News – Fix the Foundation
Middle East
Perhaps the most apt analogy I’ve heard for the state of the good and bad in Iraq: When the basement is flooded, no one wants to hear complaints about not getting credit for the shiny new roof. As nice as the good things are, the bad have a potential to wash away all of that good, which is why they should be most reported and made known to all so they can be fixed. Otherwise, the warped foundation won’t hold up that pretty roof and the house of cards will crumble. If Bush doesn’t want to hear the bad stuff, he’d best get to fixing it. Then he won’t have to hear about it.
A mix of thoughts gathered from Israeli voters ahead of their coming poll day. Guardian has always been good at gathering a nice variety of thoughts from real people.
Hamas calls for talks with western powers in creating a ‘just peace’, though they show no sign of softening their stance on Israel. Personally, if Hamas is willing to find peace with Israel, regardless of what they think of the country, I’m all for it. Peace can come first, reconciliation and recognition later.
A bomb blast inside of a joint US/Iraqi base kills 30. The apparent ease of how these bombers get access needs to be looked into, in my opinion.
Raids in Baghdad. In one, 40 Interior Ministry guards are arrested at a secret prison and in another, 20 are killed at a mosque, with the usual confusion about just who was killed.
Europe
Did Russia funnel info on US troop movements during the early Iraq war to Saddam? Perhaps. What would that do for relations?
Hundreds of thousands are expected to be part of a national strike in France, responding to legislation that would make young workers the first to be laid off.
Bush condemns Belarus for cracking down on protestors. They should do like we do and declare specific places, set out of the way, where protests can happen.
Tony Blair says ‘anti-Americanism’ is madness. Perhaps, but sometimes working with America is madness as well. So it will remain a mad, mad world.
North America
Looks like doctor/patient and lawyer/client calls aren’t off limits to the NSA warrentless wiretapping. And the info gathered can be used in court legally. Keep that in mind next time you discuss something personal on the phone.
A bill that would ramp up US laws on Immigration is hotly protested. Bush prefers his own much protested guest worker idea.
Cheney on the attack again.
Even with Terri Schiavo gone, the battle over her continues as her parents and husband spar in books. Personally, I don’t care for either side and both need to move on.
Gas prices are up. Personally, I think they’re gouging. Considering how much they’re raking in for profits, they can afford to give customers a break.
A Draft is undesirable, but would it be fairer?
General
US scientists genetically alter pigs, such that they make beneficial fatty acids. This could one day lead to bacon and pork chops that are healthier. An interesting means of improving the health of the people.
Explainer looks at world passports.
The blogs look at protest in Belarus, the return of Talibanesque law in Afghanistan and the banning of laptops in one University of Memphis law class.
Today’s Papers has reports that the FBI keeps watch lists of activists, note that it is hard to persuade Americans to perform the unskilled jobs that immigrants easily fill, experts conceding that there is little that can be done to stop bird flu’s migration and more in the one page news.
Amusements
Neurotically Yours: CDs
Awesome lego arena
It had to happen sooner or later: Programmable Soda Pop
Founder of IKEA is fourth-richest man in the world but drives a 15-year-old Volvo beater and flies economy-class. So you have at least one thing in common with the fourth-richest man in the world
Terri Schiavo’s parents hope to make March 31st a holiday called “Terri’s Day”, so what are your plans for Terri’s Day?
“Wrap rage,” the condition where you buy a product then can’t get it out of the farking package with anything short of a samurai sword, has produced more than 60,000 injuries in the UK alone
Looking for a place to visit? Try Dublin, Ohio, home to over 100 giant concrete corn-cob sculptures. It’s enough to make you grin from ear to ear
Custom-painted, DVD-player-equipped golf carts replacing cars for morning commute
Eyeball-pear
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these Trader Joe’s bananas
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this old man in front of a sculpture
Fark Photoshop Challenge: <A HREF="http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=1967379″>Theme: Unlikely places for the Kool-Aid man to burst into