News – Jobs and the Cheney Liability

US

An interesting article about jobs in America. There is truth in the fact that jobs going overseas aren’t deadly to the US. However what is an issue is that the government seems disinclined to help those who are put out of work(usually from lower class, low paying jobs) train for new jobs that are coming. I would not feel this twinge against the loss of jobs if the people who are displaced weren’t left without even the slightest hand up. They want to work, but they can’t always just go out and learn new skills, which usually costs both money and time they might not have. In addition to helping reintegrate criminals into society, Bush needs to look into helping the displaced textile workers and phone based help desk folks(among many others) recover from having their livelihoods sent overseas and shift them into new employment so they can work and continue to be a productive part of this country.

The question. Should Bush dump Cheney? Personally, I hope Bush keeps him because the man seems to be a liability to me.

The Pentagon planning space based weaponry? Welcome to the next arms race. Forget the stuff about peaceful exploration, we’ll just turn the space around our planet into a new battlefield.

San Francisco is suing the state of California to strike down its law against gay marriage. Too fast, too soon in my opinion. This is going to be a huge issue during this upcoming election. And if too much happens between now and voting time it could be a liability to more progressive candidates who support gay marriage.

The current state of FBI taps of Voice over IP calls.

Mel’s Movie, if for no other reason, seems set to make a profit on controversy alone. Advance ticket sales are high.

American aviator Gustavus McLeod has ended his attempt to circumnavigate the planet by way of both poles. Antarctica’s harsh climate was the beast that stayed him, but he’s not giving up and seems set to try again later with what he learned this time to augment a second try.

The Pentagon refuses to confirm or deny a published report that the United States plans to begin using the U.S. Army Green Berets as spies in addition to their combat roles. The Defense Department has said that there is no plan to break its rule against solders conducting such missions out of uniform.

Has the Bush political machine slipped a gear? The last six weeks have seemed a bit off, even to republican supporters.

The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign is going to set up a tent city five days before the Republican Party convention in August. It will be dubbed ‘Bushville’. They’ll also be marching at the Democratic Party’s national convention, protesting both sides. Though they don’t plan a little shanty town for that one.

Iraq

Senior Iraqi Intelligence officials think that Syria and Iran are supporting the terrorists who are currently roaming the country. Possible, but they should tighten up any accusations. I’d like to see some evidence, but I’m sire it will be classified.

The Pentagon is pretty sure any new Iraq government would agree to a continued presence of US troops in the country. Unfortunately, they’re likely right. If not because of the simple necessity considering how dangerous the area is, then to let US troops soak up more of the punishment that’s being dolled out.

Iran

Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan sold $3 million in nuclear centrifuge parts. Or so says evidence from a suspected middleman in the alleged transaction.

Haiti

The US is sending some troops to assess the security of it’s embassy. Pressure is being raised on Aristide to resign, to diffuse the violence in the country.

UK

After two years of legal limbo, five of the nine Britons held in Guantanimo Bay are being released. They will be interviewed on return to the UK, and will likely be free afterward.

General

Your software, music, games and other media may soon be imprinted with the seal of disapproval. An ugly, pointless anti-piracy warning sticker or imprint. As if bitching at me in a two minute spot about movie piracy just before a movie I paid money for wasn’t enough to make me want to start pirating, I might have to eye this seal imprinted on the pretty label of my next DVD movie or computer game. I’m tired of being treated like a criminal when I’m one of those who tries to urge people to keep it legal.

“It is our hope that when consumers see the new FBI warning on the music they purchase, both physically and online, they will take the time to learn the dos and don’ts of copying and uploading to the Internet,” said Brad Buckles, vice president of antipiracy at the Recording Industry Association of America. “These are serious crimes with serious consequences — including federal prosecution — if the wrong choices are made about copying or uploading music without permission.”

No, Brad. The real pirates won’t care. The people who don’t give a crap and do it anyway won’t care. Those who don’t know that what they’re doing is pirating won’t care. And people like me who buy fair and square and don’t pirate will get even more pissed off.

Today’s Papers has the obvious fact that the past will come into play in this latest presidentail race, musing on what the new plan will be for Iraq now that caucuses have been abandoned and more tidbits int eh one page news.

Amusements

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Ways to make harmless toys dangerous

Teen Who Took Herbal Stimulant Describes Nightmare