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Militants raid Libya assembly to stop vote on PM
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 3: Non-WoT
5 23:08 Uncle Phester [6] 
3 23:11 Uncle Phester [6] 
6 21:23 OldSpook [5] 
2 17:46 Redneck Jim [3] 
9 21:05 Orion [4] 
1 17:34 Besoeker [1] 
7 22:24 tu3031 [7] 
4 20:12 JosephMendiola [5] 
1 20:49 JosephMendiola [2] 
4 12:36 KBK [3] 
6 19:52 P2kontheroad [3] 
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3 20:21 Squinty [2] 
4 20:16 ed in texas [3] 
1 20:09 ed in texas [3] 
5 08:17 Mullah Richard [5] 
1 21:15 Squinty [5] 
3 18:19 Beavis [3] 
2 20:12 ed in texas [2] 
25 20:55 Squinty [1] 
2 12:57 Glemble Grumble8555 [3] 
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Page 2: WoT Background
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Page 4: Opinion
4 14:57 SteveS [2]
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8 21:17 Uncle Phester [6]
1 18:57 Anguper Hupomosing9418 [4]
2 05:46 Redneck Jim [1]
Page 6: Politix
6 21:00 Uncle Phester [1]
2 23:24 Hotspur666 [5]
11 20:05 P2kontheroad []
8 18:56 Anguper Hupomosing9418 [3]
-Lurid Crime Tales-
OK Inmate Dies After Botched Execution Vein Failure.
[Daily Beest] An untested drug cocktail led to a botched execution of an Oklahoma prisoner on Tuesday night. Clayton Lockett's vein failed upon administration of drugs and the execution was halted after 20 minutes. He then suffered a "massive heart attack" and died. Lockett and another inmate, Charles Warner, were both set to be executed on Tuesday night after a string of hearings and appeals. Their lawyers argued that the state must disclose details of the drugs used, and the state Supreme Court issued a rare stay of execution. Warner was set to be put to death two hours after Lockett but has received a 14-day stay.
So he lived 20 minutes longer than he was supposed to. Hopefully he made good use of the time.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/30/2014 01:56 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Not botched. He daid
Posted by: Frank G || 04/30/2014 13:15 Comments || Top||

#2  Clayton's a wait'n
to cross ore the other side,
But something's surely amiss,
the room smells of herbicide.

The warden is quite nervous,
governors is on the phone you see.
Clayton is now sitting up,
and asking for tea.

The doctor rushes in,
to see what's not gone right.
Poor ole Clayton finally passes,
he's died of sheer fright.


Posted by: Besoeker || 04/30/2014 14:47 Comments || Top||

#3  Blown vein? It happens, no matter how hared you try, sometimes. Especially if you hit a valve. Especially if its a poorly skilled RN or phlebotomist starting the IV.

I still wonder why they can't simply rig a remote trigger and put a semi auto shotgun with deer slugs in it, one at the base of the skull, and another at the heart. Have the computer fire them both at the same time, twise. If you want less violence, then sedate the hell out of them, start with proposal, then ketamine, then strap em in totally unconcious.

Lesson is, If you want to kill em, be sure of it. There is no humane way to do it.
Posted by: OldSpook || 04/30/2014 15:57 Comments || Top||

#4  200 lb of TNT ought to do the job right quick & right thoroughly, no venous access necessary.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 04/30/2014 18:59 Comments || Top||

#5  19 year old Stephanie Nieman, just graduated, and her friend walk into their house and surprise Clayton Lockett. Lockett was convicted of kidnapping Stephanie, shooting her twice, and burying her alive. Locket dies 15 years and 20 minutes after his conviction.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 04/30/2014 19:31 Comments || Top||

#6  For me true justice always needs a element of karmic revenge.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 04/30/2014 19:58 Comments || Top||

#7  He get a little taste of what she must've felt?
Good.
Posted by: tu3031 || 04/30/2014 22:24 Comments || Top||


-Short Attention Span Theater-
Regime finally allowing for a little exploratory fracking on public lands in Nevada
But wait! Don't endangered tortoises, wild ponies, and Cliven Bundy all live in Nevada ?
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/30/2014 16:27 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  But wait! Don't endangered tortoises, wild ponies, and Cliven Bundy all live in Nevada ?

Yup, ignore them,we (MSM) do.
(Nice diversion)
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 04/30/2014 17:40 Comments || Top||

#2  Did the money finally make it into your account, Harry?
Posted by: tu3031 || 04/30/2014 22:21 Comments || Top||

#3  Closely monitored and when sufficient real or fabricated evidence is revealed to condemn the project, it will be front page news everywhere.
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 04/30/2014 23:11 Comments || Top||


-Land of the Free
Six hit by gunfire at Fedex facility
A terrible shot in a Gun Free zone in Atlanta. Via Weasel Zippers
Police say a 19-year-old FedEx worker shot six people at a facility in Kennesaw before killing himself on Monday.

Cobb County Police Sgt. Dana Pierce said the man, identified as 19-eyar-old Geddy Kramer of Acworth, started shooting just before 6 a.m. and was found about three hours later, dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Pierce said that Kramer was a package handler and sorter. Officers found his body in a loading bay with a shotgun.
Posted by: badanov || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  A gun free zone in Kennesaw, who'd a thunk it
Posted by: Beavis || 04/30/2014 4:52 Comments || Top||

#2  required to maintain a firearm,

NOT a "Gun Free Zone".
More a "Gun REQUIRED zone".
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 04/30/2014 18:09 Comments || Top||

#3  RJ, the Fedex facility, in Kennesaw, is gun free
Posted by: Beavis || 04/30/2014 18:19 Comments || Top||


Afghanistan
Suspected Rapist's Ears and Nose Severed in Baghlan
[Tolo News] A man named Sayed Ahmad had his ears and nose cut off by relatives in northern Baghlan province after he reportedly raped his young female cousin.

Ahmad's aunt said three months ago he raped her daughter. She claimed that she and her husband were the ones who severed his ears and face as punishment. They have both been taken into custody by provincial police.

"Sayed Ahmad is my nephew, and we cut his ears and nose off because he raped my daughter and we did it to teach him a lesson," the aunt, who asked to remain nameless, said.

"Late at night I cut off of Ahmad's ears...the cat ate them, but his nose is still with me at home," her husband, who also asked to remain nameless, said.

Their daughter, only eleven year's old, confirmed her parents' accusations against her cousin.

"About three months ago my cousin took me to his house by force and raped me," she said.

"My nephew himself said he gave anesthetic to my daughter in food and after that passed his time with her," the mother said.

Officials from Baghlan provincial hospital have said medical assessments of the young rape victim concluded that she had indeed been raped.

"After doctors investigated it became clear that about three months ago the girl was raped," Khalil Narmgo said.

Nevertheless, Sayed Ahmad, who is now receiving medical treatment himself, has maintained his innocence.

"When my aunt and her husband took me to the bathroom I saw a knife with them and I thought they must be kidding with me," he told TOLOnews on Tuesday. "I kissed my aunt's hands and I asked them what I did, but they did not answer me, and cut off both of my ears and nose."

Baghlan police officials said the entire family has been taken into custody for questioning.

"Right now the girl, her mother and father are in custody and the investigation is starting with them," police spokesman Ahmad Jaweed Basharat said.
Posted by: Fred || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  In quaint old Mohammedan towns,
Each day brings its smiles and its frowns:
Anesthetic and rapes
And a few little scrapes --
Married life has its ups and its downs!
Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 || 04/30/2014 5:43 Comments || Top||

#2  right idea, poor knowledge of anatomy.....
Posted by: Glemble Grumble8555 || 04/30/2014 12:57 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Wall built at Derna university to separate male and female students
[Libya Herald] Derna's Abu Saleem Brigade has built a wall across one of the town's university campuses in an effort to segregate male and female students.

The wall at Omar Mukhtar University's Al-Fatiah campus was built with the consent of the university's administrators and was a condition for Abu Saleem Brigade's agreement to guard the premises, a Derna University Student told the Libya Herald.

The university's management approached the Islamist militia asking it to protect its students and buildings earlier this month after a series of security breaches forced the university's closure at the beginning of April.

The student said that the brigade had agreed to provide the security only if the wall as well as strict dress code for female students ordering the wearing of the abeya and the hijab were put in place.

Last year, the brigade also said that it would provide security at the university only if there were strict segregations of the sexes.

A second wall is to be constructed at the university's Shaih campus in the centre of the town for same purpose.
Posted by: Fred || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring

#1  Moslems really have a problem apparently.
Gives new meaning to the phrase "Put a cork in it."
Posted by: Spereting Tingle4064 || 04/30/2014 5:57 Comments || Top||

#2  Given what I see in Instapundit about "the war against men on American campuses", maybe a good idea.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 04/30/2014 6:26 Comments || Top||

#3  ^ Yep.
Posted by: P2kontheroad || 04/30/2014 8:31 Comments || Top||

#4  Separate them for life! Too many Liyararians already. Go Mooookhtar U !
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/30/2014 8:47 Comments || Top||

#5  They can't climb?
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 04/30/2014 18:03 Comments || Top||

#6  Apparently, no. However, they can dig.
Posted by: P2kontheroad || 04/30/2014 19:52 Comments || Top||


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Ukrainian intelligence officers detained by pro-Russian separatists
[The Telegraph] Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine show the media three Ukrainian intelligence officers they say they detained in the town of Gorlivka. Warning: video contains images some may find distressing.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/30/2014 00:58 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  SSSSSSHHHHHH, its a secret - they're undercover!

"Were", not "are", undercover???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 04/30/2014 20:49 Comments || Top||


Blogger Law' Sails Through Russian Parliament
The Federation Council overwhelmingly approved the tighter controls on Russian blogs and websites that attract more than 3,000 daily visits, under legislation the government says is needed to formalize the definition of blogging in Russian law.

Opponents say the law will enable Putin to silence opponents who are rarely given air time on the mostly state-controlled or pro-Putin television channels, and have instead used the Internet to organize protests against the former KGB spy.

The State Duma lower house has already backed the law and it now needs Putin's signature to go into force. Both chambers are dominated by the United Russia party loyal to the president. The new rules will require popular bloggers to register by name with Russia's communications oversight agency and conform to regulations on the mass media.

The Kremlin denies allegations of censorship or pressure on the media and says Russians have the right to express their opinions and stage protests. But Putin has described the Internet as a CIA project and parliament has approved moves requiring social media websites to keep their servers in Russia and save information about users for at least six months.

With 61 million users, Russia is Europe's fastest-growing Internet audience, according to a 2013 report by industry body comScore, and blogs have been seen by Putin's opponents as one of the few popular platforms beyond the Kremlin's reach.

The editor of a popular Internet news site, Lenta.ru, was dismissed this year and independent TV Dozhd has gone off the air. The head of VKontakte, Russia's answer to Facebook, has been ousted and fled the country. The government has also blocked access to the Internet sites of Kremlin critics Alexei Navalny and Garry Kasparov because they "contained calls for illegal activity".
Posted by: Pappy || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Ex KGB head iis rebuilding a soviet system for suppression and control. I wonder if the rubes in Russia will wake up and realize they have empowered a possible modern day Stalin?
Posted by: OldSpook || 04/30/2014 0:50 Comments || Top||

#2  Nah, he's not Stalin, he's angling for Peter the Great.

Not that you and I will be able to tell the difference...
Posted by: Steve White || 04/30/2014 8:37 Comments || Top||

#3  ....the dead they buried couldn't either.
Posted by: P2kontheroad || 04/30/2014 9:38 Comments || Top||

#4  Coming: samizdat on encrypted USB flash drives.
Posted by: KBK || 04/30/2014 12:36 Comments || Top||


Russia Assures US it Won't Invade Ukraine
[Tolo News] Moscow has assured Washington it will not invade Ukraine, the US Defence Department said after the United States and Europe imposed fresh sanctions on Russia over its role in the former Soviet republic.

As Western powers stepped up the pressure on Moscow over the worst East-West crisis since the Cold War, the White House on Monday slapped sanctions on seven Russian officials and 17 firms close to President Vladimir Putin
...Second and fourth President of the Russian Federation and the first to remain sober. Putin is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from polonium poisoning. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to Putin. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead...
.

The European Union
...the successor to the Holy Roman Empire, only without the Hapsburgs and the nifty uniforms and the dancing...
said it was adding 15 names to its own list while Canada added nine names and two banks.

Tensions on the ground in Ukraine spiked when a pro-Moscow mayor was shot and badly maimed and rebels seized another town.

The Pentagon said that Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel had spoken by phone with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu and that "Shoigu reiterated his assurance that Russian forces would not invade Ukraine".

Defence Department front man Rear Admiral John Kirby, in a statement, said the two men discussed a range of issues related to the situation in Ukraine, with Hagel requesting clarification of Russia's intentions in eastern Ukraine.
Posted by: Fred || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  They also said the check is in the mail.... Etc.
Posted by: OldSpook || 04/30/2014 0:54 Comments || Top||

#2  Moscow has assured Washington it will not invade Ukraine, the US Defence Department said after the United States and Europe imposed fresh sanctions on Russia over its role in the former Soviet republic.


So the DoD statement in reference to Russian assurances, supports the regime narrative and the effectiveness of sanctions. A win for the Russians, and a win for the Regime. Both piles of rubbish turn up winners. How convenient.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/30/2014 1:08 Comments || Top||

#3  "No more than you invaded Libya" kinda thing?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 04/30/2014 4:13 Comments || Top||

#4  A little late.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 04/30/2014 5:49 Comments || Top||

#5  "We'll march in backwards and say we're leaving"

"We have 65,000 'contestants' for your marksmanship contest"
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 04/30/2014 8:17 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
N. Korea Says Nuclear Test is Still an Option
[An Nahar] North Korea said Tuesday it would strengthen its nuclear deterrent following President Barack Obama
My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world. I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it...
's "dangerous" Asian tour, and would not rule out another atomic test.

There are concerns the North is preparing to conduct its fourth atomic detonation, with recent satellite images showing stepped-up activity at its main nuclear test site.

Obama's tour, which ended Tuesday in the Philippines after taking in Japan, South Korea and Malaysia, "was a dangerous one as it was aimed to bring dark clouds of more acute confrontation and nuclear arms race to Asia", a Pyongyang foreign ministry front man said in a statement official to state run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Pyongyang would bolster its nuclear deterrent "now that the US brings the dark clouds of a nuclear war to hang over the DPRK (North Korea)", the front man said.

"There is no statute of limitations to the DPRK's declaration that it will not rule out a new form of nuclear test clarified by it in the March 30 statement," he added.

The "new form" of nuclear test could perhaps lay the stage for a test based on new uranium-enrichment technology, analysts have said.

Obama's tour "was designed for undisguised confrontation to retain a tighter grip on allies of the U.S. and encircle and contain its rivals in Eurasia, pursuant to the U.S. Asia-Pacific strategy for domination and scenario for aggression from A to Z," the front man added.
Posted by: Fred || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Commies

#1  North Korea said Tuesday it would strengthen its nuclear deterrent following President Barack Obama's "dangerous" Asian tour

Dangerous to who?
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 04/30/2014 18:06 Comments || Top||

#2  Dangerous to South Korea, Japan, Philippines, etc... as it emboldens the Norks and Chinese even more.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 04/30/2014 18:08 Comments || Top||

#3  How can the Norks sell a bomb design to Iran if they can't demonstrate that it works?
Posted by: Squinty || 04/30/2014 20:21 Comments || Top||


Economy
US Economic Growth Basically Stopped in 2014′s First Quarter
Posted by: DarthVader || 04/30/2014 11:51 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Gonna go in reverse for Q2?
Posted by: DarthVader || 04/30/2014 11:52 Comments || Top||

#2  when sales decrease because of weather in one quarter, they usually increase the next quarter

thus, most private forecasters are calling for the 2nd Q to have an annualized rate of +3% to +3.5%
Posted by: lord garth || 04/30/2014 11:59 Comments || Top||

#3  Easy to diagnose: Its the first quarter Obamacare went into full effect, more or less.
Posted by: OldSpook || 04/30/2014 15:48 Comments || Top||

#4  Oil (Gasoline) went up, and is staying up.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 04/30/2014 17:42 Comments || Top||

#5  See also WAFF > [NYT] US SANCTIONS RUSSIA BUT FINDS ITSELF IN RECESSION.

So once again, the USA may have an economic reason not to militarily respond iff-n-when Putin does finally send his RussArmy Boyz into the Eastern Ukraine.

Ditto RISING CHINA + RISING IRAN???

OWG GLOBALISM = HOW FAR CAN THE US + GREAT POWERS SAFELY RETREAT OR FALL BACK GEOPOL IN FAVOR OF WANNABES WIDOUT BEING EXISTENTIALLY THREATENED.

As best illustrated in current real-time by pro-Russian separatists on Donetsk + Luhansk+ Slavyansk continuing to take over the eastern Ukraine from Kiev despite the on-going begotiations between Vlad + the Bammer.

and

* TOPIX > KERRY: RUSSIA PUTS NATO MODEL OF GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AT STAKE.

OWG CO-SUPERPOWERISM = A FUTURE SPACE GOVT-ORDER LED BY MANY NUCLEAR-ARMED CHIEFS, AS OPPOSED TO ONE OR A FEW CHIEFS + MANY INDIANS???

* BHARAT RAKSHAK > [Independent.UK] US FOREIGN POLICY: PRESIDENT DEFENDS HIS OBAMA DOCTRINE WHERE MILITARY INTERVENTION IS A LAST RESORT.

Yokay, I'll bite, I thought the premise of the Bammer Doctrine was that a Country's Leader or Leadership could be diplomatically or forcibly removed iff it is found to had committed serious crimes agz its own people???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 04/30/2014 21:04 Comments || Top||

#6  Press rapidly and actively grilling the president ignoring this news.

If it were Bush or a GOP president, the crescendo of doom would be deafening.
Posted by: OldSpook || 04/30/2014 21:23 Comments || Top||


Europe
CSX train detrails in Virgina, crude oil tank cars ablaze.
Pipelines! Anyone thinking of pipelines ?
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/30/2014 16:48 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  At least the Sage of Omaha is getting his pound of flesh.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 04/30/2014 17:31 Comments || Top||

#2  Virginia Pipeline? I remember her oh so well. And her Mama Pipeline made such good spaghetti sauce.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 04/30/2014 18:53 Comments || Top||

#3  Pipeline?? We don't need no stinking pipeline...
Posted by: 49 Pan || 04/30/2014 22:09 Comments || Top||

#4  That's quite a carbon footprint...
Posted by: tu3031 || 04/30/2014 22:20 Comments || Top||

#5  Fire. Destroys evidence?
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 04/30/2014 23:08 Comments || Top||


Kiev 'helpless' to quell parts of east
[BBC] Ukraine's acting President Olexander Turchynov has admitted his forces are "helpless" to quell unrest driven by pro-Russian activists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Mr Turchynov said the goal was now to prevent the unrest spreading.

Activists have seized scores of government buildings and taken hostages including international monitors.

Mr Turchynov also said Ukraine was on "full combat alert", amid fears Russian troops could invade.

"I would like to say frankly that at the moment the security structures are unable to swiftly take the situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions back under control," he said during a meeting with regional governors.

He admitted security personnel "tasked with the protection of citizens" were "helpless".

"More than that, some of these units either aid or co-operate with terrorist groups," he said.

Mr Turchynov added: "Our task is to stop the spread of the terrorist threat first of all in the Kharkiv and Odessa regions."
Posted by: Fred || 04/30/2014 10:36 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Well played, Mr Putin. Spetnatz trained and supplied the locals well.
Posted by: OldSpook || 04/30/2014 15:51 Comments || Top||

#2  Oh, Oh, Look what they are doing, never mind what we are doing, Isn't it so horrible, Oh, Oh Look, Look.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 04/30/2014 17:46 Comments || Top||


Kerry Says NATO Territory Inviolable
Posted by: Elmerert Hupens2660 || 04/30/2014 01:36 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The United States' SOS feels the need to explicitly state what should be implicitly clear to all players.

Apparently the believes that Western deterrence has been greatly eroded. I wonder which policies Kerry believes caused this dangerous erosion.

This is the reaction to a grave violation of US and NATO territory.

NATO and the US should be at their most serious, at their scariest.

Someone should ask SOS Kerry whether the policy illustrated by the clip actually strengthened or weakened deterrence.
Posted by: Elmerert Hupens2660 || 04/30/2014 12:54 Comments || Top||

#2  Exactly Elmerert Hupens2660. I(f I have to remind my neighbor where my property line is, there is something afoot.
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 04/30/2014 14:20 Comments || Top||

#3  Kerry's so full of shit, his socks squish with each step.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 04/30/2014 18:02 Comments || Top||

#4  Yuuuppp.

[US SECSTATE KERRY = SOVIET PREMIER NIKITA "WE WILL BURY YOU" KHRUSCHEV BANGING HIS SHOE AT THE UNO here].

The USA = Bammer Admin wants to make it absolutely positively categorically undeniably ....@etc. clear that it will each + every inch of NATO territory, WHICH SSSSHHHHHH ... CCCCCCCC UNFORTUNATELY IS NOT THE UKRAINE BECUZ THE UKRAINE IS NOT A NATO COUNTRY.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 04/30/2014 20:12 Comments || Top||


U.S., Britain Vow to Track Down 'Stolen' Ukraine Billions
[An Nahar] The United States and Britannia said Tuesday they were determined to track down billions of dollars of Ukrainian assets allegedly looted under the regime of deposed president Viktor Yanukovych.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Inaction Jackson Holder
... aka Mister Fast and Furious...
and British Home Secretary Theresa May told an international conference on asset recovery that those responsible would be held accountable.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Check The pockets of Putin and his oligarchs. No need to look much further.
Posted by: OldSpook || 04/30/2014 0:53 Comments || Top||

#2  Steal a trillion from the American people to keep the Permanent Party permanent and you get to do it again. Matthew 7:5
Posted by: P2kontheroad || 04/30/2014 8:30 Comments || Top||

#3  Billions of dollars? Pikers. They do that kind of thing during a single round of golf in this country.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 04/30/2014 11:44 Comments || Top||

#4  They'll probably spend $80bil to find the missing $50bil. Just so long as Accenture and KPMG make money on it. (Bet half of it is parked at Goldman Sachs...)
Posted by: ed in texas || 04/30/2014 20:16 Comments || Top||


The Grand Turk
Erdogan after Gulen extradition from US
[Iran Press TV] The Turkish prime minister says he will seek the extradition of US-based holy man Fethullah Gulen, whom he accuses of scheming to topple his government with corruption accusations and damaging social media leaks.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan
... Turkey's version of Mohammed Morsi only they haven't dumped him yet...
told news hounds on Tuesday that a legal procedure would start for the extradition of Gulen.

On Monday, the Turkish premier said during an interview with US broadcaster PBS that he wants President Barack Obama
I inhaled. That was the point...
to expel Gulen and send him back to Turkey.

Erdogan expressed hope that Washington would deliver on the issue as a "model partner," adding, "At least they should deport him."

Gulen's Hizmet (Service) movement was an important supporter of Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) when it came to power in 2002. The alliance, however, shattered after dozens of the prime minister's political and business allies were placed in durance vile
Drop the rod and step away witcher hands up!
in police raids in a graft probe last December.

The scandal, which turned into a very serious challenge to Erdogan's rule, brought down three ministers and led to a cabinet reshuffle.

Erdogan denounced the corruption scandal as well as a string of damaging leaks in the media, saying they were engineered by Gulen's supporters to undermine his government. Gulen has repeatedly denied any involvement.

The Turkish parliament, which is dominated by the AKP, has approved a law to close a network of private preparatory schools, many of which are run by Hizmet.

Erdogan told PBS that the police raids in December were "almost a coup, a civilian coup" by the Gulen movement.

"We were aware they were trying to infiltrate various organizations, but we were not aware of their ultimate bad intentions. We realized this after a while and started to take measures," he said.
Posted by: Fred || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Michelle O recommends a Gulen-free diet.
Oops. My bad...
Posted by: ed in texas || 04/30/2014 20:09 Comments || Top||


Great White North
Rotting Blue Whale Lands In Newfoundland Town
Ew.
Posted by: Grunter || 04/30/2014 10:09 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The whale is likely to be one of a group that died several weeks ago in heavy ice

I blame gerbal warming. Hey Al, wasn't the North Pole suppose to be ice free by now? Just asking.
Posted by: P2kontheroad || 04/30/2014 12:54 Comments || Top||

#2  This is an international diplomatic issue of the highest importance. Get Kerry on the phone. Send him to... NEWFOUNDLAND!
Posted by: SteveS || 04/30/2014 15:00 Comments || Top||

#3  I would pay money to watch him try to negotiate with the whale. And lose.
Posted by: gorb || 04/30/2014 15:21 Comments || Top||

#4 

Bring in an expert lol.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 04/30/2014 17:33 Comments || Top||

#5  You know what an "Expert" Is, A stranger with several letters behind his name, You know BS, (Bullshit) MS, (More of the Same) and PHD, (Piled Higher And Deeper).
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 04/30/2014 17:55 Comments || Top||

#6  Did you know:
The Red and White Star Line was actually the shadow navy of the Kock Brothers. In an effort to hide global warming and the rising oceans they came up with a plot to lower the oceans by removing the largest sea creatures, including wales. The Titanic was actually a whaler vessel. There were too few lifeboats because they were not lifeboats, they were whaling skiffs. It was called Project Hallibit, their mission was to scour the North Atlantic hunting whale and depositing the corpses into the large "Passenger Ship" to secretly dispose of in Newfoundland.

To hide their mission, the faked the sinking, because everyone knows ice cannot break metel. They used thermite charges to simulate the sights and sounds of a ship sinking, releases flotsom and oil and the bodies of undocumented immigrants disguised as 1%rs.

Upon arriving upon their secret base in Newfoundland, phase 2 began and Project Hallibut become Haliburton, whose goal would be to waterboard young marine mammels to give up locations of the remaining pods. Obviously waterboarding marine mammels, in this case a whale of color, to use the non racist term thank you very much, takes time and is just now coming to fruition. Thus begins phase three:

Project Veritas, using the language of the Empire built by Slaves of course. Using the phrase "fracking", purposefully playing off a jouvinile word as distraction, they are pumping water full of the same chemicals in chem trails into the water supply. The effect is to make people suseptable to dog whistle language and to confuse you into to thinking that just because a man of color makes millions of dollars, gets medical care, and the greatest drugs and lawyers available to play basketball, a game steeping in the history of the African in amerikkka, is somehow something other than being a slave on a plantation. War on women.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 04/30/2014 19:21 Comments || Top||

#7  Geez swksvolFF, get back on the meds, you're making too much sense !
Posted by: Andy Ulatle7267 || 04/30/2014 19:26 Comments || Top||

#8  They were having a difficult time deciphering. Rumor is that after a particularly brutal waterboarding of a baby dolphin, which among other gibberish it kept repeating, was the phrase "Se habla Espaniol". It was Ted Cruz's father who broke the translation which brought forth phase three. Universal health care is the only way to protect US citizens from the chemicals in the water, which is why Ted Cruz is pushing Koch Brother's political wing the rethuglikkkan party. Lets Move!
Posted by: swksvolFF || 04/30/2014 20:26 Comments || Top||

#9  As god is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly...

Orion
Posted by: Orion || 04/30/2014 21:05 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Iesco to disconnect electricity to 18 govt institutions
[DAWN] State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali on Tuesday issued immediate orders to the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) for the disconnection of electricity supply to 18 government institutions including the President House, Prime Minister's Secretariat, Parliament Lodges, official residence of Chief Justice of Pakistain, Sindh and Balochistan
...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
House, DawnNews reported.

Moreover, orders were also issued for the disconnection of electric supply to the head offices of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), Capital Development Authority (CDA), Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), environmental directorate, Punjab Jail, Motorway Police, Pakistain Public Works Department, and the office of TMO Rawalpindi.

Addressing a presser in the federal capital city, the State Minister for Water and Power said that the campaign against electricity defaulters and power thieves had begun on the directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
and action would be taken against those usurping the rights of the people.

Giving details of the dues owed to the Iesco, Abid Sher said that the Prime Minister's Secretariat opwed Rs6.2 million in dues whereas the residence of the Chief Justice of Pakistain owed a bill of Rs1.1 million.

He further said that the CDA owed Rs360 million while the Parliament Lodges owed Rs200 milion to the Iesco.
Posted by: Fred || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Olde Tyme Religion
Saudi Arabia criticises Norway over human rights record
[Independent] The gulf state called for all criticism of religion and of prophet Mohammed to be made illegal in Norway.
No. Next request?
It also expressed concern at "increasing cases of domestic violence, rape crimes
Too slowly for Norway's new friend?
and inequality in riches"
Say again Mr. Saud?
and noted a continuation of hate crimes against Muslims in the country.
Bizarro World has arrived?
Soft jihad of the law. It's ever so much safer than actually going to war.
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Norway? Of all places, why Norway?

I guess with North sea oil they aren't customers.

When the Saudis stop outlawing Christians I will consider their request to be more respectful of their religion. What jerks.
Posted by: Squinty || 04/30/2014 21:15 Comments || Top||


Science & Technology
Army Vet Helps Develop Life-Saving Device for Treating Battlefield Wounds
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/30/2014 04:52 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Alternate link.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/30/2014 17:34 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Culture Wars
MSNBC Circles the Bowl: Lowest ratings in 7 years
Via Weasel Zippers:

April proved a cruel month for MSNBC, with the news channel hitting some of its lowest ratings in seven years, and its prominent morning show, “Morning Joe,” falling to third place in the cable news competition.

It was the second straight month that the new morning show on CNN, “New Day,” topped the long-running “Morning Joe” among the viewers that determine advertising dollars for news programming, finishing second for the month. The Fox News entry, “Fox and Friends,” as always, dominated the morning cable news ratings both among total viewers and those ages 25 through 54, the group that is the basis for news advertising.

The slide in ratings for MSNBC has clearly been tied to the lingering increase CNN is experiencing from its marathon coverage of the missing Malaysian airliner. Though CNN has backed off its blanket coverage, it still reports on the story virtually every hour. Some programs continue to be split about 50/50 between it and other news.
Or maybe MSNBC just sux.
But since March 13, when the CNN plane coverage was ratcheting up, “Morning Joe,” which has generally enjoyed wide attention in New York-based media, has found itself consistently behind the 10-month-old “New Day” on CNN. From that date, through last Friday “New Day” won 25 days to eight for “Morning Joe.” (Though, in perhaps a sign that the momentum may be shifting back, “Joe” beat “New Day” easily on the last recorded day, April 25.)
Posted by: badanov || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The bowl will keep circling as long as satellite and cable are bundled. The oligarchs that own and operate the services will continue to tax everyone on them for the Permanent Party Propaganda Machine.
Posted by: P2kontheroad || 04/30/2014 8:27 Comments || Top||

#2  Don't worry, we'll be seeing these idiots for years yet: as long as Bill Gates keeps shoveling money into it. That is what the 'MS' in MSNBC stands for.
Posted by: ed in texas || 04/30/2014 20:12 Comments || Top||


NBA Suspends Clippers' Owner Donald Sterling For Life, Imposes $2.5 Million Fine
Might I recommend a suspension for two lifetimes? One each for the NAACP lifetime achievement awards. OK, 1-1/2 lifetimes.

Lucky this didn't happen to Wycliffe "Wyc" K. Grousbeck. He'd have to stand on a scaffold for three hours and wear a scarlet R for the rest of his life, no?
Posted by: Uncle Phester || 04/30/2014 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Neither the court of public opinion or a basketball club has the legal right to deprive someone of their personal property. If the old bugger decides to energize his legal staff and exercise his First Amendment rights, the NBA has a rather large problem.

I'm no barracks lawyer, but I suspect much will rests upon the 'legal or illegal' taping of Sterling's comments. Criminal act or not, if he were taped without his knowledge [and consent should be proven], then any legal evidence presented from a tape falls under the doctrine of the "fruit of the poison tree.' At that point the entire case falls apart.

Not only does it fall apart, the old man then has legal grounds for a personal damages lawsuit. Notice how he's not said anything one way or the other?
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/30/2014 0:36 Comments || Top||

#2  This whole imbroglio is a manufactured baiting exercise - very similar to the exploitation of the Nevada rancher.

You know something stinks when you read (at Wikipedia):

"The Los Angeles chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) cancelled its plans for the following month to award Sterling for a second time with its lifetime achievement award."

Posted by: Lone Ranger || 04/30/2014 3:09 Comments || Top||

#3  Expect one of these a month until the elections in November.
Posted by: no mo uro || 04/30/2014 5:36 Comments || Top||

#4  Oh, and what is the significance of the media not mentioning Sterling's political affiliation in any of their stories? Reminds me of a little game, Mmmmm, what is the name of that game?
Posted by: no mo uro || 04/30/2014 6:10 Comments || Top||

#5  #4 Reminds me of a little game

A favorite game of the donkey,
A party affair, but not wonky:
Please cover your eyes
As he feigns great surprise
While pinning the tale on the honky.
Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 || 04/30/2014 7:04 Comments || Top||

#6  Beso, the Clippers are a franchise and as in any franchise agreement the "owner/franchisee" has to meet all the specifications about conduct and such.

Think of a McDonalds' owner screaming about Burger King being better. He wouldn't own a McDonalds' franchise for long.

The First has nothing to do with this at all. This is an exercise in contract law between two private parties, Sterling and the NBA.

The dangerous political developments have to do with the LA City Council trying to pressure the LA Times to not carry any ads for Sterling's other businesses and interfere with his business relations. Not good.
Posted by: AlanC || 04/30/2014 7:46 Comments || Top||

#7  What can they do if he refuses to pay the fine, take away his franchise?
Posted by: Spot || 04/30/2014 7:54 Comments || Top||

#8  Thanks AlanC. McDonalds I understand. NBA, not so much.

Something else is strange about those Sterling recordings. Almost appears as though he was reading them from a note pad and speaking into a microphone. That old bugger might be up to something.
Posted by: Besoeker || 04/30/2014 8:24 Comments || Top||

#9  Thought Criminal!
Ten Minutes of Hate.

[As for the McDonald vs NBA, one operates in a competitive environment, the other operates in a monopoly resulting in differing 'legal' aspects]
Posted by: P2kontheroad || 04/30/2014 9:33 Comments || Top||

#10  P2K, how's the road?

The analogy is anything but precise but the key similarity is the nature of a franchise organization and its relationship to the parent org. The contract spells all this crap out and that's what pertains NOT the US Constitution.

The size of the play of this story strikes me as curious given its placement in time vis a vis the Benghazi revelations.

I'm not positing cause and effect, I'm not that cynical......yet...... but this story certainly gives the MSM all they want to kick Benghazi back to page 19 below the fold...in small type.

Posted by: AlanC || 04/30/2014 10:45 Comments || Top||

#11  Expect one of these a month until the elections in November.

Ding Ding Ding!
Posted by: charger || 04/30/2014 10:54 Comments || Top||

#12  Oh, and what is the significance of the media not mentioning Sterling's political affiliation in any of their stories?

Sterling is registered as a Republican. A RINO, but still registered.
Posted by: Pappy || 04/30/2014 10:55 Comments || Top||

#13  The NBA is a private Cartel exempt from US anti-trust laws. Their status is as privileged as it is Faustian. An individual franchise will always be sacrificed in order to preserve their collective monopsony. Individual owners are certainly conscious that Sterlings’ punishment will set an unfavorable precedent. However, the league is equally aware that his transgressions threaten their entire lucrative prominence.
Posted by: DepotGuy || 04/30/2014 10:58 Comments || Top||

#14  Expect one of these a month until the elections in November.

Exactly.

One old sleazoid makes a politically incorrect remark to his mistress and it's front page news for weeks. It's disgusting to watch the MSM go after this like a pack of hounds. Even Baraq Hussein bayed like an old hound dog. Well, of course he did. That's the story. It's as if they think I give a crap.
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 04/30/2014 11:53 Comments || Top||

#15  A little forgotten history about sports monopolies and public relations. Not to be forgotten is that the man obviously has a ton of money to make life 'interesting' for the league for a number of years. Spend 2.5 mil on a fine or on lawyers? Should be easy for him.
Posted by: P2kontheroad || 04/30/2014 12:47 Comments || Top||

#16  The highly offensive comments have drawn condemnation from across the National Basketball Association as well as from many other sources; and inevitably, attempts have been made to link him to the Republican Party. These appear to be based on campaign contribution records for a different Sterling, who lives in the state of Texas. Clippers owner Donald Sterling lives in Beverly Hills, has a long history of bigoted behavior in his Los Angeles business dealings, and according to a 2011 RealGM report, was a very occasional Democratic donor in the 1990s:

Posted by: Deacon Blues || 04/30/2014 16:04 Comments || Top||

#17  Players have a morals clause in their contract that says if they do something hideous enough the owners can terminate their contract. I would be surprised if the league didn't have similar language in their franchise contracts with the owners.

That being said, the first amendment guarantees freedom of speech. But in Schenck v. United States the US Supreme Court held that free speech is not an absolute right. In Schenck the court held that speech that is false and dangerous is not protected. Sterling is unlikely to find relief in the courts based on first amendment rights.
Posted by: Squinty || 04/30/2014 19:13 Comments || Top||


#19  Andy Ulatle7267,
If there is no morals clause in the franchise agreement (the lack of which IMHO would be dumber than dirt) then I would have to agree that the league cannot force Sterling to sell private property.

TV stations can refuse to broadcast his franchise's games (i.e. no broadcast revenue) and fans can refuse to buy tickets. The public, not the government, can hit him in the pocketbook.
Posted by: Squinty || 04/30/2014 19:46 Comments || Top||

#20  ..you too can help a poor multi-millionaire starving basketball player by adopting him during this time of need while the sanctions are taking hold. [YJCMTSU, it writes itself.]
Posted by: P2kontheroad || 04/30/2014 19:56 Comments || Top||

#21  According to the article - "Silver’s peremptory power is limited to Sterling’s suspension from the NBA and a fine of $2.5 million. It does not extend to booting him from ownership of his team. Furthermore, the association by-laws do not grant the power for owners to force Sterling to sell his team. Termination provisions can only be initiated for violation of specific rules, none of which include a prohibition on offensive or racist statements causing detriment to the NBA."
Posted by: Andy Ulatle7267 || 04/30/2014 19:57 Comments || Top||

#22  Andy Ulatle7267,
The league can't force it then. Fans will have to.

P2kontheroad ,
Players have contracts that require that they get paid. If the bankruptcy courts have to sell off the team to pay those contracts then so much the better. I don't think that any basketball players will be seeing the poorhouse. :-)
Posted by: Squinty || 04/30/2014 20:11 Comments || Top||

#23  ..thus they have no problem taking the check from the racist. Which gets back to the old joke, we know what you are, we're just negotiating the price.
Posted by: P2kontheroad || 04/30/2014 20:37 Comments || Top||

#24  I saw something somewhere on TV, so it is probably totally unreliable, that is 3/4 of the owners vote to eject an owner. Did not go on to say 3/4 of the controlling interested, 3/4 of all owners regardless of ownership, or whether there is compensation if any.

Like I said, probably total BS reporting so don't go about quoting it.
Posted by: swksvolFF || 04/30/2014 20:40 Comments || Top||

#25  thus they have no problem taking the check from the racist.

P2kontheroad,
Point taken. Remember though that pro sports is not a free market. The Sports broadcasting act (1961) gave pro sports teams an exemption to the Sherman Antitrust act. Players can't easily switch teams, at least not until they become free agents. Now any new guys taking the racist's money might need to search their conscience a bit.
Posted by: Squinty || 04/30/2014 20:55 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Wed 2014-04-30
  Militants raid Libya assembly to stop vote on PM
Tue 2014-04-29
  Iraq Attacks Kill 57, Including 30 Talabani Supporters, as Security Forces Vote
Mon 2014-04-28
  Egypt sentences 11 Mursi supporters to up to 88 years
Sun 2014-04-27
  One Dead, 13 Hurt in Vienna Building Explosion
Sat 2014-04-26
  Syria militants suffers heavy losses across Aleppo
Fri 2014-04-25
  Yemen Qaida Gunmen Seize Hospitals to Treat Wounded
Thu 2014-04-24
  Three Americans gunned down in Kabul hospital attack
Wed 2014-04-23
  Saudi Arabia Sentences 8 To Death For 2003 Riyadh Attack
Tue 2014-04-22
  33 killed, dozens injured in terrorist attacks across Iraq
Mon 2014-04-21
  30 'Qaida' Suspects Killed in Yemen Drone Strike
Sun 2014-04-20
  Hamid Mir wounded in Pakistan gun attack
Sat 2014-04-19
  Drone Kills 15 'Qaida', 3 Civilians in Yemen
Fri 2014-04-18
  Afghan woman MP shot in Kabul
Thu 2014-04-17
  Al-Nusra Chief Killed by Rivals in Syria
Wed 2014-04-16
  Deputy Minister Kidnapped in Kabul


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