News – Put Up or Shut Up

Middle East

Militants in Palestine continue to attack, despite Abbas urging them to stop. The sad thing is that Israel will fall easily into their trap of continuing unilateral aggression rather than focusing on helping Abbas to quell them. By that, it weakens the possibility that this moment will result in the peace we hope for. Already the militants are helping to soften Abbas’ position. Israel continuing its way will do the same, ultimately making it such that Abbas won’t be able to do what everyone demands of him.

I’ve heard plenty say they want him to take aggressive steps, as if it were clear what he had to do and simply wasn’t doing it. But none have yet to actually express the sort of steps they expect him to take. Riddle me this, Batman.. what can he do just now? He hasn’t the strength in his security apparatus to deal with them militarily(though he has ordered them to work to prevent attacks on Israel, even as Israel contemplates the use of artillery in the hope that the population of the Gaza strip would “understand this language“), he has no universal clout to deal with them politically(though some are willing to give him a chance, which is good). He has no steady support from foreign allies, save for US funds. But the US gives those finds with constant backhanded complaints. Israel continues to go its own way rather than pooling action with him to give him legitimacy and show they’re willing to work with him and make sacrifices for peace. I’ve talked Abbas up a lot, but as god as he is in comparison to Arafat, he won’t be able to magically manifest stability out of thin air. Someone has to go to bat for him or he’ll get overwhelmed yet again. But so far no one has stepped up. The situation makes me sick, even more so that Bush won’t back up his talk about promoting democracy by stepping up even now, when effort might be put to it’s best effect.

Another note of the unprecedented protections to be put in place for the election, including the closing of land boarders. They’re going to try and limit the mobility of terrorists, which is a dangerous gambit since they also need to make sure Iraqis in general don’t have too hard a time getting to the polls. The last they need is to be further dissuaded by difficulties in getting to the polls. It’s hard to get up excitement as the US runs it’s new PR campaign to lower the expectations of all in the run up to the vote. Violence is spreading, but the US government would tell you this is good. It means the terrorists are afraid, or so they’ve said. The only problem is fear of this sort isn’t the type that weakens, it strengthens, as can be seen. Again, I don’t think it’s a good time to hold elections. If it’s botched, it could hurt worse than postponing them.

Some Iraqis will be voting from other countries. Any Iraqi nations who still hold citizenship or who have lost it due to Saddam taking it away will be eligible. The turnout for registration in Detroit has been surprisingly low, considering it’s substantial population of Iraqi nationals but activity has been better in other cities. Iraqis across the globe will be casting ballots, including those in Britain where an estimated 150k Iraqis are eligible to vote.

Journalists will also be out in greater force during the elections, despite obvious concerns for their safety. Only twelve days to go.

Salama al-Khafaji, a prominent female politician in Iraq, has been the target of another attack, with gunmen in police uniforms opening fire on her car as she was on her way to her office. She escaped unscathed from this third attempt on her life.

Over the weekend Iraqi Catholic archbishop of Mosul was captured in Iraq</A. and has been subsequently freed without a ransom being paid.

Iraqi insurgents advertise their latest hostages, eight Chinese hostages. They’re under threat of death unless the Beijing government clarified their role in the country. An odd thing.

A day after Bush notes he hasn’t ruled out military action against Iran, Iran comes back with saying it has the military might to deter an attack against it. Like I want to hear this pissing contest start up again. Bush, you don’t have the manpower to attack Iran and I doubt you have the cause or backing. Of course, the cause and backing haven’t stopped him from acting yet.

Twenty more US soldiers will eventually stand trial for prisoner abuse in Iraq, though I doubt any of them will be more than ground pounders. The reactions noted in the article speak for those who aren’t reassured by the prior convictions.

Asia

Kofi Annan urges the world to learn form the tsunami disaster. The lesson to be learned is a little prevention money now can equate to a great savings in the future, including lives.

The US has stepped up helicopter flights of aid to parts of Aceh.

North America

Bush critics muse that the fanfare for his second inaugural is far too lavish for somber times. Personally, I think that they’ve always been too lavish. When someonewins the presidency, we shouldn’t throw a party for them. They should swear their oath, then get to work rather than blowing $40 million on some big bash. It might help to keep presidents from standing too tall on their pedestals. “It’s important that we celebrate a peaceful transfer of power …. You can be equally concerned about our troops in Iraq and those who suffered at the tsunamis (and) with celebrating democracy,” Bush said in a CBS News interview released on Monday. Sure man but you don’t have to blow millions on one either.

Ann Veneman, the U.S. agriculture secretary, is expected to become the new head of UNICEF.

Opponents of Social Security privatization keep addressing it as a math problem while Bush pushes it as a philosophical one. We can’t have a real discussion while the sides keep talking the problem in two vastly different ways.

General

The race is on for the next big space prize, an exciting time indeed for those who hope to see commercial space travel in their lifetime. At the rate that these folk are going, I don’t expect it will take them too long to start making the needed breakthroughs.

As cell phones become all the more ubiquitous(even I have one now, though for a specific purpose), new ways of shushing the annoying need to be thought up. Ways that are subtle and not so annoying as to bring folk to blows. There’s nothing more annoying than a half hour bus ride with someone projecting their voice for all to hear while talking on the phone. Personally, I’m quiet about it because I have to endue those who aren’t as courteous.

A new reason to love spiders, as an artificial knockoff of their silk could be used to make body armor. Amazing the things that nature makes and we copy for our own use.

A British study has shown that mothers who smoke, inhale pollen, dust mites or pet hair particles may put their children at greater risk of having asthma.

The Human nature Blog has more reports from the tech frontier, largely focused on health and medicine this time around.

Today’s Papers has Ridge lowering the threat level for DC and saying there’s no threat on the inauguration(never mind the height of insane security that will be there), a UN report that says rich nations could meet their promise of rising their international aid to a half percent of GDP rather than the present average of a quarter percent(the US clocking in lowest at .15% of GDP), a shift of focus in Iraq from offensives to training Iraqis and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Midwest Airlines announces frequent flyer miles for pets. Your dog wants an upgrade

A sign that the FCC is out of control, Fox pixillates a cartoon butt due to FCC worries

Record industry uses artificial intelligence to work out if a song will be a hit. So, no change there then…

From the hall of unintended consequences: Gay marriage amendment used as a reason for dismissing domestic-violence charges

Verizon Wireless disables built-in Bluetooth cell-phone features but (GASP) offers similar features for an additional charge. Suelarity ensues

Fark Photoshop Challenge: What kind of self-abuse led Penny the Superhamster to need this cone?

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this frozen man-eagle tango

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these excited little bubble chasers