[CNN] An Italian appeal court has overturned former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi ...former Italian prime minister, known for his plain (for a European politician) speaking and his liking for hookers a third his age or less... 's convictions for sex with an underage hooker and abuse of power.
A panel of judges convicted Berlusconi of both charges in June 2013, sentencing the flamboyant billionaire tycoon to seven years in prison and barring him from holding public office.
Prosecutors had argued that Berlusconi had sex 13 times with underage dancer Karima el Mahroug -- known as "Ruby the heart-stealer" -- and abused his position when he intervened in May 2010 to get her released from jail, where she was being held on charges of theft.
They said Berlusconi paid el Mahroug and other young women performing stripteases and erotic actions at "bunga bunga" parties. Berlusconi said the parties were normal dinner gatherings where no one misbehaved.
The rest of the article explains that the appeals judge ruled that the facts of the case did not support the conviction and sentence of the lower court, and that the prosecution can appeal this ruling to the higher court. It sounds like a good time was had by all.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
But the political ends have already been achieved.
President Barak Obama signed Executive Order 13661 this past week, which bans imports from eight select Russian arms exporters. The news was released only hours before the jetliner in Ukraine was shot down, presumably by Russian mercenaries.
The effect on those firms which import certain styles of guns was immediate. One such firm in Colorado, with whom I have done business, has announced on their Facebook page that sales of Saiga rifles, Saiga shotguns, Vepr rifles and Vepr shotguns, as well as spare parts would be affected. As far as I can tell (and know) the ban includes all newly manufactured Russian arms from one Russian firm, but it may not include demilitarized guns the Russians are exporting.
The ban, again as far as I know, does not affect commercial brands of common ammunition made in Russia or Ukraine by Russian owned firms, including Barnaul brands, Brown Bear, Silver Bear and Golden Bear ammunition, nor does it apparently affect Red Army Standard brand ammunition, the makers of which are partnered with Century Arms.
I do not agree with the ban because I think Obama can be doing much more, and I do think he sees an opportunity to throttle the import of Russian armaments.
The worst part of the ban is how the ban affects the only newly manufactured Russian rifle that uses the 7.62x54 cartridge. Up until Vepr started exporting its rifles to the United States, the only semiautomatic rifle to fire the Russian rimmed cartridge that you could buy was the Draganov, and all its various iterations. The most popular one was the Romanian PSL Dragunov.
Last year, however, only APEX Parts Inc, another firm with which I have done business, carried a PSL kit with no receiver and no barrel. The lack of an available barrel was the problem. Last I saw the cost for a new barrel, undrilled, was over $400, and the cost of a steel stamped 80 percent receiver was $60, if you could even find one. The same with the magazine. I saw them going for $150 at one place last year. The kit itself was around $500. At that time, for an additional $500, you could buy a decent AR-10 new.
This year matters are slightly different. One company is offering an "armorer's kit, with no barrel, no receiver, and none of the other accessories necessary to build a PSL rifle for around $149. Unless you were an AK or Russian armaments phreak, you are not going to lay out that kind of wampum and then add the labor, necessary tooling and all the attendant insanity that goes with building a Russian rifle.
Enter the Vepr. New everything. You can get a new Vepr sniper rifle complete with Picatinny rails and magazines for about $1,200, or $1,300 delivered. Helluva deal to be able to fire 7.62 rounds for about half what 7.62 NATO goes for.
But like a prankster, Obama decides to take away the punchbowl at just the right time.
Loads.
Rantburg's summary for arms and ammunition:
Prices for rifle ammunition were mixed, while prices for pistol ammunition were lower across the board. Prices for used rifles were mostly lower, while prices for used pistols were mixed.
Pistol Ammo
.45 Caliber, 230 grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: O.D. Green Supply, Tulammo, steel cased, .29 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Tulammo, steel cased, .29 per round (From last week: -.01 Each )
.40 Caliber Smith & Wesson, 180 grain, From Last Week: -.01 Each
Cheapest, 50 rounds: I.Q. Metals, HSM, RNFP, factory seconds, .25 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: LAX Ammunition, Store Brand, reloaded, .23 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged)
9mm Parabellum, 115 grain From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds (Limit 2 Boxes): O.D. Green Supply, Tulammo, Steel cased, FMJ, .19 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: Freedom Munitions, Store Brand, FMJ, Reloads, .20 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (2 Weeks) )
.357 Magnum, 158 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (2 weeks)
Cheapest, 50 rounds: Rare Ammo, Geco, FMJ, .39 per round
Cheapest Bulk: 250: LAX Ammunition, Store Brand, Reloaded, .34 per round (From Last Week: -.04 Each (!) (-.06 Each over Two Weeks))
Rifle Ammunition
.223 Caliber/5.56mm 55 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Munire USA, Tulammo, steel cased, .22 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,000 rounds: Munire USA, Tulammo, steel cased, .22 per round (From Last Week: -.01 Each (-.04 Each over Two Weeks))
.308 NATO 145 grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Cheaper Than Dirt, Barnaul, steel cased, .41 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 500 rounds: SG Ammo, Silver Bear, steel cased, .45 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks))
7.62x39 AK 123 Grain, From Last Week: Unchanged (5 Weeks)
Cheapest, 20 rounds: Ammunition Depot, Wolf, steel case, .21 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 1,080 rounds: SG Ammo, Red Army Standard, steel case, .22 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (4 Weeks))
.22 LR 40 Grain, From Last Week: +.01 each
Cheapest, 50 rounds (5 box limit): Ammomen, Federal Champion, .08 per round
Cheapest Bulk, 325 rounds: Trop Gun Shop, Federal Champion, .10 per round (From Last Week: Unchanged (3 Weeks))
Guns for Private Sale
Rifles
.223/5.56mm (AR Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $570 Last Week Avg: $609 (-)
California (209, 209): Palmetto State Armory: $600
Texas (297, 309): Mixed Build: $575 (Same Gun) (!)
Pennsylvania (154, 154): Doublestar star-15 carbine: $500 (!)
Virgina (212, 205): MMC: $625
Florida (415, 413): Bushmaster AR15 Mod XM15-E2S: $550
.308 NATO (AR-10 Pattern Semiautomatic) Average Price: $1,080 Last Week Avg: $$1,140 (-)
California (47, 43): Smith & Wesson M&P10 $1,000 (Same Gun)
Texas (56, 54): DPMS Oracle: $900 (Same Gun)
Pennsylvania (23, 23): Bushmaster: $1,200 (Same Gun)
Virginia (47, 41): DPMS Oracle: $1,100 (!) (Same Gun)
Florida (81, 75): Smith & Wesson M&P 10: $1,200
#2
I bought a bunch of ARMSCOR .38 Super from Munire last week. I will deal with them again, for sure....
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
07/19/2014 18:01 Comments ||
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#3
Oh, BTW, if you find yourself in Eastern PeeAye, go see the guys at SARCO in Easton. Worth the trip for sure...
Posted by: M. Murcek ||
07/19/2014 18:21 Comments ||
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#4
I had something happen a few weeks ago, I think I want to share it.
Mid-summer weirds, full moon, oh and an unexpected dump of meth/pills have brought out some odd behavior. Couple weeks ago wife&kids get home, back door open, swore she locked it (above reasons).
So I'd like to share what I learned and didn't know before. I have no professional experience in such a problem (so yes bow respectfully to those who do and comment).
Have a plan.
First off I came to terms that I may be in a situation where help is unavailable, came to terms mentally, and built experience with what tools I may need; the first time you use a chainsaw should not be on a ladder cutting a branch as example. I walked the house, noted potential hiding spots, in a manner where nothing was left unknown behind me.
Execute the plan.
Having practice, goals, an idea helped with potential jitters and the surprise! factor.
Don't follow the plan.
Things went off-plan immediately. I planned nighttime break-in from bedroom, not daytime in-progress from outside. Other details, like an interior closet in summer may be full of long plush winter coats, different problem. Looking under beds can be a bit awkward, so some practice with props (obviously the real tools like flashlight with lights out are better but sometimes reality gets in the way; my children have made this post take 3 hours for example) - is something I wish I had spent time on - I practiced opening doors with a hand holding a flashlight and found often there is a better direction to turn handles based upon a number of factors, its a simple yet important practice which also translates into other situations like smoke filled house
Lastly, if things do go wrong, a phone call for help is necessary, nowadays the mobile device is likely to be used. Make sure the dispatcher is the dispatcher for you location and not bounced to some other state for example. I also have a safety vest and a funny hat so dispatch can inform responders what I look like with no confusion - unless a safety conscience mad hatter breaks in.
#6
*BTW, nothing stolen, nobody home but us chickens. Door swell from the rain made it feel latched but wasn't, door was still locked but open - but still had to make sure; last drug bubble had an attempted burglery in daylight with the old lady home, recently a gal came home and somebody slipped out the door when he backed turned, so had to be sure.
President Obama and Vice President Biden will meet with the presidents of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador on July 25, the White House announced on Friday.
In the meeting, the leaders will discuss how the governments are "cooperating to promote safe, legal, and orderly migration" between the countries "in a spirit of shared responsibility" including "with respect to the return of family units," a process which began this week for the three Central American countries, according to the White House. Su gente es bienvenida a los despojos de mi paÃs, siempre y cuando su gente se reubican en apoyo de mi parte.
[An Nahar] A London-based news hound for Russia's state-owned English-language channel RT quit Friday in protest at its coverage of the Malaysia Airlines crash in Ukraine.
Sara Firth is the second person since March to publicly resign from RT, formerly known as Russia Today, over its coverage of the Ukraine crisis.
"I resigned from RT today. I have huge respect for many in the team, but I'm for the truth," Firth wrote on her Twitter account @Sara__Firth.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
"Lies hun," Firth then stepped in. "We do work for Putin. We are asked on a daily basis if not to totally ignore then to obscure the truth."
A winning line on your resume for the White House press office.
#2
Interesting choice of words she made, about how "if not to totally ignore then to obscure the truth." They tell half-truths all year long for the sake of the 5% of the time you guess wrong about which half is the truth and which the lie.
[The Nation (Pak)] U.S. President Barack Obama I inhaled. That was the point... demanded Russia stop supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine after the downing of a Malaysian airline by a surface-to-air missile he said was fired from rebel territory raised the prospect of more sanctions on Moscow.
At least one American was among the almost 300 killed, he said, a revelation that raises the stakes in a pivotal incident in deteriorating relations between Russia and the West.
Calling it "an outrage of unspeakable proportions", Obama stopped short of directly blaming Russia for the incident but warned that he was prepared to tighten economic sanctions. He echoed international calls for a rapid and credible investigation and ruling out U.S. military intervention.
But, noting the global impact of the crash, with victims from 11 countries across four continents, he said the stakes were high for Europe, a clear call for it to follow the more robust sanctions on Russia already imposed by Washington.
Russia, whom Obama said was letting the rebels bring in weapons, has expressed anger at implications it was to blame, saying people should not prejudge the outcome of the inquiry.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
Saw the Presidential statement on Fox. He looked weak and uncertain. I hope Paraguay doesn't start feeling feisty.
Putin is shaking Mr. Obama like a flaming maraca.
I hope the U.S. Military has sent messages to all appropriate parties that Mr. Obama runs with only so much string.
#2
O wants a rapid and credible investigation, eh? Well:
1. The crash site was not secured and was compromised.
2. It appears that Russia has the flight data recorders in her possession.
3. There are no assurances that the flight data recorders will not be tampered with, as it is doubtful that outside observers will be present when the recorders are opened.
4. There is little chance that an impartial investigation be made to determine if a missile hit the plane, or a bomb was detonated, or some other catastrophic event happened.
5. I would not put it past Putin to manipulate the findings to blame it on anyone else but him.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
07/19/2014 1:25 Comments ||
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Calling it "an outrage of unspeakable proportions", Obama stopped short of directly blaming Russia
Can't blame the Russians, it could have been radical Fijians fire walkers.
#4
Russia restores the audio playback on the data recorders:
"Look! The illegitimate government in Kiev has fired at a missile at us! We're going to die! I bet they'll also blame this on the heroic patriots in the separatist movement! Those bastards"
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/19/2014 8:52 Comments ||
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#5
Wasn't this about the 3rd time Zero has "spoken out" on this incident?
Seems that what he's responding to are the comparisons between him and Reagan's response.
#8
Obviously junior's bluster will be ignored, so it's best to make note to avoid business flights that fly through combat airspace, including most of the ME, eastern Europe and Chicago.
Posted by: regular joe ||
07/19/2014 9:59 Comments ||
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#9
With all of the ManPads we've scattered all over creation in the ME, if I ever go over there, it will be by boat.
Benghazi is essentially a coverup to hide a gun running deal that makes F & F look like a small town gun show.
Posted by: Bill Clinton ||
07/19/2014 14:38 Comments ||
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#10
While relatives around the world wait for the return of the bodies, the bodies continue to lie at the crash site. The appropriate response would be an immediate NATO military takeover of the crash site. But the free world has no leadership anymore.
#12
I wonder how this chicken#### ###### ###### would have handled the holocaust? "I stand against Nazi Germany, and demand a FULL INVESTIGATION into the reports of malfunctioning showers killing people at Bergen-Belsen..."
"And also of the unduly harsh PT exercises at Battan! Let Me Be Clear, They Also Deserve A Full Investigation!"
#14
Does anyone else get the feeling that Obumble is desperately waiting for some domestic thing to happen (in liberal favor) as a distraction from all this activity that shows him to be an effete poseur who is getting his ass handed to him in international power politics? I wonder how long our press can continue carrying water for him.
[Dhaka Tribune] Transcripts of audio intercepted by Ukranian security services in which pro-Russian separatists discuss how they had shot down an airliner paint a chilling picture of what happened on the ground after Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crashed near the Russian border, killing all 298 people on board, including 27 Australians.
The audio points to the involvement of the rebels, who are believed to have Russian backing, in the crash.
US intelligence has confirmed a surface-to-air missile was fired at the plane. The rebels have shot down two Ukranian military aircraft in the past week.
One section of the audio includes a conversation between two bully boyz nicknamed "Major" and "Grek," as rebels inspected the crash site. They discuss the evidence that it was a civilian plane.
"It's 100% a passenger aircraft," Major is recorded as saying, noting that he saw no weapons on-site. "Absolutely nothing. Civilian items, medicinal stuff, towels, toilet paper."
In another segment, a holy warrior reports in to Mykola Kozitsyn, believed to be one of the Cossack leaders of the rebel movement. "As to this plane shot down nearby Snezhnoe-Torez," the holy warrior says. "This turned out to be a passenger one. It fell down outside Grabovo, there is a whole lot of bodies of women and kiddies."
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2014 00:00 ||
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....Not that ANY of this will be helpful. I remember watching Jeanne Kirkpatrick at the UN, tearing the Soviets a new one on KAL007. This crowd will simply shake their heads over the transcripts and set up #300DEADPEOPLEWHATDIFFERENCEDOESITMAKE...
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
07/19/2014 6:29 Comments ||
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#2
Obama's tough response - Mooch will be posing for a WH pic with a sign:
#bringbackourdeadpeople
Posted by: Frank G ||
07/19/2014 8:54 Comments ||
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#3
If this gets our of hand, Putin will be thrown under the bus by the Kremlin. There is no way he will be able to motor around the world for photo shots anymore.
[DAILYJOURNAL.NET] A top pro-Russia rebel commander in eastern Ukraine has given a bizarre version of events surrounding the Malaysian jetliner crash — suggesting many of the victims may have died days before the plane took off.
The pro-rebel website Russkaya Vesna on Friday quoted Igor Girkin as saying he was told by people at the crash site that "a significant number of the bodies weren't fresh," adding that he was told they were drained of blood and reeked of decomposition.
The Malaysia Airlines Boeing-777 was shot down Thursday, killing all 298 people aboard. The plane was flying 10,000 meters above an area where Ukrainian forces have been fighting separatist rebels. Each side accuses the other of downing the plane.
U.S. intelligence authorities said a surface-to-air missile brought down the plane, and U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power told the U.N. Security Council in New York on Friday that the missile was likely fired from a rebel-held area near the Russian border.
Girkin, also known as Strelkov and allegedly a former Russian military intelligence agent, said he couldn't confirm the information. But it's sure to add to the intense emotions surrounding the crash, with the rebels accused of shooting down the plane.
Girkin said "Ukrainian authorities are capable of any baseness."
He claimed that a large amount of blood serum and medications were found in the wreckage.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2014 00:00 ||
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#1
They'll be dead for days by tomorrow, ya' Russian tool.
[DAWN] BAHAWALPUR: An election tribunal headed by Chaudhry Abdul Hafiz, a retired district and sessions judge, on Friday accepted the petition of Ghulam Mustafa Khar and disqualified PML-N MNA Sultan Mahmood Hinjra in NA-176 (Muzaffargarh).
Khar, a defeated candidate, had filed the petition submitting that Sultan Hinjra did not qualify under articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution therefore he should be disqualified.
The tribunal announced that re-election would be conducted in the constituency. Khar lost election as he could get 72,000 votes against Hinjra's final count of more than 84,000.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
07/19/2014 00:00 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
President Obama and Vice President Biden will meet with the presidents of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador on July 25, the White House announced on Friday. 
[DAWN] BAHAWALPUR: An election tribunal headed by Chaudhry Abdul Hafiz, a retired district and sessions judge, on Friday accepted the petition of Ghulam Mustafa Khar and disqualified PML-N MNA Sultan Mahmood Hinjra in NA-176 (Muzaffargarh).
