The wife and daughter of Tom DeLay, the House majority leader, have been paid more than $500,000 since 2001 by Mr. DeLay's political action and campaign committees, according to a detailed review of disclosure statements filed with the Federal Election Commission and separate fund-raising records in Mr. DeLay's home state, Texas.
Most of the payments to his wife, Christine A. DeLay, and his only child, Dani DeLay Ferro, were described in the disclosure forms as "fund-raising fees," "campaign management" or "payroll," with no additional details about how they earned the money. The payments appear to reflect what Mr. DeLay's aides say is the central role played by the majority leader's wife and daughter in his political career.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Judge: 9/11 defendant can't question prisoners
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected terrorism suspect Zacarias Moussaoui's attempt to directly question three al-Qaida prisoners and cleared the way for a trial of the only U.S. defendant charged in connection with the Sept. 11 attacks.
The ruling allows the government to proceed with plans to seek the death penalty if Moussaoui is convicted of participating in an al-Qaida conspiracy that included the 2001 airplane hijackings.
The Justice Department said it would file a motion as early as today, suggesting a trial date in Alexandria, Va.
The government had told the nation's highest court that national security would be compromised if Moussaoui, an acknowledged al-Qaida loyalist, was given access to al-Qaida captives.
The ruling allows the government to proceed with plans to seek the death penalty if Moussaoui is convicted of participating in an al-Qaida conspiracy that included the 2001 airplane hijackings.
The Justice Department said it would file a motion as early as today, suggesting a trial date in Alexandria, Va.
The government had told the nation's highest court that national security would be compromised if Moussaoui, an acknowledged al-Qaida loyalist, was given access to al-Qaida captives.
State records show Bush re-election concerns played part in FEMA aid
As the second hurricane in less than a month bore down on Florida last fall, a federal consultant predicted a "huge mess" that could reflect poorly on President Bush and suggested that his re-election staff be brought in to minimize any political liability, records show.
Two weeks later, a Florida official summarizing the hurricane response wrote that the Federal Emergency Management Agency was handing out housing assistance "to everyone who needs it without asking for much information of any kind."
Two weeks later, a Florida official summarizing the hurricane response wrote that the Federal Emergency Management Agency was handing out housing assistance "to everyone who needs it without asking for much information of any kind."
Animals Injected with Human Genes Becoming Commonplace
Inevitably, ethicists are led to debate several questions. Just what makes humans unique? When would a chimera become too human? And, if it did show human physical or behavioral traits, why would that be wrong?
After all, pig heart valves have been used to replace human ones for years. But experiments involving brains, which seem to come much closer to affecting the identity of a man or beast, bring deeper discomfort and more troubling discussions.
Irving Weissman, a researcher at Stanford University, for example, has proposed creating mice with brains containing 100 percent human neurons. By studying such mice, researchers might find cures for diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, he reasons.
Bush: U.S. to Sell F-16s to Pakistan - Promises More for India
President Bush rewarded a key ally in the war on terrorism Friday by authorizing the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, a move that reversed 15 years of policy begun under his father and that India warned would destabilize the volatile region.
The United States barred the sale of F-16s to Pakistan in 1990 out of concern over its then-undeclared nuclear weapons program, but Bush has forged a close relationship with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf since Sept. 11, 2001, and considers his help crucial in the battle against Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist organization.
The United States barred the sale of F-16s to Pakistan in 1990 out of concern over its then-undeclared nuclear weapons program, but Bush has forged a close relationship with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf since Sept. 11, 2001, and considers his help crucial in the battle against Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda terrorist organization.
$10 Raffle to Experience Zero G's
Now you too can experience weightlessness without leaving the comforts of Earth's atmosphere aboard ZERO-G Corp.'s G-FORCE ONE aircraft--the very same zero-gravity experience astronauts get in training for space! And Yuri's Night Boston is going to be sending someone off to do just that!
Grand Prize: All-day ZERO-G Experience (a $3,750 value!), $180 towards round-trip airfare from Boston to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a two-night stay in the Fort Lauderdale Courtyard Marriott.
[Insiders refer to this flight as the "Vomit Comet."]
Learning Linguistics from the Simpsons
Episode: Treehouse of Horror VII Episode # 801, 4F02
Productive derivational morphology (with ‘big’ again)
Prof. Van Frink builds a debigulator. Lisa proposes he also look into making a rebigulator.
Episode: On a Clear Day I Can’t See My Sister, Episode # 1611 GABF05 SI-1605
Resyllabification (also possibly loss of adjectival -ed)
Bart is in jail for violating his restraining order against Lisa. In the cell next to him is Lou. Chief Wiggum says, ‘See what happens when you bring my coffee back cold?’ Lou says, “But you asked for an iced coffee!” Chief Wiggum says, “No, I asked for a NICE coffee, Lou.”
Productive derivational morphology (with ‘big’ again)
Prof. Van Frink builds a debigulator. Lisa proposes he also look into making a rebigulator.
Episode: On a Clear Day I Can’t See My Sister, Episode # 1611 GABF05 SI-1605
Resyllabification (also possibly loss of adjectival -ed)
Bart is in jail for violating his restraining order against Lisa. In the cell next to him is Lou. Chief Wiggum says, ‘See what happens when you bring my coffee back cold?’ Lou says, “But you asked for an iced coffee!” Chief Wiggum says, “No, I asked for a NICE coffee, Lou.”
US soldiers told to beat detainees
US Army documents dragged into the public domain under freedom-of-information legislation appear to show that the mistreatment of detainees in Iraq was much more widespread than the government has admitted - and that authorization of abuses that led to torture and even death came from high in the chain of command.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is also charging that the US Army failed to comply with a court order to release the documents and manipulated the media "to minimize coverage and public access". The ACLU said the reason for the delay in delivering the more than 1,200 pages of documents was "evident in the contents", which include reports of brutal beatings, "exercise until exhaustion", and sworn statements that soldiers were told to "beat the f**k out of" detainees. One file cites evidence that military intelligence personnel in Iraq "tortured" detainees held in their custody.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is also charging that the US Army failed to comply with a court order to release the documents and manipulated the media "to minimize coverage and public access". The ACLU said the reason for the delay in delivering the more than 1,200 pages of documents was "evident in the contents", which include reports of brutal beatings, "exercise until exhaustion", and sworn statements that soldiers were told to "beat the f**k out of" detainees. One file cites evidence that military intelligence personnel in Iraq "tortured" detainees held in their custody.
Canadian Journalist Killed in Iranian Custody Was Beaten, Raped, Says Doc
Shahram Azam said he examined Zahra Kazemi, a 54-year-old Canadian freelance journalist of Iranian origin, in a military hospital in Tehran on June 26, 2003, and noticed horrific injuries to her entire body that could only have been caused by torture and rape. It was just days after she was arrested for taking photographs outside a Tehran prison during student-led protests against the ruling theocracy.
Dr. Azam recently received political asylum in Canada.
Dr. Azam recently received political asylum in Canada.
Seventeen Techniques for Truth Suppression
- Dummy up. If it's not reported, if it's not news, it didn't happen.
- Wax indignant. This is also known as the "how dare you?" gambit.
- Characterize the charges as "rumors" or, better yet, "wild rumors." If, in spite of the news blackout, the public is still able to learn about the suspicious facts, it can only be through "rumors." (If they tend to believe the "rumors" it must be because they are simply "paranoid" or "hysterical.")
- Knock down straw men. Deal only with the weakest aspect of the weakest charges. Even better, create your own straw men. Make up wild rumors and give them lead play when you appear to debunk all the charges, real and fanciful alike.
- Call the skeptics names like "conspiracy theorist," "nut," "ranter," "kook," "crackpot," and of course, "rumor monger." Be sure, too, to use heavily loaded verbs and adjectives when characterizing their charges and defending the "more reasonable" government and its defenders. You must then carefully avoid fair and open debate with any of the people you have thus maligned. For insurance, set up your own "skeptics" to shoot down.
- Impugn motives. Attempt to marginalize the critics by suggesting strongly that they are not really interested in the truth but are simply pursuing a partisan political agenda or are out to make money (compared to over-compensated adherents to the government line who, presumably, are not).
- Invoke authority. Here the controlled press and the sham opposition can be very useful. [more]
"Men In Black" - The New York Times best seller no one is talking about
Men in Black was published by Regnery Publishing—the outfit that brought us Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry last summer. Serious journalists spent serious time debunking the claims set forth in the Swift Boat book, but absolutely no one seems to be taking on Levin. This isn't too surprising: For one thing, there's no election on the line. And for another, no serious scholar of the court or the Constitution, on the ideological left or right, is going to waste their time engaging Levin's arguments once they've read this book.
I use the word "book" with some hesitation: Certainly it possesses chapters and words and other book-like accoutrements. But Men in Black is 208 large-print pages of mostly block quotes (from court decisions or other legal thinkers) padded with a forward by the eminent legal scholar Rush Limbaugh, and a blurry 10-page "Appendix" of internal memos to and from congressional Democrats—stolen during Memogate. The reason it may take you only slightly longer to read Men in Black than it took Levin to write it is that you'll experience an overwhelming urge to shower between chapters.
Torture Inc. Americas Brutal Prisons
The images of abuse and brutality he records are horrifyingly familiar. These were exactly the kind of pictures from inside Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad that shocked the world this time last year.
And they are similar, too, to the images of brutality against Iraqi prisoners that this week led to the conviction of three British soldiers.
But there is a difference. These prisoners are not caught up in a war zone. They are Americans, and the video comes from inside a prison in Texas
They are just some of the victims of wholesale torture taking place inside the U.S. prison system that we uncovered during a four-month investigation for Channel 4 that will be broadcast next week.
Our findings were not based on rumour or suspicion. They were based on solid evidence, chiefly videotapes that we collected from all over the U.S.
In many American states, prison regulations demand that any ‘use of force operation’, such as searching cells for drugs, must be filmed by a guard.
The theory is that the tapes will show proper procedure was followed and that no excessive force was used. In fact, many of them record the exact opposite.
Each tape provides a shocking insight into the reality of life inside the U.S. prison system – a reality that sits very uncomfortably with President Bush’s commitment to the battle for freedom and democracy against the forces of tyranny and oppression.
And they are similar, too, to the images of brutality against Iraqi prisoners that this week led to the conviction of three British soldiers.
But there is a difference. These prisoners are not caught up in a war zone. They are Americans, and the video comes from inside a prison in Texas
They are just some of the victims of wholesale torture taking place inside the U.S. prison system that we uncovered during a four-month investigation for Channel 4 that will be broadcast next week.
Our findings were not based on rumour or suspicion. They were based on solid evidence, chiefly videotapes that we collected from all over the U.S.
In many American states, prison regulations demand that any ‘use of force operation’, such as searching cells for drugs, must be filmed by a guard.
The theory is that the tapes will show proper procedure was followed and that no excessive force was used. In fact, many of them record the exact opposite.
Each tape provides a shocking insight into the reality of life inside the U.S. prison system – a reality that sits very uncomfortably with President Bush’s commitment to the battle for freedom and democracy against the forces of tyranny and oppression.
US holds massive terror exercise
The biggest anti-terrorism exercise held in the US is under way to test its response to attacks involving biological and chemical weapons.
More than 10,000 people are taking part in the five-day exercise, which also involves Canada and the UK.
A simulated biological attack by terrorists in New Jersey on Monday coincided with a mock chemical attack at a port on the coast of Connecticut.
On Tuesday, the focus of the exercise will shift to hospitals.
"The point of this is not to design a simulation that makes us 'look good' because we were able to figure out how to pre-package everything that we wanted to do," US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said.
"The point is to actually drive at the areas where we think there are potential questions or criticisms, to really push there in order to learn more lessons."
Although no real weapons or biological agents are used, federal and local officials as well as emergency services respond as if it is the real thing.
More than 10,000 people are taking part in the five-day exercise, which also involves Canada and the UK.
A simulated biological attack by terrorists in New Jersey on Monday coincided with a mock chemical attack at a port on the coast of Connecticut.
On Tuesday, the focus of the exercise will shift to hospitals.
"The point of this is not to design a simulation that makes us 'look good' because we were able to figure out how to pre-package everything that we wanted to do," US Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said.
"The point is to actually drive at the areas where we think there are potential questions or criticisms, to really push there in order to learn more lessons."
Although no real weapons or biological agents are used, federal and local officials as well as emergency services respond as if it is the real thing.
Insurgents launch mass attack on Abu Ghraib jail
Insurgents detonated car bombs and rained down rockets on Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, wounding 44 American soldiers in the most concerted attack on the infamous detention facility since the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Saturday night's attack came just hours before Iraq's new parliament elected a speaker, ending weeks of deadlock and taking the first step towards the creation of a government over two months after the country's landmark election.
American officials sought to put a positive gloss on both incidents.
The brazenness of the Abu Ghraib attack was another example of the insurgents' desperation, they said, while the consensus achieved by Iraq's parliamentarians demonstrated that democracy in the Middle East was viable.
Responsibility for the assault was claimed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Tawhid and Jihad Group, which purports to be al-Qa'eda's wing in Iraq.
In a statement posted on an Islamist website, it said fighters fired 39 Katyusha rockets at the building before detonating several suicide bombs at the prison's gates. It promised to release video footage of "the blessed attack".
No prisoners or American soldiers were killed during the one-hour battle, according to US military command. Officers said two car bombs were detonated. The second caused most of the casualties, exploding as soldiers rushed to help wounded comrades.
Sudan protests at UN Darfur text
Tens of thousands of people have marched through the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, to protest against a United Nations resolution adopted last week.
The text refers those suspected of war crimes in the Darfur region of Sudan to the International Criminal Court.
But Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir says his country will refuse to co-operate with the tribunal.
The text refers those suspected of war crimes in the Darfur region of Sudan to the International Criminal Court.
But Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir says his country will refuse to co-operate with the tribunal.
Blair calls election for May 5
Tony Blair today called the general election for May 5 after visiting the Queen in Buckingham Palace to ask for the dissolution of parliament.
Returning to Downing Street before hitting the campaign trail, the prime minister said the election would be "a big choice, a big decision". "The British people are the boss and they will make it," he added.
All three party leaders started campaigning across the country immediately.
Returning to Downing Street before hitting the campaign trail, the prime minister said the election would be "a big choice, a big decision". "The British people are the boss and they will make it," he added.
All three party leaders started campaigning across the country immediately.
UK planning to pull British troops out of Iraq
Britain is reportedly planning to reduce Britain's military presence in Iraq from 9,000 to 3,500 troops within 12 months as part of a phased withdrawal.
The troops will be pulled from three of the British army's five military bases in southern Iraq by April 2006, the Independent reported Sunday.
The move, the first stage of Britain's exit strategy, coincides with plans to send more British troops to Afghanistan for renewed efforts to hunt down Osama bin Laden and other senior al-Qaida figures believed to be hiding in the area, the Independent said.
The disclosure followed comments by a senior U.S. Marine Corps general that the United States will probably start withdrawing troops in 12 to 24 months.
The troops will be pulled from three of the British army's five military bases in southern Iraq by April 2006, the Independent reported Sunday.
The move, the first stage of Britain's exit strategy, coincides with plans to send more British troops to Afghanistan for renewed efforts to hunt down Osama bin Laden and other senior al-Qaida figures believed to be hiding in the area, the Independent said.
The disclosure followed comments by a senior U.S. Marine Corps general that the United States will probably start withdrawing troops in 12 to 24 months.
In bid to cut mercury, US lets other toxins through
At the heart of the debate over the new mercury rule is the rule's reversal of a 2000 EPA decision. Under the Clinton administration, the agency added electric utilities to a critical list of industries considered to be major sources of hazardous air pollutants such as lead and arsenic. The new mercury rule "de-lists" utilities. But in the eyes of many, that original listing still constitutes a legal requirement for power plants to eventually control these toxic emissions.
Not so, says the EPA. "What we concluded in the final mercury rule is that for the utility industry ... it was mercury that was the hazardous air pollutant with the greatest concern for public health," says spokeswoman Cynthia Bergman. In the preamble to the new mercury-rule proposal, the EPA concluded that nonmercury toxic emissions "posed no hazards to public health."
Africa spurns female circumcision
Back in 1997, 13 Senegalese villages publicly declared that they would no longer permit female circumcision, or female genital mutilation (FGM) as it's called by critics. In the eight years since, the number has grown to 1,527, representing 30 percent of Senegalese communities where FGM has been practiced. Dozens more villages are preparing to make similar declarations in the coming months.
Campaigners have tried for decades to bring an end to FGM. But their tactics of providing alternative employment to the circumcisers, introducing alternative rites of passage for girls, or demanding legislation to outlaw the practice have all failed to make a dent: an estimated 2 million girls in about 26 African countries are circumcised every year.
The sea-change in Senegal is being credited to a slow but steady program of human rights education that allows villagers to make up their own minds about whether to abandon female circumcision. Spearheaded by a local rights agency called Tostan, the program's success is proving so eye-catching that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is endorsing it as a model.
Campaigners have tried for decades to bring an end to FGM. But their tactics of providing alternative employment to the circumcisers, introducing alternative rites of passage for girls, or demanding legislation to outlaw the practice have all failed to make a dent: an estimated 2 million girls in about 26 African countries are circumcised every year.
The sea-change in Senegal is being credited to a slow but steady program of human rights education that allows villagers to make up their own minds about whether to abandon female circumcision. Spearheaded by a local rights agency called Tostan, the program's success is proving so eye-catching that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is endorsing it as a model.
BLOWHARD - interactive investigation into the rhetoric of fear culture
BLOWHARD is an interactive investigation into the rhetoric of fear culture, exploiting this carefully crafted atmosphere of anxiety by redeploying it in a breathtakingly new two-player game. Players compete by breathing into a specially crafted CPR mask, where a breath sensor translates cumulative respiration into the player's current level of anxiety, shown on the screen in the same friendly color-coded system used by the Department of Homeland Security's Threat Advisory System. Simply hyperventilating won't work -- players must increase their anxiety gradually, moving up one stage at a time. As the level increases, the media responds, with the video becoming more intense in an effort to match the player's state of mind. The first player to get to the top, wins! Then get prepared for a special advisory alert message from the President of the United States of America!
...Next scheduled appearance will be at the Beall Center for Art + Technology in April 2005.
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