News – Rummy’s Latest Analogy

North America

Rummy, master of poor analogies, likens leaving Iraq to handing Germany back to the Nazis. Never mind the vast, vast differences that more or less ravage his hamfisted example. Regardless, I agree that it is not a good idea to leave just yet. But it has to come soon. He goes on to speak for the terrorists, obviously knowing everything about them save how to stop them, in opining that they’re looking at the ‘progress’ of the last three years with fear.

I wish our leaders would stop editorializing on things they obviously don’t know and stick with the damn facts. Progress has come, but it has been spotty and sluggish at best. Every milestone met has been lackluster and doesn’t solve the country’s most significant problems. The country buoys up for a moment, then settles back down into its slow slog.

Paul Eaton, a former American army general in charge of training Iraqi forces until 2004, criticizes Rummy by saying he’s “not competent to lead our armed forces”. I’m inclined to agree.

At the very least, why don’t we make our own oil? Even if we can’t get our president to do more than pay lip service to cleaner alternatives, the least we can do is move toward severing our financial choke chain with Saudi Arabia et al.

The Bush administration pushes for more drug testing of student athletes, musicians and other who participate in after school activities. They think this will protect kids. More likely they’ll not find many who use drugs(don’t most young druggies not participate in after school activities?) and push students who don’t like being tested away from after school activities. GG Bush.

Let it be known.. Cheney won’t resign. Of course, did anyone expect him to? Also let it be know that Cheney sees no civil war in Iraq. Only Victory!

FEMA is going to try and recoup some of that fraudulently gained aid. I predict some people that got the aid fairly will get caught up in this and have their lives made far too difficult because of it.

Two lingering bodies found in New Orleans hint that life is far from normal there for some. Personally, I wouldn’t be able to live there after something like this.

Middle East

Hamas puts out it’s list for the cabinet, placing loyalists in charge of all key ministries. An expected move. Consider how much of that is done in the US.

Avian flu comes to Israel’s poultry. Fortunately, four poultry workers, feared to have caught the virus, were found to have no infection.

It isn’t too late for peace in the Middle East. But what is required for it to happen is unlikely to be done by all parties.

A Slideshow: Iraq, Three Years On

The financial disaster that was the initial US Coalition in Iraq.

Asia

The US criticizes China’s military build up. Of course, we can build up our military and no one is supposed to be concerned at all.

General

The Blogs look at the release of recently uncrated documents from pre-war Iraq, V for Vendetta and the idea of microchip-implanted killer insects.

Today’s Papers has a boom market for entertainment in Iraq, protests in Belarus, the stacking levels of contractors making New Orleans rebuilding a behemoth and more in the one page news.

Amusements

You heard it here first:: Faith-based prisons

Marvel and DC comics claim they invented the word “Super-Hero” and are trying to trademark the word, so they can file lawsuits to put other comic book companies out of business

“Very stoned” mouse alerts police to man’s pot stash

Website sues Google because they were placed lower in search rankings

Idiot performance artist to leave six taps running at “secret” locations in London as protest against privatization of water. Last time he tried it in a gallery but visitors kept turning off the tap in protest of his protest

Garden gnomes form illegal formation on field with extra player

Indian call centers becoming hotbeds for sex and drugs. That’s why the help-desk guy sounded a little out of breath and frankly unhelpful yesterday

In Patriot Act board game, Go directly to Guantanamo, do not pass go, do not collect $200

Father tries to embarrass daughter by webcasting her messy bedroom; daughter gets revenge by webcasting father in compromising positions

College student buys $125 in subscriptions from door-to-door magazine salesperson who claims to be a CIA child psychologist saving money for a trip to Europe. Clearly the CIA is underfunded

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Unlikely revelations in the new “Sopranos” season

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop a chain, some pain and a stain

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these very natural-looking military dudes and their prized ice axe