<Despite few signs of welcome for U.S.-led forces during the 13-day-old war and the checkpoint killings of civilians by American troops, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said Bush believed "slowly but surely the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people are being won over as they see security increase in their areas, as humanitarian deliveries are stepped up."

That's really funny. It’s up to the occupying country to see to the humanitarian needs of the civilians under their control. That means the US. When you invade and take over a civilian population, disrupt their normal commerce, interrupt their food and water supplies, YOU are responsible for feeding 'em. Just makes sense, besides being international law.

HOWEVER, Bush & Co. wants the UN to feed ‘em, though there are reports that in some places aid can’t get through because the US military wants to distribute it, and not have the UN do it.

UN aid, UN food, UN water, but Bush & Co. are insisting that it be distributed by Army and Marine Corp personnel.

And we’ve see how well they do it. The made-for-TV distribution riots were embarrassing to watch. The reports of hungry US military personnel are even more embarrassing.

Fact is, as Publius has pointed out, the US is broke. Doesn’t have the money it promised Afghanistan, doesn't have food and water for it’s own forces, let alone Iraqis.

And no matter how much people in the US say it's not happening, it is, and the ROW knows it. Sees it. Hears about it. And knows Bush, Rumsfeld and Fleischer are lying. The only people who don't recognize these realities are the True Believers, who think if they continue to deny, it ain't happening. That feeding someone is not seeing they have food, but convincing the public that it's someone elses responsibility.

Don’t know which is worse – they’re “on plan” or they aren’t.

Either way it’s a crime. Even looking through rose-colored glasses the blood shows up well.

Arf