WORLD MEDIA WATCH

1//The Jordan Times, Jordan--IRAN'S INVOLVEMENT TO END CONFLICT RISKY, BUT MAY BE INEVITABLE (France's idea of involving Iran directly in talks to end the conflict between Israel and Hizbollah is a risky venture but may well prove inevitable, French analysts said Tuesday. They were reacting to French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy's meeting on Monday in Beirut with Iranian opposite number Manouchehr Mottaki, and to his remarks concerning Iran's "important stabilising role in the region." The comments - condemned as "outrageous" by French Jewish leaders - appeared to indicate a willingness to include Tehran in the search for a settlement to three weeks of violence, in direct contradiction of American and Israeli policy. ... "It is a high-risk initiative. It has a certain logic, but it implies a willingness on the part of Iran and Hizbollah to alter their behaviour," said Francois Gere of the French Institute for Strategic Analysis. For Gere, the very fact that Douste-Blazy and Mottaki were unable to agree on a joint statement at the end of their talks is a sign of the delicacy of the French approach. "French diplomacy is trying to pull off something that is extremely subtle and complex," he said. Francois Heisbourg, of the Foundation for Strategic Research, agreed that "it would on the face of it be extremely surprising for Iran to play a stabilising role in Lebanon. And if it did, the next question is obviously what is the price Iran gets in return - on its nuclear programme." Iran has in recent days toughened its position in the stand-off with outside powers over its nuclear programme, indicating that the Israeli offensives in Gaza and Lebanon will have an impact on its next step.)

BARBARA'S DAILY BUZZFLASH MINUTE  

In her wisdom, Golda Meir once said, "Peace will come when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us," which made me think, “Peace will come when the Repuglicans love their country more than they hate the Democrats”!

WORLD MEDIA WATCH

1//The Jordan Times, Jordan--IRAN’S INVOLVEMENT TO END CONFLICT RISKY, BUT MAY BE INEVITABLE (France's idea of involving Iran directly in talks to end the conflict between Israel and Hizbollah is a risky venture but may well prove inevitable, French analysts said Tuesday. They were reacting to French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy's meeting on Monday in Beirut with Iranian opposite number Manouchehr Mottaki, and to his remarks concerning Iran's "important stabilising role in the region." The comments — condemned as "outrageous" by French Jewish leaders — appeared to indicate a willingness to include Tehran in the search for a settlement to three weeks of violence, in direct contradiction of American and Israeli policy. … "It is a high-risk initiative. It has a certain logic, but it implies a willingness on the part of Iran and Hizbollah to alter their behaviour," said Francois Gere of the French Institute for Strategic Analysis. For Gere, the very fact that Douste-Blazy and Mottaki were unable to agree on a joint statement at the end of their talks is a sign of the delicacy of the French approach. "French diplomacy is trying to pull off something that is extremely subtle and complex," he said. Francois Heisbourg, of the Foundation for Strategic Research, agreed that "it would on the face of it be extremely surprising for Iran to play a stabilising role in Lebanon. And if it did, the next question is obviously what is the price Iran gets in return — on its nuclear programme." Iran has in recent days toughened its position in the stand-off with outside powers over its nuclear programme, indicating that the Israeli offensives in Gaza and Lebanon will have an impact on its next step.)

A BUZZFLASH EDITORIAL

For BuzzFlash, the most fundamental "in your face, no further proof needed" evidence of Bush Administration negligence and malfeasance in relation to 9/11 occurred in August of 2001.

News from the Ohio Democratic Party

Columbus, Ohio - Whether it is public opinion backlash from Katrina or Iraq, or President Bush's abysmal Ohio approval rating that is mired in the mid-30 percent range in most Ohio polls, President Bush is sneaking into northern Ohio for a Ken Blackwell fundraiser in posh Kirtland Hills Wednesday.

BUZZFLASH MAILBAG

Subject: Defending Jesus

It seems like every time I turn on the T.V. or open a newspaper these days there's another crooked CEO or politician proclaiming his profound faith and dedication to his lord and savior, Jesus Christ. The latest were convicted Enron tycoons, Jeffrey Skilling and Kenneth Lay. Right after the guilty verdict came down, Lay said, "We believe that God in fact is in control and indeed he does work all things for good for those who love the lord." Pardon me, but where exactly in the bible did Jesus say we should rob, cheat, lie and steal millions from other people for our own personal wealth and power? If memory serves me ... he said just the opposite. So, how can this guy claim to be a Christian? If you believe that Jesus would forgive this guy for his "sins," wouldn't the guy at least have to "repent" first? That was my understanding. Yet these guys are still maintaining their innocence even after they've been found guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt. Jesus supposedly whooped ass on the "money changers," and so he sure as Hell would not have put up with these crooks. They are certainly no believers in any Jesus Christ that I ever learned about as a child growing up in church.

This letter below, from Congressman Van Hollen to Secretary Rice, was forwarded to BuzzFlash by one of our readers. We confirmed with the Congressman's office that he did send the letter. Click here for a PDF of the letter.

A BUZZFLASH GUEST CONTRIBUTION
Satire by Lee Cohen

In light of Mel Gibson’s recent DUI arrest and alleged anti-Semetic comments, ABC is reportedly reconsidering a proposed Holocaust miniseries Mr. Gibson is producing. In light of these events, we have uncovered an exclusive excerpt from Mr. Gibson’s Holocaust project, still in development.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS

The Pentagon had a tough decision with what to do about Maj. Gen. Geoffrey Miller, who ran Guantanamo Bay and oversaw insurgent detention in Iraq. After all, Miller led a team to advise on operations at Abu Ghraib just weeks before the infamous prisoner abuses, or at least when it was reported. Even Miller knew that he didn't have a chance for a promotion and another star.

BARBARA'S DAILY BUZZFLASH MINUTE

Unfortunately for over 2500 dead American soldiers and countless thousands of innocent Iraqis, “Rumsfeld has been in a parallel universe” and a whole lot more than just “slightly deranged” since the get go!