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| Tenno 1988 - Right Wing Trucks - merged (Photo credit: jondresner) |
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| Schwartz's (Photo credit: caribb) |
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| English: Official congressional portrait of Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Saskatchewan Becomes First Province To Mandate Compulsory Asbestos Registration ... 'Howard's Law'
*MLAs on both sides of the aisle have voted unanimously to pass a groundbreaking asbestos registry law.** Howard’s Law was introduced by NDP Leader Cam Broten in the fall. It will create a mandatory registry of public buildings that contain asbestos and require that list to be available online – the first system of its kind in Canada.** “Passing Howard’s Law means that working people and families will have more information when making decisions about their health,” said Broten. “Whether you’re choosing a seniors care home for grandma or getting ready to take on a construction contrac... more »
It Would Be Great To Get Allyson Schwartz Out Of Congress, But Is She The Best Pennsylvania Democrats Can Come Up WIth For Governor?
John Hanger Allyson Schwartz is a champion of women's rights. Other than that, though, hers is a profile in cowardice. Right-wingers call her a liberal-- which her miserable voting record shows she isn't-- and she moves to the right. She's exactly what is *not* needed in the already dysfunctional political system. Pennsylvania would almost be better off with an outright conservative being pressured to move towards the center, than with Schwartz, who is already right-of-center and will always give in to pressure to move right. A vice chair of the corrupt, Big Business-owned New Dems,... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Manitowoc, Wisconsin, USA. Thanks for stopping by.
Chet Raymo, “Navigating”
*“Navigating”* by Chet Raymo “My ignorance grows by leaps and bounds. I try to keep up. I read "Science" and "Nature" every week. I check the new-book shelves in the college library for anything of interest. I do a modest amount of surfing science sources on the internet. Yet I fall farther and farther behind. The store of reliable human knowledge accumulates exponentially faster than my ability to assimilate. So I mostly tend my bailiwick. My own little garden of verses. The wispy bits of universe that cling to my life like an aura of places been, things seen, syllables he... more »
This Is Just Sick: US Defense Secretary Says US "Can" (Will) Support Israel "If" (When) It Attacks Iran!
Again, with much of the news still focused in on the false flag attack in Boston Massachusetts, there is plenty happening elsewhere in the world... There is the continuing economic mess in Europe, and even the threat of war against North Korea as prime examples... And of course we cannot forget about the criminal state of Israel and its continuing sabre rattling campaign against the innocent and peaceful nation of Iran. For this article, I want to present a very disturbing piece of news that comes from the Times Of Israel website, at www.timesofisrael.com, where the new US Defense S... more »
AMERICAN FOLLIES
- It's a sad testimony about politics in the US these days when the simplest of gun control measures could not get approved in the Senate which is controlled by the Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) announced Thursday that the Senate will “take a pause” and return to consideration of gun legislation at a later date. Don't hold your breath waiting. Polls show that 90% of the citizens wanted something - anything - done to stop the spread of gun violence across the nation but the influence of the corporate gun industry stood in the way.... more »
US Senate declares the entire USA to be a "Battleground"
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-711747 This is from 2011, but you should know about it... -AK *US Senate declares the entire USA to be a "Battleground".* By NikkiClark87 Posted December 2, 2011 A bill passed late last night (93-7 votes) that declares the entire United States of America a battleground. What this means is that the U.S. Military can now operate with impunity, and grant the U.S. Military the unchecked power to arrest, detain, interrogate, and even assassinate United States citizens with impunity. What this means is the United States is basically declaring war with ... more »
The Gordion Knot of Modern Industrialism - Pricing Natural Capital
"Natural capital" comprises things from nature that belong to no one and to everyone - things like the atmosphere. Other types of natural capital are considered national assets, like a country's groundwater. Yet throughout the history of mankind and, particularly ever since the Industrial Revolution, industry has treated natural capital as its own and a freebie at that. In a world in which the demand for natural capital is now rapidly outpacing supply there is a growing awareness that this should not be anyone's to access for free and especially not enterprises that use natural ca... more »
Questions About The Boston Marathon Bombing
Are the FBI/CIA/MOSSAD the #1 suspects? YES, as always. They have proven this to me since 911. *Boston Bombing Culprits Identified?* *Navy SEALs Spotted at Boston Marathon Wearing Suspicious Backpacks?* *FBI Ignores Men With Backpacks At Scene of Boston Bombings* *Photos: Private military operatives hired to 'work' the Boston marathon with black backpacks, radiation detectors, tactical gear* LISTEN CLOSELY TO HOW "DRILLS": ARE ALWAYS BEING DONE BY OUR GOVERNMENT WHENEVER THERE'S A "TERRORIST ATTACK" - Listen to Lieutenant Colonel Potter Please *NYTimes: Terrorist Plots, Hat... more »
Chris Hadfield's High School Science Experiment in Space
The Canadian commanding the International Space Station, Chris Hadfield, took a science experiment request from two high school girls from Nova Scotia. It's a lot of fun.
Fed Discusses Ending Fractional Reserve Lending
This is Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University speaking at the "Fixing the Banking System for Good" conference on April 17, 2013. This audio is absolutely EXPLOSIVE! You can now Pre-Order the new documentary, "Jekyll Island" at: www.jekyllisland-themovie.com
Nuggets-- Mostly Gun Control
Good news: Ken is out of the hospital and his operation was a complete success. Hopefully, he'll be back in this slot soon. Meanwhile: bit and pieces I missed the last couple of days *Arkansas ConservaDem Mike Ross Is Back* Corrupt Blue Dog Mike Ross is throwing his hat into the ring in Arkansas' gubernatorial race. The Republican in the race is right-wing fanatic Asa Hutchinson and the Democrat running is former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter. Ross hopes to position himself in between, just like his entire sordid career in Congress was, where he had the distinction of voting more frequentl... more »
In Harper and CON universe, bullies rule.
Two recent news items regarding the regard PMSHithead has for certain types of people. First: Shirish Chotalia. [Public Service Integrity Commissioner Mario Dion] called Chotalia's behaviour "totally unacceptable" and said that in his nearly 2½ years on the job, he's never come across a worse case of behaviour towards employees that shows a "total lack of respect." He said Chotalia created a "poisoned atmosphere" in the workplace, and that her manner towards not just her staff but to appointed members of the tribunal was often "belittling and humiliating." Some of Chotalia's beh... more »
ALEC Policy Failure Costs Calif $700 Million Each Year
From Bloomberg: Since 1986, California has used an “enterprise zone” program in an effort to spur investment and job creation* in specified areas*. The state awards tax credits, more than $700 million a year as of 2010, to businesses that hire designated kinds of workers within the zones. The program is popular with businesses and local officials. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear to create jobs. A 2009 study by the Public Policy Institute of California found no difference in job creation between zoned and comparable unzoned areas. Given this finding, Governor Jerry Brown wisely tr... more »
Twin Cities KTCN Rabid NRA Radio Host - Tells Newtown Parents to "Go to Hell"
I have friends who come in from out of state and accidentally punch in the wrong radio station and end up listening to some really nasty right wing stuff. From Daily Kos – as taken from Crooks and Liars and as noted on the Thom Hartmann show this afternoon: A Minnesota radio host said he would like to tell the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims to "go to hell" for infringing on his gun rights. Bob Davis was discussing those affected by the Newtown, Conn., tragedy during a Friday segment of his show, "Davis & Emmer," on Twin Cities News Talk AM 1130, a... more »
Nick Stern's Carbon Bubble Warning
Nick Stern is the latest voice to warn of the Carbon Bubble that threatens to plunge world markets into yet another financial crisis. The former World Bank chief economist, currently I.G. Patel professor of economics at the London School of Economics, has joined with the Carbon Tracker thinktank to release a report finding that two-thirds of known fossil fuel reserves will have to be left in the ground if the world is to avoid truly dangerous climate change impacts. *Stern said that far from reducing efforts to develop fossil fuels, the top 200 companies spent $674bn (£441bn) in 20... more »
What Were America's Founding Fathers Thinking?
Why this, of course.
“The Wit and Wisdom of Will Rogers”
*“The Wit and Wisdom of Will Rogers”* by Tom Purcell "Things are mighty heated these days. Tempers are flaring and minds are closed. Here’s the solution: the wit and wisdom of Will Rogers. “The short memory of voters is what keeps our politicians in office.” “We’ve got the best politicians that money can buy.” “A fool and his money are soon elected.” Rogers spoke these words during the Great Depression, but they’re just as true today. With 24-hour news channels, our memories are shorter than ever. And in the mass-media age, the politician who can afford the most airtime f... more »
Canadian creativity . . .
CONSIDERING OUR CURRENT Stevie situation, this seems rather inspirational. According to a report from the CBC, we have "Canadian glow-in-the-dark toilet seats to light the way".
The Economy: "Before the Collapse, a Call to Action"
*"Before the Collapse, a Call to Action"* by Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers "Before we get to the impact of the Obama budget, let’s explode a critical myth: there is no recovery (at least for the 99%). Last month’s unemployment numbers revealed the fraud of the unemployment rate. Even though the country produced less than 90,000 new jobs, when over 120,000 are needed to keep up with growth, the unemployment rate declined. Why? Because hundreds of thousands are giving up on work each month and they don’t get counted. At present, over 100 million working age Americans do n... more »
Of Bombings and Tax Havens: Terrorizing the Economy"
"*Of Bombings and Tax Havens: Terrorizing the Economy"* by Laura Flanders "Two acts of cruelty claimed lives this tax day. One was criminal, bloody and shocked a nation. The other was routine, legal and potentially way more deadly. They both rely on secrecy. The bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon were planted by we don’t know whom. The tax haven: a killer at the heart of our world economy, was planted by the planet’s richest people, businesses and banks with the complicity of their governments. *Click image for larger sizes.* * * Compare tax evasion to terro... more »
The Path of Love
*Received this from a reader:* *...they credit Sufi philosopher Ibn Arabi for this writing:* My heart holds within it every form, it contains a pasture for gazelles, a monastery for Christian monks. There is a temple for idol-worshippers, a holy shrine for pilgrims; There is the table of the Torah, and the Book of the Koran. I follow the religion of Love and go whichever way His camel leads me. This is the true faith; This is the true religion. - Ibn Arabi Follow that camel! ☺ Pilar
Despite its troubles, Libya flashes cash for Egypt and worse
*I find it highly irregular that Libya is shoring up Egypt... with cash.* *Why?* A country still rebuilding from civil war and prowled by loosely-governed bands of idle and heavily armed youths, Libya might seem an unlikely donor to bail out its bigger neighbour Egypt. NATO bombs in Libya But by quietly finding $2 billion of its oil-derived wealth to deposit in the Egyptian central bank, Libya is stepping back into its old role as North Africa's answer to the Gulf petro-states, discreetly deploying its cash to secure its interests. Libya's central bank governor, Saddeq ... more »
Without the Filibuster?
I mostly want to call everyone's attention to two excellent posts, by Brian Beutler and by Ryan Grim, which take seriously a key fact about the gun bill consideration: simple majority votes on amendments would have not only allowed Democratic amendments to pass, but would also have allowed Republican amendments to pass. In particular, the Grassley substitute, backed by the NRA, received 52 votes. But I'll do a little speculation and thinking about reform options from where they leave off. As they both point out, in a simple-majority environment, things might have been different. It'... more »
Brave Mark Warawa ^NOT
Been away from the fray for a bit, so to catch up. Warawa's Wank is toast. Conservative MP Mark Warawa is dropping his bid for a vote on his motion to condemn sex-selective abortion, an issue that caused several MPs to split with the rest of the party's caucus in recent weeks. Warawa told reporters on his way into the House of Commons that he is tabling a bill tomorrow that deals with sex offenders who serve house arrest in the same neighbourhoods as their victims, revictimizing them when they encounter each other in the community. Another brave stand. Warawa demands: Do you stand ... more »
Whose Fault Was The Gun Control Vote In The Senate?
I don't know anything about Andrew Kaczynski or his politics. He writes for a website called BuzzFeed and he tweeted the above just after every Republican but 3 voted against a moderate, bipartisan background check amendment and after every Democrat except 4 voted for it... some of those Democrats voting against it being very much red state Dems, including Red state Dems facing difficult reelection battles. Many observers were shocked that Arizona freshman Jeff Flake voted NO and some say that had he or Portman signaled they would be YES votes, the 4 Democratic cowards would have ... more »
Mark Carney: Supports Canadian Bail in regime- NO GUARANTEES FOR DEPOSITORS
[image: http://shawglobalnews.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ajw108095742_high.jpg?w=335&h=251&crop=1] The Canadian Bank "bail in" news is making the rounds yet again... Central Banker Mark Carney is pushing the same lies I have already addressed in the two previous posts on this subject and yes, I am going to relink them! Canadian deposits safe under bail-in, but no guarantee: Carney *"Mark Carney says policy-makers are working diligently to devise an international “bail-in” regime to prevent big bank failures, but he offered no guarantee global depositors would be protected under all...more »
Federal Reserve Refuses to Submit to an Audit of Germany’s Gold Held in U.S. Vaults
* http://nsnbc.me/2013/04/18/federal-reserve-refuses-to-submit-to-an-audit-of-germanys-gold-held-in-u-s-vaults-2/ * * * *Federal Reserve Refuses to Submit to an Audit of Germany’s Gold Held in U.S. Vaults* by nsnbc Dr. Long Xinming (4M),- The German government has been storing about half of its gold supply with the US FED, apparently in the NYC FED vaults. Germany decided to bring home all its gold, but the FED has said that isn’t possible to do, and it would need until 2020 to be able to accomplish the transfer. The German government then asked to visit the FED vaults to invento... more »
Dear FERC: We The People Do Not Approve!
Many folks traveled down to Washington DC for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission meeting today who have been involved in the Tennessee and Millenium Pipeline fights, including the Minisink Compressor Station in Orange County, NY. FERC is the Obama-appointed commission that decides the fate of people and property owners who live in the path of Big Energy infrastructure like intrastate gas pipelines, including eminent domain condemnation. FERC did not order an Environmental Impact Study and allowed only a limited Environmental Assessment of the Tennessee Pipeline Northeast U... more »
Backbenchers Spring officially over
Two weeks ago the Backbenchers Spring was full of hope as Langley Con MP Mark Warawa and his five brave Con backbenchers rose up to defend the very soul of democracy, and incidentally, Wawawa's right to independent Steve-free abortion speech in the House of Commons in the form of Motion 408. Sadly it was not to be. Yesterday ... Wawawa will drop bid for vote on sex-selective abortion : *"Over that last couple of weeks, I seriously considered my options and how best to move this issue forward.**I've decided to continue working on the sex selection, gendercide issue by speaking at u... more »
Does The Economist magazine portray the British economy in an intellectualy honest fashion? Not in my book! What do you think?
------------------------------ Thatcherism: Good or Bad for Britain? by David L Griscom | April 17, 2012 The April 13th edition of The Economist magazine featured a picture of Margaret Thatcher on the cover together with the words "Freedom fighter." What did they mean by that? Well, they said "She thought nations could be great only if individuals were set free." They clarified this thought as "...the right of individuals to run their own lives, as free as possible from micromanagement from the states." The Economist goes on to say that when Tharcher took power "She privatized ... more »
Christy Clark, Will You Denounce Ezra Levant For Attacking Adrian Dix`s Wife?(updated at bottom)
Watch the shocking video featuring Ezra Levant attacking Adrian Dix`s wife last night on Sun News Network, it was the most disgusting display of dirty lowbrow journalism I have ever seen in Canada....(At the 8:40 mark of the below linked video is where Ezra attacks Adrian`s wife) Video in the below link http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/battlegroundbc/archives/2013/04/20130417-183235.html Ezra Levant is not only a bald-faced liar, he`s a dirtbag, the lowest form of sleaze, there is no bigger liar, spinner, lowbrow scum pond dwelling slimer. Ezra Levant is free to whore f... more »
Update: Why weren’t 54 votes enough?
*THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013* *This just in from Fallows, with an acidic flahback:* In this post, James Fallows discusses the matter of yesterday's insufficient 54 votes. We weren’t being facetious in our earlier post. After reading Jonathan Weisman’s jumble of verbiage in today’s New York Times, we no longer felt we knew why 54 votes weren’t enough on the gun bill. After reading Fallows today, we’re *still* not completely sure we know. But let these points be clear: In this morning's Washington Post, one person after another failed to explain, in any way, why 54 votes weren’t enough... more »
When the Middle Class Finally Revolts
Across the western world, our political classes are oblivious to the powder keg of revolt they're sitting on. So warns Polish philosopher, Marcin Krol . *Notwithstanding received ideas to the contrary, the poor and downtrodden have never been the driving force behind western revolutions. They have always been instigated by the middle class. * *In the classic case of the French Revolution, the revolutionary vanguard was composed of lawyers, entrepreneurs, civil servants of the time and sympathetic army officers. The economic factor was important, but not primary. Revolutionary move... more »
Exploding the myth of over-regulated industry
By now you've heard about the horrible explosion at the fertilizer plant in Texas. We don't know what caused it yet, but deliberate sabotage is rarely the cause of these things. It's a pretty safe guess it had to do with shoddy plant maintenance and/or cheating on safety practices. Not that the company will ever admit to it. In fact, they assured the people of West, this couldn't possibly happen. The fertilizer plant that exploded Wednesday night in West, Texas, reported to the Environmental Protection Agency and local public safety officials that it presented no risk of fire or ... more »
The American Power Elite Should Read Confucius And Get Its Act In Order
Trust in government across the world is at an all-time low, but it is especially low in America, where U.S. officials have consistently lied to the people about nearly everything for over half a century now. The unraveling of the official media and government response to the Boston marathon bombings is a sign that the criminally led government in America is unable to govern public perceptions and manage the public psyche. Watch *Alex Jones's interview with Dr. Steve Pieczenik* about the botched false flag in Boston. A society without a functioning and stable government is even... more »
Mohawk Nation News 'Indigenous Canaries'
INDIGENOUS CANARIES Posted on April 18, 2013 MNN. Apr. 17, 2013. Canary in the coal mine is about caged canaries that miners carry down into the tunnels. If dangerous gases leak into the mine, the canary dies, giving the miners time to escape to safety. The public turned away when they saw the Indigenous genocide program of rape, abuse, denial of
GAIA PORTAL: Energetics of Gaia are Staged for Stepping to Next Level
* * * * *Energetics of Gaia are Staged for Stepping to Next Level* by ÉirePort Monitors of Gaia report that energetics of the Gaia planetary body are staged for stepping to the next level... Energetically, on Individual and Collective basis, as well as "Galactic-ally". Hue-manity has embraced that which resonates with this process. "humanity" (small h) has consented to the possibility of a "next level", and thus procedures for "up steps" of "humanity" (small h) have been analyzed, approved, and set in motion. As these are Higher-than-3-4D, many have sensed the results of the up st... more »
Michael James : Moving Right Along
Rapid rolling wheels at U.S. Track and Field Championships, Haywood Field, Eugene, Oregon, 1993. Photo by Michael James from his forthcoming book, Michael Gaylord James' Pictures from the Long Haul. Pictures from the Long Haul: Rapid rolling wheels and the momentum of Boston For me the Boston bombings have kindled memories, images, and observations of people who -- despite their challenges
Harvard School of Public Health Cites Negative Impact of Fluoride on Chidren's Neurological Development
Hat Tip: Craig (thanks for this informative article) Harvard School of Public Health: Impact of fluoride on neurological development in children http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/ July 25, 2012 — For years health experts have been unable to agree on whether fluoride in the drinking water may be toxic to the developing human brain. Extremely high levels of fluoride are known to cause neurotoxicity in adults, and negative impacts on memory and learning have been reported in rodent studies, but little is known about the substance’s im... more »
Expert evidence on the frailties of eyewitness evidence not admissible
R. v. Frimpong, 2013 ONCA 243 holds: [23] The appellant has two submissions in respect of the expert's evidence, one broad and one more narrow. The broad submission asks this court to depart from its pronouncement in *R. v. McIntosh* (1997), 117 C.C.C. (3d) 385 and hold admissible expert evidence explaining in general the frailties and dangers inherent in eyewitness identification evidence. This record offers no basis for any departure from *McIntosh*. Dr. Lindsay's [the defence expert] brief commentary on the abilities of jurors to properly assess identification evidence... more »
Ed Felien : Komen and Cancer: Cause and Effect?
These women are protesting the Komen Foundation's defunding of Planned Parenthod -- later retracted -- at headquarters in Dallas, February 7, 2012. But there may be other reasons to say "Shame on Komen!" Photo by Rex C. Curry / AP. Image from PBS. Komen Foundation: Is the 'Race for the Cure' actually a 'Race to Obscure'? Even more troubling than the revelation of their right-wing
Satire: “Courageous Senators Stand Up to American People”
*“Courageous Senators Stand Up to American People”* by Andy Borowitz WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)— “In the halls of the United States Senate, dozens of Senators congratulated themselves today for having what one of them called “the courage and grit to stand up to the overwhelming wishes of the American people.” “We kept hearing, again and again, that ninety per cent of the American people wanted us to vote a certain way,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky). “Well, at the end of the day, we decided that we weren’t going to cave in to that kind of sp... more »
Clapper: Iran Still Not Building a Nuclear Weapon; Purpose of Sanctions is to Foster Unrest
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, April 18, 2013 (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and director of the Defense Intelligence Agency Army Lieutenant General Michael Flynn testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee today and reiterated the same assessment regarding Iran as was delivered in March 2013. The exact same
"alec exposed is lies" - In Search of Truth
"alec exposed is lies" - that was in my search terms. Someone out there is trying so hard to try to figure out what is truth and what is not. So - I figured I'd post this for anyone else that uses that search term again - to help them find the truth, - the whole truth and - nothing but the truth. So I repeat this entry - from just before the holidays - which will bring them immediately to the truth. As we get ready to spend time with friends and families over the holidays - we should consider that it would be a good time to educate them on ALEC. As we get ready to start a new po... more »
Who Is Actually Dividing Our Society?
The United States and, to a lesser extent Canada, have fallen victim to wedge politics. We become victims when our society is fractured, made suspicious of and hostile to each other. This malevolence is Stephen Harper's weapon of choice. This isn't natural any more than it is accidental. Frequently our differences seem to be magnified in order to herd us into camps. Here, a co-founder of Tea Party Patriots, Mark Meckler, speaks of finding much common ground with MoveOn.Org's Joan Blades and asks why the political classes and their media minions stoke the fires of distrust.
Everything You Want To Know About the 60 Vote Threshold Agreement
The votes on the gun bill amendments were held under a unanimous consent agreement requiring 60 yes votes for an amendment to be adopted. That seems to have confused some of the coverage, in particular about whether this was filibuster-related or not. The answer, as I said yesterday, is that it absolutely is filibuster-related: Manchin-Toomey and the other amendments which reached 51 votes but not 60 were in fact defeated by filibuster, and that's what reporters should be saying. See yesterday's post for the general discussion of the gun bill and filibusters, but here I want to sketc... more »
The useful idiots of Newtown threaten the rights of the majority...
*yes - that's right, I called them useful idiots. * *Some observations before I head off to work: * First we have Francine Wheeler giving the weekly radio address instead of the president. Then we have Mark Barden introducing Obama after the vote on gun control (in which Obama acted like a petulant child.) These people were flown to DC via Air Force One. Are they also having their accommodations paid for? One would think so. Your tax dollars at work. Here's a tidbit on Francine Wheeler you may not know: Francine Wheeler, the Newtown mom giving Obama's weekly radio address isn'... more »
It's only just begun
Our broken Senate managed to prevent any reform of gun safety regulations yesterday. In a way it's almost a good thing because there were more amendments than just the watered down expansion of background checks that failed to break the perpetual filibuster requirement of 60 votes. In fact, the GOP's Cornyn amendment to further weaken interstate gun safety laws got more votes than Manchin-Toomey, though it also failed to reach the magic number. While many were angered and disappointed by this complete failure of good governance, few have more reason to be angry than Gabby Giffords ... more »
Age of conspiracies
This picture has been buzzing round the internet immediately after the Boston bombings. Who is this man? The Boston bombings are compelling firstly because they are awful to contemplate but secondly because they are, as of yet, motiveless (if it was Al-Qaeda we would have been told straight away). The President initially did not even call the bombings and act of terrorism, then he did, but he still upset some people. For the time being there is room for myth-making and pareidolia. What was that man doing on the roof? What would anyone do on a roof? There are immediate psychologica... more »
White Girl Bleed a Lot: The Return of Racial Violence and How the Media Ignore It
You can order Colin Flaherty's book *"White Girl Bleed a Lot": The Return of Racial Violence to America* from Amazon.com *here*.
Gina McCarthy and the Failed Radnet System
Gina McCarthy is the new nominee to run the EPA. I'm wondering how she could have been nominated given the EPA Inspector General report that found Radnet to have been operating very poorly during the Fukushima events in March-April 2011. She failed in her responsibility for overseeing the private contractor that runs Radnet. Here are the recommendations for reform found in the EPA Inspector General report: http://www.epa.gov/oig/reports/2012/20120419-12-P-0417.pdf We recommend that the Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation establish and enforce expectations for RadNet ope... more »
Remember Afghanistan? It Was In All the Newspapers?
I wouldn't begrudge Canada's paying over one-billion dollars a year to free a country of 30 million people from tyranny. Seriously. But I do kinda resent Canada's having spent almost $20 billion since 2001 in Afghanistan to impose one brutal tyranny on that country, rather than another one. So how's Canada's largest foreign policy investment since WWII working out? Check it out! Faced with an impending withdrawal deadline and tightening budgets, U.S. planners created another security entity, the Afghan Local Police (ALP), which they have pitched as an affordable short-term fix to ... more »
Can Republican Closet Case Lindsey Graham Survive A Primary?
*"I am running to replace Senator Lindsey Graham because I believe that after 20 years in Washington he is out of touch with South Carolina values and voters. Although Senator Graham might be hard-working and sincere, I cannot distinguish his core principles and can no longer trust his judgment. It is time for a new voice in Washington. We need a voice that represents Christian, conservative, and Republican principles instead of the latest bi-partisan 'deal' that simply makes matters worse."* -Richard Cash Cash is running against Lindsey Graham for the Republican nomination for t... more »
BEFORE THE BOSTON BOMBS
*Triple Canopy, founded in Chicago in 2003 by U.S. Army Special Forces veterans.* * * Before Boston, there was Mumbai. US trained mercenaries may have been used in both attacks. Some of the Mumbai gunmen appear to have been beer-drinking white men, according to a BBC report. According to the BBC, 27 November 2008: (BBC NEWS Mumbai attackers create 'killing zone'): "The 'fair skinned' men, as Mr Mishra remembers them, simply carried on killing..."* * *Triple Canopy* have recent experience managing cases in India, Nigeria and Somalia. (Experience Triple Canopy ) In the Mumbai a... more »
How did a minority of senators kill an important bill?
*THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013* *The Washington Post and the New York Times can’t or won’t explain:* In this morning’s New York Times, the editors thundered about the gun vote. As they did, they created a bit of a puzzle. Since the senate has 100 members in all, how the heck did 45 senators manage to kill the bill? NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL (4/18/13): *For 45 senators, the carnage at Sandy Hook Elementary School is a forgotten tragedy.* The toll of 270 Americans who are shot every day is not a problem requiring action. The easy access to guns on the Internet, and the inevitability of the ... more »
INTERVIEW / Jonah Raskin : Documentary Filmmakers Doug Hecker and Christopher Oscar Dish on 'Junk Food News'
Documentary filmmakers Christopher Oscar, left, and Doug Hecker. Doug Hecker and Christopher Oscar: Documentary filmmakers on media, civil liberties, and 'Project Censored' “The corporate rules are simple: tell the news the way you're told to tell the news or ratings will decline and you'll be out of a job.” -- Doug Hecker, Co-Producer, Co-Director, Co-Writer, 'Project Censored: The Movie'
the greatest instrument for mass persuasion
Experiments conducted by researcher Herbert Krugman reveal that when a person watches television, brain activity switches from the left to the right hemisphere. The left hemisphere is the seat of logical thought. Here, information is broken down into its component parts and critically analyzed. The right brain, however, treats incoming data uncritically, processing information in wholes, leading to emotional, rather than logical responses. The shift from left to right brain activity also causes the release of endorphins, the body's own natural opiates--thus, it is possible to bec... more »
Revolutionary Thought
You have come now to a knowing. The things you are aware of today in this world would seem impossible or insane to some with eyes still shut. Seeing life as it is actually happening requires a willingness to change your perspective and in many things your entire belief system. It demands an examination of everything your eyes see and most of what this society has told you was real. Realize that all of life does not operate in this way. The earth has been part of what some would call an evil plot yet evil is not a concept I adhere to or consider. Life proceeds along its... more »
Thatcher on Society
*Of course, Thatcher's supporters have been right all along concerning her 'no such thing as society' declaration. "It's been taken out of context", they bleat. Be that as it may, it got traction that still resonates because it fit with the times she brought about. It was a more accurate summation of the dog-eat-dog economic her policies were generating than the standard Tory view of what society was about she actually subscribed to. Well, for the benefit of those who's never read the *Woman's Own* interview from which it was lifted, here is 'no such thing as society' *in context*... more »
Why US Fights? Tales of Reagan's Guatemala Genocide (Psychopaths Explained In Girl With Dragon Tattoo)
Democracy? Freedom? Hardly in the top ten. Tales of Reagan's Guatemala Genocide By Robert Parry, Consortium News 17 April 13 he first month of the genocide trial of former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt has elicited chilling testimony from Mayan survivors who - as children - watched their families slaughtered by a right-wing military that was supported and supplied by U.S.
The Still Islamophic States of America
The the greater scheme of things the Boston Marathon bombing was a fart in a hurricane. Except, of course, it happened in Boston during a notable footrace run mainly by white people. But the bombing was all it took to get America's Islamophobia stoked for all to see. *The New Yorker's* Amy Davidson wrote a telling account, "The Saudi Marathon Man." *A twenty-year-old man who had been watching the Boston Marathon had his body torn into by the force of a bomb. He wasn’t alone; a hundred and seventy-six people were injured and three were killed. But he was the only one who, while i... more »
Sentencing for criminal negligence causing death in alcohol-related circumstances
R v Smith 2013 BCCA 173 is a tragic case of death resulting from impaired driving. The trial judge gave a sentence of one day because of the circumstances and rehabilitation of the offender. The Court of Appeal imposed a much longer sentence holding: [34] The fundamental principle is proportionality: the punishment must be broadly commensurate with the gravity of the offence and the moral blameworthiness of the offender (*R. v. M. (C.A.) *at para. 40); s. 718.1. [35] In 1992, this Court, with a five-justice division, took the opportunity to review the range of sente... more »
The BBC's Baroness Thatcher funeral coverage: Who did they interview?
For those of you who are interested, here is a complete list of all the interviewees (excluding vox pops) featured on the BBC News Channel's coverage of Lady Thatcher's funeral between 6.45am and 10.00pm yesterday. I believe the list speaks for itself. 6.50 Andrew Pierce (*Daily Mail*) & Kevin Maguire (*Daily Mirror*) 7.15 Charles Moore, *Daily Telegraph, *biographer of Lady Thatcher 7.45 John Sergeant (ex BBC political correspondent) & Beatrix Campbell, writer (feminist & left-winger) 8.05 John Sergeant (ex BBC political correspondent) 8.14 Bob Broadhurst, former Met Police C... more »
New Orleans Shows the Limitations of "No Excuses" Schools
The debate over "No Excuses" schools has focused on their attrition rate and their potential for being scaled up. Schools such as New Orleans Sci Academy have produced great college acceptance rates for students who are dedicated enough to meet their goal of "100% of cultural expectations 100% of the time." It is too soon to tell, however, whether their culture prepares their graduates for life beyond the classroom. An important subtheme of Sarah Carr's *Hope Against Hope,* a narrative of a year in three New Orleans schools, includes a preliminary exploration of whether the "No Excu... more »
Dirac's 1975 lectures
Spiros found this remarkable 1-hour talk by Paul Dirac in New Zealand in 1975: Recall that Dirac was born in 1902 and died 1984; so he was 73 in the video above. He is a serious man but there's a lot of room for his memories as well as some jokes. There are actually four talks. The first one above is on quantum mechanics; the second one is on quantum electrodynamics; the third is on the magnetic monopoles; and the fourth one is on his largely incorrect large number hypothesis (variation of universal constants). Even if you focus on the first lecture on quantum mechanics, th... more »
Korean Unification
This does need to be considered. It is impossible to understand why this state is still standing. Present extreme noise could well be the sound of desperation as the regime attempts to extort a band-aid to last a little while longer. We all understand that the South Korean military is not going to be surprised. The risk is that the North sets of a nuclear device were it could cause real military damage. Yet that would barely slow the South down. From that starting point, there are a wide range of strategic options all of which lead to collapse and reunification. Let me ... more »
Dark Lightning
This is a continuation of work that uncovered the real complexity of the activity going on in a thunderstorm. That dark lightning produces a sharp dose of ionizing radiation is surprising. I also suspect that this dark lightning could even be in the form of positively charged ions. We have already understood ball lightning to be just that and it follows that the more uncommon dark lightning is just that also. This provides a much richer understanding of our oldest physical phenomena that long inspired human curiosity. This also suggests that passing through a storm will g... more »
Deep Photosynthesis
This is a long way from our usual facile understanding of photosynthesis. It turns out to be way more complicated than all that. This could lead to better strategies for even photovoltaic systems if only by the power of suggestion. Read the last paragraph to capture the sense of all this. We are now tuning our investigations in such a way as to establish high resolution and sort out the real high points. A lot of new data will flow from all this. *Study provides new insight into photosynthesis* * by Staff Writers* * Toronto, Canada (SPX) Apr 09, 2013* ... more »
David versus Monsanto
In the long term, I do not thing agribusiness as constituted is sustainable at all. The only problem is that it is creating a legacy cost base that we will end up paying for. This is continuing although this item is an example of the increasing push back. What are they thinking if they align their business with the large operators who are then encouraged to buy out the small operators? This problem has been going on for a long time and no one is particularly happy with the results. It all removes boots from the ground and that is exactly what needs to be properly re... more »
MEDIOCRITY ALL THE WAY UP: Slick disinformation about public schools!
*THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013* *Part 4—King of the cherry-pickers:* Like all public schools which ever existed, American public schools could do a better job. On the elementary level, they could do a better job transmitting the basic skills of reading and math. They could do a better job conveying the spirit and the enjoyment of inquiry—that so-called “love of learning.” With kids who are struggling to meet conventional norms, our schools could do a better job helping children “catch up.” They could do a better job challenging kids who may be especially “talented.” That said, how good... more »
#46Cowards
It hasn't been a good week for the United States. By Wednesday, twin bombs exploded near and at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three innocents and wounding nearly 180. A lightning bolt struck a fertilizer plant in West, Texas last night, killing at least one police officer and five firefighters and destroying 80 or more homes. And then just hours before the West, Texas disaster, the United States Senate, the higher chamber of our legislative branch, voted 54-46 for the Manchin-Toomey bill that would've strengthened background checks for wouldbe gun owners. ... more »
new zealand joins the world of marriage equality and their parliament breaks out in celebratory song
This is so beautiful! New Zealand, we thank you! We love you!
Trifecta: Perfectly sums up news and White House coverage of the Boston bombing...
*and we thank them.*
Coverage of Opt Out's Occupy DOE 2.0
From Education Opportunity Network: _______________________ Occupy The Department Of Education Ushers In America’s Angry Spring No offense, but the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education building in Washington, DC is not a pretty sight. Crossing the National Mall on 4th street, you pass between the glisteningly modern National Air and Space Museum and the sculpted brown stone of the National Museum of the American Indian to come face to face with what can only be described as a monument to bland austerity. It was at the base of this concrete and glass slab that a band of public ... more »
Running Shoes
This appeared in yesterday afternoon's university email: Southern Man understands the need to respond to an atrocity like this even if in an entirely symbolic manner so he is wearing running shoes today. Asics, of course. But for a born-again Bible-thumping evangelical, that's not enough. In James Chapter 2:14-16 we read that What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not gi... more »
Another Hollow Promise By Iraq’s Electricity Ministry, End To Power Shortages By October 2013
Iraq’s Electricity Ministry recently said that it would solve Iraq’s power problems later this year. This was not the first time that it had much such a bold announcement. That was also the reason why the remarks were met with widespread skepticism within the country. Questioning the Ministry’s statement is justified, because it has failed to reach its benchmarks before, and lacks the institutional capacity and support to deal with the daunting task it faces. In April 2013, the Electricity Ministry promised that Iraq’s electricity shortages would be ended by October. The Ministry ... more »
In a voluntariness analysis the fact the statement was made by the accused must be demonstrated albeit to a minimal degree
*Montgomery,* 2011 ONSC 5331 (at para. 9): On a voir dire to determine whether a statement made to a person in authority is admissible, a trial judge is required to decide: (i) whether the statement was made; and (ii) if made, whether it was voluntary. To satisfy the first requirement, it is sufficient that the Crown introduce some evidence that the statement attributed to the accused was, in fact, made by the accused. The standard of proof is minimal. The Crown's onus with respect to voluntariness is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. (See *R. v. Gauthier,* [1977] 1 S.C.R. 441).
Twitter links
Readers may recall I once looked at who was followed by the PMO's Office -- you do have to at least try to avoid inappropriate links but I don't see that's a reason to quit twitter: Story Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier has shut down her Twitter account after it implied associations that her office says were inappropriate or vulgar. Kathy Dunderdale says she was upset when she found out her account was associated with the websites. How politicians use social media became an issue this week when a New Democrat was temporarily suspended from the legislature after the Progressive C... more »
A New Book on Science Advice
Good news: A new book is out today on science advice for government. Even better news: The book is rich with content. It gets even more better: It is free! The book has been put together by Robert Doubleday of Cambridge University and James Wilsdon of the University of Sussex on the occasion of Mark Walport taking over as the UK government's chief scientific adviser. The book has a UK focus but covers issues of much broader relevance. Here is the table of contents: 1. The science and art of effective advice - John Beddington 2. Experts and experimental government - Geoff Mulg... more »
Bachmann Top Fundraiser - PLS Donate to Jim Graves
From HuffPo Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) was one of the top fundraisers in the House during the first three months of the year, USA Today reports. According to filings, Bachmann raised nearly $675,000. Only three congressman ranked ahead of her -- House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) with $1.4 million; House Majority Leader Eric Cantor with nearly $961,00 and Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), who raised nearly $844,000. From MinnPost *Jim Graves will challenge Bachmann again in 2014* By Devin Henry | 04/11/13 WASHINGTON — Democrat Jim Graves will challenge Rep. Michele Bachmann ... more »
No "There" There
Taking his cue from Andrew Coyne's recent column on the utter vacuity of Canada's three major political parties, Zack Paikin writes that the Conservative Party has replaced values with venom. Whether or not you agreed with them, the Reform Party -- which gave birth to the Harper Party -- was a party of principle: If any party on the national scene could claim to be known as the party of principle, it was Reform. One could agree or disagree with those principles, but one could not deny that the party *had* them. Brian Mulroney being unable to balance the books, Reform advocated c... more »
Report Highlights Impacts of Urban Air Pollution
Rachel Rindfleisch at Contaminated Nation - Water Contamination, Land Pollution & Hazardous Waste locations - 15 hours ago
By: Nathan Lamb A recent Sierra Club report indicates that disadvantaged communities in Michigan face greater health risks due to pollution, according to this story in the Detroit Free Press. Impacted by activity from automobile plants, steel mills and other industry, Detroit and nearby River Rouge and Ecorse, are among the most polluted Midwest cities. The report cites a University of Michigan study suggesting that 81.5 percent of Detroit’s African American students attend schools in high air pollution areas, compared to 62.1 percent for Hispanics and 44 percent for whites. Com... more »
104 Republican Congressmen Voted To Reduce Benefits For Seniors And Vets
Looks like somebody stepped in it The GOP is trying to decide how to best use Obama's screw up on Chained CPI for their own purposes. It's a Republican Party policy that he foolishly adopted for his dead-in-the-water budget at the urging of Boehner and McConnell. When will he ever learn that their ideas are toxic? (That's a rhetorical question; he'll never learn.) But while some Republicans praise the idea or say it doesn't go far enough, the chairman of the NRCC, Greg Walden (R-OR) has decided to use it in an attack against Democrats aimed at seniors and people who expect to be seni... more »
NRA Owns the US Senate, Among Other Corporations
The inability of the US Senate to pass legislation on background checks. This is not about the filibuster. This is not about Harry Reid It is not about RWNJ's It is not about liberals This is not about the super-majority needed This is not about conflicting amendments This is about the voice of the people being totally ignored. Think about it - When was the last time elected government officials - listened to the people. We use to be a representative government, of, for, by the people. That has changed folks It doesn't matter if you are a Democrat, Independent or a Republican. It's ti... more »
Crooked Trails and Pastoral Valleys
*"Benedicto: May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. May your rivers flow without end, meandering through pastoral valleys tinkling with bells, past temples and castles and poets' towers into a dark primeval forest where tigers belch and monkeys howl, through miasmal and mysterious swamps and down into a desert of red rock, blue mesas, domes and pinnacles and grottos of endless stone, and down again into a deep vast ancient unknown chasm where bars of sunlight blaze on profiled cl... more »
Read Stuff, You Should
Happy Birthday to Melissa Joan Hart, 37. I wonder if I'll wind up eventually watching her current show (she has one -- third season about to start, apparently). We've been watching Clarissa recently; still holds up extremely well. Some good stuff: 1. An approach to studying legislation as it moves through Congress, from Scott Adler and John Wilkerson, that looks very promising to me -- plus a great illustration of just how many separate bills wound up on the ACA. ViaJohn. 2. Alison Dagnes seems to be having a ton of fun writing about and teaching the invisible primary. 3. Recogni... more »
Health Transparency 14: IMS-CHAT Meeting
The Coalition for Health Advocacy and Transparency (CHAT) is the umbrella organization of health and research NGOs and think tanks that gathered during the Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA)-sponsored CSOs Mapping in January 2009. Many of the health NGOs there are coalition themselves of other community and sectoral organizations. CHAT is affiliated with MeTA Philippines and is considered the civil society arm or partner of the latter. Last week, April 12, 2013, the International MeTA Secretariat (IMS) had a half day meeting with NGO leaders that composed CHAT. About one-half of... more »
Recalling America's Lost "Progressive Era"
*by Len Hart, The Existentialist Cowboy* Neither Edith Wharton nor E. M. Forster admired it, but Louis Auchincloss calls "The Wings of the Dove" the greatest of Henry James's novels. Published in 1902, the novel represented something of a “comeback for James”, whose only bestseller, Daisy Miller, had appeared more than two decades earlier. Set amid fashionable London drawing rooms and gilded Venetian palazzos, the story concerns a pair of lovers who conspire to obtain the fortune of a doomed American heiress. This version is said to be “the definitive New York Edition” appearing in ... more »
JOGGING NEWS - ten miles in two hours
ten miles in two hours, it's a rubbish time but it's the distance i.e. my increased stamina, that counts. Botley, Oxford, Headington shops, Orthopaedic Hospital and back. I was hoping to do a TEN KILOMETER race when I first started this late-life jogging lark; reckon I could do one, right now.
Jeremy Clarkson on the BBC and Lady Thatcher’s funeral
"Hymns … than a beardy man in a frock gave a broadcast for the Labour Party" – Jeremy Clarkson in today's Sun. I can't find it online but it's worth paying 40p for the paper just to read it … "I was abroad when Baroness Thatcher died. But the BBC's impartial website kept me abreast of the mood back in Britain. They told me that people were pouring out of their homes to rejoice at the news. There were street parties and spontaneous outpouring of joy. … I only met Mrs Thatcher once and all she could talk about was the hopeless left-wing bias of the BBC. … On the morning of the event, I... more »
Biased bbc comment...
Did anyone see the BBC News Chanel at just before 6pm on Wednesday evening. Charles Moore was being interviewed, and started to tell the Beeboid how biased the coverage of Mrs Thattcer was. It was a pleasure to watch the Beeboid squirming. Eventually they cut him off. I do hope that someone can post it on the web so that we can all enjoy it. (About 5.50 pm BBC news 17/4/13)
Untitled
*Sewage and Water Board pension plan for retiring director questioned* *N.O., BR above average for downtown jobs * *Pete Tortorich Eats, Breathes and Lives Louisiana Seafood* *Aussie firm plans ammonia plant near New Orleans ~Bloomberg* *~New plant causes joy and concern in Waggaman* *Odd Words from Toulouse Street* *New Orleans Good Good!* *Mid City's Fortier Fest Blooms This Sat., Pre Jazz Fest Bike Lane Update* * Seven Tips for the Seven Days of Jazzfest* *Festival International de Louisiane!*
My Memories Software Review and Giveaway ($40 Value)
I have never been big into paper scrapbooks. They take a lot of time and room and honestly the ones I have from my childhood have started to yellow. I love digital scrapbooking and while I have done scrapbooking with lots of different design software, I love the ease of My Memories, so when they asked me to review their latest Software, I had to give it a chance. What I love about My Memories is it lets you be as creative as you want to be. If you want to create all of you layouts from scratch using their embellishments and digital papers, you can do that. If you want to be able ... more »
Replace Trident with HILDA
'Obviously this new, smart, fearsome combined all-British defence system would be a Highly Independent, Lethal Defence Arsenal – HILDA. She would go on and on defending Britain for the rest of the century…' Guido has the details http://order-order.com/2013/04/18/trident-costs-a-bomb/
Saudi ‘person of interest’ being rushed back to Saudi Arabia on national security grounds | BARE NAKED ISLAM
http://www.barenakedislam.com/2013/04/17/saudi-person-of-interest-being-rushed-back-to-saudi-arabia-on-national-security-grounds/ Will the conspiracy theory nuts who called for investigations into George W. Bush's links to Saudi Arabia post 9/11 be as interested in Barack Hussein Obama post Boston bombing?
Abstinence is no excuse for not having sex
Not for Family Guy's Peter Griffin anyway.
Study: Apple Extract Kills Cancer Cells, Outperforms Common Chemo Drugs by Mike Barret
Study: Apple Extract Kills Cancer Cells, Outperforms Common Chemo Drugs by Mike Barret Natural Society, 16 April 2013 Are you a believer in using foods to prevent and treat illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and even cancer? There are countless foods and substances available for preventing and treating cancer, and in case you still aren’t convinced, maybe this new and exciting research will seal the deal. In recent research, compounds in apples known as *oligosaccharides * were found to *kill up to 46% of human colon cancer cells*. Further, the compound outperformed c... more »
UPDATE: Nin Tonantzin Non Centeotl
Back from a hiaitus by Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez It feels like we have entered an era of turbulence. On a personal level, my thoughts are about life-long LA educator, Sal Castro. He passed away a few days ago. How do you explain who he was to someone who never knew him? In a way, he was like LA Times journalist Ruben Salazar - the journalist that was killed in 1970 in ELA. Castro had a similar impact, but he did not die. He inspired a generation. Most people know of him through the movie Walkout! But if that's how they know him, then in a sense they only know about six months... more »
Explosion in the Kolache Capital of Texas
I am not sure whether the U.S. media dare to discuss such things at all but the town of West where the fertilizer plant explosion – a horror destroying a whole street and detected as a magnitude 2.1 earthquake – took place is an intrinsically ethnic Czech town (Google Maps). In fact, Wikipedia shows this picture of "Czech Stop" and "Little Czech Bakery" as the official image of the city with 2,700 inhabitants (there's also "the Czech Inn" and the "Czech Best Western Hotel" over there) and reminds us that it's nicknamed the "Kolache Capital of Texas". However, Caldwell, Texas claim... more »
Surreal: US Troops Stage in Jordan to Defend Al Qaeda in Syria
Massive US arms/aid deliveries prop up Al Qaeda in Syria, while US troops stage in Jordan to defend terrorists they spent last decade fighting. *April 18, 2013* (LD) - CNN reports that some 200 US troops are staging along Syria's border, this as reports reveal huge amounts of US-provided flour smuggled into Syria have formed the foundation of Al Qaeda's public relations strategy. Together with huge amounts of US-provided weapons, the aid is fueling Al Qaeda's continued operations and atrocities inside Syria. The addition of US troops along Syria's border appears to be a response t... more »
Mining 14: Teddy Casino's Environmentalism
Yesterday, Teddy Casino, Senatorial candidate of Bayan Muna/Makabayan Coalition, posted this in his facebook page, *We recently challenged provisions of the Mining Act of 1995 in court.* * Ang pagmimina ay dapat bahagi ng isang National Industrialization Policy para matiyak na napapakinabangan ng mga Pilipino ang ating yamang mineral, at minimal ang negatibong epekto nito sa kapaligiran at mga komunidad. Read the full statement: http://ow.ly/k6Ibm * http://www.teddycasino.org/casino-supreme-court-should-strike-down-flawed-1995-mining-law/ I commented on it, I wrote that “Government col... more »
Ra Rising - Solar Revolution - Full Movie
Does the sun have the power to transform humankind? *In SOLAR REVOLUTION, German renowned biophysicist, Dieter Broers, makes a compelling case, pointing to a wealth of scientific evidence that shows a remarkable correlation between increases in solar activity and advances in our creative, mental, and spiritual abilities.*
A CELESTIAL MYSTERY SOLVED : The Secret to an Unknown Human Power by GW Hardin
*A CELESTIAL MYSTERY SOLVED :* * The Secret to an Unknown Human Power ** by GW Hardin * When American Kabuki said that he would post this mystery of a picture, that had shown up out of nowhere, on his blog and let the “crowd source” (his blog members) bring forth the answer, I had my doubts. But no longer. I will present three revelations that showed up around this picture: What is this picture? And where did it come from? Why the celestials want humanity to know about it’s secret. What is the DNA tesseract? And why is it so important? This isn’t the first time a picture has... more »
Israeli police head to US to aid in Boston Marathon bombing investigation
The head of the Israel Police, Major General Yohanan Danino (AFP Photo / Jack Guez) http://rt.com/usa/police-israel-investigation-boston-009/ *Israeli police head to US to aid in Boston Marathon bombing investigation* Published: Apr 17, 2013, 08:11 PM The investigation into Mondays deadly bombing at the Boston Marathon has officially gone international: *[why? what's wrong with our FBI?]* *law enforcement officials from Israel have been sent to the United States to assist in the probe.* *Israel Police Chief Yohanan Danino says he has dispatched officials to Boston, Massachusetts... more »
Mohawk Nation News 'Boston False Flag'
BOSTON “FALSE FLAG” Posted on April 17, 2013 1 MNN. Apr 17, 2013. “False flag” is a covert military operation designed to impose extreme fear amongst the population so it appears they are being attacked by other entities, groups or nations. In naval warfare a flag was put upon the ship, hence the name false flag operation. In the recent past all major
'SPECIAL FORCES' IN BOSTON
*4chan ThinkTank - Imgur. * These two men, seen at the Boston marathon finishing line just prior to the blasts, are wearing military desert-boots (top picture). *One wears a cap with a logo used by US special forces or former special forces (bottom picture).* *Is this the Bomber? / BOSTON BOMBERS IDENTIFIED? * *The cap reportedly is from "Craft International, a mercenary training company set up by former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle.* "At least one of them is wearing an earpiece, the type the Secret Service use to communicate on site during operations." *Boston Bombing: Craft Internati... more »
Supreme Court's disappointing ruling in Nigerian human rights case against Shell Oil
Kiobel v. Shell: Supreme Court Limits Courts’ Ability to Hear Claims of Human Rights Abuses Committed Abroad Courthouse Doors Remain Open to Cases with a Sufficient Link to the United States The suit against Shell was brought by Nigerian citizens who allege the corporation aided and abetted the military dictatorship in the torture, rape, and extrajudicial
April 15, 1973 (part two)
We're now in the evening of Sunday, April 15. Nixon finishes up on the presidential yacht, and heads back: "I dreaded having to go to the White House and face the bleak choices I knew were waiting..." Also, that afternoon, John Dean was again meeting with the prosecutors, Silbert and Glanzer. Before that meeting, however, Dean showed his own lawyer something new: Dean had a copy of the "Huston plan," the secret plan to have the government spy on, bug, and break-and-enter again domestic opponents. That's the plan that J. Edgar Hoover spiked -- which in turn was why, after the Pentago... more »
John McAfee dragged into the Ricin Letters scandal via the Mexican Drug Cartels - plot to bring down America - January 2013.
"John McAfee dragged into the Ricin Letters scandal via the Mexican Drug Cartels." that's quite a headline, don't you think? Well, in January 2013 the original developer of MacAfee Anti-virus Software (should it now be subtitled: *is any machine safe?*) went on the Alex Jones show and dropped his RICIN bomb, which he hasn't even told the Police yet. * Topics:* ricin manufacture in Nicaragua, mean mass density three microns i.e. weaponised ricin, and Al Qaeda/Hezbollah/Iran involved somewhere. Now, this Al Qaeda/Hezbollah/Iran inclusion in John's report sends up a propaganda RED FLAG... more »
Lakotas Elders Truth Tour: Genocide Complaint to US Government
LAKOTA SIOUX FIRST NATION DELIVERS GENOCIDE COMPLAINT and ‘RED CRY’ EVIDENCE TO U.S. GOVERNMENT Charmaine White Face, Lakota By Naomi Archer lakotasolidarity@gmail.com Censored News Thursday Press Conference Highlights Movement to End Genocide WHO: Representatives of the Indigenous Lakota Sioux Nation from Pine Ridge Reservation, members of the Lakota Truth Tour, and DC supporters. WHAT
Shirley Youxjeste : Mexican Feds Crack Down on Teachers Protesting Educational 'Reform'
Mexican federal police confront protesting teachers in Chilpancingo, Guerrero, on April 4, 2013. Photo by EFE / STR. Image from La Prensa (San Antonio). Mexican teachers take the streets against standardized tests Teachers in Guerrero, tired of the hostility of the business class, shut down two department stores in Chilpancingo for eight hours, using shopping carts as barricades. By
Photos from the public in Boston may show bombers .... WITH PHOTOS
*(Click on image to enlarge) * * **(Click on image to enlarge) * *(Click on image to enlarge) * *(Click on image to enlarge) * *Did “Anonymous” find the Boston Bombers?* [image: Progressive Bloggers]
"Three Things..."
“To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special. I just got one last thing... I urge all of you, all of you, to enjoy your life, the precious moments you have.”... more »
Musical Interlude: “Homeless Boy Steals The Talent Show”
“Homeless Boy Steals The Talent Show” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ46Ot4_lLo
Thursday Morning Linkage
On this awful news week, I’m feeling like some Thursday Morning Linkage needs a little opening joy before launching into the useful reads of the week: Here are some useful Africa-centric readings on this awful, awful news week: Cullen Hendrix examines the links between food price rises, regime type, and subsidy policies in Africa Jennifer Continue reading
"A Look to the Heavens"
“Sculpted by stellar winds and radiation, the star factory known as Messier 17 lies some 5,500 light-years away in the nebula-rich constellation Sagittarius. At that distance, this degree wide field of view spans almost 100 light-years. The sharp, composite, color image utilizing data from space and ground based telescopes, follows faint details of the region's gas and dust clouds against a backdrop of central Milky Way stars. *Click image for larger size.* Stellar winds and energetic light from hot, massive stars formed from M17's stock of cosmic gas and dust have slowly carved ... more »
Chet Raymo, “Cultivating Amazement”
*“Cultivating Amazement”* by Chet Raymo “There is only one question, says the poet Mary Oliver: "How to love this world." So here I am scanning a recent copy of the journal “Nature”, with articles titled "Parvalbumin neurons and gamma rhythms enhance cortical circuit performance" and "F-box protein FBX031 mediates cyclin D1 degradation to induce G1 arrest after DNA damage." What is this stuff to me, and how does it help me love the world? In her poetry, Oliver brilliantly evokes the sensate stimuli of love: the "lapped light" of pond lilies in the black pond, the goldfinch ... more »
Paulo Coelho, "The Cry Of The Desert"
*"The Cry Of The Desert"* by Paulo Coelho "As soon as he arrived in Marrakesh, Morocco, a missionary decided he would stroll through the desert at the city’s boundary every morning. On his first stroll he noticed a man lying on the sand, caressing the ground with his hands and leaning his ears towards the earth. “He is mad,” the missionary said to himself. But he saw the man every morning during his walks and after a month, intrigued by that strange behavior, he decided to approach the stranger. He knelt beside him and asked, in broken Arabic, “What are you doing?” “I keep ... more »
Welcome To The Ron Paul Institute... No, Really
We won't have to argue about Ron Paul's anti-Choice fanaticism or his weird religious beliefs or his sympathy for militant fringe right-wing groups. His new eponymous institute is something any red-blooded American can get behind. Here's the media advisory he sent out last week (and posted on his Facebook page): Ron Paul to Launch New Policy Institute The neo-conservative era is dead. Former Congressman Ron Paul will hold a press conference this Wednesday to launch his next big project: the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity. After decades in and out of the US House of ... more »
GOP dances on the graves of the dead children of Sandy Hook
By now you've heard Senate Republicans killed the gun safety bill by filibuster today. Within minutes of the vote, even as the victims of gun violence were weeping in the gallery, Mitch McConnell posted this gloat on his facebook page: The 90% of America who wanted better protection against allowing lethal weapons to fall into the hands of homicidal maniacs responded: I'm too disgusted to say anything tonight and really I can't put it better than this: "Today, the U.S. Senate decided to do the unthinkable about gun violence --- nothing at all," - Gabby Giffords And to add i... more »
BOOKS / Ron Jacobs : 'Love Goes to Buildings on Fire'
Love Goes to Buildings on Fire: New York City, just like I pictured it From the steamy streets of the South Bronx and the future that would become hip-hop to the steamier bathhouses and clubs in lower Manhattan that became world-famous dens of disco, Hermes relates his tale. By Ron Jacobs / The Rag Blog / April 17, 2013 Love Goes to Buildings On Fire: Five Years in New York That Changed
ANZAC AFL
Anzac Day next week in Wellington represents a significant milestone in Australia-New Zealand sporting relations: the first time AFL teams play for points outside Australia. The world’s most libertarian sport is “a fast paced, high scoring contact sport requiring a blend of speed, power, strength and skill, which will certainly appeal to all New Zealanders. It is the most watched sport on Australian television … it can be a difficult game to explain to those new to it, far better to show you!” AFL is best seen live, and this is every NZer’s chance. Saint Kilda reckons they’ll h... more »
Johan Huizinga On The Need For A Spiritual Regeneration of The Individual And A Rebirth of Humanity
** "A new culture can only grow up in the soil of a purged humanity." - Johan Huizinga. *Wikipedia:* Johan Huizinga (December 7, 1872 – February 1, 1945), was a Dutch historian and one of the founders of modern cultural history. In 1942, he spoke critically of his country's German occupiers, comments that were consistent with his writings about Fascism in the 1930s. From then until his death in 1945, he was held in detention by the Nazis. He died in De Steeg in Gelderland, near Arnhem, just a few weeks before Nazi rule ended, and he lies buried in the graveyard of the Reformed Ch... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Magdalena, New Mexico, USA. Thanks for stopping by.
2013 Yale Ferguson Award: Call for Nominations
The Yale H. Ferguson Book Award The Yale H. Ferguson award, presented by International Studies Association-Northeast, recognizes the book that most advances the vibrancy of international studies as a pluralist discipline. Any book or edited volume published within the field of international studies in the previous calendar year is eligible for consideration. The award winner Continue reading
FILM / Dave Zirin : '42' is Jackie Robinson's Bitter Pill
A Review of '42': Jackie Robinson's bitter pill This was a man tortured by the fact that his own experience was used as a cudgel against building a public, fighting movement against racial injustice. By Dave Zirin / The Rag Blog / April 17, 2013 See "Dave Zirin Writes from the Busy Intersection of Sports and Politics" by Thorne Dreyer at Truthout, and listen to Dreyer's March 22, 2013,
U.S.A.-- A Country Of Economic Refugees
Not my housekeeper, Juana My housekeeper, Juana, is from El Salvador. The only way I know she's an American citizen is that we talk about who she's voting for every time elections roll around. Unlike Mitt Romney, I'm not running for office so I have no idea who's on the gardening crew. I know Roberto, the main guy, is American because he was born in L.A. But I'm not sure what the status of his employees are. I suspect the Gang of 8 proposals aren't really meant to make their lives any easier. As Joshua Holland explained in The Fifteen Biggest Lies About The Economy, "the idea that im... more »
Satire: “No Information Found On CNN”
*“No Information Found On CNN”* by Andy Borowitz BOSTON (The Borowitz Report)— “Authorities who have spent the past forty-eight hours combing CNN in the hopes of finding any information whatsoever have called off their search, they confirmed today. “After monitoring every minute of CNN’s broadcast since Monday, we have found hearsay, rumors, falsehoods, and a steady stream of inane commentary,” one authority said. “Everything but information.” The announcement was the second black eye today for CNN, which earlier in the afternoon recanted all of its reporting dating back to ... more »
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