News – What to do with Fallujah?

Iraq

The White House vowed to get the killers of the four US contractors who were killed, then mutilated. Some are incensed that there have been no announced arrests yet. No matter if these images inflame or humble the American people, the outcome will not be good. We do need to remain steady in Iraq, now that the die is cast, but we don’t need revenge coloring our acts over there. Do you think there is an action we can take in response that will sit carefully between inaction and enflaming the situation?

Iraqi security forces are justifiably shaken by the event. Everyone is deep in thought on how to respond. And of course, it raises questions about security for contractors. How can we keep workers safe over there?

There is some consensus that American can’t pull out now.

Is Fallujah a version of Gaza for the US? And who are the people in this conflicted portion of Iraq?

Israel/Palestine

Israeli police stormed the courtyard outside of al-Aqsa mosque. It is said that Palestinians were throwing stones at security men and Jewish worshippers at the Western Wall below. Adnan Husseini, director of the property, said that there was no stone throwing and that “They (police) started doing this every Friday to scare elderly worshippers as younger ones are already banned. This is flagrant violation of freedom of worship.” Nine Palestinians were arrested.

Pakistan

Pakistan is sending fresh troops in to the tribal area on the Afghan border, continuing their offensive in the area.

Spain

Three more of the men detained after the Madrid bombings have been released. There is not enough info on them to set charges, but they are to keep the authorities aware of their whereabouts for the time being.

A bomb was found on a high-speed rail line between Madrid and Seville. the 10-12 kg bomb was found under a line 40 miles south of Madrid, connected to a detonator with a 130 meter cable.

US

Bush signs into law the Unborn Victims of Violence Act.

The White House declassifies docs showing Bush ordered action against alQueda a week before the 9/11 attacks. That just reinforces the view that they waited too long, which is just what Richard Clarke was pointing out in his various testimonies.

Bush is reassured by a Saudi envoy that Saudi Arabia will not let oil shortages harm world economic growth. Pretty words, but lets see some results.

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman has ordered seven government agencies to release documents related to the energy task force on Cheney by June 1st. The Justice Department is reviewing the ruling.

The Bush administration is mulling requests to temporarily suspend required cleaner burning mixes of gasoline to ease the crunch.

Scuttlebutt on Skull and Bones and Presidents.

General

The flags of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia have been raised at the NATO complex in Brussels, signifying their new membership in the organization.

Robotic vacuum cleaners and lawn mowers are set to make house cleaning and lawn care automated.

Reviewing April Foolery. Blizzard has always been interesting in that, showing off ‘new creatures’ and the like for their games as April Fools jokes.

Explainer notes why Ecstasy that is bought and sold in the US is not often made in the US.

A review for Hellboy, which I think I’ll see this weekend. Sounds fun.

Today’s Papers notes the investigation of Plame’s outing expanding, Kerry’s fund raising, mercury in flue shots and more.

Amusements

Robber, with alleged bomb strapped to his chest, gets tired of being ignored and leaves

Simpsons actors on strike for more money

Fark Photoshop Challege: California unveils its new quarter design

Fark Photoshop Challege: Theme: Salad dressings based on candy bars. Link goes to the history of Thousand Island Dressing