In January, 2004 the PBS show NOW with Bill Moyers covered the story of a lawsuit filed against the company Unocal for atrocities committed on its behalf during the building of a natural gas pipeline in Burma.
The Center for Constitutional Rights reports that the lawsuit against Unocal will proceed allowing for a jury trial. The case has withstood several legal challenges to allow the plaintiffs, Burmese villagers, to finally have a chance at justice.
This excerpt from the NOW transcript of the show provides background. (from www.katieweb.com)
Friday, September 17, 2004
9/11 Commission Recommendations Carry Hidden Threat to Privacy, Freedom
The recommendations would also set in motion a dangerous and fundamentally flawed "security" plan: creating a system to tag and track US citizens using "standardized" identification. In other words, it paves the way for a national ID card system - something we at EFF strongly oppose.
National ID cards will not solve the problem of terrorism, just as they would not have prevented the 9/11 attacks. Many of the 9/11 hijackers had proper identification and were in the country legally.
National ID cards will not solve the problem of terrorism, just as they would not have prevented the 9/11 attacks. Many of the 9/11 hijackers had proper identification and were in the country legally.
Robots Compete in Harlem Talent Show
The Third Annual ArtBots: The Robot Talent Show will take place on September 17, 18, & 19 from noon to 6:00pm at The Mink Building on 126th Street & Amsterdam Avenue in Harlem. Featuring the work of 20 artists and groups from seven countries, the show celebrates the strange and wonderful collision of shifty artists, disgraced engineers, high/low/no tech hackers, rogue scientists, beauty school dropouts, backyard pyros, and industrial espionage that has come to define the emerging field of robotic art. Participants include robots that sketch, carve, float, wiggle, hum, ring, grow, wander, and sing, as well a number of works the form and function of which are not yet well understood.
Teacher Arrest for Carrying Concealed Bookmark
For the past month, Kathryn Harrington has stared down the possibility of a criminal trial, a $10,000 fine and the stigma of being deemed a security risk at Tampa International Airport.
"This is far graver than Vietnam"
Most senior US military officers now believe the war on Iraq has turned into a disaster on an unprecedented scale.
...General Hoare believes from the information he has received that "a decision has been made" to attack Fallujah "after the first Tuesday in November. That's the cynical part of it - after the election. The signs are all there."
...General Hoare believes from the information he has received that "a decision has been made" to attack Fallujah "after the first Tuesday in November. That's the cynical part of it - after the election. The signs are all there."
Meanwhile, in a Parallel Universe...
News accounts are painting vivid pictures of the joy and relief of free Iraqis, who are living without fear of Saddam's brutality and beginning to enjoy freedoms unknown for decades. These voices have been silenced for too long, but now they are heard inside Iraq and around the world. (Whitehouse web site)
Senators from Both Parties Accuse Bush Administration of Incompetence in Iraq
Among those harshly criticizing the White House at a hearing were the two top Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: Chairman Richard Lugar of Indiana and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.
Of the $18.4 billion Congress approved last year for Iraqi reconstruction, only $1.1 billion has been spent because of violence and other problems. Hagel called that record "beyond pitiful and embarrassing; it is now in the zone of dangerous."
Even Lugar, who is not usually given to strong rhetoric, said the failure to inject funds into the Iraqi economy quickly was "exasperating for anybody looking at this from any vantage point."
Of the $18.4 billion Congress approved last year for Iraqi reconstruction, only $1.1 billion has been spent because of violence and other problems. Hagel called that record "beyond pitiful and embarrassing; it is now in the zone of dangerous."
Even Lugar, who is not usually given to strong rhetoric, said the failure to inject funds into the Iraqi economy quickly was "exasperating for anybody looking at this from any vantage point."
Will Ferrell's New Bush Ad
Join ACT and our friend Will Ferrell for a behind-the-scenes look at “White House West.” We promise it’s the best commerical you’ll see this election.
Homefront Confidential
"We live in a nation built on the concept of balance," writes RCFPdirector Lucy A. Dalglish. "When the government, perhaps with the bestof intentions, goes too far in its efforts to shield information fromthe public, it is up to the public and the media to push back. Througha vibrant, information-based election process and through anindependent judiciary, we as a society will come to a balance thathopefully will protect our liberties for generations to come." (from Secrecy News)
"Re-enlist or else you go to Iraq"
"They said if you refuse to re-enlist with the 3rd Brigade, we'll send you down to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, which is going to Iraq for a year, and you can stay with them, or we'll send you to Korea, or to Fort Riley (in Kansas) where they're going to Iraq," said one of the soldiers, a sergeant.
The second soldier, an enlisted man, echoed that view: "They told us if we don't re-enlist, then we'd have to be reassigned. And where we're most needed is in units that are going back to Iraq in the next couple of months. So if you think you're getting out, you're not."
The second soldier, an enlisted man, echoed that view: "They told us if we don't re-enlist, then we'd have to be reassigned. And where we're most needed is in units that are going back to Iraq in the next couple of months. So if you think you're getting out, you're not."
Study of Secrecy in the Bush Administration
Rep. Henry A. Waxman has released a comprehensive examination of secrecy in the Bush Administration. The report analyzes how the Administration has implemented each of our nation’s major open government laws. It finds that there has been a consistent pattern in the Administration’s actions: laws that are designed to promote public access to information have been undermined, while laws that authorize the government to withhold information or to operate in secret have repeatedly been expanded. The cumulative result is an unprecedented assault on the principle of open government.
Iraq: Hoping to Spin the Insurgents Away
"The U.S. government is soliciting proposals for an 'aggressive' and comprehensive PR and advertising push in Iraq to convey military and diplomatic goals to Iraqis and gain their support." The contract will be with the Multi National Corps-Iraq; British PR firm Bell Pottinger did similar work for MNC-I's predecessor, the Coalition Provisional Authority. The campaign will include "outreach to various segments of Iraqi society" and setting up a "Rebuttal Cell," to "immediately and effectively" challenge "reports that unfairly target the Coalition or Coalition interests." The PR plan contrasts with news of a U.S. National Intelligence Estimate that "spells out a dark assessment of prospects for Iraq." Source: O'Dwyer's PR Daily (sub. req'd.), September 16, 2004 (from PRWatch)
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Escaped Hippo Eludes Detection
"There were fresh tracks next to the fence. Now we have made a funnel with fencing and hope he will go home towards more grazing inside the reserve," Dorse said.
The idea came from game capture expert Douw Grobler, flown in to Cape Town at the weekend from Limpopo to help with ideas to solve the crisis.
If a plan B is needed, the SA National Navy has made a rubber duck available to patrol the waters of the six square kilometre wetland where Dorse said "you can hide as many hippo as you like".
The idea came from game capture expert Douw Grobler, flown in to Cape Town at the weekend from Limpopo to help with ideas to solve the crisis.
If a plan B is needed, the SA National Navy has made a rubber duck available to patrol the waters of the six square kilometre wetland where Dorse said "you can hide as many hippo as you like".
You May be Qualified to be a Contracted Interrogator in Iraq
Interrogators/Strategic Debriefers
MISource, Inc. is in search of up to 34 Interrogators/Strategic Debriefers to provide support to military units in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR). These are full-time positions... [more]
Relevant Work Experience: 5+ to 7 Years
Career Level: Experienced (Non-Manager)
Education Level: Some College Coursework Completed
Job Type: Employee
Job Status: Full Time
Job Shift: First Shift
Salary: From 70,000.00 to 95,000.00 USD per year
MISource, Inc. is in search of up to 34 Interrogators/Strategic Debriefers to provide support to military units in the US Central Command Area of Responsibility (AOR). These are full-time positions... [more]
Relevant Work Experience: 5+ to 7 Years
Career Level: Experienced (Non-Manager)
Education Level: Some College Coursework Completed
Job Type: Employee
Job Status: Full Time
Job Shift: First Shift
Salary: From 70,000.00 to 95,000.00 USD per year
Hamdi Released, Stripped of Citizenship, Shipped Away
After keeping him locked up in a Navy brig for almost three years, the U.S. government seems to want Yaser Esam Hamdi to just go away. Hamdi, a Louisiana native, was captured in Afghanistan in Novermber 2001. His father says Hamdi, 22, who moved to Saudi Arabia with his family as a child, was doing relief work. U.S. authorities say he was fighting for the Taliban.
It looks like we'll never know exactly what Hamdi was doing there. The U.S. has been reluctant to try Hamdi in either civil or military courts and, for over two years of his confinement, refused him access to a lawyer. The Supreme Court in June said the U.S. citizen couldn't continue to be held without charges. Now, rather than trying him, it appears the administration just wants Hamdi to disappear as quietly as possible. The terms of his release, currently being negotiated, are reported to include demands that he give up his U.S. citizenship and promise not to sue the U.S. government over his detention.
It looks like we'll never know exactly what Hamdi was doing there. The U.S. has been reluctant to try Hamdi in either civil or military courts and, for over two years of his confinement, refused him access to a lawyer. The Supreme Court in June said the U.S. citizen couldn't continue to be held without charges. Now, rather than trying him, it appears the administration just wants Hamdi to disappear as quietly as possible. The terms of his release, currently being negotiated, are reported to include demands that he give up his U.S. citizenship and promise not to sue the U.S. government over his detention.
Kofi Annan Calls Iraq War Illegal
Annan also said that, given the current level of violence and unrest, it was unlikely that Iraq would be able to hold credible elections as planned in January 2005.
"I think there have been lessons for the US and lessons for the UN and other member states," the secretary general said.
"I think that, in the end, everybody's concluded that it is best to work together with our allies and through the UN to deal with some of these issues," he said.
"I hope we do not see another Iraq-type operation for a long time."
"I think there have been lessons for the US and lessons for the UN and other member states," the secretary general said.
"I think that, in the end, everybody's concluded that it is best to work together with our allies and through the UN to deal with some of these issues," he said.
"I hope we do not see another Iraq-type operation for a long time."
U-Bolt Locks Can Be Opened with a Pen
Use one of those heavy U-locks to secure your bike? You might want to think again. It seems the barrel style lock mechanisms some of them employ can be opened by a Bic pen [.mov movie]. (Thanks to Michael and Metafilter)
K Street: Dems Need Not Apply?
Firms on Washington DC's lobbying row, K Street, are "aggressively courting GOP lawmakers who have announced their retirements, suggesting that the business community is confident the GOP will retain the Speaker's gavel in January." The trend "is stoking talk on Capitol Hill that the 'K Street Project'" - an effort launched by Grover Norquist and Tom DeLay to have firms hire more Republicans - "is alive and well." (Earlier reports suggested, "Democrats are coming back into vogue on K Street.") Republican Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn, who is interviewing with 15 firms, said, "K Street is still only 30% Republican, so there's a lot more work to do to make it even." Source: The Hill, September 15, 2004
Edwards: No military draft if Democrats win
During a question-and-answer session, the mother of a 23-year-old who recently graduated from West Virginia University asked Edwards whether the draft would be reinstated.
"There will be no draft when John Kerry is president," Edwards said, a statement that drew a standing ovation.
"There will be no draft when John Kerry is president," Edwards said, a statement that drew a standing ovation.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Crass 911 Coins Now Available
Today history is being made! For the first time ever, a legally authorized government issue silver dollar has been struck to commemorate the World Trade Center and the new Freedom Tower being erected in its place. It's the U.S. territorial minting of the 2004 "Freedom Tower" Silver Dollar from CNMI. Most importantly, each coin has been created using .999 Pure Silver recovered from Ground Zero!
No, this is not a misprint. The silver used in each gleaming dollar coin is from Ground Zero! You see, when the Twin Towers fell on September 11, 2001, a bank vault full of .999 Pure Silver bars was buried under hundreds of tons of debris. After months of salvage work, many of the bars were found. Now, the same silver that was reclaimed from the destruction has been used to create the magnificent 2004 “FreedomTower” Silver Dollar.
No, this is not a misprint. The silver used in each gleaming dollar coin is from Ground Zero! You see, when the Twin Towers fell on September 11, 2001, a bank vault full of .999 Pure Silver bars was buried under hundreds of tons of debris. After months of salvage work, many of the bars were found. Now, the same silver that was reclaimed from the destruction has been used to create the magnificent 2004 “FreedomTower” Silver Dollar.
Why Bush Left Texas
A months-long investigation, which includes examination of hundreds of government-released documents, interviews with former Guard members and officials, military experts and Bush associates, points toward the conclusion that Bush's personal behavior was causing alarm among his superior officers and would ultimately lead to his fleeing the state to avoid a physical exam he might have had difficulty passing... If it is demonstrated that profound behavioral problems marred Bush's wartime performance and even cut short his service, it could seriously challenge Bush's essential appeal as a military steward and guardian of societal values. It could also explain the incomplete, contradictory and shifting explanations provided by the Bush camp for the President's striking invisibility from the military during the final two years of his six-year military obligation.
RNC Protester Describes Mass Arrests
Now when I say August 31, I refer to the date that 1200 or so people were swept off the streets of Manhattan by the police, myself included. There were many others who were snatched on other days (the total being 1821 at last count) but August 31 has come to represent the enormity of the operation so that's how I'll always refer to it.
Riverside County Denies Bulk of Evoting Audit Requests from Candidate
When Republican candidate Linda Soubirous asked for a recount, she requested 44 items to audit the election. Riverside denied 39 of them, including a denial of her right to compare the internal flash memory of the touch-screen voting machines with the votes that showed up on the WinEDS Central Tabulator.
...During the counting of the election, on two occasions, employees of the vendor were observed to access the central tabulator. On the second occasion, the employee uploaded something from a card in his pocket, but refused to allow anyone to look at the card, and then left the state with it.
...During the counting of the election, on two occasions, employees of the vendor were observed to access the central tabulator. On the second occasion, the employee uploaded something from a card in his pocket, but refused to allow anyone to look at the card, and then left the state with it.
Reality TV show, Iraqi style, fixes houses, lives
The crew, wearing baseball caps with the logo of their Iraqi-run satellite channel, Al Sharqiya, fixes and refurnishes houses that owners say were destroyed by US bombs or, in Umm Hussein's case, by US troops blowing up an Iraqi ammunition dump close by.
"Labor Plus Materials" has become a hit because it is one of the few home-grown Iraqi programs on the air. The show fills a void in a TV landscape dominated by foreign satellite channels like Qatar-based Al Jazeera and US-funded channels that are widely panned by Iraqis for replaying old Lebanese documentaries and US-slanted news.
"Labor Plus Materials" has become a hit because it is one of the few home-grown Iraqi programs on the air. The show fills a void in a TV landscape dominated by foreign satellite channels like Qatar-based Al Jazeera and US-funded channels that are widely panned by Iraqis for replaying old Lebanese documentaries and US-slanted news.
House Votes for Pay Increase
The cost-of-living raise would be the sixth straight for members of the House and Senate, boosting the salaries of lawmakers, now $158,100, by about $4,000 in the new calendar year.
The civil servant COLA is part of an $89.9 billion Transportation and Treasury Department spending bill that the House is expected to pass Wednesday. The Senate has yet to take up the legislation.
The civil servant COLA is part of an $89.9 billion Transportation and Treasury Department spending bill that the House is expected to pass Wednesday. The Senate has yet to take up the legislation.
Woman Fired for Kerry Bumper Sticker Hired by Kerry
After a short argument with the plant owner, Rena says she returned to work. Only to be interrupted by her plant manager who told her, "I reckon you're fired. Phil said you could work for him or you could work for John Kerry."
Rena says this all happened just days after her boss included this letter with her paycheck. In a nutshell, it reads:
"Because of the Bush tax cut, I was able to give you a job."
Lucky for Rena, she now has a job with Democratic Presidential contender John Kerry.
..."He said let him know that as of today, you work for John Kerry, because you're hired, you're on my payroll," says Gobble. "He told me he was proud of me for standing up for what I believe in, and that he was sorry that I had gone through all that, lost my job and he kept telling me was proud of me."
Rena says this all happened just days after her boss included this letter with her paycheck. In a nutshell, it reads:
"Because of the Bush tax cut, I was able to give you a job."
Lucky for Rena, she now has a job with Democratic Presidential contender John Kerry.
..."He said let him know that as of today, you work for John Kerry, because you're hired, you're on my payroll," says Gobble. "He told me he was proud of me for standing up for what I believe in, and that he was sorry that I had gone through all that, lost my job and he kept telling me was proud of me."
CIA bin Laden Unit Smaller than Pre-911
The officer claims that the headquarters unit assigned to bin Laden has fewer experienced case officers now than on Sept. 11, 2001.
The New York Times reports Michael Scheuer, who recently penned a book critical of the CIA's counterterrorism efforts called "Imperial Hubris," lodged his complaints in a letter to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.
A 22-year CIA veteran who ran the bin Laden unit from 1996 to 1999, Scheuer also claims that the CIA is rotating inexperienced officers into the bin Laden unit for short stints of 60 to 90 days.
[Is bin Laden already in custody? Maybe we'll find out in October. --ed.]
The New York Times reports Michael Scheuer, who recently penned a book critical of the CIA's counterterrorism efforts called "Imperial Hubris," lodged his complaints in a letter to the House and Senate Intelligence Committees.
A 22-year CIA veteran who ran the bin Laden unit from 1996 to 1999, Scheuer also claims that the CIA is rotating inexperienced officers into the bin Laden unit for short stints of 60 to 90 days.
[Is bin Laden already in custody? Maybe we'll find out in October. --ed.]
Tony Blair Speak Out on Global Warming
"There is no doubt that the time to act is now."
..."First I want the G8 to secure an agreement as to the basic science on climate change and the threat it poses," he said, in a likely reference to the United States reluctance to sign up to agreements to fossil fuel emissions.
"Second I want the G8 to secure agreement on a process to speed up the science, technology, and other measures necessary to meet the threat."
Mr Blair says the third point he will present to the G8, is the need to engage other countries like China and India on how to meet their growing energy needs sustainability and how to adapt to the adverse impact of climate change.
..."First I want the G8 to secure an agreement as to the basic science on climate change and the threat it poses," he said, in a likely reference to the United States reluctance to sign up to agreements to fossil fuel emissions.
"Second I want the G8 to secure agreement on a process to speed up the science, technology, and other measures necessary to meet the threat."
Mr Blair says the third point he will present to the G8, is the need to engage other countries like China and India on how to meet their growing energy needs sustainability and how to adapt to the adverse impact of climate change.
Nader 2000 Organizers for Kerry
Signers include Noam Chomsky, Ben Cohen, Peter Coyote, Phil Donahue, Barbara Ehrenreich, Jim Hightower, Robert McChesney, Bonnie Raitt, Sheldon Rampton, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Shocked, John Stauber, Studs Terkel, Tom Tomorrow, Eddie Vedder, Cornel West and Howard Zinn.
New Interoperable Version of Linux
Following the release Tuesday of a new interoperable version of Linux, analysts said the standard should go along way towards preventing a serious roadblock to widespread acceptance of Linux: the fragmentation of open-source distributions.
The Free Standards Group (FSG), in its announcement Tuesday of the Linux Standard Base (LSB) 2.0, said the updated standard will help stymie fragmentation of Linux where other versions may have fallen short.
The Free Standards Group (FSG), in its announcement Tuesday of the Linux Standard Base (LSB) 2.0, said the updated standard will help stymie fragmentation of Linux where other versions may have fallen short.
Jimmy Carter's Letter to Zell Miller
Perhaps more troublesome of all is seeing you adopt an established and very effective Republican campaign technique of destroying the character of opponents by wild and false allegations. The Bush campaign’s personal attacks on the character of John McCain in South Carolina in 2000 was a vivid example. The claim that war hero Max Cleland was a disloyal American and an ally of Osama bin Laden should have given you pause, but you have joined in this ploy by your bizarre claims that another war hero, John Kerry, would not defend the security of our nation except with spitballs. (This is the same man whom you described previously as “one of this nation's authentic heroes, one of this party's best-known and greatest leaders -- and a good friend.")
Whistleblowers Slam 911 Report
The letter stated the report ignored significant issues raised with it by intelligence personnel and so missed "serious problems and shortcomings," which casts doubt on the validity of its recommendations.
One of the speakers at the news conference was Bogdan Dzakovic, a Federal Aviation Administration security official, who complained before Sept. 11 about lax security at airports and the danger of hijackers being able to smuggle weapons on jetliners.Dzakovic told the Sept. 11 commission last year that he had repeatedly warned FAA management that security weaknesses uncovered by investigators who would try to defeat airport security and usually succeeded were going unaddressed.
"I react with shock and awe every time I hear people with expertise say that Sept. 11 was unpredictable," he told the commission on May 22.
One of the speakers at the news conference was Bogdan Dzakovic, a Federal Aviation Administration security official, who complained before Sept. 11 about lax security at airports and the danger of hijackers being able to smuggle weapons on jetliners.Dzakovic told the Sept. 11 commission last year that he had repeatedly warned FAA management that security weaknesses uncovered by investigators who would try to defeat airport security and usually succeeded were going unaddressed.
"I react with shock and awe every time I hear people with expertise say that Sept. 11 was unpredictable," he told the commission on May 22.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Colin Powell in Four-letter Neo-con 'crazies' Battle
A furious row has broken out over claims in a new book by BBC broadcaster James Naughtie that US Secretary of State Colin Powell described neo-conservatives in the Bush administration as 'fucking crazies' during the build-up to war in Iraq. Powell's extraordinary outburst is alleged to have taken place during a telephone conversation with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
The 'crazies' are said to be Vice-President Dick Cheney, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his deputy, Paul Wolfowitz. Last week, the offices of Powell and Straw contacted Public Affairs, the US publishers of Naughtie's book, to say they would vigorously deny the claims if publication went ahead. But as no legal action was threatened, the US launch of the book, The Accidental American: Tony Blair and the Presidency, will proceed as planned this week.
Provocatively, the phrase 'fucking crazies' will be quoted on the jacket of the book, according to a source at the publisher. 'We were surprised to receive calls from the offices of Jack Straw and Colin Powell within 24 hours of each other,' the source said.
The 'crazies' are said to be Vice-President Dick Cheney, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his deputy, Paul Wolfowitz. Last week, the offices of Powell and Straw contacted Public Affairs, the US publishers of Naughtie's book, to say they would vigorously deny the claims if publication went ahead. But as no legal action was threatened, the US launch of the book, The Accidental American: Tony Blair and the Presidency, will proceed as planned this week.
Provocatively, the phrase 'fucking crazies' will be quoted on the jacket of the book, according to a source at the publisher. 'We were surprised to receive calls from the offices of Jack Straw and Colin Powell within 24 hours of each other,' the source said.
Cold War Nuclear Bomb Found off Georgia Coast
Government experts are investigating a claim that an unarmed nuclear bomb, lost off the Georgia coast at the height of the Cold War, might have been found, an Air Force spokesman said Monday.
The hydrogen bomb was lost in the Atlantic Ocean in 1958 following a collision of a B-47 bomber and an F-86 fighter.
A group led by retired Air Force Lt. Col. Derek Duke of Statesboro, Georgia, said in July that it had found a large object underwater near Savannah that was emitting high levels of radioactivity, according to an Associated Press report.
The hydrogen bomb was lost in the Atlantic Ocean in 1958 following a collision of a B-47 bomber and an F-86 fighter.
A group led by retired Air Force Lt. Col. Derek Duke of Statesboro, Georgia, said in July that it had found a large object underwater near Savannah that was emitting high levels of radioactivity, according to an Associated Press report.
Jeb Bush Defies Court, Puts Nader on Ballot Because of (wait for it) Hurricane Ivan
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader's name can appear on Florida ballots for the election, despite a court order to the contrary, Florida's elections chief told officials on Monday in a move that could help President Bush in the key swing state.
The Florida Democratic Party reacted with outrage, calling the move "blatant partisan maneuvering" by Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's younger brother, and vowed to fight it.
In a memo to Florida's 67 county supervisors of elections, Division of Elections director Dawn Roberts said the uncertainty of Hurricane Ivan, which could hit parts of the state by week's end, forced her to act.
The Florida Democratic Party reacted with outrage, calling the move "blatant partisan maneuvering" by Gov. Jeb Bush, the president's younger brother, and vowed to fight it.
In a memo to Florida's 67 county supervisors of elections, Division of Elections director Dawn Roberts said the uncertainty of Hurricane Ivan, which could hit parts of the state by week's end, forced her to act.
Distraught Dads Dressed as Batman Strike Again, Scaling Buckingham Palace
A protester dressed in a Batman costume scaled the front wall of Buckingham Palace on Monday and perched for more than five hours on a ledge near the balcony where the royal family appears on ceremonial occasions.
The protester's success in climbing the wall in front of the queen's main residence prompted fresh questions about the much-criticized and recently overhauled royal security operation.
[with pictures]
The protester's success in climbing the wall in front of the queen's main residence prompted fresh questions about the much-criticized and recently overhauled royal security operation.
[with pictures]
New Windows Worm Talks
The Amus worm, which may be Turkish, uses the Windows Speech Engine, embedded on Windows XP, to play the following message:
"How are you. I am back. My name is Mr. Hamsi. I am seeing you. Haaaaaaaa. You must come to Turkey. I am cleaning your computer. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 0. Gule gule."
"Gule gule" means "bye-bye" in Turkish.
...The worm has been rated as a low risk by antivirus companies.
"How are you. I am back. My name is Mr. Hamsi. I am seeing you. Haaaaaaaa. You must come to Turkey. I am cleaning your computer. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 0. Gule gule."
"Gule gule" means "bye-bye" in Turkish.
...The worm has been rated as a low risk by antivirus companies.
CliffsNotes Posting 180 Booklets Free Online
“Proteus” takes place at about 11:00 a.m. on Sandymount Strand, which is approximately nine miles from Mr. Deasy’s school. Stephen wanders along the beach to spend time before he meets Mulligan at The Ship pub at 12:30 p.m. He considers visiting the home of his Aunt Sara and his Uncle Richie Goulding (his mother’s relatives), but then he thinks of the ridicule that his father, Simon, has heaped upon Uncle Richie in the past and what Simon might say about today’s visit, and he decides not to make the trip. Thus the lengthy description of his visit to the Gouldings concerns only an imagined event. [from CliffsNotes for Ulysses]
Putin calls for elimination of elections for key posts
"State authority must not only be adjusted to work in crisis situations," Putin said at a televised meeting with his Cabinet. "The mechanisms of its work must be radically reviewed in order to prevent crises."
He added that "the terrorists' long-term plans are aimed at disintegrating the country and shaking the state" and that "the country's unity is the main condition for resisting terrorists."
He added that "the terrorists' long-term plans are aimed at disintegrating the country and shaking the state" and that "the country's unity is the main condition for resisting terrorists."
Monday, September 13, 2004
Housing Co-op Refuses to Sell Another House to Geraldo
"I pay my taxes, pick up my trash, donate to local charities and cherish the Hudson and the rich history of Burdett's Landing," Rivera wrote. "I intend living here always, hopefully in peace and loving my neighbors.
"But if you want war, then you will get one,"he wrote.
"But if you want war, then you will get one,"he wrote.
Japanese Sleeping Pods Arrive in England
For £10 an hour, or £75 a night, guests will be able to sleep in rooms measuring 10 square metres and without any proper windows.
The only light will come from "internal windows" on to "naturally lit" corridors.
The absence of external windows means the hotels can be built anywhere, including city centres, airports, and underground.
Mr Woodroffe insists that while they may have cut down on the size, they have not skimped on the luxury.
All the rooms, which have been described by their designer as "luxury liner meets The Fifth Element", will contain a flat screen TV, a rotating bed (to save space) have broadband internet access and aircraft-style lighting.
[that's about $135 per night in US dollars --ed.]
The only light will come from "internal windows" on to "naturally lit" corridors.
The absence of external windows means the hotels can be built anywhere, including city centres, airports, and underground.
Mr Woodroffe insists that while they may have cut down on the size, they have not skimped on the luxury.
All the rooms, which have been described by their designer as "luxury liner meets The Fifth Element", will contain a flat screen TV, a rotating bed (to save space) have broadband internet access and aircraft-style lighting.
[that's about $135 per night in US dollars --ed.]
Reporter Killed by US Forces During Live Feed
Yesterday, Mazen al-Tomasi, a reporter for Al-Arabiya, was broadcasting live from the scene of a carbombed Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which had attracted a crowd of locals. While making his report, a sudden noise came from behind Mazen. Two Apache helicopters flew in overhead, and one of them started attacking the crowd, with their guns. The crowd, which included several small children, tried to run away. A helicopter launched a missile...Mazen al-Tomasi was struck by shrapnel from the blast on live television. His cameraman, Seif Fouad, fell down from the force of the explosion. Mazen's blood spattered across the camera's lens and the screams of the dying and injured were heard. Mazen screamed to Seif for help: "Seif, Seif! I'm going to die. I'm going to die." Seif grabbed Mazen and started to pull him out of harm's way. Suddenly, another missile was launched, and Seif was hit by shrapnel in the leg and abdomen. Seif, seriously wounded, watched his friend Mazen die soon afterwards. Twelve were killed, 61 wounded in the attack.
A US military spokesman said the helicopters opened fire after coming under attack from the crowd, and that they fired to prevent looters from stripping the vehicle. That said, the vehicle was burning too badly to be stripped, and the television footage showed no evidence of any shooting from the ground, or indeed, any armed Iraqis whatsoever. The full video of this is was seen by millions of Arabs and is apparently something that Reuters has the rights to -- Saif works for Reuters -- but something tells me that it will never make the evening news. (from Metafilter)
A US military spokesman said the helicopters opened fire after coming under attack from the crowd, and that they fired to prevent looters from stripping the vehicle. That said, the vehicle was burning too badly to be stripped, and the television footage showed no evidence of any shooting from the ground, or indeed, any armed Iraqis whatsoever. The full video of this is was seen by millions of Arabs and is apparently something that Reuters has the rights to -- Saif works for Reuters -- but something tells me that it will never make the evening news. (from Metafilter)
Feel Like a Girly-Man in Your Hummer? Fret Not, Here Comes the CXT!
The new CXT -- short for commercial extreme truck and built from the same platform as the heavy-truck maker's typical tow truck or cement mixer -- will be sold starting this week by Navistar's International Truck & Engine subsidiary.
At 258 inches, or 21-1/2 feet long, the CXT is about 4-1/2 feet longer than the new Hummer H2 pickup, and about 2 inches longer than the F-350 Crew Cab.
But the way it really towers over what's on the road now is in height. At 108 inches, or 9 feet, the CXT stands only a foot below a basketball rim and more than two feet above the Hummer or the F-350.
"It's not going to fit into the standard garage," said Mark Oberle, a spokesman for Navistar, based in Warrenville, Ill., outside Chicago. "We can see it as a vehicle for business people who want to make a distinct impression. For personal use, it's for people who want to make a statement."
At 258 inches, or 21-1/2 feet long, the CXT is about 4-1/2 feet longer than the new Hummer H2 pickup, and about 2 inches longer than the F-350 Crew Cab.
But the way it really towers over what's on the road now is in height. At 108 inches, or 9 feet, the CXT stands only a foot below a basketball rim and more than two feet above the Hummer or the F-350.
"It's not going to fit into the standard garage," said Mark Oberle, a spokesman for Navistar, based in Warrenville, Ill., outside Chicago. "We can see it as a vehicle for business people who want to make a distinct impression. For personal use, it's for people who want to make a statement."
Serbia Drops Ban on Darwin
Biologist Nikola Tucic described the original ruling as "outrageous" and said it showed Serbia's Orthodox Church was interfering in politics.
"We are slowly turning into a theocratic state and in the 21st Century we are going back to the Book of Revelations," he said.
However, an influential figure in the Orthodox Church, Bishop Ignjatije, acknowledged Darwin had a place in schools.
Darwin "spoke about ways that humans and the rest of the nature are connected. The connection must not be ignored by anybody, not even by us theologists", he said.
"We are slowly turning into a theocratic state and in the 21st Century we are going back to the Book of Revelations," he said.
However, an influential figure in the Orthodox Church, Bishop Ignjatije, acknowledged Darwin had a place in schools.
Darwin "spoke about ways that humans and the rest of the nature are connected. The connection must not be ignored by anybody, not even by us theologists", he said.
Co-Extinction Endangers More Creatures
Even more species may become extinct in the next few decades than previously feared, according to a study published today in Science. By tallying up parasites and other known "affiliates" that depend on species on the endangered list, the authors estimate that another 6,300 species will disappear along with the endangered ones.
Anthony Daniels Retires as C-3PO
"I finished filming on the last film last week. For the final shot I walked along a blue corridor with a blue background behind me talking to someone who wasn't there." he said.
"Revenge of the Sith" is due out next May and completes a trilogy of pre-quels, which tell the back story of the original movie about a battle between good and evil in a distant galaxy.
Daniels makes no secret about his favorite of the six.
"The first film spoke to everyone on the planet. It still works as a funny, bright movie. It still has legs," he said of the films by U.S. director George Lucas.
"Revenge of the Sith" is due out next May and completes a trilogy of pre-quels, which tell the back story of the original movie about a battle between good and evil in a distant galaxy.
Daniels makes no secret about his favorite of the six.
"The first film spoke to everyone on the planet. It still works as a funny, bright movie. It still has legs," he said of the films by U.S. director George Lucas.
Book Accusing Pharmaceutical Industry for Obesity Banned on Ebay
The controversial book, "Why is America So FAT? "(Rlk Press), is critical of the pharmaceutical company as well as the FDA for making Americans plump and lists many fat-inducing prescription drugs.
Author Ben Kennedy claims Ebay didn't give him a good reason why they wont auction his book, but instead "gave me b.s."
Author Ben Kennedy claims Ebay didn't give him a good reason why they wont auction his book, but instead "gave me b.s."
Voting Machine Companies Court Election Officials
Forty-three percent of the budget of the National Association of Secretaries of State comes from voting machine companies and other vendors, and at its conference this summer in New Orleans, Accenture, which compiles voter registration databases for states, sponsored a dinner at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
There are also reports of election officials being directly offered gifts. Last year, the Columbus Dispatch reported that a voting machine company was offering concert tickets and limousine rides while competing for a contract worth as much as $100 million, if not more.
When electronic voting was first rolled out, election officials and voting machine companies generally acted with little or no public participation. But now the public is quite rightly insisting on greater transparency and more say in the decisions. If election officials want credibility in this national discussion, they must do more to demonstrate that their only loyalty is to the voter.
There are also reports of election officials being directly offered gifts. Last year, the Columbus Dispatch reported that a voting machine company was offering concert tickets and limousine rides while competing for a contract worth as much as $100 million, if not more.
When electronic voting was first rolled out, election officials and voting machine companies generally acted with little or no public participation. But now the public is quite rightly insisting on greater transparency and more say in the decisions. If election officials want credibility in this national discussion, they must do more to demonstrate that their only loyalty is to the voter.
Mushroom Cloud, 2-Miles Wide, Over N Korea
Ms. Rice said it was possible that the fire seen Thursday - the South Korean press described it as a mushroom-shaped cloud of smoke that extended two miles across - might have been a forest fire.
"They have taken their eye off the real ball," Mr. Kerry said, his voice almost shaking in anger. "They took it off in Afghanistan and shifted it to Iraq. They took it off in North Korea and shifted it to Iraq. They took it off in Russia, and the nuclear materials there, and shifted it to Iraq."
"They have taken their eye off the real ball," Mr. Kerry said, his voice almost shaking in anger. "They took it off in Afghanistan and shifted it to Iraq. They took it off in North Korea and shifted it to Iraq. They took it off in Russia, and the nuclear materials there, and shifted it to Iraq."
Amid Cheers, Terrorists Have Landed in the U.S.
The fourth man, Luis Posada Carriles, was the most notorious member of this anti-Castro cell. He is an escapee from a prison in Venezuela, where he was incarcerated for blowing up an Air Cubana passenger plane in 1976, killing 73. He also admitted plotting six hotel bombings in Havana that killed one tourist and injured 11 others in 1997. Posada has gone into hiding in Honduras while seeking a Central American country that will harbor him, prompting Honduran President Ricardo Maduro to demand an explanation from the Bush administration on how a renowned terrorist could enter his country using a false U.S. passport.
The terrorist backgrounds of Posada's three comrades-in-arms are as well documented as their leader's. Guillermo Novo once fired a bazooka at the U.N. building; in February 1979, he was convicted and sentenced to 40 years for conspiracy in the 1976 assassination of former Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier and his American colleague, Ronni Moffitt, in Washington. (His conviction was subsequently vacated on a legal technicality.) Gaspar Jimenez was convicted and imprisoned in Mexico in 1977 for murdering a Cuban consulate official; he was released by authorities in 1983. Pedro Remon received a 10-year sentence in 1986 for conspiring to kill Cuba's ambassador to the United Nations in 1980. These are violent men. Panamanian prosecutors said they had planned to detonate 33 pounds of explosives while Castro was speaking at a university in Panama. Had they not been intercepted by the authorities, the blast not only would have killed the Cuban president but quite possibly hundreds of others gathered to hear him speak during the inter-American summit.
The terrorist backgrounds of Posada's three comrades-in-arms are as well documented as their leader's. Guillermo Novo once fired a bazooka at the U.N. building; in February 1979, he was convicted and sentenced to 40 years for conspiracy in the 1976 assassination of former Chilean diplomat Orlando Letelier and his American colleague, Ronni Moffitt, in Washington. (His conviction was subsequently vacated on a legal technicality.) Gaspar Jimenez was convicted and imprisoned in Mexico in 1977 for murdering a Cuban consulate official; he was released by authorities in 1983. Pedro Remon received a 10-year sentence in 1986 for conspiring to kill Cuba's ambassador to the United Nations in 1980. These are violent men. Panamanian prosecutors said they had planned to detonate 33 pounds of explosives while Castro was speaking at a university in Panama. Had they not been intercepted by the authorities, the blast not only would have killed the Cuban president but quite possibly hundreds of others gathered to hear him speak during the inter-American summit.
British Royal Navy Will Run on Windows for Warships
"For the time being, CERT limits its advice to that of avoiding use of Internet Explorer, rather than avoiding Windows as a whole. However: CERT confirms that, as others have already found, IE cannot be removed from Windows, and its presence can still leave vulnerabilities in the system even if IE is never used as an application –showing again how Windows remains inherently insecure by design. In an operating system, the combination of closed source and entangled structure makes for a deadly cocktail. I am pleased that the US DHS is now recognising and warning about the risks which I and others have highlighted for more than two years. However, I shall only sleep soundly once I know that Windows has been banned from the command systems of the Royal Navy’s warships for good."
Attempt to Block Universal Mental Health Screening Voted Down
A lot of blogs picked up on the story that Congress member Ron Paul (R-TX) introduced H.AMDT.739 to H.R.5006 which read simply:
An amendment numbered 3 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds in the bill to create or implement any new or universal mental health screening program.It failed by a vote of 315-95. But for your convenience, here is the Roll Call 438, so you can see where your Congress member stands.
For background, see the June 20, 2004 UnderReported.com story British Medical Journal blasts Bush's plan for universal psychiatric screening & drugging.
An amendment numbered 3 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit use of funds in the bill to create or implement any new or universal mental health screening program.It failed by a vote of 315-95. But for your convenience, here is the Roll Call 438, so you can see where your Congress member stands.
For background, see the June 20, 2004 UnderReported.com story British Medical Journal blasts Bush's plan for universal psychiatric screening & drugging.
Bush Military Documents May be Forgeries
The 32-year-old documents produced Wednesday by the CBS News program "60 Minutes," shedding a negative light on President Bush's service in the Texas Air National Guard, may have been forged using a current word processing program, according to typography experts.Three independent typography experts told CNSNews.com they were suspicious of the documents from 1972 and 1973 because they were typed using a proportional font, not common at that time, and they used a superscript font feature found in today's Microsoft Word program.
New Suit Filed Against Saudis for 9/11
Bond brokerage Cantor Fitzgerald, which lost nearly 700 employees in the World Trade Center attacks on September 2001, has filed a $7 billion lawsuit against Saudi Arabia, al-Qaida, and dozens of Middle East banks and other organizations.
The suit, filed Friday in New York federal court, alleges racketeering and conspiracy by Saudi Arabia and several charities and banks in providing "financial and other material support and substantial assistance" to al-Qaida, according to Bloomberg News.
The suit, filed Friday in New York federal court, alleges racketeering and conspiracy by Saudi Arabia and several charities and banks in providing "financial and other material support and substantial assistance" to al-Qaida, according to Bloomberg News.
New Role for Secret Service
Officially, the Secret Service does not concern itself with unarmed, peaceful demonstrators who pose no danger to the commander in chief. But that policy was inoperative here Thursday when seven AIDS activists who heckled President Bush during a campaign appearance were shoved and pulled from the room -- some by their hair, one by her bra straps -- and then arrested for disorderly conduct and detained for an hour...
Journalists were told that if they sought to approach the demonstrators, they would not be allowed to return to the event site -- even though their colleagues were free to come and go. An agent, who did not give his name, told one journalist who was blocked from returning to the speech that this was punishment for approaching the demonstrators and that there was a "different set of rules" for reporters who did not seek out the activists.
Journalists were told that if they sought to approach the demonstrators, they would not be allowed to return to the event site -- even though their colleagues were free to come and go. An agent, who did not give his name, told one journalist who was blocked from returning to the speech that this was punishment for approaching the demonstrators and that there was a "different set of rules" for reporters who did not seek out the activists.
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