News – Debating Positions

US

The three US presidential debates have been agreed upon. Let the games begin. Meanwhile Kerry blasts Bush over Iraq and Bush accuses Kerry of contradictions over Iraq. I’d rather hear them both address the other’s criticism. Here’s a little Kerry-to-English translation of his position on Iraq.

Nader is removed from the Arkansas ballot for not meeting requirements.

CBS says they regret airing the disputed memos on Bush’s service record and say they were duped by the source of them.

For the first time in week, gas prices inch back up slightly to a national average of $1.866 per gallon.

A test of Foreign and domestic commercial aircraft have found most with contaminated drinking water systems. So don’t drink the water in flight unless it comes from a bottle.

In this current state of the world, must we prove the case for war or prove the case for peace?

Iraq

Iraqis who want to vote in the planned elections may or may not. Some are uncertain if the risk is worth it with the threat of destruction that goes along with it. It shows that it is imperative to get the security situation under control before elections to ensure maximum voter turnout.

Vinsan construction company, a Turkish firm, is leaving Iraq in order to save ten of it’s workers who were abducted by insurgents.

Of the two Americans and Briton recently taken hostage, the American named Eugene Armstrong has, it seems, been beheaded. If the demands of the insurgents aren’t met, one of the other hostages, Jack Hensley or Ken Bigley, will follow.

Israel/Palestine

The US is selling Israel over $300 million in air launched ordinance, including 500 ‘bunker busters’. Of course, that sort of stuff won’t be useful against Palestinians. Nope, that might be needed to target Iranian nuclear facilities or perhaps for use against Syria.

Israel’s main labor unions started a general strike today, with 400k workers in international airport, seaports, government offices, banks, financial markets, hospitals, fire departments, postal services, trains, courts and cemeteries stop working, bring the country to a halt.

Iran

Gholamreza Aghazadeh, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, has revealed that Iran has begun testing on a facility that will produce large amounts of material for nuclear centrifuges.

And world papers continue to muse and opine.

Syria

Syria will be redeploying about 3,000 troops in Lebanon to a city closer to the border between the two countries in an apparent attempt to ease U.S.-led international pressure over its influence on Lebanon.

General

The people I the International Space Station are without an oxygen generator again. They’re not in danger, however, as the station is backed up by numerous other source of oxygen that they say can last 140 days. Longer than the current crew intends to stay.

Today’s Papers has Pakistani leader General Pervez Musharraf going back on his word, continued violence in Afghanistan, funding shifts toward security said to endanger basic services and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Offensive T-shirt sparks angry protest, major increase in sales

Never bring a Claymore to a court fight

“I can’t come to court — my hair is a mess.” With amusing pic

Fark Photoshop Challenge Photoshop pirate versions of everyday objects. Link goes to GIS of inspiration

Fark Photoshop Challenge Photoshop these microphone farmers

Fark Photoshop Challenge Photoshop these Octoberfesters