Notice the wording of these headlines.
Marine wife accused of poisoning husband
Woman charged with first-degree murder for financial gain
Thurs., Dec. 15, 2005
Authorities: Wife Killed Marine Spouse For Breast Enhancements
Sommer Resists Extradition
POSTED: 9:03 am PST January 4, 2006
UPDATED: 7:05 am PST January 5, 2006
Well, can you imagine my surprise when this woman was released from prison yesterday?
Test clears woman of poisoning husband
Published: April 18, 2008 at 2:12 PM
SAN DIEGO, April 18 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in San Diego have dropped charges against a 34-year-old woman convicted in January of killing her U.S. Marine husband.
Cynthia Sommer was freed from the Los Colinas jail after spending two years and four months behind bars on charges of fatally poisoning Sgt. Todd Sommer with arsenic, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Friday.
In freeing Sommer, prosecutors said the conclusions of a new group of toxicology experts has cast doubt on poisoning as a cause of Sgt. Sommer's death.
District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis told a news conference Thursday "as soon as we had the information that pointed to reasonable doubt, we brought this case this afternoon to get the matter dismissed."
Sommer, 23, died in February, 2002 after collapsing at the couple's home at the Miramar Marine Corps Air Station.
At first doctors said he died of natural causes but tests later found high levels of arsenic in his liver and kidneys.
Court documents said a lab in Canada re-tested Sommers' tissue samples this month and found no evidence of arsenic.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
For more go here
Yeesh, I'm so cynical at this point I wonder if it might have been poisoning that killed him and it was easier for the local authorities and NCIS to grab her instead of dealing with the real problem.
US Military Bases Known To Be Contaminated (ca. 1992) (From: Life in the Times)
The following 59 U.S. military bases were suffering from significant water or soil contamination a year ago, according to the Department of Defense's interpretation of its latest hazardous waste survey. DoD officials say not every base suffering such contamination is on the list, because information was not available for all bases. The list is based on the latest status report for DoD's Installation Restoration Program.
The IRP report contains no explanation of the problems at each base, so we asked each service to provide details. The Army did so. The Navy Chief of Information refused to help us gather the information...
Moffett Field NAS, CA
The major contaminants in the ground water are volatile organic compounds.
Whidbey Island NAS, WA...
Other Navy bases:
China Lake, CA
Indian Head NOS, MD
Jacksonville NAS, FL
Miramar NAS, CA (now MCAS Miramar)
Pabmont River NAS, MD
Toxic Trails: U.S. Military Bases and the Environment
November 29, 2000
Friday, April 18, 2008
Medical "professionals?"
Filipino doctors on YouTube face penalty By OLIVER TEVES Associated Press Writer
Anybody that's ever worked in an ER knows these kinds of cases show up, and the buzz goes around the hospital, but you never publicize them. NEVER. These medical "professionals" need a remedial class in ethical standards and to be penalized for "violating a code of conduct."
The Philippines train and send out more nurses than most countries do.
I'm sure most of them are highly competent professionals.
Anybody that's ever worked in an ER knows these kinds of cases show up, and the buzz goes around the hospital, but you never publicize them. NEVER. These medical "professionals" need a remedial class in ethical standards and to be penalized for "violating a code of conduct."
The Philippines train and send out more nurses than most countries do.
I'm sure most of them are highly competent professionals.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Does the Pope Care About Workers' Rights?
posted April 14, 2008 (web only)The Nation
Angela Bonavoglia
...To the casual observer, this (teacher's) strike makes it seem like Catholic school teachers are secure in their right to fight for just wages and working conditions. Yet in reality, they have legal protection for union activities only in a handful of states, thanks to the obstructionist tactics of Catholic bishops...
(Since he's in my country this week, it must be pick on the Pope week for me, sorry to those of you who gain some comfort and spiritual guidance from the guy, but Ratzi, and actually the whole organized religion thing gives me the creeps)
Angela Bonavoglia
...To the casual observer, this (teacher's) strike makes it seem like Catholic school teachers are secure in their right to fight for just wages and working conditions. Yet in reality, they have legal protection for union activities only in a handful of states, thanks to the obstructionist tactics of Catholic bishops...
(Since he's in my country this week, it must be pick on the Pope week for me, sorry to those of you who gain some comfort and spiritual guidance from the guy, but Ratzi, and actually the whole organized religion thing gives me the creeps)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Testosterone May Drive Traders to Risks, Riches (Update1)
Said Captain Obvious.
It is often said that woman make the best investors, but not traders.
Yes, I still laugh every time I see it.
It is often said that woman make the best investors, but not traders.
Yes, I still laugh every time I see it.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The Pope visits
Traffic Tie-Ups, Disruptions Expected During Visit
D.C. Officials Recommending Patience, Planning
By Lena H. Sun
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 13, 2008; C01
The visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Washington this week could cause major traffic backups and disrupt subway and bus commutes on a scale not seen since the state funeral for former president Ronald Reagan four years ago, transportation officials said....
Yeah, whatever. You know where I think this clueless fuck should be visiting with his cadre of secret service looking dudes? The Arizona desert where pollos die trying to get across the border to make enough to feed their families. Let's see how long those suits last jogging through that heat. That's not to say that Mexicans are not ignoring the Church's cluelessness now:
...Around the world, fertility rates have fallen from an average of 4.95 children per woman in the 1960-1965 period to 2.96 children in the first half of the '90s. ... a 60 percent decline from the mid-1960s.
But fast-growing populations are like speeding locomotives that cannot brake slowly, and even though Mexican birth rates fell dramatically, the population has continued to surge....
Because this:
The Pope and Birth Control: A Crisis in Catholic Authority
Friday, Aug. 09, 1968
ROME has spoken," runs an ancient proverb of the Roman Catholic Church. "The case is closed." No longer true.
Last week Pope Paul VI formally promulgated his encyclical on birth control, which condemns all methods of contraception, except rhythm, as against the will of God.
Really wasn't that long ago.
Funny how he's not visiting Tijuana, he's safer than most Mexicans in that Popemobile of his.
You think he'll be visiting anywhere that they are having food riots?
D.C. Officials Recommending Patience, Planning
By Lena H. Sun
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April 13, 2008; C01
The visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Washington this week could cause major traffic backups and disrupt subway and bus commutes on a scale not seen since the state funeral for former president Ronald Reagan four years ago, transportation officials said....
Yeah, whatever. You know where I think this clueless fuck should be visiting with his cadre of secret service looking dudes? The Arizona desert where pollos die trying to get across the border to make enough to feed their families. Let's see how long those suits last jogging through that heat. That's not to say that Mexicans are not ignoring the Church's cluelessness now:
...Around the world, fertility rates have fallen from an average of 4.95 children per woman in the 1960-1965 period to 2.96 children in the first half of the '90s. ... a 60 percent decline from the mid-1960s.
But fast-growing populations are like speeding locomotives that cannot brake slowly, and even though Mexican birth rates fell dramatically, the population has continued to surge....
Because this:
The Pope and Birth Control: A Crisis in Catholic Authority
Friday, Aug. 09, 1968
ROME has spoken," runs an ancient proverb of the Roman Catholic Church. "The case is closed." No longer true.
Last week Pope Paul VI formally promulgated his encyclical on birth control, which condemns all methods of contraception, except rhythm, as against the will of God.
Really wasn't that long ago.
Funny how he's not visiting Tijuana, he's safer than most Mexicans in that Popemobile of his.
You think he'll be visiting anywhere that they are having food riots?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Food prices, population and failures in family planning
Q&A: Rising world food prices
Page last updated at 10:26 GMT, Friday, 11 April 2008 11:26 UK Page last updated at 10:26 GMT, Friday, 11 April 2008 11:26 UK
The price of wheat, rice and maize have nearly doubled in the past year - and they are not the only foodstuffs trading at a high price on the international commodity market.What are the main causes?
...The first reason why prices are rising is growth in the world's population, which is expected to top nine billion by the middle of the century.
That is an incredible number of mouths to feed and will put pressure on a range of resources, including land, water and oil, as well as food supply...
BBC video on food shortage protests
U.S. Farm subsidies are not moral if you think globally.
On the other hand, we have water problems and the farming practices are lowering our most important aquifer. Should we use up our most precious resource helping along exponential population growth?
50 simple things you can do to save the Earth (#47)
In more than half the developing countries studied by the U.N., population has been growing faster than food supplies.
...Step 2. Think nationally. The U.S., with 5% of the global population, uses about 25% of the world’s fossil fuel resources, and the average American consumes 120 lbs. a day in natural resources. So population stabilization in the U.S. could have a big impact on protecting the environment...
I'm not picking on the Philippines here, the next two links are only an example of how tradition and customs are making progress harder and starvation more frequent.
Arroyo lauded for preventing food riots in RP
Posted on Saturday 12 April 2008
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is “appropriately concerned” and “very concerned” over the continued rising prices and low supply of food including rice in the world market, which has already sparked civil disturbance and food riots in 33 countries, an official of the United Nation’s International Fund for Agriculture Development (Ifad) said.
Philippine Fertility Rate Is One of the Highest in Asia: Santa Clara, Segundina and Other Stories
In this predominantly Catholic country, people often pray for divine intervention from Santa Clara (Saint Claire), the patron saint of the childless, for one very specific purpose: to aid fertility and bless them with children.
Bangladesh faces food crisis
Page last updated at 23:02 GMT, Thursday, 10 April 2008 00:02 UK
Birth rate country comparison
Population growth rate by country 2005
List of countries by population growth rate
Of course the neutrality of the Wikipedia page on Overpopulation is disputed. Probably by some bible thumping head-up ass Bush supporter.
Dems Lose Fight on Family Planning Aid
December 17, 2007
by Anne Flaherty
The Associated Press
Abstinence only Sex Ed in the US has been a miserable failure.
Update: We're wasting our precious water on our fucking gas tanks and people are starving? Yikes.
Page last updated at 10:26 GMT, Friday, 11 April 2008 11:26 UK Page last updated at 10:26 GMT, Friday, 11 April 2008 11:26 UK
The price of wheat, rice and maize have nearly doubled in the past year - and they are not the only foodstuffs trading at a high price on the international commodity market.What are the main causes?
...The first reason why prices are rising is growth in the world's population, which is expected to top nine billion by the middle of the century.
That is an incredible number of mouths to feed and will put pressure on a range of resources, including land, water and oil, as well as food supply...
BBC video on food shortage protests
U.S. Farm subsidies are not moral if you think globally.
On the other hand, we have water problems and the farming practices are lowering our most important aquifer. Should we use up our most precious resource helping along exponential population growth?
50 simple things you can do to save the Earth (#47)
In more than half the developing countries studied by the U.N., population has been growing faster than food supplies.
...Step 2. Think nationally. The U.S., with 5% of the global population, uses about 25% of the world’s fossil fuel resources, and the average American consumes 120 lbs. a day in natural resources. So population stabilization in the U.S. could have a big impact on protecting the environment...
I'm not picking on the Philippines here, the next two links are only an example of how tradition and customs are making progress harder and starvation more frequent.
Arroyo lauded for preventing food riots in RP
Posted on Saturday 12 April 2008
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is “appropriately concerned” and “very concerned” over the continued rising prices and low supply of food including rice in the world market, which has already sparked civil disturbance and food riots in 33 countries, an official of the United Nation’s International Fund for Agriculture Development (Ifad) said.
Philippine Fertility Rate Is One of the Highest in Asia: Santa Clara, Segundina and Other Stories
In this predominantly Catholic country, people often pray for divine intervention from Santa Clara (Saint Claire), the patron saint of the childless, for one very specific purpose: to aid fertility and bless them with children.
Bangladesh faces food crisis
Page last updated at 23:02 GMT, Thursday, 10 April 2008 00:02 UK
Birth rate country comparison
Population growth rate by country 2005
List of countries by population growth rate
Of course the neutrality of the Wikipedia page on Overpopulation is disputed. Probably by some bible thumping head-up ass Bush supporter.
Dems Lose Fight on Family Planning Aid
December 17, 2007
by Anne Flaherty
The Associated Press
Abstinence only Sex Ed in the US has been a miserable failure.
Update: We're wasting our precious water on our fucking gas tanks and people are starving? Yikes.
Friday, April 11, 2008
McCain Erases Obama Lead
And the depiction of U.S. citizens as Neanderthal continues.
Cui Bono?
Oh look, it's an old as dirt peroxide blonde pony-tailed Neanderthal. Ain't she a sweetheart?
RepugnantThuglicans....
It's what's for dinner.
Cui Bono?
Oh look, it's an old as dirt peroxide blonde pony-tailed Neanderthal. Ain't she a sweetheart?
RepugnantThuglicans....
It's what's for dinner.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
10 things you should know about John McCain (but probably don't):
1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has "evolved," yet he's continued to oppose key civil rights laws.1
4 times against it
2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."2
100 years in Iraq
Bomb Iran
3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.
More CCain hypocrisy
4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."
voting record
5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.
CNN article
6. He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.
McCain's money CNN
7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."
teh Google on de temper
8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.
teh Google on his lobbyists
9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."
Columbia Journalism Review
10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year. hoooo-eee, lookit all them NVs (not voting) in his recent environmental votes
John McCain is not who the Washington press corps make him out to be.
4 times against it
2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain "will make Cheney look like Gandhi."2
100 years in Iraq
Bomb Iran
3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban.
More CCain hypocrisy
4. McCain opposes a woman's right to choose. He said, "I do not support Roe versus Wade. It should be overturned."
voting record
5. The Children's Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children's health care bill last year, then defended Bush's veto of the bill.
CNN article
6. He's one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a "second job" and skip their vacations.
McCain's money CNN
7. Many of McCain's fellow Republican senators say he's too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: "The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me."
teh Google on de temper
8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates.
teh Google on his lobbyists
9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his "spiritual guide," Rod Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a "false religion." McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church "the Antichrist" and a "false cult."
Columbia Journalism Review
10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year. hoooo-eee, lookit all them NVs (not voting) in his recent environmental votes
John McCain is not who the Washington press corps make him out to be.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Religion sucks #11
Documents: Sect Married Girls at Puberty
By MICHELLE ROBERTS Associated Press Writer
ELDORADO, Texas (AP) - A polygamist compound with hundreds of children was rife with sexual abuse, child welfare officials allege in court documents, with girls spiritually married to much older men as soon as they reached puberty and boys groomed to perpetuate the cycle.
Our British laws are there to protect Muslim women
From The Times
February 14, 2008
Mary Ann Sieghart
Canada: Polygamous Ontario Muslims collecting multiple benefit cheques
12/02/2008: Polygamous Muslims in Ontario receive benefits, although polygamy is officially illegal in Canada. (Toronto Sun)
An abuse of the welfare system by GTA [Greater Toronto Area, ed.] Muslim men allowed to live in polygamous marriages under a controversial Ontario law was met with shock and outrage yesterday.
Polygamists are selfish, stupid, pig-dogs.
There are already enough people on the planet
By MICHELLE ROBERTS Associated Press Writer
ELDORADO, Texas (AP) - A polygamist compound with hundreds of children was rife with sexual abuse, child welfare officials allege in court documents, with girls spiritually married to much older men as soon as they reached puberty and boys groomed to perpetuate the cycle.
Our British laws are there to protect Muslim women
From The Times
February 14, 2008
Mary Ann Sieghart
Canada: Polygamous Ontario Muslims collecting multiple benefit cheques
12/02/2008: Polygamous Muslims in Ontario receive benefits, although polygamy is officially illegal in Canada. (Toronto Sun)
An abuse of the welfare system by GTA [Greater Toronto Area, ed.] Muslim men allowed to live in polygamous marriages under a controversial Ontario law was met with shock and outrage yesterday.
Polygamists are selfish, stupid, pig-dogs.
There are already enough people on the planet
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
San Diego
Nice to visit:
Noah's Wonderland series
A little tougher to live in:
San Diego’s Secret Missile-Testing Sites
By Moss Gropen | Published Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Noah's Wonderland series
A little tougher to live in:
San Diego’s Secret Missile-Testing Sites
By Moss Gropen | Published Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Monday, April 07, 2008
Dave Marash: Why I Quit (Al Jazeera)
The veteran newsman says Al Jazeera English’s mission changed
By Brent Cunningham Fri 4 Apr 2008 11:26 AM
hat tip to Danny
I'm not sure if I have a judgement based on this piece, but I'll try to be bit more skeptical when I read Al Jazeera reports in America. I hope this doesn't give the wingnuts more excuses to keep Al Jazeera away from Americans as cable choice. American news sources just don't cover parts of the world. So Al Jazeera screws up when reporting in the US. So what? Big Telecom hasn't been able to control bloggers here yet. If it's happening in America, somebody is blogging about it. It's not like we, as Americans can't ferret out the truth and work around bias, somebody is always screaming biased.
By Brent Cunningham Fri 4 Apr 2008 11:26 AM
hat tip to Danny
I'm not sure if I have a judgement based on this piece, but I'll try to be bit more skeptical when I read Al Jazeera reports in America. I hope this doesn't give the wingnuts more excuses to keep Al Jazeera away from Americans as cable choice. American news sources just don't cover parts of the world. So Al Jazeera screws up when reporting in the US. So what? Big Telecom hasn't been able to control bloggers here yet. If it's happening in America, somebody is blogging about it. It's not like we, as Americans can't ferret out the truth and work around bias, somebody is always screaming biased.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Charlton Heston, Epic Film Star and Voice of N.R.A., Dies at 84
By ROBERT BERKVIST
Published: April 6, 2008
Charlton Heston made a crapload of movies, most of which I studiously avoided because the stepmonster was a fan of his. I only watched The Omega Man in the last couple of years because my friend said it was a good movie. I tried to like it. (update: my friend said he never said that). I saw all the Planet of the Apes movies, but who didn't in the 70's?
Ok, so call me weird, I've been called worse, but the two movies that he was in that had a lasting impact on me were Soylent Green (I was twelve, OK?) and Bowling for Columbine . When I saw Bowling for Columbine I was just discovering how much politics actually affected my life and the Heston scene sort of made me feel sorry for him. I kind of wanted to protect the old geezer from the truth about the whole Reagan Revolution thing.
Ummmmm then again maybe not. Where the hell was his handler?
OK, enough seriousness. Doesn't this blogger just come out and say what we're all thinking?
Heston Dead; Coroner Can't Pry Gun From Cold Dead Hands
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Published: April 6, 2008
Charlton Heston made a crapload of movies, most of which I studiously avoided because the stepmonster was a fan of his. I only watched The Omega Man in the last couple of years because my friend said it was a good movie. I tried to like it. (update: my friend said he never said that). I saw all the Planet of the Apes movies, but who didn't in the 70's?
Ok, so call me weird, I've been called worse, but the two movies that he was in that had a lasting impact on me were Soylent Green (I was twelve, OK?) and Bowling for Columbine . When I saw Bowling for Columbine I was just discovering how much politics actually affected my life and the Heston scene sort of made me feel sorry for him. I kind of wanted to protect the old geezer from the truth about the whole Reagan Revolution thing.
Ummmmm then again maybe not. Where the hell was his handler?
OK, enough seriousness. Doesn't this blogger just come out and say what we're all thinking?
Heston Dead; Coroner Can't Pry Gun From Cold Dead Hands
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Reading Now
Founding Myths: Stories that Hide our Patriotic Past
by Ray Raphael
The New Press, September, 2004
Frankly, I'm finding it vastly amusing to find out how many of these myths are still in our textbooks. Most second graders hate "Social Studies," (which I think is) a euphemistic term for history. Why? They generally don't verbalize it, but kids aren't stupid, they know bullshit when they see it. They may not have the vocabulary to explain it, but they also know when they are being politically socialized. It's not unique to this country or Western culture, it just happens in school, rather than someplace else.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Managing Iraq's Econoccupation
By Maya Schenwar
t r u t h o u t | Report Friday 04 April 2008
As violence rises again in Iraq, negotiations to institutionalize US economic dominance continue unabated.
(title link, read the whole article, Bremer made a bad situation worse)
This photo caught my eye because I remembered reading a post by Riverbend (can't remember exactly when it was, sometime after the war started, can't find it, blogger search sucks) where she wrote about being afraid of the cooking gas because it wasn't being mixed, or processed or bottled correctly, and gas bottles were blowing up. Looks like it's just being wasted in some places--flared off.
....the newly liberated gas was flared off. This was not the optimum engineering solution. A more elegant approach would be to send the liberated gas through another series of pipes to a natural-gas liquefaction plant, where it could be further refined and then sold. Some plants in Iraq did just that but many did not, for the simple reason that no one had ever gotten around to building the necessary infrastructure. The result, Sam said, was that Iraq burned away at least $10 million worth of gas every day. Indeed, due to its lack of domestic refinery infrastructure, Iraq is a long-time net importer not only of natural gas but also of gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, and all of the other much-needed products that may be obtained from raw crude. (This is one reason Baghdad has so little electricity, which is generated in most Iraqi power plants by burning fuel oil or natural gas.) Rectifying this problem has proved difficult not only because of the war—and the looting and the years of sanctions—but also because the entire system had been allowed to collapse under Saddam. Every engineer I met in Iraq seemed to have a special loathing for the former dictator simply because he had taken what was, by the standards of the 1970s, a fairly good industrial infrastructure and run it into the ground...
....or how much smuggling goes on, or even how much oil is pumped out of the ground or back into it, because—almost unbelievably—the entire system lacks meters...
Still?
Hmmm, now what was I reading just the other day?
t r u t h o u t | Report Friday 04 April 2008
As violence rises again in Iraq, negotiations to institutionalize US economic dominance continue unabated.
(title link, read the whole article, Bremer made a bad situation worse)
This photo caught my eye because I remembered reading a post by Riverbend (can't remember exactly when it was, sometime after the war started, can't find it, blogger search sucks) where she wrote about being afraid of the cooking gas because it wasn't being mixed, or processed or bottled correctly, and gas bottles were blowing up. Looks like it's just being wasted in some places--flared off.
....the newly liberated gas was flared off. This was not the optimum engineering solution. A more elegant approach would be to send the liberated gas through another series of pipes to a natural-gas liquefaction plant, where it could be further refined and then sold. Some plants in Iraq did just that but many did not, for the simple reason that no one had ever gotten around to building the necessary infrastructure. The result, Sam said, was that Iraq burned away at least $10 million worth of gas every day. Indeed, due to its lack of domestic refinery infrastructure, Iraq is a long-time net importer not only of natural gas but also of gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, and all of the other much-needed products that may be obtained from raw crude. (This is one reason Baghdad has so little electricity, which is generated in most Iraqi power plants by burning fuel oil or natural gas.) Rectifying this problem has proved difficult not only because of the war—and the looting and the years of sanctions—but also because the entire system had been allowed to collapse under Saddam. Every engineer I met in Iraq seemed to have a special loathing for the former dictator simply because he had taken what was, by the standards of the 1970s, a fairly good industrial infrastructure and run it into the ground...
....or how much smuggling goes on, or even how much oil is pumped out of the ground or back into it, because—almost unbelievably—the entire system lacks meters...
Still?
Hmmm, now what was I reading just the other day?
Friday, April 04, 2008
The artist behind the iconic 'running immigrants' image
John Hood, a Navajo and Vietnam vet, has created many works in his job as a Caltrans graphic artist. But the picture of an immigrant family running has resonated far beyond his office cubicle.
By Scott Gold, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
April 4, 2008
On the fifth floor of Building Two of Caltrans' San Diego compound, a bear of a man with a quiet voice sits in a cubicle straight out of "Dilbert."...
What an interesting man, I thought as I read the article. I'm still startled when I drive by one of the signs he designed. I was reminded of one of my favorite books as I was reading the article.
And yeah, I'm not ignoring the Hillary-has-a-major-conflict-of-interest-thing going on. I read the blogroll links to the right and these guys are on it.
By Scott Gold, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
April 4, 2008
On the fifth floor of Building Two of Caltrans' San Diego compound, a bear of a man with a quiet voice sits in a cubicle straight out of "Dilbert."...
What an interesting man, I thought as I read the article. I'm still startled when I drive by one of the signs he designed. I was reminded of one of my favorite books as I was reading the article.
And yeah, I'm not ignoring the Hillary-has-a-major-conflict-of-interest-thing going on. I read the blogroll links to the right and these guys are on it.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Another KBR Rape Case
...That dawn, naked, covered in blood and feces, bleeding from her anus, she found a US soldier she did not know lying naked in the bed next to her: his gun lay on the floor beside the bed, she could not rouse him and all she could remember of the night before was screaming and screaming as the soldier anally penetrated her while a colleague who worked for defense contractor KBR held her hand--but instead of helping her, as she had hoped, he jammed his penis in her mouth...
Sexual Assault Is a Crime, Not a Labor Dispute, Unless of Course You Work for Halliburton/KBR [VIDEO]
Jamie Leigh Jones Congressional Testimony
posted by Melissa McEwan | Thursday, December 20, 2007
'Tort reform' injustice
By Peggy Garrity
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Justice? These women won't get justice. Justice would be for whoever thought that writing binding arbitration clauses into employees' contracts in a war zone to experience the first paragraph grab up top of this post.
Sexual Assault Is a Crime, Not a Labor Dispute, Unless of Course You Work for Halliburton/KBR [VIDEO]
Jamie Leigh Jones Congressional Testimony
posted by Melissa McEwan | Thursday, December 20, 2007
'Tort reform' injustice
By Peggy Garrity
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Justice? These women won't get justice. Justice would be for whoever thought that writing binding arbitration clauses into employees' contracts in a war zone to experience the first paragraph grab up top of this post.
Woman Charged With Stalking John Cusack
Bummer. I'm a Cusack fan, but stalking? Ewwwwww. Anyone that's ever been stalked would never dream of doing that to someone else. I've been stalked and it's terrifying AND enraging.
I've asked for exactly three autographs in my life, only twice was it face to face. Famous people come to San Diego but I usually beat feet if I see them. If I spy paparazzi I'm gone quicker than usual, I don't give a shit who they're stalking, I don't want any part of it.
Some guy almost knocked me on my ass flying out onto the street where I was walking and then repeatedly said "No autographs, no autographs." I looked at my date after we both regained our footing and asked, "Who IS that asshole?" Turns out he was some turd roller on a TV show that they filmed here in San Diego for a while. I never wanted to be famous, and I never wanted to hang around famous people. Name droppers bug the shit out of me. I'm just not interested. I have a friend in LA, but she knows how much I hate the whole LA name dropping thing. I roll my eyes a lot when I go to LA. Actually LA people aren't nearly as bad as people who have to tell me they watched a film being made in their hometown of East Podunk. A million fucking times they gotta tell me how they met so-and-so or blabbity blah. Like I give a shit because I was born and raised in Southern California?
Anyhoo, this article caught my eye because I want to see War Inc. (trailer) Hmmmm, kind of looks like I'll be able to buy or rent it before it's released in theaters.
I've asked for exactly three autographs in my life, only twice was it face to face. Famous people come to San Diego but I usually beat feet if I see them. If I spy paparazzi I'm gone quicker than usual, I don't give a shit who they're stalking, I don't want any part of it.
Some guy almost knocked me on my ass flying out onto the street where I was walking and then repeatedly said "No autographs, no autographs." I looked at my date after we both regained our footing and asked, "Who IS that asshole?" Turns out he was some turd roller on a TV show that they filmed here in San Diego for a while. I never wanted to be famous, and I never wanted to hang around famous people. Name droppers bug the shit out of me. I'm just not interested. I have a friend in LA, but she knows how much I hate the whole LA name dropping thing. I roll my eyes a lot when I go to LA. Actually LA people aren't nearly as bad as people who have to tell me they watched a film being made in their hometown of East Podunk. A million fucking times they gotta tell me how they met so-and-so or blabbity blah. Like I give a shit because I was born and raised in Southern California?
Anyhoo, this article caught my eye because I want to see War Inc. (trailer) Hmmmm, kind of looks like I'll be able to buy or rent it before it's released in theaters.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Justices asked to hear Navy sonar, whales case
Bush administration asks Supreme Court to review ruling that limits use
Something tells me that the Sooopreme court justices won't be using teh Google search terms that they need to. It'll be all Homeland Security All The Time.
I've heard from more than one sailor that one of the few joys when you're stuck out at sea for what seems like forever is watching the dolphins.
Reed Saxon / AP
A gray whale dives off the Southern California coast near the Palos Verdes Peninsula on Jan. 16.
Evolution of the whale ear
MARINE MAMMAL AUDITORY SYSTEMS:
A SUMMARY OF AUDIOMETRIC AND ANATOMICAL DATA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR UNDERWATER ACOUSTIC IMPACTS
Bush administration appeals Navy sonar case to Supreme Court
Joshua Pantesco at 8:50 AM ET
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
The Justice Department petition argues that the decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco jeopardizes the Navy's ability to train sailors and Marines for service in wartime.
MARINE MAMMAL AUDITORY SYSTEMS:
A SUMMARY OF AUDIOMETRIC AND ANATOMICAL DATA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR UNDERWATER ACOUSTIC IMPACTS
Bush administration appeals Navy sonar case to Supreme Court
Joshua Pantesco at 8:50 AM ET
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
The Justice Department petition argues that the decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco jeopardizes the Navy's ability to train sailors and Marines for service in wartime.
Something tells me that the Sooopreme court justices won't be using teh Google search terms that they need to. It'll be all Homeland Security All The Time.
I've heard from more than one sailor that one of the few joys when you're stuck out at sea for what seems like forever is watching the dolphins.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
A Marked Increase In Pregnancy Discrimination Claims
---A Marked Increase In Pregnancy Discrimination Claims and Other Key Developments Illustrate the Continuing Struggle of Pregnant Workers:
Part One in a Two-Part Series of Columns
By JOANNA GROSSMAN Tuesday, Apr. 01, 2008
EEOC statistics show that pregnancy discrimination complaints have increased dramatically in a number of recent years, increased forty percent over the last decade and increased fourteen percent in just the last year. (Charge statistics are available at http://eeoc.gov/stats/pregnanc.html ). Though the birth rate declined over the past decade,pregnancy discrimination charges were among the fastest-growing category of claims with the EEOC. These statistics are consistent with anecdotal reports from women about their experiences of being fired, demoted, or otherwise treated adversely because of pregnancy.
Pregnant man says bearing child a "human" desire (Gee, ya think? Could be why there's almost 7 billion people on the planet.)
Tue Apr 1, 2008 11:42pm BST
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A transgender man who kept his female reproductive organs despite his transformation is now five months pregnant and will appear on Oprah Winfrey's television show, the talk show said on Tuesday.
Um, it's not on her site Anybody see him on the show?
Part One in a Two-Part Series of Columns
By JOANNA GROSSMAN Tuesday, Apr. 01, 2008
EEOC statistics show that pregnancy discrimination complaints have increased dramatically in a number of recent years, increased forty percent over the last decade and increased fourteen percent in just the last year. (Charge statistics are available at http://eeoc.gov/stats/pregnanc.html ). Though the birth rate declined over the past decade,pregnancy discrimination charges were among the fastest-growing category of claims with the EEOC. These statistics are consistent with anecdotal reports from women about their experiences of being fired, demoted, or otherwise treated adversely because of pregnancy.
Pregnant man says bearing child a "human" desire (Gee, ya think? Could be why there's almost 7 billion people on the planet.)
Tue Apr 1, 2008 11:42pm BST
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A transgender man who kept his female reproductive organs despite his transformation is now five months pregnant and will appear on Oprah Winfrey's television show, the talk show said on Tuesday.
Um, it's not on her site Anybody see him on the show?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Why Is George Still Smiling?
March 20, 2008 1:55 PM 
I've liked Robert Scheer since I discovered his work. I do love hearing him rip Tony Blankbrain a new one every week.
That idiotic "what me worry?" look just never leaves the man's visage. Once again, there was our president, presiding over disasters, in part of his making and totally on his watch, grinning with an aplomb that suggested a serious disconnect between his worldview and reality...
...But the president is happy because his legacy issue, the war on terrorism, is intact. No matter that last week the Pentagon was forced to release a report conducted over the last five years that concluded, after surveying 600,000 official Iraqi documents captured by U.S. forces, that there is "no smoking gun" establishing any connection whatsoever between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda
The report was so embarrassing that we taxpayers were not going to be told of its existence, even though the explosive conclusions were declassified, until ABC News forced the administration to post it on the Joint Forces Command Website...
Well I'll be damned, I think I just regained a tad, a smidgen of respect back for ABC news.
I've liked Robert Scheer since I discovered his work. I do love hearing him rip Tony Blankbrain a new one every week. That idiotic "what me worry?" look just never leaves the man's visage. Once again, there was our president, presiding over disasters, in part of his making and totally on his watch, grinning with an aplomb that suggested a serious disconnect between his worldview and reality...
...But the president is happy because his legacy issue, the war on terrorism, is intact. No matter that last week the Pentagon was forced to release a report conducted over the last five years that concluded, after surveying 600,000 official Iraqi documents captured by U.S. forces, that there is "no smoking gun" establishing any connection whatsoever between Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda
The report was so embarrassing that we taxpayers were not going to be told of its existence, even though the explosive conclusions were declassified, until ABC News forced the administration to post it on the Joint Forces Command Website...
Well I'll be damned, I think I just regained a tad, a smidgen of respect back for ABC news.
Boston Dynamics Big Dog (new video March 2008)
The program is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA)
I'm speechless.....
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Subrogation my ass
My insurance was told by me that they were paying for something I wasn't receiving. They didn't give a shit. We've already paid in premiums the cash cost of surgery (not elective) that they won't cover.
She's right.
She's right.
For Missing Guards' Kin, An Agonizing Conclusion
By Steve Fainaru
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, March 30, 2008; A01
...Paul Chapman, Crescent's media liaison, said in a telephone interview from Kuwait City that the company had insured the guards through Lloyd's of London. Their beneficiaries, he said, will receive $300,000, although it was unclear whether the payments will be made to the company or directly to the families, he added...
A matter of policy
Suit hits Wal-Mart role as worker life insurance beneficiary
By Sarah Schweitzer, Globe Staff, 12/10/2002
Corporate-owned life insurance
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
House Democrats crack down on ‘Dead Peasants Insurance’ policies
Measure takes aim at practice that exploits rank-and-file workers
Feb. 8, 2005
Firms can no longer take out 'dead peasant' insurance on workers
Employees' families often never knew of policies, benefits
Thursday, May 12, 2005
So, were the Crescent Security Group guards "key persons?" If so, it's possible that the company can collect life insurance benefits on them.
Key Person Life Insurance
Is Your Business Adequately Protected?
Help entrepreneurs by contributing articles to this site.
Key Executive Insurance
Key Person Insurance Explained
Key Person Life Insurance
Is Your Business Adequately Protected?
Key Man Insurance is critical for companies that depend on a few “Key People” to generate a large portion of the company’s revenue. The absence of one of these individuals usually results in the death of the company.
Simply enter your Key Person information then click the "Compare Prices Now!" button to access your price comparison.
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, March 30, 2008; A01
...Paul Chapman, Crescent's media liaison, said in a telephone interview from Kuwait City that the company had insured the guards through Lloyd's of London. Their beneficiaries, he said, will receive $300,000, although it was unclear whether the payments will be made to the company or directly to the families, he added...
A matter of policy
Suit hits Wal-Mart role as worker life insurance beneficiary
By Sarah Schweitzer, Globe Staff, 12/10/2002
Corporate-owned life insurance
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
House Democrats crack down on ‘Dead Peasants Insurance’ policies
Measure takes aim at practice that exploits rank-and-file workers
Feb. 8, 2005
Firms can no longer take out 'dead peasant' insurance on workers
Employees' families often never knew of policies, benefits
Thursday, May 12, 2005
So, were the Crescent Security Group guards "key persons?" If so, it's possible that the company can collect life insurance benefits on them.
Key Person Life Insurance
Is Your Business Adequately Protected?
Help entrepreneurs by contributing articles to this site.
Key Executive Insurance
Key Person Insurance Explained
Key Person Life Insurance
Is Your Business Adequately Protected?
Key Man Insurance is critical for companies that depend on a few “Key People” to generate a large portion of the company’s revenue. The absence of one of these individuals usually results in the death of the company.
Simply enter your Key Person information then click the "Compare Prices Now!" button to access your price comparison.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Crusaders 'left genetic legacy'
By Paul Rincon
Science reporter, BBC News
...The scientists also found that Lebanese Muslim men were more likely than Christians to carry a particular genetic signature. But this one is linked to expansions from the Arabian Peninsula which brought Islam to the area in the 7th and 8th Centuries.
UN food aid agency appeals for US$500 million to offset soaring prices
Author: BI-ME staff
Source: BI-ME
Published: 27 March 2008
...Countries where price rises are expected to have a direct impact include Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Haiti, Djibouti, the Gambia, Tajikistan, Togo, Chad, Benin, Myanmar, Cameroon, Niger, Senegal, Yemen and Cuba, according to WFP.
List of countries and territories by fertility rate
Science reporter, BBC News
...The scientists also found that Lebanese Muslim men were more likely than Christians to carry a particular genetic signature. But this one is linked to expansions from the Arabian Peninsula which brought Islam to the area in the 7th and 8th Centuries.
UN food aid agency appeals for US$500 million to offset soaring prices
Author: BI-ME staff
Source: BI-ME
Published: 27 March 2008
...Countries where price rises are expected to have a direct impact include Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Haiti, Djibouti, the Gambia, Tajikistan, Togo, Chad, Benin, Myanmar, Cameroon, Niger, Senegal, Yemen and Cuba, according to WFP.
List of countries and territories by fertility rate
article titles that cracked me up today
Parents Pick Prayer Over Docs; Girl Dies
(Ahhh, the mighty brainiacs that inhabit this country)
Rhode Island Targets Illegal Immigrants
(What? All three of them in the whole state? At the same time? Oh those damn Canucks)
DEA Losing More Guns, Fewer Laptops
(Ehhhh, what?)
Fingerprint Scans Replace Clocking In
By DAVID B. CARUSO Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - It's happening at Dunkin' Donuts...
(Ummm, yeah, somehow that just dosen't seem cost effective to me, you?)
I found a little humor inside this op ed:
The National Popular Vote Plan: If Ohio, Virginia and Florida Alone Sign On, They Will Change Primary Politics Profoundly, and Greatly Increase the Chance that the National Popular Vote Winner Will Prevail
By VIKRAM DAVID AMAR
...Of course, Senators Obama and Clinton seem to disagree on how they stack up against Senator McCain in the key swing states. It is hard to fully assess their claims here -- especially if one looks to actual primary results, as opposed to polls. One big reason for that difficulty is this: How Clinton and Obama fare against each other in a Democratic primary race in a given state may not tell us much about how either would fare in that state in the November election against McCain. For example, Senator Obama's victory over Senator Clinton in Wyoming, does not suggest any real possibility he could carry that state in November, and Senator Clinton's victory over Senator Obama in New York similarly does not indicate that he wouldn't beat McCain there in the fall.
(Ahhh, the mighty brainiacs that inhabit this country)
Rhode Island Targets Illegal Immigrants
(What? All three of them in the whole state? At the same time? Oh those damn Canucks)
DEA Losing More Guns, Fewer Laptops
(Ehhhh, what?)
Fingerprint Scans Replace Clocking In
By DAVID B. CARUSO Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - It's happening at Dunkin' Donuts...
(Ummm, yeah, somehow that just dosen't seem cost effective to me, you?)
I found a little humor inside this op ed:
The National Popular Vote Plan: If Ohio, Virginia and Florida Alone Sign On, They Will Change Primary Politics Profoundly, and Greatly Increase the Chance that the National Popular Vote Winner Will Prevail
By VIKRAM DAVID AMAR
...Of course, Senators Obama and Clinton seem to disagree on how they stack up against Senator McCain in the key swing states. It is hard to fully assess their claims here -- especially if one looks to actual primary results, as opposed to polls. One big reason for that difficulty is this: How Clinton and Obama fare against each other in a Democratic primary race in a given state may not tell us much about how either would fare in that state in the November election against McCain. For example, Senator Obama's victory over Senator Clinton in Wyoming, does not suggest any real possibility he could carry that state in November, and Senator Clinton's victory over Senator Obama in New York similarly does not indicate that he wouldn't beat McCain there in the fall.
I'm baaaaaaack
Swimming back up from the murky depths of mid-term-ville, whoa, WTF has been going on eh?
News Dissector Takes on CNBC Woooo Hoooo, go Danny!
The age of the anti-Cassandra
Paul Krugman
March 25, 2008, 12:18 pm
Senior Al-Jazeera Staff Quit English Service
By The Guardian.
Al-Jazeera English, the global news channel
Net Neutrality's Quiet Crusader
Free Press's Ben Scott Faces Down Titans, Regulators in Battle Over Internet Control
By Cecilia Kang
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 28, 2008; D01
Indian Tantrik Tries to Kill Man on Television with Black Magic
Published 1, March 24, 2008 Bizarre , Media , Society , Torts
Now, this is reality TV at its best. This month, Indians were glued to their television as India’s leading tantrik or black magician Pandit Surinder Sharma tried repeatedly to kill atheist Sanal Edamaruku first with a death-causing tantra and then later with the “ultimate destruction ceremony” on live TV...
Home » Spin of the Day » Mar 21, 2008
Yes He Can... Create Front Groups
Topics: advertising astroturf corporations ethics front groups secrecy Election 2008
Source: BusinessWeek, March 14, 2008
Senator Barack Obama's chief campaign strategist, David Axelrod, "moonlights" from his political PR firm AKP&D Message & Media. Working from the same office, "Axelrod operates a second business, ASK Public Strategies, that discreetly plots strategy and advertising campaigns for corporate clients," reports Howard Wolinsky...
News Dissector Takes on CNBC Woooo Hoooo, go Danny!
The age of the anti-Cassandra
Paul Krugman
March 25, 2008, 12:18 pm
Senior Al-Jazeera Staff Quit English Service
By The Guardian.
Al-Jazeera English, the global news channel
Net Neutrality's Quiet Crusader
Free Press's Ben Scott Faces Down Titans, Regulators in Battle Over Internet Control
By Cecilia Kang
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 28, 2008; D01
Indian Tantrik Tries to Kill Man on Television with Black Magic
Published 1, March 24, 2008 Bizarre , Media , Society , Torts
Now, this is reality TV at its best. This month, Indians were glued to their television as India’s leading tantrik or black magician Pandit Surinder Sharma tried repeatedly to kill atheist Sanal Edamaruku first with a death-causing tantra and then later with the “ultimate destruction ceremony” on live TV...
Home » Spin of the Day » Mar 21, 2008
Yes He Can... Create Front Groups
Topics: advertising astroturf corporations ethics front groups secrecy Election 2008
Source: BusinessWeek, March 14, 2008
Senator Barack Obama's chief campaign strategist, David Axelrod, "moonlights" from his political PR firm AKP&D Message & Media. Working from the same office, "Axelrod operates a second business, ASK Public Strategies, that discreetly plots strategy and advertising campaigns for corporate clients," reports Howard Wolinsky...
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Talking about race: Um, you first
The one thing Obama danced around because he knows Hillary has more support in Hispanic communities is touched upon in the above linked article from the LA Times:
..."You know," she said, "I've been looking for jobs in environmental education. A lot of them require that you speak Spanish. It sounds so awful to say this, but it's very frustrating. Shouldn't they learn English? This is America."...
A Hispanic woman on welfare with four kids and an "old man" who was in jail for criminal gang activity once told me to my face "It's OK to steal from gringos 'cause the gringos stole the land."
You can't make this shit up.
In all fairness I was on welfare at the time. I was also ten or fifteen years older than this woman and I wondered how many more brats was she going to squirt out? I had one kid and the ability to dump boyfriends like hot potatoes if I found out that they were engaged in criminal activity. Not that I had family support, I didn't. People helped me, and I am forever grateful for that help. They also knew I wouldn't steal from them.
I have had jobs that paid me less than others working there who spoke Spanish. Didn't seem to matter that they managed to mangle both languages. People talk shit around my kid, about my kid because she doesn't look like she speaks Spanish. She speaks Spanish.
There are immigrants from all over the world in San Diego. The only ones who don't have to eventually learn English are the Spanish speakers.
Nafta and Cafta anyone?
So yeah, Obama, let's talk about resentment. And language. And the jobs that first drew people to the US/Mexico border areas and then went to China, where the labor is cheaper. Frankly, it's about time multi-national corporations were bitch slapped into paying a liveable wage and serving a big slice of STFU pie to their greedy ass executives. It's what the workers have come to expect.
..."You know," she said, "I've been looking for jobs in environmental education. A lot of them require that you speak Spanish. It sounds so awful to say this, but it's very frustrating. Shouldn't they learn English? This is America."...
A Hispanic woman on welfare with four kids and an "old man" who was in jail for criminal gang activity once told me to my face "It's OK to steal from gringos 'cause the gringos stole the land."
You can't make this shit up.
In all fairness I was on welfare at the time. I was also ten or fifteen years older than this woman and I wondered how many more brats was she going to squirt out? I had one kid and the ability to dump boyfriends like hot potatoes if I found out that they were engaged in criminal activity. Not that I had family support, I didn't. People helped me, and I am forever grateful for that help. They also knew I wouldn't steal from them.
I have had jobs that paid me less than others working there who spoke Spanish. Didn't seem to matter that they managed to mangle both languages. People talk shit around my kid, about my kid because she doesn't look like she speaks Spanish. She speaks Spanish.
There are immigrants from all over the world in San Diego. The only ones who don't have to eventually learn English are the Spanish speakers.
Nafta and Cafta anyone?
So yeah, Obama, let's talk about resentment. And language. And the jobs that first drew people to the US/Mexico border areas and then went to China, where the labor is cheaper. Frankly, it's about time multi-national corporations were bitch slapped into paying a liveable wage and serving a big slice of STFU pie to their greedy ass executives. It's what the workers have come to expect.
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