News – Assist Afghanistan

Middle East

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is looking for aid in getting the violence in his country under control. Which hints that we shouldn’t be pulling any forces out, since the country can’t stand on its own right now. Which is strange, considering how long we’ve been there. How little we’ve actually done, after the fact, to help get Afghanistan to a stable place.

Seventeen Palestinians and an Israeli soldier die in Gaza fighting. The IDF says it killed ten militants, but I don’t really trust their definition of the term, so the precise numbers are up in the air as far as I’m concerned. And, ultimately, not really important. What’s important is the backslide this represents and how ineffective it will be for Israel, as past incursions have been ineffective in stopping rocket fire.

Worse yet, it may be the start of an extended return of Israeli presence in Gaza. We return to occupation, not that much changed in the situation after the ‘end’ of the prior occupation. Those who want war between the two peoples have succeeded again in getting Israel’s goat, leading them down the desired path of disorder. They’re so easy to manipulate.

According to a poll, it seems most Israelis want the leader of Hamas assassinated. Just lovely.

Asia

Senior US envoy Christopher Hill says that North Korea’s missile launches were provocative. No kidding, Chris, really? Any idiot can see and trust that provocation was near the top of the agenda, if not on the very top. The question is.. what will be done about it? Personally, I’d prefer some real diplomacy, but I suspect that we’ll get the same half assed diplomacy we’ve been getting and little else, allowing the situation to fester further.

Some think, however, that the failed missile launch is a golden opportunity for Bush.

North America

It’s reported that a plot to bomb New York’s Holland Tunnel was uncovered by the FBI and a suspect in Lebanon was arrested.

Bush seeks to improve his standing with the people and bolster the campaigns of his party. You know, if Bush’s programs and plans actually worked well, he wouldn’t have a need to try and finagle himself out of dismal numbers and wouldn’t have so many of his ilk running away from him.

Is Scalia losing his interesting writing style when lambasting those who don’t vote the way he does in the Supreme Court?

General

A brief history of the bikini.

The Blogs look at court rulings knocking down gay marriage, the potential of Sen. Joseph Lieberman turning on the Democrats and a birthday for Bush.

Today’s Papers has a study concluding toastier temperatures in the western U.S. are fueling a big uptick in forest fires, former Clinton State Department flack Jamie Rubin suggesting Democrats talk about shifting forces from Iraq to Afghanistan(not that bad an idea), Russia pushing domestic radio stations to dump U.S.-funded Voice of America and Radio Liberty and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Media watchdog wants to regulate Internet streaming content after Big Brother turkey-slap incident. Thank goodness people want to save children from grainy night-vision images of someone’s butt that their parents have to subscribe to

Instead of hiring math teachers, Kentucky thinks it’s better to buy software costing $10,000 per student. Of course, the people making the decision did go to Kentucky schools…

Oil prices at record high due to… *shakes magic eight ball*… Korean missile tests

In the latest example of mainstream media failing to understand the Internets, Warner Brothers steps in to prevent “Ren & Stimpy” creator from helping them market Bugs Bunny on his own time

Bank robber uses the Robin Hood defense. Says he was trying to help humanitarian group eliminate hate

Fake British royalty seduces girl: Behold the Duke

In another example of mainstream media failing to understand the Internets, Paramount shuts down movie blog for hyping the Transformers movie. Trifecta in play

No yoghurt for you: Woman brings wrong brand of yoghurt into Wimbledon and has it confiscated. With picture of “offending yoghurt”

Anti-dance book from 1892: “From the Ball-Room to Hell.” Also speaks out against sex while standing as it may lead to dancing

When stealing an ATM machine, don’t keep it in your backyard — it might have a tracking device

Airplane veers off runway, pilot is charged with drunk flying. Pilot is released on promise to appear, gets into vehicle, is promptly arrested for drunk driving

Possibly news: man drives car really fast. Definitely news: man gets into high-speed chase. Fark.com: man runs out of gas, pushes car for last five minutes of chase (video)

Tiny Scottish village no longer has mail service, as Post Office declares footpath “unsafe,” despite having been used daily by posties for over 100 years

Scottish Parliament makes protecting whisky its highest legilslative priority to protect drinkers from swill like Pride Of Bombay Scotch-Like Potato Cordial, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Whisky and Jack Daniels

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this blogging baby

Fark Photoshop Challenge: The Buffalo Sabres are considering a logo change. Photoshop the one they’re thinking of using, or make them a whole new one

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Optimus Prime