Monday, June 02, 2014

2 June - Blogs I'm Following

5:25am MDST


Moms To EPA: Recall Monsanto's Roundup by Alexis Baden-Mayer

Stranger in a Strange Land at Stranger in a Strange Land - 24 seconds ago
[image: Foto: Two activist groups, Moms Across America and The Thinking Moms' Revolution, want the EPA to recall Monsanto’s Roundup. And the EPA is listening! Learn more: http://orgcns.org/1gKYNYS]Source of poster: *https://www.facebook.com/OccupyTogether* Moms to EPA: Recall Monsanto’s Roundup - * By Alexis Baden-Mayer Organic Consumers Association, May 29, 2014 * For related articles and information, please visit OCA's All About Organics page, our Genetic Engineering page, and our Millions Against Monsanto page. Hell hath no fury . . . like a mother whose child has be... more »

NSA Collecting Millions of Online User Pictures

Donn Marten at Carrying a Flag - 25 minutes ago
With the latest of the NSA stories based on documents provided by former US government contractor turned NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden it has been revealed that millions of facial images are being scooped up and stored away for future use. *The New York Times* story, “N.S.A. Collecting Millions of Faces From Web Images” by James Risen and Laura Poitras continues to lay out the steps that will inevitably lead to the final monstrous revelation that all of this information is being gathered for future use against political dissidents and all others who cross Leviathan. I excerpt the... more »

Off to the dentist?

Not a sheep at Not a sheep - 1 hour ago
Not the most comfortable of drillings coming up? Armstrong & Miller...

The Helical Model of Solar System and Alexander Sitchen

Americani Kabuki at AMERICAN KABUKI - 1 hour ago
*Gnawing on universe in the Bhat cave..* to the edge of the solar system and beyond.... Some interesting conclusions that naturally spring from the Helical motion model versus the heliocentric model of the solar system and beyond. For one thing the model clearly explains why none of our NASA launched space ships have ever, nor will ever leave our solar system. Since the sun is in effect dragging us all along behind it at super fantastic speeds greater than we can effectively measure, it therefore makes perfect sense why Nasa's Voyager space machines have not yet left the solar sy... more »

Lord Saatchi's Little Helper?

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 2 hours ago
One of the final items on this morning's *Today *was a discussion of Lord Saatchi's Medical Innovations Bill, which will be presented in the House of Lords this Thursday. If passed the bill would allow doctors to experiment with innovative new techniques or drugs on dying patients without the fear of prosecution. It would only happen when all else has failed and when the patients are nearing the end of their life. If you want to read the case for the bill then there's a piece by Dominic Nutt, the director of communications for the Medical Innovation Bill, in the *Telegraph*. T... more »

Untitled

JR at GREENIE WATCH - 2 hours ago
*Pause in global warming upsets religious believers* Ross McKitrick is best known as the Canadian professor who took the so-called hockey stick graph — which is worshipped unquestioningly by anthropogenic global warming religionists — and snapped it over his scientific data like a piece of kindling. Now the environmental economics professor at the University of Guelph is putting his data crunching prowess to work on global warming climate models and is similarly destroying the credibility of these forecasts — which are looking less reliable than tarot card reading. Earlier this we... more »

Turkey scrambles fighter jets to intercept Iranian aircraft

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 2 hours ago
[image: Turkey F-16's]Turkey scrambled two F-16 fighter jets to intercept an Iranian military plane that briefly crossed into Turkish airspace over the eastern province of Iğdır, bordering Iran, the military said on Sunday. The Iranian reconnaissance plane violated Turkey's airspace on Saturday for 20 seconds and left the area after the military dispatched F-16s to intercept it, according to a written statement from the General Staff. The statement also said four F-16s conducted patrols on the Turkey-Syria border on Saturday. Read more

Russian Air Force Unveils Arms Procurement Plan

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 3 hours ago
[image: Su-34 Fullback]Russia’s Air Force is set to receive new aircraft and anti-missile defense systems, as well as to stage large-scale drills by the end of 2014, a Russian Defense Ministry’s Air Force spokesman said. “By the end of the year, the Air Force is to procure planes, helicopters, modern radar stations… It is also being reequipped with high-end S-400 surface-to-air missiles and Pantsir-S short-range air defense systems,” said Colonel Igor Klimov. According to Col. Klimov, the Russian Air Force will upgrade its fleet with brand-new Sukhoi Su-34 bombers, multipurpose Su-3... more »

Iskander missiles to be launched in training in western military district - Defense Ministry

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 3 hours ago
[image: Iskander-M mobile theater ballistic missile system]Tactical trainings of the missile junction of the Western Military District and the Long-Range Aviation Command will take place during an inspection of the combat potential of the junctions of the Russian Armed Forces equipped with long-range high-precision weapons in the period between May 27 and June 5, the Russian Defense Ministry has reported. "The purpose of the training is to practice the organization of the combine injury of critical facilities of a hypothetical aggressor using ground-based and air-based high-precisio... more »

IAF's fighter fleet needs immediate replenishment

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 3 hours ago
[image: Tejas LCA]As soon as the euphoria subsides and the new government at the Centre settles down to business, it will have to take some expeditious decisions so far as acquisitions for the defence forces are concerned. One decision that has to be taken immediately is on how to replenish fighter aircraft squadrons. According to highly placed sources in the Indian Air Force (IAF), the country is fast running out of fighter aircraft and this is a matter of great concern. "The threat is greater along the country's northern border with China developing its military capabilities rapid... more »

Is The F-35 Fighter Jet That Australia Is Buying Actually Worth It?

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 3 hours ago
The US military’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft is proving to be a pain in the neck in more ways than one. An expose from CBS News looks at the extent of the program’s many delays and cost over-runs. Not only did the Pentagon spend almost $US400 billion to buy 2,400 aircraft — about twice as much as it cost to put a man on the moon — the F-35 program is 7 years behind schedule and $US163 billion over budget. This at a time when cuts in the defence budget are forcing the Pentagon to shrink the size of the military. Australia is buying a total of 72 of the next-generation aircr... more »

NATO to discuss reinforcing troops in Poland-German defense ministry

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 3 hours ago
[image: MATO E-3A Sentry AWACS]NATO defense ministers will discuss temporarily reinforcing forces in Poland when they meet in Brussels this week, a spokesman for the German defense ministry said on Sunday, a move that would be aimed at reassuring countries nervous about Russia's intervention in Ukraine. The spokesman said the 28-member alliance would consider reinforcing its Multinational Corps Northeast in Szczecin. In Brussels, NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said NATO defense ministers would on Tuesday review measures the alliance had taken given Russia's actions towards Ukraine.... more »

Modi govt must act fast to save India’s depleting submarine fleet

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 3 hours ago
[image: INS Chakra]The Narendra Modi government will have to get cracking on a four-pronged strategy if it wants to rescue the country's underwater combat arm from sinking any further. Defence ministry sources say the new political dispensation should ensure there are no further slippages in the ongoing project to build six Scorpene submarines at Mazagon Docks, the long-delayed global tender for six new-generation submarines is issued, life extension for at least five ageing submarines is fast-tracked, and the long-term plan for nuclear submarines gets the requisite support. The ... more »

RUMI

Americani Kabuki at AMERICAN KABUKI - 3 hours ago
“The garden of the world has no limits, except in your mind.” ― Rumi “The angel is free because of his knowledge, the beast because of his ignorance. Between the two remains the son of man to struggle.” ― Rumi “The world's flattery and hypocrisy is a sweet morsel: eat less of it, for it is full of fire. Its fire is hidden while its taste is manifest, but its smoke becomes visible in the end. ” ― Rumi “let's get away from all the clever humans who put words in our mouth let's only say what our hearts desire.” ― Rumi “The truth was a mirror in the hands of God. It fell, and... more »

Details of China's type 039B submarine revealed: Kanwa

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 3 hours ago
[image: Type 039B submarine]The details of China's Type 039B submarine, which is reportedly to be sold to Pakistan this year, have been revealed by the Canada-based Kanwa Information Center, reports Huanqiu, the website of China's nationalistic tabloid Global Times. The Pakistani Navy has reportedly required that China install air-independent propulsion systems on the submarines it has chosen for the transfer of these related technologies in order to assemble the submarines in Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan. China has called for tenders for its type S20P submarine, which is a... more »

Paddy Spart

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 4 hours ago
Ah, a trip down memory lane! Here we pause for a moment to look over a fence at a comment on a *Biased BBC *Open Thread from August 2011: Craig says: August 7, 2011 at 2:52 pm Being a former BBC business presenter, Paddy O’Connell isn’t very keen on what he (as today) likes to call “capitalism”. In his guide to the latest economic crisis, he played a clip of Paul Mason, and then added his own thoughts: “Now you can hear what he’s talking about by heading to Italy. Since investors change their mind in a constant fight between *fear* and *greed*, it works like this: To them Italian... more »

The Four Key Elements Of Good Food

Stranger in a Strange Land at Stranger in a Strange Land - 4 hours ago
[image: Foto: University study calls for more "good food" as the local food movement continues to pressure industrial agriculture. Study here: http://foodsystems.msu.edu/uploads/file/resources/local-food-movement-setting-the-stage.pdf #SOLFood = Sustainable/Seasonal + Organic + Local] A University study calls for more "good food" as the local food movement continues to pressure industrial agriculture. Study here: http://foodsystems.msu.edu/uploads/file/resources/local-food-movement-setting-the-stage.pdf #SOLFood = Sustainable/Seasonal + Organic + Local *Source:* *Occupy Food Face... more »

The ZAP Report - June 1, 2014

Americani Kabuki at AMERICAN KABUKI - 5 hours ago
*I haven't posted one of these in a good while as there was really nothing new in them for weeks. This one has some interesting data. As always the views below (minus any of mine in red italics) are those of ZAP and/or Susan solely and of those who involved with the Revaluation of Global Currencies aka the RV or GCR. -AK* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkXIX9dPmr0 *Greeting and Salutations:* *For many of those who remember Mike Kodosky's description of the end times, he would always describe it as absolute chaos, disinformation, political and social unrest. Little did we ... more »

Your Moment of Zen

Libby Spencer at The Impolitic - 5 hours ago
Rainy season is back in Bangkok by Beboy Photographies. [Via Reg Saddler]

Leader Cam Broten Receives Massive Endorsement At Sask NDP Convention

leftdog at Buckdog - 6 hours ago
Saskatchewan NDP gives leader 98.7 per cent approval at party convention MOOSE JAW, Sask. –* The leader of Saskatchewan’s Opposition has received an overwhelming endorsement at his party’s convention in Moose Jaw.**NDP delegates voted 98.7 per cent to approve Cam Broten’s leadership on Saturday.* *The leadership review by secret ballot was required by the party’s constitution. * *Broten says the party will continue to focus on what is important to Saskatchewan families, including health care and education.* *A detailed platform will be released closer to the next provincial electi... more »

Why I Love Blogging and How to Start Your Own

Debra Hawkins at Housewife Eclectic - 7 hours ago
When I first started my blog, more than six years ago, I had no idea it would become such a big part of my daily life. The friends I have made blogging and the things I have learned are invaluable. Blogging has become a part of who I am. I often get asked all of the reasons I blog and how to go about starting a blog. This post is a brief overview of both items. Honestly, each one of the bullet points in the how to start a blog section could be its own post and hopefully soon they will be, until then, if you have any questions let me know. Let me start off with telling you why I blo... more »

Are You Surprised That None Of The Republicans Who Sabotaged The V.A. Have Resigned In Disgrace Yet?

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 7 hours ago
Bernie Sanders (I-VT), chairman of the Senate Veteran's Affairs Committee, and one of the most persistent and effective advocates for veterans anywhere in government, was on *Face The Nation* this morning. He was more constrained in his response to the V.A. scandal that Ken was in his reportFriday evening after Shinseki had been forced to fall on his sword. Ken speculated that we'll probably never know how responsible Shinseki really was for the mess because, in his words, "the psychotic lying scumbags who have been leading the assault on him not only are incapable of speaking a w... more »

Review - Blue Avocado (Re)Zip Reusable Snack Bags

Small Footprints at Reduce Footprints - 7 hours ago
When I first began this blog, in 2008, I believed that it was okay to use plastic "zip" bags in moderation. I remember saying that nothing else worked quite as efficiently in my small freezer. While their convenience is unquestionable, they are typically single use storage containers and, more importantly, they usually contain toxic chemicals which can leach into our food. [image: Review - Blue Avocado (Re)Zip Reusable Snack Bags]*Holds 1 Cup* Reuseit.com, a company which specializes in reusable products designed to replace single-use items, invited me to try Blue Avocado (Re)Zip Reu... more »

DIVIDED IS CONQUERED

Kris Nielsen at @ THE CHALK FACE - 8 hours ago
Guest post by Meg Norris and Teri Sasseville As we watch the political maneuvering in New York from afar, we are terribly disheartened. New York has been the leader in our battle against Common Core from day one. With warriors in 49 other states watching closely, the NY groups seem to have gotten so caught up […]

EFN 38: Report on Globalization and Inequality, Jeju Forum 2014

Nonoy Oplas at Government and Taxes - 8 hours ago
This is the Rapporteur's Report for the panel discussion sponsored by Economic Freedom Network (EFN) Asia last May 29, 2014, at the Jeju Forum for Peace and Prosperity, Haevichi Hotel & Resort, Jeju island, S. Korea. Thanks to Pett Jurapaiboon, EFN Asia Regional Program Officer, for sharing this with me. I am adding photos from the FNF East and Southeast Asia fb page. In this photo, from left: Peter, Sethaput, Dep. Minister Dang, Choi. *Name of Session* Globalization and Inequality *Session Number* p46 *Time* 15:40–17:00 *Room* 5-F Moderator: Prof. Dr. Stella *Quimbo*, Professor,... more »

Monday Links

Michael Turton at The View from Taiwan - 9 hours ago
*My friend Flora Chen and I went out riding yesterday, and ran into this woman in purple just as we entered the 145 off the 19 near Pitou. "Is this the 1?" she queried in a piteous voice. She was riding round the island, but had never checked a map and had no idea where she was. Some bike group she contacted told her to take the 1, a road unfit for human use, but by great good luck she had hit probably the best road in the area, the 145. Here we are just before the big bridge into Xiluo. She had left her three children in Hsinchu before deciding to venture the *Huandao *(round the ... more »

How They Got You To Work Longer and Harder As They Reaped the Productivity Benefits (Simple Scams - Economic Arguments Making the World Worse and Getting Paid Billions For It)

Did someone say they're just bullshit jobs? Suddenly it became possible to see that if there’s a rule, it’s that the more obviously your work benefits others, the less you’re paid for it. CEOs and financial consultants that are actually making other people’s lives worse were paid millions, useless paper-pushers got handsomely compensated, people fulfilling obviously useful functions like

Founding member of the Goo Goo Dolls Robby Takac is At the Chalk Face

Shaun Johnson at @ THE CHALK FACE - 9 hours ago
Founding member of the Goo Goo Dolls Robby Takac is At the Chalk Face We hear a lot about the importance of the arts in schools, yet they are typically the first to be cut. Robby Takac has had a great Buffalo-based foundation called Music is Art, working to get music into schools and communities […]

TV Watch: Notes from a season from hell (being slightly more like a post than that thing that appeared last night)

KenInNY at DownWithTyranny! - 10 hours ago
*Mad About You's Murray remains TV's all-time greatest dog, but he faced a late-in-the-series nudge from Gilmore Girls' Paul Anka. (It's worth remembering that Murray in his time had to go snout to snout against Frasier's Eddie.)* *by Ken* When the then-new TV season had reached pretty much "full swing," I let out a cry of desperation. The depth of the horror exceeded anything I could conjure from either memory or imagination. Since then, it has merely seemed to me that I was understating the dimension of the catastrophe. *(1) IT BEATS GOING OUT AND GETTING WASTED(DOESN'T IT?)* ... more »

‘The use of the English language in Australia’

Peter Cresswell at Not PC - 11 hours ago
Yes, Tony Abbott, words do have meaning. [Hat tip Suzuki Samurai] Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Please contact author for permission to republish: (organon at ihug.co.nz)

you can never have too much interspecies love

laura k at wmtc - 11 hours ago
I'm working on a few actual posts, where I actually write something and you might actually read it. Until those materialize, please enjoy these fine examples of interspecies love. First, the incredible story of Mr. G. and Jellybean. Read more about it here. Bring a tissue. Next, friendship is not just for funny little grass-eaters. Big carnivores have friends, too. And finally, a beautiful German Shepherd and an adorable piglet are in love in BC. Slide show here. Many thanks to Steph and Miss Essie Ash for sharing these! (Can any code-friendly readers tell me why there is a huge... more »

Pork Barrel 10: Bloated Budget, Wasteful Government

Nonoy Oplas at Government and Taxes - 11 hours ago
A physician friend, Doc Tony Leachon, posted this poster in his fb wall and asked, “Do you agree? Yes or No?” ALL the first 26 comments have answered Yes, directly or indirectly. And the succeeding many other comments also said Yes. Not one said No. Coming from mostly physician-friends of Dr. Leachon. I also briefly commented, "Yes. The main purpose of government is often to expand the government. So many taxes, fees, royalties, other revenues and still not enough. They keep borrowing and borrowing and borrowing. Both the Executive and Legislative branches are wasteful. There we... more »

Untitled

New Orleans Ladder at New Orleans Ladder - 11 hours ago
*Hurricane season begins; eight years without a major storm ~Amy Wold, The Advocate* *Anti-Levee Board bill SB 469 could have disastrous impact on local governments with pending BP spill claims ~Louisiana Voice* *Court monitor says Gusman is behind schedule on jail reforms ~Charles Maldonado, The Lens* *Acme World Oyster Eating Championship*

Protests Global news of the Day May 31, 2014 -- Anonymous hacktivists plan massive attack on Brazilian World Cup sponsors ....... Turkish police have shot tear gas at protesters, along with an RT journalist covering the event. Thirty-two have been detained on the anniversary of the 2013 Gezi Park demonstrations and 25,000 officers have been dispatched ahead of more planned rallies.........Nauseous black smoke from burning tires is back in Central Kiev. A group of Maidan activists set them on fire in a gesture of protest against an order from Kiev’s elected Mayor Vladimir Klitshchko’s to remove the barricades.

Catharsis Ours - 12 hours ago
Brazil... Anonymous hacktivists plan massive attack on Brazilian World Cup sponsors – report Published time: May 31, 2014 14:41 Get short URL [image: AFP Photo / Christophe Simon] AFP Photo / Christophe Simon Share on tumblr Tags Anonymous, Brazil, Hacking, World Cup 2014 Amid mass demos and violence over extravagant World Cup spending showing little promise of return for an impoverished Brazil, Anonymous hackers plan a mass hack attack on the Cup’s sponsors, a source told Reuters. High inflation and low business investment have hampered the government’s recent attempts to boost the ec...more »

I'm the Worst Dad on Earth

jurassicpork at Welcome Back to Pottersville - 12 hours ago
No job is too simple for Super Stupid dad to fuck up. My youngest son graduated high school today at Marlborough, MA High School. This is the beginning of Commencement and, somehow, I figuratively got caught with my pants down. The camera's power saver feature had shut it off and by the time I got the camcorder up and running again, my son had passed by me. I thought they were going to call out the kids' names in alphabetical order like they used to and by the time they called my son's name, my camcorder had shut itself off yet again and I got it powered up and recordin... more »

Blindside hit leading to absence

Steve at Thinking Aboot - 13 hours ago
do not watch your pass as your skating alone someone will blindside you and send you home its not there fault its just human nature if someone is successful there will be a traitor we all want to be rich and those rich men and women they admire the king and the queen and those people are not satisfied until they rule every little thing. No one is immune from this human nature so how can we harness it to make us closer to the maker This planet we live on is a magical place you know its a hunk of rock surround by vacuum and radiation that would kill a human in an instant if they did not h... more »

Dave's Desperate Referendum Stunt

Phil at All That Is Solid ... - 14 hours ago
This post begins with a quiz. Who here is the biggest cynic? Me, your host of some seven-and-a-half years. Or Dave, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland? Don't answer yet! Let's examine the evidence first. You might have noticed that an election took place last week, one that saw an unprecedented number of votes go to the hard and the far right across Europe. You may also have caught a little bit of coverage about something called UKIP. However, the biggest bloc in the new European Parliament is the so-called European People's Party. This S... more »

Did You Contribute To The DCCC This Year? Here's How Steve Israel Plans To Flush Your Money

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 14 hours ago
Michigan progressive, Arkansas conservative-- guess which one the DCCC is backing A few days ago, Steve Israel announced the DCCC had already reserved $43.5 million in TV and radio ad buys in the races the DCCC was getting serious about. First on this list-- alphabetic by state-- was AR-02, a seat that opened up when Karl Rove acolyte Tim Griffin announced he wanted to retire from Congress so he could spend more time raising his children… and stayed open when Griffin decided he was just kidding about raising the kids but had decided to run for Lt. Governor instead. AR-02 includes al... more »

Quote of the Day:

Peter Cresswell at Not PC - 14 hours ago
[image: Polar bear twin cubs are seen in Vienna] “Fraud in science? The concept has been replaced with "public demand."” - Jeff Perren Novelist, commenting on: Scientists Admit Polar Bear Numbers Were Made Up To ‘Satisfy Public Demand’ Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Please contact author for permission to republish: (organon at ihug.co.nz)

In Praise of 'The Spectator'

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 16 hours ago
I decided to subscribe to the *Spectator *earlier this year, thus gaining unfettered access to their website as well as getting the magazine delivered to my doorstep every week. Now, yes, I know you can get much of the *Speccie*'s online content for free anyhow and, if you're canny, you can find your way around their paywall most of the time, but I thought they were worth paying for and I wanted to support them. As it's been sunny, I've sat outside this weekend reading this week's edition pretty much from cover to cover, something that's only reinforced my feeling of satisfaction a... more »

Start Up Nation

sue at Is the BBC biased? - 16 hours ago
A whole episode devoted to Israel was broadcast this afternoon on BBC News 24 in the ‘Click’ series. I imagine that was down to the recent visit there by the BBC’s technology correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones. A feast of amazing Israeli innovations; a sparkling televisual representation of the kind of inventions and technical achievements regularly featured on Very Good News from Israel. At the moment of writing the appropriate BBC’s server is down, so I can’t link. The presenter referred to Israel as “The Start Up Nation”, which is the name of a book . You can also get it as a fr... more »

GCC Nations continue to mend fences with Iran ( June 1 , 2014 ) -- Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah started on Sunday his first visit to Iran since his inauguration as the Gulf state’s ruler in 2006.The landmark visit focused on mending fences between Shiite Iran and the Sunni-ruled monarchies in the Gulf. The two-day visit comes amid a thaw in ties between Tehran and six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) since the election of Iran’s moderate President Hassan Rowhani in June 2013........ Tehran: Saudi Arabia has invited Iran to attend a meeting of Islamic bloc foreign ministers in Jeddah next month, an Iranian official said in comments published Thursday. Deputy Foreign Minister Hussain Amir Abdul Ahian welcomed the “friendly” gesture by Iran’s regional rival, with which relations have been strained by the Syrian conflict and the fallout from unrest in Bahrain.

Fred Walton at Catharsis Ours - 17 hours ago
http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/2014/06/01/Kuwait-s-emir-makes-landmark-visit-to-Iran.html Kuwait’s emir makes landmark visit to Iran Iranian President Hassan Rowhani (L) and Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah (R) review the honor guard during a welcoming ceremony for the Emir upon his arrival in Tehran on June 1, 2014. (AFP) Text size A A A By Staff writer | Al Arabiya News Sunday, 1 June 2014 Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah started on Sunday his first visit to Iran since his inauguration as the Gulf state’s ruler in 2006. “Iranian President Hassan Rowhani ... more »

Republican Swine Blast Freeing of Sgt. Bergdahl

Donn Marten at Carrying a Flag - 17 hours ago
You have to give the Republicans one thing in that they are consistently authority worshipping, anti-American, whiny, torture loving, warmongering media whores who no matter what the issue always have their eyes on whipping up the rabble for their next election. Take the just completed swap by the Obama regime of five of the occupants of the American concentration camp at Club Gitmo for captured US serviceman Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. The outrage was as fake as it was predictable and just in time for the Sunday morning propaganda shows too. Even the strangely out of the limelight uber-f... more »

"Nation of Change" deserves support

KenInNY at DownWithTyranny! - 18 hours ago
*by Ken* It turns out, finally, that I am not so hard of heart as to pass through Nation of Change's frantic spring fund-raising efforts. By and large the long and intense series of e-mails has been more lucidly framed than today's, which has the subject line, "What are you advancing?," which kind of left me wanting to ask, "Um, could you repeat the question?" But the message is succinct: You rely on NationofChange to do our part every day, 365 days a year. We need you to do your part. We understand that in this economic climate money is tight for everyone. That said, we all put ... more »

Prevent the sixth extiction

Steve at Thinking Aboot - 18 hours ago
In my world every day everything gets larger so extrapolative is the day today we do not know where ability, faith and constraint will meet Did you know we are spiraling into the sixth extinction event the previous five were natural events the sixth is the one we created and can by utilizing natural selection prevent. Will we do it, will we do it how, do we care at all I doubt that man is a fantastic titanic animal a super one but still a self reflecting brat one appeal to the tiniest lizard brain and the smartest monkey knows every bit of knowledge blows he can be King as long as the... more »

Life Goes On In Iraq Brick Factory In Najaf

Joel Wing at MUSINGS ON IRAQ - 18 hours ago
(*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*)

Proving the rule of Andrew Marr

sue at Is the BBC biased? - 18 hours ago
I’m a bit of a pedant. Undeterred by the fact that I may be on shaky ground, I get irritated when people say “Off his own back” instead of ‘bat’, or “the proof is in the pudding”. Another one that irks me is “heart-wrenching, or, even worse heart-rendering” . I must look that up, but think it should be “rending”. Oh. That means I’m a purist, not a pedant. Never mind the apostrophe thing. (I do mind, but that’s another story.) An expression I’ve never understood, and therefore never used, is “the exception that proves the rule.” You often hear people saying “the exception that pro... more »

BBC News - Brussels Jewish Museum killings: Suspect 'admitted attack'

Not a sheep at Not a sheep - 19 hours ago
Admitted or boasted of? Also this passage struck me: 'Mr Nemmouche, a French national from the northern town of Roubaix' A French national? I'd like to know more, where was he born? How long has he been a 'French national'? More BBC mealy mouthed coverage here http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27654505

Northerntruthseeker Rant For Sunday, June 1st, 2014

Northerntruthseeker at Northerntruthseeker - 19 hours ago
[image: rant-jpeg-b] It is Sunday, the start of a brand new month, and again time for my usual weekly rant... I have been spending a lot more time lately just simply turning off the computer in the evenings, and taking long walks.... It is now springtime here and everything is in bloom and trees are turning green... It was indeed a long harsh winter in this part of Canada (gosh darn that Global Warming!) and now time to enjoy this warm weather while it lasts.... To me, taking long walks not only helps to clear my mind, but also makes me realize how amazing our planet truly is, and... more »

Top Chinese General Accuses US And Japan Of "Provocative Actions"; Russia Wonders Why "US Has To Lead"

Fred Walton at Catharsis Ours - 19 hours ago
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-06-01/top-chinese-general-accuses-us-and-japan-provocative-actions-russia-wonders-why-us-h Top Chinese General Accuses US And Japan Of "Provocative Actions"; Russia Wonders Why "US Has To Lead" [image: Tyler Durden's picture] Submitted by Tyler Durden on 06/01/2014 10:14 -0400 - China - Germany - Japan - Ukraine inShare1 Now that the Ukraine pseudo civil war is slowly drifting off into limbo, with western support for the eastern regions of the nation no longer on the table, and Germany making it clear no further sanctions again... more »

more than you know

Oberon at GlobaLove Think Tank - 20 hours ago

Imprudent Economic Management

Owen Gray at Northern Reflections - 20 hours ago
The Parliamentary Budget Office reported this week that "Canadians are paying Ottawa about $30 billion less this year — or a little less than $1,000 per person — due to tax changes introduced in the past decade. Dennis Howlett writes: But here’s the thing: The annual loss of revenue due to tax cuts is actually closer to $43 billion if corporate tax cuts are counted, which the PBO report did not include. Any way you cut it, that’s a lot of money. So who benefited from these tax cuts? More than that, the gap between the wealthy and everyone else is growing: The top 20 per cent of... more »

Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner among seven dead in Boston plane crash • Lewis Katz killed; six others unidentified • Cause of crash at Hanscom Field remains unknown

Fred Walton at Catharsis Ours - 20 hours ago
Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner among seven dead in Boston plane crash • Lewis Katz killed; six others unidentified • Cause of crash at Hanscom Field remains unknown - Share10 - - - inShare0 - Email - Associated Press in Philadelphia - - theguardian.com, Sunday 1 June 2014 09.47 EDT - Jump to comments (1) [image: lewis katz]Businessman Lewis Katz has been identified as one of seven dead in a plane crash at Hanscom Field, Massachusetts. Photograph: Matt Rourke/AP The Philadelphia Inquirer co-owner Lewis Katz was killed along with six other people in a fier... more »

Ukraine Updates - June 1 , 2014 --- Maidan activists refuse to go home, vow to stay on until their demands are met ....... Gazprom's Chief comments on Ukraine gas situation - Miller: Ukraine requests maximum gas supplies, but payment approaches are not constructive ........ Six killed as self-defense forces come under attack at Donetsk airport ...... A look at Russia under sanctions pressure -- Russian ForEx Reserves and Balance of Payments Vulnerabilities ( So, on the basis of short term debt coverage, Russia seems fairly secure. The fact that it runs a current account surplus is also very helpful. On the other hand, if the ratio of M2 to reserves continues to decline, then the situation might be come more worrisome for Russian economic policymakers (and a heightening of the VIX would probably not help . )

Fred Walton at Catharsis Ours - 20 hours ago
Mish... Sunday, June 01, 2014 12:24 PM Mish Reader Who Speaks Ukrainian and Russian Updates the Situation in Ukraine News media reporting of the situation in Ukraine has nearly vanished in the past couple of weeks. Here is an update from reader Jacob Dreizin, a US citizen who speaks Ukrainian and Russian. Mish, Just wanted to give you an update on Ukraine. A lot has happened since I wrote you last. The rebels in the eastern regions are clearing their hinterland of minor government positions, and securing their supply lines from Russia. The Russian government has started to... more »

Impeach Obama, Court Martial Bergdahl

Capt. Fogg at The Impolitic - 21 hours ago
By Capt. Fogg Damn the troops, Damn everything. We're the Republicans Didn't you see it coming? The release -- let's call it a rescue -- of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from the clutches of the Taliban after 5 years should have been a feel-good story for all of us as well as his friends and family in these days of supporting the heroic troops, but a country pleased with anything, even for an afternoon, just can't be allowed by the party that has long made it it's business to tell us just how awful things are and just how it's Obama's fault. As you know, some Guantanamo "detainees" yet ... more »

FULL SPECTRUM DOMINANCE

Bruce K. Gagnon at Organizing Notes - 21 hours ago
The Truthseeker production folks called last week and invited me to do an interview for this weekend's edition of their show. The topic is US-NATO 'Full Spectrum Dominance'. Chicago friend Rick Rozoff from Stop NATO is also on the show. I have so much respect for his intellect and honesty. He must have a photographic mind - I've seen few that can remember the loads of stuff that he does. Near the end of the show they put on the screen our poster for Keep Space for Peace Week (October 4-11). I was glad to see that.

SUNDAY SONG

Bruce K. Gagnon at Organizing Notes - 21 hours ago

US Insists Assad must go, but expects he will stay

Penny at Penny for your thoughts - 22 hours ago
Some insist the US is going to stop supplying rebels and finally get their hired killers out of Syria Those pushing that idea are mistaken. The US will not leave. The US will not stop aiding it's killers. One reason is that Israel has too great a stake in this fight. There are other reasons, but, the Israeli stake in this destroy/destabilize campaign is enough to make the point. The US/NATO/Israeli special ops, military and Islamist mercenaries are going nowhere. Now, even as the United States *seeks to increase support* to moderate rebels *( there are no moderate rebels)* to fi... more »

What Does It Mean To Be A Blue Dog In America Today?

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 22 hours ago
When John Barrow first ran for Congress in 2004, friends of mine in Athens persuaded me that he had been a liberal county commissioner and had a chance to replace freshman GOP extremist Max Burns in Congress. I wrote a maxed-out check. It didn't take long before I realized I'd made an error. Towards the end of the campaign Barrow revealed what a slimy worm he is. He called me to tell me that although he personally had nothing against gay people, he had to campaign as though he did. I didn't think to ask for my money back. I just told him not to call me again and hung up and got ba... more »

Untitled

jonjayray at EDUCATION WATCH INTERNATIONAL - 22 hours ago
*Public School Kids Rebel Against Michelle Obama's Healthy School Lunches As First Daughters Get Meatball Subs, Ice Cream* I know, the last thing you’d expect from the Obamas is hypocrisy. Alas, I bring you yet another example, this time regarding school lunches. First Lady Michelle Obama has been widely criticized among hungry students across the U.S., a result of school meal nutrition standards that she successfully lobbied for in 2010. Twitchy has done a great job capturing the reactions and photos to some of these lunches and it’s not pretty (click here, here, and here for exam... more »

EU Elections? A smokescreen for genocide

Rufus News From Atlantis at News From Atlantis. - 22 hours ago
We are now a week into the new Parliament of the European Union. All the pathetic politicians with their fake smiles, photo opportunities and pretences of giving a damn for the electorate, have returned to their lives of self-absorption and smugness, leaving the people to continue trying to cope with the policies of those who serve finance politics and their own self-interests, no matter what they say at election time. The latest elections to the European Parliament have brought increasing numbers of anti-federalists into the alleged governing body. However, in spite of the Front ... more »

Maxine Greene, Released to a New Landscape

plthomasedd at @ THE CHALK FACE - 23 hours ago
Maxine Greene, Released to a New Landscape. via Maxine Greene, Released to a New Landscape.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical

Is the BBC up to its old tricks again?

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 23 hours ago
There's a familiar charge on anti-BBC bias blogs that the BBC seeks to downplay the specifically Islamic character of many serious crimes, due to its left/liberal oversensitivity to the 'cultural sensitivities' of Muslims. That charge will doubtless be made again today in the wake of the excellent news that police have captured the man suspected of carrying out the murderous anti-Semitic terrorist attack on the Jewish Museum in Brussels. This is an example of why such charges are made against the BBC: Here's how the Sky News website reports the arrest: *Jewish Museum Shooting S... more »

BBC News - Brussels Jewish Museum killings: Man held in Marseille

Not a sheep at Not a sheep - 1 day ago
It's another 'man' story on the BBC. 'A Frenchman has been arrested at a train station in Marseille over a fatal shooting at the Jewish Museum in Brussels eight days ago.' A French man? Let's read on: 'Mehdi Nemmouche, 29, is being held on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He was reportedly carrying a Kalashnikov rifle and a handgun similar to the ones used in the May 24 attack. Three people were killed while a fourth victim is critically injured. Security was tightened at Jewish sites across Belgium following the attack.' Why would a Frenchman do this, no clues so fa... more »

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JR at GREENIE WATCH - 1 day ago
*What the muck! Eco-friendly university power station explodes covering the area with stinking cows' poo* An eco-friendly power station suddenly exploded this morning showering the surrounding area with hundreds of tonnes of stinking cow dung. The blow out in a slurry processing tank happened in the early hours at the plant outside Harper Adams University near Newport in Shropshire. Onlookers said one side of the 30ft tall corrugated metal building was completely torn off while the roof and supporting wall collapsed. Thousands of gallons of slurry spilled into a nearby farm floodin... more »

All the 'Big Questions'

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 1 day ago
With one episode to go, here's a list of all the subjects on this series of Nicky Campbell's *The Big Questions*. One of last week's big questions, "Can you be a Christian and vote for UKIP?", caused a fair bit of controversy, given that that isn't a question you are likely to find asked by the BBC about any other political party in the UK (bar the BNP, of course). Does the full list of 'big questions' show a left-wing bias? Well, there's only one way to find out. Please see what you think. *Episode 20*: Is there life after death? *Episode 19*: Should you be able to delete your... more »

A Doctor Who special "No shit, Sherlock"

Not a sheep at Not a sheep - 1 day ago
From Wikipedia re the character Peri from Doctor Who in the mid 1980s: 'Peri was one of the more controversial companions, with some critics complaining about the motivation for adding a character who spent much of her time on screen wearing revealing outfits. Series producer John Nathan-Turner admitted that Peri was created to add sex appeal to the series. Similar criticisms had been levelled against the character of Leelanearly a decade earlier. Beginning with the story *Timelash*, and continuing through the *Trial* season, Peri's mode of dress became more conservative.' 'create... more »

Five Most Popular Posts for May

Phil at All That Is Solid ... - 1 day ago
The five most popular posts last month were: 1. The Meaning of Conchita Wurst 2. UKIP's Lizzy Vaid and Revenge Porn 3. The Coming Death of the New Misogyny 4. Why the BBC Loves UKIP 5. Lazy Thinking and the Election Results Amazing, nothing about the far left made it into the top five! It's all good, old fashioned commentary about the cultural and political issues that have exercised the popular imagination. While it makes a nice change, I am especially gratified to see the misogyny post do well - especially in light of the murderous hate crimes committed by its new poster boy, Elli... more »

Headhunters and headlines

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 1 day ago
The* Mail on Sunday* has one of those explosive headlines that leaps right out at a BBC-bias-obsessed blogger: *'Conflict of interest' row as BBC boss's headhunter wife seeks its new chairman* Oh My God! BBC DG Tony Hall's wife is recruiting Chris Patten's replacement! Now that IS a conflict of interest!! Then comes the *Mail*'s opening paragraph: The BBC’s Director General was at the centre of a conflict of interest row last night after it emerged that his wife’s company has landed the lucrative contract to recruit a new chair of the BBC Trust. Still sounds bad but, hang on, a... more »

Russian Paratroopers Receive Newest Verba Shoulder-Fired Missiles

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 1 day ago
[image: Russian MANPAD]The Russian Airborne Forces have started receiving the newest Verba man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) equipped with an automated fire control system that has no foreign rival, military spokesman Yevgeny Meshkov said Friday. "The surface to air-missile regiment of the Ivankvsky Airborne Forces division is the first to have started receiving and studying the modern system of air defense battle," Meshkov said. The systems automatically provide information on the air environment, fix the target and command a strike against the target within several second... more »

Finnish jets were unable to respond to Russian airspace violations, Niinistö confirms

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 1 day ago
[image: F-18 Hornet]President Sauli Niinistö, the commander-in-chief of the Finnish Defence Forces, has in an interview with YLE confirmed that fighter jets of the Finnish Air Force were unable to respond to the violations of Finnish airspace by two Russian aircraft on 20 May. Savon Sanomat on Saturday wrote that the jets were not on standby due to attempts to reduce the backlog of overtime and were only able to respond to the violations four hours after the detection. “The resources of the Defence Forces are evidently scarce,” Niinistö commented to YLE. Read more

Sudan says it won't install Iranian anti-aircraft missiles it considered after 2012 airstrikes

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 1 day ago
Sudan said Friday that it won't install Iranian anti-aircraft missiles in the country after earlier exploring the idea following suspected Israeli airstrikes there in 2012. A statement from Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country wouldn't install the defensive missiles "for fear it could be misinterpreted by some Gulf states." In October 2012, Sudan claimed that Israeli airstrikes caused an explosion and fire at a military factory south of the capital, Khartoum, killing two people. It said four aircraft hit the Yarmouk complex, setting off a huge blast that rocked the ... more »

Commander Highlights IRGC's Advanced Air Defense, Missile Capabilities

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 1 day ago
[image: Mersad Air Defense System]A senior Iranian commander on Saturday underlined the Armed Forces' capability to produce high-tech military equipment, including advanced air defense systems and high-precision ballistic missiles. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Deputy Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami said the force has achieved a cutting-edge ‘secret’ air defense system and ultra-modern high-precision missiles. He said a foreign country, whose name he withheld, had refused to supply Iran with a certain air defense system but the IRGC experts managed to produc... more »

Malibu Moms Say No To Vaccines

Stranger in a Strange Land at Stranger in a Strange Land - 1 day ago
[image: Malibu Moms thumb their noses at the vaccine industry.] Malibu Moms To Vaccine Industry: Take Your Shots And Shove Em by Sarah The Healthy Home Economist, 27 May 2014 The vaccine industry is beside itself. College educated Moms in Malibu and all around the Los Angeles area are refusing shots for their children at an accelerating rate. And, as any trendspotter knows, lifestyle trends that take hold in California typically spread to the rest of the country over time. How strong is this trend? Estimates are that only 20% of children that attend some private schools in ... more »

French airforce contingent arrives in India for 'Garuda-5'

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 1 day ago
[image: Dassault Rafale]Four French Rafale fighter aircraft and a contingent of about 70 French airforce personnel on Saturday landed at Jodhpur airbase to participate in the 10-day long joint air exercise "Garuda-5". The air exercise, expected to be attended by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, will kick start at the Jodhpur airbase on June 2. The two air forces would be engaged in various missions ranging from close combat engagement of large forces, slow mover protection, and protecting and engaging high-value aerial assets in the exercise at the strategic airbase near Indo-Pak b... more »

Sell French warships to Nato not Russia: USA

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 1 day ago
[image: Vladivostok LHD]US lawmakers urged France to break its contract to sell two warships to Russia and instead sell or lease them to NATO, which said on Friday it was up to Paris to decide. Three congressmen led by Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to the transatlantic alliance's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen expressing concern about the construction and sale to the Russian navy of two Mistral-class helicopter carriers. "It is critical that NATO countries no longer provide powerful weapons to enhance Russia's ability to intimid... more »

7 Things The Marines Have To Do To Make The F-35B Worth The Huge Cost

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 1 day ago
[image: F-35B Lightning II]After years of passing more conventional capabilities by, I think it is time for the Marine Corps, and the "Gator Navy" for that matter, to get serious about getting the very most out of their soon to be fielded, extremely expensive and controversial F-35B force. At $150 million a pop, they need to be more than nicer Harriers. Treating it as an advanced Harrier will hardly leverage the huge investment in opportunity cost and treasure that this aircraft represents. The uber-complex F-35B, with its unique capability to takeoff and land in short distances, w... more »

Calling All Coloradans- Vote Yes To Label GMOs In Colorado In November

Stranger in a Strange Land at Stranger in a Strange Land - 1 day ago
[image: Foto: CALLING ALL COLORADANS! Support is growing for a ballot measure to label GMOs in Colorado. Signatures are being gathered through mid-July and the fundraising has begun! Right To Know Colorado needs your help to put this measure on the November ballot. COLORADANS NEED TO KNOW IF IT'S GMO! READ: http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Politics/Politics/label_gmo_foods_0514140928.html Find Right TO Know Colorado online: http://www.righttoknowcolorado.org/ On Facebook: www.facebook.com/righttoknowcolorado #Colorado #RightToKnowColorado #GMO #labelgmos #NeedToKnowGMO #BoycottGM... more »

The Pollyanna of the MCB

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 1 day ago
Using the blurb on the *Sunday *website, here's what was on the menu on this week's *Sunday,* hosted by Edward Stourton: - We discuss the religious implications in the upcoming Syrian elections with Seyed Ali Alavi, Middle Easter [sic] Politics Analyst from SOAS. - It's been more than ten years since the launch of the Street Pastors. Trevor Barnes has been out on a night patrol in Brixton with the founder of the movement - Rev Les Isaac. - The stoning of a pregnant woman outside a court in Lahore this week has led to renewed concerns about the passive acceptance of this extreme a... more »

Winds of Change and the New World Order

Spike EP at News Spike - 1 day ago
*"There's a difference between having concern for conservation and for the preservation of the natural world, and being a Bunny-hugger" * *- Phillip Mountbatten * "It is, as I have said, a special privilege for me to be here in 1960 when you are celebrating what I might call the golden wedding of the Union. At such a time it is natural and right that you should pause to take stock of your position, to look back at what you have achieved, to look forward to what lies ahead. In the fifty years of their nationhood the people of South Africa have built a strong economy founded upon a h... more »

Who Killed Michael Hutchence...?

Spike EP at News Spike - 1 day ago
*"The sex game cover is a very useful mechanism in a murder. Not only does it provide a disguise for the actual means and method of death, it trashes the reputation of the victim and blunts the energy of any subsequent investigation."* Who Killed Michael Hutchence...? from Spike EP on Vimeo. *"Police won't confirm the cause of death - but they've taken a leather belt into possession for scientific examination."* * INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF MICHAEL KELLAND HUTCHENCE* I have received a completed police brief into the death of Michael Kelland Hutchence on 22nd November, 1997, at Ritz... more »

Brazil Linkage

Josh Busby at Duck of Minerva - 1 day ago
Here are some stories we’ve been reading about Brazil: Street artist captures iconic image of impending World Cup (see mural above) Rio residents ambivalent about the World Cup Datafolha poll of people in Sao Paulo: 76% of people say Brazil is not prepared to host the World Cup. 22% say ready or partially ready. — Continue reading

Friday and Saturday

Lori Anne Haskell at Adventures with Kurt and Lori - 1 day ago
Today, after doing the normal morning routine, we headed to Orotina. Our friend, Jen, told us that it was a pretty big downtown area with some stores and stuff that might have home stuff we wanted. Siestas are pretty common for us these days. The pugs join in, happily. Got there and walked around, it was a bigger downtown then Jaco, but not as nice. Less touristy though, I think we were the only Americans there. So, stuff was a lot cheaper than Jaco. We picked up some things we needed at a drugstore kinda place like shampoo, conditioner and razors as well as a couple kitchen... more »

Exchange of Idaho soldier Bowe Bergdahl ( May 31 , 2014 ) for Taliban detainees sets off debate and controversy --- Five hardcore and senior Taliban Leaders ( Gitmo 5 ) released and Congress did not receive notice pursuant to the law....Expect to hear these points made “Trading five senior Taliban leaders from detention in Guantanamo Bay for Bergdahl’s release may have consequences for the rest of our forces and all Americans. Our terrorist adversaries now have a strong incentive to capture Americans. That incentive will put our forces in Afghanistan and around the world at even greater risk,” House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. McKeon (R-Calif.) and the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, James M. Inhofe (Okla.), said in a joint statement.

Fred Walton at Catharsis Ours - 1 day ago
Washington Post.... Bergdahl release arrangement could threaten the safety of Americans, Republicans sayBy Karen Tumulty, Published: May 31 Amid jubilation Saturday over the release of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from captivity by the Taliban, senior Republicans on Capitol Hill said they were troubled by the means by which it was accomplished, which was a deal to release five Afghan detainees from the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Top Republicans on the Senate and House armed services committees went so far as to accuse President Obama of having broken the law, which ... more »

Following the completion of the massive 400 billion natural gas supply deal with China , is Japan seeking its own natural gas deal with Russia ? We may find out the answer when Putin visits Tokyo in the Fall !

Fred Walton at Catharsis Ours - 1 day ago
Is A Russia-Japan Natural Gas Pipeline Next? [image: Tyler Durden's picture] Submitted by Tyler Durden on 05/31/2014 19:46 -0400 - China - Japan - Liberal Democratic Party - Meltdown - Natural Gas - North Korea - Nuclear Power - Ukraine - Vladimir Putin inShare *Submitted by Ankit Panda of The Diplomat,* Following Russia’s historic $400 billion natural gas supply deal with China last week, Japanese lawmakers are looking to revive efforts to tap into Russian natural gas supplies themselves. A *Bloomberg* report shows that a group of 33 lawmaker... more »

TRUTHOUT: ''Cesar Chavez,'' Conditions in the Fields and the Struggle over Memory

Roberto Rodriguez at Dr Cintli - 1 day ago
I did not write a critique of the movie *Cesar Chavez* when it first premiered because I felt somewhat conflicted, and I didn't feel like jumping on a bandwagon. There appears to be a cottage industry of those who love to critique Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers (UFW) Movement, by people who have little first-hand knowledge of the events in question. From reading the many reviews, most of them seem to be formulaic, critiquing the movie as a hero-worshipping biopic, with deeply flawed acting, etc., etc. Much of that critique comes from professional movie critics who know m... more »

Thought for a Sunday

Peter Cresswell at Not PC - 1 day ago
“It is heart-breaking to see poor people giving money they cannot afford to an imaginary God. But they do it week-after-week, and their belief serves to increase their poverty. And who actually spends their money? Not God--the priestly parasites of God…” - Bill Flavell Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Please contact author for permission to republish: (organon at ihug.co.nz)

The NYSUT “Revival”

antiqueteacher60 at @ THE CHALK FACE - 1 day ago
Originally posted on An Antique Teacher: In light of the reports today that NYSUT is working to strong-arm the Working Families Party (they vehemently deny this is happening) and that NYSUT will remain silent at AFL-CIO endorsements for Andrew Cuomo, I feel it is necessary to revisit the “REVIVAL” that the leadership team elected in…

Do you want to know if you have Alzheimer's?

KenInNY at DownWithTyranny! - 1 day ago
*Say, how 'bout those Rangers?* *by Ken* There are questions that don't have easy answers, and maybe not even a good answer. In the May *AARP Bulletin*, Peter Janet raises one heck of a nasty question: *Do you want to know if you have Alzheimer's?* He writes: When researchers recently announced a promising new blood test for Alzheimer's disease -- one that could be as simple to perform as a standard cholesterol test -- reactions were mixed. While some experts heralded the news, others worried that, until effective treatments are available, learning that you're likely to develop ... more »

TV Watch: A love letter to "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino

KenInNY at DownWithTyranny! - 1 day ago
*Given the size difference -- Dean (Jared Padalecki) being at least a full head (his head) taller than Rory (Alexis Bledel) -- kissing always involves a logistical challenge, but they hardly seem to notice, and they're so beautiful together, whether they're kissing or not, that they almost make it seem as if there might be some justification for the human race.* *by Ken* It was that noted New York City philosopher George Costanza who described so graphically the perils to life itself when a person's must-be-kept-separate worlds collide. What else could I think of on a day when, ... more »

People Still Believe in Mogul

KRandle at A Different Perspective - 1 day ago
Yes, I know we’ve talked about this before but I’m still surprised when there are uncritical statements published about the nonsensical Mogul balloon explanation for the debris found by Mack Brazel. And, while I know it is beating the dead horse because we’ve gone over this multiple times, I just wish to respond to some of those who, without knowing all the details, spout the Mogul line. The documentation is quite clear. Mogul Flight No. 4, the culprit in all this, was scheduled to be launched about dawn on June 4, 1947. According to the records it was cancelled. It was never launc... more »

Tehran’s Surrealistic Muralist

Nima Shirazi at Wide Asleep in America - 1 day ago
"Life Cycle" by Mehdi Ghadyanloo “Never underestimate the power of colors and how they can bring life to old walls and buildings,” remarks a correspondent for Iran’s PressTV in an April 2012 report on the increasing ubiquity of urban artwork on the streets, walls, and façades of Tehran. While Iranian municipalities have long devoted so-called resources to “urban beautification” projects such

Kindle Mojo Risin'

jurassicpork at Welcome Back to Pottersville - 1 day ago
[image: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlvI4ivdcCCL_zFNZ6f4AzlEc8brUQ_jx1Riud7DUfKqZAyhGffxJgPyVAomWVMmcSD1U4Ae_7N_ekneADrHlBh7AEi2whl5OMAbMjZuX0D6gd3YPQoRBRoFi6nRVTndCcrg/s1600/Mojo.png] Since the fascist twats at Scribd ("We don't do counts") and I have parted company these past few days, I thought it was high time to start marketing my books again. So I set up an account with Kindle Mojo, since it seems to be popular with the young whippersnappers on Twitter and elsewhere on the internet boxes. My profile is here and this is my inaugural post, promoting *American Zen*. I've also got an interview coming up with Florida based indie author Marcia Meara (whose... more »

Untitled

New Orleans Ladder at New Orleans Ladder - 1 day ago
*Holy Cross Neighborhood Assn files lawsuit to stop riverfront condo tower development* *How New Orleans Saints Are Building One of the NFL's Most Potent Defenses ~Bleacher Report* *Despite improvements in storm protection, evacuation plans are still vital, officials say ~Richard Thompson, New Orleans Advocate* *Small island slammed in oil spill may be saved ~John Snell, WVUE* *Which Came First: The Mockingbird Or The Musician? ~Eve Abrams, WWMO*

Mike's Story Part 37: New Year's Day in Bellevue

Jenna Orkin at From the Wilderness' Peak Oil Blog - 1 day ago
*By **Jenna** Orkin* *As a companion to this post, see Mike's article on fromthewilderness.com entitled, "New Year's at Bellevue."* January 1, 2007 Email to Ray with the heading "mike's phone number:" xxx-xxxx they're trying him on lithium today. i was going to visit him at 1 but he says he doesn't see much point. 'there isn't much to talk about here.' we may speak later about whether i should visit him at six. in a couple of days they'll decide whether he can leave. they think maybe he should stay 'upstairs' (in the long term wing?) for a few more days to see ho... more »

Good news, hopefully - and some sharp words for the BBC

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 1 day ago
Mother facing death penalty in Sudan for abandoning religious faith to be freed in few days - senior Sudan official http://t.co/j1RGmQrQhj — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) May 31, 2014 Damian Thompson in the *Telegraph *has a sharp word or two for the BBC - and others too: There are reports that Meriam Ibrahim, the Sudanese woman sentenced to death by a Muslim judge for refusing to abandon her Christian faith, is to be freed. The BBC announced it thus: *Mother facing death penalty in Sudan for abandoning religious faith to be freed* No! That is a lie. Meriam was sentenced to ... more »

Democrats and Liberals Give Obama a Pass on Closing Gitmo

Donn Marten at Carrying a Flag - 1 day ago
*"I have said repeatedly that I intend to close Guantanamo, and I will follow through on that"* *-President Barack Obama* Liberals disgust me. With 2014 being an election year and the looming announcement from Queen Hillary the Inevitable that she is running for president in 2016 liberals and their beloved Democratic Party are closing ranks and circling the wagons to protect Team Blue Jackass from heretics unwilling to line up and salute the party flag. Obama is now well into his second term and the American torture and concentration camp at Guantanamo Bay is still open for busines... more »

Brutal Mutliation-Murder of 15-Year Old Girl By Husband Causes Outrage In Iraq's Kurdistan

Joel Wing at MUSINGS ON IRAQ - 1 day ago
May 23, 2014 a husband in the Kalakji district of Dohuk killed his 15 year old wife Dunia Selman. He was a 45 year old man with two wives. According to the Kurdish News Network he cut of her breast and carved out her eyes. He then shot her several times with an AK-47, and then tied her body to a car dragging her around before fleeing. There was a protest against this brutal murder on May 29 outside the Kurdish Judicial Council in Irbil. These are pictures of the protest taken by AFP's Safin Hamed. (*AFP*) (*AFP*) (*AFP*) *SOURCES* Kakayi, Bestun, “15-year-old killed and mutila... more »

Stoke's Trip to the Chelsea Flower Show

Phil at All That Is Solid ... - 1 day ago
One problem when you have an market-based economic system built around production for profit, is that those with binding decision-making powers (heads of companies, politicians, etc.) frequently have to make perverse choices. Enter stage left Stoke-on-Trent City Council's entry to the Chelsea Flower Show. Despite being the son of prize-winning gardeners, what I know about plants and gardens could fit on the back of a seed packet. But looking at the pictures the Council's garden looks very swish. In the socialist future all our cities will be adorned by horticultural displays of its... more »

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