News – Now to See if He’ll Work

Middle East

Fresh militant attacks are Abbas’ first challenge of his new term as president of the Palestinian people. He rightly notes that ISrael and the US need to chip in for peace as well, which I hope they will do. Bush says he’ll help and Sharon seems amiable to it, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Palestinians are looking for progress now as are militants who are inclined to give him a chance, so Abbas won’t have it easy.

A string of attacks in Iraq has left 17 dead, further highlighting security concerns for the election.

Charles Graner’s lawyer likens piling naked Iraqi men on top of each other to cheerleader shows and says leashing of inmates is acceptable prisoner control. What planet does this man live on? “Don’t cheerleaders all over America form pyramids six to eight times a year. Is that torture?”, he says. Uh.. yeah. THey do it voluntarily, with clothing on. Biiiiig difference. “You’re keeping control of them. A tether is a valid control to be used in corrections,” he said. “In Texas we’d lasso them and drag them out of there.” Sure, but naked? With them on the ground, like a dog? This man’s obviously trying to soften the image of what happened, but he’s doing a piss poor job of it.

Allawi makes weekly appearances on the US-funded al-Iraqiya channel in a show called The Iraqi Podium. Where Iraqis call in and he plugs his policies.

The devastation of Falluja described, though it will be better describe on what’s likely a UK TV station tonight. Won’t be no elections for the people of Falluja.

Asia

The UN is taking steps to guard against corruption in dealing with the tsunami aid, giving greater access to the figures of how the money is spend to provide greater scrutiny. They’ve also accepted a no fee offer from PricewaterhouseCoopers accounting and consulting to track the money. The firm may also be called to assist in any investigations. Good to see the recent allegations and controversy have left their mark on the UN.

Interpol has launched a Tsunami Victim ID Center to aid in detangling the mystery of identifying the dead.

Aid workers in Aceh are being restricted to two major cities by Indonesian authorities, due to militant threats.

Bush promises long term aid to tsunami victims and I do hope he means that as well.

North America

A lawyer representing two of the british prisoners in Guantanimo says that they and two others will be freed after having been in the prison for three years.

California’s mudslides have resulted in three deaths and ten injuries thus far. The workers rushing to unearth survivors were pulled back late last night when geologists cautioned of the high chance of another mudslide amid steady rain.

Bush vows to be ambitious with Social Security, warning that critics are taking a risk politically by resisting change. Subtle? Nope. LIke he’s one to talka bout taking political risks. All the same, some Republicans are concerned. What I’m hoping is Bush has to give some solid, real numbers to back up that his plan is best to sell it, rather than harping on fear as tends to be his style when it comes to endorsing change. I want to see that this plan will really do what he says, as I’m sure many do.

Bush has picked Allan Hubbard, who was a major fund raiser for his campaign. as his top economic advisor. You can read into that whatever you want.

Arnie unveils his budget for California, which has some major cuts in it.

The Supreme Court refuses to hear a case over Florida’s law against homosexual couples adopting children, the on.y such law in the country. And declined without comment as well. The Supreme court does say that the Klu Klux Klan can participate in Missouri’s Adopt-a-Highway program. I don’t see anything wrong with the Klan picking up trash along a highway, personally. So they get a little sign saying thanks? No biggie.

A US civilian translator for Guantanimo has pled guilty to illegally carrying classified documents outside of Cuba and lying about it.

In an amusing note, Republicans snap at Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly early, snapping up a lot of web addresses he might use for a campaign site should be run for governor in 2006. I dunno about you, but that just seems.. petty.

CBS, said to be guilty of ‘Myopic Zeal’, has fired four employees over the not so recent story about Bush’s military service, which turned out to be less than fact. Hopefully this will give producers pause before they seek to rush through a story without the proper vetting.

General

Some nut sells space on his forehead for advertising on EBay. Oh yeah, humanity is losing it.

Boycott God? Could work. Then again, he might just get nasty.

Explainer muses if commando’s go commando. I wonder if we can get a verdict in from any military folk who might read this diary.

Today’s Papers has the military eyeing 34 former top-Baathists believed to be behind the insurgency, Allawi handing out cash as thanks to journalists who come to his press conference, the White House refusing to reimburse DC the costs of the Bush inauguration(I think DC should cancel the inauguration bash in that case, ratherthan be left 12 million in the hole) and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Wealthiest residents of Phoenix repeatedly robbed by sophisticated rock-throwing burglars

Toilet-seat museum showcases Elvis, mounted insects, ash from Mount St. Helens

High school principal, fed up with students “freak dancing,” cancels every school dance planned for the year. Also wants students wrapped in cotton wool all year round and going outside to be declared too dangerous

Ten students strip searched for missing $10 bill

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this castle and its unique topiary

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Photoshop unlikely encounters