News – Blunt Signals

Middle East

Iraq’s government notes hat the US Senate vote on a bill that involves a troop pullout from Iraq sends negative signals. Gee, ya think? Of course it does. The whole point is to nudge Iraq’s leadership into the reality that US involvement in their country can’t last forever and that, at some point, we’ll be leaving. That being the case, they’ll need to be ready when that eventuality comes and they’re obviously not.

They’ve had 5 years of good signals. The time has come for annoyed, prodding signals.

More Israeli action in Gaza in response to rockets shot at Israel. Stay tuned for more rockets fired at Israel as a response to Israeli action. Then stay tuned for more Israeli military action in response to rockets. Then stay tuned for..

General David Petraeus remarks that Iraq will get harder before it gets easier. What I question is if it will ever get easier the way it’s been executed thus far. Harder is a given and goes without saying, what I’ve not seen is any sign of easier.

Africa

As bad as Iraq is, seems Somalia has quickly gotten worse than even that when it comes to refugees.

Zimbabwe’s inflation hits over 2k%. It’s bad enough that people spend their money as soon as they get it to avoid tomorrow’s higher prices.

The Janjaweed still have free reign in Darfur, with AU peacekeepers unable to hold them back.

Asia/Pacific

Burma and North Korea restore ties. Odd to say the least.

The waters of the pacific seem safer from pirate assault.

Europe

The EU is urging Poland to stop political officials that promote homosexual discrimination. This after Poland’s deputy education minister noted the government was making a law to bar teachers from promoting homosexuality.

NATO is concerned after Russia makes a statement that they may suspend participation in an arms treaty limiting conventional forces in Europe. This possibility sparked, it seems, by the US missile defense system being placed in Europe.

Americas

New Hampshire approves gay unions. It passed easily and this leads one to wonder.. what will manifest in a country where only certain portions of it recognize gay unions? Might be interesting to see what occurs ten years down the line.

The House wants to question Condi on Iraq’s pre-war weapons. She says no, she’ll provide written answers.

The FCC wants to take away your right to watch whatever you want in the name of protecting children. I think parents need to start parenting, rather than the government banning. The only assistance the government should give in t his regard are tools that make it easier for parents to control what their children watch.

The first Democratic debate for presidential candidates was tame, with no one willing to be the first to strike a blow.

General

A study claims that the use of drugs to combat diabetes is unjust when lifestyle changes can do the same. It would be preferable for people to take more natural means to combat illness if they are proven to work.

Britain’s plant vault gathers it’s billionth seed. The vault is a stunningly good idea, considering they have seeds for plants that are extinct on the Earth. I’d think it not a bad idea to do the same with animals. To take and preserve material that could allow us to recreate them if the callousness of man sees fit to destroy them. Too many species have been lost already.

The lamest tech mascots ever.

The blogs look at the FCC’s campaign against violence on TV, Joe Lieberman’s stay-the-course op-ed and what’s next for Rosie O’Donnell.

Today’s Papers has the death of Jack Valenti, ormer CIA Director George Tenet’s long-awaited book, how the Food and Drug Administration created a comprehensive plan to protect the nation’s food supply from tainted imports after Sept. 11 that never got off the ground and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Mark Fiore: Gun Crazy

Today’s “moron busted for child porn” story brought to you by St. Louis. Fark bonus: He was found in the airport chapel

Fleeing naked man in heels blamed for lockdown

The hottest college homemade bomber you’ll see today

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0426072pirate1.html

Woman claims teaching career was derailed by “drunken pirate” MySpace photo. And now she’s suing

Not news: dog bites man. News: man bites dog. Fark: monkey bites IRS agent

Canadian man who experimented with LSD back in the day is denied entry to the US at the border. Difficulty: he’s a psychotherapist who was conducting legitimate research at the time. Oh save us, War On Drugs

Viagra seized from inmates in prison raid. Hardened criminals, indeed

Thief fails to get away clean after stealing one hundred-fifty pounds of Tide laundry detergent, despite police scrubbing out each others’ cars

Not news: 18-year old gets arrested. News: It was for DUI. Fark news: He was driving a forklift

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this picture of a guy, his ball and some children

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Liven up these three storefronts

Fark Photoshop Challenge: <A HREF="http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=2754501″>I don’t know what kind of toy this is, but you should photoshop it