News – Chalabi, Not So Hot Anymore

Iraq

US forces raided Ahmad Chalabi’s house in Baghdad. His party offices were also searched, with computers, files and equipment carted off. Word is some of his group was taken away as well. INC spokesman Haider Moussawi says its part of a character assassination against Chalabi now that he’s acting more independent. The US forces claimed they were searching for fugitives. Personally, I’m not sure what to think. All I know is I can’t stand Chalabi based on prior actions on his part.

US forces killed about 40 Iraqis in the country’s western desert with an air strike. That isn’t disputed. What is disputed is who was killed. Some say a wedding was targeted while US spokesmen say they were targeting a “a suspected foreign fighter safe house,”

Departing Spanish troops are attacked. Those among the last of the 1,400 had their convoy ambushed, but repelled the attackers with only one slight injury reported.

As the time counts down, Bush is now in a rush to show the handover strategy. I suppose all the “he ain’t got no plan” stuff finally got to him. 😉

More Abu Ghraib photos.

Kurd Sellout Watch, Day 443: Could the Turks be coming around with warming relations with the Kurds?

Israel/Palestine

The US has allowed the UN to issue a condemnation of Israel’s destruction of Palestinian homes by abstaining rather than vetoing as it usually does on any negative resolution. Every other UN Security Council member voted for the resolution. Of course, this version of the resolution was watered down, no longer demanding an end to the bulldozing.

Meanwhile the offensive continues in Gaza. And to this the US continues to frown in Israel’s general direction, but does absolutely nothing else due to their crippling loyalty to this out of control state. Bush tells Israel to respect innocent life. Like that will happen. They ignore Bush regularly when it suits them and he takes it like a bitch, to be perfectly blunt and vulgar. It’s easy to see where this man of action and compassion’s weak spots are and where he’s perfectly helpless.

Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd of protesting Palestinians, killing ten. An army spokesman says that they were firing a warning shot with no intention to harm civilians and that some of them were armed. Others say no weapons were visible.

Palestinian doctors despair at the number of children being shot by Israeli snipers while Israel denies that they are being shot by Israeli forces. Just open them up. If you pull a bullet out and it’s Israeli make, dispute solved.

What the press says about events in Rafah.

Korea

The US has rejected a North Korean proposition to begin building the light-water nuclear reactors for a freeze in its nuclear programs.

US

Kerry and Nader have a friendly discussion, though Kerry doesn’t ask Nader to drop out by reports.

Government video releases about the Medicare drug benefit law constitute improper use of funds for publicity and propaganda says the General Accounting Office. If failed to note that “reporters” who “analyzed” the new Medicare law were paid by the government. Oops.

The nifty thing about the War on Terror is it can fit into any debate, even one on energy.

The Christian Defense Coalition says that Boston officials are denying demonstrators civil liberties by adopting onerous permitting procedures. “The city of Boston is forcing groups and demonstrators into a position where they have to either abide by harsh restrictions or demonstrate without a permit,” , says Patrick Mahoney, direct or of the group. They’re currently seeking to protest at the Democratic National Convention.

Several relatives of 9/11 victims disrupted the hearing Wednesday, showing a good deal of raw emotion. I heard part of that while I was listening to a recorded portion on Cspan.

An Oklahoma school that suspended a Muslim girl for wearing her headscarf will allow her to keep her traditional hijab and revise the dress code accordingly to settle a lawsuit.

Allen Greenspan is nominated for a fifth term as head of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors . Has he worn out his welcome?

Musing the slippery slope argument on gay marriage. Personally, I find the argument to be worthless.

General

The XXXchurch, with a mission to save people from the twin temptations of pornography and onanism.

Apple has it’s own security difficulty.

<A HREF="http://slate.msn.com/id/2100723/”>Slate’s Fray considers Kerryisms.

I’ve heard often that those who have seen Shrek 2 think it better than the original. This review is one of them, a person who was indifferent to the first, but shows a fondness for the second. I’m primed to see this one after finding the original to be quite enjoyable.

Today’s Papers has an attempted kidnapping in Palestine, Moqtada Sadr second most popular in Iraq behind Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, many international advisors remaining after June 30th and more.

Amusements

Man obsessed with Volkswagen Beetles builds a three-story bug

Mark Fiore: Settler Realty Service

Neurotically Yours: Eye Stigmata

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop: They call it “dipnetting.” I call it “photoshop contest opportunity”

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: In the style of Pliny the Elder, make the image of Helen of Troy out of the features of other beautiful women

Fark Photoshop Challenge: What sort of things would DaVinci invent/paint if he were alive today?