News – The Kurds want their Way

Iraq

The Kurds are campaigning for a federal state now. This is going to be one source of issues because I think, if the Kurds don’t get their way, they’ll never play along with the unified Iraq that the CPA wants.

“We want to show the rest of the country and the world that federalism is the very least of our rights,” said Sherko Bekas, a poet and a founding member of the referendum movement. “We didn’t fight against Baghdad, and suffer for all these years, simply to be swallowed up because our demands are not expedient to the powers that be.”

Could there be a part three to this little conflict of the Kurds decide to secede? I surely hope not and hope Bremer is smarter than to ignore this.

Another car packed with explosives blows in Iraq. Parked in front of a hotel, the explosion killed two Iraqis and ripped the front off a three story building.

Afghanistan

A taxi in Kabul used in another suicide attack against international troops. One British soldier was killed, three others wounded.

Israel/Palestine

An Israeli raid results in eight deaths. Islamic Jihad vows revenge, saying four of its agents were amongst those killed, including two field commanders. One other was an as of yet unclaimed militant and the other three were civilians, one a 17 year old boy. Among the seven wounded was an ambulance worker. They claim their ambulance came under Israeli fire. They also say that an 11 year old was shot and blinded in one eye. Guardian seems to note 13, if this is a report of the same series of incidents. Either way, it’s a mess.

Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury calls Israel’s security fence a symbol of fear and despair. Good luck with that, seems most time anyone criticizes Israel the top heads over there grumble about anti-Semitism.

The Yesha council, the organization of the settlers, has reported that Sharon offered them a deal for backing his unilateral legislation. The retreat of settlements would be limited to seven small ones, with an agreement that no more would be touched until peace is reached.

“We rejected it because this is a reward for terrorism,” said Shaul Goldstein, deputy chairman of the Yesha council. “What the government is offering now would uproot our communities, kick away Jews from their houses in return for nothing. We are not against peace but this is running away.”

The long awaited Hutton Report clears Tony Blair of wrongdoing in actions prior to David Kelly’s suicide and generally brings some closure to the incident which has been big news in Britain.

Seems Arnold took out an illegal loan to finance his campaign. Now he has to pay back all $4.5 million.

Meet the Missile Defense Blimp. An interesting idea. But will it be useful ultimately?

No doubt there is a trafficking of sex slaves in the US, but there is doubt if Landesman has portrayed it right on or overemphasized. The story just doesn’t seem to sit right.

Should Democrats give up on winning the south? Some seem to think so and Kerry has had the balls to actually say it for the most part.

General

Musing the effects of overzealous IP protection on the development of the US. Could a bad history repeat itself for us?

A Danish biotech company has made flowers that change color when they grow near landmines. I’m not fooling; it changes color when the roots detect nitrogen dioxide evaporating from explosives buried in soil. Very sweet.

The MyDoom virus is spreading rapidly, like some of its forbearers. And a fun fact: Seems like the computers it subverts are being used to attack SCO’s website. SCO has offered up $250k for information leaning to the arrest and conviction of the author.

Of all things, piracy on the high seas is on the rise, with more ships being hijacked to kidnap and ransom their passengers.

Every big move by the RIAA ends up with a new tech shift for the file traders. Their recent ‘John Doe’ lawsuits are no exception to this rule. How long until it gets so hard, The RIAA has to give up?

Today’s Papers has a flurry of activity form the 9/11 commission, Bush backing off from the WMD argument, more Democratic primary news and other such tidbits.

Amusements

Liquid Generation: Suck My News #85: Jlo Dumps her Ass!

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this Japanese reporter interviewing a cow.

Surefire ways to get fired

Student’s SUV stolen twice in three days.

Cell Phone explosions scalds man’s buttocks

Man calls police to tell them he was robbed and his high-quality weed was stolen. “I only want to report the watch, not the money or the weed, because I don’t want to tell you how much weed there was”