News Round-Up

[kelincihutan.livejournal.com]

Maybe I missed some stories, but this seemed like a slower news week to me. Which, naturally, makes some of the awful stuff I did note stand out more. Articles I feel are particularly important are bolded, as usual.

United States
No New Jobs Added in August
Referring to net growth, obvs. The only good news is that unemployment didn't go up. On the other hand, holding steady at 9.1% isn't exactly hearts-and-flowers territory. Way to go, President I'm-Going-To-Focus-On-Job-Creation.
Appeals Court Rules the First Amendment Protects the Right to Film Police
Okay, this link is a bit more sketch than I usually prefer (PrisonPlanet.com? Seriously? Who makes these websites?), but apparently we've now got in writing what we all already knew: yes, it is okay to film the police. And yes, the same protection that applies to journalists applies to bloggers and just people in general. So if you ever think you need to, you have a right to film the cops. Just FYI. ;)
American Guns Deliberately Trafficked Into Mexico?
This one is a bit convoluted, so here's the short version. Border Patrol dude Brian Terry was shot and killed last December while attempting apprehend people who'd been committing armed robbery against illegal immigrants. Apparently the gun used to kill him has been linked to an Operation Fast and Furious (yeah, I know, whoever named it clearly has some issues with professionalism), a program by the US government to sell weapons to Mexican cartels. Guns from this program have supposedly been linked to at least 32 violent crimes in Mexico. In an even more surprising turn of events, the evidence linking the gun to Terry's shooting was apparently covered up by federal agents. To be fair, I don't see a lot of links or named sources in the article, so it's hard to be sure how much is conjecture. I usually like FOX, though, so I guess you'll have to come to your own conclusions on this one.


World
New Japanese PM Calls Nuclear Power Quits
After the recent disasters, Japan's new PM has decided to phase out usage of nuclear power in Japan. I am disappointed, but not surprised.
Thirty Pakistani Boys Kidnapped by Taliban
Originally forty boys were seized, but those under age twelve were allowed to return home. I think I may refer to the Taliban as cockroaches from now on.


Life Issues in the News
Kansas Ordered to Fund Planned Parenthood
Apparently the taxpayers' elected representatives are not allowed to decide not to give money to organizations nobody likes that the state is not in debt to. Because that clearly makes perfect sense.

Comments

[modernelegance.livejournal.com]

Those poor Pakistani boys...I hope something is negotiated so the boys go back home.

All I can think about is the "Dancing Boys of Afghanistan" documentary...being trained as child soldiers would probably be better than if these boys were used for sex trafficking.

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

I watched that documentary. It was horrifying.

The saddest part to me was one of the abused boys who is now doing the same thing to new, younger boys. The cycle goes on.

[modernelegance.livejournal.com]

The cycle sort of has to continue of the older boys don't want to be killed. It's just a horrifying what they put children though...I can't think about it or I would become thoroughly depressed.

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

I know the feeling. I wish I could take all those kids home with me.

[kelincihutan.livejournal.com]

I am thoroughly depressed that the comparison of those two fates is actually something that a reasonable person would do in response to that article. Evil Taliban. I hope they all drown in hydrochloric acid or something. Just...ugh.

[modernelegance.livejournal.com]

My first reaction is hopes and prayers that the boys were sent home. However, in recently seeing the documentary, I don't expect anything less than them to be disgusting and perverted.