News – Categorizing Uzbekistan

The reason I put it in the Europe group is because I opine that it’s part of the European continent. Though it is on the edge of where one might consider the Middle East to start. My new categorization of stories is by continent/region. Is my consideration of the place for Uzbekistan mistaken?

Middle East

Another point of resistance in Iraq is privatization of it’s oil industry.

The ease of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Israeli intelligence says Syria has test fired three Scud missiles, including one that broke up over Turkey.

Support for the pullout from Gaza continues to dip in polls. I wonder what will happen if the support for it amongst the people shifts in midstream.

The Maariv daily noted Israeli commandos killed eight Palestinian police in an ‘eye for an eye’ attack three years ago, ordered to avenge comrades slain in an ambush on an army checkpoint in the West Bank. An old event, but evidence of the sort of thing that prevents me from giving much trust or anything but the most basic kind regard to Israeli’s government and military institutions. What they admit to, in my opinion, is likely just the tip of what they have truly done and won’t speak of. As much as they bring disaster upon themselves with their actions, it makes me wonder why I should care that doom comes upon them from all sides. I’d care more if I thought they cared about peace, rather than revenge for current and past injustices against their people.

Freeing Palestinian prisoners to support Abbas is good, but I think Israel needs to do more than just that. Supporting with one hand and slapping with the other remains unhelpful.

The US plans to rebuke Saudi Arabia for not being tough on human trafficking. Likely this will bear as little fruit as other rebukes.

Asia

Rummy warns China that failure to match economic freedoms with democratic reforms could raise tensions and undermine it’s growing influence in the world.

North America

Bush chooses Rep. Christopher Cox to head the SEC in the wake of William Donaldson.

The new directive used by the US army to meet it’s personnel problems, retaining soldiers who are earmarked for early discharge during their first term of enlistment because of alcohol or drug abuse, unsatisfactory performance, or being overweight, among other reasons.

Amnesty International defends it’s ‘gulag’ comment about Guantanimo, urging the United States to allow independent investigations of allegations of torture at its detention centers for terrorism suspects.

The ‘runaway bride’ gets probation. She’s damn lucky.

Six animal rights activists are being prosecuted under anti-terror laws, charged with harassing and vandalizing a company that made use of animals to test its drugs. At least they get a trial.

Bush’s recent speech about ‘military transformation’. Does it make sense?

Bloggers discus spies, both Israeli and American.

Opinions on Deep Throat continue. Woodward and Bernstein as well.

General

Build your own Internet enabled sex toy.

Atari’s founder may lure customers with an eatery with both food and fun games. An interesting concept indeed.

The Dreamworks toon factory looks to match Pixar’s quality with it’s own quantity.

Explainer notes the rules of Bollywood.

Today’s Papers has democrats with a connection to Jack Abramoff, Iraq’s foreign minister pleasing for the US to get more engaged in Iraq, tallying up the deaths and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Saudis outraged at proposal to let women drive. “Driving by women leads to evil,” a man wrote in a letter to the editor. “Can you imagine what it will be like if her car broke down? She would have to seek help from men”

“Welcome to New Jersey. A horrible place to do business” reads billboard near the Delaware Memorial Bridge. In other news, there’s someone who thinks we didn’t already know

Woman has 35 stolen lawn ornaments placed on her lawn, but puts them near the curb so that the rightful owners would take them back. A good idea on any day — except trash day

Just as the robin is the surest sign of spring, Jamal Lewis’ release from prison means that NFL training camps are just around the corner

Having solved all other crimes, Maryland police turn to night-vision goggles to catch people without seatbelts on

Germany hosting cell phone throwing championship

Man thinks he’s having a heart attack rushes himself to hospital, hits fence, light pole and hospital sign along the way. Turns out he was just drunk off his ass

Fark Photoshop Ch allenge: Photoshop a use for this rusting thing

Fark Photoshop Ch allenge: Illustrate some commonly misheard lyrics

Fark Photoshop Ch allenge: Theme: Inappropriate childrens’ commercials</A