In the unlikely event that you frequent an establishment called Human Shrimp Boat, be advised that it has been closed by the DC Department of Health. I can't imagine why.

Before and during the war, I had argued that by invading Iraq and creating conditions of anarchy, the US was posing a greater proliferation threat than Saddam Hussein was ever likely to. My reasoning was that in the transition period between the fall of Saddam’s regime and the imposition of US control over the country, any weapons or weapon manufacturing materials could easily be stolen or sold, even to organizations like al-Qaeda that Hussein would have been terrified to supply such things to.

It seemed my concern was justified when a DoD team found that at least one nuclear site had been extensively looted last May.

What I did not anticipate was that a year later, Coalition™ forces would still not be guarding these facilities, and the materials, equipment, and even whole buildings continue to go missing. The IAEA reports that nuclear facilities – nuclear facilities! – remain unguarded and bits of them are being found in Europe and elsewhere.

Particularly unbelievable is the report that Iraqi yellowcake was found in a shipment of scrap metal in Rotterdam. You will recall that “evidence” of an attempt to procure yellowcake was cited by Bush as a reason for going to war with Iraq. The “evidence” consisted of correspondence from Niger that the Administration knew full well was forged.

Yellowcake is apparently important enough to invade a sovereign nation over. Possession of yellowcake would seem to be sufficiently damning that the President risked being caught lying about it in the State of the Union address. But Yellowcake is apparently not so important that we felt the need to restrict its exportation from Iraq once the US controlled Iraq.

That sound you hear is my mind blowing.

Wow.

Sigh.

I’ve just returned from a weekend at the Masai Mara game reserve. Here are some of the better digital pictures; I should have some good film shots when I get them developed:

The landscape.

With any such expedition, a Big-Ass Safari Vehicle is a must.

Elephants.

This young bull decided he didn’t like the look of us, so he forded a stream to chase us away, trumpeting loudly. No injuries were sustained, but I did have to peel a frightened German off my lap.

Eat Cheetos™.

A cheetah and her cubs.

Assorted lions. We saw a lot of lions on this visit – one pride alone had eleven lions in it.

“Afraid of a rhinoceros? Imposserous!”

Lion cub.

Lionesses and their cubs.

Hippos. Lots of hippos.

What a croc.

Warthog.

I will return home in one week.