News – Bush’s Final Address

US

Here we have an apt review of Bush’s SotU speech and the rebuttals given. No punches pulled for either side.

Today’s Papers covers Bush’s speech last night. Many papers make some interesting observations, including the pointlessness of republicans putting a sunset clause on the tax cuts, knowing Bush would push for them to be permanent as well as the continuing shift of Bush’s definition of WMD. Now he’s touting Weapons of Mass Destruction Program Activities. He keeps adding words, what will it be next? Weapons of Mass Destruction Program Activity Indications?

Fearing a future lack of army reservists in the future, the chief of the US Army Reserve is proposing a better-defined set of circumstances for when reservists might be called into active duty. I’m sure it would help to have better notice as to just when they will get pulled from their lives, since it helps to enable them to tie up loose ends before going.

The families of British detainees in Guantanimo Bay are teaming up with the ACLU to take their battle to the US. A delegation will be beading to DC to lobby and raise awareness.

We Americans east of the Rockies are going to be having some coooooold days ahead. Weeks even. I can confirm this, it was hella cold this morning. I’m courting the notion of taking some days off just to avoid going outside. :p

The conservative Anglicans upset with the appointment of a gay bishop, making up about ten percent of the sect, have formally formed their own ‘church within a church’. Likely a good idea to term it that, so that they don’t get themselves in trouble by splintering the faith even further, though it might lead to that eventually.

Northwest, my airline, gets caught lying. They stated they wouldn’t release customer info, but got caught doing just that. It was in order to aid a current NASA project, using the data as test data for a new anti-terror database. I don’t see where that is part of NASA’s mission.

The two sides of overtime rule reform. The US department of Labor says it will result in an additional 1.3 million low wage earners being eligible for overtime and would cut off only 644,000 people. Labor Groups say that it will lock out 8 million who currently are allowed overtime, saying that military veterans, police officers and nurses will be among those effected. I think they will both be right overall.

Now that Gephardt is down and out, where does his presidential war chest go? Explainer has the details, have a read.

An interesting little note that Bush made practically no mention of the environment in his SotU speech. Supposing that Bush doesn’t even care to pay lip service to the environment anymore, where as the relatively minor issue of steroids use in sports gets its own section of the speech.

Iraq

The US might be giving ground to the argument for early elections. Word is that Blair’s government has switched to pro and that Shia demands for elections before the June 30th power hand over might actually win out.

A panel of International lawyers and experts have called on the ICC to investigate Britain for alleged war crimes in Iraq. One actionable offense is the possible use of cluster bombs in civilian areas.

Dispatches from Iraq: According to Their Families, Everyone Is Innocent

Israel/Palestine

Israeli courts have issued charges against David Appel for prior attempts to bribe Sharon in the 1990s. Could be another indirect source for political flack for him.

An Israeli Rabbi has crafted a prayer to help devout Jews overcome the grief of passing through Internet porn sites while web browsing. Whatever helps them feel better about it.

General

Rights groups want the UN to do more than it plans when it comes to the exploitation of children as soldiers and other aspects of general exploitation. Considering it’s mostly related to better information gathering on the subject, I’d hope the UN gets in on it.

A Belgian cardinal believes that only five to ten percent of proclaimed homosexuals are actually gay. Apparently the rest of them are just sexual perverts.

Vegetarians beware, the food you eat might have meat.

Amusements

Newgrounds: Strategy Guide Episode 3

Newgrounds: 60 secs. Arnold Governator

British woman claims to have the World’s Smallest dog. The current record is four and a half inches tall at the shoulder, this little one is said to be half an inch shorter. Smallest or not, that little pooch is freaking cute. :p

My how the credits have grown as of late. LotRL: Return of the King has, probably, the longest roll of credits in the world.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: This is bigger than this is bigger than this.

The Onion: Key Points of Bush’s State of the Union Address