than manufacturing, came in with a reading of 60.7, after recording a 59.7 last month.

As has been customary, the report whipped the pants off of "expectations." This Thomson Financial article at Forbes predicted a decline to 58.1 instead of the full-point increase that occurred, as did this AFX piece.

That they can't fill these jobs means one of two things... either the pay is so low that folks won't work for it (and when you can't find workers your choice is usually to pay more until you DO find someone) or there's just not sufficient warm bodies out there to fill the positions.

Interesting, isn't it?

J.

Hard to tell, but this is interesting...

Power Line: Jihadists On Defense

On July 4, Zawahiri released a new video tape. The production values are pretty good, and Zawahiri is intercut with other footage, including television clips. What is striking about Zawahiri's message, however, is how defensive it is. And what Zawahiri is defensive about, is events in Iraq.

He begins by talking about Iraq, and that remains the main subject although there are passing references to other fields of battle. His theme on Iraq is the need for unity. Reading between the lines, you can tell that Muslims, including relatively radical Muslims, are distancing themselves from al Qaeda in Iraq, or, as Zawahiri calls it, the Islamic State of Iraq. He criticizes clerics who say there is no duty to carry out jihad in Iraq. He contrasts al Qaeda in Iraq favorably with Hamas, and complains that while Hamas receives near-universal support, al Qaeda in Iraq suffers from "a storm of media campaigns, allegations and claims ... whipped up in their face."

Michael Yon : Online Magazine � Blog Archive � Baqubah Update: 05 July 2007

Speaking through an American interpreter, Lieutenant David Wallach who is a native Arabic speaker, the Iraqi official related how al Qaeda united these gangs who then became absorbed into “al Qaeda.” They recruited boys born during the years 1991, 92 and 93 who were each given weapons, including pistols, a bicycle and a phone (with phone cards paid) and a salary of $100 per month, all courtesy of al Qaeda. These boys were used for kidnapping, torturing and murdering people.

At first, he said, they would only target Shia, but over time the new al Qaeda directed attacks against Sunni, and then anyone who thought differently. The official reported that on a couple of occasions in Baqubah, al Qaeda invited to lunch families they wanted to convert to their way of thinking. In each instance, the family had a boy, he said, who was about 11 years old. As LT David Wallach interpreted the man’s words, I saw Wallach go blank and silent. He stopped interpreting for a moment. I asked Wallach, “What did he say?” Wallach said that at these luncheons, the families were sat down to eat. And then their boy was brought in with his mouth stuffed. The boy had been baked. Al Qaeda served the boy to his family.

In part, as many commentators have noted, Zawahiri's plea for unity in Iraq reflects the abandonment of al Qaeda by most Sunnis there, and the fact that many Sunnis have joined with the U.S. and the Iraqi government in fighting al Qaeda. But the defensiveness Zawahiri betrays goes well beyond that schism. He plainly is concerned about how things are going in Iraq, and is anxious to generate support for his organization's efforts there.

I've never understood the theory that Iraq is somehow unrelated to the broader war on terror. It would not be possible to read what al Qaeda's leaders have written and listen to their tapes, and hold that view. At one point, Zawahiri exhorts his followers to "[h]urry to Afghanistan, to Iraq, hurry to Somalia, hurry to Palestine, and hurry to the towering Atlas Mountains." If we were to abandon Iraq, can anyone doubt that the flow of jihadists to those other regions, and more, would increase?

But as I've said before - they'd better be careful what they wish for. The Democrats want control, but show no signs of having the first clue about what to do with it. The Republicans... sigh. We won't go there. Al Quaeda's been able to get in the door, but have made themselves such unpleasant guests that the infidel occupier is seen as preferable, which you've got to admit takes significant doing. To conclude, one final bit from Michael Yon's post....

The big news on the streets today is that the people of Baqubah are generally ecstatic, although many hold in reserve a serious concern that we will abandon them again. For many Iraqis, we have morphed from being invaders to occupiers to members of a tribe. I call it the “al Ameriki tribe,” or “tribe America.”

I’ve seen this kind of progression in Mosul, out in Anbar and other places, and when I ask our military leaders if they have sensed any shift, many have said, yes, they too sense that Iraqis view us differently. In the context of sectarian and tribal strife, we are the tribe that people can—more or less and with giant caveats—rely on.

Most Iraqis I talk with acknowledge that if it was ever about the oil, it’s not now. Not mostly anyway. It clearly would have been cheaper just to buy the oil or invade somewhere easier that has more. Similarly, most Iraqis seem now to realize that we really don’t want to stay here, and that many of us can’t wait to get back home. They realize that we are not resolved to stay, but are impatient to drive down to Kuwait and sail away. And when they consider the Americans who actually deal with Iraqis every day, the Iraqis can no longer deny that we really do want them to succeed. But we want them to succeed without us. We want to see their streets are clean and safe, their grass is green, and their birds are singing. We want to see that on television. Not in person. We don’t want to be here. We tell them that every day. It finally has settled in that we are telling the truth.

Now that all those realizations and more have settled in, the dynamics here are changing in palpable ways.

J.

How can he be unaware of the Fairtax movement? Or if he is - how can he so quickly dismiss the idea behind it?

My Way News - Giuliani Jeered for Opposing Flat Tax

Several dozen people jeered when Giuliani, in response to a question, said he would not be in favor of a flat tax.

"I have to study it some more," the former New York City mayor said. "I don't think a flat tax is realistic change for America. Our economy is dependent upon the way our tax system operates."

Anyway, there you go - according to Giuliani, the economy is there to serve the government via taxation. As a supporter of the Fairtax, I'm afraid that he's just chalked up a strike as far as I'm concerned.

J.

If you won't even stay in the country you want to rule.

Reuters AlertNet - Iraq's Sadr back in Iran - U.S. military sources

BAGHDAD, July 8 (Reuters) - Fiery Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has gone back to neighbouring Iran, U.S. military sources in Baghdad said on Sunday.

Earlier this year, U.S. officials said the anti-American cleric was hiding in Iran to avoid a major security crackdown in Baghdad, although his aides say he never left Iraq.

"Our sources do show Moqtada in Iran," one U.S. military source said, declining to speculate on why Sadr had gone back.

A senior aide to Sadr denied the cleric had left Iraq.

Sadr disappeared from public view shortly before the launch of a U.S.-led offensive in Baghdad in February but re-emerged in the holy Shi'ite Iraqi city of Kufa on May 25.

If he keeps this up, they're gonna unionize on him, and THEN where will he be? He'll be lucky to find a job at an Iranian Wal-Mart.

J.

An artist tries to provoke a reaction. So does a propagandist. However, it's not all all certain that the propagandist will be able to get the desired reaction, unless the audience is conditioned beforehand. And this 'art/propaganda' exhibit... well, it provoked an emotional reaction - but likely not the one expected.

Anti-American July 4th

July 4th in San Francisco. So many things to do!

Which brings me to picture 12. "Capitalism is suicide!" You know, I'd love to see just how much a joker who generated this on a computer (developed by capitalists) and printed it out either on his home printer (developed by capitalists) or at a local Kinkos' - (developed and RUN by capitalists) would like being in a society where the simple ownership of an unlicensed typewriter would be sufficent cause for years of prison or a death sentence. And what he'd replace capitalism with that would provide for him better.

And this one... Number 13. Wow.

Number 13. You've GOT to laugh at this one. Big busty babes, zepellins, tanks - and the Red Star over all with a call for Rebellion. God, what goes through the mind of an artist that would produce something like this? It makes me wonder just how much support those fools calling for rebellion really expect, or is it a masturbatory exercise in self-delusion? (Considering the appearnce of the BBBabes, likely the latter.) Things are VERY good right now for the majority of people in the US, especially compared to what they might have 'when the Revolution comes'. Where do they think the incentive to overthrow the US government for some nebulous 'better' system (to be determined later) would come from? You've either got to have a LOT of people really dissatisfied with their lot, to the point where ANYTHING seems better than what they've got, or have a hell of a lot of charisma to persuade them to follow your lead. And so far, the folks on the left don't seem to have it, charisma-wise. (Witness the flaming failure of Air America...)

But I'm sure the artist had a good time 'working' on this poster. (Eww.) It's well done, for it's type. Pornographic in it's own way, with a nice promise of pneumatic goodies. 72 virgins, anyone? They're waiting, boys! Join the Rebellion today!

Something else odd...

Many of the posters were actually from Iran itself. And most were so "official"-seeming, so professionally crafted, it dawned on me that these entries were either designed and submitted by the government of Iran, or at the very least vetted and approved by the Iranian government, which apparently must have heard about a crazy American art exhibit in which there would be no curator, and decided to take advantage of the situation.

The organizers ended up getting more than they bargained for: they wanted artists to submit pseudo-propaganda, but what they got was real propaganda!

J.

You're supposed to listen, right? Well, in this case, what authority does a Kennedy have re the environment?

U.S. leg of Live Earth hits key notes - Newsday.com

However, Etheridge aside, it was nonmusicians at this concert who made the most passionate pleas about demanding action for the environment. "Get rid of all these rotten politicians that we have in Washington, who are nothing more than corporate toadies," said Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the environmentalist author, president of Waterkeeper Alliance and Robert F. Kennedy's son, who grew hoarse from shouting. "This is treason. And we need to start treating them as traitors."

You can't question global warming without being called a traitor? I realize hyperbolic rhetoric is about the only way they'll get attention - but seriously, when you're talking science you have to get a LOT of information and come up with theories to explain it. And so far, the 'Evil Man Causes Global Warming' theory just ain't holding much water.

And Live Earth... oddly enough, apparently all you had to do was listen for six minutes on-line to get credit for watching the whole concert.

I wonder how many people would be listed as watching if they'd required a whole half-hour?

J.

Every so often you run across something that just brings a smile to your face. There's the LOLCats and associated memes, of course. But this... it's even simpler. Kind of a slow load, but it's worth it.

Don't forget to click.

J.

And if it means massive deaths and a country in chaos... who cares? It's on the other side of the world, and it's not too early to prep for the '08 elections! Hey, we KNOW who the enemy is, and it ain't Al Quaeda!

House OKs Plan to Withdraw US Troops

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Iraqi government is achieving only spotty military and political progress, the Bush administration conceded Thursday in an assessment that war critics quickly seized on as confirmation of their dire warnings. Within hours, the House voted to withdraw U.S. troops by spring.

Printable words fail me.

Here's the first comparision I thought of. In the American West, there was a modest, pretty much tacit guarantee of a rule of law. That some order would be kept in the towns, that there would be designated people to go out and hunt lawbreakers and investigate crimes. With that promise of stability, people moved out and communities flourished. Those who broke the law ended up in jail or dead - they didn't end up in control of the towns, imposing their brand of law on the area... at least, not for long.

We have been attempting to buck up the government and people of Iraq, hunting down those would would try to take over the country and trying to buy the people of Iraq enough time that they could stabilize and create a government of and by the people, and bulk up enough to fight those who would take over. With even a modest guarantee that the 'sherrif' will be there, they can do this. There's plenty of indication that the surge is working, and the Iraqi people are getting their shit together. So NOW is the time to hamstring the effort, bring the troops home, and watch Iraq go up in a lovely bonfire to hopefully light the way for the Democrats to take the Presidency in '08.

The 25-page administration report was issued in the fifth year of a war that has claimed the lives of more than 3,600 U.S. troops and is costing U.S. taxpayers an estimated $10 billion a month.

Bush announced last winter he was ordering thousands of additional troops to the war zone, but the full complement has only arrived in recent weeks. "The full surge in this respect has only just begun," the report said.

It warned of "tough fighting" during the summer as U.S. and Iraqi forces "seek to seize the initiative from early gains and shape conditions of longer-term stabilization."

If we can't win when it's this EASY (and it IS easy by any historical sense) then we're going to have to do it again in a couple of decades, only the cost will be a hell of a lot higher. But that's after the '08 election, so IT DOESN'T MATTER!

What's the alternative? What can we expect if we pull out?

Hey, who really gives a rat's hindquarters? IT DOESN'T MATTER! After all, Iraq doesn't matter one bit, except as a weapon to hurt Bush. 25 million people we promised protection to... don't count one bit if it means that supporting them, supporting Bush, might lose support from the anti-war crowd. The folks voting today to pull out would quail at actually slaughtering any of the people in Iraq themselves, but they'll love every damn bit of the carnage when it comes because it can be used against Bush. (Who isn't running in '08, but that doesn't matter. It's beyond rationality now, it's the principle of the thing.)

And we will prove, for once and all, that there's not an ally on the planet that can trust us for aid or assistance in the fight against terrorism.

History will judge them harshly.... but then again, maybe not. They may well be looked upon as heros... by Al Quaeda.

I wish to hell I could persuade myself that it just doesn't matter.

You know, sometimes I wonder why I even bother. I'm sure there's got to be historians with democratic affiliations who are looking at the current stances of the Democratic party and are able to forecast what the results of the resulting policies will be, or even have enough sense to say to Pelosi "Um, you know that anything you say on the Floor will be on the web in about thirty seconds, and read in internet cafes throughout the ME moments later." Do they not care? Don't they see what the results are? My conclusion is that she doesn't care one bit about the long-term effects - being focused on the now is all, and the future can take care of itself (and be blamed on Bush, regardless.)

I'm sure there's a good number of people who can look at the whole picture and realize that although things aren't going really great that they aren't going badly and things ARE getting better. I'm aghast at what passes for complete reporting of the issues - and wonder if the media and Democratic Party realizes that their insane dislike of Bush is coming close to severe damage that will persist long after he's out of office.

And then I think of the little guy. I'd hoped he would grow up in a world free of nuclear war, and other types of warfare too... but it looks like that's not to be.

J.

Hugh Hewitt

HH: Now yesterday, Harry Reid said on the floor of the Senate that the surge has failed. Do you think there’s any factual basis for making that assertion, Michael Yon, from what you’ve seen in Iraq over the last many months?
MY: He’s wrong, he’s wrong. It has absolutely not failed, and in fact, I’m finally willing to say it in public. I feel like it’s starting to succeed. And you know, I’m kind of stretching a little bit, because we haven’t gone too far into it, but I can see it from my travels around, for instance, in Anbar and out here in Diyala Province as well. Baghdad’s still very problematic. But there’s other areas where you can clearly see that there is a positive effect. And the first and foremost thing we have to do is knock down al Qaeda. And with them alienating so many Iraqis, I mean, they’re almost doing it for us. I mean, yeah, it takes military might to finally like wipe them out of Baquba, but it’s working. I mean, I sense that the surge is working. Reid is just wrong.

Remember - it's not about Iraq... it's about getting political power here in the US. If it requires burning a country, that's too bad.

J.

Churchill dropped from England's history syllabus - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Britain's World War II prime minister Winston Churchill has been cut from a list of key historical figures recommended for teaching in English secondary schools, a government agency says.

The radical overhaul of the school curriculum for 11- to 14-year-olds is designed to bring secondary education up to date and allow teachers more flexibility in the subjects they teach, the Government said.

But although Adolf Hitler, Mahatma Gandhi, Joseph Stalin and Martin Luther King have also been dropped from the detailed guidance accompanying the curriculum, Sir Winston's exclusion is likely to leave traditionalists aghast.

A spokesman for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said the new curriculum, to be taught from September 2008, does not prescribe to teachers what they must include.

But he added: "Teachers know that they need to mention these pivotal figures. They don't need to be instructed by law to mention them in every history class.

Beckham? Oh, wait. He's moved to the US... never mind.

J.

Kate O'Beirne & Rich Lowry on Iraq on National Review Online

Forget the leaks and the speculation, President George W. Bush is not looking for a way out of the surge and the Iraq war. In a session with about ten conservative journalists Friday afternoon, a confident and determined president made it clear that he is going to see the surge through, and will rely on General David Petraeus’s advice on how to proceed come September, regardless of the political climate in Washington.

That it'd screw over the folks in Iraq doesn't matter - it's not like they can VOTE or anything...

Hmmm. Wouldn't it be a kicker if Petraeus comes back in September and advises we make Iraq the 51st state? Think THAT would change the tactics of the folks in Washington?

President Bush understands the public frustration with the war: “We put highly trained sophisticated military people in harm’s way and they battle $100 IEDs.” He worries about “exhaustion as we’re dealing with these radicals who have a lot of energy and who aren’t going to be tired.” But he said he has “tools” in the debate, including “the bully pulpit and the ability to convince the American people.” He wants both to convince them that success is still possible, and “remind my fellow citizens of what the consequences of failure will be.”

He says he has four audiences when he broadcasts his commitment to the mission in Iraq: the American public; the American military and their families; the Iraqis (“because there are a lot of people who doubt America’s resolve”); and the enemy (“the enemy thinks that we are weak — they’re sophisticated people, and they listen to the debate”). As for that last audience, “I really think the additional forces into Iraq surprised them—a lot.”

Anbar isn’t as complicated as the rest of the country since there isn’t the element of sectarian conflict that there is in the rest of the country. President Bush talked of a “ground-up” approach to reconciliation. He said that security is most important, then other initiatives can come up behind, including “aggressive use of PRTs [provincial reconstruction teams] to convince local folks that life can progress even though they may have suspicion of the central government.” (Local elections is “one of the key reforms” because of the election boycotts that previously took place in the Sunni areas, he said.)

And when it comes to pouring resources into areas where the insurgency is chased out, “If the central government won’t do it, we will through PRTs.” He said he talked with leaders of some of the PRTs today, and “their question was ‘will we have the time?’“ “My answer is...I have got to get us in the position so we will have time.”

It's a bad time to be an Iraqi. You've got a powerful, but fickle, ally in the US, and you've got determined enemies in your neighbors who won't be going away soon. I can understand why some would be working the angles here, because no matter what happens, they're still going to have to be there.

J.

Duckon 2007-Steve Ward's Singing Tesla Coil video

And inferring a datum from the page, there are high-voltage cons called Teslathons, though Google's kind of sparse on info.

Guess they don't want just anyone playin' with sparks like that, though it would sure be a Darwinian means of self-selection for reading comprehension and the ability to follow common-sense safety rules...

J.

Breaking Al-Qaeda Code Islamically: New OBL Video Possibly Announcement Of His Death � Ali Eteraz

Osama Bin Laden recently emerged in a new video from Al-Qaeda in a 37 second clip, praising martyrdom. The rest of the forty minutes of the video was some kind of collage/montage of Al-Qaeda activity.
As quickly uncovered, the images of Osama are from a video shot in October 2001. Compare the pictures, including the leaves above him and the mountains behind him (h/t Hot Air):

A 37 second clip - non-specific, and shot about the same time as a 2001 video... I don't know, it's pretty hard to use this as proof he's still alive. I think he's pinin' for the fjords myself, and is decidedly an ex-parrot... most likely worm food since Tora Bora. But hey - he might show up in a video tomorrow showing a recent copy of the NYTimes (Home edition)... but I don't think so.

The speculation at the site here is that the folks releasing this clip are using it to prep the ground for his 'death' as a martyr, and for Zawahiri to put on the bulls-eye. (Or a red shirt, whichever gets more shots.) Osama's been a croaker for a long time, but they've been waiting for a proper 'figurehead' to take over.

Interesting speculation - and I can see the reasoning behind it. Zarqawi might have made the grade, if he hadn't gone stupidly homicidal. Zawahiri's longevity mean's he's about at the top of the dung heap, and there's nobody who's a serious threat to his power. So it's now time to anoint Osama's successor... but first, you have to get the cat up on the roof. (Two points to the first person who cut and pastes the full text of that joke into a comment.)

J.

Not much time left - they'd better get a move on.

Gen. Pace Declares Iraq 'Sea Change' - TIME

In Washington on Monday, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said he would force the chamber's first all-night debate on the Iraq war Tuesday night in advance of a vote Wednesday on whether to bring home all combat troops by next spring. Republicans are using Senate rules to insist that the measure have 60 votes to pass — a de facto filibuster since it takes that many votes to cut off debate.

Pace conferred Monday with Petraeus and Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the No. 2 commander in Iraq, who said he did not currently foresee requesting more troops. "Right now I can't find an assessment where I would say I need more troops," Odierno said, adding that he is confident that by September he will be able to give Petraeus his advice on how the troop buildup is working.

"My assessment right now is, I need more time" to understand how the offensive targeting al-Qaida in Iraq is working and how it could lead to political progress. I'm seeing some progress now here in Iraq. We have really just started what the Iraqis term 'liberating' them from al-Qaida. What I've got to determine is what do I need in order to continue that progress so that the political piece can then take hold and Iraqi security forces can hold this for the long term."

I heard a call (not sure by who) on the radio today that we need to evaluate the results of the surge NOW, not in September. Of course, it was 'for the soldiers' - but it sure seems the soldiers are more confident of success than the Democrats.

I've mentioned before that I REALLY don't think the Dems anticipate how much damage they're going to inflict if they force a loss in Iraq. The people of Iraq are gonna get screwed, of course. But do they really think there's not going to be any blowback? They're being very vocal on their anti-war agenda, and being very publically against the war... but they're gonna have a hell of a time disassociating themselves politically from the results of what they want. They're very much on record now - and it WILL affect the '08 election.

And if they manage to pull the troops out, the resulting carnage will be laid at THEIR feet, not at Bush's. I don't see appeasing their anti-war base will make up for the other losses they'll take.

J.

GOP establishment rallies around Bush - John Bresnahan - Politico.com

At the same time, Senate Republicans pushed through a nonbinding resolution stating that "precipitous withdrawal" from Iraq would "create a safe haven for Islamic radicals, including Al Qaeda and Hezbollah, who are determined to attack the United States and (U.S.) allies." The vote was 94-3.

94 voted for this non-binding resolution.

The tally is here.

Byrd, Feingold, and Harkin voted against it.

Kerry and Kennedy, oddly enough, voted for it, as did Boxer and Obama.

Strange, isn't it? They're so wanting to see Iraq fail, but put things to a NONBINDING vote... and they won't vote to see it fall.

Of course, nonbinding resolutions don't mean anything.

J.

What more do you want?

Irritation grows over taxes - Aftenposten.no

Norwegians are among the most heavily taxed people in the world, and that in turn has made Norway one of the most expensive countries in which to live. Most accept the taxes they're ordered to pay on income and even net worth and property, but growing numbers are publicly complaining about sky-high taxes on everything from cars to fuel to consumer goods.

There ain't no such thing as a free lunch, is there? Someone always pays the check, whether it's with 'free' healthcare or other social programs... and the money's got to come from somewhere.

So - take a look. This is the sort of system that the 'progressives' would like to inflict on the US. $16 glasses of wine, $9 for a gallon of gas, a 25% VAT on nearly all consumer taxes...

Look well at this - because it could be the future.

J.

In my post, Rusted Sky: As long as it's non-binding... Jason noted...

I think that they voted for it with a different idea of what "precipitous" means in this context.

(a) Findings.--The Senate makes the following findings:

(1) A failed state in Iraq would become a safe haven for Islamic radicals, including al Qaeda and Hezbollah, who are determined to attack the United States and United States allies.

(2) The Iraq Study Group report found that ``[a] chaotic Iraq could provide a still stronger base of operations for terrorists who seek to act regionally or even globally''.

(3) The Iraq Study Group noted that ``Al Qaeda will portray any failure by the United States in Iraq as a significant victory that will be featured prominently as they recruit for their cause in the region and around the world''.

(4) A National Intelligence Estimate concluded that the consequences of a premature withdrawal from Iraq would be that--

(A) Al Qaeda would attempt to use Anbar province to plan further attacks outside of Iraq;

(B) neighboring countries would consider actively intervening in Iraq; and

(C) sectarian violence would significantly increase in Iraq, accompanied by massive civilian casualties and displacement.

(5) The Iraq Study Group found that ``a premature American departure from Iraq would almost certainly produce greater sectarian violence and further deterioration of conditions. . .. The near-term results would be a significant power vacuum, greater human suffering, regional destabilization, and a threat to the global economy. Al Qaeda would depict our withdrawal as a historic victory.''

(6) A failed state in Iraq could lead to broader regional conflict, possibly involving Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

(7) The Iraq Study group noted that ``Turkey could send troops into northern Iraq to prevent Kurdistan from declaring independence''.

(8) The Iraq Study Group noted that ``Iran could send troops to restore stability in southern Iraq and perhaps gain control of oil fields. The regional influence of Iran could rise at a time when that country is on a path to producing nuclear weapons.''

(9) A failed state in Iraq would lead to massive humanitarian suffering, including widespread ethnic cleansing and countless refugees and internally displaced persons, many of whom will be tortured and killed for having assisted Coalition forces.

Of course, if Saddam had died and left Iraq to his sons, then everything would have been fine. Well, unless you were an Iraqi.

(10) A recent editorial in the New York Times stated, ``Americans must be clear that Iraq, and the region around it, could be even bloodier and more chaotic after Americans leave. There could be reprisals against those who worked with American forces, further ethnic cleansing, even genocide. Potentially destabilizing refugee flows could hit Jordan and Syria. Iran and Turkey could be tempted to make power grabs.''

(11) The Iraq Study Group found that ``[i]f we leave and Iraq descends into chaos, the long-range consequences could eventually require the United States to return''.

(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that--

(1) the Senate should commit itself to a strategy that will not leave a failed state in Iraq; and

(2) the Senate should not pass legislation that will undermine our military's ability to prevent a failed state in Iraq.

Nothing about 'precipitous', oddly enough. I think they knew what they were voting for, but figured nobody would pay attention to it. And almost nobody did - this is another of those little bits and pieces that Congress tosses out that get lost among the rest of the garbage they generate.

J.

Michelle Malkin � Don’t let the Dems kill the John Doe amendment
Update: House Dems kill John Doe amendment…fight moves to the Senate Update:
8:55pm Senate Dems kill John Doe amendment…roll added

DAMN but I'm tired of seeing them do damn near everything they can to covertly help fundy Islam. Is this supposed to make us think they're serious about fighting the WoT? Or are they more worried about someone at CAIR getting offended by someone complaining about what could be a dry-run for an attack? Yeah, let the lawyers sort it all out - you'll end up with a public afraid to say or do anything, because some Muslim might take offense and sue their assets off.

Maybe, just maybe they've got something more going than a reflexive negativity, but I'm sure not seeing it.

J.

Breitbart.tv � Kerry: No Bloodbath In Vietnam After US Redeployment

Sen. John Kerry said during a C-SPAN appearance that fears of a bloodbath after the US withdrawal from Vietnam never materialized. He says he's met survivors of the "reeducation camps" who are thriving in modern Vietnam. An award-winning investigation by the Orange County Register concludes that at least 165,000 people perished in the camps.

But in Kerry's mind... the Communists were apparently noble, gentle folks who carefully re-educated the population. Could it be Altzheimers?

We really dodged a bullet when he wasn't able to steal the election in '04. Bad as you think Bush might be - at least he's in this reality instead of whichever alternate Kerry came from.

J.

Breitbart.tv � Kerry: No Bloodbath In Vietnam After US Redeployment

Sen. John Kerry said during a C-SPAN appearance that fears of a bloodbath after the US withdrawal from Vietnam never materialized. He says he's met survivors of the "reeducation camps" who are thriving in modern Vietnam. An award-winning investigation by the Orange County Register concludes that at least 165,000 people perished in the camps.

But in Kerry's mind... the Communists were apparently noble, gentle folks who carefully re-educated the population. Could it be Altzheimers?

We really dodged a bullet when he wasn't able to steal the election in '04. Bad as you think Bush might be - at least he's in this reality instead of whichever alternate Kerry came from.

J.

Breitbart.tv � Kerry: No Bloodbath In Vietnam After US Redeployment

Sen. John Kerry said during a C-SPAN appearance that fears of a bloodbath after the US withdrawal from Vietnam never materialized. He says he's met survivors of the "reeducation camps" who are thriving in modern Vietnam. An award-winning investigation by the Orange County Register concludes that at least 165,000 people perished in the camps.

But in Kerry's mind... the Communists were apparently noble, gentle folks who carefully re-educated the population. Could it be Altzheimers?

We really dodged a bullet when he wasn't able to steal the election in '04. Bad as you think Bush might be - at least he's in this reality instead of whichever alternate Kerry came from.

J.

Michael Yon : Online Magazine � Blog Archive � 7 Rules: 1 Oath

Today marks D 30 since the start of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. The initial goal of Arrowhead Ripper was to clear Baqubah of al Qaeda, and then attempt to “jump start” the city back into civic life, which had all but ceased while the terrorists were in control. Though relatively minor clearing operations are still underway, there is little combat in the city.

Today Colonel Steve Townsend, the American commander of the 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, presided over a meeting with Iraqi Army officers and former insurgent leaders. The insurgent leaders who seem to be sincerely working toward peace are now collectively referred to as “the Baqubah Guardians.” I was allowed to attend the meeting, but was—understandably—not permitted to photograph or videotape the proceedings.

Seeing “God is Great” written on the Iraqi flag might provoke some to protest “Why did we come here just to stand up a country who would write such things on their flag?” But I sat there in that meeting, which was completely civil and professional, and I thought about another flag, the one flying over South Carolina. Some people call that flag “heritage,” while others call it “hateful,” “painful” and “demeaning.” And today in that meeting, I thought about the descendants of slaves who are now top military commanders in the American Army, and in that moment I knew that Iraq could make it.

Commanders and U.S. envoy seek more time for Iraq - Print Version - International Herald Tribune

But senior lawmakers sought on Thursday to signal that they would regard September as a deadline for deciding the future of the American commitment to Iraq.

"We're not staying," added Senator Joseph R. Biden, the Delaware Democrat who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee. "You don't have much time."

At the Pentagon, Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the senior ground commander in Iraq, said that while he would be able to provide an assessment of the progress of the new military strategy in mid-September, it would take at least 45 days beyond that to know with more certainty whether the strategy was working.

"In order to do a good assessment I need at least until November," he said during a video briefing with Pentagon reporters.

General Odierno said there had been "significant success" in rooting out insurgents, both within Baghdad and in towns surrounding the capital. But in an implicit argument for more time, he said it would not be possible to know by September whether these were "just a blip."

How long does it take to fight an insurgency when weekly you have people WHO SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THAT FIGHT demanding we leave NOW, and doing damn near everything in their power to politically hamstring the President? How long does it take to get a government operational when the people in it who need your support are quite aware that support can disappear real damn quick if it's politically expedient for it to vanish?

FOXNews.com - Bush Calls on Congress to 'Rise Above Partisanship' on Iraq - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum

WASHINGTON — President Bush on Friday called on Congress to set aside partisanship in the increasingly tense Iraq debate and asked for patience on his strategy there even as administration officials set out to clarify apparently misinterpreted remarks by a general over when Congress next would be briefed on progress in Iraq.

Now, extend it further. A Democratic president is elected in '08. Iran gets very shakey a year or two later, but tries to compensate by announcing they're working hard on a nuclear weapon. We know where the nuke complex is, only we need to stage in Iraq to get at it with the proper equipment and troops.

We request assistance from Iraq.

Iraq tells us to go piss up a rope.

We wouldn't help them, and now they won't help us. If a REPUBLICAN President were to ask, they say, they would seriously consider it. But a Democrat? No, because it's quite clear that the Democrats aren't friends of the Iraqi people, and they'd likely quit the attack before the job was half-complete.

And then, in the spirit of friendship that the Democrats demonstrated to the Iraqi people, the President of Iraq sends the President of the United States two things.

A 50 lb bag of Iraqi desert sand... and a rusty hammer.

J.

Michael Yon : Online Magazine � Blog Archive � 7 Rules: 1 Oath

Today marks D 30 since the start of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. The initial goal of Arrowhead Ripper was to clear Baqubah of al Qaeda, and then attempt to “jump start” the city back into civic life, which had all but ceased while the terrorists were in control. Though relatively minor clearing operations are still underway, there is little combat in the city.

Today Colonel Steve Townsend, the American commander of the 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, presided over a meeting with Iraqi Army officers and former insurgent leaders. The insurgent leaders who seem to be sincerely working toward peace are now collectively referred to as “the Baqubah Guardians.” I was allowed to attend the meeting, but was—understandably—not permitted to photograph or videotape the proceedings.

Seeing “God is Great” written on the Iraqi flag might provoke some to protest “Why did we come here just to stand up a country who would write such things on their flag?” But I sat there in that meeting, which was completely civil and professional, and I thought about another flag, the one flying over South Carolina. Some people call that flag “heritage,” while others call it “hateful,” “painful” and “demeaning.” And today in that meeting, I thought about the descendants of slaves who are now top military commanders in the American Army, and in that moment I knew that Iraq could make it.

Commanders and U.S. envoy seek more time for Iraq - Print Version - International Herald Tribune

But senior lawmakers sought on Thursday to signal that they would regard September as a deadline for deciding the future of the American commitment to Iraq.

"We're not staying," added Senator Joseph R. Biden, the Delaware Democrat who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee. "You don't have much time."

At the Pentagon, Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the senior ground commander in Iraq, said that while he would be able to provide an assessment of the progress of the new military strategy in mid-September, it would take at least 45 days beyond that to know with more certainty whether the strategy was working.

"In order to do a good assessment I need at least until November," he said during a video briefing with Pentagon reporters.

General Odierno said there had been "significant success" in rooting out insurgents, both within Baghdad and in towns surrounding the capital. But in an implicit argument for more time, he said it would not be possible to know by September whether these were "just a blip."

How long does it take to fight an insurgency when weekly you have people WHO SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THAT FIGHT demanding we leave NOW, and doing damn near everything in their power to politically hamstring the President? How long does it take to get a government operational when the people in it who need your support are quite aware that support can disappear real damn quick if it's politically expedient for it to vanish?

FOXNews.com - Bush Calls on Congress to 'Rise Above Partisanship' on Iraq - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum

WASHINGTON — President Bush on Friday called on Congress to set aside partisanship in the increasingly tense Iraq debate and asked for patience on his strategy there even as administration officials set out to clarify apparently misinterpreted remarks by a general over when Congress next would be briefed on progress in Iraq.

Now, extend it further. A Democratic president is elected in '08. Iran gets very shakey a year or two later, but tries to compensate by announcing they're working hard on a nuclear weapon. We know where the nuke complex is, only we need to stage in Iraq to get at it with the proper equipment and troops.

We request assistance from Iraq.

Iraq tells us to go piss up a rope.

We wouldn't help them, and now they won't help us. If a REPUBLICAN President were to ask, they say, they would seriously consider it. But a Democrat? No, because it's quite clear that the Democrats aren't friends of the Iraqi people, and they'd likely quit the attack before the job was half-complete.

And then, in the spirit of friendship that the Democrats demonstrated to the Iraqi people, the President of Iraq sends the President of the United States two things.

A 50 lb bag of Iraqi desert sand... and a rusty hammer.

J.

Michael Yon : Online Magazine � Blog Archive � 7 Rules: 1 Oath

Today marks D 30 since the start of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. The initial goal of Arrowhead Ripper was to clear Baqubah of al Qaeda, and then attempt to “jump start” the city back into civic life, which had all but ceased while the terrorists were in control. Though relatively minor clearing operations are still underway, there is little combat in the city.

Today Colonel Steve Townsend, the American commander of the 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, presided over a meeting with Iraqi Army officers and former insurgent leaders. The insurgent leaders who seem to be sincerely working toward peace are now collectively referred to as “the Baqubah Guardians.” I was allowed to attend the meeting, but was—understandably—not permitted to photograph or videotape the proceedings.

Seeing “God is Great” written on the Iraqi flag might provoke some to protest “Why did we come here just to stand up a country who would write such things on their flag?” But I sat there in that meeting, which was completely civil and professional, and I thought about another flag, the one flying over South Carolina. Some people call that flag “heritage,” while others call it “hateful,” “painful” and “demeaning.” And today in that meeting, I thought about the descendants of slaves who are now top military commanders in the American Army, and in that moment I knew that Iraq could make it.

Commanders and U.S. envoy seek more time for Iraq - Print Version - International Herald Tribune

But senior lawmakers sought on Thursday to signal that they would regard September as a deadline for deciding the future of the American commitment to Iraq.

"We're not staying," added Senator Joseph R. Biden, the Delaware Democrat who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations committee. "You don't have much time."

At the Pentagon, Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the senior ground commander in Iraq, said that while he would be able to provide an assessment of the progress of the new military strategy in mid-September, it would take at least 45 days beyond that to know with more certainty whether the strategy was working.

"In order to do a good assessment I need at least until November," he said during a video briefing with Pentagon reporters.

General Odierno said there had been "significant success" in rooting out insurgents, both within Baghdad and in towns surrounding the capital. But in an implicit argument for more time, he said it would not be possible to know by September whether these were "just a blip."

How long does it take to fight an insurgency when weekly you have people WHO SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THAT FIGHT demanding we leave NOW, and doing damn near everything in their power to politically hamstring the President? How long does it take to get a government operational when the people in it who need your support are quite aware that support can disappear real damn quick if it's politically expedient for it to vanish?

FOXNews.com - Bush Calls on Congress to 'Rise Above Partisanship' on Iraq - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum

WASHINGTON — President Bush on Friday called on Congress to set aside partisanship in the increasingly tense Iraq debate and asked for patience on his strategy there even as administration officials set out to clarify apparently misinterpreted remarks by a general over when Congress next would be briefed on progress in Iraq.

Now, extend it further. A Democratic president is elected in '08. Iran gets very shakey a year or two later, but tries to compensate by announcing they're working hard on a nuclear weapon. We know where the nuke complex is, only we need to stage in Iraq to get at it with the proper equipment and troops.

We request assistance from Iraq.

Iraq tells us to go piss up a rope.

We wouldn't help them, and now they won't help us. If a REPUBLICAN President were to ask, they say, they would seriously consider it. But a Democrat? No, because it's quite clear that the Democrats aren't friends of the Iraqi people, and they'd likely quit the attack before the job was half-complete.

And then, in the spirit of friendship that the Democrats demonstrated to the Iraqi people, the President of Iraq sends the President of the United States two things.

A 50 lb bag of Iraqi desert sand... and a rusty hammer.

J.

Dr. Phat Tony's: The Difference

Fred Thompson and Hillary were walking down the street when they came to a homeless person.

The Republican, Fred Thompson, gave the homeless person his business card and told him to come to his office for a job. He then took $20 out of his pocket and gave it to the homeless person.

Hillary was very impressed, so when they came to another homeless person, she decided to help. She walked over to the homeless person and gave him directions to the welfare office. She then reached into Thompson's pocket and got out $20. She kept $15 for her administrative fees and gave the homeless person $5.

Now, do you understand the difference?

Preview: ABC's John Stossel Highlights Greater Conservative Charitable Giving | NewsBusters.org

Funny, isn't it?

J.

Dr. Phat Tony's: The Difference

Fred Thompson and Hillary were walking down the street when they came to a homeless person.

The Republican, Fred Thompson, gave the homeless person his business card and told him to come to his office for a job. He then took $20 out of his pocket and gave it to the homeless person.

Hillary was very impressed, so when they came to another homeless person, she decided to help. She walked over to the homeless person and gave him directions to the welfare office. She then reached into Thompson's pocket and got out $20. She kept $15 for her administrative fees and gave the homeless person $5.

Now, do you understand the difference?

Preview: ABC's John Stossel Highlights Greater Conservative Charitable Giving | NewsBusters.org

Funny, isn't it?

J.

Dr. Phat Tony's: The Difference

Fred Thompson and Hillary were walking down the street when they came to a homeless person.

The Republican, Fred Thompson, gave the homeless person his business card and told him to come to his office for a job. He then took $20 out of his pocket and gave it to the homeless person.

Hillary was very impressed, so when they came to another homeless person, she decided to help. She walked over to the homeless person and gave him directions to the welfare office. She then reached into Thompson's pocket and got out $20. She kept $15 for her administrative fees and gave the homeless person $5.

Now, do you understand the difference?

Preview: ABC's John Stossel Highlights Greater Conservative Charitable Giving | NewsBusters.org

Funny, isn't it?

J.

But HP Book 7 should arrive tomorrow...

MSN Movies - Harry Potter

EDINBURGH, Scotland -- Harry Potter's life hangs in the balance. Millions of fans are holding their breath. Meanwhile, his creator is baking a cake, and keeping her secret.

On Saturday, readers around the globe will learn the schoolboy wizard's fate with the publication of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the seventh and final book in J.K. Rowling's fantasy series. Will Harry defeat his evil nemesis, Lord Voldemort, and restore order to the wizarding world? Will he die in the attempt, as many fans fear, and as Rowling, an expert narrative tease, has hinted?

"Harry's story comes to a definite end in book seven," is all she will say a few days before publication, serving up tea and home-baked sponge cake in her comfortable Edinburgh house. Writing the final words of the saga felt "like a bereavement."

That sounds ominously final. So have we really seen the last of the staff and students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?

"Because the world is so big, there would be room to do other stuff," Rowling says carefully. "I am not planning to do that, but I'm not going to say I'm never going to do it."

For a number of years now, I've seen the HP saga as being something of an allegory of the prelude to WW2 - troubles brewing, with a government that steadfastly ignores them. Dumbledore was a rather Churchillian figure, but he got knocked off in the last book. So in this next book... I wonder whether the meme will continue. It does look like open warfare in the wizarding community is about to break out, and who will be the voice of sanity?

Then again, it could be total war, with Harry as the weapon too horrible to use. (Hey, Harry is da Bomb!) As such, it would make sense to have him take out Voldemort in the last chapter, and then die himself.

Well, guess I'll have tro read the book and see. One thing for sure, it's going to be difficult to keep from looking at the last pages!

J.

But HP Book 7 should arrive tomorrow...

MSN Movies - Harry Potter

EDINBURGH, Scotland -- Harry Potter's life hangs in the balance. Millions of fans are holding their breath.