News – Damned Lies

North America

Another note of how the US joined some of the world’s most repressive regimes in voting to disallow two gay rights groups from a voice at the UN late last month in the U.N. Economic and Social Council’s Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations. US officials say they were opposed to the Belgium-based International Gay and Lesbian Association because of past ties to NAMBLA(North American Man/Boy Love Association), yet in 2002 the US voted to approve U.N. ties to the group. At the time, a U.S. diplomat told the committee Washington was convinced it no longer condoned pedophilia and praised it for its life-saving activities in the struggle against AIDS. In other words, the reason for this year’s vote is nothing more than BS. So what’s the truth?

Rummy says it will take decades to rebuild Iraq’s economy and Senators poke at Bush, charging he fumbled the country’s reconstruction. Yup, the reconstruction was fumbled, in part because security was fumbled, thereby making reconstruction all the harder. It will take decades for Iraq to become sustainable and will likely cost us trillions more before it finally stands alone.

Child welfare gets wind of pics that show Britney Spears driving her car with her infant in her lap. So how long until she gets the kid taken from her?

Rehashing the Bush Administration’s credibility problem, especially with this secret spying program that nothing can be revealed about, so just trust us, ok? Would Bush lie to you?

Middle East

More reactions to the past two parter looking into echoes of apartheid in Israel. Another response is more in depth and notes, rightly, that things in Israel aren’t as bad as was in South Africa.

This is true. The segregation is not as deep, yet it remains that Israel does treat many Arabs within its borders unfairly and they do many things, regardless of provocation, that only further complicate the situation. Israel still has a way back to being a role model for other nations. But so too they have a way toward being everything a just nation shouldn’t be. Today and the near future will be the deciding factor in which way the country swings.

Islamic Jihad says they won’t join Palestine’s government. Good. They’re worse than Hamas and I have little hope they’d ever change, whereas Hamas has a chance to change.

The Saudis are concerned about Bush’s State of the Union words when it comes to the US addiction on foreign oil and claims of reduction in its use. They want to make sure the vein of out nation remains hooked up to their oil pumps because they’re addicted to US green.

Are the voices of normal Iraqis drowned out by occupation spin?

Afghan police fired into a crowd that sought to storm a US military base today, killing three. This being another protest sparked by the various caricature cartoons that have outraged many Muslims.

Ishai Schlussel, an ultra-orthodox Jew, was sentenced to 12 years for attempted murder after he stabbed three marchers in a Jerusalem gay pride parade. He’s one of those ‘on a mission from God’ loons.

Asia

North Korea says no talks until the US drops sanctions against it.

Europe

A French weekly decides to stir the pot by reprinting the cartoons that got many Muslims in an uproar, adding their own work as well. Personally, I find this to be irresponsible. Much like smacking a hornet nest with a stick. Sure you can do it, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

General

Been waiting for a cheaper iPod Shuffle or iPod Nano? Now’s a time to take another look, with a price cut on them both, as well as a further miniaturization of the iPod Nano. How small will they make that thing?

Explainer looks at the prohibition of portraying religious figures in Islam.

The Blogs look at an Iranian newspaper’s announcement that it will hold a Holocaust-cartoons contest(in response to the one that started the whole ruckus over Mohammed cartoons), draw battle lines in a senatorial smackdown and comment on the rash of church fires in Alabama.

Today’s Papers has a big study that shows no proof that low-fat diets lower a woman’s risk of heart attack, strokes, breast cancer or colon cancer, 86 evangelical leaders signing on to an effort to lobby against global warming, the State Department shuffling out key career weapon experts for less experienced political appointees and more in the one page news.

Amusements

With Da Vinci Code movie coming out, Opus Dei launches PR campaign to convince public they’re not a bunch of hyper-religious hitmen with the sort of skewed personal values normally seen in Islamic Jihad suicide bombers

Man goes bankrupt building Starship Voyager home. He maxed out 14 credit cards accumulating £100,000 in debt. On the plus side, he now has enough airmiles to go into space

Tenants surprised to learn that their monthly rent included free cable…that ran from the hidden cameras in their bathrooms right to the landlord’s video monitor

Not news: Police arrest man after chase News: Chase speeds hit over 100 mph Fark.com: Driver not wearing pants

Pastor arrested mid-sermon for trespassing on church property

“Pleasth, thtop making fun of Brokeback Mountain” – Matt Foreman, Nat’l Gay and Lesthbian Tasthkforth

In what can only be described as the world’s most depressing career path, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Director leaves post to head up new Sept. 11 museum

Parking lot white lines to get advertising banners. Dreams next

MTA pulls Bahamas vacation ad from subway trains because it will cause people to try fishing on the tracks

Top 10 worst video game haircuts. Not that gamers know anything about grooming

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Submitter has never gotten a greenlight. Photoshop what a redlight curse looks like.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop Peter Arnett where he has never been. Difficulty: SFW.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this boy and his trusty alpaca