ARE YOU SUCKING UP TO SCHROEDER or what? This is a question that I am sure has run through the minds of loyal readers. Reader Jack Ben-Levi gently asked me a version of this question recently, in reaction to my selective translation of Schroeder's Bundestag speech last week. You can read the German government's translation of Schroeder's speech here. In addition, Jack wonders why I haven't been more detailed with respect to German anti-war claims in general.

I am preparing my defense (seriously). Just need to make a few calls first.

Let's see here, zero, one, one, four, nine, leave out the zero 'cause I'm "abroad," three, zero. . .

"Hallo, Gerdi? Marston am Apparat. . .Nichts zu danken, nichts zu danken. . ."