News – Goodbye Tenet

US

George Tenet resigns. He cites personal reasons, but I’m not one to take such things at face value. There’s too much going on to simply nod at the obvious reason that would be given. And the speculation will run wild this weekend. No doubt all the Sunday politics shows will delve into the subject.

A U.S. House of Representatives panel approves $32 billion to improve border protection, enhance transport security and bolster defenses against possible attacks on the U.S.

Due to a legal glitch, Bush’s name isn’t supposed to be on the Illinois ballot this November, but officials say it will be one way or another. It had better be there legally, otherwise I’m going to call BS.

A tidbit emerges noting that a British Muslim told the FBI he was being trained to be a hijacker for Osama bin Laden and was in the United States to carry out attacks. This happening a year and a half ago.

Jon Bruno, bishop of the Los Angeles Episcopal Diocese, plans to defend blessing of same sex unions.

The ‘stop-loss’ directive that has been enacted could remain for years, keeping soldiers who were ending their tour of duty in the military much longer than they signed up for. Some have likened it to ‘stealth conscription’.

Hopes on a Roy Moore presidential run go the way of hopes for a Hilary Clinton run. Not gunna happen.

Iraq

Hoshyar Zebari, interim Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs, makes it known that he believes the new government should decide when US forces are to leave the country, but agrees with the US on no departure date and no veto. He’s exerting his opinion with the UN and the new resolution being developed.

However, Security Council members continue to disagree over the previously mentioned veto power.

International Papers is all about the new interim government and it’s sudden start. Regional papers remain positive so far, which is good.

Lawyers of Pfc. Lynndie England wants Rummy and Cheney to testify on her behalf. Two among 130 they’d like to call to bolster her defense that she was only following orders.

A seven member Independent Electoral Commission has been named to prepare elections that are planned to take place at the end of January, next year.

The Pope wants sovereignty in Iraq, but we knew he would. Protestors gather as Bush visits Rome. It’s a common reception for Bush these days.

Lt. Col. Drew Ryan is annoyed that his company, the 223rd Military Intelligence Battalion, is being investigated for a third time on the same subject of abuses. It’s a sign of the times. I think the administration and military brass are getting sensitive after the stinging swats that have come recently. They flinch a little at every allegation.

Adnan Pachachi, how had previously been slated to be Iraq’s interim president, says he was forced to turn down the job because of a ‘shabby conspiracy’ led by Ahmed Chalabi.

Israel/Palestine

Sharon cans Benny Elon and Avigdor Lieberman of the pro-settler National Union party to ensure a majority vote on his pullout plan. That’s quite a step to take and not a particularly promising one. This isn’t the sort of thing good democracies do. No, not at all.

Saudi Arabia

The recently dissolved Al-Haramain charity continues to operate in Bangladesh and the director of that branch says it’s finds are perfectly fine.

China

China suppresses protests on the 15th anneversery of the Tiananmen Square crackdown through cordons, vans and plainclothes police, worried that even a minor protest could spark a threat to their current leadership.

Africa

Calm returns to Kinshasa after Congolese president Joseph Kabila appeals for calm.

General

Windows XP confuses users with unreliable WiFi service. In other Microsoft related news, they patent the double click and holding down a button on the PDA. I think I’ll go patent breathing.

According to the IAEA’s records, the threat of a dirty bomb attack is growing as they notes a dramatic rise in the level of smuggling of radiological materials.

The Mars rovers are now on a new mission, which is good as it means no need for sending up more hardware for that purpose.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is coming out this weekend. I may just see it, as I recently got the Chamber of Secrets on the cheap and was amused by it. I doubt I’ll read the books, but the movies are interesting enough.

Today’s Papers has Bush saying what’s up with the lawyer, intensive interrogation techniques approved by Rummy, moreon Tenet and more in general in the one page news.

Amusements

Russian authorities tell women to stop wearing short skirts to work because it’s arousing male employees’ “animal instincts”

Today’s angry high school parents brought to you by shot glass prom favors

Janet Jackson is very sexual, has alter egos named Strawberry and Damita Jo, and is almost as messed up as her brother

Man treated as terror suspect after texting lyrics from Clash song “Tommy Gun” to the wrong number

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop something that a fundamentalist newspaper could use to prove something they believe.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: This ESPN radio crew needs some fashion work