The Iraqi demand for a deadline for withdrawal of U.S. troops comes in the context of ongoing negotiations with the U.S. over a Status of Forces (SoF) Agreement in which the White House is seeking to define its legacy through (i) an indefinite occupation; (ii) more than 50 permanent bases (including five mega-bases); (iii) the unlimited ability to pursue the 'war on terror' in Iraq (including ability to arrest Iraqis without consulting government); (iv) control of Iraqi airspace below 29,000 feet; (v) supervision of Iraq's defense, interior and national security ministries for ten years; and (vi) immunity for U.S. forces and contractors. In addition, the U.S. wants the right to unilaterally determine whether an act by another country (i.e., Iran) constitutes a 'threat' to Iraq and respond as it deems fit in order to 'protect' Iraq.

It's a moderate day, 55 degrees, and you're about to tour your twenty-unit apartment complex. You're relaxed and happy. The rent has been coming in on time. You vacant units have filled fast. You feel like a true capitalist.

A study by a psychologist at the University of California at San Diego, showed that about half the listeners to a speech naturally pay attention to the content. The other half listen to the style. But when the content gets boring, obvious, or offensive, the content listeners switch to listening for style. The solution for getting fewer people to notice your speaking style—and those pesky “ums”—is pretty clear:

Be more interesting.

It’s as if we can either think or speak—but not both at once.

people think they like being written about when they're talking to a writer, but then they read what was written and their reflection punches them in the face

There will be no such thing as victory in Iraq, but the next President, if he remains nimble, may be able to keep the damage under control.

We already knew the FBI can secretly listen in to car conversations by activating microphones of systems like OnStar. A new Mafia court case suggests that the FBI can do the same thing to cell phones.

Some runners travel at burst speeds nearing terminal velocity as they plummet down the mountain nearing certain danger or even death. It is not uncommon for the racers who finish to cross the finish line injured or bleeding, covered in mud and blood, cheered on by sport-crazed locals and vagabond drifters in town for the holiday.

there is nothing less interesting than listening to someone explain why being somewhere foreign is not exactly the same as being wherever he was before. Those kinds of insights will be available on my blog. (There is no blog.)

Northside is Northside. There's always new shit happening, but a good part of it is staying the same

Nobody bothers them. Area shopkeepers have given up. The police have a minimal presence at best. They never walk the sidewalks, and squad cars seldom pass.