The Raw Story | US residents in military brigs? Govt says its war: "'What you assert is the power of the military to seize a person in the United States, including an American citizen, on suspicion of being an enemy combatant?' Judge William B. Traxler asked.
'Yes, your honor,' Justice Department lawyer Gregory Garre replied."
There it is people, straight from the mouth of the government. If they wish, you can be locked away for years, without charges, without trials, with virtually no hope to be freed, save the government's own pity on you...
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Moles Wanted - City Pages (Minneapolis/St. Paul)
Moles Wanted - City Pages (Minneapolis/St. Paul): "What they were looking for, Carroll says, was an informant—someone to show up at “vegan potlucks” throughout the Twin Cities and rub shoulders with RNC protestors, schmoozing his way into their inner circles, then reporting back to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, a partnership between multiple federal agencies and state and local law enforcement. The effort’s primary mission, according to the Minneapolis division’s website, is to “investigate terrorist acts carried out by groups or organizations which fall within the definition of terrorist groups as set forth in the current United States Attorney General Guidelines.”
Carroll would be compensated for his efforts, but only if his involvement yielded an arrest. No exact dollar figure was offered."
Those violent vegans must be stopped. God forbid they exercise their free speech rights during the Republican National Convention.
Now just remember everyone:
Free Speech = Terrorism
Peaceful Protesting = Inciting A Riot
Carroll would be compensated for his efforts, but only if his involvement yielded an arrest. No exact dollar figure was offered."
Those violent vegans must be stopped. God forbid they exercise their free speech rights during the Republican National Convention.
Now just remember everyone:
Free Speech = Terrorism
Peaceful Protesting = Inciting A Riot
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Carbon nanotubes mimic asbestos in early study - Yahoo! News
Carbon nanotubes mimic asbestos in early study - Yahoo! News: "Strong, versatile little 'nanotubes' made out of carbon are considered future stars in nanotechnology research in medicine and industry. Now a study finds that longer threads of the stuff mimic the toxic qualities of asbestos, renewing questions about how carbon nanotubes can be used safely."
Soon after the invention of many of these carbon nano-objects, concerns were raised about the possibility of damage to the lungs, and even the possibility that the objects could be small enough to penetrate human cells. Now, this "early" study seems to confirm the potential dangers of these products. Early, however, is not the term I would use when referring to the study, as it is rather late. These carbon products have been experimented with for years now, and they have even made into mass-produced products, such as stain-free khakis. But hey, I guess it is less than the decades it took us to realize that asbestos was dangerous.
Soon after the invention of many of these carbon nano-objects, concerns were raised about the possibility of damage to the lungs, and even the possibility that the objects could be small enough to penetrate human cells. Now, this "early" study seems to confirm the potential dangers of these products. Early, however, is not the term I would use when referring to the study, as it is rather late. These carbon products have been experimented with for years now, and they have even made into mass-produced products, such as stain-free khakis. But hey, I guess it is less than the decades it took us to realize that asbestos was dangerous.
Food Crisis Rippling Out Like a “Tsunami” - CommonDreams.org
Food Crisis Rippling Out Like a “Tsunami” - CommonDreams.org: "UNITED NATIONS - “A rolling tsunami of social unrest is underway as we speak — hungry people are desperate people capable of taking desperate actions. This tsunami is rapidly enveloping the global South, and it won’t take much longer before it knocks at the door of the global North,” warned Vicente Garcia-Delgado, the U.N. representative for CIVICUS, the world alliance for citizen participation.
At a forum on the world food crisis held at the United Nations Friday, civil society groups stressed that over 800 million people are now at risk of starvation, while 100 million have joined the ranks of the extremely poor in just the last few months and are now living on less than a dollar a day.
The food price index of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation rose by 9 percent in 2006 and 23 percent in 2007. As of March this year, wheat and maize prices were 130 and 30 percent higher than a year earlier. Rice prices have more than doubled since late January."
I have seen prices here in the United States rise dramatically over the last year or two. Here, we have food pantries serving record numbers of people, and we are the rich superpower. I cannot imagine how life is in the "third world" countries right now with such significant price increases.
At a forum on the world food crisis held at the United Nations Friday, civil society groups stressed that over 800 million people are now at risk of starvation, while 100 million have joined the ranks of the extremely poor in just the last few months and are now living on less than a dollar a day.
The food price index of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation rose by 9 percent in 2006 and 23 percent in 2007. As of March this year, wheat and maize prices were 130 and 30 percent higher than a year earlier. Rice prices have more than doubled since late January."
I have seen prices here in the United States rise dramatically over the last year or two. Here, we have food pantries serving record numbers of people, and we are the rich superpower. I cannot imagine how life is in the "third world" countries right now with such significant price increases.
The Raw Story | Journal: US report on Iranian weapons in Iraq 'delayed significantly'
The Raw Story | Journal: US report on Iranian weapons in Iraq 'delayed significantly': "In a little-noticed story, the Los Angeles Times reported two weeks ago that American promises to offer proof that Iran was arming Iraqi militants had fallen through.
'A plan to show some alleged Iranian-supplied explosives to journalists last week in Karbala and then destroy them was canceled after the United States realized none of them was from Iran,' wrote the Times' Tina Susman. 'A U.S. military spokesman attributed the confusion to a misunderstanding. ... When U.S. explosives experts went to investigate, they discovered they were not Iranian after all.'
Now the Wall Street Journal has added a fresh twist to the mystery of the alleged Iranian arms, writing that 'the U.S. military, in a shift, has postponed the release of a report detailing allegations of Iranian support for Iraqi insurgents, according to people familiar with the matter.'"
The CIA operatives in Iran must have forgotten to write "Made in Iran" on the explosives with a Sharpie before sending them to the Iraq insurgents. So much for the "evidence," not that that will matter a whole lot if Bush decides to bomb Iran...
'A plan to show some alleged Iranian-supplied explosives to journalists last week in Karbala and then destroy them was canceled after the United States realized none of them was from Iran,' wrote the Times' Tina Susman. 'A U.S. military spokesman attributed the confusion to a misunderstanding. ... When U.S. explosives experts went to investigate, they discovered they were not Iranian after all.'
Now the Wall Street Journal has added a fresh twist to the mystery of the alleged Iranian arms, writing that 'the U.S. military, in a shift, has postponed the release of a report detailing allegations of Iranian support for Iraqi insurgents, according to people familiar with the matter.'"
The CIA operatives in Iran must have forgotten to write "Made in Iran" on the explosives with a Sharpie before sending them to the Iraq insurgents. So much for the "evidence," not that that will matter a whole lot if Bush decides to bomb Iran...
Clinton may take delegate fight to convention - Yahoo! News
Clinton may take delegate fight to convention - Yahoo! News: "Hillary Rodham Clinton says she is willing to take her fight to seat Florida and Michigan delegates to the convention if the two states want to go that far. In an interview with The Associated Press, Clinton was asked whether she would support the states if they continue the fight.
The presidential candidate said Wednesday, 'Yes I will. I will, because I feel very strongly about this.'
Clinton is calling for delegates from both states to be seated at the convention based on the primaries. Both states were stripped of their delegates because they voted early, violating national party rules. Clinton won both states; Barack Obama's name wasn't on the Michigan ballot."
I do not like either Democratic candidate, but I would much rather see Obama win the nomination than Hillary. Hillary seems like she will be continuing some of the current administration's war-mongering efforts, and a war with Iran is really the last thing we need right now. Hopefully, the delegate saga in Michigan and Florida will not skew the results in Hillary's favor.
The presidential candidate said Wednesday, 'Yes I will. I will, because I feel very strongly about this.'
Clinton is calling for delegates from both states to be seated at the convention based on the primaries. Both states were stripped of their delegates because they voted early, violating national party rules. Clinton won both states; Barack Obama's name wasn't on the Michigan ballot."
I do not like either Democratic candidate, but I would much rather see Obama win the nomination than Hillary. Hillary seems like she will be continuing some of the current administration's war-mongering efforts, and a war with Iran is really the last thing we need right now. Hopefully, the delegate saga in Michigan and Florida will not skew the results in Hillary's favor.
NSA Destroyed Evidence of Domestic Spying
NSA Destroyed Evidence of Domestic Spying: "The National Security Agency, the top-secret spy shop that has been secretly eavesdropping on Americans under a plan authorized by President Bush seven years ago, destroyed the names of thousands of Americans and US companies it collected after 9/11 because the agency feared it would come under fire by lawmakers for conducting unlawful surveillance on United States citizens without authorization from a court, according to a little known report published in October 2001.
NSA lawyers advised the agency to immediately destroy the names of thousands of American citizens and businesses it collected shortly after 9/11 in its quest to target alleged terrorists in this country. NSA lawyers told the agency that the surveillance was illegal and that it could not share the data it collected with the CIA or other intelligence agencies.
The lawyers said the surveillance could result in numerous lawsuits from people identified in the surveillance reports, two former US officials told the Houston Chronicle in an October 27, 2001, report, and was illegal despite any terrorist threat that existed in the days following 9/11."
This really does not surprise me at all. Call me paranoid, but I assumed there was, and is, much more domestic surveillance going on than anyone would like to admit. Let's not forget, that some parts of Bush's spy program, like Email monitoring, have been show to have started even before the terror attacks on 9/11. This administration is simply out of control, and is bent on destroying the America that we once knew.
NSA lawyers advised the agency to immediately destroy the names of thousands of American citizens and businesses it collected shortly after 9/11 in its quest to target alleged terrorists in this country. NSA lawyers told the agency that the surveillance was illegal and that it could not share the data it collected with the CIA or other intelligence agencies.
The lawyers said the surveillance could result in numerous lawsuits from people identified in the surveillance reports, two former US officials told the Houston Chronicle in an October 27, 2001, report, and was illegal despite any terrorist threat that existed in the days following 9/11."
This really does not surprise me at all. Call me paranoid, but I assumed there was, and is, much more domestic surveillance going on than anyone would like to admit. Let's not forget, that some parts of Bush's spy program, like Email monitoring, have been show to have started even before the terror attacks on 9/11. This administration is simply out of control, and is bent on destroying the America that we once knew.
The Raw Story | Oil prices pass $133 after report of supply drop
The Raw Story | Oil prices pass $133 after report of supply drop: "Runaway oil prices blew past $130 a barrel for the first time Wednesday and kept going, while gasoline prices persisted in their own relentless climb, rising above $3.80 a gallon. Supply worries, rising demand and a slumping dollar are conspiring to make filling up the car — and paying for just about everything else — a growing burden for Americans."
I read another report that put the price up near 140 a barrel at one point today. It will not be long until the next psychological barrier of $200 is passed. Here in west Texas, our gas prices recently broke the equally scary psychological border of $4.00 a gallon, and are heading up fast. Over the span of two weeks, we have paid $3.937/gallon, $4.034, and the last time, a few days ago, we paid $4.109. The economy is in a midst of a downward spiral, and despite the government's assertions to the contrary, it is getting worse.
I read another report that put the price up near 140 a barrel at one point today. It will not be long until the next psychological barrier of $200 is passed. Here in west Texas, our gas prices recently broke the equally scary psychological border of $4.00 a gallon, and are heading up fast. Over the span of two weeks, we have paid $3.937/gallon, $4.034, and the last time, a few days ago, we paid $4.109. The economy is in a midst of a downward spiral, and despite the government's assertions to the contrary, it is getting worse.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The Raw Story | US: Ex-Guantanamo prisoner carried out Iraq suicide attack
The Raw Story | US: Ex-Guantanamo prisoner carried out Iraq suicide attack: "'It is unknown what motivated him to leave Kuwait and go to Iraq,' Rye said. 'His family members reportedly were shocked to hear he had conducted a suicide bombing.'
Three suicide car bombers targeted Iraqi security forces, killing at least seven people and wounding 28 in the northern city of Mosul, local officials said. It was not yet known which involved al-Ajmi.
Military documents previously released to AP show that al-Ajmi was 'constantly in trouble' while in Guantanamo and held in disciplinary blocks during his detention. He also allegedly told officials in August 2004 that 'he now is a jihadist, an enemy combatant, and that he will kill as many Americans as he possibly can.'
Tom Wilner, a lawyer who represented Kuwaiti prisoners at Guantanamo, said al-Ajmi had a broken arm during one of their meetings at the base in Cuba and that he alleged he had been injured by guards who interrupted him while he prayed.
Wilner called the alleged suicide attack a 'tragedy' that could have been avoided with court hearings for prisoners held at Guananamo, where the U.S. now holds about 270 men."
The blowback from gitmo begins...
Three suicide car bombers targeted Iraqi security forces, killing at least seven people and wounding 28 in the northern city of Mosul, local officials said. It was not yet known which involved al-Ajmi.
Military documents previously released to AP show that al-Ajmi was 'constantly in trouble' while in Guantanamo and held in disciplinary blocks during his detention. He also allegedly told officials in August 2004 that 'he now is a jihadist, an enemy combatant, and that he will kill as many Americans as he possibly can.'
Tom Wilner, a lawyer who represented Kuwaiti prisoners at Guantanamo, said al-Ajmi had a broken arm during one of their meetings at the base in Cuba and that he alleged he had been injured by guards who interrupted him while he prayed.
Wilner called the alleged suicide attack a 'tragedy' that could have been avoided with court hearings for prisoners held at Guananamo, where the U.S. now holds about 270 men."
The blowback from gitmo begins...
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Raw Story | Journalist released from Gitmo calls it 'most heinous mankind has ever known'
The Raw Story | Journalist released from Gitmo calls it 'most heinous mankind has ever known': "An Al Jazeera cameraman who returned yesterday to his home of Sudan from Guantánamo Bay and delivered a speech broadcast live on Sudanese television described the US facility as 'heinous.'
His speech was broadcast live on Sudanese television. He was held at Guantanamo for seven years, and was never charged.
'After 2,340 days spent in the most heinous prison mankind has ever known, we are honored to be here. Thank you, and thank all those defended us and of our right in freedom,' said Sami al Hajj, who spoke at an event organized by his family.
Hajj is the only major mainstream news journalist ever to be held at the prison. His supporters claimed that he was being held in retaliation for US anger over the Arabic television network."
7 years, of his life gone, and he was never convicted of a crime, or even formally charged... Welcome to the new America...
His speech was broadcast live on Sudanese television. He was held at Guantanamo for seven years, and was never charged.
'After 2,340 days spent in the most heinous prison mankind has ever known, we are honored to be here. Thank you, and thank all those defended us and of our right in freedom,' said Sami al Hajj, who spoke at an event organized by his family.
Hajj is the only major mainstream news journalist ever to be held at the prison. His supporters claimed that he was being held in retaliation for US anger over the Arabic television network."
7 years, of his life gone, and he was never convicted of a crime, or even formally charged... Welcome to the new America...
Friday, May 2, 2008
A Quick Look at Recent Headlines...
Rice raises new doubts about Iran's nuclear program
Iran complains to UN over Clinton's attack threat
Pentagon plays down report of new Iran war planning
US Military Chief Slams Iran's 'Irresponsible Influence'
Iran remains most active state sponsor of terrorism: US
Gates: Carrier sent to 'remind' Iran
Iran dumps U.S. dollar for oil trades
Well we sure are stepping up the rhetoric about Iran again, aren't we? All of these stories are from within the last 2 days...
Just before we bombed Iraq, Iraq dumped the dollar as well. Without the world's oil traded in U.S. dollars almost exclusively, the dollar would have been nearly worthless years ago. Propping up the dollar is sure a good reason to bomb a country, at least in the twisted minds of this administration. Let's not forget that the United States is the world's largest consumer of oil, as well. Killing two birds with one stone...
I will leave it at Iran stories for tonight, more will come tomorrow...
Iran complains to UN over Clinton's attack threat
Pentagon plays down report of new Iran war planning
US Military Chief Slams Iran's 'Irresponsible Influence'
Iran remains most active state sponsor of terrorism: US
Gates: Carrier sent to 'remind' Iran
Iran dumps U.S. dollar for oil trades
Well we sure are stepping up the rhetoric about Iran again, aren't we? All of these stories are from within the last 2 days...
Just before we bombed Iraq, Iraq dumped the dollar as well. Without the world's oil traded in U.S. dollars almost exclusively, the dollar would have been nearly worthless years ago. Propping up the dollar is sure a good reason to bomb a country, at least in the twisted minds of this administration. Let's not forget that the United States is the world's largest consumer of oil, as well. Killing two birds with one stone...
I will leave it at Iran stories for tonight, more will come tomorrow...
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Back from Never-Never Land
It has been several months since I have posted anything on this blog, but there is a good reason. On little more than a few moments of thought, a great deal of hope, and even a few prayers, I decided to join my two sisters and take a wild ride from Schenectady New York to the deserts of West Texas, where we now permanently live.
I had a little more than a month to prepare for the journey, once I decided that I was in. Essentially, I dumped everything I owned in New York, and loaded a Toyota Camry station wagon with a few of my essential belongings, my two Greyhounds, and headed west.
I joined my sisters, and their 6 kids, 9 great Danes, 1 pit bull mix, 4 cats, 2 birds, and a turtle. As one might imagine, it was quite the trip. We landed here in the middle of February, where, unlike New York, the days required only a t-shirt and there was not a single flake of snow on the ground.
Because of the remoteness of the area, and the local bureaucracy, it took us until just recently to secure an internet connection, via satellite.
So why did I do it? A quick list is in order...
-I have wanted to leave the filth, noise, and insanity of the city for a very long time.
-I realized that I did not need 90% of the junk that I had, nor the huge house to store it all in.
-With energy prices on the rise, the cold New York winters were becoming ever more expensive.
-I hated the local gestapo, in the form of the city government and the police, as well as the neighbors who have nothing better to do than report on your business.
-I have always wanted to live in the desert.
-My Family was the only real reason I was still in New York.
And of course, let's not forget the bigger picture...
-The United States is starting to look more and more like a country straight from Orwell's imagination, and should the military ever be turned against the citizens, the city is not the place to be.
-The economy of the United States is teetering on the edge of a complete meltdown, along with the dollar itself. If, as many believe, the country goes into another depression, once again, the city is not the place to be.
-Global food prices are on the rise, and there have already been food riots in other nations, and corporations right here in the United States have begun rationing the supply of key food ingredients, such as rice and flour. The city is not the place to be when food shortages happen.
-Oil prices continue to skyrocket, and the future will be sustainable energy. Unfortunately, code enforcement in the city would likely frown upon windmills, and perhaps even solar panels.
-And let's not forget that the city is not the place to be if another country, such as Russia or China, decides to step in and protect small countries around the world from the military might of the United States.
So here we are on a large chunk of land in west Texas, where the closest "city" is 60 miles away, with a staggering population of 4,700 people. The "corner store" is 13 miles away.
Life is not easy in a desert. We have little more than what we came down here with. Electricity is supplied with a generator, internet with a satellite, and we have to haul our own water for the moment. Compared to our lives in Schenectady, however, we are much happier, and we are on the way to a smarter, self-sustainable way of living that is somewhat insulated from the troubles of the outside world.
I have a new definition of freedom now...
I had a little more than a month to prepare for the journey, once I decided that I was in. Essentially, I dumped everything I owned in New York, and loaded a Toyota Camry station wagon with a few of my essential belongings, my two Greyhounds, and headed west.
I joined my sisters, and their 6 kids, 9 great Danes, 1 pit bull mix, 4 cats, 2 birds, and a turtle. As one might imagine, it was quite the trip. We landed here in the middle of February, where, unlike New York, the days required only a t-shirt and there was not a single flake of snow on the ground.
Because of the remoteness of the area, and the local bureaucracy, it took us until just recently to secure an internet connection, via satellite.
So why did I do it? A quick list is in order...
-I have wanted to leave the filth, noise, and insanity of the city for a very long time.
-I realized that I did not need 90% of the junk that I had, nor the huge house to store it all in.
-With energy prices on the rise, the cold New York winters were becoming ever more expensive.
-I hated the local gestapo, in the form of the city government and the police, as well as the neighbors who have nothing better to do than report on your business.
-I have always wanted to live in the desert.
-My Family was the only real reason I was still in New York.
And of course, let's not forget the bigger picture...
-The United States is starting to look more and more like a country straight from Orwell's imagination, and should the military ever be turned against the citizens, the city is not the place to be.
-The economy of the United States is teetering on the edge of a complete meltdown, along with the dollar itself. If, as many believe, the country goes into another depression, once again, the city is not the place to be.
-Global food prices are on the rise, and there have already been food riots in other nations, and corporations right here in the United States have begun rationing the supply of key food ingredients, such as rice and flour. The city is not the place to be when food shortages happen.
-Oil prices continue to skyrocket, and the future will be sustainable energy. Unfortunately, code enforcement in the city would likely frown upon windmills, and perhaps even solar panels.
-And let's not forget that the city is not the place to be if another country, such as Russia or China, decides to step in and protect small countries around the world from the military might of the United States.
So here we are on a large chunk of land in west Texas, where the closest "city" is 60 miles away, with a staggering population of 4,700 people. The "corner store" is 13 miles away.
Life is not easy in a desert. We have little more than what we came down here with. Electricity is supplied with a generator, internet with a satellite, and we have to haul our own water for the moment. Compared to our lives in Schenectady, however, we are much happier, and we are on the way to a smarter, self-sustainable way of living that is somewhat insulated from the troubles of the outside world.
I have a new definition of freedom now...
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