The former Iraqi (US appointed) minister of interior, Nuri Badran, gave an interview to the Iraqi daily, Az-Zaman (run by a former Saddam propagandist, turned US occupation propagandist), in which he was quite critical of the occupation, and of the manners in which civilians in Iraq were made to suffer. I turned to Saudi TV to learn about developments regarding the massive bombing of the former Public Security building in Riyadh, and was so annoyed with their coverage. The anchorperson actually said that the explosion caused "deaths and injuries." The number is a state secret, perhaps. They gave no details, and no information on the ability of Bin Ladin kooks to strike in so many places in the kingdom. Street battles in Riyadh are now common occurances in the Kingdom of Horror. And what a conflict? You cannot take sides in a fight between Bin Laden kooks versus House of Saud kooks. Both sides are terrorists if you ask me, and I do not use that term casually. So the Jordanian King has "postponed" his meeting with Bush to protest the Bush's endorsement of the Sharon's plan. Even US puppets are mad at US these days. But the real reason for King `Abdullah's visit may not be political. My friend Amer learned (from his confidential sources) that the king may have a serious gambling problem (allegedly), and that he discusses Palestinian affairs with his contacts in Vegas.