News – Responsibility Where it Belongs

North America

The Senate debates a measure to give the U.S. gun industry broad protection from civil lawsuits. The legislation will grant gun makers immunity from most civil liability lawsuits and is likely to pass. Personally, I think gun manufactures should be liable for mechanical issues with guns or, in rare cases, where they do business with known illicit sellers. On the other hand, gun sellers should be held liable if they sell to someone without taking appropriate steps to determine if they have disqualifiers for gun ownership. That puts responsibility where it should be for both aspects of the gun industry. The rest is personal responsibility.

The shuttle Discovery has lifted off, though there are some concerns for possible damage to the shuttle when it took off. Astronauts are checking the hull over with lasers to detect anything amiss. It’s nice to see them so concerned about safety.

The United States, Australia, China, India and South Korea will be unveiling a regional pact to combat greenhouse gas emissions by developing environmentally friendly energy technology.

Scalia explains why Roberts should speak freely at his confirmation hearings. Also, what John Roberts’ portfolio reveals about his character.

Middle East

General George Casey says that the US hopes to reduce its forces in Iraq within the next year.

Israel and the US are still at odds over Israel’s arms dealing with China.

Europe

Professor Ian Wilmut, creator of Dolly the sheep, is going to ask permission from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to ask women to donate eggs for cloning experiments designed to shed light on the debilitating condition motor neurone disease. I say, if women want to give it up, let them.

France is looking to better relations with Israel.

General

Explainer details the theory behind shifting daylight savings time to conserve energy. Personally, I say there are better ways to go about saving energy.

Today’s Papers has U.S.’s new ambassador to Iraq has begun speaking out against some of the provisions being proposed for Iraq’s new constitution, that nearly half the members of Congress who’ve left the job since 1998 have since become lobbyists, an investigation into possible widespread misconduct by a California-based National Guard battalion in Iraq and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Amish teen arrested after callers complain of loud music coming from his buggy

Zoo bans parrot from the public after it starts swearing at the visitors. Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, isn’t it squire? Lovely plumage

One month before Microsoft goes live with new security key, hacker in India breaks code, generates keys for free

Dolphins RB Ricky Williams apologizes to fans, teammates for hastily retiring last year; says he was high at the time

Two Florida men sentenced for selling $4 million worth of fake equipment to the Department of Defense. On the plus side, American troops in Iraq are equipped with the best Super Soakers money can buy

Bad timing for London subway poster ads promoting SF book as “a perfect place to have your mind blown to smithereens”

Pentagon blocked release 87 new pictures and four videos from Abu Ghraib. Rumsfeld says they show acts “that can only be described as blatantly sadistic, cruel and inhumane.” So we can’t show them to you

Stupid is as stupid does: Naked man found wandering in cornfield, claimed he was looking for the house where Forrest Gump lived.

Soccer team signs convicted hooligan, despite his eight-year ban from football grounds and still being in prison

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this farker’s friend for his birthday

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Today’s Iron Photoshop ingredient: Bridges

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop some other interesting ways cars could “evolve.”