News – Bad Legislation

US

US hawks smack around Spain for appeasing terrorists through their democratic process. I find this ironically laughable. Another laughable aspect is the resolution passed through the house by Republicans to mark the one-year anniversary since the start of the Iraq war. Within it are the words: “the United States and the world have been made safer with the removal of Saddam Hussein and his regime from power in Iraq.” This too is laughable as there is no definitive evidence that the US is safer. Stating it in rhetoric is one thing; to pass even an inconsequential peace of legislation like this with such a groundless statement is another.

Some military families and anti-war activists are urging Congress to censure Bush over his deception and manipulation of intelligence before the Iraq war. That’d be nice, but it won’t be happening. Too many factors array against it to be likely.

Cheney emerges again to launch a wide ranging set of attacks at Kerry. The same old rhetoric, nothing new at all.

Another Oregon county is doing the gay marriage license thing. The Three person board of Benton County voted two to one to begin issuing the licenses.

A federal judge denied a request that the ban on D&X abortions be thrown out, saying a trial is equired to decide if it is unconstitutional. He’s got a point.

US officials give Mohammed ElBaradei, chief of the IAEA the nod for his handling of Iran as of late. But will that cure the general antagonism the US has had with him before? Unlikely, which makes one wonder who might be the next head of the IAEA.

Bush’s tax cuts remain a hot topic and aren’t yet ruled out of the picture.

Perverted Justice is a group of folk who troll the chat rooms, posing as children to expose pedophiles. Critics say their methods go against police efforts as they rarely generate a conviction. Though they do note having gotten several men fired by finding out where they worked and sending chat logs to their bosses. Some berate the chaters in chat, others set up meeting dates and meet them to berate in person. Sometimes with a video camera.

RFID chips used to watch and make sure your elders are ok? It could happen.

Kentucky Republican Ron Lewis has introduced “The Congressional Accountability for Judicial Activism Act of 2004“. What does it do? It lets Congress reverse judgments of the Supreme Court.. One wonders what kind of moron this guy is. He basically wants to screw over the balance of power in this country.

The 9/11 tax giveaway. More tidbits from the docs passed to Ron Suskind by Paul O’Neil.

Iraq

One year on, we look back and forward to what has and might be. And we hear what Hans von Sponeck, a Former UN humanitarian coordinator for Iraq, has to say.

A big car bomb destroys a hotel in central Baghdad, reported to have killed 27. This, of course, makes it harder for Bush to claim progress in Iraq. Another bomb at another hotel killed four.

Gunmen killed three employees of the US funded Iraqi TV station. They opened fire on the minibus that was taking the employees to work. Three were killed, eight wounded.

A look at graffiti in Iraq.

Israel/Palestine

A commentary piece that asserts the current hardline government of Israel is not where the blame stops for Israel’s actions It’s Zionism itself.

Pakistan

Despite continuing concerns over the previous nuclear issue, Pakistan will be named a major non-NATO US ally. This makes it easier for them to get US arms.

Spain

Kofi says outgoing Spanish prime minister, Jose María Aznar was the author of his won defeat. I agree, I think one serious factor was his immediate blaming of ETA when it came to the bombing. It seemed he seized upon the tragedy almost immediately as a political tool.

Criticism abounds for Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s lingering threat to pull Spanish troops out of Iraq.

General

Actors are increasingly present in video games. Lending their voices and sometimes even faces to popular games, especially those based off of movie franchises such as Star Trek and James Bond.

Today’s Papers has bloodshed on the rise in Kosovo, the deficiency in Iraqi hospitals, tdbits in the Medicare bill numbers scandal and more.

Amusements

Comedians have at the campaign.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Supervillains atoning for their crimes through community service

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this PETA genius having a drink – More icky than normal, but funny. 😉