Ahmadinejad is a "salt of the (scorched) earth" kinda guy

The "Green Salt Project" is an Iranian project to bring together the separate elements of nuclear research, missile development, and high-explosive technology.
Crude nuclear weapons aren't that hard to make. Its just that they are incredibly large, heavy, and fragile. Not at all suitable for use in ballistic or cruise missiles and barely adequate as gravity bombs. Other bloggers have noticed this latest sign of trouble.

Thank goodness that Iran is only interested in peaceful nuclear technology. Because, you know, otherwise I'd have to start worrying.

The World to End Tomorrow; Women and Minorities Hardest-Hit: NYT

For Minorities, Signs of Trouble in Foreclosures - New York Times

Sometimes the headlines write themselves. Read the article and marvel at its lack of any hard data.

And for dessert would anyone care for some Civil War?

I've been hearing the "Civil war in Iraq" meme for so long now, it appears that the broken clock might finally be telling the correct time. The trouble with that metaphor is that while a broken clock is right twice a day its only right for two of that day's 1,440 minutes.
So are we seeing actual civil war or just the continuing pernicious influence of Iraq's unfriendly neighbors and its own criminal element? Who knows. Over at VodkaPundit Stephen Green thinks through the consequences of a full-blown civil war and as always is interesting. This thought seems to be generating the most comments;

Christianity was a violent religion until the Thirty Years War. That war lasted
so long, and killed so many people (the population of Germany was reduced by a
third), that Christendom lost its bloodlust. Freedom of conscience was born on
the battlefields of central Europe. The Middle East hasn't suffered that kind of
loss; they haven't yet had their fill of blood; they haven't yet become
disgusted with tyranny. I'd like to think that the Middle East can do what the
West did, without all the suffering. But if it takes regional fratricide, then
so be it.

Personally I don't think that Islam can reform itself from within because of its very nature, but I've been known to be wrong (with distressing frequency) before.
What I see in Iraq now reminds me somewhat of the civil rights movement here in the United States. While most Iraqis support one side or another they aren't active participants in the struggle and seem willing to live with whatever side wins. America, having had its own bloody, destructive civil war, a strong central government, and a strong sense of national identity weathered the unrest of the 60's never approaching the daily level of unrest in Iraq.
From a historical perspective perhaps a true civil war might be just what Iraq (and the greater middle east) need. Small comfort to those living in interesting times though.

What an unfortunate name

Cohen Ends a Long Night by Edging Ahead of Slutskaya - New York Times

You'll have to register to see NYT online stuff, but if you haven't already you should.

Disrespecting Mohammed is one thing, but this is beyond the pale

iowahawk: Seething Midwest Explodes Over Lombardi Cartoons

I feel an embassy-burning coming on. Money Quote;

"Those who sow the curds of blasphemy will reap the cheddar wheel of destruction.”

Now I see why New Zealand doesn't like Americans

'Bra fence' is a keeper, voters decide

What a complete dumbass that guy Prassinos is.

I've got a bad feeling about this...

Following a link in a short piece at YARGB lead me to more feelings of unease about Iran. Near the end of the article Herbert E. Meyer titles a chapter "It Isn’t Only Nukes."

Why is it, the more I learn about the capabilities and motivations of Ahmadinejad's Iran I'm reminded of Han Solo when he first sees the Death Star in the inital Star Wars movie. As his apprehension grows, he finally mutters "I've got a bad feeling about this." He tries to run away but finds he can't and is drawn in by forces beyond his control. This whole Iran thing strikes me that way. We're getting drawn into Ahmadinejad's apocolyptic fantasy bit by bit until the time comes when we will realize its too late to escape and we'll have to fight on a battlefield chosen by our enemy. Much like the Star Wars analogy, running away (if even possible) would be pointless. The evil out there which intends to do us harm will only grow stronger with more time.

Don't you miss the good old days of the Cold War?