Finally, a few snatches of good news . . .

Pope Peace Message Takes Swipe at U.S. Over Iraq
By Philip Pullella


VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul took a swipe at the United States and its allies Tuesday for invading Iraq without U.N. approval, suggesting they had succumbed to the temptation to use the law of force instead of the force of law.

Bush Overruled on 'Dirty Bomb' Suspect
Thu Dec 18, 4:13 PM ET
By LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press Writer


NEW YORK - President Bush does not have power to detain American citizen Jose Padilla, the former gang member seized on U.S. soil, as an enemy combatant, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

9/11 Chair: Attack Was Preventable
NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2003


(CBS) For the first time, the chairman of the independent commission investigating the Sept. 11 attacks is saying publicly that 9/11 could have and should have been prevented . . .

US court grants Guantanamo rights
BBC News, 12/17


Detainees being held by the US military at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba should have access to lawyers and the US court system, a federal appeals court has ruled. The court said their detention was contrary to US ideals.

It did not accept that the US Government had "unchecked authority".

Be at peace.