News – Think Before You Speak
Middle East
Sometimes I wonder if Bush has any concept that what he says, while it might sound good to him, won’t sound that way to others. For example, touting Israel as a model for how Iraq should turn out. Now, I’m not even going to argue about whether or nor Israel’s cultural/social/political model is a good one. That’s not the point. The point is, Bush compared a Muslim nation to Israel. As if the conspiracy theorists in the Muslim world didn’t have enough flubs and gaffes from him to parse.
Iran’s government decides to ban reporters from reporting stories about negative reaction to the new fuel rationing in the country. Ever the masters of making a bad situation worse. Fortunately, we don’t have that limitation.
Turkish General Yasar Buyukanit is still hot on getting a raid on Northern Iraq going. But he is at least stressing the need for government approval first. Of course, it would do him well to get US approval on top of that.
Africa
Ethiopia makes noise about being ready to war with Eritrea. Eritrea declares no such thing is on the horizon.
Kenya is sort of opposite the US, in that abortion is mostly illegal there and the current battle is over legalizing it. Thousands of women die each year having backstreet abortions. Who knows how many of the rest are maimed by less than safe procedures.
Europe
A car bomb is found and disabled in London, near Piccadilly Circus.
Russia maintains a ban on returning the remains of accused or suspected terrorists to their families. They say it has an effect in lessening terrorist activity. Personally, I would think the opposite true. Outrages generally raise the anger rather than diminishing it.
Americas
Bush’s immigration reform gets kicked in the nuts again. And now both sides get to run their mouths about how much of a triumph/tragedy this is. And, ultimately, nothing gets done either way, so in essence everyone loses even as some try to declare victory.
The Supreme Court decides that race can’t be used as a factor in school entry. Personally, I don’t think it should have any bearing, positive or negative. Diversity in schools is laudable, but let that diversity come through the diversity of the neighborhood.
The Senate Judiciary Committee wants the Bush administration to give up documents on their wiretapping ways. This time with a subpoena, since asking nicely gets met with the stonewall.
Cheney attempts to argue he’s not part of the executive branch.
General
Nintendo is opening up the Wii Console, releasing tools to let home and independent game makers try their hand at making use of the hardware. A good idea on many levels, not the least of which is ferreting out a few diamonds in the rough from amongst the gaming masses.
Looking into the strange bedfellows of gaming and learning. How to mix them together, while keeping the fun and learning intact?
Explainer looks into ‘roid rage’.
Looking for the best stain remover. A real world test you can take to the bank.
The Blogs look at the Supreme Court decision on school diversity and the second death of Bush’s immigration bill.
Today’s Papers has lots on recent Supreme Court decisions, note of how all of Bush’s major domestic initiatives seem to have failed, an interesting tidbit on Chris Benoit and more in the one page news.
Amusements
More than 50 people in Arizona line up in 112-degree temperatures to get free Chick-fil-A for a year
The perfect way for government to raise money: make people pay a tax for standing on the sidewalk
Don’t you hate rubberneckers farking up traffic when you are driving? Like who hasn’t seen two manatees making sweet, sweet … wait, what?
Man goes into a salon and asks for a shave and a haircut. So why is he taking off his pants?
Teenage muggers take girl’s shoes, money and cell phone, give her an older cell phone in return… with muggers’ photos on it. You’re doing it wrong
Husband says he’s angry because “there’s a guy out there who knows what my wife looks like naked”
Realizing how hard it is to unload a stolen ’79 El Camino, car thief tries to sell it back to the owner (with predictable mugshot results)
Man goes to jail for not planting grass in his front yard
Couple who own car wash now regretting their billboards advertising The best hand-job in town (pic)
If youre going to get busted for shoplifting, dont direct the police to a car where your guns and friends are loaded
Not news: woman cited for excessive noise. News: source of excessive noise is a cow. Fark: authorities are unable to get the cow to moo
In endless quest to make the streets of Arizona safe for citizens, cops there pull over Oscar Meyer Weinermobile after suspecting it’s stolen
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this kung-fu fighter
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these spoons
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop tub baby