News – The Game we Never Win

Middle East

Hundreds of thousands rally in Bruit, wanting the Lebanese government to cede more power to the opposition or step down. Once again, forces not allied with us do better at swaying the people than those allied with us. The same thing that’s hurting us time and again wherever we insert ourselves.

Kurds criticize the Iraq Study Group’s report. Ok. Then they can come up with something that works.. or can they? This can’t go on forever and at the moment it seems it might unless something is done.

Looks like a horrid revenge slaying of children in Gaza. The longer it takes for stability to be regained there, the more likely more incidents such as these are to happen.

Israel blocks a UN fact finding mission to the Gaza town of Beit Hanoun, which is led by South African Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu. Israel’s government says it did not formally deny visas to the UN team. Looks like they just delayed it until other obligations drew Tutu away. That way they can block without appearing to block.

Congress approves of giving India neato nuclear gear without adhering to the international non-proliferation treaty. A bad precedent to set, but our political leaders don’t care.

Africa

Zambian former Roman Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo goes against the Vatican and ordains married priests.

Somali government forces, backed by Ethiopian troops, clash with the forces of the Union of Islamic Courts. Ethiopia and the Somali government deny that Ethiopian troops are in there, but they’re lying.

Asia-Pacific

Talks with North Korea are set to resume on the 18th. Will it make any difference? Maybe, if we have a competent diplomat on the case.

Congress has swept aside trade curbs that were in place with Vietnam. I think it is about time we stop punishing them for the past and help them step forward.

There is much condemnation for the coup in Fiji. Personally, I dunno. Depends if claims of government corruption are true and how bad it was.

Europe

EU ministers meet to decide how to sanction Turkey for denying Cypriot ships and planes access to its ports and airports.

The family and friends of Alexander Litvinenkoc, a former KGB spy, don’t trust Russian authorities to investigate into his death. Personally, I don’t trust Russia for much at all these days. So I fully understand their reasoning.

Years later people still care to investigate the death of Lady Di.

Americas

Augusto Pinochet dies at the age of 91. His death sparks clashes as thousands of Chileans hit the streets.

Might Obama be testing the waters for a presidential run in 2008? We’ll see, I guess.

Singer Mariah Carey threatens legal action against porn star Mary Carey for using a similar stage name, thinking people might mistake the two. Highly unlikely. Unless she starts making porn movies or the porn star starts singing.

Bush thinks we can get past our political differences and agree on a path to victory in Iraq. Unlikely, since Bush himself never forgets his political agenda. Not to mention I’m doubtful the man will find a way to victory in Iraq.

The Underground economy unraveled.

General

Is Nissan going to try and go for the green car maker image? I hope so, cause if they can pull it off other companies will be fighting for a piece of the action.

The blogs look at the proposed five-day workweek for congressmen, Camille Paglia scolding Britney and the death of policy intellectual Jeane Kirkpatrick.

Today’s Papers has the latest developments in the murder of the former Russian spy in London, how the Iraqi government is not spending billions of dollars in oil revenues that could be going to build the country’s infrastructure, how Sunni Muslims in some of Baghdad’s traditionally mixed neighborhoods are increasingly being targeted by Shiite militias and are forced to flee and more in the one page news.

Amusements

US Freedom Tower Beams forged in Luxembourg, reinforced in Germany. So much for a symbol of America

Step 1: Pay $75,000 in fines for illegal Internet file sharing. Step 2: Sue creator of illegal Internet file sharing software. Step 3: Profit

Kentucky high school is completely decorated with confederate flags and other memorabilia. Here is what Tiffany Owens has to say, “To us it’s not about the hatred…I have colored friends around here and they never say anything.”

Man in wheelchair suffering from chronic pain gets twenty-five years in jail for oxycontin prescription tampering. Rush Limbaugh, Noelle Bush nod heads in agreement with justice well-served

Britain has discovered beer-can turkey, and they’re acting like they invented it (pic)

School teacher having argument with student that happens to be muslim trots out the “I don’t negotiate with terrorists” cliche, immediately pisses pants

Are your child support payments too high? Did your Ex get sole custody of your children? Why fight it, when you can leave North America on the Divorced men Underground Railroad

“It’s supposed to say sweet things to little girls like, ‘You’re a wonderful friend,’ but push its button the wrong way and the Little Mermaid Shimmering Lights Ariel doll may say ‘You’re a slut'”

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these cheeseheads enjoying the snow

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this fish face

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Pictures with Santa gone horribly wrong