Who Needs Facts?

Tour de France champion Floyd Landis

Floyd Landis’ second test confirmed high levels of testosterone. I can’t imagine both samples/test would be wrong. I think if he was able to successfully challenge the results it would bring into question all results for all atheletes. I think I heard they also detected synthetic testosterone, to me that is the most glaring indication of cheating. He should just make the best of it, take his two years to clean up his system and his health. He is supposed to be scheduled for surgery  so why not just focus on his health. He could even be a spokes person encouraging others not to cheat. But of course he would have to admit guilt first. There is always that remote possibility he is innocent but the odds are against it. If he is innocent and is able to prove it I think that would prove for a very bumping ride for all testing procedures and labs. If he is guilty he needs to be honest and turn it in to a positive by encouraging others to play by the rules. I feel sorry for his poor mother which might explain his reluctance to admit to cheating.

State Department uses creative accounting to hide costs of Iraqi projects

Report: State Dept. hid costs of Iraqi projects
Some cost overruns hidden, Congress not informed, New York Times says
Is there no end to the deception and outright lies regarding the war in Iraq.
It just proves the age old wisdom that telling one lie always leads to more lies to cover the first

Al-Zarqawi near death still attempts escape

I have to give him credit for not giving up, but good thing that we got him. One down and who knows how many to go, every little bit helps. I just hope this doesn’t inpire more just like him to pop up and fill the void. He had near zero possiblity of surviving let alone escaping.

Al-Zarqawi tried to flee in dying moments - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com
Military says leader of al-Qaida in Iraq survived briefly after fatal bombing

Bad things happen in war first Abu Ghraib then Haditha

Ok not to down play the horrors of war but, what do you expect in war. Emotions run high and family is replaced by military units. The facts are pretty clear with regards to what happened in Haditha. Dedication, pride and loyalty are at the core or US Marines. Better not mess with the USA or my marine brothers. The details of this incident are not yet clear but I think we all know what happened. I’m not saying I approve of what happened but to quote John Murtha “I understand it”. How the world opinion plays out depends very much on how it is handled. Damage control and accountability is all that can be done to improve our USA image. The damage is done and our image is already not the greatest. Of course it wouldn’t be hard to screw things up worse but they can’t get much worse. The military reaction so far shows they are having to deal with the reality of “what would I have done?”. I think many could see themselves losing it under similar circumstances.

Top general in Iraq orders ‘values’ training
Focus comes as military probes claims Marines intentionally killed civilians

This may give the impression that these guys didn’t know better or the entire corp is at risk of similar behavior. In fact the brotherhood of US Marines did play a role in what happened. I’m not sure any ‘values’ training can balance this. The longer this war drags on the opportunities for ugly circumstances to present themselves. This is a natural byproduct of war like it or not it is going to happen.