Reposted from 8/22/09 -tech diff
Companion Posts:
Emergence of WikiLeaks
Israeli upheavals
Poland at a Crossroads
Kyrgyzstan upheaval
Iceland in economic, informational change
Washington DC: Find That Elusive Moral Compass and Give The World The TRUTH about 9/11
Growing A Foundation On Love -or- Slaying Of The Gmork
Occupy Wall Street – 1st Call To Wake Up The Masses Begins, More Occupations Coming
Occupy The Awakening & Ride the Rising Wave of Infinite Consciousness
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF, EU, FRes and WB: The Higher We Climb…..
Chronicle of Neil Keenan’s Trillion Dollar Bonds Lawsuit: The BIS, Bretton Woods, Black Gold and Maklumat Codes
This is blow-out news. Hang on to your hats as you read through it.
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Sections:
Voices In The United States
Voices Around The World
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It seemed to begin overtly with Y2K when we were warned incessantly to store water, food, and other supplies, all because of a software computer glitch. It is noteworthy that the “Father of ASCII”, Bob Bemer, had close military ties including the RAND Corporation, a military think tank. To his credit, he tried to warn the industry as far back as 1971, but “… as [with] all prophets no one listened and eventually an estimated $122 billion was spent in the United States alone to fix the Y2K problem.”
The Y2K threat groomed the masses in the art of scaremongering even as we entered into the 21st century. Then in relatively short succession, we experienced a series of devastating events: The attacks of 09/11/01, the Katrina disaster, the AIG bailout fiasco, and now the Gulf of Mexico BP oil spill. Almost seems to reflect the story of the Four horsemen of the apocalypse, However, I am more inclined to view these events as simply sourced from those in geopolitical realms without Soul, without Heart, without Love.
And the peoples of the world now are waking up…
Zbigniew Brzezinski On The Global Awakening
Yes, Mr. Brzezinski, The world IS watching!
I have transcribed an important segment of this speech, which serves as a clear indication that those at the very capstone of geopolitical power are in panicked disarray because humanity is poised to deliver a checkmate on their Grand Chessboard:
“The other major change in international affairs is, that for the first time in all of human history, mankind is politically awakened. That’s a total new reality…total new reality. It has not been so for most of human history until the last 100 years. And in the course of the last 100 years, the whole world has become politically awakened and no matter where you go, politics is a matter of social engagement and most people know what is generally going on, generally going on in the world and are consciously aware of global iniquities, inequalities, lack of respect, exploitation. Mankind is now politically awakened and staring. The combination of the two, the diversified global leadership, politically awakened masses, makes a much more difficult context for any major power including, currently, the leading world power, the United States.”
On March 13, 1998, I wrote in my journal:
“Plutonian energies are beginning to emerge from the dark depths. A subversive wave is rocking America now. President Clinton represents progressive ideals and the so-called “moralists” in this country—and I think foreign countries have a hand in this; in fact, I think Jerry Falwell’s agenda is far, far more sinister than ranting about gays and sexcapades—are engaged in a desperate attempt now underway to bring Clinton down and it has very little, if anything, to do with sex and morals in the oval office.
A path is being cut with a mighty sword. It is almost as though there is a race against time in the world of politics—those with powers we think only happen in mystical movies are aware that whoever has the power in America over the next 12 years, has the power to shut down the Light that is coming in to heal this planet. These forces are as desperate as drowning rats to remove Clinton.
This is not to say that Clinton is a bed of roses; anyone who strives to be at the seat of power has a hidden agenda somewhere, but these forces are laboring over probably the only thing that will keep the masses distracted from what’s really going on behind the scenes—subversion. Most of us are just not willing to admit that the Emperor (or the Evil Empire?) is, indeed, not wearing any clothes. I am convinced now that America is on the verge of a ‘religious’ war…which will have very little to do with religion and even less to do with what side of the aisle you are on in Congress.”
Many, many people back then sensed this Force, whether consciously or unconsciously, and in 2010 we will see the tangible manifestation of that sensation. Astrologically, planet Uranus [Meet-up groups, social discussion, future planning] is now beginning the first of two major entries into the constellation of Aries (action, force, aggressivelydoing). We are beginning to see talk about the need for change becoming a world wide coalition of action on ethically, morally, and ecologically guided change in politics, economics, military, social, and cultural aspects bringing together humanity, not separating it. Resignations, election upsets, and moves to both fire up the extremes and quell the restlessness are signs of major change. Pluto (media, corporate, mafia/ activity) in Capricorn opposing America’s Moon in Cancer (domestic issue, public relations) indicates that public relations efforts will be in damage control for quite a while as corporate, finance, government attempt to “paper over” Truth will find their plans thwarted at every turn. Personally speaking, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill will be seen as the most powerful catalyst in this respect.
Addendum 06/03/10: The completely disasterous Israeli attack on the Gaza aid Flotilla a few days ago is a penultimate example of these intense energies busting open the lid on media manipulation for all the world to see.
I am creating this chronology with snippets of news on how Awakened masses across the planet are struggling to find a voice in this election year and beyond as the political, religious, and economic landscapes transform, as well as the prejudicial struggle for the old school that is kicking and screaming to hang on to the tightly controlled comfort zone of the past.
Both are valid and both are expected when the rope is stretched as tight as it is currently. Ultimately, the severe crises we face and deal with head on will bring us to The Choice: Birthing of Enlightenment or a Great Darkness.
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Voices in the The United States
ADDED:
02/23/12
Solari Com/Corbett report
The Breakaway Civilization
“Catherine Austin Fitts of Solari.com joins us to discuss the problem facing us in the wake of the financial coup d’etat — the breakaway civilization who believes themselves to be history’s actors — and the solution, what she calls Rethinking Diversification . We discuss what a decentralized, wealth-building society would look like and what we can do to take the power away from our would-be tyrants.”
Straight-forward, informative.
02/17/12
WaPo:
New Ethics panel members named to probe Rep. Maxine Waters after recusals
“Last year, the committee hired veteran defense lawyer Billy Martin Jr. to conduct an outside review of the probe. In a letter Friday to Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), six committee members said Martin had found no evidence of any ‘actual bias or partiality’ by the lawmakers, but they were voluntarily recusing themselves from the case anyway to ‘eliminate the possibility of questions being raised’ and ‘move this matter forward.’ “
08/01/10 Real Clear Politics:
California Rep. Waters may face fall ethics trial “Waters, 71, has been under investigation for a possible conflict of interest involving a bank that was seeking federal aid. Her husband owned stock in the bank and had served on its board.”
“Waters came under scrutiny after former Treasury Department officials said she helped arrange a meeting between regulators and executives at Boston-based OneUnited Bank without mentioning her husband’s financial ties to the institution.”
02/02/12
Addicting Info:
New Mexico House Passes Bill To Reverse Citizens United
New Mexico House Passes Bill To Reverse Citizens United Feb 02 2012
“Another blow has been struck against Citizens United, and this time it’s not by a city council. The New Mexico House of Representatives passed a bill on Tuesday, calling for Congress to overturn Citizens United via Constitutional Amendment. The final vote was 38-29 with one independent and one Republican joining Democrats to rebuke the controversial Supreme Court case that has allowed corporations and the super wealthy to donate unlimited amounts of money to candidates through the unfettered use of Super PACS.”
The Supreme Court really needs to answer to the American people on how it is they could possibly have thought their outrageous decision was even remotely compatible with justice and ethics. They were bought and it is imperative that we scrutinize those justices sitting in our Supreme Court who accepted that.
12/21/11
MSNBC Dylan Ratigan
Rep. John Yarmuth: “Money Is Speech” Was Tragic For This Country
“Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) has proposed a Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United along with Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC). His proposed amendment declares that spending on elections does not qualify as protected speech under the First Amendment. It would also give Congress the authority to create a public financing system as the sole source of funding for federal elections and designates a national holiday for the purpose of voting.” [emphasis mine]
12/16/11 TruthDig: Bernie Sandes Explains Why Congress Fears Citizens United “It took just 12 minutes and 29 seconds on the Senate floor for Sen. Bernie Sanders to expose the real power of corporate America over our elections. It should be a rallying cry for the embattled minority trying to clean up the system.”
“The Los Angeles City Council supports the constitutional amendment. Another supporter, progressive activist Mark Green, said Occupy Wall Street should join in. He wrote in The Huffington Post, ‘Nothing could enhance American democracy more than if Occupy Wall Street helped enact the 28th Constitutional Amendment to end the pretense that corporations are people who speak with money. The 99% can stop the privatization of government.’ ”11/22/11
Business & Law
House Democrat Introduces OCCUPIED Constitutional Amendment to Ban Corporate Money In Politics
“Known as the Outlawing Corporate Cash Undermining the Public Interest in our Elections and Democracy (OCCUPIED) Amendment, it would overturn the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that awarded free speech rights, as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, to corporations, as well as specifically state that free speech and other constitutional rights can only be guaranteed to natural persons.”
02/14/10 Fix Congress First:
Congress’s response to Citizens United “What we need to do is show members of Congress that they’re also dependent on another constituency: the voters. We’re following this issue. We know the difference between fake reform and real reform. And come November, we’ll make our decisions based on who had the courage to stand up to the funders, and who tried to sell America a bill of goods while protecting the status quo.”
01/27/12
Spiegel:
Republican Debate Veers Toward the Absurd
“The US Republican candidates’ debate in Florida quickly devolved into a horror show of absurdities on Thursday night as candidates argued about immigration and moon colonies. Mitt Romney was branded the winner, but the real losers were the viewers, the truth and politics in general.”
“For 120 minutes they “debated” the “hot topics,” producing sound bites but offering no insight into how these men would cope with the enormous challenges facing the US. The most important topic for voters, the economy, wasn’t addressed at all.”
While I pretty much ignore this election circus, I really think Dr. Ron Paul won this one with his remark; ‘Well, I don’t think we should go to the moon. I think we maybe should send some politicians up there.’ “ Yes! Hi Five, Dr. Paul!
WaPo:
Clinton: Done with the ‘high wire’ of politics. Really.
“The famously workaholic secretary said she has ‘no idea’ what she will do in the future, and doesn’t want to think about it because it might divert attention from today’s diplomatic tasks. The election, she said, is going to ‘suck up a lot of the attention from following areas that we think are so important,’ including ‘trying to resolve frozen conflicts’ and ‘trying to build up America’s reputation’ in the world.”
Reiterating her position here, after her initial announcement about one year ago, must say alot about exactly what’s going on in the White House that ruffled up feathers.
03/16/11
FPJ:
Clinton says she won’t serve in Obama’s second term “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday she doesn’t want to stay on in her post if President Barack Obama is re-elected to a second term — and she doesn’t want any other job in the administration.”
“Clinton made the remarks in Cairo in an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer. She also said she does not want to be defense secretary or vice president and will not run for the presidency in 2016. ‘There isn’t anything that I can imagine doing after this that would be as demanding, as challenging or rewarding,’ Clinton said. “
01/26/12
Guardian UK:
Tim Geithner: Obama will not select me to run Treasury again
“US Treasury secretary Timothy Geithner expects president Barack Obama will not ask him to stay if he’s re-elected.”
“Geithner was instrumental in organising the massive bailouts that followed the 2008 credit crisis, and has more recently been Obama’s voice in Europe as the continent has attempted to tackle it’s own debt problems.”
A constitutional amendment should be considered that forbids Wall Street/Corporate from having any governmental finance position. We have excellent economic experts who are independent of these gangsters and they should be considered.
01/19/12
The Republic:
Idaho Democrats continue push for added ethics legislation with 3 bills
“BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Democrats continued their push for lawmaker financial disclosure, limits on when former government officials can become lobbyists and increased protections for whistleblowers, announcing they’d be introducing these additional ethics-reform bills later this week.”
And Idaho citizens will see to it that they walk the talk.
01/10/12
Darcy G. Richardson, running as a 2012 Democratic challenger to Obama
“Long active in independent and third-party politics, Richardson has rubbed shoulders with some of the best-known political figures of the past three decades. In addition to managing one of the late Minnesota Senator Eugene J. McCarthy’s presidential campaigns and serving as a senior advisor in another, Richardson ran for Pennsylvania Auditor General in 1980 and for the U.S. Senate eight years later on the Philadelphia-based Consumer Party ticket. He was also an alternate delegate to the Citizens’ Party founding national convention in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1980, and served as campaign manager for Dr. John J. Logue, founder and director of Villanova University’s Common Heritage Institute, during his 1982 bid for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination from Pennsylvania. “
We need a challenger to debate Obama and force him to come clean on why he decided to make his administration a Bush third term. Unconscionable!
Rational Review: Obama Campaign Fails To File Delegate Slate for New Hampshire Primary “”New Hampshire election law required presidential primary candidates to submit delegate slates to the Secretary of State last November. President Barack Obama didn’t bother. … The beneficiary? Darcy G. Richardson.”
01/09/12
Newser:
Obama’s Chief of Staff Bill Daley Resigns
Obama's Chief of Staff Bill Daley Resigns (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) Jan 09 2012
“Daley handed in his letter of resignation last week, and President Obama will announce the move thisafternoon. Officials say Daley’s resignation caught Obama by surprise; he had been counting on Daley to help navigate the impending budget showdown with Congress. “
01/06/12
Jurist:
Federal judge grants ACLU motion to dismiss Arizona medical marijuana challenge
Arizona medical marijuana challenge dismissed Jan 05 2012
“[JURIST] A judge for the US District Court for the District of Arizona [official website] on Wednesday granted an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) [advocacy website] motion to dismiss a lawsuit [order, PDF] challenging Arizona’s voter approved medical marijuana law, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act [text, PDF].”
“Arizona is the fifteenth state to legalize medical marijuana.”
A healthy dose of Justice served.
01/04/12
WSAU Com:
Iowa caucus ends in a virtual tie
“Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Ron Paul finished in a virtual three-way-tie in Tuesday night’s Iowa caucus. Each will get 7 delegates to the GOP National Convention.” [emphasis mine]
“With 99-percent of the precincts reporting, Mitt Romney was leading the overall vote total by the narrowest margin. Romney had 30,015 votes to Santorum’s 30,007. Each had 25% of the overall ballots cast. Ron Paul had 26,219 votes.”
This was the only news piece I could find that was the least bit objective in this reporting. It is worth noting that Dr. Ron Paul did very, very well in Iowa and received the same amount of delegates as the other two. Although I sense the 2012 elections will see none of the current candidates running (including Obama) being elected, it is shameful for MSM to try to snuf out the great popularity Dr. Paul enjoys.
01/03/12
Rolling Stone/Matt Taibbi:
Iowa: The Meaningless Sideshow Begins
“This widespread and growing movement against the twin corrupting influences of money on our politics and state patronage on big business is going on everywhere – on the streets, in these courthouses, in the homes of people refusing to move after foreclosure, even in the antitax movements and the campaigns against state pensions.”
‘The only place we can be absolutely sure this battle will not be found is in any national presidential race between Barack Obama and someone like Mitt Romney.”
He gets it, and so do most of the rest in this country. We The People will be voting with peaceful but transformational activism such as has never been seen in this country.
12/29/11
Daily Beast:
Can Juries Ignore ‘Immoral’ Laws by Nullifying Them?
“What can a jury do to protest an “immoral” law? Return a verdict of “not guilty” to nullify it. Mansfield Frazier on why jury nullification is back in the news—and why the feds are cracking down.”
“While this issue has simmered on the back burner of America’s judicial stove for more than a century, Heicklen’s arrest has garnered national attention and is sparking a debate the feds probably are wishing would not take place.”
What separates the human from the rest of the animal kingdom on this planet is not our ability to reason [Wash DC's "reasoning" abilities are self-interested at best], but our keen sense of knowing what is morally right – not by man-made laws but by our capacity to revere LIFE and feel empathy for it.
12/27/11
The Nation:
Iowa GOP Seeks to Suppress Occupy’s Push for ‘Uncommitted” Caucus Voting
“Dubuque—Iowa caucus voters have frequently rejected announced candidates and chosen uncommitted delegate slates.”
“But the Republican Party of Iowa now wants to shut down the ‘Uncommitted’ option.”
Do these Republican megalomaniacs foam at the mouth? They’re rabidly trying to clutch to power no matter how many new rules they need to make up to do it, and breaking rules is considered their “compassionate conservative” side. Again, I continue to perceive that by the time we reach the summer of 2012, the meme “reset” will rise into mass consciousness.
Raw Story:
Report: Sen. Ben Nelson to announce retirement
“Nelson, 70, has been at the epicenter of major ad buys by both parties and outside groups, and he’s become seen as one of the most endangered Democrats in the Senate. A total of 23 seats held by Democrats are up for reelection in 2012, while just 10 Republican Senators will be defending their jobs.”
This little birdie on my shoulder just keeps chirping “expect the unexpected in the 2012 elections…” . Whatever unfolds, this is going to be an election season like no other in the history of this country. I do not perceive any of the current candidates heading this country. “Reset” will be the watchword.
12/26/11
CNET:
GoDaddy accused of interfering with anti-SOPA exodus
“NameCheap, whose chief executive last week likened the Stop Online Piracy Act to “detonating a nuclear bomb” on the Internet, said today that GoDaddy has intentionally thrown up technical barriers to prevent its customers from leaving. GoDaddy lost over 70,000 domains last week.”
“On December 23, GoDaddy partially caved, announcing that it was no longer backing SOPA, but stopping short of saying it will oppose the legislation. And not until today did it post a clarification saying GoDaddy ‘does not support’ Protect IP, either. (The GoDaddyBoycott.org site, which hasn’t been updated, continues to say that GoDaddy endorses the Senate bill.) ” [emphasis mine]
Never underestimate the power of Humanity united—particularly, this entirely awesome “new breed” of Humanity.
12/24/11 Time – Techland: Go Daddy Reverses Position on SOPA, Yanks Support “In view of increasing online outrage over statements supporting the Stop Online Privacy Act, Go Daddy just announced it’s reversing its position and no longer supports SOPA. In a statement released earlier today, newly appointed CEO Warren Adelman explained that the about-face is the result of those opposing SOPA–a position that the company had previously dismissed as ‘myopic.’ ”
12/21/11
TNW Insider:
Avaaz Petition Against SOPA Receives Over 1 Million Signatures
“It’s no surprise the majority of Internet users, with the slightest bit of common sense, are dead set against SOPA. The Stop Online Piracy Act, which we our very own Alex has already described in great detail here, could signal the end of the Internet as we know it.”
Courthouse News Service:
City Officials Face Claims of Snuffing Free Speech
” CHICAGO (CN) – Two Waukegan city officials must face civil rights claims over their treatment of residents protesting a new towing law, the 7th Circuit ruled Thursday.”
12/23/11
WaPo:
Journalists complain the White House press office has become overly combative
” ‘They don’t seem to realize or care that [e-mails sent from the White House] will become part of the official archives of the presidency,’ says Mason, who last month became host of a national talk show about politics on Sirius XM Radio.” [emphasis mine]
Along with the NDAA, SOPA, and other egregious acts against U.S. citizens of late, I’m not surprised they “don’t seem to realize or care…”. We all need to wake up together and ensure—immediately and effectively—that we will not stand for this “silent coup” and that whatever is afoot here, We The People will stop it in its tracks. I am confident we will prevail, but we must first generate positive events in concert to get there.
After 3 yrs of Pres Obama letting us down in so many ways, here is my “Last Song” to this administration
12/22/11
The Hill:
Border chief resigns:
“Alan Bersin said in a statement that he informed Obama of his decision earlier in the day and his last day will be next Friday.”
” ‘Earlier today, I notified the President of my intent to resign as Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection effective Dec. 30. I have expressed my deep gratitude and appreciation to President Obama and Secretary Napolitano for the opportunity to have led such an exceptional organization and for the confidence they have shown in me,’ Bersin said.”
WaPo:
House GOP agrees to 2-month extension of payroll tax cut
“Bowing to crushing political pressure, top House Republicans have agreed to extend the payroll tax cut for 160 million Americans through February, House Speaker John A. Boehner said Thursday evening. As part of the deal, Senate leaders will appoint a conference committee to negotiate a full-year tax cut after Jan. 1.”
12/22/11
Guardian UK:
House Republicans under fire over payroll standoff
“House Republicans were desperately searching Wednesday for a face-saving way to end their opposition to Barack Obama’s proposed extension of tax breaks targeted at millions of working-class Americans.”
“Their obstructionism is backfiring badly, with the House Republicans being assailed from not just Democrats but Senate Republicans and usually supportive media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal.”(Related) Think Progress: Boehner Dismisses Nebraska Keystone XL Pipeline Concerns As ‘Nonsense‘.
BTW, creating jobs in industries that promote destruction of one’s own “home” (environment) is more than counterproductive, it’s self-destructive madness. Demand that Boehner and Repubs DROP the Keystone XL pipeline from the Payroll Tax Extension Bill – STOP THE BRIBERY!
12/21/11
Boston Com:
New election rules a win for labor unions
” ‘This rule is about giving all employees who have petitioned for an election the right to vote in a timely manner and without the impediment of needless litigation,’ board chairman Mark Pearce said.”
“Unions say the old rules allowed companies to file frivolous appeals, stalling elections for months or years. The new rules could help unions make inroads at businesses like Target and Wal-Mart, which have successfully resisted union organizing for years.”
11/28/11
Raw Story:
Democratic Rep. Barney Frank announces retirement “Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), a long-serving member of the powerful House Financial Services Committee, will not seek reelection, according to published reports Monday morning. “
Democratic Rep. Barney Frank announces retirement Nov 28 2011
11/23/11
Eurasia Review:
Oregon Governor Kitzhaber Issues Execution Reprieve: Calls for Action on Capital Punishment
“It has been carried out just twice in last 49 years in Oregon. Both were during my first administration as Governor, one in 1996 and the other in 1997. I allowed those sentences to be carried out despite my personal opposition to the death penalty. I was torn between my personal convictions about the morality of capital punishment and my oath to uphold the Oregon constitution.”
“They were the most agonizing and difficult decisions I have made as Governor and I have revisited and questioned them over and over again during the past 14 years. I do not believe that those executions made us safer; and certainly they did not make us nobler as a society. And I simply cannot participate once again in something I believe to be morally wrong.” (emphasis mine)
Here is an enlightened man. He looked into his Soul and didn’t like what he saw. He healed it with this decision to do the right thing, the moral and ethical thing.
11/06/11
Technorati:
Federal Courts Rule it is Not Illegal To Film Police
“The First Court of Appeals has reached a decision that would allow the general public to video-tape police officers while they are working. This decision comes right after several well-known public cases have come to light involving citizens being arrested for video-taping police.”
Taxpayers pay their salaries; we absolutely have the right to check their on-the-job performance and document abuses. No brainer.
10/05/11
NOLA:
Pennsylvania, Nebraska Republicans want electoral vote changes
“Republicans in Pennsylvania and Nebraska want to change the way their states award Electoral College votes, moves that could hinder President Barack Obama‘s re-election chances. Lawmakers in the Democratic-leaning battleground of Pennsylvania are weighing whether to give the presidential nominees one electoral vote for each congressional district they win, rather than giving all its votes to the candidate who wins the state’s popular vote, like Obama did in 2008. In GOP-tilting Nebraska, lawmakers want to go to a winner-take-all system four years after Obama won the 2nd Congressional District and its single electoral college vote.”
Translation: We don’t have a snowball’s chance of winning on our platform, so we’ll bend the rules and tweak the playing field by changing the rules.
09/17/11 OCCUPY WALL STREET MOVEMENT EMERGES TO SHINE LIGHT ON BANKSTER CORRUPTION
09/13/11
Change Org:
California Passes First-Ever State Bill on Congo Conflict Minerals
California Passes First-Ever State Bill on Congo Conflict Minerals Sep 13 2011
“It began with individuals, spread to campuses, was taken up by cities, and last Friday California became the very first U.S. state to take action on conflict minerals from Congo.”
“By a vote of 67 to 11, the California state assembly passed a bill that prohibits state agencies from signing contracts with companies that fail to comply with federal regulations aimed at deterring business with armed groups in eastern Congo. The California bill builds off the momentum of the Dodd-Frank bill passed by the U.S. Congress last year, by further incentivizing companies to help build a legitimate mining industry in Congo.”
That’s the Spirit!
08/26/11
Haaretz:
The extreme Israeli’s right’s alliance with lunatics
“In recent years the extreme Israeli right has developed an alliance with the heads of the evangelical movement, who define themselves as Christian Zionists. National religious rabbis and politicians connect with these preachers, including those who spread the belief in the need for another Holocaust of the Jews in order to ensure the resurrection of Jesus. These rabbis and politicians accept donations from these preachers. It is mystifying that people from Israel’s ruling party, Likud, foremost among them Vice Prime Minister Moshe Ya’alon and World Likud Chairman Danny Danon, have joined the circle of Beck’s fans. So has Atzmaut MK Einat Wilf.” (read more…)
08/16/11
Follow-up comment 08/16/11 on Rick Perry:
Ya know, ever since I wrote on 07/07/11 (see “Death Row Case…” below) “ I’m getting the word ‘treason’ surrounding Perry cropping up within 5 weeks ”, two articles about Perry since then actually have linked Perry with the word treason, one way or the other, within five weeks plus a couple of days. Whoa.
The latest one: Rick Perry Accuses Bernanke of Treason
The first one was an article that appeared on 07/13/11 titled “Yes, I’ll dare call it treason“ , in which Perry was one of a few targets of the piece.
08/15/11
WP:
Perry welcomed Chinese firm despite security concern “Perry’s relationship with Huawei ‘raises questions he’s going to have to answer in this race,’ said Michael Wessel, a former Democratic aide who is a member of a bipartisan congressional advisory panel that unanimously agreed that Huawei posed a cyber-security risk to the United States. ‘Was he willing to put short-term economic interests ahead of broad national security concerns?’ ”
“In August 2010, eight Republican senators, including Jon Kyl of Arizona and Richard Shelby of Alabama, urged the Obama administration to investigate Huawei’s effort to sell equipment to upgrade Sprint Nextel’s mobile network. They argued that Huawei’s involvement “could create substantial risk for U.S. companies and possibly undermine U.S. national security.” The Committee on Foreign Investment rejected Huawei’s partnership with Sprint later that year.”
It seems to me that most in any other point in our history, this would border on a treasonous path. Other than that, why are any foreign nationals being hired to run companies in the U.S.; surely, we have plenty of our own with the grassroots creativity and talent to take on higher positions. I really question Perry’s ulterior motive here.
07/07/11 [5:07 p.m.] Texas Death Row Case With Implications for Foreign Policy and Presidential Politics
5:32 p.m. 7/07 Just heard the news that the execution took place. I”m getting the word “treason” surrounding Perry cropping up within 5 weeks. You know, if a family member of his were facing the same thing in another country, he sure would learn to appreciate the meaning of “common human rights” then. They never learn.
Jurist: Update 07/09/11 UN rights chief: US execution of Mexico national violated international law
LA Times:
Bachmann wins Iowa straw poll as Perry looms
“Bachmann made history as well, becoming the first woman to win the event. She received 4,823 votes out of the almost 17,000 votes cast. The turnout was a significant leap over four years ago but didn’t approach the record of more than 23,000 votes cast back in 1999.
“The Minnesota congresswoman narrowly outpaced Libertarian Rep. Ron Paul, who had 4,671 votes, and whose red-T-shirt-wearing supporters flooded the campus of Iowa State University and packed the arena when Paul spoke.”
The media (and the Republican party) is frantic to sweep under the rug the fact that Dr. Ron Paul took 2nd place and was only 152 votes behind Ms. Bachmann, likely because she was born in Iowa; home-state loyalty votes. So, now they are ramping up Bachmann and…Rick Perry? Anyway, my sixth sense informs me that there will come such a one unknown today that bursts out of the gates around Oct 2011 and breaks the matrix on a two-party system altogether.
Time for a Main Street Contract: Heal America/Tax Wall Street “The modest pensions and health benefits we have earned, the pay that supports our families, the improved conditions for our patients did not deplete public treasuries or jeopardize the survival of our employers. The banks and other financial giants did — and were rewarded with bailouts and bonuses while our communities pay the price. Over the past 30 years, while wages have fallen or stagnated and insurance premiums and other basic costs skyrocketed, wealth has been shifted from working families to Wall Street. It’s not shared sacrifice when only working people make concessions.”
08/08/11
MLive (AP)
45,000 Verizon landline workers on strike
“Stalled contract negotiations led thousands of workers in Verizon Communication Inc.’s wireline division to go on strike Sunday,
45,000 Verizon landline workers on strike Aug 07 2011
potentially affecting landline operations as well as installation of services like FiOS, its fiber-optic television and Internet lines.”
“[Union spokesman Bob] Master said the company wanted worker concessions at a time when it was making billions in profits and top executives were making millions in salary. ‘ We have never seen such a sweeping attack on the quality of life of our members,’ he said. ‘This is an unprecedented and in our opinion completely unjustified attack on middle-class jobs.’ “
Although I have never belonged to a union, I support their efforts. I realized a long time ago that it is because of the union labor laws that my private-sector employers did more to show their employees how highly valued our contribution was to the very existence of their company—besides, they feared we would unionize otherwise.
Chicago Times: Nixon’s secret Watergate testimony ordered released
Nixon's secret Watergate testimony ordered released July 29 2011
“More than 36 years later, the secret grand jury testimony of President Richard Nixon in the Watergate scandal was ordered released on Friday by a federal judge because of its significance in American history. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth granted a request by historian Stanley Kutler, who has written several books about Nixon and Watergate, and others to unseal the testimony given on June 23 and 24 in 1975.”
“Lamberth ruled in the 15-page opinion that the special circumstances, especially the undisputed historical interest in Nixon’s testimony, far outweighed the need to keep the records secret. Grand jury proceedings typically remain secret.”
Washington Post: The Watergate Story
Little by little, inch by inch….we will arrive at Truth.
07/26/11
Guardian UK:
US cyber security chief quits after hacker attacks
US cyber security chief quits after hacker attacks July 26 2011
“The head of the US body responsible for combating cyber-attacks has resigned unexpectedly following a string of online assaults on the CIA and other government agencies.”
Flashback to 03/09/09: US cybersecurity chief quits over NSA power grab “Rod Beckstrom was named last year to head the NCSC, or National Cybersecurity Center, an office within the Department of Homeland Security that’s responsible for coordinating the defense of civilian, military and intelligence networks. In a widely circulated resignation letter (PDF) dated last Thursday, the former Silicon Valley entrepreneur warned that a power grab by the NSA threatened the success of the office’s mission.
” ‘ the threat to our democratic processes are significant if all top government network security and monitoring are handled by any one organization (either directly or indirectly). ”
07/25/11
Narconews:
NFL Football Players Showed the Power of Organizing Strategically
“You don’t have to be obsessed with, or even like, American football to get that this was a most important story, one that marks the largest victory by labor on a national scale in the United States in a long time, and therefore carries lessons for all workers and others who organize to improve their lives. “
“Read the whole [Dave Zirin article at the The Nation], and you’ll see the significant victories the players won. I would opine that one of the most important advances came at the beginning of the conflict, in that this movement would not allow itself to be defined by others and instead defined itself: rather than letting the media call it a “strike” by players, the NFL Players Association set to work defining the conflict as a “lockout,” putting the responsibility squarely where it belonged, on the owners, some of whom stewed in resentment since the last Collective Bargaining Agreement also won great advances for the players.
07/23/11
Seattle Times: Partisan dispute to partially shut down FAA “But underlying the dispute on rural air service subsidies was a standoff between the GOP-controlled House and the Democratic-controlled Senate over a provision in long-term funding legislation for the FAA that would make it more difficult for airline and railroad workers to unionize.”
“FAA employees whose jobs are paid for with trust fund money will be furloughed, including nearly 1,000 workers at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, 647 workers at FAA’s technology and research center in Atlantic City, N.J., and 124 workers at the agency’s training center in Oklahoma City.”
” ‘These are real people with families who do not deserve to be put out of work during these tough economic times,’ FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said in a statement.”
U.S. Constitution, Article 8.
- Get rid of the Fed Res. We should not be paying a private corporation for the currency that should be free—Greenbacks
- Get us out of these billion dollar+ illegal, ideologically fought wars: Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Securing our borders needs to be done here at home, not all over the world and particularly not as a cover to expand “The Empire”. Stop outsourcing the military with private contractors. If we do not have enough volunteers to protect our country, there is a reason—they’re sick of fighting and dying for a corporate cause.
- Get rid of corporate welfare subsidies and other perks for the uber rich. If corporations insist that they are “an individual” then they need to pay their fair share of taxes, too.
OUTRAGOUS ! Whistleblower Cop Under Gag Order Breaks Silence On Corrupt Police Chief
07/12/11 Seeing Red AZ: Political tyranny in Quartzsite, AZ “Compounding matters, the council issued a declaration putting controversial police Chief Jeff Gilbert in charge. Foster referred to the act as making him the “deputy chief executive of nothing right now.” The declaration also allows the five-member council to meet without public notice and suspend all public comment at the meetings until they declare the state of emergency over.”
Quartzsite Corruption, Fighting for the Constitution in Arizona “It seems we all see a common trend across america. The abuse of power at the expense of the common people. Quartzsite, AZ is just one of the many small towns struggling with tyranny. We at the Ron Paul Arizona R3VOLUTION find this unacceptable and decided to do everything we could to help. “
06/15/11
RealClearPolitics:
White House defends legality of Libya mission
“A bipartisan group of 10 lawmakers stepped up the congressional pressure on Obama Wednesday, suing the president for taking military action against Libya without war authorization from Congress. The lawmakers said Obama violated the Constitution in bypassing Congress and using international organizations like the United Nations and NATO to authorize military force.”
“Previous presidents, Republicans and Democrats, have largely ignored the War Powers Act.” [emphasis mine]
That last sentence is at the crux of the issue. Whether you are pro or con on the Libyan bombing, this is [as Congressman Kucinich states below] about our Constitution. Our congress is suppose to represent We The People (and that they often don’t— i.e. The 2008 Bailout—begs for an investigation there, too) and our taxes pay tabs for these ventures. We The People, through our congress, are meant to have a voice in how our money is spent. The impunity of our presidents over the past 40+ years to act unilaterally must stop and this is the time to take legal action to break this cycle. When a teacher needs to deal with a problem child, s/he goes to the parents and the principal for their input, not to a regional military base commander.
06/14/11
Guardian UK:
Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire—as it happened
Note: Michele Bachmann supporters can't agree how to spell her first name. Photograph: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters June 13, 2011
“What are the three most exciting words in the American lexicon? “National donut day” of course. But surely a close runner-up is: “Republican presidential debate”.
“We’ll be live-blogging the event right here from the halls of St Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. Here’s a quick run-down of the cast of characters we’ll be meeting tonight: FollowHERE
From my perspective, both the Repubs and the Dems are going to fail miserably. For what it’s worth, this just flashed through my mind: This will be the year of the ‘freshman’ [or 'Fresh Man?]‘. Look for initials ‘CSR’ in the mix. Time will tell.
BTW, a debate question concerned Muslims and Republican contestant Herman Cain essentially said no, they can’t be trusted. This should be billed the most misinformed, fear-mongering statement of this century. Excuse me, but we already have Zionist and Christian extremists infiltrated all over this government—but that is okay? Not! We need our country back and we need leaders who follow the wisdom of our American Constitution only; I don’t care if the leaders are Little Green Men if they understand the wisdom and uniqueness of this pact with the American people, INCLUDING separation of church (religious ideology) and State.
06/10/11
Gingrich remains a candidate, but how serious? June 10, 2011
Sign On San Diego:
Gingrich remains a candidate, but how serious?
“ Rocked by the stunning walkout of his entire senior campaign brain trust, Newt Gingrich is nonetheless vowing to remain in the race for president. “But whether the former House speaker remains a viable candidate is now in serious doubt.”
“Already, his opponents in the Republican field are scrambling to capitalize on the upheaval, courting disillusioned Gingrich donors and picking off key campaign supporters.”
When will these power-hungry politicians learn? As I have said in previous posts, they are beginning to eat their own and in the end—all fall down.
04/22/11
Las Vegas Sun:
Timing of Sen. Ensign resignation raises questions
Timing of Sen. Ensign resignation raises questions April 22, 2011
“U.S. Sen. John Ensign’s decision this week to resign marked a mysterious change of heart for the Nevada Republican, raising questions about what an ongoing Senate ethics probe has uncovered while also muddling the field of candidates for congressional seats now held by the GOP headed into a key election year.”
“Ensign announced in June 2009 that he had an extramarital affair with Cynthia Hampton, a former member of his campaign staff. Amid the scandal, his parents provided the Hamptons with $96,000, described as a gift, and Ensign helped find Doug Hampton, the husband, a lobbying job. Doug Hampton has been indicted for illegally lobbying the senator’s staff. Federal law prohibits a former senior Senate aide from lobbying the Senate for one year after terminating employment.”
03/07/11
New Post: The Wisconsin, Michigan and supportive USA protests
01/07/11
Observing The Obama Shuffle:
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs resigning to become “political outsider”
Former Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s brother William is new WH Chief of Staff (ah, switching places with Rahm Emanuel…isn’t that special.
“President Obama’s selection of William Daley as his new chief of staff is not an example of a ‘Chicago mafia,’ Mayor Richard M. Daley, William Daley’s brother, said Thursday. “
Former Clinton adviser Gene Sperling will be his new director of the National Economic Council: “Known as ‘Gene the Machine’ for his indefatigable work ethic, it wasn’t at all clear that Sperling would be a part of the Obama administration as he supported Hillary Rodham Clinton in the 2008 presidential contest.”
Jason Furman the principal deputy director of the NEC: ” ‘He is a very bright fellow, but he is an unalloyed cheerleader for the trade policies that have been very destructive to manufacturing jobs in this country,’ Marco Trbovich, a senior aide to United Steelworkers President Leo W. Gerard said. ‘There are very serious concerns’ about his appointment.’ “
Katharine G. Abraham to the Council of Economic Advisers
Heather Higginbottom as the deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget: “As Democratic President Barack Obama’s national policy adviser, Higginbottom reported directly to David Axelrod, senior adviser to the campaign. She helped shape the campaign’s strategies on everything from education to health care.”
12/30/10
Anti-War Com:
Will 2011 Become 1848?
“As in 1848, there is a clear division between the people and their leaders. In Europe, opinion polls indicate that the voters want nothing to do with wars like Afghanistan, but the respective governments continue in their folly, even when they recognize that the conflict is unwinnable. In the United States, support for the wars being fought by the White House and Congress is both low and sinking, but no voters had a chance to express dissatisfaction in the November elections because war was not on the ballot and few candidates even bothered to mention it. The media, which should be exposing the lemming-like march over a cliff, is instead a cheerleader for the catastrophe, fully embracing the concept that the United States has some kind of God-given obligation to intervene everywhere in the world and at any time for the good of mankind.”
“The United States badly need a change of course, and 2011 will be a good opportunity to see if the American people will take up the challenge and march to the barricades. If they do not, there is evil in the air and we have a long and dreary future ahead of us.” [emphasis mine]
11/03/10
Chron:
Republicans ride voter unrest to control of House
“The capital awoke — if it ever slept — to a new political order, Republicans scoring the biggest party turnover in more than 70 years with their lopsided win in the House. In doing so, they will usher in a new era of divided government and dethrone Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi — a prime target of their campaign — who had crashed a political glass ceiling and made history with her elevation to speaker four years ago.”
“In a footnote to the brutal politics of the campaign, Republican-turned- independent Lincoln Chafee was elected governor of Rhode Island. Obama campaigned in the state in the campaign’s final week. But he declined to endorse the Democratic candidate, Frank Caprio, out of what the White House said was respect for Chafee, who had endorsed the president in his own presidential race two years ago.”
President Obama practically handed these elections to the GOP as if that was the plan all long (maybe it was? Two sides of the same coin). On a higher level, however, this had to happen because what I believe we will see over the next two years is a disintegration of our failing Government, as the new “team” AGAIN will not do all that is necessary and MORAL to bring to justice all those who on 09/11/2001 essentially conducted a power coup d’etat and desecrated our Constitution. In the end, this will make the 2012 elections one that will never be forgotten in the annals of history as we know it since Rome burned. I predict a massive movement to dissolve government in its current form and replace it around 2012–but with what? That remains to be seen but despite the gloom today, I see a Light at the end of this tunnel.
10/25/10
The Nation:
Congressman Considers Move to Impeach Chief Justice John Roberts
Congressman DeFazio (Ore.) Considers Move to Impeach Chief Justice John Roberts Oct 25 2010
“Oregon Representative Peter DeFazio is an unbought and unbossed member of Congress—a true heir to the best tradition of another Oregon rabble-rouser, former Senator Wayne Morse—so it should come as no surprise that the maverick Democrat is responding with appropriate boldness to the flood of corporate cash that threatens to overwhelm the 2010 mid-term elections.”
“So DeFazio is focusing on the real wrongdoer—the jurist who schemed to make it possible for shadowy players to warp the political process without identifying themselves. Specifically, the congressman says, he is “investigating” the prospect of impeaching Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.”
10/17/10
BBC News:
US Tea Partiers explain what they stand for
“I think the silent majority have found their voice, and they’re speaking through the Tea Party. They have made progress in local, regional and state elections.”
Pretty much sums up the entire theme of this post, huh? This part is scary, though. They’ll fall.
10/12/10
Raw Story:
Judge orders ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ injunction
Judge orders dont ask, dont tell injunction Oct 12 2010
“A federal judge has issued a worldwide injunction stopping enforcement of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, ending the military’s 17-year-old ban on openly gay troops.”
“U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips’ landmark ruling Tuesday was widely cheered by gay rights organizations that credited her with getting accomplished what President Obama and Washington politics could not.”
About time. Governments forcing anyone (straight or gay; man or woman; child or adult) to live a lie is the subtlest. yet a most oppressive form of eradicating individuality.
10/14/10 follow up:
CNN:
Justice department seeks stay of judge’s ‘don’t-ask-don’t-tell’ ruling
“The Justice Department requested an emergency stay Thursday of a federal judge’s injunction stopping enforcement of the military’s policy that bars gay men and lesbians from serving openly.”
10/08/10
Washington Post:
National Security Advisor Gen. James Jones Resigning
National Security Advisor Gen. James Jones Resigning Oct 08 2010
“WASHINGTON — Gen. James Jones, President Barack Obama‘s national security adviser, is stepping down and will be replaced by his top deputy Tom Donilon, two senior administration officials told The Associated Press on Friday.”
“The move, though expected, is the latest high-profile departure among Obama’s leadership team. Chief of staff Rahm Emanuel left just last week, and the president is expected to see more change at the top as Obama’s tenure nears the two-year mark and the grinding pace of the White House takes a toll.”
Ah yes, seems all these resignations were “expected.” They all really wanted to do something else, right? If that were the case, I would question closely their dedication to America [and not foreign interests] in the the first place. Just MHO.
10/06/10
Las Vegas Sun:
Nevada Tea Party chairman quits after tape flap
chairman of the Tea Party of Nevada resigned Tuesday after a recording was made public capturing Republican Sharron Angle badmouthing GOP leaders (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File) Oct 06 2010
“The chairman of the Tea Party of Nevada resigned Tuesday after a recording was made public capturing Republican Sharron Angle badmouthing GOP leaders during a meeting with the shadowy group’s U.S. Senate candidate.
“The exit of chairman Syd James is another blow to the candidacy of Tea Party of Nevada nominee Scott Ashjian, who has been denounced by state tea party leaders who say he has no connection to the movement that advocates limited government and tightfisted public spending.”
I don’t know which is worse, the Goldman Sachs casino games or the elections casino games! When will we EVER just conduct elections with each candidate conveying what s/he will do and then shut up! No more slandering and maneuvering for positions and gambling wth the emotions of We The People. I want a candidate who is secure enough to represent their Truth and let the others represent theirs. Period. Be that change!
YouTube
El Paso Times:
Bank bailout supporters struggling for re-election
Bank bailout supporters struggling for re-election Oct 05 2010
“Longtime Republican lawmakers—tarred by their votes for the emergency aid to banks, insurance and auto companies—have been sent packing in primaries. Fresh political attack ads are lambasting candidates from both parties for supporting the $700 billion package that Republican President George W. Bush pushed through Congress at the height of the financial crisis in October 2008.”
“The Government Accountability Office, a congressional watchdog, said Monday that the Treasury bailed out dozens of banks with known financial problems. It called for better monitoring of banks seeking to tap a new $30 billion lending fund proposed by the administration and passed by Congress last month to spur lending to credit-starved small businesses.
“The administration’s plans to use $41 billion in TARP money to help people refinance mortgages to avoid foreclosure has been a bust so far. Less than $1 billion has been spent on the program.”
10/01/10
RealClearPolitics:
Congress sends intelligence bill to Obama
Congress sends first intelligence authorization bill since 2004 to Pres. Obama meant to strengthen oversight of sensitive spy operations Sep 29 2010
“The authorization bill the House passed 244-181 — the Senate had approved it in earlier in the week — is a compromise, hewing to White House insistence that only eight key congressional leaders attend briefings on the nation’s most secretive programs.”
“It also seeks to satisfy lawmakers’ desire for more information by ensuring that all members of the House and Senate intelligence committees will receive a “general description” regarding the intelligence finding or notification. However, the bill gives the White House leeway in deciding what to tell the committee members in its notification.”
Politico:
What to watch as Rahm Emanuel leaves
Bye bye, Rahm Emanuel Oct 01 2010
” ‘The chief of staff is important, but chiefs of staff come and go,’ said Roy Neel, former deputy chief of staff for President Bill Clinton. ‘If it’s a signal, it’s a short-term signal. … At the end of the day, after the announcement, it’s back to business.’
“Still, the sudden absence of a man who played such a huge role in Obama’s first 21 months in office leaves many intriguing questions about the post-Emanuel White House — and the post-White House Emanuel.”
Las Vegas Sun:
AP-GfK Poll: Dems disliked, but so is GOP
AP-GfK Poll: Dems disliked, but so is GOP Sep 24 2010
“In an Associated Press-GfK Poll this month, 60 percent disapprove of the job congressional Democrats are doing _ yet 68 percent frown on how Republicans are performing. While 59 percent are unhappy with how Democrats are handling the economy, 64 percent are upset by the GOP’s work on the country’s top issue. Just over half have unfavorable views of each party.”
“Reflecting that discontent, 54 percent who strongly dislike Democrats in the AP-GfK Poll express intense interest in the election, compared with just 40 percent of those with very negative views of Republicans. Extreme interest in the campaign is expressed by nearly 6 in 10 saying their vote in November will signal their opposition to Obama. Only about 4 in 10 say they want to show support for the president with their vote.”
The Awakening getting is its voice. Exercise those vocal cords!
Subliminal Political Messages: Science Sensei
09/22/10
The HogueProphecy Bulletin
2012 — Willie Horton Hears a Hooey
John Hogue adds wit and wisdom in his article 2012 — "Willie Horton Hears a Hooey" Sep 19 2010
“It might be time to ruffle the fragile belief systems of Dumbopublicans and Donkeycrats and Tea Baggers alike by reprising a prophetic satire posted exactly one year and five months ago on 18 and 22 April 2009. I review today my naughty and nebulous ersatz biblical predictions, cast as a jiving-prescient joke-in-earnest. It has a lot more forbearing bang for its bucks and kicks delivered to the asinine Left, and rogue elephant Right, right now. It also forecast Sarah Palin ascendant. She has become a real king and queen maker and perhaps a president grizzly running in 2012.”
Great Prophetic Political Punning from John Hogue! But with embedded wisdom if one is Aware of it.
Raw Story:
Obama aide’s exit could be prelude to more changes
Lawrence Summers, director of National Economic Council, leaving to return to Harvard Sep 22 2010
“The White House said Tuesday that Lawrence Summers, director of the National Economic Council, would leave at the end of the year to return to Harvard University. Though administration officials said Obama had known for some time that Summers would depart this year, news of his pending exit comes amid deep concern over the sluggish pace of the recovery, as well as criticism of the team that conceived the administration’s economic policies.”
“Obama has already lost two other high-level economic advisers: budget director Peter Orszag and the chief of the Council of Economic Advisers, Christina Romer, both of whom resigned this summer. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner would be the only one of Obama’s top-tier economic advisers to remain with the administration should he stay through the end of the year.”
President Obama, fire Geithner and Bernanke! Put in economic advisors who understand your constituency and not just the all-mightly $. You might gain some credibility if you do….and do so publically.
09/16/10
Sac Bee:
Calif. sues leaders of city hit by pay scandal
“LOS ANGELES — The California attorney general’s office sued eight current and former officials of the scandal-ridden city of Bell on Wednesday, accusing them of defrauding taxpayers by granting themselves salaries so high they were illegal and a disgrace to public service.”
“”You can’t just take the public’s money and give it to yourself or give it to your friendly employees or members of the city council just because you want to,” said Attorney General Jerry Brown, a candidate for governor. “There’s a standard and that standard is that the pay must be commensurate with the duty and the work.”
07/26/10
SF Gate:
Calif AG subpoenas LA suburb’s records “Attorney General Jerry Brown said Monday that he’s demanding to see employment contracts from the city of Bell within 48 hours to determine whether to file charges.”
“The move follows last week’s resignation of Bell’s city manager, assistant manager and the police chief. They each earned hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to run a poverty-plagued city of about 40,000 people.”
07/23/10
SF Gate:
Calif. council accepts resignations of 3 managers “Three administrators whose huge salaries sparked outrage in this small blue-collar suburb of Los Angeles have agreed to resign, the City Council said Friday.”
“Council members emerged from an hours-long closed session at midnight Friday and announced that they’d accepted the resignations of Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo, Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia and Police Chief Randy Adams.”
09/15/10
OANOW:
Big night for tea party: O’Donnell wins Delaware
Big night for tea party: ODonnell wins Delaware (Rob Carr/AP) Sep 14 2010
“Virtually unknown a month ago, Christine O’Donnell of Delaware rode a surge of support from tea party activists to victory in the Republican Senate primary Tuesday night, dealing yet another setback to the GOP establishment in a campaign season full of them. A second upstart led for the GOP nomination in New Hampshire.”
“With unemployment high and President Barack Obama’s popularity below 50 percent, Republicans said the primaries reflected an enthusiasm that would serve the party well in the fall, when control of Congress will be at stake.”
Okay, I have resisted long enough…I have wanted to post this video for too long now 
Sensational Alex Harvey Band – Boston Tea Party
09/08/10
Chicago Mayor Daley won’t run for re-election “Mayor Richard Daley says he will not run for re-election in 2011, saying it’s “time for me, it’s time for Chicago to move on.”
“His announcement comes as he faces a record $655 million budget shortfall. Last month, the mayor said he’s looking at hiring private firms to take over more city functions, including potentially running the Taste of Chicago, as a way to cut costs.”
09/02/10
Young Turks:
Bloomberg To Replace Geithner?
08/28/10
Digital Journal:
Opinion: When will Obama resign – or does he wait and stand down in 2012? “Right now, everyone is focused on the elections in 2010, yet the bigger event is the one in 2012. Obama’s 2008 campaign manager David Plouffe meanwhile says that the president is ‘not concerned’ with being re-elected. Does Obama perhaps want to get out?”
“Does he stay on because it provides opportunities to give brilliant speeches once in a while or to get a price for something noble you’re actually unable to achieve? I’m sure he could get the prime-time slots on TV and the speeches just as well after resigning from his post and by telling the world just how the presidency sucks, how the corporate-military system sucks, how little you can actually achieve or change while being besieged by lobbyists and betrayed by disloyal party members.”
Ummmm…maybe he has been listening to Mayan Scholars about 2012, too. Or maybe there is no plan for a 2012 election cycle? Ya think?
08/25/10
Boston Com:
Alaska GOP Sen. Murkowski in jeopardy “Murkowski would be the seventh incumbent — and fourth Republican — to lose in a year in which the tea party has scored huge victories in GOP Senate primaries and voters have shown a willingness to punish Republicans and a handful of Democrats with ties to Washington and party leadership. Miller is a Gulf War veteran and self-described ‘constitutional conservative.’’ “
As you may recall, Sen. Murkowski refused to Hold BP accountable for the Gulf oil spill. That is not the vote of a “constitutional conservative”; that is the vote of a senator bought and sold by oil interests.
05/14/10
MSNBC Olbermann:
Alaska Senator Murkowski Halts Law To Hold BP Accountable For Oil Spill and former Alaska oil Whistleblower Mike Mason
Companion Post:BP Gulf Oil Calamity: Lies, Lives, Legal chaos. Did I mention LIES?
08/22/10
Raw Story:
Investors urge Target to look at political giving “Walden Asset Management and Trillium Asset Management Corp., both of Boston, and Bethesda, Md.-based Calvert Asset Management Co. filed shareholder resolutions with both companies. Together, the three firms control less than 1 percent of each company’s outstanding shares — 1.1 million Target shares worth $57.5 million and 344,000 Best Buy shares worth $11.3 million — but they are moving the debate over the political giving to a new arena.”
” ‘A good corporate political contribution policy should prevent the kind of debacle Target and Best Buy walked into,’ said Trillium vice president Shelley Alpern. ‘We expect companies to evaluate candidates based upon the range of their positions — not simply one area — and assess whether they are in alignment with their core values. But these companies’ policies are clearly lacking that.’ “
Whoa! Investors with a conscience
07/24/10 Target CEO Defends Minnesota (Political) Donations “Chief Executive Gregg Steinhafel said gay employees have been raising concerns about the money helping state Rep. Tom Emmer, who opposes gay marriage. Target gave $150,000 to MN Forward, a group staffed by former insiders from outgoing Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s administration. MN Forward is running TV ads supporting Emmer.
Target donated to MN Forward under new laws allowing corporations to spend company money on election campaigns. Corporate donations have been flowing since the U.S. Supreme Court threw out parts of a 63-year-old law that prohibited companies and unions from donating to campaigns for or against candidates.”
” ‘I think Target is making a huge mistake,’ said Laura Hedlund, a former Democratic campaign worker who picketed outside a suburban Minneapolis Target store on Saturday, urging shoppers to spend their money elsewhere. “
08/20/10
Raw Story::
Poll: Nearly 6 in 10 oppose war in Afghanistan “A majority of Americans see no end in sight in Afghanistan, and nearly six in 10 oppose the nine-year-old war as President Barack Obama sends tens of thousands more troops to the fight, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll.”
08/16/10
Boston Herald:
Woman hits Senate Armed Services chairman with pie “Michigan authorities have filed felony stalking charges against a woman they say hit U.S. Sen. Carl Levin in the face with an apple pie during a meeting with constituents in northern Michigan.”
“Levin is chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Mohsen told the Big Rapids Pioneer she hoped ‘to send a message that liberals and Democrats are just as implicated’ in war as Republicans.”
Hope it was the All-American Mom’s apple pie 
Actually, I’m not surprised that the entire Congress has not had a pie fight or two by now.
Access NorthGa Com:
Sec. Gates plans to retire next year “In an interview published Monday, Gates told Foreign Policy magazine that leaving in 2011 makes sense. It would give him time to oversee the major offensive under way in Afghanistan but bow out before the 2012 presidential elections.”
Will Petraeus be next to retire or….? We The People desperately need someone of their caliber who actually believes and acts in the knowledge that war is a last, very last, resort only in defense of the nation, period. Not a “perceived” threat and not a “preemptive” strategy. Yeah, we may see many people in power trying to get “out of the way” in 2012.
08/12/10
The Nation:
Rep. Dennis Kucinich Seeks to Ban Assassinations of US Citizens “Most lawmakers have been mute about the Obama administration’s policy to target a US citizen for assassination. Representative Jane Harman, who serves on the Homeland Security Committee, said recently that Awlaki is ‘probably the person, the terrorist, who would be terrorist No. 1 in terms of threat against us.’ One of the few who has spoken against the policy is Ohio Democrat Dennis Kucinich. ‘The assassination policies vitiate the presumption of innocence and the government then becomes the investigator, policeman, prosecutor, judge, jury, executioner all in one,’ Kucinich told me in April. “That raises the greatest questions with respect to our constitution and our democratic way of life.” He called the policy ‘extrajudicial.’ “
It’s comforting to know that there still are a few people (a precious few) still in the halls of Congress to fight for what is right and not for what is convenient.
Seattle Times:
American boy plans N. Korea trip to pitch peace idea “A 13-year-old American plans to visit North Korea this week and perhaps meet leader Kim Jong Il to pitch his idea for a ‘children’s peace forest’ in the demilitarized zone.”
“We know, it sounds crazy,” said Lee’s mother, Melissa. ‘When he first said, “I think we need to go to North Korea,” I looked at my husband and said, ‘What?’ It was a radical idea.”
…and the meek shall inherit the earth....
08/09/10
Jurist:
Federal appeals court rules against warrantless GPS tracking “The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit [official website] ruled [opinion, PDF] Friday that prolonged use of global positioning systems (GPS) to monitor suspects’ vehicles violates the Fourth Amendment [text] protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.”
“The court discussed the expectations of society, stating:
‘Society recognizes Jones’s expectation of privacy in his movements over the course of a month as reasonable, and the use of the GPS device to monitor those movements defeated that reasonable expectation. As we have discussed, prolonged GPS monitoring reveals an intimate picture of the subject’s life that he expects no one to have — short perhaps of his spouse.’ “
08/09/10
CBS:
20 States Respond in Health Care Overhaul Lawsuit “Twenty states and the nation’s most influential small business lobby said Friday a federal court in Florida must hear their challenge to President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul because they face imminent harm from its mandates.”
” ‘If Congress can regulate the failure to have health care insurance coverage, it can equally regulate the “failure” to meet any other requirement it chooses to impose,’ Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum wrote in the response.”
Therein lies the danger. It sets a terrible precedent against individual rights.
08/04/10
St. Louis Today:
Missouri voters overwhelmingly reject fed mandate to purchase health insurance “With most of the vote counted, Proposition C was winning by a ratio of nearly 3 to 1. The measure, which seeks to exempt Missouri from the insurance mandate in the new health care law, includes a provision that would change how insurance companies that go out of business in Missouri liquidate their assets.”
” ‘I’ve never seen anything like it,’ Cunningham said at a campaign gathering at a private home in Town and Country. ‘Citizens wanted their voices to be heard.’ “
Chron:
Another incumbent down as Michigan Rep. loses “Michigan Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick lost her bid for an eighth term on Tuesday, her son’s legal woes dragging her down in a year when fickle voters seem eager to fire longtime lawmakers.”
“She’s the sixth — and the fourth in the House — to lose so far this year. And the frustrated electorate could deal others the same fate in primaries over the next two months, not to mention the general election in November, when nothing less than the balance of power in Washington will be at stake.”
07/30/10
RT:
US Congresswoman wants to kick out Palestinians “The Obama administration has decided to allow the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) office in Washington, DC to fly the Palestinian flag as an official delegation representing the Palestinians.”
“Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen is a pro-Israel advocate and seen as an ‘AIPAC attack dog’, said Adam Shapiro of the Free Gaza Movement. He also argued that some in the House may share her views; however the US Senate is not as likely to sympathize with her stance. Either way, it will likely be a meaningless effort aimed at gaining political support in the election year, said Shapiro.
However, there is a growing Jewish lobby in Washington that counteracts AIPAC with their message. I saw this video in Oct 2009 but have not heard more about it. It’s worth looking into, IMHO.YouTube
07/27/10
1st Amendment Center:
Va. privacy advocate can publish SSNs of private, public citizens “A Virginia privacy advocate can post public records containing Social Security numbers of private citizens as well as government officials on her website, a federal appeals court ruled yesterday.”
” ‘The unredacted SSNs on Virginia land records that Ostergren has posted online are integral to her message,’ Judge Allyson Duncan wrote in the unanimous opinion, Ostergren v. Cuccenelli. ‘Indeed, they are her message.’ Displaying them proves Virginia’s failure to safeguard private information and powerfully demonstrates why Virginia citizens should be concerned. The court also agreed that the state cannot punish Ostergren for posting on her website the same public records that the government makes available online.”
US News & World Report:
House Panel Charges Rangel With Ethics Misdeeds “A House investigative committee on Thursday charged New York Rep. Charles Rangel with multiple ethics violations, a blow to the former Ways and Means chairman and an election-year headache for Democrats. [Read 10 Things You Didn't Know About Rangel.]“
Ah, seems that the Ethics Committee has suddenly realized they should be monitoring Ethics violations, not covering them up. If they get proficient enough and actually do the job correctly, we probably will see a 85% turnover at the Capital building and WH by 2012.
07/08/10
Seattle Times:
Groups launch effort to change campaign money law “Two groups that have long advocated public financing of elections plan to spend at least $8 million this year to prod Congress to vote on proposed legislation aimed at reducing the influence of big donations in politics. The joint effort by Common Cause and Public Campaign, called the Campaign for Fair Elections, will launch its first wave of advertising this week aimed primarily at Democrats who have yet to sign on in support of the bill.“
“[David] Donnelly and Bob Edgar, a former congressman and now president and CEO of Common Cause, said anti-Washington sentiment, bank bailouts and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico make the timing ripe to shake up how politicians raise money.”
06/25/10 EveningSun PA
Big Island launching publicly funding (sic) elections “Hawaii is moving forward with its test run of publicly funded political campaigns this election year, despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling against a similar setup in Arizona.”
“Advocates including Hawaii County Council candidate Barbara Lively said publicly paid elections help take the corrupting influence of money out of political campaigns. Lively anticipates receiving more than $23,000 in government money to seek her first run for office. She is vying for the Puna district seat. ‘ It’s trying to weed out the special interests and influence groups,’ said Lively, who is unemployed but has worked for the county in the past. ‘It’s absurd that offices are bought and paid for with ridiculous sums of money.’ “
06/28/10
Most recent political faux pas: RNC Chairman Michael Steele Opposing the Troops in Afghanistan
Subtly, but more and more as we move through the next few years, those in power with ill intent or personal gain in their hearts and minds (elected or not) are going to feel the brightness of this mass Awakening, shining like a spotlight over their heads. They can’t seem to keep their cover no matter how hard they try. The ride is rough now but calmer winds eventually will prevail. Friends, it’s not about this man or that lady…it’s about a Force of Benelovance sending waves of energy that benefit the hearts of the Good and confuse and make blatherers out of the Dark ……IMHO. Ask Tony Hayward from BP.
Townhall:
Justices extend gun owner rights nationwide “The Supreme Court held Monday that Americans have the right to own a gun for self-defense anywhere they live, advancing a recent trend by the John Roberts-led bench to embrace gun rights.”
“Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the court, said that the Second Amendment right “applies equally to the federal government and the states.”
Although I personally do not want to own a gun, this decision helps push us back to the Constitutional right to defend ourselves from enemies, both foreign and domestic. Especially during crises such as Katrina and the Gulf Oil calamity, Americans need to feel secure in protecting their families and possessions. I dearly hope that we as a humanity get to a point of putting the concept of senseless killing behind us in history altogether, but, until then, this was a very sensible ruling.
06/22/10
Politico:
Peter Orszag to bail next month; likely successors are inside “White House budget director Peter Orszag plans to leave government in July, becoming the first member of President Barack Obama’s Cabinet to depart, administration officials said Monday. Orszag is likely to join a think tank, colleagues said.”
06/17/10
Ex-Marine Kenneth O’Keefe was on the Mavi Marmari when it was attacked by Israeli commandos. Mr. O’Keefe did an interview on The Ugly Truth radio show with c-host Phil Tourney who was with Kenneth on that ship. Mr. Tourney was a survivor of the USS Liberty, which was also attacked by the Israelis in 1967. As I listened to this interview, I realized I was hearing from a man who sets the standard for the 21st century man. Light Workers come to us in many forms, in this case a rough and tumble ex-Marine (yang) who is unafraid to be in touch with his (yin) energy of compassion, Love for humanity, justice, and Truth. Let his Voice be heard far and wide.
06/14/10
North Carolina Congressman ‘Bob Etheridge’ Attacks Student
Yet another prime example of the Old Guard completely losing it. The good people of NC should call on Congressman Etheridge to resign or vote him out during the election, IMHO.
CBS News: NC Congressman Apologizes For Behavior On Video
06/12/10
3 New Mexico Cabinet Secretaries resign “As Governor Bill Richardson’s second and final term winds down a lot of his workers are looking for new jobs. Friday, not one, not two, but three Cabinet Secretaries announced they’re jumping ship.”
06/07/10
Kansas City Com:
Incumbent Lincoln survives in Arkansas primary; California Republicans choose Whitman, Fiorina “Embattled Democrat Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas narrowly won nomination to a third Senate term Tuesday night, overcoming a labor-backed challenger and defying a nationwide anti-establishment tide. California Republicans installed a pair of wealthy businesswomen, first-time candidates Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina, atop their ticket for the fall campaign.”
“Nearly two decades after California Democrats helped fashion a “year of the woman” in national politics, Republicans served notice they hope to turn the tables.”
Election Analysis: Women Set to Do Well in 2010
06/05/10
Dr. Norman G. FinkelsteinBreaks the Silence on clutching to the Holocaust
Dr. Finkelstein, thank you for helping to Awaken your own people to the Truth and cracking open a door to breaking this cycle. Another point of Light.
05/28/10
Political Ticker:
President Obama shares little about Sestak job speculation “Amid a press conference that largely focused on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, President Barack Obama refuted allegations of impropriety surrounding reports that his administration offered Rep. Joe Sestak a position several months ago if he would drop his Pennsylvania Senate bid.”
Um, I guess I was late to the party on this news item, just reading about it today. Wow. Might this be phase I of #13 in my 2010 predictions? Perhaps this will come down to whatever “is”…is. “Resounding calls for impeachment of President Obama will be heard and action will start; however, the President will reveal……”
Firedoglake:
Obama Fires MMS Director…. “Elizabeth Birnbaum, the Director of Minerals Management Service, who testified before Congress only yesterday, will be fired. But the question is: is she just a scapegoat? Birnbaum has only been Director since last July, while most of the deficient environmental and safety reviews for the Deepwater Horizon permits occurred before her tenure. Why her and not Salazar?“
CBS News:
Ex-congressman Stops Campaign For Senate In Conn. “Former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons said Tuesday that he’s no longer campaigning in the Connecticut U.S. Senate race, days after vowing to challenge former wrestling executive Linda McMahon in a Republican primary.”
“Simmons says he was disappointed with the convention because he thought he was going to win because of his experience. The decorated Vietnam veteran served three terms in the U.S. House before losing the 2006 election by just 83 votes to Democrat Joe Courtney .”
It seems to me that WTP are almost completely Awake now. Candidates who use their “war experience” as a criterion for political office just aren’t cutting it anymore. We’re looking for candidates who will help get us out of the war mentality, resist lobbyists’ bribes, are not financed by corporate hit men.
05/21/10
Firefighters, Architects & Engineers Expose 9/11 (Multi-part)
Major point of Light.
You can also watch the stream archive at UStream:
05/19/10
Washington Times:
Primary voters buck establishment“The Washington order suffered big losses Tuesday, with establishment-backed candidates losing or facing a fight for their political survival in all three marquee Senate primaries on both the Republican and Democratic sides.”
05/21/10
Daily Caller:
Texas board adopts new social studies curriculum“The Texas State Board of Education adopted a social studies and history curriculum Friday that amends or waters down the teaching of the civil rights movement, slavery, America’s relationship with the U.N. and hundreds of other items.”
“The ideological dispute contributed to the defeat of one of the board’s most outspoken conservatives, Chairman Don McLeroy, in the March state Republican primary.”
If the false-flag terror mongers, illegal wars, nuclear threats, Muslim and Zionist extremism, and environmental disasters haven’t sent us back to the stone age—Christian religious fanaticsare taking their turn at it, huh?
05/18/10
CBS News:
Rand Paul Wins Kentucky GOP Primary“In an unambiguous demonstration of the muscle of the Tea Party movement, Dr. Rand Paul has defeated Secretary of State Trey Grayson in the Kentucky GOP Senate primary, according to an estimate by the Associated Press.”
‘It cannot be overstated that people want something new,’ he said. ‘They don’t want the same old, same old politicians, and I think they think the system is broken and needs new blood.’ “Mario Cuomo Opens Campaign for NY Governor
I think the media is missing the fact that this is not just a “Tea Party” voter revolution [I'm certainly no fan of Sarah Palin]. Voters across the board are fed up with the financial, political, and corporate ganstas who continue to protect the 9/11 true mass murderers, cozy up with the Federal Reserve, take bribes from lobbyists, run fear campaigns, breed war mongers, and run an operation Of the rich, By the rich, and For the rich. One need not join a movement to turn the tables with their vote. Period point.
05/16/10
Mother Jones:
Protesters Swarm Wall St. Lobbyists’ Homes “Late Sunday afternoon, the well-heeled residents of Chevy Chase, Maryland, a bucolic suburb northwest of Washington, DC, witnessed a commotion rare for their neighborhood. Toting signs and megaphones, fired up and chanting at the top of their lungs, some 700 demonstrators from around the nation paid a visit to two residents who work as powerful lobbyists for the United States’ biggest banks: Gregory Baer, a deputy counsel for Bank of America, and Peter Scher, a high-ranking executive and lobbyist for JPMorgan Chase.”
The BP Oil Spill calamity begins
IMHO, The Gulf of Mexico oil spill will be seen as a sharply defining powerful catalyst in moving toward a Higher Consciousness on the planet.
03/31/10
C-SPAN:
Federal Communications Bar Association Conference On Media Regulation and Free Speech “The Federal Communications Bar Association hosted a conference on media regulation and the first amendment. We heard discussions on new technology and the future of journalism. “
CIA Officer- Robert Steele stresses the importance of Blogging – MONTAGE:
GRITtv:
The F Word: Aren’t We Cheneyed Out Yet? “At what point do we call them the family of mass intimidation and simply stop playing into the Cheney clans tired old terror tactics?”
03/12/10
Rethink Afghanistan:
Kucinich Anti-War Resolution Defeated But Number Of Democrats Voting Against Obama Afghan Policy Doubles “Before Dennis Kucinich’s resolution was even debated yesterday, the Republicans tried to derail even the concept of Congress talking about it. Their attempt was defeated 225-195, only 5 Republicans– John Campbell (R-CA), John Duncan (R-TN), Tim Johnston (R-IL), Walter Jones (R-NC), and Ron Paul (R-TX)– joined the Democrats to allow the debate.”
I’m with Mr. Lessig here: Fix Congress First!
03/11/10
Speaking from the heart, he is. Unfortunately, most politicians veil their true feelings on important issues until they are ready to leave office. We need them to get passionate about what their constituents want no matter what lobby stops supporting them.
03/03/10 Global Research CA:
How Kucinich’s Resolution to End the War Will Help Us End the War “…Thursday, March 4, Congressman Dennis Kucinich plans to introduce a privileged resolution to end the Afghan War. The resolution requires that the House debate, within the next week, the continuing war in Afghanistan, now the second longest war in American history.”
TPMDC:
Ralph Reed Makes It Official: He’s Not Running For Congress “‘After much thought and prayer, I have decided not to be a candidate for Congress in Georgia’s Seventh district in 2010. I believe I can best advance conservative principles by continuing to serve as CEO of Century Strategies, LLC, [my link] and founding chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition,” Reed said in a statement. Reed had been considering a run for the House seat of Rep. John Linder (R-GA), who is retiring this year.”
Sourcewatch: “Century Strategies LLC was founded in 1997 by Ralph Reed and Timothy R. Phillips. The company describes itself as “one of the nation’s leading political and corporate consulting firms.”
Early on, Reed discovered the potential for synergy between the business and political worlds. For instance, one of his first and highest-profile consulting jobs was for Enron, a client that he garnered in 1997, reportedly through his connections to Karl Rove, who later made Reed a consultant in the 2000 presidential campaign. Century Strategies earned more than $300,000 from Enron for mounting grassroots lobbying campaigns to help build backing for energy deregulation.” [ He has also been associated in interests working with Jack Abramoff .]
03/04/10
Dprogram Net:
Recent CEO/CFO/OTHER Resignments (150+)
I saw this headline on all sorts of forums but this is the only site I’ve found that actually lists and links with who has resigned with this massive exodus in just the past few weeks. A lot of people seem to think this is a sign of an imminent event. I wonder if Interpol has any hand in this. I want to research this more but it is worth the read.
02/17/10
Washington Post:
Congressman Evan Bayh (D-Sen IN) to retire “Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh will not seek re-election this year, a decision that hands Republicans a prime pickup opportunity
Add another one to the “resign” list. But not so fast Republicians; We The People are looking much more seriously at alternative political candidates these days..”
02/14/10
Fix Congress First:
Congress’s response to Citizens United “What we need to do is show members of Congress that they’re also dependent on another constituency: the voters. We’re following this issue. We know the difference between fake reform and real reform. And come November, we’ll make our decisions based on who had the courage to stand up to the funders, and who tried to sell America a bill of goods while protecting the status quo.”
Congress needs to feel the full brunt of the anger of our citizenry by pledging to vote—and vote only those people in your region-state-nation who have a proven record of being completely independent of lobbyists, banksters, or any enity other than the interests of We The People. We are in the very midsts of great change on this planet and we need to get our political Soul in order to meet that change with Grace.
MSNBC:
Congressman says US should break the Gaza blockade “Rep. Brian Baird, a Democrat from Washington state, also urged President Barack Obama’s Mideast envoy to visit the Hamas-ruled territory to get a firsthand look at the destruction caused by Israeli’s military offensive last year.
Refreshing to hear a government official speaking out on this issue, but here is another official who states he will resign in 2010.
Real News: 4 presidential candidates join Afghan war protest: “Following Obama Nobel speech, Nader, Kucinich, Gravel and McKinney speak out against the war.”
AIR AMERICA UK’s Gordon Brown to testify before Iraq inquiry: “British leader Gordon Brown won’t testify before his country’s investigation of the Iraq war until after the next general election, the committee behind the inquiry said Wednesday.”
” [The committee's] mandate is limited to offering recommendations on how to prevent a repeat of the mistakes that dogged the invasion and its bloody aftermath.”
Seems to me there is only one way to encourage leaders not to “repeat the mistakes”, which is to bring charges and prosecute all who participated in manipulating the world into enduring these terrible wars and forcing draconian Homeland Security measures on its people. “Mistake” hardly describes these illegal actions and hand slapping just will not do.
The Real News:
Washington D.C. Protest targets Goldman’s billions: “A crowd of protesters have gathered outside the Washington DC headquarters of banking giant Goldman Sachs. The protesters were angry at the more than $20bn in bonuses paid to Goldman Sachs executives. Now the company is spending millions more lobbying the US congress against legislation giving the government the authority to break up big financial institutions.”
Congress, if you want to keep your jobs, just say “no.” Period. Stop lobby-lining your pockets with blood money.
02/12/10
Yahoo/Bloomberg:
Few Want Members of Congress Re-Elected, Poll Finds “Just 8 percent of Americans want the members of Congress re-elected, according to a CBS News-New York Times poll taken nine months before roughly one-third of the Senate and the entire House face voters.”
Read it and weep, Congress. Americans are ready to clean shop.
11/17/09
Huffington Post:
AP POLL: Tax The Rich To Pay For Health Care “When it comes to paying for a health care overhaul, Americans see just one way to go: Tax the rich.”
“The poll tested views on an even more punitive taxation scheme that was under consideration earlier, when the tax would have hit people making more than $250,000 a year. Even at that level the poll showed majority support, with 57 percent in favor and 36 percent opposed.”
More specifically, how about diverting the bonuses for Wall Street (i.e. Goldman Sachs), lobbying bribes to Congress members, and the war chest of the Pentagon and using that for healthcare? The Court of Public Opinion should sentence these villains to 100 years of Community Health Service.
10/26/09
What You Didn’t Know About The War
Powerful. Never stop demanding that we retrieve our moral compass and wipe out this savage mentality and see proceedings start on Nuremberg—The Sequel.
12/06/09:
PROMISES, PROMISES: A closed meeting on openness: “It’s hardly the image of transparency the Obama administration wants to project: A workshop on government openness is closed to the public.”
” ‘This administration started with a bang, saying this was going to be a new day, and we had really high expectations,’ Cardozo said. ‘We haven’t seen much of a change. The Justice Department said there would be a stronger presumption in favor of disclosure, but that hasn’t been the case.’ “
Ok, now we need a workshop on citizenry openness that is closed to the government—is that even possible in this surreal surveillance society?
Senator Bunning to Bernanke: “You are the definition of a moral hazard. Your Fed has become the Creature From Jekyll Island“.
Actions speak louder than words. Bernake, Geithner, McChrystal, Holdren et. al. gotta go!
10/19/09
Cleveland Com:
Obama, liberals split on security, media issues: “President Barack Obama’s desire to continue many of his predecessor’s tactics in combating terrorism and his opposition to giving reporters a stay-out-of-jail pass are opening more cracks in his relationship with many of his Democratic allies in Congress.”
Cracks? More like canyons, I think. We The People are getting up to speed now in bringing this Jekyll/Hyde mentality in government to a halt, and that gives me inspiration.
10/08/09:
Bob Schultz: Announcement of Continental Congress 2009
“All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.”Victor Hugo
05/10/09
CNN:
Cheney backs Limbaugh over Powell on GOP future “As Colin Powell fires back against Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh in the latest skirmish in the battle over the future of the Republican Party, a new national poll indicates that Americans have a much more favorable opinion of Powell than Cheney or Limbaugh.”
“In an appearance on CBS’ Face the Nation, Powell dismissed attacks from Cheney and Limbaugh, saying they are “not members of the membership committee of the Republican Party.”
Pelosi Loses Another Vote; Massa To Resign Monday “We’ll let the Congressman from New York explain his decision to resign Monday in his own words.”
02/19/09
C-SPAN VIDEO:
The Future of the American Presidency “A discussion was held on the future of the presidency. Panel members were asked to consider five questions: has to presidency become too powerful, would the founders approve of today’s presidency, does the presidency threaten our system of checks and balances, do Americans rely too much on presidential leadership to solve problems, and the extent to which the presidency contributes to public distrust.
Although sponsored by conservatives, it is a well-balanced discussion and analysis regarding presidents from both the left and the right.
§ ≈∞ ≈∞ ≈∞ ≈ §
ADDED:
02/22/12
WaPo:
Australia’s foreign minister resigns in leadership row; PM may poll party on who should lead
Australia's foreign minister resigns in leadership row Feb 22 2012
“Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced his resignation during a news conference in Washington, where he was visiting on official business, saying speculation that he planned to seize power from Gillard had become a distraction.”
“Gillard ousted Rudd as prime minister in June 2010 in an internal coup, and their center-left Labor Party scraped through elections later that year to lead a minority government. Polls now suggest Labor would suffer a devastating defeat, but Gillard maintains she has her colleagues’ support.”
The boomerang of just deserves now lands at Gillard’s feet during its latest world-tour stop.
06/24/10
Gillard Becomes Australian Leader, Ousting Rudd “Julia Gillard became Australia’s first female prime minister, ousting Kevin Rudd as Labor Party leader after his plans to boost taxes on the mining industry deepened a slump in opinion polls.”
” ‘This is the most dramatic leadership change in Australian political history,’ Nick Economou, a lecturer in politics at Monash University in Melbourne, said in a phone interview.“PM Kevin Rudd stands down media conference (multipart)
and….
Lindsay Tanner resignation opens door to Greens in seat of Melbourne “Australian Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner has announced his resignation from politics after the next election to a shocked Parliament.”
Tanner to quit
02/17/12
Spiegel:
German President Resigns
German President Christian Wulff Resigns ( photo: Michael Kappeler dpa/lbn Bildfunk) Feb 17 2012
“Following the announcement by prosecutors that they would seek to lift his immunity, German President Christian Wulff announced Friday morning he would resign as the country’s head of state. Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed her deep regret and stated she would seek out a joint candidate supported by the major parties.”
Down and down they go, round and round they go, in a spin…..
02/15/12
Spiegel: Prosecutors May Petition to Lift [German President] Wulff’s Immunity “The list of dubious dealings involving scandal-plagued German President Christian Wulff just keeps getting longer. But public prosecutors are hampered from investigating the allegations because of Wulff’s immunity as head of state. Now they are considering the nuclear option: asking parliament to revoke his protection.”
“Wulff could avert all this trouble by resigning. But no one in the CDU in Lower Saxony has dared to call for his resignation yet.”
“Sending in the public prosecutor’s office would be a much more elegant approach.”
02/15/12
Yahoo:
World Bank President Leaving
“WASHINGTON (AP) — World Bank President Robert Zoellick said Wednesday he is stepping down, raising the possibility that a non-American might be chosen for the first time to head the 187-nation lending organization.”
“White House spokesman Jay Carney said he did not know if President Barack Obama had spoken with Zoellick and had no information on possible successors. ‘There has been much speculation but I’m not going to confirm any of it,’ Carney said.”
This important news definitely could be signaling a “changing of the guard”, posited in the Financial Tyranny investigation.
02/03/12
Guardian:
Chris Huhne resigns over criminal charge in speeding case
“Chris Huhnehas resigned as energy secretary after the director of public prosecutions announced he would
Chris Huhne resigns over criminal charge in speeding case (Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA) Feb 03 2012
face a criminal charge in connection with allegedly dodging a speeding offence.”
“In a televised announcement, Keir Starmer said Huhne’s former wife, Vicky Pryce, would also be prosecuted over allegations she took speeding penalty points on his behalf in 2003.”
There very likely is a much deeper issue going on than resigning over a 9-year-old “dodging” of a traffic ticket. It feels to me as though a much more damaging revelation was threatening to surface if he remained—it may still. Time will tell.
02/01/12
Journal News:
Nobel peace prize jury under investigation
“STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Nobel Peace Prize officials were facing a formal inquiry over accusations they have drifted away from the prize’s original selection criteria by choosing such winners as President Barack Obama, as the nomination deadline for the 2012 awards closed Wednesday.”
“‘Do you see Obama as a promoter of abolishing the military as a tool of international affairs?’ Heffermehl asked rhetorically.”
Good time to revisit this issue.
01/28/12
ZDNet:
Pirate Bay to allow real-object downloads
“”Data objects that are able (and feasible) to become physical. We believe that things like three-dimensional printers, scanners and such are just the first step. We believe that in the nearby future, you will print your spare parts for your vehicles,” The Pirate Bay predicted in its post yesterday.”
“The site, well known due to accusations of it aiding and abetting copyright infringement, took a philanthropic approach to the announcement, saying that it would likely change the world in a matter of years.”
Now, this is an awesome “voice” for our future, utilizing technology to enable the masses to share and build on each others visions.
01/26/12
France24:
Sarkozy confession to press sets rumour mill spinning
“According to reports on Tuesday by AFP news agency, Le Monde and Liberation newspapers, and other media organisations, Sarkozy told a small gathering of reporters that “for the first time in my life I am faced with the possibility that my career is coming to an end.”
“The exchange, which occurred during the president’s visit to French Guyana on Sunday, immediately became a subject of intense speculation in France. Were Sarkozy’s words a from-the-heart confession or a calculated move to garner sympathy?”
C’est la vie.
01/19/12
France24:
Russian stars launch ‘Voters’ League’ to fight fraud
“AFP – Russian celebrities including TV presenters, writers and a rock star on Wednesday launched a Voters’ League aimed at fighting fraud in March 4 polls where Vladimir Putin is seeking a third term.”
” ‘It’s clear to everyone that a new public mood has developed, a desire of people to vote consciously and to know where their vote goes.’ “
Absolutely. And this “new public mood” spans continents and is far more aware and AWAKE to what has repressed the masses for 26K years. In 2012, we begin the end of giving our power to delusional tyrants.
01/18/12
Denver Post:
Cyprus air traffic controllers strike over wages
“The latest strike action on the island nation comes in the wake of last month’s package of cost cuts and tax increases, which are intended to boost investor confidence. Cyprus is struggling to convince investors it has a strategy to deal with its problems and its credit rating was cut last week to junk status by the Standard & Poor‘s ratings agency largely because of the country’s sizable financial sector’s heavy exposure to Greek debt. “
The only really smart investor is the one who invests in their local community. Investing locally means the investor will be much more careful and mindful of the health of the community. Invest in your farmers; in your neighbor’s small business; and in public schools that teach your children how to navigate the world and respect nature, not destroy it. To global bankster investors, you are just a statistic, which is why they have put themselves, and humanity, in the mess they have created.
01/08/12
Spiegel:
China Puts the Brakes on Foreign Automakers
“The sea change is coming slowly, as if to protect those affected from being startled out of their festive mood. At the end of last year, the Chinese government’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) approved a new industrial plan that could have a devastating effect on German car manufacturers like Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes once it takes effect in late January.”
“To protect the ‘healthy development’ of their domestic auto industry, the NDRC said it would remove car manufacturing from the list of industries where it encourages foreign investment. The goal of the change is clear: Beijing wants to help its own carmakers break into the market. “
Guardian UK:
Countess of Wessex ‘should return bloodstained’ gems to Bahrain
Countess of Wessex 'should return bloodstained' gems to Bahrain (Photograph: Ali Fraidoon/AP) Jan 07 2012
“Gems accepted by the Countess of Wessex from Bahrain‘s royal family should be sold to benefit victims of the regime’s crackdown on pro-democracy campaigners, according to a former foreign office minister.”
“Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who has supported the pro-democracy movement in Bahrain, said: ‘Given the bloody repression of peaceful protests by the king of Bahrain, the foreign secretary, William Hague, should have never authorised Edward and Sophie to visit the country – let alone accept these extravagant gifts.’ “
Before the age of global social media, we wouldn’t have heard such a sudden case of “latent morality” burst from elites at all regarding human rights abuses anywhere. Yes, Sunlight is a potent disinfectant, is it not?
01/07/12
AJE:
Jamaica ‘to cut ties with British Monarchy’
“Jamaica’s new prime minister has said that it is time for her country to cut ties with the British monarchy and declare itself an independent republic.”
“Speaking at her inaugural address on Friday, Portia Simpson Miller, said her government would ‘initiate the process of detachment from the monarchy’, establishing a republic with a president as head of state, and breaking off links with the former colonial power.”
Good start for Jamaica’s new PM.
01/05/12
TorrentFreak:
US Threatened To Blacklist Spain For Not Implementing Site Blocking Law
” In a letter dated December 12th and sent by US Ambassador Alan D. Solomont to the Spanish Prime Minister’s office, the US expressed ‘deep concern’ over the failure to implement the SOPA-style censorship law.”
“Solomont’s threat was that should Spain not pass the Sinde Law (described by some as the Spanish SOPA) then the country would be degraded further and placed on the Priority Watch List. This serious step would mean that Spain was in breach of trade agreements and could be subjected to a range of ‘retaliatory actions’.”
Hundreds of millions of lives are suffering and human rights are stripped for what? For the sake of collectivist, monopolistic, psychopathic corporatists. Fortunately, 2012 will be seen as the Year of Cleaning House around the world.
01/04/12
UPI:
Caterpillar Inc. locks out 500 Canadians
“The workers at Electro-Motive Diesel in London, Ontario, are members of the Canadian Auto Workers Union, who were given an ultimatum to accept a reduction from $35 to $16.50 per hour, as well as a cut in benefits, the QMI Agency reported.”
“The union has stated it wouldn’t accept cuts of any kind and says Caterpillar is posting record profits, the report said.”
Nothing here about CEO’s/execs taking 50% pay cuts. Fellow job seekers should avoid signing up to Caterpillar in the spirit of Justice and unity. Humanity must break down these Castles of Greed. These 500 locomotive workers have the collective experience to design a clean-energy monorail system that benefits Humanity. Forget these tyrants.
12/28/11
Procurement Leaders:
Japan and China agree currency deal
“In an effort to reduce costs for businesses and promote trade Japan and China have agreed on a plan to promote the direct exchange of the yuan and yen between the two Asian giants.”
So, that’s sort of the “yin-yang” of this story.
12/21/11
Global Research CA
Bank of Canada Challenged in Legal Action
“Canadian constitutional lawyer, Rocco Galati, on behalf of Canadians William Krehm, and Ann Emmett, and COMER (Committee for Monetary and Economic Reform) on December 12th, 2011 filed an action in Federal Court, to restore the use of the Bank of Canada to its original purpose, by exercising its public statutory duty and responsibility. That purpose includes making interest free loans to municipal/provincial/federal governments for “human capital” expenditures (education, health, other social services) and /or infrastructure expenditures.”
“The action also constitutionally challenges the government’s fallacious accounting methods in its tabling of the budget by not calculating nor revealing the true and total revenues of the nation before transferring back “tax credits” to corporations and other taxpayers.”
Stay strong, Canada, against the global banksters.
WaPo:
Russian blogger Alexei Navalny released from jail
“Early Wednesday, police played a cat-and-mouse game with Navalny’s release, trying to avoid a rally from popping up the moment he was sprung from custody. A crowd gathered at the building where he had been held, but he was smuggled into a van and taken to a police station in his Moscow neighborhood, with supporters trudging through the snow to find him once they realized what had happened.”
” ‘For so many years we blamed the Russian people for doing nothing, for not taking to the streets, for not caring about politics,’ said Ilya Klishin, a blogger who has been organizing social media for the protests. ‘Now they’ve taken to the streets. It’s a real challenge, what to do with that. We’ve called for it and here it is.‘”
12/10/11
Photos of Moscow rally “for fair elections”, from helicopter “December 10 in Moscow at the Swamp area held a protest rally in the all-Russian action against the rigging of elections to the Duma. We present the aerial photographs of the rally. It was made by means of radio-controlled model helicopter, which in the process several times to no avail was fired from the pistol.” [Google translation]
10/31/11
Miami Herald:
Palestine Becomes Member of UNESCO
“White House spokesman Jay Carney called UNESCO’s decision ‘premature’ and said it undermines the international community’s goal of a comprehensive Middle East peace plan. He called it a distraction from the goal of restarting direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.”
This “International Community” delusion is bull crappy, comprising the voices of <0.001% of the world. When the world population is given a referendum on decisions, then it will be “international.” Until then, its just a minute number of “groupies” tossing their MegaEgo around.
10/27/11
Denver Post:
Tunisia’s moderate Islamists win landmark vote
“TUNIS, Tunisia—Tunisia’s moderate Islamist party Ennahda, banned for decades, emerged the official victor in the nation’s first free elections, taking 41.47 percent of the vote and 90 of 217 seats in an assembly that will write a new constitution, the electoral commission announced Thursday.”
“The announcement of final results in Sunday’s landmark voting capped an ebullient period for this small North African country, which inspired the Arab Spring as it moves toward democracy after more than a half-century under one-party systems.”
10/12/11
IBN:
Italian author wins free-speech prize for mafia expose
Italian author wins free-speech prize for mafia expose Oct 12 2011
“London:Italian writer Roberto Saviano, who has lived under police protection since penning 2006 bestseller ‘Gomorrah’ about Naples’ mafia, has won the PEN/Pinter International Writer of Courage Award.”
” ‘Roberto Saviano took on the Neopolitan mafia, first in the novel Gomorrah and then in the film made from it,’ playwright Hare said at an awards ceremony in London on Monday. ‘He did so at great risk to his own safety. My hope in sharing my prize with him is that a measure of recognition from PEN may, in however small a way, make his life easier.’ “
10/07/11
MSNBC:
Arab uprisings’ women celebrate Nobel recognition
“Karman’s Nobel Peace Prize draws attention to the role of women in the Arab Spring uprisings; they have rebelled not only against dictators but against a traditional, conservative mindset that fears women as agents of change.”
“Women have participated in all the protests sweeping the Arab world, working both online to mobilize and on the ground to march, chant and even throw themselves into stone-throwing clashes with security forces — side by side with men.”
“A 32-year old writer, Karman shared the $1.5 million prize with two other women, Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson and Leymah Gbowee, a Liberian peace activist. It was the first time an Arab woman has won a Nobel Peace Prize.”
Ultimately, the women will always push our world forward to positive change; they birth the world’s progeny and have a big stake in nurturing a better world for them, which is why all strictly patriarchal systems have for ages distained the feminine. Congratulations!
09/25/11
TNT:
Saudi king allows women to vote in local elections
Saudi king allows women to vote in local elections Sep 25 2011
“Saudi King Abdullah announced Sunday that the nation’s women will gain the right to vote and run as candidates in local elections to be held in 2015 in a major advancement for the rights of women in the deeply conservative Muslim kingdom.”
“Seizing on the season of protest in the Arab world, Saudi women’s groups have also staged public defiance of the kingdom’s ban on female driving. Saudi authorities went relatively easy on the women, who took to the roads earlier this year and gained worldwide attention through social media.”
For someone who lives in a relatively free part of the world, it’s incredulous that in the 21st century, these woman only now win a right to vote! We are roughly one-half of the world population and one-half the voices in Saudi Arabia have not even been heard!
09/19/11
TVNZ:
Berlusconi told to quit over new sex scandal
Berlusconi told to quit over new sex scandal Sep 19 2011
“Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is facing growing pressure to resign after embarrassing new revelations of parties and young women prompted questions about his ability to govern a country rocked by financial crisis.”
“Opposition parties stepped up calls for Berlusconi to resign after the latest disclosures, saying a country immersed in a debt crisis that threatens the entire euro zone could not afford a premier who governs in his spare time.”
What a pathetic excuse for a “leader”.
09/16/11
Real Clear Politics:
Denmark’s ‘red bloc’ topples government
Denmark's 'red bloc' topples government (AP Photo/Jens Dresling/POLFOTO) Sep 16 2011
“Social Democratic leader Helle Thorning-Schmidt, 44, is set to become Denmark’s first female head of government after her alliance secured 92 seats and a narrow majority in the 179-seat Folketing.”
“The outcome of the ballot Thursday ended 10 years of center-right rule and cut the influence of the Danish People’s Party, an anti-immigration group that had used its leverage in the legislature to clamp down on asylum-seekers, especially Muslims.”
People Power in action.
08/17/11
Globe and Mail:
Fed up with corruption, activist strikes a chord across India
Fed up with corruption, activist strikes achord across India Aug 17 2011
“It began early Tuesday morning, when Delhi police detained a 74-year-old former freedom fighter named Anna Hazare, lately reinvented as the saintly face of the anti-corruption movement, as he was setting out to stage a fast-until-death for anti-graft legislation.”
” ‘I think they thought that by arresting him this movement would slowly fade away,’ said Bakhshish Singh, 42, a clothing shop owner who brought his children to a vigil Tuesday night. ‘But they’re wrong.’ ”
लोगों को बिजली! Power to the People!
MSNBC:
Chile faces 2-day shutdown over ‘utopian’ demands
“They want to replace Chile’s dictatorship-era constitution, which concentrates vast power in the presidency, with a new charter enabling popular referendums and making free quality education a right for all citizens. They also want pension reforms, a new labor code and more health care spending.”
“Students delivered a letter to the palace Tuesday asking for Pinera’s direct intervention to resolve the conflict. University of Chile student leader Camila Vallejo described it as a plea for Pinera to clarify whether ‘he really has the willingness to see education as a universal social right, and not as a consumer good, as he has suggested.’ “
08/17/11
NewsCom AU:
Venezuela recalling $11B in gold reserves
“VENEZUELAN President Hugo Chavez announced today he is nationalising Venezuela’s gold mining industry and intends to bring home $11 billion in gold reserves currently held in US and European banks.”
” ‘At the time of these disturbances, it’s preferable to recover our assets, in this case the gold, and have it here in the vaults,’ Merentes said.”
“Venezuela has nearly $4.6 billion of its gold reserves in the Bank of England, according to a report by Finance Minister Jorge Giordani that was leaked to the media yesterday by an opposition lawmaker. The report said additional Venezuelan gold reserves are held by the US bank J.P. Morgan Chase, British banks Barclays, HSBC and Standard Chartered, France’s BNP Paribas and Canada’s Bank of Nova Scotia.”
Uh, oh.
07/29/11
News International scandal just tip of icebrg of unelected oligarchies and corporate power... July 29 2011
London School of Economics and Political Science:
News International scandal just tip of iceberg of unelected oligarchies and corporate power… “Simply put, the cost of the financial crisis has been successfully transferred onto taxpayers, and public anger displaced from the bankers onto the governments which are slavishly following their favoured prescriptions for addressing the deficit in the public finances. The latest European bailout of Greece is following a similar pattern in transferring the risk of a future Greek default from the financial institutions which have made good money from the crisis onto the shoulders of Europe’s taxpayers. The old saying ‘privatise the profits, socialise the losses’ is being fulfilled in its most extreme form. We have seen this principle in operation repeatedly whenever private sector management of a public service runs into difficulty and is judged unprofitable, or when the cherry-picking of profitable parts of a public service leaves the remainder financially unviable. It is the taxpayer who foots the bill for putting things right, and paying the cost of corporate incompetence or profligacy.”
Download the report ‘Unelected Oligarchy: Corporate and Financial Dominance in Britain’s Democracy‘.
Spot on.
07/01/11
Miami Herald:
Hugo Chavez’s cancer puts 2012 Venezuela elections in doubt
Hugo Chavez's cancer puts 2012 Venezuela elections in doubt (Reuters photo) July 01 2011
“CARACAS — The political future of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez’s socialist experiment hangs on a critical issue: just how sick is he?”
“The ailing president told a stunned nation Thursday night that he has cancer, but did not say what kind or at what stage. Doctors consulted in Miami and Venezuela agree that from the few details Chávez shared, he most likely has colon cancer and could face treatment for the next eight to nine months.”
The era of the “old guard” is rapidly closing in our world. World leaders hanging on to obsolete ideologies are falling quickly now. The rubber band of extremism in all forms (politics, economics, religion, sports, etc) is ready to snap at its own weak links. The vibrations of that energetic release will expand into whole new Truths and realities over the 18 months. Leaders who cannot release their contracted, self-magnified energy will simply be slung into the Abyss of past. [Okay, probably sounds convoluted but I just transcribe words that "inspiration" gives me.]
06/30/11
Ribbonfarm:
A Brief History of the Corporation: 1600 to 2100
“On 8 June, a Scottish banker named Alexander Fordyce shorted the collapsing Company’s shares in the London markets. But a
A Brief History of the Corporation: 1600 to 2100 - June 2011
momentary bounce-back in the stock ruined his plans, and he skipped town leaving £550,000 in debt. Much of this was owed to the Ayr Bank, which imploded. In less than three weeks, another 30 banks collapsed across Europe, bringing trade to a standstill. On July 15, the directors of the Company applied to the Bank of England for a £400,000 loan. Two weeks later, they wanted another £300,000. By August, the directors wanted a £1 million bailout. The news began leaking out and seemingly contrite executives, running from angry shareholders, faced furious Parliament members. By January, the terms of a comprehensive bailout were worked out, and the British government inserted its czars into the Company’s management to ensure compliance with its terms.”
“If this sounds eerily familiar, it shouldn’t. The year was 1772, exactly 239 years ago today, the apogee of power for the corporation as a business construct. The company was the British East India company (EIC). The bubble that burst was the East India Bubble. Between the founding of the EIC in 1600 and the post-subprime world of 2011, the idea of the corporation was born, matured, over-extended, reined-in, refined, patched, updated, over-extended again, propped-up and finally widely declared to be obsolete. Between 2011 and 2100, it will decline — hopefully gracefully — into a well-behaved retiree on the economic scene.” (emphasis mine)
It is very rare that I find insights from an author who truly has the “eyes to see.” This is one of them, IMHO.
06/17/11
Saudi Women Driving:
Saudi Women Driving Cars with Relative Impunity
“Today, a number of Saudi women cruised through the streets of Saudi Arabia in automobiles, protesting the country’s male-only driving rules. Fortunately, it appears the rogue drivers got away with the protest with relative impunity, according to reports on Twitter and wire services.”
06/12/11
AJE:
Anti-Rape ‘Slut Walk” Hits London
“Thousands of women marched through the streets of London proclaiming their right to dress as they choose – without fear of being attacked. Their rally followed a similar event in Canada, prompted by comments made by a Toronto policeman to a group of students.“
Why is it that there is a breed of male in this world that just cannot admire The Feminine without proceeding to savagely destroy it? Rape is not about women dressing “like sluts.” It is about exercising domination over something they perceive as vulnerable and therefore an object to subject , whether a woman (of any age) or Mother Nature Herself! Maybe its the lack of mtDNA in most males?
05/22/11
Guardian UK:
Protest in the Med: rallies against cuts and corruption spread
Protest in the Med: rallies against cuts and corruption spread (Photo: ANdrea Comas/Reuters) May 22, 2011
“A youth-led rebellion is spreading across southern Europe as a new generation of protesters takes possession of squares and parks in cities around Spain, united by a rejection of mainstream politicians and fury over spending cuts. Protests are also planned in Italy, where the tag #italianrevolution is a trend on Twitter. Plans have been announced for a piazza occupation in Florenceon Thursday night, and for further protests in Italian cities, including Rome and Milan, on Friday.”
“”Everyone is here for their own reasons and with their own proposals,” said Luis de Pinedo, 20, an anthropology student who was handing out flyers in the Puerta del Sol explaining that the protesters did not represent any political party. ‘We are having to pay for an economic crisis that we didn’t cause but which was provoked by the banks,’ he said.”
So, now the Medi Spring flowers and spreads its seeds. As with the Arab Spring, the reasons for these revolutions may not always be articulated well but it ALL points to a growing world citizen army building consensus against the Global/International Banksters and the collective government leaders who serve them. I would look for the virus coming to America by Summer with demands including an end the Federal Reserve, a cut of billions in military funding overseas and investment in the citizens our govt is SUPPOSED TO SERVE, and bringing war criminals who have occupied our own government to trial.
UPI: Forecast: Spain’s protests to ‘go global’ “Growing unrest in Spain will spread throughout Europe this summer and ‘go global’ by winter, a U.S. trends forecaster said in an interview posted Friday.”
” ‘Young people have wised up. They know the score, ‘ Trends Research Institute Director Gerald Celente told King World News. ‘Those are the people that are ahead of all of these revolutions.’ “
05/08/11
OurKingdom:
The Scottish Spring
Scottish Spring - Tables Tip in Scottish elections May 06, 2011
“Scotland emerges from its election completely and utterly changed.”
“Whatever one thinks of Alex Salmond’s brand of populist, opportunist, catch-all politics, it has paid rich dividends. Scottish politics and Scotland have been remade and will never be the same again. The SNP has been utterly changed and looks like it is morphing into an inclusive nationwide movement for change. The Nationalists under Salmond have developed a convincing story of what the Scottish Parliament should be: the fulcrum of public life and aiding the evolution of self-government.”
04/21/11
Avaaz Org:
Harper’s G8-Gate: Demand The Truth
Leaked report alleges that Harper Govt illegally handed 50M taxpayer dollars to a single Conservative riding – and then covered it up as G8 summit spending April 17 2011
“This week, a leaked report alleged that the Harper Government illegally handed 50 million taxpayer dollars to a single Conservative riding – and then covered it up as G8 summit spending. With Canadians heading to the polls in mere weeks, we need to know the truth about Harper and his loose-fisted ministers.”
“We call on all party leaders to urgently file an official request with the Auditor General to publicly release the G8 spending report before election day on May 2nd, and we call on the Auditor General to comply with that request. There is no legal barrier to this release, and Canadians have a right to know the truth about G8 spending before we choose our next government.” Sign the petition here
04/17/11
Times Union:
Finnish nationalists could derail Europe bailouts
Finnish nationalists could derail Europe bailouts April 17, 2011
“A huge surge in support for a Finnish nationalist party that opposes eurozone bailouts is complicating Europe’s plans to rescue Portugal and other debt-ridden economies.”
“The sharp rise of the True Finns in Sunday’s nation election represents a watershed moment in Finnish politics, which have traditionally been dominated by the Social Democrats, the Center Party and the conservative National Coalition party.”
03/30/11
TimesUnion:
In Britain, many are weary of royal wedding mania
In Britain, many are weary of royal wedding mania March 30 2011
“Two specially commissioned airline style sick bag for people who have had too much of the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, are seen in a London gallery, Friday, March, 25, 2011. While millions around the world are following every detail of the wedding planning, the guest list, the decor and the dress, others are trying to tune it out. In the British press, scores of stories about the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton sit alongside grimmer news: Earthquake and tsunami destruction in Japan, war in Libya, and at home a diet of spending cuts, job losses and inflation. It’s no surprise many people are not in a party mood. The couple are scheduled to marry at Westminster Abbey on April 29. (Alastair Grant / AP)”
03/27/11
Bellingham Herald:
Merkel’s party set to lose power in German state
Merkels party set to lose power in German state March 27 2011
“An exit poll indicates German chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative party has suffered a defeat in a state election after almost six decades in power there.”
“The exit poll published Sunday by public broadcaster ARD in Baden-Wuerttemberg state also says the opposition anti-nuclear Greens could win their first-ever governorship.”
03/18/11
AJE:
Gorbachev: Time limited for Putin
Gorbachev: Time limited for Putin March 18, 2011
“Russian elder statesman Mikhail Gorbachev has said Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, should not stand again for the presidency amid speculation he is planning a return to the Kremlin in 2012. In comments published on Wednesday on the former Soviet leader’s 80th birthday, Gorbachev told Russia’s Argumenty i Fakty magazine that Putin and Dmitry Medvedev, the current president, needed to understand ‘their time is limited’.”
“But Gorbachev, who was the Soviet leader from 1985 until the collapse of the Communist government in 1991, said: “Vladimir Putin has already served two terms, and one more as prime minister. I would not run for president if I were in his place… People … do not want to be a mass, a flock led for decades by the same shepherds.” [emphasis mine]
See post: Slaying of the Gmork for updates on the Middle East rolling revolution
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the Libya revolution – reports on Twitter
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the Iran revolution - reports on Twitter
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the Yemen revolution - reports on Twitter
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the Algerian protests – reports on Twitter
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the Morocco protests – reports on Twitter
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the Bahrain revolution - reports on Twitter
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the Egyptian revolution – reports on Twitter
02/11/11 Mubarack has finally gone! Let Egyptian people be an inspiration to the world!
10,000 Egyptian protesters force police to retreat over bridge 01/28/11
The bridge… it is soooo symbolic, crossing from the old regime to a new prosperity….we hope. It may well be that The Cradle of Civilization will be the Grave of Tyrants.
Israel watches Egypt uprising with fear
“Writing in the Haaretz daily, columnist Aluf Benn speculated that President Hosni Mubarak’s ‘fading power’ leaves Israel with few friends in the Middle East.”
11/13/10
Washington Times:
Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi released
Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi released Nov 13 2010
“Myanmar’s military government freed its archrival, democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, on Saturday after her latest term of detention expired. Several thousand jubilant supporters streamed to her residence.”
“The 65-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate, whose latest period of detention spanned 7 1/2 years, has come to symbolize the struggle for democracy in the Southeast Asian nation ruled by the military since 1962. The release from house arrest of one of the world’s most prominent political prisoners came a week after an election that was swept by the military’s proxy political party and decried by Western nations as a sham designed to perpetuate authoritarian control.”
10/21/10
Las Vegas Sun:
Google: 244,000 Germans say ‘no’ to Street View
” ‘The high number of objections to Google Street View shows that citizens want to decide which data about themselves is published on the Internet,’ said Peter Schaar, the head of Germany’s data protection watchdog.”
“The California-based company lost the trust of many in Europe this spring when it had to acknowledge that the technology used by its Street View cars had also vacuumed up fragments of people’s online activities broadcast over public Wi-Fi networks for the past four years. Authorities in Spain, meanwhile, said Thursday that Google faces two probes there over Street View, after the country’s data protection agency said it had found evidence that the company may have committed five offenses by capturing and storing data from users connected to Wi-Fi networks while it collected material for its mapping feature, and transferred this data to the United States.”
10/03/10
SFGate:
Druids recognized as religion for first time in UK
Druids recognized as religion for first time in UK Oct 02 2010
“Druids have been worshipping the sun and earth for thousands of years in Europe, but now they can say they’re practicing an officially recognized religion.”
“Ancient Druids were known to be religious leaders, judges and sages among the Celts during pre-Christian times, although little evidence about their lives survived. There are now various Druid orders and about 10,000 practitioners in Britain — and believers said the numbers are growing because more people are becoming aware of the importance to preserve the environment.
10/01/10
USA: Shadow over justice: Absence of accountability and remedy casts shadow over opening of trial of former secret detainee accused in embassy bombings Oct 01 2010
“In essence, [Judge Lewis Kaplan] found, the Bush administration’s failure to bring Ahmed Ghailani to trial stemmed from its policy decision to prioritize intelligence gathering over due process, and its decision to treat him as a captive in a situation of armed conflict (i.e. a pervasive global war with al-Qa’idain which the USA has claimed human rights obligations are simply inapplicable). Whatever the judge’s characterisations and conclusions regarding domestic US law, however, the fact that the USA has for a number of years now chosen to disregard its clear obligations under international human rights law and to rely on distortions of the international law of armed conflict, provides no justification under international law for the violations the USA has committed against Ahmed Ghailani, including enforced disappearance and violations of the prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.”
Guardian UK:
Ecuador’s president attacked by police
Ecuador police riot, Pres. Correa assaulted Oct 01 2010
“Ecuador teetered on the brink of chaos early today as rebellious police officers protesting against austerity measures blocked airports and roads, occupied the national assembly and besieged the president in a hospital after physically assaulting him. The drama was sparked by a vote in congress on Wednesday which cut the benefits of police and members of the armed forces. The response was swift and underlined Ecuador’s reputation as South America’s most volatile country.”
“Correa, who has a Belgian wife, was elected in 2006 promising to spread the benefits of oil, gas and other revenues to the poor in the Andean mountains, Amazon forests and Pacific coast slums. He defaulted on a $2.8bn (£1.8bn) debt, calling it illegitimate, and boosted spending on education and health. He was re-elected under the new constitution last year but since then public sector workers and indigenous groups, among others, have accused him of breaking promises.”
Archival from 04/10/08:
Ecuador: ‘CIA Infiltration’ Charges Prompt Shake-Up in Armed Forces “President Rafael Correa’s allegations that intelligence services in Ecuador had been infiltrated by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have led to a shake-up in the armed forces of unforeseeable consequences.”
[A high-level Ecuadorean military officer stated,]“It is necessary”… for ‘independent and progressive sectors to regain control over the institution.’ He also called for ‘a reduction of the power of a group that answers to former president Lucio Gutiérrez’ (2003-2005), a former army colonel who was removed as president by Congress and replaced by his vice president Alfredo Palacio.”
EU Observer:
MEPs demand explanation on US plan to monitor all money transfers
MEPs demand explanation on US plan to monitor all money transfers Sep 29 2010
“The EU commission and MEPs have requested clarifications from Washington on reported plans to expand an anti-terrorism programme targeting financial transactions – a move that would render void the long-debated ‘Swift agreement‘ enacted in August.”
“Under current rules, US officials can request European data relevant to a specific terrorist investigation from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (Swift). The request needs to be approved by the EU’s police co-operation unit, Europol, and has to meet certain requirements. But if the new plans go into effect, the Washington Post said: ‘transactions between European and US banks would be captured regardless of whether there is a substantiated need.’ “
09/30/10
NarcoNews:
Colombian “Democracy” at Work as Government Removes Elected Senator and Human Rights Defender
Colombian "Democracy" at Work as Government Removes Elected Senator and Human Rights Defender Sep 27 2010
“Colombia’s Attorney General Alejandro Ordóñez Maldonado today announced he was firing opposition Senator Piedad Cordoba from the nation’s Congress, barring her from public service for 18 years. Sen. Piedad Cordoba, a member of the country’s Liberal Party and an outspoken critic of the government’s drug war policies, was dismissed for allegedly aiding members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia guerrilla group (FARC in Spanish initials).”
“For years Piedad Cordoba has continued to criticize US-backed anti-drug operations, which she says have only contributed to countless murders and human rights abuses at the hands of paramilitary and police forces in the country. In a 2004 interview with Narco News, Piedad Cordoba said ‘Every day the crisis gets deeper. There are people who have made the decision to look for a military solution for a problem that is connected, inarguably, to the drug trade, but also to misery and poverty.’ ”
Part II: CLICK HERE
Washington Times:
Anti-austerity protests sweep Europe
Demonstrators march down a main boulevard in Brussels on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
“Anti-austerity protests erupted across Europe on Wednesday — Greek doctors and railway employees walked out, Spanish workers shut down trains and buses, and one man even blocked the Irish parliament with a cement truck to decry the country’s enormous bank bailouts.”
” ‘It is a bizarre time for the European Commission to be proposing a regime of punishment,’ said John Monks, general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, to AP Television News. ‘How is that going to make the situation better? It is going to make it worse.’ “
09/15/10
Jurist:
UN rights chief chides world powers over human rights records
UN rights chief chides world powers over human rights records Sep 14 2010
“[JURIST] UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay [official website] on Monday opened the fifteenth session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) [official website] by addressing human rights violations [statement] in countries including the US, France, China and Russia. Pillay began her remarks by noting the current condition of human suffering caused by natural disasters, violence and attacks on individuals and by reiterating the need for protection of human rights in both emergencies and on an ongoing basis.”
“In a statement addressed toward the US, Pillay noted that countries must be allowed to protect their citizens from terrorist threats, but that ‘anti-terrorism measures should never imperil human rights and due process.’ “
09/11/10
Metro Canada:
EU ministers discuss relationship with Turkey ” ‘Arguably, today Turkey is more influential in the world than any of our member states together or separately,’ Stubb said. ‘It has a great influence in the Middle East, in the African Horn in the Persian Gulf, in Iran. It’s a truly global player and we need to work together with Turkey right now on foreign and security policy.’ “
Another strong signal that Israel is not looking well in the eyes of the world
09/08/10
Chron:
Britain likely to tighten US-UK extradition law “Britain is likely to overhaul its extradition laws amid concerns the United States is able to fly suspects out of the U.K. with little proof they have committed a crime, a senior government minister said Wednesday.”
” ‘Britain’s rotten extradition system is in urgent need of overhaul and we welcome this much-needed review,’ said Shami Chakrabarti, director of U.K. civil rights group Liberty. ‘No one should be parceled off to a foreign land without due process or when they could be dealt with here at home.’ “
09/05/10
Star Telegram UK:
Shoes, eggs hurled at ex-Brit PM Blair in Dublin “About 200 demonstrators chanted that Blair had “blood on his hands” as the former prime minister arrived at a Dublin bookstore. Shoes, eggs and other projectiles were thrown toward Blair as he emerged from a car, but did not hit him. A flip-flop could be seen lying on the roof of a BMW in Blair’s motorcade.”
Common Dreams:
Court says US-Colombia Base Deal Unconstitutional “Colombia’s constitutional court Tuesday declared a US-Colombian accord that gave the US military access to at least seven Colombian bases to be unconstitutional.”
“The lawsuit claimed the October 2009 military accord was invalid because it was signed by the government of President Alvaro Uribe without prior discussion in Congress, as mandated by the constitution.”
Dismantling Empire, one country at a time.
Bogota/Washington military pact allowing US troops to use Colombian bases draws fierce criticism; Unconstitutional and "affront to Colombian/Latin American sovereignty" AFP Aug 18 2010
Al Jazeera:
Brazil scrubs down its politics “Brazil’s Fecha Limpa – or “Clean Slate” – is a new law aimed at changing an endemic culture of corruption in the country’s political life.”
08/27/10
Digital Journal:
British Conservative MP announces he is gay “A 50-year-old Conservative MP with two children has announced that he has left his wife is gay. Crispin Blunt made a statement on the subject on August 27.”
“Blunt, who is prisons and probation minister in the coalition government and Member of Parliament for the constituency of Reigate, issued a statement which is on the Conservative Home web site.”
It took great courage to make this statement. He can move on now to making a life that is more real for him, more honest. It is really a shame that with all his service to his country, society induced him to “pretend” and not allow him to be himself all these years. I hope his courage will help the gay community in their fight for equality and the end of bashing by those who fear what is not like them. They should look into the mirror and face their own fears and overcome bigotry in this world, IMHO.
VOA:
Kenya’s New Constitution Will Signal Country’s ‘Rebirth’, Says Kenyan Justice Minister “Kenya’s Constitution and Justice Minister said the country will be going through a rebirth after President Mwai Kibaki promulgates the newly adopted constitution Friday at Uhuru Park in the capital, Nairobi.”
” ‘It’s 46 years since independence and our constitution up to date was negotiated in London under the supervision of the British colonial administration. But, over the last 20 years, we have negotiated our own new constitution, which is a far reaching document with enormous bill of rights and governance improvements that will make this country shoot like a star,’ he said.”
Kenyans wait in long line up to cast their votes during the referendum for Kenya constitution in the Kibera slum, Nairobi, 04 Aug 2010
The Globe and Mail UK
Ditch the Queen: U.K. public’s wild ideas for budget cuts ‘Britons advise their government to sell the Queen’s swans, have prisoners generate electricity, share embassies with allies.”
“In June, Mr. Osborne said the £7.9 million (C$12.8 million) in annual government funding to Queen Elizabeth II’s royal household, used to pay salaries and the costs of official functions, would be frozen for a year. Contributors to the website say that doesn’t go far enough — calling for Queen Elizabeth II either to step down, or drastically reduce the number of her family members who receive public money. “The French have not had a monarchy for more than 200 years and tourists still flock to Versailles,” one of the ideas posted on the Treasury site reads.”
Good point!
07/24/10
France 24:
Anti-CCTV activists force British police to bag Muslim-trained cameras “Birmingham residents have won Britain’s first battle in the war against CCTV after forcing police to stop using hundreds of cameras in a predominantly Muslim area. The campaign began when local residents launched an investigation into why the city’s two largest Muslim communities had been ringfenced by hundreds of CCTV cameras in April.”
“They revealed that local authorities had lied about where the £3m [3.6m euro] used to pay for the operation had come from. The money was not, as had been claimed, from the Home Office, but rather from an anti-terror arm of the police.“
Score 1 for Birmingham’s Awakened citizens!
07/19/10
Chron:
Argentina legalizes gay marriage in historic vote “Argentina became the first Latin American nation to legalize gay marriage Thursday, granting same-sex couples all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexuals.”
“The law’s passage — a priority for President Cristina Fernandez’s government — has inspired activists to push for similar laws in other countries, and a wave of gay weddings are expected in Buenos Aires. Some gay business leaders are predicting an economic ripple effect from an increase in tourism among gays and lesbians who will see Argentina as an even more attractive destination.”
The approval came despite a concerted campaign by the Roman Catholic Church and evangelical groups, which drew 60,000 people to march on Congress and urged parents in churches and schools to work against passage. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio led the campaign, saying “children need to have the right to be raised and educated by a father and a mother.”
The hypocracy of the Roman Catholic church is stunning in light of their own sex abuse scandals of young children! Human rights for adult gays is only fair. Sexual predators manipulating young children is on the other hand disgusting. As for the Evangelicals, they appear to support the annilation of any Muslim culture anywhere in the world in support of Israel so they can manifest this “Second Coming”. By contrast, gay rights is based on the right to love, not the right to hate and wreak havoc on innocents.
07/18/10
Politico:
Fox to partner in Arabic news channel “The National’s Ben Flanagan (disclosure: my successor at the Abu Dhabi-based paper) reports that Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia is planning to partner with Murdoch’s Fox network on a 24-hour Arabic-language news channel. They’ve recruited Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, former editor of Al Watan, to head the station. No launch date has been reported.”
This spurious partnership of super controlling media moguls seems more frightening to me than being caught in the middle of an armed robbery. Something might change down the road, though. #10 in my little amateur “2010 predictions” page was, “Rupert Murdoch (media monopolist) will lose his grip on either his news empire or on his personal fortune.” Only time will tell.
07/15/10
BBC:
Mexico’s interior minister goes amid political rift “Mexican President Felipe Calderon has replaced his interior minister, Fernando Gomez Mont, who oversaw the crackdown on powerful drug cartels.”
07/10/10
Catalan protesters rally for greater autonomy in Spain “More than a million people are marching in Barcelona to call for greater autonomy for the Catalan region.”
That turnout represented ~14% of the people of Catalan! Imagine 14% of Americans marching on Washington D.C.!
07/10/10
Aljazeera:
Panama strikers seize police “Panamanian banana workers protesting over a new law that weakens the power of labour unions have seized four police officers, according to the president’s office.”
“‘Look at how many injured people are here. President, place your hand on your heart and sort this problem out because you are in power thanks to us Panamanians,’ Simon, a Changuinola resident, told the Reuters news agency.
“Last month, Ricardo Martinelli, Panama’s president, signed a law which limits the power of unions and gives companies the right to suspend the contracts of striking workers and hire replacements.”
Press TV:
Anti-war activists win two cases in UK “A court of appeal in Britain has given a reprieve to anti-war campaigners who are facing eviction from London’s Parliament Square.”
“In related news, seven anti-war campaigners, who broke into an arms factory and damaged computer equipment and precision machinery in 2009, were acquitted of all charges in another court in the UK.”
07/08/10
NY Times:
Cuban Government Vows to Release 52 Prisoners “The announcement, which would reduce the number of prisoners of conscience on the island by about a third, came after a meeting that included President Raúl Castro of Cuba; Cardinal Jaime Ortega, the archbishop of Havana; and the Spanish foreign minister, Miguel Ángel Moratinos.“
“The prisoners to be released, five initially, and then, 47 others, were all detained during a major crackdown on dissent in 2003, when the government of President Fidel Castro rounded up 75 activists and journalists who were accused of acting as ‘mercenaries’ on behalf of the United States.“
“’I want to die in my country right under the noses of the dictators who have the guns, rifles, cannons andbombs,” he wrote on an opposition blog. ‘I have the moral weight of the people from below, who have been deceived and repressed for 51 years by those who have the weapons, the violence and totalitarian laws they use to govern poorly from above. ”07/05/10
France 24:
Two Junior Ministers resign amid spending scandals “French Junior Ministers Christian Blanc and Alain Joyandet resigned Sunday after becoming entangled in scandals over spending thousands of euros of taxpayers’ money on a private jet and cigars. The pair had been in office since March 2008.”
“Socialist Party leader Martine Aubry at the weekend charged that France was ‘damaged by three years of Sarkozy rule’ and pointed to the Bettencourt scandal to show that there was an unhealthy relationship between politics and money. ‘We just need to remember what has been happening over the past weeks with our politicians. Where has their sense of public duty gone?’ Aubry said.“
06/27/10
Aljazeera:
Lebanon march for refugee rights“Salvatore Lombardo, the director of Unrwa, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, in Lebanon, said a proposed law to grant Palestinian refugees in Lebanon basic civil rights will promote their sense of dignity and well-being in refugee camps across the country.”
“Lombardo praised Lebanese civil rights groups which plan a country-wide march on Sunday calling for Palestinian rights.
” ‘Participation is … important for Lebanese themselves to explain to their own compatriots that this is not about politics, this is not about having Palestinians forever in this country.’ “
Plight of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon
06/25/10
News 9 NC:
Several Thousand Egyptians Protest Police Abuse“Several thousand Egyptians, joined by top opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei, protested on Friday what they call authorities’ systematic use of torture in the largest demonstration yet sparked by the alleged beating death of a young man by police this month.”
” ‘It’s a clear-cut message to the regime that the Egyptian people are sick and tired of practices that are inhumane,’ said ElBaradei to reporters after the protest.”
Demonstrators in Egypt rail against brutality, man’s death – CNN
06/13/10
Denver Post:
Separatist party wins big in Belgian election “A separatist party that advocates independence for the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium, leaving the country’s Francophones to fend for themselves, scored an unprecedented win in Sunday’s general election. Final results gave the Dutch-speaking New Flemish Alliance—a fringe factor until now—27 of the 150 legislative seats, up 19 from the 2007 vote.“
“The election outcome was seen as a clear warning to Francophones to negotiate seriously about granting Dutch- and French-speakers more self-rule, or Dutch-speakers will bolt.”
Perhaps this can also be seen as a clear in-your-face rejection of Belgian NWO wannabe Van Rompuy? Van Rompuy and the secret Belgian plot to rule Britain
Guardian UK:
Royal wedding triggers monarchy debate in Sweden “The June 19 wedding in Stockholm Cathedral between Crown Princess Victoria and her personal trainer Daniel Westling has triggered debate about why an otherwise egalitarian country like Sweden retains such an archaic — and expensive — institution.”
“‘ People have woken up and are saying that this cannot be right; that in the 21st century we still haven’t come further with equality,’ said Peter Althin, chairman of the Swedish Republican Association.”
Sweden leads the way to set the concept of “Royalty” on its royal butt.
AlJazeera:
Arrest order for boss of only remaining independent TV station “Authorities in Venezuela have issued an arrest warrant for the head of the only remaining independent television station critical of Hugo Chavez, the country’s president.”
“Chavez has long accused Globovision and other opposition media outlets of conspiring against him.”
“The TV station has been the only anti-Chavez channel on the air since another opposition-aligned channel, RCTV, was forced off cable and satellite TV in January.
Yep, forces are still kicking and screaming to keep the people in the dark. But, like Father Time, the old needs to go for the new to arrive.
06/12/10
Guardian Films: Former elite officers in Revolutionary Guard reveal increasing tensions in Iran regime
Full report (without ad) can be viewed here.
If this report is accurate and it can be proven that these former revolutionary guards–by the hundreds per this report–were not “turned” by the lure of money and beneficial deals from Western powers, then it does help us immensely in grasping the larger picture and to rethink our positions, whatever they may be. It absolutely does not absolve Israel of its own crimes, however, IMHO. Per this report, it seems to me that what’s going on there is a human rights injustice that must find justice. We need to address that issue rather than this rigamarole about a “nuclear option” for Iran. Obviously, these people are suffering enough already.
