News – Allied Immunity
Middle East
Egypt’s state media largely ignores calls from the US to represent more political freedom. They do it because they know, as allies, they can get away with it. US allies might get complained at, but real action is never taken when they subvert freedom. It’s a precedent well set with Israel and Russia.
Israel revives its militant assassination policy. Unfortunate, as it likely won’t help diplomatic efforts, which are of the utmost importance, despite what various regional leaders seem to think.
The summit between Sharon and Abbas ends with nothing, as Sharon says there can be no progress or overtures ‘so long as terrorism continues’. So I guess there will never be any progress as anyone has as much chance of halting terrorism in Palestine as they have had in Iraq.
Looking at the current situation some look to the bad, others toward the good. All that is certain is there is plenty of both.
North America
Sen. Robert Bennett says Bush has encouraged him to introduce Social Security legislation that omits Bush’s signature proposal for private retirement accounts in a bid to break the legislative logjam. Which is interesting, considering Bush had given no indication he’d accept legislation that doesn’t have them.
The Senate says the US government can sue OPEC for price fixing. Though I wonder if they would honor any decision against them. Depends, I suppose, of the venue through which the case is held.
Condi Rice accuses Syria of furthering instability in Lebanon and tells them to ‘knock if off’. Yet what evidence is had that this is Syria’s doing? Since no one ever cites any real evidence against them, I’d assume there is all of none, which only further damages us for being groundless accusers of those who we distrust. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m as tired of our government making baseless accusations as much as the actions of our enemies. None of them are helpful to forwarding solutions.
Lawmakers chide the Pentagon for hiding documents from UN mandated auditors about its dealings with Haliburton. Wonderful example to set for those who we want to cooperate with the UN, eh?
The senate approves a weak, voluntary plan to slow the emission of greenhouse gases. Mandatory cuts are too costly to industry, apparently. Could cost us a lot more in the future to not, but I suppose that doesn’t matter to those who only think in present terms.
The new China Price, where Chinese investors are paying great sums to buy struggling American companies.
General
Today’s Papers has the death of Jack Kilby inventor of the integrated circuit, 35,000 registered lobbyists in D.C., Iraqi insurgents’ ever increasing bomb-making abilities and more in the one page news.
Amusements
South Korea bans baseball players from wearing cabbage on their heads, will still be allowed to stuff their jocks with kimchi
Wife gets sweet revenge on flirting husband by selling expesive sports car on Ebay for less than $1. Suprisingly it sold really fast
Amherst police looking for owners of 30 garden gnomes that appeared overnight on the roof of a building (with pics)
Ninjas leave their mark on a small Texas town
Drunk cop who was passed out in his running automobile was asked how much he had to drink. Answer: “Not enough”
Men build elaborate mobile unit for stealing gas from stations. Rube Goldberg unavailable for comment
Amorous cattle lay waste to shop during rough sex
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop farker ChainBlue and the Air Crane
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Sean Penn on assignment in Iran
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: The many emotions of inanimate objects