Loose Cannons

Issue 

Pot calls kettle black

"Their [the Islamists] goal in the broader Middle East is to seize control of a country, so they have a base from which they can launch attacks against governments that refuse to meet their demands." — Lord Darth Cheney, February 23.

Just a coincidence

"By late October, only 34 local police officers were left to try to maintain order in this city of 100,000 ... Samarra, 65 miles north of Baghdad, is home to the Mosque of the Golden Dome, one of Iraq's most sacred Shiite shrines. A year ago, Sunni insurgents bombed the mosque, ripping a hole in the dome and unleashing sectarian violence in the country ... Even so, there has been little of the sectarian violence here that has engulfed Baghdad." — New York Times, February 25. Eyewitnesses at the time said that the bombs that blew up the mosque were planted by men in police uniforms.

Not happy George

"In a startlingly blunt speech at a Munich security conference, Russia's president [Vladimir Putin] accused Washington of seeking world domination, undermining the UN and other international institutions, monopolizing world energy resources, destabilizing the Mideast by its bungled occupation of Iraq, and unleashing a new nuclear arms race by planning to deploy anti-missile systems in Eastern Europe." — Toronto Sun, February 25.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.