News – Iraqi Election Done. Now What?

Middle East

Iraq has a good election with good turnout and few claims of fraud. Insurgents were at some polling stations, urging Sunnis to vote. Personally, I think the show of some insurgents aiding the election proves that not all of the insurgents are against a democratic Iraq. They’re just against the US. That throws Bush’s worldview for a loop. But then, a lot of things throw his worldview for a loop. Pictures to add to the mix. Now to see what happens next. Speculation welcome and encouraged.

It is claimed that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was once captured, but was released because no one knew who he was. I doubt it.

A heartening poll that shows most Israelis oppose a strike against Iran. 58 percent of those polled look to democracy, while 38 percent look to the bomb.

Hamas extends their political gains in Palestine and Israel leaders say that if Hamas gains power, it would end any hope of peace. Then why the ever luvin fuck aren’t they trying to help the Fatah party keep from splitting by not weakening them? Can anyone tell me that? If Israel is so big on peace, they should be supporting the current government, but all they do is crumble it a little more with every act of unilateral bullshit they perpetrate. Is there anyone yet who doesn’t understand why I have enmity for Israel’s government? Anyone at all?

Australia

Police warn people to stay away from the beaches in three cities, due to fears of planned racial violence. Just as with France, they need to squish this, before it effects their tourist trade considerably.

North America

The New York Times notes that Bush gave the NSA permission to spy on Americans without court approval after 9/11, which is required for domestic spying. For several years after the presidential order was signed in 2002, the super-secret intelligence agency monitored the international telephone calls and e-mails of hundreds of people inside the country to search for evidence of terrorist activity, the Times said in an article on its Web site. Joy. Fortunately I have minimal communication done outside the country.

The White House bows to pressure and strikes a deal with McCain on banning torture. Good, we don’t need to get down and dirty like those enemies we revile. If we’re taking the high road, we need to take it in full, not in part. Now to eliminate the legality of using torture testimony.

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman spreads misinformation about violent video games to law enforcement. Lovely. He thinks that “violent media and video games are the largest single threat to modern civilization.” I’d say the bonehead leaders of various nations are more a threat than they, they have nukes and armies.

General

Rich and poor nations feud at the World Trade talks, with chaos reigning. The almighty dollar tends to lead to that.

The Blogs consider as Robert Novak thinks that President Bush knows who leaked CIA operative Valerie Plame’s name, are troubled by the Iranian president’s Holocaust denials and are wondering if a Mormon could be the next president.

Today’s Papers has news that the cloned human embryonic stem cells purportedly created by a South Korean researcher appear to have been bogus, the administration vague on the protection to be given by the rebuilding of the levees, details on the Iraq election and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Your tax dollars at work: Terrorist babies banned from flights (but not for the right reason)

Man hired by Kevin Kostner and found in possession of Kevin Costern’s stolden laptop says he did not steal Keven Costner’s laptop. (Editor loves this headline)

Japanese zookeepers are trying to get fat penguins to lose weight with exercise, preventing them from drinking Coca-Cola with the polar bears

Chanel drops Kate Moss for Lindsay Lohan, apparently not realizing they’re just trading one coked-out whore for another

When all you have is an ax, every ATM looks like a tree

Two drunken hockey fans attempt to commandeer Moscow subway train. Jailerity naturally ensues

Cool: Catching a giant Tiger shark. More cooler: Catching a giant Tiger shark with another shark in it’s mouth (pic)

Bad: You get arrested — Worse: Arresting officer steals your credit cards and goes on Christmas shopping spree

A bunch of guys who used to fold notebook paper into airplanes unveil new space ship design. With origami-pic goodness

Latest trend in Japan — a vibrator in every handbag

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Jurassic Fark

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these snow builders

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop theme: Santa’s dirty little secret