News – Can Bush be Brought to Apologize Personally

Iraq

Some Arabs say the Bush interviews are too little too late. I doubt Bush could sway them with these bits of PR. Especially since the Alhurra interview had no Arabic translation and the station is little watched regardless. As well, Bush hasn’t actually mouthed words close to a real personal apology. Sure, Scott McClellan has said “The president is sorry for what occurred and the pain that it has caused,” but I want to hear it from his lips. Not his spokesman’s.

An interesting point is brought up in looking at the language of apology. Bush did say that the Iraqi people must understand.. must they? It seems that Bush’s entire philosophy is based around that concept. That he’s not wrong, everyone else is. That’s a dangersous way to do business.

Aides do note, though, that Bush ahs expressed some annoyance with Rummy over the matter. Something about not being alerted to the details by Rumsfeld, which brings up some interesting questions. What else might Bush not be told from time to time?

Just to make things that little bit worse, the ICRC comes out to say that it repeatedly warned the US about Abu Ghraib.

A little chronology of Bush’s words as the torment scandal unfolded.

Meanwhile the Washington Post puts out some additional abuse pictures. One shows a woman, identified as Pfc. Lynndie England of the 372nd Military Police Company(Belongs to 336th Military Police Battalion), with a dog’s leash around the neck of a naked man. Not exactly the appropriate time to explore dominatrix tendencies, eh? Some of them are described in this article.

Sudan hasn’t let the chance slip to slam the US over human rights due to the events at Abu Ghraib. Kerry has also taken his shots, saying the White House response was slow and inappropriate.

In news of lesser perversity, Capt. Leo Merck is under investigation for taking pics of female US solders showering.

Bush is now seeking $25 million more for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, breaking a promise made earlier to not seek more money before the election.

Meanwhile a suicide car bomber kills five Iraqis and a US soldier(Some say six Iraqis) outside of the entrance to US HQ in Baghdad.

Israel/Palestine

Sharon’s deputy says that the Gaza plan will be pushed through virtually unchanged. Meanwhile the wall in Gaza is still being built, though called a temporary measure until the pullout.

A government audit notes that Israel spent over 3billion on illegal settlements over the last three years.

Afghanistan

A leaflet published in Afghanistan called on people to provide info on Taliban militants or face loss of humanitarian aid. After examination, Britain and the US said that there was a mistake and it wasn’t their policy to make that kind of link. The decision on the leaflets had been made at the local level.

Libya

Six Bulgarian medics and a Palestinian doctor to death by firing squad for allegedly infecting Libyan children with HIV. Bulgaria has condemned the “unfair and absurd” verdicts and expects a strong reaction from Western allies. Some suspect Gaddafi may sek to pardon the Bulgarians from a death sentence to gain some humanitarian points.

US

The project to rebuild the site of the WTC hits financial troubles. Perhaps now we can look into a more sedate, realistic and practical means of using the space and memorializing the incident. Rather than adding another phallic target for future attacks.

Cooler, calmer weather is helping firefighters in Southern California fight six wildfire blazes.

The adopted parents of four boys in Collingswood, New Jersey were indicted for starving the boys. I saw this on 60 Minutes last night. One was a nineteen year old that was under five foot and as thin as the kids you see in those charity commercials. It was disquieting. Fortunately the boys are in better homes now and reported to be gaining proper weight and even growing again.

General

The internet, a powerful tool for democracy.

Musing the electronic versions of today’s newspapers.

Today’s Papers has the US military moving against Sadr’s militia in Kerbala, calls for Rummy to step down, no press time for the Abu Ghraib prisoners and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Man jailed for leaving unattended teddy bear at airport

Stench leads to 200 animals in apartment, including alligators, scorpions and carnivorous beetles

Amber Alert issued because kid did not want to wear shoes

Car thieves break off radio antenna thinking it will disable the car’s GPS tracking system, but just get lousy reception on their way to jail

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this giant, walking potato sack from Germany. Quickly, before it makes you buy a bicycle

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these firefighters working in a surreal scene

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this ring of swimmers. (Difficulty: Drowning)

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Man and machine. Turn a celebrity into a cyborg