News – Judging the Trial

Middle East

I wonder if the trial against Saddam is going as well as it should. Real evidence that would be needed for a legal conviction isn’t exactly being revealed. And Saddam seems to be taking canny advantage of the court whenever he can.

Iran’s big kahuna makes news again by opining that Israel should move to Europe. Personally, I think they should move too, from a purely practical point of view. They need a place where they won’t be in the middle of a whole lot of people who have a long running dislike for them. Founding Israel where it is now, while understandable from a biblical point of view, was just plane stupid from a logical point of view.

A banned Islamist group blamed for bombings in Bangladesh threatens to kill more women if they don’t wear the veil. Par for the course from people like that, sadly.

Asia

The UNs special envoy for human rights in North Korea notes the deplorable conditions in the country. Of course, if you’re going to go aggressively after North Korea on that note, you can’t expect much cooperation in other places. Constantly hounding someone on multiple issues tends to cause them to go into defense mode. Rather than aggressive moves, it might be better to look to more constructive moves.

Europe

Human Rights Watch claims that Poland was, until recently, the center of the alleged CIA secret detention network.

North America

We have three plans for Iraq withdrawal here. Which is the best? Personally, I like the idea of partial withdrawal, with a smaller force staying on in the country, and a bit larger ‘horizon’ force to play cavalry just in case. They key to any continuing strategy in Iraq needs to, in my opinion, make sure that Iraq’s forces are pushed to the fore, to test and critique their status with serious real world tests. That’s happening now on a smaller scale, but I don’t feel they’ve had a true test yet.

Congress is near a deal on a bill that will ban torture. I wonder if Bush will use one of his rare vetoes to squash this if it comes out.

Condi’s defense of US treatment of detainees wins a reprieve from focused concern from our allies. But that likely won’t last long.

Arlen Specter plans to launch a formal inquiry into the treatment of Jose Padilla by the Justice Department.

Reports opine about the possible economic effects of a bird flu outbreak in the US. Suffice it to say, such an event would further exasperate the condition of our economy. This is the danger of spending big and planning on returns in the future. If the future includes disasters, those plans are for nil and naught. Pity we don’t have a comfortable surplus to fall back on in case of dire need for cash.

Explainer delves into bombs and bullets. As in, can one set off the other?

General

Bringing life to the stagnant adult toy industry.

Sales in Viagra declining?

Today’s Papers has FEMA’s second criticizing government Katrina plans, cracks appearing in Iran’s coalition government, Iraqis more engaged in the vote and more in the one page news.

Amusements

It’s that magical time of year again, when the snowflakes are falling and a camera is strapped to the head of the president’s dog

Help-desk workers eagerly looking forward to Christmas and calls from people who can figure out how to use a phone but not a USB connection

Just in time for the holidays: The classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” done by bunnies in 30 seconds. Repeat from last year, but funny all the same

Cop — in trouble for stealing a skull fragment from accident scene in order to make a killer ashtray — is appealing his punishment

Top 10 legal tips for your office Xmas party. Tip No. 11: Don’t invite the lawyers

Dallas police close down Dealey Plaza after finding “a plywood rat maze scrawled with prophetic messages and attached to a kitchen timer.” Not sure why anyone would freak out about that

This week’s dumbass burglar, who left footprints in the snow that went from the scene of the crime directly to his front door, brought to you from Lansdale, PA

Good: You beat the cops in a high-speed chase. Bad: you’re so drunk you pull over and pass out and they catch you. Worse: you’ve got a bag of cocaine up your butt. Fark: You eat it

2005 list of banished words

Sheriff’s deputy arrests man in banana suit weilding prop knife; “Oh my God, don’t shoot the banana” goodness ensues

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop an awkward video game scene

Fark Photoshop Challenge: TFer Ignorant McNugget and his musical associates are in desperate need of a new look. Photoshop one for them

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Fark.com wrapping paper

PS: Got some snow in your area yet? We had our second significant snow here, though it was shifted to rain by morning. Making for a real slush factory out there now.