1.4.06
They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933-45 by Milton Mayer, an excerpt
They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933-45 by Milton Mayer, an excerpt: "Pastor Niem�ller spoke for the thousands and thousands of men like me when he spoke (too modestly of himself) and said that, when the Nazis attacked the Communists, he was a little uneasy, but, after all, he was not a Communist, and so he did nothing; and then they attacked the Socialists, and he was a little uneasier, but, still, he was not a Socialist, and he did nothing; and then the schools, the press, the Jews, and so on, and he was always uneasier, but still he did nothing. And then they attacked the Church, and he was a Churchman, and he did something—but then it was too late.'"
31.3.06
Foreign Policy: Fool Me Twice
Foreign Policy: Fool Me Twice: "Does this story line sound familiar? The vice president of the United States gives a major speech focused on the threat from an oil-rich nation in the Middle East. The U.S. secretary of state tells congress that the same nation is our most serious global challenge. The secretary of defense calls that nation the leading supporter of global terrorism. The president blames it for attacks on U.S. troops. The intelligence agencies say the nuclear threat from this nation is 10 years away, but the director of intelligence paints a more ominous picture. A new U.S. national security strategy trumpets preemptive attacks and highlights the country as a major threat. And neoconservatives beat the war drums, as the cable media banner their stories with words like “countdown” and “showdown.”
The nation making headlines today, of course, is Iran, not Iraq. But the parallels are striking. Three years after senior administration officials systematically misled the nation into a disastrous war, they could well be trying to do it again.
Nothing is clear, yet. For months, I have told interviewers that no senior political or military official was seriously considering a military attack on Iran. In the last few weeks, I have changed my view. In part, this shift was triggered by colleagues with close ties to the Pentagon and the executive branch who have convinced me that some senior officials have already made up their minds: They want to hit Iran."
The nation making headlines today, of course, is Iran, not Iraq. But the parallels are striking. Three years after senior administration officials systematically misled the nation into a disastrous war, they could well be trying to do it again.
Nothing is clear, yet. For months, I have told interviewers that no senior political or military official was seriously considering a military attack on Iran. In the last few weeks, I have changed my view. In part, this shift was triggered by colleagues with close ties to the Pentagon and the executive branch who have convinced me that some senior officials have already made up their minds: They want to hit Iran."
BBC NEWS | Americas | Rice denies US is world's jailer
BBC NEWS | Americas | Rice denies US is world's jailer: "US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that no-one should doubt America's commitment to justice and the rule of law.
In a major foreign policy speech, Ms Rice said the US had no desire to be the world's jailer, referring to the detention of inmates at Guantanamo Bay.
She said the cause of advancing freedom was the greatest hope for peace today.
Her comments came during a visit to the UK city of Blackburn. The tour has sparked anti-war protests.
'President Bush has stated unequivocally, as have I, that the United States is a nation of laws and we do not tolerate any American at home or abroad engaging in acts of torture,' Ms Rice said.
Protests ahead of Ms Rice's visit
Rice faces protests
'We also have no desire to be the world's jailer. We want the terrorists we capture to stand trial for their crimes,' she said."
In a major foreign policy speech, Ms Rice said the US had no desire to be the world's jailer, referring to the detention of inmates at Guantanamo Bay.
She said the cause of advancing freedom was the greatest hope for peace today.
Her comments came during a visit to the UK city of Blackburn. The tour has sparked anti-war protests.
'President Bush has stated unequivocally, as have I, that the United States is a nation of laws and we do not tolerate any American at home or abroad engaging in acts of torture,' Ms Rice said.
Protests ahead of Ms Rice's visit
Rice faces protests
'We also have no desire to be the world's jailer. We want the terrorists we capture to stand trial for their crimes,' she said."
29.3.06
TheStar.com - How to spot a baby conservative
TheStar.com - How to spot a baby conservative: "Remember the whiny, insecure kid in nursery school, the one who always thought everyone was out to get him, and was always running to the teacher with complaints? Chances are he grew up to be a conservative.
At least, he did if he was one of 95 kids from the Berkeley area that social scientists have been tracking for the last 20 years. The confident, resilient, self-reliant kids mostly grew up to be liberals."
At least, he did if he was one of 95 kids from the Berkeley area that social scientists have been tracking for the last 20 years. The confident, resilient, self-reliant kids mostly grew up to be liberals."
28.3.06
Personal bankruptcy filings up 30 percent in 2005 - Mar. 24, 2006
Personal bankruptcy filings up 30 percent in 2005 - Mar. 24, 2006: "NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - The number of Americans filing for bankruptcy jumped 30 percent last year to the highest on record as debtors rushed to file petitions before new restrictions took effect, according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts."
Tal Afar; war crimes in Bush’s dystopia���������
Tal Afar; war crimes in Bush’s dystopia���������: "Local Iraqi journalist, Nasir Ali, summarized the goals of the siege saying, “Every time the US Army and Iraqi government want to destroy a specific city they claim it hosts Arab fighters and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.”
Ali is correct, but there is a more sinister motive as well, the deliberate “preemptive” purging of Sunnis to roll back the mounting pressure from the resistance. The attack on Tal Afar was not a battle with terrorists but a clear attempt at ethnic cleansing.
Following the siege the Red Crescent reported that “170 people from Tal Afar had been made sick from “inhaling gases” and “curious poisons”; another indication that proscribed weapons were used on civilians.
James Cogan reports that, “The US led offensive has left hundreds of homes, shops, offices and mosques severely damaged. US and Iraqi troops have now rampaged through every home in Tal Afar searching for surviving insurgents or weapons caches. When residents are able to return to their houses, they will find their doors and widows kicked in, their furniture smashed, and their personal effects ruined or looted.”
Summarizing: Tal Afar was forcefully evacuated, ruthlessly bombarded, brazenly captured and laid to waste….but no sign of Al Qaida? As Colonel Reilly said, “They went into hiding”. "
Ali is correct, but there is a more sinister motive as well, the deliberate “preemptive” purging of Sunnis to roll back the mounting pressure from the resistance. The attack on Tal Afar was not a battle with terrorists but a clear attempt at ethnic cleansing.
Following the siege the Red Crescent reported that “170 people from Tal Afar had been made sick from “inhaling gases” and “curious poisons”; another indication that proscribed weapons were used on civilians.
James Cogan reports that, “The US led offensive has left hundreds of homes, shops, offices and mosques severely damaged. US and Iraqi troops have now rampaged through every home in Tal Afar searching for surviving insurgents or weapons caches. When residents are able to return to their houses, they will find their doors and widows kicked in, their furniture smashed, and their personal effects ruined or looted.”
Summarizing: Tal Afar was forcefully evacuated, ruthlessly bombarded, brazenly captured and laid to waste….but no sign of Al Qaida? As Colonel Reilly said, “They went into hiding”. "
Cloned Pigs Produce Healthy Pork?
Cloned Pigs Produce Healthy Pork?: "Pigs have been genetically modified to make their meat as healthy as seafood, researchers report.
But concerns over food safety and the U.S. federal approval process may prevent the tricked-up pork from appearing in supermarkets anytime soon."
But concerns over food safety and the U.S. federal approval process may prevent the tricked-up pork from appearing in supermarkets anytime soon."
BREITBART.COM - Moussaoui Says He Was to Hijack 5th Plane
BREITBART.COM - Moussaoui Says He Was to Hijack 5th Plane: "Al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui testified Monday that he and would-be shoe bomber Richard Reid were supposed to hijack a fifth airplane and fly it into the White House as part of the attack that unfolded Sept. 11, 2001.
Moussaoui's testimony on his own behalf stunned the courtroom. His account was in stark contrast to his previous statements in which he said the White House attack was to come later if the United States refused to release a radical Egyptian sheik imprisoned on earlier terrorist convictions.
On Dec. 22, 2001, Reid was subdued by passengers when he attempted to detonate a bomb in his shoe aboard American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris to Miami. There were 197 people on board. The plane was diverted to Boston, where it landed safely.
Moussaoui told the court he knew the World Trade Center attack was coming and that he lied to investigators when arrested in August 2001 because he wanted it to happen.
'You lied because you wanted to conceal that you were a member of al- Qaida?' prosecutor Rob Spencer asked.
'That's correct,' Moussaoui said.
Spencer: 'You lied so the plan could go forward?'
Moussaoui: 'That's correct.'"
Moussaoui's testimony on his own behalf stunned the courtroom. His account was in stark contrast to his previous statements in which he said the White House attack was to come later if the United States refused to release a radical Egyptian sheik imprisoned on earlier terrorist convictions.
On Dec. 22, 2001, Reid was subdued by passengers when he attempted to detonate a bomb in his shoe aboard American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris to Miami. There were 197 people on board. The plane was diverted to Boston, where it landed safely.
Moussaoui told the court he knew the World Trade Center attack was coming and that he lied to investigators when arrested in August 2001 because he wanted it to happen.
'You lied because you wanted to conceal that you were a member of al- Qaida?' prosecutor Rob Spencer asked.
'That's correct,' Moussaoui said.
Spencer: 'You lied so the plan could go forward?'
Moussaoui: 'That's correct.'"
27.3.06
The Sun Online - News: Pet food good for you
The Sun Online - News: Pet food good for you: "TINS of pet food are better for you than many fast food meals, boffins have discovered.
Loads of pet food brands scored better than dishes served by High Street chains in research to measure fat, salt and sugar levels.
Nutrition experts discovered that Gourmet Gold cat food has just 2.9g of fat per 100g — a mouth-watering EIGHT TIMES less than the percentage found in pieces of KFC.
The level of fat was also far lower than a McDonald’s Big Mac and a Pizza Hut meal.
The lab tests by nutrition experts discovered that Cesar dog food uses just 4.4g of fat in every 100g — and has lower salt and sugar levels than many dishes served to humans.
Researchers found that KFC chicken pieces were the unhealthiest fast food on test. They contained 23.2g of fat per 100g and 1.9g of salt. Unbelievably, ADDING fries cut the fat and salt levels, with them falling to 12g and 0.7g per 100g."
Loads of pet food brands scored better than dishes served by High Street chains in research to measure fat, salt and sugar levels.
Nutrition experts discovered that Gourmet Gold cat food has just 2.9g of fat per 100g — a mouth-watering EIGHT TIMES less than the percentage found in pieces of KFC.
The level of fat was also far lower than a McDonald’s Big Mac and a Pizza Hut meal.
The lab tests by nutrition experts discovered that Cesar dog food uses just 4.4g of fat in every 100g — and has lower salt and sugar levels than many dishes served to humans.
Researchers found that KFC chicken pieces were the unhealthiest fast food on test. They contained 23.2g of fat per 100g and 1.9g of salt. Unbelievably, ADDING fries cut the fat and salt levels, with them falling to 12g and 0.7g per 100g."
Guardian Unlimited Money | News_ | Money worries 'affect sex drive'
Guardian Unlimited Money | News_ | Money worries 'affect sex drive': "An estimated 2 million people have lost their sex drive as a result of worrying about money, a survey showed today.
One in five people who said financial problems had affected their relationship said the issue had hit their sex life, according to insurance giant AXA.
Women are twice as likely to suffer from the problem as men, accounting for two-thirds of people who say money has ruined their sex life."
One in five people who said financial problems had affected their relationship said the issue had hit their sex life, according to insurance giant AXA.
Women are twice as likely to suffer from the problem as men, accounting for two-thirds of people who say money has ruined their sex life."
Two years in prison for downloading latest film - World - Times Online
Two years in prison for downloading latest film - World - Times Online: "GERMANS risk two years in prison if they illegally download films and music for private use under a new law agreed yesterday. Anybody who downloads films for commercial use could be jailed for up to five years."
26.3.06
Iraqis killed by US troops ‘on rampage’ - Sunday Times - Times Online
Iraqis killed by US troops ‘on rampage’ - Sunday Times - Times Online: "THE villagers of Abu Sifa near the Iraqi town of Balad had become used to the sound of explosions at night as American forces searched the area for suspected insurgents. But one night two weeks ago Issa Harat Khalaf heard a different sound that chilled him to the bone.
Khalaf, a 33-year-old security officer guarding oil pipelines, saw a US helicopter land near his home. American soldiers stormed out of the Chinook and advanced on a house owned by Khalaf’s brother Fayez, firing as they went.
Khalaf ran from his own house and hid in a nearby grove of trees. He saw the soldiers enter his brother’s home and then heard the sound of women and children screaming.
“Then there was a lot of machinegun fire,” he said last week. After that there was the most frightening sound of all — silence, followed by explosions as the soldiers left the house.
Once the troops were gone, Khalaf and his fellow villagers began a frantic search through the ruins of his brother’s home. Abu Sifa was about to join a lengthening list of Iraqi communities claiming to have suffered from American atrocities.
According to Iraqi police, 11 bodies were pulled from the wreckage of the house, among them four women and five children aged between six months and five years. An official police report obtained by a US reporter for Knight Ridder newspapers said: “The American forces gathered the family members in one room and executed 11 people.”"
Khalaf, a 33-year-old security officer guarding oil pipelines, saw a US helicopter land near his home. American soldiers stormed out of the Chinook and advanced on a house owned by Khalaf’s brother Fayez, firing as they went.
Khalaf ran from his own house and hid in a nearby grove of trees. He saw the soldiers enter his brother’s home and then heard the sound of women and children screaming.
“Then there was a lot of machinegun fire,” he said last week. After that there was the most frightening sound of all — silence, followed by explosions as the soldiers left the house.
Once the troops were gone, Khalaf and his fellow villagers began a frantic search through the ruins of his brother’s home. Abu Sifa was about to join a lengthening list of Iraqi communities claiming to have suffered from American atrocities.
According to Iraqi police, 11 bodies were pulled from the wreckage of the house, among them four women and five children aged between six months and five years. An official police report obtained by a US reporter for Knight Ridder newspapers said: “The American forces gathered the family members in one room and executed 11 people.”"
24.3.06
Kansas City Star | 03/22/2006 | Pulled over in Kansas? Get ready to show your license, registration — and fingerprints
Kansas City Star | 03/22/2006 | Pulled over in Kansas? Get ready to show your license, registration — and fingerprints: "If you are stopped by police in Kansas, don’t be surprised if the officer pulls out a little black box and takes your fingerprints.
The gadget allows officers to identify people by fingerprints without hauling them to the police station.
Over the next year the Kansas Bureau of Investigation will test 60 of the devices with law enforcement agencies around the state. State officials said similar tests are being planned for New York, Milwaukee and Hawaii."
The gadget allows officers to identify people by fingerprints without hauling them to the police station.
Over the next year the Kansas Bureau of Investigation will test 60 of the devices with law enforcement agencies around the state. State officials said similar tests are being planned for New York, Milwaukee and Hawaii."
Kansas City Star | 03/22/2006 | Missouri teen survives ride in tornado
Kansas City Star | 03/22/2006 | Missouri teen survives ride in tornado: "On the night of the tornado, Suter said, he was watching television news in only his boxer shorts when he heard a jetlike roar approaching the trailer he shared with his grandmother and uncle.
He was trying to shut a window in the living room, and his grandmother was in the kitchen, when the tornado struck, he said.
“The window busted, and the door got sucked out,” Suter said. “I looked at my grandmother, and the walls were like Jell-O. The trailer was rocking back and forth. I jumped between the coffee table and couch, and I remember the trailer tipping.”
His grandmother, Linda Kelley, said Suter had hollered at her in the trailer, and when she came into the kitchen “I turned around to look at where he was, and that whole end of the trailer was just gone.”
A large heavy glass lamp struck Suter on the top of his head, knocking him unconscious, he said.
When he came to, Suter found himself in a soft, grassy pasture. Last week a global positioning satellite device used by National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Gaede measured the distance at 1,307 feet from the trailer site."
He was trying to shut a window in the living room, and his grandmother was in the kitchen, when the tornado struck, he said.
“The window busted, and the door got sucked out,” Suter said. “I looked at my grandmother, and the walls were like Jell-O. The trailer was rocking back and forth. I jumped between the coffee table and couch, and I remember the trailer tipping.”
His grandmother, Linda Kelley, said Suter had hollered at her in the trailer, and when she came into the kitchen “I turned around to look at where he was, and that whole end of the trailer was just gone.”
A large heavy glass lamp struck Suter on the top of his head, knocking him unconscious, he said.
When he came to, Suter found himself in a soft, grassy pasture. Last week a global positioning satellite device used by National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Gaede measured the distance at 1,307 feet from the trailer site."
Two Years Before 9/11, Bush was Already Talking About Attacking Iraq
Two Years Before 9/11, Bush was Already Talking About Attacking Iraq: "HOUSTON -- Two years before the September 11 attacks, presidential candidate George W. Bush was already talking privately about the political benefits of attacking Iraq, according to his former ghost writer, who held many conversations with then-Texas Governor Bush in preparation for a planned autobiography."
23.3.06
Mental fitness new twist in Afghan man's religion trial
Mental fitness new twist in Afghan man's religion trial: "KABUL, Afghanistan -- A man facing a possible death penalty for converting from Islam to Christianity may be mentally unfit to stand trial, a prosecutor said Wednesday.
Abdul Rahman, 41, has been charged with rejecting Islam. His trial started last week, and he said he became a Christian 16 years ago."
Abdul Rahman, 41, has been charged with rejecting Islam. His trial started last week, and he said he became a Christian 16 years ago."
21.3.06
VOA News - Afghan Man Faces Execution After Converting to Christianity
VOA News - Afghan Man Faces Execution After Converting to Christianity: "An Afghan man who recently admitted he converted to Christianity faces the death penalty under the country's strict Islamic legal system. The trial is a critical test of Afghanistan's new constitution and democratic government."
VOA News - Afghan Man Faces Execution After Converting to Christianity
VOA News - Afghan Man Faces Execution After Converting to Christianity: "An Afghan man who recently admitted he converted to Christianity faces the death penalty under the country's strict Islamic legal system. The trial is a critical test of Afghanistan's new constitution and democratic government."
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Archbishop: stop teaching creationism
Guardian Unlimited | Special reports | Archbishop: stop teaching creationism: "The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has stepped into the controversy between religious fundamentalists and scientists by saying that he does not believe that creationism - the Bible-based account of the origins of the world - should be taught in schools.
Giving his first, wide-ranging, interview at Lambeth Palace, the archbishop was emphatic in his criticism of creationism being taught in the classroom, as is happening in two city academies founded by the evangelical Christian businessman Sir Peter Vardy and several other schools."
Giving his first, wide-ranging, interview at Lambeth Palace, the archbishop was emphatic in his criticism of creationism being taught in the classroom, as is happening in two city academies founded by the evangelical Christian businessman Sir Peter Vardy and several other schools."
18.3.06
WP: DEA balks at Canada's 'Prince of Pot' - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com
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.'"
'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.'"
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