News – All Quiet on the Front.. For Now

Middle East

Despite my concerns, it seems the UN created ceasefire is getting off the ground. Good news for those trapped by the violence, with aid being trucked in to those in need. But I’d hurry if I were them, One never knows how long an agreement like this might last.

What does this mean for Olmert? Who can say. Hizbollah isn’t broken, as tier last barrage after the ceasefire likely attested to. Sure, lots of them are killed, but more will step up. World opinion of Israel is likely darkened more than it was before. What did Israel get out of this? Anything that is substantiated with neutral fact? Personally, I think Olmert is in trouble.

According to a report from veteran investigative journalist Seymour Hersh, the US administration was close in planning a campaign against Hizbullah even before the two soldiers were captured, sparking the conflict in Lebanon. Quoting a US government consultant, Hersh said: “Earlier this summer … several Israeli officials visited Washington, separately, ‘to get a green light for the bombing operation and to find out how much the United States would bear’.” Lovely.

North America

Bush’s working vacation is over and he’s got some things to deal with. Our presence in Iraq, dealing with the aftermath of the Lebanon conflict and shoring up security after the latest terror plot out of London.

Apparently, we have technology to detect liquid explosives, it just isn’t in the airports. Considering the liquid explosive plot isn’t exactly new, why the heck not? As usual, likely the cost/effort issue. Securing the nation is all good.. until it gets too hard.

Bush wants an end to what he calls Hizbollah’s “state within a state” in Lebanon. Obviously, but what do you plan to do about it Bush? Or are you just going to stand aside and poke others to act? He should be doing what he should have done long ago, work with Lebanon directly to address this issue. Not telling others what to do, then berating them when they don’t snap to. After all, he’s not the ‘decider’ for Lebanon.

Bush thinks the terror threat in the UK might not be over. That there is no certainty when it comes to this issue is disconcerting. But then, intelligence has always been our weakness against terrorist orgs.

Airport security officials ease the rules on what you can bring on a plan slightly. You can bring up to four ounces of nonprescription liquid now. Gee, thanks guys. I guess I’ll have to pay through the nose for something to drink.

As usual, gas prices are on the rise in the wake of the latest Middle East turmoil. Another nudge to show we need to cut more ties to the region when it comes to reliance on energy.

Even now, ministers in the New Orleans area are helping their congregations deal with depression after Katrina. It’s good to have a friendly voice when climbing back up from disaster.

Vets of both Iraq conflicts are feeling sick and think it has to do with the Depleted Uranium weaponry used. They’re being dismissed out of hand more often than not. Personally, I’d think it prudent to make a study of the real effects of DU arms on our soldiers, but then I think that military service shouldn’t end up ruining your life as it has for some.

Should US teens be tried as terrorists for their plots for school shootings? Personally, I think that it’s a bit over the top for most cases. It’s a better thing to look at these kids individually and find out what brought them to this, rather than universally seeking to shut them up behind bars, where any criminal seed within them will be nurtured to dark life. These kids need guidance and understanding to try and pull them back from the edge, not to be shoved off it as irredeemable.

General

It seems black men aren’t gay when they lust after other guys, they’re ‘Down Low’. Personally, I find the whole concept of ‘Down Low’ to be fascinating. But hey, whatever a guy needs to make himself feel good. You are what you are, after all, no labels will change that. Of course, now that ‘Down Low’ is out of the closet, as it were, white males are starting to try and claim the title, just as much as some gravitate toward black subculture in general.

The Blogs look at the cost-benefit analysis of airline restrictions in the wake of Thursday’s terror alert, Mike Wallace’s talk with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and TomKat’s list of don’ts for visits with young Suri.

Explainer looks at the floppy hats that Israeli soldiers have been wearing.

Today’s Papers has the looming threat of performance enhancing drugs in golf(no, seriously..), the risk to airplanes posed by spontaneously combusting computer batteries in airport travel, an 11-part series by Jill Carroll detailing her kidnapping by insurgents in Baghdad and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Mother drives her 13-year-old son around to help him find someone to rob because “it was something they could do together”

Angry drunk guy yells at partying apartment dwellers to shut the hell up, then throws himself off third floor balcony. Taa daa

Police looking for tire-slashing vigilante who leaves notes on vandalized cars reading “Warning. You have been seen driving while using your mobile phone”

Man’s brilliant 3-part plan to get woman to go out with him not working out too well. Phase 1 was ask her out. Phase 2 was to destroy her mailbox. Phase 3 was to leave a nude photo of himself at the scene of the crime

Perks of being leader of Turkmenistan: 1) Your people worship you like a God. 2) You’re president for life. 3) You get a melon named after you on “Melon Day”

Ugly ass vampiric sea-spider discovered in Antarctica, defies scientists efforts to classify. And when I say “ugly ass,” I mean it. Seriously. This is no joke

“A good penis size can compensate for other character flaws”

Proving once again that PT Barnum was right, parents are now buying luxury goods like cashmere jumpers for their babies

D’oh! China has banished Homer Simpson from primetime

Lazy teens don’t want to get out of bed in the morning. The solution: Make school start later, experts say

Rape suspect asks for delay in trial so he can marry his alleged victim. Faces caning if found guilty

Guy on lawn of Muslim candidate in Maryland wearing “Islam sucks” shirt says it is an experiment. “I heard that Muslims were intolerant of views other than their own so I thought I’d put it to the test,” idiot explains

Having watched one too many Highlander movies, Scotland to ban the ownership of swords

Fark Photoshop Challenge: TFer just went to OfficeMax, and saw inspirational posters in the bathroom. Photoshop inspirational posters in the strangest places.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: With new rumors of an “Escape from Earth” movie in the works, photoshop some other situations Snake Plissken could escape from.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: The U.S. Army is considering building a theme park. Photoshop some possible rides

And to any new readers or lurkers, welcome. Feel free to toss comments, we’re not fancy here.