Iraq, the war and more.

See Lonsberry, March 16^th for an opening statement.

Officially, the war with Iraq began on, or about March 19^th, 2003 after months of what turned out to be useless negotiations at the United Nations (complete with a French betrayal). The approximately 300,000 troops hovering at the border began entry into Iraq proper on Thursday evening, after an apparent direct hit on the opening night upon a “bunker” containing Saddam Hussein, his two criminal sons and the top of the Iraq’s military command. It’s still unclear, two days later, if Saddam still lives. Early rumors had him taken from the bunker on a stretcher, and we all await the facts. It sure would be GREAT if this was over before much damage and human loss occurred.

It’s the first full day of spring.

An update:

Today is April 9^th 2003, three weeks to the day that the bombing of Iraq started and Baghdad has fallen. Troops poured into the center of the city from all sides and the Iraqi handlers, the folks who “accompanied” foreign journalist, did NOT show up for work today. The Minister of Information, a fellow dubbed “Baghdad Bob”, a guy who has been broadcasting that this whole “invasion thing” is no more than a lie and that, in fact, the Iraqi army was slaughtering the invading infidels, did NOT show up for work today either AND, as the normal citizens of Baghdad pulled down various statues of their former leader and burnt pictures, no messages were sent to the world from Baghdad Bob, whose whereabouts remain unknown. On Monday another, at least the second, attempt to eliminate Mr. Hussein was made as multiple 2,000 bombs were dropped upon a restaurant he had been at, holding a meeting with his sons and the remaining senior leadership of Iraq. At this date there is NO confirmation of Mr. Hussein’s existence, or lack thereof, and the world carries on. One way or another, it’s obvious from today’s activities that Iraq is, and has been changed and more importantly that the people seem relieved to be rid of this monster whose reign of terror lasted twenty plus years.

We shall see what tomorrows bring.