Actually, more like a five-pound bag of rock salt (2.5 kilos for you, Raoul).

It gave no source for its report. It also did not specify any time zone when it said that the war would start at midnight. Yeah, right... no source. Anyone surprised? And, as if the time zone were critical... however, my guess is local time in Bhagdad, GMT +3]

Even so, the date makes a perverse kind of sense. Right at the moment, I'm not certain precisely when the inspectors' report is due to be delivered to the Security Council, but Feb 21 allows, say, four to six weeks of public debate before accepting the inevitable, running in parallel with mobilization of US and British forces and recruitment of any other coalition participants. Feb 21 is also about the earliest the 'air superioirity' phase of the war could begin, allowing (again) four to six weeks for the worst of winter weather to be past before boots hit the ground.

If you know any Reservists (or are one), assume callups will begin soon - if they haven't already. If you live near a military air base, US or overseas, watch for outbound traffic to increase. Even if the Pentagon is playing as 'close to the vest' as it did for Desert Storm, the signs are unmistakeable.

How can anybody wish for a "Happy New Year" ?

This just gives us all the more reason to wish, Raoul... not that wishing will make it so, but still, one can wish.