News – Militants Made Peaceful

Europe

The IRA is an example of a group that turned away from terrorism. Far from the rule, but a show that there are exceptions when one looks for an answer outside of eradication and has the patience and skill to see in through.

Middle East

Looks like the Iraqis have a new plan to quell the lingering violence. To set up local security committees in areas around the country.

The verdict in Saddam’s first trial is delayed for a review of evidence.

Experts from the UN plan to study the environment in Lebanon to see how Israel’s brief invasion has effected it. Considering that, in one case, oil from the Jiyyeh power station has contaminated a good deal of coast, I’d say the impact was bad.

Condi sez Palestinians “need a government that can engage the international community”. Ok, what is she going to do to aid them in this? Cause the way things are now, it ain’t going to happen, no matter how much she and her proxies badger. Things are going in a bad way. Before I’ve commented on the need of the US to back off. I’ll add an addendum to that. They need to either really get involved or back off. All the US does with Palestine is stick their fingers in, half assist, toss a little money now and then and then help Israel lock down the region when things don’t turn out just how they want. That much bait and switch isn’t helping Palestinians deal with their problems. The lack of money to pay workers, which causes them to riot and generate unrest is a significant reason why things remain hot there and until that’s remedied, one way or another, things won’t get any easier.

If the US is into promoting peace in the region, they need to get serious about being an honest broker for it, looking to and solving the root issues that prevent it from happening(roots which dig deep on both sides). If they aren’t, they need to step back and go on about their business.

Asia/Pacific

North Korea jumps for attention again, saying they’ll test a nuclear bomb. And the world will bite, thus feeding Kim’s seeming insatiable need to be the center of attention.

Australia wants to end the 30 year old practice of closed land for the Aborigines. Currently, you need a permit to enter said lands, which are currently about 20% of the country’s landmass. The government has expressed concerns for the closed societies within those closed lands and that the permit system is an obstacle to economic growth.

Transparency International, an Anti-corruption group, says that China and India are the most willing to pay our bribes to do business overseas. French and Italian firms are the worst when it comes to bribing low income countries. However, the US isn’t at the top of the countries least willing to bribe either. We’re tied for ninth with Belgium. So we have corruption to reduce, still.

Americas

New evidence emerges that former Rep Foley had been showing signs of inappropriate behavior since 1995. If it turns out republican leaders have known about this for a decade.. well, there goes the values vote. Foley has denied actual sexual contact with any of the pages and his lawyer says his client has declared he is gay and was abused at a church in his early teens. Like.. wow.

Republican House leader Dennis Hastert defends his role(or lack thereof) in this and accuses Democrats of point scoring with the issue. Yup, just like Republicans would be shooting for points if the same sort of thing happened to Democrats. Truth is, Hastert had what looks like a closet pedophile making inappropriate advances to young pages for a decade and either didn’t notice or didn’t blow the whistle when he did. The only question is.. did Hastert really know something was up or was he as ignorant as he claims?

Pagans are pushing to have their symbol as one of those placed on the grave markers of fallen US soldiers. Note: Wicca is a recognized religion in the US military. Thus there really is no reason to not allow the symbol on the graves of Wiccan soldiers, save discrimination.

General

A study says that, while breastfed babies tend to have higher IQs, the breast milk itself isn’t why. Research found that breastfeeding mothers tended to be more intelligent, more highly educated, and likely to provide a more stimulating home environment. Interesting.

A report predicts a slow in the booming sale of cellphones. It has to happen eventually, where the sale of phones will even out and get in sync with the rolling birth and death of our population.

Explainer details how the Amish handle modes of transportation.

The Blogs look at Condi’s claim that she doesn’t remember a key 2001 meeting with George Tenet and seek to predict ripples from Rep. Mark Foley’s indiscretion.

Today’s Papers notes that buried deep within an military appropriations bill is a measure setting aside $20 million “for commemoration of success” in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, that the 300 millionth resident of the United States is about to be born, more disturbing disclosures about Monday’s shooting spree at an Amish schoolhouse in Pennsylvania and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Cop dispatched 20 miles out of his way to read the riot act to woman not practicing proper garbage-can etiquette

Newspaper reader writes letter to paper, telling them that she’s leaving town. In the print edition, editor adds, “Good riddance.” Hilarity ensues

“Take your daughter to work” concept goes awry, when guy takes his four-year-old along while he robs churches “because he said they refused him a helping hand”

What’s long, pink and getting surgery for callouses?

FM radio stations run anti-satellite-radio advertising. Satellite radio experiences explosive growth. Marketing 101: Never give free advertising to your competitor

Kentucky fans really know how to celebrate a touchdown bytouching themselves on the sidelines (with great pic)

TV cameraman trying to sneak around school for story on gaps in school security is discovered and cited with criminal trespassing

Now that all its other roads are up to snuff, town council ask to build a bridge for squirrels

Do you and all your neighbors rent their yards for NFL parking spaces at 20 bucks per? Do you not report that income? Do you not want criminals and the IRS to find out? Do not tell the local newspaper all about it

“Prosecutor says, “Clearly, this is an individual who is a ticking time bomb” after a woman attacks people with a pooper-scooper

Woman sends a cell phone photo of her daughter to a family member, family remember receives hardcore porn instead

Two Pennsylvania teens make almost 500 obscene 9-1-1 calls all the while totally unaware of what “Caller I.D.” is all about

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Before and after

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this statue

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: If PETA always had their way…