Republican Universal Healthcare?
 

Truly, that's not a subject-matter issue.

Egypt's reforms: less than meets the eye
 

I read a blog the other day that predicted that Mubarak would do only as much as he had to, but that it didn't matter because given the disparity in money between the parties, he is sure to win reelection.

Syria in Lebanon
 

I don't think it matters what he thinks.

Egypt's reforms: less than meets the eye
 

Just a side thought, but, if ad money in an election is enough to buy a win, the electorate can't be TOO dissatisfied with current leadership. I mean, if Stalin gave the kulaks the vote, and then spent billions on cute ads, I suspect he still would have lost big-time.

Egypt's reforms: less than meets the eye
 

Depends who was running against him and whether the voters knew there was someone running against him

I think you are right if both sides meet a minimum money threshhold to be a viable candidate. I'm not sure on the numbers, but I want to say that Mubarak has a 4 to 1 advantage.

And Mubarak is not Stalin by the way.

Egypt's reforms: less than meets the eye
 

Yeah, that was partially my point. Democracy remains the goal, but the immediacy of the need is less when the ruler isn't actively using shredders on the Loyal Opposition.

Egypt's reforms: less than meets the eye
 

I may be illinformed, but in a relative sense Mubarak isn't at the top of my list of worst ME leaders. He has continued to maintain peace (and I think trade) with Israel, and Egypt isn't a top staging ground for terrorist.

Egypt's reforms: less than meets the eye
 

Did you miss that Mubarak's biggest challenger, the Muslim Brotherhood, is barred from the election because it is not officially recognized?

Egypt's reforms: less than meets the eye
 

I had not heard that. So this sounds like an Arafat-light election.

Egypt's reforms: less than meets the eye
 

That's what Vlaams Blok thinks about the Belgium elections, too.

(VB, a party, was "banned" by the ruling parties for "racism" - i.e., fighting immigration.)

Interesting Article
 

Potential alliance of the EU, Russia and China:

http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/...4038-2488r.htm

Interesting Article
 

EU and Russia just need another big customer to replace Saddam.

Interesting Article
 

Isn't that what Iran is for?

recipe for failure
 

From the front page of today's WaPo:

• The Senate's top Republican said yesterday that President Bush's bid to restructure Social Security may have to wait until next year and might not involve the individual accounts the White House has been pushing hard.

If they can't get Congressional Republicans on board now -- and it increasingly appears they can't -- it's certainly not going to happen in an election year.

recipe for failure
 

I think it's dead. I'm not sorry. Of all the things to expend capitol on, this ain't at the top of the list.

Now we can move on to the invasion plans.