News – Growth in Gaming

General

2007 was a record year for gaming sales. A few items, like Halo 3 and the Wii helped to boost sales figures. The gaming industry is growing to rival Hollywood and is growing fast. Which, I think, is quite appropriate. Anyone who has played Half Life 2, Bioshock and other games where attention to the story and presentation of the game is just as intent as focus on the graphics and gameplay would know how much like an interactive movie games are starting to become. I do think I’d prefer to ‘live’ a story rather than sitting back to watch it on TV or on a DVD.

Criticizing Apple’s new ultra thin laptop. The premise: With laptop and phone technology melding, is there a need for an uber thin laptop lacking some common laptop features(like an optical drive) when something like the iPhone can do much the same and a bit more while lacking those same features?

Explainer looks at just when a doctor can force an exam on someone.

A review of Cloverfield. I really like the looks of this movie. I might actually see it in a theater if my local AMC has real early and cheap showtimes.

International Buffet of Bad Movies.

The blogs look at the Republican candidates, draw warnings from the indictment of Mark Siljander and opine on the MacBook Air.

Today’s Papers has more talk about dividing Iraq, disappointing numbers in Saturday’s South Carolina primary that could end Fred Thompson’s candidacy, an interview with the CIA’s director, Michael Hayden, who says the agency has concluded that allies of Pakistani tribal leader Baitullah Mehsud, with the help of al-Qaida’s network, were responsible for the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and more in the one page news.

Middle East

Rocket attacks goad Israel to close border crossings, which blocks the distribution of UN aid, worsening the situation in Palestinian lands, which will encourage more rockets which will goad Israel to close border crossings, which blocks.. See a pattern?

The IMF and UN think 2008 could be a good year for Iraq. Despite my disdain for the current administration, I do hope that things go well for Iraq. Bush and friends have done enough buffoonery to get to this place that little they do now could make me look at them with any more than a cursory respect. Even rapid progress in Iraq won’t dilute the opinion formed over the past few years. But it will make me happy for those who have lived all that time in the midst of such strife. Of course, there still remain issues to address. As always seems the case.

A sudden cold snap in the Middle East, including a snowfall in Baghdad. Not good for crops or those entirely unused to such chilling weather and thus having less home and attire protection from it.

Africa

The election spawned violence in Kenya have led to support for a freeze in the support from Europe to Kenya’s government. Though only until the crisis is resolved.

As usual, the victims of the violence aren’t always those who are involved in it. It puts all nearby at danger and prompts ripples that will effect even more over time, due to the potential retraction of aid, for example.

Asia/Pacific

Little surprise that Burma is making no progress in becoming more free. I’m sure the ruling government would love for people to forget all about the anti-government protests last year that were prompted by a sudden rise in gas prices.

Europe

The UK is working on blocking violet extremist websites. Looks like they’re starting the right way by talking with the ISPs and the Muslim community in their country. Working with people can be the best way to confront a problem like this, rather than just passing some shit cause you think it might work.

Americas

Recession fears are rising. It displeases me as a positive market grows my 401k better and our country could do with fewer personal disasters to sap at our already waning power. Of course, like all smacks in the face, it could end up with some positive outcomes in the end.

After speaking discouraging words about NATO allies in Afghanistan, he’s forced to backpedal. Its amazing how many foolish things these people say.

NASA is considering making a space MMO. One meant for students to simulate real MASA engineering and science missions. Still, it sounds interesting to me.

The US Army is having trouble holding on to midlevel officers. That’s what comes, in my opinion, when you lure people with educational perks and the perceived lack of any actual war in the future, then have a war happen with no end in sight and extended tours of duty. Many who joined will decide they didn’t join for this and slip out when they can.

Amusements

You don’t want to get caught for running a stop sign do you A) shut off your headlights and take off B) punch a cop C) choke a K-9 D) all of the above (with mugshot goodness)

A man who did not have a record and didn’t have any alcohol or drugs on him flees police while leaving his two-year old son in the car

Good: Shredding old documents. Bad: Placing your NFC championship game ticket next to the pile of documents to be shredded. Fark: Finding the Packers’ ticket office had heard crazy stories like this before

Well-known gang members taunt Metro-Dade Gang Unit on YouTube. Invite law enforcement to “come at us.” Not surprisingly, law enforcement comes at them (with link to dumbass YouTube clip)

The itsy bitsy penis was in the book, no doubt. U.S. publishers said air-brush the penis out. German illustrator angrily complained. Now the itsy bitsy penis is in the book again

U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-umbass) grills the chairman of the Federal Reserve about his involvement in the subprime mortgage crisis after mistaking him for U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson

Not News: Man’s car cited for a snow emergency parking violation. News: The car is inoperable and hasn’t been used in a decade. Fark: It’s been parked in the owner’s garage

Los Angeles federal officials propose law making it illegal to pretend to be someone else on the internet. Internet tough guy wanted for questioning

All crimes have been solved, city aims to ban chicken mascot at hot wings joint and mascot protest breaks out

Adult club billboard draws citizen complaints, but officials explain it’s perfectly legal as “specified anatomical” areas are covered

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop a different reflection for this pink flamingo

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these archers

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Superheroes misusing their powers