News – Hearts and Minds

Middle East

Kassam Allaik, a senior member of Hezbollah, says that Iran is sending cash to the group to fund its reconstruction activities. Also, that Iran has people in Lebanon doing reconstruction type things. Lebanon’s Finance Minister, Jihad Azour, confirmed at the least, that Iranian money is going to Hezbollah, though he’s trying to convince the Iranians to finance reconstruction through the government instead.

Mind, the most important aspect of this story is who is doing the reconstruction. Who is providing recompense to those who lost their homes. Who is getting on the good side of the Lebanese people. Hezbollah. Iran too if people know they’ve got fingers in it. Who is continuing to make things hard for the Lebanese? Israel. Who do you think the people will have a more positive opinion on?

The siege at a mosque in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, is ended after the gunmen within escape mingled in with women. Not before Israeli soldiers opened fire on them, of course.

Bechtel Corp had decided it’s too difficult to continue working on reconstruction in Iraq and are preparing to leave. They hadn’t expected work in a conflict situation. It’s an understandable thing since those workers are going there to do a job, not potentially dodge bullets.

Some US General calls Iraq a work in progress, as a means of spin. Once again, the obvious is stated. What I want to know is.. where is the solid progress? Where is the Iraqi government starting to solve some of the problems that plague the country? Where is the lasting positive effect of US troop actions in the country? Where?

Christians are leaving Bethlehem, growing more and more tired of the hassles of Israeli security. Once 80% of the areas population, they’re now 15%. That’s pretty significant.

Syria and Hezbollah reject US accusations of a plot to topple the Lebanese government. And, of course, the US gives no evidence to this accusation because it’s classified.

Ultra-orthodox Jews and Israel’s gay community clash. Yet another focal point of disorder to be concerned with.

How Bush coddles the Iraqis. Not unlike international welfare?

Africa

African peacekeepers say that militants backing Sudan’s government have killed at least 63 children this past week.

Virginia Etiaba is the first female governor in Nigeria. A good trend to start.

Asia/Pacific

Androids in Japan. (Vid link)

Europe

The armed forces of the UK are understaffed and have a rising number of personnel quitting early.

Americas

Ted Haggard, a US evangelical, resigns over accusation he paid to have sex with a man. He denies this accusation and that his stepping down is temporary, while the charges are being investigated.

General

Scientists believe that there will be few fish left in the sea in 50 years if current trends continue.

The Borat movie a botched joke? I don’t plan to see it, so I’ll likely never know.

Microsoft’s new Vista OS will be launching at the end of this month. So, like.. mark your calendars.

Explainer looks into the potential skew in weekend polling.

The Blogs look at Rep. John Boehner’s take on the Iraq war, a heckler’s rough treatment by Sen. George Allen’s staffers and more benefits from wine.

Today’s Papers has the U.S. military announcing the soldier who was kidnapped in Baghdad last week is still alive, and there are currently talks in place to try and obtain his release, a provision tucked inside a military authorization bill that orders the termination of the Office of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, misc stuff about the coming midterms and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Neurotically Yours: Useless Software

Mark Fiore: Ad Wars – Classic

Beauty pageant contestant hangs dress from sprinkler head, uses hot steamer on it. Resulting deluge from triggered sprinkler system causes $30,000 in damage to pageant venue. Guess we know what her talent is

Mischief is afoot as police search for man who broke in to woman’s house, sucked her toe

News: Principal sends parents pie chart explaining grading system. Fark: Pie chart totals more than 100%

Police attempt to subdue escaped bull with taser, only to discover that tasers don’t affect bulls

Drunken idiot pulls up to nuclear plant and tries to buy gas. For the second time in as many weeks

Pregnant woman gets ultrasound scan of her triplets, surprised to see one of the babies giving her the “thumbs up”. Well, at least she thinks it was a thumb (w/pic)

61-year-old woman told to remove her hoodie or leave a restaurant. Management explained that they don’t allow gang-wear inside the building

If you want an AWOL soldier to turn himself in, you probably shouldn’t tell him you’re going to break the deal you made with his lawyer as soon as he shows up

Man jumps off the Sunshine Skyway Bridge – famous for its abundance of suicidal jumpers – and not only lives, but swims to shore with no major injuries

Teen points BB pistol at passing car, which turns out to be unmarked police car driven by cops who are happy to show him what .40-caliber Glocks look like

Woman crashes car into pond while arguing on cell phone

The Pentagon officially “retires” the F-117A after 25 years, even though we only knew of its existence for 12 years. Good riddance to this flying brick, golf clap for killing Segal in a movie

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Michael Crook has been filing false DMCA claims against websites that post a headshot of him from a recent appearance on Fox News. So let’s photoshop him. Theme: Michael Crook as famous criminals in history

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: All cultural groups have their outcasts. In the spirit of Halloween, photoshop monsters who didn’t get invited to the Monster’s Ball

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop a business card for a fictional character