The Palestine Hotel in Baghdad — home to many, many journalists — has been struck by up to three car bombs. They also reported that many journalists are taking refuge in hallways. “Very dangerous, very frightening” situation. They are noting that Bush has just come out of a cabinet meeting. I’m hearing this on MSNBC. Anyone else hear more?
Update [2005-10-24 11:9:38 by susanhu]: Bush spoke very briefly after leaving a cabinet meeting, 
announcing that he’s declared Florida a disaster area. He didn’t mention Baghdad. And, at 1pm ET, Bush will announce his choice to replace Fed chair Alan Greenspan. I think all the cable news shows will carry that live. As ejmw asks below, “Any bets?”
Update [2005-10-24 11:46:24 by susanhu]: It’s Ben Bernanke, per MSNBC, which provided the PHOTO LEFT.
Bernanke was a professor of economics at Princeton and chairs the WH Council of Economic Advisors. The WaPo has more.
Harriet Miers is a very fine person. She is a pioneer.
Complaining about requests for paperwork from both Republicans and Democrats … it would breach security … we’re not going to destroy this ability for people to walk into the Oval Office and say, Mr. President, here’s what i think.
Nada about Baghdad.
Any bets?
In keeping with his longstanding tradition of picking the worst possible people for the job, I’m guessing he is going to appoint Grover Norquist.
I’m voting for his personal accountant.
I think Kenny-boy would be a perfect choice.
From Reuters – about Baghdad blast …
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-10-24T145656Z_01_YUE453
299_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ.xml
From The Guardian:
Judy Miller’s looking for work…
Is the hotel in the Green Zone? If so, this is huge news, because it means that the insurgents succeeded in smuggling in two car loads of high explosives.
No, the Palestine and the Sheraton hotels are close to the commercial district Karrada. The Green Zone is at the opposite side of the river (Presidential Palace).
Baghdad Map.
.
«« click on pic to enlarge »»
Large Map of Baghdad Area
Dangers for Journalists in Baghdad’s ‘Green Zone’
Dutch journalist and radio reporter Mustapha Oukbih, of Arab origin, had recently decided not to stay in Hotel Palestine. The U.S. presence for security had been lowered, making the hotel area a more likely target for terror strikes due to presence of many international guests. Wise move.
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
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Cross-posted from diary :: Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 152
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Two rockets and a car bomb hit the Palestine Hotel on Monday, injuring at least one person and causing considerable damage to the building that houses many foreign journalists, Iraqi police said.
Video of the blast showed huge clouds of smoke and dust billowing. At least one fire was started by falling debris.
The attacks shattered windows and caused heavy damage to the south side of the 19-story hotel, forcing journalists, including those from The Associated Press, to take refuge in the corridor. refuge in the corridor. Inside the hotel, pictures were blown off walls and windows shattered.
A huge explosion is seen near the Palestine hotel, the building at right, in Baghdad. The Palestine Hotel, which houses many foreign journalists in Iraq, was hit by two rockets and one car bomb, causing considerable damage to rooms and injuring at least one person. AP Photo/Khalid MohammedMaj. Abbas Mohammed Suleiman said the hotel compound was hit by two rockets and one car bomb.
After the attack, automatic heavy weapons fire rang out in the area although it was not clear what it came from.
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
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Just the guy Bush would need. A cheerleader – housing bubble? Nothing to see here, move along!
Via AP on 21 October:
I think that the selection of Ben Bernacke as the next Chairman of the Federal Researve Board means that our current irresponsible monetary policies will continue on as before. Here is an excerpt of his thinking on how to cure deflation:
Can there be any doubt that this man will do everything in his power to keep the housing bubble inflated? Or that inflation will rise on his watch? You can read the whole speech here.
How long do “last throes” last?
Yeah. I’d guess they’d call this the last throes of the last throes.
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must be given by GC Patrick Fitzgerald.
That, even Mr. Fitzgerald’s former opponents in the courtroom say, is classic Fitzgerald: dogged, dispassionate and endlessly prepared.
“He doesn’t let anything go,” said George Santangelo, who represented John Gambino, identified by the authorities as a crime family captain, in a case prosecuted by Mr. Fitzgerald. “We duked it out for about three years, and it was quite a duking session. Let me put it to you this way: If John Ashcroft wanted any favors on this one, he went to the wrong guy. This guy is tough.”
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
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CINCINNATI Oct. 24 — Paul Hackett, the Democratic veteran of the Iraq war who narrowly lost a special election in a heavily Republican congressional district in August, made his official entry into a U.S. Senate race.
He faces a tough Democratic primary with Rep. Sherrod Brown in the race for the nomination to challenge second-term Republican incumbent Sen. Mike DeWine next year.
Hackett’s only political experience is a stint as a small-city councilman.
“I’m asking all the people of this great state, regardless of political affiliation, to consider my message and to consider joining me in the fight to take back our government from the career politicians and their special interest support groups who have hijacked our government,” he said as he announced his campaign at his home in suburban Indian Hill.
Hackett decided to run for Congress earlier this year after completing a seven-month tour of duty in Iraq as a Marine reservist. That special election in southern Ohio’s seven-county 2nd District was to replace Rep. Rob Portman, who left his seat to become the U.S. trade representative.
After Hackett decided to oppose DeWine, Hackett was irked when Brown, with three decades of elective politics behind him, decided he also would run. Brown, a former state legislator and Ohio secretary of state, is in his seventh congressional term, representing northeastern Ohio’s 13th District. Brown is expected to officially launch his Senate race in early November.
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
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