News – State of the Union Part Six

North America

So does Bush really understand the Iraq conflict? Looking at his words, one wonders if he really is clueless. Or, perhaps, if he frames his speeches on simple falsehoods even though he knows they’re ludicrous as a means to simplify the focus of the people. Is it ignorance or design? Of course, that criticism is outside of the other such observations that thing the SotU was lame overall save for nice bookends.

Bush asks for a chance for his latest ‘plan’ to work. Being completely fair, he’s had five years of chances. At w hat point can the country be given the privilege to say enough is enough, no more chances? When can we finally call him out on his incompetence when it comes to managing this conflict? Eventually there comes a point where one can wait no longer and the chances run out.

Ford moves into the present, joining the trend of offering up green cars that run on alternative fuel. They’re still in the testing stage, but it’s nice to see Ford answering a growing desire in the car market.

New passport rules are being put into effect. They’ll require citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda to produce a passport to enter the US. The same goes for US citizens returning from said places. Before now, all they needed was a valid ID. Some tourism industries are concerned this might impact their business and have gone so far as to pay the passport fee for those who haven’t gotten one yet.

Middle East

Hezbollah continues to go the route of civil disobedience as it pursues a role in Lebanon’s government. Sadly, the civilians are paying a price in the middle of the power struggle between Hez and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora’s government.

Looks like security forces in Iraq are actually starting to crack down on Sadr’s private militia. Of course, if estimates of up to 60,000 bodies considered part of Sadr’s militia are true.. well, that’s a drop in the bucket.

Iraqi forces, backed by US helicopters, are also seeking to take back control of central Baghdad.

Talks continue between Hamas and Fatah, with progress reported but no resolution as of yet.

Someone else points at the IRA as a reason why Israel should deal with Hamas and Fatah.

The countries bearing the strain of Iraq’s refugees are concerned that the sectarian violence in the country could leak into their nations. Likely another reason they might close the door to more refugees.

Africa

Now Somalia will likely have to deal with an insurgency in their country, after the defeat of the UIC as an open group. The US and UN are asking the interim government to seek reconciliation with moderate Islamists, but the government seems reluctant to do so. Such will be their mistake if they decide not to.

Sudan’s government police assault UN workers while the workers are having a small party with AU peacekeepers. They can’t protect Darfur refugees, but they can break up a little party with verbal and physical assault? The Sudanese government says some of the UN and AU workers are being detained for misconduct, comparing it to allegations of sexual abuse which face peacekeepers in southern Sudan. I call bullshit on the Sudanese government.

Asia/Pacific

Within two years, China might have more net users than the US does. Not really surprising the massive population they’re fielding. Such things are an inevitability.

Europe

Christie’s auction house is going ahead with the sale of some 850+ items said to have been owned by King George I of Greece. Greece had asked them to stop the sale as the items might have been illegally exported and the auction house has not explained how they came about the items.

Russia finishes a deal to sell 30 air defense missile systems to Iran. The US and Israel are upset, saying the missiles might be used to attack their neighbors. Russia assures all that the missiles are purely defensive and can’t be used offensively. Israel is likely upset because I bet I know just where Iran will sit those missile batteries. Right on top of their nuclear plants, which will make it harder for Israel to blow them up.

So now it’s official that EU states new about the secret CIA flights over Europe to snag detainees. Question is, what do people think about this? Personally, I find it disquieting that some European governments would allow the CIA to quietly capture their own citizens and cart them off to indeterminate detention.

General

Scientists say that popping a sponge into the microwave for a two-minute treatment on full power can sterilize it, killing 99% of the pathogens on it. More info on their findings is highlighted in the article. Take a look. To avoid a risk of fire, microwave a damp, not dry sponge and make sure there is no metal in it.

The editors of Wired give smart answers to silly questions.

Ecstasy, used to cure post traumatic stress disorder? It could happen. If a dash of the stuff can help people deal with their emotional issues safely, I say go for it.

Explainer details how child porn laws relate to movies that depict sexual acts and minors. The movie in question is one called Hounddog where Dakota Fanning’s character is raped, though the act occurs off screen. Despite this online petitions have demanded the arrest of Fanning’s mother and agent. Silly people.

The Blogs look at Oscar nominees and denounce the murder of Armenian editor Hrant Dink in Istanbul.

Today’s Papers has the death of E. Howard Hunt(former CIA guy who organized the Watergate break-in), the Iraqi parliament having issues with getting a quorum, the trial of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Taxi drivers in Shanghai are to be issued with “spit sacks” to curb their habit of rolling down their windows and hawking into the road</A>

Pictures of hairiest rabbits you have ever seen in your entire life. These are rabbits?

If you put months into planning that $2.5 million art hiest, you may want to wait more than two days to sell the paintings back to the victim

U.S. marshals try to soothe nut job and his armed supporters, all of whom are holed up in a fortified home awaiting the final showdown with the Illuminati. This should end well

“The Daily Show” presents two bitter rivals: The president vs. words in the State of the Union address (link fixed)

School bans the patriotic cheer “USA! USA!” because students complained it was a insult

Everyone named Tyler Holden forced to pay $550 for a DNA test to prove they did not father this child. Even the 79-year-old one, the impotent one, and the one who was three at the time

Drunk guy breaks into into Las Vegas airport, then hijacks a luggage-cart thingee. Real glad beefed-up airport security keeps out these well-planned, well-executed conspiratorial plots

City where only 40% of 9th graders end up graduating imposes a daytime curfew for minors. Because if they can’t be outside they will naturally go back to school

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this liquified gas tank

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this futuristic building

Fark Photoshop Challenge: FarkTV needs Leonardo Da Vinci paintings with dogs cleverly added in or replacing subjects. Photos will be used in upcoming episode (“DaVinci Code” spoof)