News – Hamas Steps Up
Middle East
Hamas wins over Fatah in Palestine’s election. This doesn’t automatically out President Mahmoud Abbas, but he’s feeling like he’ll just resign if he can’t continue the peace process. Which he will be unlikely to do with Israel and the US currently unwilling to deal with Hamas having over 50% of the vote in the country. Though the current PM and remainder of Palestine’s parliament have decided to resign, rather than face up to being in the minority for a time. All that will do is assure they never come into power again, after shamefully abandoning the people like spoiled little children. “Let Hamas alone bear its responsibilities, if it can,” Ziyad Abu Ein, a Fatah official, told Reuters. And if they succeed, choke on your own words, bastard.
What amuses me is how much people demonize Hamas. Hamas, while they have been doing the bad things in the past, are starting to change. The change hasn’t completed, but there is plenty of room for them to leave behind the militant. Of course, if they’re ignored and shut down, the likelihood of lasting change diminishes. A positive tone initially would be an invitation to change, whereas this negative tone starts things off on the wrong foot. None of us knows just what Hamas will do with its new political power, but we need to encourage the better.
What amuses me most is the automatic assumption(echoed by several callers on Cspan, that Hamas is going to mobilize the whole of Palestine to attack Israel now. Never heard so many doomsayers and pessimists. So much Bush decries such outlooks, only to have his ‘side’ adopt that bull the moment something odd happens.
Meanwhile, Israel continues to show its disdain for peace and democracy by only allowing 6% of Palestinians in East Jerusalem to vote and intimidating those that did get to vote in the Palestinian election. Sadly, no one will ever call them on it. We love Israel, after all, and they’re justified in everything they do because they’ve been so abused. Just like every other abused people are given the slack to return that abuse to others. What, they’re not?
China is not in favor of sanctions when it comes to dealing with Iran and its nuclear issues. They’d rather everyone get on board with Russia’s compromise, which has them enriching material for Iran.
North America
Looks like Bush won’t be bailing out the ailing US automakers, which is good. As much as many conservatives harp about market forces, the leadership needs to let the market speak.
Rummy denies that the US military has been damaged by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Perhaps, perhaps not. A Pentagon report challenges Rummy’s assertions. But it has allowed any who might challenge our military study our capabilities when it comes to extended, massive troop deployment.
General
It’s been suggested that the world is becoming more peaceful. Wars are declining and all of that stuff. Though the facts used to back that up are a bit shaky. I would say the world is getting a bit less turbulent, but I see it more as a lull than a remarkable step into a state of sublime peace.
Explainer looks into the merging of TV networks.
Disney aquires Pixar.. along with Steve Jobs as part of Disney’s board. Might it result in a Robert Iger vs. Steve Jobs showdown? If so, might Steve Robert to assume control of Disney? Such a thing has happened before. What might Jobs’ RDF(Reality Distortion Field) do to Disney? Interesting times indeed. If it comes down to it, my money is on Jobs.
The Blogs look at Google censoring search feeds to China, Disney’s absorption of Pixar and the passing of actor Chris Penn.
Today’s Papers has a questionable shrinking of China’s AIDS crisis, US plans to reprocess spent nuclear fuel from other countries, infighting amongst different insurgents in Iraq and more in the one page news.
Amusements
Neurotically Yours: Germaine’s Web Cam
Unlicensed driver crashes stolen car into tow truck in police parking lot. Sometimes the mountain comes to Mohammed
Former “Village People” cop Victor Willis will get to stay at the J-A-I-L
After accusations of touchy-touchy, gynecologist is told by state regulators that he can continue to practice gynecology, he just can’t treat women anymore. In other news, Florida has its first mangina specialist
The good news: West Virginia use video game to try to fight obesity. The bad news: They picked “Lode Runner”
Whistleblower reveals that Pentagon is buying $20 ice trays. Army argues you can’t find combat-ready ice trays for less than that
Carlos the Jackal is upset over having spent eight years of his jail sentence in France in solitary confinement. Apparently doesn’t realize any other country would have executed him by now
Packing a grenade in your suitcase is stupid, particularly when you’re a flight attendant
South Dakotans will soon be allowed to ride horses and bikes while drunk. What could possibly go wrong?
Three idiots facing drug charges after dropping a brick of cocaine out of the window of their house and at the feet of a passing police officer
FDA to ban asthma inhalers due to ozone-damaging ingredient. Your dog wants to breathe
Mark Fiore: iRepress
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this icy warning sign
FarkPhotoshop Challenge: Photoshop this doggie victory dance. Difficulty: Puppypuppypuppypuppypuppy
Fark Photoshop Challenge: Theme: Photoshop somebody taking their job far too seriously