News – Know the Enemy
Middle East
Second part of a series looking into the truth of kidnappings in Iraq. This article focuses on a man named Fadhel, who commands a small Shia death squad. Men like this are responsible for those bodies that continue to turn up here and there in Baghdad. Men like him have to be stopped before this sectarian violence will end. This article also notes the disturbingly close relationship that men such as these have with government security elements.
The abduction and death of five US soldiers at a supposedly secure Iraqi government compound is disheartening. The attackers were dressed in US military style uniforms and had US-style weapons.
Islamic Jihad, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and a previously unknown group called the Islamic Brigade claim responsibility for the first suicide bomb attack in Israel since April of last year. Far too quiet for far too long, now rogue elements look to stir the pot again. Hamas had naught to do with it(as far as can be seen), but one of their spokesmen described it as a “natural reaction” to Israel’s actions in the West Bank and Gaza. A senior aide to Mahmoud Abbas condemns the attack. “We reject these acts and we do not believe that they are in the interest of the Palestinian cause and that they blacken the image of the Palestinian people.”
And so the longer that this region is allowed to fester, the more people will die. Until the two current factions in Palestine are reconciled and Israel forms a dialogue with them, incidents like this will continue to happen for all sides. People will die on all sides and each death will feed the beast that keeps this region in turmoil. This is beyond who is wrong about this or that. All suck arguments do is continue to delay what must happen. That being the forming of a peace. It must happen otherwise this will never end.
Children get caught up in the violence of Baghdad. I just don’t have much else to say on that. Sad that the children always get caught up in the messes we make, isn’t it?
The US is finally taking a serious stance on the possible misuse of cluster munitions by Israel against Lebanon. Not that I expect the US to give Israel anything but a slap in the wrist if they decide to render punishment. Personally, I’d force Israel to clean the munitions up themselves, since they scattered the shit all over the place. Let them foot the danger and the cost of it. Maybe they’d be more thoughtful of the messes they make after that.
Africa
Because of Darfur, Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir gets passed over in his bid to become chairman of the AU. Seriously, I wouldn’t want that man heading the AU. I don’t trust him.
Asia/Pacific
Many children in China are left home with grandparents as their parents travel far to find more lucrative work. Something that doesn’t help the family dynamic or the growth of the child.
A heavy drought in Australia will likely require people to drink recycled water. The idea is unpopular, but I’m sure that dying of thirst will be even less popular.
The partial lift of martial law is finally enacted in Thailand. More than half the country is now relived of that burden. Most of those still under martial law are border provinces.
Europe
NATO decides they’ll step up support in Afghanistan, after the US seems to do so as well with a healthy sum of money to in invested in the country.
Father Reginald Foster laments the dying use of Latin. Considering there is little call for it in well paying jobs, there is little surprise that use of it is declining. It would be more lucrative for the young to learn Arabic at the moment.
Americas
Bush makes it clear he’ll ignore any attempts by Congress to question his mini surge. All well and good, but that will just encourage them to do something that you can’t ignore, Bush. Best thing you can do right now is to be open to discussion with Congress, otherwise they may well force the issue. Unless, I suppose, their fit of courage falters in the face of doing something tough. To me, this is just another show of how bullheaded and closed to criticism Bush is. No matter if people tell him he’s headed at speed for a brick wall.
A guy who won a free trip into space has to forgo that honor, as he’d have to pay $25k in taxes on the $138k trip. Sheesh, that’s a years pay(or almost) for your average working stiff.
General
Material obesity is something that’s snuck up on the UK. Yeah, you’re going to get big when you get pregnant, but even then there is such a thing as too big. So it might help expectant mothers to ask their doctors if they’re in the right weight region. Why? Because obese mothers have a higher rate of miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, dangerous blood clots and more often need a C-section. They child might also be bigger than is normal. Better for baby and better for mother if the mother is of a proper girth.
Scientists learn more about how to control the body’s immune system. I love seeing tidbits like this. The more we understand ourselves, the better we can help ourselves.
Hooking up with YouTube could soon pay as movie submitters could get a percentage of ad revenue. However: The offer applies only to people who own the full copyright of the videos that they are uploading to the YouTube website. Which, I suppose, means it has to be all original content.
Explainer details how you mine heat.
The Blogs look at the soundness of allowing U.S. soldiers to arrest or shoot Iranian infiltrators in Iraq, Liz Cheney’s “no retreat” op-ed in the Washington Post and Jimmy Carter’s apology for a controversial passage in his new book.
Today’s Papers has nots on Hilary’s first weekend of campaigning, musing the definition of an earmark, an account of the fighting in Baghdad and more in the one page news.
Amusements
Superhero tryout fills mall with middle aged, spandex-wearing hopefuls (with pic)
Military: “These airplanes,helicopters, and armored personnel carriers are worthless to us now. Let’s give them to Florida law enforcement”
Top 10 Foods for a Good Night’s Sleep
A State that rhymes with Blorida accidentally issued concealed gun permits to over 1400 felons because of loopholes, errors, and miscommunication
Autograph session at Chicago area Costco, starring ‘Refrigerator’ Perry, really amuses crowd when they learn autograph items had to be purchased at that particular Costco
If you’re going to pretend to be a cop, at least have a story good enough to fool an 85-year-old lady (with pic goodness)
British man finds fame by posting videos featuring him playing the “nose trumpet”. Sister’s “skin flute” videos infinitely more popular
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: “Sorry kids, no playing in here”
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this stylish staff sargeant
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this angry man with a shovel