As hundreds of bloggers continue to explore the deeper meaning of Iraqi size 10's, Bush has moved on to Afghanistan to shake (rather than hold) hands with President Select Karzai. Some time ago, The Onion did a nice report about W visiting places in the US his policies and incompetence have destroyed (first stop: New Orleans); it seems he's now doing the same for entire countries he's pushed over the proverbial cliff... or maybe he's just trying to get as far away from Obama as possible? (No doubt the Obamas' request for an early move into Blair House sparked a reality check freak out, or maybe it's just that W isn't keen on mixed race neighborhoods.)
The media have finally discovered that drugs provide a way to cope with the tension of living in a war zone, with the high number of Gazans addicted to painkillers and sedatives making the front page on every major daily. (Next week expect an update on heroin addiction in Iraq: Nodding Out While the Conquerers Do Noel.) The Israeli siege of Gaza is apparently continuing in order for the jewish state to make relevant the Hanukah story wherein there rebel warriors had only enough oil to light one little candle a night. Christian zionists like to think that their scriptures will eventually see the light of day in jewish cannon; one supposes that Israelis believe Hamas will eventually embrace the Macabees. Speaking of being holed up in temples, there have been 7 fires in Istanbul mosques over the past 3 days. Although no one has been hurt, it's unclear whether the causes are electrical or arson. Muftis are praying for calm while their prayer books are going up in flames.
Weather events are taking a toll in New England, where 800.000 still don't have electricity, and in France as well, where an estimated 100.000 are without power and at least 3 have died. England and Italy are dealing with floods, Australians are recovering from floods, and Papua New Guinea was struck by flooding brought on by extreme tidal surges. All of these events are, of course, designed to make a martyr out of George Monbiot and an idiot out of Andrea Merkel. While many have touted GPS-phones as one way to reduce the loss of life in natural disasters or other emergencies, the Egyptians are forcing Apple to remove the GPS function from its new iPhone 3G in order to prevent users from engaging in effective terrorist attacks. This is undoubtedly a strategy thought up in the aftermath of the India's 'Not 9/11' Mumbai attacks and is in no way connected with Egypt's on-going crackdown on civil rights of bloggers, gays and whomever else Mubarak doesn't like.
In miscellaneous news, the US entertainment media is apoplectic over Jennifer Aniston's bare all cover for GQ, either because it's taking attention away from her ex's latest interview with Rolling Stone or has redefined the nature of the power tie. Hugh Jackman has been announced as 2009 host for the Oscars, apparently in an effort to reduce the comedy and increase ratings in Australia. With many predicting Sean Penn will win best actor for Milk, the last thing the Academy wants is a lot of gay humor and anti-Prop 8 rants running roughshod over its family value ratings. This segues nicely into the quote of the day, from Adrián Dárgelos of the Argentine group, Babasónicos: Mi arrogancia es una decisión póética. Go Hugh! Go Oscars! And George, have a nice visit in slippered Islamabad.
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