News – Hope and Hope Again

Middle East

Dare I hope? A ceasfire agreed to on all sides between Palestinian and Israel? Raids stopped, rockets stopped(save for some asshats)? Ehud Olmert talking up the old peace plan? I’ve hoped before, I’ll hope again. We need peace in the region. Best case, all sides agree and work toward it together, to stop the violence, stop the killing for all. One truly hopeful sign is this: “We will agree to leave large territories and dismantle settlements that we established.” This would be a real big sticking point when it comes to some Palestinians. If Israel can compromise in that area, we might have a real chance here. The hardcore Zionists might have a cow over it, but that’s their problem. Peace and the steadiness of life without fear of death and destruction of property means more than a little extra landmass. Same goes for the more radical Palestinians. Now is a time for moderates to step forward.

On the downside Khaled Meshaal, the exiled political leader of Hamas, warns that without an agreement on a Palestinian state within 6 months, there would be another intifada by Palestinians. Hopefully he’s just blowing smoke out his ass. We need steady calm, not bullshit posturing.

Muslim scholars are calling for an end to female genital mutilation and calling for punishment for any who do it, saying that it has no religious justification.

Iraiq PM Nouri Maliki blames Iraq’s deteriorating security situation on politicians, not the insurgents(He’s not doing so good himself). Suffice to say, both have their hands in it. Iraq’s leaders aren’t stepping up and pushing forward and the insurgents are hardly helping with their constant attacks. As well, US authorities have failed in guiding said Iraqi politicians sufficiently to show them the way forward without handholding them every step of the way. They’ve not taught a man to fish, as the old saying goes.

Africa

The head of Somalia’s Union of Islamic Courts, the Islamic body that has come to control much of Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed says his forces are ready to face an attack by Ethiopia. Last Thursday, Ethiopia’s PM claims that the UIC had declared holy war on his country. Ethiopia’s leaders also deny they’re supporting the weak transitional government that the UIC has all but pushed out, but the PM admits to having hundreds of military trainers in Somalia. What a mess, eh?

The UN is concerned that the conflict in Somalia will hamper efforts to deliver aid to hundreds of thousands who were hit my severe flooding.

Asia/Pacific

Looks like Thailand’s temporary military leaders are looking to relax the state of martial law imposed after their coup. This is good, since it indicates they believe things are quieting down. Lifting it, even in part, will lift a burden from the minds of many I suspect.

With Vietnam’s robust economic growth, the young can look outward.

Europe

Talks between Turkey and the EU over Cyprus have broken down, another stumble in Turkey’s bid to enter the EU.

Speaking of which, the Pope will be entering Turkey on a dangerous trip to meet with and perhaps reconcile with Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians. He will, of course, be met with many a protest But hopefully it will end there, with no attempts on his life.

Americas

New York authorities are scrambling to contain the anger risen after police killed three unarmed black men, one a groom on his wedding day. The incident happened after a stag party at a strip club in Queens. It seems to me the police were a bit too quick, and some too eager, to shoot. One emptied two clips. It doesn’t speak of any warnings or commands given to the drivers of the car, though the driver did a wrong by smashing twice into an undercover police van. All in all, a bad mess to deal with for all involved.

David Blaine is a freaking lunatic. That is all.

The dollar is weakening. That soft of bucks against the claim that the US economy is doing fine.

A video game commissioned by the US Army, to be used as a recruitment tool, portrays the US military(in 2015) as being an invulnerable high-tech machine. Basically, it’s designed so that it’s hard to lose, with enemies that don’t learn from experience and tech that never fails. Other than that(and the fact that it was paid for with tax dollars), it seems to be a good game according to critics.

General

A new scanning technique can help detect dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart becomes weakened and enlarged. This condition can cause sudden death in people due to a weak heart, making early detection a key to survival.

UN negotiations on fisheries have ended without a global ban on trawling methods that destroy coral reefs and fish nurseries. Thus the greedy can continue to rape and destroy the land, ensuring their children have even less to exploit in the future.

A breakdown of new TV tech that has shown up as of late.

Computer Security officials warn about the DMG bug in Apple’s OSX operating system. Take care with the disk images you use on your machine.

Uwe Boll, director of various not so hot game based movies, takes on his critics in the boxing ring. I do have to say, though.. his movie, House of the Dead, sucked a big one and Alone in the Dark was ok, but not great.

Explainer talks about how airlines set their ticket prices. There’s also a look at how tasers work.

Do people prefer freedom from fear over the freedom to vote? An interesting question to consider when looking at Iraq. Might have been easier start with authoritarianism, then move to more freedoms from there after stability was achieved. Of course such debates are limited to the vaguries of the hypothetical.

The Blogs look at Lebanese bloggers taking on the assassination of Pierre Gemayel and American bloggers on the passing of Robert Altman.

Today’s Papers has how some mainstream journalism Web sites are beginning to use in-text advertising, concerns that cell phone towers might be detrimental to the lives of birds, how militia members were integral in helping civilians in the aftermath of the deadly attacks in Sadr City last week and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Mark Fiore: Still Decidin’

Sheboygan family surprised to wake up to a wise man tied up with police tape, nine reindeer and two penguins in their front yard. With video report

Good: finding loose change under the seat of the used car you just bought. Better: finding 22 pounds of pot

If you’re a white town manager, don’t call your black assistant “mammy”. If you get caught, don’t apologize by saying that you love Aunt Jemima

If you’re Christmas shopping for that one thing that nobody else has, check the landfill in Aspen, CO. You never know what Costner’s gonna throw away this week

DEA spends millions tracking down the guys selling Viagra and Levitra on-line. We’re all so much safer now that these hardened criminals are off the street

The only thing worse than getting burglarized is getting burglarized and THEN having the outraged burglar turn you in to the police for kiddy porn

Behold The power of accidental video game porn

Atheist dismissed from art school over student’s belief in leprechauns. You’re magically expelled

Survey finds half of all teacher’s dont know how to use apostrophes

French singer shocked when fan asks him to sign her vibrator: “I was naive and didn’t realise what it was until it started buzzing”

World of Warcraft player banned, threatens suicide if his account is not reinstated. From there the story gets interesting

Once again, Dave Barry helps you out with what to get those pesky relatives this Christmas

Four students suspended over a parody movie made about a teddy bear that kills teachers. Teddy Ruxpin not available

Homeowners association bans the display of a divisive and satanic symbol. You know, a peace sign wreath

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop some brie, a key and a bee

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this carved panel

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this guy in da hood. Difficulty: No Palpatine