Free Republic

BARSTOW, Calif. (KABC) -- A preliminary magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck the Barstow area Monday afternoon, rattling a large portion of Southern California, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake struck around 1 p.m. at a depth of nearly six miles. Shaking was felt in Calabasas, Los Angeles, Glendale and beyond. No injuries or damages were immediately reported.

Here's an explanation for the anti-Iraq saber-rattling now building in Washington: The Bush administration, though it would dearly love to have Saddam Hussein out of power, has no intention of taking unilateral military action against him. The sword-rattling is designed to make Saddam's military leadership see him as too dangerous for their own good. Remember, this is no pre-1990 Iraqi army harboring thoughts of invincibility. The Iraqi military, including its crack (supposedly) Republican Guard, was routed in Desert Storm. The remnants, the generals know, exist only because the American-led allies allowed them to walk away. They know also that they...