News – How to Gauge Effectiveness?

Middle East

The Pentagon says they’ve captured a key Zarqawi operative. I wonder.. key to what? They’ve noted getting ‘key’ people before, but to what end? What do these key folk unlock? It would be nice to be able to see some tangible evidence(besides the false assertion of we haven’t been hit again, so we’re doing well) that there is something behind these claims. Air Force Gen. Richard Myers says this capture was “going to hurt that operation of Zarqawi’s pretty significantly.” Not if Zarqawi is a good leader, in which case the man captured will be quickly replaced and the operation will continue to roll.

In the wake of a suicide bombing in Israel, their forces raid a major West Bank city, it had handed over to Palestinian security control four months ago. Again, instead of trying to work with the Palestinians, they act on their own. An act that further sours relations, which will be important after the disengagement.

Fighting the opium trade in Afghanistan has been going poorly. Unless the raising of poppies is reduced, Afghanistan will remain a country in trouble, I think.

More fears for sectarian turbulence after an incident in which ten of eleven Sunni men arrested by Iraqi anti-terrorist forces die after they were held in a police truck for up to 14 hours in the hot sun.

North America

Democrats suggest Hispanics for the Supreme Court. Personally, I find the fervor of both sides in pushing for minorities and women specifically to be annoying. I’m all for equal opportunity, but gender and culture should be the last thing looked at, behind experience and past history.

There has been an expressed lack of confidence in Jerry Jennings, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Prisoners of War/Missing Personnel Affairs, who has been said to show anger, hostility and disdain toward families of missing soldiers.

Now we watch to see if Rove goes under over the Plame incident. For Rove’s benefit, previous ‘death watch’ columns have been off the mark. Perhaps this one will be too.

Should Gonzalez be the guy liberals are pushing for?

General

Today’s Papers has Rove being canned for previous info leaks, an administration-delivered preview of the latest budget numbers, further info on the London bombing and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Marc Anthony refuses to draw a caricature of himself for celebrity charity auction. Writes “F**k You” on the paper instead and hands it back to organizers

Sheriff says monkey “made a fool of himself” after escaping from his cage and biting passerby

Woman fleeing Hurricane Dennis arrested for trying to cut past 60 cars in line at gas station and trying to run over woman who complained

The only thing sadder than a “wardrobe malfunction” that sparks national outrage is a calculated one in which even the performer’s fans don’t care

Police arrest motorist who intentionally ran over 17 street signs, then surrendered to authorities with a sock over his head

Shirtless teen, busted for underage drinking, spices up his mug shot with equal parts “The Thinker” and a Run-D.M.C. photoshoot. The Smoking Gun is there

Chinese restaurant requires Japanese diners to apologize for their country’s wartime occupation before they’re allowed to take a seat

It’s tough to deny owning an illegal gun when you have an exact match tatooed on your body

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Childrens books come to life

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this man striking a pose in front of an F-40 and an Enzo

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this big chair