Some new laws criminalizing offending of the Iraqi government or its officials are lifted from deposed dictator Saddam Hussein's old penal code, reports the NYT.

There was an eye-opening story Wednesday: An unnamed U.S. military officer say there has been a tripling of attacks by insurgents in the eastern part of Afghanistan since Pakistan reached a deal with tribal leaders in North Waziristan that was supposed to end cross-border incursions.

However, as usual, the devil is in the details.

People don't drink horse urine in Kazakhstan or hold a Running of the Jews as some movies would have you believe. However, it does have real problems with corruption and authoritarianism.

Don't expect to hear Dubya talk much about that unpleasant stuff following his state dinner for President Nursultan A. Nazarbayev on Friday.

In today's Globe and Mail, David Shoalts talked in part about Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo, who had concussion problems last year  and had suffered some dizziness episodes at the start of training camp:

Colaiacovo said hs first priority is to make sure his brain is healthy. "Without your brain or your head, who knows where you would be?" he said the other day. Um, I don't know, Carlo, divorce court maybe?

I suspect Shoalts was referring to this.

The LCBO store on Spadina north of Dundas has a sign saying it's accepting applications for the Christmas season.

Agghhh!!

Here's a (edited and improved) missive I sent to an email discussion list about the film Bon Cop, Bad Cop, which has done far better in Quebec than the Rest of Canada:

I like the part about "a passionate desire to join the blogger 'A' list." :)

#WEB1552 - Host (Blogs), NPR News & Administration
Hosts and writes for blog that serves as users’ daily guide to the events of the day and notable stories on the network and the Web; uses news judgment and a lively prose style to present a singular perspective, writing and reporting original items and drawing other NPR reporter/correspondents and listeners into analysis and discussion; may also host a podcast of the day’s top on-air stories; and may serve as a public representative of National Public Radio, Inc. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. At least five years of journalism experience, preferably daily news; familiarity with the blog form and a passionate desire to join the blogger “A” list; demonstrated excellence as a writer and storyteller; demonstrated ability to communicate in a sparkling personality and unique perspectives in writing; demonstrated ability to understand the difference between having an attitude and taking a (political) stand in the written word; a broad range of general news knowledge; well-developed curiosity in a wide range of subjects; ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure; ability and willingness to relocate; proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system; and a desire to be part of a new NPR venture. Prefer broadcast experience, the ability to be a voice of a podcast; previous blog writing experience; and familiarity with and an appreciation for public broadcasting.

Here's an NPR blog post on the gig. This is perhaps the only job I've ever seen posted for a blogger at a mainstream news organization (H/T to boingboing).

Byron Calame doesn't think the NYT has gone far enough in indicating to readers when an article is opinion or analysis rather than reportage.

From the NYT:

A  public relations company that participated in a United States military program that paid Iraqi newspapers for articles favorable to allied forces has been awarded another multimillion-dollar media contract with American forces in Iraq.

The public relations firm, the Lincoln Group, won a two-year contract to monitor a number of English and Arabic news outlets and to produce public-relations products like talking points or speeches for American forces in Iraq, officials said Tuesday.

“Lincoln Group is proud to be trusted to assist the multinational forces in Iraq with communicating news about their vital work,” a company spokesman, Bill Dixon, said in a statement.

An unlikely story of business executive as hero to his underlings as Jeffrey M. Johnson, publisher of the Los Angeles Times, said 'no' to more cuts at his paper.

The Republican-dominated Congress has given Dubya most of what he wanted in terms of a terror tribunal bill.

The NYT describes the whole thing as a cynical political excercise that will rank as a legal low point in the history of the United States.

The days keep counting down until the worst nightmare of the government of Kazakhstan hits movie screens: Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (Nov. 3).

But while the government fumes, ordinary citizens don't seem to be as inflamed by how comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's character makes them look.

And I wonder why Borat isn't from Turkmenistan.

Osama bin Laden, the world's most wanted terrorist, apparently has a side career as an actor.

At least he's listed as one in the Internet Movie Database.

Here's an interesting bit of trivia that I previously had not known:

 Has his look-alike puppet in the French show _"Guignols de l'info, Les" (1988)_ .

Unfortunately, poor Osama has been typecast as playing himself.

It was suggested to me tonight that perhaps he should stretch his wings, try a light, romantic comedy.

May I suggest Whitney Houston as a co-star?