Oh, I just cannot resist. I have no willpower at all. From today's New York Times:

Under intense American pressure, Iraq's leaders asked the United Nations on Wednesday to help them form a new government and prepare for nationwide elections.

Members of the Iraqi Governing Council said they sent a letter to the United Nations after a tense meeting with L. Paul Bremer III, the chief American administrator, who reportedly gave the Iraqi leaders an ultimatum.

Here's the payoff...but wait for it...wait for it...wait:

In a morning meeting on Wednesday, Mr. Bremer warned the Iraqi leaders that they risked isolating themselves and their country if they continued to snub the United Nations. According to Iraqi and American officials, Mr. Bremer pointedly warned them of a" confrontation" with the United States if the Iraqis failed to invite the organization back.

I do so enjoy the thought of all those hawks, who have despised the United Nations so deeply and for so long, just tearing themselves to bits.

Well, that probably gives them more credit than they deserve. After all, they would actually have to connect two discrete pieces of information, and see the irony involved.

That doesn't seem too likely to happen, given the intellectual caliber of most hawks these days.

Still, it's a nice thought to carry into the evening. Just imagine hawk-husband saying to hawk-wife:"But...but how can we be insisting that the Iraqis go back to the United Nations? We hate the United Nations! And we can do whatever the hell we want! We don't need to ask permission from anyone! Screw the U.N.! Screw it!"

Ah, yes. Nice to think about alright. Poor hawks. It's just a tough goddamned world out there, isn't it?

Jonathan Dresner - 3/18/2004

"Dear, we can't afford this ourselves. We have our wealthy friends to support, and privatization to manage and pork to distribute. So get over it, and ask for directions. Men!"