And still more on our friend and ally Pakistan, from Der Spiegel via the New York Times:
A poorhouse and a nuclear power, an ally of the United States and an incubator for Islamist violence: Pakistan is a land of contradictions and poses a danger to the world. Washington is backing Musharraf, who indulges radical mullahs but allows the CIA's special forces to hunt for bin Laden.Betrayal, say the American members of congress. And the members of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States are convinced they know who the traitor is. In a report that is currently making waves in Washington, the politicians claim that the former Pakistani chief of intelligence, Hamid Gul, promised Taliban leaders in July 1999 that he would give them "three to four hours of advance warning" prior to each planned American missile attack.
There is much more.
Ah, we knew what they were when when "picked them up." We can't now complain now that we are bitten!
EPG, I thought I was the only one who remembered that one from the old MM Club. :-)
"Shut up you silly woman", the snake said with a grin, "You knew I was a snake the day you took me in".