“ 15 GIs Killed As Chopper Attacked in Iraq“:

Insurgents shot down a U.S. Chinook helicopter in central Iraq on Sunday as it carried troops headed for R&R, killing 15 soldiers and wounding 21 in the deadliest single strike against American troops since the start of war.
Other attacks, in Fallujah and Baghdad, killed another U.S soldier and two American civilians. The only day that saw more U.S. casualties came March 23, during the first week of the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.

We’ve been told by President Bush that attacks in Iraq are a sign of the insurgents’ desperation. Does that ring true?
The most applicable definition of desperate at Merriam Webster is “involving or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape defeat or frustration.” Most people will agree that the periodic Iraqi suicide bombings qualify as “extreme measures,” because the bombers are intentionally forfeiting their lives.
But what about the day-to-day attacks on exposed U.S. targets? I don’t consider that to be an extreme tactic; I see that as a time-tested low-cost, low-risk trick from the guerrilla playbook. And these days it’s working much more effectively than the administration is acknowledging.
Sugar coating a messy situation isn’t going to stem the flow of American blood.

The Poor Man steals my thoughts.
Via Centerfield.

I didn’t see Tennessee’s inspiring 23-6 victory over Duke yesterday. But if I had, it merely would have been further confirmation to me of what should be obvious to everyone: UT’s offense is horrible. This isn’t a problem that can be fixed with a hammer and a few nails; this one warrants a wrecking ball. I don’t know if the replacement of three or more offensive coaches will cure things or not, but it’s a start.

One entertaining way to cope with a disappointing game is to listen to post game sports call-in show, and last night’s didn’t disappoint. I was especially amused by two recurring themes:

1. The typical, Kool Aid-drinking, everything is peachy caller.  “Come on guys, we just beat Duke.  Go Vols.”  Apparently the import of a 30-game A.C.C. losing streak isn’t fully understood by these people.
2. The SEC athletic director vote controversy.  Yes, it’s possible that the SEC East race could boil down to a decision by the conference athletic directors.  But that’s several games down the road.  Already a number of fans and pundits talk as if the possible vote is the most significant issue facing the UT football. It’s not. The fact that it took UT took almost 50 minutes to score a touchdown against Duke is the isue that needs to be tackled.

You decide:

British explorer Ranulph Fiennes completed his sixth marathon at dawn in Egypt, leaving him with only one more to run to achieve his goal of seven marathons on as many continents in the space of a week.
Sir Ranulph, 59, who suffered a near fatal heart attack only four months ago, ran the 26-mile (41.5 kilometre) distance between the pyramids at Giza, south of Cairo, and Cairo airport in five hours and 14 minutes.
. . . .
Following Thursday’s Singapore run, Fiennes said the challenge had been a mistake, admitting he was “pretty stupid” to take up such a dare so soon after undergoing a double heart bypass operation.

Forget the running, the travel alone would wear me out:

Apart from the marathons, Fiennes is expected to clock around 45,000 miles (72,000 kilometres) in air travel.

“Pregnancy, Birth and Abortion Rates Drop“:

Pregnancies fell 7 percent, from 6.78 million in 1990 to 6.28 million in 1999. The birth rate declined 9 percent in that time, from 70.9 to 64.4 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44. And the abortion rate went down 22 percent, from 27.4 to 21.4 abortions per 1,000 women.
. . .
Teen pregnancy rates reached historic lows, dropping 25 percent during the 10-year period. The teen birth rate dropped 19 percent, and the teen abortion rate was down 39 percent.

Apparently there was less demand for “abortion on demand.”
I suspect economic prosperity, a greater female focus on career advancement, and an emphasis on safe sex/abstinence have all contributed to declining pregnancy rates.
Via Lean Left.