News – How do you define Precision? How do they?

Iraq

Another US airstrike aimed at Zarqawi and his crew ends with eleven dead, though it seems that these deaths com from the lingers after a wedding party in the house that was considered by the US to be a safe house for Zarqawi’s group. I think I see what’s going on here.. they’re aiming these “precision strikes” at any house that they get info on being used at some point by the militants. No matter the circumstances, no matter who lives there or what is currently going on. There’s no possible way these trained military folk could have missed a wedding going on at the house shortly before the strike. And I -assume- they do spotting of the target before sending in the bombers. Or do they not scout the locations beforehand, to make sure that innocent casualties are at a minimum? That’s what I would assume is part of a “precision strike”. Yes? No? I’d think the term implies precision in not only the use of bombs, but in picking the targets for those bombs and spotting them prior to destruction.

Not only that, but the administration consistently distorts its claims on just what is going on in Iraq. Prooved so with the State Department’s own Iraq Weekly Status Report.

In the rush to rebuild Iraq, what of the state run industries? They’re suffering and surely could use the money that is currently feeding foreign companies to do work they could do.

Abu Dhabi Television quotes informed sources when saying that Kenneth Bigley, the third of three hostages taken some time ago, has been killed by his captors.

The French government has rejected claims by the US-led Iraq Survey Group that its politicians and companies profited from Saddam Hussein’s oil revenues. The French foreign ministry has charged that accusations were made “without having taken the trouble to verify the information in advance with the individuals and companies concerned, nor indeed with the authorities in their countries”. Many others are named, both companies and individuals from many nations. If the allegations are true, the US should have no problem making the evidence public so it can be properly verified before one and all. Right?

Israel/Palestine

Back to back bombings at Egyptian resorts, packed with Israeli tourists, leave at least 22 dead and over 120 wounded. Israel’s government believes it to be the work of alQueda. Sharon says that he and Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak will band together to fight terrorism. No note of Mubarak’s thoughts on that.

Afghanistan

Sporadic violence continues as Afghanistan moves closer to it’s first elections. What I’m most interested in seeing is how many of the quoted registered voters show up for the polls. It could be an interesting estimation of what might happen in Iraq, generally.

Iran

The IAEA sets a deadline of November 25th for Iran to cease its plans for uranium enrichment. Though I wonder what it accomplishes since he’s also said that violation of the deadline wouldn’t result in the matter being forwarded to the Security Council for action.

US

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley says that FDA officials tried to pressure FDA scientist David Graham to keep quiet or water down his findings that have led to the withdrawal of the arthritis drug Vioxxx. To say that this is alarming is an understatement. Considering the FDA has the very vital job of seeing to the safety of the populace, not protecting companies at the expense of the health of US citizens.

Tom DeLay shrugs off the two admonishments the House Ethics committee have leveled at him and calls for him to step down from his position as House Majority Leader. Some fellow republicans side with him in stating he’s been the focus of a partisan attack while others muse that he might be becoming a political liability.

The House has rejected the intelligence reform bill that was previously approved by the Senate, 203 to 213. This clears the way for a republican backed bill to be introduced, which has come under criticism from some civil liberties groups saying some of its law enforcement and immigration provisions go beyond recommendations made by the commission.

Did you know it’s illegal to proffer ramen and underwear to college students in return for their promise to vote? Yes indeed it is.. if there is a federal candidate on the ballot.

Whopper: Dick Cheney – Maybe his memory is going if he doesn’t remember meeting Edwards before.

There is a clear, recognizable line of attack for Kerry against Bush now. But do his new ads properly exploit it?

How do you properly sift out the candidates’ smear? You switch reporters from one candidate to the other in mid-campaign.

What Bush and Kerry won’t say tonight, but really should.

General

Sex and romance in The Sims 2. I’ll likely pick it up whenever it gets ported to Mac. Perhaps it’ll be more fun than the first was to me.

Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmentalist, becomes the first African to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Today’s Papers has Bremer putting his prior comments in the proper context, many economists think that Sen. Kerry’s plan to deter outsourcing is a fine idea, and probably won’t work, administration anonymice detailing the strategy to retake Iraqi towns and more in the one page news.

Amusements

How to turn bananas, butter and Apple Jacks cereal into the scariest treat ever. Presenting the recipe for “Ooey Gooey Banana Ghosts” – Recommended, big time. These stupid things will be a hit with just about anyone who isn’t being asked to eat them in public or in front of hot chicks. This is the most fun I’ve had with Apple Jacks since Kellogg’s shoved Tale Spin stampers in each box back in ’91.

<A HREF="http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041005/NEWS01/110050056/-1/news01″&gt; Avast, all ye who be plannin’ a pirate-themed weddin’, if yer uncle be fond of brandishin’ his flintlock

Sixteen-year-old boy charged with fourth-degree sexual assault over a wedgie

Green voters twice as likely to watch porn. Swanky campaign ads ensue

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Ashlee Simpson’s little friend

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop John Edwards and his pumpkin

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this seaside park