News – Post Veep Clash: Any Minds Changed?

US

So we had the Cheney/Edwards face off. It was mostly as dull as the others. Perhaps I’m looking for more fire in debate, but the dearth of rules that have been hashed out over these occasions precludes that. Sad. They did, within the constraints, argue fiercely, though. Cheney’s base was pounding their qualifications to lead and Edwards focused on the Bush administration’s judgment to date. The one thing I was waiting for and am glad Edwards brought up was the fact that Cheney was looking to cut the same systems he bashes Kerry on. Though I don’t think that sterling point got enough attention, really.

Here’s a question. Cheney lumps in the $80 billion of quoted debt forgiveness(67% of Iraq’s total debt) for Iraq to the financial contributions already given, saying the total invested by allies is $95 billion. Would you lump the debt forgiveness into this? I’m musing that myself and haven’t decided yet. While you muse, here are some prime jabs from the debate.

In analysis, some believe Edwards crapped out on countering Cheney’s claims on foreign and defense policies. Some thing Edwards cleaned Cheney’s clock or that Cheney dropped the ball in defense against Edwards’ accusations. Though not everyone has serious, chin stroking punditry for us. All the same, even the non-serious punditry has its thoughtful moments. That was, indeed, the silliest question to ask at the end. Personally, I think they both did ok. It was less well defined who ‘won’ than it was with the last one.

So tell me, did this latest debate effect you at all? Have opinions raised or lowered or largely remained the same?

A bill to reinstate the draft is soundly crushed 402-2 in the House(as it should be), with republican members accusing democrats of raising the bill to hurt Bush.

Last week, former No. 2 Air Force arms buyer Darleen Druyun got nine months in jail for giving Boeing a rival’s secret data and inflating weapons deals to ingratiate herself with her future employer. Now three more are being investigated by the Justice Department,

Mt. Saint Helens is bubbling away and the U.S. Geological Survey has issued an alert warning of eminent eruption. All gawkers should retreat at once.

In the wake of the Ansari X Prize, Las Vegas hotel magnate Robert Bigelow has offered up a new 50 million prize for the first privately funded ship to reach orbit. To win the contest, which is limited to U.S.-based ventures, a team must build a five-seat spacecraft without government money and send five astronauts into orbit above the Earth twice within 60 days.

Iraq

A new CIA report shows no conclusive evidence that former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein harbored Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Though it was also noted that the report doesn’t make any final judgments. So I suppose it remains an open question.

Abdel-Hadi al-Daraji, chief spokesman for Moqtada al-Sadr says no deal has yet been made to end the fighting in Sadr City. He says Sadr’s conditions have not yet been fully met, which include U.S. forces stopping the shelling Sadr City, stop arresting Sadr’s followers, release all senior Sadr aides being held, and rebuild the district, home to some 2 million people. Negotiations are still ongoing, however.

The Iraq Survey Group’s final report is coming in soon. It seems destined to prove that Saddam wasn’t an imminent threat and that, for the most part, there was no need to rush to war.

A carbomb hits an Iraqi National Guard encampment, killing 10 and seriously injuring another 22.

Iraqi officials are discussing hosting the World Cup games. In 2014, of course, which is the next possible time. Things should be safe enough for it by then.

Iran

IN defiance of those who tell them to stop, Iran prepares to enrich uranium. The IAEA is watching the process closely. They have cameras in the Isfahan uranium conversion facility, watching to make sure none is diverted toward illicit activities.

Israel/Palestine

A key advisor to Sharon has said that the withdrawal plan from Gaza will prevent a Palestinian state emerging and freeze peacemaking, all with the approval of Washington.

The Israeli military says they don’t target Palestinian children, but one must wonder when reports surface of children being sniped in their homes, without present danger around them. Perhaps, like Abu Ghraib, it’s those ‘bad apples’? Who can say?

The Israeli army has begun to step back form it’s claims that UN ambulances were being used to transport rockets. After their claim was made previously, used to press for the removal of UN Palestinian refugee agency head Peter Hansen, Kofi Annan said he’d send a team to investigate the claims. Now the military is ‘reviewing’ the footage and UN officials say they understand Israel is retracting the allegations. Speculation, sure, but I think Israel was caught in an intentional lie.

Afghanistan

Hamid Karzai’s running mate, Ahmad Zia Masood, escaped unhurt when a mine detonated under his convoy today.

Africa

Tony Blair will be flying to Sudan to speak personally with Omar Hassan al-Bashir, president of Sudan. Seeking to convince him to act on dealing with the crisis in the country, it seems.

General

The Visible Light Communications Consortium wants to use light emitting diodes to transmit data traffic. So, for instance, a person trapped in a building could hold up a cell phone to a ceiling light, and rescuers would be able to pinpoint his or her exact location.

Today’s Papers</A> has a NYT mention of an Iraqi politician being incited under Saddam era laws for having met with Israeli officials, The Bush administration relaxing Regan era rules that protect wildlife in national forests, more on the debate, of course, and other news tidbits in the one page news.

Amusements

Woman sells rocks during Michigan riot; $1 for small stones, $5 for large ones. Hey, it paid the cable bill

Philly restaurant serves $100 cheesesteaks

New EU map wipes Wales off the face of the Earth (with map pic)

L’Oreal plant shampoo pipe bursts on roof. Workers flush shampoo from roof into Beaver Meadow Creek. What could go wrong?

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this woman engaged in unsafe mowing practices

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop other shadows over this house

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this collaborative effort. Collaborative efforts are encouraged