News – Wasted Reconstruction
Middle East
A US Federal investigation finds that six out of eight reconstruction projects marked as successful by the US government have been failures. Most are falling apart within six months due to aspects such as faulty wiring/plumbing and looting. Things just aren’t being maintained properly.
Condi says she doesn’t rule out meeting with her Iranian counterparts at a conference on Iraq’s security in Egypt. Gee, really? You mean actual diplomacy at a diplomatic event? Stop the presses!
Olmert is set to face his mistakes in Lebanon again. Ultimately doesn’t matter. If Olmert goes down, the next one that takes his place will likely be as weak willed when it comes to challenging the norm in Israel and really working toward peace. Sort of like how Palestinian leaders are on the other side. Neither side seems capable of shedding the BS and getting down to brass tacks.
Iran does something ludicrously stupid. There’s no other way to describe it, really.
Africa
Somalis return to Mogadishu now that the heated fighting is over for now. Of course, many are returning to find their homes destroyed or looted and a lack of food.
The ban on the sale of Liberian diamonds is lifted by the UN. They must, however, join an international diamond selling scheme to verify that none of the diamonds are from conflict zones.
Asia/Pacific
Amnesty International accuses China of using the impending Olympic games as an excuse to suppress dissidents and the like in the name of stability.
Australia is the latest country that won’t let Snoop Dogg enter their borders. Well, he is a rather unsavory character, isn’t he? Of course, this brings to mind my favorite music video from MadTV.
Europe
Estonia blames Russia for provoking unrest by removing a Soviet war memorial from their capital.
Americas
Look out, the US government has another ‘high ranking alQueda guy. Watch it ultimately yield nothing. No notable strike against them from his information, no real hitch in the rate of their attacks, no notable ripple in their organization as another steps up to take his place. Makes one wonder what the point is.
General
A study shows that metal stimulation and drug treatments could help people with degenerative brain diseases recover their memories.
This is a better way of looking at the violent video game issue. I do believe that video games are a risk factor in some people for promoting aggression in some people. Which is a reason why parents should be involved in making sure games don’t effect their kids negatively.
The Blogs look at last night’s Democratic candidate debate, George Tenet’s new book and the death of Mstislav Rostropovich.
Today’s Papers has note that the VT school shooting has opened a bit of a rift in the Korean American community, that women are 25 times more likely to be harassed online than men, more Iraq war vets getting involved in the anti-war movement and more in the one page news.
Amusements
“Dick will make you slap somebody.” Not safe for work Language – This is just so odd to listen to. Not something you often have a frank, sober talk about.
Try explaining this to your underage friendsÂ…. “Uh, couldn’t steal any booze. A geriatric store clerk chased me down, tackled me and turned me over to police”
Judges will reschedule cases for attorneys with a legitimate excuse. This attorney found out that a shopping trip is not one of them
Florida A&M University is looking for about $2.7 million worth of missing stuff, including a golf cart, ice machine, five lawnmowers, and two large popcorn poppers
Former “American Idol” finalist arrested for aggravated battery with beer mug, cocaine possession. (with mugshot goodness)
Man caught fapping behind a curtain at a teen volleyball tournament. No happy ending here
Hello police? We’re being chased by someone we just commited a crime against
Not News: Woman awarded $500k after losing part of her leg jumping onto a train. News: it was a moving cargo train. Fark: she wanted to look “cool”
Spencer Tunick is looking to photograph five football fields full of naked Mexicans
Brits devise video game to desensitize incoming foreign students to shocking behaviour like drinking, smoking and snogging
Mayor on the downside of a plan to turn a strip club into a civic center: “Do you really want to have your wedding in a place where girls take off their clothes?” Bachelors everywhere say “What’s the problem with that?”
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this creampuff
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this dog race
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these Atlases