Colin Powell has a lengthy article in the current issue of Foreign Affairs, the monthly publication from that bastion of realpolitik, the Council on Foreign Relations. In it, he argues that the Bush foreign policy is widely misunderstood, and he explains the how and the why of it. Partnership is the watchword of U.S. . . . → Read More: General Powell Strikes Back

When I lived on the mainland I always had the feeling the new year should start in the spring, since that’s when things began changing. Although the change in seasons in Hawaii isn’t as marked as some places, it’s more so than you might expect and I still carry the sentiment. Which works out . . . → Read More: I don’t really have anything to say.

I guess it wasn’t enough of a story to get picked up by major papers in the United States, so I had to run across it overseas. U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Monday [December 15] the Bush administration last year told him and other senators that Iraq not only had weapons of mass destruction, . . . → Read More: Why do I have to read this in the Moscow Frickin’ Times?

Really, really safe. From Secrecy News: The Federal Bureau of Investigation has improved its ability to share information about terrorist threats with other parts of government but still has major impediments to overcome, a searching review by the Department of Justice Inspector General (IG) has found. These obstacles include technological challenges, doubts about FBI . . . → Read More: “Your secrets are safe with us.”

The total debt of the US increased by $131,890,321,564.50 between September 30 and December 29. Maybe it’s that fifty cents at the end.

Now, why couldn’t he have done this at the beginning? “The attorney general in an abundance of caution believed that his recusal was appropriate based on the totality of the circumstances and the facts and evidence developed at this stage of the investigation,” [Deputy AG James] Comey said. “I agree with that judgment.”

Comey . . . → Read More: Ashcroft bows out from Plame investigation. Hmmm.

According to the Pentagon, Washington Post defense reporter Tom Ricks has committed a cardinal sin: reporting. n the case of Tom Ricks, military reporter for the Washington Post, the Pentagon took the attack right to the heart of the enemy. Defense Department spokesman Larry DiRita first sent a letter of complaint to the Post; . . . → Read More: Pentagon to reporter: Do our job, not yours.

$5 million here, $8 billion there …

Today’s Boston Globe has an article noting the suspension of bidding for new Iraq construction projects. The Pentagon has frozen the entire $18 billion in reconstruction funds because, shockingly, of concerns that the process may be corrupt. Some projects for which funds have already been released, such as the cellular network originally scheduled to . . . → Read More: Baffled in Babylon

No real surprises, one serious sin of commission (Elizabeth Smart), numerous of ommission. Throw a dart, you’ll hit one. Not an introspective year for the press. ===========

Here are 2003′s top 10 stories, as voted by AP members:

1. War in Iraq

After months of ultimatums and military buildup, President Bush announced the start . . . → Read More: APs top 10 for 2003.