ARTICLE: “Pakistan Gets Praise, But No U.S. Trade Deal: Backing for Washington’s War on Terrorism Fails to Stitch Up a Hoped-For Textile Accord,” by Shahid Shah, Wall Street Journal 2 May 2006, p. A6.

ARTICLE: “Taliban Threat Is Said To Grow In Afghan South: More Arms and Fighters; Insurgents Emboldened by Plan for NATO Forces to Replace the U.S.,” by Carlotta Gall, New York Times, 28 April or 3 May, p. A1.

Always great to see America and its closest allies give the shaft to Gap and Seam States who are putting their lives on the line to keep our citizens safe at home.

Pakistan risks all, but can’t even get a crappy textile deal from the U.S. Can we get any more stingy and near-sighted?

Meanwhile, our European friends screw us royally in Afghanistan. After years of working the easier provinces, we finally convince them to relieve us some in the tougher southern ones. NATO’s return favor? Announcing up front they just do windows and don’t kill terrorists.

You can get a long way with a kind word, but even longer with a kind word and a gun. All SysAdmin and no Leviathan makes Osama a happy boy.