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Monday, May 28, 2007
Memorial Day
Do our "representatives" have some sort of secret information that they become privy to once they are elected and wander the halls of congress?
Perhaps something like the fact that our entire country is ribboned over with and saturated by oil based chemical compounds that are simultaneously supporting and destroying the fragile and unnnatural system we use to live in this country.
Transportation.
Agriculture.
Waterways.
Electricity generation.
Diesel trains transport the coal.
Casualties in Iraq.
Why Are We in Iraq?
Justin Raimondo
May 28, 2007
Lawrence R. Velvel, Dean of the Massachusetts School of Law, interviews Stephen Kinzer, author of Overthrow: America’s Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq.
Why We Fight
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Blackwater's Starr
Suit against Blackwater over contractor deaths moves to arbitration
By BILL SIZEMORE, The Virginian-Pilot
© May 20, 2007
Blackwater Succeeds in Forcing Arbitration of Employee Claims
Harper's magazine
Scott Horton
May 22, 2007
Daily Kos diary Potrero vs. Blackwater from Sat. Mar 17, 2007
US Security Contractors Open Fire in Baghdad
By Steve Fainaru and Saad al-Izzi
The Washington Post
Sunday 27 May 2007
Update:
Sending in the Praetorian Guard
Harper's Magazine
BY Scott Horton
May 28, 2007
Every day I want this company to go back to the fucking swamp they came from and play with Kenneth Starr, the reptile they hired to represent them in court.
I've got reptiles on the brain. I saw this picture out of the corner of my eye the other day and just had to link to the article. It's a couple of years old now.
By BILL SIZEMORE, The Virginian-Pilot
© May 20, 2007
Blackwater Succeeds in Forcing Arbitration of Employee Claims
Harper's magazine
Scott Horton
May 22, 2007
Daily Kos diary Potrero vs. Blackwater from Sat. Mar 17, 2007
US Security Contractors Open Fire in Baghdad
By Steve Fainaru and Saad al-Izzi
The Washington Post
Sunday 27 May 2007
Update:
Sending in the Praetorian Guard
Harper's Magazine
BY Scott Horton
May 28, 2007
Every day I want this company to go back to the fucking swamp they came from and play with Kenneth Starr, the reptile they hired to represent them in court.
I've got reptiles on the brain. I saw this picture out of the corner of my eye the other day and just had to link to the article. It's a couple of years old now.
I thought of Russian and U.S. military intervention when I saw this picture. The critter sploded.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
The prom is coming up.
The prom is coming up. I have a lovely daughter who insists on poking holes in her body, and decorating said holes with metal and plastic of ever-increasing gauge. The coiffure she favors I believe is referred to as a "Mohawk." Her latest nod to fashion is a tattoo that permanently marks what may well be a temporary nickname. Her boyfriend has suddenly discovered the joy of dreadlocks. I was under the impression that they were not all that interested in attending the prom. This morning I was busy digging up information on my least favorite County Supervisor and the husband made a mistake, which I immediately capitalized on and sent him to the mall with the aforementioned children to "look at prom stuff."
The husband reappeared a while later with what looked suspiciously like a formal dress bag. No sign of the children, though. I remembered a bit later that they were off to a friend’s house for a ‘craft party.’ How convenient for them, eh? Crafty, those kids. I untied the knot in the dress bag and headed for the closet to hang it up and realized to my horror that the dress was too long to hang inside the closet. My lovely daughter is petite. She is tiny, in fact. Unable to resist my curiosity I laid the whole bag on the bed and peeked under the edge of it at a four by four inch patch at the hemline.
Occasional black beads on white satin.
Three-hundred and sixty bucks.
The husband is taking her to get it altered.
Wonder if the boyfriend is wearing his kilt and combat boots?
The husband reappeared a while later with what looked suspiciously like a formal dress bag. No sign of the children, though. I remembered a bit later that they were off to a friend’s house for a ‘craft party.’ How convenient for them, eh? Crafty, those kids. I untied the knot in the dress bag and headed for the closet to hang it up and realized to my horror that the dress was too long to hang inside the closet. My lovely daughter is petite. She is tiny, in fact. Unable to resist my curiosity I laid the whole bag on the bed and peeked under the edge of it at a four by four inch patch at the hemline.
Occasional black beads on white satin.
Three-hundred and sixty bucks.
The husband is taking her to get it altered.
Wonder if the boyfriend is wearing his kilt and combat boots?
Dianne Jacob
San Diego County Board of Supervisors
I am Dianne Jacob, Supervisor of San Diego County’s Second District, representing communities affected by the proposed Sunrise Powerlink including Ramona, Wynola, Santa Ysabel and the greater Julian area...
...SDG&E, to its credit, has made some changes.
The applicant was receptive to the idea of undergrounding a stretch of the 230 kilovolt
Inland Valley Link;
San Diego Gas & Electric Co. gave $50,000 to Dianne Jacob...
and she buys a new rescue vehicle with it, awwww, how wunnerful.
Hey, does she receive any money from the publication that published this article?
Jacob 'splains to the peasants/proles why she's mum on Blackwater (video)
The first part of the Campo Revitalization meeting, conducted by County Supervisor Dianne Jacob. Unfortunately, despite a large number of people present who wished to speak about it, they were not provided with a public comment period (in violation of the Brown Act) and comments about Blackwater were not allowed.
I don't trust why she's mum on Blackwater because Last July, Blackwater hired as a lobbyist Nikki Clay, a longtime cheerleader for corporate welfare...
Clay said she was communicating regularly with the supervisor's office and the office of military powerhouse Congressman Duncan Hunter, even though Potrero is not in his district. Potrero's supervisor is Dianne Jacob. The Blackwater project team proudly noted that although Jacob "has historically required secondary access," in this case "she will be in favor of only requiring primary access."
Here's a couple more reasons why this woman bugs the crap out of me.
San Diego Medical Marijuana Raids
SAN DIEGO SUPES DEFY STATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW
Vote to File Federal Lawsuit Against Prop 215, SB 420
Dec. 7th. Opposing a state requirement that counties issue medical marijuana ID cards, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to file a federal lawsuit against California's medical marijuana law.
Supervisors moved to sue the state after being threatened with a lawsuit from San Diego NORML for failing to implement the ID system.
County's pension board blocks Jacob's role on benefits
But the retirement association, which has chewed over the retiree health benefit issue itself for the last two years without coming to a resolution, bridled at the county's ultimatum. That unhappiness ultimately led to the board to use a relatively new policy to forcefully "disqualify" Jacob from discussing or voting on the issue.
You know, if there's one thing about this county that sticks in my craw it's that if you're flashing cash you can do whatever the fuck you want to do. It doesn't matter who it hurts, and the public doesn't even need to know about it. There's so many goddamned military bases, loaded with people who don't HAVE any rights that you can always pull the "need to know" bullshit line. Then you ramp up the fear mongering, and the rhetoric on Reich-wing radio hate spew, which is what the right-less uniforms listen to (well that, and the rock station that hasn't changed the fucking playlist since 1979). They watch Faux Newz, it's what's encouraged on the bases. Not that the local mainstream newz is worth a tinkers damn, either. You wouldn't trust it, if you knew anybody unlucky enough to to have their story sensationalized and filled with inaccuaracies. The cash flashers also get away with a lot of crap because there are tons of transient people here, including the right-less uniforms.
I am Dianne Jacob, Supervisor of San Diego County’s Second District, representing communities affected by the proposed Sunrise Powerlink including Ramona, Wynola, Santa Ysabel and the greater Julian area...
...SDG&E, to its credit, has made some changes.
The applicant was receptive to the idea of undergrounding a stretch of the 230 kilovolt
Inland Valley Link;
San Diego Gas & Electric Co. gave $50,000 to Dianne Jacob...
and she buys a new rescue vehicle with it, awwww, how wunnerful.
Hey, does she receive any money from the publication that published this article?
Jacob 'splains to the peasants/proles why she's mum on Blackwater (video)
The first part of the Campo Revitalization meeting, conducted by County Supervisor Dianne Jacob. Unfortunately, despite a large number of people present who wished to speak about it, they were not provided with a public comment period (in violation of the Brown Act) and comments about Blackwater were not allowed.
I don't trust why she's mum on Blackwater because Last July, Blackwater hired as a lobbyist Nikki Clay, a longtime cheerleader for corporate welfare...
Clay said she was communicating regularly with the supervisor's office and the office of military powerhouse Congressman Duncan Hunter, even though Potrero is not in his district. Potrero's supervisor is Dianne Jacob. The Blackwater project team proudly noted that although Jacob "has historically required secondary access," in this case "she will be in favor of only requiring primary access."
Here's a couple more reasons why this woman bugs the crap out of me.
San Diego Medical Marijuana Raids
SAN DIEGO SUPES DEFY STATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW
Vote to File Federal Lawsuit Against Prop 215, SB 420
Dec. 7th. Opposing a state requirement that counties issue medical marijuana ID cards, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted to file a federal lawsuit against California's medical marijuana law.
Supervisors moved to sue the state after being threatened with a lawsuit from San Diego NORML for failing to implement the ID system.
County's pension board blocks Jacob's role on benefits
But the retirement association, which has chewed over the retiree health benefit issue itself for the last two years without coming to a resolution, bridled at the county's ultimatum. That unhappiness ultimately led to the board to use a relatively new policy to forcefully "disqualify" Jacob from discussing or voting on the issue.
You know, if there's one thing about this county that sticks in my craw it's that if you're flashing cash you can do whatever the fuck you want to do. It doesn't matter who it hurts, and the public doesn't even need to know about it. There's so many goddamned military bases, loaded with people who don't HAVE any rights that you can always pull the "need to know" bullshit line. Then you ramp up the fear mongering, and the rhetoric on Reich-wing radio hate spew, which is what the right-less uniforms listen to (well that, and the rock station that hasn't changed the fucking playlist since 1979). They watch Faux Newz, it's what's encouraged on the bases. Not that the local mainstream newz is worth a tinkers damn, either. You wouldn't trust it, if you knew anybody unlucky enough to to have their story sensationalized and filled with inaccuaracies. The cash flashers also get away with a lot of crap because there are tons of transient people here, including the right-less uniforms.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Tell me something I DON'T know
Why Male Military Veterans Are Committing Sexual Assault at Alarming Rates
By Lucinda Marshall, AlterNet. Posted May 25, 2007.
...Sexual violence has been a de facto weapon of war since the beginning of the patriarchal age. Raping and assaulting women is seen as a way to attack the honor of the enemy, and women have always been the spoils of war...
Um, yeah, I actually had a young, drunk jarhead tell me just how aware of this particular facet of military history he was. He appeared to have no problem with it. He was so drunk, he probably doesn't even remember saying it.
Reading this book brought back that particular memory and a host of mixed feelings. Including rage.
The Alternet article also states:
"...It isn't surprising that the DOJ feigns bafflement... "
Right, because they're NOT baffled.
Come ON man, Lynndie England is in the same brig that hosts a sex offender treatment program. Looks like there maybe an introductory seminar on the East Coast .
Oh heaven help us, look what I found on the Google: My experiences include being one of the early pioneers in the development of the United States military sex offender treatment program. Hopefully they're more sciency now. Do I believe sex offender treatment works? I don't know, but I do know there is lots of shit that goes on in this city that the military AND the tourist agencies don't want you to know about.
By Lucinda Marshall, AlterNet. Posted May 25, 2007.
...Sexual violence has been a de facto weapon of war since the beginning of the patriarchal age. Raping and assaulting women is seen as a way to attack the honor of the enemy, and women have always been the spoils of war...
Um, yeah, I actually had a young, drunk jarhead tell me just how aware of this particular facet of military history he was. He appeared to have no problem with it. He was so drunk, he probably doesn't even remember saying it.
Reading this book brought back that particular memory and a host of mixed feelings. Including rage.
The Alternet article also states:
"...It isn't surprising that the DOJ feigns bafflement... "
Right, because they're NOT baffled.
Come ON man, Lynndie England is in the same brig that hosts a sex offender treatment program. Looks like there maybe an introductory seminar on the East Coast .
Oh heaven help us, look what I found on the Google: My experiences include being one of the early pioneers in the development of the United States military sex offender treatment program. Hopefully they're more sciency now. Do I believe sex offender treatment works? I don't know, but I do know there is lots of shit that goes on in this city that the military AND the tourist agencies don't want you to know about.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Veterans care
The battle of Iraq's wounded
The U.S. is poorly equipped to care for the tens of thousands of soldiers injured in Iraq.
By Linda Bilmes, LINDA BILMES teaches public finance at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She is the coauthor, with Joseph Stiglitz, of the report, "The Economic Cost of the Iraq War: An Appraisa
January 5, 2007
...that for every fatality in Iraq, there are 16 injuries...
Forgotten Heroes
By Dan Ephron and Sarah Childress
Newsweek
March 5, 2007 issue
House bills give veterans a boost
House bills give veterans a boost
The approved measures address traumatic brain injury, increase health care funding and extend eligibility for rehabilitation.
By Jim Abrams The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 05/24/2007 02:55:50 AM MDT
Bush supports $120B Iraq war compromise
5/24/2007 AP
I can't help but look at that number and wonder how much, really, will be set aside for veterans care?
And how much will end up in a trust fund for the latest hatchling (grandchild) of Dick Cheney, who's stock happens to be worth at least 3000% more than it was before this war started.
The Cheney family, who the world would rejoice over if they'd just get the fuck out of the gene pool.
(click on pic for recent approval numbers)
Samuel David Cheney is Dick's latest grand-hatchling's name? Sam?
The U.S. is poorly equipped to care for the tens of thousands of soldiers injured in Iraq.
By Linda Bilmes, LINDA BILMES teaches public finance at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She is the coauthor, with Joseph Stiglitz, of the report, "The Economic Cost of the Iraq War: An Appraisa
January 5, 2007
...that for every fatality in Iraq, there are 16 injuries...
Forgotten Heroes
By Dan Ephron and Sarah Childress
Newsweek
March 5, 2007 issue
House bills give veterans a boost
House bills give veterans a boost
The approved measures address traumatic brain injury, increase health care funding and extend eligibility for rehabilitation.
By Jim Abrams The Associated Press
Article Last Updated: 05/24/2007 02:55:50 AM MDT
Bush supports $120B Iraq war compromise
5/24/2007 AP
I can't help but look at that number and wonder how much, really, will be set aside for veterans care?
And how much will end up in a trust fund for the latest hatchling (grandchild) of Dick Cheney, who's stock happens to be worth at least 3000% more than it was before this war started.
The Cheney family, who the world would rejoice over if they'd just get the fuck out of the gene pool.
(click on pic for recent approval numbers)
Samuel David Cheney is Dick's latest grand-hatchling's name? Sam?
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Condoleezza Rice Visits Camp Pendleton
Accompanying Rice on the afternoon stopover at the northern San Diego County USMC installation was Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. A handful of Australian troops are training at the base.
and I'm off to watch a perfectly fitting show:
Voyage of the Courtesans
Recalling the 1790 voyage of British female convicts who were sent to an Australian penal colony. The women transformed the vessel into a brothel and offered their services to men at ports along the way. The documentary is based on a book by Sian Rees.
Accompanying Rice on the afternoon stopover at the northern San Diego County USMC installation was Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. A handful of Australian troops are training at the base.
and I'm off to watch a perfectly fitting show:
Voyage of the Courtesans
Recalling the 1790 voyage of British female convicts who were sent to an Australian penal colony. The women transformed the vessel into a brothel and offered their services to men at ports along the way. The documentary is based on a book by Sian Rees.
Valley Girl Goodling testifies
The politically fired U.S. attornies.
And the testimony of No Sé Nada Torquemada 's student on her role in the whole mess.
More from HuffPo
Rove's Emails from Greg Palast.
And the testimony of No Sé Nada Torquemada 's student on her role in the whole mess.
More from HuffPo
Rove's Emails from Greg Palast.
Local Fox TV covers Voter Outrage
Color me shocked.
I wish I had been the one they booted out, but alas, I was not there.
I might have used the phrase "fucking up democracy, or "shredding any hope of democracy" rather than "subverting democracy."
(For a little less anger, and a little more clarity, visit TERRYFACEPLACE )
Ok, here goes---
"...a packed Supervisors in a mid-morning meeting with numerous public comments taking on the supervisors for approving secret vote counting, buying millions more in machines the day before this public comment, and being unresponsive to polls stating that over 80% of San Diegans want a transparent voting system....
FOX TV Expose of E-Voting Official Corruption!!
Voter Outrage
Voting Groups Want Former Diebold Saleswoman Ousted from San Diego Elections Job
By Kim Zetter May 22, 2007 8:52:34 PMCategories: E-Voting, Election '08
Two voting groups descended on San Diego's board of supervisors today to protest the recent appointment of former Diebold saleswoman, Deborah Seiler, as the county's new registrar of voters. They also want Seiler's new assistant registrar, Michael Vu, ousted due to controversies surrounding his tenure as elections director in Ohio. Vu resigned as elections director from Cuyahoga County, Ohio, last year after two of his staff members were convicted of rigging the 2004 presidential recount and after reports revealed numerous problems with the way elections were administered during his time on the job...
The fishwrap covered it
Who are they sleeping with at Diebold, or do they just like fucking US?
A quickie from San Diego CityBEAT
NEWSY BITS
Stories for those who like 'em short
And my favorite, with the quote from the dingbat who is supposed to be representing ME in this corrupt county:
..and Supervisor Pam Slater-Price lashed out.
"Excuse me please," Slater-Price said. "During the time you were speaking, we did not boo, hiss, catcall or laugh. That is very rude and totally unacceptable behavior."...
Protesters criticize county elections hirings
By: GIG CONAUGHTON - Staff Writer
"Oh, how wude dose pwotewsters ahwew."
Whassamatter princess, nobody ever been honest with you about how they don't like stolen/rigged elections?
I wish I had been the one they booted out, but alas, I was not there.
I might have used the phrase "fucking up democracy, or "shredding any hope of democracy" rather than "subverting democracy."
(For a little less anger, and a little more clarity, visit TERRYFACEPLACE )
Ok, here goes---
"...a packed Supervisors in a mid-morning meeting with numerous public comments taking on the supervisors for approving secret vote counting, buying millions more in machines the day before this public comment, and being unresponsive to polls stating that over 80% of San Diegans want a transparent voting system....
FOX TV Expose of E-Voting Official Corruption!!
Voter Outrage
Voting Groups Want Former Diebold Saleswoman Ousted from San Diego Elections Job
By Kim Zetter May 22, 2007 8:52:34 PMCategories: E-Voting, Election '08
Two voting groups descended on San Diego's board of supervisors today to protest the recent appointment of former Diebold saleswoman, Deborah Seiler, as the county's new registrar of voters. They also want Seiler's new assistant registrar, Michael Vu, ousted due to controversies surrounding his tenure as elections director in Ohio. Vu resigned as elections director from Cuyahoga County, Ohio, last year after two of his staff members were convicted of rigging the 2004 presidential recount and after reports revealed numerous problems with the way elections were administered during his time on the job...
The fishwrap covered it
Who are they sleeping with at Diebold, or do they just like fucking US?
A quickie from San Diego CityBEAT
NEWSY BITS
Stories for those who like 'em short
And my favorite, with the quote from the dingbat who is supposed to be representing ME in this corrupt county:
..and Supervisor Pam Slater-Price lashed out.
"Excuse me please," Slater-Price said. "During the time you were speaking, we did not boo, hiss, catcall or laugh. That is very rude and totally unacceptable behavior."...
Protesters criticize county elections hirings
By: GIG CONAUGHTON - Staff Writer
"Oh, how wude dose pwotewsters ahwew."
Whassamatter princess, nobody ever been honest with you about how they don't like stolen/rigged elections?
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Is There a Docu in the House? Moore Unspools a Second Opinion
I'll go see Sicko before I give this silly, snippy article a whole lot of my energy.
Health care is something that I happen to care about. The uninsured get screwed on their healthcare bills here in California , and a hell of a lot of people don't have any health care coverage in this country. Medical expenses are cited as reasons for filing banckruptcy in about half the cases.
Health care is something that I happen to care about. The uninsured get screwed on their healthcare bills here in California , and a hell of a lot of people don't have any health care coverage in this country. Medical expenses are cited as reasons for filing banckruptcy in about half the cases.
more effing voting stuff
UC Pivotal in State Voting System Review
By David Harvey
Staff Writer
May 21, 2007 — California Secretary of State Debra Bowen's intensive review of voting systems began last week as part of her quest to assess the state's voting methods before the February 2008 primary elections
...An exception to the Sacramento testing will be the network used by Los Angeles County, which is considered a vendor because of its custom voting system.
"The issue with Los Angeles County is that all votes go to a hunking mainframe computer, so it's not possible to test that system here," Bowen spokeswoman Nicole Winger said.
Voting machine vendors briefly delayed the tests by voicing concern about the guidelines of Bowen's planned review....
local information:
Voter Oppression Moves to San Diego!
June Caldwell
May 21, 2007
The public had a chance to speak this about this this morning at 9 am. I've been looking for information online for a couple hours now ( as of12:05 PM 5/22/2007). I couldn't find much. Thank God for the local Air America Radio affiliate or we might now know anything that was going on in this town. Not that the powers that be want us to be informed, involved citizens.
S 1348, Immigration bill
Go here and click on the radio button that says Bill Number, type in the search box S 1348.
I'm no lawyer, but I'm having trouble finding any harsh punishment for employers of "undocumented workers." Maybe I'm just cynical enough to think that there will always be a market for counterfeit green cards.
Maybe that's because it looks to me like the only real change is a national database.
Wonder if ChoicePoint will get the contract?
Has anybody ever seen the amazing amount of incorrect information about themselves, purchased from private information database holding companies that employers actually use in their hiring process?
I have.
I laughed my ass off.
I'm no lawyer, but I'm having trouble finding any harsh punishment for employers of "undocumented workers." Maybe I'm just cynical enough to think that there will always be a market for counterfeit green cards.
Maybe that's because it looks to me like the only real change is a national database.
Wonder if ChoicePoint will get the contract?
Has anybody ever seen the amazing amount of incorrect information about themselves, purchased from private information database holding companies that employers actually use in their hiring process?
I have.
I laughed my ass off.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Kuwait ends dinar-dollar link
And other things going on in the Middle East.
When Hugging Is a Crime
Posted on May 21, 2007 foxnews.com
Taking the plunge: In this “before” shot, Nilofar Bakhtiar prepares to skydive for a charity—an unlikely setting for a career-busting faux pas.
Nilofar Bakhtiar, Pakistan’s federal minister for tourism, is in hot water with clerics in her home country for hugging a skydiving instructor who guided her through a tandem parachute jump for charity last month. Now, after striking such an “obscene” pose, she’s had to resign from Pakistan’s Cabinet.
Chief Rabbinate Finalizes Ban on Christian Women's Conference
OPT: ‘Femicide’ on the rise in conflict zone
RAMALLAH, 7 March 2007 (IRIN) - Three Palestinian women were shot dead in the northern Gaza Strip last month – rumours say it had to do with ‘honour’.
Iraq: 'Honour Killing' of teenage girl condemned as abhorrent
Posted: 02 May 2007
17-year-old Kurdish girl stoned to death
Nice. What a neighborhood. What are we doing over there again? Oh yeah, oil.
We do not want this type in our neighborhood either.
Mother-In-Law 'Plotted Honour Killing'
Monday, 14th May 2007, 14:05
Category: Crime and Punishment
Husband of 'honour killing' teenager arrested on suspicion of murder
14.05.07
Update at 1:02 PM 5/23/2007:
'Troubling' views on suicide bombings
78% of U.S. Muslims opposed, but young adults are less sure
Matthai Chakko Kuruvila, Amr Emam, Chronicle Staff Writers
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
About 1 in 4 young adult American Muslims says suicide bombings against civilian targets "to defend Islam" can be justified rarely, sometimes or often, according to a new Pew Research Center poll -- a finding that disturbed American Muslim leaders and thinkers across the country...
When Hugging Is a Crime
Posted on May 21, 2007 foxnews.com
Taking the plunge: In this “before” shot, Nilofar Bakhtiar prepares to skydive for a charity—an unlikely setting for a career-busting faux pas.
Nilofar Bakhtiar, Pakistan’s federal minister for tourism, is in hot water with clerics in her home country for hugging a skydiving instructor who guided her through a tandem parachute jump for charity last month. Now, after striking such an “obscene” pose, she’s had to resign from Pakistan’s Cabinet.
Chief Rabbinate Finalizes Ban on Christian Women's Conference
OPT: ‘Femicide’ on the rise in conflict zone
RAMALLAH, 7 March 2007 (IRIN) - Three Palestinian women were shot dead in the northern Gaza Strip last month – rumours say it had to do with ‘honour’.
Iraq: 'Honour Killing' of teenage girl condemned as abhorrent
Posted: 02 May 2007
17-year-old Kurdish girl stoned to death
Nice. What a neighborhood. What are we doing over there again? Oh yeah, oil.
We do not want this type in our neighborhood either.
Mother-In-Law 'Plotted Honour Killing'
Monday, 14th May 2007, 14:05
Category: Crime and Punishment
Husband of 'honour killing' teenager arrested on suspicion of murder
14.05.07
Update at 1:02 PM 5/23/2007:
'Troubling' views on suicide bombings
78% of U.S. Muslims opposed, but young adults are less sure
Matthai Chakko Kuruvila, Amr Emam, Chronicle Staff Writers
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
About 1 in 4 young adult American Muslims says suicide bombings against civilian targets "to defend Islam" can be justified rarely, sometimes or often, according to a new Pew Research Center poll -- a finding that disturbed American Muslim leaders and thinkers across the country...
Sheriff's woes, electronic voting, pests included in county budget
By: GIG CONAUGHTON - Staff Writer
(North County Times) Last modified Monday, May 21, 2007 12:02 PM PDT
SAN DIEGO -- The Sheriff's Department is still having a hard time finding new deputies. Construction has dried up in the unincorporated areas of the county. A freeze has been lifted for local prosecutors. Electronic voting appears to be here to stay. And destructive insects could have a tougher time getting into San Diego County in the coming year.
Methinks Gig has a sense of humor to mention electronic voting and in the next sentence, bugs.
But wait, there's more humor here:
...More electronic voting machines
Also likely to get an increase is the county's fund for voting machines.
Electronic voting machines have stirred some controversy with a minority of election watchers. But the San Diego County registrar of voters office is expecting its budget to jump from $15.53 million to $25.26 million, in part because the county intends to buy more electronic voting machines.
The county agreed to buy 10,200 Diebold TSX "touch screen" voting machines for $31 million in 2003, and used those machines in November's elections...
(North County Times) Last modified Monday, May 21, 2007 12:02 PM PDT
SAN DIEGO -- The Sheriff's Department is still having a hard time finding new deputies. Construction has dried up in the unincorporated areas of the county. A freeze has been lifted for local prosecutors. Electronic voting appears to be here to stay. And destructive insects could have a tougher time getting into San Diego County in the coming year.
Methinks Gig has a sense of humor to mention electronic voting and in the next sentence, bugs.
But wait, there's more humor here:
...More electronic voting machines
Also likely to get an increase is the county's fund for voting machines.
Electronic voting machines have stirred some controversy with a minority of election watchers. But the San Diego County registrar of voters office is expecting its budget to jump from $15.53 million to $25.26 million, in part because the county intends to buy more electronic voting machines.
The county agreed to buy 10,200 Diebold TSX "touch screen" voting machines for $31 million in 2003, and used those machines in November's elections...
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Nifty toys
for Israel:
Notice the lack of interest in telling the American people what was passed in their Congress' appropriations bill on Thursday:
israel missile google search
Al Jazeera front paged it.
Israel lobby done good... again.
And as a super-duper added bonus for us here in San Diego there's this:
The move was spearheaded by Duncan Hunter of California, the senior Republican senator on the House Armed Services Committee and a candidate for his party's 2008 presidential nomination.
Hhhnnaaaappy.
Notice the lack of interest in telling the American people what was passed in their Congress' appropriations bill on Thursday:
israel missile google search
Al Jazeera front paged it.
Israel lobby done good... again.
And as a super-duper added bonus for us here in San Diego there's this:
The move was spearheaded by Duncan Hunter of California, the senior Republican senator on the House Armed Services Committee and a candidate for his party's 2008 presidential nomination.
Hhhnnaaaappy.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Death Toll for Contractors Reaches New High in Iraq
...At least 146 contract workers were killed in Iraq in the first three months of the year, by far the highest number for any quarter since the war began in March 2003, according to the Labor Department, which processes death and injury claims for those working as United States government contractors in Iraq.
That brings the total number of contractors killed in Iraq to at least 917, along with more than 12,000 wounded in battle or injured on the job, according to government figures and dozens of interviews...
...A top security industry official said he was told recently by American military and contracting officials that 50 to 60 percent of all truck convoys in Iraq were coming under attack. Previously, he said, only about 10 percent had been hit...
U.S Fatatlities confirmed by the DoD
This war sucks. Actually, all war sucks.
You expected me to make some smart-ass remark about Blackwater or DynCorp ?
That brings the total number of contractors killed in Iraq to at least 917, along with more than 12,000 wounded in battle or injured on the job, according to government figures and dozens of interviews...
...A top security industry official said he was told recently by American military and contracting officials that 50 to 60 percent of all truck convoys in Iraq were coming under attack. Previously, he said, only about 10 percent had been hit...
U.S Fatatlities confirmed by the DoD
This war sucks. Actually, all war sucks.
You expected me to make some smart-ass remark about Blackwater or DynCorp ?
Ring of Fire with RFK Jr. and Mike Papantonio
I like this show. I always learn something, and the bonus is I generally love the bumper music.
Today's show.
Today's show.
Friday, May 18, 2007
American history, if you can handle the truth
The Secret Government: The Constitution in Crisis
By Bill Moyers
This is the full length 90 min. version of Bill Moyer's 1987 scathing critique of the criminal subterfuge carried out by the Executive Branch of the United States Government.
Ron Paul on Blowback
By Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr.
05/17/07
Nerve Gas May Have Harmed Troops, Scientists Say (Gulf War I)
By IAN URBINA
05/17/07
I dunno what the fuck is going on with comments. Between Haloscan and Blogger I'm starting to get irritated with the whole thing. I did not delete commments, but the link disappeared. I'm not a geek.
By Bill Moyers
This is the full length 90 min. version of Bill Moyer's 1987 scathing critique of the criminal subterfuge carried out by the Executive Branch of the United States Government.
Ron Paul on Blowback
By Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr.
05/17/07
Nerve Gas May Have Harmed Troops, Scientists Say (Gulf War I)
By IAN URBINA
05/17/07
I dunno what the fuck is going on with comments. Between Haloscan and Blogger I'm starting to get irritated with the whole thing. I did not delete commments, but the link disappeared. I'm not a geek.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Frontline Spying on the Homefront
No surprise here. I knew all this shit was going on in 2003 after I got into a nasty e-mail exchange with an asinine Reich-wing mil-blogger. Some really weird shit went on for a couple of weeks. Nothing like that ever happened in my life before this period. Nothing since.
Fucking ratbastard. I didn't even know what a fucking blog was before that. The local newz thought he was fabulous. I thought he was a dick. Now if you'll excuse me I need to go shut my head up by sitting in front of the boob tube. It's what I do on Thursdays.
Fucking ratbastard. I didn't even know what a fucking blog was before that. The local newz thought he was fabulous. I thought he was a dick. Now if you'll excuse me I need to go shut my head up by sitting in front of the boob tube. It's what I do on Thursdays.
Blackwater
Potrero Mounts Up - Taking a Stand
by: Lucas O'Connor
Sat May 12, 2007 at 21:44:23 PM PDT
The link to the UT article and the comments that the UT chose to publish are telling.
The article was a bit irritating, but I expect that from the fishwrap. This comment started out with a jaw-dropper:
"I am mystified by the hostility in some of the comments..."
ewh wha?
Especially in a military town.
Let's review.
Accountable
Unaccountable
Private security company seeking to establish training camp near San Diego
Last modified Sunday, May 13, 2007 1:00 AM PDT
By: North County Times Wire Services -
Locals Against Training Camp In East County
POSTED: 10:15 am PDT May 12, 2007
UPDATED: 11:07 am PDT May 12, 2007
by: Lucas O'Connor
Sat May 12, 2007 at 21:44:23 PM PDT
The link to the UT article and the comments that the UT chose to publish are telling.
The article was a bit irritating, but I expect that from the fishwrap. This comment started out with a jaw-dropper:
"I am mystified by the hostility in some of the comments..."
ewh wha?
Especially in a military town.
Let's review.
Accountable
Unaccountable
Private security company seeking to establish training camp near San Diego
Last modified Sunday, May 13, 2007 1:00 AM PDT
By: North County Times Wire Services -
Locals Against Training Camp In East County
POSTED: 10:15 am PDT May 12, 2007
UPDATED: 11:07 am PDT May 12, 2007
Addicted
"America is addicted to oil."
Click on pics for articles.
Speaking of addictions, what have we here?
Afghanistan's child opium addicts
By Zeina Khodr in Badakshan (Potentially, craploads of them )
Wanna know what else is in Afghanistan?
Private Military Corporations
Part 4-The legal issues around mercenaries
A Tangled Web: A History of CIA Complicity in Drug International Trafficking
The Dark Alliance Gary Webb's Incendiary 1996 SJ Mercury News Exposé
I swear some shit never changes.
Click on pics for articles.
Speaking of addictions, what have we here?
Afghanistan's child opium addicts
By Zeina Khodr in Badakshan (Potentially, craploads of them )
Wanna know what else is in Afghanistan?
Private Military Corporations
Part 4-The legal issues around mercenaries
A Tangled Web: A History of CIA Complicity in Drug International Trafficking
The Dark Alliance Gary Webb's Incendiary 1996 SJ Mercury News Exposé
I swear some shit never changes.
movies and reading
Watched The Great Gatsby (Redford version) with a friend. I've never read the book and he said that he wanted to read it again. I rolled my eyes and said "Oh look , rich people people behaving badly and getting away with it, how original." The woman Gatsby was in love with reminded me of Paris Hilton, brainless and rich and pretty, so what? Uninteresting to other women, that's for sure . Frankly, I hated the character, and ever since Rosemary's Baby, and knowing she was married to somebody three times her age and then to Woody Allen, Mia Farrow makes my skin crawl. No, I don't want to read the book, the dialogue in the movie was ridiculous. Why torture myself twice?
Anyway, I sort of wondered out loud why I don't read much fiction any more. I'm reading Colby Buzzell's "My War, Killing Time in Iraq." I'm only about 75 pages in but so far I love it. This kid cracks me up. There's some really funny stuff in it and he's from California. I'm from the suburbs in San Diego and this town is one big military base. I get it...
What I don't get is this:
White House: 3.5 percent pay hike unnecessary
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday May 16, 2007 17:34:13 EDT
... Update: 170 pages in I have the same love-hate thing going that I've always had with military guys. Maybe that's because some of them treat the local girls like whores, even when they aren't. The military trains misogynists. Military towns train misandrists.
Update 2 3:19 PM 5/18/2007 Finished the book. Immediately heard Randi Rhodes talking about this:
VA bonus recipients sat on boards that oversaw payments By HOPE YEN
Associated Press Writer
Thursday, May 17, 2007
and this:
Troop Pay Raise That Bush May Veto Amounts To $6/Month To Average Soldier In Iraq
*sigh*
Anyway, I sort of wondered out loud why I don't read much fiction any more. I'm reading Colby Buzzell's "My War, Killing Time in Iraq." I'm only about 75 pages in but so far I love it. This kid cracks me up. There's some really funny stuff in it and he's from California. I'm from the suburbs in San Diego and this town is one big military base. I get it...
What I don't get is this:
White House: 3.5 percent pay hike unnecessary
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday May 16, 2007 17:34:13 EDT
... Update: 170 pages in I have the same love-hate thing going that I've always had with military guys. Maybe that's because some of them treat the local girls like whores, even when they aren't. The military trains misogynists. Military towns train misandrists.
Update 2 3:19 PM 5/18/2007 Finished the book. Immediately heard Randi Rhodes talking about this:
VA bonus recipients sat on boards that oversaw payments By HOPE YEN
Associated Press Writer
Thursday, May 17, 2007
and this:
Troop Pay Raise That Bush May Veto Amounts To $6/Month To Average Soldier In Iraq
*sigh*
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
effing voting machines
I used the term "Trojan horse" the other day. I was joking, sort of.
Brad tells us today about a worm and the Sarasota election.
Brad tells us today about a worm and the Sarasota election.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Let the bullshit begin
Hagelberg! Bloomha! For '08! Maybe
BLOG Posted 05/14/2007 @ 10:42am
(the Nation)
"If You Want To Win An Election, Just Control The Voting Machines"
Published on Friday, January 31, 2003 by CommonDreams.org
by Thom Hartmann
So, Ok then, we're all set up in San Diego:
DRE Sales Rep. New San Diego Registrar of Voters
Monday, 14 May 2007, 12:43 pm
So, between the Trojan horses in the Registrar of Voters office, the overabundance of RepugnantThuglicans and the brainwashed, militarised pro-war morons in this county I smell a winner, and it ain't the rest of us.
BLOG Posted 05/14/2007 @ 10:42am
(the Nation)
"If You Want To Win An Election, Just Control The Voting Machines"
Published on Friday, January 31, 2003 by CommonDreams.org
by Thom Hartmann
So, Ok then, we're all set up in San Diego:
DRE Sales Rep. New San Diego Registrar of Voters
Monday, 14 May 2007, 12:43 pm
So, between the Trojan horses in the Registrar of Voters office, the overabundance of RepugnantThuglicans and the brainwashed, militarised pro-war morons in this county I smell a winner, and it ain't the rest of us.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Happy Mother's Day (snark)
So today we celebrate mother's ability to squirt out brats. Silly, if you ask me, because every mammal has that ability. In the US these brats use up a disproportionate amount of the world's natural resources. On Mother's Day we go to church and then to brunch to celebrate being born in this country of abundance.
So, ok, let's look at other places on the planet and see how they are dealing with (frankly) an overabundance of human life on the planet.
I noticed that the Pope was in Brazil this week.
The kids there want to be able to use birth control. I think that this picture of the Pope's face plastered everywhere would be pretty good birth control, don't you? Dude is seriously scary looking.
For some reason, I thought that Islam forbid the use of birth control. Not so according to Ayatollah Al-Sistani:
Ayatollah Al-Sistani's Missionary Work
Eschewing politics, he uses the Internet to spread his ideas
I'm not thrilled with the thought of more and more of this---
ENVIRONMENTAL REFUGEES: PART 16--NEXT ADDED 100 MILLION AMERICANS
But Alexander Cockburn seems to think that that the global warming scares are the work of more old, powerful, rich white guys trying to get richer.
Fuck him. Global warming is here and is affecting crops. Crops affect population growth.
Economic theory and population growth are really incompatible when you look at finite resources.
So, ok, let's look at other places on the planet and see how they are dealing with (frankly) an overabundance of human life on the planet.
I noticed that the Pope was in Brazil this week.
The kids there want to be able to use birth control. I think that this picture of the Pope's face plastered everywhere would be pretty good birth control, don't you? Dude is seriously scary looking.
For some reason, I thought that Islam forbid the use of birth control. Not so according to Ayatollah Al-Sistani:
Ayatollah Al-Sistani's Missionary Work
Eschewing politics, he uses the Internet to spread his ideas
I'm not thrilled with the thought of more and more of this---
ENVIRONMENTAL REFUGEES: PART 16--NEXT ADDED 100 MILLION AMERICANS
But Alexander Cockburn seems to think that that the global warming scares are the work of more old, powerful, rich white guys trying to get richer.
Fuck him. Global warming is here and is affecting crops. Crops affect population growth.
Economic theory and population growth are really incompatible when you look at finite resources.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Doha debate, & other interesting stuff
Doha debate
God, I hate Martin Indyk. What a tool. I hope he's well paid, because he's one hell of a pit bull. He makes me sick. If you think that anyone who criticizes Israel has hope of a national political career in the United States, you have your head up your ass.
Calif. Web Site Outsources Reporting
(AP) - PASADENA, Calif.-The job posting was a head-scratcher: "We seek a newspaper journalist based in India to report on the city government and political scene of Pasadena, California, USA."
A reporter half a world away covering local street-light contracts and sewer repairs? A reporter who has never gotten closer to Pasadena than the telecast of the Rose Bowl parade?
The California Supreme Court Decides an Important "Prior Restraint" Case, but Misses the Important Judge/Jury Distinction
by Vikram David Amar
Friday, May. 11, 2007
DOCUMENTS LINKED TO CUBAN EXILE LUIS POSADA HIGHLIGHTED TARGETS FOR TERRORISM
Luis Posada Carriles is proof to the rest of the world that the US is hypocritical regarding terrorists.
Thanks to ICH for this fabulous quote:
"The country is headed toward a single and splendid government of an aristocracy founded on banking institutions and monied corporations, and if this tendency continues it will be the end of freedom and democracy, the few will be ruling and riding over the plundered plowman and the beggar.... Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
God, I hate Martin Indyk. What a tool. I hope he's well paid, because he's one hell of a pit bull. He makes me sick. If you think that anyone who criticizes Israel has hope of a national political career in the United States, you have your head up your ass.
Calif. Web Site Outsources Reporting
(AP) - PASADENA, Calif.-The job posting was a head-scratcher: "We seek a newspaper journalist based in India to report on the city government and political scene of Pasadena, California, USA."
A reporter half a world away covering local street-light contracts and sewer repairs? A reporter who has never gotten closer to Pasadena than the telecast of the Rose Bowl parade?
The California Supreme Court Decides an Important "Prior Restraint" Case, but Misses the Important Judge/Jury Distinction
by Vikram David Amar
Friday, May. 11, 2007
DOCUMENTS LINKED TO CUBAN EXILE LUIS POSADA HIGHLIGHTED TARGETS FOR TERRORISM
Luis Posada Carriles is proof to the rest of the world that the US is hypocritical regarding terrorists.
Thanks to ICH for this fabulous quote:
"The country is headed toward a single and splendid government of an aristocracy founded on banking institutions and monied corporations, and if this tendency continues it will be the end of freedom and democracy, the few will be ruling and riding over the plundered plowman and the beggar.... Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
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