U.S. - Mexico Border Wall

Mexico Promises to Block Border Wall Plan

This seems somewhat moronic to me. Why would Mexico be complaining about a border wall when we already have walls up in some areas and a fence up in others? They are promoting illegal immigration into the U.S. How is this going to damage cross-border ties? By keeping illegal immigrants out? Why can't they cross the border legally? It's not that hard.

How, exactly, does Mexico intend on blocking this initiative? By suing us? In what court? Maybe by passing a law prohibiting the wall to go up. And since when do we follow Mexican law? Maybe they'll plead their case in the U.N. What will they do? Sanction us? Monitor the border for us? We're a sovereign nation under no requirements to have anyone other than ourselves monitor our own borders.

Iraq elections

Iraq had its elections on Thursday. Initial estimates show that around 70% of voters came to the polls. This is an exciting time in Iraq. This may cool the Sunni-backed insurgency a little bit as well as strengthen the Iraq government. If all this happens, and Iraq's security personnel get good enough, our troops over there can come back home. I really hope things go well there so they can come home real soon. That would warm my heart more than anything else.

A few articles had some interesting things to say. One of them mentioned a statement from an insurgency group that claimed responsibility for the lack of violence:

In an Internet statement Friday, the Islamic Army in Iraq, a major insurgent group, said it was responsible for the absence of widespread election violence because it wanted to avoid harming Sunni Arab voters.

"We knew Sunnis would participate in this game (because) most were forced to through the oppression, torture and destruction and suffering they receive from the slaves of the Cross (the Americans) and the Shiites," said the statement, which could not be immediately verified.

The statement added that the jihadist group did not believe in democracy, only God.

[Article Link] At least they have better rhetoric than al-Qaeda.

Another article had a headline that I've never seen the likes of before: "Millions of Iraqis Vote in Relative Peace." Now if the news would have a headline like "Hundreds of Millions of Americans Live Out Their Lives Without Getting Murdered" we'd see "fair and balanced" news. This article talked about how the lack of violence in Iraq and the number of voters turning out seem show that Iraq is doing well. Much to the surprise of many doomsayers, I think. [Article Link]

Imagine: democracy taking a better foothold in Iraq than the U.S.! 70% voter turnout! It's a very rough estimate, but it's a great deal better turnout than we ever have. Maybe this will be an inspiration to Americans to want to go out and vote themselves.

The Venezuelan Game

In the next installment of the famous Venezuelan game, "Let's Blame the United States," President Hugo Chavez has blamed the U.S. for masterminding a boycott by opposition parties against the upcoming election.

As U.S. Embassy spokesman Brian Penn says, "We are simply not responsible for everything that goes on in Venezuela." Tell Chavez that. [Article Link]

Here's a funny idea: if we ever became isolationist again, who would Chavez blame? Can't be his problems, of course.

I like that Chavez bet Bush that he could stay in office longer. Yea, that's a bet alright. Of course Chavez is going to stay in office longer. Such is the issue with a despot.

Heaven Help Them

Iran's president evidently qualifies for a trip with the nice men in white coats. In a very public statement, he equates himself to the Islamic equivalent of the Messiah - the Mahdi.

If you want to actually read the statement, poke around LGF - I'll post an actual link later tonight.