News – What we don’t See

Americas

A report from democrats in the US congress notes that the hidden costs of the war double the ultimate costs of our Iraq adventure. Some bias is to be expected, but even considering that, I don’t see it as a positive thing that there are any hidden costs at all. Especially whilst Bush crows his triumph with the economy. Sure, domestic debt might be tamed, but what havoc will increased international debt wreak in the coming years?

Won’t be Bush’s problem, I guess.

A bunch of Texas mayors want to damn up the Rio Grande to raise the water level in places as a deterrent against illegal immigration. Considering the fact that people sail from Cuba to get to Florida. This won’t do a thing and if done wrong, could screw up the environment just a little bit more.

Producers take out ads to say their piece on the screenwriter strike.

Defending Obama from the loyalty oath fetishists. I’m one of those who feels little for flags and well rehersed and memorized pledges of loyalty to whatever one might craft them for. Such artificial displays of patriotism are little more than show and play which don’t equate to true loyalty and patriotism. The same goes for those little flags that pop out of ever orifice whenever some grand event happens and some Americans seem to feel a need to put on display their patriotism.

Quite simply, I don’t do such things because they’re little more than theater. Real patriotism is tested when you must disagree with the the majority for the better of the country.

Middle East

Looks like Iraq’s government isn’t unified over some of the former Saddam era folk sentenced to capital punishment.

After the recent issues with Blackwater, expect more private security shooting incidents to be reported. On that note, the incident that sparked this greater attention has 14 of the 17 deaths found as unjustified.

He said, she said in Gaza. The bottom line is that Hamas and Fatah individuals continue to quarrel and weaken themselves when they should be unified in forcing peace. Until they’re unified in that, I suspect that the current status quo or worse will be their future.

Israel says they’ll freeze West Bank settlement construction ahead of peace talks with Palestine. All things considered, I’ll believe it when they do it and stick to it.

Africa

A violent anti-France riot erupt in Chad. This is apparently connected to the six foreigners who were charged with trying to remove children from the country. They want the six to be tried in Chad. Considering the incident hinged upon a misunderstanding, I’d hope some forgiveness could be given.

Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf calls on the Somali people in Mogadishu to join the government in fighting the islamists. One wonders if they’ll like the answer they get from the people.

It takes an extreme example to set the scale of things at times. When a man dies of starvation whilst waiting for a work permit, something is seriously amiss. Zimbabwe needs to get matters under control somehow.

Asia/Pacific

The US envoy to Burma disagrees with the remarks of the UN envoy, saying that the leaders of Burma aren’t making progress toward accepting democratic reform.

Yahoo makes an agreement to settle the lawsuit brought against them by several Chinese dissidents who they informed on in cooperation with China’s government.

Europe

A strike brings chaos to France’s public transport system. Seems to be the month in which many of the ‘peons’ of the world rise up.

General

Marvel puts many of their back issue comics online in a bid to introduce the young to their characters. This is a damn good idea since most people won’t buy those old comics and this will make very good press.

If you’re planning on getting a Wii for Xmas and you haven’t yet, you’d better get cracking while you can.

Explainer looks at the difficulty of human cloning.

Health tips for the week.

The Blogs look at accounts of questions planted by Clinton staffers, the National Right to Life committee backing Fred Thompson and the word of the year, chosen by the New Oxford American Dictionary.

Today’s Papers has note that gas prices may keep rising despite the recent reduction in oil prices, a note that Benazir Bhutto is no saint by all accounts, news that Bank of America will devote $600 million to support its money market funds to ensure they don’t fall below the $1-a-share mark and more in the one page news.

Amusements

R-A-P-S-O-N-G, yes

When you are selling edible panties at your adult store you better be sure to have all of the ingredients listed on the package

Today’s Fark-ready headline: Author protests ban over phrase “generous bazoongas”

Good news: The city of Wilmington is cracking down on guns. Bad news: by banning toy guns and saggy pants. “Listen, I know under the First Amendment everybody has their rights, but I have rights too,” said the dumbass writing the law

Man explains to police that he drinks hairspray off Wal-Mart shelves, because “the temptation is too great” for him to go to liquor store

Cattle rancher pulls into McDonald’s parking lot, towing trailer full of cows. The cows then escape and stage a “Meat is Murder” PETA protest

Everyone’s favorite internet Peter Pan is getting married. Yes, to a woman. (w/ pic of the happy couple)

“He ran through our yard naked and hejumped into our truck. Instantaneously, I thought someone was just playing in it. Once he got to the gate and crashed through the gate, I knew something wasn’t right”

When the world’s fattest hedgehog arrives at an animal sanctuary, The Sun is there. Trust me, the pic is worth the click

It must be sweeps month. The latest threat to America? Deadly soccer goalposts… EVERYBODY PANIC

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these seven deadly masks

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these tiny feet

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this power management flow chart