News – Some Evidence on Iran. Enough?

Middle East

Iran rejects the most recent US accusations that it’s providing weapons to Shia militias in Iraq. They at least present some evidence this time. Well, if Iran has a real defense, I’d like to hear it. Though I’d also like the US’s evidence to be independently verified. Never can be too sure, especially in the international game. And when you’ve been accused before of making up the facts.

The work at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem is being mostly paused to allow time for public consultations. Which is what they should have done in the first place, but better late than never. You don’t just do work on things like this, I’m not religious and even I know that much. Unless you like trouble.

The EU is still deciding how to react to the new unity government in Palestine. I think this change should be encouraged, but we should also continue to work on convincing them to more acceptance when it comes to Israel. Things like this change better over time, rather than by blunt force. Peace is peace, even if you don’t like your neighbor at all. Of course, maybe even that is being too hopeful.

Four wars in Iraq? Interesting concept.

Africa

Violence continues to pop up here and there in Mogadishu. Somalia needs a stabilizing force until it’s on its feet and it needs it soon before things get too entrenched.

Asia/Pacific

The Group of Seven ups the pressure on China for it to relax controls on its currency. But other than that they have good things to say about the overall world economy and Japan’s economic recovery.

Europe

Putin goes against the grain and does more poking at the US for being dangerous and so forth. I find it hard to believe the White House is ‘stunned and disappointed’ by this. Putin has long shown he’s not one to quietly follow, much as Blair tends to. Not that I like Putin, but that’s the impression I get from him.

Despite a lower than required turn out in the referendum, Portugal is going to follow the results and legalize abortion. Considering the vote was 60% for with a 40% turn out, I’d not agree with the PM that the people spoke with a clear voice. Unless that clear voice was one of apathy.

Americas

John Howard pokes his nose into our political wheeling and dealings. He can shut it. Let the people decide if they agree with Obama and his views. Obama had the prefect rejoinder. That if Australia is so worried about Iraq, they should increase their troop commitment. I heartily agree. Where’s the troop surge from Howard and his boys?

US officials say the majority of the cocaine that enters the country is brought in my Columbia’s Farc rebels.

Another first for women. The presidency of Harvard.

She can’t even have a normal death. Three men are in a battle over Anna Nicole Smith’s five month old baby, each claiming to have fathered her. The cynic inside me says they want the kid because of the kid’s chance to inherent cash from the pending court battle she was in with her billionaire former husband, J Howard Marshall II.

Obama Messiah Watch Part 4.

General

Another note on the apparent division amongst some Jews when it comes to criticizing Israel. I find it heartening to know some Jews aren’t as closed to criticism as most seem to be. One can never be closed to such things because it implies that they are never wrong. Which, of course, is impossible.

Unsurprisingly, people in general lack a solid knowledge about sex. What can one expect when there is no sex education? Parents don’t teach their kids what they need to know, some likely because they themselves don’t know all that much outside of the basics. It’s almost stupid to not have courses in understanding this most basic aspect of humanity.

Warner Music rejects Steve Job’s suggestion that music be sold online without DRM. Personally, I prefer to buy CDs because of how much a pain in the ass digital music can be. If I lose my music, CDs are easily ripped back onto a computer. With online music, I only have X number of chances to get it back, then I have to buy it again. Sucks.

The uselessness of the Wind Chill Factor. Don’t believe the hype.

The Blogs look at the Catholic backlash against John Edwards’ net-roots campaign staffers and Anna Nicole’s death.

Today’s Papers has the Grammy’s, the hidden consequences of having approximately 125,000 private contractors working in Iraq, optimism on the North Korea issue and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Awesome Lego Car Production Line

Man installs zinc-coated lead sheets in his house to fight wireless piggybacking neighbors

Incarcerating pot smokers costs taxpayers $1 billion annually. Put that in your pipe and smoke it

Teenage Ohio girls post fake snow day announcement on their school’s website, catch hail from the principal

How live action role playing (LARP) works, or alternately, how not to get a date, EVER

Teacher scares students by telling them an asteroid is about to collide with the Earth

After not being invited, attorney writes a letter of complaint about a Judge-led bible study being held in the city courtroom

News: Feds require proof of citizenship to get medicaid. Nice: Step will save Colorado $300,000. Fark: Rule will cost $2.9 million to implement

Cool stop motion video done with a lite brite. Boston surrenders

<AHREF=”http://www.oregonlive.com/metro/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1171088744178970.xml&coll=7″>Dogs banned from Alaska Capitol building after senator’s pooch makes political statement in elevator

In honor of the Year of the Pig, the greatest pigs in pop culture. Bacon tastes good

Guy buys 1930s-era Mickey Mouse drawing for $3, decides it’s the One True Original, decides he now owns the copyright, sues Disney for $50 million. Disney’s lawyers too busy laughing to respond

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this ecstatic goal scorer

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this yellow art thingee

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this excruciatingly odd demonstration