News – Symbolic BS still stinks

US

The tower that will replace the two towers as our phallic thrust at the rest of the world, will have only 70 floors of occupied space. The ‘Freedom Tower’ will tower a grand 1,776 feet over the ground, matching the date of our country’s independence. Not that I see what the hell that has to do with 9/11, but I suppose so long as it’s symbolic, people won’t really care that it isn’t symbolic of the event that prompts it’s creation. It amuses me that they have the nerve to call this thing practical. Considering at least half of it will be no more than another poke at being superior, giving us back the title of world’s tallest building.

Dick Cheney breaks with Bush Administration tradition and uses the e-word. You know.. the nasty word that must not be said because America would never, ever, ever go that way.. 😉

The “Lingerie Bowl 2004” that will be done during the Super Bowl has lost Dodge’s sponsorship due to a sudden rush of common sense. It will go on, but the company has realized that this would probably be a poor PR move on their part. Good for them.

A trade agreement is being agreed upon with four Central American nations. El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua are on board, with Costa Rica being a possible fifth if they decide in time. American sugar farmers and a leading U.S. textile group were quick to announce their opposition to this free trade pact and Dick Gephardt has slammed Bush for “selling out American workers.”

One can discredit bush in several ways. One can simply claim him evil. Another could attack the morality of his administrations ideology. A third way, which even some neo-cons are taking up, is the disquieting accusation of incompetence. Ignoring the ideology aspect, Bush’s hands off administration style might well be a reason for the increased rivalries behind the scenes between groups that are supposed to be protecting and structuring this country.

Partisan muscle continues to flex in Slate’s Fray as interesting arguments are made and presented for a proper musing.

A study shows that the age of first-time mothers is rising, having come to an all time high. As well the number of teen mothers is dropping, which is damn good news. Though some are worried about the growing trend for mothers to have their first in their late 30s to early 40s. Women who become pregnant after age 35 have a higher rate of defects, it seems.

An attempt to replicate the Wright Brother’s first flight for the 100th anniversary flopped. A valiant two attempts netted nil, but it’s the effort that counts most.

Eminem Wants George Bush Dead and other notes of discussion on music in 2002.

Iraq

A US soldier(#199) and Muhannad al-Hakim, an official of the largest Shi’ite Muslim group, have been killed in Iraq. The former in an ambush, the latter shot outside of his home. The second is most worrying. If violence starts to turn along tribal lines, the feared threat of civil war might become more than mere speculation. That, to state the obvious, would suck.

Images of the area where Saddam as captured.

Israel/Palestine

Sharon is planning to unveil his Plan B in a speech today. The plan, in general, sounds like he’s just consolidating on the land he’s already grabbed with the settlements, pulling back only those which are too far out there to put a wall around.

Four more suspected Palestinian militants were killed by Israeli forces. Three in a firefight and one, said to be a member of Islamic Jihad, who sources say was attempting to plant a bomb.

Saudi Arabia

Non-essential US personnel are in danger in Saudi Arabia again. Free flights are being offered for them to get out of the country. This wasn’t prompted by a specific threat, but over continuing security issues in the country.

General

Reuven Cohen of Bar-Ilan University in Israel and his compatriots are proposing a sort of ‘six degrees of separation’ method for immunization. The theory is that, by polling the population of an area on their friends, one can find ‘super spreaders’. Those most likely to catch and transmit a disease based upon their higher level of interaction with people. For example, I’d likely not be much of a spreader because I don’t go out a lot and tend to avoid most crowded places save for the food court at the mall and the movies, for example. Someone who gets out more and knows and meets a lot of people would be more likely to catch and spread a contagion.

It’s an interesting possibility for places that have lesser ability to immunize 80% to 90% of their population.

Today’s Papers notes that David Kay, head of the WMD search team, is quitting. Wow. What about the much vaunted hunt for WMD? Well, the quoted answer Bush had for a questionon that topic pretty much shows his care in that regard. As well, thousands of US troops canvassed Samarra. The news has several other interesting tidbits as well.

Amusements

Fark Photoshop Challenge: What you hope you don’t see when you wake up after New Year’s Eve partying.

A British tourist dies of dehydration in the Great Sandy Desert. 80 liters of water found in the vehicle he abandoned.

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