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British Forces Join Afghan Operation
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-Lurid Crime Tales-
Wayward muslim connection in NFL QB McNair murder?
The shooting death of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair raised questions Sunday about his relationship with the 20-year-old woman whose body was found alongside his in his downtown condominium.

McNair, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who was married with four children, was found Saturday with multiple gunshot wounds on a sofa in his living room. The woman was killed by a single gunshot wound and a pistol was discovered near her, police said.

Authorities didn't immediately say who was to blame for the killings, but they weren't looking for any suspects.

Police do not believe McNair's wife was involved, spokesman Don Aaron said. Mechelle McNair, mother of two of his four sons, was expected to collect her husband's belongings from authorities. Funeral arrangements were not expected to be finalized until Monday afternoon at the earliest. "She's still very upset, very distraught," agent Bus Cook said.

Friends declined to describe the relationship between McNair and the woman, Sahel Kazemi, who was a waitress at a restaurant quarterback and his family frequented. Police only described her as a "friend."

A man who answered the door at a house in the Jacksonville, Fla., suburb of Orange Park said it was the home of Kazemi's family, but said her relatives did not want to comment. "We don't have anything to say, please leave us alone," he said.

A Nashville neighbor saw McNair, 36, at Kazemi's Nashville apartment so often — two to three times a week — that he thought McNair had moved in. McNair never tried to hide his presence but kept to himself.

Neighbor Reagan Howard said Kazemi often was dropped off in the early morning hours by a limousine and upgraded recently from her Kia to a Cadillac Escalade. "It was pretty obvious that she was taken with him," Howard said.

McNair and Kazemi had been together just two days earlier, when she was pulled over driving a 2007 Escalade registered to her and McNair. She was arrested on a DUI charges, and he was allowed to leave in a taxi.

The bodies were discovered by McNair's longtime friend, Wayne Neeley, who rents the condo in the upscale Rutledge Hill neighborhood with McNair.
Posted by: ed || 07/05/2009 14:54 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  That's my headline. AP's: Ex-NFL QB Steve McNair, woman found slain in Tenn.
Posted by: ed || 07/05/2009 15:02 Comments || Top||

#2  Honor killing by her family? man, if that is so you will never see it reported. ROP and all...
Posted by: NoMoreBS || 07/05/2009 15:20 Comments || Top||

#3  Could be. Could also be murder suicide. She was arrested 2 days before for DUI. Perhaps she was cut off from her family and wasn't getting the support she needed from the married McNair. Perhaps I should turn on Entertainment Tonight to get the real scoop.
Posted by: ed || 07/05/2009 16:12 Comments || Top||

#4  Might be a murder-suicide. He says, baby it's over, and she says, you're damned right it is -- BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM. Then she says, oh, whatever have I done -- BLAM.
Posted by: Steve White || 07/05/2009 16:14 Comments || Top||

#5  The young lady was 20 but she had lived with a previous boyfriend for 4 years said one account. That would make her 16 when she began living with the previous boyfriend. Wonder if he might have had anything to do with it.
Posted by: JohnQC || 07/05/2009 17:15 Comments || Top||

#6  Death on the Appalachian Trail...
Posted by: Seafarious || 07/05/2009 19:26 Comments || Top||

#7  "A Nashville neighbor saw McNair, 36, at Kazemi's Nashville apartment so often — two to three times a week — that he thought McNair had moved in."

Presuming he was doing what it sounds like he was doing, there was at least one way he could have avoided his murder.

Don't do dat. :-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 07/05/2009 20:10 Comments || Top||


-Short Attention Span Theater-
Ohio Air Force Reserve sending mission of mercy to North Dakota
Huge gray military airplanes flying as low as 100 feet from the ground sprayed Minot and, for the first time, Williston to kill mosquito larvae this spring. Another mission aimed at adult mosquitoes, which can carry diseases such as West Nile virus, is planned for later this month.

The Air Force’s aerial spray unit based at Youngstown Air Reserve Station in Vienna, Ohio, has found North Dakota an ideal place for practice because of its large mosquito population, said its chief entomologist, Mark Breidenbaugh.

“North Dakota is probably a lifetime customer,” he said.
Not many states have to call in air strikes from other states.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 07/05/2009 15:06 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Should add Glasgow Mt to their target list too... as long as they are in the area.
Posted by: 3dc || 07/05/2009 17:01 Comments || Top||

#2  The Arctic Mosquito is the North Dakota State Bird
Posted by: mojo || 07/05/2009 17:05 Comments || Top||


Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s only pig freed
Afghanistan’s only known pig, called Khanzir, trotted out of quarantine today, two months after he was locked away because of swine flu fears, to bask again in the mud at the Kabul Zoo.

The pig, a curiosity in Afghanistan where pork and pig products are illegal, was quarantined because visitors to the zoo were worried it could spread the new H1N1 flu strain, commonly known as swine flu. “Our people did not understand that the disease only passes from person to person and felt that the swine influenza might even be spread from the zoo because we have a pig here,” zoo manager Aziz Gul Saqib said. “Other zoos abroad told us not to worry.” Khanzir — Pashto for pig — appeared unperturbed as a team of zoo workers used sticks to gently prod him out of his temporary concrete home into his usual enclosure of lush green shrubs and a mud puddle.
Posted by: john frum || 07/05/2009 11:31 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1 
Posted by: john frum || 07/05/2009 11:33 Comments || Top||

#2  So...how about releasing razorbacks and hogzillas ... no place should be without pigs...
Posted by: 3dc || 07/05/2009 12:21 Comments || Top||

#3  Actually invasive species have messed up so many places in the US we should return the favor...
Armadillos should work in Iran and Iraq...

tumbleweeds and Texas Sand Burrs in Pakiwakiland...

The mind boggles at the options...

Posted by: 3dc || 07/05/2009 12:27 Comments || Top||

#4  The mind boggles at the options...

Fire ants?
No see ums?
Pine Beetles?
Liberals?
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/05/2009 12:31 Comments || Top||

#5  bindweed, kudza
Posted by: bman || 07/05/2009 13:03 Comments || Top||

#6  Armadillos in Gaza, where they can show Hamas how to dig a tunnel.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 07/05/2009 13:50 Comments || Top||

#7  I nominate fire ants, kudzu and skunks for introduction into Iran.
Posted by: OldSpook || 07/05/2009 14:36 Comments || Top||

#8  Killer Bees in the Poppy and Pot fields.
Posted by: 3dc || 07/05/2009 15:19 Comments || Top||

#9  And garden snails.
Posted by: Gabby || 07/05/2009 17:54 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Algerian woman becomes country's first female general
An Algerian woman has obtained the rank of general for the first time in the country's history. In a military ceremony marking the 47th anniversary of Algeria's independence, President Abdelaziz Boutaflika promoted the department head of hematology at the army's Aïn Naadja d'Alger Hospital to general.

Colonel Fatma-Zohra Aardjoun was named a general at the National Defense Ministry, in a promotion ceremony for the National Army, along with seventeen other male colonels. Four generals were also promoted to the rank of major-general. "It's a good signal," Omar Benderra of Algeria-Watch, an Algerian human rights organization based in France, told The Media Line. "But the question is not lying in the fact that a woman, a single person is put into this position, at this rank. The question is whether there is a sound policy to improve the general situation of the women in Algeria… A single tree cannot hide the forest."

Aardjoun's promotion reflects a growing trend of Algerian women taking more prominent positions in the workforce, most notably in the police and military. Algeria boasts the largest number of female police officers in the Muslim world, with eight percent of its entire police force being women. In March, a woman was named head of an Algerian police academy. During the same month, 177 female officers graduated from the Algiers police training academy.

However, Benderra believes that the prestige held by women in the police and army does not reflect the general condition of women's rights in Algeria. "It doesn't translate into the visibility of the change in position of the women in society," he said. "Woman cannot work peacefully in the streets of any city in Algeria."

Women's rights in Algeria have long been under fire, mainly due to the Algerian Family Code, put into law in 1984, which established women as minors and left them with few legal rights. Although the Family Code was revised in 2005, and notably allowed women to obtain a divorce without their husbands' consent, many women's rights organizations have complained that there were too many loopholes for the laws to be effective. Because the Code had been an integral part of Algerian society, some men simply chose to ignore the revisions. "The improvement in the law regarding the personal statues of divorce and so on was a necessity," Benderra explained. "The situation is that the patriarchal society is still not challenged by the authorities… There are hundreds, probably thousands of women thrown out on the streets."

President Boutaflika has long advertised his dedication to the empowerment of women in Algeria; however, his remarks and actions have been the source of controversy among women's rights organizations. After the Family Code revision in 2005, he declared to female activists, "You have obtained vested rights today. Do not demand more."

Since 2005, Boutaflika has been under pressure to enact more changes in favor of women's rights. Despite women's increasing roles in the Algerian professional world, under the Family Code they remain legally vulnerable. "These are cosmetic changes," said Benderra. "The wife beaters in Algeria are not regarded as criminals or delinquents; it is regarded as normal behavior."
Posted by: ryuge || 07/05/2009 10:33 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:


Africa Subsaharan
Congo-Kinshasa: UN-Backed Troops Abusing Civilians, HRW Says
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 07/05/2009 10:27 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Send in the 2nd Foreign Para Regiment and plenty of ammunition.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/05/2009 12:29 Comments || Top||

#2  UN-Backed Troops Abusing Civilians

Geez, we've never heard THAT before, have we?
Posted by: Old Patriot || 07/05/2009 13:53 Comments || Top||


Congo-Kinshasa: Victims Recount Ordeal - Women Violated in Failed Prison Breakout
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 07/05/2009 10:26 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


South Africa : How can you rape a toddler
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 07/05/2009 10:25 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Easy - a toddler can't fight back. A rapist's dream.

Spit.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 07/05/2009 10:29 Comments || Top||

#2  Seems like I've read that sex with a "clean" child is a folk remedy for Aids.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 07/05/2009 11:21 Comments || Top||

#3  That's sex with a virgin, Richard. I don't think the age matters (although I suppose the rapists assume any girl over the age of 12 (9? 6?) isn't a virgin anymore).

These slimeballs aren't even human.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 07/05/2009 12:16 Comments || Top||

#4  The country is now run by a man with a third grade education. It will get only worse. For those planning to attending the 2010 World Cup, don't forget the personal security detail contract.

Posted by: Besoeker || 07/05/2009 12:24 Comments || Top||

#5  For those planning to attend the 2010 World Cup: You're insane.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 07/05/2009 13:27 Comments || Top||

#6  Confederation Cup went well. Only one team had its hotel rooms tossed.
Posted by: Steve White || 07/05/2009 13:40 Comments || Top||

#7  Yeah, wasn't it the egyptian one??? Can't recall; though, world cup most glaring hazard is not for the teams, which are well-entoured and well-managed ahyway, even for the "small" countries, but for any supporters foolish enough to come there as if it were, say, Germany. Though, clashes might be fun, in some sick way... still, I doubt even an hardcore casual from the UK of Holland would still be looking for a fight, after seeing one of his buddies with a flaming tire around the neck. Oh, well.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 07/05/2009 13:49 Comments || Top||

#8  Seems like I've read that sex with a "clean" child is a folk remedy for Aids.

In fact, this seems to be pretty common in the third world : sex with a virgin, sex with a white, heck, even read here I think about sex with an hedgehog, and this was a croat guy, with the expected hilarious end-result, too, IIRC,... most often non-consensual, is supposed to cure STD, including AIDS; as a matter of fact, one commenter here (sorry, can't recall who, sorry if that's a regular, ex or not) in this very same blog, about a similar article, reported how when he was an expat child living in india with his american family (I think), his 8 years old sister was assaulted by a primitive hoping to cure itself from syphillis.

Anyway, re the baby rape in SA, it's not new, heck, I clearly recall watching I think a BBC world reportage on sat teevee (after 2001, but at least over a couple years ago) on a surgical unit specialized in genital reconstructive surgey for infant babies being mutilated after having been gangraped in the course of such 'treatments'. Enjoy Diversity.
Posted by: anonymous5089 || 07/05/2009 13:57 Comments || Top||

#9  Killed her, too. Probably worried about her becoming a witch when she was older and extracting her revenge by shrinking his genitals.
Posted by: gorb || 07/05/2009 23:36 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
30 carried out operation
[Bangla Daily Star] A gang of thirty criminals launched the gun attack in broad daylight at Karwan Bazar on June 26 that left three persons killed for taking a revenge for the killing of their cohort Mamun and establishing supremacy over toll collection in the kitchen market. Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner AKM Shahidul Haque said this based on the primary investigation at a press briefing at DB Office yesterday.

The arrestees confessed at the DB office that extortion and establishing supremacy over Karwan Bazar were the main reasons behind the shooting.

The DMP commissioner said a gang of 30 criminals was involved in the shootings. Nine of them carried arms, eight kept a close watch on the victims and law enforcers' movement and communication among them while six played a role as mastermind of the killings.
Six masterminds? They couldn't find one person clever enough to do the job all by him- or herself?
He said on the day of killings, the criminals received Tk 1.45 lakh from the plotters who also assured them of giving Tk 500 per day after taking control over the bazar.

He, however, denied disclosing the names of the plotters behind the killings. Four persons whose names were mentioned in the killing case are not among the 30 criminals, he said adding that police will arrest the four (four BNP leaders) for interrogation. He said "Extortionists are collecting toll money from Karwan Bazar in the name of different business organizations."

Detained Rakib at DB office said, "On the day we took position in front of deceased Faruque's mango wholesale shop to kill him but failed due to presence of the law enforcers. But when Faruque along with two other victims went to the association office, we rushed in and sprayed bullets on them. I fired four bullets at that moment."

He said the plot was made 15 to 20 days before the killing and they made a futile attempt on June 24. "Senior brothers engaged us saying that Faruque Mollah is collecting toll but he does not give them any share and if Faruque is killed, they will be able to collect toll money and provide us (killers) the share," Rakib said. Rakib also said Faruque had hand in the killing of Mamun who was killed around one and half a month ago.

The DMP commissioner said "We have found the names of all killers but we will not disclose their names for the sake of investigation and arresting the rest of them."

Sources said top listed criminal Ashik who fled for India might have links with the killings.

The gunmen killed three persons--M Faruque Mollah, 55, Ashraf Miah, 53, and Nuruddin Sarkar Jewel, 35 and wounded another on June 26.

Police produced six arrestees--Emdadul Haque, Shakib, Rafiqul Islam Babu, Siaful Islam Ripon, Mamun and Rakib Ahmed Sohel-- but the rest arrestees are yet to be produced before the court for the sake of investigation.

Detective Branch (DB) of police recovered one microbus, one gun and five bullets and arrested 10 persons in this connection over last five days.
Posted by: Fred || 07/05/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  TW, let's assume it takes an IQ of 120 to be a mastermind. So it takes 6 guys with an IQ of 20 each to be a Bangla mastermind.
Posted by: Glenmore || 07/05/2009 1:16 Comments || Top||

#2  For some reason, the translation of many of the reports out of Banglash sound comic instead of serious. I assume better translation services would help.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 07/05/2009 11:00 Comments || Top||


Killed over dowry
[Bangla Daily Star] A 29-year old woman lost her life in Narsingdi yesterday after her dowry demanding husband beat her up and allegedly forced her to drink poison. Suraiya Akhter, 28, a mother of two from Joshor village under Shibpur upazila, died on the way to the local hospital.

Relatives said that Suraiya's husband Anwar Hossain, 32, of the same village has long been torturing his wife for dowry from her parents. He wanted Tk 1 lakh in cash. As her parents were not able to cough up this amount, Anwar regularly tortured his wife.

On Friday night, an argument broke out between the husband and wife again over this matter, and Anwar mercilessly beat his wife and later tried to strangle her with his own hands. As she struggled to breathe, Anwar allegedly forced her to drink poison before taking her to the hospital. She died on the way, and Anwar told everyone that Suraiya had committed suicide. Suriaya's relatives refuted this, citing the regular beatings she received at his hand for dowry.

When they confronted Anwar and accused him of murdering Suraiya, Anwar and his brother Iqbal attacked Suraiya's relatives with a daa (curved chopper), seriously injuring Arun, Al Amin, Sohrab, Saidur, Khokan and Shamim. The injured men were admitted into different clinics.

A case has been filed in this regard with Shibpur thana.
Posted by: Fred || 07/05/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Cultural differences doesn't cut it as an excuse for the horrific abuse women get in countries around the world.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 07/05/2009 10:56 Comments || Top||

#2  This sort of thing happens a lot more than you actually hear about.
Posted by: Injun Grinesing9686 || 07/05/2009 18:13 Comments || Top||


Britain
M16 spy chief's wife in Facebook leak strife
THE wife of the new head of Britain's spy agency has posted pictures of her husband, family and friends on internet networking site Facebook. The information could compromise security, a newspaper said today.

Sir John Sawers is due to take over as head of the Secret Intelligence Service in November. The SIS, popularly known as MI6, is Britain's global intelligence-gathering organisation.
Is there a potentially hostile intelligence service in the world that doesn't know what Sir John looks like?
In what the Mail on Sunday called an "extraordinary lapse", the new spy chief's wife, Lady Shelley Sawers, posted family pictures and exposed details of where the couple live and take their holidays and who their friends and relatives are.

The details could be viewed by any of the many millions of Facebook users around the world, but were swiftly removed once authorities were alerted by the newspaper's enquiries. "There were fears that the hugely embarrassing blunder could have compromised the safety of Sir John's family and friends," the newspaper said.

It was the latest in a string of security blunders, lapses and leaks by British officials that have embarrassed the government of embattled Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Posted by: tipper || 07/05/2009 03:35 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  The world's in the very best of hands.
Posted by: Seafarious || 07/05/2009 7:22 Comments || Top||

#2  I didn't realize the rifle had a spy agency.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 07/05/2009 9:00 Comments || Top||

#3  What about bank account numbers?
Posted by: ed || 07/05/2009 16:15 Comments || Top||


Caribbean-Latin America
Zelaya's Plane Redirected to El Salvador
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras—In a high-stakes move to reclaim his post, ousted Honduran president Manuel Zelaya tried to fly to this Central American nation on Sunday. The provisional government said it would turn the aircraft away, even as it signaled a new willingness to negotiate a solution to the region's biggest political crisis in years.

Honduras' civil aviation director said Mr. Zelaya's plane was being redirected to El Salvador.

Mr. Zelaya, a leftist kicked out by Honduras' army last week in his nightshirt, departed from Washington to Tegucigalpa on an aircraft believed to belong to Venezuela's government. He was accompanies by the U.N. General Assembly president, Miguel D'Escoto. Also along for the ride was Argentine President Cristina Kirchner in her official plane and another plane carrying journalists.

"The blood of Christ sustains me," Mr. Zelaya said in a brief interview aboard the plane with Venezuela's state-run TV network Telesur.

For the first time since the crisis broke a week ago, Honduras' provisional government signaled it would be willing to negotiate a solution to the crisis, which took a dramatic turn last Sunday when soldiers forced Mr. Zelaya to leave the country after he insisted on holding a referendum that critics said was aimed at him staying in power.

Interim deputy foreign minister Martha Lorena Alvarado told a news conference the government would be willing to meet in "good faith" with the Organization of American States, according to AFP. A senior U.S. official also said Honduras was willing to negotiate, according to Reuters.
Could be a smart move -- drag it out, talk it to death, and keep Zelaya out of the country in the meantime so that people are asking, "Manuel who?"
The move by Honduras' provisional government to talk came a day after the OAS voted to suspend the country from the multilateral body, which has 34 active members. Earlier, Honduras' provisional government said it would rather be kicked out of the OAS than allow Mr. Zelaya to return to the presidential seat.

In a sign of how the crisis is causing regional tensions to flare, Honduras said Nicaragua's army were carrying out small-scale troops movements near the border between both nations, which were bitter Cold War enemies during the 1980s Sandinista government in Nicaragua. Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega is back in power in Managua.

Honduras' interim president Roberto Micheletti said the troop movements were "small" and "nothing to worry about," but warned Nicaragua to back off and said Honduras would be watching events closely.

The country's acting leaders have said repeatedly they would arrest Mr. Zelaya if he managed to return. In the days after he was sent packing to Costa Rica by Honduras' military, the provisional government has accused Mr. Zelaya of multiple crimes, from treason to drug trafficking. The AP on Sunday said the interim government had ordered the military to prevent Mr. Zelaya's plane or any unidentified one from landing.

If Mr. Zelaya manages to return somehow, the chances of a violent confrontation appear high. Responding to a call by the ousted president, thousands of his supporters turned up at the Tegucigalpa airport to show their support. But an equal number of Hondurans are adamant they don't want the president to return.

Honduras' influential Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez, the highest ranking Catholic Church official in the country, went on national television to urge the exiled president not to come back. "We think that a return to the country at this time could unleash a bloodbath in the country," Cardinal Rodriguez said. "To this day, no Honduran has died. Please meditate because afterwards it would be too late."

The prelate also criticized Mr. Zelaya, suggesting the Church was throwing its weight behind the provisional government. "The day of your swearing in, you clearly quoted the three commandments of the sacred law of God: Not to lie, not to steal, and not to kill," said the Cardinal, who was seen as a leading candidate to succeed the late Pope John Paul II.
Posted by: Steve White || 07/05/2009 16:45 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  good to see the Cardinal is supporting the legitimate government against OAS and Obama Admin/DOS lies and "meddling".
Posted by: Frank G || 07/05/2009 17:07 Comments || Top||

#2  streaming vid (en español) here
Posted by: Frank G || 07/05/2009 17:43 Comments || Top||

#3  good to see the Cardinal is supporting the legitimate government

Yet another reason for Zero, U.N., and the rest of the MSM to oppose the legitimate government. Can't have a christian institution involved in politics.

(Islamic, Environmental, or just plain Selfish religions are OK - just not Jewish or Christian - they tend to not allow as much corruption).
Posted by: CrazyFool || 07/05/2009 17:57 Comments || Top||

#4  CF - that's almost "Frank G - level" cynical. Welcome to my world
Posted by: Frank G || 07/05/2009 18:08 Comments || Top||

#5  Mr. Zelaya, a leftist kicked out by Honduras' army last week in his nightshirt

How they got in his nightshirt, I'll never know.

/Groucho Marx
Posted by: Pappy || 07/05/2009 20:31 Comments || Top||

#6  Hey!
The kid working with us doesn't return from his Honduras trip until the 7th. Can they please please hold their balls until the 8th or later?
Posted by: 3dc || 07/05/2009 22:42 Comments || Top||

#7  Spainish speakers what is being said in this chaotic video?
Posted by: 3dc || 07/05/2009 23:25 Comments || Top||


Honduran military told to turn back Zelaya's jet
The Honduran president was preparing to fly home Sunday on a small jet, defying a military order from the government that ousted him to prevent the plane from landing. The U.N. General Assembly president planned to be his only international escort.

Several other planes were leaving Washington separately to avoid a direct confrontation, trailing Zelaya to see what happens in the skies over Honduras before deciding where to land. They include two planeloads of journalists and a group of Latin American presidents flying with the secretary-general of the Organization of American States.
Posted by: ed || 07/05/2009 15:13 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  They include two planeloads of journalists and a group of Latin American presidents flying with the secretary-general of the Organization of American States

a sortie with shoot-down orders if Honduran airspace is violated would do a helluva lotta good for democracy in latin america
Posted by: Frank G || 07/05/2009 15:26 Comments || Top||

#2  HONDURAS is now claiming that NICARAGUA [Daniel Ortega] is moving troops to the borders???
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 07/05/2009 21:48 Comments || Top||


Hugo takes control of Spanish-owned bank
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Hugo Chavez's government assumed control of Venezuela's third-largest bank on Friday - making the state the largest player in the nation's banking system.
Sorta like Bambi and Timmy seizing the New York banks, but on a smaller scale ...
The purchase of the Spanish-owned Banco de Venezuela gives Chavez's socialist government control over more than one-fifth of bank deposits as he tightens his grip over the economy. The acquisition will "strengthen the public banking system," which favors sectors including agriculture, energy, housing and tourism, Finance Minister Ali Rodriguez said in a statement.
How much of the money gets moved to 'safe' locations?
In May, the Venezuelan government agreed to pay Spain's Grupo Santander $1.05 billion for the bank, ending months of stalled negotiations. At the time, Banco de Venezuela had 3.2 million clients, 10 percent of the country's deposits and 6,000 employees.

Combined with other state banks, the government will now control about 21 percent of deposits and 16 percent of loans, a payroll of 15,000 employees and 651 bank branches.

The deal went into effect on Friday with an initial payment of $630 million. The rest will be paid in two equal installments in October and December.

Like the rest of the economy, Venezuela's banking sector is already highly regulated, with the government dictating just about everything interest rates and commissions.

Under Chavez, Venezuela has nationalized major players in the steel, electricity and other sectors, including four major oil projects, since 2007. The Venezuelan consulting firm Ecoanalitica calculates those nationalizations have cost Chavez's government some $23 billion.
But have provided jobs and graft for all of Hugo's people ...
Posted by: Steve White || 07/05/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Doc White, there should not BE any 'safe locations' for such funds. Time for banks and civilized governments to see to it. But I guess that's a hopeless dream with all those big US banks now part of the Obama neo-com (as opposed to the 'evil' Bush neo-cons) administration.
Posted by: Glenmore || 07/05/2009 1:21 Comments || Top||

#2  Put in in a jar under the crabapple tree, Glenmore. That works, so long as you don't sell the house.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/05/2009 9:13 Comments || Top||

#3  Glenmore, it's taken forever to get banking sanctions against the Norks and the Mad Mullahs™, and we're still not there. Good luck trying to get sanctions against Oogo ...
Posted by: Steve White || 07/05/2009 10:46 Comments || Top||


Government Removes Zelaya's Perks
Aside from canceling all of Zelaya's government backed credit cards (before which, he had spent 80,000 dollars in less than five days), terminated also was the leasing of 50 luxury vehicles and 61 cellular phones with a credit of over 47,500 lempiras, and over 100 bank accounts, all backed by Honduran government funds.

The chancellor of Honduras confirmed that Mel Zelaya ordered the withdrawal of 40 million lempiras from the Central Bank of Honduras. When the investigations were made at the presidential house, black garbage bags filled with thousands and thousands of dollars were found, as well as in almost every drawer.
Did they find any in the freezer? There's precedent for that.
It's the tropics. I'd look in the coconuts ...
Investigations documented over 600 million lempiras worth of expenditures that Zelaya had spent on his quest to hold the "opinion poll" to allow the fourth vote.
Now they know where the country's budget went.
Posted by: Steve White || 07/05/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  the 47k lempiras are worth about $2-3k
Posted by: lord garth || 07/05/2009 2:57 Comments || Top||

#2  Bailout! I smell a bailout coming from his friends. I just hope it's not part of our stimulus package.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 07/05/2009 10:42 Comments || Top||


Hugo Chavez halts oil shipments to Honduras
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said his country is suspending oil supply to Honduras, which benefited from energy cooperation agreement Petrocaribe. The ruler announced his decision late Thursday during his weekly radio and TV program Aló, Presidente Teórico (Theoretical Hello President). "We have suspended shipments of oil," Chavez stated. He reported that Petrocaribe energy supplies to Honduras were scheduled for next week. "One of the effects of this measure is that gasoline prices in the Central American country are going to soar." The measure seeks to put pressure on the Honduras government to reinstate Manuel Zelaya, an ally of Chavez, as Honduras President. Zelaya was ousted in an army coup on June 28.

Honduras joined Petrocaribe energy alliance in December 2007, under Zelaya. Petrocaribe is a cooperation agreement established in 2005, under which about 20 Caribbean and Central American countries receive some 200,000 barrels per day of oil from Venezuela with long-term credit facilities.
Posted by: Steve White || 07/05/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Zelaya vows to return to Honduras
Manuel Zelaya, the ousted Honduran president, has vowed to return to his country and retake the leadership nearly a week after a military-backed coup led him into exile. Zelaya told Al Jazeera on Saturday that he would return to Honduras on Sunday, despite a warning from the interim government that he would be arrested.

Zelaya made the comment upon his arrival in Washington, DC, for an emergency session of the Organisation of American States (OAS). He called on supporters to prepare to greet him at the airport on Sunday, and on Saturday more than 10,000 of them gathered near the heavily guarded presidential palace and pledged they would be ready if he returned. "We are going to show up at the Honduras International Airport in Tegucigalpa ... and on Sunday we will be in Tegucigalpa," Zelaya said in a taped statement posted on the Web sites of the Telesur and Cubadebate media outlets.

In comments later on Saturday to a local radio station, Zelaya said Argentine President Cristina Fernandez and Ecuador's Rafael Correa, several foreign ministers and 300 journalists would accompany him. Zelaya implored supporters to remain peaceful. "I ask all farmers, residents, Indians, young people and all workers' groups, businessmen and friends ... to accompany me on my return to Honduras," he said earlier. "Do not bring weapons. Practice what I have always preached, which is nonviolence. Let them be the ones who use violence, weapons and repression. I hold the coup plotters responsible for the lives of each and every person," he added.

Members of the OAS are meeting to consider suspending Honduras from the regional bloc for failing to reinstate Zelaya, who was deposed on June 28. The 35-member OAS had set Saturday as the deadline for the military-backed interim government to comply with its demands, or be expelled from the bloc.

Prior to the meeting, the interim government in Honduras announced it was pulling out of the OAS rather than meet the bloc's demands. "It is better to pay this high price ... than live undignified and bow our heads to the demands of foreign governments," Roberto Micheletti, the interim president, said. But OAS officials said on Saturday that they would not recognise Honduras' decision to withdraw.

Al Jazeera's Nick Spicer, reporting from Washington, said OAS leaders called the request to leave the OAS illegitimate, because the bloc does not regard the current Honduran government as legitimate. "So what we expect is that the OAS, minus Honduras, will proceed to suspend that country from the organisation," he said. "It will likely be a very long and messy procedure."

Lucia Newman, Al Jazeera's Latin America editor, said that several scenarios to solve the crisis had been proposed by OAS member states. "One of them is that this de facto government, as the OAS calls it, would issue a blanket amnesty that would annul the arrest order for Zelaya," she reported from Tegucigalpa. "In exchange, elections [currently scheduled for January] would be brought forward. But the deposed president would have to be reinstated [pending the election's outcome]. I understand that this proposal was put forward by Argentina."

Newman said that the current crisis is the "biggest challenge that the OAS has ever had to face". "There is absolute consensus in the international community that they have to use their diplomatic might to reverse this coup d'etat. There is consensus that this kind of thing can not happen, and should not happen."

Zelaya was removed from power as he was about to press ahead with a non-binding referendum on constitutional change.
Posted by: Steve White || 07/05/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Umm no. INTERPOL, please arrest him. There is something under the covers here.
Posted by: newc || 07/05/2009 0:20 Comments || Top||

#2  Let him in - and arrest him as soon as his feet touch the ground.
Posted by: OldSpook || 07/05/2009 2:01 Comments || Top||

#3  "Zelaya was removed from power as he was about to press ahead with a non-binding referendum on constitutional change."

This is fucking disgusting. Its a COMPLETE distortion of what happened there. Who the hell is writing this crap?

If I get to meet the author I'll punch him or her square in the chops for publishing such a blatant lie. And they should thank God we don't simply lynch them.

Its crap like this that is destroying the country - we are being fed a diet of LIES by the MSM in their scraping and bowing to the international (OAS) and east-coast US, collectivist "elites".

Posted by: OldSpook || 07/05/2009 2:04 Comments || Top||

#4  Article 239 — No citizen that has already served as head of the Executive Branch can be President or Vice-President.

Whoever violates this law or proposes its reform, as well as those that support such violation directly or indirectly, will immediately cease in their functions and will be unable to hold any public office for a period of 10 years.

Art 331: [The Supreme Court of Justice has the power] To begin initial proceedings against high state officials and deputies.

The "ballots" Zelaya wanted were legally impounded by their Supreme Court, and had originally been printed and flown ion by Chavez and Venezuela. Zelaya had weaseled on this and changed the name several times to try to wiggle out of his violation of the constitution Art 239. Then Zelaya's followers broke into the base and took the ballots illegally.

The Honduran constitution allows its Supreme Court to deputize the Honduran military to carry out its orders, including removing politicians from office who seek to extend a president’s term - which is exactly what it did after its finding on Zelaya.

When the hell will the press stop LYING to us?
Posted by: OldSpook || 07/05/2009 2:14 Comments || Top||

#5  of course this version is from al jazeera, which is sadly pretty close to the Obama line

however, some sources are reporting more objectively noting the large size of anti Zelaya rallies (the 10k pro Zelaya rally referred to in the Al J version is probably from pro Zelaya types)
Posted by: lord garth || 07/05/2009 2:36 Comments || Top||

#6 
"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it."

"The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly - it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over"


When the hell will the press stop LYING to us?

Never!
The constant repetition of the lie is a simple yet effective propaganda technique. It is the method behind the madness.
Posted by: Ebbaviting Glaimble9007 || 07/05/2009 5:03 Comments || Top||

#7  When the hell will the press stop LYING to us?

This is not the 'press' - or at least the press as the forefathers saw them. These are tools of the left and should be treated as such.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 07/05/2009 6:47 Comments || Top||

#8  The WaPo this morning was more somewhat more objective on the situation than previously. They even allowed two letters to the editor that were anti Zelaya (one from a former US ambassador to Honduras, one from a Honduran diplomat).

Still a way to go however
Posted by: lord garth || 07/05/2009 9:40 Comments || Top||

#9  When the hell will the press stop LYING to us?

When we go back to the basis of the real foundation of the 1st Amendment protection for the press. That is the colonial era case of the Royal Governor of New York vs John Peter Zenger. The basic finding was that the truth was a viable defense. Since then, the usual suspects got 'special class protection' to engage in disseminating lies and fabrications without consequences.

Major corporations and holdings should be treated like any other business that engages in interstate commerce and be subject to FTC scrutiny in distributing products that are sold with blatant misrepresentation, false content, and poor workmanship. Now, I do believe that said distribution could continue as long as the print or other media were properly labeled [For Entertainment Purposes Only. Owners and operators of this media make no claim to the authenticity or truthfulness of content.]
Posted by: Procopius2k || 07/05/2009 10:22 Comments || Top||

#10  "[For Entertainment Purposes Only. Owners and operators of this media make no claim to the authenticity or truthfulness of content.]"

"Owners and operators of this media admit this is mostly a pack of lies to advance a Leftist agenda" would be more honest, P2k.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 07/05/2009 10:27 Comments || Top||

#11  I'd like to see him return to face the Supreme Court's verdict. It sounds like the army will hold things civil until the little tin pot dictator gets the justice due him.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 07/05/2009 10:34 Comments || Top||

#12  Let him in - and arrest shoot him as soon as his feet touch the ground.

Fixed.
Posted by: Abu Uluque || 07/05/2009 14:44 Comments || Top||

#13  Honduras announced they won't allow Zelaya's plane to land.

Maybe he can hitch hike in (or parachute).
Posted by: Lord garth || 07/05/2009 15:23 Comments || Top||

#14  Aside from canceling all of Zelaya’s government backed credit cards (before which, he had spent 80,000 dollars in less than five days), terminated also was the leasing of 50 luxury vehicles and 61 cellular phones with a credit of over 47,500 lempiras, and over 100 bank accounts, all backed by Honduran government funds.

The chancellor of Honduras confirmed that Mel Zelaya ordered the withdrawal of 40 million lempiras from the Central Bank of Honduras.

When the investigations were made at the presidential house, black garbage bags filled with thousands and thousands of dollars were found, as well as in almost every drawer.


Government Removes Zelaya’s Perks

Just like Saddam. These guys are all the same. I'm waiting for the day when we find bags of money lying around the White House.
Posted by: KBK || 07/05/2009 15:37 Comments || Top||

#15  KBK, that day may not be all that far off.
Posted by: OldSpook || 07/05/2009 23:31 Comments || Top||


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Obama praises Medvedev's judicial reforms
President Barack Obama said strengthening human rights and the rule of law in Russia should be a part of the much-heralded "reset" in U.S.-Russian relations, according to an interview with an embattled Russian opposition newspaper. Obama also said he applauded President Dmitry Medvedev's efforts to reform Russia's creaky judicial system, according excerpts released by Novaya Gazeta before Obama's arrival Monday in Moscow, when the full interview to be published. "I agree with President Medvedev when he said that 'freedom is better than the absence of freedom'," Obama was quoted as saying. "I see no reason why strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule of law cannot be included as part of our reset" in relations.
Bambi is clueless ...
It was unclear whether Obama's comments were a signal that he intends to press Medvedev - or the man considered his co-ruler, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin - on judicial reforms or human rights issues during his two-day summit in Moscow.
No, it's a signal that he's going to roll over and let Putin/Medvedev do as they wish.
Rights groups, U.S. lawmakers, and Russian and U.S. foreign policy experts have urged Obama not to ignore those issues in order to reach agreement with Medvedev on broader disputes - such as a new arms control treaty or NATO expansion.

Obama declined to answer the newspaper's question about Russia's most prominent prisoner - the former oil tycoon and billionaire Mikhail Khodorkovsky. The businessman's supporters say the criminal trial that convicted Khodorkovsky on tax evasion and fraud charges was designed to punish him for his political aspiration. But Obama said he supported Medvedev's efforts to strengthen the rule of law in Russia, "which naturally includes making sure that all those accused of crimes have the right to a fair trial and that the courts are not used for political purposes," he was quoted as saying.
And when's the last time a court in Russia was used for political purposes?
"I also believe that Americans and Russians have a common interest in the development of rule of rule, the strengthening of democracy, and the protection of human rights," he told the newspaper. "As I said in my inaugural address: "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
Putin will just do back-handed slaps. It works ...
In the interview, Obama repeated U.S. assurances that the missile defense system isn't aimed at Russia. "We are not building and will not build a system that is aimed to respond to an attack from Russia. Such thinking is simply a legacy of the Cold War," he was quoted as saying.

Novaya Gazeta is Russia's most prominent opposition newspaper and its most embattled, known for investigative articles and acid commentary about Kremlin policies. Four of its reporters have died in the past eight years - one beaten to death, one allegedly poisoned, two shot - the most recent on Jan. 19. Medvedev himself gave his first newspaper interview to the publication, something Putin never did during his eight years as president.
Posted by: ryuge || 07/05/2009 09:30 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  So Putin's Russia is getting court orders before shooting or poisoning dissidents? No doubt Comrade Obama wants to move the US judiciary closer to his ideological forebears.
Posted by: ed || 07/05/2009 16:19 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
Tennessee physicist sentenced to 4 years
John Reece Roth, 71, a prominent plasma physicist was sentenced for 18 counts of conspiracy, wire fraud and violations of the Arms Export Control Act, after he allowed a Chinese graduate student to see sensitive information on Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs). Despite warnings from his University's Export Control Officer, in 2006, he took a laptop containing sensitive plans with him on a lecture tour in China. He also allowed graduate students Xin Dai of China and Sirous Nourgostar of Iran to work on the project. The contract he was working under prohibited the sharing of sensitive data with foreign nationals.
China is bad enough, but Iran?
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 07/05/2009 01:57 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Only four years? Why not 40 - he deserves it.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 07/05/2009 14:07 Comments || Top||

#2  Take a look at the comments. Note that the least literate are the ones taking the pro-espionage position.
Posted by: Atomic Conspiracy || 07/05/2009 22:21 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
US-Russian Arms Negotiators "Under the Gun," Might Temporarily Bypass Senate Ratification for Tr
Via Instpundit.
It seems Honduras might not be the only nation the Armed Forces may to escort a president out of the country.

With the clock running out on a new US-Russian arms treaty before the previous Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, expires on December 5, a senior White House official said Sunday said that the difficulty of the task might mean temporarily bypassing the Senate’s constitutional role in ratifying treaties by enforcing certain aspects of a new deal on an executive levels and a “provisional basis” until the Senate ratifies the treaty.

"The most ideal situation would be to finish it in time that it could be submitted to the Senate so that it can be ratified," said White House Coordinator for Weapons of Mass Destruction, Security and Arms Control Gary Samore. "If we're not able to do that, we'll have to look at arrangements to continue some of the inspection provisions, keep them enforced in a provisional basis, while the Senate considers the treaty."

Samore said administration lawyers are exploring the "different options that are available. One option is that both sides could agree to continue the inspections by executive agreement; that would work on our side. On the Russian side, as I understand it, that would require Duma approval."

The fact that the administration is preparing for such an extraordinary measure shows just how much pressure the two administrations are under to arrive at an agreement before the 18-year-old treaty expires. While resident Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev are expected to announce progress tomorrow on a nuclear arms reduction treaty – nicknamed “New START” -- to take effect in just five short months, many sticking points that remain unresolved.

The 1991 START treaty's pending expiration means “we are under the gun to try to get something to replace it by the end of the year,” Michael McFaul, special assistant to the President and senior director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs, told reporters last week.
"Never Let a Good Crisis Go To Waste." Even a phony baloney made up one.
Posted by: ed || 07/05/2009 15:21 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Headline got cut off: US-Russian Arms Negotiators "Under the Gun," Might Temporarily Bypass Senate Ratification for Treaty

Also: It seems Honduras might not be the only nation the Armed Forces may need to escort a president out of the country.
Posted by: ed || 07/05/2009 15:27 Comments || Top||

#2  Then it can't be a treaty!
Constitution 101 Obama.
Didn't you need that for your law degree?
Posted by: 3dc || 07/05/2009 15:32 Comments || Top||

#3  the difficulty of the task might mean temporarily bypassing the Senate's constitutional role in ratifying treaties by enforcing certain aspects of a new deal on an executive levels and a "provisional basis" until the Senate ratifies the treaty.

Excuse me?
Posted by: john frum || 07/05/2009 16:03 Comments || Top||

#4  Adjunct Lecturer in Unconstitutional Law.

Perhaps this would be a good question for our Wise Latina™ Sotomayor in her hearings: "Is the President an unconstitutional hack or just a tin-pot dictator? Discuss"
Posted by: Frank G || 07/05/2009 16:08 Comments || Top||

#5  This isn't a issue. This sort of thing has happened in the past, and a President can agree, on an executive basis, to abide by certain terms with another country. If it's going to cost money he has to get an appropriation, of course.
Posted by: Steve White || 07/05/2009 16:11 Comments || Top||

#6  Samore said administration lawyers are exploring the "different options

How about contacting someone at Room SR-228, Russell Senae Office Building United States Senate Armed Services Committee. Maybe the've got an idea or two worth exploring.

"Provisional" Cap & Trade also an option?
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/05/2009 16:15 Comments || Top||

#7  Political cover for the fact that he can't get Senate approval, even with a supermajority of his own party.
Posted by: Iblis || 07/05/2009 23:59 Comments || Top||


Obama calls for reforms in Independence Day address
US President Barack Obama urged Americans, who celebrated Independence Day on Saturday, to implement broad economic and social reforms, expressing confidence the country will be able to overcome the challenges it is facing.
A particularly fitting call for Independence Day.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
But that some get special treatment. Procrustes considered that all men were equal, and if they didn't fit his theory he made them fit...
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,
Which are subject to abrogation and curtailment by the State in an emergency, or in the name of the common good, or to protect you from yourself, or to avoid offending anybody ...
that among these are life,
But not the right to be born, nor the right to live out all your days if you are old, feeble, or cost the public too much to keep going
liberty
Which is the right to be left to do as you please unless the State decides it's not good for you or not good for itself.
and the pursuit of happiness.
Always within approved boundaries, of course. And as long as you pay your taxes. And no smoking! And watch your cholesterol.
That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men,
"All men have governments, therefore all governments are similar. That's logic," said Humpty Dumpty...
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
The governed are there to pay their taxes and to vote in blocs...
That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it,
This can go the way of storming the Winter Palace or it can come by way of Hindenberg appointing a new chancellor. Sometimes it comes by way of chopping the king and queens' heads off -- a minor variation on storming the Winter Palace -- or of the man with the most artillery stepping in to restore order. Seldom does it come by way of thoughtful men throwing off the bonds of oppression and then attempting to guarantee "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" for their fellow men and their descendants.
and to institute new government,
Most new governments are much like the old governments, only with different faces making all the decisions, except for those cases where the new governments turn out to be worse. As a general rule, unless they're the Khmer Rouge governments are much like wine: they tend to mellow, to get better with age, until eventually they turn sour and have to be disposed of. As a general rule, you can't use a used-up government in salad dressing.
laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.
Most governments involve high-sounding phrases and most of that number are headed by men with an eye on the main chance and a hand in the till.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;
For one thing, you never know what the new one's going to be like until the second or third election -- if there is one.
and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
No government is perfect, and politicians are least of all perfect. Probably the only thing less perfect than a politician is a revolutionary.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
Eventually the breaking point comes. Eventually government slips by degrees into oligarchy, hereditary princes, and unrestrained rapacity. Eventually the barricades will come out, and no one knows what life will be like when the firing squads have finished their work. Nor does anyone know for sure which side's going to be looking through the sights and which side's going to be counting muzzle blasts.


"We are facing an array of challenges on a scale unseen in our time," the president said in his weekly radio address. "We are waging two wars. We are battling a deep recession." The president said that in order to lay the foundation of growth and prosperity, Americans would have to revamp their education system and build schools that would prepare every child to compete with workers around the world.
... and unrestrained rapacity ...
He pointed out that the United States also needed to reform its health care system, bringing down medical costs for all Americans.
... and unrestrained rapacity ...
Obama also urged Americans to make clean energy the profitable kind of energy "so that we can end our dependence on foreign oil".
... and unrestrained rapacity ...
"We are not a people who fear the future," the president concluded, reminding Americans of the spirit of the country's founding fathers. "We are a people who make it. And on this July 4th, we need to summon that spirit once more."
"When in the course of human events..."
Posted by: Fred || 07/05/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Your war with God is going pretty well.

Please take your boot off of the throat of Honduras now.
Posted by: newc || 07/05/2009 0:15 Comments || Top||

#2  I like change, but I prefer dollars.
Posted by: Glenmore || 07/05/2009 1:22 Comments || Top||

#3  US President Barack Obama urged Americans, who celebrated Independence Day on Saturday, to implement broad economic and social reforms

Yes, 'urge'. Reforms are the responsibility of the people not the government. Society is not changed from above without a lot of pain and blood. Change from below comes in evolutionary spurts and spasms, but it does happen and when it does it takes. In the end all 'revolutions' are betrayed. How's that separation from a powerful and distant London going with a powerful and distant beltway instead today?
Posted by: Procopius2k || 07/05/2009 8:14 Comments || Top||

#4  Where was he when he made his address?
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 07/05/2009 10:47 Comments || Top||

#5  Remember Sir Walter Raleigh? He wrote The Lie of which this is the most famous stanza:

Tell men of high condition,
That manage the estate,
Their purpose is ambition,
Their practice only hate:
And if they once reply,
Then give them all the lie.
Posted by: James || 07/05/2009 12:20 Comments || Top||

#6  What we, the people of the United States, need to do is to re-establish Constitutional government, not overthrow it. It also means cleaning up some messes that have been made by bad Amendments to the Constitution (17th) and bad decisions by the Supreme Court (Roe vs Wade, etc.). Unfortunately, as long as politicians can lie and get away with it because of the support of the leftist media and college campuses, it's going to be a hard battle. Pitchforks and rope may end up being the only recourse the rest of us have.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 07/05/2009 14:16 Comments || Top||

#7  17th is THE one to remove.

All the others are restrictions on the states powers.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 07/05/2009 19:55 Comments || Top||

#8  From Wikipedia:

"Congress passed a law in 1866 regulating how and when Senators were to be elected from each state. This was the first change in the process of senatorial elections. While the law helped, there were still deadlocks in some legislatures and accusations of bribery, corruption, and suspicious dealings in some elections. Nine bribery cases were brought before the Senate between 1866 and 1906, and 45 deadlocks occurred in 20 states between 1891 and 1905,"

So nothing much has changed in the last century and a half....

"resulting in numerous delays in seating Senators. Beginning in 1899, Delaware did not send a senator to Washington for four years."

And this was a problem how, exactly?

I'd be happy if the entire Congress didn't meet for the next four years - or even one year. They can even keep the money we pay them; it would be cheap at twice the price.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 07/05/2009 20:18 Comments || Top||


Decades After WWII, Female Pilots Finally Honored
All Things Considered, July 4, 2009 · President Obama signed a bill Wednesday granting the Congressional Gold Medal to a group of women most Americans have never heard of: the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP.

These were the first women to fly military aircraft. During World War II, they volunteered for noncombat duty, as test pilots and trainers. They freed up their male counterparts to go to Europe and fight in the war. But even though they wore uniforms and worked on bases, they were never considered members of the military. Their contribution to the war effort was so controversial, in fact, that all records pertaining to their service were sealed and deemed classified in 1944. That pretty much consigned the WASP to the dustbin of history for decades.

One of the WASP, Deanie Parrish, started an organization called "Wings Across America" to document the story. For the past 10 years, she and her daughter Nancy have led the effort to get a Congressional Gold Medal for the women. But it wasn't until a young female fighter pilot in today's Air Force championed their cause that the bill became a reality.

That pilot is Maj. Nicole Malachowski, the first woman to fly in the ultra-elite Thunderbirds. The WASP are her personal heroes, so she spent months of her own time, out of uniform, making sure these women finally got their due.
Posted by: Steve White || 07/05/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Thunderous Okla. applause greets Bush on July 4
WOODWARD, Okla. (AP) — Former President George W. Bush was greeted by thunderous applause on the Fourth of July as he told thousands of spectators in a rural Oklahoma rodeo arena that the U.S. was "the greatest nation on the face of the earth."

Bush was given six standing ovations as he spoke in GOP-friendly Woodward, a town of about 12,000 residents in northwest Oklahoma. About 9,200 tickets were sold for the event, which would mark the biggest crowd for Bush since he left office in January.

Bush spoke of the bravery of injured soldiers he'd met throughout his presidency, and thanked members of the military for their service. He joked with the crowd, telling them it was "nice of you to give a retired guy something to do."

The former president has turned up in a handful of out-of-the-way places since leaving office, and he surprised city leaders in Woodward by accepting their invitation to speak at festivities celebrating the $25 million renovation of a local park.

Woodward is friendly territory for Bush, who visited the town two decades ago while campaigning for his father's presidential bid. Oklahoma hasn't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964, and was the only state in the 2008 election to have every county vote for Republican candidate John McCain. In 2004, Bush won 80.9 percent of the vote in Woodward County as he defeated Democratic challenger John Kerry.

A banner welcoming Bush hangs from a restaurant on a highway entering Woodward. Not far down the road, marquees for a local Atwoods store and a steak restaurant also bear welcoming messages.

Bush's principles ring true in Oklahoma, said Kris Day, who owns The Cowboy's Tack Shop with her husband, Neal. "We're conservative," she said. "We don't spend money we don't have."
Posted by: Steve White || 07/05/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I miss you terribly friend.
Posted by: newc || 07/05/2009 0:33 Comments || Top||

#2  Hey SWKs fire fighter post some of the local stuff for us.
Posted by: bman || 07/05/2009 1:04 Comments || Top||

#3  I disagreed with a fair amount of what Pres. Bush did, but I respected and continue to respect the MAN. Over the next few years I feel we (at least some of us) will gain a whole lot more admiration for the President we had and disrespected. How does the saying go? Character is what you do when no one is looking?
Posted by: Glenmore || 07/05/2009 1:28 Comments || Top||

#4  Thank you, Mr. President for coming to the defense of our nation.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 07/05/2009 10:37 Comments || Top||

#5  In 2004, Bush won 80.9 percent of the vote in Woodward County as he defeated Democratic challenger John Kerry.

If he ran there today against Barry I suspect he'd get 99.9 percent of the vote.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/05/2009 11:17 Comments || Top||


Home Front: WoT
USS San Francisco Sub Rejoins Fleet
the sub that ran into an undersea mountain in 2005 after reconstruction, rejoins the fleet in San Diego. See the pics of the damaged nose at link and amaze at how it didn't go down,losing all hands.
Posted by: Frank G || 07/05/2009 14:04 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Updating the charts the hard way.
Posted by: mojo || 07/05/2009 17:06 Comments || Top||

#2  Not only are the subs tough, but I'm proud to say the highly trained and motivated crewmembers are also to be credited for saving the boat.

RKC ET1SS
Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839 || 07/05/2009 19:25 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Mumtaz to be produced before court on July 17
[Geo News] The local court has issued orders for the production of the Chairman Sindh National Front (SNF) Mumtaz Bhutto, accused of plotting attack on a Sindhi language newspaper, before court on July 17. The judicial magistrate, charging Mumtaz Bhutto and other accused persons involved in the case, has ordered them to appear before court on July 17. So far Mumtaz Bhutto was exempted from appearing before court but after the court has charged him with offensive, he and other accused will have to appear before court.
Posted by: Fred || 07/05/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Science & Technology
Space Command has its eyes on SETI's Allen Telescope Array
AFSPC is exploring opportunities in academia and the commercial sector that could provide suitable cost-effective means for augmenting Space Command's Space Surveillance mission. The Allen Telescope Array (ATA), located in Northern California is one such opportunity.

The ATA which is operated by the SETI Institute and its partner, the Radio Astronomy Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley is a radio interferometer dedicated to cutting-edge astronomical research. This array of antennas is optimized to receive and process a very wide portion of the radio spectrum and can observe many areas of the sky at once.

AFSPC, through the Space Innovation and Development Center (SIDC), is evaluating the possible use of the ATA to augment the SSN, potentially leveraging the array to help increase space situational awareness.

Initial demonstrations show promise for the ATA to track transmitting communication satellites in Low Earth Orbit, Medium Earth Orbit and, most promising, in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO), which is home to the most costly, highly-utilized, and vital satellites that orbit the earth. If demonstrations are successful, the ATA may prove to be a viable all-weather, day and night contributor to the SSA mission.
Posted by: 3dc || 07/05/2009 15:14 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  My bad eyes saw:
"Alien Telescope Array" instead of.
"Allen Telescope Array "
(snorfle)
Posted by: AlmostAnonymous5839 || 07/05/2009 19:19 Comments || Top||

#2  AA - that's the first thing I thought, too. A closer read (and some familiarity with the Allen Array) straightened me out.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 07/05/2009 22:20 Comments || Top||


Snowfall on Mars observed
The planet Mars conjures images of red rocks and arid, dusty plains, but as NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander showed last year, it snows on Mars.

The stationary robot observed ice crystals falling to the martian surface near the end of its 5-month mission in the arctic Vastitas Borealis plains last year. Today, scientists detail this finding and others in a set of four papers in the journal Science. The research could help shed light on the past and present action of water on the martian surface and characterize the potential habitability of the red planet.
Posted by: 3dc || 07/05/2009 14:40 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I'm suprised at how cold Mars is all the time, what with all the greenhouse gasses it has.
Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain || 07/05/2009 15:08 Comments || Top||

#2  Snowfall on Mars observed
Anyone seen Al Gore lately?
Posted by: tipper || 07/05/2009 15:49 Comments || Top||


Do anything and it becomes a conspiracy
read the comments
Military Seeks Common Ground with Scientists on Fireball Data Flap

A few weeks ago I wrote about scientists who were unhappy that a purported clamp down was afoot on their use of data snagged by U.S. military spacecraft -- hush hush satellites that from time to time catch natural cosmic fireballs blazing through Earth's atmosphere.

Digging in on this story is not easy. Military higher-ups and the agencies involved are guarded about how potent their satellite sensors are as they stare at Earth for nuclear detonations, missile launches and the like.

In a new exclusive interview with SPACE.com, U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Robert Rego, who is in charge of the policy guidance behind the data release, said the Air Force Space Command is "circling the wagons" to close some loopholes in the dissemination of potentially sensitive information.

U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said he's monitoring the situation and expects a solution that favors the needs of scientists.
Posted by: 3dc || 07/05/2009 14:34 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Actually, I've seen some of the things that the military/CIA agencies would LIKE to share, but don't, because it would comprimise our collecting efforts or provide our enemies with collateral information that would be damaging to the effort. STILL can't talk about them, but they're VERY interesting.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 07/05/2009 22:27 Comments || Top||


Southeast Asia
Ban outlines Myanmar vision
[Straits Times] UN CHIEF Ban Ki-moon gave a rare public speech on Saturday outlining his vision for a democratic Myanmar, just hours after the ruling junta refused to let him meet opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

He told an audience of diplomats, UN agencies and non-governmental organisations that the military regime must free the pro-democracy icon and introduce other reforms for the good of the country's people. 'I am here today to say: Myanmar, you are not alone. We want to work with you for a united, peaceful, prosperous, democratic and modern Myanmar,' Mr Ban said at the Drug Elimination Museum in the commercial hub Yangon.

'We want to help you rise from poverty ... work with you so that your country can take its place as a respected and responsible member of the international community,' the secretary general said. 'But let me emphasise: neither peace nor development can thrive without democracy and respect for human rights. Myanmar is no exception.'

Junta chief Than Shwe earlier Saturday refused to let Ban visit Aung San Suu Kyi, who is in prison facing trial over an incident in which an American man swam uninvited to her lakeside house in May.

Mr Ban earlier described Mr Than Shwe's snub as 'deeply disappointing' and said in his speech that all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, 'should be released without delay'.

'The primary responsibility rests with the government to move the country toward its stated goals of national reconciliation and democracy,' Mr Ban said.

Myanmar was one of the first UN members to adopt its Declaration of Human Rights, he said, but added: 'Unfortunately that commitment has not been matched in deed. Myanmar's human rights record remains a matter of grave concern.'

Mr Ban also urged the junta to ensure that elections promised in 2010 should be free and fair. Critics say they will be a sham that will allow the ruling generals to entrench their power.

'The upcoming election, the first in 20 years, must be inclusive, participatory and transparent if it is to be credible,' he said.
Posted by: Fred || 07/05/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: Culture Wars
Wisconsin store yanks fireworks offensive to Muslims
A Wisconsin fireworks store has yanked a brand off its shelves after complaints from a Minnesota Muslim group. The fireworks were called "Run Hadji Run." The packaging showed a cartoon drawing of Uncle Sam yanking the beard of a man dressed in Muslim attire, and the other showed a bomber jet flying over a group of Arab men on camels. "Hadji" is a title given to Muslims who have completed a pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations demanded their removal after learning the fireworks were for sale at Fireworks City in Baldwin, Wis. They were removed late Friday. The Muslim group has also asked the Missouri-based manufacturer, Red Rhino Fireworks, to remove the product from circulation.
Posted by: ryuge || 07/05/2009 09:01 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  (spit) Dhimmis. (spit)
Posted by: Parabellum || 07/05/2009 10:01 Comments || Top||

#2  "Run Hadji Run"

Anybody stupid enough to put such a name on an item for public consumption is either stupid enough to need five fellow masterminds or asking for exactly the kind of trouble they got. In private speech you can insult anyone you want, but when it comes to business, insulting potential customers is a good way to end up bankrupt. The manufacturer could have as easily called the item "ARCLIGHT" or "Daisycutter" to communicate the visual effect, without angering people like me.

Yes, I'd refuse to buy anything from a shop that carried such merchandise, and I'd tell everyone I know. How many sales have Red Rhino Fireworks and Fireworks City lost, I wonder?
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/05/2009 13:03 Comments || Top||

#3  It's a legacy product from a corporate acquisition.

The company that imported the fireworks from China, Missouri-based Red Rhino Fireworks, said that they are at least three years old and were distributed by the firm's previous owners But they are still listed in the company's online catalog, which said they send off 16 red, green and blue "strobe comets" over a period of 28 seconds.

Management dropped the ball big time on this one.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/05/2009 13:17 Comments || Top||


Rick Warren calls for interfaith projects at ISNA conference
The Rev. Rick Warren, one of America's best-known evangelical Protestant pastors, pleaded with about 8,000 Muslim listeners on Saturday night to work together to solve the world's greatest problems by cooperating in a series of interfaith projects. "Muslims and Christians can work together for the common good without compromising my convictions or your convictions," Mr. Warren said during an evening session of the annual convention of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) at the Washington Convention Center.

"I am not interested in interfaith dialogue but interfaith projects," said the pastor of the 24,000-member Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., who is widely known for his bestseller "The Purpose-Driven Life." "Talk is cheap ... but love is something we do together," he added. "As the two largest faiths on this planet - more than 1 billion Muslims and 2 billion Christians - as Muslims and Christians, we must believe in this. As more than half the world, we must do something to model what it is to live in peace, to live in harmony."

His 25-minute speech, which was met with light applause at several intervals, included three suggestions: create a coalition to end religious stereotyping, work together to restore civility to American society and take a common stand against attacks on freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Criticizing the media as being "clueless as to what you believe as well as what I believe," Mr. Warren called for a "coalition of people of good will to say we are not going to allow this stereotyping of anyone. It is the truth that sets us free and we're not going to allow this."

ISNA U.S. President Ingrid Mattson introduced the pastor as a "distinguished guest" whom organizers wanted to invite because of his worldwide charitable projects. Noting that Mr. Warren gives away 90 percent of his salary, she added, "Here is someone who, in charitable giving, is very stiff competition."

The pastor, who usually dresses in informal Hawaiian shirts, arrived in a beige suit and yellow tie. He began his speech with the common Arabic greeting "Asalam alakum," or "Peace Be Upon You." Mr. Warren said he was "deeply humbled and honored by this invitation," then cracked a few jokes about his unworthiness in being there.

The session, held in a cavernous hall with huge screens hanging from the ceiling, began 40 minutes late with a melodious chant from the Koran. Next were several videos, presentations, tributes, speeches and a lengthy session of fundraising. Several speakers talked of progress among America's millions of Muslims, culminating with their being recognized by President Obama - whose father was Muslim - in his inauguration speech.
Posted by: ryuge || 07/05/2009 08:50 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  "d take a common stand against attacks on freedom of religion and freedom of speech"

Good luck getting the Islamists to go along with that other than in a Fitna fashion. For them, freedom of religion means the freedom to force you to accept their religion, and let it becomes the freedom to force ONLY their religion into the law.
Posted by: OldSpook || 07/05/2009 10:46 Comments || Top||

#2  Pleadings to muslims? Yes, more feckless pissing into the gale and "cheap talk." That's right, the applause was "light" and as you indicated, you are an "unworthy" infidel. Be a good gentleman now father and move along. Move along now will you. Someone get his hat please.
Posted by: Besoeker || 07/05/2009 11:28 Comments || Top||

#3  While there are Muslims who would respond open-heartedly to such a plea from the good reverend, I don't think many of them are to be found at a national ISNA convention.
Posted by: trailing wife || 07/05/2009 13:20 Comments || Top||



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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.
Click here for more information

Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
Glenmore
Frank G
3dc
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Two weeks of WOT
Sun 2009-07-05
  British Forces Join Afghan Operation
Sat 2009-07-04
  US forces repel Taliban suicide assault, kill 22 Taliban fighters
Fri 2009-07-03
  15 dead in suspected US missile strike in Pakistan
Thu 2009-07-02
  Mousavi, Karroubi call Short Round govt ''illegitimate''
Wed 2009-07-01
  11 cross-dressing Haqqani turbans arrested in Khost
Tue 2009-06-30
  Iran confirms Ahmadinejad's victory
Mon 2009-06-29
  Mousavi's website shut down
Sun 2009-06-28
  Saad al-Hariri Leb's new premier
Sat 2009-06-27
  Council appoints commission to probe election
Fri 2009-06-26
  Mousavi warns of more protests
Thu 2009-06-25
  Somali legislators flee abroad, Parliament paralysed
Wed 2009-06-24
  Khamenei agrees to extend vote probe
Tue 2009-06-23
  Revolutionary Guards Say They'll Crush Protests
Mon 2009-06-22
  Guardian Council: Over 100% voted in 50 cities
Sun 2009-06-21
  Assembly of Experts caves to Fearless Leader

Better than the average link...



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