WP: DEA balks at Canada's 'Prince of Pot' - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com: "Emery will get a judicial hearing in Canada later this year. The Canadian justice minister in the new conservative government could block the extradition, but he is a tough-talking former prosecutor and Emery acknowledges his chances are 'slim odds indeed.'
'In the U.S, I have every confidence I would get a minimum of 30 years,' Emery says in an interview in the basement of his bookstore. 'I'll get a longer sentence than I'd get in Canada for multiple murder, for something no one in Canada has ever gone to jail for.'
Here is the twist: Emery welcomes it. Almost.
'I'm interested in whatever would legalize pot fastest,' he says. 'Part of me believes that going to jail will accelerate that process. And part of me believes that if I die in jail it will accelerate it even faster.'
That is as much for Emery's devotion to the spotlight as devotion to the cause, he concedes.
'I'm very interested to see what happens to me, because I think I am a person of destiny,' he says, with no trace of modesty. 'I haven't been fearful since the moment I was arrested. I just felt my time has finally come. . . .
'I've already got this grand-scale epic going in my head. I am out to destroy the DEA and defeat them. And they are out to destroy me.'"
18.3.06
Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.co.uk
Oddly Enough News Article | Reuters.co.uk: "Under an arrangement between prison officials and San Bernardino, high-risk parolees known to belong to street gangs will be released from custody on the condition that they wear a GPS bracelet on their ankles at all times.
They appear as moving dots on a map and if they try to remove the anklet or enter unauthorised areas the device sends an alert to a base station monitored by law enforcement officials.
The University of California at Irvine will review the results of the pilot program for its effectiveness."
They appear as moving dots on a map and if they try to remove the anklet or enter unauthorised areas the device sends an alert to a base station monitored by law enforcement officials.
The University of California at Irvine will review the results of the pilot program for its effectiveness."
village voice > news > Liberty Beat by Nat Hentoff
village voice > news > Liberty Beat by Nat Hentoff: "On February 16, a British high court judge, Sir Andrew Collins, emphasized: 'America's idea of what is torture is not the same as ours and does not appear to coincide with that of most civilized nations.'
He was referring to a February 15 report by five independent U.N. special rapporteurs on torture that Guant�namo be closed and its prisoners be tried or released."
He was referring to a February 15 report by five independent U.N. special rapporteurs on torture that Guant�namo be closed and its prisoners be tried or released."
village voice > news > Liberty Beat by Nat Hentoff
village voice > news > Liberty Beat by Nat Hentoff: "In a startling, ominous decision—ignored by most of the press around the country—Federal District Judge David Trager, in the Eastern District of New York, has dismissed a lawsuit by a Canadian citizen, Maher Arar, who, during a stopover at Kennedy Airport on the way home to Canada after vacation, was kidnapped by CIA agents.
Arar was flown to Syria, where he was tortured for nearly a year in solitary confinement in a three-by-six-foot cell ('like a grave,' he said). He became, internationally, one of the best-known victims of the CIA's extraordinary renditions—the sending of suspected terrorists to countries known for torturing their prisoners.
Released after his ordeal, Arar has not been charged with any involvement in terrorism, or anything else, by Syria or the United States. Stigmatized by his notoriety, still traumatized, unemployed, he is back in Canada, where the Canadian Parliament had opened an extensive and expensive public inquiry into his capture and torture. The United States refuses to cooperate in any way with this investigation."
Arar was flown to Syria, where he was tortured for nearly a year in solitary confinement in a three-by-six-foot cell ('like a grave,' he said). He became, internationally, one of the best-known victims of the CIA's extraordinary renditions—the sending of suspected terrorists to countries known for torturing their prisoners.
Released after his ordeal, Arar has not been charged with any involvement in terrorism, or anything else, by Syria or the United States. Stigmatized by his notoriety, still traumatized, unemployed, he is back in Canada, where the Canadian Parliament had opened an extensive and expensive public inquiry into his capture and torture. The United States refuses to cooperate in any way with this investigation."
15.3.06
CNN.com - Judge to force Google's hand - Mar 14, 2006
CNN.com - Judge to force Google's hand - Mar 14, 2006: "SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- A federal judge said Tuesday he intends to require Google Inc. to turn over some information to the Department of Justice in its quest to revive a law making it harder for children to see online pornography."
14.3.06
Media Matters - O'Reilly: Blowing Iran "off the face of the earth ... would be the sane thing to do"
Media Matters - O'Reilly: Blowing Iran "off the face of the earth ... would be the sane thing to do": "On the March 8 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show, Bill O'Reilly stated: 'You know, in a sane world, every country would unite against Iran and blow it off the face of the earth. That would be the sane thing to do.' O'Reilly made the remark during a discussion of Iran's recent threat to cause 'harm and pain' to the U.S. if it pursues sanctions against Iran in the U.N. Security Council because of Iran's developing nuclear program.
As Media Matters for America has documented, O'Reilly recently declared that 'it's just a matter of time ... before we have to bomb' Iran."
As Media Matters for America has documented, O'Reilly recently declared that 'it's just a matter of time ... before we have to bomb' Iran."
American Civil Liberties Union : ACLU Releases First Concrete Evidence of FBI Spying Based Solely on Groups’ Anti-War Views
American Civil Liberties Union : ACLU Releases First Concrete Evidence of FBI Spying Based Solely on Groups’ Anti-War Views: "PITTSBURGH – The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Pennsylvania today released new evidence that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting investigations into a political organizations based solely on its anti-war views."
13.3.06
Reuters AlertNet - IRAQ: Women attacked for removing headscarves, NGO says
Reuters AlertNet - IRAQ: Women attacked for removing headscarves, NGO says: "BAGHDAD, 7 March (IRIN) - Since the fall of Saddam Hussein in early 2003, the number of women attacked for choosing not to wear head scarves and veils has more than tripled, according to the Women's Rights Association (WRA), a local NGO in the capital, Baghdad."
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Former top judge says US risks edging near to dictatorship
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Former top judge says US risks edging near to dictatorship: "
Julian Borger in Washington
Monday March 13, 2006
The Guardian
Sandra Day O'Connor, a Republican-appointed judge who retired last month after 24 years on the supreme court, has said the US is in danger of edging towards dictatorship if the party's rightwingers continue to attack the judiciary."
Julian Borger in Washington
Monday March 13, 2006
The Guardian
Sandra Day O'Connor, a Republican-appointed judge who retired last month after 24 years on the supreme court, has said the US is in danger of edging towards dictatorship if the party's rightwingers continue to attack the judiciary."
Former Bush Aide Charged in Felony Theft - Claude Allen had recently resigned as White House domestic-policy adviser. By Rachel Shteir
Former Bush Aide Charged in Felony Theft - Claude Allen had recently resigned as White House domestic-policy adviser. By Rachel Shteir: "
By Rachel Shteir
Updated Friday, March 10, 2006, at 5:44 PM ET
When Claude Allen, President Bush's longtime domestic-policy adviser, resigned suddenly on Feb. 9, it baffled administration critics and fans. The White House claimed that Allen was leaving to spend more time with his family, while the Washington Times speculated that the 45-year-old aide, a noted social conservative, might have quit to protest a new Pentagon policy about military chaplains. Allen himself never publicly explained the reason for his departure.
News today may shed light on the mystery of Allen's resignation. According to the Montgomery County Police Department, Allen was arrested yesterday and charged in a felony theft and a felony theft scheme."
By Rachel Shteir
Updated Friday, March 10, 2006, at 5:44 PM ET
When Claude Allen, President Bush's longtime domestic-policy adviser, resigned suddenly on Feb. 9, it baffled administration critics and fans. The White House claimed that Allen was leaving to spend more time with his family, while the Washington Times speculated that the 45-year-old aide, a noted social conservative, might have quit to protest a new Pentagon policy about military chaplains. Allen himself never publicly explained the reason for his departure.
News today may shed light on the mystery of Allen's resignation. According to the Montgomery County Police Department, Allen was arrested yesterday and charged in a felony theft and a felony theft scheme."
Members of US Congress demand Impeachment Inquiry
Members of US Congress demand Impeachment Inquiry: "30 US Reps for Bush Impeachment Inquiry
1. APN Interviews Conyers, Swanson, and Goodman
By Matthew Cardinale, Editor, Atlanta Progressive News (March 10, 2006)
(APN) ATLANTA – 30 US House Representatives have signed on as sponsors or co-sponsors of H. Res 635, which would create a Select Committee to look into the grounds for recommending President Bush’s impeachment, Atlanta Progressive News has learned.
“There has been massive support for House Resolution 635 from a very vigorous network of grassroots activists and people committed to holding the Bush Administration accountable for its widespread abuses of power,” US Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) said in a statement prepared for Atlanta Progressive News.
The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) also released a book, Articles of Impeachment Against President Bush. The Center is extremely influential in high-profile court fights over issues such as wiretapping, the treatment of detainees by the US, and felon voting rights.
“We have the book, we are calling for the impeachment of the President, and we’re supporting Conyers’s resolution,” Bill Goodman, CCR Legal Director, told Atlanta Progressive News.
“The fraudulent basis on which the President got us into the war in Iraq; the obvious criminality of the warrantless wiretapping; indefinite detention in violation of the Constitution; torture as a part of indefinite detention and other ways; special rendition and torture, which is the outsourcing of torture... All of these violate various laws of the US, and they also violate his oath office which he swears to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, and he’s doing just the opposite, he’s undermining the Constitution and attempting to destroy certain parts of it,” Goodman said."
1. APN Interviews Conyers, Swanson, and Goodman
By Matthew Cardinale, Editor, Atlanta Progressive News (March 10, 2006)
(APN) ATLANTA – 30 US House Representatives have signed on as sponsors or co-sponsors of H. Res 635, which would create a Select Committee to look into the grounds for recommending President Bush’s impeachment, Atlanta Progressive News has learned.
“There has been massive support for House Resolution 635 from a very vigorous network of grassroots activists and people committed to holding the Bush Administration accountable for its widespread abuses of power,” US Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) said in a statement prepared for Atlanta Progressive News.
The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) also released a book, Articles of Impeachment Against President Bush. The Center is extremely influential in high-profile court fights over issues such as wiretapping, the treatment of detainees by the US, and felon voting rights.
“We have the book, we are calling for the impeachment of the President, and we’re supporting Conyers’s resolution,” Bill Goodman, CCR Legal Director, told Atlanta Progressive News.
“The fraudulent basis on which the President got us into the war in Iraq; the obvious criminality of the warrantless wiretapping; indefinite detention in violation of the Constitution; torture as a part of indefinite detention and other ways; special rendition and torture, which is the outsourcing of torture... All of these violate various laws of the US, and they also violate his oath office which he swears to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, and he’s doing just the opposite, he’s undermining the Constitution and attempting to destroy certain parts of it,” Goodman said."
11.3.06
New Scientist 'Mental typewriter' controlled by thought alone - Breaking News
New Scientist 'Mental typewriter' controlled by thought alone - Breaking News: "A computer controlled by the power of thought alone has been demonstrated at a major trade fair in Germany.
The device could provide a way for paralysed patients to operate computers, or for amputees to operate electronically controlled artificial limbs. But it also has non-medical applications, such as in the computer games and entertainment industries."
The device could provide a way for paralysed patients to operate computers, or for amputees to operate electronically controlled artificial limbs. But it also has non-medical applications, such as in the computer games and entertainment industries."
Gallup: More Than Half of Americans Reject Evolution, Back Bible
Gallup: More Than Half of Americans Reject Evolution, Back Bible: "NEW YORK A Gallup report released today reveals that more than half of all Americans, rejecting evolution theory and scientific evidence, agree with the statement, 'God created man exactly how Bible describes it.'
Another 31% says that man did evolve, but 'God guided.' Only 12% back evolution and say 'God had no part.'
Gallup summarized it this way: 'Surveys repeatedly show that a substantial portion of Americans do not believe that the theory of evolution best explains where life came from.' They are 'not so quick to agree with the preponderance of scientific evidence.'
The report was written by the director of the The Gallup Poll, Frank Newport.
Breaking down the numbers, Gallup finds that Republican backing for what it calls 'God created human beings in present form' stands at 57% with Democrats at 44%.
Support for this Bible view rises steadily with age: from 43% for those 18 to 29, to 59% for those 65 and older. It declines steadily with education, dropping from 58% for those with high school degrees to a still-substantial 25% with postgraduate degrees. "
Another 31% says that man did evolve, but 'God guided.' Only 12% back evolution and say 'God had no part.'
Gallup summarized it this way: 'Surveys repeatedly show that a substantial portion of Americans do not believe that the theory of evolution best explains where life came from.' They are 'not so quick to agree with the preponderance of scientific evidence.'
The report was written by the director of the The Gallup Poll, Frank Newport.
Breaking down the numbers, Gallup finds that Republican backing for what it calls 'God created human beings in present form' stands at 57% with Democrats at 44%.
Support for this Bible view rises steadily with age: from 43% for those 18 to 29, to 59% for those 65 and older. It declines steadily with education, dropping from 58% for those with high school degrees to a still-substantial 25% with postgraduate degrees. "
7.3.06
BBC NEWS | Business | US government near to debt limit
BBC NEWS | Business | US government near to debt limit: "US government near to debt limit
US Treasury Secretary John Snow
John Snow is asking Congress to approve more borrowing
US Treasury Secretary John Snow has told Congress to raise the government's credit limit in order to avoid having some of its operations shut down.
The government needs Congressional authority to borrow and the total accumulated debt is now close to its limit of $8.2 trillion (�4.7 trillion).
If the limit is not increased, the government could find it difficult to pay debts or borrow money.
Congress is expected to agree to an extension, averting any debt crisis.
Massive deficits
In a letter to Congress, Mr Snow said he has already taken 'prudent and legal actions' to avoid reaching the debt limit.
These include tapping the civil service pension funds and using the $15bn in the Exchange Stabilisation Fund, a reserve held for smoothing out volatile movements in the value of the dollar in currency markets.
But the Treasury has warned that such measures will only postpone the credit deadline until mid-March, when an extension will be needed.
This is the fourth time George W Bush's administration has asked Congress to raise the government debt limit.
His administration has produced a series of massive deficits, brought on by the post dot-com recession, tax cuts, the September 11 attacks and wars and reconstruction in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The US government has never defaulted on its debts, and to do so would destroy its credit rating and raise the cost of any future borrowing."
US Treasury Secretary John Snow
John Snow is asking Congress to approve more borrowing
US Treasury Secretary John Snow has told Congress to raise the government's credit limit in order to avoid having some of its operations shut down.
The government needs Congressional authority to borrow and the total accumulated debt is now close to its limit of $8.2 trillion (�4.7 trillion).
If the limit is not increased, the government could find it difficult to pay debts or borrow money.
Congress is expected to agree to an extension, averting any debt crisis.
Massive deficits
In a letter to Congress, Mr Snow said he has already taken 'prudent and legal actions' to avoid reaching the debt limit.
These include tapping the civil service pension funds and using the $15bn in the Exchange Stabilisation Fund, a reserve held for smoothing out volatile movements in the value of the dollar in currency markets.
But the Treasury has warned that such measures will only postpone the credit deadline until mid-March, when an extension will be needed.
This is the fourth time George W Bush's administration has asked Congress to raise the government debt limit.
His administration has produced a series of massive deficits, brought on by the post dot-com recession, tax cuts, the September 11 attacks and wars and reconstruction in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The US government has never defaulted on its debts, and to do so would destroy its credit rating and raise the cost of any future borrowing."
5.3.06
WSJ.com - Capital
WSJ.com - Capital: "American families had net worth -- the value of houses, cars, 401(k) plans, stock portfolios and saving accounts minus mortgages and other debts -- of $50 trillion in 2004, according to the Fed. Its estimate is based on surveys of 4,522 families, with special efforts to include the rich.
How much better off than others are the wealthy?
Those in the 90th percentile -- not Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, but those with bigger balance sheets than 90% of American families -- had net worth of $831,600 in 2004.
That's nearly nine times the $93,100 held by the family at the statistical middle. And it's 62 times the net worth of families at the 25th percentile, the ones who don't have much, but have more than the poorest 25%, many of whom have more debts than assets."
How much better off than others are the wealthy?
Those in the 90th percentile -- not Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, but those with bigger balance sheets than 90% of American families -- had net worth of $831,600 in 2004.
That's nearly nine times the $93,100 held by the family at the statistical middle. And it's 62 times the net worth of families at the 25th percentile, the ones who don't have much, but have more than the poorest 25%, many of whom have more debts than assets."
4.3.06
BBC NEWS | Europe | Soviets 'ordered Pope shooting'
BBC NEWS | Europe | Soviets 'ordered Pope shooting': "An Italian parliamentary commission has concluded that the former Soviet Union was behind the 1981 assassination attempt on the late Pope John Paul II."
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Altruism 'in-built' in humans
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Altruism 'in-built' in humans: "Dr Warneken and colleague Professor Michael Tomasello wanted to see whether very young children who had not yet learned social skills were willing to help strangers.
Our closest living relative, the chimp, also shows rudimentary helping behaviour
The experimenters performed simple tasks like dropping a clothes peg out of reach while hanging clothes on a line, or mis-stacking a pile of books.
Nearly all of the group of 24 18-month-olds helped by picking up the peg or the book, usually in the first 10 seconds of the experiment.
They only did this if they believed the researcher needed the object to complete the task - if it was thrown on the ground deliberately, they didn't pick it up.
'The results were astonishing because these children are so young - they still wear diapers and are barely able to use language, but they already show helping behaviour,' said Felix Warneken."
Our closest living relative, the chimp, also shows rudimentary helping behaviour
The experimenters performed simple tasks like dropping a clothes peg out of reach while hanging clothes on a line, or mis-stacking a pile of books.
Nearly all of the group of 24 18-month-olds helped by picking up the peg or the book, usually in the first 10 seconds of the experiment.
They only did this if they believed the researcher needed the object to complete the task - if it was thrown on the ground deliberately, they didn't pick it up.
'The results were astonishing because these children are so young - they still wear diapers and are barely able to use language, but they already show helping behaviour,' said Felix Warneken."
3.3.06
Wired 14.03: START
Wired 14.03: START: "A123's real target, however, is your car. Chiang says A123's cells could lighten a Toyota Prius' 100-pound battery by as much as 80 percent and help boost any hybrid's performance. The quick recharging time - the M1 takes five minutes to reach 90 percent capacity - plus high peak power also would be ideal for plug-in versions of gas-electric vehicles. With a bit more research, the world's roads may someday see fast, zero-carbon autos that zip past gas guzzlers and tank up from the grid faster than a rest-stop Starbucks can serve you a latte."
2.3.06
Adelphia.net - News
Adelphia.net - News: "LONDON (AP) — A Scottish distillery said Monday it was reviving a centuries-old recipe for whisky so strong that one 17th-century writer feared more than two spoonfuls could be lethal."
Blair's wife takes swipe at US over Guantanamo - World - smh.com.au
Blair's wife takes swipe at US over Guantanamo - World - smh.com.au: "Cherie Booth, the wife of Britain's Prime Minister described torture as 'the terrorism of the state, usually practised for the same reasons that terrorists use violence: to break the will of those they cannot persuade by lawful means.'"
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