News – Third Party Security

Middle East

Looks like the US and Iraq will be holding a joint inquiry on the Blackwater shooting incident. Considering how much the US relies on Blackwaeter, a mistake in my opinion, a negative outcome in this could spell some trouble. As it is, with Blackwater limited from doing work in the country, several US diplomats are left mostly stranded in the Green Zone.

That our government relies on mercenaries is to our detriment, I would think. Even if they’re US mercenaries.

US Forces say they’ve captured an Iranian officer associated with the Quds Force operating in Iraq. Considering how accurate they were on capturing interfering Iranians the last time, I think I’ll reserve judgment on this one for a while.

Things continue to get worse in the Israel/Palestine region. This is going to end poorly if things continue along this road. With a lot of dead innocents. First from adversity due to supply cut off, then from whatever military conflict this will eventually lead to. And, as usual, the blame for it will be equally distributable among the parties involved because not a one of them has made any real moves to avoid the inevitable conclusion yet.

Of course, Israel seems to be a nexus of troubles(with the aid of the US). I have nothing against Jews, never have. But Israel’s government has never seemed, to me, to be all that aware of how to do anything without leaving a trail of lingering resentment or destruction behind them. They fosters the very thing they want to stop with every step. Which is sad, as I wish to see the state prosper. But it seems that they won’t for the foreseeable future. In part due to others, but also in part due to their own ham-fisted actions. Of course, the same can be said for the Palestinian side, sadly. With the US fumbling right along between them.

Africa

The City Parochial Foundation and Trust for London, two UK charities, are donating a substantial sum to help African children accused of witchcraft.

It’s never good when a House of Reps hearing descends into a brawl. It shows a distinct lack of civility that is disheartening.

In Sierra Leone violence spikes against members of the Sierra Leone People’s Party as opposition leader Ernest Bai Koroma is sworn in as president.

Asia/Pacific

The Olympic Torch will be bypassing Taiwan because of a fallout in negotiations with Beijing over the route the torch should take and disagreements of the prominence of the Taiwant flag and anthem at torch events.

Meanwhile the UN rejects a fresh bid for Taiwan’s membership in the body. Given the current disputes between them and China, unless the UN wants to take a clear stand on the matter, denying them is the best step.

Europe

Russia pushes ownership of a portion of the arctic seabed. With proof. More squabbling over this or that portion of dirt. Gripping.

Americas

Senate Republicans block legislation put forward by Democrats that would give US soldiers more leave time between their tours. Some opponents called it a disguised bid to pull soldiers off the battlefield. That might happen, but what use are those soldiers on the battlefield if they grow exhausted due to their constant deployments and lacking time away from the stresses of conflict? Mind you, I don’t know if 12 months of rest is the right amount, all considered. I’m no psychologist. But such things should be reasonably looked into by this administration, rather than being dismissed out of hand.

The Senate votes to condemn the recent ‘General Betray Us’ ad put out by MoveOn. I don’t like the ad, personally. It doesn’t set the right mood for rational discourse, thus does everyone a disservice. MoveOn has always been a bit too sensationalist for me to give them any real support or regard.

Slate makes a Romney Ad. Quite amusing.

Hillary’s take on health care.

General

Were Velociraptors feathered? Scientists think they were.

People lose their jobs due to e-bay addiction? I wouldn’t call two hours a day an addiction.

Explainer muses if you can steal your own stuff, whether you need a permit to land something on the moon

The Blogs look at the failed democratic bid to get the troops more downtime, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s request to tour 9/11 ground zero and Dan Rather’s lawsuit against CBS.

Today’s Papers has federal prosecutors charging disgraced Democratic fund-raiser Norman Hsu with defrauding investors out of millions of dollars in a massive Ponzi scheme and violating campaign-finance laws by pressuring them to donate to several politicians and even offering to reimburse some of the contributions, news that of 20 of the 25 major tribes in Diyala have signed agreements with U.S. and Iraqi troops, the second-ranking U.S. commander in Iraq said suicide attacks and car bombings in Baghdad are at the lowest level in a year without specific numbers to back up his assertion and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Neurotically Yours: Gym Teachers

Mark Fiore: Cheney in Chief

Six would-be burglars arrested after tripping alarm while waiting for their leader to wake up from his nap

If you are going to take pictures of your pot crop, you may want to consider using a digital camera instead of taking your film to CVS

Your tax dollars at work: DHS contract given to bizarre Russian mind-control experiment. Feel safer?

When caught driving 99 mph in a 30-mph zone, try to come up with a better excuse than this guy

Teacher resigns over scandal involving giving one of his students a work of literature that some deem inappropriate

Harvard University bookstore won’t allow customers to write down what they charge for books; claims the prices are “intellectual property.” RIAA surrenders

University students protest company recruiters because the company has the audacity to make a profit. Oh, it’s Halliburton

16-year-old boy arrested for having sex with the 22-year-old wife of a sheriff’s deputy (w/ “I’d arrest it” pic of wife)

If you’re texting your friend about buying reefer, make sure you aren’t accidentally texting the state police

Man wiggles cocaine out of his butt for cops, adds new meaning to the term “crack cocaine.”

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this ethereal pier

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop the very odd-looking barn

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop what animals do when humans aren’t looking