An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Morning Coffee 12/16/07
British hand over control of Basra
During a low-key ceremony Sunday, Britain formally handed over security responsibility to the Iraqi provincial authorities, marking a significant step toward a full return to Iraqi sovereignty.
“This day is a big day in the history of Basra and the history of Iraq,” national security advisor Mowafflak Baqer Rubaie told a group of more than 50 dignitaries and other guests gathered in a passenger lounge at Basra International Airport. “It is a huge test for the Basraris to be in charge … to determine their own fate, and to rebuild the city.”
I honestly hope the Iraqis are up to the job. But hey, it’s their country, if they want it to go to hell in a hand basket, that’s their choice, right?
McCain, Clinton Get Coveted Iowa Paper Endorsement
The Des Moines Register’s editorial board is endorsing Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton ahead of the state’s Jan. 3 presidential caucuses, contending they top the field in competence and readiness to lead in a time of dissension at home and distrust and peril abroad.
Weighing in on a tight Democratic race, the statewide paper’s board said in its endorsement Saturday night that Democratic challenger Barack Obama “inspired our imaginations. But it was Clinton who inspired our confidence.”
McCain, an opponent of ethanol and crop subsidies important to Iowa, has not mounted a serious challenge in the state’s close GOP contest, pinning his hopes on New Hampshire’s Jan. 8 leadoff primary and elsewhere. But the board cited his deep knowledge of national-security and foreign-policy issues, and his honesty.
That’s one endorsement I don’t think I’d care to have. Since the paper has now made a laughing stock of itself, with the hall monitor in charge, I can’t possibly take any endorsement from them, seriously. Coveted? 
Revenue Department closing 19 offices
Madison – The state Department of Revenue will close 19 of its 26 offices beginning this month, prompting fears that taxpayers who use those offices will be inconvenienced and in some cases forced to pay for services they now obtain for free.
(…)
“People are going to be concerned” if they have to take a day off from work and drive to Eau Claire – the closest regional office that will remain open after the reorganization, Schilling said.When it comes to sorting out and paying taxes, Schilling said, “Nothing can sort of replace the face-to-face interaction.”
La Crosse accountant Mary Jo Werner said closing that city’s office would hurt many low- and middle-income taxpayers. They come to the La Crosse office to pick up tax forms or to ask questions such as how to apply for the homestead and student tuition tax credits, she said.
This is the gubmint we’re talking about here. Why should convenience for the taxpayer come into play?
U.S. immigration debate rages outside Arizona store
“It’s symbolic of what’s going on all over the country. People are tired of illegal immigration and our politicians not listening to us,” said Valerie Roller, a pro-enforcement activist at the site where sheriff’s deputies have made more than 50 arrests since the action began.
Hispanic activists said the protest is now about making a stand for millions of illegal immigrants who they say have been sidelined by Washington, but subject to an increasing number of state and local laws.
“It’s about supporting the people who are here to work and not starve in Mexico,” said artist Luis Gutierrez.
Do you ever wonder if the U.S. government’s failure to enforce its own laws is actually meant spark violence? Did GW makes a deal with Mexico?
Gun scourge on our streets: Nearly 1,000 shot this year
The figures reveal the stark truth about the battle against gun crime taking place in many of Britain’s major cities. A total of 958 victims were admitted to hospital in England alone for gunshot injuries in 2006/07, according to official statistics seen by The Independent on Sunday. This was 10 per cent more than the previous year and an increase of 20 per cent on 1998/99, when records were first collected.
Despite the outlawing of handguns and clamping down on other firearms in 1997, after the massacre the previous year of 16 school children in Dunblane, the gun menace continues to escalate in the UK. Gun-related murders rose by 6 per cent to 53 in England and Wales, according to official figures for the year ending June 2007.
But….but….I thought gun bans PREVENTED gun crimes? (massive sarcasm in there somewhere)
General says U.S. looking for fight
Russia’s top military officer yesterday accused the United States of seeking direct confrontation with Moscow and warned again that U.S. plans to deploy missile defenses in Europe would destabilize the continent.
Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky spoke at a joint press conference along with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak, who repeated that Russia would not increase troop levels on its western border even after suspending participation in a key arms treaty.
Oh yes, and the Russians can be taken at their word! Pfft! Who is it that is aiding Ahmabooboo? Who is it suppressing freedom? Sure isn’t the U.S.
Philippine Islamist ‘shot dead’
Mobin Abdurajak, said to be a senior leader in the Abu Sayyaf group, was wanted for the abduction in 2000 of 21 people from a Malaysian resort.
Regional officials said he died in a shootout when marines swooped on his hideout in the island of Tawi-Tawi.
The United States had offered $20,000 (£9,900) for his arrest.
Mobin Abdurajak was a brother-in-law of Abu Sayyaf chief Khadaffy Janjalani, who was killed in a clash with Philippine troops last year.
And then sometimes, there is actually GOOD news. 
Driver’s license law snags skilled foreign workers
A new Tennessee law aimed at keeping illegal immigrants from getting driver’s licenses has unintentionally left many legal immigrants suddenly unable to drive, including some highly skilled workers from large international companies.
The two-month-old law coincides — some say clashes — with Tennessee’s efforts to bring investment by foreign companies to the state.
What! Aren’t there any ‘highly skilled’ U.S. citizens? Must we import them too?
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