News – Untitled News
Middle East
While the US maintains a containment focused policy with Iran, the UN deepens discussion on their nuclear program.
Gaza’s main power plant shuts down, saying their fuel reserves are depleted following the halt of the EU financing fuel deliveries. The suffering of the people continues.
Had enough Iran yet? Too bad, since they’re clashing with Kurds in North Eastern Iraq. One wonders what all of this will come of in the end with regard to Iran, Iraq and the US.
Asia/Pacific
Australia closes up a controversial immigrant detention center. Supposedly they believe their closing of it reflects its success at stopping illegal immigration. Sounds like BS to me.
Jet Li vents his frustration that China’s film censors have kept his movies from being shown in his home country. A sure kick in the teeth to be sure, but what can one expect when it comes to a country like China?
Europe
French President Nicolas Sarkozy holds talks with his government on measure to prevent pedophiles from re-offending after one does just that after being released from prison. That’s just the issue I was thinking of not too long ago when I posted about some of the hardships placed on sex offenders once they are released. Don’t get me wrong, I know the rate of reoffense is high. But so too are there those who don’t reoffend for one reason or another. There must be a middle ground that both safeguards children and gives these people a chance to show they’ve changed and allow them to live a somewhat normal life, if a guarded one.
Perhaps some manner of gated community for them? I don’t know. All I know is the harder we make it for them, the more likely they’ll reoffend, thus reinforcing the automatic stigma. It’s a vicious circle that shouldn’t be enforced.
Americas
Amnesty International abandons neutrality on the abortion issue, backing the use of abortion in some circumstances. Those circumstances including rape and incest. As is expected, Christian organizations are likely to pull support for the group as a result. Amnesty backs up their stance shift, insisting they’re upholding the ability of women to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights free from coercion and violence.
How about we just send all those unwanted rape babies to the Vatican and they can take charge of their upbringing. I don’t see reason why a woman should be forced to care for the child some rapist forced into her body. Nor why a girl should carry to term and raise the child put into her by an unscrupulous relation, along with its increased likelihood of physical problems. If a woman wants to carry to term and raise the child, that’s her decision. But it remains just that. Her decision.
Six US citizens who were, as children, used in an experiment to induce stuttering are awarded a fat payout. All I have to say is it seems to have taken them a while to pursue this, with all in their 70s and 80s now.
General
The obvious, most online pharmacies are unlicensed. Consumers need to be aware of the sites they’re on and make sure they’re licensed.
The stereotypes about gamers persist. Heck, I fit a few of them, admittedly. Not that I much care, really. But even though some fit, there are others that do not, thus those stereotypes are like all others.
The global crusade against smoking. Personally, I don’t have much to say on the issue. I don’t like the smell of others smoke. So long as I don’t smell it and reap any negative side effects from it, I don’t care what else happens.
The Blogs look at he Fed cut lending rates and a farewell to jazz great Max Roach.
Today’s Papers has note that, obviously, coverage of the Iraq war is reducing while coverage of the presidential campaign is raising, a look at the use of private contractors in Iraq and mentions that a 1995 study by the Defense Department Commission on Roles and Missions warned against the widespread use of hired hands, a U.S. commander saying there are approximately 50 members of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guard training Shiite militias in southern Iraq and more in the one page news.
Amusements
If you see your neighbor being led away by the police, don’t walk over and offer $50 for all the meth
Old Scam: Nigerian Banks. New Scam: Buried gold, repeating the Rosary, building an altar to a pagan god and laying $45k on it all
Florida woman unexpectedly leaves 60’s singer Connie Francis $300,000 in her will. Then it gets weird
Senator from NJ, apparently with no other worthwhile things to do, proposes a Bon Jovi song as the state’s official song
Glamping. The wussification of America continues
News: Missing 8-year old girl found safe. Fark: She was trying to outrun Hurrican Dean on her bike
If you agree to climb a mountain for charity, you may want to check first that you don’t have to do it with your head up a friend’s bottom
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Today’s Iron Photoshop ingredient: Chef Gordon Ramsay
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this old-time drugstore and its clients
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Karl Rove’s future after leaving the White House