News – Falluja Conflict and Arafat’s Demise

Iraq

Hours after the US says militants are trapped in the south of the city, a battle erupts near a mosque in the northwestern part of the city. So much for htat assertion. And they’re also hitting places outside of the city. So far, since the start of the Falluja operation, we’ve had 18 more dead and 178 wounded, with another five dead among Iraqi troops and 34 wounded. Not too bad, I suppose, with the US claiming hundreds of militants kills. But not really good either. The low numbers among the Iraqis comes from them being clean up and security squad in the back rather than taking a place on the frontline of the conflict. Likely because US strategists know they’d take heavy casualties and that would make them look bad. At least, that’s my theory.

I’m also skeptical of what this Falluja assault will do for the overall situation in Iraq. Militants seem to be using the US focus on one area to spread out and sew easier havoc elsewhere. And once the US spreads its focus again, the militants will likely find a new focus to narrow on. A back and forth that could continue for some time. Or so it seems to me.

But not all is bad, mind you. You can see here how a dozen marines and a robot plane foiled militants in Falluja.

US troops have raided the Ibn Taymiya mosque in Baghdad and detained several people, including Sheikh Mehdi al-Sumaid’I who has urged Iraqis to not fight alongside US forces in Falluja. They also raided the homes of senior officials of an influential Sunni group that has urged Iraqis to boycott the coming elections in protest over the assault. I don’t believe this is helpful. Why? Because we spout off a lot of stuff about freedom, yet when Iraqis urge non violent means of protest against certain actions, the US responds with oppressive force. Now, I’m not judging the intent of these people. I don’t know it, but I do know their words and it looks like they’re not inciting violence, they’re merely dissenting. Crushing dissent like that isn’t the sort of display of freedom we want to make, is it?

Aid agencies are pressing the US and Iraq to let them in to provide food, medicine and water to the stricken in Falluja.

A Syrian man, said to be a driver for two French journalists taken by militants in August, was found alive in Falluja.

Tommy Franks opines the war will last another 1-3 years. I suppose we can just see whether Tommy is right.

Israel/Palestine

If you haven’t heard it already, Arafat has finally died. Lots of people are saying lots of things(Didn’t I say a lot?). I’ll limit myself to this: He did good things, he did bat things. I respect that much, though I’m not sad that he’s passed. He’s headed for burial in the West Bank(Dignitaries who were at his funeral). Now is the time for the US to look deeply into leaping back into this region. With Arafat out of the way, power is going to shift and it behooves the US to get on a first name basis with the people who get it so, perhaps, we can work on some peace. Yes, the Palestinians need to work on reigning in Hamas. But to do so militarily? Do they even have the manpower? Last I saw, they don’t.

Suddenly, Mordechai Vanunu is under house arrest and Israel is charging he has let loose with more secrets. Suffice it to say, I’m not immediately inclined to believe Israeli authorities. But we’ll see if they have the evidence.

Afghanistan

It’s week three of captivity for the UN workers taken by rebels in Afghanistan. Both sides want this done before the Eid festival, which will start Saturday or Sunday. The militants expect their demands to be met, though if any of the prisoners are in US custody, that’s right out as they have a pretty firm stance on no capitulation.

Europe

Cutch authorities have raided a suspected Kurdistan Workers Party(PKK) training camp in southern Netherlands, arresting 29 people. Seems the Netherlands is a focus of a sudden surge in violence that is rare for it.

US

Bush could use what he thinks is political capital on immigration issues. I don’t think that conservatives voted Bush back in over his stance on immigration, so I think he’ll find he has limited capital there.

As it is want to do, our last election cycle has spawned a new host of mish-mash phrases, codified into buzzwords by the force of the political attack machines.

Alberto Gonzales is Bush’s nominee to replace Ashcroft(and thought to be on Bush’s list for any supreme Court vacancies). Though not all about him is rosy and peachy. Is he a bit too loyal to Bush?

Some more smacking on the Electoral College and arguments for it. I say ban the sucker, we need a modern election scheme for the modern age.

Scientists are bummed about a secondBush term, but they have some cause for not being too gloomy.

The Supreme Court mulls a case of if a dog sniff is a search and if the one in question was unreasonable by the fourth amendment.

In the sad irony department, we have a WW2 soldier who was killed at a parade honoring veterans.

Musing the human implantable RFID chip.

General

Stopping camcorder piracy of movies is a job for new tech. That is the key to defeating rogues who use tech for their own aims, without hampering the delight of those who pay legally.

Science is bringing about the latest in male contraception, a science that should be encouraged for what it can do the help eliminate the number of unplanned pregnancies.

Which headphones are the best? Slate has a nice article that gives some testing and opinion as advice to prospective music listeners.

Today’s Papers has defense analysts wondering if stability enough for credible elections can be generated in Iraq, guerrilla sleepers and militant internal strife in Falluja, two helicopters downed in Falluja(crews survived) and other tidbits in the one page news.

Amusements

UK man buries his garage underneath his front lawn, James-Bond-style, after city bans parking on his street

Monster Party might be the most quotable video game in history – If you don’t know what Monster Party is, you missed a silly NES classic. 😉

In an effort to remove all fun from recess, California school bans cartwheels. Would prefer children grow up in protective plastic bubbles

Oregon man has drivers license suspended for 100 years

Before ordering a new fire truck, ensure the station is large enough to hold it

Prisons send “Wish you were here” postcards to local criminals

Moron sues wild animal park after he let a tiger into his car. “His accordian playing days are now over” states his lawyer

Stations cancel airing of “Saving Private Ryan” over fears of FCC fines, particularly over the “Wardrobe Malfunction on the Beaches of Normandy” scene

Cops suspended for letting NASCAR driver Bill Elliott hop a ride in their helicopter when they were supposed to be reporting details and location of marijuana fields

Neurotically Yours: Foamy’s Rant IV

Mark Fiore: The Depressed Democrats Guide to Recovery

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: What does Drew’s house look like?

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Slather on the make-up, hike up your skirt and check your shame-o-meters at the door as we crown the Photoshop Vote-Whoring Champion of the World

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this picture of Philadelphia’s Love Park

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these tubby hippies getting their brains washed</A