This is giving in to the UN?
There's been a lot of griping in conservative circles, and cheering in liberal ones, that the US is submitting a resolution to the UN asking for help in Iraq. It is seen as caving in and/or belatedly recognizing the fact that we can't "go it alone" (as if we ever were).

However, if one looks at the draft text of the resolution, it doesn't appear to be anything of the sort. Amidst a bunch of boilerplate, we see paragraphs 10 and 17:

[The Security Council ...]
10. Determines that the provision of security and stability is essential to the successful completion of the political process as outlined in paragraph six above and to the ability of the United Nations to contribute effectively to that process and the implementation, of resolution 1483 (2003), authorizes a multinational force, under unified command [read "American command" --Doug] to take all necessary measures to contribute to the maintenance of security and stability in Iraq and urges Member States to contribute assistance, including military forces, to that effort;
[...]
17. Requests that the United States, on behalf of all Member States participating in the multinational force as outlined in paragraph ten above, report to the Security Council on the efforts and progress of this force as appropriate and not less than every six months;[....]

So that's it? We're asking nations to come help us out in Iraq, under our command, as we've been doing all along. The Brits, Aussies, and Poles, among others, have already made great contributions to the effort. This would appear to just give some other nations (whose governments aren't necessarily eager to be seen as "Bush lapdogs") some diplomatic cover to help us out. We also agree to make a report to the UNSC every six months or so. Big whoop.
- posted by Doug @ 11:59 AM    Comment

 
This is a damn shame..
From Yahoo: Miguel Estrada is asking Pres. Bush to withdraw his nomination to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. Estrada's nomination had been first bottled up in the Judiciary Committee when the Democrats controlled the Senate, then was filibustered by the Democrats once the Republicans took control. They used the flimsy excuse that Estrada would not answer their questions, but when he repeatedly made himself available for questioning, no Democrats took him up on the offer.

I understand his decision -- his life has basically been on hold for the last two years -- but it's a shame that it has come to this. By all accounts, Estrada is an incredibly sharp guy who has a fantastic legal mind. He would have been a great asset on the DC Circuit, and perhaps someday, on the Supreme Court. Now I guess we'll never know.

Hopefully, Priscilla Owen and Bill Pryor can hold out longer and not knuckle under to the Democrats' stonewalling.

I have a feeling that by Jan. 2005, all this will be moot. Either things will be going great and the Republicans will ride Bush's coattails to a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, or some catastrophe will happen and we'll end up with Dean (or worse, Hillary) in the White House.
- posted by Doug @ 11:36 AM    Comment

 
Huzzah!
AAS - Senator returns; bucks boycott

Not that I'm necessarily in favor of the GOP redistricting plan(s), but it's embarrasing as a Texan to have 1/3 of my State Legislature holed up in another state.

The over/under on when Special Session III will be called is shaping up as Sept. 13th, the date of the special election where voters will consider such matters as Prop 12. The theory is the Guv won't want to give Democrats an issue (redistricting) to get the voters out in force against Prop 12, which he supports (as do I).

Personally, I'll take the under. I think he wants to get this whole thing over with as soon as possible -- the new maps will still have to be cleared by either DoJ or a federal court, and the next election cycle is swiftly coming up on us. Look for a new session to be called as soon as he can get all the Republican Legislators back from vacation.
- posted by Doug @ 3:23 PM    Comment

 
Football season has begun!
Unfortunately, my beloved Rice Owls fell to their crosstown rival Houston Cougars last night, 48-14. Ouch. Anyone else ready for baseball season?
- posted by Doug @ 4:44 PM    Comment