News – The Cycle Continues
Middle East
Israel says it could kill Ismail Haniyeh to stop the rocket attacks from Gaza. Why do I highlight this little nugget at the top of my news? Because that one declaration is the most clear and obvious sign that Israel’s leadership still doesn’t get it. No doubt they could kill the man. No doubt they could kill hundreds of terrorists if they wanted to. But it wouldn’t stop the rocket attacks. Only peace has a chance of ending them. All the flailing by both sides does is continue to push peace further away.
Heck, even peace probably won’t stop every bit of violence. Anger, hate and other such counterproductive emotions are difficult to kill. Even after 95% of the world is at peace, there will be the 5% that would continue to hate and look to harm those they despise. Sadly most seem to think eye for an eye will work in quelling that hatred. All it does is feed it No matter how many you kill, unless you have the stomach for genocide there will always be another to lift up and carry the banner of hate. There are better ways. Harder ways, surely, but better in the end.
Pity so few have the strength to find them.
Thousands flee a refugee camp in Lebanon when violence there hits an overnight lull. A request has been given to the US for aid in this as the Lebanese try to quash the militants.
While violence continues in Gaza, an interesting development pops up on the side. Looks like Israel is considering buying Palestinian gas. A move they said they’d never take. The deal, however, would require both governments to agree. I assume some of the funds from that would go to the Palestinian government. Wouldn’t that amount to funding them? Something one would think Israel has no interest in doing at the current time.
Looks like, if the troop surge doesn’t solve all of our Iraq issues, Bush might well try and shoulder the responsibility of his war on the world at large. This would look less like a copout if it had been implemented years ago. Right now it just looks like he[s trying to shoulder off responsibility for his mess before he leaves office.
So what happens after the surge? Check it.
Africa
A fresh scandal for the UN. Apparently some Pakistani US troops traded weapons to Congolese militia groups for gold and the results of an investigation into it were hidden. The full tale lies within, covered in some detail.
The UN is also having a strong disagreement with Somalia’s interim government over just how bad the crisis in Mogadishu is.
Asia/Pacific
China backs down from a plan to require Chinese bloggers to register their blogs with their real names. Now they only encourage bloggers to do this, without requiring it. But they promise better services for those that do register.
The wreck of a Japanese minisub from WW2 is discovered and declared a historic site. Interesting the sort of things one can discover when exploring the waters and the like.
Europe
Some politicians and clergy in Italy might wish to censor the BBC program, “Sex Crimes and the Vatican”, but in the age of the Internet, there is no escaping free information. If Italians who want to watch it can’t see it on TV, they’ll look for it on the net. And find it. A lovely age it is we live in.
The UK has set charges against one Andrei Lugovoi, businessman and former FSB officer, suspecting him as the one who killed Alexander Litvinenko. They wish to extradite him, which Russia rails against. But Russia assures us all that this incident won’t effect UK/Russia relations.
Americas
Looks like congress has ceased attempts to tie the latest supplemental funds for Iraq to a timetable for troop withdrawal. It had to happen eventually. Now both sides will try and spin the whole mess in their favor.
A nationwide survey suggests that Muslims in the US are pretty well integrated and generally moderate in their views.
General
MySpace is going to be providing police with info on convicted sex offenders who are removed from their service.
One of the benefits of the internet. Phenomena like lolcats. There are some things that you find out there that just make you smile. For me, this is one of them. It’s silly and pointless, but gives a light laugh when one needs it.
The Blogs look at Lebanese and Beirut-based bloggers on the lingering violence there, Britain bringing charges in Alexander Litvinenko’s murder and John McCain’s swipe at Mitt Romney.
Today’s Papers has stories that shine a light into the daily lives of U.S. troops in Iraq, how Democratic leaders are having a tough time passing even watered-down ethics legislation, the upcoming testimony of Monica Goodling and more in the one page news.
Amusements
The rarest inappropriate student/teacher relationship: Guy on guy. And this one’s a beaut
Cadbury now seeking to trademark the color purple. Alice Walker unavailable for comment
Not news: Two men riding to work. News: One arrested for stabbing the other. Fark.com: It was because he wouldn’t stop quickly enough to get a honey bun
Teen sues drug-sniffing dog for violating his civil rights, presumably the civil right that lets him sell drugs at school
Burglar apprehended after leaving resume at crime site
Officials at an all-women’s college removed billboard advertising the school after vandals made it more accurate
Do you want to improve your cows’ milk quality? Play them Mozart
I-Mockery looks at the Gong Show, Menudo, Kojak and other things that should’ve never been madeinto trading card sets
Fark Photoshop Challenge: AOL Sports Blog suggests a Fark photoshop contest: Carson Palmer’s hot dog ad
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this distressed gymnast
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this guy and his wood