Entries in the Category "News"
The GOP really loves our heartland to death
WSJ's Thomas Frank gives his take on "The GOP Loves the Heartland to Death"
Local Maine TV Reporter takes it to McCain on Palin and wins!
Honestly, if Palin is so awesome, why can't McCain defend her?
Cowards fail to help subway victim
It happened shortly after midnight on a SEPTA subway train (in Philly). A thirty-something guy with a child with him flew into a monstrous rage and attacked an unidentified man with a double-claw hammer. The victim did not know the attacker. He did not even provoke him. He was actually dozing off in his seat when the attacker used his hammer on the victim's head and neck.
This lasted five long minutes.
There were indeed witnesses. At least 10 of them. What did they do?
NOTHING!
They did nothing when the attack moved from the train to the platform.
They did nothing when the hammer-wielding maniac tried to push his victim down onto the train tracks.
When the beating was finished, the victim staggered back on the train, bloodied, confused, and alone.
Even by that stage, there was still no one there to help him.
The victim managed to get to the local hospital nearby, and received several staples and sutures and was discharged.
* * * * * * * * *
The cowards actually outnumbered this attacker at least 10 to one. Instead, they all dashed off the train during the brutal attack. Not even one tried to use their mobile phone to call police.
Very sad.
Ron Paul on Fed and Imperialism
Lack of news: Military buildup in the Persian Gulf
The mainstream media have not reported that there is a buildup of US naval vessels in the Persian Gulf. There have been confirmed and unconfirmed sources that up to five (5) aircraft carrier groups are now in the Middle East region.
DEBKAfile - Three major US naval strike forces due this week in Persian Gulf
DEBKAfile's military sources have named the USS Theodore Roosevelt, the USS Ronald Reagan, and the USS Iwo Jima that are enroute to the Gulf. Already in place are the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea opposite Iranian shores and the USS Peleliu which is cruising in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
If all of this is true, there will be more than 40 carriers, warships, and submarines operating in Middle Eastern waters, and in particular, close to Iran.
Why are there so many ships in the region?
Also, third-party sources have reported that French and British ships are accompanying the USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Gulf.
Could this be a planned naval blockade of Iran in order to stop it from importing benzene and other refined oil products?
In the Jerusalem Post, the US Department of Defense have denied those reports.
Egypt's Middle Eastern Times said Kuwait had activated its Emergency War Plan after learning that a force "consisting of a US Navy super carrier battle group and is accompanied by an expeditionary carrier battle group, a British Royal Navy carrier battle group and a French nuclear hunter-killer submarine" are headed for the Middle East. Some of the ships were allegedly involved in Operation Brimstone, held in the Atlantic last week, which simulated a naval blockade of Iran.
All of this have not been reported in any mainstream news channel or web site.
Just imagine having more than 40 naval warships in the Persian Gulf. What are they doing? Some large-scale exercise? It seems quite a concern when you have that much firepower.
The sites above have guessed that the United States, aided by France, Britain, and Canada will enact a partial naval blockade of Iran. The large number of warships are there to keep the Strait of Hormuz oil route chokepoint open if Iran attempts to shut down the Strait in retailiation. Another guess is that Israel may very well prepare an attack on Iran's nuclear installations, and these naval forces are acting as back-up.
As of now, military bloggers, web sites, and other informants are trying to keep tabs on these ships and their whereabouts.
Good article on New Yorker
No freedom of the press in Denver?
Police in Denver arrested an ABC News producer today as he and a camera crew were attempting to take pictures on a public sidewalk of Democratic Senators and VIP donors leaving a private meeting at the Brown's Palace Hotel.
Kosovo versus South Ossetia/Abkhazia
On Tuesday, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed an order recognizing the independence of two Georgian breakaway provinces, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a day after it was overwhelmingly approved by both houses of Russia's parliament.
He called on other countries to follow Russia's lead. He blamed Georgia's president, Mikheil Saakashvili, for forcing his hand by launching a military assault on South Ossetia rebels, triggering a major invasion by Russia's military.
US President Bush:
"Georgia's territorial integrity and borders must command the same respect as every other nation's, including Russia's."
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:
Called the decision "regrettable."
Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, OSCE Chair:
"The recognition of independence for South Ossetia and Abkhazia violates fundamental OSCE principles."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel:
"This contradicts the basic principles of territorial integrity and is therefore absolutely unacceptable."
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt:
"Russia’s decision to recognize the rebel Georgian provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states was a "deliberate violation of international law. Medvedev now dramatically escalated the crisis between Russia and the rest of the world. The decision is also a deliberate violation of international law and basic principles for stability in Europe."
South Ossetia and Abkhazia broke away from Georgia during civil wars in the 1990s. So both provinces declared themselves independent nearly two decades ago. It wasn't till now that Georgia decided to try to retake South Ossetia. Of course when things started going badly there, rebels in Abkhazia took action and started taking over towns near their region.
Out of all of this, how does this compare with Kosovo?
Kosovo's parliament proclaimed independence in defiance of Serbia and Russia. Serbia called the declaration illegal and its ally Russia denounced it, saying it threatened to touch off a new conflict in the Balkans.
Kosovo had formally remained a part of Serbia even though it has been administered by the U.N. and NATO since 1999, when NATO airstrikes ended former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic's crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists.
Ninety percent of Kosovo's 2 million people are ethnic Albanian — most of them secular Muslims — and they see no reason to stay joined to the rest of Christian Orthodox Serbia.
Forty-six countries went ahead and recognized the Republic of Kosovo. The United States announced its recongition of Kosovo on February 18, 2008. The US called Kosovo a "special-case." It said that independence from Serbia for the majority Albanian province was the only "viable option" to keep the region stable.
As for UN membership, both China and Russian Federation have stated that they will oppose Kosovo's application. They also stated that Kosovo's actions do violate international law.
They refer to UN Security Council Resolution 1244, adopted in 1999, which reaffirmed “the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.” The plan was to give Kosovo “substantial autonomy and meaningful self-administration.” Recognizing Kosovo’s independence prior to new authorization by the Security Council would clearly violate international law.
Naturally, a new UN Security Council resolution for Kosovo independence will not pass because of Chinese and Russian opposition. So the United States, some EU countries, and others have chosen to bypass the UNSC on this issue.
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The US and the West accused Russia of violating the territorial integrity of Georgia.
The Russian Federation accused the US and West for violating the territorial integrity of Serbia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Who is truly right? Kosovo does not want to be a part of Serbia. But South Ossetia and Abkhazia do not want to be a part of Georgia.
To be honest, it is really all Mikheil Saakashvili's fault. He chose the military option; to re-take South Ossetia by force. Now the chances of both South Ossetia and Abkhazia returning to full Georgian control is pretty much impossible.
Here's one tenant to avoid having in your apartment
Dr. John Getzow, serial evictor
SF Weekly - How renters work the system to live for free in one of America's most expensive cities
EU to lift sanctions on Cuba.... hint hint US!
Members of the European Union decided Thursday to formally lift sanctions on Cuba, a spokeswoman for EU Secretary-General Javier Solana told CNN.
Christina Gallach said the decision, made over dinner during the first day of a planned two-day summit in Brussels, Belgium, will be formally confirmed on Monday during an EU council meeting.
The diplomatic sanctions, which limited visits to the Communist island by senior EU personnel, were imposed in 2003 after concerns were raised about human rights in Cuba. The sanctions were suspended in 2005, so lifting them now could be considered a symbolic move.
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The US embargo will soon reach 50 years. Have we finally seen the light? Perhaps we should follow our previous examples with Vietnam, China, and South Africa and lift economic sanctions.
All we get is Fidel's laugh having survived Kennedy though Bush.
Isn't it time to try something new?
Ross Perot: Focus on National Debt!
Ross Perot is jumping back into the political fray -- this time with a stern warning that the country better start paying attention to the national debt.
The former presidential candidate has reemerged with a new Web site spotlighting the soaring budget deficit -- more than $9.3 trillion and growing.
"We live in the greatest country in the history of man. We've been so successful for so long that we now take our success for granted," Perot says in a video posted on PerotCharts.com.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
David Walker, the former U.S. comptroller general and nation's top accountant, consulted with Perot on the need to cut spending in Washington.
While we may seem to be mesmerized with Obama's call for change, and McCain's Straight Talk, both candidate fail to list solutions for combating our national deficit and debt.
Of course both candidates would submit budget plans to cut or eliminate our deficit, neither one wants to tell the American public about the huge NATIONAL DEBT that we have.
As of 6/18/2008, the total national debt is $9.392 trillion. (link)
Within the next decade or so, it will no longer be Democrats versus Republicans. The demographics with regards to the federal budget and spending will divide between the young and old. Could the AARP and legions of senior citizens vote to keep Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security alive at the expense of federal domestic programs and higher taxes on the young and working class?
Can tax cuts bring more growth in the long run? Or what if tax cuts are not enough? Should there be some tax increases on certain groups? Should we focus more on accountability and spending cuts? But then we have to make sure there is oversight on agencies and departments doing competitive pricing. Or is it too late?
Arizona opts out of Real ID!
Good news! The Arizona Legislature is sending Gov. Janet Napolitano a bill barring the state from participating in new federal security standards for driver's licenses.
Real ID faces criticism because of the federal mandate, costs to states and privacy concerns. The Bush administration says the law will hinder terrorists, illegal immigrants and other wrongdoers.
$23 Billion Lost
BBC investigation estimates that around $23 billion may have been lost, stolen, or just not properly accounted for in Iraq.
It is always interesting to find how external news organizations are finding out about this before our American counterparts. Of course, efforts to seek out more about financial mismanagement have been gagged by the U.S. government.
Currently, there is a gag order to about 70 court cases against some of the top US companies.
To date, no major US contractor faces trial for fraud or mismanagement in Iraq.
Is this justified because there is a war on terror? What if $100 billion was missing? Or even $200 billion? Can the government justify these losses for the sake of protecting Americans from terrorists?
While I can understand that lawsuits may be ill-timed if there were continuing war operations or the country has not been effectively stable, but after 4-5 years, it is time to really see if money has been spent legally and to take action if there is any mismanagement.
With President Bush still in power, effective action against US contractors is still being blocked.
China's censors ban Time Out magazine
Beijing has declared time out on Time Out. The English-language edition of the monthly magazine that gives foreign residents and visitors the latest lowdown on the coolest bars, the hippest shops and the hottest shows in the Chinese capital has disappeared.
The June issue of Time Out Beijing has been banned from distribution by China's censors, The Times has learnt. But the decision seems to have been taken not because of any racy or politically incorrect content. Time Out Beijing has fallen victim to the accelerating imposition of restrictions on any aspect of life in the capital deemed to pose a potential threat to a smooth Olympics.
WTF?
China: World is watching
Fox News' America's Pulse E.D. Hill jabs herself
While it has been amusing to see the MSM get so fascinated with the Michelle and Barack Obama fist bump, a slip of the tongue by Fox News' America's Pulse host E.D. Hill was either unintentional or his brain was tased at the worst possible way.
During the June 6 edition of Fox News' America's Pulse, host E.D. Hill teased an upcoming discussion by saying, "A fist bump? A pound? A terrorist fist jab? The gesture everyone seems to interpret differently."
It's likely that he just said that just to put an extreme example of why folks do a fist bump. Of course, most folks would point out that because of confusion of whether Obama is a Christian or Muslim, or that folks would mistake Obama with Osama, someone with ill-will may choose to associate his actions with terrorism.
From another viewpoint, why would the host choose to say "terrorist fist jab?" We probably have not seen any photos or footage of terrorist individuals or groups practicing the so-called fist bump. This could have been a cheapshot aimed to insult the Obamas.
Of course, I do have to point out that in the ensuing discussion with her guest, Janine Driver -- a "body language expert," there was no further mention about Hill's terrorist words. Perhaps the producers in the back studio took quick action right after she uttered those words, and told her (via earpiece) not to say anything more about it.
Not sure if Janine Driver was also told the same thing (via earpiece).
I'm sure bloggers from the conservative side may argue that it was just words in jest, or just a poor example made by Hill.
Liberal bloggers may see it differently because of Fox News' history of favoring the conservative viewpoint and they think Hill's words were sanctioned by the network or other high-placed individuals.
Media Matters has issued a call to action on this.
In any case, the fist bump is NOT a terrorist fist jab.
Japanese parents taking a page from Americans and more?
Across Japan teachers are reporting an astonishing change in the character of parents, who, after decades of respectful silence, have become a super-aggressive army of complainers. The problem is that nobody can decide whether this is a good thing or not. Japan's mass media has opted to demonise them: a lavish television drama starting next month will present the monster parents as a vile symptom of a society that has lost all respect for its traditions and decorum.
The parents believe that they are champions of basic consumer rights, rights that Japanese society has supposedly long trampled over in the name of conformity and order. Either way, few deny that mothers and fathers have shifted from being staunch supporters of Japan's rigid education system to its most ardent assailants. Previously, when a child was in trouble the parents apologised profusely to the teacher; nowadays, they try to have the teacher sacked.
Where previously schools were trusted and respected, they are now the targets of concerted activism. Dozens of educators have been forced to resign in the face of the blazing fury of parents who no longer tolerate anything that appears to disadvantage their offspring.
Read more (Times Online UK)
Secret plan to keep Iraq under US control
Independent UK reports a secret plan (military alliance) that would subvert Iraqi sovereignty in order to keep the American military in Iraq indefinitely
Red Light Cameras - Trolling for Trouble
NYT Article shows the flaws in our red light cameras
Be sure to check to see if red light cameras in your area are tinkering with the duration of the yellow lights. Generally, it should be 3 seconds. Companies installing the red light cameras have been found trying to decrease the time in order to generate more revenues for the camera operator and the municipality.
For example, in Charlotte, NC, the number of accidents at intersections has gone down less than one percent. The number of rear-end accidents has gone up 15 percent.
Another reason to avoid Scientology
ABCNEWS - Ex-Scientology Kids Share Their Stories
Former Scientologists, Including Church Leader's Niece, Share Stories With 'Nightline'
* * * * *
Honestly, thank god we haven't see Scientology clubs popping among college campuses. Luckily, I haven't had to deal with that while I was VP of Finance in USG.
Monster US embassy in Iraq is ready
The over-budgeted U.S. embassy is now ready for occupancy. The bloated $730 million facility was given the "certificate of occupancy" by Undersecretary for Management Patrick Kennedy.
It is completely fortified, located inside the Green Zone, and allows staff to move into its 27 buildings.
Kennedy got the ok, after receiving assurances from experts that fire, electrical, mechanical, and communication tests have passed. Anyone willing to bet their lives on that? Hmmm.
The facility is supposed to provide secure housing. Unfortunately, none of the buildings are equipped with special repelling paint that would cause mortars and bombs to bounce off the buildings. The Vatican-size compound would still give insurgents a large target where they could not miss.
It's not that hard. The color and building style would be a complete giveaway. Plus, how can we be so sure that it will protect staff and security forces? The project went over by 6 months. There are allegations that the main contractor, First Kuwait, has committed fraud in building our facility.
I wonder how historians would view this $730 million dollar monster. A sore sight for the Iraqis or a symbol of a crumbling neo-con dream of an American empire.
Secret US Plan for Iraq
As discovered by the Guardian UK newspaper...
The draft strategic framework agreement between the US and Iraqi governments, dated March 7 and marked "secret" and "sensitive", is intended to replace the existing UN mandate and authorises the US to "conduct military operations in Iraq and to detain individuals when necessary for imperative reasons of security" without time limit.
Who's going to pay the bill? We are.
Kids' Dress-Up Day called controversial
Years before political correctness became the rule of the land, high school senior class students would hold a "Role-Reversal Day" as part of Senior Week where students would dress up as the opposite sex. In college, there would be parties where males dress up as females and vice-versa. It was all done in spirit of good fun and silliness. I could still remember when one guy dressed up as Madonna with the pointed bra. It was so funny.
The notion of these students trying to promote alternative lifestyles or transgenderism was unheard of. It would have been the last thing to cross their minds.
Of course, some folks today believe that doing such a thing is completely taboo and might even (shudder) cause a fellow student to think he/she is a different sex. Some call it un-Christian.
Are such reactions exaggerated? Or justified?
It appears that students at Pineview Elementary decided to do a "Senior Citizen and Opposite Gender" day as part of this year's Wacky Week. Every year, the students would do a different theme meant to boost classroom energy at the end of winter. This year, students can dress up as senior citizens or as members of the opposite sex.
The opposite sex theme must have gotten a fellow local resident upset so that person informed the Voice of Christian Youth America, a Milwaukee-based radio network that aired on nine radio stations throughout Wisconsin. The radio network, believing that demons have overtaken the school, issued a special broadcast alert. They criticized the dress-up day and accused the district of promoting alternative lifestyles.
At this point, did the radio network issue their special broadcast based on the opinions of this one local resident? Did they contact the school to find more about this Wacky Week event? It would seem a bit stupid to base your findings on only one source. Most of the news stories talked about one local resident calling the radio station about the event.
Jim Schneider, Network's program director:
"We believe it's the wrong message to send to elementary students. Our station is one that promotes traditional family values. It concerns us when a school district strikes at the heart and core of the Biblical values. To promote this to elementary-school students is a great error."
Vic Eliason, VP and Exec Director of VCY America:
"If it was some kind of silly party, a birthday or fun, this is not an issue. We're not against kids having fun. But one of the things that has happened of late is the issue of gender and transgenderism, and these are deeply held issues within the family."
Being that only one side of the story was aired over the radio network, calls complaining about the event flooded the school and the Reedsburg School District office.
I would expect most of the calls were pretty much accusing the school trying to promote alternative lifestyles, that it was alright for boys and girls to pretend like girls and boys respectively, and other unethical things.
Shari Miller, Student Senate Advisor:
"We didn't think about it like that, the kids didn't think about it like that. And therefore, that's why we went with it. We never thought that anything would come about like this."
Principal Tammy Hayes:
"We did not mean to offend anybody by accepting the children's idea here and the children certainly did not mean any ill will by choosing this day."
The principal noted that no one had raised any objections beforehand. She said a flier detailing Wacky Week had been sent home with children the prior week, and an announcement was also included in teacher newsletters.
Of course, they did not ask the Christian Youth America group. Maybe there should be a CYA censor at the school to make sure Christian valued themes are taught over there. Yes, we do not want to have corruptive, adult-style themes that would damage the children. Could we please exercise some common sense?
Honestly, imagine if it were medieval times, the school would be razed and the heretics burned at the stake.
It sounds to me that if a school wants to hold an event, they have to literally ask everyone living in the district including residents that do not have any children.
I can help write the form....
"Dear Resident,
Despite the fact that you do not have a student going to Pineview Elementary School, we just wanted to let you know that we are holding a Opposite Sex Event where males and females will undergo surgery and become members of the opposite sex. If you have any objection, please contact the Reedsburg School District office. Thank you."
Anyhow, the school district wanted to stop the complaints, so they decided that Wacky Week will still continue, but Opposite Gender Day would not be on the list for students to choose.
Possible photo doctoring by China on Tibetan riots
The post shows a photo where a dressed up Tibetan brandishing a knife is shown with other protestors. It is later revealed that this so-called "Tibetan" was a Chinese policeman.
Of course, after his identity was revealed, Chinese media sites cropped out his figure from the photo.
Lawmakers choose to love pork
It's 2008, an election year. We are likely in a recession. Some lawmakers want to get re-elected.
That means, it's time to file their "pork" projects, earmarks, projects designed to waste your taxpayers' dollars.
Sure, Clinton, Obama, McCain, and Paul have denounced earmarks, but the rest of Congress are not following suit.
After the Senate did a thumbs down on a ban of legislative earmarks in next year's budget, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi surrendered as well by shelving the idea of a one-year moratorium.
Of course, lawmakers insist that earmarks means jobs back in their home districts. As long it is sensible and justified.... of course we have seen examples of pet projects that border on the insane and idiotic.
In addition, I do have to rant on one thing that happened this past weekend. I took a few friends down to Atlantic City and we had a good time. I did pretty well at the blackjack tables and just before heading back home, I was at one table where everyone was doing great. Over half of the table decided to take their winnings and leave, and three russian players (all brothers) took the seats.
Then they decided to screw the usual rules and make lousy decisions. On most cases they follow the "book." In other cases, they started to make dumb choices and screw the rest of the table. In the end, I lost half of my winnings. They berated one player for splitting two 6's against a dealer showing a 2. Of course, if you have a 12 against a dealer showing a 2, you can choose to hit or stay. Some players would adopt a policy of staying or hitting on a 12 if a dealer is showing a 2. But if you have a split-combination, then you should split against a 2. The russians weren't happy, and they were being obnoxious and strong-headed.
I finally decided it was time to go when one of them decided to stay on 14 with the dealer showing a Queen. Of course, if he had hit, the next card was a 4 giving him an 18. The dealer would have later busted if he took that card. Instead, the dealer won against everyone except me (I had a higher number). If he took the card, then the dealer would have busted, so everyone would have won.
I think in the best interests of everyone playing blackjack, never have more than one russian playing at the table. If you have more than one, they're a dangerous factor.
Craigslist hoax is a concern for all
Some folks may believe that anything posted on the internet could be true. If you look at a blog site, note the contents and you would have to decide if the article or posting is true or false. Some entries would be backed up with research or links citing such facts. Sometimes, it could be just word-of-mouth.
This incident should not be treated lightly.
Someone posted an ad on Craigslist telling folks that a Southern Oregon man's property was up for grabs stating that the owner was forced to leave the area suddenly and his belongings were free for the taking.
However, the ad was a hoax.
Unfortunately, some people thought it was true. They took the man's work ladders, his lawn mower, weed eater, his porch swing, and others. When the owner got home, there were 30 people going through his barn and front porch. Most of them were armed with the Craigslist printout. Because of it, they told the owner they had a right to his stuff. Ridiculous...
Of course, when it was finally confirmed that it was indeed a hoax, some folks did return his stuff, but he is still missing some of his belongings.
This is very dangerous especially after other incidents where party events advertised on Craigslist without the owner's knowledge have resulted in hundreds of people crashing parties and causing property damage. Other similar postings have resulted in the owner's house being ransacked.
Ron Paul Rally in Washington, D.C. - April 15th
There will be a mass rally in Washington, D.C. on the west lawn of the Capitol building.
April 15, 2008 @ 11AM
Guest speakers include Ron & Carol Paul
A bit overzealous? TSA Screener Opens Teen's Sterile Equipment
A sick teenager said an over-zealous security screener at Orlando International Airport put his life in danger. After Channel 9 started making calls, the TSA opened an investigation into the matter.
James Hoyne, 14, has a feeding tube in his stomach and carries a back-up in a sealed clear plastic bag. Hoyne said two weeks ago a TSA officer insisted on opening the sterile equipment, contaminating his back-up feeding up tube which he later needed.
"I said 'Please don't open it' and she said 'I have to open it whether you like it or not. If I can't open it, I can't let you on the plane,'" Hoyne said of his conversation with the TSA screener.
TSA officials apologized to James and said they're looking into the incident to see what corrective steps need to be taken.
Could war break out in South America?
Did the foreign policy analysts at the intelligence agencies miss this one?
Could it be just a bunch of leaders making a temper tantrum at each other or could war break out between Ecuador and Venezuela, and Colombia?
And will the United States intervene?
Another low for the dollar, oil hits high
The Euro (EUR) rose to another record, $1.5274 in early New York trading.
The dollar also fell to its lowest level in three years against the yen.
Oil prices marched past $103 a barrel today.
AAA reports average price of a gallon of gasoline at $3.165.
Diesel prices hit another new record of $3.674 a gallon.
Builders are building less, the government reported. Manufacturers are cutting back.
Another interest rate cut will not help this economy.
The nation's unemployment rate is expected to bump up to 5 percent.
The economy grew 0.6 percent for Q4 2007.
Economists believe Q1 2008 will be a 0.4 percent uptick, but most folks really doubt that.
* * * * *
We may see $4 per gallon in the summer.
We may see the Euro hit $2.
We will see inflation skyrocket in the later months. Core price index be damned. Labor Dept says food prices went up 0.7 percent in January, but could they be underestimating it?
We are entering a recession. We cannot continue to delay the inevitable. Let it come, let us weather the storm, and let the business cycle work the market. The Fed has failed.
Scientology taking hits online
All they want is your money and your loyalty. Keep the criticisms going and tell folks the truth.
Chicago has the highest sales tax
Early Saturday, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger struck a deal with board members, who approved a 1 percent increase in the sales tax - driving Chicago's overall sales tax to double digits at 10.25 percent, easily among the highest of any big city. And it will be enacted just in time for the Christmas shopping season.
So if folks are looking for something cheaper, Indiana's sales tax is 6%. Iowa ranges from 5-7%, Missouri is 4.225%, Wisconsin is 5.0-5.5%.
"Anonymous" protests against Scientology
Protests in Boston, New York, Toronto, the U.K., Australia, and a dozen other locations.
Rock on!
Iceland complains about treatment of tourist
Iceland's government has asked the U.S. ambassador to explain the treatment of an Icelandic tourist who says she was held in shackles before being deported from the United States.
Erla Osk Arnardottir Lillendahl was arrested when she arrived at JFK airport in New York because she had overstayed a U.S. visa more than 10 years earlier.
She contended she was interrogated at JFK airport for two days, during which she was not allowed to call relatives. She said she was denied food and drink for part of the time, and was photographed and fingerprinted.
On Monday, Lillendahl claimed, her hands and feet were chained and she was moved to a prison in New Jersey, where she was kept in a cell, interrogated further and denied access to a phone.
* * * * * *
Overzealous security personnel? Did she have terrorist links? Conspiracy against the government? Nah, she overstayed her visa 10 years ago....10 years!!!
It's immigration's fault for not even stopping her when she left 10 years ago.
Were they that bored? If they catch an actual terrorist at immigration, they can use the dogs, their tasers, and some mace/pepper spray, and a few kicks to the head.
Thumbs Down: Fox News - Ron Paul
So Ron Paul appeared on Fox & Friends today, and it was so disappointing. The woman was kinda playing dumb asking Ron Paul about his fundraising record and he was still lagging in the single digits. Then she comes up with this questioning: I will give you a topic or issue, and you give me one word to describe it.
One word???
How can you give a one-word response on immigration? On war on terror? On Iraq? You bloody can't!
It was a waste of time for Ron Paul to appear on that show. Perhaps they can find a better interviewer next time.
After a train beating, a bus beating
Link (Baltimore Examiner)
This reminds me of the youth problem in the UK. Of course, the newsies refer them as "yobs," they are become quite an annoyance to public safety.
In this case, a bunch of middle school kids beat up a woman on a Baltimore city bus. What did she do to provoke them? She sat down.
Sarah Kreager, 26, was attacked by nine students -- three females and six males -- from Robert Poole Middle School. She sustained "serious injuries" which included two broken bones in her left eye socket.
All nine suspects, ages 14 and 15, were arrested and charged with aggravated assault. Their bus tickets -- provided by the school -- have been revoked.
Was it race-motivated? The attackers were black. The victim is white.
There were no racist remarks or comments made. Apparently, the kids refused to let the lady sit on the bus.
Tell Massachusetts not to get involved with your family
Lawmakers on Beacon Hill are set to consider a proposed ban on spanking children in the commonwealth. State Rep. Jay Kaufman filed the spanking ban petition at the request of an Arlington, Mass., nurse who wants Massachusetts to become the first state in the country to stop corporal punishment.
If it becomes law, any parents caught hitting their children who are under the age of 18 could be charged with abuse or neglect.
* * * * * *
While the intention is good, the government should not control the way you should raise your family. If a child deserves to be punished, some tolerable form of physical punishment is needed. Sending a child to his or her room, or being grounded are not absolute solutions. If your child was misbehaving in the store or mall, a simple no would not suffice.
The nanny police would probably have to arrest every parent in the mall who are trying to control their kids during this holiday season.
A waste of taxpayers' expense.
The $54 Million Dollar Pants: Judge finally loses his job
Roy L. Pearson, Jr., the infamous law judge who filed a $54 million lawsuit against the Chungs on a pair of pants has finally lost his job.
The judicial committee from the Office of Administrative Hearings, hand-delivered a seven-page letter to Pearson directing him to leave his office at the end of the day.
Of course, the panel said that the lawsuit did not play a substantial role in their decision to not re-appoint him. Instead, the committee reviewed Pearson's judicial decisions and audiotapes of proceedings over which he had presided and found he did not demonstrate "appropriate judgment and judicial temperament," according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Pearson was also criticizied for displaying a "combative" nature with supervisors and colleagues and for failing to comply with policies in drafting opinions.
Anybody want to take a bet if Pearson sues the city for losing his job?
Cleveland: Sub-Prime Capital of the United States
Investors and markets are in fear that banks could have around $1 TRILLION in toxic debt or so-called sub-prime debt.
BBC News shows Cleveland, Ohio, as the sub-prime capital of the United States. One in ten homes in the city is now vacant, and whole neighborhoods have been blighted by foreclosed, vandalized, nd boarded-up homes.
Cleveland is thought to be facing a rising crime wave, and the cost of demolishing the vacant houses alone will cost the city $100 million of its tax base.
Jim Rokakis, the County Treasurer for Cleveland's Cuyahoga County:
"Wall Street strategies that made the cycle of no-money-down, no-questions-asked lending possible have sucked the life out of my city".
Sub-prime mortgages carry a much higher risk of default by the borrower than other kinds of mortgage lending.
That is because most of them are "balloon" mortgages (technically known as hybrid-adjustable rate mortgages, or ARMs), which offer the borrower a fixed-rate loan for two or three years, and then switch to a much higher adjustable rate after that.
Many of them are set to switch in the next two years, leaving borrowers unable to afford the higher payments.
Claudia Coulton, co-director of the Centre for Urban Poverty at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, over 10,000 families - one in eight of all owner occupiers in Cleveland - will face eviction this year - and the number is expected to rise.
She says the crisis is threatening to "overwhelm the government agencies and community organisations that address the problem".
* * * * *
NJ voters: constitutional amendment on idiot/insane person
It is actually funny that this phrase is still in our state constitution for so many years.
It reads:
Shall the amendment of Article II, Section I, paragraph 6 of
the Constitution, agreed to by the Legislature, revising the
current constitutional language concerning denial of the right
to vote by deleting the phrase “idiot or insane person” and
providing instead that a “person who has been adjudicated
by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to
understand the act of voting” shall not enjoy the right of
suffrage, be adopted?
Just imagine...you can find a bigshot lawyer who can argue that half of the voting population could be considered idiots because they are just mindless zombies voting for their elected leaders because the political party told them to. =)
Christian Monitor: Media Myths about the Jena 6
The Christian Monitor posts an article by a local Jena journalist on the Jena 6. This journalist has been there from the very beginning and presents a different story than what the media is showing.
Perhaps our Jena 6 activists can read the actual truth and know that thanks to our lazy media and opportunistic black leaders, this whole thing has been blown out of proportion.
Myths include:
1) There was no "Whites-Only" tree.
2) The nooses on the tree was a white-on-white prank.
3) The schoolyard attack and the nooses are not related.
4) The all-white jury happened because several black residents that were summoned did not appear.
* * * * *
From the Jena Times:
The so-called "schoolyard fight" between the Jena 6 and Justin Barker. Witnesses stated that several black students, including those now known as the Jena 6, barricaded an exit to the school's gym as they lay in wait for Barker to exit.
When Barker tried to leave through another exit, court testimony indicates, he was hit from behind by Mychal Bell. Multiple witnesses confirmed that Barker was immediately knocked unconscious and lay on the floor defenseless as several other black students joined together to kick and stomp him, with most of the blows striking his head.
* * * * *
It is true racial injustice must be stopped, but to protray these guys as the victims instead of the attackers is ridiculous.
For all the activists and protestors, where are you getting your information? How do you know if it is the exact truth?
You call those that doubt it as racist or ignorant.
How about doing some research? How about questioning the questioners?
The noose was a political creation. In reality, it was a prank by three white students aimed at their fellow white friends, members of the school rodeo team.
Did you get your passport?
JANUARY 31, 2008
U.S. and Canadian citizens will need to present either a WHTI-compliant document, or a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, plus proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate. DHS also proposes to begin alternative procedures for U.S. and Canadian children at that time.
SUMMER 2008
At a later date, to be determined, the departments will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have either a U.S. passport; a U.S. passport card; a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI; a valid Merchant Mariner Document (MMD) when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business; or a valid U.S. Military identification card when traveling on official orders.
The implementation date will be determined based on a number of factors, including the progress of actions undertaken by the Department of Homeland Security to implement the WHTI requirements and the availability of WHTI compliant documents on both sides of the border. DHS and DOS expect the date of full WHTI implementation to be in the summer of 2008. The precise implementation date will be formally announced with at least 60 days notice.
Washington Post calls Ron Paul, the Howard Dean of '08
In terms of online popularity, Ron Paul wins by a landslide.
More Facebook supporters than Rudy Giuliani
More MySpace friends than Mitt Romney
More viewed YouTube videos than Romney, Giuliani, and McCain combined
And still the most frequently searched terms on the Technorati, which offers a real-time snapshot of the blogosphere.
Is the Pledge of Allegiance that bad?
About 50 Boulder High School students walked out of class Thursday to protest the daily reading of the Pledge of Allegiance and recited their own version, omitting "one nation, under God."
They also say the daily reading of the pledge over the school public address system at the start of the second class takes away from education time and is ignored or mocked by some students.
As a result, the protesting students, members of the Student Worker Club have offered their own pledge:
First the original pledge:
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
The Alternative Pledge:
"I pledge allegiance to the flag and my constitutional rights with which it comes. And to the diversity, in which our nation stands, one nation, part of 1 planet, with liberty, freedom, choice and justice for all."
* * * * *
The law in Colorado about the Pledge states that it must be made available for recitation during school hours. Before this year, the high school had the Pledge recited in the auditorium and could be optionally attended by any student who felt so inclined. This year, the school moved the pledge to the beginning of second period.
The Student Worker Club argues that the new policy imposes the Pledge on students who are opposed to recitation, disagree with the phrase "Under God," or would simply rather be studying. Student Worker is also worried that the Pledge will be trivialized in the eyes of those who do wish to recite it by the vast majority of students who simply ignore the recitation and remain seated.
Student Worker’s goal was to move the pledge from being broadcasted over the intercom during second period to an optional recitation in the auditorium during lunch hours, not the removal of the phrase “under god” or recitation of the pledge itself completely.
* * * * *
I am a bit miffed that the students chose to not mention "United States of America" in their alternative pledge. That is of course the country we are pledging allegiance to. Relegating to just "nation" seems to make it a bit shallow.
Back in middle school, we had homeroom first so everyone stands and recites the pledge as it is broadcasted over the loudspeaker and the aide takes attendance, and that's it. In high school, the pledge is recited at the beginning of first period class. It only takes about 2 minutes or so.
I doubt that these two minutes could be spent on studying. We are not doing some sort of elaborate ceremony here.
You are being asked to respect the flag, and if anyone feels they are slighted by the "Under God" phrase, they can just sit during the recitation and that's it.
Hopefully our national anthem won't get taken apart in the same fashion.
* * * * *
Side note: It seems that only in New York, Yankee or Shea Stadium, we do a "God Bless America" song before the "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" song during the half of the 7th inning. Mind you that we take the song seriously because of what has happened to the city back on 9/11. The folks in the stands really do get angry if fellow fans do not take off their caps or talking during the song.
Cities, Towns find new sources of revenue for red-light cameras
Houston, Texas local station KPRC 2 reports that the city is now expanding their red-light camera to include illegal left and right turns, and drivers who do not come to a complete stop before making a turn.
All through September police only issued warnings for those caught on the new cameras, but soon that will change.
"Oct. 1 we will start sending out notice of violations at all the locations, including those illegal left and right turns," said Sgt. Edward Robinson.
There are a total of 70 cameras watching drivers.
Red-light runners and those who fail to come to a complete stop before making a turn at a red light can expect a $75 ticket in the mail.
* * * * *
Yes, we are all for car safety at the intersection but could this get too picky? Instead of safety, it will all be about a town or city trying to milk more money from its drivers. First you get illegal turns, then not making a full and complete stop, then you could get a fine for going 1-2 mph over the speed limit, or you lights were not on while using the wipers, or you did not signal in time.
It's really about the money, not automobile safety.
SF Resolution to Ban Blue Angels Fails
San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly and his peacenik allies have been trying to get rid of anything military in the city. Their latest attempt has been the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels. He has been trying to ban them from performing their aerial acrobatics over the city during Fleet Week.
His arguments have centered on safety, citing a fatal air accident with the Blue Angels in April in a small rural town in South Carolina where eight people on the ground were injured. He believes that having a fighter pilot exhibition over a densely populated area like San Francisco poses an unwarranted risk to life and property.
Unfortunately for him, the Board of Supervisors voted down his resolution yesterday afternoon.
Blue Angels 1, Chris Daly 0
Bush asks for $200 billion for the war for 2008
U.S. war costs have continued to grow because of the additional combat forces sent to Iraq this year and because of efforts to quickly ramp up production of new technology, such as mine-resistant trucks designed to protect troops from roadside bombs. The new trucks can cost three to six times as much as an armored Humvee.
The funding request means that war costs are projected to grow even as the number of deployed combat troops begins a gradual decline starting in December. Spending on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is to rise from $173 billion this year to about $195 billion in fiscal 2008, which begins Oct. 1.
The new spending request is likely to push the cumulative cost of the war in Iraq alone through 2008 past the $600-billion mark -- more than the Korean War and nearly as much as the Vietnam War, based on estimates by government budget officials.
* * * * *
If Bush feels that continuing the war is important in Iraq, then how about proposing a tax to fund the war? It is so easy for the President because he thinks the federal government can continue to spend and spend without regard to our fiscal responsibility. I am sure they all love deficit spending.
Also, how dare for the Bush administration to not include the $200 billion as part of their annual federal budget? They do not count this line-item as part of their deficit forecast. How convenient!
New York State gives drivers' license to illegals
Update 9/29/07:
This has to be one of my more lively posts so far this year.
The Republicans in the NY State Assembly have issued Gov. Eliot Spitzer an ultimatum: Rescind an executive order that allows illegal aliens to get driver's licenses or face a lawsuit. Spitzer has until Oct. 31 to withdraw his proposal.
The critics contend the measure violates state law and promotes terrorism. Spitzer argued that the new order will lower insurance rates, train better drivers, and boost security by creating records on illegal aliens.
Meanwhile, New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez has announced that she fully supports the Governor's order. Funny for the newspaper to say she is latino. Isn't true that the media always emphasize the minority affiliation for any state and local office holder?
Cortes-Vazquez says it's all about fair play and public safety, who spoke to the Latino Democratic Committee of Orange County.
"By licensing individuals, one, we are also making sure that everybody on the road is insured, so that if you are engaged in an accident, you know that somebody is insured; it's a public safety issue. We will save you $120 million a year as a result of just having more people driving who are insured."
It's not just the GOP by the way. The 9/11 Families are against it. The New York Times did a report on New York's DMV offices that are supervised by county clerks and found that more than 80% of them oppose Spitzer's license plan and will RESIST processing applications that don't include proof of legal residence.
Mayor Bloomberg said, "I'm really skeptical that we should be issuing driver's licenses willy-nilly because it then leads to lots of other problems." To which Spitzer responded, "He is wrong at every level - dead wrong, factually wrong, legally wrong, morally wrong, ethically wrong."
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "I understand the fear of 9/11 and I agree security is essential, but our nation is an immigrant nation ... and to deny law-abiding immigrant New Yorkers licenses ... is to give into that fear."
Chris Bentley, a spokesman for Citizenship and Immigration Services, said yesterday that the federal government "would prefer that individuals that don't have status don't have legitimate identification documents. But at the same time, the states have the right to produce those."
New York becomes the 9th state to offer licenses to illegal immigrants: Others are Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Folks, if you look at the fine print in Spitzer's executive order, he is allowing illegal immigrants that have a valid and verifiable foreign passport to get a driver's license.
Now how many of the 500,000 to 1 million illegal immigrants living in New York have that? Not a huge percentage, I guess.
Proponents believe that it will reduce insurance costs. Yet, insurers will likely charge illegal immigrants more because of their status and risk of accident. For public safety, I do hope that when they go to take their exam and road test, they will do their best to drive safely and be responsible on the road. However, if an illegal carrying a valid license does get into an accident, then the penalties are much more harsher. Then you have to go into the nitty-gritty stuff if the accident was a fender-bender or an accident that has a fatality.
But this victory could be short-lived. It won't help with border crossings because the Dept. of Homeland Security will require federal passports to be used at the beginning of 2008 to travel by land and air. The REAL ID enhanced license program where states can use their license in subsitute of a passport will not help either. Then New York residents, both legal and illegal, won't be allowed to use their driver's license to travel or enter any government building.
Would any one believe that Gov. Spitzer's actions are illegal? Could a governor choose to take such action without approval by the state legislature?
* * * * *
Governor Eliot Spitzer decided to lift the citizenship requirement for driver's licenses because they cannot ignore the illegals.
"We're changing our policy with respect to getting more people out of shadows and into the system so people don't hide they're here," Spitzer said.
He said the current restrictions on non-citizens have filled the roads with unlicensed drivers five times more likely to get into accidents.
Under the new policy, the Department of Motor Vehicles will accept foreign passports and birth certificates from immigrants as proof of identification. They will no longer need to provide a Social Security card.
* * * * *
Does the Governor really think that giving illegals the right to have a NYS driver's license would really help them? They are still more likely to carry a fake or invalid license. They are still more likely to cause a vehicle accident because they do not know the rules of the road. They are still more likely to flee from the scene of an accident.
Why?
Despite Spitzer's reasoning that it would cut down the number of unlicensed drivers, it would actually give law enforcement agents an easier time to check out the driver's record and determine whether the person has the proper documentation to stay in the state and country.
Actually, this new executive order is pretty much short-lived. If the Federal REAL ID Act is not repealed, it would institute a federal standard on drivers' documents nationwide which will require the use of the SSN.
How about auto insurance? Since they are considered high-risk, any insurance company that wants to do business with them would usually charge higher premiums.
So basically, we are still screwed either way.
Editorials
News Blaze - Against
NY Daily News - For
New York Post - Against
The $54 Million Dollars Pants Suit: Where are the Chungs now?
Despite their initial victory in the $54 million pants lawsuit (Pearson is appealing the decision), the Chungs' store, Custom Cleaners, has gone out of business. The emotion and financial burdens took their toll, and the family is down to one store, Happy Cleaners on Seventh Street NW, across from the Washington Convention Center in Shaw.
The Chungs are still bewildered that one vindictive customer could cause so much trouble for their business.
Unfortunately, it's not over yet. Pearson is appealing the verdict, but fortunately, the Chungs' attorney, Christopher Manning, has stated that his firm will handle the appeal without charge.
Iranian President Ahmadinejad plans to visit Ground Zero despite NYPD rejection
WABC is reporting that Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad intends to visit Ground Zero on Monday at 10AM despite NYPD's rejection of his request to visit the site.
Iran's president and his entourage will be accompanied by a Secret Service protective detail, a detail provided to all heads of state when they visit the U.S.
Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani released the following statement on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:
"Under no circumstances should the NYPD or any other American authority assist President Ahmadinejad in visiting Ground Zero. This is a man who has made threats against America and Israel, is harboring bin Laden's son and other al-Qaeda leaders, is shipping arms to Iraqi insurgents and is pursuing the development of nuclear weapons. Assisting Ahmadinejad in touring Ground Zero - hallowed ground for all Americans - is outrageous."
Senator Hillary Clinton released the following statement:
"It is unacceptable for Iranian President Ahmadinejad, who refuses to renounce and end his own country's support of terrorism, to visit the site of the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil in our nation's history."
The 9/11 Families: Shove your wreath, Ahamdinejad!
Friviolous Lawsuits
Here are some examples of lawyers gone "greedy:"