News – Election Day 2005

North America

US election highlights: Democrats sweep Virginia and New Jersey, Arnie’s reforms get denied, Bloomberg is reelected as Mayor of New York, Texas folks(predictably) add a gay marriage ban to their constitution and Washington state voters reject a repeal of a gasoline-tax increase intended to finance $8.5 billion in transportation projects.

Tired of taking it, Cheney fires back at democrats, accusing Sen. Harry Reid of malicious conduct “unbecoming” his role as Democratic leader, part of a coordinated attack on the minority leader. So yet again, rather than proving their worth through works and results, politicos fall back on the easy habit of fighting fire with fire, ending with everyone singed and energy wasted. Such children who lead this country and always have.

In Dover, Pennsylvania, voters elected to oust their current school board, which has promoted the teaching of Intelligent Design. The people have spoken. In related news, two scientific organizations use copyright laws to punish Kansas schools for teaching Intelligent Design. While I’m not for said teaching, there are proper and improper ways to do anything. I don’t see this as proper.

Five reasons Bush should keep Rove on the payroll.

Bush’s cadre has a massive enemies list?

Middle East

Israeli’s want relocation away from the border between Israel and Palestine. I would to, since I know that the violence won’t be quelled for some time.

Gordon Brown is the latest to mention that fixing up Palestine’s economy is a serious step toward peace.

Egypt has the first stage of elections expected to do little to reduce the power of President Hosni Mubarak’s National Democratic Party. Voters and witnesses report skirmishes and electoral fraud in the first few hours of the polls being open, but others cited improvement. Improvement is good, but fraud is fraud.

Europe

France evokes emergency riot powers in 28 urban zones, towns and cities including Paris, as unrest continues to roil. Considering this includes Paris, they can’t hold it for too long or they’ll start ruining their tourism. Seems it might be working, which is good.

General

The Army issuing orders by odors? Why not? Insects communicate in that way and it has advantages. Of course, without some solid way to be certain of the smell, it could be easy to misunderstand odor orders. Can you say ‘odor orders’ three times fast?

Explainer gives some tips on Tornado-proofing your mobile home.

Today’s Blogs look at the Paris unrest and various US votes last night.

Today’s Papers has the Senate denying an independent investigation on US detention practices, Alito hinting that he’s unlikely to overturn any long running precedents(like Roe vs. Wade), more attacks on Saddam’s defense lawyers and more in the one page news.

Amusements

In a clear case of mistaken identity, inmate shows court that they have the wrong person because the charging document lists his name in all CAPITAL letters

U.S. newspapers adding manga comic strips in attempt to lure young readers. Expect Dagwood’s eyes to grow 20 times larger and Jon Arbuckle to summon Garfikachu any day now

If you’re a high school coach that is hosting a party for teen girls, you might want to hold off on the penis-shaped suckers and a cake shaped like male genitalia

Telemarketers run out of numbers, resort to calling elevator emergency phones to see if anyone will answer

Aruba braces for the loss of dozens of dollars in tourism revenue after Alabama announces a boycott of their island

In just four short years, President Bush has borrowed more money from foreign governments and banks than the previous 42 presidents combined

CBS orders more seasons of “Survivor”, remain unsure if host Jeff Probst will return next year. How they’ll ever replace a man whose qualifications include hosting VH1 game shows, and the ability to read parchment, remains unclear

Robotics student writes survival guide called “How to Survive a Robot Uprising”

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Unlikely zoo exhibits

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Why, yes — let’s have another colorization contest

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: If Lego people ruledthe world…