This part of the WSJ Best of The Web was just too good not to cut 'n paste!

The World Health Organization Is on First
Among the coalition's list of most wanted Iraqi officials are man named Izzat Ibrahim (he's the king of clubs) and a guy named Mizban (nine of hearts). This led reader John Piro to imagine Abbott and Costello at a Syrian border checkpoint:

Abbott: Now be on the lookout, Costello. We wanna find these terrorists.

Costello: Sure, what's their names?

Abbott: Izzat Ibrahim.

Costello: How do I know? I ain't seen him.

Abbott: I know. That's why we gotta find him. He and Mizban.

Costello: He musta been what, Abbott?

Abbott: No, not Hee Muzbin Wot. Izzat Ibrahim!

Costello: I told yuh, I ain't seen him! Is he Hussein's guy?

Abbott: No, he's Syria's.

Costello: I'm serious too. That's why I wanna find him.

Abbott: No, you don't understand, Costello. Syria's terrorist.

Costello: I know he's a serious terrorist. They're the worst kind.

Abbott: Now, if you find him, call the U.N. and get Kofi.

Costello: I got some right here. With cream and sugar.

Abbott: No, tell Kofi to get Yassir.

Costello: Yassir?

Abbott: Good. Now get going.

Costello: Hey Abbott!

In a similar vein is this Reuters headline: "WHO Says Beijing Fails to Report Full SARS Numbers."

Here's an excellent essay on Pacifism by my favorite Democrat, Dave Kopel.

From Fox News...
WASHINGTON — One day after the capture of Abu Abbas, American officials on Wednesday began weighing several options for handling the terrorist mastermind captured in Iraq.  The three scenarios being discussed would be to either hold him at a military base, transfer him to another country or bring him to the United States for possible prosecution.


A fair trial, then the hangin', that's what I say.

This is the only remaining tomb angel that nobody has stolen yet. It's a little inconvenient to get at, so take a good look while you can...

The next morning, we went on the obligatory cemetary tour, to cemetary #1. It's an exclusive place. How exclusive? They're DYING to get in! Ha ha ha ha! I got a million of 'em, I tell yuh! This is the statue featured in Easy Rider that inspired lots of bikers to climb it for a quick photo op.

The Prime Mission for Friday; the three of us would Sit, and Drink, Talk, and Listen. Kid is at the table, Cheri is picture taking....

On touring the Garden section of the city, we discovered that the rich MOCK the poor by building tin-shack playhouses for their children...

This band was playing Dixieland tunes, and were very popular with the older fans---who were smart enough to bring their own chairs and preferred cocktails to Huge Ass Beers, in the main...

Here's a sort of capitalism you don't see just everyday.....

Earlier Friday afternoon in New Orleans, we set out for fun and a few of the....

This photo came out poorly; my camera doesn't really like low-light situations. It's still an interesting shot of the French Quarter Jazz Festival, sort of artistic in its badness. Not that my vision was QUITE this blurry at the time.

Hello, it's good to be back from sunny New Orleans. Sort of. Later today I'll be putting up photos, and writing scathing revues of Arnauds, possibly the most pretentious restaurant in the French Quarter. For right now, take a look at The Case for Looting by Steven Landsburg. You'll be glad you did!