News – Whose Domain is it Anyway?

US

The US Supreme Court is going to decide if the government can take a person’s home or business for private development projects aimed at boosting tax revenues and revitalizing the local economy. This being about the government power of eminent domain, which allows the government to do this with a proper compensation for -public- use.

Electoral troubles in Florida continue as a federal judge orders a lower court to hear a lawsuit demanding that electronic voting machines be equipped to print receipts for voters.

“A source knowledgeable about” the National Petroleum Council report to Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham says it has been delayed from it’s Thursday release to avoid a fight over environmental regulations before the national elections. Or, if you take the official line on it, it’s due to scheduling issues. Take your pick.

Polls polls everywhere, but not a one you can trust. I’ve about given up on polls as a viable means of gauging the American public.

John Walker Lindh, serving 20 years for fighting with the Taliban, asked the government to reduce his sentence after the release of former enemy combatant Yaser Hamdi.

Iraq

Two Italian hostages have been released by their captors after a ransom of one million dollars was paid. Some are cautioning that this could lead to even more kidnappings. Quite possible.

No matter what happens in Iraq, Bush can spin it into his victory. If things get calm, Iraq is getting better. If things get worse, Iraq’s getting better and the terrorists know it so are fighting harder.

Israel/Palestine

Riad Ali, an Arab Israeli who is a member of the Druze minority, is released after Gaza militants snatched him previously. The apparent reasoning behind the kidnapping being to dissuade fellow Druze not to serve in the Israeli military.

Afghanistan

Efforts to improve security are focusing on the South and east in Afghanistan, regions that have the most insurgent activity. The story notes multiple levels of security at the polls.

Five Afghan military were killed by suspected Taliban Tuesday in an ambush on a district headquarters in the Khake Afghan district of Zabul province.

Russia

Former Czech President Vaclav Havel and 100 other world figures sign a petition criticizing Putin’s recent adjustments to Russia’s government. The letter was sent to all members of the EU and NATO.

Security forces in the ex-soviet state of Kyrgyzstan have detained a man who was attempting to sell weapons grade plutonium on the Black Market.

General

Exploiting a new flaw in Microsoft programs, hackers are slipping malicious code into JPEG images. Of course, the most likely place to find these sorts of images in on adult sites. All the same, take care with your images.

If researchers have their way, a new way of storing info on DVDs could have them holding 100X more data. I could have most of my movie collection on one DVD!

Today’s Papers has Al Gore’s debate tip for Kerry, more criticism for Bush’s broken missile defense, 2,368 attacks in the last 30 days, mostly through central Iraq and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Your rented house is slated for demolition, so you invite 200 punk rockers and death-metal bands to help you wreck it. What could possibly go wrong?

Highlights from the presidential debate rules: “Handkerchief may not be used to suggest that opponent wants to surrender in global war on terrorism”

For just 15 bucks, you too can have a rotting, light-up demon corpse on your front lawn

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these penguins all dressed up with nowhere to go. (Difficulty: No prom dates)

Fark Photoshop Challenge: It’s almost October — photoshop this apple cider press

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this Icelandic mudpot