No more bullshit, no more talks, there will be some sort of war shortly.

I just saw on CNN (7AM eastern time), there was apparently some sort of successful vote by congress about a resolution, that defies the UN's preferred resolution. I don't know if the democrats got out voted by the repubs, and we are going to have a full scale war, or they are planning on sending 50,000 troops to back up inspectors, forcing their way into any areas whether saddam likes it or not - the news media is still waiting on the details.

Also, the Kurds in Northern Iraq are apparently ready and willing to launch a rebellion against saddam is the US does strike. No word yet as it if Iran will launch an attack.

Udpate.

The senate gave in their vote. Some of the democrats (like senate majority leader T-D) changed their minds and said that america needs to speak with one voice in a time of crisis like this, so they were going to support the president.

It seems to go as follows. The president is now allowed to launch a military strike once all diplomatic options have been "exhausted" The president has asked Iraq to voluntarily disarm. I guess he is expecting saddam to just hand over a stock pile of weapons he assumes are there.

The US seems to be coming to the conclusion that inspections simply will not solve the problem.

Once a military action has been issued, the president must give congress a report/update, and discussing continued progress every 60 days.

If Saddam has any realistic outlook he will now capitulate to the UN mandate to disarm. Barring that his head is on the chopping block. It is not like he has not had the oppurtunity to do so. Time has almost run out for him. It is the last minute of the final hour. He should know what chance his troops have after going through this once already. Chest beating time is over, so is playing chess games with inspectors.

The rest of the Islamic world should be watching this very carefully and decide whether they wish to continue to support Jilads.

With China upset that their arms market is dryng up with the imment reality of Saddam being removed it will bear watching where chinese manufactured arms start showing up at.

How you senators voted

http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/10/11/senate.rollcall.us.iraq.ap/index.html

ASHINGTON, Friday, Oct. 11 - The Senate voted overwhelmingly early this morning to authorize President Bush to use force against Iraq, joining with the House in giving him a broad mandate to act against Saddam Hussein.

The hard-won victory for Mr. Bush came little more than a month after many lawmakers of both parties returned to Washington from summer recess expressing grave doubts about a rush to war. It reflected weeks of lobbying and briefings by the administration that culminated with a speech by the president on Monday night.

The Republican-controlled House voted 296 to 133

more (http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/11/national/11IRAQ.html?todaysheadlines) (You have to register, but registration is free and you don't get spam)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a major victory for the White House, the Senate early Friday voted 77-23 to authorize President Bush to attack Iraq if Saddam Hussein refuses to give up weapons of mass destruction as required by U.N. resolutions.

Hours earlier, the House approved an identical resolution, 296-133.

The president praised the congressional action, declaring "America speaks with one voice."
more (http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/10/11/iraq.us/index.html)

Fuck.

The president praised the congressional action, declaring "America speaks with one voice."

And strangely, that voice sounds a lot like some weird hybrid of Charleton Heston and Jerry Falwell...