News – A Day Late
Middle East
The Iraqi constitution is late. The White House is already looking to play down the missed date, praising the effort rather than the results. I would only opine that such things are similar to the mentality that many conservatives criticize, where even the underachievers in things like little league are treated like winners to avoid hurting their feelings. It’s a failure. The question is, will this failure be rectified swiftly?
U.S.-based Iraq analysts are concerned that the US might put too much pressure on the Iraqi government with regard to the constitution, which could backfire in undermining them. Missed deadlines and the like surely could.
Even after the constitution is seen to, the question of Iraq’s ultimate form will remain in unanswered.
The Neve Dekalim settlement, a flashpoint of resistance against the disengagement, was site of a clash between Israeli security forces and protestors. Security dragged away more than 50 youths, some kicking, punching and cursing.
Pictures from the withdrawal.
North America
The Washington Post drops it’s support of a walk organized by the Pentagon to remember the victims of 9/11, saying the event could become politicized. Really? A walk about 9/11? Run by the Pentagon? Politicized? Massive leap of logic there, eh?
An independent commission set to assess the Pentagon’s proposed list of military base closings conclude that the savings for the various base closings, noted as $50 billion, were overstated by as much as 50%.
The USDA finds over 1,000 violations of mad cow rules since 2004 in meat packing plants, where cut corners and regulation violations are undertaken to cut costs.
Our government is stocking up on smallpox vaccine, just in case someone decides to use it on us. Something I can agree with. Preparation is best in such matters.
Shabbir Ahmed, a former imam for a mosque in Lodi, California, has agreed to be deported. He’s believed by U.S. officials to be a contact man for a Pakistani-American who trained at an al Qaeda camp.
Harvard is planning to investigate how life started on the Earth, entering it into the politically charged debate on evolution.
Lego sculpture. Always interesting.
Why Bush should continue to ignore Cindy Sheehan. Personally, I’ve never thought much of her protest and never expected Bush would further engage her. She’s not made a very good augment for her change of opinion, nor given Bush much reason to meet with her. If he did, he could expect a small media circus and likely a lot of badgering questions and demands that would leave him little wiggle room. It might be less dangerous to simply avoid her. The only question is, how long will she linger outside his ranch or otherwise pursue him. Ultimately, she could expend her effort and time in more productive ways to show dissent against the war.
General
How wildfires are named.
Bloggers muse the diminishing expectations for Iraq, the Israeli Withdrawal and Christopher Walken’s rumored presidential candidacy.
Today’s Papers has Bob Dole in support of a shield law for reporters, the White House is backing away from its proposal to require Hummers and other heavy SUVs to abide by fuel economy standards(yet again, he caves rather than standing firm), the latest bits on John Roberts and more in the one page news.
Amusements
Russians to feed confiscated pot to cows. In other news, sales of Oreos reach all time record
Not done humiliating herself, Ashlee Simpson wants another shot at doing Saturday Night Live
Lt. Governor of the most impoverished state in the union spends $1 million in public funds to renovate office and apartment
Man shot by police twice in same shoulder in two separate incidents. Police chief quoted as saying, “My officers pride themselves in being good shots”
Use of apes in ads worries scientists, who say Subway should concentrate on the quality and freshness of its sandwiches instead
Urine-powered battery developed
UK police on the lookout for man who wanders around in a diaper asking women directions to the baby-changing station
Newest generation of workers showing up for work in beer shirts and flip-flops and show their willingness to listen by only wearing one iPod earbud. Office etiquette experts alarmed
Babies are showing up on TSA “no fly” lists. Confused by turban being wrapped around other end
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Cheech and Chong adventures for the new century
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: If movie characters had restaurants…
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Rehabilitated horror-film slashers trying to make it in the regular world
PS: And no, no guest writers. 😉