News – Lahoud Speaks Out
Middle East
Lebanon President Emile Lahoud criticizes the UN for failing to stop Israel’s “barbarous aggression” in the past Lebanon conflict. He also believes he has a right to bring Israel to an international court to receive compensation for damages. Personally, I agree. After all, Israel went out of their way to destroy infrastructure. Not as collateral damage, but as primary targets. Who pays for it? We do, because there’s no way in hell Lebanon could float that sort of reconstruction in its current state.
Hezbollah is being loud again, planning a victory rally in Lebanon. Of course, given Israel’s mission and the spectacular failure that it was, I suppose they have some reason to think they won. Small solace to those who lost lives, family and property during the battle. There is possibility that Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah, might attend. Worse thing I could think that might happen? Israel might try and hit him there. Succeed of fail, that would be a bad move.
The issue of Israel is still a sticking point for Palestinian politicians. Of course, the dividing line is again between Fatah and Hamas.
The ‘Quartet'(US, EU, Russia, UN) backs the formation of a unity government in Palestine. Obviously. Question is, will Abbas be able to produce precisely what they want?
Iraqi Kurds getting secret military training from Israel? That could cause a stir amongst conspiracy theorists in the Middle East. You know how they like to think Jews are everywhere behind the scenes. Last thing they need is a new nugget of truth to keep their obsession alive. Also, Israel’s government has said it will investigate this, as this sort of thing is against Israeli law. Think about it.. if this is true and the Israeli government doesn’t know about it, who is behind it?
Torture in Iraq worse after the fall of Saddam? For as long as this sectarian violence lingers, likely.
Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says he’s not anti-Semitic and that he respects Jewish people. Hmmm.
The last two months have seen a new record high in civilian deaths. Over 7k of them. Things aren’t getting better.
Sadly, looks like the Israeli right-wing will be a winner in the wake of the Lebanon conflict. Just what we need, more warhawks leading Israel. Care for another decade of conflict and disaster in the region?
Asia/Pacific
Amnesty International says that China has failed to improve its human rights record ahead of the 2008 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee, however, says it’s too soon to say China has failed outright.
Cambodia’s government is looking to crack down on “pernicious modern influences”, which includes action being taken against everything from adultery to video phone calls.
Europe
The Pope continues to try and ward off the ire his last speech brought about, set to meet with envoys from several countries in the Middle East. Next time the Pope should speak in his own words, rather than using the quotes of others. Especially those as obviously inflammatory as the one that started all this.
Americas
Elfriede Rinkel, 84 year old widow, was deported from the US when it emerged that she had been a Nazi concentration camp guard. A fact that she had kept secret.
“Concentration camp guards such as Elfriede Rinkel played a vital role in the Nazi regime’s horrific mistreatment of innocent victims,” Assistant Attorney General Alice Fisher said. “This case reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to remove Nazi persecutors from this country.”
Ok, but keep in mind a few things. Firstly, she was married to a Jewish man in this country. She gave to Jewish charities and by all accounts was a kind person in this country. All things considered, I think it was wrong to kick her out. To me, it looks like she’s been atoning for those things she did in her past. I think it might be time to reevaluate a strict, no exceptions law on departing those who participated in Nazi-led persecution. There should be room for those who change, if only to encourage others with an open show of forgiveness for those who recant.
Bush has reached a compromise with the Republican senators who stayed the bill on detainees he wanted. The compromise legislation it is clear that torture is barred from use against detainees and has more guidelines on evidence for detainee trials. All in all not too bad a compromise by the look.
Teens in a stolen car breech security at MacDill Air Force base, blasting through the gates only to be taken in my police later. Just goes to show they need a means to stop cars from just cruising into the base until admitted.
The war in Iraq has left is with a lot of young people missing a limb or two. Scientists are now competing to try and generate tech to regrow missing limbs. That would be a boon to all levels of society.
Need more reasons to hate the Congress? Here are three to get you going.
General
How’s this for uncomfortable? Some parents have been selecting defects for their soon to be born children, such as deafness, so that they’d match the characteristics of their parents.
The word’s first human penis transplant, with an amusing title for the article.
The Blogs look at the latest polls, Democrats defending the president and the pre-Ryder Cup media circus surrounding Tiger Woods and his wife.
Today’s Papers has Wal-Mart’s decision to offer generic drugs for as little as $4 to insured and uninsured patients alike, the CDC’s new recommendations that an HIV test be part of the routine battery of blood tests offered to all patients, an update on “Able Danger” and more in the one page news.
Amusements
Neurotically Yours: Evil Corporate Zombies
I-Mockery’s ultimate guide to the Halloween candies of 2006 (over 30 different candy varieties reviewed)</A>
X-E looks at some of the best new Halloween candy for the 2006 season
Only in Oregon: Naked man gets trapped by high tide
Step 1: Submit fake obituary of girlfriend’s son to newspaper. Step 2: Use obituary to request day off from work. Step 3: Profit. No, wait… step 3 is “go to jail”
Not news: 120 illegal aliens rounded up. Semi-news: They were working on a military base. Fark.com: Within a mile of top-secret global surveillance and missile early-warning facilities
Mississippi mayor leads group of teenagers with sledgehammers in smashing up house that he claimed was drug den. Police forced to explain the “nobody is above the law” rule to him
Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze, was climbed by locals out for shiats and giggles a half-century before any professional climber “conquered” it, country’s climbing association red-facedly admits
George Bush, at the Waldorf in NYC, welcomes Mahmoud Abbas to “Washington, D.C.”
List of delicious junk food introduced in the 1980s
The VA is $3 billion in the hole this year because they forgot there was a war going on in Iraq when they submitted their budget
PTA survey given to parents asking if they would be interested in volunteering. The last option on the list: “No, I do not want to get involved. I want my children to be thieves, drug addicts and prostitutes”
Drunk and attacking a biker gang is dumb–getting run over by yer own car afterwards is just pathetic
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop a creep, something deep, and a marshmallow peep
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these lion fountains
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this tropical ruin
What nonsense. He was speaking in an academic setting, where quotes and references are used all the time. His fault was not making it clear whether or to what extent he agreed with the comments he quoted.
Warning Comment