Category: News

Anti-terror plans 'a shambles'. THE emergency services in Scotland are ill-prepared to cope with the aftermath of a major terrorist attack north of the border, The Scotsman has learned. [The Scotsman]

Back-room dealing a Capitol trend. First of three parts WASHINGTON — Dismayed that the technology company Accenture had located its headquarters in Bermuda, thereby avoiding paying hundreds of millions of dollars in US taxes, the House Appropriations Committee voted 35-17 this summer to strip the firm of a $10 billion Homeland Security contract. It was… Continue reading Back-room dealing a Capitol trend

NYT. Friedman is taking strategy cues straight out of Boyd…. We're in trouble in Iraq. We have to immediately get the Democratic and Republican politics out of this policy and start honestly reassessing what is the maximum we can still achieve there and what every American is going to have to do to make it… Continue reading NYT

Cybersecurity Chief Takes a Hike. The director of Homeland Security's National Cyber Security Division quits, giving one day's notice. His resignation comes during a push by the tech industry and several lawmakers to make cybersecurity a higher priority. [Wired News]

Mini Harper's index on Iraq: Monthly average of US casualties (wounded and killed) during the invastion: 482 Monthly average of US casualties during the occupation: 415 Monthly average of US casualties since the transition to Iraqi rule: 747 The number of attacks on the Iraqi oil industry in April 2004: 4 The number of attacks… Continue reading Mini Harper's index on Iraq:

• Monthly average of US casualties (wounded and killed) during the invastion: 482
• Monthly average of US casualties during the occupation: 415
• Monthly average of US casualties since the transition to Iraqi rule: 747
• The number of attacks on the Iraqi oil industry in April 2004: 4
• The number of attacks on the Iraqi oil industry in June 2004: 12
• The number of attacks on the Iraqi oil industry in August 2004: 21
• Oil prices (five year contract) 1991-2001: ~$20
• Oil prices (five year contract) 2004: $35
• Estimate of guerrilla insurgents in Iraq as of November 2003: 5,000
• Estimate of guerrilla insurgents in Iraq as of September 2004: 20,000
• Unofficial estimates of guerrilla insurgents in Iraq as of today: 40,000 – 50,000
• Average yearly cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: ~$82 billion (what was spent so far and the $87 billion requested for 2005 for warfighting and reconstruction).
• Average yearly cost of the Vietnam war (today's dollars): $61.8 billion

[John Robb's Weblog

William Lind. Training troops in Iraq. When asked for their solution to the mess in Iraq, both of America’s presidential candidates – Tweedledumb and Tweedlephony – advance the same line: “train more Iraqi security forces.” Once enough Iraqis have been trained, they suggest, American troops can be withdrawn and our puppet Iraqi government can stand… Continue reading William Lind

ID Rule Exists, But Can't Be Seen. Justice Department lawyers say there is indeed a rule requiring passengers to show ID at the airport before boarding a plane, but they say the exact wording of the rule can't be read by the public and can't be challenged. By Ryan Singel. [Wired News]

Democrats claim first blood as eloquent Kerry rattles Bush. President fails to rise to TV challenge as rival for White House performs persuasively. [The Scotsman]

Judge Strikes Down Section of Patriot Act. A federal judge ruled that the provision broadly violated the Constitution by giving federal authorities unchecked powers to obtain private information. By JULIA PRESTON. [The New York Times > Technology]

AP. American troops have arrested a senior commander of the U.S.-trained Iraqi National Guard for alleged ties to insurgents, underscoring the obstacles toward building a strong Iraqi security force capable of taking over from U.S. troops and restoring stability to the country. [John Robb's Weblog]