N. Korea Wishful Thinking

USATODAY.com - N. Korea demands equal treatment in talks
North Korea now considers themselves a "nuclear power" -- just because you develop nuclear weapons does not make you a "power"... That is kind of like "Firefox" demanding it is equal with Microsoft -- saying it don't make it so! Like a neighborhood bully or an international terrorist their only "power" is the threat of violence and this does not make a "nuclear power". My opinion is that North Korea has simply grown to a "nuclear terrorist" and the United States does not negotiate with terrorist...

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea said Thursday the United States should dismantle all potential nuclear threats in the region before it would discuss giving up its own nuclear program and demanded to be treated equally in disarmament talks.
'Now that we have become a nuclear power, the six-party talks should be disarmament talks where participants can solve the issue on an equal basis,' a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency.

It Ain't Over

CNN.com - Terri Schiavo dies amid legal, ethical battle - Mar 31, 2005
Those that think this story stops here will be surprised -- I think it might be just beginning. My heart goes out to her family, all of them.

PINELLAS PARK, Florida (CNN) -- Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged woman at the center of a family battle fought on a national stage, died Thursday morning, nearly two weeks after doctors removed her life-sustaining feeding tube.

N. Korea and Iran Fight

BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | N Korea football violence erupts
Well this is interesting -- maybe we can just let North Korea and Iran play soccer repeatedly -- since one has to loose, eventually they might wipe each other out.

North Korean soldiers and riot police had to step in after violence erupted when the home side lost a World Cup qualifying match to Iran, say reports.
Bottles, stones and chairs were thrown on to the pitch in Pyongyang after a North Korean player was sent off.
Violence then spilled over outside the stadium and thousands of angry fans reportedly prevented Iranian players from boarding the team bus.

Well Whoopee Do

Telegraph | News | Iraq interrogation techniques exposed in memo
As a military member we participated in training that exposed us to pretty much, everything outlined in this memo -- so what is the big deal. We train our military so they might know what to expect if captured, although we could not take it past these levels to prepare them/us for the extreme levels captured US Military will really experience -- far above what is outlined in this memo... I really believe we need grow up and realize this is war and measures are needed and will be taken that are not taken within the confines of our lawful and peaceful borders -- yet another reason why taking the battle to them is a good thing...

Interrogators were sanctioned by their bosses to use dogs, stress positions and isolation in Iraqi prisons, a Government memo reveals.
General Ricardo Sanchez, then senior commander of US forces in Iraq, approved 29 interrogation techniques when he signed the document in Sept 2003.
The memo allowed for the presence of muzzled military dogs during interrogations to "exploit Arab fear of dogs".
It permitted "environmental manipulation", allowing interrogators to isolate prisoners, disrupt their sleep patterns, make their rooms hot or cold or expose them to unpleasant smells.

Now when you think torture -- what comes to mind? Do you think muzzled dogs, kneeling in uncomfortable positions, being cold or hot -- I did not think so -- if you are honest when you think of torture you think of beatings, broken bones, cuts, hot water, electricity, etc. etc. etc; come on guys. For the most part these guys are attempting to be has humane as possible and still retrieve information that will save lives and help end the conflict. Sure some "over step" these guidelines and as of this posting I am aware of more than a half a dozen convictions, on going trials, and investigations involving these "over steps".

Give Me a Break

Reuters.com - U.S. Child Obesity Dragging Down Overall Gains
This is simply amazing -- healthcare cost are increasing because we are living longer and the elderly are having to be cared for -- wait hold that news... Our young are at a greater health risk because of obesity! Well which is it -- we will be living longer causing healthcare cost to go up, or are we going to be dieing young and in turn reversing the raising healthcare cost? Yes, I am being facetious -- but sometimes I really get tired of reports like this and the monies (federal grants etc.) spent on these studies that IMO prove nothing -- I don't need a doctor to tell me that senior adults are living longer nor do I need a doctor to know that our current "fast-food" mentality is raising weight... My opinion on this particular subject is easy to understand -- it is the parents responsibly to raise and feed their children, of course, they might not be able to say no to much because another study would prove them bad parents with their negativism. Ever wondered how these expert's children, if they have any, actually turned out?

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Child obesity has more than tripled in three decades and the increased health risk associated with being fat has wiped out progress in other areas, according to a report issued on Wednesday.
The annual report on U.S. child welfare from Duke University and the Foundation for Child Development also found that the poverty rate for families with children hit 17.2 percent in 2003, the worst it has been since 1998.

5 Year Old - the Fourth Victim

5 year old calls 911
I just heard a copy of this tape and it is heart breaking -- but, this five year old's heartbreaking call after finding his parents died may not be the worst part of the story.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- 'I think they're dead.'
With those words, 5-year-old Tia Hernlen described finding the bleeding bodies of her mother and father to a Sheriff's Office dispatcher early Monday morning.
Thirty-one year old Julie Hernlen was dead in the bedroom of the family's Ellison Avenue home. Her 29-year-old husband, Aeneas, was critically wounded. Both had been shot multiple times.
Volusia County sheriff's investigators believe the couple were the victims of David Edward Johnson, 33, whom they had accused of stalking them because he believed they had turned him in for drug activity.

The shooter/killer went on to kill himself in his house -- it was discovered that he felt the child's parents had turned him into the police, but per police they had not... Further, the parents had attempted to get a restraining order but a judge ruled against it.

Third victim in murder, suicide dies

Deputies said Johnson shot the Hernlens because Johnson believed the couple had turned him into law enforcement when he was arrested and charged with growing pot and possession of steroids in November. Sheriff's investigators have said the Hernlens had nothing to do with Johnson's arrest. The couple tried to get an injunction against Johnson, 33, in January. The Hernlens claimed Johnson stalked them by driving in front of their residence and making threats.
Looking back on it, Circuit Judge Richard Graham said he is "remorseful and upset" he did not approve Julie Herlen's request for an injunction against the man accused in the shootings.
However, the family law judge questions if it would have done any good.
Graham, the judge assigned the case, denied the request, saying "no violence was alleged and it was hard to prove stalking with the allegations" presented, according to court papers.
The next day, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office filed an aggravated stalking complaint against Johnson based on the same allegations. Johnson was awaiting trial on those charges when the shooting occurred.
"Looking back on it I would have liked to have done it differently," Graham said by telephone Tuesday. "But you review each case on a case-by-case basis."
He said while there was a possible threat of violence, at the time he did not believe the probability was there that Johnson would carry it out.
"But that is in hindsight," Graham said.

I confused by this whole restraining order deal! I mean there was not enough evidence. If I am willing to take the time and incur the expense of getting a restraining order because I do not want someone around me and the plaintiff fights it -- is that not proof enough that there might be an issue. Theoretically I don't like the plaintiff, don't want him around, yet the plaintiff still wants to be able to get close to me -- that would be enough for me. Please any lawyers out there explain why it might be so difficult to get a restraining order... Don't get me wrong I am not imply that the restraining order would have saved their lives -- could it have, maybe but doubtful -- I am just pointing out the lengths the courts go to protect the obviously ill intentioned [IMO] to be politically correct.

Three people died in this tragedy -- but there were four victims -- let us not forget the child!

"God Bless This Honorable Court" - Update

Back in February I posted about a Denver lower court throwing out the death penalty given to Robert Harlan because members of the jury discussed the Bible (see my remarks here). Well we have an update -- after Adams County prosecutor Steven Bernard asked the court to reinstate the sentence the Colorado Supreme Court just voted 3-2 not to reinstate the death penalty sentencing Mr. Harlan to life without parole instead... Besides making Mr. Harlan a taxpayer burden for the rest of his life this case scares me -- no bibles in court! I guess the court actually does believe it "the highest authority"; however, I know God is the highest authority and find it disheartening that a court that ask God to bless the "honorable" court would prove it's own dishonor by then casting God out!

DENVER, Colorado (AP) -- Ruling that juries cannot turn to the Bible for advice during deliberations, a divided Colorado Supreme Court threw out the death penalty for a convicted murderer because jurors discussed Bible verses.

In a 3-2 vote on Monday, justices ordered Robert Harlan to serve life without parole for kidnapping Rhonda Maloney and raping her at gunpoint for two hours before fatally shooting her.

First Hint of Withdrawal Timetable??

USATODAY.com - Iraqi official says security improving
Well could this be the first hint of a timeframe for troop withdrawal? I don't know and am not on the "need a timeframe bandwagon" -- however, even those that are on this "timeframe needed kick" should pay very close attention to statements out of Iraq. After all it has always been President Bush's contention that we would withdrawal when - and only when - Iraq could handle and be comfortable with their own security.

BAGHDAD - Interim Interior Minister Falah al-Naqib said Monday that security forces were gaining the upper hand over insurgents and that Iraqi forces would secure the country by the end of next year.
'The situation is much better than it was five or six months ago,' al-Naqib said at a news conference at Baghdad's convention center. He predicted that U.S. troops would be able to begin pulling out of parts of the country and that 'hopefully, within 18 months at the most we will be capable of securing Iraq.
Al-Naqib added: 'We hope that next summer, there will be a huge reduction in the numbers of multinational patrols. In some cities, there will be no foreign troops.

Big City Reporter has Problem with Bloggers

DesMoinesRegister.com
The below are excerpts are comments by "big city" reporter Ken Fuson writing for the massively distributed Des Monies Register. I am not sure his motivation but it appears he either has issues with or envies bloggers. Mr. Fuson demonstrates a jealous streak, but what could he be jealous of; some bloggers being asked to MSM news broadcast when he has not had his opportunity. Maybe Mr. Fuson is smarter then I give him credit for and is just attempting to gain notoriety by insulting bloggers, yes I bet that is it! Well Mr. Fuson you got your wish, I know several bloggers that have already written commentary on your ridiculous "attack piece". BTW: I suppose Mr. Fuson considers this a rant...

Perhaps you have not heard of blogs. The name derives from a combination of "blather" and "logorrhea."
[...]
This has proved to be a boon to people who apparently are (A) unemployed, (B) independently wealthy, or (C) no longer content to wait on hold to get their daily fix of attention from a radio talk-show host.

Let's put it another way: You know those people who like to write letters to the editor? A blog allows them to write letters all day long, on any subject they choose, without worrying about having the profanity removed or having any of their lunatic rants checked for accuracy.
[...]
But the great thing is, if you're a blogger, you get your rants linked to by other bloggers who agree with you, or other bloggers who disagree with you. Before you know it, you've taken more "hits" than Cheech and Chong, and you will achieve your dream goal: Being invited to appear on a Mainstream Media news show to explain why the Mainstream Media no longer matter.

Mr. Fuson left out the fact that bloggers also link to the story -- wonder how many MORE hits DesMoinesRegister.com gets today and tomorrow! (Hat tip: La Shawn Barber)

UPDATE: An Iowa Libertarian's opinion here.

In Other News -- Getting Out

Top News Article Reuters.comSlow, but progressing... I really do not see how anyone can see this other than a major move toward independence for Lebanon and a good thing for the region!

BEIRUT (Reuters) - About 2,000 Syrian troops have pulled out of eastern Lebanon over the past week, a senior Lebanese security source said Monday, bringing Syria a step closer to ending its 29-year military domination of Lebanon.
The source said small units in the eastern Bekaa Valley were going home, leaving behind a division of the Syrian army as well as scores of intelligence agents.
A Syrian-Lebanese military committee is due to meet next week to set a timeline for withdrawing the 8,000 remaining forces.

Kofi Annan Gone - Maybe?

MSNBC - Job insecurity: U.N. chief awaits Iraq report
Will this report be enough to rid us of Kofi Annan -- I am not holding my breath, but one can always hope.

NEW YORK - United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan could see his job on the line when a report comes out Tuesday detailing his son's financial gain under the Iraq oil-for-food program that was administered by the world body during Saddam Hussein's regime.

Still Limited US Coverage

Simply and update to Haven't Seen This in US NewsYet!. I just did a Google news search - it appears the only US media that has picked the story up is ABC Online. Simply amazing!

Breaking News - Large Quake Indonesia

FOXNews.com - U.S. & World - Large Quake Reported Off Indonesia
This can't be good!

Officials in Thailand were warning of a tsunami (search) risk Monday after a large earthquake was reported in the Andaman Sea (search).
The U.S. Geological Survey reported an 8.2 magnitude temblor in the sea 880 miles northwest of the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, off the coast of Indonesia's Sumatra (search) island.

Disgusting - Chili Digits

Yahoo! News - Search Continues in Wendy's Finger Case
This is a disgusting story -- makes you think -- uck!

A woman said she bit into a partial finger served in a bowl of chili at a Wendy's restaurant, leading authorities to a fingerprint database Thursday to determine who lost the digit.

Seems that the employees still had all their digits so now they have to investigate backward to the packaging plants, etc. Gives new meaning to "got the finger"!

Haven't Seen This in US NewsYet!

World News Article Reuters.co.uk
I have just completed a search and found this artilce in only at one place -- why would LA and NY Times not pick it up? You maybe because it is good news? Go figure -- but this is great news nonetheless.

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi soldiers backed by U.S. helicopters have killed several suspected insurgents and seized 131 more in a dawn raid, capturing tons of explosives earmarked for attacks on the holy city of Kerbala, officials say.
'It was a surprise operation based on intensive surveillance by military intelligence,' Defence Minister Hazim al-Shaalan told Reuters on Saturday. 'It was very successful.

I Like Him - Even if He is Democrat

Click on the image to see video - "I would have kept the tube in"


(Hat tip: Jackson's Juction)

I really do like this man though he maybe democrat he seems, in my opinion, to be a good person.

Happy Easter!

Google - Correct Now Please

Ynetnews - News - Google advertises Hamas
As a loyal Google user I expect and hope this is corrected ASAP.

Terror organizations are advancing their recruitment and public relations methods: Internet surfers who enter the word "Hamas" in Arabic in the Google search engine, will view, in addition to the search results, an AdWord message that links directly to the website of the organization' military faction Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
[...]
Google has automatic filters that prohibit the posting of links to "problematic" websites, such as gambling and sex websites, but as of now they can only identify English words.

Company Spokeswoman Debbie Frost said "we took care of the matter as soon as Ynet turned to us," but Ynet has learned the advertisements have not been removed as of yet.

Optimistic Press - Right

USATODAY.com - Top Iraq official: Government likely to be formed within next fewdays,
This is good news right? Let us look at the how the reporter saw it

1. "tortured negotations"
2. "Iraqi politicians, however, have been reporting they were near a deal for at least a month.
3. "Insurgents, meanwhile, continued efforts"

BAGHDAD (AP) - The Shiite Muslim politician likely to be Iraq's next prime minister said Saturday the country's long-awaited government could be formed within days, an accomplishment that would mark the end of nearly two months of tortured negotiations after the nation's first free elections in a half-century.
Iraqi politicians, however, have been reporting they were near a deal for at least a month.
Insurgents, meanwhile, continued efforts to thwart political progress by blowing up a car Saturday near a U.S. military patrol in Baghdad, killing two American soldiers and wounding two others. A day earlier, the military said, a U.S. Marine died in action in Anbar province, the insurgent heartland stretching from west of Baghdad to the Jordanian and Syrian borders.

These three optimistic statements were introduced in the first four sentences -- have to love these feel good stories don't you.

More Insurgent Friendly Reporting from Aljazeera

Here is an example of "insurgent friendly reporting" from Algazeera -- have to love their dedications... As usual they have coconspirators at CBS and The LA Times. Nevertheless, like I stated here at least the MSM can renew their delightful reporting on the Middle East -- you know last week there just wasn't any bad news "good journalistic material" to report. You can go the links to read the stories. Good thing this is out for the weekend news push!