News – Iraqi Release Confusion

Iraq

The first 100 of 500 Iraqi prisoners have been released. Though that still leaves a significant number of the purported 9,000 that have been taken into custody. How many more of them are innocents who were simply in the wrong place and the wrong time? Some are upset at confusion in how they would be released, the 100 not released at the prison, but bussed off to an undisclosed location to be dropped off.

A US helicopter comes down near Falluja. Eight dead. No information given on if it was taken down by enemy fire or mechanical issues, nor the type of helicopter involved.

One US soldier killed and 34 wounded in a mortar attack on a military base near Baghdad.

The destination of the Iraqi oil industry? A state-run oil company.

The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace says Iraq’s WMD were not an eminent threat. Among other tidbits. Though the source is one most likely to say just what it has. 😉

Israel/Palestine

Could long time foes Lybia and Israel get more friendly now that Lybia has had a change of heart? No official confirmation of discussions, though leaks suggest talks have already happened.

Israel plans to take in the remaining 18,000 Ethiopian Jews. Ethiopia is cool with this, so long as it doesn’t become a mass exodus as it has before.

A view on the Geneva Accord. The argument: It won’t bring peace as it gives away the rights of Palestinian refugees.

Lybia

Talks with US and UK officials will be this week. Lets hope this pans out. It would be nice to have something nice be resolved without bloodshed.

US

Here’s something interesting. Over the new year, teams of scientists were wandering Washington DC, New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles looking for a possible dirty bomb. As I’ve heard, they were in plain clothes with discreetly disguised equipment. Nothing particularly wrong with it, as far as I see, but interesting nonetheless.

Debate remains over Bush’ new immigration reform bill. From what I have gathered of the details, those who are already employed will be given a temporary legal status as well as permission to travel in and out of the country. They’ll have a means to gain full citizenship as well. It will also give the same benefits to those who wish to immigrate and already have a job lined up for themselves in this country. But employers must exhaust attempts to get American works for the jobs first before the position can be offered to immigrants. What is thought of this little proposal? Personally it seems to be alright, since American works get first dibs. But I’m wary and watching the discourse over it.

The Pentagon has resumed mandatory Anthrax vaccination after the judge who issued a stop to it granted a stay order until a trial could be held for six unidentified troops and civilian workers against this policy.

In what seems an amusing irony, the Justice Dept will be appealing to the US Supreme Court to overturn the ruling that Bush hasn’t the power to order an American citizen seized on U.S. soil held as an enemy combatant.

The beef industry is working with Japan to implement safeguards for meat headed their way to resume trade after the Mad Cow scare. Why the hell don’t they do this universally so that their own countrymen can have the same safeguards?

Tech Firms try to defend moving jobs overseas. Ren calls bullshit.

Jeb Bush denies funding to a statewide high speed ground transportation system for Florida, despite it being approved by the Florida Senate and House. Of course, he may have some valid reason. Hmmmm.

General

Comes one of the great debates in modern society. Is Pedophilia(and any number of other related things) a genetic compulsion or nothing more than a nasty, but freely made choice? If it does turn out to be genetic or otherwise heavily influenced by sources other than human will, is it morally wrong to punish rather than treat?

A muse of the moral and ethical concerns of ‘talking’ Mars. Some people have some very worrying views on this subject and various other sticky bits like manifest destiny.

Today’s Papers has estimates of a large percentage of the world’s species dying out in fifty years due to global warming. Budget and deficit worries, departing Iraq WMD searches and other topics are sprinkled into the one page news.

Amusement

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop tricked-out Star Wars droids drag racing.

Burglar has himself packed up in cardboard box, delivered to wealthy home. Suspicious security guards call bomb squad.

TSA: No lines for the airplane bathroom.

Goofy Sues Diseny