MANAMA - About 225 people, including rioters and those involved in acts of vandalism, were granted a special royal pardon as an effort to restore peace and stability in Bahrain. Assistant Under-Secretary for the Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Interior Colonel Mohammed Rashid Buhamood said in a statement that His Majesty the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued a decree on Wednesday for the release of 151 convicts and 74 suspects held in custody on criminal charges.
Buhamood said the pardon was part of an effort to provide relief to these people and their families with a view to spreading a spirit of tolerance in the community. The rioters and saboteurs granted pardon were held in December for damaging public property.
And if they don't get the message this time, His Corpulenceness can always have them shipped off to the Sudan ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/01/2008 00:00 ||
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I guess this means the Navy will step up port protection in Manama.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
08/01/2008 4:56 Comments ||
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Prime Minister Gordon Brown's popularity has slumped to a record low, but a change in leader will not help the ruling Labour Party win the next election, according to an opinion poll published on Friday.
A YouGov poll in The Daily Telegraph said only 15 percent of people questioned believed Brown was "up to the job".
It said this was the lowest approval rating for a prime minister since John Major in 1995, two years before his Conservative government suffered a crushing election defeat that has ushered in 11 years of Labour rule.
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Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
London was abuzz about the future of Brown. He is in the proverbial dumps and the Tories smell blood. Even his cabinet are taking more risk promoting themselves especially Milband and Harmon. Seems to me that he will be forced to call an early election to test his strength which is pretty tentative at present.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
08/01/2008 4:59 Comments ||
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#2
He deserves to go . No brainer , since he has taken power (unelected) he has been inept in every department. At least Tony has cahooners . Millibrand , good lord no thanks , Harmon , eeek nightmare .
The downside is , theres nothing on the plate to offer instead of Labour . And noone in the Labour party with the skills to take the top job .
As part of their attempt to keep a stranglehold on information during the Summer Games in Beijing, the Chinese authorities are reportedly planning to ban German newspapers from the Deutsches Haus in the Olympic Village.
The German Olympic Association (DOSB) said on Friday that it was negotiating with Chinese officials over the matter. "The talks are continuing," DOSB spokesman Gerd Graus told German news agency DDP in Beijing. Gaus said he was optimistic that German athletes would have access to German newspapers with only one day of delay during the Olymplics.
DDP reported on Thursday that the Norbert Lammert, president of the German Bundestag, had written to the DOSB to express his "disbelief" that China would attempt to censor information in the German facilities. "That Chinese censors would try to control the flow of information for German participants and their guests is completely inacceptable for me," Lammert wrote in a letter made available to DDP.
Continued on Page 49
#1
The China Olympics look to be very "entertaining" this year. The communists are showing more to the world than they really wanted to. And more than what the IOC and the Western nations WANTED to know.
#1
Interesting.
I still think China's economy is very vulnerable because of all the bad debts the government bank has made. They have been counting on their stockpile of dollars to ease any problems, but with the dollar tanked and the US in no mood to lend money to outsiders, China could be in serious problems.
Time will tell and I don't think anyone, including the Chinese (well, except maybe a couple high ups) know exactly how vulnerable or not they are.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan came under increased pressure on Thursday to reconcile with secular opponents after his Islamist-rooted party narrowly escaped being banned.
In an almost unanimous appeal, newspapers urged Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) to abandon religion-inspired policies and launch fresh democratic reforms to restore confidence that the AKP was not seeking an Islamist regime. "The ball is now in Erdogan's court," wrote the Milliyet newspaper, adding, "The prime minister should consider concrete steps - both on the government and party level - to eradicate people's worries," it said. The Constitutional Court on Wednesday narrowly rejected a bid to outlaw the AKP for undermining the secular system, punishing it with financial sanctions instead. The party was given a "serious warning" to respect secularism, said the court president.
The judges told the AKP that its dissolution would become "inevitable" if it failed to toe the line, said former chief prosecutor Sabih Kanadoglu, who in 2001 successfully argued for the dissolution of an Islamist party.
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Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2008 00:00 ||
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More than 700 Pakistanis are imprisoned in various Turkish jails for illegal entry into the country, Pakistan's Ambassador to Turkey Iftikhar Hussain Shah said on Thursday. "We are making arrangements for their early return to Pakistan," he told BBC Radio. He said almost 60 to 70 Pakistani immigrants were being intercepted at the Iran-Turkey border weekly. Shah underlined the need for taking action against people involved in human trafficking. Commenting on a recent report about the recovery of 13 bodies of illegal Pakistani immigrants near Istanbul, he said that according to embassy reports two of the deceased were Pakistani nationals and their relatives had been contacted.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2008 00:00 ||
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'Thank you! We'll be here all year week! Try the truncheons!'
Can also follow Texas Congressman John Culberson's updates here
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and the Democrats adjourned the House and turned off the lights and killed the microphones, but Republicans are still on the floor talking gas prices.
Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) and other GOP leaders opposed the motion to adjourn the House, arguing that Pelosi's refusal to schedule a vote allowing offshore drilling is hurting the American economy. They have refused to leave the floor after the adjournment motion passed at 11:23 a.m., and they are busy bashing Pelosi and her fellow Democrats for leaving town for the August recess.
Continued on Page 49
#1
Is Nancy trying to halve public approval for Congress by November? Sounds like it to me.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon ||
08/01/2008 16:47 Comments ||
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#2
San Fran Nan is presiding over a snatching-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory party. The GOP should beat this drum long and loud: Dem's voting a Congress vacation recess and deliberately not dealing with a vote on energy. Who wants to help get the price of gas down? Not your libtard Donk congresscritters
P.S.: apologies for mentioning Pelosi and snatch in the same comment
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/01/2008 16:54 Comments ||
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#6
I don't know what you're talking about Frank. Don't want to know. Won't think about it. Not think. not. think. not me
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/01/2008 17:32 Comments ||
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#7
UPDATE 7: It's over.
Right at the stroke of five Georgia Rep. Tom Price announced that House Republicans were ending their impromptu protest on the floor of the chamber, ending a five-plus hour rebellion with a round of "God Bless America."
The assembled tourists, aides and members in the chamber gave Price and his compatriots a standing ovation. They left the chamber to shouts of "USA! USA! USA!"
Posted by: Bobby ||
08/01/2008 17:34 Comments ||
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#8
Could you imagine the shitstorm that would happen were the GOP to turn off the litghts and turn off the cameras, in an effort to dodge out on an issue of public importance?
#9
This couldn't be going better if Rove himself set it in motion. I hope the donks block the subject from coming to the floor all the way till november.
"Never losing faith, we waited through the many years of struggle to achieve our rights. But women weren't just waiting; women were working. Never losing faith, we worked to redeem the promise of America, that all men and women are created equal. For our daughters and our granddaughters today we have broken the marble ceiling. For our daughters and our granddaughters now the sky is the limit." --Nancy Pelosi, after being sworn in as Speaker of the House
When Nancy Pelosi became the first woman Speaker of the House, she made history. She gavelled the House to order that day on behalf of all of America's children and said, "We have made history, now let us make progress." Now she continues to inspire women everywhere in this thought-provoking collection of wise words--her own and those of the important people who played pivotal roles in her journey.
In these pages, she encourages mothers and grandmothers, daughters and granddaughters to never lose faith, to speak out and make their voices heard, to focus on what matters most and follow their dreams wherever they may lead. Perhaps the Speaker says it best herself in the Preface: "I find it humbling and deeply moving when women and girls approach me, looking for insight and advice. If women can learn from me, in the same way I learned from the women who came before me, it will make the honor of being Speaker of the House even more meaningful."
Continued on Page 49
#7
Again I call for a windfall profits tax on self serving politician's autobiographies.
Although it appears doll eyes won't have to worry about that...
Sometimes Pelosi, she looks right into you. Right into your eyes. You know the thing about Pelosi, she's got... lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll's eye.
When she comes at ya, doesn't seem to be livin'. Until she talks to ya and those black eyes roll over white.
And then, ah then you hear that terrible high pitch screamin.
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/01/2008 17:00 Comments ||
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#13
After reading the comment about 'skull', I thought Nanc MUST have visited the White House when Clenis, I mean Clinton, was there. I wonder if Nanc has a blue dress.......
As always should your operation be exposed or your corporate front tank, the Secretary DNC will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck, Pinch.
#3
Out this way 'Dealing from the bottom of the deck' has always meant someone who plays outside the rules to gain advantage, and probably goes back to before the Wyatt Earp days in this area. I didn't watch the OJ bull and only know anything about it because people keep bringing it up.
#4
The idea is that through hint and inuendo to build the belief that McCain actually said/did something racist. They've got a plan and its likely to work unless McCain counter-attackst he claims each and every time.
"So when I say Obama is a pop-star celebrity that's a racist attack? How? Please explain that one to me."
"Seems the post-racial candidate sees race issues where there are none. Do we really want to have a President who sees things that aren't there? Or insinuates intent into things that were not said or meant?"
#6
Anytime a media outlet chooses to abandon the tried and true business of reporting facts and events, and chooses instead to becoming a propaganda arm of a political party, they take the risk of DIEING along with that party.
It gets worse when they try to cover the faults of that party with wild spin.
#8
NYT stock: closed today at 12.91 (down from the 52 week high of 23.36)
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/01/2008 17:03 Comments ||
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I can only assume that in some alternate universe, the NYT is an actual news paper, because in Bizarro World here, it sure as hell ain't. As reflected in the stock price.
#3
Yeah - the Europeans love him. (At least until he asks them to give stuff, like troops to Afghanistan). Fortunately for us, the Euros can't vote.
Posted by: Rambler in California ||
08/01/2008 1:35 Comments ||
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#4
This is a poll of registered voters, McCain usually does 4-5 points better among likely voters. This is attributable to the Messiah's enormous popularity among groups who do not historically turn out in large numbers.
A dead heat at the end of July is disastrous for Democrats; who have led by anywhere from 8-15 points at this point in past campaign, then steadily lost ground until the general.
Obama will get a bump from the convention, but I will stick by my prediction that he will end up as the Dem Party's biggest loser since Jefferson Davis.
(Davis will forever be the champ loser among Dems, since today's 'rats can only lose elections, while Jeff lost a whole country.)
#5
The shiny has come off Obamessiah in spite of unprecedented fawning and active aid by the supposedly "neutral" mainstream press.
If anything the press' bias has been a huge negative for a lot of people who feel like they are being railroaded by the MSM.
Yet, if the press turns around and is equally observant to the errors of Obama as it is to McCain, Obama will fall further, since he is unqualified for the office in terms of skills and knowledge other than being glib with a good speech.
Take away the teleprompter and he's a potato, a very left wing one.
#6
The Dems and Obama are going to initiate a giant internet voter registration drive after the convention. Don't be surprised then that his numbers soar among registered or likely voters. McCain still needs to become more attack dog than wimpy lap dog to Senate protocol.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
08/01/2008 5:02 Comments ||
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#7
The McCain campaign is starting to show a few teeth.
With the weird but effective Paris-Britney ad, the McCain campaign signals that it is running directly against the media, with Obama implicitly recognized as a mere prop and front man for the real contest.
#8
I do like the fact that he hit on Obama like a celebrity. Even though it was a Gaff, since several donors are Hilton family members, including the Grandfather, it shows that McCain is willing to hit where it hurts.
#9
I think that the MSM has a problem understanding the power of the Paris/Britney comparison because they don't see anything particularly wrong with the two sluts.
Oh sure they laugh at them some as out of control but don't have a real problem with any of their behavior. Just like you'd laugh at the sloppy drunk at the party but not really diss him.
Unbeknownst to the MSM I think a lot of people (that old silent majority) find Paris and Brit disgusting and symbolic of all that's wrong with the libertine, self-loving mindset.
By hooking Obamanation to that image all of his narcissistic, arrogant pronouncements take on at different tone. He talks about being a symbol of America but he can't control WHICH America he is seen as symbolizing.
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this grantedly subliminal image crept into the minds of the morally conservative Hillary voters.
#10
McCain is like a clock, he's right on at least 2 issues. Obama, on the other hand remains clueless on all issues, especially race reparations, business, energy, abortion, financial, and global issues.
#11
A dead heat at the end of July is disastrous for Democrats; who have led by anywhere from 8-15 points at this point in past campaign, then steadily lost ground until the general.
This. And if Barry is doing poorly enough in November he might even save our bacon in some house and senate races.
#13
Don't forget the bias in the polls - an unspoken one. Many peopel are reluctant to admit that they woudl vote for the non-minority candidate over a minority one, for fear of the pollster thinking they were racist. THis is especially true regarding black candidates (as opposed to smaller margins for hispanic, asian and native american candidates).
I recall hearing that its about a 5% skew, anyone that wants to, feel free to look up that number and correct me.
#15
OS - that's the Bradley Effect. Noted for the polls showing CA Governor Tom Bradley's strong support. Way over 5%......
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/01/2008 17:08 Comments ||
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#16
Obama will get a bump from the convention
How many people might look at his Invesco Field @ Mile High ceremony as some kind of post-Modern Nuremburg rally and be just as turned off?
Vienna: The International Atomic Energy Agency on Friday approved India's safeguards agreement, with its 35-nation Governing Board adopting the draft text by consensus.
Reconvening after a lunch break at 3:15 pm, the Board immediately agreed to IAEA Director General Mohammed el-Baradei's proposal that the draft safeguards agreement be adopted. Following the decision, a number of states, including India, will take the floor to make interpretative or declaratory statements. Among those who have indicated they will speak are Pakistan and Mexico.
In his opening statement earlier in the day, Dr. el-Baradei said the text "is an Infcirc/66-type safeguards agreement based on the Agency's standard safeguards practices and procedures" for states that are not party to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. These agreements "are not comprehensive or full-scope safeguards agreements", he added.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: john frum ||
08/01/2008 11:14 ||
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Outstanding.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/01/2008 11:28 Comments ||
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The United Nations (UN) has taken notice of the frequent cases of 'honour-killings' (karo-kari) of women in Pakistan, Daily Times learnt on Thursday.
And it's only taken... what? 3500 years?
Sources in the Interior Ministry told Daily Times that United Nations' In-charge of World Women Monitoring Mr Yakinerturk has sent a letter to the Interior Ministry expressing concern over the rising number of honour-killings in Pakistan.
See? By golly, a strong letter did follow!
It has also been learnt that the UN has asked for the copies of registered cases and detailed progress reports of 10 murder cases, which took place in the name of honour across the country last year. The victims in these cases included Saba and Zarina Mirani killed in Karachi, Inayat Khatoon in Shikarpur, Sakina Khatoon, Naseema and Rehana in Lahore, Safiya in Sialkot, Saba in Multan, Shahzadi in Faisalabad and Amjada in Swat.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2008 00:00 ||
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UNITED NATIONS - Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said on Thursday that she continues to hope for a peace deal with the Palestinians this year and called on all parties that support peace to unite.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Livni said she has been striving to reach an agreement with the Palestinians. "We promised to make all the efforts to do so during this year. We continue to do so," she said, echoing comments from the White House on Wednesday. Livni is Israel's chief negotiator in the U.S.-brokered negotiations with the Palestinians aimed at getting a comprehensive peace agreement.
The Palestinians have complained that Israeli plans to expand a settlement in the Palestinian territories was undermining the peace process. Livni said both sides had complaints but these should not be allowed to harm the talks. "There are some excuses that all of us can use or abuse in order to say something about the peace process or the peace negotiations," Livni said.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/01/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
Its down to Zippy, Barack and Mofuz. I like Mofuz since he is ex-military and will not take s**t off the Paleos or the HIzboys.
Posted by: Jack is Back! ||
08/01/2008 5:04 Comments ||
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#2
Practically every politician in Israel is ex-military. After all, the whole country is, except for the ultra-Orthodox, and that causes a lot of problems too.
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
08/01/2008 7:13 Comments ||
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#3
In Israel the distinction isnt whether one had military service or not, but whether one simply did ones three years and became a reservist, or whether one had a career in the military, became a high ranking officer, etc. In that sense Mofuz, Barak, Sharon, Rabin are all ex-mil. Peretz, who IIUC did his three years and then to the reserves, was a "civilian". Bibi and Peres were in between - Bibi was a commando I think (and no, Im not confusing him with his brother) but never made it to a generalship. Shimon Peres pursued a career in the civilian side of the Ministry of Defense, playing a big role in building Israeli military industry. Livni, IIUC did only her 18 months year (females have a shorter required tour) but is said to have spent time in the Mossad.
#4
Pardon, per wiki Tzipi made it to lieutenant, so she did more than the minimum, though she did not make a career in the military. She spent 2 years in the mossad, allegedly low level.
A day after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced he would depart political life, top rival Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel should get rid of its current governing coalition and go straight to early elections.
Polls show the Likud Party's Netanyahu -- a former prime minister who takes a hard line on territorial concessions to the Arabs -- would most likely win such a race if it were held today. Olmert threw Israel's political system into turmoil on Wednesday by abruptly announcing he would step down after his Kadima Party's leadership race in September, called because of a series of corruption allegations against him.
"This is a government that has come to the end of its road," Netanyahu told Israel Radio on Thursday. "It doesn't make any difference who heads Kadima, they are all part to a string of failures by this government."
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2008 00:00 ||
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As gas prices remain above $4 a gallon in most of the Bay Area, Californians are more open to the idea of offshore drilling for oil than they have been in the past. A slim majority - 51 percent to 45 percent - approve of offshore drilling, according to a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California. It's the first time since the institute began asking the question in 2003 that more residents favor drilling than oppose it. A year ago, 41 percent favored drilling.
Still, the issue appears driven by partisan inclinations. More than three-quarters - 77 percent - of Republicans support offshore oil drilling, up from 60 percent a year ago. Only 35 percent of Democrats approve of drilling, but that's up, from 29 percent a year ago. Less than half of independents - 44 percent - are in favor, up from 33 percent last year. "With oil drilling being a politicized issue this year, it's not surprising that the bulk of growth occurred among Republicans," said Sonja Petek, the project manager for the survey. "But, even more Democrats favor drilling. ... It's as though residents are looking for somebody to do something about gas prices."
Support for drilling is highest in the Inland Empire (56 percent), Central Valley (55 percent) and Orange/San Diego counties (54 percent), while residents in Los Angeles are split. Bay Area residents are least likely to support drilling, with 54 percent opposed.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
That doesnt stop Schwarzentraitor, who, like libs, beleives he knows whats best and will force it on you.
#2
Support is much higher, where proposed drilling is confined to areas where spills would be more containable. I think the political support is there.
Recommendation: watch "Ice Road Truckers" on the History Channel. Featured Arctic drilling companies rate high marks for efficiency and environmental sensitivity. Ice pack waste is trucked away on "E-Vac" vehicles.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's popularity has slumped to a record low, but a change in leader will not help the ruling Labour Party win the next election, according to an opinion poll published on Friday.
"Never losing faith, we waited through the many years of struggle to achieve our rights. But women weren't just waiting; women were working. Never losing faith, we worked to redeem the promise of America, that all men and women are created equal. For our daughters and our granddaughters today we have broken the marble ceiling. For our daughters and our granddaughters now the sky is the limit." --Nancy Pelosi, after being sworn in as Speaker of the House
The United Nations (UN) has taken notice of the frequent cases of 'honour-killings' (karo-kari) of women in Pakistan, Daily Times learnt on Thursday. 
UNITED NATIONS - Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said on Thursday that she continues to hope for a peace deal with the Palestinians this year and called on all parties that support peace to unite.
A day after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced he would depart political life, top rival Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel should get rid of its current governing coalition and go straight to early elections.
