News – Beating the Dead Horse

Middle East

The UN is going to talk more about Iran and further sanctions. The US wants to get tough! I don’t see this path doing much with Iran. Considering their streak of defiance, the more punishments you heap on them, the greater their prestige as they stand defiant against the West. Of course, that begs the question of what to do with them. Even if I supported military action, we don’t have the means right now. The one path the US and UN have yet to really delve into is straight up diplomacy, lacking in aggressive, unfriendly rhetoric.

Of course, at this point, the prior aggressive and unfriendly rhetoric makes neutral diplomacy a harder things to do.

Transformational Business Network, a UK based charity, plans to set up call centers in Gaza and the West Bank to try and soften the degradation of their respective economies. I hope they can do it, those people need to eat. Hate the government all you want, but the civilians are the ones really feeling the pain.

Looks like the insurgents are delving into chemical attacks now. Namely chlorine gas bombs. No amount of armor is going to save you from that, unless you have your NBC gear handy.

A report by UN Human Rights official John Dugard likens occupied Gaza to apartheid South Africa. That notion keeps popping up.

Palestinians and Israelis gather to mark the second anniversary of thei highest profile protest against Israel’s Israel’s barrier in the occupied West Bank. I love to see Israelis and Palestinians gathering side by side, showing the possibilities of peace.

Four Iraqi soldiers confess to the rape of a Sunni woman. This is the second such accusation this week, the first said to have been fabricated.

While UK troops leave Iraq, more head to Afghanistan. It still seems wrong to me that they still haven’t brought that country under full control. The longer we take, the worse we look.

Asia/Pacific

Cheney voices concerns over China’s military build up. Amusing coming from one of the leaders of a nation with one of the fattest military budgets out there. Until we pause our military build up, we have no room to whine about other nations building a strong national force. We’re hardly in the right to command others to do as we say, rather than as we do.

Bali bans films about the 2002 bombings, saying it would open old wounds. Funny thing about films.. those who don’t want those wounds open don’t have to see them. Censorship is worse.

Europe

Looks like Prince Harry is headed for a six month tour in Iraq. The royals will get a bit of respect from me if they make no move to keep him out. Of course, he’ll have to watch himself, no doubt some might see him as a prime target for attack. If he remains anonymous enough it shouldn’t be too much a problem.

The UK is the latest possible location for an expansion of the US missile defense system. Not that it really works well.

Americas

Democrats are drafting legislation to narrow the wide mandate given to Bush soon after 9/11. Of course, I’m sure they’ll find it not so easy to get back what they gave away so carelessly before. Perhaps future legislators will look back and remember before they go giving any future president a blank check.

Sgt Paul Cortez admits to his part in the gang rape of a 14 year old Iraqi girl and the killing of her family. He’s to be dishonorably discharged and will have a 100 year prison sentence, with parole possible in ten years. Perhaps not so heavy as is deserved for so heinous a crime, but punishment is punishment. Such dark seeds need to be weeded out of our military.

A psychiatrist for the defense in the trial of Jose Padilla says he’s unfit for trial due to his long and stressful captivity. I wouldn’t be surprised.

As might be expected, Hilary and Obama are a feudin. Also, for fun, a little MadTV sketch. And here’s a little clip that will dash your hopes for the collective intelligence of America. And, finally, another initial skirmish.

Care about the Oscars? If so, here you go. Personally, I don’t.

General

Women who themselves were born underweight are at greater risk of severe pre-eclampsia in pregnancy. Something to mention to your doctor when pregnant, I would say.

Robots that learn emotion from humans? A tall order.

The Blogs look at the Obama vs. Clinton celebrity death match, Prince Harry on his way to Iraq and behaving badly online.

Today’s Papers has note of the depth of US support in the Ethiopian invasion into Somalia(including airstrikes), phat new digs for the Iraqi diplomatic mission in the US, the effects of long term deployments on soldiers’ families and loved ones and more in the one page news.

Amusements

How to feed the homeless with no effort whatsoever on your part (Epic)

This just in: If you’re printing kiddie pr0n in the library, nobody’s going to be quiet about it

Britney “Attention Whore” Spears back in rehab. Coincidentally, just in time to cancel custody hearing with K-Fed. Coincidence, of course

Roommates call police to report they captured burglars in their home. Police arrive to find no burglars, but plenty of pot and paraphernalia. Time to lay off the bong, dude

Planned Parenthood offers its own cell phone service. Contracts have hefty termination fees, though

CNN apologizes for “failing to provide seamless, wall-to-wall coverage” of Anna Nicole Smith saga. Iran’s nuclear weapons buildup story still buried on page 6

Step 1: Buy $15 Ikea end table. Step 2: Build three guitars from its wood, ask $1500 for each. Step 3: Profit

Man tries to shoot rattlesnake, accidentally shoots self in leg instead. Guess it’s not as easy as Samuel L. Jackson made it out to be

Good: Drunk man gives keys to designated driver. Bad: The designated driver is 14 years old. Fark: The 14 year old was also drunk

Not News: residents celebrate closing of a local strip club because it featured bikini-clad parking attendants. Fark: the strip club was located on a beach that features hundreds of bikini-clad women every day

College students to sleep on sidewalks to understand the plight of the homeless, liberal art majors

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this unlikely superhero

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this sand dragon

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Create an image of yourself with Anna Nicole Smith to bolster your paternity claim