Your Abu Dhabi update

Taking time off from his grueling mission delivering democracy throughout the Mid East, George Bush and his gal pal Condoleeza Rice enjoyed a feast fit for a king. Or at least a crown prince, as in  Sheik Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. AP reports:

Bush traded his suit for a casual jacket and took a helicopter as close as he could get to this remote encampment where Abu Dhabi's crown prince, Sheik Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, raises horses and prize falcons. His motorcade bumped over sand dunes for the last few miles, ending up at a tent pitched high on a wind-swept crest.

A tent with thick carpets, pillows for lounging, blazing lanterns, and food. Lots and lots of it, from bread with honey to grilled meats and sweets, all served by uniformed staff.

Before the feast with a small group of White House aides and Emirati elite, the crown prince showed the president around. Next to carpets laid on the sand stood small pedestals, each stuck in the sand like a beach umbrella and each holding a magnificent falcon.

Yes, that's what life is like in the desert. Just ask our troops in Iraq. Cake anyone?

When Condi Can't Play Golf, Do the Terrorists Win?

From Princess Sparkle Pony:

This is an outrage! Who knew that in Australia, as in Iraq, Bush 'n' Condi must be kept safe within a tight perimeter of barbed wire, lethal PR flaks, and symmetrical-placed Humvees. It's basically a fun-kill zone, and that includes golf!

But what I really love is what the article doesn't quite get to: the situation presents us with a fantastic conundrum: the golf-thwarting security measures are in place because George and Condi are there, and that means that Condi can only play golf in Australia if Condi isn't there! It's a paradox! Yay!

Tee hee. Read the rest here.

Dr. Ferragamo: Hey girl! It's better to look good, than to be right

BagNewsNotes has an interesting analysis of The New York Times piece on Condoleezza Rice. Turns out the Dr. doesn't like to “self-reflect.” Huh. Who knew?

My favorite quote from the NYT article:

In fact, her friends say that she rarely questions whether she is right or wrong, instead choosing to believe in a particular truth with absolute certainty until she doesn’t believe it anymore, at which point she moves on.

How nice that she can just “move on.” I'm sure everyone affected by her disastrous foreign policy appreciates and understands that.