News – Free the Photos

Middle East

New Abu Ghraib photos come out. See, they should have just let the photos come out all at once a long time ago. Then it would have been there and gone, like a slap to the face. Now it’s like a constant, reoccurring twinge that pops up every once in a while to remind people constantly about the event. A bit like the pimping of 9/11. The more the US rails against it, the worse it gets. Sometimes you have to let things be, because people won’t stop trying to uncover the truth. We humans are stubborn that way.

Arguments that they’ll incite trouble in the region are largely pointless. We’re already destabilizing the region. And this slow trickle of images will do far more lasting damage than an initial flood would have. Just as in the past, big stories slam out there suddenly, then fade into the background. Of anyone, I’d expect the spin doctors in Bush’s camp to have learned this from their first four years.

Ahmed el-Haj Ali, a senior Hamas cleric, is freed from an Israeli prison days before he is to be sworn into a position in Palestine’s parliament. Curious that they would do that, I wonder at the reasoning behind it.

The US Is planning a new, $75 million propaganda drive against Iran’s government. Yeah, like we need to annoy their government even more. And likely with minimal beneficial effect.

Saddam’s guide to courtroom fashion. Oh yeah.

North America

The House of Reps wants to halt direct aid to Palestine. Why? So some other Arab nation can step in and totally erase any sway we have over them by providing all the funding they need? It might feel unseemly to some to be giving them aid, but aid is a tool that is useful for encouraging change. Give that up and you give up some of your influence.

Bush looks for $4.2 billion more for Louisiana. Add that to the amount wasted in trying to rebuild the area, prone to be washed away again in time. Won’t be enough anyway, if the estimates of $10 billion are true.

Democrats want to repeal the US law that shields vaccine makers from liability if their products suck. I agree with them. While I do believe that vaccine makers should have protections, they shouldn’t have effective immunity, short of intentional, malicious poisoning of the nation. If a vaccine maker doesn’t take appropriate steps to make sure their drug is safe, they should pay the price if their drug isn’t safe. If they take proper precautions and an unforeseen effect crops up, they should be protected.

U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman says the US could walk away from trade talks if other countries don’t open their markets more. Perhaps, but just because you can do something doesn’t mean it should be done. Walking away is an open sign that you suck at diplomacy and have no endurance when it comes to negotiation. Pure and simple weakness.

Bush pushes for Health Savings Accounts again. Considering he’s spent all of his political capital, he’s unlikely to get this done. Of course, he can always use it later, to berate people for not letting his wonderful legislation happen. Without an open failure, he can always bring it up as a potential success without fear of effective reprisal.

Watch carefully The United States of America v. Lawrence Anthony Franklin, Steven J. Rosen, Keith Weissman. The terms of charges against them are very broad and could easily be twisted to jail journalists for what they do every day.

Cheney talks about the guy he shot. Personally, I don’t care. He saying he regrets it won’t humanize him in my eyes, nor will taking the blame for something that was obviously his fault make me respect him, considering the minor nature of the offense(in scale). There’s plenty more be doesn’t take his proper blame for that is much, much worse I’m sure.

In other Cheney related news, he says he might be called as a witness in the case against Lewis Libby.

So, does the NRA really care about gun safety? You wouldn’t think so by the vehement attacks of some of its members. The excuses fly in the wake of Cheney’s misfire.

General

The Blogs look at the possible nixing of the probe into NSA warrantless spying, new Abu Ghraib photos and Britain’s smoking ban.

Explainer details how a bird shot pellet could ‘migrate’. Interesting stuff.

Today’s Papers has Republican Sen. Arlen Specter channeling $50 million in defense-related earmarks to clients of a lobbyist who’s married to one of Specter’s top aides, a large study showing that calcium and vitamin D appear to be only marginally effective at strengthening bones for most women, Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff taking a beating in Senate hearings and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Mark Fiore: Gonzalez, Watchu and Howe

Super Bowl ring: $5,000. Platinum bracelet and diamond earrings: $100,000. Losing bling during strip-club fight: PRICELESS

Paris Hilton flour-bombed by PETA for wearing fur Ren: Who do you cheer for?

Willie Nelson releases gay cowboy song, “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly (Fond of Each Other)”

Palm Beach County, famous for their confusing butterfly ballots, have moved on to education byconfusing thousands of high school students with perplexing test-answer sheets

Having run out of titanium rods during surgery, Dr. Macgyver was forced to improvise and hillarity did ensue

Wal-Mart required to carry day-after pill. Will stock next to “Tribulation Force” books

Today’s weirdest political battle brought to you by the letter H. No really, they are fighting over an H

Church claims door shows face of Jebus. Farker’s inspection says it looks like Akbar, or a vagina, take your pick

When committing armed robbery, do not look directly into the camera (with close-up picturey goodness)

Dogs found unable to move because of hair. With scary pic

Cop who moonlights as a comedian may be fired after the bit about pleasuring a dog and abusing children

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Create a Rube Goldberg machine

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop theme: A dragon, a flagon and owls

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop these girls and their plunger