News – Politicians and Porn

Americas

Match the Porn with the Politician that Wrote It. They’re all perverts, get used to it.

An outside privacy and security advisory committee to the Department of Homeland Security writes a report that concludes the government should not use chips that can be read remotely in identification documents. The report remains in draft, safely out of sight while the government continues on its merry way. We’re supposed to trust these jokers?

Blogs from US military soldiers are under scrutiny for ‘security risks’ and many are going quiet. Given how loosely this government tosses around the secrecy tag, the cynical side of me rises again.

Bush reminds the nation that the US doesn’t torture, despite Cheney’s admission that he’s cool with water boarding. Americans have a right to be confused, considering how much doublespeak is said on the torture issue. Personally, I err on the side of believing them capable of and willing to torture if they feel the need, thus all their assurances that the US doesn’t torture amount to naught with me.

Michael Jackson pops back into the public view for the World Music Awards in London. He’s been living in the Middle East since his acquittal from charges in 2005.

Middle East

The Palestinian village of Wadi Fukin has sat where it sits for a long time. Soon, it will be sandwiched between the Israeli security barrier on one side and an ultra orthodox Jewish settlement on the other. Much of their farmland has been taken, confiscated by Israel, which cuts off their livelihood. Fortunate for them, they have allies within Israel who have been fighting hard for them.

There is accusation that private security firms are committing human rights abuses against Iraqis. And, despite the complaints of abuse, no prosecutions have been brought. While I think no one should be falsely accused, if someone is doing improper things they need to be held accountable. There needs to be a leash on these private security firms for just that reason. If for no other reason, then to prevent them from making the effort to win ‘hearts and minds’ harder.

A far right party is oked into Israel’s government coalition. To me, this adds to the gulf that must be crossed to garner peace. And all so Olmert can retain his grasp on power.

Israel confirms an incident took place, involving Israeli fighter jets and a German naval vessel, but denies the jets fired two shots. An Israeli military spokeswoman says that jets were scrambled when a helicopter took off from a German vessel close to Israeli waters without identifying itself. One wonders how much ire remains on either side over the dark past between Jewish folk and Germans.

Pakistan raids a religious school near the Afghan border, killing 80 alleged militants. Reporters at the scene say that several children were pulled from the rubble left behind by helicopter gunships.

Iran starts up a second cascade of centrifuges in it’s Natanz nuclear plant. Bush condemns and says ‘Dood, we gotta do something’.

The Saddam trial continues to roll along, more and more a farce.

Asia/Pacific

Vietnam will be member 150 in the WTO. They’ve done the reform thing to expectations and all that remain are the formalities. They’ve come a long way and it’s good to see. Perfect? Nope, but few are.

Europe

The Pope says the Catholic Church must do all necessary to keep priests from abusing kids. Right.. but what is to be done? Being head of the church, the Pope is the prime one to actually do something about it.

General

A global Internet Governance Forum discusses the future of the Internet. All I have to say, is don’t fuck it up or lock it down. And don’t, for the love of all things, tax it. If they can avoid all that, I’ll back em. Otherwise, screw em.

The Blogs look at George Allen using saucy extracts from Jim Webb’s novels as campaign weaponry, the “netroots” gang hopes “Google bombing” will win elections and South Park’s pending Steve Erwin in hell episode.

Today’s Papers has a look at how Muslim Americans have become reluctant to donate to Islamic causes and charities out of fear that it could bring unwanted attention from the U.S. government, that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva won a landslide reelection victory yesterday, that the missing US soldier who was recently kidnapped had secretly married an Iraqi woman and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Obvious: Man found walking outside bank robbery with $10k in pockets. Interesting: Man found to have nothing to do with robbery. Florida: Cops keep his cash

Homeowners in areas with good schools, low crime rates and clean streets to face four-fold increase in taxes. The lesson being: take care of your neighborhood, pay the price

Not news: Teen takes vehicle for a joyride. News: A city bus scheduled for auction. Florida: Teen picks up passengers and collects fare. Fark: Again

University students attempt world record streak after football game: “It’s the kinds of experience that 20 years from now I’m going to be telling my kids”

Yamaha R1 vs Porsche vs Fighter jet

Deputies shoot two hours’ video through home window hoping to catch man pleasuring himself. It works

Man paroled from prison, steals car, then falls asleep in it

Check out that horse; the bushy tail, the hooves, the wings … wait, what?

Teens leaving MySpace after they fail to understand that it’s not an “invasion of privacy” when teachers see pictures of them drinking

<A HREF=”http://www.daily-times.com/news/ci_4569460″>Slow news day: New Mexico newspaper finds it necessary to remind readers that Halloween is not over yet

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this guy’s new hairdo

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this messy girl

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this Halloween costume and its, errrr… accoutrements