News – The New Year Started Off Wrong

Middle East

With Saddam dead, there’s really no reason to continue pursuing charges against him, is there? Well, I’d think that closure would have been nice for some others in having their stories heard, but there is always the media for that. And this week, the bell tolls for Barzan al-Tikriti and Awad al-Bandar. Looking at the two articles, I can see why the judge is being tried witht eh death penalty, but no indication of what garners Barzan that dubious honor. Of course, with the total lack of coverage on trial details for them, how can a layman such as myself hope to form an opinion?

Democrats warn Bush that he’ll actually have to justify his plans for a troop boost in Iraq. As I see it, a troop boost is nothing more thana temporary measure. At this point, the problem with insurgents is beyond the means of our military to stop for any great length of time, if at all. Would tens of thousands of more troops have been able to stop this? Honest question. One amusing thing I consider is that some dismiss the current troubles in Iraq as being limited to a very small area of the country. Then one wonders just why it is so hard for us to deal with it with as many troops as we have in the country at the moment. Either these people aren’t getting the whole story or our military is truly unfit for dealing with asymetrical warfare. Either way, we’re in trouble. Unless someone has some other rational explination.

Apparently Bush’s new plan for Iraq includes benchmarks for the Iraqi government to meet. Ok. But what will happen if they don’t meet them? Benchmarks are great, but usually there is some negative consequence if they’re not met. Or some bonus if they are. Is that aspect in Bush’s plan? Otherwise said benchmarks are nothing more than wishful thinking.

Both Fatah and Hamas continue to make waves rather than making deals. No matter where one turns, the world continues to be run by children. In the east and the west.

I share the opinion that the only one who went about the execusion of Saddam with any measure of dignity was Saddam. This includes the news media. While Saddam was without a doubt a bad man, there should be a measure of decorum when it comes to reporting on the death of an inarguably influential person. That his execution was such a discgrace only places more glaring highlight on the gloating headlines across some papers.

Saddam, from boyto Dictator. For those that care to eye a visual walk through his past.

Africa

Hundreds of Somalis in Mogadishu take to the streets to protest the presence of Ethiopian forces backing the interim government. Looks like this country will be set for at least a few years of strife before things settle back down from the downfall of the UIC. Which may make people look back with some envy for the times the UIC was there and there was a form of peace.

Nigeria condemns British Airways and Virgin Atlantic over alleged mistreatment of Nigerian passengers on their flights. Prior conflicts of this nature have been very costly for airlines.

Asia/Pacific

Chinese president Hu Jintao prods Iran to make a serious response to concerns over their nuclear prgram.

Cmdr Bainimarama, sworn in as Fiji’s temporary leader, has promised the new interim government in the island country will pave the way back to democracy, but has not yet given a date for elections.

Europe

As Russia and Belarus gripe over trade, their conflict causes a hit to oil supplies in Russia, Pland, Germany and the Ukrane.

Turkish Writer and Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk uses a day as guest editor of the Radikal daily to point out the oppression of intellectuals within Turkey.

Americas

The military apologizes for sending letters to the families of Army soldiers wounded or killed in action, urging their fallen to return for duty. One wonders how generic the military’s blanket letter system is to cause such inappropriate incidents.

Oprah recently opened a new school in South Africa. Good. Even better is she offers the students there free HIV testing and treatment if needed. A very good idea in my opinion.

Ma Bell is reforming, slowly but surely. Remains to be seen if this becomes a problem. Hopefully those at the helm will remember how it all got cracked up the last time and play nice. But I won’t count on it.

Taser releases a stylish stungun that’s consumer friendly. Looks slick indeed and is available in pink, blue, silver and black and reported to be nicely portable. One would wonder how easily they’re reloaded, however. Of course, some criticize Taser for dozens of deaths linked to the use of their products. Mind you, a real gun would be much more deadly. Thus I think that having a nation loaded with stun guns would ultimately be better on the death toll than one packed with real guns. Were I to carry a personal safety device, it would likely be a stun gun.

Burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese and rock singer Marilyn Manson are set to split up. Normally I don’t give a whit about celebrity marital issues, but considering this pair one wonders what irreconcilable differences means for them. Personally, I’d be of the opinion that being hitched to Marilyn Manson is more than most could stand all by itself. I might buy that tell all book. 😉

It’s been a good week for reports of average valor from the man on the street.

General

Looks like scientists have found a new source for stem cells. From the fluid that fills the womb during pregnancy. There are still some doubts about the feasibility of the technique, saying that gathering of amniotic fluid for the purpose may prove difficult.

‘Plutoed’ is voted as word of the year for 2006, meaning to be demoted or devalued.

Research has shown that more people than everare embracing technology as early adaptors. This is good. The more who take on new tech early, the more likely new tech will take hold as the catch-22 of breaking into a new market can be destroyed early on. As in, service for said hardware not being present because not enough have taken on the technology, because there are not enough services for the product.

Explainer looks at the finances of international mail.

The Blogs look at Zalmay Khalilzad’s likely appointment as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, the protest that disrupted the congressional Democratic press conference yesterday and the existence of an Iraqi official sourced by the Associated Press.

Today’s Papers has Wesley Clark saying we need more diplomacy instead of more troops, most immigrants forced to fight deportation without the representation of a lawyer, anti-terror laws being used to reject asylum applicants even if said applicants were forced to give material support to terrorism at gunpoint and more in the one page news.

Amusements

Man recently cited for living with 1500 rats and some cats busted again with more rats and cats on a sailboat

“If you buy the car today, I’ll throw in the extended warranty AND I’ll swallow the first two feet of this sword for your amusement”

Man returns book to library and pays off a 47-year old, $171 late fee. Al Bundy seen laughing and muttering “amateur”

Florida wants someone to take 9 million pounds of ice cubes off their hands. Eskimos advised to be wary of crafty, smooth-talking salesmen

Oil prices fall 8% in the past week while gas prices rise by three cents. Still don’t think this system is rigged?

Students who are poor at school in Britain to be offered free personal tutors by government. Meanwhile, if you work hard on your homework, pay attention in class and have perfect attendance, government cordially invites you to FOAD

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this drunken Orange Bowl fan

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Photoshop this swinger

Fark Photoshop Challenge: News networks have graphics for probable events ready to go before they happen. Photoshop a breaking news graphic for an impending event