News – Where are the Boomers?

Iraq

Previouly we’ve heard the possibility that the explosive noted as missing in Iraq were gone before US forces entered the complex. Now we have for consideration that the amount missing might be less than 377 tons. I’m just a little concerned that these missing explosives seem to have gone unnoticed since the start of US intervention in Iraq. Kerry’s been hamming on this issue and Bush defending and hammering back. One can always trust the monkeys to dance.

A group calling itself Al-Islam’s Army Brigades says it has some of the explosives that went missing from the depot that’s become part of current news. The video statement said, :”Heroic Mujahideen have managed by the grace of God and by coordinating with a…number of the officers and the soldiers of the American intelligence to obtain a very huge amount of the explosives that were in the al-Qaqaa facility, which was under the protection of the American forces.”

If Bush gets reelected, expect an appeal for another $70 billion for the war. Likely you can expect about the same if Kerry gets elected.

Israel/Palestine

Looks like Arafat’s time is nearly up. Personally, I wish he’d go quickly rather than slowly because I wouldn’t wish the torment of a slow death on anyone.. well, I wouldn’t do so to many seriously. And the faster he’s out of the way, the faster a moderate can take his place. Sharon says he can leave to fly abroad for medical treatment.. only he might not be allowed to return.

Four of Sharon’s cabinet ministers are threatening to resign if Sharon doesn’t put his pullout plan to a referendum. “I will never give in to pressures and threats, and I won’t accept any ultimatums,” Sharon replies. “My position on the referendum is unchanged. I am opposed because it will lead to terrible tensions and a rift among the public.”

There is allegation that Israeli solders have shot a ten your old Palestinian girl on her way to school. A common theme. Israeli military sources say they’re looking into this “at the highest level.” I hope I’ll be excused for not taking their word on it. The girl is said to have been hit with gunfire from soldiers guarding the Jewish settlement of Neve Dekalim. Reuters’ source Israeli military source said “At the moment, we know of several incidents of militants launching mortars at settlements in the area, and soldiers fired back in each case.” Assuming they saw something to fire at? Perhaps the soldiers under fire got trigger happy and a stray round hit the girl? Perhaps.

Afghanistan

Three foreign election workers have been taken in Afghanistan. It hasn’t been determined yet who did this and why.

Turkey

Rebels from the Kurdistan Workers Party have ambushed a Turkish convoy in southeastern Turkey. As if life weren’t exciting enough for the world.

Africa

An elite contingent of 50 Nigerian soldiers are headed for Darfur, first among the AU force of 3,000 to head over.

US

As if we didn’t know already, the analysts say propaganda flies high this election cycle. The total number of political spots related to the election to have aired since it started? Over 750,000. What a waste of airtime.

USPS investigators are searching for missing absentee ballots that should have been delivered in a county north of Miami. 60,000 of them have gone missing, accounting for 5% of the vote.

Lawsuits already abound and the real election hasn’t started yet. We’re off to a great start. At least there will be something to talk about for the next four years.

Arnie is being cool on stumping for Bush, trying to keep Republicans happy while not upsetting democrats too much. Admirable, but we’ll see how it goes.

Judge says the military can’t force Anthrax vaccinations on the soldiers without informed consent or an order from Bush.

Might he Supreme Court deny any case dealing with deciding a closely tied election runt his year? I wouldn’t blame them for keeping hands off that hot potato.

General

Computer games in school? Academics from the Institute of Education at London University seem to think they should be. Personally I consider it an open fact that if learning is more fun, more people will learn. So I think games have a big place in school, or should, as a medium through which learning becomes less than a chore.

Allergic to cats? Want one anyway? You’re in luck. Cats that are genetically modified to be hypoallergenic are available for pre-order in California. Available in 2007.

Linign up the new iPod against the first portable XM satellite radio ever.

How to pick your polls.

Today’s Papers has evidence of dwarf human ancestors on an Indonesian island just 18,000 years ago, note that the US and Iraqi forces could be losing control of Ramadi, much, much more detail on the missing explosives and other tidbits in the one page news.

Amusements

Neurotically Yours: Amittyville Toaster

Mark Fiore: Campaign of Fear: The Final Days

George W. Bush voted this year’s top film villain

Flight attendant grounded by Delta Airlines over “risque” blog pics (with SFW pic)

Top 15 Biblical ways to get a wife

Two Highway Patrol officers under investigation for writing suspicious tickets. Turns out there was a dead giveaway

Fark Photoshop Challenge: MSPaint up a cheesy halloween greeting. Link goes to inspiration

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Today’s photoshop secret ingredients: Milk and cookies

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Farker DslainteC’s mom is turning 80. Photoshop photos of her for a gift photo album