News – Fostering Peace

Middle East

While the nations of the world bungle the path to peace, some make a service so simple and obvious, one wonders why it took so long for it to come to be. The Parent’s Circle, where Israelis and Palestinians are brought together to see and share the pain that both sides have seen due to their conflict. Where two peoples can come to see just how alike they really are and how important peace is. And one aspect of it, a direct phone line between Palestinians and Israelis, began with a wrong number and a spontaneous conversation. I’m waiting for our inept leaders to come up with something so simple and elegant.

Of course Iran’s Revolutionary Guard dismiss the US’ plans to put them on the list of terrorist units. Personally, I don’t see the point other than making it all the harder for the US to get Iran to do anything. Sometimes it seems like our leaders like to make rival countries as impossible to deal with as can be, such that we have something to bitch about every day of the year.

Four Shia and Kurdish parties in Iraq’s government form a new alliance with the express purpose of breaking the current deadlock that prevents the body from doing much of anything. We’ll see, I suppose, if this new cadre will get anything done.

One wonders just how long the isolation of Gaza will continue. Every blow struck against Hamas in this regard is also a blow against the innocent people who just happen to live there.

Africa

International aid group Care has decided to reject $45 million in good aid from the US. They say that it harms local farmers, especially in Africa. USAid says they’re careful about that to ensure there is no such disruption.

Asia/Pacific

As part of their sanctions against Zimbabwe, Australia will be deporting eight students whose parents are senior members of Mugabe’s government.

Stephen King was almost mistaken for a vandal when he popped into an Australian bookstore and just started signing his books. Personally, I love it that he just goes and does that.

Australia joins the US in selectively adhering to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. They’re selling uranium to India, despite their longstanding rule of not exporting to such countries as haven’t signed on. So what is the point of the NPT then?

And now we have Chinese kids doing the preemptive translating on the final Potter novel. It’s a show of just how popular the series is, how intently people need to read the final book. I’m quite curious myself to see how it goes, but I’ve yet to make it to the library to see if copies are there. I hate buying hardcover books and it’ll be a long wait for paperback.

Europe

The Vatican tampering with Wikipedia? Not surprised. Seems a lot of organizations and individuals are intent on adjusting it to fit their views.

A guide to the pension issues that Europe is currently facing.

Americas

Some info on Giuliani’s thoughts toward the Middle East. You can read it for yourself, it’s linked in this article. Take it as you will.

Diebold is on hard times in the voting machine biz. No one wants them. Likely because of their supposed dirty dealings previously.

General

The CD is now 25 years old. Not a bad run thus far, though DvDs have slowly been taking more and more of the market.

Doctors say that clamping the umbilical cord early after birth doesn’t help the mother or child and my actually harm the baby.

Panties from Japan that are impervious to pervs with night vision.

The Blogs look at Giuliani’s foreign policy article, Jose Padilla being found guilty and the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ death.

Today’s Papers has the NYT trying to figure out how much time Rudolph Giuliani actually spent at ground zero, doubt about the conviction of Jose Padilla, the large number of Iraq’s doctors and nurses that have left the country since the invasion and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Undercover police officer’s plan to check bar for underage drinkers fails when he forgets to bring his ID, decides instead to arrest bar owner for “impeding a public officer”

Couple sees Jesus in kitchen cabinet. Apparently the J-man had a wicked forehead tattoo

On the less sinister side of Wikipedia editing, someone in the Tory party central office thinks baby warthogs smell of poo

Taking water through the airport checkpoint? That’s a cavity search. Not taking your shoes of at the airport? That’s a cavity search. Not smiling or looking happy enough at the airport? You better believe that’s a cavity search

Todays “Bank robber captured after leaving his resume and photo at scene” story brought to you by the great sunshine state

Coroner’s assistant sues government because he suffered ‘mental trauma’ after having to deal with dead bodies as part of his job

Hotel mistakes Nobel peace prize winner for bag lady, does the humane thing, throws her out of the building

Wal-Mart comes up with brilliant idea: open some small stores, sort of like a neighborhood grocery. Why didn’t anyone think of this before?

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this cat staring down a garden gnome

Fark Photoshop Challenge: With football season approaching, photoshop this picture of Tom Brady looking very special

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this high-flying poser