News – Political Doings

US

When it comes to Iraq, Bush and Kerry have the same general line. Stay the course. Personally, that’s the one thing I agree with Bush on, though exactly how that course is best stayed differs in my case. Kerry wants Bush to get OPEC lowering oil prices now. A good thing if e want to minimize the impact of a change like that on the election. The prices lowering just before the election could help Bush, but after months and months of terribly high prices, I think it might have the opposite effect.

A document pops up that states that Catholics have to be free of grave sin to receive sacrament. This, of course, has an impact on the thing over Kerry’s pro-choice views motivating some to call for denying him communion. Personally, I think it’s silly. If Kerry’s doing something wrong and God is real(assuming such for the moment), he’ll get his when the time comes.

The election battle is hot on the net. Article has some links to political sites for those who are interested in more.

Bush hails his record on the environment for Earth Day. Many, however, count him among the worst when it comes to environmental record. I suppose it depends on how you spin it.

A California voting systems panel has recommended California drop Diebold.. and perhaps file suit against them

The planners of the Million Mom March are planning a march on Mothers Day to protest letting the assault weapons ban lapse.

Did you know Zacarias Moussaoui is still trapped in the US legal system?

The US House of Representatives approves doomsday legislation to provide for it’s quick replacement in the event of a widespread loss of lawmakers. It provides for emergency elections should more than 100 of the 435 House members be taken out. There should be more legislation like this for all elected members of the government. Keeping a plan for succession is only practical.

IN the conflict over abortion rights, fire tends to be counter productive. Savvy and subtlety in messages is much more effective.

The latest in the draft Hillary movement? Hillary for VP.

Iraq

Shiite fighters traded rounds with Polish or Bulgarian troops in Kerbala. No details have been give on the numbers of the event. South of that, an Italian soldier was wounded when his patrol came under fire near a polling station for a local election in Gharraf. The election was postponed.

Sadr says he could unleash suicide bombers if US forces attack him in Najaf.

An Iraqi suspected of involvement in the bomb attack in Basra came from Falluja. These local origins suggest that at least some of the attacks done are not by alQueda, but by homegrown militants.

Seems the US is putting some pressure on Britain to move their sphere of influence north and provide some more support in the violent areas of Iraq. One might understand should Tony Blair resist this.

Papers muse investigations of the old UN food for oil program.

Israel/Palestine

Israeli troops killed three members of Arafat’s Fatah movement. Likely as part of another sweep.

The young bear the brunt of the conflicts in the region. Not just the bullets, but the hatred that builds with each successive spot of violence.

Letters on Vanunu.

Saudi Arabia

Two suspected Saudi militants were killed after a car chase in Jeddah, one shot by Saudi security, the other blowing himself up.

India

Suspected militants attacked the office of India’s main opposition Indian National Congress party in Kashmir today. They set off explosions and fired at security forces, this coming days before a regional votes in national polls. There are notes of three wounded among the soldiers.

Libya

Bush is finally easing off sanctions on the country in response for it’s general disarming. Now American companies can do business with them and buy their oil.

Korea

A train carrying explosives blew at a station in Ryongchon, North Korea. Around 150 were killed and over 1,000 wounded by the blast, including schoolchildren. A train carrying Kim Jong-il passed through the station nine hours earlier.

Spain

The US has asked the new Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos to help mediate in the situation between Palestine and Israel.

General

Areview for Man on Fire. Sounds somewhat interesting, though a bit brutal. I wonder how much of it they show.

Today’s Papers has an interesting flub from Condi at the bottom, Japanese hostages returning to scorn, and a FOIA request from thememoryhole.org getting pics of flag draped coffins on many a front page.

Mysterious Star Trek prequel movie in the works?

Amusements

Postal worker finds great way to subsidize income, takes packages he’s supposed to deliver and sells contents on eBay

Perfume for dogs. Nuff said.

World’s dummest crime spree of the week includes failing to hotwire two cars, crashing one into a ditch, leaving a bunch of loot on someone’s lawn, and trying to ditch evidence by throwing a stolen chainsaw out the window

Newgrounds: Lost at Sea – This one has mild nudity and usually I avoid that, but the punch line is too good. 😉

Newgrounds: Team Laser Explosion

fark Photoshop Challenge: Pick a color. Photoshop as much of that color as possible into one image. Difficulty: No “Edit > Fill”

fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this NRA convention attendee