News – Wimpy Iraq Flag

Iraq

Iraq has a new flag. It’s a serious departure from regional flags and has more resemblance now to the Israeli flag than other Arab national flags. It’s also a bit.. ‘soft’ with the light, pastel shades.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad says that he sees legitimate resistance in Iraq. I would doubt he thinks anyone will take him seriously on that.

Falluja got some serious shelling last night in a show of force by the US military. By both ordinance and leaflets. Surrender, you are surrounded,” the leaflets said. “If you are a terrorist, beware, because your last day was yesterday. In order to spare your life, end your actions and surrender to coalition forces now. We are coming to arrest you.”

IF a big offensive is executed on the city, can we really be expected to believe the war is still over in the country? I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve long since stopped even hoping ‘major combat operations’ were done with. The continuous instability pretty much requires major military involvement. And if this lingers into the deadline for the handover of power?

Lakhdar Brahimi has revealed his suggested plan for Iraqi sovereignty. He believes that officials for the caretaker government should be recruited by the end of May to give time for preparation before the end of June. The basic plan is to have a prime minister, a cabinet of 25 ministers, a ceremonial president and two vice-presidents. The latter three seem to be an attempt to provide for ethnic balance with the three strata of religious culture in Iraq(Shiite, Sunni, Kurd).

Tony Blair and Jack Straw dismiss the letter from 52 former UK diplomats, though MPs and military chiefs back the diplomat’s fears. The papers, as well, are sounding off on this issue.

Explainer delves into why Najaf is so holy.

Kurd Sellout Watch, Day 421: Is a single state solution for Iraq impossible? And if the Kurds are granted their own autonomous state, would you have to do the same for the Sunni and Shiites?

Israel/Palestine

Four Israeli solders were injured in stopping a suicide car bomber before he could reach his target. They opened fire on the suspicious jeep speeding toward the Kfar Darom settlement. It exploded before reaching its target.

Prominent Palestinian peace campaigner Sari Nusseibeh as arrested by Israeli police for hiring illegal Palestinian laborers to work at the university he’s president of.

Thailand

Over 100 dead in a battle between military and police forces in Thailand and gun/machete wielding Muslims, mostly young men. The police and military were tipped off about the planned attack and thus they were awaiting trouble when the aggressors attacked.

Afghanistan

Afghan police have arrested 58 militants suspected of plotting an attack on Kabul this month. The latest batch were 16 in number and two rockets were found with them.

Iran

President Mohammad Khatami has admitted that Iran holds people in prison because of their beliefs. Obvious, sure, but it’s not often political figures come right out and admit it.

A ban on torture has been passed in Iran. Now let’s see them stick to it.

US

With the military records back in the news, one had to expect Kerry to take another shot at Bush’s less than impressive military record. Question is.. who is being swayed by the issue of who served in the military and how? Personally, the only aspect that effects me would be if Bush really served his full time. If not, that reflects poorly on his character. And when it comes to Kerry, the truth of his medals and ribbons. If he really did throw them, fine. If he’s lying about some aspect of it, that also reflects poorly on him.

Bush and Cheney to do their time before the 9/11 commission in secret. Nothing new there. Personally, I think they need to have transcripts and I think they should be questioned alone in two separate sessions. Clinton did his time before them alone, Bush should do the same.

Violent anti-war art in class leads to the secret service coming to question a 15 year old. Officials at the school, which has a reputation for strict discipline, were concerned that the student could turn violent or pose a threat to the president. … The student was doing above-average work in the class prior to the incident and had not had disciplinary problems in the past, according to school Principal Kevin Lusk.

Feel free to draw your own conclusions. You might be able to guess mine.

Ted Koppel’s Nightline will dedicate an entire broadcast to the reading of the names of American servicemen and women who have died in action in Iraq. Each name will be accompanied by a photograph. Due to time constraints, only the 523 who died in fighting will be read. That’s this Friday.

Hashing over testimony before the Supreme Court on Cheney’s energy secrets. There’s Real Audio to listen to as well, but as I swear off Real I can’t take a gander.

General

People with serious and long term wounds could soon be healing better with bandages made of their own skin cells.

Today’s Papers has John Kifner(of the NYTs) watching marines train the Iraqi police and not being impressed, trouble in Syria, clashes in Najaf and more.

Amusements

Kansas City residents angered when sanitation workers won’t pick up trash from yards, but will put sticker on trash bags saying “access problem”

<A HREF="http://www.komotv.com/stories/30977.htm”>Police trying to identify [upskirt voyeur] victims from photos

Flasher claims his penis got caught in his zipper, fails to mention why it was out in the first place

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop theme: Something that deserves a sarcastic hand clap.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: One sci-fi show stumbles across another sci-fi show

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop an unlikely holiday mascot.

PS: I’ve decided to not delete my last unsigned noted. It’s almost like an added little amusement for people to laugh at, so no disruption was caused. 😉