News – Wishing for Less News on Israel
Middle East
Documenting the steady descent of the region around Israel. Israel bombs Hamas’ offices in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israel focuses on Lebanon. A country only just freed of Syrian control now must contend with the wide destruction of Israel’s ineffectual quest to cow Hizbullah. Villages, military bases and television stations are amongst targets for Israeli bombs, as well as a second strike on the airport. The number of dead sits at 50 thus far, including 17 members of two families. In response, Hizbullah fires rockets into Israel, striking further into the country than ever before.
An Israeli army spokesman, Erik Snider, said the blockade of Lebanon could go on for some time. “We’re trying to isolate Lebanon to prevent attacks from Lebanon against Israeli soldiers and civilians,” he said.
Is that so? How does a blockade of Lebanon stop attacks on Israeli solders? Hizbullah seems to be having a fine time firing rockets into Israel as well. The only thing a blockade does is begin the starving of the residents of the country, weaken the government and ensure that a new country will face the same future as Palestine seems set upon.
Make no mistake, I do think Israel has a right to defend itself. The problem is that Israel’s ‘defensive’ actions, more often than not, cause suffering in any non-Israeli around them and do nothing to ensure the security of their country. It only ensures a new generation of terrorists to continue poking and prodding at Israel, further promoting the leaders of the country to react without thinking, further inflaming their neighbors in an endless circle that is fed by both sides. The ultimate conclusion won’t be good for anyone in the region.
This bullshit has to stop. Level heads must take control of the situation to prevent either a wider war or a second country to be turned into a ruin because of Israel’s overreaching reactions. At this rate, there won’t be much of Lebanon left to do anything against Hizbullah and the people of the country will be more sympathetic to them. Just as it is in Palestine.
Perhaps the only winners are the oil companies.
Apparently Bush has telephoned Lebanese PM Fouad Siniora, assuring him that he’s pressing Israel to show some restraint. Considering how little Israel listens to the US when we ask them for restraint, I doubt it will do anything at all. Sadly the lack of fire in the Lebanese PMs public statements hints that their government will passively take this drubbing and are left to bear the weight of the costs to repair vital aspects of their infrastructure.
The State Department allows some embassy staffers in Lebanon to get the heck out of Dodge and a travel warning is in place. Obviously, they know the shit will be flying there for some time.
Asia
Japan keeps their determination to see UN sanctions on North Korea, though if that determination will stand against resistance remains to be seen.
By the look, most Japanese support their PM in sending troops to Iraq. This is a change from the majority opposition to it before the actual deployment.
Europe
Russia believes the UN has no authority to impose a solution on Serbia when it comes to the status of Kosovo’s breakaway from it. Mind you, both sides aren’t making progress on a negotiated resolution.
North America
Valarie Plame is back in the news, suing Cheney and Rove, among others, for screwing up her life.
The Senate votes for more border security funds. They also vote to prohibit the emergency seizure of legally owned guns during an emergency situation.
The White House continues to flop about indecisively on the matter of how to deal with detainees.
The Astronauts on shutter Discovery believe it to be safe for a return trip, but will do one more inspection for damage just to be safe. Safe is always good, we want them back alive.
General
The Blogs look at the escalating conflict in Lebanon and Robert Novak’s sucky revelations about the Valerie Plame identity leak.
Is the current administration capable of dealing with the reality of the world’s problems? I’m sure you can guess my answer to that question.
Could there be many alternate reasons, besides overeating and a sedentary lifestyle, that account for obesity?
Today’s Papers has a profile of the GI accused of raping an Iraqi girl and killing her along with her family, the White House agreeing to to submit the NSA’s warrantless snooping program to a secret court for a one-time constitutional review, more on the Middle East heat and more in the one page news.
Amusements
Convicted child predator helped produce a state-sponsored children’s music CD. The song “I Want to Touch You” gave it away
Has the crime rate in Houston gone up because: A) The large influx of illegal aliens? B) Katrina evacuees? Or C) The police chief lives in Phoenix?
Street performer defies the laws of nature by stacking his pet mouse on top of his pet cat on top of his pet dog — that is, until he’s arrested by the Bisbee, AZ police. (With a pic of the dog/cat/mouse pyramid)
Top 10 worst comedians of all time. Oddly enough, Larry the cable guy not mentioned
Gov. Jeb Bush declares state of emergency in small town after most of the city council quits and no one is paying the bills
Man on trial for theft steals judge’s keys while on trial [dumbass] tag doesn’t do him justice
Gun store owner can sell remaining inventory despite 900 violations, selling 14 guns used in homicides. NRA membership has its privileges
Woman calls 911 because she wanted a cute sheriff’s deputy to return to her house
Owner of “tobacco accessories shop” takes reporter shopping to prove Home Depot sells more drug paraphernalia than he does. “Let me know if you want to go to Bed Bath and Beyond, they have all kinds of shiat there”
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this senior citizen armed against mountain lions with a pair of air horns
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this five-neck guitar
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Darwiche the Brown