Links and Minifeatures 08 30 Thursday

This is to clean out the Links and Minifeatures from stuff I've noticed over the past few days.

I've found a forum that might have the information on Movable Type 4 I need.  Hoping to have the switch made before next week.

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U.S. sees "precarious" year for Iraqi government



The biggest US failure in Iraq has been failing to force the Iraqi government to solve problems, rather than fighting over control. 
Of course, we have just a little bit of that problem here at home.



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U.S. missile shield is provocation: Austrian minister



Like wearing body armor is provocation for mugging?



The article didn't indicate what reasoning the man might have had.  Likely, he doesn't have any.  He is the defense minister for a state that might as well not have a military.  Don't expect him to be a genius.  Expect him to be a political hack, with a lot more concern for what is easy politics right now than for actually defending its citizens.



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Mortgages: Smaller Banks Smell Blood



I keep saying there are lenders out there who want to lend money.  And I'm always looking for more wholesale providers.  Not that it's hard to find them if you know where to look.



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Subprime Mortgage Crisis Spreading to High-End Housing Market


If that sounds familiar to you, I wrote about it over three weeks ago as the first entry in Links and Minifeatures 08 09 Thursday.  AP's just picking up on it.