News – Pacifist No Longer

Asia/Pacific

Japan’s parliament opens the way toward a referendum on revising their pacifist constitution. I think that it’s a safe bet that Japan is no longer a clear threat to the rest of the world. They can be just like everyone else now, I think.

Middle East

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani opines that US and UK troops must stay for another year or two at least. I wonder if their forces will truly be ready to stand alone by that time.

Iran confirms that they’re holding Iranian-American academic Haleh Esfandiari. As might be expected, the recent history before her detainment is shady at best.

Palestine’s unity government isn’t working so well. Though one factor in that is the lack of diplomatic support from the US, I’d think. Still, the Palestinians have a steady share of blame as well. Personally, I think this could have been handled long ago if all sides of the issue were able to come together to promote security from those militant groups that won’t stand down. The way things are going, we’ll never know.

Africa

Soldiers in Guinea riot as President Lansana Conte fails to turn up to a meeting to hear grievances over pay and housing. Not a good idea, since soldiers are a backbone of order in many countries.

China launches a communications satellite for Nigeria, which should add to the broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband internet services in Africa.

Europe

The US and Poland are soon to begin their negotiations on a portion of the US missile defense shield being placed on their soil. Russia maintains that such a move would destabilize global security. I doubt that, as much as I dislike the missile defense boondoggle.

Americas

Teachers at a US school throw good judgment to the wind by staging a mock gun attack during a class field trip. Yeah.. not a good idea at all.

Scientology just pisses people off. Seriously. Check the vid and you shall see.

NASA shows off the prospective successor to Hubble.

The difficulty in raising the price of Coca-cola.

General

Scientists make plastic blood for use in emergencies.

US researchers are working on robots that use guesswork to navigate unfamiliar surroundings.

The Blogs look at Rudy Giuliani’s pro-choice stance, the future with Gordon Brown, and carcinogenic blow jobs.

Today’s Papers has the second annual rock-paper-scissors tournament in Las Vegas, armed clashes between political sides in Pakistan, the death of Mullah Dadullah in Afghanistan and more in the one page news.

Amusements

I once wrote about Scientology(way back a few years ago, should still be there), but I haven’t thought much about those folk for a while. Did some peeks about Youtube recently and ran across this gem. I love watching people totally embarrass themselves without even knowing it. Total comedy.

Bob Geldof claims Al Gore stole the idea for “Live Earth” from “Live Aid.” Wants credit for inventing the Internet, too

“Frankenberry appointed to county board.” Count Chocula said to be considering run for state legislature

Dentist tackles blowfish fangs. Fish’s annual office visit a teeth-grinding experience

The naked truth on recruiting challenges for nudist colonies

When spending your $200,000 inheritance, it’s best that the benefactor is dead first

Mail falls on mail scanning device, which then beeps. Obviously, this led to evacuations and mayhem

A German sex toy company has been ordered to pay 50,000 euros in damages to two German football stars after selling vibrators named for them during last year’s World Cup

The RIAA is making students an offer they can’t refuse: Pay us $3,000 or we’ll sue you. “Legally, it probably makes sense, because we don’t have the money to fight.”, says one shaken down college student

West Australian motorbikers show how they feel about speed cameras (pic)

Britain’s senior road safety campaigners are calling for a ban on smoking while driving

Don’t bogart that spliff, old timer

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this massive Moroccan mural

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this squatting statue

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: If product placement deals had existed all throughout history…