Condition found after he was treated for seizure over weekend, doctors say.
Sen. Edward Kennedy has a malignant brain tumor.
Doctors for the Massachusetts Democrat said Tuesday that preliminary biopsy results showed a malignant glioma in the left parietal-lobe. It was detected after Kennedy, 76, was airlifted to Boston on Saturday after having a seizure at his Cape Cod home.
The usual course of treatment includes combinations of radiation and chemotherapy, but Kennedy's treatment will be decided after more tests.
#1
According to Wikipedia: "High-grade gliomas are undifferentiated or anaplastic; these are malignant and carry a worse prognosis. . . . The prognosis is the worst for grade 4 gliomas, with an average survival time of 12 months. Overall, few patients survive beyond 3 years."
I have never liked Ted Kennedy. I have happily and ruthlessly mocked him here ever since Fred let us into the comments boxes. He is an enemy of much that I hold dear.
That said, I don't wish a malignant glioma on him, and this is no time for Schadenfreude or piling on. God's mercy be upon him.
Posted by: Mike ||
05/20/2008 13:39 Comments ||
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#2
My mother had brain cancer over 20 years ago. I can't remember what kind, but I do hope that they have made giant leaps in treatment since then.
I will be wishing and hoping for the best for the Senator and his family.
#8
I hate the man and will be glad when he is gone from the political landscape.
However, if he does die from this, I hope it is easy and pain free and my sympathies go out to his family. May everything on everyone close to him go as easily and quickly as possible.
#9
If I were his relatives or someone he trusts, I'd tell him: Time for a true and complete full confession with a priest, and time to do full penance. Don't blow your chances Teddy K. God still loves you if you'll only come to Him and ask, with a genuine open honest heart.
Personally, I hated his politics and nearly everything he stood for: wealth, unearned privilege, nepotism, hereditary cultism, and liberalism.
But, I still hope for his salvation.
God help him. And at this point, it looks like that is his only resource and (as for all of us) his final recourse.
#11
So the sink-trap has been redecorated in a tasteful Colonial Style.
DIE!
Posted by: George Smiley ||
05/20/2008 15:39 Comments ||
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#12
Chill out George. We're not kos kiddies here. We'd all like to see him leave the political scene, but that's it. His ultimate destiny is not ours to determine.
#13
I've never liked Ted Kennedy, in fact he's one of the few politicians that come real close for me to say that I actually hate them. That being said, I wouldn't wish for a disease on anyone. Bad Karma indeed.
#14
...For all the disagreements I have with Senator Kennedy and his politics, I would never wish this on anyone. The next few months are going to be agony on him and his family, and I simply pray that they are able to endure it with dignity and peace.
I suspect though that the media will, sadly, start the 'Kennedy curse' routine again and we will be treated to a death-watch spectacle the likes of which this nation has never seen before.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
05/20/2008 15:58 Comments ||
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#15
I think we seem to forget that this guy is 76 years old vice 46. If the media are dumb enough to say that a 76 yr old man has a curse because he came down w/a brain tumor then our country is most def a bunch of gomers for buying off on that crap.
Posted by: George Smiley ||
05/20/2008 16:46 Comments ||
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#18
Musta missed a doozey.
Posted by: ed ||
05/20/2008 16:53 Comments ||
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#19
malignant glioma is what claimed my father in 1994. I feared that when I heard Kennedy had stroke symptoms - same thing my father had. The tumor's growth shuts down blood supply locally. God have mercy on Kennedy's soul
Posted by: Frank G ||
05/20/2008 18:03 Comments ||
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#20
Remember, George people, what Mama said: If you can't say anything nice about someone, sit right here by me - No, wait, that was Alice Roosevelt Longworth don't say anything at all.
*silence*
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
05/20/2008 18:31 Comments ||
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#21
If you get too lonely, Barbara, shoot me a note.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
05/20/2008 18:44 Comments ||
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#23
Commenters,
Well done and said. I've left no doubt about my opinions on this individual in the past, as have many of you. That the partisanship stopped so cold in the face of this announcement, and that condolences and statements of personal support have been issued, is evidence of a remarkable amount of civility here. I'm impressed but not surprised, given the regularly high quality of the comments. Again, well done.
As for Senator Kennedy, he'll soon enough be at the Lord's judgment seat. I hope the time he has left is as pain-free and enjoyable as possible. The summer and fall in New England are as wonderful a time and place to be as there is. I hope he draws a lot of pleasure from them.
Posted by: Thaimble Scourge of the Pixies4707 ||
05/20/2008 18:46 Comments ||
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#24
I wish the best for him and his family. I wouldn't want to wish this on anyone.
I disagree with him politically and think he's a A-number-One Asshole (yes with a capital A) but wouldn't wish this on him.
#26
ty TW - it wasn't fun. My Dad led a much better, cleaner life than I have and it claimed him too early. At least the same can't be said of Ted. I'm sure his family will miss him
Posted by: Frank G ||
05/20/2008 22:27 Comments ||
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#27
The treatment regimen I saw planned for him looked like it would kill a relatively healthy person.
#12
Hilarious movie. Cindy Morgan's (Lacey Underall) strut down the side of that pool is something not to be missed! Hey, Fred! When is Cindy going to be on the front page?
Posted by: Fred ||
05/20/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
For example, after the Civil War, the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments granted African Americans citizenship and the right to vote, but the subsequent denial of their rights made a mockery of their supposed equality under the law
The Civil War - A little row fueled by a SCOTUS decision on Dred Scott. Then codifying segregation, largely nullifying the amendments, with Plessy v. Ferguson. Yep, the courts do wonderful work. The author doesn't address the questioned begged by the passing of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, the largest package of such since the Bill of Rights and since then. Why did the Constitution have to be amended as such? Could it be because of the actions of the courts, so there would be no question?
Where: Holeman Lounge at the National Press Club, 529 14th St., NW, Washington, DC
Why: the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine (OISM) will announce that more than 31,000 scientists have signed a petition rejecting claims of human-caused global warming. The purpose of OISM's Petition Project is to demonstrate that the claim of "settled science" and an overwhelming "consensus" in favor of the hypothesis of human-caused global warming and consequent climate damage is wrong. No such consensus or settled science exists. As indicated by the petition text and signatory list, a very large number of American scientists reject this hypothesis.
It is evident that 31,072 Americans with university degrees in science - including 9,021 PhDs, are not "a few." Moreover, from the clear and strong petition statement that they have signed, it is evident that these 31,072 American scientists are not "skeptics."
#5
Dr. Heywood Jablome, actually, published on the internet. The petition itself was done the hardcopy way--that is a list was compiled, people contacted, sent a form and after signing (or not) they sent it back (or not).
#9
Oh almost forgot..
Due to the horrible consequences to your health you must sign up Today, no time for palavering Now!
We'll just negotiate during surgery, be sure and bring your deeds and family jewelery too.
Thank Youse..
Posted by: Dr. W Surgeon ||
05/20/2008 13:34 Comments ||
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#10
And don't forget the big Carbon Credits Memorial Day Extravaganza Sale at Big Al's Carbon Credit Emporium this weekend! 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90% off! Have your picture taken with Al in front of the Gulfstream! Free polar bear petting zoo! Bring the kiddies for indoctrination! No credit? No problem! Easy financing available!
Posted by: George Smiley ||
05/20/2008 14:13 Comments ||
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#12
Unfortunately a crumbling scientific "consensus" won't slow or embarrass those trying to make us all live like the Amish. If anything, they will redouble their efforts to get bad legislation passed before the issue disappears entirely.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on Monday countries on the U.N. Security Council that did not agree to pressure Myanmar into opening its doors to foreign aid were guilty of "cowardice".
France has tried unsuccessfully to convince the Council that Myanmar's military rulers should let aid reach the victims of Cyclone Nargis under a "responsibility to protect" principle recognized in a 2005 U.N. resolution.
China, Russia, Vietnam and South Africa have opposed Council involvement in what they say is a humanitarian, not a political issue. "We denounce the impending death of thousands more civilians, and we are accused of meddling in the internal affairs of a sovereign state," Kouchner, who founded medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres, said in an opinion piece in newspaper Le Monde.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/20/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
Getting called cowards by the French?!
Well, there's a standard that's going to be hard to beat.
#3
Sure the UN is cowardly. This is news to you? What do you want them to do anyway, issue a strongly worded letter? That should do the trick.
The Burmese junta is saying "Oh yeah? You and what army?" and all you can do is whine to Le Monde. Maybe if you had an army and the balls to use it...
#4
Is that what you want? A UN with its own army, enforcing its will by over-riding national governments?
The junta sucks and richly deserves to be dismantled. But keep in mind that we already have a UN rapporteur coming to announce to the world that the US is racist and to try to get Obama elected. You want more of that here??? Because if it's okay for Burma it will be more than okay to enforce UN desires on us as well.
#5
lotp - if you're responding to me you're confused. I was mocking the frogs because they are unwilling to use (their own) force even if necessary. As to the UN, if you've been paying attention, "UN delenda est" (hat-tip to JFM).
#6
"Is that what you want? A UN with its own army, enforcing its will by over-riding national governments"
first kouchner isnt talking about a UN army. IIUC hes calling on the UNSC to authorize national forces to bring in aid without the permission of the Burmese govt. Even were he to call for its overthrow (which he is NOT doing), it wouldnt be by a UN army, but by national forces authorized by the UNSC.
And hes not asking for the veto power to be eliminated (the ultimate protection for the US) but for Russia and China to use their veto RESPONSIBLY, which means recognizing the distinctive aspects of whats going on in Burma.
And I dont know what UN rapporteur trying to get Obama elected youre talking about. Someone appointed by the UNSC?
Even if there was a UN army (now the need of the UN to rely on national forces adds another layer of protection for great powers, beyond the veto) its likely that such an army would either small, ineffecient, or both. The US military in the future will be sized to fight a shooting war with the Peoples Republic of China. Is such a force going to be intimidated by a couple of divisions of Bengalis and Ghanains? I dont think so. (leaving aside that a dedicated UN force designed, in all likelihood, for peacekeeping and MAYBE humanitarian interventions wont have its own navy or air force)
Ever heard about Austerlitz, Iena, Marengo, Auerstaedt, Verdun? I will refrain on mentionning some criminally stupid but still brave actions like assaulting machine guns while being clad in bright blue jackets and bright red trousers or people who had never used a parachute volunteering for a combat jump on Dien Bien Phu.
#9
I think the French Foreign Minister is wrong. If we offer up aid and the Myanmar Gov't doesn't want it then fine by me - piss on 'em. If NGOs or private charities want to go there & try to help out that's okay.
#10
It is not really cowardice when Myanmar is protected by China. Cowardice is not actually calling the Chinese out on their association and protection of the worlds' vilest regimes (Sudan, Burma) for fear of hurting 'future' sales into China.
#11
I will refrain on mentionning some criminally stupid but still brave actions like assaulting machine guns while being clad in bright blue jackets and bright red trousers or people who had never used a parachute volunteering for a combat jump on Dien Bien Phu.
#13
Exactly right, JFM. French soldiers have traditionally had a lot of courage.
Posted by: Deacon Blues ||
05/20/2008 12:58 Comments ||
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#14
The Légion had a relatively minor role in all french conflicts except the post-colonial "police operations", where they are employed along the marines (formerly the colonial infantry); in indochina, according to wikipedia, they totalled between 5 and 12% of the troops (after the initial expeditionary corps of which they were 25%), though they had 12% of KIA (against 7% for the troops in general).
Don't forget this is a very small force, less than 10 000 men today; anyone imagining they've been doing the heavy lifting of the french fighting, because they're furriners, and french are cowards, is badly mistaking. This always had been a marginal, if renowned, part of the french army.
#15
Btw, I don't care about the clichés about french, even when they come from someone I enjoy like Mark Twain (and his are quite virulent, to say the least, though cowardice is not yet one of them, this is a post-WWII, post-60's one), because as I read french rightwing websites, I'm exposed to quite a range of anti-americanism feelings (and, beware, for the french wingnuts, the cowards are the US soldiers, who can't fight, are mirred in afghanistan and iraq, and use aerial firepower to squash resistance)... so, from being exposed to both kinds of xenophobia and clichés, it's kinda like when the irrestisible force meets the unmovable object, I just don't give a crap anymore about both.
In dien bien phu, they were of course present, but in WWI, insane acts of bravery (including the simple fact of enduring and going through) was a common denominator of all the fighting men, of all nationalities, speaking as a whole. This would IMHO simply impossible to replicate today, with today's french, today's germans, today's brits, and, dare I say it?, today's americans. We're simply not what we used to be.
It's also good to remember that the march on YorkTown was paid for with 3 casks of Frankish Coin.
Posted by: George Smiley ||
05/20/2008 14:21 Comments ||
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#18
I mean hell we might have been speaking English if it wasn't for the French fleet. (luckily at a peak)
Posted by: George Smiley ||
05/20/2008 14:23 Comments ||
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#19
Sigh. Why do people think the UN was designed to "do something"? It was NOT. It was designed to be a do-nothing gas factory, and it performs that designed function perfectly well.
Soaring food prices, a devalued currency and drought mean millions of people in Somalia cannot feed themselves, the United Nations said on Monday. And the crisis will get much worse if April-June rains fail or are well below average, the Food and Agriculture Organisation said.
Somalia, a country of nine million people, already imports more than half its grain needs. Soaring commodity prices and a weakening currency have made those staples 375 percent more expensive than a year ago, the FAO said in a statement. Many households did not have enough money to meet basic needs, said the FAO's Somalia Adviser, Cindy Holleman, in the statement.
Drought in parts of the country and poor rainfall in others meant domestic food production was also likely to be well below normal. "If the Gu (mid-April to June) rains are significantly below normal, the shilling continues to lose value, food prices increase further and civil insecurity worsens, we could see as many as 3.5 million people ... facing acute food and livelihood crisis or humanitarian emergency conditions by the end of the year," Holleman said.
My heart [urp!] bleeds. We've been treated to the images of starving Somalis for 25 years now. In that time, they haven't bothered establishing anything like a stable government. The closest they've come was the Islamic Courts, and they spent more time shooting people for going to the movies than they did on trying to feed the populace. Religion has trumped development, just as it trumps everything else. Tough on the kiddies, I suppose, but it's the adults' fault -- for being childish. And after 25 or 30 years, it's pretty far down on my list of grave concerns.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/20/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
Also is reportedly threating to induce a WEALTH GAP amongst ME Muslims???
Muslim "untouchables", ala INDIA's CASTE SYSTEM???
#2
It sucks being a failed State, doesn't it? Bad new is, more of them will emigrate to more successful countries willing to accept them (read : Western Europe & North america), where they will bring their dysfunctional memes, (and even integrate new ones, probably).
#4
Somalia has plenty of swine. Somali's refuse to eat pork. Thus it is Allah's will and their own belief that keeps them hungry. My sympathy meter ran out long ago when it comes to Somalia.
Zimbabwe's opposition accused military intelligence agents on Monday of a plot to kill party leader Morgan Tsvangirai that it said forced him to postpone his return to the country over the weekend.
The government of President Robert Mugabe, who will face Tsvangirai in a run-off election on June 27, said it was unaware of any plot and the allegation was a media stunt.
Tsvangirai postponed his return from Europe on Saturday after his Movement for Democratic Change said it had discovered the plot. He had spent more than a month abroad.
"We know there are 18 snipers, and the military intelligence directorate is in charge of this," Tendai Biti, MDC secretary general, told Reuters before a news conference in Nairobi.
Biti said Tsvangirai would still return "very soon."
Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga told Reuters: "Like I've said before, we know he did not leave the country on security grounds. We are not aware of any plot against anyone, but we're sure he's playing to the international media gallery."
Posted by: Fred ||
05/20/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
It is interesting to see that the Zimbabwe intelligence directorate's Operation Murambatzvina (Opertion Drive Out Rubbish) continues.
A wave of xenophobic attacks escalated in South Africa's seething townships, with mobs beating and murdering foreigners.
The unrest has killed more than 20 people since it began last week and increased political instability at a time South Africa is struggling with dire power shortages, rising inflation and growing disaffection among the poor over President Thabo Mbeki's pro-business policies. Police fired rubber bullets at rioters in communities around Johannesburg and in the central business district, where scores of foreigners live. High levels of poverty, crime and unemployment have fuelled resentment toward foreigners. Since the end of apartheid South Africa has become a magnet for millions of African immigrants escaping poverty and persecution.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/20/2008 00:00 ||
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#1
An odd headline. Did not know that Zimbabwean or Mosambiquan was a race. All victims were black, so were attackers.
#2
Most savvy africa connoisseurs all agree to say it is a very racist (because it's so Diverse) continent, up to a degree hardly conceivable for an european or a westerner. They may see themselves as black, but there is the right kind of black, and the wrong one, and there definitively are black races.
Also, when you read "murdering", you should understand "set on fire with a gasoline-soaked tire around the neck", a great south-african tradition designed by the anc to punish the "traitors" and the mild.
OT : Incidentally, here in France, over the years, we've have had quite a bit of incidents of people deliberately being soaked with gasoline and then set on fire, and in ALL cases, those were perpretated by migrants, mostly africans. I'd say, definitively a third world cultral thing... my earliest recollation of this being reading a "news in brief" story about a nurse having broke up with her turkish boyfriend, who then abducted her with some pals, she was then gangraped, set alight in a field, and crawled, naked and mutilated, "red as a lobster", in the courtyard of the farmer (this has really stuck with me), the most famous case being a supermarket guard who was deemed a "racist" by the local Youths (blacks, not arabs), who then came in a mob, beat him, doused him with gas, and set him on fire, leaving him disfigured and badly mutilated (no fingers left). This happened less than three years ago, but there have been similar cases all over the years, from a nurse being set alight on Christmas a few years ago (the arab perp was judged as insane), to honor killings or attempted honor killing of westernized muslim girls, or the successful or attempted assaults during the 2005 ramadan riots.
#5
anonymous5089, no doubt that the hatred between various tribes never dissipates. Zulu are especially keen to flaunt their Zulu Pride. Just pointing it out that most people would automatically misinterpret the label and presume that the poor black Zimbabweans were murderlized by white youths or sumthin.
#7
...Have they started going after whites yet? My fiance's cousin is headed to Durban today for a ten week stint with the South African Ministry of Health.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
05/20/2008 11:34 Comments ||
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Posted by: Rambler in California ||
05/20/2008 11:53 Comments ||
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#10
The new is frightening and the old comforting, even if the old was crap.
The new.
Pimps are black africans, sex-slaves are white children.
January 2005
Police in South Africa have infiltrated a major child sex syndicate. Girls as young as ten were fed drugs to force them into a life of prostitution.
Priscilla is only 16 but already she's a hardened prostitute. "I don't know if I'll see 21 if it goes on like this," she confides. She's a victim of a nation-wide Nigerian sex syndicate, which rotates girls between brothels in four cities. Her 14 year old sister, Candice, is also being held captive. "Child exploitation attracts a lot of attention -- it becomes more dangerous, it becomes more lucrative," explains one expert. There's even a website where pimps can advertise their girls. Most girls were enslaved after being force-fed drugs but more sinister methods were also used. One mother's three year old son was abducted by her pimps to force her onto the street. Another child was brutally gang raped after she tried to run away.
#11
#7: ...Have they started going after whites yet? My fiance's cousin is headed to Durban today for a ten week stint with the South African Ministry of Health.
Following a series of incidents in which servicemen and women in uniform have been barred from stores or abused on the streets, a report ordered by the Prime Minister has recommended legislation to outlaw discrimination.
The Nation Recognition of our Armed Forces report, written by Quentin Davies, MP, highlighted one incident in which an officer in full dress uniform was refused entrance to Harrods after attending a Remembrance Sunday parade.
The store, owned by Mohamed Fayed, has insisted on barring troops in combat fatigues which the report said was quite unacceptable.
#5
Each and every offense committed against a UK soldier, was committed by a Muslim. They invoke a right to both immigrate to countries that they despise, and to work for the demise of same.
Why so touchy, Oogo?
Venezuela's foreign minister said the U.S. ambassador will be summoned to explain an alleged incursion by a U.S. military plane in Venezuelan airspace.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Gen. Gustavo Rangel Briceno said the U.S. Navy plane was detected in Venezuelan airspace Saturday near the Caribbean island of La Orchila and the plane was contacted by radio.
Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said U.S. Ambassador Patrick Duddy is being called in to explain.
U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Robin Holzhauer says the United States is looking into "any possible accidental incursion of Venezuelan airspace." "Right after we finish downloading the last files off a certain dead FARC commanders laptop."
Venezuelan officials announced the move Monday at a news conference where they also expressed concern about an alleged incursion by Colombian troops.
Colombia's defense minister has denied Venezuela's allegation that troops crossed the border.
#4
Gen. Gustavo Rangel, the Venezuelan defense minister, said the authorities on Saturday detected an S-3B Viking aircraft piloted by United States Navy personnel over La Orchila, a Caribbean island with a Venezuelan military base. An exchange of words ensued, General Rangel said, and the plane departed in the direction of Curaçao, in the Dutch Antilles.
We believe this action to be deliberate on the part of the North American Navy, General Rangel said. At this moment in time, it is nothing but another link in the chain of provocations in which they are trying to involve our country.
Just wanted to highlight the Venezuelans referring to the:
#5
Hope they didn't drop anything in the water. That area is pristine and dosen't need any Empire Garbage.
Posted by: George Smiley ||
05/20/2008 14:18 Comments ||
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The US should announce that our plane could not have incurred or else Venezuelan fighters would have sortied out to escort them. Since the V airforce was on the ground it's clear nothing happened.
The House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved legislation on Tuesday allowing the Justice Department to sue OPEC members for limiting oil supplies and working together to set crude prices, but the White House threatened to veto the measure.
The bill would subject OPEC oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iran and Venezuela, to the same antitrust laws that U.S. companies must follow.
The measure passed in a 324-84 vote, a big enough margin to override a presidential veto.
The legislation also creates a Justice Department task force to aggressively investigate gasoline price gouging and energy market manipulation.
"This bill guarantees that oil prices will reflect supply and demand economic rules, instead of wildly speculative and perhaps illegal activities," said Democratic Rep. Steve Kagen of Wisconsin, who sponsored the legislation.
The lawmaker said Americans "are at the mercy" of OPEC for how much they pay for gasoline, which this week hit a record average of $3.79 a gallon.
The White House opposes the bill, saying that targeting OPEC investment in the United States as a source for damage awards "would likely spur retaliatory action against American interests in those countries and lead to a reduction in oil available to U.S. refiners."
The administration said less oil going to refineries would limit available gasoline supplies and raise fuel prices.
Foreign investment in U.S. oil infrastructure has declined in the last decade. But the state-owned oil companies of several OPEC nations are owners of U.S. refineries, and those investments could be affected if the legislation becomes law, said Arlington, Virginia-based FBR Capital Markets Corp.
The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to carryout a study on the effects of prior oil company mergers on energy prices.
The Senate would still have to approve the House measure.
The Senate previously approved similar legislation as part of a broad energy bill. However, the OPEC-suing provision was removed after White House opposition in order to get the underlying energy legislation signed into law.
#1
Well, that is sure to increase available supplies of oil and bring down prices!
Fucking idiots! They really want to tighten up the oil market even more, don't they? What about ADDING to the global supply instead of pissing off the people that supply us with 40% of our import supply? They don't set prices and they are nearly at capacity pumping anyway. How about suing China and India for having growing economies that are slurping up oil at an increasing rate and lowering global supplies? It makes as much fucking sense!
#2
Sigh. I just can't fathom how the American voters can elect such infantile minds to such high office. Makes me question the current electoral process.
It would be different if the Congress had the brainpower to direct the US Army to collect the fines.
Posted by: ed ||
05/20/2008 17:48 Comments ||
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#3
Why don't they just pass a law that repeals the law of supply and demand? That would have about as much effect.
Posted by: Rambler in California ||
05/20/2008 17:56 Comments ||
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#4
The House can get as emotional as it wants because it knows the Senate will kill the bill.
#9
Since supplies will most likely continue to decline and prices rise, what have we to lose? I know you guys are big free market champs, but this particular market is rigged from both ends, suppliers and buyers. The customer can't feasibly get a square deal the way things are. Maybe it's enough to scare them straight. Rebounding the value of the dollar wouldn't hurt either, the Eurozone is bellyaching about the differential already. They actually would like a stronger dollar to help with euro exports.
Some excerpts from a comments thread at the "TalkLeft" blog discussing the Kentucky primary:
Most AAs live in red states
by Prabhata on Tue May 20, 2008 at 02:52:11 AM EST
There participation in the Democratic Party is important, but not as critical as the white blue collar workers. One has only to look at the map from electoral-vote.com and see that the AA vote that gave the wins to BO in NC, SC, MS are not turning those states blue for the Democrats. /Snark.
Carry that message...>
by Alec82 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 02:58:40 AM EST
...with Senator Clinton to November. "AAs don't matter, states we don't win in don't matter" and you have a recipe for a disastrous campaign.
You really think black voters, the most loyal Democratic base, don't matter in swing states? If President Clinton campaigned like that his loss would have been momentous.
Senator clinton doesn't write anyone off
by sarahfdavis on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:11:43 AM EST
that's what the obama campaign does. out with the old! in with the new. we don't need blue collar racists! we don't need women over 40! we don't need latinos!
clinton apoligized when her campaign was accused of being racially insenstive. (i'm not even gonna touch the racist accusation - that's just obama and his surrogates bein' lower than low). if anyone thought for 2 seconds about the clinton's supposed race baiting, it would be obviously absurd and disgusting. but the O camp has no reality to build on so they've got to burn and slash the last giants of the dem party. The Clintons.
how pathetic when i reread those words. Senator Clinton looks down her nose at no one. she goes into the den of those that hate her and tries to show respect.
you're making another false argument. all the race divisiveness has been flamed by obama. how ironic. mr unity.
as obama would say...how sad.
I see your as good at pretend
by cawaltz on Tue May 20, 2008 at 03:56:04 AM EST
as youre candidate. Either that or you have a readinf comprehension problem. The poster never said "AA's don't matter." Not a surprise that you have to manufacture outrage though.
another Obamamite race-baiter
by Josey on Tue May 20, 2008 at 07:29:12 AM EST
Hillary never said AAs don't count. But in ObamaLand everything is viewed through the racist lens of white oppression and victimization - reflected in Rev. Wright's ideology.
And if a racist motive isn't apparent, Obamamites like you twist and distort to reach an outcome of "racism."
Alec82
by txpolitico67 on Tue May 20, 2008 at 10:39:28 AM EST
is a trouble-maker. He comes in here to bait you with his backhanded racism attacks on Hillary voters. He's as subtle as ebola. Time for him to be called out, so that's why I am doing it.
The math for the GE
by Florida Resident on Tue May 20, 2008 at 07:55:29 AM EST
is different than for the primaries. In Democratic primaries and caucuses AA votes can be as high as 40-50 % of the votes in some states like SC, Miss, and others. In those states having near to 90% of the AA vote gave Obama a distinct advantage. In states such as Ohio and Pa that was not the case. Clinton has never dismissed any demographic within the Democratic party that has been an Obama camp practice. In the GE the AA vote is somewhere around 12 to 13% of the registered voters that does not mean it is not important for a Democratic win but if you don't have the average white working class Democratic voter solidly behind you you can 100% of the AA vote and still loose. That is why unlike Obama''s followers and campaign members Clinton's campaign does not dismiss the Black vote or the White working class vote. No bitter and clinging remarks, no Donna Brarizille ill conceived remarks.
Please convince the other posters of that fact
by riddlerandy on Tue May 20,
"The math for the GW is different than for the primaries."
. . .
That is the theme
by Molly Pitcher on Tue May 20, 2008 at 08:11:30 AM EST
Obama is already using--only he has lots of states that don't matter (like where those white racists live in Appalachia, which, by and large, was not a tremendous rallying point for the confederacy. Lincoln called the mountain people of Ky, where he was born, his people. Think maybe Lincoln's approach to the population might work better than calling them racist and ignoring them?)
Oh--and btw, the largest segment of faithful voters among democrats are women. Women too have been written off as 'sweeties;' you know, that herd of sheep which will do as they are told.
But, bless your heart, worrying about Hillary! Too bad your comment applies better to Obama than to her.
. . .
It just keeps going on like that for screen after screen: "RACIST!" "SEXIST!" "ELITIST!" "RETHUGLIKKKAN TROLL!" . . .
If you click through, bring plenty of popcorn.
Posted by: Mike ||
05/20/2008 12:21 ||
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#1
All this controversy about the group that invented the 12 step process.
Barack Obama's former pastor has withdrawn from two scheduled appearances in Philadelphia.
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, former pastor of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, was scheduled to lead a revival May 28 and 29 at St. Thomas African Episcopal Church. And he was scheduled to preach June 1 at the 100th anniversary celebration of Canaan Baptist Church.
Wright often preaches in his native Philadelphia. But both churches said Monday he has withdrawn from next week's events.
The rector of St. Thomas, the Rev. Martini Shaw, said Wright's office asked him last week to reschedule the appearance. Shaw said Wright "has been exhausted by all the media attention and desired some time for refreshment and refueling. Apparently racism requires fuel
#2
I've heard of "fueling racial tensions" before, but . . . sheesh!
Posted by: Mike ||
05/20/2008 10:22 Comments ||
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#3
What great sacrifices "the community" is making to get Barry into office. Squashed like a bug. Strangled. Rag stuffed into throat. They must expect a BIG, BIG payback. Mebbe they are going to be really, really proud for the first time like Big Mama Obama.
The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a law aimed at preventing child pornography, ruling a provision dealing with "pandering" illicit material does not violate constitutional protections on free speech.
The 7-2 ruling rejected suggestions the law is overly broad, and will stifle a range of expressive or artistic material that is not obscene.
The case involves Michael Williams, convicted in a Florida federal court for promoting child pornography on the Internet.
A 2003 federal law made it a crime not only to produce and possess child porn, but also to "pander" material, conveying the belief that material contains minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The pandering provision covers anyone who "advertises, promotes, presents, distributes, or solicits" this material.
Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the majority, said Congress' latest attempt to deal with this "threat" was legally "successful."
The "Protect" Act was Congress' latest attempt to control graphic images on the Internet. Previous efforts were struck down by the high court on First Amendment issues.
As part of a 2004 sting operation, an undercover Secret Service agent (using the screen name "Lisa--n--Miami") communicated with Williams in an Internet chat room. Williams allegedly wrote, "Dad of toddler has 'good' pics of her an (sic) me for swap of your toddler pics, or live cam." He posted nonpornographic photos of a young girl and claimed he had "hc," or hard-core, kiddie pictures, prosecutors contend.
The man then allegedly posted photos of youngsters involved in "sexually explicit conduct," according to court records. Twenty-two other child porn images were found on his home computer.
A federal appeals court upheld a possession conviction against Williams, but threw out the separate soliciting charge, which carried a five-year mandatory minimum sentence. A three-judge panel concluded the provision was "substantially overbroad and vague," and that "non-commercial, non-inciteful promotion of illegal child pornography, even if repugnant, is protected free speech." In other words, the judges said merely talking about child porn is not necessarily criminal.
Scalia said judges had proper discretion to decide when anti-pornography laws should be properly applied, but he noted that such illicit material has increased in recent years.
"Child pornography harms and debases the most defenseless of our citizens," he said. "This court held unconstitutional Congress' previous attempt to meet this new threat, and Congress responded with a carefully crafted attempt to eliminate the First Amendment problems we [earlier] identified."
The Bush administration urged the high court to accept the case, saying the overall impact of the law was being held "hostage to a few hypothetical scenarios."
Solicitor General Paul Clement argued to the justices that not only is promoting real child porn against the law, but "speech that falsely proposes an unlawful transaction is likewise unprotected." Clement announced last week that he is stepping down from his post next month.
But during oral arguments, six justices offered specific examples they said might unfairly target someone who was engaged in lawful, artistic or editorial free speech. Among them were mainstream movies such as "Lolita," "Traffic," and "Titanic," all of which depicted scenarios in which underage girls were engaging in simulated sex.
Justices David Souter and Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented.
Souter wrote that a double standard exists since those pandering images not involving minors engaging in simulated sex could now be prosecuted, but possession of those images would not be subject to prosecution. Looks like Souter and Ginsburg can't tell the difference between child pr*n and a movie. How the Fuc& did they get to be on the supreme court?
"I believe that maintaining the First Amendment protection of expression we have previously held to cover fake child pornography requires a limit to the law's criminalization of pandering proposals," Souter said.
The justices five years ago struck down a 1996 federal law dealing with child porn, giving legal protection to youthful sexual images that were nether obscene nor involved sexual abuse. In its ruling, the high court said thinking dirty thoughts is not necessarily criminal, and the government cannot "suppress lawful speech as the means to suppress unlawful speech."
Most of the 2003 Protect Act's provision have survived judicial scrutiny.
A coalition of free speech and commercial interests were supporting Williams' constitutional claims, including the Free Speech Coalition, online media retailer Amazon.com and National Coalition Against Censorship.
On the other side, 27 states backed the United States, as well as a range of child advocacy groups.
#4
I'm just glad it went down in such a blaze of defeat.
As for the other two wastes of black cloth, they will jump the other way of what is right just to show they are "progressive". Even if it means harming children in the most disgusting way possible.
#6
There was a lot of fluff in the report. However, I do not think this was a good decision. It overturned a strongly worded opinion from the 11th Circuit (FL,AL,GA):
"The Atlanta-based court said it makes a crime out of merely *talking about* illegal images or possessing innocent materials that someone else might believe is pr0nography."
The closest thing I could compare this to is hate crimes legislation, where you can be punished for what the court thinks you *might* have been thinking.
For example, the SCOTUS holds that it is a crime to "promote or pander" child pr0n, irrespective to if you even *have* child pr0n.
So if you say that the laws against child pr0n are too harsh, are you "promoting" it? In fact, can child pr0n even be discussed anymore? Might this Rantburg thread be potentially unlawful, if some harasser decides that it has "pr0nographic" content?
How about if a software filter detects that a potentially unlawful word or words has been used?
#7
More like walking into a bank with a toy gun and demanding cash. Unless the orange cap is still on the end of the gun, the usually clueless teller will act as though it is a real gun. Most jurisdictions don't differentiate whether the robber had a real gun or not, the intent understood by the second party was what is considered the determining factor. The defense that it really wasn't a gun doesn't hold up.
A three-member Supreme Court (SC) bench on Monday declared Maulana Attaur Rehman of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) a member of the National Assembly (MNA) from NA-25, Tank.
The bench consisted of Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, Justice Ijazul Hassan and Justice Chaudhry Ejaz Yousaf.
On May 15, the bench had reserved its verdict on his plea against a Peshawar High Court (PHC) decision on recounting of votes at various polling stations of the constituency.
The bench had earlier not stayed the recounting slated for March 18 but had asked Election Commission (EC) not to officially notify election results till the disposal of the case.
Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, counsel for Rehman, argued that the EC was not competent to order recounting of votes after issuance of results to all the candidates on the prescribed form.
Wasim Sajjad, counsel for Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) candidate from NA-25 Habibullah Kundi, submitted that the EC had not received the election result on the prescribed time, which had made the election doubtful. He said a delay in announcing the election result was a violation of Section 39 of Representation of People Act, 1976.
Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, counsel for Dabar Khan, a PPP candidate from NA-25, requested re-polling in the constituency, saying the consolidation process had not yet occurred in the constituency.
He said the polling officers signed results of only 22 of the 257 polling stations.
He said ballot papers were scattered and the National Assembly ballot papers were polled in the boxes fixed for provincial assembly ballots.
Posted by: Fred ||
05/20/2008 00:00 ||
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Islamist group Hamas has told the main Palestinian telecoms company to block access to pørnographic Internet sites in the Gaza Strip, a Hamas government official said on Monday.
Gaza's Ministry of Communications said in a statement that telecommunications firm PALTEL has agreed to block Internet users in the Hamas-controlled coastal enclave from viewing adult websites starting this month. "The aim of the move is to protect the Palestinian community from cultural pollution and to protect the young generations from the misuse of the Internet through viewing pørnographic sites," Hamas government spokesman Taher al-Nono said.
"That means no titties, goddammit!"
An Internet provider in the Gaza Strip estimated that about 400,000 Gazans surf the Web and said almost half of them were aged 18-35.
And now they aren't gonna have anything to look at.
Attacks against video stores and Internet cafes have increased over the past two years. Some of the attacks had been claimed by radical Muslim groups who say such places run contrary to Islamic values. Other Muslim countries such as Iran, Syria, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia also control access to some political, social and pørnographic websites. PALTEL could not immediately be reached for comment.
This article starring:
Taher al-Nono
Hamas
Posted by: Fred ||
05/20/2008 00:00 ||
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#6
And yet, it's probably the women there who could stand to learn that women can enjoy sex. Granted, most pørn is made for men's 'enjoyment', and I'm not saying it's an uplifting way to learn about sex, but it might lead to something.
Lysistrata, anyone?
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
05/20/2008 21:13 Comments ||
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#1
just from reading the WND article (hardly unbiased) its pretty clear the guy runnning the petition drive has no idea if the signatories are actually scientists with Phds.
Its also clear that in his accompanying letter, he said some not quite correct things - Kyoto doesnt "ration energy" it places limits on GHG emissions, not the same thing at all.
No wonder the Arabs are in such a hurry to destroy Israel! First a major breakthrough in solar energy, and now a revolutionary discovery in producing synthetic fuels...using algae!:
Israeli scientist Dr. Isaac Berzin discovered that "green slime" contains one of the keys to the alternative fuel the world is seeking. His company is the first ever to develop and produce biofuels from algae that are bred on gases emitted by power plants.
It might sound like some sort of magic trick to put algae, CO2 and sunlight into a box and come out with fuel, but Berzin did it. "I feel a bit like Thomas Edison, who invented the light bulb," he says. "He tried thousands of materials until he arrived at the filament. My intuition, too, told me that it was possible to do something that people were only dreaming of - to build a device from algae to produce energy at market-compatible costs.
"It's logical, really, when you think about it," Berzin continues, "because all liquid fuels are compressed ancient organic matter, the outcome of photosynthesis. The liquid fuels that are pumped out of the earth are ancient plants. There are no miracles here. We just accelerated the process. A quarter of the weight of algae is vegetable oil from which biofuel can be produced, and the point was to control the biology. My goal was to adapt the algae to the local water and the local profile of the gases - to ensure they would be happy."...
In a large conference hall at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, Berzin declares that the world is on the threshold of a vast change. "An era has ended," he asserts without hesitation. "Until now we found a reserve of fuel and used it up. In comparison to the evolutionary process, we are at the transition from the stage of the collectors of food to the situation in which humanity began to engage in agriculture and grow food. That is what we are doing today: we are starting to grow our fuel. Our generation will go down in history as the 'fuel generation.' That generation is over. Man is moving from a situation in which he uses up the sources of energy to one in which he grows energy." ...
This is by no means just theoretical:
Berzin has registered 12 patents that enshrine his rights to the technology connecting an energy farm to a power plant. In 2005, in the heart of the Arizona desert, he chalked up another achievement when he set up the world's first trial project adjacent to a power plant of APS, Arizona's largest electrical utility company. The director of the advanced fuels program of APS, Raymond Hobbs, relates that his Ford has been cruising the streets of Phoenix on green fuel since 2006. "My mandate is to burn fuel and produce electricity, but we have a problem called CO2," he notes. "The good thing about Itzik's [Isaac's] technology is that we are recycling the toxin and creating a new industry. It's a win-win situation for everyone [xcept oil ticks, 2x4]. It's not every day that you make a hole in the smokestack of a power plant that is worth billions of dollars and start to grow algae. I did it because I believed in Itzik. The first time we met, he showed up at my office with three people and said that was his whole company. I say that the size of a company does not determine the size of the head. One person's idea can bring about tremendous change. I am certain that his technology will bring mankind lots of fuel, food and peace." Once oil ticks starve, peace may be possible.
Even more interesting, the process doesn't interfere with the food supply or take up valuable land and is actually more efficient than synthesizing fuel out of plants used for food crops:
"It turns out that the biofuels produced from corn or soy seeds - fuels that are considered the future substitute for pollutant fuel - cause environmental damage themselves. It is also not economically viable: to grow the soy beans you need leaves and roots, a whole system that supports the beans from which the oil is produced. No such system is required to grow algae. Their rate of growth is 10 to 100 times that of any other biological system. So if you have a unit of land, you can achieve orders of production that are many times higher. This is a process that does not compete for land and water resources - algae can grow in saltwater and in sewage."
Dr. Berzin, who made TIME magazine's list of 100 most influential people this year, is also aware of the implications this could have for the War On Jihad:
" After all, those terrorists are funded by fuel powers...As soon as one energy farm proves itself economically - and that will happen within a year and a half - we will be able to establish similar farms all over the world. If an energy revolution of this kind occurs in China, it will foment a strategic change in the division of the political forces on a global scale. A world in which China will not be dependent on Iran will be a different world. Some countries will lose part of their power. The message is one of energy freedom. If you have land, sun and CO2, you can grow your own energy. A revolution like this will make the world free."
And just maybe, that's how G-d intended it. Or as Dr. Berzin puts it, when modestly downplaying his achievement "... it was mostly the finger of G-d. I am not a religious person, but I have a feeling of divine providence. G-d is not mentioned in the Book of Esther, but from the events you understand that He is behind the scenes, that He exists. In my story, too, what I dreamt of came to be, and I often had the feeling that someone behind the scenes was helping me."
Just another major benefit to humanity provided by Israel...as opposed to what their Arab adversaries have contributed to the world.
#1
Well I agree with one thing, bio carbon capture makes far more sense than chemical carbon capture.
However the whole carbon mania is fizzling out as the world's climate (along with its economy) continues to cool.
Then there is the Chaiten volcano, which looks set to be the biggest eruption since Krakatoa. Already VEI5 and no sign of the final eruptive event which ejects most of the volcanic material. Better pray it isn't the biggest since Tambora.
Posted by: no mo uro ||
05/20/2008 5:56 Comments ||
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#4
Pebbles, it's a matter of degree. The levels would have to be pretty hight to acquire toxicity for a human. Hobbs is a PR man of sorts and uses the toxicity meme as a fashionable point of reference.
Maybe he bought the whole GW thingy, like many others, so from that perspective, there is a solution.
But he better hurry up. As things are, in a few years, when the cooling trend continues, this point may be not as readily accepted.
#9
If islamic countries weren't so intent on destroying everything and everybody that doesn't want to live in the 7th century, they might be able to feed people, generate energy, develop medical breakthroughs, develop industry, develop infrastructure, etc. Wait a minute; what was I thinking there for a moment in my flight of fantasy? The Saudi fat cat's days will be numbered when mid-east oil is replaced.
#11
Since his carbon source is power plant exhaust (and not atmospheric) his process is more of an increase in efficiency to fossil fuel use than true biofuel - though once his fuel is the carbon source for the power plant he actually does break out of the fossil fuel cycle.
I should think bio-engineering of algae to improve their efficiency in the process would be a terrific long-term research opportunity.
#13
OK, so let's get on with it and choke the oil arabs off the teet. There are people dicking around with projects like this all over the world trying to get them "perfected" all the while the arabs are going for broke on prices. I'm especially frustrated with alternative fuel and electric cars, WTF is the holdup with them? Sell the damned things, even if they aren't 100% perfected. There are now 13 ME countries entering what IAEA calls advanced stages of nuclear programs, and they're doing it with our money from the gas pumps.
#14
This really is nothing new. Those of us in the hobby of salt water aquaria (esp. coral reefs) have been using algae for a long time to cleanse the water and sequester things.
Typically in a salt water aquariam, it is the nitrates and phosphates that you are attempting to sequester.
We tend to use different species of algae than say slime algae as mentioned in the article. For example:
I really like to grow Halimeda although you tend not to see it in coral tanks as it is a calcifying algae and the calcium it sequesters slows down the growth of your corals.
Finally, one of the most important algae to reef tanks, and perhaps the reefs in wild is another calcerous algae, and it is stunning Coraline Algae
Anyway, sorry to ramble, but the article makes this use of algae seem epic, and yes, there is some new here, but thousands of "hobbyists" are doing the same thing every day (just different end goals, but same processes).
#15
Articles like these give me hope for the future...mainly because they have the potential to cut off the money supply to the wahhabis. That means that there will be a future. Yes, we as a society need to push these ideas hard and fast.
#16
Step right up, I got yur bio-fuel right here. Uses algae, clean, green and mean. It's cheep right now, get in on the bottom floor and make a million out of the looming lack of free energy. I also have your Carbon Offsets and a damn fine deal on Wind Power. Step right up, it's here, it's new and it's time for a change.
Posted by: George Smiley ||
05/20/2008 14:53 Comments ||
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#17
regarding the volcano
so far very little sulfur emitted (mostly ash); if this continues it will be a null factor climate-wise
#18
Ash ejected into the stratosphere will cool temps. By how much depends on the amount of ash. So far not much into the stratosphere, but these kind of plinian eruptions can go on for months before their final eruptive event.
#1
I've expected this ruling for years, I'm only surprised that it has taken this long.
Interesting bit from the judge: Of the more than 180 countries that issue paper currency, Judge Robertson wrote on Nov. 28, 2006, only the United States prints bills that are identical in size and color in all their denominations. So in part he's basing his decision on the fact that money printed with similarly-colored inks discriminates against the blind. Interesting ....
Posted by: ed ||
05/20/2008 18:52 Comments ||
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#3
what about those without hands or sight, will we have to produce currency that makes sounds? that discriminates against those without hands or sight or hearing....
Posted by: Frank G ||
05/20/2008 19:03 Comments ||
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#4
This is stupid. The recent changes in the US currency was made for several reasons, including making it easier for the blind to use. I have a couple of friends who are blind, and they have no trouble distinguishing the new bills from the old ones, and the denomination of any bill, unless it's excessively worn. Some judge has too much time on his hands. Maybe he needs a new job - and NOT in government.
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
05/20/2008 20:35 Comments ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine (OISM)
