Bombs Over Baghdad; Missing Fidel

Thanks to some computer problems and an abundance of work, I have been unable to get much written lately. So, when I logged in this afternoon to get back on the horse, I noticed that I had 63 comments in moderation.

“Great,” I thought to myself, “some one is reading.”

Then I looked through the comments.

The first one said, “I have been looking for sites like this for a long time. Thank you! Buy Cialis online.” The next few were titled “Granny Pics,” and then there were the online gambling and pharmacy sites. Finally, the last one said “New Britney Spears Porn vdieo [sic]” in the subject line.

So much for readership.

Anyway, back to more significant matters.

Sometimes it feels like the news out of Iraq is being recycled. Maybe, it’s because we wish it were. Three bombings in a Shiite neighborhood of Baghdad killed at least 51 people and injured as many as 90 more.

Reports said that three car bombs went off in a matter of two or three minutes. The show of sectarian violence followed a meeting between President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to discuss possible methods to quell the heightening rate of violence.

Above: Another Baghdad Bombing (Reuters)

Al-Maliki said that Iraqi forces would be able to take over by June 2007. Then, of course, there was this attack. I could be wrong, but it seems as though every time he or President Bush make a statement on improving the state of affairs in Iraq, another rash of attacks occurs.

At this point, the thought that Iraq will erupt into civil war appears more and more prevailing. Shiite leader Abdul Aziz al-Hakim rejected a call for an international summit on Iraq by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. Al-Hakim said that a solution must come from Baghdad, “not conferences outside Iraq.”

On U.S. soil, the possible outbreak of civil war helped cripple the Republican Party after the November elections. In the wake of the elections, President Bush will, in part, change course in Iraq, particularly seeking a bi-partisan consensus. However, U.S. forces continue to fight for an unfeasible goal – a democratic Iraqi state.

In Cuba, Fidel Castro did not appear at a military parade in Havana. The parade was meant to be a celebration of Castro’s 80th birthday, as well as the 50th anniversary of the revolution that put him in power, but the leader was too ill to attend.

What this means, essentially, is that Castro’s reign in Cuba is over. But it doesn’t mean an end to 47 years of a Castro-ruled country. Raul Castro, Fidel’s brother, addressed the large crowd at the parade, not mentioning Fidel or his condition. It was a clear sign, though, that his condition is in a very dire state.

Above: Fidel's last public appearance.

I never thought I’d say this, and I hope I’m not imprisoned for it, but something inside me is going to miss Fidel. He was a good foe, wasn’t he? He’s our final link to the Cold War.

In a way, he reflects many attributes that Americans can admire (except for the fact that he, and most Cubans, hate America). We can say he is one of the most stubborn men to walk this earth. Inestimable times, U.S. leaders tried to have him assassinated, and every time, they failed. He stood in absolute rebellion for years in the face of the superpowers.

The U.S. has aided in efforts to destroy Cuba’s economy. While citizens of the small island country are desperately impoverished, Fidel is still loved by his countrymen. In this sense, he has been a good leader.

Finally, in showbiz news, the news we all really care about, America’s sweetheart is no longer America’s highest paid actress. According to the annual report on these matters, Julia Roberts was supplanted from the top spot for the first time in five years.

The new number one? Nicole Kidman.

Kidman still doesn’t attract $20 million per film as Roberts did (only $17 million), but she took advantage of Roberts’ absence from the silver screen in 2006. Roberts is working on raising a family, with a little stage work on the side.

Until next time (which will be soon), I am out.