News – Day in the Life

Middle East

And I thought my day sucked this morning.

A normal day in the life of Manhal Fadhel, is a 35-year-old engineer in Iraq.

Some militants continue to make things difficult for Abbas, a bombing and shooting attack at a crossing into Gaza killing at least five Israelis.

Israel’s high court has ordered work be stopped on a segment of the West Bank barrier, giving the government a week to reroute a thirty kilometer section of the barrier. Not sure what happens after the deadline.

A little known segment of Ansar al-Islam has claimed responsibility for the killing of an aid to Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

Human rights watch says that US officials tied to Abu Ghraib and Sudanese government officials responsible for the slaughter in Darfur need to face charges in their latest report.

A new report from the National Intelligence Council anticipates a further decentralization of terrorist organizations. Which would be a smart move as thousands upon thousands of cells are a lot harder to crush than a single body. It’ll be even harder to get any sort of solid intelligence on them.

Specialist Charles Graner has decided not to take the stand at the last minute, abruptly ending his trial. This now we wait to see the results.

Africa

Up to a million Rwandans could face charges of genocide in traditional “gacaca” village courts for participation in the 1994 genocide.

Asia

Aid agencies have been working to combat disease in Aceh and have done will, but the danger hasn’t passed yet, with doctors reporting children dying of pneumonia.

I wonder why Wolfie has a need to play down Indonesia’s obvious worry about foreign troops on their soil? Last I heard, no one was criticizing the US on it. Most would likely look askance of Indonesia for their fear, rather than use it to harp on the US more.

North America

The The mud near La Conchita is shifting again and it’s been urged that the town be fully evacuated. Likely the best course until the ground has finally settled.

Bush recants for his less than open diplomatic language thus far. That’s nice, but it’s a bit late for that now. Considering the continuation of his exclusionist tones, I doubt this is anything more than a PR play. A real, lasting change would be what it takes to convince me of his sincerity.

Cheney concedes that changing Social Security Bush’s way is costly, but it would be more costly to do nothing. This is precisely what I mean. Whenever a choice is presented, there is no presentation of many opinions or avenues and no opening for debate and discussion. There is out way and the road to destruction. This sort of stuff has been coming from Bush and his administration since they came into office. And has come from many politicians before him. This sort of anti-intellectual, anti-discussion or compromise language needs to fade from politics altogether. I agree that Social Security needs a change, but I don’t think Bush’s way is the right way. It might work, but what works isn’t always what’s most efficient and effective. When dealing with this amount of money, we need efficient and effective, as well as what is carefully studied for any pitfalls. Bush needs to stop hinting and half stepping and come out with the full plan as well as the numbers.

The White House acknowledges urging congress to drop a legislative proposal that would have curbed the ability of US intelligence to use extreme interrogation tactics. It’s an odd act when set against their constant statements that they don’t and won’t use torture.

A Georgia school district has been ordered to loose the stickers from its textbooks, which say “This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered.” Personally, I don’t know. I know the basic intent behind the stickers, though what they say is technically true. But then much of science is in the realm of theory and as such ever maturing with our growing awareness. All materials should be approached with an open mind, studies carefully and critically considered. Hence similar stickers should, by that argument, appear on the bible as well, stating it isn’t fact and should be so considered.

Musing why 7-11 keeps two thirds of the proceeds from it’s charitable knickknack selling while Niki and the Discovery Channel keep none.

General

Analyzing European regard for US companies. Some are seen as ‘more American’ than others and the ones that draw the most ire tend to personify(in the view of some) those things they dislike most about America. Makes sense that those which personify the worst would be shunned while those that don’t would be accepted.

Elektra, the latest in the long run of comic book based movies is given a low grade, marked as lacking any subtlety and dreary.

Watch out for the new ‘Cellery’ worm. It disguises itself as a game of Tetris.

New cell phone designs could interact with the motion of it’s user, opening new ways to communicate with the phone.

Explainer schools you in the method of counting Right Whales.

Today’s Papers has planners of the Inauguration worried about too much pomp, big cuts for HUD, some guys in a Baghdad Café musing the upcoming Iraqi election and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Mark Fiore: The Office of Truth Enhancement

US military research into a Homosexual Bomb would have created a coalition of the FAAAABULOUS(Seriously, the link does have something to do with the caption.. seriously!)

Prosecutors seek mental exam for man accused of using poodle as weapon

New York City sends letters to people who bought smokes online demanding back taxes, or they will be fined $200 per carton

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Photoshop classic paintings for modern times. (LGN)

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this heavy machinery

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Satirize a Goofus and Gallant strip.