From about curb level I'm thinking. The dog's a nice cover.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sen. Ted Kennedy is writing a children's book that will explain the workings of government from the point of view of his dog Splash. Splash? Yeah, that's bad...but he could've named it Mary Jo.
Publisher Scholastic said "My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of Washington, D.C." was a 56-page picture book about a day in the life of a senator and his dog, explaining how laws are made. It will be published in May. He'll tell you how laws are made. But not how the family avoids obeying them whenever they...get in the way.
"Kids love animal stories and they will be captivated by the tale of Senator Kennedy's extraordinary Portuguese water dog, and his adventures in Congress," said Lisa Holton, President Children's Books and Book Fairs, Scholastic. WOOF-WOOF-WOOF!
What's that...ahhhmmmmm, Splash? My car's in the...ahhhhhmmmm ocean? And there's a dead girl in it!
Scholastic said in a statement Kennedy was inspired to write the book after working with a children's reading program in Washington for the past five years."Reading is a lifelong adventure and I hope that this book will spark an interest in young people to learn more about their government and to explore the joy of books," Kennedy said in the statement. And whenever my...ahhhhhhhm... drinking time allows it, I like nothing better then to...ahhhhmmmm...pass out with a good book.
Scholastic said the book would offer a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a U.S. senator from the perspective of his canine companion, who was given the formal name Champion Amigo's Seventh Wave and nickname Splash by his original owner. Notice that it...ahhhhmmm...wasn't me that...ahhhhmmm...named Splash. That would be...ahhhhhhmmm...insensitive and...ahhhmmmm...mean spirited. Like a Republican.
"Splash is always at Senator Kennedy's side -- in his office, at press conferences, in meetings at the Capitol and even right outside the Senate chamber," the statement said. ...and right next to his bar stool.
Kennedy is not the first public figure to write a book about his dog -- in 1990 then first lady Barbara Bush wrote "Millie's Book," a dog's-eye view of the White House, and last year Latin pop singer Gloria Estefan wrote a book about her bulldog Noelle. The sequel? "Easter Weekend with Willie in Palm Beach and Splash Steals My Pants".
South Africa and Zimbabwe are to open a border reception centre to try to curb the flow of illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe into South Africa.
The office at the Beit Bridge border will help Zimbabweans get work permits. Supported by the International Organisation for Migration, it also aims to help the 2,000 Zimbabweans deported from South Africa each week.
Immigration from Zimbabwe has risen amid economic collapse and a government housing demolition programme. And who, pray tell, is responsible for that?
"Deportees and other people in need of legal documents the new catch phrase for "illegals", coming to a border near you! will be served food and other basic amenities while their papers are being sorted," South African government spokesman Page Boikanyo said.
#1
Here's a piece of irony from nasty oude colonial times, make what you will of it. The original Beit (Chirundu) Bridge, where all the South Bound foot traffic is crossing was built by Otto Beit. It was heralded as the gateway to Rhodesia going North up Great North Road out of South Africa over the Limpopo River. Alfred and Otto Beit began a tradition of benefaction and support for education and scientific research which was continued by Imperial College of London Fellow, Sir Alfred Lane Beit, on the death of his father Otto. It continues today.
A plane load of Muslims from northern Nigeria trying to reach this year's Hajj has been turned back in Saudi Arabian air space and sent home. The 492 pilgrims from Kaduna had missed an extension to Wednesday's deadline secured by Nigeria's president. Thousands of other Nigerian pilgrims have been stranded as a shortage of aircraft is blamed for the chaos. Kano's state governor told angry pilgrims to go home and accept that the authorities screwed up their holy obligation "the will of Allah".
More like the will of King Abdullah and the greed of countless Soddy paper pushers...
Many airlines have refused to take part in this year's pilgrimage to Mecca, saying the fees offered by the Nigerian organising authorities did not cover their costs. On Wednesday, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo ordered national carrier Virgin Nigeria to divert its flights to help the pilgrims after securing the 36-hour extension, which expired on Friday morning. Yes...it is connected to Virgin Atlantic....
Saudi authorities have said they would fine airlines $50,000 for every plane carrying Hajj pilgrims that arrived after the deadline. The BBC's Ado Saleh Kankiya at Kano airport says thousands of Muslims from northern Katsina, Bauchi and Jigawa are still hoping that their state authorities - which organise travel on the Hajj - will pay these fines. "After all, we got a couple of old ladies this close to handing over their life savings with this 419 thing Abdul's running over there...."
In a long address to angry pilgrims from Kano, Governor Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau asked them to accept the disappointment, our correspondent says. He promised them that they would be among the first to go to the Hajj next year and said that next year better plans would be put in place. Makes you wonder if any of them would be willing to carry out another apparently sacred tradition....what, with their explosive anger over not getting to go....
#1
For some reason I think Mohammad intended folks to walk to Mecca, not to fly. It should be a long painful experience with them contemplating life the entire journey. Not a round trip weekend to punch your 5 pillars of Islam ticket.
Just imagine the days of Star Trek when they're just beaming on over, throw some stones, touch the rock, back by tea. But of course they never actually showed a Moslem in Star Trek did they. Funny thing that.
#2
rjschwartz, how are you gonna have a series if the Muslim fundamentalist guy is busy crashing the Enterprise into the Federation of Planets HQ while screaming "Allahu Akbar"?
ABU DHABI - An official source from the UAE Armed Forces Headquarters has said that an F-16 Falcon Block 60 fighter plane of the UAE Air Force crashed on Monday morning. There were no casualties. The pilot landed safely after ejecting from the crashing plane.
The source said the relevant authority has quickly opened up investigations to determine the cause of the accident.
American sanctions, no doubt.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/10/2006 00:00 ||
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I would suggest a general unwillingness by Arab pilots to fly their aircraft out of trouble.
MINA: More than 2 million Muslim pilgrims raised their hands to heaven and chanted in unison, as they hiked through a desert valley on Sunday to a tent city on the outskirts of Mecca in preparation for the annual haj. The journey through the 13km valley puts the pilgrims in place for the start of rituals today (Monday). As they walked, they chanted "Labaik Alluhumma Labaik" (We are coming answering your call). Today they will move to Mount Arafat.
We're waiting for the annual stampede...
Posted by: Fred ||
01/10/2006 00:00 ||
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Typo?
I thought the name of the mountain was Ararat, not araFat.
Was it renamed?
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
01/10/2006 8:22 Comments ||
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AFAICR, there is a Mt. Ararat *AND* a Mt. Arafat.
Posted by: Robert Crawford ||
01/10/2006 8:40 Comments ||
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I thought the name of the mountain was Ararat, not araFat.
Mount Ararat is near border between Turkey and Armenia. A photo of it allows unmasking a sovizet spyin movie "The snake" starring Henry Fonda and Yul Brinnzer
Mount Arafat is near Mecca and pilgrims must run to it after having thrown stones (symbolizing stoning of the devil).
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - Business ground to a halt Monday in a general strike called to protest a wave of kidnappings that has terrified people and cast a shadow over already troubled efforts to restore democracy in Haiti. The Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry called the strike to pressure U.N. peacekeepers to move against gangs - allegedly loyal to ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide - who have carried out many of the kidnappings.
The one-day strike left people sitting idly on street corners or waiting hopelessly for a bus, an economic blow in a country where most people are unemployed. Gas stations, supermarkets and banks all closed.
Central Port-au-Prince was practically a ghost town, with a few children kicking a ball and men playing dominos in the afternoon on a street near the U.S. Embassy and the mayor's office that is normally choked with traffic at that hour. On the trash-strewn streets of downtown Port-au-Prince, Rodrig Paul was angry after he closed his stall where he sells batteries. "This is a rich person's strike," he said.
But others noted the kidnappings have targeted people from all walks of life. "The violence has threatened everyone, poor or rich, Haitian or non-Haitian," the pricey Hotel Villa Creole said in a letter to guests after it cut back on services for the day.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/10/2006 00:00 ||
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This is Rantburg. The things that sound like they could happen are the jokes. The rest is news.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/10/2006 15:44 Comments ||
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Full service at the Ville Creole will resume tomorrow with our famous barbecue and the Seafood delight night on Thursday's with lobster, crab, shrimp and conch. French wines and Champagne are the norm. Valet, walled parking, matrade weapons check are available. We hope to see you soon.
A former Czech army doctor convicted of shooting dead Nigeria's consul to Prague after falling prey to fraudsters has been spared his full jail term. Prague's public prosecutor decided not to oppose a court motion to free Jiri Pasovsky, 74, on grounds of ill health. He was sentenced in June to eight years in jail, cut to five on appeal. Pasovsky killed consul Michael Lekara Wayid, 50, and injured another embassy employee in 2003 after losing more than $600,000 (£340,000) to Nigerian conmen. He is said to have been persuaded to give his bank details to someone posing as a senior Nigerian official.
Sigh, you'd think people would be smarter than that
Pasovsky now suffers cancer and other illnesses, his lawyer said, and heard the verdict lying down. He was scarcely able to speak in court.
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01/10/2006 08:09 ||
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Greetings and salutations to you,
May the grace of God send this message to you with most haste. After an exhaustive background check and due to your impeccable credentials, I have a situation which may prove lucrative to you.
I am Amibi Bahibi Jahibi, accountant in charge of the financial affairs of the late consul to Prague, Michael Lekara Wayid. Due to his sudden passing...
ATHENS: A powerful earthquake shook Greece on Sunday and was felt as far away as the Middle East. Minor damage was reported in southern Greece, and authorities on the island of Crete said three people were slightly injured. The Athens Geodynamic Institute (AGI), which initially gave the quake a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter Scale, later increased their estimate to 6.9 and said the epicenter was located beneath the seabed about 20 kilometers east of the island of Kithira. "It was a very powerful quake which shook all of Greece. There have been dozens of aftershocks, four with a magnitude of 5," said AGI head Giorgos Stavrakakis. The earthquake occurred at 11:34 GMT and was felt as far away as Cairo and Amman.
How's the corpse count compare with Pak's quake of the same magnitude?
Posted by: Fred ||
01/10/2006 00:00 ||
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Oh gawd help us plz.
Posted by: Red Dog ||
01/10/2006 0:41 Comments ||
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Fred, can't be that bad....since there is no mention of the quake in the first place on the Beeb's website, or the NY Slimes' one either.
#4
Nobody died. Just a few people wounded. The epicenter was undersea, far from populated areas, and even further from densely populated ones I gather.
Posted by: Steve White ||
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A Canadian colleague of Mr. Wife's told me the other night that much of Canada's prosperity and success (such as it is) are due to carryover from the last time the Conservatives were in office. He doesn't think much of Martin, who apparently was the Finance Minister for ten years under Chretien; thus, all the financial scandals about which he claims ignorance actually occurred on his watch either as Minister or as Prime Minister. The colleague professed to admire Chretian's intelligence and ability to wiggle out of every problem he caused, while thinking Martin "as stupid as Bush." He shrugged off my reminder of Bush's academic credentials -- typical ability to accept mutually contradictory memes. Fortunately, his job doesn't require that kind of critical thinking, and he isn't likely (in my opinion) to move to the kind that requires the capability to remember his former boss' wife's political leanings. ;-)
A U.S. Navy lieutenant is being facing a court martial on three criminal charges; failure to obey a lawful general order or regulation; conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentlemen; and indecent language. Thatâs because he made some crude sexual remarks in the presence of female midshipmen (from the U.S. Naval Academy). The superintendent of the academy, Vice Admiral Rodney P. Rempt, believes in zero tolerance when it comes to sexual harassment, and the admiral believes this is a case that should be prosecuted vigorously. Many of his subordinates, including the female officer who investigated the incident, do not agree. And it appears that the admiral is acting more to protect himself from accusations of being soft on sexual harassment. But the admiral is not alone. As of last October, it is illegal for any uniformed member of the armed forces to patronize a prostitute. Doing so, and getting caught, makes you subject to court martial, and punishment of up to a year in prison, forfeiture of pay and dishonorable discharge. So you canât say anything, you canât do anything, and, to a certain extent, you can think about anything lewd. There are also restrictions on the posting of âlewdâ pictures in barracks, or the sale of same in the PX. As a result, out troops are not only deadly, they are pure as well.
As a practical result of all this, the troops risk punishment to get laid, drunk (booze is not allowed in combat zones) and sexually stimulated (the Internet is an excellent source of porn). The troops quickly learn which officers to avoid when using salty language. However, if you do get caught, and your commander is into "zero tolerance," your military is toast, and you might end up in prison as well. The risk is not so great that there is a noticeable effect on recruiting and re-enlistments. Senior NCOs, and many officers, unofficially conspire with the troops to ignore this official Puritanism. The troops understand that, being in the military means exposure to some form of official nonsense and harassment.
We'll know it's come full circle when they start marching to paslms.
#1
As of last October, it is illegal for any uniformed member of the armed forces to patronize a prostitute.
I wondered how long that would take. Back when we had bases in the Phillipines, there were females trying to get the rules changes so servicemen couldn't go offbase. Seems the "twelve-month beauty queens" couldn't compete.
#2
All at the same time that pressure is being applied for Gays to be permitted to serve openly in the military. What is this? Reverse discrimination for straights? Gays are usually not subject to court martial or Art. 15s, just discharged. Little inconsistant isn't it? We'll suppress hetero behavior while promoting gay behavior.
#5
This is one of those things that comes and goes. punishment to get laid, drunk and sexually stimulated.
Booze is not allowed in combat zones these days as a result of the ODS experience. The commanders like having 1/100th of the usual garrison discipline problems. Alk is a big contributing factor. Ditto with actual sex. Think dogs fighting over the bitch in heat.
On the other hand, the porn ban I suspect is pure, craven lawyer-proofing. The stuff bout "respecting Females" is just eyewash.
I'm sure it is illegal to whack off too.
Are they supposed to be soldiers or monks?
Bigjim, Yes it is (see UCMJ, sodomy, Definintion of), and probably yes to both, when it's thought about at all. Remember, though, the motoviation for this is not Neo-Puritanism, but rather simply cutting down on the discipline problems.
LIC/MOOTW/COIN/etc. is inherently politicaly sensitive. With the MSM looking for anything they can bash Bush and or the military with, well lets just say that minimizing potential problems is a high priority at Brigade staff echelon and above.
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01/10/2006 12:47 Comments ||
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I remember some a-hole Corps commander decided to ban moustaches. This made me, a moustache wearer, nervous at the time, until another moustache wearer, an NCO, said "Yeah, the next time you see the general, I bet you get in trouble."
Come to think of it, I never even saw a picture of the dude.
#8
If he brings proof he is a soldier or marine who just got back from Iraq or Afghanistan, a guy could probably get a freebie from the hookers guild in the SF Bay Area.
If he justs posts on line, the web site members will steer him in the right direction. Most of us are ex military anyway, and would be glad to help.
This story has nothing, and everything to do with the War on Terror. This article is from the Frontier Post, Peshawar's finest daily news in English (although they have not yet mastered the concept of 'permalinks'). It is fascinating reading, and overall, fairly good reporting.
ATTOCK: Sale of sacrificial animals could not gain momentum on even before the one day of Eidul Aza here in the inter-provincial bordering district of Attock while the middle class faithful desirous of fulfillment of their religious obligations on Eid-ul Aza, are concern over the sky-high prices of sacrificial animals in Kamra Cantt, Hazro, Attock city, Gondal Mandi and its around who are already facing rising inflation. On the other hand, the law enforcement agencies are seemed hesitant to control over the smuggling of animals towards Afghanistan through G T road.
During a short survey of a number of sale points of sacrificial animals here on Monday a low turnout of the people was observed and they were seen bargaining with sellers at 50 per cent less than the demanded prices. Market sources revealed that a good number of people hailing from Attock and Chhach Valley had preferred to donate their sacrificial animals and amounts to earthquake victims of 8th October of Kashmir, Balakot now residing in Aashiana situated in Ghazi Barotha Colony under the aegis of Khubaib Foundation near G T road Hattian, âAghoshâ launched by Al-Khidmat Foundation Attock and Tent village in Fatehjang. Similarly, scores of people who had been slaughtering animals for the last so many years are now purchasing cows and camels on sharing basis to fulfill the religious obligation.Prices prevalent at local sale points this year show 15 to 20 per cent increase than that of the last year while some breeders are demanding extraordinary price on the basis of their animalsâ beauty and health.
At present, sellers are demanding Rs7,000 to Rs9,000 for a lamb, which was available for Rs5,000 to Rs6,000 in the market last year. A goat which was available at Rs9,000 previous year is now being sold for Rs12,000. Prices of cows and camels are worrisome for the middle class as breeders are demanding Rs35,000 to Rs40,000 for an average size cow and Rs50,000 to Rs60,000 for a camel. However, after bargaining, cows are being sold at Rs25,000 to Rs28,000 and camels for around Rs40,000. On the other hand, the cattle dealers claimed that owing to manifold increase in prices of all daily-use items, including mutton and beef, they were left with no other option except to demand maximum amount for their animals. They further claimed that the town administrations were charging Rs200 for a big animal and Rs100 for a goat for entry into sale points. Similarly, the local police on duty were seemed to extort their share. Some of the breeders from far-flung areas told that wealthy middlemen and dealers had stocked herds of animals months before Eidul Azha at very nominal prices and disposed them of at inflated rates now.
The buyers citizens have blamed the government for its complete failure to introduce any policy for the sale of sacrificial animals in the country. They alleged that a substantial number of healthy animals have been smuggled to Afghanistan through different entry points of NWFP and Punjab via G T road Attock Khurd creating a shortage of the animals with the connivance of the cattle smugglers and law enforcement agencies. They said breeders and middlemen were charging according to their sweet will and there was no system to check prices of sacrificial animals. They said the district government instead of providing relief to the people on the eve of Eid was imposing taxes on breeders visiting the city areas for the sale of sacrificial animals. They further said that 50% of the total amount is being charged from the breeder on entry into the sale point and the remaining from the purchaser during exit of the animal.
The majority of vendors were of the view that people were not interested in buying animals, in fact they were only âwindow shoppingâ. They said that sales would gain further momentum the night before Eid if the weather does not dampen our hopes. They are of the view that more than a week, the sales of sacrificial animals has not been that good because of the chilly weather, which has forced people to stay at home.
It was also observed that Butchersâ rates are different for various animals according to localities. Butchers in posh localities are demanding Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 per goat while they are demanding Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per goat in middle class areas. They are charging Rs 15,00 to 22,00 for cows, but the rate is Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 for mosques while the rate for camels is Rs 2,000 to 2,500. Such as, Fodder is being sold for Rs 200 per 0.04-ton. At the end, it was calculated that the Average Animal Prices in 2006 Prices in 2005 were Goats and Sheep Rs 10,000-Rs 15,000 Rs 8,000-Rs 15,000 Buffalo and Cow Rs 25,000-Rs 40,000 Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000 Camels Rs 30,000-Rs 50,000 Rs 20,000-Rs 30,000 as well.
Here we go again, oppressing poor Pakistanis at every turn.
Muzaffarabad: Teams of healthcare professionals from the US Armyâs 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) here in Muzaffarabad have been conducting medical outreach missions to remote villages throughout AJK for the past several months. However with the onslaught of winter weather expected, the US military has stepped up these missions with special emphasis on caring for children. A team of doctors, nurses and medics recently conducted just such a mission to the village of Gojra.
There they treated students of the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, the Kohsar Public School and the Muslim Public School, bringing them much needed healthcare that they have recently been without.
These highly qualified teams provided overall health assessments to the children of this affected village, which was struck by the earthquake on October 8th. More importantly they also administered vaccinations, treating the children for potential illnesses that could be brought on by the harsh winter weather expected in the region. âI have derived a great deal of personal satisfaction from these missions,â said Lieutenant Colonel David West, Chief of Preventive Medicine. âBy conducting these outreach missions we have been able to help many people affected by the earthquake while ensuring that the children we treat will benefit from these vaccinations for many decades.â
Since arriving in November the Medical Outreach Teams have conducted over fifty of these humanitarian missions, treating well over 4000 patients. The vaccinations will protect them from threatening illnesses not only this winter but for many years to come. The outreach teams from the 212th MASH have conducted missions from as far north as Bala Kot to as far south as Murree. They have been well received by the residents of the villages they have visited and have found these missions to be some of the best experiences of their lives. âThey the people of AJK have been the most kind and hospitable people that I have ever had the honor to work with,â said West. âThis has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.â These missions will continue throughout the winter months.
Credit cards are routinely used to buy household items as well as luxuries, but Lahoreâs citizens cannot swipe their credit cards to buy sacrificial animals, a Daily Times survey revealed. A vendor in Karachi accepting credit card payments for sacrificial animals caught the mediaâs attention last year, but there are no such vendors in Lahore. The survey revealed several reasons behind the lack of the service. Most people selling sacrificial animals are seasonal vendors from remote or rural areas who do not have the resources to accept credit cards. Other vendors think it violates religious principles. âI do not want to sell my animals through credit cards because it is not allowed in Islam,â said Muhammad Ramzan who came from Bahawalnagar. Another vendor favoured using credit cards for promotion of business. âI know my sales will multiply if I provide the facility, but I can not fulfil the bank requirements,â Majeed Akram said.
Buyers expressed mixed opinions on buying sacrificial animals using credit cards. âEidul Azha is a religious festival and should not be spoiled with credit money,â said Asad Ali, a citizen. âThat is hypocritical. People buy eatables, household goods, petrol and electronic goods using credit cards, but consider them illegal when it comes to sacrificial animals, said Sabir, a businessman.âNo animal vendors were accepting credit cards so I had to withdraw money with my card through an ATM,â said Mujeeb, who bought a goat from Civic Centre in Township, adding that he would repay the money next month.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/10/2006 00:00 ||
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Hokay, then if it's "Ungodly" to use a Credit Card, what about Debit Cards?
That's the same as cash, Right?
I find this whole concept far beyond stupid, wrangling over type of payment in 21st century terms, for 15th century practices.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
01/10/2006 8:33 Comments ||
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But, but....what if I wanted to buy that goat with my credit card, and use the frequent flyer miles to pay for my hajj?
I guess I should ask an imam, or Al-Aska Paul about that one.
LAHORE: The man who accused a Christian in Sangla Hill of burning copies of the Quran has withdrawn his complaint, and leaders of the Muslim and Christian communities in the town have signed an agreement not to pursue the case or the case against Muslim rioters who burned churches.
Otherwise they'll burn a few more, assuming there are any left...
The accusation of blasphemy against Younas Masih on November 11 enraged local Muslims, and they attacked Christian institutions in the town the next day, burning three churches, two parish houses, a convent, a girls high school and a dispensary. Daily Times has learnt from local sources that the complainant, Kalo Suniara, gave a written statement that Masih was innocent and local Muslim leaders and priests from the churches that were burnt then signed an agreement to forget the matter on January 5.
"Never mind."
Nankana Sahib District Police Officer (DPO) Zulfiqar Hameed confirmed the report but said he did not have a copy of the agreement. Regarding the release of 86 Muslims arrested for attacking the churches, he said âinvestigationsâ were going on and the police would follow any directions the government gave it.
Any guesses as to what directions will come?
Masih was accused of setting fire to a âQuran Mahalâ, a room used to store old copies of the Quran. Suniara and others lodged a First Information Report with the police on November 11 accusing him of blasphemy, and Masih was arrested the same night. It later emerged that the accusations were made by Muslims who owed Masih gambling debts.
So what happens to the turbans who actually set the fire that desecrated their precious Korans? And will Masih ever get his money?
A judicial inquiry was conducted into the attacks on churches but the report has not been made public. The men accused of attacking the churches and other Christian properties were not arrested.
Wotta surprise.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/10/2006 00:00 ||
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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA â The inaugural two-day summit of what many see as an American-led alternative to the Kyoto climate treaty convenes Wednesday in Sydney. Formed this past July, the new bloc brings together the US, China, India, Australia, South Korea, and Japan. These six nations are responsible for more than 40 percent of the world's greenhouse gases, which many scientists say cause global warming.
Unlike the Kyoto Protocol, which sets emissions targets for nations, the new Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate aims to reduce emissions voluntarily through the transfer of emerging technologies - including "clean coal," burial of carbon dioxide, and next-generation nuclear power - from industrialized nations to the developing world.
The pact's advocates argue it is a more realistic approach than Kyoto, and commits many of the major nations not yet bound by Kyoto quotas to at least the principle of reducing emissions. The effectiveness of this effort, however, may ride on whether the high-tech systems can be developed fast enough and made commercially enticing for businesses not otherwise compelled to adopt greener methods.
The six countries will have to buy in, create markets, and push the tech envelope on this one. We'll have to deal with the fundamentalist environmentalists, who insist that fossils fuels and nuclear power are equally evil.
Don Henry, the executive director of the Australian Conservation Foundation in Melbourne, says that a pact based on voluntary action has no teeth. "We have realized after 50 years of tackling the pollution problem that to be [effective] we need laws, not just voluntary agreements."
Look how well Kyoto's working with all it's laws and regulations.
Experts say that most technology transfers under consideration are not yet commercially viable, and will require millions of dollars in subsidies or investment. Some are still in the research phase. This first meeting will be an attempt by all the six countries to come up with plans and ideas that can be put in motion.
During the meeting, Australia is expected to announce a $75 million contribution to a fund to help develop clean technology in China and India. "While Kyoto puddles on nicely, the real reductions will come from technology," Australia's Minister for Industry, Ian Macfarlane, told the Sydney Morning Herald. "This is not a diplomatic love-in. It's a hard-edged business plan with targets and reporting duties." But Mr. Macfarlane indicated that no specific timetable would be used under the new plan.
Ian Campbell, Australia's environmental minister, told reporters in Perth recently that, "We're going to have a 40 percent increase in emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, while the world needs a 50 percent reduction. We've got to find something that works better." In that search for something better, a number of technologies are likely to be pushed at this week's meeting - many of which play to Australia's economic strengths.
Among them is a new generation of safer nuclear reactors that incorporate more safety systems that kick in automatically, relying less on human intervention to avert disasters. Australia, a major supplier of uranium, stands to benefit from rising global interest in nuclear energy, which does not produce the large amounts of greenhouse gases generated by fossil fuels.
Anoner of the new initiatives on the table is a US government "clean coal" project called Future Gen. It aims to develop coal-fired power stations that emit no carbon dioxide. This would include gasifying the coal before burning it, and capturing and storing the CO2 produced. Though the technology could reduce emissions, critics believe that it could not be scaled up fast enough to halt climate change.
And there's the liberal lament: if it can't be done perfectly, right now, first time tried, than it's no good and we shouldn't do it. Same principle is applied to American foreign policy, but strangely, never to liberal proposals for education or health care.
Don Henry adds that without targets and national legislation, the new pact would disadvantage progressive companies as no one else would bear the costs. "Also, voluntary methods rely on public subsidies - taxpayers will pay a bomb rather than the polluters," he adds.
But since we're all polluters and we're all in this together, that's okay. If the 'polluters' pay all the cost, you'll pay eventually in higher prices for energy, goods and services. You pay regardless.
While businesses in the US and Australia have been split in recent years over the Kyoto Protocol, the new pact has brought more businesses along. Gerry Hueston, the president of the oil group BP and a senior member of the Business Council of Australia, has asked fellow council members to adopt plans to cut greenhouse gases. This week will bring to the table many industry representatives from companies such as Exxon Mobil and the mining firm Rio Tinto.
But some experts here say that both Australia and the US are playing the politics of divide and rule in an effort to weaken Kyoto and take along some of the key polluters such as India and China.
Why yes, it would, wouldn't it.
With the first stage of Kyoto coming to an end in 2012, and with only 20 percent of emission reduction covered by 2020, the European Union had been working hard to get agreement from the Group of 77 developing nations for future actions to balance the pressure on the rest of the developed world. "I don't believe that India and China are about to leave Kyoto, but maybe the long-term hope is that they will," says Colin Butler of the Australian National University.
Because if the Chinese economy tanks its leaders will be looking through blindfolds and puffing on cigarettes.
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01/10/2006 00:00 ||
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"We're going to have a 40 percent increase in emissions under the Kyoto Protocol"
That and the trillion dollar price tag is all you need to know about Kyoto.
#2
Isn't it funny that the Radical enviros want all the world to save a tree, yet since "global warming" is > THE SUN, and Dubya's critics obscenely argue that we're all doomed, doomed Doomed, D-O-O-M-E-D they tell ya', unless a Democrat gets back in the WH - PRAVDA says the Earth is Dead - how in heck is saving/hugging a tree or trees or gonzos of trees going to result in the construction of NOAH-esque spaceships to take mankind off this planet, as based on materials/resources the whackos say mankind cannot use!? Even presuming that ala Steven Hoagland on COasttoCoastAM that alleged 'global gulagists" intend to PC eliminate approx 5 1/2 Billion persons, or as necessary, from the earth, how is the world's remaining approx 500 Million. +/-, going to get off!?
#4
"I don't believe that India and China are about to leave Kyoto, but maybe the long-term hope is that they will," says Colin Butler of the Australian National University.
The U.N. children's agency said singer Harry Belafonte was speaking as a private citizen, not a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, when he called President Bush ``the greatest terrorist in the world.''
Confession: that statement by UNICEF just made me LOL. The cat's looking at me funny. Or it would, if I had a cat.
The 78-year-old Belafonte,
... who is well into his dotage...
famous for his calypso-inspired music, made headlines during a trip to Venezuela when he spoke out against Bush and said millions of Americans support the socialist revolution of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF said in a statement that Belafonte - a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 1987 - made the comments ``as a private citizen and was not speaking as a UNICEF ambassador, nor acting in an official capacity on behalf of the organization.'' The Fund said it put out the statement in response to calls to its office.
Conversations that started out "What the fudge? Are you people nutz?"
Belafonte led a delegation of Americans including actor Danny Glover that met Chavez for more than six hours late Saturday. During a television broadcast, Belafonte told Chavez, ``No matter what the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world, George W. Bush says, we're here to tell you: Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of the American people ... support your revolution.''
Ummm... More like dozens, Harry.
Posted by: Fred ||
01/10/2006 00:00 ||
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Well this is one of the millions who doesn't Harry.
But UN this is exactly the mess you folk have been putting out? Your supirsed? I am not.
#2
Now, now, don't involve the fudge and nuts, or the gumbo either. You know the Lefties go too far once they start dissing food, i.e. why we can't have food but others can have ours.
Unlike your average protest in Gaza, here there was a) no deaths b) no gun sex and c) no car swarm.
BAGHDAD - Iraqi Oil Minister Ibrahim Bahr Al Ulum who last month said he was resigning his job in protest at fuel price hikes has returned to his post, the government said on Monday. âBahr Al Ulum has resumed his activities as oil minister after taking back his resignation at the request of the Prime Minister (Ibrahim Jaafari), members of the cabinet and certain religious leaders,â said a statement.
Upon returning to his post, Ulum chaired a meeting of oil ministry officials to look at the distribution of oil products, it added.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/10/2006 00:00 ||
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Yet another heartwarming "Islam Meets the Modern World via Animal Sacrifice" story...
On Tuesday Muslims across the world are celebrating Eid al-Adha, the Islamic day of sacrifice. Every Muslim who is rich enough is supposed to donate an animal to be slaughtered, and the meat is donated to the poor. Sourcing the ideal beast can be time-consuming, but in Indonesia help is at hand. There is now an easy alternative - you can buy an animal at your nearest ATM machine.
At this time of year the Indonesian countryside comes to Jakarta. For days, goats, sheep and cows have been tethered by roadsides waiting for prospective buyers. But for those too busy to traipse the streets in search of a suitable sacrifice, the new ATM service provides a solution.
A newspaper, TV station and local bank have joined forces to provide the service. Having made their electronic purchase, customers are promised photographs of the slaughtered animal and a letter of thanks from the community which will benefit from the donated meat.
So far almost 4,000 goats have been sold this way at a cost of about $70 each. A sacrificial cow will set you back more than $500. The system may be popular among the busy business classes of the capital, but is it really in keeping with the spirit of Eid al-Adha?
A senior Muslim leader contacted by the BBC said he thought it was in accordance with Islam, but he added that unless you witnessed the slaughter first-hand and donated the meat personally, the religious experience would never be the same.
Hat tip to the Interested Participant. I don't agree with this, but I understand the frustration of a shopowner.
A proprietor keeps acid in all his 16 jewellery outlets in Perak instead of employing security guards. N.G. Mohamed Ismail, whose shop in Jalan Pasar, Taiping, was robbed on Friday said the reason was purely economic. âIt only costs me about RM20 to buy a bottle of acid,'' he said yesterday.
On whether the items he lost estimated to be worth more than RM500,000 were insured, Mohamed Ismail said they were not. âI would have to pay RM60,000 annually for the insurance coverage,â said Mohamed Ismail who has been in the jewellery business for the past 50 years.
He said that had it not being for his daughter, Siti Alishah, 23, and his sister-in-law Siti Aishah, 47, who splashed acid on the robbers, he would have lost more. Siti Alishah said she splashed acid on one of them when he looked up while scooping jewellery items from the display counter. âHe immediately covered his face with his hands before fleeing into a car parked outside the shop,â said Siti Alishah.
At about the same time, Siti Aishah had also splashed acid on another robber, also on the face. âI saw part of his mask disintegrating when the acid hit his face,'' said Siti Aishah, adding that the robber also fled from the shop but their accomplice managed to grab a bag filled with jewellery. As the three robbers were fleeing, Siti Alishahâs mother, Siti Rahmah Abdullah, 47, gave chase and hit one of the robbers with a big cane. âBut the robber caught hold of the cane and punched me on my face,â said Siti Rahmah.
The armed robbers had some five minutes earlier entered the shop while an accomplice waited in a black Proton Waja.
Larut Matang and Selama deputy OCPD Supt Syed A. Wahab Syed A. Majid said the car had been found near a petrol station here later in the night but declined to disclose details. No suspects had been detained.
Posted by: Steve White ||
01/10/2006 00:25 ||
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#1
So, once again the honest folk can't get guns for protection.
At the mercy of thugs?
Yes use any means available, I'd use a Ceremonial Japanese Sword myself, You know, just hanging there behind the counter for decoration, of course.
Let's see the robber grab it, after losing part of his hand he'll think twice next time.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
01/10/2006 8:41 Comments ||
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Jim: I'd put the acid in some kind of squirter, say an acid-proof plastic, power squirt gun. You could paint one of those sumbitches so quick...
Iran : A 17 year old girl is sentenced to death by hanging.
2006/01/08
Nazanin, 17, was sentenced to death by hanging for defending herself against three rapists...Nazanin, ... was assaulted by three criminal men in the city of Karaj while walking home in the midday last March (2005). To defend herself she pulled out a knife and stabbed one of her assailants. The knife penetrated the ribs of her attacker who later died in the hospital [this is the first time in a rape like this that an attacker was killed that I can remember]. .... Unfortunately the Islamic law does not even allow women the right to self defense.
Despite the fact that she had been acting in self defense, as shown by the evidences presented and the testimony of eyewitnesses, Nazanin was sentenced to death by hanging.
United Nations Human Rights Commissioner is:
tb-petitions@ohchr.org
HSBC, one of the world's biggest banks, has drawn up contingency plans to cope with the absence of up to half of its 253,000 staff in a bird flu pandemic, as fears grow of the virus spreading westward across Europe.
Planners behind the bank's emergency strategy said that other major financial institutions were preparing for a similar level of absenteeism, double that predicted by EU health advisers.
HSBC, which operates in 77 countries, said that although it did not expect half of its staff to be struck down by flu, it would also have to cover for those off work for related reasons, including caring for family and restrictions on travel...
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.
A plane load of Muslims from northern Nigeria trying to reach this year's Hajj has been turned back in Saudi Arabian air space and sent home. The 492 pilgrims from Kaduna had missed an extension to Wednesday's deadline secured by Nigeria's president. Thousands of other Nigerian pilgrims have been stranded as a shortage of aircraft is blamed for the chaos. Kano's state governor told angry pilgrims to go home and accept 
MINA: More than 2 million Muslim pilgrims raised their hands to heaven and chanted in unison, as they hiked through a desert valley on Sunday to a tent city on the outskirts of Mecca in preparation for the annual haj. The journey through the 13km valley puts the pilgrims in place for the start of rituals today (Monday). As they walked, they chanted "Labaik Alluhumma Labaik" (We are coming answering your call). Today they will move to Mount Arafat. 
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - Business ground to a halt Monday in a general strike called to protest a wave of kidnappings that has terrified people and cast a shadow over already troubled efforts to restore democracy in Haiti. The Haitian Chamber of Commerce and Industry called the strike to pressure U.N. peacekeepers to move against gangs - allegedly loyal to ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide - who have carried out many of the kidnappings.
A former Czech army doctor convicted of shooting dead Nigeria's consul to Prague after falling prey to fraudsters has been spared his full jail term. Prague's public prosecutor decided not to oppose a court motion to free Jiri Pasovsky, 74, on grounds of ill health. He was sentenced in June to eight years in jail, cut to five on appeal. Pasovsky killed consul Michael Lekara Wayid, 50, and injured another embassy employee in 2003 after losing more than $600,000 (£340,000) to Nigerian conmen. He is said to have been persuaded to give his bank details to someone posing as a senior Nigerian official. 
ATHENS: A powerful earthquake shook Greece on Sunday and was felt as far away as the Middle East. Minor damage was reported in southern Greece, and authorities on the island of Crete said three people were slightly injured. The Athens Geodynamic Institute (AGI), which initially gave the quake a magnitude of 6.4 on the Richter Scale, later increased their estimate to 6.9 and said the epicenter was located beneath the seabed about 20 kilometers east of the island of Kithira. "It was a very powerful quake which shook all of Greece. There have been dozens of aftershocks, four with a magnitude of 5," said AGI head Giorgos Stavrakakis. The earthquake occurred at 11:34 GMT and was felt as far away as Cairo and Amman.
Credit cards are routinely used to buy household items as well as luxuries, but Lahoreâs citizens cannot swipe their credit cards to buy sacrificial animals, a Daily Times survey revealed. A vendor in Karachi accepting credit card payments for sacrificial animals caught the mediaâs attention last year, but there are no such vendors in Lahore. The survey revealed several reasons behind the lack of the service. Most people selling sacrificial animals are seasonal vendors from remote or rural areas who do not have the resources to accept credit cards. Other vendors think it violates religious principles. âI do not want to sell my animals through credit cards because it is not allowed in Islam,â said Muhammad Ramzan who came from Bahawalnagar. Another vendor favoured using credit cards for promotion of business. âI know my sales will multiply if I provide the facility, but I can not fulfil the bank requirements,â Majeed Akram said.
LAHORE: The man who accused a Christian in Sangla Hill of burning copies of the Quran has withdrawn his complaint, and leaders of the Muslim and Christian communities in the town have signed an agreement not to pursue the case or the case against Muslim rioters who burned churches.
The U.N. children's agency said singer 
