News – Give Saddam to the Iraqis

Iraq

The US is reluctant to hand Saddam over to the Iraqis. They don’t think the Iraqis could hold him. Saddam causes even more debates as there are disagreements on whether the remaining monuments to him should be demolished or preserved. I say preserve them. Put them in a few national museums. Remembering people like Saddam is one way to remind what is the wrong thing to do. Cravenly smashing them all to dust is a sight that his memory is feared. Saddam’s a part of history, just like Hitler. His infamy should be allowed to stand and be judged for all time along with the rest of his ilk.

The insurgents in Iraq continue to stymie Iraq’s oil exporting. First with exports halted by sabotage, then by the killing of Ghazi Talabani, a senior adviser in Iraq’s North Oil Company.

The US is pushing for contractors in Iraq to be given the same immunity from prosecution in Iraq as soldiers have</A., even after the June 30th hand over. There are reservations over such a request, though it is still in discussion. Personally, I wonder just why they need this protection. What will they be doing that could be a prosecutable offense? And why should they get away with it?

I hear so many differences on power. Is the country getting good power? I want the real answer for once, so I don’t have to wonder if the latest stat being quoted to me is true or false.

Israel/Palestine

IDF forces kill one militant and arrest several others in Jenin.

Bribery charges against Sharon are dropped due to lack of evidence. But Sharon still sucks and blows. Some things will never change.

Afghanistan

Four Afghans were killed in a bomb attack suspected to have been aimed at NATO personnel. None of those suspected as targets were harmed.

Iran

“I am not saying we will do something particular, but if this resolution passes, Iran will have no moral commitment to suspend uranium enrichment,” President Mohammad Khatami, in his toughest warning yet to the U.N. nuclear watchdog, told reporters after a cabinet meeting. Of course, he balanced this warning with assurances that Iran’s nuclear aims were peaceful and they wouldn’t kick out inspectors. Easy to see how one can be confused at where Iran really stands.

Saudi Arabia

alQueda militants show off Paul Marshal Johnson, a US hostage who they say they will kill if the Saudi government doesn’t release jailed militants in 72 hours. That time period started yesterday.

US

The 9/11 Commission is critical of the Pentagon’s domestic air defense, saying it is unprepared for a major terrorist strike on US soil. After two years, they’d better well not be anymore. They’ve had time to tighten things up.

Leslie Cagan of United for Peace and Justice says her protest group has applied for a permit to protest at the Republican National Convention a year ago. Yet they still haven’t received it. In fact, not one permit has been given and some are saying New York officials are threatening the rights of demonstrators planning to show up by not issuing any passes. Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Browne responds that protesters had failed to engage in serious talks about making arrangements with officials. He also noted that the police were concerned “that al Qaeda may want to use a large political event as a target as they did in Madrid … as a way of infiltrating a political climate and the outcome of the election.” I think that a group who filed a year in advance has more than made an effort to give time for authorities to check them out and comply with the heightened concern for security at this present time.

A freshman democrat, perhaps the only one who would, has filed an ethics complaint against Texas Republican Tom Delay. Chris Bell of Texas has accused DeLay of soliciting campaign donations in return for legislative favors and using a political action committee to launder illegal contributions. About damn time too. I’m sure lots of those reps(republican and democrat) need to be closely investigated and would be were it not for the shoddy mess that House and Senate ethics are.

Foreigners are buying up our T-bills like crazy.. why?

The US Senate votes 55-42 against an amendment to slash the $36.6 million slated for the testing of bunkar buster nukes. Thanks for nothing.

Kerry works on defining himself to the people.

The AARP supports the bipartisan drug import bill.

Legislation to extend hate crime protections to gay and disabled persons and strengthen overall protections passed overwhelmingly in the Senate.

General

After success with the audio iPod, some are musing if Apple might make a video one. But such speculation is being quashed. Not enough demand and too many issues, even for a company as unconventional as Apple. But trends change, both in market demand and in technology. So who knows what might come in the distant future.

Apple’s iTunes music store is setting its sights on Europe, competitors scrambling to shore up their territory.

With the release of an Indian movie about lesbians and fundie Hindus vandalizing theaters that show it, the question rises does the Hindu religion condemn homosexuality?

Today’s Papers has upsetting details about the story of Sean Baker(national Guardsman) who posedas a prisoner and was beaten by fellow soldiers, General George Casey to replace Sanchez, Bush endorsing the idea of Sadr in Iraqi politics despite Bremer recently banning him and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Big, tough rapper 50 Cent throws tantrum onstage, leaves during set, gets a diaper change and a nap

Drunk driver aims for new record for cars smashed in one drive (with slideshow)

Even weirder than cult murdering pornstar Mormons, Michael Jackson spotted in Solvang wearing a Spiderman mask as he sought Taco Bell drive-thrus

McDonald’s won’t pay death benefits for two-year employee killed when car drove into restaurant, because she’d just been promoted and hadn’t worked 90 days in her new position. Suelarity ensues

Fark Photoshop Challenge: New housing developments go up in the middle of the Everglades. Photoshop what life must be like there

Fark Photoshop Challenge: To “put some English on it” means to give it a spin. To “make it Irish” means to add alcohol to it. So photoshop “put some American on it”

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this St. Thomas local pointing at something. Difficulty: No boat