What Caught My Eye Today

Pakistan - Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was placed under house arrest for the second time in four days to prevent her staging a march to protest emergency rule. The showdown intensified the political crisis engulfing Pakistan and further clouded the prospect of a pro-U.S. alliance against rising Islamic extremism forming between Bhutto and President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. The protest caravan was intended meant to pressure Musharraf to end the state of emergency he imposed on Nov. 3 and give up his post as army chief. It had been expected to take about three days, and Bhutto's party said thousands of supporters were expected to join en route. Oh, for heaven's sake, make up your minds already, will you? Either lock the broad up or let her speak her peace. I, for one, don't see how a demonstration contributes to the terrorist activity that this 'state of emergency' is suppose to combat, but then again, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed either.

Iraq - The first big test of security gains linked to the U.S. troop buildup in Iraq is at hand. The military has started to reverse the 30,000-strong troop increase and commanders are hoping the drop in insurgent and sectarian violence in recent months won't prove fleeting. The current total of 20 combat brigades is shrinking to 19 as the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, operating in volatile Diyala province, leaves. Between January and July — on a schedule not yet made public — the force is to shrink further to 15 brigades. The total number of U.S. troops will likely go from 167,000 now to 140,000-145,000 by July. As the U.S. troop reductions proceed, it should become clear whether the so-called "surge" strategy that increased the U.S. troop presence in and around Baghdad resulted in any lasting gains against sectarianism. Critics note that the divided government in Baghdad has made few, if any, strides toward political reconciliation that the Americans have said is crucial to stabilizing the country. What I find fascinating about this story is that this was inevitable from the start. The surge had no way of lasting longer, because we had no more troops left to staff it. Bush isn't giving in to the 'will of the people'. He didn't have any other choice.

Pope - Pope Benedict XVI will travel to the United States for the first time as pontiff next year to meet with President Bush, address the United Nations and visit ground zero. The announcement comes as the 67 million-member American church is grappling with a priest shortage and an often alienated flock, and is still recovering from the clergy sex abuse crisis. American dioceses have paid more than $2 billion in settlements with victims since 1950. Benedict has dedicated his pontificate to fighting secularism and strengthening Catholic faith, and his visit reflects those priorities. I'll say this for the man. He'll have plenty to choose from. Those Americans are just a bunch of sex-crazed, drugged-addicted, war mongers. My perspective is that if I'm a lost soul and going to Hell anyway, I might as well go with good reason.

Finally, two more entries from the 'so bizarre it must be true' file...

Air Travel - Passengers aboard a Sri Lankan Airlines flight from London to Colombo rebelled and refused to let the plane take off because it was missing a 5-foot section of wing--sheared off in an accident the previous day. Airline officials insisted that the plane could have flown safely, explaining that the tips of the wings "are purely for aerodynamics." So like, what type of aerodynamics, do you think they were referring to? I'm thinking the ones involved in keeping the plane airborne would be rather important. And another thing, what was the pilot's involvement in all this? I would question the competence of anyone willing to fly an aircraft with part of a wing missing.

Drought - University of Georgia advised fans attending a recent football game not to flush "if it's yellow", due to a severe drought afflicting the Southeast. Bathroom attendants were given the job of deciding when it was absolutely necessary to pull the toilets' handles. Eww. Here's what I want to know. Who comes up with the criteria for when its 'absolutely necessary' to flush? Are there parameters or is it strictly a judgment call? And, seriously, how many bathroom attendants are going to relish the notion that flush inspections have been added to their job doodies, I mean duties (sorry, I couldn't resist).