Headlines For 6-23-08

Zimbabwe opposition party leader pulled out of runoff election Sunday. Morgan Tsvangirai said, "We will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process." That means Robert Mugabe’s violence and intimidation have won again and he is still in power. Mail & Guardian The U.S. says it will bring up the issue at the U.N. Security Council this week. AFP/The Australian Here are the allegations of intimidation and violence. BBC

The Saudi King confirmed his country would increase oil output. His announcement comes as the price of gas in the U.S. reaches almost $4.10 per gallon. CNN

Iraq will turn into another Vietnam. It’s a “false comfort of appeasement” if we negotiate with Iran. Neither statement accurately reflects what happened with Germany or Vietnam. Newsweek

Comedian George Carlin dies at 71. Reuters

What’s your life worth? One guy in Australia put his up for auction. Guardian

More Time

The Pentagon extends tours for active-duty soldiers from 12 to 15 months in Iraq and Afghanistan. New York Times

The attack on the Algerian prime minister’s office by a group recently affiliated with al-Qaeda brings renewed fear in that country. BBC What threat could this group cause to France and the rest of Europe? Time

More Power? The National Intelligence Director - America’s spy chief - wants to give intelligence agencies even more power. AP/MSNBC

Behind Iran’s announcement of an industrial-scale nuclear program. It’s not all it’s hyped up to be. Time Background Q&A on the Iran nuclear standoff and nuclear weapons around the world. BBC

Don’t understand the extent of the genocide in Darfur? See it on Google Earth. Reuters

First, Live Aid. Then, Live 8. This summer: Live Earth which intends to raise awareness about the environment. (London) Times

Writer Kurt Vonnegut has died at the age of 84. New York Times


These action figures are pretty realistic.. And gory: Jets, flamethrowers, and in the accessory kit, ground beef!

"Showdown" ..Not Quite Yet

Everyone’s getting ready for what could happen between the White House and Congress after subpoenas were approved (but not issued) for Karl Rove and four other Administration officials to testify in front of a House committee. New York Times Executive Privilege: What is this privilege and how much of it can the chief executive use? Time

Escalating: An Angolan paramilitary force, feared for their brutality, has been dispatched to back up Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. (London) Times If you don’t know the background on Zimbabwe, here it is: BBC

i-TV: We were told that one day we would easily download movies and shows easily from the Internet and watch them on our TV. Apple wants us to think that day has arrived, as long as you download from the i-Tunes store. New York Times

Letterman regular Larry “Bud” Melman has died. AP/Yahoo

Here’s some advice: Don’t listen to athletes about drugs, cars, coffee makers or anything else outside the realm of their sport. Sports Illustrated

We’re not sure where you would hold a Jujitsu class, but look on the wall in the background and see where this Jujitsu Sensei is kicking the crap out of these people.