News – Personal Stories be Damned

North America

most Democratic senators seem set to vote against confirming Alberto Gonzalez, though his eventual confirmation as Attorney General seems inevitable. Listening to C-Span this morning, I could only smirk as majority leader Frist pimped Gonzalez’s ‘American Dream’ story as a reason to confirm him. Personally, I don’t care about his personal story, I care if he’ll do the job right. I’m growing quite weary of a qualification for high office being some manner of impressive, tear jerking personal story. It’s a stupid reason to approve someone for any job.

Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid considers Bush’s personal retirement account plan DOA. A bit premature to think so, but it will be a hard sell by the look. Bush might get more support if he laid out some specifics, but so far most of what we’ve gotten on the subject have been outlines and philosophy.

With the obvious need to curb deficits, it isn’t surprising to note that Bush is likely to freeze spending increases on anything save defense.

A government study says that half of bankruptcies are caused by medical bills and most of those sent into debt by them are middle class workers with health insurance.

The government will be in competition for workers, many to replace those whoa re aging and leaving. Seems to me all the government needs to do is siphon some money into training to widen the pool of available bodies, which would be returned by the taxes on the wages of these new employees.

The Human Nature blog notes, among other things, that the government will allow Viagra to be covered by Medicare. Just when you thought government couldn’t get more dumb, they show another step in the breakdown in differentiated necessary from elective medicine.

A plan is being drafted that will take the government out of passenger bag screening and open up management of the system to private companies.

If only we could hash out some real decisions on the status of Guantanimo detainees.

Middle East

Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution and leader of the United Iraqi Alliance, a Shiite political group, is already claiming victory in the elections, his coalition expected to gain the most in the polls.

Sharon has accepted Egypt’s offer to join a Middle East peace summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh next week. Another good step.

Hamas and seven other militant groups are threatening to end their cooperation with the ceasefire unless Israel commits itself to ending raids and killings in the occupied territories. I would think it in Israel’s best interest to comply for the time being, yet they don’t. It would avail them of being the ‘bigger man’ group and return the ball to the militant’s court for proper action.

The US military is investigating after four detainees were killed and six injured when troops opened fire on a crowd to put down a riot in a southern Iraq prison camp.

There is a new video out with insurgents claiming to have a US soldier captive. The US military says no soldiers have been reported missing. The militants say he will be put to death in 72 hours if Iraqi prisoners aren’t released.

The Muslim Clerics’ Association, a group of Sunni clerics, have stated their belief that the Iraq election lacked legitimacy. “These elections lack legitimacy because a large segment of different sects, parties and currents with their influence in Iraq boycotted .. This necessarily means the coming national assembly and government that will emerge from it will not possess the legitimacy to enable them to draft the coming constitution or sign any security or economic agreements,” they said.

Rice suggests the US could train and equip Palestinian forces. Obviously. It’s something we should have considered before when badgering the Palestinians to stop terrorism in their region.

Europe

Nepal’s king continues to configure his government drawing condemnation from United States, neighboring India, Britain and the United Nations. The old boy seems to have a little too much power if you ask me, though the people seem anything but heartbroken.

The Pope recovers after a fit of laryngospasm — a blockage of air to the lungs. I think it’s about time to retire the Pope, I wouldn’t at all be surprised if he collapsed during an appearance. And what would that do for the flock, do you think?

Asia

A Sri Lankan court has ordered a DNA test on a baby that a couple are claiming is theirs, to be certain they are it’s biological parents. The baby, saved from debris by rescuers has had nine women, but only one couple claim it.

Bill Clinton has been chosen by the UN as their envoy to ensure the reconstruction effort for the Asian tsunami victims remains a high-profile operation. Not a bad choice given the goal.

General

Management at Microsoft is irked by the popularity of the iPod amongst employees on the Redmond corporate campus. I find the whole thing amusing in an ironic sense.

Even when you have agreement that Biodiesel is the future, you don’t necessarily have agreement on how it will manifest.

HP is touting progress on making computers even smaller. Watch out, readers, the days of wrist computers are closing in.

A new study says that 10,000 premature births could be prevented if expecting mothers were given hormone treatments.

Biometrics inserted into a firearm could lead to ‘smart’ guns that will only fire when in the hands of their designated owner. It would be a good leap forward in getting guns out of the hands of criminals(and kids). At the very least, firearms couldn’t be stolen, then immediately turned on their users. A tight system would require concerted effort to break.

Are imaginary friends good for kids?

Explainer details ‘death row syndrome’.

Today’s Papers has turf battles in the Department of Homeland Security, Egypt cracking down on opposition candidates, some claims of election irregularities in the Iraq election and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Founder of British PETA auctioning off her tatoo, complete with skin

If you want to avoid being arrested for DWI, maybe you should avoid leaving a trail of sparks behind you from driving home on your rims

Owner of popular New York restaurant brags about tossing Joaquin Phoenix, Paris Hilton, Courtney Love and Mark Wahlberg out on their collective asses

AP falls for picture of a 1/6-scale GI Joe action figure portrayed as American hostage

Fark Photoshop Challege: Theme: Nightmarish Super Bowl snacks

Fark Photoshop Challege: Photoshop whatever happened to: Anthony Michael Hall

Fark Photoshop Challege: Photoshop this lone patron waiting for the next installment of “Police Academy”