News – Bush’s World

Sadly, we’ve got to live with it for a little while longer.

North America

The latest Bush speech, a new window into his little world. His twisted little world in which reality takes a backseat. Honestly, does this guy really get politics and what democracy really needs to flourish? Sure, ask me to support a loon like this, but don’t expect a positive answer.

Cynthia McKinney loses her bid for reelection, leading one to wonder how much of her failure can be attributed to her altercation with capital police.

The Bush administration drafts additions to the war crimes law to give more power to shield it’s people while they humiliate and degrade prisoners. Why take the moral high ground when you can scuttle our sway with the world yet again?

Lindsay Lohan wants to go to Iraq to entertain the troops. But first, she plans to learn how to shoot a gun. No foolin. Also:

“I wanted to do what Marilyn Monroe did, when she went and just set up a stage and did a concert for the troops by herself,” Lohan said. “It’s so amazing seeing one woman just going somewhere, this beautiful sex kitten, who’s basically a pinup, which is what I’ve always aspired to be.”

Take that however you want. Personally, it amuses the hell out of me.

The NSA seems to be running out of power. To be plagued by such a simple problem seems asinine to me. Especially since it seems they’ve seen this coming for a decade.

Middle East

Israel drops flyers on the town of Tyre, stating that no one should use vehicles south of the Litani river, with no exceptions. Apparently, all vehicles will be flagged as kill on sight. With no time limit stated for this suspension of vehicular travel, further isolating an already isolated town. Israel even tried to phrase the ultimatum to portray themselves as helpful to the locals, but I doubt that bit of PR will stick. People hate being told what to do and they hate having their lives disrupted.

France wants Lebanon to ensure that Hizbollah pulls back at the same time as it sends it’s national army south to do the security thing. This assumes the Lebanese government has leverage with Hizbollah.

Now we have the Iraqi PM speaking out against US tactics in Baghdad. This after a US-led raid in the eastern Baghdad stronghold of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. Apparently, three deaths were caused, including a woman and child. Of course, Maliki was singing a different tune before. Lovely, eh?

Australia will be sending another 150 troops to Afghanistan, due to the security situation. Seems more a political, we stick by Bush, move than anything else to me.

According to the Pentagon, half of Iraq’s divisions have primary responsibility for operations. This is good if it means we’re closer to stepping back and letting them really handle the mess their country is. The time when that should have happened is long past, we need to catch up.

Sometimes an article articulates one’s points well enough that no comment is needed. This is one of those articles.

Iran has for the Lebanon conflict as a PR device. A sterling reason why we need to end it as soon as is possible. Lots of our actions in the region have seemed positive when it comes to buffing up Iran.

With all the disorder in the Middle East, many are looking back to the two state solution for something that will bring the disorder to an end. Of course, the Arab/Israeli conflict is not the only issue that needs be resolved. But it is a first good step.

Europe

Protestors bypass Prestwick airport security to board another US plane. The airport is reportedly being used as a staging point from which the US is transporting arms to Israel. Little wonder some are upset, their little berg being used for something they don’t necessarily agree with. Personally, I think we should be staging our own arms transportation from our land in this case.

Africa

Whatever peace was once in Darfur is now unraveling. Aid agencies have suffered losses and are considering stepping back from the country because of it.

General

Macromedia’s Flash software turns ten. In the space of a decade, it’s become a premier platform for multimedia presentation online, from business to entertainment. Not too bad, eh?

The Blogs look at Lieberman’s problems, the shutdown of a BP oil field and poke Reuters over a doctored photo(Apparently Adnan Hajj has been doctoring photos from the Lebanon conflict, look at his work with suspicion now – For their part, Reuters reacted quickly and decisively to this).

Today’s Papers has the administration’s push to water down the War Crimes Act, the “growing clamor for partition” among top Iraqi Shiites, that Arab democratic types are being squeezed by the war and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Cricket commentator is sent back to pavillion after referring to muslim batsman on air … “the terrorist has got another wicket”

Police dispatchers note that only a third of 911 calls are actually emergencies. The rest? Reports about tumbleweeds on the highways, lost keys, crying babies, vampires and complaints about wrong orders at the drive-through

It’s the first day of school and already someone gets arrested for weapons

Robot garage shuts down and holds parked cars hostage after city’s software license runs out

The coolest picture of a ceramic cow wearing rain boots, a bright orange blazer and red helmet that you’ll see today… probably

If you’re a professional criminal, it’s just as bad to pause for Internet porn as it is if you have an office job

Supermarkets tend to frown on those who squeeze the tomatoes, the melons, the customers

“I started punching the otter in the face which I felt really bad about because it’s cute”

Indian court rules marriage without sex amounts to cruelty to women

Thai government bans sales of a condom brand because name might cause more teens to have sex. Super Adventure Club distraught

Teen caught speeding 129 mph claims he was “looking for wallet”

Elderly woman accused of shooting stray cats in her mobile-home park. “I thought maybe if people thought I was mean enough they might leave me alone”

Mistrial in kidnapping case declared after defense lawyer blew a .075 BAC in court. Judge suspected inebriation after the lawyer claimed the Jews were the real kidnappers

Three rolls of tape: $10. Lots of cardboard boxes: Free. Pranking the office “Prank King?”: Priceless

U.S. man arrested after Customs officers discover him trying to smuggle illegal immigrants into country by sewing them into vehicle seats. With photos of immigrants sewn into vehicle seats

Dennis Miller to join Fox News this fall. This makes about as much sense as Beowulf having sex with Robert Fulton at the first battle of Antietam

Jesus makes triumphant return to earth on the tail of a Bay Area man’s shrimp. He is Risen, breaded, and deep-fried to a golden brown

Woman wakes up with a new tattoo. “I mean it’s not like he beat me up. There were no bruises or blood or anything. I’m just not going to see him again.”

If you give the “V for victory” hand sign to an English crowd, it’s really, really important that your palm faces the audience. Just ask this idiot (pic)

Britain plans to heavily tax homeowners who produce what it considers “too much” garbage

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Hallmark’s new line of Monty Python greeting cards

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: The last photoshop contest ever

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop what Castro is actually doing right now.