News – Next in Line

North America

Federal judge Michael Chertoff, a former prosecutor and architect of the anti-terror USA Patriot Act, is picked by Bush for the head post of the Department of Homeland Security. Interesting choice, hopefully they vetted him better than the last one. We’ve even got some suggestions for questions during his confirmation. They look like good ones to me.

The height of security that will be wrapped around Bush’s inauguration is quite telling when it comes to the true fear of terrorism that remains. I pity anyone who has a business or home near the route of the parade.

Bush will unveil the 2006 budget on Feb 7th. Though I’m sure it won’t answer too many questions when it comes to how Bush will manage certain things. Like Social Security.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton says the Bush Administration is making it hard for the poor to get access to the full range of reproductive health services and putting too much emphasis on abstinence to combat AIDs. I’d agree on the last. One thing Bush should know is you attack a problem from all sides when you can. Focusing too much on abstinence is unrealistic and softens the effectiveness of education.

Pundit for Hire.

Middle East

Palestinian gunmen ambush an Israeli military jeep, killing a settler and wounding three soldiers. What needs to happen now is Abbas needs to make note that he dosen’t support this action in the slightest and Sharon needs to show that this won’t spoil him from working with Abbas, which is what some militants who aren’t giving Abbas a chance will try to do.

Israel is looking for US monies to fund new checkpoints. My initial answer to this would be no, unless some vital need can be show that is met by them.

Jibril Rajoub, who was Yasser Arafat’s security adviser, has resigned from Palestine’s government. This is seen as paving the way for Abbas to shake up Palestinian security and start making changes. Rajoub has said that he resigned to let Abbas pick his own advisors and that he aggress with the reforms Abbas has and supports him 100%. That’s good.

I still think the idea of a moat along the border between Palestine and Egypt is a poor one. Especially if it necessitates the destruction of Palestinian homes. Considering that Israel won’t give recompense for this, they’ll only deepen further(yes, it is possible) the negative feelings of Palestinians against them.

Africa

Despite the peace deal in Sudan, fighting continues in Darfur. Sudan’s UN envoy is requesting more personnel to deal with the issue.

Asia

Indonesia warns it will crack down hard on anyone diverting tsunami aid for their own enrichment Hopefully we’ll avoid all corruption, despite those who would taint the good will of others in providing monies for the victims. They have enough problems to deal with, addressing the mental wounds of their people as well as the physical.

Residents on India’s islands spend sleepless nights as high waters continue to plague them and their property.

General

Apple has new stuff, dipping prices even lower. The ‘iPod Shuffle’, the size of a pack of gum, is a mini MP3 player with 512 MB of memory that sells for $99. A larger version holds a gig of songs and costs $150. Added is the ‘Mac mini’, a miniature Mac that runs $500 to $600 depending on features. Looks like it’s been an interesting Macworld. I’ll have to pop by Apple’s site later to get the full dirt on this new stuff.

Simple encrypted email? I’m all for it. The encryption scheme looks good, with public and private keys that make each person’s encryption unique.

Why do Swordfish keep their eyes warm while the rest of their body is cold? Why, to see their prey better of course.

Today’s Papers has Russia poorly dealing with the AIDs virus in its lands, chemical weapon destruction plants in the US breaking ground in 2011 with the deadline for destruction 2012, the Iraq Survay Group having folded up its tent three weeks past with no notice and other tidbits in the one page news.

Amusements

There are many things for which you might be able to get away with paying counterfeit money. Sadly, bail is not one of them

Ali G tells the crowd at an Appalachian rodeo how Bush drinks the blood of children. What could possibly go wrong?

School principal files police-brutality lawsuit after four cops, assuming he was on drugs, beat the crap out of him when he was actually having a diabetic attack

U.S. government does study on how much rocket fuel is safe to drink

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Customize the interior of this RV

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this particular unlikely encounter

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these un-ignorable street performers