News – Regard Drops Along with Bombs

Iraq

US Bombers hit a house in Falluja, saying it was a terrorist safe house. At least 22 members of an extended family were killed in the attack. Brigadier-General Mark Kimmitt doesn’t deny this, but does say that there was ‘significant intelligence’ that members of the network were in the house. Regardless of that, true or not, it was a bullshit idea to bomb the house. Anyone with a lick of common sense should have know that the collateral damage would do nothing to help, inflaming the already inflammatory populace of Falluja. I have to wonder if some of these Generals have any sense for the impact of their actions. Inflaming civilians to kill a few militants is never good. Militants grow back like weeds. Calming the sort of fire started by a high civilian body count is harder by leaps and bounds.

Despite the capture of a South Korean hostage by militants, the insertion of 3,000 South Korean troops will be going ahead. His captors say they will behead him by Monday night unless their demands are met.

Iraqi PM Ayad Allawi announced plans to strengthen and refocus the armed forces Sunday and has promised the US wouldn’t have primacy in security decisions. There is also talk of martial law in the country. Something that would have been much more useful immediately after Saddam’s fall.

Paul Bergrin , the lawyer defending Sergeant Javal Davis from prisoner abuse allegations, wants Bush and Rummy on the witness stand.

Four US soldiers were found dead in Ramadi, apparently killed in an attack by insurgents. Not just that, but insurgents are the ones said to have taken witnesses to the scene. There is a question of when they died, they didn’t have on the armor or helmets soldiers normally do, but they could easily have been pilfered by attackers after they were killed.

The 9/11 commission has been told “a very prominent member” of alQueda served in Iraq’s military. This could lend some credence to claims of the Saddam/alQueda link, though the commission hasn’t been given the data to determine if this claim has weight, as they’re asking that any info on the issue be turned over quickly. Hopefully any info on this will be turned over to be duly considered.

It is being investigated to see whether the bodies of insurgents were mutilated by UK troops after a firefight last month near the southern Iraqi town of Majar al Kabir. I seriously hope they didn’t do such a thing.

Israel/Palestine

An article by Seymour Hersh claims that Israeli military and intelligence forces are at work in Kurdish areas of Iran, Syria and Iraq, providing training for commando units and running covert operations that could further destabilize the entire region.

Peter Hounam is now banned from entering Israel, because he might harm national security. Hounam plans to challenge the ban and accuses the Israeli government of paranoia.

Israel’s opposition leader, Shimon Peres is open to his Labor Party joining Sharon’s coalition administration, though only if his demands are met, including large-scale withdrawals from the occupied territories that go far beyond the proposed removal of Jewish settlers from the Gaza strip.

Saudi Arabia

Islamists won’t take out the House of Saud and, for now, that’s a good thing. For simply self serving reasons, the fall of the Saudis could be a serious blow to the world, despite their contemptible nature.

But still, the conflict in the country will go on and continue to be the world’s problem so long as the world is reliant on Saudi oil.

Afghanistan

The UN Elections Office in Kabul was attacked by RPGs early today. No casualties were reported, though several vehicles were damaged.

Australia

Tom Schieffer, US ambassador to Australia, applies indirect pressure on Australia’s opposition leader to reverse his promise to bring the country’s troops home by Christmas if he’s elected. Bad move, that just shows you’re scared he will get elected and pull out another portion of what international aid is present in the country. Never let them smell your fear.

US

It’s confirmed that White House counsel Alberto Gonzales has testified with regard to the investigation into who disclosed the identity of Valerie Plame.

The New York Times reports that the intelligence value of detainees at Guantanamo Bay has been repeatedly exaggerated along with the danger they present. Citing interviews with high-level military, intelligence and law-enforcement officials in the US, Europe and Middle East, they say none of the ranked as leaders or senior operatives of alQaeda.

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney says Kerry’s campaigning is costing his state as he’s kept away from the Senate. He wants Kerry to resign his senate post.

A Hip Hop Political convention. Politics should adjust for the times. As it is, it helps your efforts to appeal to the trends in society.

After it’s success with America’s Army(I messed with it a few days, but without any Single Player support beyond limited training scenarios, I have to pass – But to be fair, it is a nicely made product), the US Army is forminga video-game studio. Hopefully they’ll make something interesting that I can get for free. I’m largely immune to their pathetic pandering to the younger generation for more recruits.

The Democratic National Convention will be welcoming several bloggers with press credentials, an interesting nod to the advance in popularity among blogs. The republicans haven’t decided if they’ll do the same, but I don’t see a reason not to.

Bush will be unveiling a new mental health initiative in July, which promises to integrate mentally ill patients fully into the community by providing “services in the community, rather than institutions.” As part of this there is a recommended mental health screening for “consumers of all ages,” including preschool children. Alright, so long as Bush is first on the shrink’s couch. The best leaders lead by example, after all.

General

iPod users show their unique visions for future designs. It’s obvious the more enthusiastic users of the device would be of an interesting creative type, shown by the examples presented.

Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story was a great movie. Sure, it’s got stupid, juvenile humor, but stupid, juvenile humor is fun!

Today’s Papers has a massive obit for the occupation by the Sunday Post, the Bush Administration threatening to cut off funding for the World Health Organization and other international organizations that work with a UN group they assert supports forced abortions in China, Iraq’s interim authority moving closer to declaring martial law and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Iran confiscates three British warships. In other news, Iran has a navy

Halle Berry faces uphill battle to convince people that she will make a good Catwoman

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Extremely fluffy dog wants to be photoshopped

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop McDonald’s new “Go Active” Happy Meal for adults

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Submit designs for the Washington State quarter. Best designs will get media coverage. Difficulty: No Microsoft or Starbucks