News – Didn’t Work for UFOs

Middle East

Iran says grainy video evidence provided by the US Navy of Revolutionary Guard speed boats harassing a convoy is fabricated. In my opinion, something like this could go either way. In the end I’m just glad no one got hurt. Kinda sucks when you have two sides and honestly have to ask yourself which one you trust. Especially when one side is your own.

Bush does more Middle East touring. Personally, I think Bush needs to do more real diplomacy and less touring. Flying around for brief meetings and brief talks seems useless to me. Where are the extended, meaty negotiations that are going to resolve the core issues that continue to stymie peace efforts. Ones where people make solid commitments to cooperate in resolving the tough issues together, which raises the likelihood that they’ll be dealt with?

Remember Mordechai Vanunu? He’s still trapped in Israel.

Africa

The UN lodges protest with Sudan’s government, saying a clearly marked UN convoy was fired upon by Sudanese forces. A civilian Sudanese driver was injured, but no other casualties were taken. The government has yet to comment.

Not only that, but Chad is sending air raids into Sudan. Keeping the peace is like herding cats.

A case of witchcraft accusations being used for a good cause. To scare looters into bringing back the stuff they stole.

Asia/Pacific

In a bid to curb pollution, China will be banning the use of disposable plastic bags in shops, encouraging the use of baskets and reusable cloth bags. At the very least, any disposable bags should be paper as it degrades when in the environment.

Life is rough for the opposition to Burma’s military junta. I could hardly imagine having to live on the run as the woman featured does. As mentioned in the article, it seems like a life in prison would be preferable.

Europe

Spain captures two suspects in the deadly 2006 airport bombing that was carried out in Madrid. Those two being Martin Sarasola and Igor Portu.

The official count in Georgia has Mikhail Saakashvili winning the presidential election, but the opposition isn’t giving up the ghost on protesting his win, saying the vote was rigged. However, international observers say it was a democratic election.

Americas

Clinton and McCain win the New Hampshire primary. Not that Hilary pulled ahead by all that much. Interestingly, polls had Obama ahead, which raises questions. Do you think polled folk would lie about supporting Obama to seem more progressive?

Those who think Obama isn’t electable because he’s black say a lot about how we view ourselves. That would be a failing of we the people, not Obama the candidate.

General

Nicholas Negroponte, head of the one laptop program, says Intel repeatedly trying to undermine the project. Paul Otellini, head of Intel, rejects this of course. I’m less inclined to believe Paul in the game of he said she said. After all, Intel was trying to sell the same kind of product to the same people under their brand name.

Explainer looks at how wildlife researchers count tigers. Important as tigers are one of the worlds perfect creatures.

Today’s Papers has the fashion industry is worried it could face big losses this year due to the writers strike reducing the number of red carpet events where their ludicrous clothing will go on display, note of a a “new push” from Kurdish leaders to oust Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, loads about the primaries and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Rather than the usual, I decided on a whim to toss out some YouTube of songs I enjoy. Why? Why not? A little variety is the spice of life and who knows, you might find something you like. Though my preferences tend to run toward the metal/rock genre. There’s just something about powerful songs that heats my blood in a good way.

The first two are from Dragonforce. They’re a common choice for many who enjoy fast power metal, but one need only listen to see why. Excellent vocals, excellent music and peerless guitar work. Especially the vocals. Many metal bands seem to think screaming and roaring are par for the course. Rare it is to have a lead vocalist who really sings in a clear, understandable way. Not that a little roaring and screaming is always bad.

Dragonforce: Through the Fire and Flames

Dragonforce: Operation Ground and Pound

Killswitch Engage is one I’ve recently discovered through Youtube. I think I’d heard of them before, but not really given them much attention. Their current lead is interesting. Mixing between clear, often soulful vocals and that harsh, grating roaring that is common. Sometimes the contrast plays of well, other times not so much so. Overall, a group I’ll keep my eye on.

Killswitch Engage: End of Heartache – This one in particular has a very interesting video to go along with the song. The spiraling in and out is a very nice effect. This song has more of his soulful vocals and is very emotive.

Killswitch Engage: The Arms of Sorrow – I like the video on this one as well. The slow motion effect is well choreographed and keeps the attention with intriguing visuals.

Static X I’ve known about for some time and have enjoyed many of their songs. Their lead is far more growly than the two previous, but for them and their style, it works well to my ear(as wasted as I’m sure mine are from my love of loud music). But he does sing and sings well in my opinion, even if their lead looks like a freak of nature. Dig the hair.

Static X: Push It This was the first song of theirs to come my way. Very interesting, a good mix of sound and an odd video to go along with it.

Static X: Cold – A later song of theirs, as might be obvious from the growth of the lead’s beard. Deals with vampires and has a distinctly different vocal style that I really like. Though a bit hammy, the video itself is pretty good. It actually does well telling a little mini story.

Just to illustrate how wide myinterest in music can be, we present Nickleback. A drastic change from the last few groups. More rock in genre, with a bit of a western feel. Great vocals and music I can feel encourage my head to bob.

Nickleback: Rockstar

Nickleback: Just For – This song always gets me riled. There are plenty of people I’ve felt this way about on the inside, though on the outside I’d never do such physical things. But the sentiment is often there. As a comment on the vid said, the song is very primal and that’s something that can effect me deeply.

Though I hold no religious convictions one way or the other, I do like the supernatural as a genre of fiction and roleplay. In so much, I hold no real care for the meaning behind the music, thus if it sounds good I’ll listen to ‘devil music’ without a care. Mercyful Fate is one such themed band that I enjoy. In part for the unique vocals of the eccentric King Diamond. His insane vocal range is a delight to listen to, flicking between a firm depth and a screeching keening that some might consider annoying, but I find intriguing.

Mercyful Fate: The Night – One of the few songs I know that are on Youtube. A good example of his crazy vocal range and face painting and more sacrilegious lyrics.

This is another band that shows an intriguing range. Though most of their songs are pretty hard core where metal is concerned, there are also songs such as the second linked. Though the video is odd, the song itself is, in my opinion, quite beautiful. One might even think it romantic, which one would hardly expect from the likes of Slipknot.

Slipknot: Pulse of the Maggots

Slipknot: Vermillion Part 2

I don’t care much who sings and the like, but female artists that I get interested in are rare. Liz Phair’s voice is good and her songs are interesting. Some are quite risque all said, but I don’t mind that one little bit. One of her CDs is a welcome addition to my music cache.

Liz Phair: Extraordinary

Liz Phair: Rock Me – Not the best version of it, the CD song is very good, but the lyrics are amusing all by themselves.

Those are just a few artists I like. Most of them I have CDs for, others I just hadn’t gotten to before I decided to stop buying CDs. Largely due to the prices, but also because I’m just pissed at the music community in general(though most of that ire goes to the companies that run the show). I could likely make a post all by itself about my music preferences, which vary far more than is shown here. Perhaps another day.

For now, enjoy and have a good one.