US Navy 100122-N-4540W-018 Commander Steven Harrison, left, commanding officer of the fast-attack submarine USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) and Lt. Cmdr. Darrel Lewis, executive officer, stand before the City of Los Angeles City Coun (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
11:52am MDSTThe Third Section's the Charm
Granted, I'm not a Constitutional scholar like our President who wipes his well-toned ass with it every day of the year. But I've been rereading the 14th Amendment these days, the one the Obama administration has been loathe to invoke to avoid the debt ceiling implosion brought to a short fuse by the Teabagger Republicans. The 14th Amendment, to put in a nutshell, was ratified by Congress on July 9, 1868 as an aid to Reconstruction. It was bitterly contested by the southern states because they had to adopt it in order to be recognized in the Congress. It was primarily a ci... more »
The Home Stretch In Massachusetts Brings Out The Worst In EMILY's List-- As Usual
Of course Elizabeth Warren refused to endorse conservative shill Katherine Clark, but that didn't keep EMILY's List from printing up these fliers Last April, Digby exposed the EMILY's List strategy for beating progressive L.A. mayoral contender-- and now progressive L.A. Mayor-- Eric Garcetti on behalf of their Republican-"turned"-Democrat conservative candidate with a sleazy campaign mailer you can see here. The obvious intention was to portray Garcetti, a happily married man and a naval officer, as a sleaze bag. L.A. voters know him too well, and the EMILY's List slimy tactics fail... more »
Stand By Me / Every Breath You Take mashup
Ben E. King and The Police seem made for each other.
Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Russell - The Golem of Venice from Spike1138 on Vimeo. "Russell played many strings on his fiddle of evil. His proposals for genocide, especially against populations with darker skin-hues than that of the Vril Society's self-esteemed Anglo-Saxon master race, are fully as satanic, and more viciously personalized than his policies of world dictatorship through nuclear terrorism. He was also a savage hoaxster in his corrosive influence within the domains of philosophy and natural science. He was not even truly British; there is not a gram of concern for the well-being of the...more »
The Bodybuilder and the Asian.
Search the BBC website for ‘antisemitic video” and all you get is John Galliano, the drunken popinjay from the House of Dior. But everywhere else on the interweb and in the MSM you get the tale of the Jewish wedding video containing audio that inadvertently reveals the ‘accident-prone’ cameraman sucking up to his ‘Asian’ assistant by making stereotypical anti-Jewish snipes about their clients. Claudia and Stan Gocman on their wedding day The video failed to capture any happy memories for the bride, but it did capture the cameraman’s self-pitying incompetence. The assistant sounds... more »
From the ten ox-herding pictures and Permaculture Design to a way of life
From Zen Flesh, Zen Bones. The book is available in hardcover from Tuttle, toll-free number [USA] 1-800-526-2778. wikimedia.org One of my all-time favorite things is the Ten Ox-Herding Pictures, an effort to explain in graphics the typical "spiritual" journey of a Zen adherent. The original version is attributed to Kuòān Shīyuǎn (廓庵師遠), a master from the twelfth century C.E., and has been redrawn many times. The one at left is by twentieth century woodblock artist Tokuriki Tomikichiro. The idea is that when we notice something seems "missing" in our lives, we go forth in searc... more »
As Usual, Orientalism Employed to Undermine Diplomacy with Iran
Blue Mosque, Jean-Léon Gérôme "We are always wrong when we believe that Orientals think logically as we do." - President Dwight Eisenhower, in comments to his National Security Council, 2/17/1955 "Really, it seemed hardly fair that dignified and correct western statesmanship should be defeated by the antics of incomprehensible orientals." - L.P. Elwell-Sutton, Persian Oil: A Study in
Must evidence in very serious criminal matters be preserved for the lifetime of the offender?
*Chaudhary v. Ontario (Attorney General),* 2013 ONCA 615 sought a declaration that all evidence in very serious criminal matters should be preserved for the lifetime of the offender. The Court dismissed the application on the facts as presented but hinted such preservation might be appropriate in the future depending how the caselaw develops: [11] Before concluding his reasons, Dambrot J. made some thoughtful, * obiter* observations about the issue of post–appeal preservation of evidence, which we endorse as well. He stated at paras 87-88: Unlike preservation of *Stin...more »
Wide Asleep in FAIR Extra!, August IssueAfter Ahmadinejad, Alarmism Still Reigns
The following article originally appeared in the August 2013 issue of Extra!, Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting's monthly magazine. EXTRA! Aug 01 2013 After Ahmadinejad, Alarmism Still Reigns Spinning Iranian election results to maintain an official enemy By Nima Shirazi With the surprise election (CNN, 6/15/13) of moderate pragmatist Hassan Rouhani as the next president of Iran, and
HRW: Obfuscation Posing as Humanitarianism Report. Slaughter near Latakia
Syria rebels executed civilians, says Human Rights Watch When my hubby brought this latest to my attention....grrrrr!! I was furious. And you would think I should be elated, right? Human Rights Watch actually focusing on this terrible, terrible atrocity committed by the WESTERN BACKED HIRED KILLERS. Since this happened way back at the beginning of August 2013, two months ago, we all need to ask ourselves*...............Why a HRW report at this time?* *Why not in August? Or September?* The Guardian had reported on the attacks near Latakia , just last week. At that time, it seem... more »
Reading Ripley: And Gladwell too!
*FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013* *In search of “adventure stories” and “wonderful, thrilling” events:*Yesterday, for whatever reason, we just couldn’t face it. We couldn’t face the negativity of continuing with our thread—our thread about Amanda Ripley’s lack of interest in low-income kids. Ripley has published an interesting, ballyhooed book, The Smartest Kids in the World. Her education proposals may make perfect good sense for middle-class students. But the challenges facing (many) low-income kids barely appear in her book. We plan to return to this topic next week. Yesterday, we cou... more »
Ted Cruz? Winnowed, Probably
I've been on the side of those who thought that Ted Cruz was a viable candidate for the Republican nomination in 2016. Not a likely winner, but very plausible. I'm pretty sure that's done now. I was willing to defend Cruz's chances despite his quickly-gained reputation within the Senate for excessively sharp elbows. I thought that Hill reputation was a relatively minor factor in overall party view of a contender. But what's happened to him now goes well beyond Hill reputation. Moreover, the type of bad reputation has changed, and that should matter, too. Three things: 1. It's one...more »
Greta Van Susteren cons the rubes!
*FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013* *Refuses to challenge McCarthy:* They still haven’t posted last night’s transcript. When they do, we’ll return to this post and show you what we saw happen. For background, see our previous post.
Nobel prizes shouldn't be awarded to large groups
*Great physicists are islands of a sort, not mindless screws in an institution* I don't remember the last day when I agreed with Sabine Hossenfelder so entirely. She just wrote a blog post called Should the Nobel Prize be given to collaborations and institutions? in which she disagreed with a recent oped by Sean Carroll in *The New York Times*, No Physicist Is an Island. I agree with Sabine not only because of the "sign" of her answer but because of some detailed arguments, too. I wanted to write a very similar text on Wednesday but it's great that I didn't because she would surel...more »
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES VIDEO: Kurdish Genocide In Iraq: Survivors Tell Their Stories
Video News provided by IBTimes TV. Visit IBTimes.co.uk for Latest News, and Business News
GONNA STUDY WAR LOTS MORE: Dr. King tries a little tenderness!
*FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2013* *Part 4—Joan Walsh pours it on:* Last night, viewers of Hardball got themselves played again. Joan Walsh was asked about Ted Cruz’s chances of reaching the White House. By her own admission, she was sorry to say what she said: WALSH (10/10/13): I don’t think he will get the nomination—*he could, because there is that hatred afoot in our country. I’m sorry to say it, but there is.* And there is that hatred of government. And there are people—people really, far-right people believe that they were pushed, they were sold a bill of goods, a moderate in John Mc... more »
Graph of the Day: Africa Power Needs
The figure above comes from a post at the Center for Global Development by Todd Moss and Madeleine Gleave. They ask, how much power does Africa really need? Their answer (based on estimates and methods you can read in their post) is ... a lot. Here is their bottom line: - As these countries grow more populated and richer (they are all posting impressive real GDP growth rates), the demand for electricity is going to be significantly greater than the modest targets currently envisioned by the international community. - Nigeria’s ambitious electricity expansion plans ... more »
Satire: “Hostage-Takers Call Comparisons to Tea Party ‘Hurtful’”
* * *“Hostage-Takers Call Comparisons to Tea Party ‘Hurtful’”* by Andy Borowitz WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)— “A group representing America’s hostage-takers today blasted President Obama for his repeated comparisons between them and the Tea Party Republicans, calling his remarks “degrading and hurtful.” The complaint came from the National Alliance of Hostage-Takers and Blackmailers, a watchdog group that monitors negative images of extortionists in the media. “As professional hostage-takers, we never take hostages unless we have a well-thought-out plan, realistic demands, an... more »
Friday Nerd Blogging: Something From the New TV Season
Yep, it is that time of year as each network rolls out its new programs with the first cancellations already being announced. This year, there is one that is under the radar–a sitcom based on Aliens. Check it out: Ok. Just a youtube bit of genius. Enjoy your weekend.
Friday Links
*Riding tomorrow at last. Three weeks of minimal biking has made me fat and surly. That may well be indistinguishable from the normal me, come to think of it.* - Brian explains China's scary use of history in its claim to NE Korea... - China Policy Institute blog hosts pro-Ma piece claiming that Ma is a frustrated reformer. - Jamestown Brief on China and Taiwan volunteer military programs - AP reports on the protests against the Ma government - Documentary on Hsiaolin Village disaster to compete in Japan - Jamestown Brief piece argues that DPP will win 2014 seven... more »
Paul Ryan, New Democrat
Okay, scratch that last post about the two sides of the Money Party probably not being able to make a deal to save the world and screw the people before Default Apocalypse. I spoke/wrote in haste and despair. Paul Ryan has emerged from the ashes of defeat as the New Democrats' (a/k/a Wall Street/centrist branch of the party) wet dream, a knight in shining armor to help forge the grand bargain with Barack the Feckless. Ryan, almost universally lambasted in the past few years for his fraudulent Budget to Nowhere, is now being hailed by "moderates" as the latest hot new pragmatic star.... more »
Untitled
*N.O. inspector general calls out French Quarter park arrangement and Overtime Pay ~Andrew Vanacore, New Orleans Advocate * *City, PUFAP in Jazz in the Park Permit Flap ~NOLA DEFENDER* *DHH wants level of chlorine upped in dozens of La. water systems ~Katie Moore, WWLTV* *VIDEO: Mississippi River Restoration Program Makes Progress ~Dredging Today * *French Quarter Film House To Host Welcome Party For Film Makers At The New Orleans Film Festival* *Good Eggs remakes groceries with online farmers market ~Will Coviello, Gambit*
US Suggests Destruction Unit for Syria Chemical Weapon Destruction
* The Pentagon is suggesting *(?) the world's chemical weapons watchdog use a U.S.-made mobile destruction unit in Syria to neutralize the country's toxic stockpile, officials told Reuters. It gave a briefing on the unit on Tuesday to officials at the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, who are deciding what technology to use for the ambitious chemical weapons destruction plan, two officials said. *Initial talks between Washington and Moscow about where to destroy the stockpile included shipping it abroad, but it is illegal for most countries ... more »
Morning Fresh Hope
By American Kabuki Morning fresh hope, ain't gonna die banker plane still scratches the sky debts collectors assurance gotta collect that dead peasant insurance biosphere goal stuff the stockings with a lump of coal carbon tax business plan grab indigenous land pump the wells with frack hear the breaking crack Love still grows its all changing everyone knows Shout Oh My God I LOVE YOU! Shout Oh My God I LOVE YOU DANCE WITH ME MY LOVE! DANCE WITH ME MY LOVE! Birth, jail and death monetized Blitzer audience hypnotized Congress and Executive Chief Love's h... more »
The Great Myth of the FDA as Protector of our Health by Christina Sarich
The Great Myth of the FDA as Protector of our Health by Christina Sarich Natural Society, 11 October 2013 Just like we’ve been taught to bow to the white coats, we’ve also been conditioned to think that whatever the Food and Drug Administration approves must be safe. Nothing could be further from the truth. This organization is supposed to be a governmental watchdog over our food supply and public health, as well as an agency to keep medicines or other proposed ‘cures’ – both natural and pharmaceutical – from doing us harm. *The FDA is supposed to block the interests of greed... more »
Friday Morning Linkage
Human Rights Watch has a new report on the killing of 190 civilians in early August by members of five Islamist rebel groups: Ahrar al-Sham, Islamic State of Iraq and Sham, Jabhat al-Nusra, Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar, Suquor al-Izz Congratulations to Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on the Nobel Peace Prize. They won’t have much time to Continue reading
Bill Whittle: President Temper-Tantrum ...(video)
*how essential are non-essential employees?* "These small people, these pathetic genetically defective control freaks in Washington"
Read Stuff, You Should
Happy Birthday to Jane Krakowski, 45. Some good stuff, too: 1. Heather Roff-Perkins on robots. 2. Dave Wiltse on Ted Cruz and the invisible primary. 3. And Steve Greene on being friendly with students.
New Polls Show Non-DCCC Districts Are Falling To Democratic Challengers
Last week, when MoveOn and PPP released their much buzzed about polls showing how Democrats could pick up many seats, the first thing I noticed was that these were all the Steve Israel seats they had polled. I spoke with them and asked them to poll some of the districts that the DCCC studiously ignores, districts we've been covering here at *DWT* and where Blue America has some great candidates. This morning MoveOn and PPP are releasing new polling data for some of those districts. Outstanding, at top Blue America races where Lee Rogers is ahead of Buck McKeon (CA-25), Paul Clemen... more »
Obamacare updates - October 11 , 2013 - After numerous Administration Officials have stone walled the question of enrollment numbers , two HHS workers leak the results out - just 51,000 completed applications to date ! No wonder the White house , HHS Secretary , the Press Secretary for the President , the Treasury Secretary , Democrats in congress and every political supporter of Obamacare has run like heck from the facts ! and with 6 million , nine hundred and fifty thousand more enrollees needed to make this monstrosity viable , who really thinks this Frankenstein creation can ever be financially viable ? Between this debacle and the ongoing Ass Clown circus called the Budget and Debt Ceiling Kibukis , no wonder Americans have no confidence in Congress and their Government overall !
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2452537/Administration-sources-Obamacare-website-received-just-51-000-completed-insurance-applications.html EXCLUSIVE: Just 51,000 people completed Obamacare applications during the website's first week, out of tens of millions of Americans in 36 states - *Obamacare's main signup engine attracted just 6,200 new customers on its launch day and 51,000 after the first week* - * * - *At the same rate, the 6-month open enrollment period would sign up just 2 million Americans, including 14 states and D.C., which have their own i... more »
Hope for Paws rescues terrified dog...
This little doggie reminds me so much of our Sophie (RIP). Sophie's story *HERE*
At The Mercy Of Vengeful Gods?
Gerald Caplan wonders, in today's *Globe and Mail*, why the NDP has such a hard time establishing itself outside the prairies. Darrell Dexter's defeat on Tuesday follows a pattern: It’s not entirely easy to explain, but there are clues. For the four provinces besides Nova Scotia that have ever elected NDP governments, two completely opposite electoral patterns emerged over the decades. In the agreeable tradition, in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the NDP wins repeatedly. In the lamentable tradition – BC and Ontario – either the NDP premier or the entire government is gone after a sin... more »
J P Morgan Earnings Report released - suffers first quarterly loss under Jamie dimon , suffers biggest prop trading loss in its history , suffers miss in revenue to accompany loss rather than earnings for the quarter - big key is ever rising legal expenses ( 9.2 billion ) and note loan reserves continue to decline as those reserves used to smooth out quarterly results ! Wells Fargo Earnings Report Released - another flop ! Wells crippled by Mortgage pipeline shutdown , Net interest margins falls , Reserve Release to smooth earnings soars ( more of the same )
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-10-11/jpm-hammered-massive-92-billion-legal-expenses-posts-first-loss-under-dimon-takes-16 JPM Hammered By Massive $9.2 Billion In Legal Expenses, Posts First Loss Under Dimon; Takes $1.6 Billion Reserve Release [image: Tyler Durden's picture] Submitted by Tyler Durden on 10/11/2013 07:42 -0400 - Equity Markets - fixed - Fortress Balance Sheet - Jamie Dimon - NIM - Prop Trading inShare So much for the JPM "fortress balance sheet." Moments ago the bank which 18 months ago stunned the world with the biggest prop trading... more »
Argentina: Anomaly Photographed over Córdoba, Argentina
*Luis Burgos *of the *Fundación Argentina de Ovnilogía *(FAO) submitted the following image to *PLANETA UFO*, showing a luminous anomaly described as a "variable UFO". The image was taken on the 30th of September of this year by *Gaby Decall*. Our thanks as ever to *Guillermo Giménez*! Inexplicata Podcasts covering items from UFO / paranormal history in Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean
Bolivia: 100 UFO Fly-Overs in Two Years?
*Bolivia: 100 UFO Fly-Overs in Two Years?* *By Dayana Flores, OPINION (www.opinion.com.bo)* Pablo Santa Cruz claims the greatest number of sightings took place in Quillacollo and Tiquipaya (Cochabamba) and especially in the Altiplano o areas with remnants of ancient civilizations. The studies of a Bolivian ufologist who is most involved in the subject – Pablo Santa Cruz – account for nearly 100 unknown objects reported in Bolivian skies in the past two years. Santa Cruz heads “Proyecto Ovni”, a four-hour long documentary that discusses the phenomenon, as well as two books on the su... more »
Obamacare sign-up crash: what's really behind it?
By Jon Rappoport October 10, 2013 www.nomorefakenews.com It's easy to say the government always screws things up and, therefore, the crash of its Obamacare sign-up system is merely another example of gross incompetence. But this is shortsighted. White House officials knew, months ago, the online site was an unmitigated disaster, and yet they let the train continue speeding down the track to its inevitable crackup. To understand this, we need to go back to the opening salvo in the Obamacare drama. To his advisors' shock and surprise, Obama, taking office in 2009, announced that hi...more »
FLASH PHOTO: Catholic Bishops Give NAZI Salute, Notice Pope Benedict at Center
* * Catholic Bishops giving the NAZI salute in honor of Hitler, future Pope Benedict in the Center brown suit NAZI Pope Benedict XVI Wearing the NAZI Swastika As A Member Of The Hitler Youth But where is the pope in the chain of command…? The most comprehensive list of the Chain of Command leading and controlling Obama and his administration. See who really runs the show from the top to the bottom (Obama). Read their credentials and connections: *Chain of Command* *Adolfo Nicolas* 30th Superior General, Society of Jesus “The Black Pope” *Pope Benedict XVI* Vicar of Christ/Vic...more »
Subterranean Secrets (Deep Underground Military Bases) by Fritz Springmeier
The Truth Will Set You Free The beautiful artwork in ancient Spanish caves, or the catacombs in Rome remind us that man has always had an underground presence. During the 1990's, my research repeatedly brought me in contact with individuals who stated that they had been in deep underground military bases. Of course a number of these are openly admitted by the American government, for instance Cheyenne Mountain. And many are not. I discovered that not only was our government focused on building deep secret cities, but the Illuminati families were also. Furthermore, they were us... more »
Europe's woes - Red Cross alert
link: http://youtu.be/eh53bbS2XvU Harsh words can be said and need to be said about Europe's "elite", incompetent as it is to opt for available solutions to their crisis. The Red Cross now knocks loudly at the door - the "elite" should listen, if it's not too late already (for them). We'll see a hot 4th quarter in Europe. John
Greg Hunter, “Weekly News Wrap-Up 10.11.13”
*“Weekly News Wrap-Up 10.11.13”* By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com “Deal or no deal. The battle to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling is progressing. At least the two sides are talking, but I still feel like we are being forced to watch a sadistic game show where everybody ends up losing. In the end, I think everybody will lose because it is not the so-called debt ceiling that is the real problem, it is the enormous debt. $17 trillion and growing, and that doesn’t include the more than $5 trillion in additional commitments we take on every year. Do I think the governm...more »
Economic Incompetence
What we're seeing in the USA's political-economic policy isn't so much "policy" based on flawed theories, as it is naked, short-sighted greed, being justified with a fig-leaf of delusion. They want more and more money. They don't want to share it. They want to "invest" it in an unregulated, totally subsidized gambling casino, where it can either be lost in a swamp of corruption and fraud, or (preferably in the eyes of the greed-heads) it can continue to accumulate (forever) while remaining hermetically sealed from the real economy and the "greedy" hands of the majority who need to p...more »
The Constitution of the United States
On July 4, 1854, William Lloyd Garrison set fire to a copy of the U.S. Constitution. “A covenant with death,” he called it, “and an agreement with hell.” Holding the parchment above his head, he repeated forcefully a psalmic rouse to the hundreds of men and women gathered around him: “And let all the people say, Amen.” The crowd exploded: “Amen!” *I have not come here with reference to any flag but that of freedom.* If your Union does not symbolize universal emancipation, it brings no Union for me. If your Constitution does not guarantee freedom for all, it is not a Constituti... more »
JOE AND JADIN BELL
*Joe and son Jadin - both dead.* On 9 October 2013, in Colorado, Joe Bell was killed when he was hit by a truck. Truck driver Kenneth Raven has been 'cited with careless driving.' Joe, aged 48, from Oregon, was on a 5,000 mile walk - to raise awareness about bullying. Joe's 15-year-old son Jadin, who had been bullied, was found hanged at a La Grande school in January 2013. Joe's Walk for Change Facebook page describes how Joe had been speaking at schools and clubs across the USA about homophobic bullying. *Jadin had been the victim of relentless bullying in school because of hi... more »
FT in the tank for Ma
*At the Houli Saxophone Museum.* Since FT intervened in the 2012 elections I haven't linked to them. Still not going to. Even AFP doesn't get this bad: *While closer ties – a hallmark policy of Mr Ma’s five-year reign – have boosted Taiwan’s economy, *the moves remain controversial as China claims sovereignty over the island. Chinese companies are also seen as increasingly forceful competition to Taiwanese rivals. Closer ties have boosted Taiwan's economy? Hahaha. The article says below: *Taiwan’s economy could grow less than 2 per cent this year*... If closer ties are so awesome,... more »
"A Look to the Heavens"
"In the center of star-forming region 30 Doradus lies a huge cluster of the largest, hottest, most massive stars known. These stars, known collectively as star cluster R136, were captured above in visible light by the Wide Field Camera peering through the refurbished Hubble Space Telescope. *Click image for larger size.* Gas and dust clouds in 30 Doradus, also known as the Tarantula Nebula, have been sculpted into elongated shapes by powerful winds and ultraviolet radiation from these hot cluster stars. The 30 Doradus Nebula lies within a neighboring galaxy known as the Large Ma... more »
Chet Raymo, "Silence"
* * *"Silence"* by Chet Raymo "A gray, drizzily day. As I take my place in a quiet corner of the college Commons it is still dark. I open my laptop and there on the screen is the poem I was reading yesterday afternoon in the library, as I closed my laptop for the day: "Silence", by Billy Collins. These lines particularly resonate: "And there is the silence of this morning Which I have broken with my pen, A silence that had piled up all night Like snow falling in the darkness of the house- The silence before I wrote a word And the poorer silence now." When ... more »
A Caesar in U.S. Future? The Bandar Saga Reveals the Rottenness at the Core of the Saudi Dynasty, and Odd Personnel Changes Occur In U.S. Nuclear Forces
Stranger than fiction. The questions raised by Paul Craig Roberts in the following essay enter the national dialogue at a time when the protections in the Constitution have been euthanized and the nation is in thrall to a crass and violent (remember the Tea Party Town Hall attacks?) minority who are working their will at every Koch-leveraged level of government in order to eviscerate or at
Space related news
Scott Carpenter, one of the original seven NASA astronauts and the second American to orbit Earth, has died, according to NASA. He was 88. If you want to see a good basic programme about the history of space flight, particularly strong on events leading to Apollo 11 moon landing, then the BBC's Horizon programme presented by Dr. Brian Cox was rather good last night.
Jere Jenkins, Nuclear Engineer - bananas, Brazil nuts, carrots, green leafy vegetables - all more RADIOACTIVE than Fukushima tuna???
I can't believe this wild-haired guy, what's his source? I'm talking, of course, about Jere Jenkins, Nuclear Engineer at Purdue University, who claims, at the 01:37 mark of this two minutes report on Pacific Tuna being TEN TIMES OVER THE LIMIT for radiation content because they swam via the exploded Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan. *"There are other RADIOACTIVE FOODS THAT WE EAT ON A REGULAR BASIS: bananas, Brazil nuts, carrots, green leafy vegetables..." Jere states.* What the fuck? I don't remember seeing this revelation on my TV Nightly News. I mean, *"What the fuck aren't they... more »
TSUNAMI ALERT; JEWS; NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
*1. *The Weather *2.** *Report shows Jews own around one third of Russia's total wealth * * *3.* The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Shimon Peres, Menachem Begin and Henry Kissinger, Gold Spot $1,285
october 10: world day against the death penalty
Al JazeeraToday is World Day Against the Death Penalty. *Al Jazeera* has a fascinating infographic about the use of the death penalty worldwide, as far as can be known from on available evidence. It is my fervent hope that the more people learn about the unjust, political, and often arbitrary use of the death penalty, the more they will question its use, and that, in time, such questioning will lead them to understand the inherent immorality of state-sanctioned murder. For those agnostic but unconvinced, I recommend reading *Dead Man Walking*, by Sister Helen Prejean. This book had ...more »
Review - Sustainable Disposable Products by Eco-Products
I don't like single-use, disposable products and avoid them. That said, I also know that there are times when a reusable product isn't realistic. For example, hosting a party, picnic or dinner for a large organization or business would mean buying reusable plates, utensils, glasses, etc. That would be expensive and then there's the problem of washing and storing the items. Reusable plates and glasses, which are usually breakable, are not safe for pool parties. Sure, one can buy plastic products but plastic has problems of it's own. Let's say you're hosting a family wedding, annive... more »
I am Human and I need to be Loved.
*I am the son, and the heir, of a shyness that is criminally vulgar.* *I am the son and heir, of nothing in particular...* thus begins the era-establishing song How Soon Is Now by Morrissey? The Smiths (they were nearly called The Ryans) was an almost-happened almost-stormed-the-world band. A creation that almost made sense to BILLIONS of sad young souls. The The Smiths remained unchanged, despondent, melancholic and people just tended to step away from the strange daffodil-waving front man's idea of a world of lovely words and raw emotion, like he was some sort of disease. A pa... more »
The Fight to Save Common Core: Count Me Out
I have written a number of posts on the so-called Common Core State Standards (CCSS), an unprecedented effort by those outside of the classroom to exercise control over the classroom by standardizing what is taught in classrooms across the nation. Since CCSS did not originate with those forced to accept it, there has been resistance. Legislators are […]
The Fight to Save Common Core: Count Me Out
The Fight to Save Common Core: Count Me Out. I couldn’t say it any better.
Free Albert Woodfox! Take Action with Amnesty Intl: "Herman died a free man. Let's help Albert live as one."
*Please take action for Albert Woodfox here!* Albert Woodfox, left, with Herman Wallace, right. *RELATED: * *UN statement on Albert Woodfox* Today, Amnesty International kicked off a new campaign in support of Albert Woodfox. The email action alert and a separate press release are both reprinted below, in full: ------ *Herman died a free man. Let's help Albert live as one.* Herman Wallace died nine days before his 72nd birthday. The famed ‘Angola 3' prisoner succumbed to liver cancer on Friday, 3 days after being released from prison. Herman survived more than 41 years of isolatio... more »
October 10, 1973
Elizabeth Drew: -- The phone call that comes in the early afternoon saying that the Vice-President has resigned is astonishing. I had thought about the event, even anticipated it. Now reality, as it has done in other instances, other contexts, has betrayed anticipation. We had been getting ready for this, and we hadn't. -- The twenty-fifth amendment was only ratified in 1967. Up until that point, a vacancy in the vice-presidency would just remain empty until the next election; LBJ had no VP until Hubert Humphrey took office after the 1964 elections. So for the first time, a sitti... more »
Musical Interlude: Kevin Kern, “Above the Clouds”
Kevin Kern, “Above the Clouds” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvxDYTt3Tpo
Finally... Bill Young (R-FL) Is Retiring
When C.W. "Bill" Young was born, Herbert Hoover had just led the United States into the Great Depression. Young's entire childhood past the age of 2 was in the backdrop of FDR's presidency-- first in a poor coal-mining area of western Pennsylvania and then in the Tampa Bay area. When he finally retires next year he'll be 84. Even his family has been whispering about him retiring for nearly a decade now. Young never went to college or even finished high school and before getting on the political gravy train in 1960, was an insurance salesman. His early political life was devoted to ... more »
Hadas fantásticas con nombres de personas reales
*Haga usted click aquí para regalarnos un "Me Gusta" en Facebook. ¡Gracias!*
Capitalist Fascism or Democratic Socialism.
Fascism And Contemporary Canada. Locating The Present Conservative Government Led By Stephen Harper. .. "The fog of Fascism and Famine, neither kill quickly and not until you can see where you `re going will you know from where you came"...Grant G Part Five. Capitalist Fascism or Democratic Socialism. Written by Robin Mathews At the present, in Canada, it’s fascism, Conservative government style. Built on a mountain of lies. [In a democracy fascism has to be built on a mountain of lies.] The first lie is the hardest to see, the biggest - The Killer – “there ... more »
Trouble Brewing.
* * *" 'scuse me while I whip this out..."*
Your moment of Zen
Aurora Borealis over Foster's Bridge in Cabot, Vermont on October 8th 2013. [Jon Vose photo]
New York Fed fires Whistleblower who simply tried to hold Goldman Sachs accountable for breaching client ethic rules and for numerous conflicts of interest ! Justice may be blind but the Fed has both eyes on protecting its " client banks " like Goldman !
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-10-10/goldman-whistleblower-sues-ny-fed-wrongful-termination Goldman "Whistleblower" Sues NY Fed For Wrongful Termination [image: Tyler Durden's picture] Submitted by Tyler Durden on 10/10/2013 21:15 -0400 - Bank of New York - Bill Dudley - Capmark - Chinese Wall - Federal Reserve - Federal Reserve Bank - Federal Reserve Bank of New York - Goldman Sachs - goldman sachs - Jan Hatzius - KIM - Reuters - Securities and Exchange Commission inShare After seven months of investigating Goldman S... more »
"Fukushima Update 10/10/2013"
* * *“Former Top U.S. Nuclear Official: * *Removal Of Melted Fuel at Fukushima May Not Be Possible “* By ENENews • “Melted Fuel Removal at Fukushima Plant Seen Optimistically Starting in 2020” - http://www.japantimes.co.jp/ • Dr. Gregory Jaczko, former chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission: “There will be the removal of the melted fuel, or perhaps the inability to remove the fuel and the need to simply leave it in place. And then ultimately some type of decommissioning of these reactors, a process that will take probably my entire life.” • Arnie Gundersen, Faire...more »
"Treat People..."
"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
HILARION October 6, 2013
* * * * *HILARION'S WEEKLY MESSAGE 2013* October 6-13, 2013 Beloved Ones, The process of the re-evaluation of your lives and what is important for your greater health, well being and happiness and the letting go of all that does not serve you has been uppermost in your hearts. Some decisions are difficult to make as it means a resetting and reformulating of your former priorities and goals. Asking yourselves some hard questions has been helping you to see with more clarity those areas and ways of being that hold you back from moving forward with enthusiasm and joy. Just remember... more »
BK's Blog: Ascension Rising Conference Nov 1-3: Special Discount for OPAL Tour
*Ascension Rising Conference Nov 1-3: Special Discount for OPAL Tour* October 9, 2013 Please see below from Sierra regarding the conference. There will also be a package created for those who are only interested in seeing mine and Bob's workshop, as well as The One People panel with Bob, Lisa and myself. Can't wait to see everyone in Sedona! ~Brian Kelly My name is Sierra Neblina. I am the producer of the upcoming Ascension Rising Conference and I would like to share with you my vision of this conference and why it came about. Last year, 2012 brought a great awakening for the pe... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Lawton, Oklahoma, USA. Thanks for stopping by.
"Reality..."
"Reality is what we take to be true. What we take to be true is what we believe. What we believe is based upon our perceptions. What we perceive depends upon what we look for. What we look for depends upon what we think. What we think depends upon what we perceive. What we perceive determines what we believe. What we believe determines what we take to be true. What we take to be true is our reality." - Gary Zukav
This Michigan judge cracks down on his own danged cell-phone-abusing self
*"Why would I treat myself any different?" says Judge Clarke. "That would make me a hypocrite."* *by Ken* Here's a touching little story I wanted to make sure you saw. There's one detail in the HuffPost Tech account, one that happened to bother me, which isn't quite right, as you'll see by referring to Judge Clarke's actual courtroom sign, reproduced above. *Michigan Judge Hugh Clarke Holds Himself In Contempt After Smartphone Rings In Court* Anyone who's ever visited Judge Hugh Clarke's courtroom in Lansing, Mich. knows the rules -- turn off your cellphone or silence it before... more »
Free Download: Olaf Stapledon, "Star Maker"
* "Star Maker"* By Olaf Stapledon "Stapledon undertakes the immense task of describing the entire history of life in the universe. It dwarfs in scale even his 1930 book "Last and First Men," which is a history of the human species over two billion years. It tackles philosophical themes such as the essence of life, of birth, decay and death, and the relationship between creation and creator. The narrator starts with a concern at the clash of ideas on Earth and finds analogies to both communism and fascism among the aliens he visits. A pervading theme is that of progressive unity ... more »
Carl Sagan, "Where We Make Our Stand"
*"Where We Make Our Stand"* by Carl Sagan * * “We wish to pursue the truth no matter where it leads. But to find the truth, we need imagination and skepticism both. We will not be afraid to speculate, but we will be careful to distinguish speculation from fact. The cosmos is full beyond measure of elegant truths; of exquisite interrelationships; of the awesome machinery of nature. Once we overcome our fear of being tiny, we find ourselves on the threshold of a vast and awesome Universe that utterly dwarfs — in time, in space, and in potential — the tidy anthropocentric pr... more »
GOP brand in the dumper
You all know how I feel about polls but this new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll is so stunning it has even the tragically jaded journos dragging their jaws across the floor. By a 22-point margin (53 percent to 31 percent), the public blames the Republican Party more for the shutdown than President Barack Obama – a wider margin of blame for the GOP than the party received during the poll during the last shutdown in 1995-96. Just 24 percent of respondents have a favorable opinion about the GOP, and only 21 percent have a favorable view of the Tea Party, which are both at all-tim...more »
Three Articles About Syria
*Global leader of al-Qaeda (pictured above), and the foot soldiers of al-Qaeda (pictured below).* Below is an excerpt from, *"A Syrian Solution?"* by Philip Giraldi, AntiWar.com, October 10, 2013: "For those who argue that a negotiated settlement can’t happen in Syria because too much blood has been shed one need only point to the examples of similar conflicts in Africa and Asia over the past fifty years. They too seemed intractable and some of them have continued to fester but, by pushing the right buttons and enabling the right compromises, most of them have been resolved or ...more »
Impact of shutdown to be felt by DC charter schools, but…
… notice the list of priorities here. Is this in any particular order? Ramona Edelin, executive director of the D.C. Association of Chartered Public Schools, said the payment, totaling $101 million, is supposed to go toward preparation for SAT and other entrance tests as well as food services and teacher pay. “Some schools have something […]
Are the Feds planning to close I-495 on Friday in an attempt to derail the Mass protest and blockade by Truckers for the Constitution ( set for October 11 -13 , 2013 ) .... apart from the Truckers , Vets plan a Millon Vet March this weekend as well ? Freedom Leadership Conference website and Redstate.com say that allegedly is the plan ! FWIW and Friday will reveal what actually goes down !
Report: Feds Order National Guard to Close I-495 to Derail Trucker Protest - [image: The Alex Jones Channel][image: Alex Jones Show podcast][image: Prison Planet TV][image: Infowars.com Twitter][image: Alex Jones' Facebook][image: Infowars store] Conservative group claims Department of Transportation source confirmed plan *Paul Joseph Watson* Infowars.com October 10, 2013 A conservative group claims it has spoken to sources within the Department of Transportation who admitted plans by the feds to order armed National Guard troops to close Washington DC’s Interstate Route 49... more »
Asia crows that America is a diminishing Super Power ! The absence of the President at APEC this weekend , Asia's observation as to how the US was " schooled " by Russia and China regarding Syria , further education coming soon with Iran , the embarrassing spectacle of the Government shutdown and another debt ceiling spectacle ( second since 2011 ) ....... is Asia correct in viewing the US is suffering " terminal decline " ?
Catharsis Ours - 17 hours ago
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-10-07/now-chinese-are-wagging-their-fingers-obama Now The Chinese Are Wagging Their Fingers At Obama [image: Tyler Durden's picture] Submitted by Tyler Durden on 10/07/2013 17:21 -0400 - Barack Obama - China - default - Federal Reserve - Treasury Department - Vladimir Putin inShare2 *Submitted by Simon Black of Sovereign Man blog,* *“Diminishing Superpower”* This was the headline streaking across the weekend edition of the Jakarta Globe, one of the largest newspapers in Indonesia. The photo beneath was of Barack Oba... more »
Profound BigMedia Fail
Real life still keeping me offline so just catching up. As always, outsourcing to Charlie Pierce's eviseration of Politico. Yes, read the rest that goes with this closer: I think I can assure the kidz here that both the sequester and the government shutdown are having serious material effects on the lives of millions of people all around the country, regardless of what the polls say about their exhaustion with the rhetoric coming out of Washington. That they do not connect that rhetoric with the hardship in their own lives is a profound failure of journalism of which TBOTP is a per... more »
China angling to undermine the Trans- Pacific Partnership ? Will they succeed ? Understand TPP is NOT about trade but unleashing the full power of corporate interests to basically do what they want globally without national regulation !
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/10/will-chinas-gambit-to-undermine-the-trans-pacific-partnership-succeed.html THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013 Will China’s Gambit to Undermine the Trans-Pacific Partnership Succeed? While eyes in the US have remained focused on the budget cliffhanger in Washington, in Bali, two sets of meetings were taking place. The first was the latest set of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. The US, led by John Kerry (Obama was supposed to make an appearance but the budget drama kept him away) met with representatives of the 12 nations it is pressing to agree t... more »
Heavenletter #4703 God Wants You to Soar, October 10, 2013
* * * * *Heavenletter #4703 God Wants You to Soar , October 10, 2013* God said: I am like a harbor, not as a retreat, but as a starting-off place. With Me, you and I together, We can venture beyond mooring places. We venture beyond. That is what We do. We venture beyond ordinary limits. Sometimes it is like someone has painted limits beyond which you are not to step. How arbitrary are these painted lines. They do not really exist, yet you think they exist. You think they are giant fences without gates when they are only painted lines that you can easily step over once you dare to ... more »
Astronomy: "'Trillions Of Earths' Could Be Orbiting 300 Sextillion Stars"
* * *"'Trillions Of Earths' Could Be Orbiting 300 Sextillion Stars"* by Mark Memmott "There's that there may be three times more stars in the universe than was previously thought- and many, many planets that could support life. If they're right, it means there could be as many as 300 sextillion (a number we weren't familiar with, to be honest) stars. Want to write that down? It's a 3 followed by 23 zeroes. Like this: 300,000,000,000,000,000,000,000. The research, led by Yale astronomer Pieter van Dokkum, is being further analyzed. In an interview von Dokkum said the findings a... more »
Public Myth: Philip Zelikow on Thirteen Days
*"[Leo] Strauss believed it was for politicians to assert powerful and inspiring myths that everyone could believe in.* * * *They might not be true - but they were necessary illusions."* * * ** *Reality* *Hollywood* http://www.historycommons.org/timeline.jsp?investigations:_a_detailed_look=complete_911_timeline_role_of_philip_zelikow&timeline=complete_911_timeline *May 2000: Future Authors of 9/11 Report Produce John F. Kennedy Book Riddled with Errors * An eminent historian finds serious flaws in a historical treatise about former President John F. Kennedy. The book, *The Kenned... more »
Gold - factoring in the fierce chinese demand as we see the daily manipulations here in the US and the overall state of play amidst manipulated markets - October 10 , 2013 ....DC follies , US Treasuries and Bond watch ( Kyle Bass ) , World Bank whistleblower ( Karen Hudes ) interview.....
http://jessescrossroadscafe.blogspot.com/2013/10/gold-daily-and-silver-weekly-charts-cap_10.html 10 OCTOBER 2013 Gold Daily and Silver Weekly Charts - Cap and Slap in the After Hours Trade *"For I behold the heavens, the works of your fingers: the moon and the stars which you have made. What is man that you are mindful of him? or the Son of Man that you dwell with him? You have made us a little less than the angels, and you have crowned Him with glory and honour, And have set Him over all the works of your hands."* Late breaking news says that President Obama has refused the offer o...more »
Friday Morning Ramble: The #Shutdown Edition
*The US Government wasn’t the only thing partially shut down these last seven days. My back came out in sympathy too, thus no Ramble last week. So here’s a few morsels of interest spotted out in the wild these last two weeks…* Just as it says. *US Government Shutdowns, a Brief History.* – Chris Mayer, MONEY MORNING AUSTRALIA *A Brief History of the Federal Debt Limit* – HISTORY NEWS NETWORK *Shutdown? It’s not a bug, it’s a feature.* – NOT PC *Leftist Fanatics Responsible for Government Shutdown* – GEORGE REISMAN’S BLOG *Who Shut Down the Government?* – Thomas Sowell, TOWN H... more »
Governor Otter meets his match!
*THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013* *The loneliness of the Gail Collins reader:* We heard the unmistakable whimpering shortly after 5 this morning. Someone banged on a door from within—from within the padded chamber to which we assign our readers of Gail Collins columns. “The horror, the horror,” we heard a voice cry. That’s when we knew it: Collins must be discussing the debt limit crisis. Even we couldn’t begin to imagine the *way* Collins chose to discuss it. After we opened the door and a young analyst wildly rushed past, we discovered what he had been reading. What he’d been forced ... more »
Marc Faber, “A Corrupt System that Rewards Stupidity”
* * *“A Corrupt System that Rewards Stupidity”* by Marc Faber “For the greater part of human history, leaders who were in a position to exercise power were accountable for their actions. If they waged wars or had to defend their territories from invading hostile forces, they frequently lost their lives, territories, armies, power and crowns. I don’t deny that some leaders were irresponsible, but in general, they were fully aware that they were responsible for their acts and, therefore, they acted responsibly. The problem we are faced with today is that our political and (frequent... more »
EngageNY website – not so boring after all!
Several authors here at The Chalk Face have discussed the scripted curriculum modules that the New York State Department of Education has placed on its education reform propaganda website EngageNY.org. The modules are widely considered by teachers, and now and growing group of parents and children as being boring lessons killing student interest and creativity. […]
Israel kicks off it's Yom Kippur Propaganda Blitz via twitter
Pushing the hot buttons. That is how I see it! How about you? *Globe and Mail* Excerpted: The Tweet was true, but it wasn’t news. The posting referred to an attack 40 years ago in the Yom Kippur war, the latest in a series of Tweets from the Israel Defence Forces Twitter handle (@IDFSpokesperson) commemorating the war. The Tweet just before 10:30 a.m. ET stated: “October 10 #YomKippur73:*Israel Air Force bombards airports in Syria to prevent Soviet weapons reaching the Syrian Army.*” It then links to a website that gives a day-by-day account of the war. “Obviously this was part... more »
A Druid Perspective
John Michael Greer is a writer, philosopher, bookworm, mage, and Grand Archdruid. He’s brainy, articulate, and a notorious outside-the-box thinker (see his interview on PeakMoment.TV). On some issues, my conclusions are different from his, but he’s a stimulating lad. I’m just going to jabber a bit about a few of the ideas presented on his blog. For many years, I struggled to find a solution to the Earth Crisis. I learned a lot along the way, but was never able to discover a silver bullet cure. I failed because I didn’t comprehend the vital difference between problems and predi...more »
Time For House Republicans To Lead The Country Into A War Against Iran?
The Good Lord, in His wisdom, has dealt Trent Franks a most unfortunate hand-- and he's been taking it out on the American people for a very long time Over 60% of American voters understand it was the Republicans who are behind the manufactured crisis threatening a worldwide economic catastrophe-- and they blame them for it. Congressional approval is now an astounding 5% and independents have turned on the GOP in a BIG way. Democrats lead the generic Congressional ballot 46/41, including a 42/33 lead with independents. Independents have shifted 21 points on the generic ballot from ... more »
Ryan Pivots Away From Cruz For Boehner-- Will It Work?
Cuccinelli, struggling to stay in the 30's in recent polls, has already started cutting back on media spending. He knows he lost. The hit the Republican brand took during his gubernatorial campaign was too great to iovercome-- even as his opponent, corrupt political wheeler-dealer Terry McAuliffe, was one of the most flawed and unattractive candidates the Democrats could have possibly put up. Gallup shows the GOP at the lowest approval rating-- 28% and rapidly dropping-- ever! Even Ted Cruz's Utah Tea Party lackey, Mike Lee, has seen his approval among home state voters evaporate... more »
My Employer Filed Bankruptcy. Does That Mean They Can't Enforce My Noncompete?
This question was asked on my post Non-Compete Agreements - Top 5 Ways To Get Out of Yours: My employer has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy and is reorganizing. Does this also invalidate their employment contracts? Wayne This is a good question, Wayne, especially considering how many bankruptcies have been filed in the past few years. I should first say that, being an employment lawyer, what I don't know about bankruptcy law is a whole lot. However, I'll do my best to explain why there's no easy answer to this question. If there are any bankruptcy lawyers out there who want to ... more »
InBloom Wants Your Child's Data
*CHICAGO (CBS) –* The head of a Chicago parents group was warning parents the Chicago Public Schools system plans to upload personal student information into a national database run by billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Julie Woestehoff, executive director of Parents United for Responsible Education (PURE), said the InBloom database upload is an invasion of privacy, masquerading as a program to individualize educational programs. She said uploading personal data like disciplinary records, information on disabilities, and parental income — along with the child’s name — will allo... more »
Ron Comrade
Hmm, Leninism, isn't it...? Iron cohort... discipline... three and in... 1917... jumpers for goalposts... workers and soldiers... in the soviet... Petrograd... the Aurora... Paul Gascoigne... 1966... storming the Winter Palace... firm leadership... key link in the chain... not like 1936... Trotsky... Stalin rubbing dogshit on the ball... Bobby Moore... penalty shoot out... 1990.. Barcelona... Hungary... Iran 1979... the shoras... wingless wonders... organising the vanguard... Lenin... twinkle in his eye... at the podium... Peace Land and Bread... enduring image, isn't it? But can y... more »
Fools In Charge (Again?)? Just Wait for Their Next Act!
How did I miss this jewel yesterday? Can't resist running their lovely photos with tales of the uneducated idle to follow. Tuesday, Oct 8, 2013 Right-Wing Nutjobs’ Last Stand: The Debt Limit Endgame ArrivesAs the debt limit deadline approaches, conservatives are trotting out the real nonsense. The fantasy is almost over.By Brian Beutler (Click on photo for full wingnut effect.) Ted Cruz
Bad Bear Photos: Longest Walk 4 walking to Garden City, Kansas
Thanks to Western Shoshone long walker Carl 'Bad Bear' Sampson for the photos from the road today! www.returntoalcatraz.com The Walk has taken the Staffs to Ingalls, Kansas. It is in need of support for Lamar, La Junta and Las Animas stay places Oct 14 - 18. We will be in Pueblo from the 18 -21 with the 19 October set aside for a gathering to discuss Indigenous Sovereignty and the
Mohawk John Kane: Tewatahtawi 'We Carry Ourselves'
Mohawk John Kane: Tewatahtawi 'We Carry Ourselves' By John Kane, Mohawk Censored News In 1776, when a group of 13 British colonies broke off from their empire, there was more than just a battle that needed to be fought. First, there needed to be a rationale or philosophy that the rest of the world (Europe, in particular) could embrace for such a revolt. The rationale was laid out in the
FREE ALICE MUNRO
Via Lawyers, Guns, and Money, we learn of the international campaign unleashed by the audacious choice of the Nobel prize committee to give the literature prize to dissident Canadian writer Alice Munro: State media in Canada reacted positively to the news, calling it a great victory for the Canadian nation and the state ideology. Still, Munro is expected to come under intense pressure from Canadian exile communities, who are already calling on the author to use this moment to focus greater attention on the lack of political freedoms in Canada. Margaret Atwood could not be reached... more »
Elsewhere: Shutdown/Debt Limit, Gerrymandering, more
Today I did a notes-style post while waiting for details of whatever the House is going to do on the debt limit, covering some of the next steps on shutdown/debt limit. Earlier I argued that it's still all about mainstream conservatives House Republicans. Not Boehner, not the (relatively) moderate group, and not the Tea Party group -- it's about the mainstream conservatives. Here's some more: Gerrymandering didn't break the House. The basic story: Democratic unity. Republicans are demanding a price for negotiations.
Professors Need to Stop Recommending TFA’ers to Be Teachers
TFA is Losing Its Luster There is still good, quality, genuine education going on around the country despite the anti-teacher, anti-intellectual and misogynistic meme of accountability and performance, test scores, and measuring every student every year, over and over and over again, on standardized fill in the bubble sheets. TFA, just like so much of […]
Predictive Programming: Alex Jones and the Assassination ofPresidentBarack H. Obama
Is Alex Jones a Disinformation Agent ? from Spike1138 on Vimeo. *"Alex Jones is a viscous White Supremecist"* * * *- Bro. Steve Cokely, 2010* * * ** ** * * * * *"Aside from a 2011 report that Alex Jones is actually working for the Obama administration, Alex Jones is one of 10 or so “celebrities” that have openly predicted the future assassination of U.S. President Barack Obama. In a video uploaded on February 15, 2010, Jones emphatically states that he is “100%” sure an Obama assassination is going to happen.* *There are many reasons to believe that an Obama assassination by the ...more »
Oxford Cheiromancy ... ever been curious?
about twenty years ago, I wondered if the ancient divining techniques I'd gleaned from a tatty old book (The Cheiro Book of Fate and Fortune by Count Louis Hamon aka *Cheiro) *that I'd found on the shelf in a bedsit I'd rented as an art student could be applied to the modern world. I gave local people readings for a few florins and (despite my skepticism) it seemed to just work. Back then it was either face-to-face or (if you weren't local) it was inked hands or photocopies sent through Royal Mail - it was a bit laborious. Now, as everyone has a digital camera-phone or similar devi... more »
Brad Wall's Sask Party Gov't Will Continue To Fund Research To Try And Prove Dr. Zamboni's Debunked Multiple Sclerosis Theory ...
*(Sask Health Hon. Minister Dustin Duncan)** ** *[image: Progressive Bloggers] * * * Sask. health minister says new study doesn't necessarily debunk MS liberation therapy* *"Saskatchewan’s health minister says the province won’t be deterred by a new study that found the narrowing of the veins leading from the brain is just as prevalent in patients with Multiple Sclerosis as in people without the disease.* *** (Minister) Dustin Duncan says the findings of the study don’t necessarily debunk the efficacy of the liberation treatment for MS.* *** “I don’t think the information, the evid... more »
Truffle Party Favors
*Disclosure: I participated in this post on behalf of Burst Media. I was compensated for my time and commitment, but all opinions are my own. This post is sponsored by GODIVA.* When I throw a baby shower, I love it when everything matches. All the way down to the little details. I have made a lot of party favors in my life, but none have gotten such a good as these simple little pots with a truffle inside. They are easy to make and they really have wow factor. You will need: Small ceramic pots (You can buy these at the craft store) Paint in the color scheme of your party Ribbon that... more »
My Textbook on Religion
*Preface* Every society in the history of the world has engaged in some form of this batshittery. We would like to move on from it, but many, many people have made damn good livings over the centuries practicing, teaching, and writing about it, so we thought, what the hell? Universities and colleges being no better, yours is offering you a course on this crap and here's the textbook for it. Suck it up, buttercups. *Introduction* This text is organized along the usual nutbar lines. We'll do the oldest stuff first, when humans were still pissing their pants over thunder and lightning... more »
TFA is Losing Its Luster
There is still good, quality, genuine education going on around the country despite the anti-teacher, anti-intellectual and misogynistic meme of accountability and performance, test scores, and measuring every student every year, over and over and over again, on standardized fill in the bubble sheets. TFA, just like so much of corporate education reform, fails to acknowledge the "appropriate role of a TFA recruit" in a school where there are experienced teachers who have devoted their lives and their careers to a particular school and community and its children. And so, TFA'ers, ... more »
Evidence Presented in the Case Against Growth Models for High Stakes Purposes
*Posted earlier today at Substance News:* * **Evidence Presented in the Case Against Growth Models for High Stakes Purposes* *Denise Wilburn and Jim Horn* *The following article quotes liberally from The Mismeasure of Education, and it represents an overview of the research-based critiques of value-added modeling, or growth models. We offer it here to Chicago educators [and educators everywhere] with the hope that it may serve to inspire and inform the restoration of fairness, reliability, and validity to the teacher evaluation process and the assessment of children and schools.* ... more »
British Columbia Court of Appeal upholds federal ban on assisted suicide
*Carter v. Canada (Attorney General),* 2013 BCCA 435: The Facts and Reasons of the Trial Judge: The plaintiffs Ms. Carter and Ms. Taylor, both of whom suffered from intractable and progressive diseases and are now deceased, joined with others in bringing this civil claim challenging the constitutionality of the Criminal Code provisions against assisted suicide and euthanasia, specifically ss. 14, 21(1)(b), 21(2), 22, 222(1)-222(5), and 241 of the Criminal Code. The main focus of their case, however, was s. 241(b), which prohibits assisting another person to commit suicide... more »
Analysis and range for manslaughter of children
*R v Choy, *2013 ABCA 334: [12] The judge did not have the benefit of this Court's decisions in *R v Nickel*,2012 ABCA 158 (CanLII), 2012 ABCA 158, 524 AR 366 and *R v SDC*, 2013 ABCA 46 (CanLII), 2013 ABCA 46, as they issued after she delivered her reasons in this case. *Nickel* laid out a framework for analysis of child abuse cases. In *Nickel*the majority stated that "perhaps the most important consideration when assessing moral culpability of the *actus reus* is the child's exposure to harm", (para 34). Here the exposure was prolonged, and at the hands of a caregiver... more »
Have we become too connected?...
*smartphones, computers, Facebook, Twitter - all clamoring for our attention. * I practice a bit of reverse snobbery when it comes to all this. I don't have a smartphone. Why the hell would I want a phone that's smarter than me? We do have a Tracfone for emergencies which I never remember to take with me. I don't text. I remember witnessing a friend having an argument with her brother by texting back and forth. I couldn't help thinking a phone call would have been much better and easier. I still find Twitter incomprehensible. And Facebook? Good grief. We're raising a gene... more »
Smell the Earth, Taste the Rain...Hear the Sun Rise and Night Fall
The exquisitely vibrant version of the tangerine maple was taken in Peapack, New Jersey back on October 13, 2010. It was the prettiest tree I could find that year, when the portentous symptoms of tree decline had been apparent for at least two years. By the time a summer season of absorbing pollution was coming to a close in autumn, most leaves were already showing visible damage impeding photosynthesis. That trend has since lurched ahead most inauspiciously. The second image is the same tree October 11, 2012...while the last and thinnest is from yesterday - October 9, 2013. In ... more »
Memewatch: What if we fail to raise the debt limit?
*THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013* *The Times almost starts to report:* What will happen if we don’t raise the debt limit? Timorously, barely daring to speak, the New York Times has finally begun to answer that question. But just barely! Annie Lowrey’s news report appears on page A14. With one week to go before we drop dead, the New York Times has finally started explaining what would happen! That said, you have to read Lowrey’s report with great care if you want to get clear on the facts. If we fail to raise the debt limit, will Treasury be able to keep paying our “debt service?” That... more »
Roy Spencer vs citizen scientists
*Willis Eschenbach didn't deserve such a universal criticism* Citizen scientists typically – or, given some terminology, by definition – lack the official education and familiarity with the existing body of the technical literature in a scientific discipline. They're autodidacts and they haven't been "rated" by any well-established institutionalized system. That means that the quality of their research differs. When it comes to atmospheric physics, we can find citizen scientists at many levels. The Sky Dragon Slayers represent the bottom end of the spectrum; they're full-fledged c... more »
Smell the Earth, Taste the Rain...Hear the Sun Rise and Night Fall
The exquisitely vibrant version of the tangerine maple was taken in Peapack, New Jersey back on October 13, 2010. It was the prettiest tree I could find that year, when the portentous symptoms of tree decline had been apparent for at least two years. By the time a summer season of absorbing pollution was coming to a close in autumn, most leaves were already showing visible damage impeding photosynthesis. That trend has since lurched ahead most inauspiciously. The second image is the same tree October 11, 2012...while the last and thinnest is from yesterday - October 9, 2013. In ... more »
Calling Wendy Kopp!
With the government shutdown, a great opportunity exists for those entrepreneurs who see education as fertile ground for their innovative innovations. Wendy Kopp, here is an idea for you—free of charge: *Govern for America* Call on bright young college grads with no expertise or experience in government to commit to 2-year (House) or 6-year (Senate) stints in the U.S. Congress! [You're welcomed..]
GONNA STUDY WAR LOTS MORE: Survey said!
*THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013* *Part 4—A surprising response:* At the new devolving Salon, we liberals are studying war. More specifically, we’re being told that the other party is a gang of snarling racists—that this is the obvious explanation for the other tribe’s crazy beliefs. We're being trained in the joy of hate at this devolving site. Race has played a giant, disastrous role in our brutal American history. That said, *is* the tea party a gang of racists? And how can a person tell? Consider a recent post by Kevin Drum. Drum is one of our favorite writers. He’s a very intelli...more »
Explaining Senator Obama's Debt Limit Speech
Matt Yglesias had a fun item yesterday with a little analysis of Barack Obama's speech against, and vote against, raising the debt limit back in 2006. It's a good item: All in all, a pretty ridiculous display. But note what Obama doesn't do—attempt to hold the country hostage in order to advance a policy agenda. To use a technical term, what Obama's doing here is bullshitting. The debt ceiling bill has majority support in both houses and is clearly going to pass. Rather than doing the right thing and voting "yes," Obama has decided to make a "no" vote and then deliver a speech denou...more »
Dr. Ben Carson on Megyn Kelly Show...
*he speaks for himself.* via *Freedom's Lighthouse* - and we thank them. Demonize and ridicule. It's the liberal's way. Every conservative who has not been called stupid, a hater, or made fun of, please raise their hand.
Double Ten Day: Ma's speech
Quote from the snoozefest of speakery today: "My fellow citizens: The people of both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all Chinese by ethnicity. Cross-strait relations are not international relations." This is the same language that Ma used in his 2008 inaugural address where he not only brought out the ethnic links but also said sovereignty was not important in cross-strait issues. As I noted: ...the English text says "our common Chinese heritage" but the Chinese is explicit -- the people on the two sides of the Strait both belong to the Chinese race" (兩岸人民同屬中華民族).The second trans... more »
The World Is Made for Edward Burkhardt
Remember the CEO of Rail World Inc., and owner of the MMA trains that derailed in Lac-Megantic, killing 42 people? He pushed deregulation, fought unions, pursued profit over safety, and when the inevitable happened, blamed everyone but himself and had MMA declare bankruptcy so as to escape paying for his own disaster. This is the naked face of capitalism. This sort of shriveled soul is the hero in an Ayn Rand novel. (That horrible writer's main character pretended to run a railroad herself!) This is how capitalism avoids being as bad as Hitler or Stalin or Mao. Burkhardt wasn't sett...more »
Turkey's Spymaster Plots Own Course on Syria. Good Cop/Bad Cop spin?
So, yesterday we looked at the spin being done on the Saudi role in Syria. You know taking a lead role? Strategic decision making? Saudi interests? All the while downplaying the US role. As mentioned in the comments section in the post from yesterday. The Saudi role is *not *a new development in the continuing destruction of Syria. * Saudi Arabia has been paying for mercs since the destabilization began 2 and1/2 years ago. * However it seemed Saudi Arabia took the regional terror reins, still in sync with Israel, some months back as mentioned in a post from July 10/13 called :Syria... more »
The Mainstreaming of Iran: From Ancient Persian Ruins to Iranian Living Rooms
A photograph from “Iranian Living Room”: Mohammad at home with his dog Loosy (Photo Credit: Nazanin Tabatabaei Yazdi) The perception of Iran, as presented in the Western media, is beginning to change. What was once only flaming flags, wild-eyed mullahs and spinning centrifuges is being, slowly, replaced by images of beautiful landscapes and, more importantly, human beings (instead of
Places to Go, Things to Do: Night Owl and Becoming.com.tw
Will Grazecki, who operates the wonderful Early Bird Diner in Taichung (62 Chung Ming South Road 忠明南路62號,04 2320 2608 -- Facebook), has opened the Night Owl next door. Both are great places to hang. Go thou and enjoy! I just found about Becoming (http://becoming.com.tw), a creative exchange project run by some of the most beautiful and talented people you will ever meet. I am taking their Flash Fiction writing workshop on Tuesdays, run by my friend Marc Anthony. Just went to first meeting. Hope you can find something useful.... _______________________ [Taiwan] Don't miss the comment... more »
Anti-Pension Protests Return To Iraq
October saw hundreds of people across Iraq return to the streets to protest against pensions for the country’s politicians. This was the third major day of demonstrations over this issue, and organizers promised more unless things were changed. After the first round of marches parliament and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki promised to reform the system, but nothing has happened since then. Nothing likely will, as part of the rewards for getting elected to office is all the money that comes along with it. There were protests in at least 15 of Iraq’s 18 provinces on October 5, 2013... more »
Iran 5+1 talks set to resume on October 15 2013 - With Iran preparing a fresh proposal which seems to be welcomed by Europe , will the US and Israel scuttle an agreement ? While the US is making positive noises and seem to be broaching with Israel that sanctions will be eased , the situation is fluid and the outcome of the talks remains to be seen !
Iran sanctions to be be partially lifted soon ? Ya'alon to Hagel: Easing of Iran sanctions will cause their collapseIsraeli defense minister meets U.S. counterpart in Washington for third time in six months to discuss Syria's chemical weapons and Iran's nuclear program. By Gili Cohen | 12:19 09.10.13 | 8 Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon met his U.S. counterpart, Chuck Hagel, at the Pentagon on Tuesday for talks on dismantling Syria’s chemical weapons and pressure over Iran's nuclear program. Hagel told Ya'alon during their meeting that while the United States intended to consider the ... more »
Why Didn’t the US “Re-interpret” the UN Charter on Syria?
[Note: This is a guest post by Ardeshir Pezeshk, PhD candidate at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, in collaboration with Charli Carpenter.] For a brief moment a few weeks back, law and policy elites in the US gave serious consideration to whether there was a legal basis for a military strike in Syria, either under the auspices of civilian Continue reading
Little Burma in Taipei
[image: IMAG0410] Double Ten. Holiday, but I spent it working in the morning and evening. But in the afternoon my student Liting, who is from Burma, took me down to the Nanshijiao metro to visit Little Burma on Huaxin Street... sadly, it was spur of the moment, so I didn't have a decent camera with me. So forgive me for the cellphone shots. Take Exit 4 from the Nanshijiao Metro. [image: IMAG0407] Our first stop was a little eatery where we had this Burmese tea leaf salad, which Liting told me was a staple. Delicious. Peanuts, tea leaves, garlic, tomatoes, lettuce... [image: IMAG04...more »
ObamaCare Fail
With all the stories about the government shutdown it was pretty easy to miss the rollout of the much-delayed and much-anticipated HealthCare.gov, the health insurance marketplace where everyone could get "affordable" health care. How health care used to work. What Democrats think will work better. Too bad, because it is and continues to be an epic failure, with numerous reports of users unable to access the system. It's gotten to the point that they're resetting everyone's password. How this will help, Southern Man cannot tell. But they're trying it. What you may not know is ... more »
Untitled
*Official: Demand rising for offshore service vessels ~Richard Thompson, New Orleans Advocate* *Army Corps of Engineers faces furloughs ~WAPT* *Major Construction Set To Begin On Lakefront Pumping Stations ~Eileen Flemming, WWNO* *Face Of Poverty In New Orleans Increasingly Suburban ~Diane Mack, WWNO* *Two large security districts balk at NOPD reforms ~John Simerman* *Killer amoeba response: Parishes check chlorine records* *The 504: John Desplas on this year's New Orleans Film Festival ~WWLTV * *Wooden Boat Festival! * *Voice of the Wetlands Festival returns to Houma ~Carolyn Sco... more »
Why Didn’t The US “Reinterpret” The UN Charter on Syria?
[Note: This is a guest post by Ardeshir Pezeshk, PhD candidate at University of Massachusetts-Amherst, in collaboration with Charli Carpenter.] For a brief moment a few weeks back, policy elites in the US gave serious consideration to whether there was a legal basis for a military strike in Syria, either under the auspices of civilian Continue reading
11 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds by Charlie Pulsipher
11 Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds by Charlie Pulsipher Sunwarrior, 27 February 2013 *Pumpkins are rich in beta carotene and can be used in more ways than just making a seasonal pie. Pumpkin can be used in breads, soups, granola, salads, waffles, guacamole, and much more. Don’t forget the seeds though; pumpkin seeds are packed with nutrition.* ** *Natural Anti-Parasitic* – Pumpkin seeds have been used to treat parasites for thousands of years in ancient China. Pumpkin seeds help the body expel parasites, especially tapeworms and round worms. These seeds also have antifun...more »
Common Core in the Real World: Destroying Literacy through Standardization (Again) | the becoming radical
Common Core in the Real World: Destroying Literacy through Standardization (Again) | the becoming radical.
No comments:
Post a Comment