Good morning, gentlemen. Here’s what’s good feeding this Wednesday morning:
Bob Woodward’s New Book Reveals Drama in Obama Admin’s Afghanistan Policy
Bob Woodward (of Woodward & Bernstein and Watergate fame) published his book “Obama Wars,” which depicts a deep split in the Obama administration when it came to the War in Afghanistan.
Though President Obama recently agreed to upping troops in the region, Woodward suggests that the decision was a result of military pressure. According to the book, Obama called for a clear exit strategy, saying things like “I have two years with the public on this” while imploring advisers for ways to avoid a big escalation. Woodward even caught Obama losing his cool, shouting “I’m done with this!”
Athletes, World Skeeved Out By Delhi Games
If the roof of the stadium is collapsing, it may not be a good idea to play sports underneath it. That’s the general feeling recently at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, where they’ve had not only a roof cave-in, but a bridge collapse that injured 27 people. Since then, two teams have withdrawn from the competition and more have postponed travel plans.
Those in charge of the event are trying to downplay the situation, even accusing an Australian TV channel of a engineering a “totally bogus” sting operation.
In any case, if you happen to be an internationally renown athlete on your way to Delhi (or a spectator of an internationally renown athlete on your way to Delhi) watch your step. And your head.
DADT Not Repealed
After months of debate and turmoil, Democrats were unable to sway Senate Republicans into even discussing the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. (This is in spite of White House support and majorities in Congress.) Republicans blame Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s additional appends to the Defense Bill that they considered politically motivated.
Activists have expressed frustration at the setback, but promise to try again after the mid-term elections in November.
“The Democrats have been against Don’t Ask Don’t Tell for more than a decade, and why we allowed this law to remain in effect for another two years is beyond me,” said Richard Soccarides, who served as an adviser to Clinton on gay rights.
Nine Killed in Iranian Parade Bombing
A suicide bombing killed nine people during a military parade in western Iran this morning. The parade marked a national holiday and was meant to highlight the military readiness of the Iran government. (Most likely a deliberate irony.)
“Almost all of the martyrs and injured are women and children,” Vahid Jalalzadeh told the official Islamic Republic News Agency. “Anti-revolution elements have always carried out such bestial acts in Mahabad in order to take revenge on the people.”
Nobody has claimed responsibility to the bombing, but the separatist group PEJAK (Party for the Free Life of Kurdistan) is active in the area and has clashed with Iranian troops in recent years.
New Species of Elephant Shrew Discovered in Africa
A new species of elephant shrew may have been discovered in a forested corner of Kenya.
Scientists are stoked.
“This is an important discovery,” said biologist Dr. Rajan Amin of the Zoological Society of London. “The whole team was very excited to capture pictures of this mammal.”
There are 17 known species of elephant shrews already, so-named because of their goofy long noses and their aesthetic resemblance to shrews (no real relation though…they’re actually closer to elephants, genetically speaking.)