News – Opine on the State of the Union

North America

A new assessment of Bush’s speech, pointing out the cut and paste nature of parts, the attempts to redefine the debate rather than openly facing uncomfortable realities, and spin. And another. One sad truth in this second article is description of the State of the Union as a tedious ritual. It is tedious, more an obligation to remain informed rather than an event evoking an honest level of intent curiosity, since you can usually guess at least half of what will be said.

A lot of Senators sign a letter to Rummy, against the Pentagon’s plans to reduce National Guard troop levels. One wonders why Rummy would be seeking to reduce the pool of troops he can pull from for current aggressive activities.

Rummy says that US forces are constrained in the information war, partly due to fear of criticism in the public media. I call bullshit on that. Since when has this administration ever been constrained by any source of public scorn?

A bit of legislation comes out of the house, cutting $39 billion off the budget. This to offset the $70 billion in additional tax cuts currently being debated.

Bush says that the US will defend Israel militarily, if need be. Obviously, considering the massive hard-on most high level officials have for Israel, that’s not news. The question is, can we? How many more troops can we field, while continuing to deal with Iraq? Or will be abandon Iraq should Iran get froggy and decide to leap?

Bush gets a thumbs up for talking about shifting to alternatives(though we’ll see what actually manifests), but clean-energy advocates are dismayed that more immediate aids to the issue of energy, such as conservation and clean air standards, were conspicuously missing from Bush’s speech.

The Capital Police apologize to Cindy Sheehan and drop charges against her. “While officers acted in a manner consistent with the rules of decorum enforced by the department in the House Gallery for years, neither Mrs. Sheehan’s manner of dress or initial conduct warranted law enforcement intervention,” was said in a statement. And that’s really all that need me said. Oh, there is a second apology, to the wife of a House Republican who was told to leave the chamber during Bush’s speech for wearing a shirt bearing words of support for U.S. troops. What in the world is up with these Capital Police? They seem a bit trigger happy.

Middle East

Bush says that the US could support Hamas is they disarmed and dropped the whole destroy Israel thing. Question is, will bush try and convince Hamas to change, outside of smacking them with the punishment stick so long as they don’t? Positive reinforcement works better than negative.

Saudi Arabia will be discussing with Palestine’s government financial aid of at least 1.2 billion dollars. Qatar will also be chipping in. With friends like that, who needs the US?

The IAEA muses whether to refer Iran to the UN Security Council. This is important because the agreement brokered by the US to get support for the same was agreed to, so long as council would not act against Iran until after the IAEA’s director reports to the agency’s regular meeting on March 6.

Settler rioting fails to stop the demolition of the illegal Amona settlement.

The current chief judge in Saddam’s trial continues proceedings despite boycott by Saddam, four other defendants and his legal team, as well as their call for his ouster.

General

Today’s Papers has the White House refusing to give the Senate it’s internal legal opinion on Bush’s warrantless wiretapping, the budget bill that passes by two votes, the US effort to rehabilitate Iraq’s healthcare system running into snags and more in the one page news.

Amusements

School officials considering a proposal that would pay students $100 every time they report a student who has drugs, alcohol, weapons, or tobacco on school grounds. What could possibly go wrong?

Kirsten Dunst mistaken for a stripper and gets propositioned for sex act

Having solved that little global terrorism problem, Homeland Security to focus on fake NFL t-shirts this week

Dumb: Driving drunk. Dumber: Hitting a house with your car. Fark.com: Making yourself at home in the homeowner’s bed

How to fake it on discussion boards when you don’t know what you’re talking about. Writer must be a farker (see examples)

From the “Day Late, Dollar Short” Department: Kama Sutra worm to delete computer files February 3, but Microsoft refuses to release patch before February 14

Man tries to rob 90-year old at gunpoint, gets ass handed to him. Hulk Hogan style

Man driving on highway surprised to find himself about to hit an airborne crocodile

Man trying to show off his multitasking skills, arrested for speeding, cooking meth while driving . With mug shot goodness

Britney to appear on “Will and Grace” as a conservative christian woman

Fark Photoshop Challenge: <A HREF="http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=1880390″>Today’s Iron Photoshop ingredient: Horns

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this pole vaulter

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop theme: Sports shots you won’t see on a Wheaties box.