The Fallon Resignation

William Arkin makes a six point arguement that the US is not heading for military action with Iran and summarises

So: Is the U.S. headed for war with Iran? It depends on what the meaning of "headed for war" is. If Iran makes a grave error in judgment, if diplomacy fails, if Iran is intent on developing nuclear weapons in defiance of the international community -- then yes, we may be "headed for war." But headed for war because of Fallon's resignation, and before the November election? That's nonsense.

I think Arkin is relying too heavily on reasoned logic being used by Cheney and Co in the White House. Dick Cheney has been advocating military action against Iran for the last 18 months and has had to back off his public rhetoric since the release of the NIE. Iran's 'grave error in judgement' will be more likely, something initiated in the dark recesses of the VP's office. Be prepared for another Gleiwitz.

Daily Show and Norwich City

I never thought I would see the two linked. But on the Daily Show, Jon Stewart, while discussing the Iran hostage drama, or 'Iranian Hostage Drama, The Next Generation', talks about how unwise it is to rile Great Britain.

"But don't let their effete affected pronunciation throw you off. You don't think they're gonna get pissed off and strike back?

"This is what they did when Ipswich Town scored the equaliser on Norwich City. That's not even in the Premier League."

Obviously, it's not footage of an Ipswich-Norwich game, the Ipswich fans were too well dressed (lol)! But there was a guy in a green and yellow hat.

The other interesting point was Stewart's pronunciation of Norwich, or Nor-witch as opposed to the usual 'Norrich'. It brought to mind a story that Bill Bryson told about Norwich in Vermont. A generation ago, the city's name was pronounced the same as the English one, but an influx of new residents from outside the area gradually turned the pronunciation to Nor-witch.