Russell's Blog

Ikea has a very nice and aptly-named LED lighting product called DIODER. It has four lamps, uses about a watt, and nicely illuminates a good-size desk.

I installed one for my mom's microscope workspace. Yes, I'll do something about the dangling wires when I have time to buy wire-ties.

This idea has probably been floated before, but it occurs to me that there is a very simple plan for getting us out of Iraq: Hold a national referendum in Iraq on whether or not to continue the occupation. If the Iraqis tell us to get out, then we should get out. Immediately.

The Republican position seems to be that we have to stay in Iraq to protect its "young democracy," as the president described it yesterday. There could hardly be a more democratic way of settling this question. On the other hand, a referendum is almost sure to result in a resounding "Get Out."

If the Democratic Party is looking for a nice, reasonable, uncontroversial plan for getting out of Iraq, I can't see how this one could be attacked. We're ostensibly in Iraq for its own good. If we're not wanted, then we ought to withdraw. No one could call it cutting and running if we are asked to leave.