News – What he does with our money

Bush continues to spread quasi-campaign messages on the government dime. Kind of annoying that he can use our tax dollars to make speeches like this that clearly has marks of reelection fodder. He should pay for this stuff out of his fat war chest. I dont’ want my tax dollars funding his little speeches.

The next shuttle launch could be delayed until 2005. If that’s what it takes to make sure safety is key, then let it wait.

The next means of political fund raising? An ad in a blog for $2,000 nets a candidate $80,000. Fluke or a sign of the modern web times?

The RIAA blets out another batch of lawsuits naming 513 “John Does”, bringing it’s grand total up to about 1,500.

Looking back on the V Chip.

The race to build a military vehicle that can pilot itself.

Bush and accidental peacenik? In a twisted way, yes.

Iraq

Twin attacks on the Hilla military base south of Baghdad end in a dozen dead and many troops of various nationalities wounded.

Iraqi Kurd officials have rejected calls to disband their militia, the peshmerga. Alternately, they’ve suggested the 50-60k strong force be made into a regional defense force, not unlike the US National Guard. Refusing could alienate the Kurds, who have been the staunchest allies the US has in Iraq. Agreeing could annoy other armed groups who will ask for similar regard.

Israel/Palestine

Looks like Sharon has gotten a tacit US nod to his Gaza retreat plan. But with conditions, such as not allowing Israel to formally annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank. A full agreement is pending further investigation by a US envoy consisting of Elliot Abrams and Steve Hadley of the national Security Council, and the state department envoy, William Burns.

Ahmed Qurie wants international peacekeepers on the Gaza strip to keep the peace if Israel does withdraw from Gaza. The suggestion of US and EU troops, the former to appeal to Israelis and the latter to appeal to Palestinians got a positive reaction from him.

Iran

51 fuel laden train wagons exploded on Wednesday, killing many(estimates range from 60 to 200) and destroying homes along the tracks.

Will conservatives recapture Iran’s Parliament in the upcoming Friday vote? A poor showing by reformists could set back moves toward a more open, progressive government. Seems the reformists aren’t giving up without a fight, accusing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of betraying the people’s rights. That’s pretty bold. The tale of Iran’s political fluctuations is not ended however.

General

Apple says it has 100k orders for its mini iPods already, even though they go on sale Friday. That’s a lotta minis.

Polaroid notes that shaking is no longer needed for its instant photos. It could even damage the photos. Its best the photo be laid on a flat surface, shielded from the wind. Not as much fun though.

Is Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide still a priest in standing with the Vatican? The details are set out a the link.

A story gets it muddled about just who they’re talking about. Muslim and Arab are not always the same, as has been noted by others.

Today’s Papers has a federal prosecutor suing Ashcroft and the DOJ, rumors of administrative split over the UNs role, a inspired but terrible plan for elections by Sunnis and Kurds along with other tidbits of today’s news.

Amusements

Newgrounds: Bush Shootout Game

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop guide animals for things other than blindness.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: A sheep, a bus and something green

School turns its computer room into a copy of the starship Enterprise.

Drunk Finnish motorist crashes into ten cars in eight minutes before introducing himself to a wall.