News – Measuring Success

Middle East

The White House and Pentagon challenge a congressional report that says the surge strategy isn’t working. Out of 18 benchmarks set out to measure progress, the report says only three(establishment of political committees in Baghdad; setting up neighbourhood security stations in Baghdad; and ensuring the rights of minority political parties) were met. Those said to have not been met include having three Iraqi brigades battle-ready to operate in Baghdad; failure to tackle sectarianism; and no law drafted to establish a militia disarmament program.

The real point of disagreement seems to be whether completion of or progress toward the completion of a benchmark should give it a passing grade. The White House is of the opinion that progress toward completion is enough to mark a benchmark as done.

Poor infrastructure is being blamed for a Cholera outbreak in the northern regions of Iraq. Kurdistan is better than the average in Iraq, but they still have things to get done.

The ICRC decries what it calls a hidden tragedy, the lack of effort made by the international community to find those missing because of conflicts across the world. Do they really think the US has the wherewithal to find ever so many thousands of missing people in Iraq?

Africa

The deep level of corruption in former Kenyan leader Daniel Arap Moi’s family. A web of corruption that funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into 30 other countries.

Nigeria’s bakers strike, shutting down their bakeries for a week to protest the rising cost of flour. Not really the best way to protest, considering how important bread is in the country.

Asia/Pacific

Burma’s military leaders arrest dissidents protesting against a rise in fuel prices.

Don’t write off the Yangtze River dolphin yet. Recently thought to have been rendered extinct, one has been sighted. But with the poisoning of their habitat, river traffic and over fishing, the outlook remains poor.

Europe

The mayor of Brussels denies the group ‘Stop the Islamisation of Europe’ a permit to march on September 11 because he believes it will disturb the public order. The leader of their Danish branch says they’ll march anyway. That’ll surely cause a public disturbance.

Americas

300 Americans rate the apology of Michael Vick. The best part comes at the end, when he starts to talk about God.

Iowa Judge Robert Hanson rules that a ban on same sex marriage in his state is unconstitutional. His reasoning being that it violates the rights of due process and equal protection. I dunno about due process, but I agree that it violates equal protection.

The latest in piracy: Crappy Cell Phone vids made at movie theaters.

General

Explainer details the secret signals for public bathroom sex. Yet another of those things you probably didn’t want to know. And, just because it’s amusing, another article on Larry Craig’s situation.

The Blogs look at Pervez Musharraf’s possible political arrangement with exiled former prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, John Edwards’ shabby car talk and the legacy of Hilly Kristal of CBGB.

Today’s Papers has rumor from sources who say Apple will be releasing a new and improved iPod that will have a touch-screen display, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid expressing he is ready to compromise on ways to begin withdrawing troops, the Justice Department’s inspector general disclosing he’s currently investigating whether Attorney General Alberto Gonzales gave “intentionally false, misleading or inappropriate” statements to Congress while under oath and more in the one page news.

Amusements

YouTube: Read a Book – This is a vid that amuses the heck out of me, despite the questionable aspects of content(stereotypical images and heavy use of the ‘N-word’ as well as other cursing). Take it with a grain of salt, the message itself is pretty solid. Keep in mind DarkRen is a male of mixed Caucasian/African-American descent.

YouTube: Dare to be Stupid – For both fans of Weird Al and Devo.

Mark Fiore: The Doctor’s In

Neighbors in a Jewish condo complex are in a dispute over a $11,000 elevator for use during the Sabbath

Renault attempts to sell its new car to women by impersonating a creepy stalker, sending them anonymous handwritten letters that call them “Darling” and suggest they get together for drinks soon

High school student suspended for tricking an entire rival crowd to hold up pieces of construction paper that spelled out “WE SUCK”

School that requires students to wear logo-free polo shirts is discriminating against Christianity, according to this angry mother whose crotchfruit was suspended for wearing a Jesus themed t-shirt for the fourth time this school year

Jay Leno tests a Dodge Charger police car: “When I am driving the car, everyone suddenly slows down. Then they spot me in it and they wave, or they give me the finger”

Idiot teen driver thought he’d gotten away with driving over 140 mph… until he posted the video on YouTube to impress his friends. Police were not as impressed

No matter how much you hate jets testing new flight equipment near your home, it’s probably not a good idea to protest by flying your plane into the jets’ paths

Society is to blame for Lindsay, Britney and Paris… say Corey Feldman and Corey Haim

<A HREF="http://www.thedailyjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070830/NEWS01/70830042″>Actual headline: “Police announce crack in case of naked Millville man”

Man accused of cyberstalking Chicago Bear’s Playmate girlfriend via MySpace. The threats were “in all capital letters and with little punctuation” which is pretty much par for the course when using said website

British airport police forced to buy donuts for other cops if they commit minor infractions of security – like forgetting loaded submachine guns in cafeterias

“Shocking” hand gesture gets HS football players blurred

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this CD destroyer

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this unmanned vertical take-off and landing vehicle

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop theme: If mimes ruled the world…