News – The Vote Comes and Goes
Middle East
All said, the vote in Iraq went well. Counting is on going, with ten days as the time in which it’s expected to take. Bush is quite pleased with things and says we’ll stay in Iraq after the election. There were attacks, but far less, honestly, than I expected. The same thought expressed by many commentators. I would call it a success. Though victory is still beyond our reach. We have a ways to go.
No doubt the stories of the election day itself will continue to emerge, the sort of stories that put US political efforts to shame, really. The press have their say, ranging in outlook on the day.
The picture list has been updated with more recent photos from the day of the election.
Israel may pull troops from some West Bank cities within days. I surely hope they will. As I also hope they’ll stop seizing land through the use of their security barrier. The last thing we need is more action by the Israeli’s to spoil this process. I applaud the steps taken in withdrawing militarily and working with the new Palestinian leadership. I would be even more pleased to see them back off from annexing further land.
Allawi calls for unity in Iraq. We can only hope the call is heeded. So far they’ve been doing well. We’ll see if it holds through the coming political process.
There is note that Iraqi security forces picked up a little over 200 people suspected of being insurgents during the election. Many were picked up around
A British transport plane crashes near Baghdad and up to fifteen Britons are feared dead. Ansar al-Islam has taken responsibility for shooting down the plane.
Kuwait police have had a second skirmish with militants in as many days, one civilian killed and four police wounded in this latest clash.
A US government audit indicates that at least 232 Iraqis have died doing work on US funded contracts in Iraq.
Lack of oversight by the CPA, when it came to $8.8 billion in US reconstruction funds for Iraq apportioned in 2003, opened it up to corruption.
The family of Tom Hurndall, a British peace activist, continue to seek answers as to why an Israeli sniper shot their son. With allegations of a cover up, we may never know.
Asia
Explainer notes now Islam Got to the Philippines.
North America
Cheney gets criticized for going to the Auschwitz ceremony in more casual attire than was worn by the rest there. Ok.
Bush finally says something I can agree with. If the parents don’t like their kids to watch what’s on the TV, turn it off. Standards on what is indecent start at home.
Michael Jackson comes out with a message on his site that rejects the leaks that have slipped out about him in the run up to his trial, which will start in full soon. I suppose we’ll see in time.
Methamphetamine, a cheaply made drug, is becoming an issue in rural America</A..
The social security fight a ‘war’ against Roosevelt?
General
Scientists have been able to prevent Lupus in mice by boosting a receptor gene in the Immune system known as Fc. Now that it has been found, the receptor can be studied and perhaps it will be that the treatment will work as well in humans as in mice.
One big issue with colonizing the moon is it’s exposure to solar flares. Without protection similar to our ozone layer, astronauts could be seriously effected by some solar flares.
A plastic bathing cap filled with cool water could do well in preventing brain damage in newborns.
The MPAA is releasing software that will allow parents to check their kids computer for peer to peer software. Though some who have tested the software note it isn’t very well refined.
Today’s Papers has note of the turnout amongst Iraqis to be around 60%, the mixed story of Sunni turnout, the determination of some Iraqis despite a suicide bombing and more in the one page news.
Amusements
Power lines: not just a flying hazard anymore (pics)
<A HREF=”http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/flynn%20boyle.s%20.scandalous%20nude%20flight.”>Sleeping airline passenger surprised to wake up to a naked Lara Flynn Boyle
Teen huffs can of compressed air, drives across four lanes of traffic, knocks parked car through Nextel store, stumbles from car and says “we’re here”
If you’re going to ask to get your labia pierced, make sure you know where your labia is… especially if you’re a 12-year-old boy
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this undead couple somewhere other than “World of Warcraft”
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this girl in a birdbath
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Iraqi elections are approaching. Photoshop a campaign sign/slogan for one of the candidates
Maybe the post was unclear… thats the headline on the same article, as it changed over the course of the day. It clearly became less upbeat as the day progressed.
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