News – Tonight’s Reading

US

Sinclair Broadcast Group is boycotting the Nightline reading of US soldier names. They own 62 television stations in 39 markets reaching(and thus making the decision for) roughly 24 percent of U.S. television households. In other related news, the program has been extended 40 minutes to include the 200 names of those killed in accidents, friendly fire or suicides.

So the question of the moment is, if you aren’t in an area effected by Sinclair’s boycott, will you watch this? Personally, I might. Depends, as I usually buy and watch DVDs on Friday. The second question of the moment is do you agree with SBG in that the name reading is politically motivated, to undermine the efforts of the US in Iraq? They state their opinion as much on their site(linked above). Personally, I don’t think it is. And even if it is, it’s a poor one as the reading of names would effect different people in different ways. For some it will enhance their sentiment against the war. For others the names will note the sacrifice that should not be made in vein and strengthen their resolve to see the action through.

The World War II Memorial has opened up to the public. You can check it out here with images listed here. Or you can come down to DC to check it for yourself.

Kerry sees a moment of truth coming in Iraq. I think Kerry needs glasses. There is no solid moment of truth. Only the goal and the long distance it will take to reach it.

Kerry knocks Bush on the security at chemical plants.

The Bush campaign shifts to grass roots recruitment. And I continue to see this whole election and most elections in recent memory as more or less a farce. For various reasons.

Bush and Cheney had their three hour sit down with the 9/11 Commission. The speculation can run rampant now, from why they appeared together to why there was no written record and so forth.

More hindsight pops up. Paul Bremer, current head of the CPA, warned the Bush Administration six months before 9/11 of the terrorism threat.

Security remains heightened in LA after a bomb threat was called in on the city’s Westside.

Evan Smyth pleaded guilty to going on a killing spree when Hurricane Isabel rolled through last September. The man, with no prior criminal record, killed four people(Tristan Offiah, Phillip Walker, Shauntise Gill and Kay Carey whose body is still missing) for no currently apparent reason.

Is too much choice a new parenting problem in America? Parents bombarded with choices and decisions could go into choice overload. Perhaps we focus a little too much on the details and try to maximize things a bit too much and end up

Snowed by the size of the documents released of Kerry’s military record? Slate has summed htem up in a handy PowerPoint presentation.

“The Jesus Factor” looks to find out what Bush really believes in. It premieres tonight on BPS stations across the country.

Iraq

US Marines have handed Falluja over to a former general in Saddam’s army. According to the commander of the marines, the guy was general of Saddam’s 38th Infantry Division and will now be leading about 900(Some say 1000) Iraqis, mostly former Iraqi military, to take the place of US solders. No name noted. Now.. this could be a good or bad thing. I think, if anyone, Falluja is the best place to experiment with Iraqis keeping the peace. Especially when led by a former Saddam man(note, being a Baathist doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a creep, but until we know who it is and his background we can’t be sure.

Colin Powell says that support in Iraq will return once the current insurgent surge is finished. The question is, how long until the current surge of aggressive activity is stilled?

Graphic images of torture and sexual abuse of Iraqi prisoners in US-run prisons have surfaced. The general in charge of Abu Ghraib jail is facing disciplinary action, six soldiers face court martial and a general investigation is currently active. Disturbingly, some of the soldiers claim to have been under orders by mercenary interrogators hired by the Pentagon. One civilian contractor has been accused of raping a young male prisoner, but no charges have been brought as military law has no jurisdiction over him. This situation has created quite a stir within the army.

Thousands of Italians marched to St Peter’s Square Thursday in an attempt to save the three Italians still held in Iraq. The relatives maintain that the march is one for peace, not against Italy’s government.

High Court Judge Justice Grigson has declared that the legality of the Iraq War cannot be examined in a prosecution before an English crown court. The question fo the war’s legality was brought up in the case of five peace activists who attempted to keep B-52 bombers from flying out of Gloucestershire to attack Iraq.

One of the problems in this current war is what to call who you’re fighting. Personally, I tend to mix between using one of many terms brought up or defaulting to the terms used in news reports. Which sometimes changes between each one.

Israel/Palestine

Thus far polls continue to show Sharon without the support he’d have hoped for the Gaza plan. Currently the numbers are 47% against and 40% for. There is some speculation that Sharon, who has descended to predicting doom in a bid for more support, might threaten to resign from Likud if he’s not supported and continues to reaffirm a pledge to keep settlements in the West Bank forever.

Afghanistan

More struggle for hearts and minds in Afghanistan. Seeking to get in good with the populace remains a key. And it is effective.

Indonesia

Indonesian police arrested Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir on suspected terror links just as he was exiting the jail after serving time for lesser offenses.

Thailand

Thai troops are hunting down militant separatists, who they believe number in the thousands. Muslims int eh southern regions are saddened and angry at the unprecedented violence that started with a predicted raid on the military, one further consequence being the killing of 30 insurgence in a Mosque with heavy weapons.

Pakistan

A deadline for hundreds of foreign militants near the Afghan border to surrender to Pakistani authorities has passed today. However, Major-General Shaukat Sultan(spokesman for the army) has said that the pass of the deadline doesn’t necessarily mean military action is certain. They’re still trying to strike a political deal to avoid bloodshed.

Meanwhile the US heaps praise on Pakistan as one of it’s key partners in the war against terror. No pressure of course..

General

Google sums themselves and their IPO up in the first of many documents filed with the SEC. The document is noted for it’s candor and the sense of contempt for conventional companies.

CoolWebSearch malware is hijacking browsers and filling computers with porn. People want to find the faces behind the code and bash them in. An understandable sentiment. The link starting off this tidbit has an external link on it’s page that goes to a site useful for removing CoolWebSesrch software. If you’re having issues like describd, it would do you goodf to have a look.

A pastime for some is tweaking the interface of Windows Xp to resmble Mac OSX. Apple has the best looking OS out there by the opinon of some and I’m personally inclined to agree.

Today’s Papers notes that Mohammed Sahhaf is now a “broadcast correspondent” in Abu Dhabi, that Bush didn’t lean too much on Cheney or White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales, troubles with Iraq reconstruction funds and more.

Amusements

David Carradine attacked by killer kangaroos. “They were like Hells Angels kangaroos, man. They were crazy”

Treasury Department tries to explain why only four agents investigate terrorist funding but over 20 investigate Cuban embargo violations.

Cops Arrest Naked Man After Bus Hijacking

Man arrested after 30 years of stealing 4000 pairs of women’s panties

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop farker Eeek and camel-toe Elvis

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Create a tourism advert for your country or state, either pro or negative.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop member of the band Henry Earl as he shows how he got a shoulder injury</A