The namesake of the Shropshire Challenge has responded (finally) to Dr. Weevil's offer of free airfare for anyone willing to put their convictions where their mouth is, and travel to Iraq to serve as a human shield. The Shropshire Slasher had 5 weeks to come up with a response to the challenge, and the best he can do is "I'll go if you pay me enough money". Not content with the first class tickets, Phil claims it will take $23,000 to make it worth his while (including $10,000 to pay the fine for US citizens traveling to Iraq). Since the fine would only be levied if Phil returns to the US after successful service in the human shields brigade, I'm not so sure that is really a big issue. Phil also says he needs $5,000 for bribes, bribes, bribes - in order to get past Iraqi border guards, I suppose. However, I think Phil will get the red carpet treatment once the Iraqi Government finds out they have another American willing to come to Baghdad and blast Bush while supporting Saddam. Hell, probably first class accommodations and honored guest treatment - right up until it's time to actually be a shield, that is. McDermott, Bonior, et al were able to get to Baghdad and be big TV stars, so I'm sure a willing shill for Saddam would be able to get into the country with no problems at all.

Finally, Phil says he wants to make at least as much as his hero, Ted Rall, for going to Iraq. Phil places this value at $8,000. Now, it seems to me that this is war profiteering, something that the folks over at WBW have been screeching about since this whole thing began. Surely Phil isn't suggesting that he should somehow profit from going to Iraq and following his conscience, right?

So, if we take out the $10,000 for a fine that will never be levied, $5,000 for bribes that won't be necessary, and the $8,000 for the war profiteering that I�m sure Phil would not want to be associated with, that $23,000 figure comes down to - $0. And Dr. Weevil has had more than that for quite a long time.