News – Military Intelligence?

North America

How does the military make up for the recruiting shortfall? They let the standards for recruits slip. The writer of this article notes the number of Category IV recruits(who score the lowest third in their aptitude tests) are rising fast. One wonders how well the military would be keeping up with recruiting goals if it wasn’t lowering standards. Studies have shown that those who score low on aptitude tests are less efficient than recruits who score well, exceptions to the rule noted. If this trend continues, our generally agreed upon status of having one of the words better militaries could be in danger due to corruption from within.

Bush must not feel comfy with public opinion, since he plans to speak to the Veterans of Foreign Wars about his expectations for Iraq in 2006. He rarely speaks, save when he’s looking to score PR points. Or head off outrage.

Alito says he’ll be one of those equal justice guys. Personally, I don’t know. I’ve heard both sides and I don’t trust either one. Likely he will be confirmed.. then we’ll see what he will and won’t do.

Delay’s attempts to have criminal charges against him squashed are denied. He’ll have to do things the hard way.

Explainer looks at how much information a hospital can give on a prominent patient.

Middle East

State appointed Saudi Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Sudeis tells Muslim pilgrims marking the climax of haj that the west uses the phenomena of terrorism to scare people away from Islam and discredit legitimate Muslim causes. I’d not disagree with that, I’m sure some do. All? No.

Evidence exists that Bush has floated the idea of bombing AlJazeera, revealed by two Britons who are now under charges because of revealing the information. Is it authentic? Personally, I can believe it.

Bombers can still slip past security in Iraq to cause their mayhem. If this place was under Iraqi security, it doesn’t speak well for their ability to protect.

General

The Blogs look at the opening hearings on Alito and Delay giving up the ghost on being majority leader.

Today’s Papers has the IRS ceasing to provide records on its audits, the inability of our emergency room system to handle mass casualties, the kidnapping of Jill Carroll a stringer for the Christian Science Monitor and more in the one page news.

Amusements

DeLay to be replaced by either Blunt or Boehner. In other news, hilarious names now being used to distract public from scandals

Newspaper writer has apparently discovered this new game called Dance Dance Revolution. Also heard tell of rumors about the dangers of this Italian plumber and his “magic mushrooms”

Bush signs into law a prohibition against being a web or email troll without providing your real name

In possibly the perfect Fark story, meet Dr. Bone the Transexual Gynaecologist

Senator Ted Kennedy to publish children’s book describing a “day in his life.” Most of the pages said to be somewhat blurry

SCOTUS refuses to intervene on behalf of online-dating service that was upset because University of Texas blocked thousands of their spam emails

Twenty-one percent of Americans surveyed think the best way to accumulate several hundred-thousands of dollars is through the lottery

Black British police officer sues over being over-promoted due to political correctness — and wins

Man gets stuck in washing machine while playing hide-and-go seek with his kids. (with pic he probably wishes would never see the light of day)

Man, attempting to show drunken friends how he got his junk caught in mousetrap, accidentally manages to do it again

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop a pun or double entendre

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Today’s Iron Photoshop ingredient: Gumby, damn it

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Celebrities’ new year resolutions