[Emirates 24/7] A school head in Kuwait summoned a student to his office, locked the door and raped him inside the school. He then threatened to expel him from school if he reported the incident. But he's not gay or nuthin...
The headmaster then used the 12-year-old boy's fear of expulsion to rape him again and again, Alanba newspaper said on Thursday. I'll bet he thinks gays should be stoned to death...
"In the end, the boy told his father, who informed the police. The headmaster was tried and sentenced to life in prison." Where he will no longer be "pitching"...
The paper said the defendant later appealed the verdict and the court set its session for a final sentence on January 10.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/04/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
Since Obama seems so desperate to say that the Muslim world has something to teach us, he could use this example as one of his 'teachable moments'. He could make strong stand towards transforming America into a land where kiddy rapists get a life sentence that means exactly that - prison for the rest of their lives. That would be a move to the center I could support.
Last week, the TSA announced it will not allow any more airports to choose to use private screeners instead of the TSA. "I do not see any clear or substantial advantage to do so at this time," the TSA administrator said.
From the 'So Far from Heaven, So Close to Texas' department
SANTA FE, N.M. -- Gov. Susana Martinez declared a state of emergency on Thursday afternoon for a statewide gas shortage.
Increased demand brought on by subzero temperatures caused decreased gas pressure around the state. There have been scattered natural gas outages statewide.
Due to rolling black-outs in West Texas and other problems, the delivery of natural gas into New Mexico has been impeded. States across the Southwest are experiencing similar situations. Our pipeline system is intact and our crews are working to minimize the impact of this temporary situation.
Texas discontinued its rolling blackouts at just about the time the emergency was proclaimed. Also unstated was the fact the NM produces 10% of all US production, exports 10 times what it uses within the state, yet somehow this isn't getting to NM customers. I suspect the problems are in the state's gas lines to customers, problems like: condensation freezing & blocking lines or their components, lines too small, lines disrupted due to frost heaves.
#1
The waffling begins:Power blackouts in Texas have cut off power to compressors in West Texas that feed gas into New Mexico. With the low pressure and high demand for natural gas, the gas utility says it's impossible to supply everyone. Up to 32,000 customers across the state are doing without natural gas.
We asked New Mexico Gas Company why those compressors in Texas don't have emergency generators.
Ken Oostman, Vice President of Technical Services for New Mexico Gas company said Thursday, "I can't really comment on all of our upstream suppler situations."
Also left unasked is why a state that produces so much NG has to import it from outside the state.
#4
Since the rolling brownouts are 100% the fault of the EPA this must mean that the EPA is now a clear and present danger to the American People. I expect Obama will be ordering airstrikes any minute now.
#5
You're burning natural Gas? We must shut down this Greenhouse Gas pollution Immediately, destroy those pumps, arrest the operators, and purify the atmosphere immediately.
Moonbat announcement two million and one (But NOT THEIR homes, that little bit doesn't count)
(sarc)
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
02/04/2011 11:43 Comments ||
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#6
Sincethe rolling brownouts are 100% the fault of the EPA
[Maghrebia] Tunisian police abandoned their posts earlier in the week as part of an informal strike to demand better working conditions. But calm returned to the country's streets on Tuesday (February 1st) after the government yielded to security forces' requests.
Apprehension prevailed in Tunisian cities earlier in the week amid reports of gangs terrorising citizens and attacking schools and other public institutions. These gangs resorted to vandalising buildings in addition to robbing commercial stores, forcing the army to intervene.
Soldiers stepped in to guard schools and comfort parents, many of whom pulled their children out of classes after the disorder.
"We lived a terrible day yesterday," Jannat Fitouri, a mother who took her children out of school, said. "I hope that does not repeat itself because we live in a new phase that is supposed to be a concerted effort to cleanse the air and overcome the settling of scores for the benefit of the people."
Jalila Ammari said she took her kids out of a nursery south of the capital after it was attacked by a masked gang that vandalised and stole the nursery equipment.
In the city of Kasserine, hundreds of demonstrators gathered on Tuesday morning to condemn the state of chaos and violence that shook their city since Monday.
"The objective of this demonstration is to demand an immediate solution which will end this unstable and chaotic situation that we've been living under in Kasserine in the complete absence of police forces," unionist Sadok Mahmoudi said.
He also indicated that the demonstrators wanted the perpetrators behind the looting to be prosecuted.
The Progressive Democratic Party announced its concern over the security situation in the country, calling upon the government to hasten the announcement of the replacement of governors in a further break from the previous regime.
The government needed to urgently take measures to contain the security situation in the country as well as provide the appropriate circumstances that will guarantee the return of the security forces to their jobs, the Ettajdid party said on Tuesday.
Ettajdid also added that the security forces' complaints regarding their monetary and security situation was taken advantage of by criminal gangs with links to the previous regime, spreading fear among citizens and violating their personal possessions.
Interior Minister Farhat Rajhi accused elements of the security apparatus of being complicit in some of the crimes, but on Tuesday the ministry acceded to police demands in an effort to restore order.
The ministry agreed to allow the security forces to form a union to safeguard their rights and represent them. In addition, the government agreed to raise salaries.
On the other hand, the interior ministry removed 27 directors general and police constables by forcing them into early retirement as a way of cleaning house. Seven others were forced to retire as well.
A new wave of appointments swept the ministry as new officials were placed in charge of different administrations.
A police constable, who declined to provide his name, said he appreciated the concessions and considered it a positive step towards restoring trust between security officers and citizens.
The officer added that the security forces' complaints were not only for the purpose of improving their social and economic lot or not even to create a union but for the sake of a shake-up of the establishment that will purge corrupt individuals who served personal agendas at the expense of the welfare of the nation.
Comprehensive reform was needed within the ranks of the security apparatus in order to prevent them from working against the people, UN official Bacre Waly Ndiaye said on Tuesday. Ndiaye, who was in Tunisia as part of a UNHCR delegation, said such a step would avoid the violence between police and the people that was seen in recent weeks.
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02/04/2011 00:00 ||
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[Maghrebia] An international symposium on cultural rights last week in Rabat ended up focusing on the rights of the Amazigh community in Morocco and the long-standing issue of legal protection for the Amazigh language.
"The Amazigh do not live a life of discrimination, because parties, the administration, schools and the media are open to all the Moroccans, without discrimination," Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM) director Ahmed Boukous told Magharebia.
"But, one can say that the Amazigh linguistic and cultural aspects have been neglected for years, and now there is awareness and movement in this direction," he added.
Boukouss, a featured speaker at the January 27-28 event, stressed the need for "legal and legislative instruments" to guarantee cultural and linguistic liberties.
"Before talking about practice, we must speak about the extent of understanding the concept of linguistic and cultural rights and placing them in their proper perspective, within the human rights ... which are not the same thing as individual rights, mind you... concept," Boukous said.
The issue is of particular importance to Moroccan Amazighs, who have been fighting to incorporate Amazigh school curriculums and in the constitution.
"It is a basic requirement to guarantee the linguistic and cultural rights of the Moroccans in general. The institution had previously given its point of view in this direction, when it said that reforming the constitution must include this element, amongst other human rights elements," Boukouss said.
Last summer, Morocco presented a report to the UN's Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) in Geneva on the efforts made by the country to end discrimination against Amazighs.
"We have overcome many obstacles, and opened a new page. We have reaped results and look forward to more gains. Among these gains were the establishment of the Royal Institute for the Amazigh Culture and the recognition of the Amazigh language, which is the official language in Morocco, whether we choose to accept this or not," founder of the Popular Movement Party Mahjoubi Aherdane said.
Still, the language is not adequately used. "Someone compared the situation of this language to a shoe that is left outside a mosque. An Amazigh, like me, uses the Arabic language in processing his or her administrative needs, leaving his language outside the door of the administration."
"However, The infamous However... we do not wish to stay outside the entrance anymore. We are in our country, and we should stop these practices," Aherdane said.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/04/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
I have made it thirty-eight years into a not-particularly-ill-informed literate life without ever hearing of the Amazigh. And that would be because... this article is talking about the sodding Berber. Well, crap. This is like calling the Delaware Indians Lenni Lenape, isn't it?
Look, folks, if you're going to insist on calling Burma 'Myanmar', at least throw a line somewhere in the text reminding the old-fashioned of the necessary translation out of your politically correct patois.
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
02/04/2011 8:50 Comments ||
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[The Nation (Nairobi)] Sharp differences have emerged in Zimbabwe's fragile unity government over the fate of one of the deputy Prime Ministers who was demoted by his party but has not left his post after receiving support from President Bob Muggsy Mugabe ... who turned the former Breadbasket of Africa into the African Basket Case...
Professor Arthur Mutambara who was toppled from the leadership of the small formation of the Movement for Democratic Change last month is supposed to make way for the new leader Professor Welshman Ncube.
Prof Ncube announced a fortnight ago that he would become the Deputy Prime Minister while his predecessor would be demoted to a ministerial post following the change in the party's leadership structure.
But President Mugabe turned down an MDC request to re-assign Prof Mutambara citing legal reasons. Zimbabwe has two deputy prime ministers, one each from the two MDC factions, following the formation of a unity government two years ago.
Prof Ncube's party has accused Mr Mugabe of tribalism after his refusal to fire its former leader saying in June last year he eagerly accepted a request by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to reshuffle his cabinet line-up.
The smaller MDC has its largest support base in the Ndebele speaking south western parts of the country while Mr Tsvangirai's MDC and Mr Mugabe's Zanu PF draw most of their support among the majority Shona population.
Mr George Charamba, the president's front man, has dismissed the accusations that Mr Mugabe was being tribalistic and accused MDC of trying to use the veteran ruler to solve its internal problems.
"It is not the business of the president to use his powers as an appointing authority to resolve problems of a political party," Mr Charamba told state media on Wednesday.
"Welshman Ncube must deal with the political problem in MDC arising from that party's just ended congress.
"That congress yielded a contested leadership and that is not President Mugabe's problem. Mr Charamba said Prof Ncube's best bet was to persuade Prof Mutambara to agree to be re-deployed or leave the inclusive government.
Prof Ncube who is currently minister of Industry and Commerce announced a fortnight ago that Prof Mutambara had been redeployed to the Regional Integration and International Cooperation portfolio.
The robotics professor has not responded to the redeployment as he has been out of the country attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Despite signing a power sharing agreement in 2008 and forming a unity government with his rivals a year later, Mr Mugabe retained the sole prerogative to appoint or fire any cabinet member.
The two MDC formations can only make recommendations but not State appointments.
Ethnic divisions in the Zimbabwean government are not new. Two years after the country's independence in 1980, President Mugabe fired ministers from PF Zapu led by the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo who was popular in the south western parts of the country.
The expulsion was followed by a military excursion that killed 20,000 PF Zapu supporters and were described as a "moment of madness by" Mr Mugabe.
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02/04/2011 00:00 ||
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[The Nation (Nairobi)] The president of Burkina Faso, named on a high-level African Union panel tasked with settling Cote d'Ivoire's leadership crisis, is "not welcome" in this country, a top ally of strongman Laurent Gbagbo said here yesterday.
Mr Blaise Compaore is one of five African heads of state tasked by the AU to resolve the power struggle between Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognised winner of disputed November elections.
But Charles Ble Goude, head of the Young Patriots, a hardline group of Gbagbo loyalists, said "the patriots of Ivory Coast reject Blaise Compaore as a panel member and he is not welcome." He described the Burkina Faso leader as a "belligerent".
"His country (Burkina Faso) continues to serve as a rear base for the rebellion," Mr Goude, known as Gbagbo's "Street General", said referring to Ivorian ex-rebels backing Ouattara. Mr Compaore, who previously served as mediator in the Ivorian grinding of the peace processor is seen as favouring a hard line toward Gbagbo, who still refuses to concede defeat in the November 28 presidential election. From Ouagadougou, Ouattara's prime minister Guillaume Soro also cast doubt that AU pressure would force Gbagbo from power.
"I am convinced that Gbagbo will not cede power," Mr Soro told news hounds. "He will say no to the panel of (AU) heads of state."
"I know Mr Gbagbo very, very well from having worked more than three years with him," added Mr Soro, who previously served as prime minister under Gbagbo. "I know he has gone too far to go back."
Mr Goude, addressing more than 200 of his followers in Abidjan's Yopougon stronghold, said the AU mediation panel must comprise "heads of state who are neutral and who are really coming to assess the crisis."
Meanwhile, ...back at the ranch... the EU slapped sanctions on six more Ivorians, including West Africa's former central bank governor, and two national banks today, because of ties to outcast leader Laurent Gbagbo.
The new names, published in the European Union's Official Journal, bring to 91 the number of people facing EU visa bans and assets freezes.
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02/04/2011 00:00 ||
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Govt asked to explain failure to stop fatwa
HC gives Shariatpur admin 15 days to tell why it could not save life of 14-year-old rape victim
The High Court yesterday ordered district officials in Shariatpur to explain why they failed to protect 14-year-old rape victim Hena from being whipped to death as per a fatwa on Monday.
The deputy commissioner, the superintendent of police of Shariatpur and the thana nirbahi officer of Naria upazila -- where the incident took place--will have to report to the HC in 15 days how it happened although the court (HC) had eight months ago declared fatwa illegal and a punishable offence.
In a suo moto rule, the HC directed them also to report what steps they have taken in this regard.
An HC bench comprised of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain issued the rule following press reports on the killing of Hena.
The reports said Hena was raped by her 40-year-old relative Mahbub on Sunday. Next day, a fatwa was announced at a village arbitration that she must be given 100 lashes. She fell unconscious after nearly 80 lashes.
Fatally injured Hena was rushed to Naria health complex where she succumbed to her injuries.
Supreme Court lawyer Seema Zahur yesterday placed before the HC bench a press report on the incident on behalf of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association.
Meanwhile, another HC bench yesterday directed the law enforcement agencies to submit a report to it within three weeks on what steps have been taken following this incident in the light of its judgement on extra-judicial punishment.
The bench comprised of Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Nazrul Islam Talukder also ordered the information ministry to run a media campaign to create awareness among people against extra-judicial punishment.
The bench headed by Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain on July 8 last year delivered the verdict declaring illegal all kinds of extra-judicial punishment including those in the name of fatwa at local arbitrations.
Following three writ petitions, the court directed the authorities concerned to take punitive action against people involved in enforcing fatwa against women.
It also observed that infliction of brutal punishment including caning, whipping and beating at local salish [arbitration] by persons devoid of judicial authority constitutes violation of the constitutional rights.
Barristers Rabia Bhuiyan, Sara Hossain and Mahbub Shafique, and advocate KM Hafizul Alam, lawyers for the writ petitioners, yesterday placed the judgement to the bench following the incident involving Hena.
Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), a human rights watchdog, expressed deep concern and shock yesterday at the killing of teenage rape victim Hena.
It demanded punitive action against those who enforced fatwa concerning her.
The ASK called upon the government to take effective steps to stop recurrence of such incidents.
[Bangla Daily Star] Activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League ... the student wing of the Bangla Awami League ... (BCL) and Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) clashed at Sirajganj Government College Thursday morning leaving at least 30 injured.
The clash began at around 11:00am following heated arguments on the 2009-10 session syllabus of National University.
Witnesses said the two groups hurled brick chips on each other as more and more of their supporters joined them.
The clashing students vandalised seven houses and eight shops in the area.
Getting the news, police rushed there and lobbed at least 20 tear gas canisters to disperse them.
Two hours after the clash began, police took the situation under their control.
By this time, 30 from both the groups were maimed. Of them, 15 were sent to Sirajganj General Hospital.
Police nabbed two JCD activists -- Ranju and Nibir.
"We are deploying additional police forces to stop further clash," said Delwar Hossain Syedi, Sirajganj additional superintendent of police.
The students used to riot in Paris during the Middle Ages, too.
Then and there, like this lot, idle hands are the Devil's playground. Make 'em all sweep their classrooms every morning, tuckpointing crumbled bits of brickwork along the way, and they'll be less likely to cause trouble.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/04/2011 00:00 ||
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A banner unfurled in the Mexican national Chamber of Deputies in San Lazaro has caused members of several political parties to walk out of a session Thursday, according to Mexican news accounts.
In an apparent violation of chamber rules Partido Trabajadores (PT) deputies, Gerardo Fernandez Noroña, Jaime Cardenas and Mario Di Constanzom unfurled a blanet emblazoned with charges that President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa was drunk leading the country.
The banner read: "Would you let a drunk drive your car? No, really? Then why leave him to lead the country?"
Reports now say sanctions against the members who put up the banner are being discussed informally.
PT is fresh off a major state electoral win when their candidate in coalitionwith the leftist Partido Revolucion Democratica (PRD), Angel Aguirre Rivero, took the governor's seat in Guerrero this past Sunday.
The coordinator of PAN deputies, Josefina Vazquez Mota, vowed the insult would not go unpunished.
Vazquez Mota added a large part of members of the ruling Partido Revolucionario Institucional, PAN biggest opponent, left the session as well.
A banner unfurled in the Mexican national Chamber of Deputies in San Lazaro has caused members of several political parties to walk out of a session Thursday, according to Mexican news accounts.
In an apparent violation of chamber rules Partido Trabajadores (PT) deputies, Gerardo Fernandez Noroña, Jaime Cardenas and Mario Di Constanzom unfurled a blanet emblazoned with charges that President Felipe Calderon Hinojosa was drunk leading the country.
The banner read: "Would you let a drunk drive your car? No, really? Then why leave him to lead the country?"
Reports now say sanctions against the members who put up the banner are being discussed informally.
PT is fresh off a major state electoral win when their candidate in coalition with the leftist Partido Revolucion Democratica (PRD), Angel Aguirre Rivero, took the governor's seat in Guerrero this past Sunday.
The coordinator of PAN deputies, Josefina Vazquez Mota, vowed the insult would not go unpunished.
Vazquez Mota added a large part of members of the ruling Partido Revolucionario Institucional, PAN's most vigrous competitors, left the session as well.
#3
"Would you let a drunk drive your car? No, really? Then why leave him to lead the country?"
...when those jealous of [General] Grant's success and recognition tried to curb his advancement, claiming Grant had been drinking, and calling for his removal from command (vicious rumors mostly fueled by Grant's rivals), President Lincoln flatly stated, "I cannot spare this man! He fights!".
#4
As I remember, he also asked to find out what Grant was drinking so that he could send it to his other generals.
Al
Posted by: Frozen Al ||
02/04/2011 11:30 Comments ||
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#5
In my history class (Long enough ago that Political correctness didn't exist) we were told that Lincoln asked what brand of whisky Grant drank "So He could send him a barrel".
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
02/04/2011 11:36 Comments ||
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#6
Correction(Thanks Frozen Al)
So he could send a barrel to each of his other Generals.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
02/04/2011 12:00 Comments ||
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[El Universal] The Organic Emergency Law on Lands and Housing not only conditions the ownership of housing solutions, but also includes provisions for prompt seizure of idle and underused urban lands and non-residential buildings.
The instrument, which became effective on January 29, provides preemptive measures including urgent and temporary occupations. According to legal experts, the Law on Expropriations in the Public Interest provides for preemptive and temporary occupations, while the new emergency law includes a new concept: urgent occupations, which ensure an expeditious mechanism to expropriate assets.
Based on the emergency law, urgent occupations will be applicable when authorities determine that the execution of construction works is "urgent." Then, authorities will occupy idle lands and non-residential buildings.
Temporary occupations will be implemented when State agencies decide to occupy assets that are required permanently to execute works or undertake other activities.
Further, the instrument provides that friendly negotiations may take place when the State, following the occupation of lands or non-residential buildings, determines that it requires the assets and then attains a sales agreement with the owner. If they fail to reach an agreement, the lands or assets will be seized.
The legal framework provides that if the parties fail to reach a (friendly) agreement and the construction works are deemed urgent, they will be declared of public interest and they will be taken over.
Experts believe that the government will rank all types of works as urgent. Therefore, the Venezuelan authorities will use the law to order urgent occupation of assets, they said.
Felipe Benites, a representative of Observatorio de Derechos de Propiedad (Property Rights Watch), claimed that "this emergency law is trying to use a fast-track method for seizures. In other words, they want to declare public utility of the entire construction sector and legalize previous seizures."
Meanwhile, ...back at the ranch... Roberto Orta, the president of the Association of Urban Property Owners, said that the process of seizure of lands and buildings is unconstitutional.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/04/2011 00:00 ||
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[El Universal] Eugenia Sader, Venezuela's health minister, said that 185 Venezuelan nationals are receiving medical treatment against cholera. So far, there has not been a single case of people contaminated with cholera in Venezuela.
The top health official said that the patients treated against cholera are among the group of 452 people who attended a party in the Dominican Republic on January 22.
Meanwhile, ...back at the ranch... the Ministry of Environment said that it had increased sanitary controls in Venezuelan aqueducts.
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The maker of China's new stealth fighter jet has teamed up with a tiny, unprofitable California company to try to launch bids for U.S. defense contracts, possibly including one to supply Chinese helicopters to replace the aging Marine One fleet used by the president, according to people involved in the partnership.
Any Chinese bids for this or another contract under discussion would be certain to meet intense political resistance and would appear to have very little chance of success given mounting U.S. concern about China's military power and long-term strategic goals, and the often-prohibitive opposition in the past to Chinese attempts to enter other strategic U.S. sectors, such as energy and telecommunications.
However, the fact that state-run China Aviation Industry Corp., known as AVIC, is even considering bids for these contracts, which industry insiders expect to be awarded in the next two to three years, reflects the rapid development and lofty ambitions of China's aerospace industry.
#4
Already happening, JQC. Much of the electronics used in the US is now coming from China. Who knows what lines of microcode are included? Example: I attached a SanDisk Cruzer (made in China) thumbdrive to my PC and it ate the logical E: drive - no longer can assign or access that drive. There were also hidden files that I can't access on the thumb drive itself. Harmless? - maybe.
"[W]e have overwhelming evidence the jobs market is disappointing, and all of you are trying to look for that one half of spaghetti in a 50 lb. spaghetti bowl. This is not great data," Santelli claimed. "We know that the U6 probably gives you a better indication of the true unemployment rate "
CNBC's Steve Liesman interjected: "It went down, Rick. It went down - "
"Yeah, what is it?" asked Santelli.
"It went down Rick, to 16.1 [percent]," Liesman said.
"Oh boy, guys! 16.1 [percent] is probably the unemployment rate. That's cause celebre," Rick sarcastically shouted on the trading floor of the Chicago mercantile exchange.
"But it fell from 16.7," Liesman insisted.
Santelli continued to criticize the spin: "You know what Steve? You and I both know that the unemployment rate, the labor force moving in and out, those giving up, is really probably your best statistical reason for the drop to 9.0 (percent). And in terms of jobs, you, Mr. Steve Liesman, said if you work just one day. If you stay home but you get paid you're counted in the data " Well, one of them has a brain at least.
A group of Democratic lawmakers urged the Defense Department Thursday to allow all service members discharged under "don't ask, don't tell" to apply for honorable-discharge status, which would make them eligible for veterans' benefits.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
02/04/2011 15:03 Comments ||
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#3
No.
Upgrade to General discharge, sure. Now if they want the honorable, they can re-enlist in the reserve or active duty, serve 2-4 years then get out with an honorable.
You immediately don't get a honorable for violating orders.
Most gays were discharged under the administrative chapter covering their actions as a general discharge which carried with it full VA benefits. Those not receiving a general were discharged with something less because of other acts of which the gay component was just that - part of, not the full reason for the discharge.
The problem for the military now is that if they don't compromise 'standards', the exact same they have for straights when dealing with adultery, fraternization, and sexual harassment, then gays will receive less than honorable discharges with the forfeiture of benefits. This is what I warned about before, it's not about equality, its about power and privilege.
[Jerusalem Post Front Page] New York City's parks, beaches and even Times Square will be off-limits to smokers under one of the nation's toughest anti-cigarette laws passed Wednesday by the City Council.
"This summer, New Yorkers who go to our parks and beaches for some fresh air and fun will be able to breathe even cleaner air and sit on a beach not littered with cigarette butts," Mayor Michael Nanny Bloomberg said after the 36-12 vote.
The smoking ban will cover 1,700 parks and 14 miles (23 kilometers) of public beaches plus boardwalks, marinas and pedestrian plazas like the one in the heart of Times Square. The ban goes into effect 90 days after Bloomberg signs the bill; the mayor has 20 days to do it.
States and cities from Maine to Caliphornia have banned smoking in public parks and beaches, but New York is pursuing one of the widest-reaching urban bans. Smoking is also prohibited in Los Angeles city parks and in Chicago parks with playgrounds.
Supporters of the New York ban said exposure to secondhand smoke poses health risks.
"The statistics don't lie: Secondhand smoke kills," Council Speaker Christine Quinn said. "With this bill, all New Yorkers can now breathe easier and breathe cleaner air."
A law banning smoking in New York City bars and restaurants went into effect in 2003.
Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz voted for the latest ban despite her ambivalence about earlier anti-smoking measures that forced her outdoors in bad weather when she was a smoker.
"My grandson used to tell me, 'Grandma, you're going to die,'" Koslowitz, now a nonsmoking legislator, said in announcing her vote. Heh...nice kid.
Outside on Wednesday, the wet, raw winter weather didn't seem to bother Cal Johnson as he strolled through the park in front of City Hall, puffing on a cigarette.
"I guess I'll have to stop smoking in this park," said the 68-year-old retired Wall Street analyst when he was told of the anti-smoking vote.
However, The infamous However... "in principle, I support this ban on smoking -- even though I'm a smoker," said Johnson, adding he'll smoke on a nearby street where he lives once the new law kicks in. Until they come for him there...
The expanded smoking ban will give the city's Parks Department the power to slap violators with quality-of-life summonses, which are tickets for minor offenses like begging or public urination that typically carry fines of under $100. Yeah, they're big on enforcing that "begging" statute down there.
Just tell them you're a junkie. They'll give you a clean needle. However, The infamous However... Councilwoman Gale Brewer, the bill's prime sponsor, said the ban isn't intended to be a legally "punitive program." She said the city expects the law will be primarily self-enforced, with residents warning anyone who lights a cigarette in a park or on a beach that it's illegal. Oooh, I see lots of "do gooders" with expensive dental bills...or worse.
Police won't be responsible for enforcing it, she said. Heh. So I guess I'll just fire one up then.
Smokers'-rights groups held protests against the ban after city officials announced last fall that they were pursuing it. And on Wednesday, some of the dozen council members who voted against it said they believed the ban violated individual freedoms. Councilman Erik Dilan called the ban "an infringement on the rights of people."
Posted by: Fred ||
02/04/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
I take exception at this for one simple reason which is the municipality first have to care about my health with regards to pollution and gas emissions that degrade my life and may even become the root cause of my death.
Smoking in the great outdoors is hardly measurable against those real tangible health hazards.
Let me also say that my neighbour smoked heavily since she was 6. She is now in her 80s and almost dead. Why is she almost dead? Because some modern thinking fuckwad doctor with a liberal agenda told her to quit smoking a year ago. She quit when in good health. Her body has had a toxic shock reaction without the nicotine. Go smoke if you want to.
My grandmother also ate lard throughout her life, loved it even, she died aged 91.
#2
She said the city expects the law will be primarily self-enforced...
Once again, we see the Progressive mindset in action. The concept of a self-enforcing law is a logical fallicy. There can only be self-enforced behavior. And behavior is motivated by an individuals natural inclinations. Conversely, laws are social mechanisms of deterance and control. Therefore, in order for the Progressive conclusion to be logical (as usual) there must be a redefinition of terms. And one must admit, "primarily self-enforced" seems more pallateble then to correctly describe it as an unfunded "selectivly enforced" symbolic law.
#3
Bloomberg is the Meddler in Chief in NYC. He also sent people from NYC to do an uncover study in Arizona with regards to gun shows sales. This guy has dictator aspirations. Progressives want to regulate everyone's behavior but their own.
#4
sit on a beach not littered with cigarette butts,"
How about sitting on a beach not strewn with morbidly obese butts in speedos? Cigarettes are still a legal product as is the "supersize" option on a fast food menu". Banning farting and fast food wrappers littered about would also enhance a trip to the beach.
"With this bill, all New Yorkers can now breathe easier and breathe cleaner air."
Oh for sure. Traffic in manhattan. Smokestacks still spewing here and there. Airports, trains, ships - none of these seem to concern the non-smoking holier than thou crowd. Heads up SoHo. Eliminating smokers in the great outdoors is not going to improve the quality of the air you breathe in NYC in any measurable way.
Are we to believe that banning smokers from Times Square will instantly and significantly lower air pollution?
Should they have chosen to ban smoking in public areas on the basis of influencing children, ok. But quality of outdoor air? Rubbish.
#5
It is easier to do something like smoking bans outdoors than to reign in government spending and balance the budget. Fiddling while Rome burns, so to speak.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
02/04/2011 12:25 Comments ||
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#6
You want me to tell some muscle-bound bruiser of a junkie-pimp in Times Square that he can't smoke?
#7
"This summer, New Yorkers who go to our parks and beaches for some fresh air and fun will be able to breathe even cleaner air and sit on a beach not littered with cigarette butts," Mayor Michael "Nanny" Bloomberg said after the 36-12 vote.
Maybe the gigantic snow piles you've done such a great job of removing might even be melted by then...
[Arab News] After years of watching Mohammedans portrayed as gun-hung tough guys in mainstream TV and movies, an advocacy group hopes to change that image by grooming a crop of aspiring Mohammedan screenwriters who can bring their stories -- and perspective -- to Hollywood.
The Mohammedan Public Affairs Council is hosting a series of workshops taught by Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated veterans over the next month, an initiative that builds on the group's outreach for a more representative picture of Mohammedan-Americans on the screen.
The workshops are the natural evolution of MPAC's efforts to lobby TV networks and movie studios from the outside, and they fit into a small, but growing, movement to get more Mohammedan-Americans behind the cameras. MPAC dubbed its effort the Hollywood Bureau, while Unity Productions Foundation recently started a similar project called Mohammedans on Screen and Television. Other nonprofit arts foundations, such as the Levantine Cultural Center and Film Independent, have joined forces by planning networking events for Mohammedan actors and training and mentoring young filmmakers.
"The idea is to really give Mohammedans an avenue to tell our stories. It's as simple as that. There's a curiosity about Islam and a curiosity about who Mohammedans are -- and a lot of the fear that we're seeing comes from only hearing one story or these constant negative stories," said Deana Nassar, MPAC's Hollywood liaison. Tonight on, "Mahmoud Takes Flying Lessons", Mahmoud asks for a discount because he doesn't want to learn to land. Homeland Security shows up and hilarity ensues...
Posted by: Fred ||
02/04/2011 00:00 ||
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#1
S'help me god, I thought we already were seeing the Muslim perspective in Hollywood ... on TV and in the movies.
#2
I have little doubt that they can get financial backing from Middle East sources and a few A list actors willing to do a PC project if the budget is low. I also have no doubt the audience will be close to zero and the US will be labelled Islamophobe because of it.
#3
Muslims seek to bring their perspective to Hollywood.
I thought snuff films were illegal.
Posted by: Frozen Al ||
02/04/2011 11:33 Comments ||
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#4
Tonight on, "Mahmoud Takes Flying Lessons", Mahmoud asks for a discount because he doesn't want to learn to land. Homeland Security shows up and hilarity ensues...
LOL! This episode could be followed up by: Mahmoud the Talking Camel followed by a muslim version of The Three Stooges go to Hollywood, and then there is Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab and Airplane II. And then, of course, Mel Brookes could do The History of Mo, Part II.
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.
[Bangla Daily Star] Activists of Bangladesh 
Eugenia Sader, Venezuela's health minister, said that 185 Venezuelan nationals are receiving medical treatment against cholera. So far, there has not been a single case of people contaminated with cholera in Venezuela. 
"[W]e have overwhelming evidence the jobs market is disappointing, and all of you are trying to look for that one half of spaghetti in a 50 lb. spaghetti bowl. This is not great data," Santelli claimed. "We know that the U6 probably gives you a better indication of the true unemployment rate
"
[Jerusalem Post Front Page] New York City's parks, beaches and even Times Square will be off-limits to smokers under one of the nation's toughest anti-cigarette laws passed Wednesday by the City Council.
Supporters of the New York ban said exposure to secondhand smoke poses health risks.
[Arab News] After years of watching 
