News – The Who And Why on Gaza

Israel/Palestine

A straightforward breakdown of the Gaza withdrawal and views from various factions on it. This put things in a good prospective for me, where I wasn’t as solid focused on the myriad of points as I am now.

Iraq

Cheney won’t let up on pushing the idea of links between Iraq and alQueda.

A car bombing kills 35 near an Iraqi military base. About 138 wounded as passersby took the brunt, most of the recruits within were unhurt.

In the wake of assertion that Iraq had no link with alQueda, British authorities assert, however, that Saddam did let alQueda operate out of Iraq. Of course, while that is likely true, that only implies apathy toward alQueda’s actions. So long as they didn’t move against Saddam, what reason would he have to stymie them?

Kidnappings are up against professional families, leading them to muse emigration to escape the heightened danger to their children.

Sadr has told members of his militia to go home. Promising and fortunate, but I can see some, perhaps, not heeding this call. Hopefully, if Sadr truly wishes to engage in the political process, any lingering of militants won’t stop him.

Iran

The IAEA notes an error it made in accusing Iran of withholding info on the import of potentially weapons related machinery. No doubt it will be a boon to Iran to cast doubt on the investigation. But it is also a serious mistake for the IAEA to have made. A careless one.

Indonesia

Fresh travel warnings, this time cautioning US citizens in regard to travel to Indonesia. This comes as local authorities note a shift in terrorist tactics from targets to individuals.

Saudi Arabia

Extended threat against Western engineers could pose a problem to long term management of the country’s oil reserves and exports. If some of the talented folk who work the wells decide the job is a little too hot for them, the exodus could be problematic.

US

New Jersey residents predict possible backlash against those who look Arab if hostage Paul Johnson is killed. Not to belittle his predicament, but I doubt it. At least, not on any large scale. Berg’s beheading(ignoring the conspiracy theory about it for the moment) resulted in no notable backlash as a notable level of backlash would have been leapt upon by the media. I doubt, if Paul is killed, there will be a measurable backlash. Some might use it as an impetus for stupid reaction, but they’re few, fortunately.

A bit of legislation to overturn a major portion of the DMCA has gained strong friends in the House. It likely wont’ be enough to get it passed this year, but the showing is heartening to allies of the bill. If the bill passes, it would overturn the portion of the DMCA that bars consumers from circumventing encryption on digital media products, even if they only intend to make copies for personal use.

Bush looks to rally the troops with a speech at McDill Air Force Base in Florida. I listened to a bit of it over Cspan, but stopped because it was the same thing he always goes on about. But I didn’t expect anything groundbreaking.

For the time being, Bush still gets low marks on the economy from the American people overall. But months remain ahead and change can happen.

The TSA will be voluntarily registering more info from frequent fliers in an effort to speed up air security. If frequent fliers want to give up the info, that’s their choice. I’ve nothing against a voluntary system. It’s the involuntary systems that I examine carefully.

A private meeting between Kerry and Gephardt fuels speculation on who the running mate will be. Kerry also criticizes Bush’s space ambitions, saying it was big on goals, but short on resources.

Henry Kissinger can’t come to the phone right now, he’s traveling.

General

Many arguments can be made over the censorship of information during wartime, both pro and con. But for an objective lesson in both, one need only look to history, ripe with the results of both. Sometimes silence is golden. Other times it’s deadly.

Today’s Papers has details on screwed up pre-war intel, musings on the details given by the 9/11 commission and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Hit-and-run driver lectures victim before driving away

French fries join ketchup on USDA’s list of “fresh vegetables”

Chest hair insurance available: Excludes loss through terrorism

Mark Fiore: The Torture Team

Neurotically Yours: Creative Issues

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this well regulated street

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop the uglier half of the Fantastic Four

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this hippie trying to bumrush the G8 summit

Fixed: Hit and run amusement link spelling corrected.