News – Outsourcing Security

North America

Apparently, the White House and company approved the handing over of security for several America ports to a company based in the UAE. Disregarding economic and security concerns, this was a political blunder of the highest order. Handing over any kind of direct, in country US security to any Middle Eastern entity is just plain ignorant of the political climate today. Even worse, it’s a state-owned company. Personally, I don’t think anyone outside of this nation should be dealing with our security. Period. Not even the UK, our closest ally. More recently, Bush has been given some breathing room on the issue, as the state-owned company announces a delay in taking charge.

Condi went over there to assure the UAE that Bush is with them on the deal. Too bad much of the nation isn’t, since supposedly it’s the people that have the power in our nation.. right? A pity Bush didn’t pull all of this crap he is in his first term, we might not have had to deal with him for a second.

The mistaken reclassification of documents formerly declassified. They can’t even honestly say that this reclassification is for matters of national security, since some of the reclassified docs are merely embarrassing, not dangerous. For example: ..one document reveals that, in the fall of 1950, the CIA predicted the Chinese would not intervene in the Korean War; 12 days later, they did. What national security interest is served in reclassifying this? The step back from more governmental openness is disturbing, but then our government has been disturbing in general, as of late.

Yet another set of document newly made public, this one showing that the FBI accused US military personnel at Guantanimo of using illegal “aggressive interrogation tactics” on detainees, only to have the brass reject their concerns. Wait, it gets better.. The FBI said the military’s techniques, which involved homosexual pornographic movies, loud music and the Israeli flag, not only were illegal but were ineffective. Wow.. just wow.

Lawyers for Lewis Libby ask the court to toss out charges of perjury against him, charging that the prosecutor in the case was improperly appointed.

The plan to effect change in Iran by a massively funded program of funding internal opposition to the current regime will be counterproductive to our goals.

A guide to Bush critics with pro-Bush backgrounds.

The lack of vetoes in Bush’s presidency.

Middle East

A former Israeli security chief says that Ismail Haniyah, the man chosen by Hamas to be Palestinian PM, could be targeted for assassination if Hamas conducts a suicide bombing on Israel. And what if some other group attacks Israel? What will the US do if Israel assassinates a legitimate member of a country’s government? When is this bullshit going to settle so we can have some peace?

A curfew in Baghdad as the leadership seeks to curb sectarian violence sparked byt eh bombing of a Shiite mosque. This is the sort of fire that we had hoped wouldn’t be sparked, but knew was a possibility. Quelling this will be a ‘good’ test of the new government. Not that deadly violence is ever good. One question to consider is when this violence will achieve the title of ‘civil war’.

Bush looks to seal nuclear deal with India during his visit next week. The US is now seeking to make absolutely sure that the nuclear tech they give is separate entirely from India’s military nuclear tech.

General

The Blogs look at the violence sparked by a Shiite mosque bombing and the South Dakota Senate’s approval of a ban on virtually all abortions.

Today’s Papers has the White House’s “lessons-learned” report on Katrina and lots of added detail on the current situation in Iraq.

Amusements

Neurotically Yours: User Agreement

Mark Fiore: Destroyer Dick

It’s probably not a good idea to celebrate getting your driver license by getting nailed doing 1.5 times the speed limit

ITunes hits billionth download. Lucky downloader will receive $10K iTunes card, new computer and eternal embarassment for having downloaded Kevin Federline’s “Popozao”

Question: What kind of moran doesn’t know The Daily Show is a spoof? Answer: The governor of Illinois

Bush aide: “Worrying about the UAE port scandal aids and comforts our enemies”

Fifteen percent of Las Vegas teens have fallen asleep at school. Rather than teach kids about time management and tell them to go to bed earlier, parents propose school start later

Family makes teen stand on busy street corner holding up a sign after he gets suspended from school for 5 days for using foul language

Midwest company fined for selling gas too cheaply

School bans idiot for getting stupid spiral haircut. The Sun is there, and they brought a camera

Good: Your suck-ass NBA team got a good player in a trade. Bad: When he comes to town he’s required to register as a sex offender

<A HREF="http://www.tampabays10.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=25949″>Home owners on the golf course upset that someone keeps breaking in their homes and stealing all their beer

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Advertisements on police cars.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this cow gatekeeper

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Toymakers increasingly incorporating iPods into kids’ products. Photoshop the not-so-hot sellers.