News – Murphy’s Law Reigns. Things Get Worse

Iraq

The prisoner abuse issue seems destined to grow even further. There are reports of more photos and probe after probe lined up. The Bush Administration continues to downplay the issue as the acts of a few despite the constant refrain of systemic issues which much of the weekend talk has resonated with and the simple fact that it seems likely the true source of this mess has come from higher up than those who will face court martial for their acts. We need to start climbing the ladder to pinpoint the mind that hatched this rotten egg and then shakedown those who agreed with it and had a hand in enacting it. Bush vows to repair our human rights record. Good luck to him, he’ll need it. We’ve forsaken the high moral ground since we decided to get down in the mud with the terrorists and fight more like they do, rather than holding to our ideals, even when pressed by an enemy who doesn’t ascribe to them.

One of the few things that could make things wors for the administration is if the ICC got involved.

A leaked report notes the ICRC saw US troops holding naked Iraqis in the dark in Abu Ghraib last October and was told by an intelligence officer that it was ‘part of the process’. That’s similar to what is being asserted when it comes to the photographed abuses. That it was part of a process. A new published image shows a naked Iraqi cowering from a barking dog. ON Sunday, as I was listening to C-Span, there was a description of other images in a series that included that one. Of the god getting progressively closer, then one which showed the man on the ground with a wound. Suspected to be a dog bite.

Details on Specialist Sabrina Harman and what she’s said about the prisoner abuse.

World papers muse the effect of this scandal. Personally, I think that it will make Iraq much more dangerous for anyone who is marked as American. I’m glad that civilian hostage escaped when he did.

Rummy’s named three of the cadre that will be investigating for the Pentagon. former Defense Secretary James Schlesinger, former Rep. Tillie Fowler of Florida and retired Air Force Gen. Charles Horner. The fourth is still in discussion, thus the name hasn’t been released yet.

US bombers flattened the Baghdad offices of Moqtada al-Sadr today. At least one bomb fell on the building, residing in the Sadr City slum. No report on casualties or collateral damage, though the premises was raided Sunday with two reported arrests, one said to be a Mehdi Army financier. There were notes of clashes in Sadr City between Mehdi militants and US forces, with 19 militants killed.

Why so few Iraqi refugees? Here’s some speculation for ya.

Israel/Palestine

Two Palestinian gunmen dressed as women opened fire on settlers attending a memorial service for a family gunned down in Gaza last week. They were subsequently killed by Israeli soldiers. No Israelis were injured and the attack has been claimed by Islamic Jihad.

Sharon has canceled his trip to the US and told his cabinet that he’ll have a new plan in three weeks. So what’s up with this guy? First he’s coming to the US, then he’s not. Then he’s going to change the plan, but not really, then he’s changing it again? I think his confidence has finally been shaken.

Chechnya

Chechen President Akhmad Kadyrov has left a vacuum of power with his death. He was killed Sunday when a landmine blew at a victory ceremony in Grozny, celebrating the 1945 victory against Nazi Germany.

Korea

Kim Jong-il told Chinese President Hu Jintao last month that he’s willing to freeze some nuke programs, but won’t give them up entirely.

US

Cheney, quite stupidly, tells the press to get off Rummy’s back. No thank you Mr. VP. We don’t care to censor ourselves based on your associative bias. You might think Rummy is the best Defense Sec ever, but that doesn’t mean others have to still their criticism. Right or wrong, they have a right to speak. Let the pundits have at, that’s what they do.

Besides, it isn’t like Rummy will actually be let go. At least, not until the end of this term. Who would replace him? It would have a serous chance of crippling their action while they shift someone new into the position.

Nancy Regan calls for stem cell research to be taken out of the political realm. An interesting development on that issue, though I don’t see it making a dent where Bush is concerned.

Martha Stewart’s lawyers plan to say giving her a prison sentence could cause 500 layoffs in her company. Perhaps, but that’s her stupid fault for doing something criminal. I don’t think anyone convicted of cooperate fraud has ever been given leniency due to the effects their incarceration might have on jobs. If that were true, the last batch of lying old men would have all been spared, cause they did a lot more damage.

The national average gas price nears 2 bucks. I’m sure the heavy SUV drivers are feeling the burn. Sorry folks. You wanted big, so you pay big. Enjoy.

General

The creator of the Sasser worm has been arrested and confessed.

The mercenary market must be booming, Frank Hewetson(Greenpeace covert man) was contacted by Gary Jackson, president of the private security firm Blackwater.

Today’s Papers has the court martial of Army Spc. Jeremy Sivits, Tony Blair apologizing, more and more on Abu Ghraib and other such tidbits.

Amusements

Postmen refuse to deliver mail over fear of “guard cat” The Sun is there.

Airport employee places explosives in passenger’s luggage as part of routine safety test. Hilarity ensues

The best plan for ensuring a calm, orderly flight probably doesn’t include a psycho stewardess freakout

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this room full of sasser-infected computers

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Macaulay Culkin spazzing out at a ballgame

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Something’s not right here… Difficulty: Subtle