News – Quick Morning News

Middle East

Remember that surge thing? Well, it might get another 7k troops tacked on to it. So that is what.. nearly 30k troops being added to the mix? To be fair, the actual range is 4k-7k, but still.. how long will they be able to keep this up? And if it doesn’t work, like I believe it won’t? Will people bend over the next time Bush says give it a chance to work? Personally, I’ve ceased believing in any of Bush’s Iraq policies. He’s shown himself to be inept in guiding an operation of this magnitude.

Israel raids the Palestinian military HQ and arrest 18 men they say are suspected in shooting attacks on Israeli citizens and took refuge in the building. I’d say this is the clearest showing yet of how weak the Palestinian military is. And they’re expected to police the militants without support of any sort?

The security crackdown continues in Iraq, with US and Iraqi forces in Sadr City. Big claims are made, but so far no weapons caches have been found there and no one has been arrested. Perhaps the militants have gone to ground to wait it out. Since it’s impossible to keep this up forever. Meanwhile PM Maliki says he’s reshuffling his cabinet, which might include canning all six ministers loyal to Sadr.

Africa

The US crowns Darfur’s troubles the worst abuse of 2006. So what are they going to do about it? The AU is in there, but I don’t think they can do it alone.

Europe

An interesting note, wherein Bosnian President Zeljko Komsic helps a pregnant couple in labor reach the hospital quickly by way of his motorcade. He even helped get the man’s wife into the hospital. That’s something I can respect.

Americas

Lewis ‘Scooter’ Libby is convicted of obstruction of justice and perjury. Bush and Cheney, of course, play up their belief that he is innocent. Surely they hope he’ll be vindicated, as if he does have to go to jail, he might try and make a deal. Who knows what interesting things might come out then. Me? I dunno. I never followed all that crap.

The case for socialized medicine partone.

Just before heading over the Latin America, Bush announces aid for the region. I wonder.. does he do things like this to try and blunt any protests he might face when arriving? It’s one of the things I wonder when it comes to the timing of certain unveilings.

Naomi Campbell faces the drudgery of floor moping as a punishment for throwing a mobile phone at her housekeeper. I’d pay to see that. Honestly, because it’s so rare to see so fitting a punishment for a celeb.

General

The use of drugs to treat hyperactivity soars. One wonders how many of these medicated kids actually need this stuff, rather than parenting. Insert obligatory MadTV reference.

A Stanford study gives Atkins a good rating as diets go.

The Blogs look at the Libby verdict and the latest gruesome death of a Russian journalist.

Today’s Papers has the testimony by six of the fired U.S. attorneys, who told Congress how they felt pressured and threatened by some Republican lawmakers and at least one Justice Department official and a lot of stuff about Libby.

Amusements

Bottles of holy drinking water carry a label that warns sinners that if they drink it, they may experience burning, intense heat, sweating and skin irritations (video)

Boring: Man busted for DUI. Fark: Article contains the words “trailer,” “rebel flag hat,” “Cow Creek,” “big fat joint” and “beef jerkey”

Girl calls 911 to report her grandfather cheating during a game of cards. Who’s got the Old Maid now, biatch?

Metal thieves stealing kids’ slides, toilet roof… wait, what?

Couple charged for defrauding over 10,000 people for millions of dollars selling forged art works on TV show. In other news, thousands believe Picassos, Chagalls and Dalis can be purchased on TV shows

Undercover writer sneaks into speed dating party where middle aged millionaire schmucks pay $500 to meet 22 year old hot gold-diggers

If you and your friends plan to rob a bank that requires employees to unlock the door to let you in, maybe you shouldn’t show up waving guns and wearing ski masks

Further dignifying the Anna Nicole saga, O.J. Simpson says he could be Baby Daddy due to his slow-moving sperm, then adds classy remark about the Goldmans seizing the baby

After losing your job, always remember to retrieve all personal items from desk like family photos, stuffed animals, child porn

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this soldier setting his sights

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this Toddy Trapper

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this traditional haka