What Caught My Eye Today

President Obama - President Barack Obama is officially taking a one week vacation when he heads to Martha's Vineyard. When you are talking about the leader of the free world, I guess this would sort of qualify as a "stay-cation," right? A long "to do" list -- two wars, worldwide recession and a host of legislative battles in store when he gets back, most notably the struggle over reforming the U.S. health system -- will make it hard for him to relax and disconnect. Sorry dude, you won't get any sympathy from me. We all have "stuff" to deal with. Sure, your "stuff" affects millions, sometimes, billions of people, but my "stuff" sucks too. The administration says Obama is doing only what other presidents, and many other Americans, do: taking a needed break during a busy year in a place that suits his family. The White House stresses that Obama is footing the bill himself -- estimated at $25,000 or more -- for the 28-acre (Blue Heron farm he is renting for the trip. Seriously, is the White House looking to give the President a medal. Last time I checked, most working stiffs had to pay for their vacation accommodations. Why should the President have it any different from the rest of us. Besides, $25,000? That's what, a single royalty check for this guy?

Afghanistan - The Afghans held themselves a presidential election this week, and as far as I can tell, everybody who ran for the position won. President Hamid Karzai and top challenger Abdullah Abdullah positioned themselves as the likely winner of Afghanistan's presidential election, one day after millions of Afghans braved Taliban threats and intimidation to cast ballots. Assuming we do at some point arrive at a single winner, what awaits this lucky chap? The next president faces an agenda filled with crises: rising insurgent violence, rampant corruption and a huge narcotics trade. Sounds lovely, don't it? Millions of Afghans defied threats to cast ballots, but turnout appeared weaker than the previous vote in 2004 because of violence, fear and disenchantment. U.S. officials had hoped for a wide turnout as a symbolic rejection of the insurgency. The voting was seen partly as a test of the ability of U.S. forces to protect civilians — the new top military priority — and the willingness of voters to accept that help. U.S. officials had hoped for a wide turnout as a symbolic rejection of the insurgency. A top election official told The Associated Press he estimated 40% to 50% of the country's 15 million registered voters cast ballots — far lower than the 70% who voted in the presidential election in 2004. I don't know that this turnout is necessarily a bad thing. After all, everything is relative. In a good year (actually, an exceptional year), the U.S. barely cracks 50% voter turnout, and we've been at this democracy thing a lot longer than the Afghan people.

Libya - Perhaps the folks in Tripoli could benefit from a little sensitivity training...or at the very least, pay a visit to the local proctologist to pull their heads out of their you-know-whats. The release of the only man convicted of blowing up a Pan Am flight in 1988 has brought high drama and controversy: the jeering mob outside a Scottish prison, the cheering crowd at a Tripoli airport, the furious families of the 270 people who died in the Lockerbie bombing. Britain on Friday condemned the "upsetting" scenes of jubilation in Tripoli at the return of Abdel Baset al-Megrahi and considered canceling a royal visit to Libya as a sign of displeasure. President Barack Obama said the warm welcome in Libya was "highly objectionable." By Libyan standards, al-Megrahi's welcome was relatively muted. Are you kidding me? It was an unusually low-key approach for a country that used to snap up any opportunity to snub the West and could easily bring out hundreds of thousands to cheer if it chose to. The guy was responsible for blowing up a plane with 270 people on it. That's not the sort of thing that warrants a ticker tape parade. I suppose the one thing we can all take some solace in is the fact that this jerk has terminal cancer and probably won't live but a few more months. Of course by then, a memorial statue may have been erected in his honor.

Chile - Chile said that tests show swine flu has jumped to birds, opening a new chapter in the global epidemic. Oh good, another chapter. After all, this has been such an exciting "read" so far. Chile's health ministry said it ordered a quarantine for two turkey farms outside the port city of Valparaiso after genetic tests confirmed sick birds were afflicted with the same virus that has caused a pandemic among humans. So far, the virus — a mixture of human, pig and bird genes — has proved to be very contagious but no more deadly than common seasonal flu. However, virus experts fear a more dangerous and easily transmitted strain could emerge if it combines again with avian flu, which is far more deadly but tougher to pass along. I hate be a naysayer--being a wise-ass is so much more my speed--but I have a feeling that the upcoming flu season in the Northern Hemisphere is going to--pardon the pun--blow chow in a big way.

Cricket - That's right my friends, it's time for the final act of the Ashes...thank goodness. For those of you who may have forgotten, the Ashes is a bi-annual cricket tournament between Australia and England consisting of 5 tests. In recent years, Australia has had England's number, but this year has been remarkably competitive with two draws and a win a piece. My man on the ground, Rod, has been doing his best to enlighten me on the finer points of this sport. Alas, being the simpleton that I am, Rod has not had much success. So here is the latest news at the close of the second day of the final test: Fifteen wickets tumbled on a hectic day which finished with England 58 for three in their second innings, a lead of 230 runs, after Australia had collapsed to 160 all out. I think that means England is winning, but after well over a month of following this competition, I can say in all honesty -- I don't have clue.