News – Cause of Effect?

Middle East

Looks like Abu Musab al-Zarqawi got caught in a US Airstrike. Tony Blair is on record as saying this is a blow against AlQueda. Perhaps. For the short time it will take them to send in another leader. Organizations like this have to be quick to adjust to death, otherwise they don’t last long. I predict this will do little to slow the violence in Iraq, ultimately.

Abbas gives Hamas more time to mull his ultimatum on a two state plan. They need to realize they don’t have a lot of choice. The people want peace. If Hamas won’t push for peace, they will lose the support of the people.

Olmert assures the King of Jordan that he plans to reshape the occupied West Bank, not destabilize it. I suppose we’ll see, won’t we?

North America

The latest casual push for a federal amendment against gay marriage fails. Were I one of the Christian conservatives that was being played to by these casual attempts, I’d be more upset at legislators for their lack of enthusiasm in pushing this through. The exploitation of the issue is so obvious as to be almost transparent. Push the panic button enough and it loses effectiveness.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter accuses Cheney of undermining a plan to subpoena telephone execs, to question them on Bush’s secret spying program.

US oil refiners warn that streamlining the number of gas blends might raise prices, rather than lower them as most believe.

Why Israel’s capture of Eighmann caused panic at the CIA.

Explainer looks at what hard labor is for prisoners.

General

Step into a studio where the voice acting for video games is generated. It sounds easy, but it isn’t.

The Blogs look at the US cautioning about the imminence of terrorist attacks in the wake of the recent thwarting of one in Canada and in the US. Personally, I’ve know another terrorist attack is going to happen. Anyone who thinks that the government will protect us from them is giving our bumbling politicos too much credit. That’s why I’m not in favor of giving up my liberties for safety. Why trade liberties for substandard security that ultimately will come to naught? Our security was fine before, all we needed was the wake up call of getting kicked in the nuts by alQueda so we’d pay attention.

Today’s Papers has E.U.’s human-rights office concluding that 14 European countries have indeed helped the CIA in one way or another ship terror suspects to secret prisons, Republican Rep Jerry Lewis still in the hot water, reading the tea leaves of California’s recent special election and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Mark Fiore: Core Values Training

Dumb: “Church” prints million-dollar bills with religious tracts on the back. Dumber: Moran tries to deposit one at a bank, attracting the Secret Service’s attention

During your court appearance for an assault conviction, don’t sucker punch your defense attorney. Judges really frown on stuff like that

If you’re going to get your buddies to take your picture mooning a cop car, make sure the cop doesn’t show up

Masochistic Japanese men enjoy World Cup fever by allowing soapland girls to take “penalty shots” at their balls

MySpace photos get family kicked out of apartment (with photo and video)

Operators of Europe’s largest railway station dismayed to discover that their £480-million engineering marvel was designed with only one bathroom. Oops

Missing Ronald McDonald found leaning against mailbox on sidewalk, duct-taped and festooned with Mardi Gras beads. Thinks he was in Vegas with Grimace

Roll your eyes at the 50 dumbest rockstar extravagances

Deer knocks dog unconscious; floods apartment — just another day in Wisconsin

Disney marketing gone haywire: First they gave us Old Yeller brand dog food and then they brought us the Pirates of the Caribbean aquarium. They better draw the line at Snow White Maxi-Pads and Cinderella Tampons

Flight attendant reports armed air marshal for sleeping on plane. Air marshal uses the old “I was pretending to sleep to fool the terrorists” defense

Possibly Fark.com: Man arrested for counterfeiting checks tries to use counterfeit check for second time to post bail. Definitely Fark.com: Because the first time it worked

Ump calls player safe on a close play at first base. Spectator disagrees, throws beer bottle at ump. Ump punches fan’s teeth out. Just another night in Hilton Head’s surprisingly competitive pickup baseball league

Fake cops are “arresting” gang members. Real cops not amused

British islanders advertise for new king, whose only royal duties are to pour beer at island’s only bar. Island of Piel, meet Drew

Coolest trick you’ll play on your brain all day – It really works, give it a try.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: I had no idea you could even do that

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Today’s Iron Photoshop ingredient: Cookies

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Photoshop the world today, if history had taken a different course