News – Same Old Screw Ups

Middle East

The US plan for a Middle East peace conference is falling apart before it begins. The Palestinians want a tightly worded text for it, while Israel doesn’t think that is necessary. Understandable from the Palestinians and typical from Israel. But I don’t think Condi has the grapes to solve this problem. Her attempts at diplomacy have ever been lacking in this area.

John Dugard, the UN human rights envoy for the Palestinian territories, wants the UN to withdraw from the ‘quartet’ on the above issue unless Palestinian human rights are addressed.

Erik Prince, chairman of Blackwater, insists that pockmarks in three of his vehicles are proof that his employees were fired upon. Given the ease at which one could falsify such marks so long after the fact, I think I will leave off any more comment than that until more official word comes from a source not within the company. But, to be fair, they’re not the only ones with issues concerning excessive collateral damage.

Retired Lt Gen Ricardo Sanchez goes off on the current plan in Iraq and the current US political leaders. What I wouldn’t give for a general that will truly tell it like it is before he retires.

Olmert faces a third corruption probe. Sharon had the same issues. Must be something amiss in the latest batch of Israeli PMs. One wonders if the next will have the same sort of issues.

How IEDs are changing warfare in Iraq. Our much complimented military has much to learn and we discover we’re not quite so all powerful as we once thought. Technology is of little use when it can be nullified by bargain basement tactics. Our military minds need to keep it simple and find their own agile nature to keep up with the insurgents.

Africa

Several Darfur rebel groups meet to form a unified front ahead of talks with the government. This is good, it shows they’re planning for a real attempt at a peace deal.

Nigeria’s President Umaru Yar’Adua sets a good example on corruption. One wonders if the other politicians in the country will follow his words.

Asia/Pacific

We can take the South China tiger off the list of potentially extinct species. A good thing as tigers are the world’s most perfect animals.

Could Karl Rove have accidentally been the catalyst for a change of government in Australia? Seems it might occur and the prospect is mildly amusing.

Burma’s military government arrests three of the last remaining leaders of the recent pro-democracy protests. This has brought more international pressure down on the government, which continues to be forceful in its crackdown.

Europe

130 Muslim scholars write Pope Benedict a letter, suing for greater understanding and peace between the two faiths. A lot of bigwigs in the Muslim faith were in on it, from many different sects of the religion. Not bad.

Two US officials go to Turnkey to try and fix up relations with them. If they really want to calm Turkey down, they need to do something about the Kurds. As much as I wish those folk well, they need to stop causing problems for northern Iraq.

Condi says she has no wish to interfere with Russia’s internal affairs, but her lips don’t always play the same tune. How can she stand by that statement after such a comment. Not saying she’s wrong, but if she’s going to be a critic, she should be a solid one.

Americas

The Anglican church continues to inch toward splintering as a Canadian diocese decides to back the blessing of same-sex unions.

The deadzones in US law. Do the crime and you likely won’t do the time.

General

Time marches on and games just get better and better. I think the future lies in better gameplay and game physics rather than further graphic realism.

Bullet wounds to the brain and you.

Slate V’s comedy news contest. We need more laughs.

The Blogs look at Al Gore and his recent shared win of a Nobel prize for his environmental works. Some democrats want him to run for Prez again. Might he? Who can say? Would he have a chance?

Today’s Papers has word that US officials are debating if they should declare victory over alQueda in Iraq(history repeats), a new study that reports cancer death rates declined an average of 2.1 percent each year from 2002 to 2004, the state of vacancies in the current administration and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Weekly bus run set up to provide New Zealand town with underpants

“If you like oral sex, vote Caragol for council”

Irate dog jailer goes T.J. Hooker on man who attempts to rescue his pooch from pound

Police capture burglary suspect who had his head inside a freezer and two screwdrivers in his underpants

New law designed to crack down on illegal brothels by cutting off their power. Because there’s no way they’d be able to have illegal sex in the dark

It’s apparently not wise to wear handcuffs as a fashion statement when attending courthouse proceedings

British health and safety Nazis cancel Christmas because putting up lights is “too dangerous”

If your wife suddenly agrees to a quickie divorce, check your local lottery commission

Woman accused of stealing man’s genitals. Then the story gets weird, and we’re talking world-class weird

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