By Danny Schechter.
How Wall Street Is Fighting Back And Winning Their Fight For The Status Quo
Dick Durbin knows his way around the Senate. He’s been there a long time, long enough to know how things really work. Over the years, the man from Illinois has come to realize that it’s not the elected officials who are in charge. Last week, he said it was the bankers “who own the place” acknowledging that Senators may be in office, but not necessarily in power.
Blogged by Sibel Edmonds on 5/4/2009 1:41PM
SIBEL EDMONDS: In Congress We Trust…Not
The former FBI translator and whistleblower suggests blackmail may be at the heart of Congressional refusal to bring accountability and oversight to its own members - such as both Hastert and Harman - in matters of espionage and national security
Exclusive to The BRAD BLOG... Guest Editorial by Sibel Edmonds (Who ?)
Monday, May 04, 2009
Tuesday May 5, Frontline -- Sex Slaves
On PBS Frontline -- Sex Slaves
An undercover journey deep into the world of sex trafficking, following one man determined to rescue his wife -- kidnapped and sold into the global sex trade.
This particular show is three years old. I wonder if there will be any updates?
Update. There weren't any updates. The show broke my heart.
An undercover journey deep into the world of sex trafficking, following one man determined to rescue his wife -- kidnapped and sold into the global sex trade.
This particular show is three years old. I wonder if there will be any updates?
Update. There weren't any updates. The show broke my heart.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Bling Dynasty: Enter the Dragon
How China is picking over America's carcass.
—By Joshua Kurlantzick
Oy, there' s another article, similar to this one:
Defying the Economic Odds
The World Melts Down, China Grows
By Dilip Hiro
—By Joshua Kurlantzick
Oy, there' s another article, similar to this one:
Defying the Economic Odds
The World Melts Down, China Grows
By Dilip Hiro
Sleuthing Swine Flu
Chance Test Led CDC Investigators to Link Cases in U.S., Mexico
By Ceci Connolly
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 3, 2009
...A Fortuitous Test
...Interesting but not stunning, thought Daniel B. Jernigan, Cox's deputy in the flu division. As the person overseeing the rapid-flu-test project in San Diego and other sites, Jernigan makes his living tracking influenza cases. He had seen a dozen swine flu cases in recent years, most often a child who had visited a petting zoo or a farmer who had come in contact with a sick pig.
WHO Influenza A(H1N1) - update 11
3 May 2009 -- As of 0600 GMT, 3 May 2009, 17 countries have officially reported 787 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.
Mexico has reported 506 confirmed human cases of infection, including 19 deaths. The higher number of cases from Mexico in the past 48 hours reflects ongoing testing of previously collected specimens. The United States Government has reported 160 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.
By Ceci Connolly
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, May 3, 2009
...A Fortuitous Test
The medical detective work that unearthed the 2009 outbreak of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) -- more commonly known as swine flu -- began with a bit of happenstance.
On March 30, a 10-year-old boy in Southern California developed a cough and fever. Normally, doctors wouldn't have bothered testing for the flu; they would have given him medicine and sent him home.
But the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego was participating in a clinical trial of new, 30-minute flu tests, so they took a nasal swab and tested it the next day....
...Interesting but not stunning, thought Daniel B. Jernigan, Cox's deputy in the flu division. As the person overseeing the rapid-flu-test project in San Diego and other sites, Jernigan makes his living tracking influenza cases. He had seen a dozen swine flu cases in recent years, most often a child who had visited a petting zoo or a farmer who had come in contact with a sick pig.
WHO Influenza A(H1N1) - update 11
3 May 2009 -- As of 0600 GMT, 3 May 2009, 17 countries have officially reported 787 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.
Mexico has reported 506 confirmed human cases of infection, including 19 deaths. The higher number of cases from Mexico in the past 48 hours reflects ongoing testing of previously collected specimens. The United States Government has reported 160 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Farmers fear pigs may get swine flu from people
By Carey Gillam, Reuters
Friday, 1 May 2009
Humans have it. Pigs don't. At least not yet, and US pork producers are doing everything they can to make sure that the new H1N1 virus, known around the world as the "swine flu," stays out of their herds.
Meanwhile, a certain species named Sus domestica Rumsfeldica may be benefiting from all the swine flu media hype.
And Oh yeah, peoples need to stay the fuck out of the bat caves.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Humans have it. Pigs don't. At least not yet, and US pork producers are doing everything they can to make sure that the new H1N1 virus, known around the world as the "swine flu," stays out of their herds.
Meanwhile, a certain species named Sus domestica Rumsfeldica may be benefiting from all the swine flu media hype.
And Oh yeah, peoples need to stay the fuck out of the bat caves.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
World Health Organization update on swine flu
Influenza A(H1N1) - update 6
30 April 2009 -- The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 17:00 GMT, 30 April 2009, 11 countries have officially reported 257 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.
The United States Government has reported 109 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Mexico has reported 97 confirmed human cases of infection, including seven deaths.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (19), Germany (3), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (3), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (8).
Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.
WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.
There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
Related links
Influenza A(H1N1) web site
Meanwhile in Congress the real swine continue to lobby.
Real swine continue to get away with shit in Iraq
Americans want torture investigated and they are ignored.
Real
swine
continue squeezing
people
all over
the world
30 April 2009 -- The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 17:00 GMT, 30 April 2009, 11 countries have officially reported 257 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection.
The United States Government has reported 109 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Mexico has reported 97 confirmed human cases of infection, including seven deaths.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (19), Germany (3), Israel (2), Netherlands (1), New Zealand (3), Spain (13), Switzerland (1) and the United Kingdom (8).
Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.
WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.
There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
Related links
Influenza A(H1N1) web site
Meanwhile in Congress the real swine continue to lobby.
Real swine continue to get away with shit in Iraq
Americans want torture investigated and they are ignored.
Real
swine
continue squeezing
people
all over
the world
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Our buddies torture too, lookit, how neato..
They can do whatever they want because they buy our shit:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been purchasing advanced weaponry from leading suppliers of military hardware at an alarming rate, fueling what some believe could be a new conventional arms race in the Middle East.
CORPORATE CRIME REPORTER
Raspanti Says Defense Procurement Fraud is on the Comeback Trail23 Corporate Crime Reporter 17, April 24, 2009
Raspanti is one of those rare lawyers who does both white collar criminal defense – he heads the white collar practice at his firm – and plaintiffs side qui tam cases.
I think I'm going to be sick.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Color me cyinical on the whole swine flu thing
5:03 PM 4/28/2009
Wow, it's Swine Flu all the time, Russia and China think you can get it from eating pork products, Cuba won't fly to Mexico, yeesh. What a media circus. Mexico City is 22 million people. How are you going to quarantine that? It's in New York City
There are no deaths in the US from this yet, I'm still not freaked out by this.
World Health Organization Page
Update 9:23 AM 4/28/2009
So, I'm listening to public radio this morning and here comes the head of the Health Department in San Diego and she says ( I'm parapharasing) the swine flu is a new bug (virus, not bacteria, so antibiotics don't work) that was identified first in the US in San Diego and goes on to say 'Don't overwhelm the "ED" (Emergency Departments ?) by coming in unless you've already been sick for more than a week' and then she goes on and on and in a few minutes she says that 'Tamiflu is effective if taken within the first 48 hours of infection.'
What. The. Fuck?
When was the last time she tried to get an appointment, especially one that requires lab results withing 48 hours of feeling ill?
Why am I cynical?
U.S. health experts noted, meanwhile, that deaths from influenza are common. In an average year in the United States, about 35,000 people die from the flu, and in bad years nearly twice that number.
The Pan American Health Organization said Friday that there have so far been 854 cases of "influenza-like illness" in Mexico City, with 59 deaths. Another 24 cases with three deaths have occurred in San Luis Potosi, in central Mexico, and 24 cases with no deaths in Mexicali, near the U.S. border.
Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
Not unless an infected pig you happen to be preparing to slaughter sneezes in your face, duh
Swine flu fears grip world markets
By PAN PYLAS AP Business Writer
...though pharmaceutical companies rallied on expectations that demand for anti-viral drugs may surge to deal with any pandemic.
Swine flu fears close schools in NY, Texas, Calif.
By KAREN MATTHEWS Associated Press Writer
a strain of swine flu suspected in the deaths of 103 people in Mexico. It has now spread throughout the United States, where authorities have confirmed 20 cases.
Venture capital firm set to reap rewards on swine flu
Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:11pm BST
Flu Kills The Torture Memos
Donald Rumsfeld owns stock in the company that makes Tamiflu = TRUE
Swine flu 'debacle' of 1976 is recalled
The episode triggered an enduring public backlash against flu vaccination, embarrassed the federal government and cost the director of the CDC his job.
Wow, it's Swine Flu all the time, Russia and China think you can get it from eating pork products, Cuba won't fly to Mexico, yeesh. What a media circus. Mexico City is 22 million people. How are you going to quarantine that? It's in New York City
There are no deaths in the US from this yet, I'm still not freaked out by this.
World Health Organization Page
Update 9:23 AM 4/28/2009
So, I'm listening to public radio this morning and here comes the head of the Health Department in San Diego and she says ( I'm parapharasing) the swine flu is a new bug (virus, not bacteria, so antibiotics don't work) that was identified first in the US in San Diego and goes on to say 'Don't overwhelm the "ED" (Emergency Departments ?) by coming in unless you've already been sick for more than a week' and then she goes on and on and in a few minutes she says that 'Tamiflu is effective if taken within the first 48 hours of infection.'
What. The. Fuck?
When was the last time she tried to get an appointment, especially one that requires lab results withing 48 hours of feeling ill?
Why am I cynical?
U.S. health experts noted, meanwhile, that deaths from influenza are common. In an average year in the United States, about 35,000 people die from the flu, and in bad years nearly twice that number.
The Pan American Health Organization said Friday that there have so far been 854 cases of "influenza-like illness" in Mexico City, with 59 deaths. Another 24 cases with three deaths have occurred in San Luis Potosi, in central Mexico, and 24 cases with no deaths in Mexicali, near the U.S. border.
Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
Not unless an infected pig you happen to be preparing to slaughter sneezes in your face, duh
Swine flu fears grip world markets
By PAN PYLAS AP Business Writer
...though pharmaceutical companies rallied on expectations that demand for anti-viral drugs may surge to deal with any pandemic.
Swine flu fears close schools in NY, Texas, Calif.
By KAREN MATTHEWS Associated Press Writer
a strain of swine flu suspected in the deaths of 103 people in Mexico. It has now spread throughout the United States, where authorities have confirmed 20 cases.
Venture capital firm set to reap rewards on swine flu
Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:11pm BST
Flu Kills The Torture Memos
Donald Rumsfeld owns stock in the company that makes Tamiflu = TRUE
Swine flu 'debacle' of 1976 is recalled
The episode triggered an enduring public backlash against flu vaccination, embarrassed the federal government and cost the director of the CDC his job.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Protesters, Police Clash Near IMF Meetings in DC
Posted: 11:05 AM Apr 25, 2009
Last Updated: 11:05 AM Apr 25, 2009
Reporter: Nafeesa Syeed AP
...A 22-year-old man accused of using pepper spray on an officer during the scuffle was arrested...
That made me laugh, sorry but it did. How many times have the cops used pepper spray on protesters?
Last Updated: 11:05 AM Apr 25, 2009
Reporter: Nafeesa Syeed AP
...A 22-year-old man accused of using pepper spray on an officer during the scuffle was arrested...
That made me laugh, sorry but it did. How many times have the cops used pepper spray on protesters?
Do your part: Every San Diegan has an obligation to save water
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on April 26, 2009 at 7:04 am
From the San Diego Union Tribune, this editorial:
Now that the San Diego County Water Authority has declared a drought alert, aggressive water conservation throughout this semi-arid corner of Southern California is more imperative than ever.
Are you ready to do your part?
More than 80 percent of the water San Diegans use is imported from outside the region, primarily from the Colorado River to the east (54 percent) and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the north (28 percent). Because of the drought and a court order restricting pumping from the Delta to protect fish, San Diego will receive in the year ahead 48,000 acre-feet of water less than its projected demand of 629,000 acre-feet. (An acre-foot is enough for two typical households for a year.)
This translates into a mandatory cutback of 8 percent countywide – a reduction that can be achieved with a minimum of economic disruption if every individual does his part to conserve. Even before the drought alert was issued, the Water Authority was calling for savings of 20 gallons per person per day. This remains a good personal target.
Read the full text of this editorial from the San Diego Union Tribune by clicking here
Update 4:31 PM 4/27/2009
Ok, I live in a county full of morons: asked how they'd cut back if required, more residents said they'd save water by cutting indoors than outdoors.
In all fairness though, I went to school in this county and I don't remember them teaching us about where our water actually came from. My kid learned in high school, but suburban land developers never learn,and they have a lot of power in Southern California. Then also there is the issue of people moving here (after playing tourist here) from wetter areas of the country, and insisting on landscaping their yards like they did where they were originally from.
From the San Diego Union Tribune, this editorial:
Now that the San Diego County Water Authority has declared a drought alert, aggressive water conservation throughout this semi-arid corner of Southern California is more imperative than ever.
Are you ready to do your part?
More than 80 percent of the water San Diegans use is imported from outside the region, primarily from the Colorado River to the east (54 percent) and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the north (28 percent). Because of the drought and a court order restricting pumping from the Delta to protect fish, San Diego will receive in the year ahead 48,000 acre-feet of water less than its projected demand of 629,000 acre-feet. (An acre-foot is enough for two typical households for a year.)
This translates into a mandatory cutback of 8 percent countywide – a reduction that can be achieved with a minimum of economic disruption if every individual does his part to conserve. Even before the drought alert was issued, the Water Authority was calling for savings of 20 gallons per person per day. This remains a good personal target.
Read the full text of this editorial from the San Diego Union Tribune by clicking here
Update 4:31 PM 4/27/2009
Ok, I live in a county full of morons: asked how they'd cut back if required, more residents said they'd save water by cutting indoors than outdoors.
In all fairness though, I went to school in this county and I don't remember them teaching us about where our water actually came from. My kid learned in high school, but suburban land developers never learn,and they have a lot of power in Southern California. Then also there is the issue of people moving here (after playing tourist here) from wetter areas of the country, and insisting on landscaping their yards like they did where they were originally from.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
RIP Bea Arthur
...As a favor to her longtime pal Norman Lear, Arthur has appeared on a 1971 episode of the smash hit "All in the Family" as Edith's liberated cousin Maude who dared to contradict the bigoted Archie Bunker. So successful was this guest shot that CBS asked Lear to create a spin-off for the character.
"Maude" premiered in September 1972 and ran for six seasons. As "that old compromisin', enterprisin', anything but tranquilizing" Maude Findlay, Bea Arthur created a memorable persona that earned her a place in the TV pantheon. She was the first lead character in TV history to have an abortion in a powerful two-part episode that aired in November 1972, months before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the issue...
Somewhat related. Man, I love Hillary Clinton.
Hat tip to bastard.logic
"Maude" premiered in September 1972 and ran for six seasons. As "that old compromisin', enterprisin', anything but tranquilizing" Maude Findlay, Bea Arthur created a memorable persona that earned her a place in the TV pantheon. She was the first lead character in TV history to have an abortion in a powerful two-part episode that aired in November 1972, months before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the issue...
Somewhat related. Man, I love Hillary Clinton.
Hat tip to bastard.logic
Friday, April 24, 2009
Experts probe deadly Mexico flu
 Public buildings have closed across Mexico City because of the outbreak |
World health experts are investigating a new strain of flu that may have killed as many as 60 people in Mexico.
The US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) said tests so far seem to link Mexico's outbreak with a swine flu virus that had sickened eight in the southern US.
Eight swine flu cases identified in U.S.
...None of the American victims has had any contact with pigs and only one of them has traveled to Mexico recently, he said....
Boy, 7, Is San Diego's 4th Case of Swine Flu
By RORY DEVINE, ERIC S. PAGE and MICHELLE WAYLAND
Updated 3:10 PM PDT, Fri, Apr 24, 2009
I wondered where it might have come from, since there is very little agriculture left in San Diego due to drought conditions and most of the county is not zoned for animals other than household pets, or small caged animals. If you can afford enough land for a horse corral around here, chances are your snooty neighbors don't want pigs in the neighborhood.
Venture capital firm set to reap rewards on swine flu
Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:11pm BST
(snopes.com) Does Donald Rumsfeld own stock in the company that makes Tamiflu?
Real World Facts, Real World Understanding Needed on Torture Issue
Blogged by Coleen Rowley on 4/24/2009 11:09AM
The harsh realities of torture and following orders are quite different from the fictional world of Hollywood's anti-terror warriors, says a noted former FBI Special Agent and 9/11 whistleblower...
When Michelle Bachelet was elected President of Chile I found out that she had been tortured, and it didn't work.
I want the bastards who said it was OK to torture tried at the Hague.
The harsh realities of torture and following orders are quite different from the fictional world of Hollywood's anti-terror warriors, says a noted former FBI Special Agent and 9/11 whistleblower...
When Michelle Bachelet was elected President of Chile I found out that she had been tortured, and it didn't work.
I want the bastards who said it was OK to torture tried at the Hague.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Andbody who knows the military knows the "bad apple" story was bullshit
update 7:00 PM 4/26/2009
Straight to the Top By Scott Horton
April 25, 2009 "Harpers" -- The torture trail starts and ends in the White House.
Arrrrgggggh, No Shit Sherlock!
Seems like everybody has been blogging about the torture thing, so I've avoided it. Last night Rachel Maddow covered it splendidly. I was happy to see Ron Suskind there with Rachel, as I've read a couple of his books.
Straight to the Top By Scott Horton
April 25, 2009 "Harpers" -- The torture trail starts and ends in the White House.
Arrrrgggggh, No Shit Sherlock!
Seems like everybody has been blogging about the torture thing, so I've avoided it. Last night Rachel Maddow covered it splendidly. I was happy to see Ron Suskind there with Rachel, as I've read a couple of his books.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Religion sucks #18
Paraguay's president caught in triple paternity row
Former Roman Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo has admitted fathering one child and hasn't denied the other claims
* Rory Carroll, Latin America correspondent
* guardian.co.uk, Thursday 23 April 2009 17.54 BST
* Article history
Bonus: Muslim stupidity in the UK
I want to know why "religious" Muslims in Western countries only raise a stink about civil rights and scream racism and religious discrimination when it's convenient for them? If observing their religious traditions is that important maybe they should quit trying to make business harder to conduct in the Western country that they're living in and go live in a Muslim countries? Oh yeah, that's right, there are no jobs in Muslim countries .
I wore some really ugly uniforms that I didn't like wearing, but I needed a job. Helloooooo?
Ummmm, yeah. I have questions. Why isn't the Vatican irrelevant by now? Why isn't Mecca irrelevant? I could go on, but I think you got my point, and obviously there are some wealthy people who still find some use in the structure of these silly organizations and their middle class enforcers.
Former Roman Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo has admitted fathering one child and hasn't denied the other claims
* Rory Carroll, Latin America correspondent
* guardian.co.uk, Thursday 23 April 2009 17.54 BST
* Article history
Bonus: Muslim stupidity in the UK
I want to know why "religious" Muslims in Western countries only raise a stink about civil rights and scream racism and religious discrimination when it's convenient for them? If observing their religious traditions is that important maybe they should quit trying to make business harder to conduct in the Western country that they're living in and go live in a Muslim countries? Oh yeah, that's right, there are no jobs in Muslim countries .
I wore some really ugly uniforms that I didn't like wearing, but I needed a job. Helloooooo?
Ummmm, yeah. I have questions. Why isn't the Vatican irrelevant by now? Why isn't Mecca irrelevant? I could go on, but I think you got my point, and obviously there are some wealthy people who still find some use in the structure of these silly organizations and their middle class enforcers.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Earth Day
You want happy talk about how fabulous the human race is on Earth Day? Wrong fucking blog, go on now there are literally millions of blogs out there.
What, you still here? OK then, steel yourself, big breath now.
Usually the PBS NOW show is 26 minutes, but last week it was a special 56 minute presentation on glaciers, that can be watched online.
On Thin Ice
Seventy-five percent of the world's fresh water is stored in glaciers, but scientists predict climate change will cause some of the world's largest glaciers to completely melt by 2030. What effect will this have on our daily lives? With global warming falling low on a national list of American concerns, it's time to take a deeper look at what could be a global calamity in the making.
(I love to listen to Vandan Shiva, she's a brilliant woman who uses her vast, well-rounded knowledge as an activist.)
PBS Frontline -- Poisoned Waters (click here to watch 52 minute show online)
James Caress: Gases fast destroying oceans' pH
By JAMES CARESS
Guest commentary
Updated: 04/20/2009 08:36:02 AM PDT
As Earth Day Arrives, Population Still the Uneasy Issue
Carrying Capacity, Exponential Growth, and Resource Wars
By John Cairns Volume 14, Number 1 (Fall 2003) Issue theme: "Mass immigration: the public health dimension"
...Nature levies brutal penalties for exceeding carrying capacity, such as famine, disease, and war...
Population growth and resource depletion
Essential Concepts
There are 5 main concepts that our students struggle with when learning about population growth and the relationship of population to geological resource use:
1. overpopulation is a leading environmental problem,
2. exponential population growth and development leads to faster depletion of resources,
3. population grows exponentially,
4. why population prediction is difficult,
5. population is not evenly distributed throughout the world.
When my mother was born there were 2.3 billion people on the planet. When I was born there were 3.2 billon people on the planet. My child is now of childbearing age and there are almost 7 billion people on the planet. That's called exponential growth. I'm not a big fan of religions because they all seem to be mired in the past when their holy texts were written and population growth. was not linked to deadly environmental degradation.
Oh Jeez, I don't know where to start with this article, it just cracks me up:
President Obama to head to Iowa for Earth Day
By PHILIP ELLIOTT – 58 minutes ago
...Obama aides note: Last year, the U.S. wind industry gained 13,000 direct jobs, and about half of wind turbines' components are made domestically...
...5.1 million jobs have been lost since December 2007 -- pushing the (nationwide) unemployment rate to 8.5 percent in March."...
(I'm not even going into the fact that the IMF and the World Bank are useless as teats on a boar to most of the world population)
What, you still here? OK then, steel yourself, big breath now.
Usually the PBS NOW show is 26 minutes, but last week it was a special 56 minute presentation on glaciers, that can be watched online.
On Thin Ice
Seventy-five percent of the world's fresh water is stored in glaciers, but scientists predict climate change will cause some of the world's largest glaciers to completely melt by 2030. What effect will this have on our daily lives? With global warming falling low on a national list of American concerns, it's time to take a deeper look at what could be a global calamity in the making.
(I love to listen to Vandan Shiva, she's a brilliant woman who uses her vast, well-rounded knowledge as an activist.)
PBS Frontline -- Poisoned Waters (click here to watch 52 minute show online)
James Caress: Gases fast destroying oceans' pH
By JAMES CARESS
Guest commentary
Updated: 04/20/2009 08:36:02 AM PDT
As Earth Day Arrives, Population Still the Uneasy Issue
Carrying Capacity, Exponential Growth, and Resource Wars
By John Cairns Volume 14, Number 1 (Fall 2003) Issue theme: "Mass immigration: the public health dimension"
...Nature levies brutal penalties for exceeding carrying capacity, such as famine, disease, and war...
Population growth and resource depletion
Essential Concepts
There are 5 main concepts that our students struggle with when learning about population growth and the relationship of population to geological resource use:
1. overpopulation is a leading environmental problem,
2. exponential population growth and development leads to faster depletion of resources,
3. population grows exponentially,
4. why population prediction is difficult,
5. population is not evenly distributed throughout the world.
When my mother was born there were 2.3 billion people on the planet. When I was born there were 3.2 billon people on the planet. My child is now of childbearing age and there are almost 7 billion people on the planet. That's called exponential growth. I'm not a big fan of religions because they all seem to be mired in the past when their holy texts were written and population growth. was not linked to deadly environmental degradation.
Oh Jeez, I don't know where to start with this article, it just cracks me up:
President Obama to head to Iowa for Earth Day
By PHILIP ELLIOTT – 58 minutes ago
...Obama aides note: Last year, the U.S. wind industry gained 13,000 direct jobs, and about half of wind turbines' components are made domestically...
...5.1 million jobs have been lost since December 2007 -- pushing the (nationwide) unemployment rate to 8.5 percent in March."...
(I'm not even going into the fact that the IMF and the World Bank are useless as teats on a boar to most of the world population)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Meet the Press and the Media’s Distortions of the Bush Prosecutions Debate
the Bush Prosecutions Debate
By Salon.
– By Glenn Greenwald
Whatever else one thinks about the debate over investigations and prosecutions for Bush crimes, there is no question that huge numbers of Americans — likely majorities — favor them. And that was true even before the release of the most graphic and stomach-turning evidence yet: the 4 DOJ memos released this past week which describe the torture in detail. The assertion that “most Americans” don’t want investigations — whether made by media stars to argue against investigations or Obama supporters to justify the immunity the President wants to extend to everyone involved — is factually false....(title link)
I'm loving Gomer this week.
By Salon.
– By Glenn Greenwald
Whatever else one thinks about the debate over investigations and prosecutions for Bush crimes, there is no question that huge numbers of Americans — likely majorities — favor them. And that was true even before the release of the most graphic and stomach-turning evidence yet: the 4 DOJ memos released this past week which describe the torture in detail. The assertion that “most Americans” don’t want investigations — whether made by media stars to argue against investigations or Obama supporters to justify the immunity the President wants to extend to everyone involved — is factually false....(title link)
I'm loving Gomer this week.
Crimes suspected in 20 bailout cases -- for starters
The special inspector general says TARP is 'inherently vulnerable to fraud, waste and abuse.' The risk grows as the plan becomes more complex, he says.
By Ralph Vartabedian and Tom Hamburger
April 21, 2009 LA Times
Reporting from Washington and Los Angeles -- In the first major disclosure of corruption in the $750-billion financial bailout program, federal investigators said Monday they have opened 20 criminal probes into possible securities fraud, tax violations, insider trading and other crimes...(title link)
Monday, April 20, 2009
We Shall Remain
I missed the first one. I just happened to catch part of Tecumseh's Vision. Ironically I happened to walk through the room when the tribe that my ancestor is from was mentioned, and the Treaty of Greenville which really did the tribe in. There wasn't a treaty that the US Govt or settlers respected. They were all broken.
Rolled tacos/enchiladas, friends and beer
It don't get any better than that.
Mix all ingredients together and roll the taquitos/enchiladas and place in bags and lay flat in the freezer the ones you won't be using for dinner (pizza boxes are a great flat surface). Each bag should hold 6 to 8. These can be taken out of the freezer bags one or two at a time and fried (taquitos) and dipped in guacamole or salsa
Guacamole
1-2 fresh garlic cloves minced finely
1/2 onion minced finely
3 key limes
salt
2 avocados
Salsa (everything is fresh, and hand diced from an 1/8 inch for the peppers to 1/4 inch for the onion and tomato, I tried to cheat and throw everything in the blender once and it sucked)
3 Yellow chiles
3 jalapeños
1 Anaheim chile (mild green)
1 red bell pepper
2 medium sized onions
1/2 bunch cilantro
juice from a dozen or so key limes
4 medium tomatoes (ripe, preferably sent to the market still on the vine!)
salt to taste
Enchiladas
the rolled enchiladas can be taken out of the bags and put into whatever pan you want to bake them in and doused with your favorite enchilada sauce or you can make your own. I've gotten lazy so I don't make my own any more. I like El Pato, but I just paid $1.5o for this can, not $4.00. It's not hard to make, just tomato sauce, fresh garlic, fresh onion, oregano (Mexican, not Mediterranean) and a bit of dried ground cayenne pepper. After rolling over a hundred taquito/enchilada thingys and making sure they lay flat on a pizza box in the freezer, I generally don't feel like screwing around with making the Enchilada sauce too. Especially since it's hot outside the last couple of days and hotter inside softening the tortillas.
Best served with your choice of beans and Spanish or Mexican rice (there is a difference)
My favorites are frjoles negritos (refried black beans) and (my) "Mexican rice"
my "Mexican rice"
2 cups Brown rice (20 minutes in the rice cooker, eh?)
7.5 oz can of El Pato hot tomato sauce or jalapeño sauce
1 medium onion diced
2-3 cloves garlic
3/4 cup frozen mixed vegetables
Mexican ground oregano (no more than 1/8 tsp)
chili powder (? to taste)
cayenne
Saute onion, garlic and veggies in olive oil till onions are translucent
add everything else and cook on low till the veggies are done
I am wiped out. Yesterday I spent all day drinking Pacifico and making enchiladas/rolled tacos, & last week I was in LA. If there are major brain farts in this post, let me know and I'll fix it when my brain recovers :)
My friend came over and helped me with them. We had a blast. We haven't spent the whole day together in I don't know how long. At one time she teased me about my "filing cabinet" in the freezer until she came over one day and I had a great Mexican meal on the table in a half hour. I took out 2 8x8 pyrex dishes, stripped the ziploc bags off of Enchilada sauce, laid it frozen on top of the frozen enchilada rolls, microwaved the enchiladas, microwaved the frozen beans, cooked a (cheater) Rice-a-Roni Spanish rice package and fed 4 people all inside a half hour.
Everybody loves them so here's the recipe. It's a lot of work, but with all the extra you make, you don't have to do it very often. The red basket pictured is my "filing cabinet" for the freezer.
1 1/2 split chickens barbecued over mesquite and then cooled in the fridge and de-skinned, de-boned and diced no larger than 1/4 inch squares
4 lbs Jack Cheese, grated
2 large or 3 medium onions softened in olive oil
3 7 oz cans diced (mild) green chiles
3 X 36 count corn tortillas softened (very quickly fried) in oil
quart size ziploc type freezer bags, labeled and dated with a permanent marker
Everybody loves them so here's the recipe. It's a lot of work, but with all the extra you make, you don't have to do it very often. The red basket pictured is my "filing cabinet" for the freezer.
1 1/2 split chickens barbecued over mesquite and then cooled in the fridge and de-skinned, de-boned and diced no larger than 1/4 inch squares
4 lbs Jack Cheese, grated
2 large or 3 medium onions softened in olive oil
3 7 oz cans diced (mild) green chiles
3 X 36 count corn tortillas softened (very quickly fried) in oil
quart size ziploc type freezer bags, labeled and dated with a permanent marker
Mix all ingredients together and roll the taquitos/enchiladas and place in bags and lay flat in the freezer the ones you won't be using for dinner (pizza boxes are a great flat surface). Each bag should hold 6 to 8. These can be taken out of the freezer bags one or two at a time and fried (taquitos) and dipped in guacamole or salsa
Guacamole
1-2 fresh garlic cloves minced finely
1/2 onion minced finely
3 key limes
salt
2 avocados
Salsa (everything is fresh, and hand diced from an 1/8 inch for the peppers to 1/4 inch for the onion and tomato, I tried to cheat and throw everything in the blender once and it sucked)
3 Yellow chiles
3 jalapeños
1 Anaheim chile (mild green)
1 red bell pepper
2 medium sized onions
1/2 bunch cilantro
juice from a dozen or so key limes
4 medium tomatoes (ripe, preferably sent to the market still on the vine!)
salt to taste
Enchiladas
the rolled enchiladas can be taken out of the bags and put into whatever pan you want to bake them in and doused with your favorite enchilada sauce or you can make your own. I've gotten lazy so I don't make my own any more. I like El Pato, but I just paid $1.5o for this can, not $4.00. It's not hard to make, just tomato sauce, fresh garlic, fresh onion, oregano (Mexican, not Mediterranean) and a bit of dried ground cayenne pepper. After rolling over a hundred taquito/enchilada thingys and making sure they lay flat on a pizza box in the freezer, I generally don't feel like screwing around with making the Enchilada sauce too. Especially since it's hot outside the last couple of days and hotter inside softening the tortillas.
Best served with your choice of beans and Spanish or Mexican rice (there is a difference)
My favorites are frjoles negritos (refried black beans) and (my) "Mexican rice"
my "Mexican rice"
2 cups Brown rice (20 minutes in the rice cooker, eh?)
7.5 oz can of El Pato hot tomato sauce or jalapeño sauce
1 medium onion diced
2-3 cloves garlic
3/4 cup frozen mixed vegetables
Mexican ground oregano (no more than 1/8 tsp)
chili powder (? to taste)
cayenne
Saute onion, garlic and veggies in olive oil till onions are translucent
add everything else and cook on low till the veggies are done
Former Prosecutor Talks about Crossing the Political Line
Oh. My. God. I just listened to David Iglesias hand a local caller's ass to him. I laughed out loud, very loudly. The blowhard caller told Iglesias that he was "very partisan," and implied that Iglesias was a rabid "liberal" Democrat.
David Iglesias is a registered Repubulican
Giving a free lecture a SDSU Price center 7 pm
David Iglesias is a registered Repubulican
Giving a free lecture a SDSU Price center 7 pm
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Iran sentences U.S. journalist to 8 years
Nice. Understandable once you have read the book I'm reading. Iranians are weird. Paranoid and weird.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
California to get $260 million in U.S. funds for water
Wed Apr 15, 2009 4:32pm EDT
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California will receive $260 million of $1 billion in U.S. economic stimulus funds slated for water infrastructure, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Wednesday.
Environmental groups sue to halt water transfers
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on April 15, 2009 at 9:18 am
From the Contra Costa Times:
Environmental activists, including the Butte Environmental Council, filed a lawsuit Monday stating the state Department of Water Resources, the state Natural Resources Agency and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are not following environmental laws for planned water transfers. After filing the lawsuit, representatives from the groups said they will likely seek an injunction to halt the proposed water transfers.
The Drought Water Bank, established by the state, is in the works to transfer water this year. While far fewer sellers have signed up than initially proposed, sellers from the Sacramento Valley are poised to move some water.
The bank was used in the 1990s to broker water sales from north to south. It was revived this year to deal with California’s third year of drought. The program would pay growers $275 for an acre-foot of water — about the amount of water used annually by two average households.
Whoa boy, let the games begin.
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California will receive $260 million of $1 billion in U.S. economic stimulus funds slated for water infrastructure, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Wednesday.
Environmental groups sue to halt water transfers
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on April 15, 2009 at 9:18 am
From the Contra Costa Times:
Environmental activists, including the Butte Environmental Council, filed a lawsuit Monday stating the state Department of Water Resources, the state Natural Resources Agency and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are not following environmental laws for planned water transfers. After filing the lawsuit, representatives from the groups said they will likely seek an injunction to halt the proposed water transfers.
The Drought Water Bank, established by the state, is in the works to transfer water this year. While far fewer sellers have signed up than initially proposed, sellers from the Sacramento Valley are poised to move some water.
The bank was used in the 1990s to broker water sales from north to south. It was revived this year to deal with California’s third year of drought. The program would pay growers $275 for an acre-foot of water — about the amount of water used annually by two average households.
Whoa boy, let the games begin.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Pirates Fail in Attack on U.S. Ship
By MARK McDONALD
Published: April 15, 2009
HONG KONG – An
HONG KONG – An American cargo ship was attacked by pirates armed with grenade launchers and automatic weapons in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday, but the attackers failed to take over the ship, which was able to continue with its delivery of humanitarian food aid to the Kenyan port of Mombasa.
Yeesh, sometimes it's hard to feel sorry for these morons. Yeah, yeah, I know that the evil Western infidels have made their lives harder, but for Christsakes, some of their problems THEY CREATED. They've known for generations that Somalia is prone to drought, yet they breed like rats, and
engage in tribal warfare etc. etc.
Does this area look green to you?
Yeah, pastoral society whose animals wrecked the land, and they scorned European education.
Maybe their savior Osama bin Fucked-in-the-Head will save them. I say we just quit feeding them unless they agree to educate their girls and allow their women to choose how many brats they squirt out.
Published: April 15, 2009
HONG KONG – An
HONG KONG – An American cargo ship was attacked by pirates armed with grenade launchers and automatic weapons in the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday, but the attackers failed to take over the ship, which was able to continue with its delivery of humanitarian food aid to the Kenyan port of Mombasa.
Yeesh, sometimes it's hard to feel sorry for these morons. Yeah, yeah, I know that the evil Western infidels have made their lives harder, but for Christsakes, some of their problems THEY CREATED. They've known for generations that Somalia is prone to drought, yet they breed like rats, and
engage in tribal warfare etc. etc.
Does this area look green to you?
Yeah, pastoral society whose animals wrecked the land, and they scorned European education.
Maybe their savior Osama bin Fucked-in-the-Head will save them. I say we just quit feeding them unless they agree to educate their girls and allow their women to choose how many brats they squirt out.
Frontline -- Black Money
Heh, we'll see how it goes. I wrote a report in a business class ten years ago. Since there are people here from all over the world, I had to interview as many people as I could about "black money." I learned a new Spanish word- Mordida. Let's see if they cover bribery inside the US?...
(Update 12:17 AM 4/15/2009 It's viewable online, and it's all about the US discontinuing official bribery and then other countries following suit. And then all of the mulitnational corporations going underground and continuing to find a way to bribe, which is way the world does business.
Who the fuck is working the PBS station this month as SDSU? The brat ought to be flunked. This is what's actually ON right now, instead of Black Money, which was advertised.
Pakistan: Children of the Taliban
Great. Just what I want to see, a bunch of morons determined to move people back into the 7th century. Hey, first priority, destroy girls schools, and make women wear fucking pup tents.
(Update 12:17 AM 4/15/2009 It's viewable online, and it's all about the US discontinuing official bribery and then other countries following suit. And then all of the mulitnational corporations going underground and continuing to find a way to bribe, which is way the world does business.
Who the fuck is working the PBS station this month as SDSU? The brat ought to be flunked. This is what's actually ON right now, instead of Black Money, which was advertised.
Pakistan: Children of the Taliban
Great. Just what I want to see, a bunch of morons determined to move people back into the 7th century. Hey, first priority, destroy girls schools, and make women wear fucking pup tents.
Minnesota Judges: Franken Received Highest Number of Votes
posted by John Nichols on 04/13/2009 @ 9:40pm
Heh!
Heh!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Chomsky 'splains it
What the Paulites Have Right
posted by Zephyr Teachout on 04/13/2009 @ 08:25am
Of course, we citizens have to compete with these fuckers for some attention from our Congressional "Representatives."
The Power of Lobbying
— By Kevin Drum | Mon April 13, 2009 10:19 AM PST
Mother fuckers, wouldja look at that! Half of the top ten companies gaining tax breaks through lobbying are drug companies. Maybe they should be paying for the "War on (illegal) Drugs" since some of the people without Rx insurance to pay for anti-depressants, or chronic pain medication turn to the evil marijuana for some relief.
Unrelated, but following up on the Obama continues the government spying on us
Predictably, the MSM ignores it and it looks like more wait and see if Pelosi gets pushed enough by those of us who are pissed off about it.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
¿Qué onda güero?
Because I just love this song. I have no idea why, except it's so LA, plus, depending on the circumstances, I have been called güera, AND gringa.
From the Urban dictionary:
A term used for Latinas who have a fairer complexion and lighter hair/eyes than their more darker Latina counterparts. It is not the same as a "gringa." It is important to note that in the spelling there is an umlaut above the letter "u" giving it a "w" sound, pronounced like "weda". Can be either derogatory or complimentary given the circumstances. The masculine form would be guero.
h1. que onda guero Spanish for "What's up, whitey?!"
1. Guero
a spanish slang term for a fair skinned or light haired person. once again it is not derogatory but can be used that way
So, now you know why it says ¿Qué onda güera? right under politickybitch.
I'm almost finished reading Mike Davis' "City of Quartz" (C)1990. Thank God because it is one depressing book. The black and Latino gang problem hasn't gotten any better since he wrote the book 20 years ago. This documentary, La Vida Loca (my crazy life) that I spotted in the LA Times today highlights it, and the US' part in the proliferation of Latino gangs.
I'll bet it doesn't go into how the little fuckers kill people who are not Latino, just because they can and they want them out of the neighborhoods they take over. I know what of I speak. My friend had to send her kid out of the state so he wouldn't get killed by the nasty little fuckers who killed his friend.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Pirates
Update 1:55 PM 4/12/2009 Heh, fuckers shouln't have messed with a US ship, 3 out of 4 of them are dead now.
Pirates Seize Tug With Crew of 16 as U.S. Captain Is Still Hostage
Published: April 11, 2009
Look, here's the deal people. Until multinational corporate interests invest in the people of Africa instead of extracting raw materials and cheap labor, the violence spilling out of there will only get worse. Being that piracy is interfering with global trade, now might be a good time to do that.
The top nine out of ten birth rates are in Africa. A couple of those high birth rates are negated by the high death rates. It's all very complicated, this counting of people, even my eyes glaze over at times. What it boils down to, though, and correct me if I'm wrong, are total fertility rates. Africa's, overall, are high.
This is something that happens in "undeveloped" countries.
Declining total fertility rates in the Middle Eastern countries can be linked to female education, female empowerment, a shift to urban, rather than rural environments, and increasing availability of medical care.
Somalia
is
a
fucking
train
wreck.
And they had some help getting there. It's no wonder they are
listening to Osama bin Laden, but he's a damn hypocrite also. How many of his 51 siblings would have lived if westerners had never had anything to do with Saudi Arabia, and how would his father gotten out of Yemen and then rich in construction in SA?
These American jihadi morons aren't helping anyone.
Somehow I missed Jersey Cynic's post over at Blondesense . Yeesh, as if I needed another reason to hate Lawrence Summers.
Pirates Seize Tug With Crew of 16 as U.S. Captain Is Still Hostage
Published: April 11, 2009
Look, here's the deal people. Until multinational corporate interests invest in the people of Africa instead of extracting raw materials and cheap labor, the violence spilling out of there will only get worse. Being that piracy is interfering with global trade, now might be a good time to do that.
The top nine out of ten birth rates are in Africa. A couple of those high birth rates are negated by the high death rates. It's all very complicated, this counting of people, even my eyes glaze over at times. What it boils down to, though, and correct me if I'm wrong, are total fertility rates. Africa's, overall, are high.
This is something that happens in "undeveloped" countries.
Declining total fertility rates in the Middle Eastern countries can be linked to female education, female empowerment, a shift to urban, rather than rural environments, and increasing availability of medical care.
Somalia
is
a
fucking
train
wreck.
And they had some help getting there. It's no wonder they are
listening to Osama bin Laden, but he's a damn hypocrite also. How many of his 51 siblings would have lived if westerners had never had anything to do with Saudi Arabia, and how would his father gotten out of Yemen and then rich in construction in SA?
These American jihadi morons aren't helping anyone.
Somehow I missed Jersey Cynic's post over at Blondesense . Yeesh, as if I needed another reason to hate Lawrence Summers.
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