Army to Pay Halliburton Unit Most Costs Disputed by Audit
The Army has decided to reimburse a Halliburton subsidiary for nearly all of its disputed costs on a $2.41 billion no-bid contract to deliver fuel and repair oil equipment in Iraq, even though the Pentagon's own auditors had identified more than $250 million in charges as potentially excessive or unjustified.
Arena selections for Poland game gives hints of World Cup roster.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Friday, February 24, 2006) -- United States men's manager Bruce Arena's selections for Wednesday's match against Poland in Kaiserslautern, Germany, is interesting both in who was been called in and who was not.
My starting 11 would be:
Keller
Spector Onweyu Bocanegra Lewis
Beasely Mastroeni Donovan Convey
McBride Johnson
U.S. men's roster for Wednesday match against Poland (with club teams in parentheses):
Goalkeepers (2): Tim Howard (Manchester United, England), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach).
Defenders (6): Gregg Berhalter (Energie Cottbus, Germany), Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC, England), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96, Germany), Eddie Lewis (Leeds United, England), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege, Belgium), Jonathan Spector (Charlton Athletic, England).
Midfielders (8): DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Bobby Convey (Reading FC, England), Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution, MLS), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy, MLS), Chris Klein (Real Salt Lake, MLS), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids, MLS), Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City Wizards, MLS), Chris Klein (Real Salt Lake, MLS).
Forwards (4): Eddie Johnson (Kansas City, MLS), Brian McBride (Fulham FC, England), Taylor Twellman (New England, MLS), Josh Wolff (Kansas City, MLS).
My starting 11 would be:
Keller
Spector Onweyu Bocanegra Lewis
Beasely Mastroeni Donovan Convey
McBride Johnson
U.S. men's roster for Wednesday match against Poland (with club teams in parentheses):
Goalkeepers (2): Tim Howard (Manchester United, England), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach).
Defenders (6): Gregg Berhalter (Energie Cottbus, Germany), Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC, England), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96, Germany), Eddie Lewis (Leeds United, England), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege, Belgium), Jonathan Spector (Charlton Athletic, England).
Midfielders (8): DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Bobby Convey (Reading FC, England), Clint Dempsey (New England Revolution, MLS), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy, MLS), Chris Klein (Real Salt Lake, MLS), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids, MLS), Kerry Zavagnin (Kansas City Wizards, MLS), Chris Klein (Real Salt Lake, MLS).
Forwards (4): Eddie Johnson (Kansas City, MLS), Brian McBride (Fulham FC, England), Taylor Twellman (New England, MLS), Josh Wolff (Kansas City, MLS).
Living Wage and Minimum Wage
The inflation-adjusted value of the minimum wage is 29 percent lower today than it was in 1979. The minimum wage is worth less today than it has been in 49 of the past 50 years.
If the minimum wage had kept pace with inflation since 1968 when it was a $1.60 an hour, it would be $7.60 an hour in 2005.
A full-time, year-round worker would need to make $7.74 an hour to reach the poverty level for a family of three in 2005 ($16,090)—$2.59 more than the current minimum wage.
If the minimum wage had kept pace with inflation since 1968 when it was a $1.60 an hour, it would be $7.60 an hour in 2005.
A full-time, year-round worker would need to make $7.74 an hour to reach the poverty level for a family of three in 2005 ($16,090)—$2.59 more than the current minimum wage.
Clashes in Dublin over loyalist march
Around 300 protestors, who opposed the planned loyalist 'Love Ulster' march, clashed with gardaí in Dublin city centre this afternoon.
The trouble broke out at 12.45pm at the junction of Parnell Street and O'Connell Street, just yards from where an estimated 800 marchers commemorating the victims of republican violence had gathered.
The 'Love Ulster' parade, due to follow a route from Parnell Square to Leinster House, never got underway.
About 300 protestors trying to stop the march from proceeding along the route broke the barriers and began attacking gardaí, photographers and journalists.
Missiles including cement blocks, rocks, pipes, glass bottles and firecrackers were thrown. A refuse skip outside the GPO was also set on fire.
The trouble broke out at 12.45pm at the junction of Parnell Street and O'Connell Street, just yards from where an estimated 800 marchers commemorating the victims of republican violence had gathered.
The 'Love Ulster' parade, due to follow a route from Parnell Square to Leinster House, never got underway.
About 300 protestors trying to stop the march from proceeding along the route broke the barriers and began attacking gardaí, photographers and journalists.
Missiles including cement blocks, rocks, pipes, glass bottles and firecrackers were thrown. A refuse skip outside the GPO was also set on fire.
White House 'Discovers' 250 Emails Related to Plame Leak
The White House turned over last week 250 pages of emails from Vice President Dick Cheney’s office. Senior aides had sent the emails in the spring of 2003 related to the leak of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald revealed during a federal court hearing Friday.
The emails are said to be explosive, and may prove that Cheney played an active role in the effort to discredit Plame Wilson’s husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, a vocal critic of the Bush administration’s prewar Iraq intelligence, sources close to the investigation said.
The emails are said to be explosive, and may prove that Cheney played an active role in the effort to discredit Plame Wilson’s husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, a vocal critic of the Bush administration’s prewar Iraq intelligence, sources close to the investigation said.
Homeland Security Contracts with Halliburton for Vast New Detention Camps
The contract -- announced Jan. 24 by the engineering and construction firm KBR -- calls for preparing for "an emergency influx of immigrants, or to support the rapid development of new programs" in the event of other emergencies, such as "a natural disaster." The release offered no details about where Halliburton was to build these facilities, or when.
and from another post:
Less attention centered on the phrase "rapid development of new programs" and what kind of programs would require a major expansion of detention centers, each capable of holding 5,000 people. Jamie Zuieback, a spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, declined to elaborate on what these "new programs" might be.
and from another post:
Less attention centered on the phrase "rapid development of new programs" and what kind of programs would require a major expansion of detention centers, each capable of holding 5,000 people. Jamie Zuieback, a spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, declined to elaborate on what these "new programs" might be.
MORRISSEY QUIZZED BY FBI
Morrissey explains, "The FBI and the Special Branch have investigated me and I've been interviewed and taped and so forth.
"They were trying to determine if I was a threat to the government, and similarly in England. But it didn't take them very long to realise that I'm not...
"My view is that neither England or America are democratic societies. You can't really speak your mind and if you do you're investigated."
Bush did NOT know there was difference between Sunni & Shiite Muslims until Jan '03
“January 2003 the President invited three members of the Iraqi opposition to join him to watch the Super Bowl. In the course of the conversation the Iraqis realized that the President was not aware that there was a difference between Sunni and Shiite Muslims. He looked at them and said, ‘You mean…they’re not, you know, there, there’s this difference. What is it about?’”
- former U.S. diplomatPeter Galbraith
- former U.S. diplomat
WMD's!!??
From Wayne Madsen
"February 21, 2006 – Former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Agent David DeBatto, is re-releasing his statement, first made two years ago in the spring of 2004, that his tactical human intelligence team or THT, as well as other American intelligence teams in Iraq, found solid evidence of Iraqi chemical WMD in the spring of 2003.
DeBatto’s team located an Iraqi Air Force bunker filled with dozens of high explosive bombs laden with chemical agents, chemical protective suits and chemical detectors. The Iraqi Air Force officer that led DeBatto’s team to the site testified that he personally hid them from UNSCOM (the UN weapons inspection team) for over eight years by playing a “cat and mouse game with Scott Ritter and Hans Blix” during the 1990’s and leading up to the war in 2003. The bombs were buried in several hidden locations during the UN inspector’s visits and then dug up and moved to other, secret locations after the inspectors had left.
One of the most memorable things about the WMD, DeBatto said, was that the bombs had been sold to Iraq in the late 1980’s by the United States. The bills of lading were still attached and perfectly legible. The entire weapons cache was photographed and videotaped for U.S. Army Military Intelligence and hauled away by a British Army ordinance disposal unit almost immediately after DeBatto’s discovery . DeBatto has been unable to get the Pentagon to release any information concerning the disposition of the weapons since he returned from Iraq."
"February 21, 2006 – Former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Agent David DeBatto, is re-releasing his statement, first made two years ago in the spring of 2004, that his tactical human intelligence team or THT, as well as other American intelligence teams in Iraq, found solid evidence of Iraqi chemical WMD in the spring of 2003.
DeBatto’s team located an Iraqi Air Force bunker filled with dozens of high explosive bombs laden with chemical agents, chemical protective suits and chemical detectors. The Iraqi Air Force officer that led DeBatto’s team to the site testified that he personally hid them from UNSCOM (the UN weapons inspection team) for over eight years by playing a “cat and mouse game with Scott Ritter and Hans Blix” during the 1990’s and leading up to the war in 2003. The bombs were buried in several hidden locations during the UN inspector’s visits and then dug up and moved to other, secret locations after the inspectors had left.
One of the most memorable things about the WMD, DeBatto said, was that the bombs had been sold to Iraq in the late 1980’s by the United States. The bills of lading were still attached and perfectly legible. The entire weapons cache was photographed and videotaped for U.S. Army Military Intelligence and hauled away by a British Army ordinance disposal unit almost immediately after DeBatto’s discovery . DeBatto has been unable to get the Pentagon to release any information concerning the disposition of the weapons since he returned from Iraq."
The Bush family's phony wars
from august 2002,
Most analysts scratch their heads, only to conclude that US options make little strategic sense. They feel that the leaking of "attack plans" are only psychological warfare. Their preferred option is to continue the existing policy of containment, combined with attempts to destabilize the Iraqi regime. A US attack could dangerously destabilize the region, harm the global economy, and infuriate Arab and Muslim masses. Former British chief of staff Field Marshal Lord Bramall, warned in a letter to the Times that an invasion would pour "petrol rather than water" on the flames and provide al-Qaeda with more recruits. He quoted a predecessor who during the 1956 Suez crisis said: "Of course we can get to Cairo, but what I want to know is what the bloody hell we do when we get there?"
The whole thing is only accentuating the image of the "Ugly American". A respected non-partisan US think tank, the Council on Foreign Relations, said in a recent report to the White House, "Around the world, from western Europe to the Far East, many see the United States as arrogant, hypocritical, self-absorbed, self-indulgent, and contemptuous of others."
Most analysts scratch their heads, only to conclude that US options make little strategic sense. They feel that the leaking of "attack plans" are only psychological warfare. Their preferred option is to continue the existing policy of containment, combined with attempts to destabilize the Iraqi regime. A US attack could dangerously destabilize the region, harm the global economy, and infuriate Arab and Muslim masses. Former British chief of staff Field Marshal Lord Bramall, warned in a letter to the Times that an invasion would pour "petrol rather than water" on the flames and provide al-Qaeda with more recruits. He quoted a predecessor who during the 1956 Suez crisis said: "Of course we can get to Cairo, but what I want to know is what the bloody hell we do when we get there?"
The whole thing is only accentuating the image of the "Ugly American". A respected non-partisan US think tank, the Council on Foreign Relations, said in a recent report to the White House, "Around the world, from western Europe to the Far East, many see the United States as arrogant, hypocritical, self-absorbed, self-indulgent, and contemptuous of others."
Halliburton has been doing business in Iran since 1995
"The U.S. has laws prohibiting companies from doing business with “rogue, terrorist-sponsoring” countries — including Iran, Syria and Libya. Halliburton has a Cayman Island subsidiary which somehow wiggles out of these pesky restrictions.
Halliburton has been doing business in Iran since 1995. They’ve been in violation of U.S. sanctions at least since 2001, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Halliburton has been making about $40 million a year through its Iranian dealings. This is tiny compared to their multi-billion dollar contracts in Iraq.
Halliburton is probably the biggest and best-known violator of these U.S. sanctions. Conoco-Phillips and General Electric have also conducted massive operations in Iran and Syria.
There’s so much American business activity in these countries, that basically anyone with a retirement or investment portfolio probably has money invested in “rogue, terrorist-sponsoring” countries."
Halliburton has been doing business in Iran since 1995. They’ve been in violation of U.S. sanctions at least since 2001, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Halliburton has been making about $40 million a year through its Iranian dealings. This is tiny compared to their multi-billion dollar contracts in Iraq.
Halliburton is probably the biggest and best-known violator of these U.S. sanctions. Conoco-Phillips and General Electric have also conducted massive operations in Iran and Syria.
There’s so much American business activity in these countries, that basically anyone with a retirement or investment portfolio probably has money invested in “rogue, terrorist-sponsoring” countries."
Secret Service agents say Cheney was drunk when he shot lawyer
A written report from Secret Service agents guarding Vice President Dick Cheney when he shot Texas lawyer Harry Whittington on a hunting outing two weeks ago says Cheney was "clearly inebriated" at the time of the shooting.
Agents observed several members of the hunting party, including the Vice President, consuming alcohol before and during the hunting expedition, the report notes, and Cheney exhibited "visible signs" of impairment, including slurred speech and erratic actions, the report said...
"This was a South Texas hunt," says one White House aide. "Of course there was drinking. There's always drinking. Lots of it."
Cheney has a long history of alcohol abuse, including two convictions of driving under the influence when he was younger. Doctors tell me that someone like Cheney, who is taking blood thinners because of his history of heart attacks, could get legally drunk now after consuming just one drink.
Agents observed several members of the hunting party, including the Vice President, consuming alcohol before and during the hunting expedition, the report notes, and Cheney exhibited "visible signs" of impairment, including slurred speech and erratic actions, the report said...
"This was a South Texas hunt," says one White House aide. "Of course there was drinking. There's always drinking. Lots of it."
Cheney has a long history of alcohol abuse, including two convictions of driving under the influence when he was younger. Doctors tell me that someone like Cheney, who is taking blood thinners because of his history of heart attacks, could get legally drunk now after consuming just one drink.
CIA agent alleged to have met Bin Laden in July
from November 2001:
Two months before September 11 Osama bin Laden flew to Dubai for 10 days for treatment at the American hospital, where he was visited by the local CIA agent, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro.
The disclosures are known to come from French intelligence which is keen to reveal the ambiguous role of the CIA, and to restrain Washington from extending the war to Iraq and elsewhere...
The American hospital in Dubai emphatically denied that Bin Laden was a patient there.
Washington last night also denied the story.
Two months before September 11 Osama bin Laden flew to Dubai for 10 days for treatment at the American hospital, where he was visited by the local CIA agent, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro.
The disclosures are known to come from French intelligence which is keen to reveal the ambiguous role of the CIA, and to restrain Washington from extending the war to Iraq and elsewhere...
The American hospital in Dubai emphatically denied that Bin Laden was a patient there.
Washington last night also denied the story.
Rumsfeld: Planting Stories Under Review
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Tuesday that the Pentagon is reviewing its practice of paying to plant stories in the Iraqi news media, withdrawing his earlier claim that it had been stopped.
Court Allows Church's Hallucinogenic Tea
Twice a month, eh?
The tea, which contains an illegal drug known as DMT, is considered sacred to members of O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal, which has a blend of Christian beliefs and South American traditions. Members believe they can understand God only by drinking the tea, which is consumed twice a month at four-hour ceremonies.
More details on the Wal-Mart phenomenon...
Quote of the Day:
"Wal-Mart is itself China's seventh-largest trading partner, ahead of Germany and Russia and Italy; if it were a nation, it would be the world's nineteenth biggest economy..."
Thanks Allan
"Wal-Mart is itself China's seventh-largest trading partner, ahead of Germany and Russia and Italy; if it were a nation, it would be the world's nineteenth biggest economy..."
Thanks Allan
Policing Porn Is Not Part of Job Description
“Fascism is capitalism in decay”--Vlad Lenin
Two uniformed men strolled into the main room of the Little Falls library in Bethesda one day last week and demanded the attention of all patrons using the computers. Then they made their announcement: The viewing of Internet pornography was forbidden.
The men looked stern and wore baseball caps emblazoned with the words "Homeland Security." The bizarre scene unfolded Feb. 9, leaving some residents confused and forcing county officials to explain how employees assigned to protect county buildings against terrorists came to see it as their job to police the viewing of pornography.
Two uniformed men strolled into the main room of the Little Falls library in Bethesda one day last week and demanded the attention of all patrons using the computers. Then they made their announcement: The viewing of Internet pornography was forbidden.
The men looked stern and wore baseball caps emblazoned with the words "Homeland Security." The bizarre scene unfolded Feb. 9, leaving some residents confused and forcing county officials to explain how employees assigned to protect county buildings against terrorists came to see it as their job to police the viewing of pornography.
Mary Matalin: First Cheney Statement for Press Did Not Admit He Was Shooter
Buried in the Time cover story, however, was one brain-teaser that could fuel more speculation, as it contradicts earlier explanations that Cheney wanted to get the full story out, he was just a bit tardy about it. The passage reads:
"At about 8 a.m. Sunday, a Cheney aide called strategist Mary Matalin, who regularly advises the Vice President. The aide read her a statement about the accident that Cheney had considered releasing before he decided to encourage Armstrong to go to the (Corpus Christi) Caller-Times.
"But the statement 'didn't say much of anything,' Matalin says—not even that Cheney was the shooter. Matalin then spoke with a second aide and with Cheney's family and heard different versions of what had happened in the shooting. She decided no statement should be released amid the confusion. Matalin spoke with Cheney, and, she says, they agreed that 'a fuller accounting, with an eyewitness,' would be preferable."
"At about 8 a.m. Sunday, a Cheney aide called strategist Mary Matalin, who regularly advises the Vice President. The aide read her a statement about the accident that Cheney had considered releasing before he decided to encourage Armstrong to go to the (Corpus Christi) Caller-Times.
"But the statement 'didn't say much of anything,' Matalin says—not even that Cheney was the shooter. Matalin then spoke with a second aide and with Cheney's family and heard different versions of what had happened in the shooting. She decided no statement should be released amid the confusion. Matalin spoke with Cheney, and, she says, they agreed that 'a fuller accounting, with an eyewitness,' would be preferable."
37 million poor hidden in the land of plenty
An America divided
· There are 37 million Americans living below the poverty line. That figure has increased by five million since President George W. Bush came to power.
· The United States has 269 billionaires, the highest number in the world.
· Almost a quarter of all black Americans live below the poverty line; 22 per cent of Hispanics fall below it. But for whites the figure is just 8.6 per cent.
· There are 46 million Americans without health insurance.
· There are 82,000 homeless people in Los Angeles alone.
· In 2004 the poorest community in America was Pine Ridge Indian reservation. Unemployment is over 80 per cent, 69 per cent of people live in poverty and male life expectancy is 57 years. In the Western hemisphere only Haiti has a lower number.
· The richest town in America is Rancho Santa Fe in California. Average incomes are more than $100,000 a year; the average house price is $1.7m.
· There are 37 million Americans living below the poverty line. That figure has increased by five million since President George W. Bush came to power.
· The United States has 269 billionaires, the highest number in the world.
· Almost a quarter of all black Americans live below the poverty line; 22 per cent of Hispanics fall below it. But for whites the figure is just 8.6 per cent.
· There are 46 million Americans without health insurance.
· There are 82,000 homeless people in Los Angeles alone.
· In 2004 the poorest community in America was Pine Ridge Indian reservation. Unemployment is over 80 per cent, 69 per cent of people live in poverty and male life expectancy is 57 years. In the Western hemisphere only Haiti has a lower number.
· The richest town in America is Rancho Santa Fe in California. Average incomes are more than $100,000 a year; the average house price is $1.7m.
Chavez tells Rice: ‘Don’t mess with me, girl’
“Don’t mess with me Condoleezza. Don’t mess with me, girl,” Chavez said during his weekly Sunday broadcast, sarcastically offering her a kiss and jokingly referring to her as “Condolence.”
Google rejects Justice Dept. bid for search info
Google is going it alone in opposing the U.S. government request. Rivals Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. are among the companies that have complied with the Justice Department demand for data to be used to make its case.
Data Mining 101
Vast deposits of personal information sit in databases across the internet. Terms used in phone conversations have become the grounds for federal investigation. Reputable organizations like the Catholic Worker, Greenpeace, and the Vegan Community Project, have come under scrutiny by FBI "counterterrorism" agents....
It used to be you had to get a warrant to monitor a person or a group of people. Today, it is increasingly easy to monitor ideas. And then track them back to people. Most of us don't have access to the databases, software, or computing power of the NSA, FBI, and other government agencies. But an individual with access to the internet can still develop a fairly sophisticated profile of hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens using free and publicly available resources. Here's an example.
It used to be you had to get a warrant to monitor a person or a group of people. Today, it is increasingly easy to monitor ideas. And then track them back to people. Most of us don't have access to the databases, software, or computing power of the NSA, FBI, and other government agencies. But an individual with access to the internet can still develop a fairly sophisticated profile of hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens using free and publicly available resources. Here's an example.
HENRY ROLLINS a TERRORIST?
Report thy neighbour!
#30. 01-30-06 Melbourne Australia: 2139 hrs. I just got a letter from a nice woman who told me the man I sat next to on the flight from Auckland to Goldcoast Australia reported me to the Australian Government because of the book I was reading.
Interesting that he and I exchanged nothing but polite hellos. I was reading Ahmed Rashid’s book Jihad: The Rise Of Militant Islam In Central Asia. He’s a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and the book is on the Yale University Press.
Reminds me a little of that song Police Story by Black Flag...
Understand
We’re fighting a war
We can’t win
They hate us-we hate them
We can’t win-no way
I go to court,
For my crime,
Stand in line pay bail,
I may serve time
Understand
We’re fighting a war
We can’t win
They hate us-we hate them
We can’t win-no way
Judge's anger at US torture
A high court judge yesterday delivered a stinging attack on America, saying its idea of what constituted torture was out of step with that of "most civilised nations".
The criticism, directed at the Bush administration's approach to human rights, was made by Mr Justice Collins during a hearing over the refusal by ministers to request the release of three British residents held at Guantánamo Bay.
The judge said: "America's idea of what is torture is not the same as ours and does not appear to coincide with that of most civilised nations." He made his comments, he said, after learning of the UN report that said Guantánamo should be shut down without delay because torture was still being carried out there.
The criticism, directed at the Bush administration's approach to human rights, was made by Mr Justice Collins during a hearing over the refusal by ministers to request the release of three British residents held at Guantánamo Bay.
The judge said: "America's idea of what is torture is not the same as ours and does not appear to coincide with that of most civilised nations." He made his comments, he said, after learning of the UN report that said Guantánamo should be shut down without delay because torture was still being carried out there.
Iraq economy falls below pre-war levels
Hey USA, Nice work! Congratulations!
Ms Rice initially asserted that “many more Iraqis” were now getting potable water and sewerage services. However, under intense questioning from Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat, she conceded that although “capacity” had increased, fewer Iraqis were actually receiving those services.
Senator Conrad, citing the special inspector general, said almost all economic indices showed Iraq was better off before the US had invaded. Republicans, too, are sceptical of administration claims of progress. Senator Chuck Hagel told Ms Rice on Wednesday he believed the situation was getting worse.
Ms Rice initially asserted that “many more Iraqis” were now getting potable water and sewerage services. However, under intense questioning from Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat, she conceded that although “capacity” had increased, fewer Iraqis were actually receiving those services.
Senator Conrad, citing the special inspector general, said almost all economic indices showed Iraq was better off before the US had invaded. Republicans, too, are sceptical of administration claims of progress. Senator Chuck Hagel told Ms Rice on Wednesday he believed the situation was getting worse.
Brightest Galactic Flash Ever Detected Hits Earth
The blast originated about 50,000 light-years away and was detected Dec. 27. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, about 6 trillion miles (10 trillion kilometers).
The commotion was caused by a special variety of neutron star known as a magnetar. These fast-spinning, compact stellar corpses -- no larger than a big city -- create intense magnetic fields that trigger explosions. The blast was 100 times more powerful than any other similar eruption witnessed, said David Palmer of Los Alamos National Laboratory, one of several researchers around the world who monitored the event with various telescopes.
"Had this happened within 10 light-years of us, it would have severely damaged our atmosphere and possibly have triggered a mass extinction," said Bryan Gaensler of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA).
Gonzales Withholding Plame Emails
Sources close to the investigation into the leak of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson have revealed this week that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has not turned over emails to the special prosecutor's office that may incriminate Vice President Dick Cheney, his aides, and other White House officials who allegedly played an active role in unmasking Plame Wilson's identity to reporters.
MSNBC’s Missing Paragraph Reappears; Reporter Misled By VP’s Office
Last night, MSNBC scrubbed a paragraph about alcohol from an online article about Cheney’s hunting accident:
Now, they’ve restored the paragraph, slightly reworked:
In a recorded, on-the-record phone call with NBC News, Armstrong said that beer may have been available at lunch that day. “If someone wants to help themselves to a beer,” she said, “they may, but I did not see anyone do that,” Armstrong says. She says she was not sure if there were beers in the coolers but wasn’t ready to rule it out: “There may be a beer or two in there, but remember not everyone in the party was shooting,” she told NBC News.
Now, they’ve restored the paragraph, slightly reworked:
In a recorded, on-the-record phone call with NBC News, Armstrong said that beer may have been available at lunch that day. “If someone wants to help themselves to a beer,” she said, “they may, but I did not see anyone do that,” Armstrong says. She says she was not sure if there were beers in the coolers but wasn’t ready to rule it out: “There may be a beer or two in there, but remember not everyone in the party was shooting,” she told NBC News.
'Beer quote' pulled from MSNBC Cheney hunting party article
Scrubbed paragraph:
Armstrong also told NBC News that she does not believe alcohol was involved in the accident. She says she believes no one that day was drinking, although she says there may have been beer available during a picnic lunch that preceded the incident. "There may be a beer or two in there," she said, "but remember not everyone in the party was shooting."
I guess the powers that be are paying attention to the blogs, eh?
Armstrong also told NBC News that she does not believe alcohol was involved in the accident. She says she believes no one that day was drinking, although she says there may have been beer available during a picnic lunch that preceded the incident. "There may be a beer or two in there," she said, "but remember not everyone in the party was shooting."
I guess the powers that be are paying attention to the blogs, eh?
White House Cover-Up: McClellan Conceals Heart Attack From Press
But at today’s White House Press Briefing, which started after 12PM, Scott McClellan didn’t tell the press. CNN confirmed that McClellan “was notified [about the heart attack] just before the briefing.” But McClellan suggested to reporters that he had no new information:
I don’t want to make this about anything other than what it is. It is what it is. I was very respectful and responsive to your questions yesterday. I provided you the information I knew based on the facts that were available… I’m just not going to go back through it again.
McClellan concluded “You’re welcome to continue to focus on these issues. I’m moving on.” Too bad Mr. Whittington can’t do the same. He’ll be in the hospital for at least another week.
I don’t want to make this about anything other than what it is. It is what it is. I was very respectful and responsive to your questions yesterday. I provided you the information I knew based on the facts that were available… I’m just not going to go back through it again.
McClellan concluded “You’re welcome to continue to focus on these issues. I’m moving on.” Too bad Mr. Whittington can’t do the same. He’ll be in the hospital for at least another week.
Let the Curling Begin!!
For all your curling enthusiasts (you know, people from places like International Falls and Brainerd and points north), you can get your fix here.
NYT editorial slams Bush--The Trust Gap
from the NYTimes today:
We can't think of a president who has gone to the American people more often than George W. Bush has to ask them to forget about things like democracy, judicial process and the balance of powers — and just trust him. We also can't think of a president who has deserved that trust less.
This has been a central flaw of Mr. Bush's presidency for a long time. But last week produced a flood of evidence that vividly drove home the point.
We can't think of a president who has gone to the American people more often than George W. Bush has to ask them to forget about things like democracy, judicial process and the balance of powers — and just trust him. We also can't think of a president who has deserved that trust less.
This has been a central flaw of Mr. Bush's presidency for a long time. But last week produced a flood of evidence that vividly drove home the point.
My Top Five Concerts-What about yours?
Top Five Concerts
1. Ministry, KMFDM, January 28, 1990, The Venue, Dallas, TX--Easily, the loudest show ever! The show, in support of the Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste, was on a Sunday and my ears were still ringing on the following Wednesday. Two drummers and seven guitarists including badass Mike Scaccia from the legendary Dallas band Rigor Mortis. Ian MacKaye (Fugazi, Minor Threat) and Nivek Ogre (Skinny Puppy) on guest vocals. I must also mention the 10 foot high chainlink fence separating the crowd from the band. The skins were out in full force creating an intense and violent (mosh) pit and lets just say it was a good thing to have the fence there.
2. Tom Waits, Dec 30th, 1992, San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose, CA--Absolutley amazing show by Waits in what was a preview show for his New Years Eve show in SF the next day. He played guitar, piano and sang for nearly 3 hours. Some solo, some with a band that include Larry Cohen on bass and Ribot on guitar. New songs, old songs and the classic Tom Traubert's Blues. Also excellent was his witty, smart-ass repartee with the excitable audience, all seated in an orchestra hall
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Dec 31, 1991, Cow Palace, Daly City, CA--This show is memorable mostly for the lineup. Hell of a lineup, eh? I didn't even see Pearl Jam since I was in the car downing a few Mickey's Big Mouths to prep me for the show. Nirvana rocked out bigtime, smashing their instruments for the finale. The Chili Peppers were their usual high energy selves but nothing too much stood out. I saw them in '89 at the Bronco Bowl in Dallas and that was a better pure show.
4. Butthole Surfers, Flaming Lips, April 30, 1988, Arcadia Theater, Dallas TX--Clean and sober at this show, honest. You didn't need to be on anything since they provided the trippiness. Gibby pouring lighter fluid on a cymbal, lighting it and then hitting it and watching the flames rise up 10-15 feet in the air. Two filmstrips in the background-sex change operation, male to female, running backwards, Viva Las Vegas, assorted cartoons and nature shows. Can't forget the two topless dancers who eventually had to put their tops back on. No tits allowed but 10 foot high flames are fine. We had 2nd row seats too to make it all the more intimate at this small theater on Greenville Avenue.
5. Blues Traveler, June 8, 1993, Tipitinas, New Orleans, LA--The finale of a roadtrip following the Traveler around Texas and Louisiana (Dallas, Austin, Houston, Baton Rouge and New Orleans) after graduating from college. My friend was recording all the shows, to boot. Popper and colleagues loved Nawlins and they put on a great show at the classic venue.
Honorable Mention:
-The Smiths, September 5, 1986, Bronco Bowl, Dallas, TX--The Queen is Dead tour. Morrissey and Marr in top form.
-John Zorn's Electric Masada, January 30, 2003, Tonic, NYC, NY. Unbelievable musical improvisation from Zorn, Wolleson and Ribot.
-Phish, August 2, 1997, The Gorge Amphitheater, George, Washington. Memorable for several reasons, one of which will not be elaborated in full. The camping sucked but the venue is one of the nicest I've ever been too. The show started at dusk with the sun setting behind the stage overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Clear skies with the moon and planets rising afterwards. Almost made me think I was in the promised land. But that didn't last long as the first set was a struggle but the second set was marvelously relaxing and pleasant.
-Soul Brains (Bad Brains), March 8, 1999, 9:30 Club, Washington DC--Reunion of the legendary band Bad Brains in their hometown where at one point in their career they were banned from playing because their shows were so freaking intense. They changed their name to Soul Brains for some contractual reasons I guess. These dudes alternately jammed mellow reggae grooves and rocked EXTREMELY hard and fast with classics Pay to Cum, I Against I, I and I Survive.
1. Ministry, KMFDM, January 28, 1990, The Venue, Dallas, TX--Easily, the loudest show ever! The show, in support of the Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste, was on a Sunday and my ears were still ringing on the following Wednesday. Two drummers and seven guitarists including badass Mike Scaccia from the legendary Dallas band Rigor Mortis. Ian MacKaye (Fugazi, Minor Threat) and Nivek Ogre (Skinny Puppy) on guest vocals. I must also mention the 10 foot high chainlink fence separating the crowd from the band. The skins were out in full force creating an intense and violent (mosh) pit and lets just say it was a good thing to have the fence there.
2. Tom Waits, Dec 30th, 1992, San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose, CA--Absolutley amazing show by Waits in what was a preview show for his New Years Eve show in SF the next day. He played guitar, piano and sang for nearly 3 hours. Some solo, some with a band that include Larry Cohen on bass and Ribot on guitar. New songs, old songs and the classic Tom Traubert's Blues. Also excellent was his witty, smart-ass repartee with the excitable audience, all seated in an orchestra hall
3. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Dec 31, 1991, Cow Palace, Daly City, CA--This show is memorable mostly for the lineup. Hell of a lineup, eh? I didn't even see Pearl Jam since I was in the car downing a few Mickey's Big Mouths to prep me for the show. Nirvana rocked out bigtime, smashing their instruments for the finale. The Chili Peppers were their usual high energy selves but nothing too much stood out. I saw them in '89 at the Bronco Bowl in Dallas and that was a better pure show.
4. Butthole Surfers, Flaming Lips, April 30, 1988, Arcadia Theater, Dallas TX--Clean and sober at this show, honest. You didn't need to be on anything since they provided the trippiness. Gibby pouring lighter fluid on a cymbal, lighting it and then hitting it and watching the flames rise up 10-15 feet in the air. Two filmstrips in the background-sex change operation, male to female, running backwards, Viva Las Vegas, assorted cartoons and nature shows. Can't forget the two topless dancers who eventually had to put their tops back on. No tits allowed but 10 foot high flames are fine. We had 2nd row seats too to make it all the more intimate at this small theater on Greenville Avenue.
5. Blues Traveler, June 8, 1993, Tipitinas, New Orleans, LA--The finale of a roadtrip following the Traveler around Texas and Louisiana (Dallas, Austin, Houston, Baton Rouge and New Orleans) after graduating from college. My friend was recording all the shows, to boot. Popper and colleagues loved Nawlins and they put on a great show at the classic venue.
Honorable Mention:
-The Smiths, September 5, 1986, Bronco Bowl, Dallas, TX--The Queen is Dead tour. Morrissey and Marr in top form.
-John Zorn's Electric Masada, January 30, 2003, Tonic, NYC, NY. Unbelievable musical improvisation from Zorn, Wolleson and Ribot.
-Phish, August 2, 1997, The Gorge Amphitheater, George, Washington. Memorable for several reasons, one of which will not be elaborated in full. The camping sucked but the venue is one of the nicest I've ever been too. The show started at dusk with the sun setting behind the stage overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Clear skies with the moon and planets rising afterwards. Almost made me think I was in the promised land. But that didn't last long as the first set was a struggle but the second set was marvelously relaxing and pleasant.
-Soul Brains (Bad Brains), March 8, 1999, 9:30 Club, Washington DC--Reunion of the legendary band Bad Brains in their hometown where at one point in their career they were banned from playing because their shows were so freaking intense. They changed their name to Soul Brains for some contractual reasons I guess. These dudes alternately jammed mellow reggae grooves and rocked EXTREMELY hard and fast with classics Pay to Cum, I Against I, I and I Survive.
Brownie Bites Back – Slams Chertoff And Administration
“I find it a little disingenuous,” Michael Brown, who at the time headed the Federal Emergency Management Agency, told a Senate oversight committee. “For them to claim that we didn’t have awareness of it is just baloney.”
Holy Blogosphere Batman!
The number of online weblogs has reached an estimated 27 million, a new report has found. According to blog search and indexing site Technorati, around 75,000 new blogs are created every day.
One-Third of Iraq Vets Suffer From Post-Traumatic Stress
Zeiss said 120,000 soldiers have sought health care, and that 31 percent of them are being reviewed for possible mental health disorders, with the prevailing diagnosis being PTSD. A big difference from previous wars, she said, is that 13 percent of those soldiers are women.
White House knew the New Orleans levees failed even though a day later they denied it.
Bush and co lied again?
L.A. Mayor Blindsided by Bush Announcement
What the F***?
LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Thursday he was blindsided by President Bush's announcement of new details on a purported 2002 hijacking plot aimed at a downtown skyscraper, and described communication with the White House as "nonexistent."
Hastert, Frist said to rig bill for drug firms
But Keith Kennedy, who works for Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., as staff director for the Senate Appropriations Committee, said at a seminar for reporters last month that the language was inserted by Frist and Hastert, R-Ill., after the conference committee ended its work.
"There should be no dispute. That was an absolute travesty," Kennedy said at a videotaped Washington, D.C., forum sponsored by the Center on Congress at Indiana University.
"It was added after the conference had concluded. It was added at the specific direction of the speaker of the House and the majority leader of the Senate. The conferees did not vote on it. It's a true travesty of the process."
After the conference committee broke up, a meeting was called in Hastert's office, Kennedy said. Also at the meeting, according to a congressional staffer, were Frist, Stevens and House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo.
"They (committee staff members) were given the language and then it was put in the document," Kennedy said.
About 10 or 10:30 p.m., Democratic staff members were handed the language and told it was now in the bill, Obey said.
He took to the House floor in a rage. He called Frist and Hastert "a couple of musclemen in Congress who think they have a right to tell everybody else that they have to do their bidding."
"There should be no dispute. That was an absolute travesty," Kennedy said at a videotaped Washington, D.C., forum sponsored by the Center on Congress at Indiana University.
"It was added after the conference had concluded. It was added at the specific direction of the speaker of the House and the majority leader of the Senate. The conferees did not vote on it. It's a true travesty of the process."
After the conference committee broke up, a meeting was called in Hastert's office, Kennedy said. Also at the meeting, according to a congressional staffer, were Frist, Stevens and House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo.
"They (committee staff members) were given the language and then it was put in the document," Kennedy said.
About 10 or 10:30 p.m., Democratic staff members were handed the language and told it was now in the bill, Obey said.
He took to the House floor in a rage. He called Frist and Hastert "a couple of musclemen in Congress who think they have a right to tell everybody else that they have to do their bidding."
Germany's gay zoo penguins still fending off female advances
BERLIN (AFP) - Six gay penguins at a German zoo are still refusing to mate with females of the species flown in from Sweden in 2005, the zoo said.
EXCLUSIVE EMAILS: Jack Abramoff Describes Relationship With President Bush
The White House has continually downplayed the relationship between Abramoff and President Bush. At a January 26 press conference, President Bush said “You know, I, frankly, don’t even remember having my picture taken with the guy. I don’t know him.”
But according to Eisler, Abramoff told him that the two have met almost a dozen times, shared jokes, and spoke about details of Abramoff’s family:
HE HAS ONE OF THE BEST MEMORIES OF ANY POLITICIAN I HAVE EVER MET. IT WAS ONE IF [sic] HIS TRADEMARKS, THOUGH OF COURSE HE CAN’T RECALL THAT HE HAS A GREAT MEMORY! THE GUY SAW ME IN ALMOST A DOZEN SETTINGS, AND JOKED WITH ME ABOUT A BUNCH OF THINGS, INCLUDING DETAILS OF MY KIDS. PERHAPS HE HAS FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING. WHO KNOWS.
Quote of the Day, courtesy of Allan:
“Law enforcement officers need a federal judge’s permission to wiretap a foreign terrorist’s phone, a federal judge’s permission to track his calls, or a federal judge’s permission to search his property. Officers must meet strict standards to use any of these tools. And these standards are fully consistent with the Constitution of the U.S.”
G. W. Bush (June 9, 2005)
“Law enforcement officers need a federal judge’s permission to wiretap a foreign terrorist’s phone, a federal judge’s permission to track his calls, or a federal judge’s permission to search his property. Officers must meet strict standards to use any of these tools. And these standards are fully consistent with the Constitution of the U.S.”
G. W. Bush (June 9, 2005)
FANatics at the African Nations Cup
The final is set for the African Nations Cup--Hosts Egypt v. Ivory Coast. Can Didier take them all the way?
African Cup of Nations (All times GMT).
FINAL
10 February:
Ivory Coast v Egypt
Cairo International Stadium (1600)
TV Viewing options here: http://www.soccertv.com/
How many Time reporters knew they were deceiving readers about Rove's role in Plamegate?
Summary: At least three reporters involved in an October 2003 Time magazine article that suggested Karl Rove was no longer under suspicion of outing Valerie Plame, and that contained Scott McClellan's denial that Rove was involved, knew at the time of the article that Rove had, in fact, outed Plame.
Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) will sear President Bush -- and Congress -
Mr. President, last week the President of the United States gave his State of the Union address, where he spoke of America’s leadership in the world, and called on all of us to “lead this world toward freedom.” Again and again, he invoked the principle of freedom, and how it can transform nations, and empower people around the world.
But, almost in the same breath, the President openly acknowledged that he has ordered the government to spy on Americans, on American soil, without the warrants required by law.
The President issued a call to spread freedom throughout the world, and then he admitted that he has deprived Americans of one of their most basic freedoms under the Fourth Amendment -- to be free from unjustified government intrusion.
Reporter hits McClellan on taps: 'You know what happened to Nixon when he broke the law'
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan got in a heated row with a White House correspondent at Monday's press briefing over President Bush's warantless domestic spying program, RAW STORY has learned.
The questioner, believed to be outspoken liberal columnist Helen Thomas, who has been covering the White House since President John F. Kennedy, asks McClellan if Bush should obey the law.
The questioner, believed to be outspoken liberal columnist Helen Thomas, who has been covering the White House since President John F. Kennedy, asks McClellan if Bush should obey the law.
Throw a flag on these Super Bowl referees
Also, the officiating crew should be forced to address the media and defend their decisions. It's ridiculous that the media are allowed to confront players, coaches, executives and owners, but the guys who can easily change the course of a game with one questionable decision are pretty much off limits.
Bill Leavy and his crew ruined Super Bowl XL. Am I the only one who would like to hear them defend their incompetence?
Bill Leavy and his crew ruined Super Bowl XL. Am I the only one who would like to hear them defend their incompetence?
Powell's former chief of staff on Iraq intel: 'I participated in a hoax'
Really? Powell lied to the UN that day? But he didn't know he was lying? Right!
In an interview that aired on PBS on Friday, Feb. 3, Colin Powell's former chief of staff claimed that the speech Powell made before the United Nations on Feb. 5, 2003, laying out a case for war with Iraq, included falsehoods of which Powell had never been made aware. He said, "My participation in that presentation at the UN constitutes the lowest point in my professional life. I participated in a hoax on the American people, the international community and the United Nations Security Council."
Amsterdam Selling New 'No Toking' Signs
Motivated stoners...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - If you can't beat 'em ... joint 'em? The City of Amsterdam has begun selling recently introduced "no toking" signs to prevent the official ones from being stolen as collector's items, a spokesman said Friday.
The signs were created as part of an experimental ban on smoking marijuana on the street in "De Baarsjes," one of the city's poorer neighborhoods. The measure, which went into effect Feb. 1, was intended to reduce loitering and petty crime.
"On Wednesday we placed the first sign, and it was gone the next morning," said Wim de Graaf. "We put up a new one Thursday, and it was taken the same night as well. That's when the idea came to us to just sell them."
Service lets owners trace and lock cars with mobile phone
SINGAPORE : Your mobile phone can now become your car key.
Singapore company Asia Tracks has invented a new device to remotely trace, lock and immobilise your car anywhere using just your mobile phone.
With just the touch of a finger, a car can be traced and immobilised anywhere, anytime -- all thanks to the special mobile phone-car remote service, which can also help forgetful owners lock their cars.
Singapore company Asia Tracks has invented a new device to remotely trace, lock and immobilise your car anywhere using just your mobile phone.
With just the touch of a finger, a car can be traced and immobilised anywhere, anytime -- all thanks to the special mobile phone-car remote service, which can also help forgetful owners lock their cars.
Tracking a mobile phone, for beginners
For the past week I've been tracking my girlfriend through her mobile phone. I can see exactly where she is, at any time of day or night, within 150 yards, as long as her phone is on. It has been very interesting to find out about her day. Now I'm going to tell you how I did it.
Bush and Blair discussed using American Spyplane in UN colours to lure Saddam into war.
Channel 4 News has seen minutes from that meeting, which took place in the White House on 31 January 2003. The two leaders discussed the possibility of securing further UN support, but President Bush made it clear that he had already decided to go to war. The details are contained in a new version of the book 'Lawless World' written by a leading British human rights lawyer, Philippe Sands QC.
President Bush said that:
"The US would put its full weight behind efforts to get another resolution and would 'twist arms' and 'even threaten'. But he had to say that if ultimately we failed, military action would follow anyway.''
Prime Minister Blair responded that he was: "solidly with the President and ready to do whatever it took to disarm Saddam."
President Bush said that:
"The US would put its full weight behind efforts to get another resolution and would 'twist arms' and 'even threaten'. But he had to say that if ultimately we failed, military action would follow anyway.''
Prime Minister Blair responded that he was: "solidly with the President and ready to do whatever it took to disarm Saddam."
What Really Happened, by Cindy Sheehan
Wednesday 01 February 2006
As most of you have probably heard, I was arrested before the State of the Union address last night.
I am speechless with fury at what happened and with grief over what we have lost in our country.
There have been lies from the police and distortions by the press (shocker). So this is what really happened:
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