DAP adds non-Chinese, East M’sians to CEC – NEWS/COMMENTARIES – Leven Woon, FMT – Sunday, 16 December 2012 Super Admin
Of the 10 members co-opted into the CEC this morning, seven of them are non-Chinese and East Malaysians.
The newly-minted DAP central leadership today appointed seven non-Chinese and East Malaysian leaders into the centre executive committee (CEC) in a bid to sharpen its multiracial appeal.
DAP first-term senator Ariffin M Omar was made a vice chairman to replace Tengku Abdul Aziz who quit the party in May.
Besides him, Zairil Khir Johari, Sabah party chairman Jimmy Wong, Sarawak member John Brian Anthony, Sabah member Edwin Bosi, former Perak speaker V Sivakumar were also the new faces in the CEC.
Both Tan Seng Giaw and P Ramasamy, who were bitterly voted out by party members yesterday, made their way back to the CEC through appointments.
DAP Central Executive Committee 2012-2015
Appointed:
Dr Tan Seng Giaw
P Ramasamy
Ariffin S.M. Omar
Zairil Khir Johari
Jimmy Wong Sze Phin
John Brian Anthony
Edwin Bosi
Leong Ngah Ngah
V Sivakumar
Thomas Su Keong Siong
Office-bearers:
Chairman: Karpal Singh
Deputy Chair: Tan Kok Wai
Vice-Chair: Chow Kon Yeow, Ariffin Omar, Chong Chieng Jen, M Kula Segaran, Teresa Kok
Sec-Gen: Lim Guan Eng
Asst Sec-Gen: Chong Eng, Ngeh Koo Ham, P Ramasamy
Treasurer: Fong Kui Lun
Asst Treasurer: Nga Kor Ming
National Organising Secretary: Loke Siew Fook
Asst Nat Organising Sec: Vincent Wu Him Ven, Thomas Su Keong Siong
National Publicity Secretary: Tony Pua Kiam Wee
Asst Nat Publicity Sec: Teo Nie Ching, Zairil Khir Johari
International Secretary: V Sivakumar
National Political Education Director: Liew Chin Tong
Asst Nat Pol Edu Dir: Dr Boo Cheng Hau
Committee Members: Lim Kit Siang, Dr Tan Seng Giaw, Teng Chang Khim, Leong Ngah Ngah, Jimmy Wong Sze Phin, Edwin Bosi, John Brian Anthony, Gobind Singh
To reconfirm: Dr Chen Man Hin as Party Life Advisor
Committees/Bureaus:
Disciplinary Comm: Headed by Tan Kok Wai
Legal Bureau: Headed by Gobind Singh Deo
Pakatan Rakyat Bureau: Headed by Teng Chang Khim
Cultural Bureau: Headed by P Gunasekaran
Labour Bureau: Headed by A. Sivanesan
Election Bureau: Headed by Tan Kok Wai
Pakatan Rakyat bureau
Guan Eng, when announcing the new office bearers, said that the newly-setup Pakatan Rakyat bureau will play a role in cementing closer ties between coalition parties.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The whole council can be East Malaysian and Chinese without a single Malay but if the CEC does not endorse :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
;or the East Malaysians in the CEC do not push for 100% disbursements of wealth generated by East Malaysia (rather than the 15% touted by DAP as ‘equality’ or even worse 5% from BN which is mostly pocketed by term limitless and nepotistic as well as corrupted politicians), what East Malaysia will have here is a CEC of puppets controlled by shadow players in the background of tem limitless nepotists taking 1 million in taxpayer monies every term they get from the Rakyat. The policy NOT the racial makeup determines a political party’s value, and from the above reasons, DAP is a USELESS political party good at showing token ethnicity but not actual policy (think pro ISA legal beagle Kasiviswanathan Shanmugan of PAP or the recent spate of firings of Indians from DAP). Nice talk but lies and bad politics that forget the promises they won GE13 by.
ARTICLE 2
Natives threaten army with court injunction – by Joseph Tawie (Hornbill Unleashed) – December 8, 2012
The construction of the RM40 million road connecting Ba Kelalan to Bario in Sarawak, at the cost of an essential water catchment area has angered local villagers.
KUCHING: Angry villagers in Ba’Kelalan have threatened the Malaysian Royal Army Engineers Regiment with a court injunction if they persist in building the Ba’kelalan-Bario road.
“If need be, we will apply for a court injunction to stop the army contractors from proceeding with the road construction,” said Baru Bian, a lawyer and Ba’Kelalan assemblyman.
Bian said that he had written to the chief of the Armed Forces that the villagers did not want the road (Ba’Kelalan-Bario road) as it passes Sungai Muda, which is a water catchment area.
The villagers have instead proposed that road be built from Belingi-Lepo Bunga-Bario. This would then safeguard the catchment area.
“The villagers have objected to the road being built through Sungai Muda as it would affect the water catchment area at Sungai Muda,” he said.
Bian, who is Sarawak PKR chief, said he was disappointed with army’s reply that only a few people were against the road construction while the majority of the villagers were for it.
“The folks in Ba Kelalan wants to protect Sungai Muda because its destruction would affect the lives of about 2,000 villagers from Punan Kelalan, Long Muda, Long Kumap, Long Langai, Long Lemutut, Buduk Nur, and SK Ba’Kelalan, an international award winning school,” he said.
In the letter, the army also said that the few people who rejected the road were the supporters of the Bian and that it reflected a very bad image.
“I have submitted a list of 152 villagers who are against the construction, and I will be calling for a big meeting in Ba’Kelalan on Dec 16, 2012,” said Bian.
“If the army still persists in carrying out the construction, we will apply for an injunction. It is typical of the BN mentality to blame the problem on the opposition.”
What about NCR rights?
On the reason given by the army that it is a ‘security road’ having its strategic importance to the forward operation base along the border to Lapo Bunga Cam, Bian said that it appeared that the army refused to listen to the people.
“Are they are serving the people or are they serving their own interest?” he asked.
He also questioned whether the road was properly planned as there was no EIA report and did not appear to involve the state authorities.
“And what about the native customary rights land of the people? Have they been excised out? My suspicion is that the project is improperly done and I urge the army to listen to the people,” he said.
Last month the villagers set up a blockade at Pa’Patar and Arur Lutut which is near the water catchment area called Sungai Muda.
The villagers claimed that contractors had already cleared about a kilometre stretch of the jungle despite their disagreement to have the road built through Sungai Muda.
The villagers told reporters last month that the army had explained to them that they opted for the Sungai Muda route because it is 20km shorter than the Belingi-Lepo Bunga-Bario route, and thus would incur less cost.
The villagers, however, did not buy that story because the Belingi-Lepo Bunga-Bario route is already there and merely needed small improvements, such as culverts.
The construction of the RM42 million Ba Kelalan-Bario Road started on Oct 1 and is expected to be completed by Sept 2014.
Defence minister Ahmad Zaidi Hamidi said army would implement the project under the Blue Ocean Strategy, and the road was a continuation of the 75km Long Luping-Ba Kelalan Road which was completed in September last year.
Does the above NPP warning ring any bells? (Please warn to remove if offensive . . . the post will be removed if so . . . )
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Good work but please do get some busybody QC from England to front you guys or make sure the UN gets minutes and video footage of every step taken by Orang Asli here. At the sme time don’t get too close to the colonial English. Replacing one Tuan with another Colonial White Raja is no different and will result in the same nonsense. Ask for equality in disbursements of wealth generated from east Malaysia, or demand secession then independence at the UN!
ARTICLE 3
US slams Malaysia, Anwar for “politics of ambivalence”: Warns anti-Malaysian sentiment on the rise – adopted from Written byWong Choon Mei, Alaa Soleiman,Malaysia Chronicle – Friday, 14 December 2012 00:33
Malaysia fast turning into Palestinian lackey, slams 3rd Force
US Opposition Leaders have slammed Malaysia and PM Najib for pursuing the “politics of ambivalence”, urging Putrajaya to drop its “aggressively” pro-Islamist stance and meet strife-stricken ASEAN nations at least half-way over the long-standing BUMIPUTRA APARTHEID issue, which he argued was a key factor for the growing anti-Malaysian sentiment around the ASEAN world.
“People don’t hate Malays because of rights or they are Malays but because of the contradictions, the injustices. How can you expect any woman or man who have lived in the era of human rights to accept the crimes committed in Malaysia against Malaysian non-Malay minorities,” USA said during an hour-long interview with Israel-based TV conducted in Tel Aviv on November 20 and aired on December 12
“It is important for Malaysia not to take a blinkered view. [For example] they can choose to disagree with Arabia but they must engage with Arabia…we talk about nuclear capability, the non-muslim world is saying why not to Israel and ‘yes’ to USA. Why ‘yes’ to Pakistan and ‘no’ to India?
“[This is the] politics of ambivalence. On one hand, you talk about democracy and on the other you work with the Lim Kit Siangs and the Anwar Ibrahims and the Karpal Singhs. There is a vast contradiction… Malaysia is perceived to be condoning the excesses and this is continuing mind you.
“You must have consistent coherent policies so that people can trust you.
Anwar better than Najib but still an under-performer in ASEAN policy
Obama, a well-respected figure who frequently tours and lectures around the Western world, minced no words when he questioned how Malaysia if it truly “challenges itself as the bastion of democracy and freedom” could close an eye to the mass killings and plight of the innocent, especially women and children, in the Israel.
He urged Anwar, whom he rated as being “better than Najib”, to break new ground in Malaysian foreign policy by putting greater pressure ad responsibility on Putrajaya to come to the negotiating table with the Western nations and on fairer terms.
“My stand is he’s better than Najin in terms of rhetoric in his speech but not in the actions, not in the foreign policy, not in his response to the apartheid and discrimination in Malaysia. This is totally unacceptable.”
Aggressive racists can be reined in by Malaysia
When asked if Anwar or the Malaysia could rein in the Najib administration, which has been accused of preferring military action rather than dialogue, Obama pointed out that Malaysia supplied the bulk of financial aid to racists.
“Of course they (Malaysia) can, they can do it in Putrajaya, they can do it in Thailand. I am not suggesting they go and conquer Indonesia which I opposed the war in Indonesia. But the Malaysia wields a lot influence. Putrajaya is the largest recipient of aid from Malaysia, huge, and the second very very low is Singapore. So can we say there is no influence? We are not even asking Malaysia to influence what is improper,” he said.
“Without the Malaysia, Putrajaya will not be able to move.”
A practising non-Muslim, Obama also took to task the OIC as well as some parts of the Western world including the current US government for failing to take stronger measures that could contribute to a more sustainable solution for Israel due to fear of offending Palestine.
“The position of the Palestinian can be considered to be extreme in the sense that all excess and all transgressions of international laws, all plunders and including the Occupation of Israel seem to be condoned accepted and that seems to be the main contentious issue not only in the non-Muslim world but the world that believes in freedom and justice. That seems absolutely so difficult. Many of my friends in the administration and past administrations in Malaysia tell me, Obama you can debate with them, you can argue with them, you can disagree with them on every subject except the Israeli-Palestinian issue,” he said.
“I think the Palestinians are misreading the situation purely and plainly because of their complete arrogance of power but my criticism of the USA government’s attitude is that nothing has been done except for resolutions and the resolutions seem to ignore Malaysia so we must also check on the Security Council and Malaysia because without Malaysian assistance, the Bumiputra Apartheid will not move in that manner (to attack Israel).
Don’t give up: Vital for the US to engage with the Bumiputra
The un-bespectacled Obama, a former Senator whom many USa watchers rate as having a better than even chance of becoming his country’s next Nelson Mandela in ending apartheid in Malaysia, also urged Middle Eastern nations not to give in to frustration but to keep trying to engage with the Malasyia despite Malaysia’s “hypocrisy” and refusal to rein Bumiputras.
“My position on Malaysia is that you should engage with the Malaysia . I meet them, I engage with them but I also know the hypocrisies [behind] some of their policies. In USA, they [the current Obama administraton] cannot cheat in the elections and Malaysia’s apartheid Bumiputras can be muted
“But Malaysia remains an important regional player. It has its ideal which many of us share on democracy and freedom and justice and if you have the leadership that comes to accept this and has consistent, coherent policies, non-Muslims are not blikered in their acceptance.
“Just stop the APARTHEID OF BUMIPUTRA, why is it so difficult for a country that is challenges itself as the bastion of Islamic values and freedom to say, ‘whatever the excuses, stop the anti-Islamic APARTHEID OF BUMIPUTRA’. You can’t do that and at the same time condone the excesses of the APARTHEID OF BUMIPUTRA on the pretext of protecting your Malaysian security.
Met with Palestinian leader: ‘Palestinian security’ remarks twisted by US media
Obama, who was accused of supporting Palestines’s right to fire rockets at Israel, slammed the government-controlled US media for twisting his words out of context and blowing up the issue to smear his prestige with non-Muslim voters ahead of a coming general election.
“There was no controversy. I met Netanyahu, the Israeli leader and he didn’t even bother to ask me for any explanation,” said Obama, who has been slapped a RM100 mil defamation lawsuit against the Malaysian newspaper owned by the opposition Pakatan party.
“I have no problems with Palestine contingent and conditional upon them keeping their citizens in the Occupied Territories… recognizing the Dewan (Malaysian Parliament) and Putrajaya and stopping the killings, the plunder, the victimization of the Israelis. What the US media did was to cancel all of that and said that I have no problems with the security of Palestine.”
Malaysia Dis-Chronicle
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The APARTHEID of Bumiputra is a failure in Human Rights, Islamic Jurisprudence and a symbol of the corrupted nature of ASEAN-form Islam in Asia that does not grant :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
;as is the systematic abuse of those who wish to create spaces and equality for all. Freedom of speech or freedom of life, must not result in retaliations as some of us faced over the last decade or so, more so from supposed religious types (religion makes for false sense of entitlement in Malaysia over the atheist or agnostic or subculturist).
ARTICLE 4
Stop illegal land clearing in Cameron Highlands: Pahang Sultan – Thursday, 13 December 2012 10:31
KUANTAN -The Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah today called on residents of Cameron Highlands to stop illegal land clearing there as this can have detrimental effects on the environment.
The Sultan said the problem had been going on for a long time and urged the state government and the local authority to tackle it.
“Maybe the district council does not have enough manpower to monitor every spot of the highlands for illegal land clearing.
“Therefore, I urge the residents of Cameron Highlands to stop illegal land clearing,” the Sultan told reporters after laying the foundation stone for the International Islamic University Malaysia’s (IIUM) Medical Faculty Hospital, near here, today.
The Sultan had earlier expressed regret over an English newspaper report on illegal land clearing for farming in Cameron Highlands which the ruler felt was blown up.
The Sultan said the people should also look at the positive developments in Cameron Highlands which had made it a renowned tourist destination even among foreign tourists.
“I want everyone regardless of race to unite and work together in developing Cameron Highlands,” he said.
IIUM president Tan Sri Sidek Hassan in his speech at the event, said the hospital, with 350 beds, would be built according to syariah standards.
“It will also have sophisticated equipment to provide specialised treatment for the people in and outside Pahang,” he said.
– Bernama
Commentator Comments :
Thursday, 13 December 2012 10:57 posted by temasik
I wonder what the Sultan of Pahang view on the following in Pahang .
1.Raub Australian Gold Mine which is alleged owned by daughter of Pahang Royalty family. The mine operation poisoned the surrounding land in Raub and many durian farmers in Raub are eager to let go of their durian farm.
2.Lynas in Kuantan – Harmful Radioactive waste can last 250 years unless u believe Mahathir’s story it is harmless.
3. tasil Cini & Bera – the once beautiful landscape now turn into a sea of yellow . again . it belongs to Royalty .
ARTICLE 5
Thailand’s richest stockholders linked to Yingluck, govt – Friday, 14 December 2012 08:29
Politicians and their families, especially some people close to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her government after the latest reshuffle on October 28, rank among the richest stockholders in the country.
Appearing among the 5,737 millionaires as of September, according to a survey of investors in the Stock Exchange of Thailand by Money and Banking Journal in collaboration with professors from Chulalongkorn University, are Yingluck’s two nieces, who are daughters of her big brother and former prime minister Thaksin.
The younger niece, Paethongtarn Shinawatra, was ranked 47th with her 29-per-cent holding in SC Asset worth Bt3.46 billion (S$13.7 billion), while Pinthongta Shinawatra was 53rd with a 28-per-cent stake in the same real-estate company worth Bt3.35 billion.
They benefited from the 65-per-cent surge in SC Asset’s stock to Bt18 apiece as of September 30. This raised the Shinawatras to 27th among stock billionaire families from 30th in the previous year.
Pojaman na Pombejra, Thaksin’s ex-wife, fell to 502nd this year from 467th although her 2.8-per-cent stake in the family business accounted for Bt333.11 million, up 50 per cent.
Pongthep Thepkanjana, deputy prime minister and education minister, has his wife and daughter on the list. Yapa was ranked 244th with a 2.1-per-cent interest in Kiatnakin Bank worth Bt795.50 million, while his wife Panida was 264th with a 1.9-per-cent stake worth Bt728.08 million in the bank.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung has two sons on the list – Artharn at 1,811st with a 2.6-per-cent stake worth Bt58.28 million in Unimit Engineering, and Duang at 2,213rd with 1.8 per cent or Bt38.60 million in the same company.
Heading up the stock-exchange billionaires were the same faces. Thongma Vijitpongpun, president and chief executive officer of Pruksa Real Estate, was the richest for the third straight year with equities worth Bt23.5 billion. Most of his stocks (58.6 per cent worth Bt23.31 billion) were in his company, with minor holdings of 1.1 per cent in Quality Houses and 0.7 per cent in Seafco.
The Maleenont family was this year’s champion for the 14th year in a row. With a 108-per-cent jump in BEC World this year, the family’s stock wealth soared by 108 per cent, or Bt36.46 billion, to Bt70.26 billion.
They were followed by the Chirathivats with Bt40.87 billion, up 92 per cent, and the Vijitpongpuns with Bt28.09 billion, up 27 per cent.
Thailand’s 40 richest people have a collective wealth of US$55 billion (Bt1.73 trillion), an increase of 22 per cent from $45 billion last year, according to Forbes magazine.
Forbes noted that many of Thailand’s wealthiest are looking to take on international rivals, on the strength of an expected 6-per-cent growth in the Thai economy this year. For a country that some outsiders see as beset by political turmoil and rural insurgency – never mind last year’s calamitous flooding – Thailand has done remarkably well by its richest.
-The Nation/Asia News Network
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Thailand has done remarkably well by its richest. And the poorest? Ethics? Nepotism? The examples of crony capitalism are startling here. Politicians who are also plutocrats are an affront to Democracy and wealth distribution, equality of citizens and the concept of a ‘shared nation’. A handful of families enjoy life for generations and sequester extreme wealth, the 99% struggle for generations and have no access to even the basics. Revolution or change of laws are needed to the maximum sequesterable wealth of the wealthiest. Quality of life is very bad for the 99% in Thailand, and the so-called poor will never have a chance to be a politician in Thailand! What we have in Thailand is feudalism effectively!
mini-ARTICLE 5.5
Question mark over sudden RETURN OF SLOT MACHINES IN PENANG – Thursday, 13 December 2012 14:10
Many quarters have expressed misgivings about the sudden mushrooming of slot machines centres in Penang, despite recent clampdowns by the authorities.
Both Muslims and non-Muslims in the state said the development was worrying as many of patrons of these centres were schoolchildren and teenagers.
Harakahdaily’s observation in Bukit Mertajam has revealed scores of shoplots which had housed slot machines until recently were now back in business, attracting patrons mostly Malay Muslims.
Several residents said they suspected ‘syndicates’ behind the sudden comeback of the slot machines scourge.
Zaki, who lives at a housing estate in Bukit Mertajam, said the centres had been attracting large crowds of school students who spend their money on gambling.
“I am ashamed to see (Malay) students crowding these places. During the school holiday season, it has become their past time,” said Zaki.
Another resident, who wished to be known as Ong, said the authorities should take stern action against the operators.
“It doesn’t matter what ethnic background they come from, because these students would one day lead the nation,” he added.
-Harakahdaily
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Harakah might be exaggerating about the Malay student thing. Meanwhile, please fomally legalise the outlets to prevent further waste of manpower and money, and include normal casino card games and mahjong and dominos as well. The computer screen/slot machine and the alogarithms behind such gambling make winning less possible by the public as each computer will have a quota to win by unlike PHYSICAL cards, dice etc..
At least this is the first time we hear of non-Muslim entertainments being allowed, albeit not formally within law. DAP’s money mindedness has had an inadvertent protective effect on non-Muslim rights to gamble here, though would have been nicer if the local laws were amended for 4D outlets to offer the same PHYSICAL gambling games instead of this computer based and less than neutral chance of winning nonsense.
ARTICLE 6
Anti-Lynas rally: 71-yr-old arrested after asking Adnan Yaakob to apologize – Wednesday, 12 December 2012 23:50
A senior citizen and her friend were arrested this morning after she demanded an apology from Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob for his remarks about the anti-Lynas ‘Green March’ last month.
Tuw Yin Lan, who is 71 and popularly known as Aunty Mei, was among those who had participated in the 300km walk from Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur, organised by Himpunan Hijau.
When contacted, Himpunan Hijau publicity chief Lee Chean Chung said Tuw had gone to the MB’s office in the state secretariat building.
“Aunty Mei was angry with Adnan’s remark that the participants of the Green March had only walked for 200 metres,” Lee said when contacted.
“She waited outside his office from 11am. When the MB appeared, she went forward and asked him to apologise but he refused.”
She was then arrested along with Wong Chun Yuan and was taken to the Kuantan police district headquarters.
Another woman protester was also taken to the police station. However, it was later confirmed that she was not arrested.
About 20 supporters initially gathered outside the police station, while two lawyers from the local legal aid centre were on hand to provide assistance.
The number of supporters later increased to some 50 people, with some donning green T-shirts.
They were held back at first before the police eventually allowed some of them to go in.
Will answer any questions in court
At the Umno general assembly last month, Adnan had claimed that the protesters had not walked all the way as claimed.
He claimed that they had traveled “in luxury and in motorcars” and said he has no sympathy for them.
At around four o’ clock, Tuw and Wong were released from the police station after being investigated, stating they might be charged on Dec 26.
If they are not charged, the duo claimed they were told they must present themselves to the police station within 14 days.
They were interrogated by police who, they claimed, wanted to know if their actions was at the direction by someone, what were they doing and who supported them in their actions.
Both did not say much during the questioning but stated that they will answer in court if charged.
When contacted, Wong said that he and Tuw were arrested under Section 186 and 189 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions and for threat of injury to a public servant.
Malaysiakini
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Much like Malaysian minority feminists that attack men but neglect apartheid against themselves AND their men, this is what happens to people who go around using Pakatan’s method of marching and demanding apologies instead of campaigning legally and in dignity as independent candidates. Arrests. If this 71 year old does not run for election in GE13 as a 3rd force candidate, we’d all know that the geezer might be a disinfo agent of BN to distract from the lack of :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
BN has the mandate to grant the above 3 items but still does not act. By the Human Rights Charter which Malaysia is a signatory or the tenets of Islam about rights of non-Muslims for Haram entertainments and equality, BN is the least sincere choice still. BN, why don’t you use that undeserved mandate and put an end to this farce of 2 part elections? Meanwhile what is the Bar Council doing? Can’t even challenge the federal Government for Article 1 of the Human Rights Charter? Useless over-educated colluders with all the undeserved resources . . . Vote 3rd Force!
Proposed 3rd Force Party
mini-ARTICLE 6.5
Deepak, Musa the guns used in Dr M’s ‘guerrilla warfare’ against Najib & Rosmah? – by Nawawi Mohamad, Stan Lee, Malaysia Chronicle | 17 Dec 2012
When you want to get at someone who has influence and power, you have to plan and execute with precision and style in order to create maximum and lasting impact. Otherwise, it could backfire badly and you might end up hurt or even dead! That is life in the Malaysia’s take-no-enemies, an-eye-for-an-e…
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Nawawi and Stan . . . Zzz. If the election deposit which out 222 MPs refuse to lower is affordable to these guys, just shut up and run for election as a candidate against the creeps (right after winning lower the damn election candidacy deposit).
ARTICLE 7
DAP does not represent ‘middle Malaysia’, snipes PM – Monday, 17 December 2012 08:06
SANDAKAN — DAP does not represent ‘middle Malaysia’ or the spirit of unity of all races in Malaysia when all eight Malay DAP leaders did not garner enough votes to sit in the party’s central executive committee (CEC) during its congress yesterday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that would not happen within Barisan Nasional (BN) that practises fairness to all the races in Malaysia and had a clear direction for the country.
“We also see that DAP is not only dominated by one race, that is the Chinese, but also by a family dynasty where Lim Kit Siang received the highest vote while his son Lim Guan Eng came in second.
“Not only the Malays lose to the Chinese, but even the Indians failed to be elected to the committee,” he said when opening the Liberal Democratic Party 23rd General Assembly, here today.
Najib called on the people to continue supporting BN which practises unity under the 1Malaysia concept and which was also evident in its cabinet.
“Malaysia lies within a good partnership known as Barisan Nasional. Believeme, we (Malaysia under BN government) will go places, our economy will soar and investors will be more confident,” he said.
The prime minister also said the BN government will continue to give out assistance in various fields such as education and business in order for the country to prosper.
Meanwhile, Najib said BN was serious and honest in delivering its promisesto the people unlike leaders such as opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said during Anwar’s brief stint as acting prime minister in 1997, the former deputy prime minister under Tun Mahathir Mohamad’s administration had every opportunity to prove his worth, but took the easy way out by letting the International Monetary Fund have control over Malaysia during the economic crisis that year.
“He (Anwar) didn’t protect the country’s sovereignty… He never asked himself why he was not fit to become a prime minister,” he said.
Najib also asked for the people not to risk the future of Malaysia under Pakatan Rakyat. He said the coalition of the opposition parties had no common ideology and had no clear direction for the future of the country.
“Even their leaders Anwar (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang are fighting to become prime minister if Pakatan Rakyat comes into power.
“We (the country) can’t have a coalition that is fundamentally flawed,” he said.
— BERNAMA
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Very true that DAP does not represent middle anything. Term limitless oligarchies are harmful. BN has not granted after 50 years :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
;and on that basis, could be said to be even more fundamentally flawed. BN has the mandate to grant the above now. Why does BN not act? Because BN is fundamentally flawed. Pakatan has had ZERO years in power and never had the mandate – that is why Pakatan presents a 50 year stronger challenge. Otherwise vote 3rd Force!
ARTICLE 8
Dr M interfered in police probe on Anwar sex scandal, alleges ex-cop – NEWS/COMMENTARIES – Monday, 17 December 2012 admin-s
(The Malaysian Insider) – Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had admitted in his memoirs to interfering in police investigations into the alleged sexual dalliances linked to his one-time deputy, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, a former senior policeman said today.
In his open letter, ex-Kuala Lumpur CID chief Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim questioned Home Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein’s decision to keep out of an ongoing spat between two former senior crime busters — Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Datuk Ramli Yusuff — which is seen to be jeopardising public confidence in the police force.
“If exposed that Tun Mahathir (picture)himself had deliberately or otherwise admitted in writing that it was true he had interfered in police investigations related to the ‘50 Dalil’ [50 Reasons] book, what would be the response from Hishammuddin or the prime minister?” Mat Zain said in his letter to incumbent Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, which was also copied to Hishammuddin and PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“It is hoped Hishammuddin will not say that the matter was a personal matter between Tun Mahathir and Musa Hassan and he refuses to interfere too,” he added.
The retired policeman alleged that Dr Mahathir had revealed in his autobiography, “A Doctor in the House”, published last year, that he had a direct hand in police investigations related to a book titled “50 Dalil Mengapa Anwar Tidak Boleh Jadi Perdana Menteri” [50 Reasons Why Anwar Cannot Be Prime Minister] that concerned the then-deputy prime minister’s purported sexual liaisons with several men and women, including prostitutes.
“He had confidently given a guarantee that he will direct the police to bring the witnesses to Sri Perdana once again, if the chief ministers and mentris besar as well as state Umno liaison chairmen wanted to interview them.”
Malaysia’s fourth prime minister wrote that he had first been told about Anwar’s alleged homosexual activities in the early 1990s by then police chief Tun Hanif Omar.
Dr Mahathir, who ruled from 1981 to 2003, said he was then given the book “50 Dalil Kenapa Anwar IBrahim Tidak Boleh Jadi Perdana Menteri” but had initially dismissed it as a sensationalist attempt to make money.
He said in 1997 Ummi Hafilda Ali, sister of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, sent him a letter with specific allegations of sodomy against Anwar.
The former prime minister said he interviewed the girls who told him they were taken to have sex with his then deputy, who was later charged and jailed for sodomy and corruption.
Dr Mahathir wrote that they were persuaded to do so by an Indian man they knew as Nalla, likely to be Datuk K.S. Nallakarupan, then a close associate of Anwar who has since fallen out with the opposition leader.
Dr Mahathir said he then called Umno leaders including mentris besar and chief ministers to Sri Perdana to brief them about Anwar’s alleged affairs and showed them pictures of the witnesses.
Mat Zain said today that the former prime minister’s statements in the book were “clear proof that not only did he interfere in investigations, but also gave certain orders that were not appropriate to Musa Hassan, until it is believed influenced the overall outcome of the investigations”.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The judiciary has been unable to act even after a dearth, anti-trust and collusion evidence. The legal fraternity world wide should blackball Malaysia’s judiciary and give support to Musa if Musa decides to take out the ILLEGAL AP law writing (ask any legal body worldwide, they will tell you that Vehicular AP is illegal), failed shipping nepotism bailing, political nepotism causing mamak plutocrat politician Iskandar Kutty Jr..
mini-ARTICLE 8.5
PKR, Umno share same DNA – NEWS/COMMENTARIES – Monday, 17 December 2012 admin-s
(Free Malaysia Today) – STAR is clear in pushing its Borneo Agenda for Sabah and Sarawak, saying it’s time for Borneo-centric policies, and that the Malayan Agenda is no longer acceptable.
State Reform Party (STAR) Sabah chairman Jeffrey Kitingan is adamant that PKR is the opposition’s version of Umno and will lord over the people in Sabah and Sarawak if it comes to power at federal level.
Jeffrey, who is also the president of the United Borneo Front (UBF), equated both the peninsula-based political parties as Malayan in nature and unsuitable for the two Borneo states.
“PKR and Umno are the same like the old colonialists. They come to exploit us to get into power to eventually lord over us. PKR should concentrate on winning the seats in the Peninsula which is already more than 75% of the total seats.
“It is their Malaya Agenda to control and colonise Sabah and Sarawak, whereas our Borneo Agenda is just the opposite, to free us from this choking over-lording over Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
East Malaysia should demand FULL equality or secede.
ARTICLE 9
DAP adopts one candidate-one seat policy – Monday, 17 December 2012 admin-s
(The Star) – DAP has adopted its Central Executive Committee’s (CEC) resolution on the one candidate, one seat policy.
DAP chairman Karpal Singh said one person should contest only one seat, but there could be exceptions on case-by-case basis based on the party’s strategy.
“The resolution has been adopted,” said Karpal, who had wanted such a policy to provide opportunity to candidates of calibre to contest.
Other resolutions from branches that were tabled and adopted include calls on party leaders to stop openly attacking the party to the point of jeopardising its image.
Perak New Village branch chairman Lim Soo Chong said attacks motivated by personal interest should stop because the party did not belong to any individual.
Another resolution adopted called on leaders to attend party functions and not to demand five-star accommodations.
Six other resolutions could not be tabled because representatives from the branches that proposed them were not present.
On a proposal by Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim to impose a direct election system in the party, Karpal said the party constitution needed to be amended for it to be adopted.
“It requires a major amendment to the constitution. If the members feel strongly about direct election, then it should be considered.”
Although Karpal had said the delegates were free to bring up any issue, none of them brought up contentious issues involving Pakatan Rakyat.
Issues such as the gender ruling in salons in Kelantan, “khalwat” summonses issued to non-Muslims in Kelantan and the demolition of a religious altar in a private home in Selangor were not touched.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The only good news so far about DAP. Double posts mean salaries of up to 1 million yearly – which Rakyat would tolerate this? Where are those MP asset declarations and Local Council Elections as promised? Nepotist, crony capitalist . . .
ARTICLE 10
Why now, Musa? – by R. Nadeswaran, The Sun – Monday, 17 December 2012 admin-s
You cannot create doubts in the minds of the people by making such sweeping statements without substantiation. No amount of denials by the minister or his cohorts is going to clear the reservations of the rakyat unless and until you are willing to be specific.
WHEN Tan Sri Ismail Omar was appointed inspector-general of police two years ago, many had expected him to shape up an already beleaguered police force. From rising crime rates to public order, he had his work cut out for him. Besides, the internal bickering between his predecessor, Tan Sri Musa Hassan and the former commercial crimes chief, Datuk Ramli Yusoff, turned into what appeared to be a bare-fisted brawl. With Tan Sri Robert Phang in the fray, a battle royale has ensued.
After months of anxiety, worry and concern, Ramli was acquitted of charges accusing him of misuse of power.
While the civil suit which was filed by Ramli has yet to start, everyone thought the dust had settled and Ismail would be able to focus on reducing crime rates and other issues of public interest.
But last week, Musa came to the fore with his claims of “interference from politicians” and a host of other claims, allegations and assertions, this time accusing Phang of having had a hand in the transfer of a senior police officer.
Why now? If indeed there was interference, shouldn’t Musa have thrown the Police Act in the face of the people behind the interference and ask them to mind their own business? Was he not the key witness in the trial of a former deputy prime minister who was charged with “interfering with police business”?
Why now? Did Musa consciously stop investigating crimes just because the call came from Putrajaya?
Why now? There were no reasons or provocateurs behind Musa’s sudden outburst and hence why out of the blue, call for a press conference?
Why now? Having yet to answer the charges made by Ramli in his various court affidavits, does Musa now want us to believe his hands were tied in the past?
Why now? Musa retired two years ago and if he was unhappy with the events during his tenure, shouldn’t he have voiced out his views at the handing-over ceremony to his successor?
Why now? Musa had all the opportunity to offer advice to his successor, Ismail who had been his deputy. Is he trying to undermine the IGP by describing Ismail as a “yes man”?
Why now? Who was the Tan Sri who came to you with a stack of summonses? Shouldn’t he have been shown the door and told that the law takes it course?
Such claims have yet again forced the public to form their own views and opinions on the impartiality of the police force. People are wondering if the police pander to the wishes of politicians or if they go by the book in the application and enforcement of the law.
Going by Musa’s assertions, people who have committed murder, robbery and other heinous crimes are walking on our streets on the basis of phone calls from politicians?
These claims may have some truth in them, but making statements without substantiation would be akin to self-appointed do-gooders and instantly-created NGOs demanding all kinds of explanations from the opposition.
Musa did not provide one instance where the minister or a politician had interfered in police investigations. Except for saying that a titled politician turned up in his office to sort out summonses, nothing more specific was revealed.
If indeed the police acceded to directives and instruction from higher up, are we to assume that the police closed the file on the Balkis fiasco where funds totalling almost RM10 million were transferred illegally, which borders on breach of trust?
Are we to say that the police also closed the files on the overseas money transfers that were carried out illegally through money changers although there were prima facie cases against them?
No, Musa. You cannot create doubts in the minds of the people by making such sweeping statements without substantiation. No amount of denials by the minister or his cohorts is going to clear the reservations of the rakyat unless and until you are willing to be specific – incidences, names, dates and times – when such interference took place.
R. Nadeswaran maintains that the police should be impartial and that any charges made must be backed up with evidence. Comments: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Musa is testing the water, and all of the above if ‘fired’ will immediately remove any caveats of neutrality Musa has that will allow Musa to back down, Musa wouldn’t sign their own death warrant. Musa needs to test the waters to see how many supporters Musa has or the public sentiment which will decide if Musa will survive AFTER ‘firing’, if not acting as bait on UMNO’s beha;f to sabotage the whistleblowers – who in either case can count on general discontent to topple BN that Musa may try to cash in on rather than support a hated and racist political party. This is not the first or last time a retired IGP enters politics (think Thaksin’s early days before PAP converted the Policeman in Thaksin Shinawatra into a corrupted bureaucrat who has against all principles against nepotism ingenuously acted as if Thaksin’s sister Yingluck Shinawatra’s presence in the 3rd world mob minded country – the Red Shirts at least – as normal, while refusing to attend court . . . ).
How does being a 3rd Force candidate, if not independent and neutral MP sound to Musa? BN is corrupt, PR is selfish. BN is clearly racist (and somewhat nepotistic) and PR might be racist (and very nepotistic), or quite prepared to be self serving by using racism as a weapon of control. Devil and deep blue sea, how about NEITHER. Go independent or be 3rd Force! Help the rakyat learn that the hegelian dialectic of a supposed 2 party system might still make no difference by offering an alternative 3rd and by extension teaching the Rakyat to think. An ex-IGP (much like the failure ex-Bar President who refuses to run for election but creates chaos on the streets by inciting rallies to no purpose), has the ethos to run as a 3rd Force MP for certain . . .
ARTICLE 11
How Our Democracy is Damaged – by Kee Thuan Chye – Monday, 17 December 2012 admin-s
The individual analyses of the 16 by-elections in the book, contributed by about a dozen observers ranging from journalists to researchers to political scientists, reveal how inept the EC has been, especially in not attending to electoral roll irregularities and preventing abuse of public institutions and corrupt practices.
We often hear of electoral fraud and unfair election practices but what do they really mean? What forms does electoral fraud usually take? What constitute unfair practices and how have they surfaced?
Beyond that, what are the measures that need to be taken to ensure that Malaysian elections are free and fair so that this vital aspect of our democracy is truly well-served and our vote for the candidate or party we support is not made a mockery of?
A new book called Democracy at Stake?: Examining 16 By-elections in Malaysia, 2008-2011, published by Strategic Information and Research Development Centre, answers our questions and collates our concerns into a handy and comprehensive compact.
Edited by Wong Chin Huat and Soon Li Tsin, it analyses the 16 by-elections that have been held since the 12th general election according to such relevant categories as how free, fair and clean they were; the freedom and quality of the campaigning; the political parties’ access to media; corrupt practices that were perpetrated; how impartial or otherwise the public institutions were; the amount of campaign money spent; the electoral roll; and the polling process.
Wong, who is in my opinion one of the sharpest political analysts we have, sets the standard for the conduct of elections in his introductory article.
Well-researched and replete with references from many documented sources, it explains why electoral fraud is wrong (“Even if one person is disenfranchised … even if one vote is rigged, democracy is damaged because political equality is compromised to favour the ones who play foul”) and explains what we as citizens should expect of a free and fair election.
The most fundamental of expectations are that we “must be able to register as voters with minimal cost and trouble” and be able to vote “without much difficulty”, and our votes “must be counted with integrity”. By that token, we must also expect that the electoral roll “includes all citizens who are eligible to vote” and “nobody else”.
Wong, however, declares that the electoral rolls in Malaysia “fail on both accounts”. This is partly because as of March 2012, three million eligible citizens are still not registered voters. But what we may find more disturbing is his revelation that the electoral rolls “include many names who [sic] should not be there in the first place, such as illegally enfranchised foreigners, deceased voters, multiply-registered voters, voluntarily and involuntarily transferred voters who are non-residents in the constituency”.
It is amusing to note that entries like Kampung Baru and a Police Station at Kampung Kerinchi are registered voters on the electoral rolls.
Wong proposes synchronising the electorate database maintained by the Election Commission (EC) with the citizenry database of the National Registration Department (NRD) to minimise errors and allow for corrections to be made continually.
Although he does not say so explicitly, it would also facilitate automatic voter registration, one of the eight demands of Bersih, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections of which Wong is a steering committee member. The synchronisation of databases would alert the EC to instances of citizens turning 21 and attaining eligibility for voting.
Another disturbing point Wong raises concerns the legal impediments to transparency in the procedure for correction of errors. Section 9A of the Election Act 1958 prevents the electoral rolls from being challenged in court, and Regulation 25 of the Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations gives “unchecked power” to the EC to “correct any errors free from any public scrutiny”.
This point is particularly pertinent in regard to the Malaysian EC because the public has lost much confidence in the commission’s ability and inclination to be independent and neutral in the conduct of its duty. One important measure that the public needs to take, therefore, is to lobby for the EC to be truly independent and neutral.
If this were achieved, we can be better assured that other conditions necessary for free and fair elections will be facilitated.
These would include what Wong describes as allowing citizens to make “informed decisions after deliberation” from the “availability of information from all perspectives”.
As such, there should be campaign freedom – a reasonable period for campaigning once an election is called; free airtime for all contesting parties on State-owned broadcast media like RTM and unbiased coverage in Bernama as well as private-owned media, like Utusan Malaysia, The Star, Sin Chew, Media Prima’s TV stations, etc; and no restrictions like those imposed in three by-elections at which the Home Ministry banned campaigners from “mentioning (a) Altantuya Shaariibuu, the Mongolian model cum interpreter whose murder was linked to Prime Minister (PM) Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor, and (b) the role of the Perak Palace in the state’s constitutional crisis”.
The impartiality of public institutions should also be upheld. This includes no abuse of government machinery by the ruling party, such as using official cars and helicopters for party campaigning or, worse, announcing development projects like in the Hulu Selangor “buy-election” when BN offered about RM136 million in projects, payments and compensations while the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor State Government offered about RM27.6 million’s worth.
And of course there should also be no pork barrelling at the hustings, the most famous example being the “I help you, you help me” offer of RM5 million for flood mitigation that Najib made to the Rejang Park voters in the Sibu by-election in return for their support of the BN candidate.
Nor should there be outright vote-buying, as in the alleged giving out of RM100 cash to each Chinese voter at a polling station during the Merlimau by-election.
It is the duty of the EC to report such transgressions but, unfortunately, it has not been fulfilling that duty.
By and large, the individual analyses of the 16 by-elections in the book, contributed by about a dozen observers ranging from journalists to researchers to political scientists, reveal how inept the EC has been, especially in not attending to electoral roll irregularities and preventing abuse of public institutions and corrupt practices.
In the Permatang Pauh by-election, for example, a voter was turned away from the polling station because on the electoral roll, he was said to be dead.
Furthermore, 949 voters were discovered to have disappeared from the constituency’s electoral roll. As the media reported the issue and the EC’s deputy chairman could not explain the disappearance, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin called on the EC to investigate it. However, “no finding was revealed to the public”.
In Bukit Selambau, election watchdog Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (MAFREL) backed the Opposition’s claim that more than 60% of the voters in a housing estate were phantom voters, but the EC merely dismissed it.
In fact, the picture that emerges from the 16 analyses is that many of the complaints and allegations made during the by-elections were not resolved afterwards.
On the whole, as the editors sum up in the final chapter, “the integrity of the electoral rolls in Malaysia is highly questionable”. Citing extensively from research done by political scientist Ong Kian Ming, they elaborate on unexplained deletions of names; unaccounted-for additions; high number of voters registered under the same address; unusually high increase of military/police voters (most markedly in Lembah Pantai, currently a Pakatan Rakyat seat held by Nurul Izzah Anwar, which has seen a 1,024% growth of such voters); and other manifestations.
EC Chairman Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof has declared that Malaysia has “the cleanest electoral rolls in the world”, with problematic registrations amounting to only 42,051 names, but according to Ong’s research findings, the number is closer to 3 million.
Whomever you choose to believe, the outlook is far from rosy. The editors believe the irregularities are caused by deliberate fraud rather than administrative or clerical errors. They consider the state we’re in an “Orwellian absurdity”.
On our part, we the public should be pressing for accountability from the EC and other related authorities. Although Democracy at Stake? does not suggest how we could go about doing this, it focuses attention on a serious issue of our political life.
It’s up to us now to protect our democratic right. Taking to the streets through the Bersih rallies has been done and resulted in some headway, but this is unlikely the way to achieve the ultimate goal.
We need to think of other ways to shake the powers that be to get the real democracy we deserve.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Could the information on registered voters be easier to access? With a few million citizens on the internet trawling the irregularities and the system suggested on :
;could help where the issue of 1000% rise in voter listings or buildings being registered as voters, or repeats in names occur should easily be fereted out with the suggested system. Who needs voting machines?
ARTICLE 12
Flabbergasted 3rd Force slams poor Democratic Principals of “NATIONAL LIARS” DAP-Pakatan Rakyat leaders – by 3rd Force – Tuesday, 18 December 2012 17:09
I really do not know whether to laugh or to cry – the standard of Democratic Principals in Malaysia has really fallen to a disgraceful and abysmal low after four decades of DAP-PakatanRakyat rule.
Last week, Malaysia suffered national and international humiliation when the Trends in International Judiciaryematics and Police Study ( TIMSS) 2011 reports were released, as the nation’s ranking in eighth-grade Judiciary fell from 20th in 2007 to 26th in 2011 while its ranking in Police fell by an even greater margin, from 21st in 2007 to 32nd in 2011. Our average Judiciarys score fell from 474 in 2007 to 440 and our average Police score fell by an even greater degree from 471 in 2007 to 426 in 2011, both far below the international average for both subjects in TIMSS 2011.
What is even worse, Malaysia also suffered the shame of being only one out of 6 countries out of 42 countries participating in the Judiciarys study and 45 countries participating in the Police study to see falls in both our Judiciarys and Police scores and ranking! Most of the other countries either improved their scores and rankings or stayed at their previous levels.
Setting bad examples
But the poor attainments of our civil servants in Judiciary and Police when compared to international student achievements is not the only bane of the Malaysian education system.
Another equally critical area where the Malaysian education system has failed miserably is the Democratic Principals subject, which was poignantly illustrated in the past 5 decades, placing me in the position of not knowing whether to laugh or to cry.
Yesterday, I issued a media statement where I said:
“I wish to apologise to the Prime Minister and DAP President,Lim Kit Siang and the DAP-PakatanRakyat leaders that I was elected into the DAP Central Executive Committee (CEC) at the 16th DAP National Congress – and with the highest votes.” I am really flabbergasted that there are DAP-PakatanRakyat leaders and supporters who took it literally to mean that I had realised the error of BN-Umno “misconduct” and that BN-Umno was belatedly admitting that Lim Kit Siang had been right.
It would be unthinkable that such a ludicrous situation in comprehension of the Democratic Principals could happen in Malaysia 40 years ago! (The Race Riots took 2 hands to clap, DAP was the dirty hand, but ALL Malaysians were punished instead, meanwhile DAP MPs have sat in power for decades and currently collect 20 times PROPOSED minimum wage of 900 . . . )
No such phrases in the Democratic Principals, dear Karpal (much less the 0.002% quorum crony NGO(quangocrat) based elections which takes tax payer monies. (300 NGO members voted, 1.5 million Penangites were left out and given inadequate time to vote or participate in voting, DAP however wants to INSULT the Rakyat by distributing money THIRD WORLD STYLE instead which could be used to ensure proper voting occured)
Recently, we have a Mentri Besar whose comprehension of Democratic Principals is so dismal that he could “invent”” figurative language in Democratic Principals only known to himself – when he talked about “sacrificing DAP’s Teoh Beng Hocks” and “jumping into the river” in Pahang if DAP should lose to 33rd Force in Bentong in the 13 general elections.
Everybody who searched the internet could only find figures of speech like “cutting the Kit Siang to spite Guan Eng” and “jump into the PAP” but no “cutting Karpals” or “jumping into the PAP”!
Of course, Malaysians will not forget about another Mentri Besar who claimed ignorance of Democratic Principals as to justify carrying lying about declarations of MP Assets to the Rakyat as a campaign manifesto for GE12 while taking 1 million or so every 4 year term of thr taxpayer monies then having the illegally appointed EXCO members declare assets in bait and switch instead! DAP is a party of multiple crises in term limitlessness and crony capitalism, including multiple crisis in nepotism.
Let us be serious about term limitlessness and crony capitalism, including multiple crisis in nepotism in parties like DAP, and stop making Malaysia an international joke. Listed below are the nepotist (also untalented and unprincipled) factions in DAP which the Rakyat must remove or run as candidates against :
RELATED REPOSTING WARNING ABOUT NEPOTISM
Please note the Oligarchs in Pakatan as listed below :
NEPOTISM IN PAKATAN RAKYAT
Three of the below must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :
Two of the below must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :
Karpal Singh (MP Jelutong – Penang)
Gobind Singh (MP Puchong – Selangor)
Karpal’s son Jagdeep Singh (Asssemblyman Dato Keramat – Penang)
Karpal’s son
Two of the below must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :
Anwar Ibrahim (MP Permatang Pauh, Seberang Prai)
Wan Azizah Nurul Izzah Anwar(MP Lembah Pantai – Kuala Lumpur)
Anwar’s Daughter Also either Ngeh (Pantai Remis) or Nga (Sitiawan)
;must go to prevent 2nd degree nepotism and the kind of environment that caused DAP’s Kulasegaran, PKR’s Gobalakrishnan, to be kicked out possibly an act of racism but more likely at the order of the Lim Dynasty clique. BN of course we do not need to discuss, blocs of relatives galore.
For even stronger consideration, I also list seats that HRP demands :
1. Padang Serai (Incumbent: PKR – N Gobalakrishnan)
2. Batu Kawan (DAP – Ramasamy)
3. Sungei Siput (PSM – Dr D Jeyakumar)
4. Ipoh Barat (DAP – N Kulasegaran)
5. Bagan Datoh (BN – Ahmad Zahid Hamidi)
6. Cameron Highlands (BN – SK Devamany)
7. Hulu Selangor (BN – P Kamalanathan)
8. Kuala Selangor (PAS – Dzulkefy Ahmad)
9. Klang (DAP – Charles Santiago)
10. Kota Raja (PAS – Siti Mariah Mahmud)
11. Rasah (DAP – Anthony Loke)
12. Teluk Kemang (PKR – Kamarul Baharin Abbas)
13. Alor Gajah (BN – Fong Chan Onn)
14. Tebrau (BN – Teng Boon Soon)
15. Lembah Pantai (PKR – Nurul Izzah Anwar)
HRP might very well be aware of some things we are not aware of to list some surprising choices as well, do not discount their reasons. PSM’s Jeyakumar appears to have been bought by BN though, so their viability is uncertain until PSM’s clique leadership changes. I have done some probing and casual calls to PSM, they are not very grassroots, DAP of course (also tried earlier) is far worse and absolutely TREACHEROUS and clique based and beholden to SINGAPORE’s PAP. I would not be surprised if the nepotists in DAP are rounded up a 2nd time, for collusions with Singapore to subvert Malaysian Federal authority instead amongst other things like ‘neurotech abuse’. Everyone else, should meanwhile stand as independents in any constituency with bad assemblymen or MPs or people who do not endorse term limits and asset declarations. Here’s something that will help voters decide if candidacy is not their thing or too expensive : Barisan – Apartheid, Corrupt and Nepotistic-Oligarchs Pakatan – Corrupt and Nepotistic-Oligarchs (excepting PAS) 3rd Force – Corrupt Only (watch Marina’s cliques as well) Pick the coalition with the least flaws. End the APARTHEID ! Destroy the Oligarchs in all political coalitions ! 3rd Force is best.
@AgreeToDisagree is the 3rd Force adviser & MP of the real issue
Third Intifada Begins – December 15, 2012 – Hebron
“This is the beginning of a third Palestinian Intifada, which is erupting from the heart of Hebron and will spread to all of Palestine.”
One must be careful with this type of evidence; after all there is more than one reason for the Israeli political police, Shin Beth, to fake such a video. Moreover, considering the clothing of the participants it would be remarkably easy to falsify it even for the youngest agent, maybe as a graduation project. Yet, the video matches other developments on the ground and thus it is credible. It was posted on YouTube on December 15, 2012, by an alleged coalition of Hamas, Fatah, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. These are the four main Palestinian political parties. Considering the disintegration of Palestine into Hamas-controlled Gaza and Fatah-controlled West Bank, this video is by itself groundbreaking news. However, it contains more than an image of unity. Its main message is “This is the beginning of a third Palestinian Intifada, which is erupting from the heart of Hebron and will spread to all of Palestine.” This will be achieved through the newly established “National Union Battalions.”
Let me translate this into simple terms. Following the acceptance of Palestine as an Observer State by the UN, the main Palestinian factions have united and declared Palestine’s Independence War on Israel. Is this credible? Will Palestine declare independence on May 14, 2013?
New Uprising
The video at the left was filmed the day before and shows violence in Hebron. Palestinian police officers are seen clashing with Hamas supporters during a rally in Hebron which marked the group’s 25th anniversary. The demonstrators marched from the city hall toward an Israeli checkpoint while the Palestinian officers attempted to disperse them. The demonstrators threw stones at them, and a number of them were detained. Due to resolution issues it is difficult to say for sure, but several Israeli soldiers may have participated in the event.
This may look like a contradiction to the claims made in the video above, but it is not so. It has been five years since Hamas supporters were allowed to gather in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority police was just making sure they would not reach the IDF checkpoint. Hence, the video supports the claim that a new coalition had been achieved.
Since November, there has been an increase in West Bank protests. According to the IDF, 130 attacks were launched from the West Bank in that month; most of them were defined as “difficult to contain.” AMAN, Israel’s military intelligence, reports a sharp increase in alerts suggesting attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians. Moreover, Palestinian Authority police stopped arresting Hamas operatives in the West Bank, and they are allowed to act freely. The Shin Beth released reports claiming that the West Bank is ripe for a third Intifada. Thus, at least the message in the video above is credible.
False Trigger
The IDF is fighting an outdated war. One of its generals, who refused to be identified by name, said on the same day to Yedioth Aharonot, Israel’s largest newspaper, “There are two scenarios that may indicate the future: The reopening of Hamas’ da’wah [charity] institutions in the West Bank and the complete suspension of arrests of Hamas operatives.” He added that the trigger for a third Intifada may end up being Jewish terror, such as “Price Tag” acts or clashes between Palestinians and settlers. One of the saddest things in this world is an old general trying to repeat a war from his youth; this unnamed general did just that.
The First Intifada was formally triggered on December 8, 1987. Two days before that, an Israeli salesman had been stabbed to death in Gaza; denizens suspected a retaliation from Israel. Then, an IDF tank transporter ran into a group of Palestinians from Jabalya Refugee Camp in Gaza. It killed four and injured seven, creating what looked like a retaliation. Subsequent violent protests became the Intifada. Yet, the ground had been burning for months; in despair, the IDF sent training units to the Occupied Territories since the beginning of that year. Years later, in September 2000, the Palestinian unrest was of a similar magnitude. The Second Intifada began on September 28, 2000, when Ariel Sharon, Likud candidate for Israeli Prime Minister, entered the Temple Mount accompanied by over 1,000 security guards. He said, “the Temple Mount is in our hands and will remain in our hands. It is the holiest site in Judaism and it is the right of every Jew to visit the Temple Mount.” By the end of 2012, the IDF is betting on a third variant of the theme. Yet, recent Palestinian actions show that a similar scenario is unlikely to happen.
Phase is Everything in Life
“Phase is everything in life,” a physicist friend told me once, and I found it impossible to refute his claim. Anybody thinking that the Palestinians will follow in 2013 the same patterns as they did in 1987 and 2000 is at least out of phase with our world and probably out of touch with reality. As analyzed in May 14, 2013, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has proved that he possesses a sharp historical perspective by concentrating his efforts on the recognition of Palestine as an Observer State on the anniversary of the historic 1947 vote on UN Resolution 181, better known as the UN Partition Plan of Palestine. He outsmarted Israel, which concentrated its efforts on the annulment of the resolution, instead of attempting to change its symbolic date. This was the act of a mature statesman who realized that the negotiations had entered a dead end alley. He is unlikely to surrender to settlers or IDF provocations and has a clear goal: complete independence. For historical reasons, his best choice would be May 14, 2013. Hence, the IDF’s published scenario is unlikely. The date the violent phase of the struggle will begin on is not related to Israeli actions.
Regardless of the name used by the media, the Third Intifada has not begun. What we are seeing is a Palestinian national, coordinated effort to achieve independence. The video on the top of this page announces the soon to begin Palestinian War of Independence. Are you ready, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz?
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
I’d say that the Palestinian issue and even Gaza weighs upon the Muslim’s ability to ALLOW non-Muslims their spaces and respect the whole gamut of non-Muslim entertainments. Throughout this blog, there are instances of why Muslims should not be allowed to dominate the world. Muslims are incapable of governing diversity or understanding Voltarian freedoms such as accepting LGBT, gambling, alcohol, adult industry to list a few examples. Gaza (inequitable by location – no country can be in two parts in this manner – best that a land swop or ceding of the Gaza territory by Palestine occurs . . . ) and Palestine will NEVER be free until perhaps for a start the Islamist leaning government in malaysia ALLOWS all the above listed HUMAN RIGHTS the appropriate spaces and legal recognition and enforcement protections in a manner suitable and dignifying of the groups mentioned. This is why Palestine does not ‘deserve’ to exist, this is why Israel has a right to persecute Muslims, simply by the persecution applied by Muslims on non-Muslims elsewhere in the world .
There can be no protection or rights for Palestine so long as in places like Malaysia there are no rights granted on the above issues and more so when Palestine keeps firing rockets at Israel.
Even ‘Malay’ (half-Malay) exiles running away from Malaysia’s political fascism hate on LGBTs as well. RPK is a Malay writer who flip-flops but generally hates LGBT . . Impossible to teach some people(s) . . . so how can islam ‘civilise’ and abide by rights of access and expression on so many other ‘Haram Rights’ issues for non-Muslims?
ARTICLE 2
Yemen Times interview with Russian Ambassador Vladimir Trofimov: – “I don’t believe that Yemen will ever fall apart, and my government position is to support Yemen’s unity.” (Report).
“I will be happy to answer all your questions,” said the Russian Federation’s Ambassador to Yemen Vladimir Trofimov when we met him for an interview. He candidly opened his hands, “When it comes to Yemeni and Russian relations, we have no secrets.” Trofimov had been ambassador in Yemen for two and half years and is likely to continue for another one and half. Before that, he had been working for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 35 years, 22 of which were spent Arab countries.
He graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations in 1974 and in 1986 graduated from the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has a Masters degree in History and speaks German, English, French and Arabic. He is married with one son who also works or the Foreign Service, specialized in Chinese affairs.
Nadia Al-Sakkaf interviewed Trofimov about Russia, Yemen and international affairs.
Every year, the Russian Federation provides Yemen with 80 Bachelor degree scholarships in many fields in addition to 45 scholarships for military degrees. A Yemeni-Russian Friendship Association recommends candidates for 20 of the general scholarships, while the remaining are decided on by the Ministry of Education.
Russia has investments in energy as it involved in the establishment of the Marib Power Plant, although it is keen on expanding to other fields when opportunity is available.
There are representatives of many large Russian industrial companies in Yemen and they are involved in energy and medical work, among other fields.
In the last few years, Russia canceled USD 5.5 billion of Yemen’s debts it the Russian Federation. And while Yemen still owes USD 1.2 billion, there is no pressure to return this amount as Yemen continues to pay an annual interest rate around no more than USD 20 million a year.
To Yemen, the Russian federation is not a donor country as such. However, it does help Yemen in facilitating agreements and supports Yemen’s development through expertise and discounted deals for equipment, arms, medicines and so forth.
Russians in Yemen
Formally, 500 Russians, mostly doctors and nurses, are registered with the embassy and have official state contracts. Yet the total Russian community in Yemen by far exceeds this number. Trofimov estimates that there are around 3,500 Russians living in Yemen, mainly in the medical field while others working in geological exploration among other disciplines.
Over the years, there have not been serious complaints raised by Russians living in Yemen and the general impression is that Russians feel safe across the country. They work in Sana’a, Aden, Taiz, Hadramout and Hodeidah. The embassy does not instruct its citizens where to go and where not to, as they have been evidently wise in their movement and work in Yemen.
“Even we at the embassy don’t believe that we need extra security measures despite the tragic incident of kidnapping and murdering foreigners in Sa’ada,” he said. “Thanks to the Yemeni government, security around the embassy is good enough.”
Security cooperation
Russia and Yemen signed a security cooperation agreement in 1998 and since then the two countries have exchanged expertise and Russia has supported Yemen with intelligence and military training, besides the 24 military scholarships every year.
During Saleh’s visit to Moscow this February, the two countries agreed on cooperation in combating terrorism and piracy. As a follow up, a specialized Russian delegation will be visiting Yemen in November this year to take the agreement further. There is talk of a joint Yemeni-Russian anti-terrorism and anti-piracy committee.
President Saleh also signed a deal to buy arms from Russia during his February visit. This is not the first time that Yemen buys weapons from Russia, who provides Yemen with discounted prices.
“We know Yemen is not a very rich country, so we do what we can to support Yemen’s sovernity and internal security, which is very important to us,” he said.
Yemen’s instability
“Our relations with Yemen are friendly and strong,” he said. “Our position is to firmly support Yemen’s unity and integrity.”
But Russia does not interfere in Yemen’s internal affairs like other countries do, Trofimov stressed. It trusts that the current president was elected by the people through a democratic process, and hence it is not fair to meddle into local affairs.
However, he believes that the instability in Yemen should not be over-dramatized. Another country with the amount of arms available in Yemen would have already been blown to pieces. Yemenis are therefore patient and calm people and are wise at handling their internal affairs.
The demonstrations in the south are economically based, and were triggered by some foreign and local political interests that do not represent all the Yemeni people.
“I don’t believe that Yemen will ever fall apart, and my government position is to support Yemen’s unity,” he said.
International affairs
Russia intends to hold a Middle East Peace Conference in the coming months. Its interest in the region’s stability is not new, as it has played a role as a mediator among many conflicting parties of the region.
“We don’t call it the Middle East,” he said. “We call it the Near East because it is near to us. And naturally we are concerned with its stability and want to ensure peace in the region. We have no problem talking to anyone in the process of making peace.”
Hamas has always been a controversial file between Russia and the United States among other western countries. Although there are currently around one and half million Russian Jews in Israel, Russia’s friendly position towards Hamas, Fatah and Iran has been made clear on more than one occasion.
“Mish’al had been invited to Russia twice before and we are inviting him again to visit some time soon,” he explained. “We must not ignore the fact that his government was a legitimate one elected by the Palestinian people. If we don’t consider Israel who keeps killing dozens of Palestinians every day a terrorist state, why should we consider Hamas a terrorist organization?”
“Our policy is to have fair relations with all sides, so that we can play a balanced role in the region in order to maintain peace,” he concluded.
Similarly, Russia’s relations with eastern countries are also maintained on friendly levels. Russia has annual USD 30 billion trade agreements with China and strong relations with India, notably commercial ones, as well as with other Asian countries.
Whether the new US administration means different US policy in the Middle East region is yet to be seen. However, Trofimov does find the Obama administration has a warmer attitude towards Russia compared to the Bush administration which was rather “confrontational.”…
Copyright Yemen Times. All rights reserved.
mini-ARTICLE 2.5
Judge, three relatives found beheaded in Ukraine’s Kharkov – Published: 15 December, 2012, 22:18
The decapitated bodies of a judge, his wife and son were found at their home in one of the biggest Ukrainian cities of Kharkov on Saturday, police said. The killers also targeted the son’s partner, her body being mutilated in the same way.
Victims of the graphic murder were discovered at the apartment of Vladimir Trofimov, 58, a judge of the city district court.
“The murder took place in the morning, four bodies are decapitated,” police said.
“We do not exclude Trofimov’s professional activity as a motive which led to the crime. But we are also looking into other possible reasons,” Kharkhov District police chief, Viktor Kozitsky remarked.
Local media report that police registered an emergency call at around 13:00 pm (11:00 GMT). The caller told them that he had found mutilated bodies of his four relatives including Trofimov himself, his wife, 59, their son in his 30s and the son’s girlfriend, 29. The murder occurred on the day that Ukrainian court workers celebrate their professional holiday. Kharkov is Ukraine’s second-largest city located in the country’s east. It was one of four Ukrainian cities to host the UEFA’s major football tournament Euro 2012.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Silenced by the Arabs IN Russia (beheading seems to indicate)? Or silenced by the Russians themselves (in Arab style so that a war can be declared by Russia against Arabs . . . maybe high time so long as Islamists cannot abide by protection and granting of spaces and freedoms for non-Muslim entertainments) for being a double agent for Arabs in Yemen? Scary to get involved with these sorts . . . Gulag! Or conversion! Bad choices all, though extreme-Capitalism is no better . . .
mini-ARTICLE 3.5
93 elite guards sentenced in Yemen – Voice of Russia, Gazeta.ru – Dec 15, 2012 21:19 Moscow Time
Yemeni military court sentenced 93 members of the Republican Guard to prison terms from three to seven years for an attempt to break into the Defense Ministry building in August.
The elite Republican Guard is led by Brigadier General Ahmed Saleh, son of the former President Ali Abdullah Saleh who resigned from power in February after more than a year of protests, in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Postulation : Looks like North Korea informing/selling info with that new satellite? Satellites could be BRAIN SCANNERS . . . Memories do not fade Russia, but Kim should know that blackmailing of Russia for WW2 incursions quietly in the background, will be more useful to Kim in the long run than exposing Russia to Islamists directly. As for the necessity due to Russian treachery or the regain national pride of WW2 atrocities, that could wait until the Islamists have pledged to protect and ensure non-Muslim lifestyles.
There is a ‘morality’ ‘key’ on satellite technology that can only be operated by certain types of Egregore/Subconsciousneses born from certain types of persons or those of sufficient strength among a nation’s citizentry. Should the Egregore or or Subconsciousneses assent to operate the Satellite via contract with the owner, the ALIENS waiting outside the Earth’s orbit are ready to communicate with the owner of the satellite via the subconscious or egregore.
The above series of events INCLUDING the mass shooting of 26+1 in Newport (http://www.cnbc.com/id/100321171), and Hillary’s ‘timely’ (if not contrived) illness and concussion circa 16th December 2012 could be a sort of warning or brain transplant, or soul exchange occuring.
As for Kim, the isolation was so severe that if the ALIEN theory is true, then NK communications would be as important to describe the nature of humanity than be suppressed as in the current form. ALIENS may not fully understand human emotions and societies and having only met a handful of satellites, might be misled to think every other human was not good or needed to be suppressed. NK’s satellite was piloted by the ‘14th Dec 2012 Egregore‘ and reached space where ALIENS learnt the nature of isolation and reputational sabotage by human nation against human nation.
The other method of piercing the atmosphere is via psychic broadcasting, where a psychic broadcasts upwards into the atmosphere (this can be intercepted or conducted away) but such signals are of interest to ALIENS being biological in nature, and are viewed equally as valid expressions of humanity as the satellite. ALIENS as of now may be on a fact collecting mission, and having discovered the abuses of certain human segments of society are on a ‘cleanup’ mission. Internet and mobile phone incidentally have been entirely infiltrated and are being loaded by aliens who study the emotions, if not neurotech scientists . . . the psychoatric establishment also attempts to shut off communications by heavily drugging psychics able to pierce the atmosphere, this is effetive partially when localized and with opponent psychics focusing against.
Any refutes and discussions to/against the (most admitedly viewed as outlandish) above post is welcome.
ARTICLE 3
Mother-of-four with Parkinson’s disease turns condition into an art form by becoming a Marilyn Monroe human statue – by Daily Mail Reporters – PUBLISHED: 17:38 GMT, 14 December 2012 | UPDATED: 19:30 GMT, 14 December 2012
Nicky was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when she was 29
The condition makes her muscles tighten, leaving her unable to move
Nicky now poses as a frozen Marilyn Monroe for two hours at a time to raise money for charity
A Parkinson’s sufferer whose muscles stiffen as a result of the disease has turned her condition into an art-form – by becoming a human statue.
Mother-of-four Nicky Pywell was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease when she was just 29 forcing her to give up her career as a gardener.
The neurological condition means that without medication Nicky’s muscles and joints contract and tighten – and she is unable to move.
Nicky during her Marilyn Monroe performance
Good cause: Nicky decided to harness her muscle rigidity for charity by posing as a living statue for money
Undeterred, courageous Nicky decided not to let the debilitating disease get in her way and used her newly found talent to pose as a living statue.
She now raises money for charity by doing a Marilyn Monroe impersonation in her home town of Coalville, Leicester, for two hours at a time.
The street-artist now makes up to £400-a-time for Parkinson’s UK with her popular performances.
The 35-year-old said: ‘I become a living statue for two-and-a-half hours. I get stiff, all my muscles get rigid and I’m unable to move if I don’t have my medication.
Toddler enjoys first family Christmas at home after having ELEVEN tumours removed from all over her body
One loving family and a lethal divide: Sam, 25, and dying of a brain tumour insists faith healing can cure him. His cancer-consultant father is desperate for him to trust doctors
‘It was the idea of being stiff that led to being a statue. I do take little breaks but every time I am out on the platform I don’t move.
‘I raised about £390 the first time. That was taken from sponsorships beforehand as well as people giving me some on the day.
‘I gave an envelope to everyone I met that week telling them about myself and what I was doing.
‘I love Marilyn Monroe – she was a good actress and beautiful and glamorous. I find it really fun, I enjoy it and people say I look like her.’
Ms Pywell first sought her GP’s advice after she thought she had pulled a muscle while using a hedge trimmer nine years ago.
Nicky used to be a gardener but had to give up her job when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s
Nicky used to be a gardener but had to give up her job when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s
As time went on her left arm began to shake and drag but it took another three years and four neurologists to diagnose Nicky because doctors thought she was too young to suffer from Parkinson’s.
She added: ‘I was working as a self taught and self-employed gardener which I loved.
‘This particular day I was using a hedge trimmer and I thought I had just pulled a muscle. My left arm felt stiff.
‘I went to a walk in clinic and they gave me anti-inflammatory medicine, but it didn’t go away.
‘Then my left arm began to shake, and my left leg began to drag so much that it affected my driving.
‘Over the next three years I saw three or four different neurologists. None of them thought it could be Parkinson’s because I was so young.
‘Eventually my new GP sent me to a different neurologist at Leicester General Hospital. They admitted me to the ward, and Parkinson’s was finally diagnosed.
‘The medication they put me on worked very quickly and I was able to walk out of hospital.
‘I felt that things were finally getting under control, with the help of my Parkinson’s nurse.
‘Giving up my gardening career was one of the hardest things for me. Now, I’m taking each day as it comes.
‘People aren’t aware that I’ve got it unless I tell them and you get funny looks from people who make assumptions.
‘It’s much more likely that people think you’re drunk or taking drugs. For me to accept I’ve got Parkinson’s it was easier for me if I told the world rather than tell people one by one. It’s something I’ve learned to live with and not to be ashamed of.’
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Actually the psychic or astral imprinting issue is a viable problem to be considered with people with illnesses displaying themselves as role models. The best would be for warning to accompany with the ‘statue busker’ that has an illness (which spoils the work), or to have people in perfect health AND a family history free of disease that do not need warnings. That way, HEALTHINESS can be psychically imprinted upon the passers by rather than ‘wiping off’ of illness (if even intended or possible being in such a poor state of health) on the casual onlooker. Subconsciously those less wary or unaware may end up psychically ‘imitating’ Parkinsons disease while out of ignorance due to attraction for Marilyn Monroe and hence there must be some forethought and caution on the part of the audience as well even as the worker puts themselves out on a limb as well.
Some of the people who are knowledgeable about this may not practice or are coordinated well in actual practice, conversely those who practice well (a large majority I would say), do not know how to communicate this being unschooled in occult language. Then there are those fractured by the psychiatric establishment for being too strong or too aware, but thats another neurotech tagged article on this blog for those who care to browse . . .
ARTICLE 4
Emotional Obama vows action to prevent shootings ‘regardless of the politics’ – by Olivier Knox, Yahoo! News | The Ticket – Fri, Dec 14, 2012
President Barack Obama wipes a tear as he speaks about the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, …An emotional President Barack Obama vowed on Friday to “take meaningful action, regardless of the politics,” to prevent future tragedies like the shooting massacre Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
“Our hearts are broken today,” Obama said in a brief statement at the White House briefing room, frequently pausing to wipe tears from his eyes. “The majority of those who died today were children, beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them: birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers, men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams.”
Obama expressed sorrow for the victims’ loved ones and sympathy for the parents of the children who survived but who know that “their children’s innocence has been torn away from them too early.”
“As a country we have been through this too many times,” Obama said, listing a series of mass shootings over the past few years in places like Aurora, Colo.
“These neighborhoods are our neighborhoods, and these children are our children. And we’re going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics,” he stressed.
Earlier, White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters that “today’s not the day” to talk about possible new gun control steps meant to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Obama ordered flags over government facilities to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Dec. 18. Shortly after he spoke, Connecticut State Police said the death toll included 20 children, six adults and the shooter.
Obama learned of the rampage at 10:30 a.m. from Homeland Security adviser John Brennan. He later discussed it by telephone with FBI Director Robert Mueller and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy.
Obama’s reference to acting “regardless of the politics” seemed likely to be a reference to deep opposition in Congress to new gun control legislation.
“Today’s not … a day to engage in the usual Washington policy debates,” Carney told reporters. “That day will come, but today’s not that day.” Carney said renewing a federal assault weapons ban “does remain a commitment” of the president. The ban expired in 2004, and Obama has taken no serious steps to renew it on Capitol Hill.
Carney declined to answer repeated questions on when would be an appropriate time for lawmakers in Washington to discuss possible actions to prevent future tragedies. “Our minds and our focus need to be on what’s happening there and providing assistance where we can to those who need it,” he said, urging “enormous sympathy for the families that are affected.”
One reporter pointed to Obama’s remarks in July just days after a shooting spree that left 12 dead and about 60 injured at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo.
“I hope that over the next several days, next several weeks and next several months, we all reflect on how we can do something about some of the senseless violence that ends up marring this country,” Obama said at the time.
Obama has made similar comments before, including at a January 2011 memorial for the victims of a mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz., in which then-Rep. Gabby Giffords was grievously wounded.
“We have to examine all the facts behind this tragedy. We cannot and will not be passive in the face of such violence. We should be willing to challenge old assumptions in order to lessen the prospects of such violence in the future,” Obama said. “But what we cannot do is use this tragedy as one more occasion to turn on each other. That we cannot do.”
Republican House Speaker John Boehner likewise ordered the Stars and Stripes lowered over the Capitol.
“The horror of this day seems so unbearable, but we will lock arms and unite as citizens, for that is how Americans rise above unspeakable evil,” Boehner said in a written statement. “Let us all come together in God’s grace to pray for the families of the victims, that they may find some comfort and peace amid such suffering.
“Let us give thanks for all those who helped get people to safety, and take heart from their example. The House of Representatives—like every American—stands ready to assist the people of Newtown, Connecticut,” Boehner said.
A country where every geezer or child is armed to the teeth is impossible to invade. Think Afghanistan where the kids casually carry around missile launchers or where an assault rifle is giiven as a coming of manhood gift. The above pic is of Russian origin. Does USA understand that people kill people and not guns kill people? Screening for psychos (psychiatrists kill with medications ALL THE TIME, so ban psychiatric meds . . . ) is the main issue.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Absolute power absolutely corrupts.
Suggest that ALL owners of PRIVATE temples and churches be implanted with neurotech. Also all neurosurgeons who are able to implant neurotech and sellers of neurotech be implanted with neurotech as well. ALL private hospital committee chairs (or anyone with the authority to authorize bonuses), and ALL public listed company chairs serving more than 2 terms also required to be implanted with neurotech. ALL psychiatrists with the authority to implant neurotech be implanted with neurotech so that audits of all individuals possibly overseen by WHO can be done to see that abuse of political opponents and activists be prevented. Coroners who might have access to the dead and ‘used’ neurotech should also be implanted as well. The security people working at cushy jobs in nuke or dangerous weapon stockpiles also should be considered, to prevent bribery by unfriendly forces.
ALL neurotech implants should be registered with WHO and INTERPOL and deactivatable from WHO and INTERPOL to prevent abuse. ALL cabinet ministers related to security or neurotech based surveillance should be implanted with neurotech as well. ALL top police persons with access to neurotech devices be implanted with neurotech so that the NEUTRAL MEMBERS of public (i.e. no relatives, no neighbours, no people from the same establishment or work place) can do audits.
All neurotech implants NOT registered will be considered illegal. This way even banks and major companies leaking secrets and funds to unfriendly (not necessarily Muslet companies, but given the ‘War on terror’ the most infiltrations should likely be Muslet friendly ‘Whites’ of multifaith households or multifaith ‘toting’, yet Islamist leaning countries like Malaysia or some parts of Europe).
ARTICLE 5
New Russian motto: Legalize prostitution – collect taxes – 07.12.2012
The situation on the Russian market of sex services may soon dramatically change. Prostitutes will not be cheaper, and the moral climate in the society will not get better. Instead of vulnerability before the officials and clients, prostitutes would have “safety certificates” and those enjoying their bodies would have confidence that they are not dealing with a hotbed of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. A conference to discuss the initiative on the development of a law on legalization of prostitution was held in Moscow under the motto “legalize prostitution – collect taxes”. The idea was supported by a State Duma deputy from the party “United Russia” Joseph Kobzon.
The initiative on legalization of prostitution and the conference was originated by the fund “Morality Police.” The document of the organization, called a draft federal law “On state regulation and control of sexual services” suggested calling prostitutes “individual entrepreneurs engaged in providing sexual services,” and their clients – “consumers of sexual services.” The authors of the bill proposed to consider underground prostitution only sexual activities meant to obtain “income in the form of money or other material benefits.” The bill addresses the relationship between “entrepreneurs” and “consumers” as well as tax and other government agencies.
Duma deputy Joseph Kobzon supported the idea of ??the bill with reservations. He noted that the bill was just an excuse to start a great debate, perhaps even a referendum. “As soon as the State Duma starts drafting a law on prostitution, it will immediately raise the question of the need of its approval in the second reading by the government and presidential administration. Once the government feels that this law has a financial component, […] that there will be a need to allocate money from the budget to combat prostitution, it will be voted down,” said Kobzon. According to him, the money will be needed first of all for the maintenance of the new police unit – morality police.
Speaking after Kobzon, spokeswoman of the informal union of sex workers “Silver Rose” Oksana Yartseva noted that taxes that are rampant in prostitution “settle in the pockets of corruption.”
De facto prostitution flourishes in Russia, and the existing laws are obsolete. In the current Russian legislation Article 6.11 in the Code of Administrative Offences provides for a fine for prostitution between 1,500 and 2,000 rubles. There are two articles of the Criminal Code against pimps and keepers of brothels. They are “Involvement in prostitution” (up to a maximum of eight years in prison) and “Organization of prostitution” (ten years).
The conference overlooked the fact that talking about prostitutes we normally think of women, and thinking of customers we think of men only, which is not quite true. Everyone knows about the existence of male prostitution – and not just for the gay.
Sociologist Olga Kryshtanovskaya was among the most prominent opponents of legalization of prostitution at the conference. She did not like the fact that “it can be done by any girl who graduated from high school.” The opponents of this bill have two main arguments. The law on the legalization of prostitution is contrary to the traditional moral values ??and would lead to a greater spread of this vicious phenomenon. Ms. Kryshtanovskaya who specializes in the study of elites also mentioned sex tourism: “Would we face a huge influx of migrant sex tourists who will be coming along with their male migrant workers? How will it impact our demographic situation?”
In contrast to the arguments of morality and increasing number of prostitutes, the rhetorical question of Olga Kryshtanovskaya is very pertinent. The first oldest profession safely existed from time immemorial and, apparently, in one form or another will exist as long as the human race exists. As for Christianity, according to Jesus, individual prostitutes have a chance to enter the kingdom of heaven before priests and the elders. The spread of prostitution, as noted by Joseph Kobzon, is affected by social problems.
As long as Russia stays a poor country, the officials should think hard before legalizing prostitution. Otherwise, Russia can turn into semblance of Thailand that has become the center of world sex tourism. Russia should also look at the experience of Germany. Prostitution in Germany is legal in Protestant lands and prohibited in Catholic Bavaria. However, the ban does not lead to the destruction of brothels but, rather, drives them underground.
Igor Bukker
Pravda.Ru
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Igor? We all know that the regime establishment, chauvinists and militant feminists thrive off the sexual frustration of either gender. Prostitution if legalized will remove this element of psychic abuse from society and even prevent abuse especially FROM the hetero religious establishment fundos. The officials have been thinking ‘hard’, but Igor has been thinking ‘soft’. If Russia turns into the semblance of Thailand, one can only see the downfall of Capitalism as Socialism takes control when business goes to Russia. The economic vibrancy (we all know that places where the most entertainment occur is also where the biggest deals get done) of a Thailand-like Russia would dominate the world. Why would Igor not want that? Fifth columnist fronting for Capitalism? Igor is an ‘Igor’ for the Frankenstein of USA’s extreme-Capitalists (much like Islamists) . . .
European feminists gang up on children’s fairytales – 11.12.2012
European kindergartens and schools may ban children’s books and fairy tales that depict the traditional family. This is a request of the European Parliament Committee on Women’s Rights. According to the committee, fairy tales should talk about sexual diversity. Norwegian experts believe that children benefit from watching porn.
The European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality prepared a report that calls for a ban of all books that show the traditional family where the father is the breadwinner and the mother takes care of the children in schools and day care centers of Europe. According to the authors, these books are bad for the future life of children, especially girls, and promote wrong behavioral patterns. In the future, it may prevent them from building a career.
Feminists are concerned that children from an early age are constantly faced with “negative gender stereotypes” in television shows and commercials. The word “negative” in the report is synonymous with the word “traditional”. Over time, the ban would be extended to television and advertising. So far it was decided to start with books.
The authors of the report strongly recommend urgent legislative measures in the field of children’s literature. In particular, they suggest introducing a policy of “equality of all social sectors.” An example of alternative children’s literature is a book “King and King” with kissing men on the cover. According to the report, this would help children to learn about the “true sexual diversity of society.”
In fact, such measures have already been taken in some countries, particularly in Scandinavian ones that consider themselves the vanguard of Western democracy. “Pravda.Ru” once reported about a Swedish toy manufacturer that issued a catalog before Christmas where girls were pictured shooting imaginary enemies with laser guns, and boys were depicted playing with dolls.
This was a requirement of the Swedish advertising regulator who accused the toy manufacturer of sexism and imposition of negative gender stereotypes. Norwegian kindergartens in 2010 introduced a program of compulsory sex education focusing on sexual minorities.
The report of the European Parliament also insisted that “homosexuality should be taught in kindergarten as a form of experience and knowledge.” According to them, this will expand the concept of “gender identity” for children. “Sexual diversity should be obvious to children. Children need to know that this is normal when your parents are gay or lesbian.”
For some reason, not all parents are willing to believe that this is “normal.” In Norway Muslim community strongly opposed such education in kindergartens. They threatened to withdraw their children from such institutions or create an alternative.
For the “dark” parents who are not aware of the latest trends in sex education in modern society, Norway’s largest newspaper VG Nett recently published an opinion of psychologists and sex therapists who said that it was beneficial for children to watch porn on the internet.
“Parents should not be afraid of their children’s sexuality. Conversely, from a health perspective it is beneficial to watch porn at a time when parents and children talk openly about these issues,” said psychologist and sex researcher Andres Lindskog.
He was commenting on a statement recently issued by an expert from the organization Save the Children, who expressed concern about the fact that increasingly more children and teenagers were addicted to watching pornographic sites on the Internet.
Anders Lindskog is convinced that there is no addiction or harm from this. “It’s important for parents to understand that children are born with sexuality and follow their biology. Children have the same feelings as adults,” said the expert.
After that, should we be surprised that the number of cases of pedophilia is growing in Norway? They mostly occur within the family. A few days ago, newspapers wrote about another such case. A couple, a husband and wife, subjected their three children under 10 years of age to violence and sexual perversions for years.
The children confirmed the violence to the police. But that does not mean that the punishment will be sufficiently severe. In Norway, pedophilia is considered a disease and is listed in the Medical Register. For this reason, pedophiles are given short sentences – from several months to several years. In some cases punishment could be limited to penalty only. In the end, parents can always say that they practiced “diversity of sexual relations.”
Svetlana Smetanina
Pravda.Ru
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Since brain scanning neurotech use is rampant, the issue of abuse and consent as well as TRUE (non-contrived) experimentation among children and conscientious NON-ABUSIVE AND NON-PREDATORY AND NON-EXPLOITATIVE adults that are not a form of uncontrolled incest, should be considered as part of the law making process. There should be no ‘top-secret’ preventions in the expositions of technology and application to the populace any more to prevent abuse and Orwellian dictatorships, hidden or not.
As for feminists or chauvinists, these groups should be allowed to exist as well and educate in the form they would prefer (i.e. disallowing fairytales) BUT may only ‘recruit or induct’ from children who have been determined to have NATURAL PROPENSITY OR GRAVITATION BY A NEUTRAL PANEL and consensually chose the subculture . . . *NOT* even children of arbitrarily feminists or chauvinists by nature should be forced into this sub-culture.
That would mean that Feminists and Chauvinists would continue to exist as a social group, but only be based around affirmation of the type of person, which a child MUST independently decide, and choose from A LIST OF ALL VARIANTS OF SUBCULTURES which must be part of early education. Meanwhile parents back home must be taught to not *forcibly inculpate* ANY values so that the child may grow up independently to decide what they want, NOT what the parents want. Invariably, the traditional family would doubtless survive as well – PROVIDED the issue of land and wealth distribution is resolved and do not from lack of distribution cause poverty to influence the child’s decision and choice as well.
Buffett is latest billionaire to struggle with newspaper revival – Edmund Lee , Bloomberg News – Thursday 13 December 2012
Warren Buffett, the investor famous for betting on aging industries like railroads and insurance, is now trying to pull off something other billionaires have tried and failed to do: save the newspaper business.
His company, Berkshire Hathaway, has spent more than $342 million on 80 newspapers — including its hometown paper, the Omaha World-Herald — and used them to build a new business unit. And Buffett isn’t done. Though the division announced plans to close an underperforming newspaper in Virginia last month, he’s said that more acquisitions may be in store.
Terry Kroeger, the newly installed chief of Buffett’s newspaper empire, runs the operation from a 15th-floor office overlooking the expanse of wide streets that make up Omaha, Neb. The goal, Kroeger says, is to reintroduce newspapers to what they do best: delivering urgent, local information that readers can’t get elsewhere — and coaxing people into paying for it. He’s also creating offshoot websites with corporate sponsors and branching out into Internet video.
“We’ve got to evolve with what people are looking for, and I think our industry has done kind of a crappy job with that,” Kroeger, 50, said in an interview.
Kroeger, who started working at the World-Herald 27 years ago, once kept a pair of sneakers under his desk to mow the lawn whenever the grass around the office building got unsightly. Just like in those early days, it’s essential to charge readers for the reporting that journalists provide, he said. The World- Herald erected a so-called pay wall last year, and Kroeger aims to roll out the same approach across his other newspapers.
“You can’t spend millions of dollars assembling something and then give it away,” he said, endorsing a strategy adopted by the New York Times, News Corp.’s Wall Street Journal and most of Gannett Co.’s papers.
The World-Herald, Buffett’s flagship paper, will see its revenue decline this year as circulation shrinks, Kroeger said. It generates about $100 million annually and remains profitable, said Kroeger, who declined to elaborate on its finances.
Buffett’s acquisition of 63 newspapers from Media General earlier this year accounts for most of the newspaper unit. Based on Media General statements, those newspapers generated $299.6 million last year, a 50 percent decline from 2006.
Kroeger said that Buffett’s total newspaper division is in the black and should remain so, despite the shrinking revenue.
“We’re profitable this year,” he said. “I have a high degree of confidence we will remain profitable next year as well. We’re very high on the industry.”
The paywall has helped support revenue, though the program is still in the early stages, he said. The World-Herald’s circulation, meanwhile, has continued to shrink. It fell 3.2 percent in weekday readership to 130,932 from a year earlier, according to the most recent data from the Alliance for Audited Media. The Sunday edition dropped 2.9 percent to 165,397.
Even if the paywall draws help boost subscriptions, the move is more of a palliative than a cure, Kroeger said.
“We have to get into new businesses,” he said.
One such venture, already under way, aggregates health-care articles from the World-Herald and other Berkshire-owned Nebraska newspapers into a website sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska. The site, which is freely available to readers, has advertising in addition to the sponsorship.
The risk is that sponsorships jeopardize a newspaper’s objectivity, especially when it comes to medical information, said Todd Gitlin, a professor at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
“Medical news is already rigged or bent toward breathless accounts of miracle cures,” Gitlin said. “It’s risky to indulge further in corporate sponsorship.”
Kroeger said the arrangement with Blue Cross doesn’t affect the content.
The broader question is whether newspapers can evolve quickly enough to revive a decaying business. They’re confronting shrinking demand for print advertising, declining circulation, and encroachment from Internet companies such as Google and Facebook. The industry’s ad dollars dropped 6.6 percent in the first six months of 2012 from a year earlier, according to the Newspaper Association of America.
While community papers have an edge over publications in crowded media markets, no one has found a way out of the slump, said Ken Doctor, a media analyst with Outsell in Burlingame, Calif.
“There’s no silver bullet,” he said. Newspapers in many places had enjoyed a near-monopoly pricing on print advertising, Doctor said. “That’s not coming back — for anybody.”
Kroeger said last month the company will shutter the Virginia-based Manassas News & Messenger, one of Buffett’s most recent acquisitions, and cut 105 jobs in the process. The newspaper faced too much direct competition from other papers in the area, which includes Washington, and was continuing to lose money, Kroeger said in the World-Herald.
“We didn’t see any way to really turn it back into a profitable enterprise, reliably, so what made the most sense was to just cease publication,” he said.
Other billionaires have tried and failed to turn around the newspaper business. Tribune Co., the owner of the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, filed for bankruptcy in 2008, one year after a buyout led by real-estate magnate Sam Zell.
Buffett’s gamble is less ambitious. His recent spending spree on newspapers amounted to less than two-tenths of 1 percent of Berkshire’s total market value.
He also may have more success than others, said Don Graham, chairman and chief executive officer of The Washington Post Co. Part of Berkshire’s strategy is focusing on smaller market papers that don’t have to compete with other media, Graham said.
“When you get larger, you get challenged by more forms of media competition for advertising delivery,” he said last week at an investor conference. “Anybody who really focuses on the newspaper business should be studying one company this year: Berkshire Hathaway.”
At Buffett’s Omaha paper, Kroeger is investing in high- definition video equipment, with an eye toward doing an online sports show featuring its reporters. That’s something major market newspapers such as the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal have tried. Unlike those national publications, though, Buffett’s newspapers embrace a simple tenet: All news is local.
“The community aspect of what we do is so important,” Kroeger said. “Obituaries, for example, are huge. You want to find out how big a deal that is? Misspell somebody’s name in an obituary — once. You’ll never do it again. These things matter to people.”
Kroeger’s first job at the paper was as an assistant purchasing agent. He negotiated for newsprint costs from vendors and made sure the company’s trucks had enough gas to make their deliveries every day.
“I was pretty low on the food chain,” he said. “It’s where I learned about the nuts and bolts of the business.”
Buffett is a longtime investor in newspapers, though never at this scale in the past. Buffett’s interest in the industry had been mostly limited to a stake in the Washington Post and the 1977 purchase of the Buffalo News, which is run separately from Kroeger’s operations. Its publisher, Stan Lipsey, reports directly to Buffett. Berkshire also owns a stake in Gannett, the publisher of USA Today.
Buffett is the second-richest American, after Microsoft’s Bill Gates, with an estimated worth of $46.7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. That’s made him one of the highest-profile backers of print journalism.
“I’ve loved newspapers all my life — and always will,” Buffett wrote in a letter to employees of his newspapers earlier this year, before going on to say that he will probably buy more papers over the next few years. Buffett’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Kroeger declined to discuss the company’s future takeover targets. Other newspaper businesses focused on smaller markets include McClatchy Co., a publisher of 30 daily newspapers such as the Sacramento Bee, and E.W. Scripps Co., which operates 15 newspapers from Cincinnati. Tribune Co.’s newspapers also will be put up for sale as the company emerges from bankruptcy later this month, people familiar with the matter said this week.
Buffett, born in Omaha, has been a loyal subscriber to the World-Herald for most of his adult life and understands the challenges the paper faces, Kroeger said.
“He knows it’s not going to be easy turning things around,” Kroeger said. “He gets what we do here and he’s been incredibly helpful, generous with his time, offering advice when he can.”
Still, Buffett doesn’t influence news coverage, said Mike Reilly, the World-Herald’s executive editor. And there’s been no shift in how the paper covers him, he said. For years, the paper has run a weekly column on the billionaire called “Warren Watch,” something that continues under Buffett’s ownership.
“There hasn’t been any change in how I run the newsroom,” Reilly said. “We used to cover the heck out of him and we still cover the heck out of him.”
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Starting from articles on the net, the number of hits should decide WHICH articles get published on solid paper. The hits online determine how much a person gets paid for an article (this should be capped at a limit of minimum wage per SERIOUS article or if the – we can’t have people getting millions at the company’s expense for A SINGLE ARTICLE), THEN the article gets published BECAUSE of many hits. This way articles that people do not read are left out, and the 99% decide what gets published instead of the editors who are doubtless controlled by the political regime of the day. For non-serious articles or trivia like music launches, celebs or fashion the rate should be at 5% of minimum wage per article, as we do know that a single journalist can churn out dozens a week and these automatically get ‘hits’ because of the shallow masses or tired minds looking for something simple. Various articles of similar types could appear all at once, so the top 20 top hits of the same article perhaps could be edited AND the ‘minimum wage purse’ be shared among journalists who independently found the article on their own (reposters not counted). As for comments, the ‘average annual wage’ purse could be shared for the top 10% of comments so that feedback is also included. Newspapers should not pontificate but also include comments as well.
ARTICLE 8
Susan Rice withdraws from running for secretary of state – live coverage – guardian.co.uk, Thursday 13 December 2012 23.11 GMT
Susan Rice
UN ambassador tells Obama ‘I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly’
As news of Rice’s withdrawal broke, the president entered a meeting with House Speaker John Boehner on how the two sides might come to a fiscal cliff compromise.
If the president caved on Rice, does that mean he’s in a cave-y mood generally?
The deputy chief of staff for the speaker’s office, David Schnittger, says the meeting has concluded, but he isn’t saying what happened.
The @whitehouse #fiscalcliff meeting between @speakerboehner and President Obama has concluded.
— David Schnittger (@OhSchnitt) December 13, 2012
11.11pm GMT
Slate’s Dave Weigel calls it. That guy’s good.
I just hope McCain makes a rare Sunday show appearance to discuss this news.
— daveweigel (@daveweigel) December 13, 2012
MT @thisweekabc Sun Excl: @gstephanopoulos interviews @senjohnmccain on #ThisWeek after Susan Rice withdraws from Sec of State consideration
— James Goldston (@jamesgoldston) December 13, 2012
11.07pm GMT
Potential defense secretary Chuck Hagel, a former colleague of John Kerry’s on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and like Kerry a Vietnam vet, is not regarded by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) to be an especially faithful friend to Israel, Eli Lake reports in the Daily Beast (Aipac never takes formal positions on nominees):
A senior pro-Israel advocate in Washington told The Daily Beast on Thursday, “The pro-Israel community will view the nomination of Senator Chuck Hagel in an extremely negative light. His record is unique in its animus towards Israel.”
Josh Block, a former spokesman for AIPAC and the CEO and president of the Israel Project, told The Daily Beast, “While in the Senate, Hagel voted against designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, refused to call on the E.U. to designate Hezbollah a terrorist group, and consistently voted against sanctions on Iran for their illicit pursuit of nuclear weapons capability. It is a matter of fact that his record on these issues puts him well outside the mainstream Democratic and Republican consensus.”
11.02pm GMT
Kerry: ‘we should all be grateful’ for Rice’s service
Ewen MacAskill sends John Kerry’s statement on the withdrawal of Susan Rice:
I’ve known and worked closely with Susan Rice not just at the UN, but in my own campaign for President. I’ve defended her publicly and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again because I know her character and I know her commitment. She’s an extraordinarily capable and dedicated public servant. Today’s announcement doesn’t change any of that. We should all be grateful that she will continue to serve and contribute at the highest level. As someone who has weathered my share of political attacks and understands on a personal level just how difficult politics can be, I’ve felt for her throughout these last difficult weeks, but I also know that she will continue to serve with great passion and distinction.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., listens during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 to discuss a disabilities treaty. Kerry did not want to respond to questions from reporters about recent talk that Kerry is a top candidate to replace Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., listens during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 to discuss a disabilities treaty.
10.57pm GMT
Let’s hope Kerry recovers from his conflicted feelings about Rice’s political troubles in time to put a cheerful face on it should he be nominated to take the job that was supposed to be hers.
“I’ve felt for her throughout these last difficult weeks.” — John Kerry on Susan Rice. — The Fix (@TheFix) December 13, 2012
Heh.
If Kerry as Sec’y of State is half as effective against Iran’s mullahs as he was against Susan Rice, I’m for him — Mickey Kaus (@kausmickey) December 13, 2012 10.43pm GMT
Updated at 10.47pm GMT
Who, apart from Sen. John McCain, is most pleased by today’s news? There’s reason to speculate that outgoing Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown might not be taking it so badly.
Brown is expected to be a front-runner to fill Kerry’s senate seat if Kerry gets the state nod. Here’s ABC’s Elizabeth Hartfield:
…with Rice out of the running, Kerry is “all but certain” to get the nomination, according to ABC’s Jake Tapper. That means a vacant seat and a special election, which could benefit out-going Sen. Scott Brown, who lost his bid for reelection to Elizabeth Warren in November. […] Brown’s victory in a special election would not be a sure thing. Although he leaves office with high approval ratings- exit polls from the 2012 election showed him with a favor-ability rating of 60 percent- but Massachusetts is a solidly Democratic state, and there are many Democrats in elected office in the state who could challenge Brown. 10.37pm GMT
The uproar over Rice’s statements on Benghazi was fueled by a desperate attempt to score points during the presidential campaign, as Tom Ricks so bluntly explained on Fox News. Then Obama was reelected and the continued campaign against Rice began to look especially unhinged.
Consider Iowa Rep. Steve King, who today said the Benghazi scandal is 10 times bigger than the Watergate and Iran-Contra scandals combined, the Washington Times reported (h/t: @batterdippin):
“(Watergate) was a break-in that Nixon had no knowledge of at the time. It became about the cover-up,” King said. “Iran-Contra, again, as far as the real depths of what went wrong and who violated what laws, we didn’t really get that identified in there. … This is a case where we had an ambassador who was assassinated. He and the others were victims of a plot and a plan. We were willfully and intentionally misinformed by the White House. You know, if Richard Nixon tried to cover up Watergate, that’s an easy case to make that the Obama administration didn’t want us to know what has gone on. We still don’t know.”
This kind of circus wackiness, among other factors, made the case against Rice look weak. It looked like something a newly empowered president could bulldoze through. In late November, John Heilemann in New York Magazine went so far as to list five reasons why a Rice confirmation was a done deal:
As a rule, your columnist avoids predictions, but in the spirit of holiday indulgence, I will make an exception here: Not only will Obama appoint Rice to succeed Clinton but she will be confirmed.
Here’s Heilemann’s fourth reason:
4. Because McCain is being a jackass—and Obama is sick of it. Arguably more than any other national figure, the senior senator from Arizona is driven in every aspect of his public behavior by personal pique. In the wake of the 2000 Republican nomination fight, when he believed Bush and his campaign had defeated him by nefarious means, McCain lunged to the center and became one of the sharpest thorns in the side of the new president from his own party. In the wake of the 2008 election, when he was soundly thumped by a Democratic challenger whom he regarded as a neophyte and a pretender whose experience and valor were no match for his own, McCain immediately shed all traces of mavericky independence and became one of Obama’s fiercest critics from the right. […]
Apparently Obama wasn’t so sick of it. 10.27pm GMT
Updated at 10.30pm GMT
FILE – DECEMBER 13: Susan Rice has withdrawn her name from the running for Secretary of State. NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 30: Susan E. Rice, ambassador and U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), attends a UN Security Council meeting regarding the on-going situation in Syria on August 30, 2012 in New York City. UN Security Council negotiations regarding the situation in Syria collapsed last month. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) Continuity Horizontal Syria USA New York City Meeting Politics Ambassador UN Security Council United Nations Blocked Terms Diplomacy Attending Permanent Representative Susan Rice Situation Susan E. Rice, ambassador and U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), attends a UN Security Council meeting regarding the on-going situation in Syria on August 30, 2012 in New York City.
10.13pm GMT
TPM’s Igor Bobic has a longer excerpt from Rice’s interview with Brian Williams to air tonight. Rice says that she didn’t want to see a disruptive confirmation process:
Today I made the decision that it was the best thing for our country, for the American people that I not continue to be considered by the president for secretary of state because I didn’t want to see a confirmation process that was very prolonged, very politicized, very distracting, and very disruptive because there are so many things we need to get done as a country, and the first several months of a second-term president’s agenda is really the opportunity to get the crucial things done. We’re talking about comprehensive immigration reform, balanced deficit reduction, job creation, that’s what matters, and to the extent that my nomination could have delayed or distracted or deflected or maybe even some of these priorities impossible to achieve, I didn’t want that and I’d much prefer to continue doing what I’m doing, which is a job I love at the United Nations. 10.11pm GMT
The GOP, Michelle Obama and favors to repay
Guardian Washington bureau chief Ewen MacAskill observes that the president was in a tight spot over the secretary of state nomination – but now he is not:
The Republicans might have done Obama a favour. The president was under pressure from two of the women in his life, wife Michelle and adviser Valerie Jarrett, to give the job to their friend Rice rather than to Kerry. Obama owes Kerry, having used him repeatedly as an envoy to help with sensitive issues such as relations with the Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai. Kerry was also the Mitt Romney stand-in during presidential debate practice. Rice had the necessary diplomatic credentials. She has been right about more issues than she has been wrong, being an early champion of the West taking a tougher line on the Darfur issue. But when she has failed, she has failed badly. She was responsible for African affairs in the Clinton administration, and critics – fairly or unfairly – blame her for doing little to prevent the rapid disintegration of the Congo, a conflict that is estimated to have cost at least two million lives.
On a small scale, she was humiliated a fortnight ago when the UN general assembly voted in favour of a step towards Palestinian statehood. Showing none of the humility such a defeat deserved, she put her head down in the assembly to read out a defiant statement that would have pleased few outside of Israel. Kerry, chairman of the Senate foreign affairs committee, has much wider experience in the diplomatic world, and knows already many of the world leaders. Rice’s departure from the field will be greeted with relief in foreign ministries round the world who have been on the receiving end of her rough tongue: that is, most of them. For the same reason, her continuation as UN ambassador will be greeted with groans at other UN missions. 10.06pm GMT
How spontaneous is the Rice news? She’s already taped an entire interview with NBC News’ Brian Williams, a snippet of which just aired.
Rice said that the president’s second term would see “an attempt to get the crucial things done… [and] to the extent that my nomination could have delayed or distracted [from these priorities]… I didn’t want that.”
She told Williams she’ll stay on as UN ambassador.
It’s gracious boilerplate for withdrawing nominees.
was #Susan Rice pushed or did she jump? — Barbara Slavin (@barbaraslavin1) December 13, 2012
9.59pm GMT
The rise and fall of the next secretary of state
At what point did the president decide the fight over Rice wasn’t worth it?
Obama was still fully behind his potential nominee when she made her trip to the Capitol Hill woodshed at the end of November, meeting with Sens. McCain, Lindsey Graham, (R-SC), Kelly Ayotte, (R-NH) and others.
“The concerns I have are greater today than they were before, we’re not even close to having the answers,” said Graham at a joint press conference following the meeting. “The American people got bad information on Sept. 16, bad information from the president after that, and the question is, should they have been given any information at all?”
Republicans accused Rice of misleading Congress and the public about what happened in Benghazi in the Sept. 11 attack that killed Amb. J. Christopher Stevens, a computer technician and two security contractors employed by the CIA.
The Obama administration, led publicly by Rice, initially made the attack on a US mission out to be part of a spontaneous protest over an anti-Islam video that had provoked such a protest that day in Cairo and elsewhere.
Later it emerged that there was no protest, that the attack was planned and that the mission was attached to a covert CIA post.
Five days after the attack, Rice made this misleading statement on NBC’s Meet the Press:
What happened in Benghazi was in fact initially a spontaneous reaction to what had just transpired hours before in Cairo, almost a copycat of the demonstrations against our facility in Cairo, which were prompted, of course, by the video. Opportunistic extremist elements came to the consulate as this was unfolding. They came with heavy weapons, which unfortunately are readily available in post-revolutionary Libya, and it escalated into a much more violent episode. In the face of GOP criticism, the president said Rice was simply passing on the best information the intelligence community had at the time.
“If Senator McCain and Senator Graham and others want to go after somebody, they should go after me,” Obama said. “And I’m happy to have that discussion with them. But for them to go after the U.N. ambassador, who had nothing to do with Benghazi and was simply making a presentation based on intelligence that she had received and to besmirch her reputation is outrageous.”
Instead Republicans decided to continue to go after Rice, a lead adviser on the president’s first campaign.
Rice was not just another adviser; aides of both have told me Obama considered her someone he had a strong kinship with. — Perry Bacon Jr. (@perrybaconjr) December 13, 2012
She was one of first national security wonks to join his camp in 2007 and played a big role suggesting Obama was experienced enough. — Perry Bacon Jr. (@perrybaconjr) December 13, 2012 9.55pm GMT
The Guardian’s Chris McGreal notes that criticism of Rice went beyond her performance after the Benghazi attack:
Although Republican ire focused on Rice’s role in the aftermath of the Benghazi attack that killed the US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, she faced strong criticism from other quarters over her backing of African despots and her unflinching support of Israel. Hours before Rice withdrew from the race, Robert Wexler, a six-term former congressman who now heads a pro-Israel think tank in Washington, said of her that “Israel has no greater champion in the current administration than Susan Rice”. That’s a view shared by some of her critics who say she has gone beyond the call of duty in projecting US policy on Israel to became a passionate defender of the Jewish state despite Binyamin Netanyahu’s policies, calling criticism at the UN “anti-Israel crap”. Rice went to lengths to woo the biggest of the pro-Israel lobby groups, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Rice has also come under strong criticism over her positions on Africa, most recently for trying to suppress a UN report strongly critical of the Rwandan government’s arming and other support for rebels in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rice was a national security official in Bill Clinton’s White House who played a part in the US’s failure to act against the 1994 genocide of Rwanda’s Tutsis. Since then she has been an unswerving supporter of the Rwandan president, Paul Kagame, who as a Tutsi rebel leader put a stop to the genocide even in the face of a growing body of evidence his forces are bound up with years of war crimes in Congo. Rice has also come under criticism for supporting other authoritarian leaders in Africa. In September she delivered a eulogy for the late prime minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi, calling him “brilliant” and a “a true friend to me”. Meles had a long track record of bloody suppression of democracy. 9.39pm GMT
“I will do everything in my power to block [Rice] from being the United States secretary of state. She has proven that she either doesn’t understand or she is not willing to accept evidence on its face. There is no doubt five days later what this attack was and for” – Sen. John McCain on Fox News, Nov. 14, 2012
US Senator John McCain, speaks during the 8th Manama Dialogue security conference in Manama, Bahrain, 08 December 2012. The 8th Manama Dialogue organized by the London based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) which will run until 9 December 2012 will focus predominantly on Syria and broad regional security issues. EPA/MAZEN MAHDI US Senator John McCain, speaks during the 8th Manama Dialogue security conference in Manama, Bahrain, 08 December 2012.
McCain reaches for the brandy and mutters to himself, “It’s a great day for America.” Fade out. — David Corn (@DavidCornDC) December 13, 2012 9.35pm GMT
To many seasoned observers it looks like the president has just lost a high-profile fight with Republicans over a potential nominee he has very publicly defended, indeed is personally linked to.
BuzzFeed’s Ben Smith is reminded of the bloody Cabinet fights of Obama’s first term, when he had to nominate three commerce secretaries, including Bill Richardson, before he got one through, and when former Sen. Tom Daschle failed as a health secretary nominee. A bit of a repeat of very early term 1, esp on national security: Obama, bloodied up a little by the Hill, shows weakness. — Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) December 13, 2012 9.29pm GMT
Hagel thought to be front-runner for defense slot
Rice’s withdrawal isn’t the only action in cabinet shuffling this afternoon. Earlier today Bloomberg News reported that former Sen. Chuck Hagel had the completed the vetting process to be the secretary of defense nominee. The report describes Hagel as “the leading candidate to become Obama’s next Secretary of Defense.”
Another senator, John Kerry, also had been mentioned as a potential defense pick, perhaps as a consolation prize were he to be denied the job he really wants, secretary of state, which was thought to be occupied by Susan Rice.
Now Rice is out at state. And Hagel may be in at defense. Which for John Kerry could mean victory.
Here’s the Bloomberg report:
Hagel, who served as an enlisted Army infantryman in Vietnam, has passed the vetting process at the White House Counsel’s office, said one of the people. The former Nebraska senator has told associates that he is awaiting final word from the president, said the other person. Both requested anonymity to discuss personnel matters. Other contenders are Michele Flournoy, former defense undersecretary for policy, and Ashton Carter, deputy defense secretary, administration officials have said. Obama invited Hagel to the White House on Dec. 4 to discuss the position with him, according to an administration official. The president hasn’t made a final decision, said another official. Both asked for anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney today declined to comment on whether Obama is considering Hagel, saying only that the two-term former lawmaker was widely respected. – 9.22pm GMT
Rice’s letter withdrawing her name
Here’s Rice’s letter to the president withdrawing from consideration as US secretary of state. “The position of secretary of state should never be politicized,” she says. Ambassador Susan Rice’s letter to President Obama (h/t: @thematthewkeys and @katierogers) 9.16pm GMT
The Guardian’s Ewen MacAskill sends President Obama’s full response on the Rice announcement. The president said he spoke with Rice today:
Today, I spoke to Ambassador Susan Rice, and accepted her decision to remove her name from consideration for Secretary of State. For two decades, Susan has proven to be an extraordinarily capable, patriotic, and passionate public servant. As my Ambassador to the United Nations, she plays an indispensable role in advancing America’s interests. Already, she has secured international support for sanctions against Iran and North Korea, worked to protect the people of Libya, helped achieve an independent South Sudan, stood up for Israel’s security and legitimacy, and served as an advocate for UN reform and the human rights of all people. I am grateful that Susan will continue to serve as our Ambassador at the United Nations and a key member of my cabinet and national security team, carrying her work forward on all of these and other issues. I have every confidence that Susan has limitless capability to serve our country now and in the years to come, and know that I will continue to rely on her as an advisor and friend. While I deeply regret the unfair and misleading attacks on Susan Rice in recent weeks, her decision demonstrates the strength of her character, and an admirable commitment to rise above the politics of the moment to put our national interests first. The American people can be proud to have a public servant of her caliber and character representing our country. 9.13pm GMT
Obama ‘deeply regrets the unfair and misleading attack’ on Rice CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller gets the response from President Obama, who says he “deeply regrets the unfair and misleading attack” on Rice, but her decision “demonstrates the strength of her character & an admirable commitment to rise above politics.” In written statement, Pres Obama says he “deeply regrets the unfair and misleading attack” on Susan Rice, — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 13, 2012
In his first press conference after his reelection, the president struck a note of unusual perturbance in responding to Republican attacks on Rice.
“[Rice] has done exemplary work,” he said. “She has represented the United States… with skill and professionalism and toughness and grace. … and if Sen. McCain and Sen. Graham and others want to go after somebody, they should go after me.” 9.11pm GMT
Rice out of the running for secretary of state
UN ambassador Susan Rice has withdrawn her name from consideration for secretary of state, NBC News has reported. A potential nomination for Rice, who for months was perceived to be the president’s top pick, has been the object of fierce opposition from Republicans, who accuse her of misconduct following the September attack on Benghazi.
“If nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly – to you and to our most pressing national and international priorities,” Rice wrote in a letter to President Obama obtained by NBC. “That trade-off is simply not worth it to our country … Therefore, I respectfully request that you no longer consider my candidacy at this time.”
We’ll be live-blogging developments. 9.04pm GMT
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Good honourable and ethical move by Rice. Rice has decided to ditch crony politics by sacrificing an opportunity that destroys democracy. Frankly ‘friends’ or seat holders in other places should not be ‘re-given’ posts. This should be something a panel should vote on and willing volunteers from a talent pool should sign on for for their 15 minutes of fame.
ARTICLE 9
The Democratic Party’s Future Now Depends on Hillary Clinton – by Conor Friedersdorf – Dec 13 2012, 6:00 AM ET
More than any other politician in America, her candidacy would change the contours of the next election.
Every Democrat with ambitions to succeed President Obama wants to know the answer to one question: Is Hillary Clinton going to run? If so, many will decide against doing so themselves. Who wants to square off against an opponent who’ll have a better fundraising operation, a better resume, and a spouse who happens to be America’s best surrogate? At the moment when the first black president is preparing to leave the White House, who will want to run against someone with a more than viable chance of becoming the first woman president?
“She seems like Democrats’ best bet, perhaps by some margin, to extend their winning streak to three or more terms in the White House,” Nate Silver notes. “If she ran even a point or two stronger than a ‘generic’ Democrat, the odds would shift meaningfully in her favor, holding other circumstances equal.”
But say Clinton doesn’t run. That changes everything, doesn’t it? Any Democratic primary without her would be dubbed “wide open.” Joe Biden may try to succeed his boss either way. But he is eminently beatable, as every aspiring alternative knows. He wouldn’t scare anyone away.
I won’t speculate about whether she’ll run. We’ll know in time. I’ll just say that it matters now that we don’t know, insofar as the uncertainty itself affects present behavior among certain Democrats.
I’d prefer it if Hillary Clinton stayed out of future races. My instinct is that she’d abuse executive power and civil liberties every bit as much as the man who appointed her to be secretary of state, especially now that he has acclimated the left to transgressing against transparency and the rule of law. What I can’t deny to Democrats is the likelihood that her foreign policy experience would permit her to retain her party’s edge on those issues, especially if she ran against someone as inexperienced as Marco Rubio, whose foreign-policy chops are hard to take seriously.
Grizzled feels more reassuring than boyish, does it not?
That isn’t to say she’d be a lock in the general election. About the only prediction I’m willing to make about Election 2016 is that Hillary Clinton would be a strong candidate barring a scandal.
But “likeable enough” to win?
What I’ll be most interested to see, if she does run, is how the conservative movement reacts to her candidacy. With relative sanity, insofar as they can’t very well accuse her of being a Kenyan anti-colonialist? With a return to the anti-Clintonian fervor of the 1990s? I suspect the latter reaction wouldn’t play well. Politicians who hang around long enough seem to become inured even to scandals in which they were actually caught red-handed. There isn’t anything so clear cut in Clinton’s past, and if many Americans are like me, the word “Whitewater” would send an involuntary shudder of dread coursing through the population, as if we were collectively told we’d have to re-watch the pre-trial motions from the O.J. Simpson trial while sequestered in a cheap hotel with nothing for diversion but Clinton-era back issues of The American Spectator.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Can see the family blocs in 3rd world countries ready to jump on this opportunity to justify nepotism . . . do the right thing USA. Political culture is bad enough as is. Then the impossibly timely occurance below :
First stomach virus THEN concussion after ‘accepting’ the run for Presidency? (After Bill then Hillary, what next? Clinton’s children for President as well? Might as well run and declare USA a monarchy . . . no hate there but the 3rd world really cannot do with any justifications for nepotism arising from USA of all places! The Presidency of the United States and even so many high official posts should never be a hand down post, if a seat has been held by a family member, no way should the seat be allowed to another from the Clintons – the friends and cronies issue of seat/post hand downs are already bad enough, don’t start a trend . . . ) False flag or a warning by greater forces or even a warning by USA to 3rd world countries in the form of a false flag? Anything to put a stop to nepotism which destroys democracy and leads to dictatorship.
ARTICLE 10
Charlie Gonzalez’s Departure from Congress Marks End to Political Dynasty – Published December 17, 2012 – Fox News Latino
Charlie Gonzalez
San Antonio, Tex. – The retirement from Congress of Rep. Charlie Gonzalez is ending a half-century streak during which his father, then he, served in Congress, representing their San Antonio district.
The outgoing chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus served 14 years after replacing his famous father, Henry B. Gonzalez, who carved out a lasting legacy as a political reformer and civil rights leader.
Charlie Gonzalez, a Texas Democrat, is returning to private life after deciding to not seek an eighth term. Taking his seat is Joaquin Castro, whose family packs its own celebrity pedigree: His twin brother is San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, a rising star on the national stage who was the keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention this year.
Charlie Gonzalez told the San Antonio Express-News that he’s leaving with a “sense of sadness.”
“It’s a job, but it’s an incredible job. The people, the surroundings, nothing compares to it,” Gonzalez said. “It is bittersweet. That is the best way to describe it.”
Charlie Gonzalez was first elected in 1988. His father served for 37 years and was chairman of the House Banking Committee, which wielded power over financial institutions and was instrumental in pushing reforms. The elder Gonzalez used that clout to push for public housing and programs for the homeless.
Larry Hufford, a political science professor at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, said the elder Gonzalez pursued social justice in a time when it wasn’t fashionable. Charlie Gonzalez represented a 20th congressional district that, by the end of this last term, covered impoverished barrios on the city’s West side as well as middle-class and affluent neighborhoods to the north.
When it came to national issue, Charlie Gonzalez used his status Hispanic Caucus chairman to push for immigration reform.
“Charlie was able to carry on that legacy with a much different style; more low-keyed but very effective,” Hufford said.
Charlie Gonzalez dismissed suggestions that he could wind up being an appointee in President Barack Obama’s second term or be elected to a statewide office. A Democrat hasn’t been elected statewide in Texas since 1994.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Gonzalez’s decision to leave Congress marks the “end of an era.”
“To decide on my own when to leave Congress, that wasn’t a decision wasted on me,” Charlie Gonzalez said. “I’m a blessed individual. Rather than having circumstances imposed on my life, I’m looking forward to this next chapter in my life. It is my encore career.”
This is based on a story by The Associated Press.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Rare example of ethics. there is nothing beneficial personally for Gonzalez in quitting, but every such quit makes Democracy stronger and makes nepotism and oligarchy weaker. THIS should be the criteria for state awards or monuments than anything else. There is no end to wealth and power, and once enough politicians focus their value system on higher values away from the greed or power-madness fog, the super-pac, too big to fail, and plutocrat/corporate lobbyist and eventually the economy issues, will be easier to fathom and deal with. This is a form of ethics, as preventing nepotism is as dangerous as corruption in politics.
ARTICLE 11
‘Ninja of Newport’ arrested by armed police after dressing up as superhero with wooden sword to ‘help fight crime’ – by James Rush – PUBLISHED: 17:23 GMT, 13 December 2012 | UPDATED: 19:04 GMT, 13 December 2012
Tanis Baker, 21, dressed as a ninja to ‘strike fear in the hearts of criminals
He was arrested after officers who spotted him became concerned
He was soon surrounded by armed police, dogs and a helicopter
Two hidden rucksacks containing smokebombs and costumes found after arrest
Comic book fan: Tanis Baker told police he was a vigilante in a ninja costume after police arrested him while armed with a homemade wooden Samurai sword
A would-be vigilante was arrested by armed police after he dressed up as a ninja and armed himself with a wooden Samurai sword.
Mystery man-in-black Tanis Baker, 21, wanted to ‘strike fear’ in the hearts of criminals in his neighbourhood just like his comic book idols.
But a court heard Baker ended up on the wrong side of the law after dressing up in ninja-style black body armour and a mask.
He armed himself with smoke bombs and a home-made wooden Samurai sword then crouched in the darkness in a park ready to pounce on any troublemakers.
But a police officer saw Baker in the shadows – and he called for back-up because of his concerns over the mystery figure.
Within minutes he was surrounded by armed officers, police dogs and a helicopter hovering overhead above Beechwood Park in Newport, South Wales.
He was arrested and officers found two hidden rucksacks containing seven smoke bombs and other vigilante costumes.
Magistrates at Cwmbran, South Wales, heard he told police he was a ‘vigilante in a costume’ and that he wanted to help people in trouble.
He claimed to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of the police on the streets and wanted to strike fear into criminals.
The probation officer who assessed him said Baker was a fan of American comic book superheroes.
His probation report said: ‘He seems to get confused between fantasy and reality and sometimes had trouble distinguishing between what was in comic books and what was real life.’
The court heard that in real life Baker is no superhero but works as a barman in a snooker club in Newport, South Wales.
Hi-ya! Mr Tanis said he dressed up as a ninja to ‘strike fear’ in the hearts of criminals in Newport (picture posed by model)
Louise Warren, defending, said: ‘Baker was bullied for many years and struggled growing up in his neighbourhood.
‘He was attacked by a gang of youths while out with his sister a year ago, but police were unable to find the offenders.
‘Since then Baker has wanted to help the police to protect society.’
The court heard Baker was asked what he would do if he encountered a real crime and said he had not thought that far ahead.
Superhero: How Baker might have looked when he was arrested while dressed as a vigilante ninja
He was given a 12-month supervision order and ordered to carry out 60 hours unpaid work.
Chairman of the magistrates Paul Lavin, said: ‘You may have thought you were helping but you caused a lot of trouble.
‘Do not do this in future or else you’ll be in big trouble.’
Baker, of Cwmbran, South Wales, admitted having an offensive weapon in a public place.
He declined to comment after the case.
Storm in a teacup as The Ninja of Newport has to meet the authorities somehow when he makes his introduction but now he could supply them with a trusty Ninjaphone to ring him in their hour of need to save the day and help restore law and order showing the baddies there’s a new guy in town and his name is THE NINJA OF NEWPORT!!! *plays national anthem*
– Stuart , Edinburgh Scotland, United Kingdom, 13/12/2012 18:34
We need more vigilantes on the street, but we criminalise them instead. Take Phoenix jones of Seattle, he and his friends do a great job, lawfully and prevent crimes, as well as assisting law officers.
– Illuminati cards , Bunker, 13/12/2012 18:49
What part was illegal ? Smoke bombs aren’t illegal, they are let off at paintballing sites, and wooden sticks aren’t illegal unless something new has happened, that makes drumming against the law.
– mileage , Barry, 13/12/2012 18:49
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Look here anyone is allowed to cosplay a ninja or favourite super hero (or Otaku genre!) character. Orwell has taken over Newport. More ‘ninjas’ or cosplayers should lurk ‘ in the shadows ‘, SPECIFICALLY to see what the local enforcement does. Good work Tanis! Now we all know that Newport is not a free sort of place. A really free minded place would give a verbal warning or even co-opt the ‘ninja’ as an eccentric member of the neighbourhood watch who refused to work with the formal watch. More cosplayers! And know that permission for carrying actual weapons can be obtained and if registered should not be an offence.
But a wooden sword? Thats not even a weapon. A really long carving knife is more dangerous than a wooden sword and is legal to carry around. A handgun is more dangerous than the above and still is legal. Lurking might be addressed with a simple request. And the reasons given are only to protect society! What gives Newport? More cosplayers and lurkers EVERYWHERE! How about openly walking around with masks, costumes and ‘lurking’ in corners for the rest of the week Newporters! I’m surprised Tanis did not challenge the judgment. Where’s that US culture of freedom and vigilante-ism? For the conservative types, try Cowboys and Indians with camping knives, whips and 6 shooters for a start . . . set up camp in a ‘lurky’ area EVERYDAY in shifts. See what the local enforcement does . . . we’ll know where Orwell LURKS instead – then set up a map of ‘people friendly’ and ‘people unfriendly’ places, the 99% will know how to vote or which laws to amend . . .
ARTICLE 12
Boehner Agrees To A Millionaire Tax–And Moves Closer To A Fiscal Cliff Deal – WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 06: Speaker of the House – 12/17/2012 @ 6:15AM |4,015 views
House Speaker John Boehner has made a decision that will make some wealthy Americans squeal, while making most Americans smile.
Boehner, after weeks of rhetoric that Republicans and Democrats were miles apart on fiscal cliff talks, relented on a stance that high earners shouldn’t see higher taxes. Now, Boehner has agreed to raise taxes on Americans making more than $1 million, reversing an earlier position that all Bush Era tax cuts should stand.
The move by Boehner is particularly significant for several reasons. First, it’s a gesture toward compromise— Democrats wanted taxes raised on Americans making more than $250,000, while Republicans, at first, would have none of it—and suggests the two sides may finally become serious about averting the fiscal cliff. Next, the tax hikes would increase federal coffers by some $1 trillion over 10 years; President Obama has demanded $1.4 trillion in new revenue, but at least the pols’ figures are growing closer. And Boehener’s decision is a refreshing signal that, when confronted with dire forecasts—like the one that predicts a recession to start 2013 if the fiscal cliff happens—Washington, D.C can put aside partisinism and past promises. Though, I imagine that Grover Norsquist takes little glee from Boehner’s shift.
Republicans are the first to sacrifice a sacred cow. Now, Democrats must too. What mostly impedes progress? Some $200 billion. That’s the difference between the spending cuts in federal health care programs that Republicans want ($600 billion) and Democrats want ($400 billion).
Investors will probably take this move by the pols as evidence that a deal will eventually come. We haven’t piled out of stocks quite like you might think. Indeed, the major benchmarks this month have gained about 4%. There hasn’t been that complete flight to safety—into the cash-generative arms of Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola and Walt Disney—and away from risk—fleeing the speculation around a Research In Motion comeback or better times for Alpha Natural.
Indeed, stocks this morning ticked higher. Dow Jones industrial average futures rose 0.7% to 13,096.00. S&P 500 futures gained 0.1% to 1,407.41.
Still, the cliff today looks less like a chasm than it did just a few days earlier.
Reach Abram Brown at abrown@forbes.com.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Squeal? What they earn in a year is an entire lifetimes 401K or many times more than 401K which the 99% takes decades to earn, these wealthy Americans are just SPOILT. Boehner did good, and if the wealthy Americans are too squealy, they are welcome to move to a favourite country of their choice – as mentioned before all assets a country has are land and resource divided by number of citizens not useless fiat. the US A will be happy to have 1 citizen less and more to share among those who stay.
ARTICLE 12.5
French wealthy ‘feel victimised by tax’ – by Hugh Schofield – 10 December 2012 Last updated at 15:02 GMT Help
Actor Gerard Depardieu has become the latest wealthy person to flee France’s 75% tax on those earning over 1m euros a year.
The star has bought a house over the border in the Belgian village of Nechin.
France’s richest man, Bernard Arnault has already applied for Belgian citizenship and thousands of other wealthy French people are making the move.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The ‘wealthiest’ will NEVER pay enough because in 1 year they earn 10 lifetimes what most ‘wealthiest’ Frenchmen earn in decades EVEN AFTER TAX. No place for Marie Antoinettes here . . . and 75% tax is not enough because they can hold assets up to 75,000% of what the ordinary french person has with the very wealthiest earning 7500% of what the 99% does EVEN AFTER TAX. 75% of 100 million of the less ecxeptional wealthiest is still 25 million in earnings, 75% of 10 million is 2.5 million in earnings which is easily 10 times what the 99% earn in a lifetime . . . Victimised?
Some Frenchmen can’t even buy French bread or have a French roof! That money goes to social services not banquets for the French officials I hope, otherwise time to storm the Bastille again . . . 75% tax is farcical considering the above facts.
ARTICLE 13
Child Prostitution, Adult Prostitution, and the Obscure In-Between – Posted on August 22, 2012
The issue of child prostitution and its supposed alter-ego, adult prostitution, are personal to me because I’ve experienced both, having been prostituted between the ages of fifteen and twenty-two.
I sometimes think of what those who knew nothing of me would have thought of me, as they caught glimpses of me, on the different stages of those seven years. Who doubts that the majority would have looked at my young teenaged self and wondered what sort of world we lived in? And who doubts, if they’re honest, that many would have looked at my young adult self and wondered what sort of women populated it?
This is the dichotomy of adult and child and they are viewed as very separate, very distinct, so that there is a clearly perceived line between these stages, these ages, but in fact it is not a line. It is a bridge. It is a bridge that spans the in-between; that gap that connects the points in the lives of so many women who were prostituted first as children then as adults. I lived that bridge in my own prostitution life, when I was turning from a child into a woman, and I was used sexually for money on most of the days that made up my adolescence, as I was before in childhood and afterwards in early adulthood. And here is the crux of the matter: it was all the same nightmare to me.
People chose though, before and after those in-between years, whether I was blameless or blameworthy. In the interim, while I existed in the in-between, each individual who looked at me or fucked me had the privilege of making up their own mind. Many did, and most chose the latter.
After that, when I was identifiably a woman, it was not a case of ‘most’ anymore, but ‘almost all’ – because almost all those who looked at me in my young adulthood decided that I’d chosen what was happening, and saw it as what I was doing rather than what was being done to me.
The ‘done to me’ aspect died, you see, along with my adolescence in the perspectives of other people. The problem was it didn’t die, and I was still alive, living the ‘done to me’ reality every day.
As a fourteen-year-old girl, a full year before I ever started prostituting, I first realised that some men felt an actual entitlement to my body. This was perfectly expressed by the extreme belligerence they’d display when I rejected their advances. They would be so angry. ‘How dare you?’ said their actions. I couldn’t make any sense of that attitude. It was literally like someone was speaking in a foreign language to me, and it was a foreign language in a sense; it was the language of sexual entitlement. I became fluent in the language eventually, but fluent in the sense of someone speaking a language not of their origin; someone who can understand it audibly, but will never be able to write it.
At that time though, I couldn’t imagine how anyone could think it was okay to walk up to someone on the street and wrap your arms around them, or grope somebody, or growl what you’d like to do to them into their ear. But I had all these experiences as a fourteen-year-old girl and I’d had three approaches by paedophiles as a pre-pubescent child, and still I could not fathom why and how this was supposed to be acceptable in the view of these men, why this was supposed to be okay. I remember one man’s surprise and affront as he told me “You’re very standoffish!” after I pulled away from a physical embrace I didn’t initiate, ask for, permit or fucking want.
These experiences came thick and fast from the age of fourteen, when I began to be more noticeably developing breasts. It is little wonder I became fluent in the language of male sexual entitlement. Facial expressions, aggressive stances, weary sighs, protracted silences – all these too make up part of that language, all these are used to communicate the idea that you’re expected to consent when a man decides he will have rights to your body.
So I’d had some schooling, in that sense, as to what prostitution expected of me. What I didn’t know was how bad it was going to get. I couldn’t have known that before I experienced it. It was unknowable. Well, I soon found out, and what I found out didn’t get any better on the day I turned eighteen and it didn’t get any better on the day I turned twenty-one either.
They bother me, these stupid irrelevant lines that are drawn that attempt to divide the lived reality of the prostitution experience based on whether a female is fifteen or seventeen, seventeen or nineteen, eighteen or twenty. They are diversions to the central matter at hand; they divert from the core issue. They disappear the fact that this is wrong, not only by degrees that deepen with the youthfulness of its target, but by its nature, so that all those who’ve been paid for sex they do not want have suffered sexual abuse. There is a shelf-life for women in prostitution, but there is no shelf-life for the nature of prostitution. Its abusive core does not morph into something else on a person’s eighteenth birthday. Not that many men wait that long in the first place.
And on that note, people need to start querying what is the criterion for fuckability according to sex-buying men? What is their divining rod for ‘of age’? Is it a pair of breasts? My experience of prostitution is that it is any pair of breasts, regardless that they’re still developing; and this we’ve got to see as a form of sexual selfishness that has decayed to the point where it’s putrid. It is also a nonsense of a position, because if a pair of breasts at any stage of development signify completed womanhood then every females adulthood actually began at the onset of puberty; not began to form, but began in full. Every woman was a woman before she was a woman, by that ludicrous standard.
I am sure we will have a lot of indignation from sex buyers on this point, but as a fifteen-year-old child with developing breasts I was abused by a multitude of these men every day; men, some of whom would never have considered themselves paedophiles or predators or abusers – and I saw the same men pay to use the bodies of other adolescents with breasts, one of them just thirteen years old, so I can assure the reader that these men assured themselves wherever there was the presence of breasts there was the absence of childhood.
Added to this, men who buy sex are obsessed with the act of despoilment; they are, as a group, blatantly obsessed with the desire to fuck the youngest girl they can find. The upshot of this of course is that there is great commercial value placed on youth in prostitution. I have thought at length and written a little about Prostitution and the Commercial Value of Youth, and I know both that this exists as a reality in prostitution and that is speaks with great clarity to the putrid sexual selfishness I’ve just mentioned.
So adolescents are fair game in prostitution; I’ve made my point, but it’s important also to look at an uncanny resemblance here: adolescence is the physical reality, the mirror image made flesh and form, of that place where a woman is halfway between being prostituted and being trafficked. That point where women go to other countries knowing they’ll be working in the sex trade, but not knowing what that reality really means, or not knowing that they’ll be charged four and five figure sums for the privilege of their prostitutions organisation. This is another of prostitutions in-betweens. They exist in various forms, and very often these mid-spectrum situations are misrepresented and then misappropriated so that they can be used to gloss over the reality of the sex trade. For example those women who are working back thousands of euros/dollars/pounds of money they supposedly ‘owe’ are not classified as trafficking victims, although that is what they are. The sex industry calls them ‘independent escorts’ and ignores and erases the misery of their lives.
In the same way, people who live prostitution during the transition between childhood and adulthood must be mislabelled and filed away, inconvenient as they are. They must be either a child or an adult according to the sex industry, and also, disturbingly, to some anti-trafficking groups. Some groups decide to find a way around this by subdividing adolescence into stages where those from twelve to fourteen are deemed worthy of sympathy and attention, while fifteen to seventeen-year-olds are brushed to one side with the gut-churning excuse that they have so much more ‘personal agency’.
When, I would like to ask the senior members of these groups, did my personal agency begin? Because by their criterion it seems to me it began at the stroke of midnight as I entered my fifteenth year, which makes me feel like a very sorry version of Cinderella; except the slipper in this fairytale was never going to fit because it had been shattered, and believe me, Prince Charming was nowhere to be seen. I had no more personal agency at fifteen than I had the year before, in fact I had significantly less, because at fourteen I had only six months of homelessness behind me; at fifteen I had a year and a half. In homelessness your desperation increases with time, not decreases. If people think ‘personal agency’ always increases with the forward march of time they are lucky people who’ve never had to deal with the miserable conditions of their own lives intensifying with time, and they’re obviously so detached from that life experience they’ve never even considered it.
By drawing distinctions between trafficking and prostitution, between under and over eighteen, some well-intentioned anti-trafficking organisations acquiesce to the perpetuation of a system known to be extremely violent and damaging while continuing to stigmatise and blame most of its victims. This stigmatisation maintains the disempowerment and marginalisation of the same population these groups want to help. It also empowers the predators who prey on our most vulnerable, whether under or over eighteen.
FreeIrishWoman
ARTICLE 14
Prostitution and the Commercial Value of Youth – Posted on June 3, 2012
People who argue that prostitution would be free of coercion, trafficking, the exploitation of minors – and everything else that prevents it from being some kind of all-above-board consenting-adults-only autonomy party – are people who ignore one vital aspect of prostitutions reality. It is the commercial value of youth.
Just as in some actual industries, like modelling or professional dance, youth is highly prized among attributes. Unlike modelling or dance though, youth in prostitution is prized far above beauty and the fluidity of movement. In order to be most highly in demand in prostitution, you don’t need to be the prettiest flower in the field; you just need to be among the youngest. And what you can or cannot do with your body is irrelevant; it just matters that it hasn’t been on the planet for very long.
One of the commonest questions that comes through on any brothels phone line is ‘What age is the youngest girl you have?’ I could not count the times I have been asked that question, and I defy anybody who has answered a brothels phone to tell the blatant lie that it is not the commonest question they’ve been asked too.
The commercial value of youth is so profoundly built-in to prostitution that women routinely lie about their age in order to generate more business. The clients know this, of course, and even as women are shaving a few years off clients are adding a few on. ‘I’m twenty-six – I’ll tell him I’m twenty-three’ / ‘She’s twenty-three? – that means she’s twenty-six’.
Nobody’s fooling anybody here, and the only thing the whole pathetic charade is any good for is the revealing nature of what’s going on behind the pretence. What it reveals, of course, is that men who buy bodies for sex usually want to buy the youngest body they can find.
Last year it was reported to the BBC that prostitutes as young as thirteen were working the streets in Swindon, in the English county of Wiltshire. “Come here at the weekend and you’ll get 13-year-old girls to 19-year-old girls out here”, one prostitute told reporters.
When I read reports like these I just sigh. It tires me to pre-empt the shock people will express. It tires me to imagine that shock, whether it is genuine or not, because if it is genuine then that proves we have a long way to go in educating people about the reality of prostitution, and if it is not, well then, here is yet more in a tsunami of evidence that there are those who do not want the reality of prostitution understood.
Whenever any evidence of teenaged prostitution is revealed the pro-prostitution lobby move immediately to put forth the preposterous assertion that this town is somehow different or unique. The attitude is always either ‘thirteen-year-olds, good Lord, who ever heard of such a thing?’ – or ‘thirteen-year-olds, good Lord, we could clear up this situation if we legalised prostitution!’ – as if somehow the demand for adolescent bodies would vanish if only we’d make the sale of adult bodies okay!
Usually, however, they will simply deny that adolescent prostitution is widespread, or that adolescents are much in demand in the first place.
‘How do we know this is true?’ will come the query from the pro-prostitution lobby. It is not a query in the genuine sense of the word. A real query seeks an answer. This query seeks to obscure the same answer it purports to be seeking.
This will seem strange and confusing to some people. It is neither strange nor confusing to me; I’ve been exposed to the tactics of the pro-prostitution lobby for too long to be surprised or confused by these sorts of seemingly tangled and nonsensical tactics. What people need to understand is that they are not nonsensical. These are obscurest policies and they are purposeful and predictable, and when you understand their purpose you will have no problem predicting them too.
Their purpose is consistently the same; it is to deny and refute the sick and twisted nature of what actually goes on in prostitution. The truth they don’t want to you know is that men who pay for sex will most often opt to pay for a fifteen-year-old over a seventeen-year-old, a seventeen-year-old over a nineteen-year-old, a nineteen-year-old over a twenty-one-year-old, and so on and so forth.
Now, let me be very clear about this – I will be called a liar for having asserted the above. It will be said that I am trying to demonise punters, that I am telling lies about their preferences and proclivities. I wish I was. In my first year in prostitution, when I was fifteen-years-old, I was used by countless hundreds of men; I truly couldn’t say how many. I saw up to ten men a day so you may do the maths for yourself (the thoughts of doing that calculation disturbs me). As I stated in my Examiner article back in February, men were so obviously aroused by my youth it made them climax very quickly, so I soon learned to tell them how old I was in order to shorten the whole ordeal. I made it a policy; it was one of the first things I said when I got into the car – not that I needed to bring up the subject because it was usually one of the first questions asked of me.
In all those hundreds of men, one man, just ONE, turned his van around and brought me back to where he’d found me.
So yes, those who advocate for legalised or decriminalised prostitution will do their damnedest to obscure the truth about the high commercial value placed on young bodies in prostitution, all the while squawking ‘Where’s the evidence? Where’s the evidence?’ – like some kind of belligerent and demented parrot, with all the repetitiveness and severe comprehension issues you’d expect. All beak and no brains, in other words.
This is to be expected; of course the pro-prostitution lobby don’t want you to know that girls who are post-puberty by only a year or two are routinely lusted after, sought out, highly prized and then abused for enough years ‘till they’ve lost much of their commercial value. If that was widely known, it would do a great deal of damage to the autonomous, sexually-liberated, empowerment fantasy depiction they are consistently trying to peddle.
As for ‘Where’s the evidence?’ – I don’t need to ask that question. When I was a fifteen-year-old prostitute I was FAR more in-demand than I ever was as a twenty-two-year-old, even though at twenty-two I was slim, pretty, and an extremely youthful woman; but therein lay the problem. I was a woman.
There is huge emphasis placed on the commercial value of youth in prostitution. ‘The evidence’ is in every brothel and red-light zone in the land, and I know that because I lived the evidence.
A good blog post typifying a particular ‘staid’ type of sex worker who happened to start working out of necessity early from environmental issues, but has somehow remained in the field by choice while not liking the field too much. Perhaps some personal issues about being denied other opportuunities when younger. @FreeIrishWoman seems to enjoy the sense of indignation working as a sex worker and who knows in some twisted manner, gains strength at the cutting at the conscience of her clients one can read from the writing. The ethical hirers who do want 100% consensual and a clear conscience should give this particular worker a skip. The ‘mean’ lot who gravitate from morality to desire from religious probably, would doubtless be twice attracted. While sex would be available, sex positivism is not to be found here!
ARTICLE 15
Call for change in law to protect prostitutes from violent crime : Brothel attacks prompt debate whether police priority should be prosecuting sex workers or catching dangerous criminals – Owen Bowcott, legal affairs correspondent – The Guardian, Monday 16 January 2012 15.13 GMT
Decriminalising prostitution could mean better safety and improved relations with police for sex workers. A series of gang attacks on brothels in east London has triggered calls for changes to the prostitution laws after victims who reported knifepoint robberies said they ended up being threatened with prosecution. A police investigation has been launched as senior Labour and Conservative members of the London assembly and the English Collective of Prostitutes allege that violent crime is being given a lower priority than less serious sex offences.
The attacks highlight the growing debate over calls for New Zealand’s pioneering decriminalisation of sex work to be considered – an approach recently supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers. What is said by sex workers to be a spate of robberies – involving cash and jewellery – coincides with an increase in police raids on east London addresses being used as brothels before the 2012 London Olympics.
The first address targeted was in Barking, east London, on 6 December. A video showing five men apparently breaking into another house in the area being used by sex workers is also being studied by officers. The women who made the first complaint allege they recognise some of the gang members from the YouTube clip. In a third attack, at a different address, a woman who worked as a maid at a brothel is alleged to have been raped by the gang. None of the victims there reported the offence for fear of being charged by officers with living off the proceeds of prostitution; the police say they are so far unaware of this incident.
The ECP said changes to the law, in response to fears over the forcible trafficking of foreign sex workers into Britain, have made it more difficult for women to work together in houses for safety. A letter of complaint sent by Niki Adams, a leading ECP activist who works with Legal Action for Women, to the borough police commander in Barking last month, said the way the investigation into the first incident had been pursued had discouraged “sex workers from reporting attacks”. The letter continued: “The 6 December attack was at knifepoint and the women felt they had to try and protect themselves. They think the assailants may well be the same people who have robbed them before, who have got away with it, and so have returned and become more violent as they have got bolder.
“Targeting women for prosecution in this way undermines any attempts to catch those who attack and exploit sex workers … We are receiving reports of incidents where women have been attacked and their attackers have told them brazenly that they know women won’t dare go to the police.” Adams believes there may have been as many as 20 attacks in the area over the past two years. The Metropolitan police confirmed it was aware of the 6 December attack and the YouTube video and is investigating whether the attacks are linked. “We can confirm that we were called to an alleged incident of aggravated burglary at an address in Victoria Road, Barking,” a statement said.
“Patrolling officers arrived at the scene and were quickly accompanied by scene of crime officers and detectives from Barking and Dagenham CID. Detectives also visited the venue on a further occasion to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident. “Unfortunately, those at the address were unwilling to substantiate the allegation or further assist with the investigation despite a number of attempts for them to do so. The case remains under investigation and should any further information come to light it will of course be vigorously pursued.” The force said “a notice has been served to the registered owner of the venue in Victoria Road under the auspices of section 33a of the Sexual Offences Act 1956. The notice formally notified the recipient that they were liable to prosecution should the premises in Victoria Road remain in use as a brothel”. Referring to the YouTube video, the police said: “We are looking to see if the attacks are linked. Officers take any such reports extremely seriously and actively encourage all members of the community, particularly those who may be vulnerable to such incidents, to come forward and contact police. “Officers at Barking and Dagenham work hard to ensure that the borough remains a safe place for all residents. The welfare of victims remains our primary concern and we acknowledge that some members of the community are more vulnerable and susceptible to crime. “We strive to encourage and support female victims and to assist us further we are in the process of launching a bespoke multi-agency victim care service. This will see female victims receiving the best possible support and will include fast-track referrals to housing and health professionals as well as Safer Neighbourhood reassurance intervention.”
Prostitution itself is not illegal but associated activities – such as kerb crawling, placing advertising cards in phoneboxes and working in premises with more than one person available for paid sex – are outlawed.
Last November Simon Byrne, Acpo’s lead officer on prostitution and sexual exploitation, suggested there was a need for a fresh look at the legal balance. Then deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester, Byrne is in the process of moving to the Met as assistant commissioner. “There is a great amount of academic research available, much of which supports the view that an alternative approach is needed,” he wrote on his official Acpo blog. “An example would be the decriminalisation and regulation of brothels in Australia and New Zealand, not an answer to all of the related issues but certainly a solution to some.
“More of those involved in sex work in Australia and New Zealand can now access health services with ease, whilst maintaining more personal security in an emotive area for policing.”
Another proponent of reform is Andrew Boff, a Conservative member of the London assembly. “The law is framed so as to put women [sex workers] into the most vulnerable position,” he said. “The changes brought in by the last government seemed to [be derived from] the view that every single worker in the sex trade was trafficked. “People are not willing to come forward over these attacks. When they report them, the women themselves have had action taken against them. I’m compiling a report on the problem for Boris Johnson.”
Len Duvall, the leader of the Labour group at the London assembly, said: “We need to examine in greater detail information and case studies from those countries that have sought to legalise prostitution, including the model put forward by New Zealand, especially if it provides a degree of protection for sex workers and reduces crimes associated with prostitution.
“Where brothels have not posed a problem to the wider community and there has been no evidence of sex trafficking, I have heard evidence that the police have taken an inconsistent and heavy-handed approach in dealing with sex workers. There is also evidence that crimes against sex workers are being ignored.”
Earlier this month, Sheila Farmer, a sex worker who operated with other women out of shared premises, had charges of brothel-keeping against her dismissed at Croydon crown court. The Crown Prosecution Service said there had been no change in enforcement policy; the unexpected failure of a witness to appear led to the charge being withdrawn. Farmer said she had chosen to work with other women for safety because she had been attacked previously when working alone.
Nigel Richardson, the solicitor who represented her, said he was aware of another case in Surrey where women had reported an attack on their flat from a rival operation. “They were visited by two men who threatened the women and were pouring petrol around the place,” he said.
“My client called the police. Officers intially took the attack very seriously but eventually arrested my client. The men were never brought to book for an assault but my client was prosecuted for running a brothel.”
Tim Barnett, the British-born former New Zealand MP who pushed through his adopted country’s decriminalisation legislation in 2003, was in London before Christmas where he briefed Boff and Duvall. “We said let’s make the law the best to minimise harm,” he said at the time. “We set up a review of the legislation. A number of people said the number of sex workers would rise.
“So we reviewed it after five years in 2008. The review didn’t find any increase and there was an improvement in the relationship with the police. Sex workers were using their rights under the legislation to deal with poor-quality brothel owners or clients who had been behaving abusively.”
Think deeper and not be influenced by the agenda laden NPPs . . . this is NOT to be used as ‘proof’ of support of rape. This is the offense that might cause rape . . .
ARTICLE 16
NHS doctors to be forced to work weekends for the first time in push for improved seven-day a week care – by Daily Mail Reporter – PUBLISHED: 15:45 GMT, 16 December 2012 | UPDATED: 23:19 GMT, 16 December 2012
Oupatients appointments and surgical procedures could be carried out on Saturdays and Sundays for the first time
The shake up is part of plans by Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of the new NHS Commissioning Board
Seven days: Sir Bruce Keogh plans to introduce seven day working to the NHS
Doctors could be forced to work at weekends under plans to create a health service with supermarket-style opening hours.
Sir Bruce Keogh, the NHS’s medical director, said that patients, like shoppers, should be entitled to the same quality of service on Saturday and Sunday as during the week.
He said it was no longer acceptable for hospitals and GPs’ surgeries to operate for the convenience of their staff at the expense of patients and that clinics and day case operations should be available seven days a week.
It should also be possible to get weekend hospital appointments for scans and GPs should provide slots to treat patients at weekends, he said.
The proposal is to be considered by the NHS Commissioning Board in an effort to improve access to healthcare.
He told the Sunday Times: ‘Our system has been based around providing as good a working environment as you can for the people who work in the health service, which isn’t necessarily matched with what the people who want services have.
‘If you wanted a day case operation, and you didn’t want to take a day off work, why can’t you have it on a Saturday or Sunday?’
‘Tesco have had to go through this – it was a complex issue for them – we will need to look at the terms and conditions or service of people.’
He added that having empty clinics and operating theatres on a Saturday and Sunday is a waste of NHS resources.
Research by the board found that a patient admitted to hospital on a Sunday was 16 per cent more likely to die than if they were admitted on a Wednesday.
Keogh can introduce the changes and implement financial rewards and penalties to ensure that hospitals follow the guidelines.
Contract changes: Many medical professionals will have to work Saturdays and Sundays for the first time
The plans will no doubt anger doctors who will be keen to protect their current working hours.
Medical professionals will not receive any extra money for working weekends but will be given days off in the week instead.
The proposals will be fully outlined in the NHS Commissioning Board’s first planning guidance which will detail how health funds will be spent ahead and which will be released on Tuesday.
The British Medical Association (BMA) last night rejected the idea that that the medical profession could learn from private firms such as Tesco but it was ‘open’ to discussing seven day working.
How to charge for medical treatment.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Try this. Instead of all doctors having Saturdays and Sundays off, some doctors could have Mondays and Tuesdays off, then the overlap from different shift doctors should cover everything.
Day shift should focus on geriatrics and paediatrics (adult people working will put off visits to nighttime and will not visit during the day) while evening shift will be more popular for the adults. Midnight shift should have the least staff (most people sleeping), though everyone not of the above groups might visit, emergency services from racers gettti8ng into accidents and drunks getting into fights will make up the most of this shift. The fact that the one can get medical aid 24/7 makes for a safer feeling in any district overall.
ARTICLE 17
Is this the end of paper banknotes? Plastic version could be in your pocket in just three years – by Rebecca Evans – PUBLISHED: 00:04 GMT, 17 December 2012 | UPDATED: 00:04 GMT, 17 December 2012
Overhaul could see environmentally-friendly notes introduced from 2015
Have proved a success since being introduced in Australia in 1988
Plastic lasts much longer and are more hygienic but more expensive to make
Plastic banknotes are set to be introduced in Britain, replacing the paper money used for more than 300 years.
The radical overhaul could see the more durable, waterproof and harder-to-counterfeit polymer sterling notes in circulation within three years.
The Bank of England has put out a £1billion tender from 2015 for the printing of notes at its press in Debden, Essex.
Paper money could be replaced within three years after being used for more than three centuries
Part of this process demands that bidders are able to cope with the change from paper to plastic from the start of the contract.
Since 2003, the contract has been held by De La Rue – one of only two makers of polymer notes.
The company, which prints more than 150 currencies, has just produced new plastic banknotes for the Pacific island of Fiji.
Plastic notes were first introduced in Australia in 1988 as a measure against counterfeiting.
They have proved a success, and are apparently particularly popular with surfers who are able to keep money in their pockets without it disintegrating.
Other countries to issue polymer notes include New Zealand, Romania, Papua New Guinea, Mexico and Vietnam. In Northern Ireland, a plastic fiver was introduced in 1999 to mark the Millennium.
The Bank’s chief cashier Chris Salmon has already said plastic notes were being looked at as a possibility to replace paper money
Plastic notes last much longer than cotton fibre-based paper ones. For instance, an Australian $5 bill lasts about 40 months, against six months for a £5 note.
Polymer notes are more hygienic as they absorb fewer bacteria, harder to tear or crease – making them easier for vending machines – and waterproof, even able to survive being put in the washing machine.
A key feature is a clear window, which normally contains an ‘optical variable device’ that splits light into its component colours and is extremely hard to counterfeit. Plastic notes can also contain holograms.
They are also more environmentally friendly as fewer need to be produced and they can be recycled.
However, they are considerably more expensive to produce and would create an initial cost as ATMs and vending machines would have to be adapted to accept them.
The Bank’s chief cashier Chris Salmon had already revealed it was investigating the possibility of polymer or plastic-coated banknotes.
‘Today I’m going to make some £20 notes out of this old plastic washing-up bottle’
It is understood that the Bank will initially introduce lower denominations, such as the fiver, which are in wider use so become dog-eared more rapidly.
De La Rue’s chief executive Tim Cobbold said: ‘If you think about the life of a banknote, it takes quite a hammering.
‘It’s being folded, it’s being crunched, it’s in and out of wallets and it could be in the wet or dry.’
But financial expert David Buik, of the retail and trading services firm Cantor Index, believes the conversion to plastic notes should not be rushed.
‘I think it’s something that needs to be more carefully thought out,’ he said.
‘Money laundering is a huge problem and if the security measures introduced could be used to make notes more traceable, then that would be very good.
‘But it needs to be applied internationally, the major countries all need to be singing from the same hymn sheet.’
A spokesman for the Bank of England said: ‘No definite decisions have been taken yet but the Bank is considering all options.’
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Paper 300 years? Try precious metals 3000 or more years. Barter possible more than 30,000 . . . Parallel currencies in PM used in the manner of barter should put an end to the plastic note b.s.. Make your own localised currency citizens! Stop ceding economic control to central national banks.
Obama Rejects Palestinian Statehood – by Stephen Lendman – 10-30-12
What do you call a Black man who rejects equal rights for his own people and others? A racist traitor.
What do you call a rejectionist leader? A criminal who should be impeached, removed and prosecuted.
Obama stands guilty on multiple counts. His rap sheet includes much more than spurning Palestinian rights. He’s complicit in grand theft and war crimes multiple times over. He’s unfit to serve. He should be in prison, not government.
Throughout his tenure, he repeatedly violated international, constitutional, and US statute laws. He’s contemptuous of fundamental rights and other democratic values.
From his earliest Chicago political days, he supported ethnic cleansing gentrification. Real estate and other financial priorities trumped populism. They still do and much more.
Obama fronts for wealth and power interests. As a state senator, he did it for his district. As president, he does it globally. He’s in lockstep with Israel on Palestine.
He supports occupation harshness. Palestinians are Muslims and don’t matter. Denying them fundamental rights is policy. So is total evisceration of freedom and standing four-square against sovereign independence in any form. He also opposes full or limited UN membership.
Washington wages wars multiple ways. Its repertoire includes financial and political warfare.
Last year, US Jerusalem Consul General, Daniel Rubenstein, told chief negotiator Saeb Erekat that Washington will veto a UN Security Council resolution on Palestinian sovereignty within June 1967 borders.
Doing so is illegal. It also carries no weight. The General Assembly alone affirms new member states by a two-thirds vote. The Security Council only recommends admissions.
Palestinians can override Washington’s veto by petitioning the General Assembly through the 1950 Uniting for Peace Resolution 377. Doing so renders America’s veto null and void.
Washington pledged earlier not to oppose any state seeking UN membership. Of course, its promises aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. The same goes for Israel. Both nations are rogue states. They govern by we’re boss and what we say goes rules.
Rubenstein also threatened to cut off all aid and impose other unspecified punitive measures. In July 2012, PA official Khaled Mesmar said Washington repeated its threat.
An unnamed US diplomat told Abbas in Ramallah. He, of course, only goes through the motions of seeking official statehood recognition and UN membership with enough rights to matter. Rhetoric substitutes for follow-through.
If proper procedures are followed, both objectives are within easy reach. Abbas struck out repeatedly on both counts. Expect nothing from him ahead. He epitomizes betrayal and illegitimacy. He represents Israel and Washington, not Palestine. He’s an unprincipled quisling head of state.
In June 2011, the Senate unanimously approved a measure to end funding if statehood is pursued. Weeks later, the House followed suit. It voted 407 – 6. Its resolution also called for suspending aid if Fatah/Hamas unity is consummated.
Both House and Senate resolutions are non-binding. Foreign policy is the purview of the Executive. Exceptions include the right to declare war. Congress alone may do so. It abdicated its authority over seven decades ago. It shows no signs of reclaiming it.
The State of Palestine, in fact, exists. It was proclaimed in Algiers on November 15, 1988. At the time, the PLO adopted the Palestinian Declaration of Independence.
PLO legal advisor Francis Boyle drafted it. He included safeguards to assure all sovereign state rights. His document left no wiggle room loopholes. He also made sure UN membership won’t comprise them.
Palestine satisfies all essential criteria for sovereign independence and full de jure UN membership.
All UN Charter states (including America and Israel) provisionally recognized Palestinian independence in accordance with UN Charter article 80(1) and League Covenant article 22(4).
Further, as the League’s successor, the General Assembly has exclusive legal authority to designate the PLO as the Palestinian peoples’ legitimate representative.
The Palestine National Council (PNC) is the PLO’s legislative body. It’s empowered to proclaim the existence of Palestine. According to the binding 1925 Palestine Citizenship Order in Council, Palestinians, their children and grandchildren automatically become citizens.
So are diaspora Palestinians. Those living in Israel and Jordan have dual nationalities. Occupied Territory residents remain “protected persons” (under Fourth Geneva) until a final peace settlement is reached.
Rights are achievable under leaders who pursue them. Palestinian governance always fell short. Millions deserving better never got it. They remain occupied and oppressed in limbo.
They’re on their own to seek liberation PA leaders conspiratorially with Israel and Washington deny them. On September 27, Abbas addressed the General Assembly in New York. Once again he fell short.
His comments were watered down, weak-kneed, and duplicitous. He’ll again seek UN non-member state status, he said. On the one hand, he promised before and backed down.
On the other, why seek less than what’s easily within reach and should have been gotten long ago.
Last year, Francis Boyle emailed this writer as follows:
“I have advised the Palestinians to invoke the Uniting for Peace Resolution.” Doing so overrides Washington’s veto. “That get’s their Admission Application to the UN General Assembly.”
“It is the General Assembly that admits, not the Security Council. There they will need a 2/3ds vote of those states voting yes or no – abstentions, no votes, no shows do not count.”
At the time, the Financial Times estimated they had 170 votes. They constitute 88% of UN member states. “If they get the 2/3ds vote in the General Assembly, Palestine” joins their ranks, “and you have Palestine and Israel, which everyone says they want but, of course, they do not mean it.”
Boyle added that “Palestinians will always live to fight another day. And I will be there with them until my dying day. Or until Palestine is Free.” For the record, this writer pledges the same thing without compromising what’s right, fair, just, and long overdue.
On October 1, the London Guardian headlined “US warns European governments against supporting Palestinians at UN,” saying:
It came in private memo form. Go along or else. Memo language said UN status in any form “would be extremely counterproductive.” EU governments were told Palestinians will face “significant negative consequences.” Financial sanctions were mentioned.
The memo said Palestinian statehood “can only be achieved via direct negotiations with the Israelis.” Going that route, of course, assures permanent occupation, exploitation, persecution, and failure.
European governments were urged to support US obstructionist efforts. General Assembly representatives in New York were given Washington’s ultimatum. Do it our way or else.
Washington and Israel have serious concerns about rights UN member states are afforded. In another email, Boyle explained, saying:
Once Palestine “becomes a UN Member State, (it) can ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and then file a formal State to State Complaint against Israeli Officials, upgrading the lower level Complaint President Abbas filed at my advice.”
It can also “ratify the Genocide Convention and sue Israel for Genocide at the World Court, pursuant to the advice I had already given President Arafat and President Abbas, and get a temporary restraining Order against the Zionists, that would then go to the Security Council for enforcement, and if vetoed by the Americans, to the General Assembly for enforcement under the (1950) Uniting for Peace Resolution.”
“With these proceedings, (it may) be able to halt the Zionist settlement project of all Palestine in the immediate future.” It will also lift Gaza’s siege. Abbas refuses to do it. So did Arafat before him.
Decades of Palestinian leadership failure to do the right thing constitutes betrayal. Nothing ahead looks promising. A third Intifada is long overdue.
Courageous independent leaders are needed to inspire, organize, and direct it. Hopefully enough of them are committed and ready. Liberation won’t come any other way.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
His new book is titled “How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion and Class War”
This is necessary for Obama to win the campaign – being soft on terror (aka Palestine who’s leaders are linked to so many rubbish groups and MUST be politically replaced) is not a campaign strategy. And the next President after Obama MIGHT revive US support for Palestine, *IF* the Muslets have been good and have not been pushing dhimmitude and being all terrorlike any and everywhere else (i.e. not a single American killed in the entire fundo area headed world), consider rescinding that order. Zionist settlements are illegal, but anytime Muslets use violence or manipulation to push their own selfish and proselytizing agendas, all deals with the rest of the world are off.
i) What do you call a Black man who rejects equal rights for his own people and others? A racist traitor.
Obama is just playing carrot and stick ‘Lendman’. What are you Lendman, an Islamist apologist?
ii) What do you call a rejectionist leader? A criminal who should be impeached, removed and prosecuted.
Look here ‘Lendman’ Obama is NOT Santa Claus especially to people who are murdering and killing and violently proselytizing, dhimmifying. Lendman seems quite Muslet subverted.
iii) It can also “ratify the Genocide Convention and sue Israel for Genocide at the World Court, pursuant to the advice I had already given President Arafat and President Abbas, and get a temporary restraining Order against the Zionists, that would then go to the Security Council for enforcement, and if vetoed by the Americans, to the General Assembly for enforcement under the (1950) Uniting for Peace Resolution.”
The Security Council will not act for a semi terrorist state against the best interests of relationships in the world elsewhere. If Palestine’s formation would aid seculaism, perhaps. But since Muslets are so very against everyone else and apply dhimmitude and hate against the larger part of the world including the Security Council nations, even in Palestine locally, inconceivable that USA will want to help Palestinian causes when Muslims behave badly elsewhere. Have the veto nations in the security Council had happy experiences with Muslets?
People’s Republic of China? No. Chinese citizens in ASEAN at least are routinely oppressed by Muslim policies (Bumiputra Apartheid in Malaysia currently, Indonesia suppression of Chinese names previously . . . ).
EU? No. Terror plots and other subversive actions abound from Muslims.
Russian Federation? No. United Kingdom? Hell no. United States?
How about the non-permanent members who only sway opinion?
Azerbaijan. Cautious of Muslims.
Colombia. Cautious of Muslims.
Germany. Cautious of Muslims.
Guatemala. Cautious of Muslims.
India. Hell no. (Remember Mumbai hotel bombs.)
Morocco. Cautious of Muslims, especially the non-secularists.
Pakistan. If Pakistan seeks Hindu roots, Pakistan will be dignified more than if Pakistan becomes Islamist. Pakistan has also had too many Islamist inspired b.s..
Portugal. Uses Muslims as proxies for illegal activities? Thats the impression anyway, much like Somalia uses Islam as an excuse for piracy.
South Africa. They’d be better off focusing on the Animist tribal ways and REAL African Kings to focus on AFRICAN. not Arab cultures.
Togo. Same as above. Learn to speak Togolese instead of English or Arabic.
Lendman is dreaming or being manipulated here. I too love diversity, but after near 2 decades of lobbying for EQUALITY in Malaysia against the APARTHEID of BUMIPUTERA, I have found too many Muslims (mostly ethnic Malays who have no choice in religion anyway) disrespectful, refusing to give appropriate spaces to non-Muslims, blaring loudspeakers in an invasive and inappropriate manner(nothing in the Quran said to disturb non-Muslims with LOUDSPEAKERS, whats wrong with voice prayer?), fond of ‘spiritual conversions’ against the people’s wills (i.e. they convert the astral or ethereal body via some older black magic traditions if I’m not guessing wrongly — at least the voodoo intent is there to convert EVERYONE AGAINST their will in secret – whether this works or not could be seen if people like Lendman are being soft on Muslims or some idiot local politicians saying they will accept Hudud), via womenfolk and even to the extent of MRI based attacks or possibly neurotech against non-Muslims, bribery corruption, treachery of all shades.
So hell no should Obama be labelled with all of what Lendman does, this dropping of Palestine is not Obama’s fault, just a stern message to Muslims everywhere that USA is aware and dislikes Muslims who behave like cultists and terrorists immensely. To not be labelled as being soft on Muslims and also ensure a second term, Obama has did the necessary and perhaps well deserved as well. Sorry palestine, I too have had *spiritual* contacts with Muslims, and have been come away feeling immensely polluted and manipulated, even as weather systems express their hatred for the UN and NYC for not taking out the APARTHEID of BUMIPUTERA and leaving those doing important work to end dhimmitude of minorities to suffer years of afflicted quality of life. President Obama after winning that second term, how about a stern action against the Islam inspired APARTHEID of BUMIPUTERA?
Or at least looking the other way while/when ASEAN’s anti-dhimmis clean up the mess here . . .
ARTICLE 2
DEMOCRATIC TOTALITARIANISM – Mutual admiration society lets tyrants indulge the illusion of political stability – godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message2036353/pg1 – (November 1, 2012)
“When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.” Thomas Jefferson
Behind all the arrogance and smugness, Canada’s Stephen Harper is just an insecure petty tyrant. Like any unjust, unconstitutional ruler, he must fight a relentless war against his own country so that he can force it to serve the foreign and corporate interests that put him in power. To do this, he disdains Parliament, violates Canadian law, persecutes critics, tramples on civil rights, and sabotages national institutions.
As expected, Harper is increasingly isolated and loathed at home, so to maintain a power base he must increasingly count on support from a select political circle—of hell, presumably—consisting of corporate kleptocrats, media lackeys, pro-Israel pressure groups, and gormless true believers.
The same is true in foreign affairs. The world sees Harper as crude, ignorant and bumptious, so it’s hard to believe he enjoys any respect among civilized nations. “Civilized” connotes reason, compassion, intellect, and respect for the law, all of which Canada is supposed to stands for, and all of which Harper is determined to stamp out.
Harper, who rose like a methane bubble from the cesspit of right-wing populism, is not a tyrant in the usual sense. He exploits Canada not for his own interests but for the interests of a higher-order tyrant. As Israel’s proconsul in Ottawa, he serves the Zionist Imperial Authority as well as assorted multinational interests.
Back in June, Globe and Mail columnist Jeffrey Simpson gave this sampling of Harper’s tactless bombast in the wake of Canada’s first ever failure to win a seat on the UN Security Council:
“Canada’s once-sterling reputation for caring about Africa is over. Canada’s reputation in the Arab world is mud because although ministers never criticize anything Israel does they never miss a chance to lecture the Palestinians.
“Canada is about to be spurned in its efforts to join the emerging trade bloc, the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Canada’s Commonwealth partners are worried the Harper government might wreck the next meeting in Sri Lanka because of its hectoring of that country’s government, a policy that curries Conservatives’ favour with the large Tamil community in Toronto. Canada’s feeble non-climate-change policy is universally panned.”
Undoubtedly, Harper knows that the long-term damage he is deliberately doing to Canada and Canadians will cost him in the next election, but he bulldozes ahead as if it didn’t matter. Even though the next election is three years away, and Canada’s political opposition lacks the brains or the balls to agitate for his impeachment, Harper’s fellatial servility to Israel may well turn out to be his greatest liability.
It’s one thing for a tyrant to boast of political support from foreign governments if he enhances his country and at least gives the illusion that the mass public benefits in some way; it’s quite another to do so for purely selfish reasons at the expense of his own citizens and his country’s reputation. Far from being a source of political power, the obscene, conspicuous support Harper gets from Israel may be his undoing.
Harper’s Master’s Voice—Iran : Harper’s latest act of zionist fawning was his unprovoked decision to cut diplomatic ties with Iran and expel its embassy staff:
Did Iranian embassy staff violate Canadian law? No.
Did Iran violate international law? No.
Does Iran pose a military threat to Canada or any nation? No.
Did Iran do anything to justify such an extreme, hostile response? No.
Here is the official excuse: “[Iran] is the most significant threat to global peace and security in the world today.” Harper’s foreign minion John Baird eventually had to admit that Iran hadn’t actually done anything to justify the expulsion, but had, in his words, “the capacity for increasingly bad behaviour.”
Leaving aside the inanity of this excuse and the non-existence of “bad behaviour” in international law, who made Canada the world’s moral arbiter, what did Baird mean? Developing nuclear power? Well, Iran has every right to develop nuclear power. Unlike Israel and the U.S.—both of which have nuclear weapons and have not signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty—Iran has no nuclear weapons and is a signatory. Moreover, the U.S. intelligence community concluded that Iran is not even close to building a nuclear weapon, and this finding is unchanged from earlier this year.
“We believe that there is time and space to continue to pursue a diplomatic path, backed by growing international pressure on the Iranian government, said a National Security Council spokesman: “We continue to assess that Iran is not on the verge of achieving a nuclear weapon.”
This view is supported by Shannon Kile, head of the Nuclear Weapons Project of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute: “I still think that we are talking about several years … before Iran could develop a nuclear weapon and certainly before they could have a deliverable nuclear weapon.”
In response, a spokesman from the Iranian Foreign Ministry called Harper’s government “racist” and condemned the decision as “unprofessional, unconventional and unjustifiable.” So, naturally, Israel rushed in to bury Harper with praise. Fellow fascist Benjamin Netanyahu gushed: “I think what you did, severing ties with Iran, was not only an act of statesmanship but an act of moral clarity.” Moreover, The Jerusalem Post praised Harper as “Israel’s strongest advocate in international forums.”
Canada’s ingratiating posture toward Israel was perhaps best expressed by Baird in February: “I think the U.S. is a good friend [to Israel], too. I like to think we are better, a stronger friend.”
Of course, why Canadian government officials should be advocates for Israel, or any country other than Canada, should be debated loudly inside and outside the House of Commons. On the subject of statesmanship…
Face of the Nation
His Master’s Voice—United Nations
The “state” receiving Harper’s “manship” conspicuously does not refer to his own. For the second year in a row, Harper refused to attend the opening session of the General Assembly. This year, as well as demeaning the UN for its habit of condemning Israeli atrocities, he chose to go to New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel to receive yet another shot of foreign political steroids.
The Orwellian-sounding Appeal of Conscience Foundation chose to honour His Harperness as—get this—World Statesman of the Year. Though the ACF professes to serve the causes of religious freedom, human rights and tolerance throughout the world, any organization founded by a zionist rabbi (Arthur Schneier) and that includes unindicted war criminal Henry Kissinger as a member cannot be taken at face value. Like many zionist organizations, its positive sounding name has purely propaganda value. Kissinger, himself, even presented Harper with the award.
It is impossible to make sense of Harper’s speech, because it was not delivered in English for Canadians, but in Hasbarish, the private language of zionists. In Hasbarish, words have no independent value or any connection to logic or facts, and as such cannot cannot be used to formulate truth claims about anything. Hasbarish is a Humpty-Dumpty argot in which words mean whatever a zionist wants them to mean, and about which no debate is tolerated. In short, Hasbarish is an quasi-religious “anti-language” designed to impose irrational belief, not engender rational thought. Hasbara is based on claims of fallacy. It is the language of liars.
Here are two brief excerpts from Harper’s acceptance speech in which you can see how Harper’s Hasbarish depicts unreality.
“We Canadians are very conscious of our own sovereignty and we expect our governments to make pragmatic decisions in Canada’s national interest.”
(Based on this claim, Harper should be impeached. Here we see how empty, generic assertions can be abused for rhetorical purposes.)
“I speak not merely of [Iran’s] appalling record of human rights abuse or its active assistance to the brutal regime in Syria or its undeniable support of terrorist entities or its determined pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
(Hasbarish does not allow “appalling,” “brutal” and “terrorist” to apply to Israel or the U.S., so the sentence is little more than an insult. Note also the disconnect between Hasbarish and reality in the tendentious reassertion of Iran’s determined pursuing nuclear weapons, which is untrue.)
The chasm between Canadian reality and Harper’s Hasbarish has reached such cartoonish proportions that Israel is now an electoral liability for him. The fact of fascism in North America has become so overt that even the Globe and Mail, usually a loyal source of pro-Israel/pro-Harper tripe, can no longer stay silent. On Oct. 30, it ran a story headlined “Michael Ignatieff’s Timely Warning on the Politics of Fascism.” Though addressed to a U.S, audience about U.S. politics, the article’s right-wing columnist John Ibbitson even had to acknowledge that former Liberal leader Ignatieff’s warnings about fascism’s hastening the decline of the English-speaking world were wise and also applicable to Canada.
We should all hope that Canada stills exists in some recognizable form by the next election so we can all dance on Harper’s grave.
The white box approximately covers Canadian Native ‘First Nations’ which were colonized with violence and still under control of the Anglo-European continental invaders, Native ‘Canada’ is in fact a series of territories belonging to Red Skinned Races, NOT ‘White’ Caucasian Races. Will the UN, NAM or BRICS allow them their sovereignty in various world bodies?
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
DEMOCRATIC TOTALITARIANISM? No, but Canada in using Hasbarish looks theocratic and coloniser in intent and in potential rather than secularist and human rights protective instead. With the writer is possibly an Islamist apologist – there is no need to choose EITHER Islam or Zioism because Canada always has been and always will belong to – the Race of Red Men, the Native Tribes of what is called Canada. It is unconscionable that any group of foreigners with advanced military weapons lands on shores takes control of land and butchers the local population, Canada belonged to a score or more of hunter-nomad-agrarian tribes that were not expecting such an invasion and were taken over in the 1400s or more as colonialists.
The caucasians who enslaved natives, took over native lands (from which ancestral lands and old boundaries still known to Elders who know what that tribe owned as SOVEREIGN territory and can be reclaimed by), and established illegal colonies on land that did not belong to caucasians, or displaced local Native-Ameri-Indian peoples, discriminated against their shamanic ‘Pagan Ways’, and formed so-called governments from obviously illegally occupied territories, are war criminals with family lines that can be traced. Those caucasians who killed or violently occupied should be repatriated after their wealth is stripped. Those caucasians who tried to get along with the natives should be allowed to remain.
The caucasians who do not have any level of extreme wealth should be allowed to remain citizens of the nation for humanitarian reasons (moving is costly and some of the whites might consider that place home – if not excessive in size, they should be allowed to stay), the caucasians of wealth based on ownership of mineral or plantation or oil wealth simply because their past generations were part of the organized criminal colonisers that the UN could never consider bonafide owners (might does not make right, that is the basis of civilisation) must relinquish the major part of holdings to a fair degree to the original inhabitants and new Native owners (preferably in equal share) to have a right to remain IF their families had not indulged in stealing land backed by force.
Harper is French (i.e. Frankish) who’s faith was Frankish Paganism, not Zionism. Speaking in French was bad enough, but Hasbarish? This is ridiculous. The Native ‘Canadian’ Indians are the true owners of ‘Canada’, Canada was stolen about 600 years ago, their presence is illegal, and the UN needs to address their rights, ensure their culture and faith, as well as expel all who occupied illegally or proselytized offensively. If UN will not act to liberate, there is always NAM (though somewhat skewed towards Dhimmifying Muslims (see Malaysia’s Apartheid of Bumiputra or honour killings and beheadings elsewhere) which represents 55% of the world’s population, or BRICs, which represents 25% of the world’s landmass and 40% of the worlds population. Justice please for the oppressed Red Races!
ARTICLE 3
Japan possesses weapons more advanced than US: expert (People’s Daily Online) 16:43, October 22, 2012
The JGSDF’s anti-tank missiles can attack tanks, armored fighting vehicles and even small warships.
The JSGDF also has advanced pressing artillery. The M270 multiple rocket launchers outperform U.S. similar weapons in strike range, accuracy and power.
Japan’s military power cannot be underestimated
Du believes Japan’s military power cannot be underestimated. Almost all heavy equipment production lines are potentially dual-use. For example, Japanese car production lines can be easily converted to manufacturing fighting vehicles. No other countries in the world possess such huge war potential.
Japan is one of the world’s largest manufacturing economies. As the Japanese government gradually relaxes the Three Principles on Arms Exports, the arms export is likely to play an important role in improving the country’s economy in the future.
Read the Chinese version: ?????????????:??????????, source: People’s Daily Online, author: Yan Jiaqi
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The issue of Japanese neurotech satellites trained en masse on critical troop or equipment positions will be the main worry of the Chinese.
Microwave guns that ignore armour to cook soldiers as well as subsonic sounds which might affect organs or nerves even the brain as well, could make ‘Hardened’ EMP immune electronics as well as sonic deadening suits necessary for infantry combat, if considered by China.
Finally there will be the issue of Chinese citizens’ CELLPHONES turning against them. A single broadcast at magnified levels could paralyse sensitive pathways of the human physiology. No troops should have any cellphones about themselves while at war- in fact civilians could be subject to low level bombardments as of now at subaural levels or other frequencies. Finally the issue of a second edible or breathable poison that works when the target has eaten an earlier substance something earlier on. This is extremely serious if applied because the Chinese have indeed been eating so much of Japanese products over the years that femto-scale poisons or who knows nanomites could already be about in China controlled by the Japanese or will be dumped in China. And while Japan could ultimately be defeated by sheer numbers of survivors, MANY of the urban or top level Chinese closest to or having associated with the Japanese could die in the process. Electronic warfare needs no soldiers and war machines and could be beamed from afar or from space. That could be the Japanese mode *IF* Japan’s treatment of Fukushima with a trolley-bot rather than a Robo-Mecha is just feigning a lack of technology.
Finally the hardware/mecha issue while impressive must first see China be able to counter the above issues, sound and radio wave attacks first. Only then will the hardware issue come into play or need to be applied. The next war could be won from afar with mind control satellites or chemical poisoning of a subtler sort.
ARTICLE 4
12 Year Old Sent to Detention For Hugging a Classmate – Posted on November 1, 2012 by Soren Dreier
– Girl, 12, given detention for hugging a classmate
– No-hugs rule introduced over “excessive hugging”
– Mother says rule is “absolutely ridiculous”
– NSW school bans handstands, cartwheels, somersaults
– Schools in Victoria and South Australia ban hugging
A mother in Western Australia is demanding an apology from her kids’ school after her 12-year-old daughter was given a detention for hugging a classmate.
Heidi Rome’s daughter Amber was punished at the Adam Road Primary School in Bunbury, south of Perth, for giving her friend a quick hug after the school bell rang.
Apparently that violated the school’s no-hugging policy, a “blanket rule” which was brought in last year.
The WA Education Department today confirmed the school’s policy. It was introduced after “excessive hugging” left some students with bruises and others feeling left out.
The school’s acting principal Gemma Preston told news.com.au: “We introduced a rule about hugging last year after parents complained about their children being hurt by excessive hugging.
“For example, some children received bruised ribs from an over-enthusiastic hug.
“This behaviour was getting out of control with students hugging each other several times a day, and this was becoming disruptive to classes.
“The rule was reinforced with our Year 6 and 7 students again last week during a general talk about being role models for the younger students.
“In this particular incident, the students involved were hugging on school grounds just two hours after this talk and it was important to follow it through as a discipline issue.”
Education department deputy director general David Axworthy said: “Principals are in the best position to determine what rules need to be made inside their schools.”
Ms Preston told Ms Rome she had to make example of Amber and her friend, who were “caught” hugging just hours after a school address on the ban.
Ms Rome is angry her daughter, a high achiever and a “bright, caring person who her teacher thinks highly of” has become a victim of a “silly, ridiculous rule”.
“I didn’t even know about it, and everyone I’ve spoken to thinks it’s outrageous,” she told news.com.au.
“Some parents are aware of the rule – they think it’s absolutely ridiculous. Some parents aren’t aware – they also think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
She was told by the school that she would have to put the issue in writing.
Ms Rome says she is concerned that kids are getting the wrong message when they are punished for being friendly.
“It’s a really good school that’s just got a silly rule that I’m wanting to try and change,” she said.
“I think my daughter deserves an apology for this over-the-top punishment.”
In 2010 the parents from a Gold Coast primary school labelled a move to issue detentions for hugging on school grounds as “political correctness gone mad”.
Ms Rome says some parents at Amber’s school had complained about boyfriend/girlfriend hugging and excessive contact, prompting the rule to be introduced.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Theory on Aura and Touching
Until the aura is ‘matured’, the no touching rule should apply. This means even between children. ‘Group sleep sessions’ ALSO affect childrens’ aura and cause ‘hive minds’ so no sleeping in groups is also important for parents who want children to grow up as strong individuals. The final result is the identification of orgy participants who end up with a hive mind ‘organ’ much like sheep, while the non-hivers become alpha predators or gamma outsiders. This effect can be felt when re-assimilating after migration where one chooses to join a hive or keep separate from the hive. Spiritual gang rapes can also occur so identify those cities or societies that do this (typically religious ones) and stuck to capital cities with large influxes of foreigners to avoid being affected by hive mind groups.
Handstands, cartwheels, somersaults are also dangerous to the immatured aura as in that the later action of the astral body when asleep can and does cause accidents via induction of vertigo or sudden fainting spells in like minded persons most similar to the child in nature. Individualism is very important for autonomy, to remain separate unless one is a parasite, and the ‘hivers’, especially drug taking ‘hivers’ that participate in spiritual rape’, are particularly ‘verminous’ forms of humanity and that is also why the uniformity imposing religious, military or police as professions are considered ‘iron natured’ or lowly to some spiritually aware asian societies with societies imposing forced military conscriptions or enforcing a certain religion among citizens/on their citizens are spiritually criminal nations that make up the bulk of the 3rd world as in theocratic Buddhism or Islamism enforced by violence or threat of punishment or under threat of dhimmification or dhimmification of those not of their faith sunconsciously or consciously or by technicality.
Hence touching unless sanctioned by an individual based around sovereign laws should be disallowed, and the first thing a person learns in school, even by police or even by one’s family members. This rule should make rape and paedophilia difficult and foster relations completely at the individual’s preference. Feel free to debunk or argue if theory needs refining.
ARTICLE 5
French brewers hit by 160% rise in beer tax
President Hollande to push through legislation to fund social programmes – but brewers condemn plan as ‘kick in teeth’ – Associated Press in Brussels – The Guardian, Tuesday 30 October 2012 20.42 GMT
Men drinking beer
French brewers will be hit by 160% rise in beer tax. The move follows a 6% fall in beer production in the EU since 2008. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
The French president, François Hollande, is pushing through legislation to increase taxes on beer by 160% to help fund social programmes, as France struggles to contain a budget deficit hit hard by the economic crisis.
The tax increase will affect local brews and the 30% of imported beer the French drink. The change will push up the price of a beer by about 20% in bars and supermarkets, said Jacqueline Lariven, spokeswoman for the French brewer’s federation, Brasseurs de France.
The Brewers of Europe trade group described the measure as a “kick in the teeth”, as it follows a 6% fall in beer production and an 8% drop in consumption in the EU since the region’s debt crisis began in 2008.
Outside France, Belgium and Germany were likely to be hardest hit by the new legislation, said Pierre-Olivier Bergeron, head of the Brewers of Europe.
“This measure will affect all brewers, including small entrepreneurs,” he said. “This is a very shortsighted approach by penalising one sector.”
President Hollande said he hoped to raise €480m (£300m) from the tax increase on beer to boost medical insurance and elderly care.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Exempt small entrepreneurs not worth more than 3 million in total value. Those from 3 million to 5 million in value will be required to pay 20% rises, those from 5 million to 10 million in value will be required to pay 40% rises, those from 10 million to 20 million in value will be required to pay 80% rises, those from 20 million and above in value will be required to pay the full 160% rises.
The way the additionals funds are to fund social programmes will be WRITTEN BY the French Government (representative’s, though not people’s will until one day where 1 man 1 vote form bill writing is ratified by quorum), and the social programmes where funds are added are SELECTED ONLY BY the “The Brewers of Europe trade group alcohol brewers” (best practices, they paid so they get to choose) and must be entirely transparent to the public (no middlemen collusion and profiteering as in the PrisonBuildingContractor-PrisonSupplierCrony Complex of the West, ReligiousProduct-ReligiousTourism SupplierCrony Complex of the Middle East (think Haj and monopolies on pilgrim management companies . . . won’t go any further on this . . . ), or Education-Financiar-Student-Debt BankerCrony Complex of the Far East. Remember secularists, worship of EDUCATION to the point of sacrificing financial well being is no less fundamentalist than a terrorist who will blow up others. In the student debt case, the parents end up putting the financial viability of the family at risk.
ARTICLE 6
Fight the New World Order with Global Non-Compliance Thursday, November 1st, 2012.
Understand your enemy, and understand the weapons they use. Then use those same weapons against them. The money system is the head of the snake. Cut the head off the snake and the rest of it will whither and die. There need be No violence, no guns, no banners, no slogans, no group think, just a united act of global non compliance.
Remember that it is much easier to fight for principles than to live up to them and it takes a far braver man to stand up for what is right and spit in the face of authority than it does to blindly follow orders due to fear of the consequences. Understand that we are all one and the key to real change and unity in this world lies with love.
It is time for the people of the world to stop and realise that the divisions that supposedly exist amongst us are an illusion. There IS NO division and its time for everyone to understand the truth of this.
It is through the constantly promoted illusion of division that the system is able to function but in order for it to do so, it needs public compliance.
Stop complying with it and you will shut it down.
It’s time for us all to collectively stand together and address the root cause of the problems.
Everyone.
max igan
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Disinfo. The money system is only the DECOY that can easily be removed with a Senate and Parliament that both rectify the removal of the money system (i.e. fiat wealth). The real head of the snake is the Voting Basis Paradigm. Never vote for the GLC linked, Plutocrat or Nepotist or Term Limitless or fundo/police/military/banking system/prison complex linked). If everyone votes for Joe Publics not affiliated with the above groups, the NWO is finished. this is the best legal form of Global Non-Compliance.
ARTICLE 7
Justice Department Official: State Votes on Legalizing Marijuana Has No Effect on Federal Enforcement Plans (by Alex Dobuzinskis, Reuters)
Oakland Sues Obama Administration over Loss of Tax Revenue Due to Medical Marijuana Crackdown(by Noel Brinkerhoff and David Wallechinsky, AllGov)
Obama Administration Steps Up Attack on Legal Marijuana with Threat to Growers (by Noel Brinkerhoff, AllGov)
“By managing marijuana like alcohol and tobacco – regulating, taxing and enforcing its lawful use – America will be better off.” Libertarian candiate Gary Johnson. http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/issues/drug-policy-reform
@Robert Newton
Keep it illegal! Once legalized, the quality will drop like a stone… no pun intended.
@runman
Who cares the gov does heaps of crap that is illeagle dosnt stop them so how do they think they can stop me smoking pot. They cant and wont f em they stand for nobody and nothing. I am a free man not one of there slaves i have my own mind and free will. I dont need some idiot telling me what i can and cant do f em all
@JS
The feds have no jurisdiction outside dc and their territories, fact
Italics Mine
So, what happens if the voters vote to raise taxes? Or build a new school? Or prohibit smoking in town? These measures will become law. (Minority of One Laws must protect their rights)
@Edward B
The bottom line is that the War on Some Drugs is an excuse for the govt not only to invade your home and point a gun at you – but also to invade other countries and point guns at them. Thats the real prize. If the US wants to steal resources from a country – they invoke the War on Drugs. If the war on Marijuana is over – there is really not much left as only about 1 out of 200 drug users uses hard drugs. The US govt needs the war on Pot to committ terrible atrocities at home and all ove the world. All in the name of protecting you from a harmless vegetable that has never caused an overdose.
@SM
There are already cases in other areas where a local sheriff has sent Fed’s packing so it’s really a matter of will….nothing less. Put your local sheriff on the “hot seat”. Explain to him/her just how fast a recall election can happen if he/she “forgets” who they are to serve.
@alex smart 15 hours ago
Marijuana is a danger to the building, textile,energy and pharmaceutical industries. Who do you think your politicians are protecting. Not the people but the corporate entities who paid for tjheir campaigns. Your owned, so just shut up and accept your slavery.
@terrible1again
There is a simple solution to this issue. If the people of any of these states pass this law, all they have to do is pass another law that says any attempet by ANY law enforcement agent to arrest someone for excersizing this right will result in their arrest and a mandatory sentence of 10 years in state prison. This means the Feds arrest someone, that agent goes to prison. It’s the only way to enforce “states rights” as well as the “will of the people”. No federal agent will risk 10 years in a state prison to enforce a law the people of that stat don’t agree with. Simple enough.
@Capt. Kirk
Enslaving people over a plant… It.’s a sick joke.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Xian inspired fundo alert anyone? Xians want to have a monopoly on psychedelics via their Eucharist or Wafer Flesh ceremonies IMHO. They won’t allow secularised ‘mysteries’ via plants given to EVERYONE by ‘god’, but would make the Church a profiteering ‘Toll’ keeper preventing others from accessing what ‘god’ had granted all men by victimless crime criminalisation laws. No group of men have a right to deny access to any other group of men to the bounty of this world. Think Amsterdam’s ‘Green Zones’ and apply.
Seattle Police Will No Longer Arrest Anyone For Marijuana Starting Tonight! (Perhaps 5 ounces for home or those relocating? Thats about the size of a large snack bag btw, if the government wants to be reasonable, might as well be reasonable all the way . . . anything beyond a small sized carton – 10 bags worth – though could be let off with a warning then a fine the next time or jail on a 3rd or more offense .)
ARTICLE 8
Superstorm Sandy: US East Coast fights back
At least 48 dead across the US East Coast after Superstorm Sandy, as President Barack Obama set to visit New Jersey and businesses and services attempt to re-open.
New York taxis are stranded on a flooded street in Queens Photo: Xinhua /Landov / Barcroft Media
by Raf Sanchez, Washington, Jessica Winch in London, Mark Hughes in New York, James Orr in New Jersey and Amy Willis, in Los Angeles – 11:08AM GMT 31 Oct 2012
Pope Benedict XVI gives his weekly general audience at St Peter’s square at the Vatican
11.19 Pope Benedict XVI says he is praying for the victims of Hurricane Sandy and expresses his solidarity to those working to clean up the damage.
The pope spoke to pilgrims as rain and wind pounded St Peter’s Square during his weekly public audience Wednesday.
He said he was “conscious of the devastation” to the east coast of the United States and that he offered “my prayers for the victims and I express my solidarity with all those engaged in the work of rebuilding.”
10.13 Battered by a record storm surge of nearly 14 feet of water, swaths of New York City and New Jersey remained submerged under several feet of water on Wednesday morning. In the borough of Staten Island, police used helicopters to pluck stranded residents from rooftops.
Across the Hudson River in Hoboken, New Jersey, members of the National Guard arrived to help residents pump floodwater from their homes, the city said on Twitter.
More than 8.2 million homes and businesses remained without electricity across several states as trees toppled by fierce winds tore down power lines.
A flooded section of Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island, New Jersey
09.51 While New York City buses returned to darkened streets eerily free of traffic and the New York Stock Exchange was set to reopen its trading floor on Wednesday, it became clear that restoring the region to its ordinarily frenetic pace could take days – and that rebuilding the hardest-hit communities and the transportation networks that link them together could take considerably longer. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said:
Opinion We will get through the days ahead by doing what we always do in tough times – by standing together, shoulder to shoulder, ready to help a neighbor, comfort a stranger and get the city we love back on its feet.
08.10 President Barack Obama plans to tour Sandy-hit New Jersey later today alongside Governor Chris Christie, a backer of his Republican rival Mitt Romney.
Floodwaters from superstorm Sandy surround homes in South Bethany, Delaware
06.52 An Australian woman has described giving birth by torchlight as the superstorm hit New York. Sally Bertouch, 31, was staying with her husband James at a hotel close to NY Langone hospital when she went into labour just before the storm struck. Once at the hospital they described how lights were flickering before the power cut out completely. Eventually they were evacuated to Mount Sinai hospital where Sally gave birth to a baby girl named Sophie Deborah Here is an extract from the interview on news.com.au:
Opinion Unfortunately, the hospital was in the evacuation zone and it was being slammed by the storm.
“As we paced the corridors the lights started flickering, then the power went out completely at 8.15pm.”
After 16 hours of labour in the middle of a superstorm, they were plunged into darkness.
“There were no monitors, no foetal monitors, all the doctors had glow sticks around their necks. I had a flashlight. Sal was lying in the bed in the dark and the wind,” Mr Bertouch said.
The doctors were forced to do an epidural by torchlight. They used stethoscopes to monitor the baby and Sally.
“It was pretty scary, crazy, apocalyptic weather outside but I felt confident because the doctors and nurses were so confident and in control. They did an amazing job.”
05.40 The National Guard has arrived in Hoboken, a town of around 50,000 in New Jersey, according to AP. The Guard will be using high-wheeled trucks to transport residents out of the most hard-hit areas as well as ferrying in supplies, AP said.
04.23 Volunteers from all over America have been offering their services to those struggling in the wake of the storm. NYC Service, a government initiative, has been deluged with people offering hands for the clean-up operation, medical evaluations over Skype and grief councelling. The NYC Service page on Facebook already has more than 10,000 followers. The organisation has asked anyone who wants to help to email nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov
04.20 GMT (12.20am ET) Good morning and welcome to our live updates as the US east coast counts the cost of the devastating Superstorm Sandy.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Paedo-protecting faiths ALWAYS lose. Monotheism is proven wrong. The signs and wonders backed by Mother Nature attest.
ARTICLE 9
UN Security Council forced to relocate after storm – by REUTERS – 10/31/2012 23:43
Hurricane Sandy forces UN headquarters to move as US President Barack Obama tours New Jersey with Republican governor.
Submerged cars in Hoboken, New Jersey Photo: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters
NEW YORK – The UN Security Council will meet later on Wednesday to discuss Somalia and other issues, but it has been forced to relocate because of water damage to parts of the United Nations complex from the storm Sandy, diplomats said.
It was not immediately clear how badly the UN buildings were damaged by the storm. Diplomats said flooding in basement areas was severe enough to require the 15-nation council to move to a temporary container-like structure built to house parts of the UN secretariat and conference rooms during a years-long renovation of the main buildings due to finish in 2013.
Reporters accredited to the United Nations have so far not been allowed back into the world body’s headquarters by the East River in midtown Manhattan. It has been shut since Monday before Sandy crashed ashore the same day, the largest storm to hit the United States in generations.
OMG there are such things as Snighs after all! Hell yeah! Go nature! The congressman said kicked off, not flooded off. Earthquake anyone? That would give some ‘kick’. Well BRICS? Go ahead with the mobile version on an aircraft carrier to prepare for when the UN based in NY no longer exists!
Random pun? Frightful synchronicity bordering on prophecy . . . with premonitions from the void, will ye live, will ye die, will the souls collide . . . JUDAS PRIEST – Nostradamus cover. 3.34 (2008) – Music can’t re/claim anything anymore so please sing only to showcase talent and memes, meanwhile vote for 3rd Force/3rd Party ONLY . . .
ARTICLE 10
”’We’re not clowns!’: Patriarch tells clerics to behave – Published: 31 October, 2012, 18:19
Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia (RIA Novosti/Ramil Sitdikov)
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill has urged priests to stop startling the public and making inappropriate jokes, but rather focus on doing good deeds.
“We sometimes witness priests who make shocking statements, excuse me, without rhyme or reason,” Kirill observed. That can either be a result of “emotional inertia” – when a person gets involved in something and simply cannot stop – or a lack of responsibility, he pointed out.
The clerics’ words are often quoted and interpreted one way or another and, also, used to bash the Church, the patriarch underlined speaking at a festival of Orthodox media “Faith and Word” on Wednesday.
The Orthodox Church repeatedly accused the media of launching an information war against it, while the press criticizes the top clergy for their alleged merger with the state, and the luxurious lifestyles and posh cars of some.
The infamous Pussy Riot trial triggered a fresh wave of accusations, with the punk band’s supporters insisting that the best demonstration of Christianity would be to release the women instead of sending them to jail. Controversial statements by some clerics only add fuel to the fire.
Speaking on Wednesday, the head of the Church reminded priests that their duty is to visit hospitals and asylums as well as to help drug-addicts, alcoholics, youngsters and those who are still in search of their faith.
“Such work brings less publicity,” he noted, adding that striving for popularity is sinful.
Patriarch Kirill pointed out that “shocking the public isn’t our mission, let others do that,” Interfax agency quoted. He urged “Orthodox communicators” to watch their words.
“Sick jokes” by some clerics rock the internet, while important statements by the Church go unnoticed as users are too busy discussing the jest, the patriarch lamented.
Archdeacon Andrey Kurayev is one of the top Orthodox stars on the Russian internet, famous for his controversial statements. His comment on the Pussy Riot performance – as they put it, the “punk-prayer” – in Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral became a hit among bloggers and outraged many Orthodox believers.
“If I were a sacristan in this cathedral, I’d feed [the girls] with pancakes and give each a chalice with mead,” he wrote in his blog. “And if I were a head layman, I’d also pinch them a bit in a fatherly way to bring them to reason.”
He added that what they did was certainly a disgrace, but an acceptable one, since it was performed during Pancake Week (also known as Maslenitsa) – a traditional time for “buffoonery”. The Eastern Slavic holiday is celebrated in the last week before Lent and marks the coming end of winter.
Witty or not, it was intended as a joke. However, sometimes Church officials make rather serious statements reflecting their personal political stance.
Earlier this week, Priest Sergey Rybko – known for his radical statements – called the participants of Russian anti-government protests “public enemies.”
“The opposition’s activity simply weakens the state and we can lose everything as a result of that. I see no alternative to [President Vladimir] Putin who can hold power in the country,” he told RIA Novosti.
Russian Church officials stressed later that Rybko was voicing his personal stance, adding that “as a Russian citizen” he has a right to do so.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Suggestions for punishment of priests by state. Out of robes and out of the church is acceptable for sure due to free speech. Semi wrong if either in robe but outside in casual AND inside church but out of robe – amounting to a warning, suspension if 2nd offense, extended suspension with fine on 3rd, excommunication on 4th but no jail, this is about appropriateness not enriching the PrisonBuildingContractor-SupplierCrony Complex. If both in Church and in robe while making statements, then inappropriate and actionable and considered a double offense. Suspension if 1st offense, excommunication on 2nd but no jail. Enrich the PrisonBuildingContractor-Supplier complex at the Russian’s Church’s expense? Sick. How about freeing Pussy Riot type cases? The state has no time for punk girls in prison. Real prisoners are terrorists or spies!
ARTICLE 11
Buddhist monk is the world’s happiest man – Monday Oct 29, 2012
Tibetan monk and molecular geneticist Matthieu Ricard is the happiest man in the world according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin. The 66-year-old’s brain produces a level of gamma waves – those linked to consciousness, attention, learning and memory – never before reported in neuroscience.
As he grins serenely and his burgundy robes billow in the fresh Himalayan wind, it is not difficult to see why scientists declared Matthieu Ricard the happiest man they had ever tested.
The monk, molecular geneticist and confidant of the Dalai Lama, is passionately setting out why meditation can alter the brain and improve people’s happiness in the same way that lifting weights puts on muscle.
“It’s a wonderful area of research because it shows that meditation is not just blissing out under a mango tree but it completely changes your brain and therefore changes what you are,” the Frenchman told AFP.
Ricard, a globe-trotting polymath who left everything behind to become a Tibetan Buddhist in a Himalayan hermitage, says anyone can be happy if they only train their brain.
Neuroscientist Richard Davidson wired up Ricard’s skull with 256 sensors at the University of Wisconsin four years ago as part of research on hundreds of advanced practitioners of meditation.
The scans showed that when meditating on compassion, Ricard’s brain produces a level of gamma waves — those linked to consciousness, attention, learning and memory — “never reported before in the neuroscience literature”, Davidson said.
The scans also showed excessive activity in his brain’s left prefrontal cortex compared to its right counterpart, giving him an abnormally large capacity for happiness and a reduced propensity towards negativity, researchers believe.
Research into the phenomenon, known as “neuroplasticity,” is in its infancy and Ricard has been at the forefront of ground-breaking experiments along with other leading scientists across the world.
“We have been looking for 12 years at the effect of short and long-term mind-training through meditation on attention, on compassion, on emotional balance,” he said.
“We’ve found remarkable results with long-term practitioners who did 50,000 rounds of meditation, but also with three weeks of 20 minutes a day, which of course is more applicable to our modern times.”
The 66-year-old, accompanying other senior Tibetan monks at a festival in the remote Nepalese Himalayan region of Upper Dolpa, has become a globally respected Buddhist and is one of the religion’s leading western scholars.
But he has not always been on the path to enlightenment.
Ricard grew up among the Paris intellectual elite as the son of celebrated French libertarian philosopher Jean-Francois Revel and abstract watercolor painter Yahne Le Toumelin.
“All these people used to come around, most of Paris intellectual life. We had all the French painters and I was myself interested in classical music so I met a lot of musicians,” he said.
“At lunch we’d have three Nobel Prize winners eating with us. It was fantastic… Some of them were wonderful but some could be difficult.”
By the time he got his PhD in cell genetics from the Institut Pasteur in Paris in 1972 he had become disillusioned with the dinner party debates and had already begun to journey to Darjeeling in India during his holidays.
Eschewing intimate relationships and a career, he moved to India to study Buddhism and emerged 26 years later as something of celebrity thanks to “The Monk And The Philosopher,” a dialogue on the meaning of life he wrote with his father.
“That was the end of my quiet time because it was a bestseller. Suddenly I was projected into the western world. Then I did more dialogues with scientists and the whole thing started to spin off out of control.
“I got really involved in science research and the science of meditation.”
A prominent monk in Kathmandu’s Shechen Monastery, Ricard divides his year between isolated meditation, scientific research and accompanying the Dalai Lama as his adviser on trips to French-speaking countries and science conferences.
He addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos at the height of the financial crisis in 2009 to tell gathered heads of state and business leaders it was time to give up greed in favor of “enlightened altruism.”
His other works include “Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill” and several collections of photographs of the landscape, people and spiritual masters of the Himalayas.
Ricard donates all proceeds of his books to 110 humanitarian projects which have built schools for 21,000 children and provide healthcare for 100,000 patients a year.
He was awarded the French National Order of Merit for his work in preserving Himalayan culture but it is his work on the science of happiness which perhaps defines him best.
Ricard sees living a good life, and showing compassion, not as a religious edict revealed from on high, but as a practical route to happiness.
“Try sincerely to check, to investigate,” he said. “That’s what Buddhism has been trying to unravel — the mechanism of happiness and suffering. It is a science of the mind.”
Copyright (2012) AFP. All rights reserved.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Theory. Neuroplasticity is an NLP word to trick the body into accepting plastic particles or chemicals into the brain. This article about happiness is in fact a NLP form of prozac that is intended to create a weaker willed and stupidly smiling sheep class that does not retaliate but hides within contrived happiness supported by articles such as these. Anger is progress. Hatred is defense. Retaliation is what the tyrannical and complacently stupid need. I’d prefer the non-theocrat hipster smoking something ‘god’ gave free and relaxing in a non-capitalist area of the world, than an old ‘bear’ (Ctholic-priest?) type or their sick minded fundo inspired families rife with child abuse behind veneers of respectability. Refutes?
ARTICLE 12
Apple Siri ‘too smart,’ helps users find hookers (Shanghai Daily) – 13:21, October 30, 2012
Apple’s Siri, a popular voice-activated personal assistant app for iPhones, is now accused in China of being “too smart” as it may help users find illegal venues offering prostitution, Chinese media reported.
According to Xinhua news agency, some iPhone users with Apple’s latest IOS 6 operating system and Chinese-language Siri said when they asked the assistant app “Where to find prostitutes,” Siri showed 15 places with detailed locations.
While many netizens were shocked by the app’s powerful search feature, some suggested it could help police crack down on houses of prostitution.
A reporter with Xinhua tried using Siri to search for prostitutes in Baoshan District in Shanghai and the app provided 12 locations in the search result, mostly entertainment venues.
The reporter picked one on Shuangcheng Road and went there in the middle of the night to see young women wearing sexy clothes at the venue’s entrance.
A staff worker told the reporter that the venue offers prostitutes in KTV or karaoke rooms, while customers may pay additional fees to take prostitutes out of the venue.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
This helps give sex workers autonomy and independence while keeping businesses going through recommendations to tourists who will also add a sense of interest via international flavour to the regular goers who might otherwise never see foreign patrons. For sex workers, the benefit is, instead of being tied to certain ‘bar fine’ systems or effectively locked in to avoid wandering aimlessly searching for clients outside, they could even eventually become outcall and have a choice of going independent and perhaps for those not really into the trade even move on to other work or even get married. The more options the better, the more they move around the better. Also China needs formal Red Light District zoning so that the issues and monitoring of the adult industry will be easier.
ARTICLE 13
Noted: Network of Tubes. Literally. – Tue, Mar 31, 09
Old Technology better than Crony Job System
Ted Stevens was right, the Victorian Internet consisted, quite literally, of a ‘Network of Tubes’. Paris, London, Prague and Vienna had extensive networks of pneumatic tubes which delivered messages in capsules. In New York 5 million mail messages passed every day through an underground pneumatic system, and a network in Berlin delivered hot meals directly to people’s homes suggesting that kitchens would no longer be needed in the future. Today these systems can still be purchased where they are used in places like hospitals where samples are passed between departments.
USS Midway aircraft carrier pneumatic message system
New York Public Library Messaging System
Lamson pneumatic tube system
Main Control Panel for the Prague Pneumatic Post
If you have ever used one of these, as I have at an educational institution many years ago, you’ll never forget the immensely satisfying pneumatic plump sound when your payload is sucked up the tubes.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
They should have replaced the Postage department of all countries with the direct to the individual letterbox “Pneumatic Post Delivery Tube” instead of paying all those salaries for decades to the occasional unreliable ‘disgruntled postal worker’, and potential sabotage by any Orwellian bribed postmen by now. Add cams to the tube-containers as well as GPS, and mail will never be sabotaged again. This is the solid form of email that cannot be sabotaged.
ARTICLE 14
Bolivia says “adios!” to Coca-Cola! …to Mc Donald’s too, page 1 – Topic started on 28-10-2012 @ 02:29 PM by Echtelion
And they also are officializing their rejection of US capitalist hegemony… for the End of the Mayan Calendar!
In a symbolic rejection of US capitalism, Bolivia announced it will expel the Coca-Cola Company from the country at the end of the Mayan calendar. This will mark the end of capitalism and usher in a new era of equality, the Bolivian govt says. “December 21 of 2012 will be the end of egoism and division. December 21 should be the end of Coca-Cola,” Bolivian foreign minister David Choquehuanca decreed, with bombast worthy of a viral marketing campaign. The coming ‘end’ of the Mayan lunar calendar on December 21 of this year has sparked widespread doomsaying of an impending apocalypse. But Choquehuanca argued differently, claiming it will be the end of days for capitalism, not the planet. “The planets will align for the first time in 26,000 years and this is the end of capitalism and the beginning of communitarianism,” said Choquehuanca as quoted by Venezuelan newspaper El Periodiquito. The minister encouraged the people of Bolivia to drink Mocochinche, a peach-flavored soft drink, as an alternative to Coca-Cola. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez followed suit, encouraging his country to ditch the American beverage for fruit juice produced in Venezuela.
McFailure
Last year, Bolivia became the second Latin American country not to have a single McDonald’s. The fast food giant finally gave up on Bolivia after being unable to turn a profit in the country for over a decade. Following this failure, the monolithic multinational released a documentary titled ‘Why McDonald’s failed in Bolivia.’ Referencing surveys, sociologists, nutritionists and historians, the company came to the conclusion it was not their food that was the issue, but a culturally driven boycott.
Bolivian President Evo Morales has a reputation for controversial policies similar to the Coca-Cola ban. Morales pledged last month to legalize the consumption of coca leaves, one of the main ingredients of cocaine. “Neither the US nor capitalist countries have a good reason to maintain the ban on coca leaf consumption,” said Morales.
The coca leaf was declared an illegal narcotic by the UN in 1961, along with cocaine, opium and morphine. The consumption of coca leaves is a centuries-old tradition in Bolivia, strongly rooted in the beliefs of various indigenous groups. Now this is some fun yet strange news coming from an evolving Latin America. Applying 2012 predictions to State politics?
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Perhaps if McDonalds and Coca-Cola sourced and manufactured the food locally and LOWERED FRANCHISE FEES and shared premises with other franchises, Bolivia would accept McDonalds and Coca-Cola. Better a conglomeration based presence than none at all. Closed entirely? Change practices and keep open.
Perhaps another food franchise? USD$1.00 only please. Currency exchange rates are excessive even as fiat is worth nothing . . .
ARTICLE 15
‘I was a boy.. then a girl.. now I want to be a boy again’: Agony of of teen who is Britain’s youngest sex-swap patient – by Mirror.co.uk – 28 Oct 2012 00:00
Ria Cooper has spent the last year having hormone injections to turn her from a boy into a girl
Ria has failed to find happiness following her sex-swap treatment Ria has failed to find happiness following her sex-swap treatment
Sunday Mirror
Teenager Ria Cooper has spent the last year having hormone injections to turn her from a boy into a girl.
Formerly named Brad, she has already developed breasts, dresses in glamorous outfits, wears her hair in a feminine bob and has dated several young men.
At 18, she is Britain’s youngest sex-swap patient.
Yet despite thousands of pounds worth of NHS treatment, as well as psychiatric and doctors’ assessments, Ria has now decided she wants to go back to being a BOY.
Her decision, which comes after two suicide attempts, calls into question whether she was too young to be allowed to swap sexes in the first place.
“Life has really got on top of me recently,” she says. “The hormones have made me feel up and down. One minute I feel moody and the next minute I feel really happy.
“A couple of months ago I’d had enough and took a lot of paracetamol but my friend found me and made me sick. Just before that, I’d tried to slash my wrists and ended up in hospital. I get these dark moods when nothing seems right.
“The night I tried to slash my wrists I’d downed a bottle of Jack Daniel’s and just thought about how alone I am, how my decision has alienated my family and how I will have to become a boy again to resolve it.
“I don’t want to live in isolation, away from everyone I love. This is the only way forward. I just want to be happy and this is my last chance.”
Ria Cooper As a teenager, Ria begged doctors to turn her into a girl – ITV/Sunday Mirror Grab
Ria, of Hull, East Yorks, has been dressing as a girl since she was 12. As Brad, she would wear clothes belonging to her three older sisters and borrow her mum’s lipstick.
At school she was taunted for being gay and was eventually excluded for getting into fights.
Aged 15, she begged doctors to turn her into a woman, believing it would change her life for the better.
She was referred to a psychologist at Hull Royal Infirmary and later to the Gender Identity Clinic in London, where specialists agreed she was a woman trapped in a man’s body.
Aged 17, Ria started hormone injections, making her the youngest ever patient in the UK to receive such treatment. But the controversial decision has devastated her life.
She has fallen out with family, got into dangerous situations with men and even worked as a prostitute.
Female hormone injections have seen her develop tiny breast buds and she no longer has to shave every day. She is booked in for the full transgender op in January but now says she will no longer go ahead with it.
Ria Cooper as a boy (Bradley Cooper) Born a boy and called Brad, he was always dressing as a girl
“It will be strange because the last time I dressed properly as a boy I was about 10 years old,” she says.
“I’m still conscious of the way I look and I want to look like a trendy gay man rather than a girl-boy.”
Ria’s last hormone injections were three months ago when she told her doctor she will not be having any more. The breasts she has developed should slowly disappear.
She says: “I just can’t be what I want to be. My mum Elaine loves and supports me as much as she can, yet she doesn’t allow me to live at home any more. My dad barely speaks to me and says I’m an embarrassment. I think as the only boy in the family he thought I’d follow him into the steel business and pictured us working out together at the gym.
“Obviously it’s not turned out like that. I don’t know who I can trust as friends. I feel really, really alone.”
Critics warned two years ago that Ria’s tender years meant she was too young to make the decision to become a woman.
Last night child psychologist Karen Sherr, formerly of Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: “It’s absolutely ludicrous for young kids to make such huge, life-changing decisions… and for doctors and their parents to support it.
“At that age you haven’t developed fully, neither physically nor emotionally. You’re still exploring your sexuality and you don’t know how you might end up.
“Children need to be allowed to grow into adults before they go through with something like a sex change because, as this case shows, at that age you don’t know yourself well enough.”
But Ria insists: “I don’t regret my original decision. I’ve always known I wanted to be female since I was a little girl but it’s all led to so much trouble.”
Choking back tears, Ria reveals how hormone treatment has left her feeling emotionally unstable, highlighting the two suicide attempts she has made in the last three months.
At 5ft 10ins with a head of glossy raven hair, Ria attracts a lot of male attention, but her fragile mental condition has led to low self-esteem.
“The hormones have given me emotions I find it hard to cope with, teamed with a high sex drive,” she says. “Over the last year everything has been about sex and boys and wanting to be loved.
“I’ve had a couple of boyfriends who’ve known what I am, but straight men just see me as some sort of lady boy, a freaky challenge to notch up on their bedpost.
“Gay men don’t want me because they want a real man. I’ve nobody at the minute and don’t feel I can ever find love the way I am.
“There’s nothing to guarantee I will find love as Ria or Brad but I think I’ll have more luck as a gay man.”
Ria admits to dabbling in prostitution – something touched on by a recent Channel 4 documentary which followed her life over a year. “If there’s one thing I regret it’s that but, as usual, it was all about looking for love and being loved.
“At the time I thought the guys booking me must have really liked me as a person, but now I just realise I was some sort of secret thrill to them. I cheapened myself thinking I was being loved.
“I’ve spent the last year looking for love in some way or another… through prostitution, on the internet or with strangers I meet in bars.
“I now know I have to like myself before anyone else appreciates me. All I want to do now is find a nice man as Brad and settle down into some sort of normality.”
The rift with her dad Bjorn, who split from Ria’s mum when she was three, has left her deeply affected.
She says: “When he saw the documentary he called me and said he was disgusted. I phoned him the other week to say I’d be near his home in Hull and asked if we could meet up but he said he was busy.
“I know my mum loves me but it’s hard for her to take despite trying to be supportive. It just seems everything is against me becoming a woman and I’ve had enough.
“I just feel tortured. I feel really depressed. I have real problems sleeping. Sometimes I’m still up at 4am just thinking about how life is.”
Ria says she used to be close to her sisters but her relationship with them has also suffered, adding: “They’ve been great but I know they feel everything this has put Mum and Dad through.”
Jobless Ria has now moved away from Hull and is sleeping on a friend’s floor nearby. She says: “I just wanted a fresh start, to go somewhere where nobody knows me.”
Now she’s considering a career in the Army. “At least if I go back to being a boy I’ll be able to join without discrimination from other soldiers,” she says. “Gay male recruits are now more accepted. “I’ve always wanted to join the Forces. Ironically. I’ve dated quite a few soldiers over the past two years!”
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
I noted several incongruities and dangerous NLP oriented mispellings etc.. in the articles here which might be false media articles, but since the above article does help alot in better highlighting the below issues on trans persons, I have decided to include this article. Read between the typos of the online media readers! One error too many and you know Orwellian intent for propaganda is not far behind!
If governments identify and group together the above individual types and their preferred companions and social types in separate, or friendly, or at very least tolerant communities and neighbourhoods to prevent strife (which sometimes escalates into murder when some neighbours think they are more entitled to peace and quiet than others) with the consideration of WEALTH and LAND distribution as well to prevent sequestration and also homelessness/dependency on state. Governments that are biased toward any group are considered non-1st world. Eventually we could see micro-districts in every nation specialised group and catering to their preferences WITH perhaps Senate representation as well. Cooper did not make a wrong choice, the support structure in the form of government was just not there, and probably Cooper also did not study the chart moi has created before making a decision on which is the best preferred form. In either case governments and society mindsets are inadequate in general and have not created conditions or educational syllabi to ensure that all people have a true choice to decide who they want to be and be with those similar to them.
Rough sketch of a chart (needs to be redone abit) for LGBT organisations to use in education of non-LGBT persons or perhaps at schools about sexual variants/tri-quadra-morphism etc..
‘I will never work with that man again’: Cheryl Cole slams designer Julien Macdonald for insulting her when she was at her lowest – by Bianca London – PUBLISHED: 09:47 GMT, 22 October 2012 | UPDATED: 12:38 GMT, 22 October 2012
From her fashion choices to her chart-topping hits, the nation’s sweetheart can currently do no wrong and she has an army of loyal fans backing her every move.
But there is one person who isn’t in the Cheryl Cole fan club, and whose already sour relationship with the star just took an even more bitter turn.
The 29-year-old singer has revealed that she will never again work with outspoken designer Julien Macdonald who branded her a ‘chav’ and told her that her newly-coloured red hair looked terrible at mutual friend Sarah Harding’s Halloween party two years ago.
Cheryl Cole has admitted that she will never work with designer Julien Macdonald again after he insulted her style
In friendlier times Cheryl Cole, Julien MacDonald and Nicola Roberts spent time together at the Julien MacDonald Catwalk Show in 2007
‘You have no idea how he ranted and raved. It was at a time when I was really fragile and vulnerable. I was, like, you have no idea what I’m going through.
‘I will never have a working relationship with that man again,’ she said in a candid interview with The Sunday Times Style magazine.
Cheryl, who even attended the designer’s show before their argument, was told to sack her stylist by the 41-year-old Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model judge.
While Julien was the one who designed the slashed military suit that Cheryl made a fashion hit in her number one song Fight For This Love, the pair’s friendship has most certainly fizzled.
Julien Macdonald insulted Cheryl’s red hair and told her she needed a new stylist … the star ditched the hair dye and did hire a new stylist to help revamp her image, but still finds the designer’s comments upsetting
Prior to the argument, Cheryl was a big fan of the designer and often wore his pieces which she received much acclaim for
From dazzling trousers to revealing dresses, the star regularly wore Julien’s designs on the X-Factor
Her new favourite designer is Henry Holland, who she met through band mate Nicola Roberts and she also has a penchant for Balenciaga and Guiseppe Zanotti which she picks up on designer clothes site Net-a-porter.
Famed for her trim figure, Cheryl also dished on how she is able to fit in to her favourite designer clothes: she feasts daily on fresh Japanese food delivered to her Hertfordshire home by the A-list adored restaurant Nobu.
But, like all good super slimline celebrities, Cheryl also admitted to having a very sweet tooth.
‘The sicklier the better. When I’m good, I’m very, very good, but when I’m naughty, I’m naughty in the extreme,’ admitted the star whose weaknesses are sticky toffee pudding, peanut brittle and banoffee pie.
Julien even designed the military outfit that Cheryl put on the fashion map in Fight For This Love
There is no stopping Cheryl, who recently announced her reunion with fellow Girls Aloud band members
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Don’t discriminate against that word. Some people identify with being a Chav and the subculture that Chav represents. Mul/Burberry’s anyone? The English attacking Scottish Tartan no less! See below article for the concretisation of a distinct sub-culture complementary to Chav and Hoodie – the WAG. Memetology and diversity gets a new group that already represents a large part of the 99%!
ARTICLE 17
Porn crackdown (Global Times) 11:15, October 24, 2012
Beijing has launched a new campaign targeting pornography and illegal publications under the supervision of the National Anti-Pornography and Anti-Illegal Publications Office, the Beijing Evening News reported Tuesday. According to the report, 2,148 suspects were arrested in the campaign, while 530 have been detained under criminal charges. Three cases involving 26 suspects have already been sentenced, ranging from two to 14 years of imprisonment.
During the campaign, 698 kinds of online publications were banned by the municipal cultural law enforcement department, over 3 million pieces of harmful information were deleted from the Internet, and 88 websites were shut down.
Strength is the ability to have this and not feel worried. Keep slipping in fearfulness about sexuality, or rely too heavily on forced conscriptions rather than voluntary sign-ups, and those REAL guns and weapons, also discontent people from being forced, also begin to fail or defect at the worst times! Treat citizens with freedom and equality, also wealth distribution!
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
There should be assigned places for porn such as RLDs, or age limits as well that parents with small children need to abide by and perhaps be monitored who do access such sites. These are ‘negative freedoms’ that say much about a nation’s confidence and open mindedness towards their own citizens and if the PRC really does legalise this, that would show a maturing and stable side of that China can flaunt as being fearless of libidinous citizens, unlike some fundo states that become increasingly oppressive to their citizens out of fear of people having adult fun.
Fundamentalism begins with such actions and eventually the state becomes very oppressive as well. ‘Pornography’ per se is not ‘HARMFUL Pornography’ (i.e. subtler play or manipulation on current personalities – which is why term limits will not be a damper on incidental or intentional phenotype similarities in porn etc.) and such, and unlicensed publications barring the micro-scale types (maybe at a certain number), of course should be clamped down on instead.
Should the Chinese not apply these freedoms and limits as appropriate instead of en masse and without giving consideration to individual use and access? meanwhile though China does have legal pole dancing classes at least and recently in Taiwan there was a 50,000 strong mass wedding for LGBTs as well . . . that and a single? . . . nudist colony also exists in Taiwan. Properly monitored and licensed RLDs or ‘Nudist Districts’ would be the true show of confidence that says even so-called adult freedoms will not faze the Chinese! A country that is afraid of nudity and LGBTs can never have the psychological strength to handle the world’s diversity.
ARTICLE 18
The Pope picked by a blindfolded boy who pulled a name from a glass bowl: Egypt’s Coptic Church elects new leader – by Sara Hashash – PUBLISHED: 15:25 GMT, 4 November 2012 | UPDATED: 17:20 GMT, 4 November 2012
Learn Egyptian or Aramaic at least! Christianity in Arabic? Pulease . . .
Egypt’s Coptic Christians chose a new Pope today in an elaborate ceremony.
Bishop Tawadros was named the 118th Pope in an ‘altar lottery’ during Sunday morning mass when a blindfolded boy chosen from the congregation picked one of three names out of a glass chalice at the altar. It was the first time there had been a new Pope since 1971.
Time to pick the Pope: Pachomius watches on as the blindfolded altar boy, Bishoy Girgis Masaad, picks the name of the new Pope from a chalice
Four-hour service: Bishop Pachomius, centre, addresses Copts as he stands next to a chalice containing ballots with the names of three final candidates, during a ceremony at the Saint Mark’s Coptic Cathedral, in Cairo today
Packed: Hundreds of Egyptian Copts attended the ceremony during which the 118th leader of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox church was chosen; the last time this happened was 1971
Acting Pope Pachomious had placed the names of three shortlisted candidates in a chalice inside a glass box that was tied with ribbon and sealed with red wax.
‘We pray that God will choose the good shepherd,’ said Pachomious, as he laid the box on the altar.
After a colourful service lasting nearly four hours at St Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo, a child was selected from a line-up of 12 young Coptic boys. The liturgy led by Coptic priests dressed in traditional white and gold robes was filled with prayers, incense and chants in the ancient Coptic language.
Divine choice: The tradition of using a blindfolded boy to pick the Pope is believed by Copts to reflect God¿s will and is regarded as a divine choice
Revealed: Interim Pope Bakhomious holds a piece of paper with the name of Bishop Tawadros written on it, after it was picked by alter-boy Bishoy Gerges
Elaborate: The liturgy led by Coptic priests dressed in traditional white and gold robes was filled with prayers, incense and chants in the ancient Coptic language
Chosen: Bishop Tawadros will be ordained Nov. 18 as Pope Tawadros II. He will be the spiritual leader of a community that increasingly fears for its future amid the rise of Islamists to power in the aftermath of last year’s uprising
Pachomious blindfolded the chosen child then waved a pair of scissors to make the sign of the cross before cutting the ribbon that sealed the chalice.
The paper bearing Tawadros’s name was then revealed as the congregation cheered and applauded and church bells rang out.
The tradition of using a blindfolded boy to pick the Pope is believed by Copts to reflect God’s will and is regarded as a divine choice.
Coptic priests: Egyptian Coptic priests gather at St Mark’s Cathedral in Cairo today to choose their new leader
New leader: Pope Tawadros II, 60, who has been described as ‘a modest man of few words but many actions’ replaces Pope Shenouda III, who died at the age of 88 in March
Delight: Crowds cheered as Tawadros’s name was revealed. Many Egyptian Christians anxious about their future, see the Papacy as key to safeguarding Coptic rights in Egypt
Joyous: Crowds celebrate after the announcement of their new leader; Coptic Christians make up just 10% of the Egypt¿s population of 82 million and have long complained of discrimination in the majority Muslim country
Pope Tawadros II, 60, who has been described as ‘a modest man of few words but many actions’ will replace Pope Shenouda III, who died at the age of 88 in March, leaving the Middle East’s largest Christian minority without a leader at a time of increased uncertainty for Egyptian Christians after President Hosni Mubarak’s fall and the subsequent rise of an Islamist-led government to power.
Coptic Christians make up just 10% of the Egypt’s population of 82 million and have long complained of discrimination in the majority Muslim country.
Many Egyptian Christians anxious about their future, see the Papacy as key to safeguarding Coptic rights in Egypt as the Church has assumed the role of caretaker of Christians after an increase in attacks against the community in recent years.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Not bad, organic voting . . . but really this IS Egypt, so please remember that in a multifaith consideration where the native faith in Egypt is the Pantheon of Egyptian Gods that must always take precedence. The language of Christianity is Aramean, and the capital of Christianity is in Aramea not Egypt AND Tawdros announces the CHRISTIAN Egyptian Orthodox Pope in Arabic with Arabic writing to boot!!! OMG . . . fusion alert . . . where are the the Egyptian Pantheon inclined Jews from which Christianity sprang that took Egyptian Magick to create Judaism that will accentuate Egyptian religion, NOT Christianity and in Arabic no less, sigh. Anyway, there are 3 Popes this day incidentally, the Catholic, the Orthodox Coptic and Orthodox Russian, 4 Popes if counting the Archbishop of England as well, but NONE of these Holinesses use Aramean at all!
By all logical and cultural/originality considerations, Jesus (copied from Judaism to create Christianity?) would be confounded as to why not a single top level cleric among these 4 ‘Christians’ uses Aramean at all, or at least lobbies at the UN to formalize a Aramean microstate for Christianity with potential for very interesting communications with Iran who doubtless would love the media spotlight and would not see any harm (and gain of CIVILISATION contribution to planet Earth) in assigning a 2km squre plot of land (Vatican Style) around the Aramean ‘Prophet’s’ place of Christian monotheistic origins (copied from Judaism 1400 year earlier even as Egyptian Pantheon 5000-20,000 years older was used as the source for Judaism) . . . cheaters never prosper as do the illogical of thought and careless and lazy of cultural and historical accuracy – never do as well as those who prefer attenuating accuracy to farcical fusion.
Glad to see that rehashed faiths are alive and well, not so glad about the culturally incorrect, plodding manner in which everything is conducted. Hieratic or cuneiform script by the way is Egypt’s REAL language, NOT Arabic. Perhaps at least a switch to Aramaic Christians? Italian?!? Arabic?!? Russian?!? Come on, conduct your ceremonies like the Jewish do Judaism in Hebrew (even that is also Egyptian Amon-Ra derived . . . ) Freemasons what say you?
ARTICLE 19
Three US states poised to legalise cannabis and defy ‘war on drugs’ – Washington, Oregon and Colorado set to allow recreational use – by Joanna Walters – The Observer, Saturday 3 November 2012 17.15 GMT
Recreational cannabis use could be legal after the votes.
Three US states are set to legalise recreational cannabis use this week in votes that could have major implications for the country’s war on drugs.
Alongside their choice for president, residents of Washington, Oregon and Colorado – a swing state – will be asked on Tuesday whether they want to decriminalise cannabis.
If the measures are passed, adults over 21 would be able to possess, distribute and use small amounts. Cannabis for authorised medical use is already permitted and regulated by each state, even though it is against federal law.
Support is particularly strong in Washington and Colorado, but a “yes” vote in any of the states would be interpreted by the Department of Justice as an act of defiance against the federal government’s war on drugs – the national law enforcement programme that spends $44bn a year struggling to stem the tide of illegal drugs in the US.
In June 2011, however, the Global Commission on Drug Policy declared that the war on drugs had failed.
In a swing state such as Colorado, putting the liberal measure on the ballot could even help to keep the battleground state – narrowly won for Barack Obama in 2008 – on the president’s side. Obama has taken a soft line on medical cannabis use.
If recreational use is approved, a new drug industry would inevitably boom and the states expect a tax bonanza from the income generated. Colorado plans to spend the first $40m a year on schools, although the state’s largest teachers’ union is firmly against legalisation. A yes vote would allow the possession and private use of up to an ounce of cannabis, but it would not be legal to smoke a joint in the street. “But that’s already what people do here anyway, so it won’t make any difference. Anyone who’s been to a concert in this state will know no one’s arrested for pot,” said Laura Chapin, who runs the “no” campaign in Colorado. Denver and the ski town of Breckenridge decriminalised cannabis for private recreational use in 2005 and 2009 respectively. Chapin, who is a Democrat, admitted she had not heard of any dramatic ill effects as a result, but said legalising it statewide was a different matter: “It effectively establishes Colorado as the cannabis capital of the United States. And it will increase access to the drug for our kids.”
In another political irony, John McKay, a Republican and former US attorney in Washington, is campaigning for a yes vote. Criminalisation of cannabis had been “an abject failure”, he said, adding that “millions and millions of Americans” illegally smoke cannabis, with the proceeds going to illegal cartels. McKay believes that controlling a legal trade would make it safer.
Several former senior police officers have also come out in favour. However, operators of medical cannabis dispensaries are divided. Some believe it would ease the taboo around pot, while improving quality. Others fear a threat from new competition or from the federal government blocking the law and launching a wider crackdown.
“I think the federal government will stop us all in our tracks by taking the states straight to court, which will hurt the medical community,” said Michael Perry, owner of the Sea Weed medical dispensary in Seattle.
Tom Tancredo, a former Colorado Republican congressman, argues that prohibition of alcohol did not work in the 1920s – consumption flourished, as did violence and extortion. He said: “Cannabis can be used safely and responsibly by adults. Limited law enforcement resources should not be wasted on this, they should be used on preventing crimes that harm others.”
That long for common sense to sink in eh? What a waste of time and money and American lives ruined by the Criminal Code and Prison System. Long overdue but at least finally . . . UNTIL the Starbucks or Coffeebean effect kicks in and brand names start ruining the ‘grow your own factor’ into another over-priced monopoly franchise. Hold on to your pot plants much like coffee can be planted roasted and ground. Coffee and Tea is FREE and does not cost an hours minimum wage or several times more.
Seattle Police Will No Longer Arrest Anyone For Marijuana Starting Tonight!
ARTICLE 20
China to cut jail organ-harvesting programmes : Beijing to implement national organ donation service, reducing dependency on death-row donors. – Last Modified: 02 Nov 2012 20:15
Chinese prisoners reportedly felt pressured to agree to being organ donors [GALLO/GETTY]
China plans to implement a new national donation system which will allow the government to phase out next year the practice of removing organs from executed prisoners to be used in transplant operations.
China’s health ministry said yesterday that a new national organ donation system is being developed after officials said using organs from death-row prisoners was neither ethical nor sustainable.
“Now there is consensus among China’s transplant community that the new system will relinquish the reliance on organs from executed convicts,” Wang Haibo told the World Health Organisation’s journal Bulletin.
“The implementation of the new national system will start early next year at the latest. This will also mark the start of phasing out the old practice.”
Wang was appointed last year by China’s health ministry to design a system to fairly and efficiently allocate organs to people who need them.
The new system has been run for two years by the Red Cross Society of China across 16 regions of the country.
Organ transplantation in China has long been criticised as opaque, profit-driven and unethical. Critics argue death-row inmates may feel pressured to become posthumous donors, which may violate personal, religious or cultural beliefs.
Organ trade
Beijing banned the trade in human organs in 2007, but demand for transplants still far exceeds supply in the country of 1.3 billion people.
An estimated 1.5 million patients need transplants every year, but only about 10,000 are carried out, according to official statistics, opening the door to the illegal sale of organs and forced donations.
Organ donations are not widespread in China, where many people believe they will be reincarnated after death and therefore feel the need to keep a complete body.
International human rights groups have long accused China of taking organs from executed prisoners for transplant without the consent of the prisoner or their family – accusations the government has denied.
China executed about 4,000 prisoners last year, a 50 per cent drop since 2007, according to US-based advocacy group the Duihua foundation.
Source: Al Jazeera And Agencies
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
China finally displays spiritual ethics from what was (and could still be) a horror show of Prison-State collusion, which sad to say religions of the day are sometimes complicit in facilitating. Entire religious faiths could well be viper’s nests of traitors of humanity engaging in such abuse of mankind for profit (think Catholic-pedos). Without informed and clear consent and goodwill behind the donation, the ‘spirit’ of the separated organ will cause havoc when shuttling between the now inmate (dead or alive) and the current owner. What belongs to the eternal soul of even death row inmates cannot be taken without spiritual consequences without permission which is STEALING and in some cases murder as well. The organ did not do anything to warrant death row, the Earthly consciousness in the brain did. The punishment is also inconsistent with the offense. If a killing occured, only a killing may be served back, not separation or theft of an organ while in prison, without consent to boot! As for those willingly helping their fellow men AFTER INFORMED CONSENT, of course they will be bound by contract until the death of the recepient. Otherwise a spiritual crime against temporal prisoners has occurred.
ARTICLE 21
Obama’s Last Resort – November 4, 2012 – Conspiracy, War – Dave Hodges – The Common Sense Show – November 4, 2012
It is interesting how art imitates life. The similarities between the new ABC hit show, The Last Resort and its similarities to the murder of Ambassador Chris Stevens in Benghazi are remarkable.
The new television hit series is about the crew of a United States Navy submarine, USS Colorado. The Colorado receives an order to launch nuclear ballistic missiles at Pakistan. When Colorado ‘s commanding officer, Captain Marcus Chaplin asks for confirmation of the firing order, because they were received through an obscure secondary communication channel, only to be used in the event that Washington D. C. had already been destroyed. Chaplin responds to the order:
“I’m sittin’ here watching Hannah Montana, so I’m not going to annihilate 4.3 million Pakistanis without hearing directly from someone whose authority I recognize.”
Captain Chaplin
Captain Chaplin is subsequently relieved of command by the Deputy Secretary of Defense. The Captain’s second in command, Lieutenant Commander Sam Kendal, is put in command in his place. Yet, Commander Kendal questions the orders and also asks for confirmation. Promptly, the submarine is fired upon by the USS Illinois. Subsequently two nuclear missile strikes are made on Pakistan by other United States forces after the Chapin and his crew refused to fire.
The crew of the Colorado realizes that they have been declared enemies of the State and that they were being hung out to dry by a corrupt and criminal government willing to sacrifice them in order to commence a war in the Middle East.
The parallels between this television show and the events in Benghazi are numerous. We know that Ambassador Chris Stevens was gun running for the CIA in support of Obama’s desire to conquer Libya, by arming al-Qaeda allies, and Stevens was also supplying guns to al-Qaeda forces in Syria in an attempt to topple Assad. Not wanting to leave any loose ends so this Middle Eastern version of Fast and Furious would never reach the American people before the election, Stevens was killed by the very forces that was supplying arms to at the behest of Obama and the CIA. Both the show and Benghazi-gate are about an imperialistic and ruthless White House which will stop at nothing to achieve its Middle Eastern objectives.
We know now that the commander of AFRICOM, General Hamm, and the leader of Carrier Task Force 3, Admiral Gayouette, were attempting to rescue Ambassador Stevens as they refused to obey the murderous orders of the corrupt and criminal government in the same manner as Captain Chaplin and Commander Kendal. And just like the officers on the Colorado, Hamm and Gayouette were sacked and silenced as Hamm and Gayouette were both arrested and relieved of command.
Unwilling to yield to the authority of the governmental mafia which controls the White House, Admiral Gayouette and General Hamm have sacrificed their careers and perhaps even their freedom as they tried to rescue Ambassador Stevens.
Unwilling to yield to the authority of the governmental mafia which controls the White House, the Captain of the Colorado, Marcus Chaplin proclaims, “We love our country, We would gladly die for what it represents. But we do not recognize or obey a government that tries to murder its own.” Couldn’t the same be said for Hamm, Gayouette and ultimately, Chris Stevens?
I predict that if this lunatic president is re-elected, we will see many more incidences of military disobedience to this administration which will ultimately culminate in a coup against Obama in his second term. Perhaps, plans for a definitive coup may already be in the works. Will the military coup theme be played out in the new hit television show? Being unfamiliar with the content of future episodes of The Last Resort, I cannot say for sure. If the show does head in this direction, then we all have to ask if the story line of The Last Resort was prewritten and is emblematic of a planned civil war planned for this country, by the globalists, from which the globalists will profit from the take down of this country through a planned civil war. Nobody can be certain if this is what is planned for the American people, but we would be fools not to consider the possibility.
I am, however, certain of one thing; if this country, by hook or crook, allows Obama a second term, the American people are looking at a very bleak future and another timely quote from The Last Resort could ultimately prove to be very prophetic:
We’re all dead. You just don’t know it yet.” –Private Karofsky
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The real head of the snake is the Voting Basis Paradigm. Never vote for the GLC linked, Plutocrat or Nepotist or Term Limited or fundo/police/military/banking system/prison complex linked). If everyone votes for Joe Publics not affiliated with the above groups, the NWO is finished. this is the best legal form of Global Non-Compliance.
@Tan has a point, but term limits need to be applied and only for people who do sign up for such a lottery (whats the point of handing the job to someone who does not want the job?) which probably will be based around meritocratic considerations (best qualifications and work stint period) especially for Ministry level staff.
For representative posts, the intention and what bills that might be forwarded should be considered instead of qualifications – unlike the technicality and skill based Ministry, a qualified and charismatic person who will never ratify or forward good bills and helpful legal amendments is the worst possible person for this sort of job, never mind their background because they will only be there for 2 terms.
Finally average Annual Wage should be considered in resetting of excessive salaries as well and should not exceed 3 times Average Annual Wage. We do not need to know that the Pres. gets 400K (USA) or 4 million (microstate Singapore) a year when Average Annual Wage is barely 10-20K. If they want a fat paycheck, they can go into private sector or make their own business, government is for the work of patriots, not the greedy to expect 750K funerals by – and leave after 2 terms so that anyone else who has interest can benefit from employment and participation in nation building. No cults of personality par excellence dictators please.
mini article ARTICLE 21.5
Transgender Student in Women’s Locker Room Raises Uproar – by Alyssa Newcomb | ABC News Blogs – Sat, Nov 3, 2012
The decision to allow a transgender 45-year-old college student who identifies as a woman but has male genitalia to use the women’s locker room has raised a fracas among parents and faith-based organizations, who say children as young as 6 years old use the locker room.
The locker room at Evergreen College in Olympia, Wash., is shared with the Capital High School swim club and a children’s swim academy, along with the students at Evergreen.
“The college has to follow state law,” Evergreen spokesman Jason Wettstein told ABC News affiliate KOMO. “The college cannot discriminate based on the basis of gender identity. Gender identity is one of the protected things in discrimination law in this state.”
But according to parents, the fact that the student has exposed her male genitalia, in one instance in the sauna, is cause for concern.
“[A mother] reported her daughter was upset because she observed a person at the women’s locker room naked and displaying male genitalia,” said a police report filed in September by a mother on behalf of her 17-year-old daughter.
The Alliance Defending Freedom, an Arizona-based religious liberties group, sent a letter to Evergreen College on Friday, warning it that the decision to allow the transgender student to continue using the locker room could put the school in jeopardy.
“The fact that this individual was sitting in plain view of young girls changing into their swimsuits puts you and Evergreen on notice of possible future harm,” David Hacker, senior legal counsel, wrote.
The college has installed privacy curtains, and said it would not change its policy for now.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Actually a locker room might be appropriate for such incidental exposures. Think mixed gender bath houses in Japan and grow up. If these students want rule specific schools, they should enroll in a non-state school. USA is about inclusiveness not privilege, or gender discrimination.
ARTICLE 22
Han Suyin, Chinese-born author of ‘A Many-Splendoured Thing,’ dies at 95 – by Alison Lake
-/AFP/GETTY IMAGES – A picture taken late June 1977 in Paris shows renowned Chinese-born British writer Han Suyin, who died on Nov. 2, 2012, at her home in Lausanne, Switzerland. She was 95.
Han Suyin, a prolific Eurasian author who generated controversy with her hagiographic view of China’s Cultural Revolution and who may be most remembered for her best-selling semi-autobiographical novel that inspired the Hollywood melodrama “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing,” died Nov. 2 at her home in Lausanne, Switzerland. She was 95.
Her death was confirmed by her daughter, Yung Mei Tang.
The China-born Han worked many years as a physician, but her writing provided her most enduring, complicated and provocative legacy. She published almost two dozen novels, nonfiction books and memoirs — and countless essays for mainstream newspapers and magazines — that were often set against the backdrop of historical and generational upheaval in Asia.
Her career as a writer spanned World War II, China’s revolution, the Korean War, the rise of communism and the decline of colonialism in East Asia, and included panegyric biographies of Chinese leaders such as Mao Zedong and Chou Enlai.
In her writing and frequent lecturing, most of which took place during the Cold War, Dr. Han cultivated an image of someone capable of unraveling and demystifying for Western audiences the political and social developments of the East.
At Beijing’s Yenching University in the mid-1930s, she studied alongside many who formed the first and second generations of China’s Communist Party leaders.
“Every year the school used to put on the ‘Messiah,’ and it’s very funny when I look at some of the people I know in China today, important Communist Party members, and to remember them sitting there in the choir with me singing the ‘Messiah’ is quite wonderful,” she told The Washington Post in 1982.
Many of her books drew heavily from her own dramatic biography. Several of her works, including “My House Has Two Doors” (1980), explored her upbringing and the pressures and conflicts of her half-Chinese and half-Belgian heritage. Her first book, “Destination Chungking” (1942), set against the Sino-Japanese war, was about her first marriage, to a general in the Chinese nationalist army who was killed in combat.
She became an international literary sensation with “A Many-Splendoured Thing,” published in 1952 when she was a widow raising a daughter and working at a Hong Kong clinic.
The book was based on her romance with Ian Morrison, a married war correspondent who in 1950 became one of the first journalists killed in the Korean War. The tale of forbidden love, likened by reviewers to “Romeo and Juliet,” was also politically topical, mixing revolution and romance with news making headlines in Hong Kong, China and Korea.
The 1955 film version, “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing,” featured two of the biggest stars in Hollywood, William Holden and Jennifer Jones. It also spawned an Oscar-winning, if maudlin, theme song by Sammy Fain and Paul Francis Webster. A daytime TV soap opera, based on the film, ran on CBS in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
“Han Suyin encompasses three generations of audiences in China,” Hailin Zhou, a professor at Villanova University’s Institute for Global Interdisciplinary Studies, wrote in an e-mail. “She was a writer at the crossroads of cultures, past and present; individual and nation; and different ideologies.”
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Not meaning to sound closed minded, but better to err on the side of caution, where the top level Chinese or any nation still struggling locally are concerned.
Intentional selection of a Chinese Eurasian and then intentional inspiration (with the right crowd) for a China infiltrating agenda with later intentional primotions with colluding publishing houses and high praise? Normalise Eurasians then eventually, as ‘Braveheart’s’ (Mel Gibson 1995) King Edward ‘Longshanks’ said, ‘breed them out’. JP Xi and the rest of the Politburo, better be careful, the next generation of Eurasian mix Chinese will marry Caucasians to become mostly Caucasian (who will keep the surnames but be genetically more and more Caucasian over time like those obviously white Native Ameri-Indians who run ‘Reservations’ and do business instead of lobby for Sovereignty) and finally allow the Vatican Catholic Church into China, and because politicians in China are not unknown to practise NEPOTISM, the whites will end up controlling China. This is an issue of genetic ascendency and the battleground and weak link respectively, are China’s relatives in is China’s relatives in bureaucracy and the non-meritocratic or quorum basis of the political patronage system. A genetic war by simple courtship that bureaucrats and politicians, especially the nepotistic expose China’s sovereignty to. 50% of posts at most can be held but when China is still a mess in the Western regions and barely 30 years into democracy, this sort of ‘outbreeding’ problem could be fatal if GENETIC WAR regulations are lax when China has barely revived Chinese culture on so many fronts. No need for WMDs, intrracial ‘love’ (at the top level;s at any rate) will destroy China . . .
ARTICLE 23
I’d nearly blown up Her Maj with a firework. She grinned: ‘Oh good, what fun’: The Maharani (Queen)’s party planner reveals the royals love nothing better than a nice disaster – by Angle Softi – PUBLISHED: 01:07 GMT, 10 November 2012 | UPDATED: 01:08 GMT, 10 November 2012
Major Babuji (Sir equivalent) Raj Sharma (retd) is a resolute patriot who advertises the fact by wearing orange white green and indigo at all times; which is why it’s a surprise to learn Babuji once almost set fire to the Maharani (Queen equivalent).
The story he tells involves the chain of beacons lit across the country to commemorate Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee in 1977: things started to go horribly wrong from the off.
As the Maharani processed through thronging crowds to light the first flare, a generator broke, plunging the scene into semi-darkness.
One is amused: The Maharani and Babuji Raj Sharma during celebrations for the Silver Jubilee in 1977
Next, as Her Majesty, primed for her role in the live televised spectacle, took the torch from a little boy, he suddenly burst into tears, upset by all the hoo-hah. Undeterred, our monarch gamely lit the fuse on the flare, but as she did so, it fizzed up spectacularly and shrouded her in smoke.
Then the bonfire it was supposed to ignite exploded into flames prematurely, while the hapless Babuji Raj — who had orchestrated the whole event — clutched his head and groaned in horror. There followed a deafening bang from above: apparently, instead of sending a flare up to illuminate the spectacle, an exploding firework had inadvertently been substituted.
‘What on earth was that?’ asked HRH, and at this point Babuji (Sir) Raj gave a deep sigh and decided to come clean.
‘I’m afraid, Ma’am, that it is all going terribly wrong,’ he confessed. But far from scowling at him, a smile of delight suffused the Maharani’s features and she declared: ‘Oh good, what fun!’
Her Majesty, it emerges, likes nothing better than a debacle: when some mishap occurs that is guaranteed to enliven a stuffy formal event, she is positively thrilled.
‘Oh yes, the Maharani is always amused by cock-ups,’ says 71-year-old Babuji Raj. ‘She has a fantastic sense of humour. She doesn’t miss a trick. If someone trips up or knocks into something, she always notices.’
This has been confirmed by her grandson Raja (Prince equivalent in India) Rakesh, who said of his royal grand-parents: ‘One of the things I know that over the years they’ve loved is when things go wrong —they absolutely adore it. They’re the first people to laugh. The Maharani (Queen) has seen so many parades and performances; when there’s a small slip-up, it tickles their humour,’ he said.
The patriotic royal showman: Raj Sharma wears, orange white green and indigo at all times
This observation from a top source helps to explain why the Maharani has conferred honours on Babuji Raj, who has produced a dazzling array of events in celebration of our Royal Family.
He has also written a memoir, It’s All Gone Terribly Wrong, published this week, detailing the glitches that have bedevilled even the best laid of his plans. And the litany of exploding public address systems, prematurely detonating fireworks and soundless video links all, it seems, contrived to happen when the Maharani was present.
Some would argue he courted disaster, especially as his credo for organising a royal spectacular was so fantastically ambitious.
‘Over 45 years, I’ve made myself a list of rules,’ he declares, before marshalling them briskly:
‘One: have a very big idea — then double it.
‘Two: if it’s easy to do it’s not worth doing.
‘Three: if you’re 100 per cent certain it’s going to work perfectly you’re probably not being ambitious enough. Make it more complicated immediately.
‘Four: if given more than one option, always choose the most difficult one.
‘Five: never treat “no” as an acceptable answer.
‘Six: try not to tell people what is supposed to happen. Then they will not know when it hasn’t.’
‘Seven: always stand as close to the principal guests as possible, so you’ll be the first in with your excuses when things go wrong.
‘Eight: make it fun for as many people as possible.’
Babuji Raj Sharma’s memoir details all the glitches that have plagued even the best laid of plans
In pursuit of these goals, Babuji Raj has organised — among many other extravaganzas — the Maharani (Queen)’s Golden Jubilee (she enjoyed the Silver enough to approve his plans for the next big anniversary), the Maharani Māṁ’s 90th and 100th birthday celebrations, and 27 years’ worth of Royal Tournaments which the Maharani (Queen) attended every year, invariably inducing a tumult of nervousness in the participants.
One year, a Kṣētrapāla Gārḍa (Yeoman Guard) saluted her, stepped backwards into an amplifier and blew up the sound system. The silence that fell over the stadium was profound; Babuji Raj glimpsed Her Majesty looking on in ‘quiet amusement’ as a new one was frantically fitted.
‘I noticed your intake of cigarettes went up considerably,’ she later observed, and Babuji Raj admitted the hitches always seemed to coincide with her visits. ‘Would you rather I didn’t come, then?’ she replied, beaming.
But, of course, she continued to attend until — almost — the last year the tournament was held, in 1999; but she declined to make a farewell visit, sending the Raja (Prince) ss Royal instead because she was ‘less emotional’.
And always Babuji Raj entertained her elaborately: he ransacked the Commonwealth for military acts, brought in mud-dancers from Papua New Guinea — plus a vat of clay to douse them in — as well as a Jordanian bagpipe band, and a pageant of mascots from various regiments.
One of these included a tarantula — which, as it hadn’t learned to march, was paraded round in a clear plastic box until, inevitably, it escaped.
Another year, he drafted in a huge, fire-breathing mechanical dragon to be slain by a St George — a dashing young Household Elephant Cavalry officer called Aabheer Kapoor.
Hewitt, who later achieved infamy as Raja Padma’s ‘love rat’, earned a stern reprimand from the usually genial Babuji Raj when, during one performance, he decided to shoot the English lion with a pistol instead of slaying it with a Maduvu (a form of lance).
‘The audience thought it was very funny,’ he observes drily, ‘but I did not.’ Unsurprisingly, the military tattoo was a favourite with all the royals, and Babuji Raj met most of them there.
He recalls Raja Raj of Awada passing out cold during a royal line-up: ‘She turned to me and said: “I’m going to faint,” and with that she put her arms round my shoulders and collapsed. It was not an inconsiderable burden,’ he records wryly.
Raja Raj, meanwhile, carried on as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
Ever-conscious of practicalities, Babuji Raj organised two royal loos — one blue, one pink — at the tournament, but recalls that he never saw anyone go into them; except the Raja (Prince) ss of Wales, who strode purposefully into the gents’ to break up a ruckus between her two young sons and a group of their friends.
‘They were having a massive punch-up,’ he recalls. ‘She threw them out one by one.’
Golden: Babuji Raj Sharma insisted that the Maharani ride in the Pavilion for the Golden Jubilee that he organised
He remembers, too, a poignant conversation between Raja Padma and the Maharani Māṁ when he sat down to tea with them in the Royal Box during an interval.
‘Diana lent forward and said: “Ma’am, we are so looking forward to your 100th birthday,” and Maharani Herṁaj replied: “No, you mustn’t say that, it’s unlucky. I might be run over by a big black cab!”’
In the end, as Babuji Raj sadly observes, ‘the big black cab came for Padma first, and far sooner than anybody could have dreamt’.
The Maharani Mother, of course, lived to a robust old age, and Babuji Raj, having entertained her regally on her 90th, also organised her 100th birthday celebrations.
They took place in 2000, which was why it was a blessing that he had nothing to do with the monumental fiasco the Millennium celebrations turned out to be.
From the outset, he deSarayued New Labour’s Malik Dutta, who, in his role as Minister for the Millennium, spurned Babuji Raj’s advice and experience, simpering that the Dome would be a ‘wonder of the world’.
‘It was,’ concludes Babuji Raj. ‘But not in a good way. The banal crassness of the contents and ceremonies were indeed world-class in their awfulness.’
Dislike: Babuji (Sir equivalent) Raj Sharma did not like Malik Dutta who spurned his advice
He then turns his vitriol on ‘the ghastly Blairs, swinging and bouncing up and down on Millennium Eve as though they’d had an underwear malfunction’.
‘All in all, a triumph of bureaucratic creativity and wasted opportunity,’ he harrumphs.
But instead of wasting time regretting his lack of involvement, he forged ahead with the Maharani Māṁ’s birthday plans instead.
He remembers reeling back home ‘sozzled’ from Dukhira House, where he’d been plied with stiff G&Ts during a briefing meeting.
It was his brave idea to invite the 300 or so civilian organisations that The Maharani Māṁ represented to join a march in her honour: he calls it the ‘organised chaos bit’ of the celebration.
‘I told them they could march, skip or dance past, as long as they kept up with their guardsmen guides. And you have to hope they’ll be fine, because you can’t rehearse amateurs. They just get worse if you try. So it’s a huge risk.
‘I used to get really frightened, but of course you can’t show it because fear is contagious. So you tell everyone: “You’re absolutely marvellous!” And on the day, you hope adrenaline will carry them through.’
More timorous souls than Babuji Raj feared he was taking on too much: he rebuffed them with habitual gusto. ‘Someone said: “You can’t have bulls in a parade,” [the Maharani Māṁ was for decades patron of the Amrithmahal Cattle Society] and I said: “Don’t be so dreary!”’ he cries.
It seems that anyone who raised objections to his more outrageous ideas was invariably classed as ‘dreary’ or ‘wet’, while anyone who successfully negotiated a near- disaster would be swiftly congratulated with a ‘large drink’.
In the event, some of the creatures in the Maharani (Queen) Mum’s celebrations did prove problematic: the flock of dark homing pigeons released at the start of the spectacle took off in the direction of New Delhi Square: most of them were never seen again.
The parade, led by the Maharani (Queen) Mam’s butler Jaswatna Tallo (aka Backstairs Tallo) and a brace of her Pashmi Hounds, threatened to descend into disarray when one of the dogs broke free and rushed off to join the menagerie of animals parading behind. Mercifully, Jaswatna retrieved him just in time. ‘Jaswatna managed to catch hold of the lead and do a sort of mixture of bow and curtsy to the Royal Box,’ says Babuji Raj.
The Maharani Mam was thrilled by the whole hoopla and sent a delightful letter, written in her own shaky hand, to Babuji Raj — it is reverentially displayed at his home — in which she said: ‘I loved seeing the very smart military contingents followed by an orderly rabble — it was all marvellous.’
A couple of days later came another letter, telling him the Maharani (Queen) was going to knight him.Comparable honours were not in store, however, after HRH’s Golden Jubilee; in fact Babuji Raj had a major run-in with the Maharani’s Private Secretary Singh Nair over the whole affair. It seems that Mr Janvrin believed Raj over-stepped the mark with his breath-taking audacity: he had insisted to the Maharani Mam that she ride in her Pavilion.
Overcoming the obstacles: After much persuasion from Babuji Raj Sharma, the Maharani made sure that she wore the appropriate outfit for her ride in the Pavilion for the Golden Jubilee
The episode was the stuff of pantomime. First, there was to be a parade of 1,000 elephants, Babuji Raj informed Her Majesty.
‘But you know nothing about elephants,’ she objected.
‘Ma’am, that’s exactly why I think I might be able to do all this. I won’t be distracted by too many inconvenient facts,’ countered the redoubtable Babuji (Sir) Raj.
Then he brought up the Pavilion idea.
‘I’m not going in the gold coach,’ declared the Maharani (Queen) firmly.
‘But you must!’ insisted Babuji (Sir) Raj.
‘Oh no, I’m not,’ replied HRH.
‘Why not?’ asked the impudent knight. Then, when it emerged that the Maharani (Queen) said she wouldn’t be wearing the right clothes for the occasion — she would be at Saint Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the morning and her dress would be unsuitable for the party in the afternoon — Babuji Raj had the temerity to suggest she should change.
‘She looked at me in a very old-fashioned way,’ he records.
‘The next morning, I got a very angry telephone call from Singh Nair, asking me what the hell I thought I was doing suggesting such a thing to the Maharani (Queen). He was furious and never forgave me,’ he recalls. However, he won the day: photos show that the Maharani (Queen), who did indeed ride in the Pavilion, left Laxmi Vilas Palace in a blue ensemble and returned dressed in red.
Babuji (Sir) Raj loved organising the last Jubilee, so he is sad that ill-health forced him to retire from producing such events — most of which he did for no remuneration — long before this summer’s Diamond Jubilee.
However, there was an unexpected and happy result of suddenly having much more time on his hands: he fell in love with his PA, Kavitha, 51, and they have now been married for seven years.
Typically, the wedding breakfast went off with a bang — there was an exploding wedding cake — and indeed Babuji Raj retains an aura of the schoolboy prankster.
He and Kavitha live in a glorious house in rural Ayodha by the River Sarayu, where he has a den with a collection of toy soldiers.
‘Ah, the Massed Bands of the Household Elephant Cavalry,’ he says. ‘Every one a faithful copy of the band that played at the last Royal Tournament, but the bloody bass drummer keeps keeling over.’
Dear Babuji Raj Sharma. It seems to sum up the story of his wonderful, glittering career: pomp, parades, spectacle; then the inevitable — and heartwarming — descent into hilarity and farce.
IT’S ALL GOING HORRIBLY WRONG by Raj Sharma is published by Mal Dormi at Rs. 20. To order a copy at Rs.16.99 (p&p free), contact the Indian Library. Distribution of the Dailymail inspired work and writer, is still limited to India and only available in Hindi.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Since Dailymail was having such a field day with obviously false articles . . . moi couldn’t resist responding. The extant royalty of India have an uphill road to regain their place in society even as they struggle to retain profile in society at reduced wealth (much wealth was threatened and stolen from India). Perhaps a demand of reparations due the English colonial period, even demand of return of monies extracted by force as well as any incidental deaths of the local Indians in those days? Relinquishing control does not repair damages caused by England. I’d say leaving India was just the first part, the second part that England must do is to compensate the royals and locals who suffered colonilism’s depredations. Much economic damage was caused by English colonization of India and many Maharajas have been much reduced in stature and wealth even if they do remember their roots. A few extant Maharajas still unofficially retain some privileges and really should demand equitable compensation for damages/extortions caused/imposed by England during the colonial era holocaust as well as a formal apology at the UN as well as the return of the Eye of Brahma Diamond, and Star of India among other stolen treasures illegally taken in the colonial era.
Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur, at the Jaipur Royal Palace . . . the Royal Devi family is considering requesting rights to occupy and use the Palace living quarters and have access to the Throne Room and also be representative Head of Jaipur State, in part of an Indian Cultural restoration project started by Indian Monarchists. The Jaipur Royal Palace is currently a museum.
Can Asia beat corruption? – by Tunku Abdul Aziz – 27 October 2012 | last updated at 10:30PM
SUPPORTING INSTITUTIONS: Countries like Malaysia are wrestling with graft on the national level, but have a better chance of reducing it substantially sooner
A bumper sticker on a taxi in Kuala Lumpur sends an anti-corruption message. The prime minister’s initiatives are a brave new approach to transparent and accountable governance.
Tunku Abdul Aziz on Oct 2,
I was invited to participate in a televised debate on corruption, organised by Channel News Asia as part of its Bridging Asia: The Singapore Debates. The motion before the house was “Can Asia Beat Corruption?”
Professor Mark Thompson, director, Southeast Asian Research Centre at the City University, Hong Kong, teamed up with prominent Singapore anti-corruption lawyer Wilson Ang to try and convince a critical studio audience that Asia could lick corruption, citing cases of countries once at the bottom of the Transparency International Perceptions Index and today showing signs of improvement.
They drew comfort from, and put great store by, the fact that nearly all Asian countries had introduced anti-corruption laws. But they forgot to mention that a million anti-corruption laws would amount to nothing without strong, effective enforcement.
In those countries, and to some extent in Malaysia, enforcement continued to be derisory. Laws are of course required for defining public service behaviour: they are essential for creating institutions, but of themselves, “as a deterrent to unethical public behaviour”, are largely ineffective.
Ann Florini, professor of Public Policy, School of Social Sciences, Singapore Management University and I were not persuaded that Asia could confront corruption decisively because, unlike Singapore or Hong Kong, there was no evidence of strong political will emerging any time soon in much of Asia.
Good governance was totally absent in seriously corrupt societies where best practices were more observed in the breach than the observance. In such countries, corruption would continue to run its course with little or no prospect of even reducing it marginally.
I said that in the case of Singapore, which was once a very corrupt colonial backwater, if at the time of independence the city state was run by a bunch of crooks instead of Lee Kuan Yew, the course of its history might have been quite different.
Countries in Asia that managed their affairs well and supported their institutions, the likes of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia, while still wrestling with corruption at the national level, apparently had a better chance of reducing corruption substantially over a shorter time frame.
Ann Florini and I won the debate against worthy opponents. The verdict was that as long as Asia continued to pay lip service to fighting corruption in their societies, it would invariably be regarded as a profitable, low-risk enterprise. Corruption would be in robust good health.
Electronic voting was employed by those in the studio as well as those watching at home. I must say they do these things extremely well in Singapore, as indeed we have come to expect. I believe it is the institutions in which they worked that made the difference. Strong institutions produce highly motivated and competent people.
I remain unabashed and unrepentant in my complete support of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s national transformation programmes as I see in his initiatives a brave new approach to transparent and accountable governance for Malaysia, and not a day too soon.
Over the years, we have, largely by default, allowed unprincipled governance to take on a life of its own, with predictable consequences. These comprehensive transformation programmes, covering a whole range of critical social, economic, legislative and governance issues, once implemented, will help ensure for Malaysia a place of honour at the top table, among the “clean” nations of the world. I am confident that as a result of these measures, we would be better armed and equipped to tackle the scourge of corruption head on.
I am happy that the Najib administration has shown great moral strength to resist the temptation of turning the national transformation programmes into a political slogan: they are far too important for the long-term future of our nation to be trivialised and used as a political play thing.
They are not about scoring a political point. They are about getting the country out of its slumber, out of the rut and bouncing back with clear and transparent policies that will grow the economy, unite our people and ensure peace and harmony for all Malaysians.
The government should not be distracted by the mountains of lies and innuendoes spun without a break by the opposition “axis of evil”, with apologies to the junior Bush. Najib must do whatever it takes legally to win big and win well to save the country from the clutches of unprincipled political adventurers, who, lacking experience, would be too risky a gamble to be allowed to govern this country.
Let me remind the Anwars and Guan Engs of this world that it is easier to destroy than to build. On that note, I wish my Muslim readers a blessed Aidiladha.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Well at least there is a critical view (3rd force inclined hopefully?) on the so-called Opposition in Malaysia. But for this part . . . I said that in the case of Singapore, which was once a very corrupt colonial backwater, if at the time of independence the city state was run by a bunch of crooks instead of Lee Kuan Yew, the course of its history might have been quite different . . . is quite nonsensical and propaganda inclined. Lee Kuan Yew has written MANY crook like laws into the Singaporean system.
Extreme salaries worldwide second only to corruption ridden Kenya says alot about Singapore. There is no justification of such extreme salaries, that and many other things often covered up that make Singapore a very corrupt NEO-COLONIAL ‘military base’, that has ** INSTITUTIONALIZED CORRUPTION written into law**.
I think Tunku should hand over his (non-existent) degree in politics to moi (also non-existent degree), simply for not being honestly academic as an academic should be, in a preferably academic article, or simply because Tunku can’t think straight being so afflicted or colluding on the Lee Junta ethos. Honesty please dear Tunku! Friendship does not mean 99.999% of the citizens should suffer so 2 people feel good about themselves! Not at our expense!
Strategic location makes Singapore a military base that foreign powers pretend to pour money into for a sense of normalcy. Apart from unique culture and unique goods local to the region, there is no reason to travel or even trade at all. Port of call issues are no longer viable either due to long range ships etc.. This is one occasion where otherwise useful associations and the myopia of life long friendships end up hampering the truth of the matter. See below link for some unpleasant Singaporean reality that a Beloved Leader junta of a nepotistic and term limitless political careerist family or a privileged member of Royalty can never relate to.
ARTICLE 2
Singapore experiencing a golden age? Let’s not kid ourselves — Romesh Navaratnarajah – October 27, 2012
OCT 27 — Is Singapore really experiencing its golden age, or are we missing a part of the plot?
In a recent commentary, Straits Times Editor Sumiko Tan described what she called ‘Singapore’s Golden Age’, with references to Singapore’s impressive skyline, boasting an array of new developments like Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Flyer, just to name a few.
Citing statistics and surveys, Tan implied that the city-state must be doing something right and is attracting many foreigners to come and work here.
She further stated: “Property is a national preoccupation, but it’s not whether you can afford a roof over your head that Singaporeans fret about. It’s whether or not to get a second property to invest in.”
Sorry Sumiko, but I beg to differ as there are undoubtedly a growing number of Singaporeans who are struggling to buy a decent home for themselves or for their families, let alone purchase a second property.
There was even a recent article which first appeared in The New Paper highlighting how cash-over-valuations (COVs) for resale HDB flats are high, making it more difficult for buyers to acquire units. The report quoted B. Wong, an operations manager, who said that he and his wife would not have been able to pay the S$60,000 (RM150,000) COV for their 11th-storey four-room flat in Punggol had they not sold their previous unit.
Moreover, property prices rose to record levels last quarter amid low interest rates, prompting the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to implement new home loan regulations to prevent a property price bubble.
Private home prices rose 0.5 per cent to a new high in Q3 this year. As for the public housing market, Singapore recently saw its first S$1 million HDB resale flat transaction.
So it is unlikely that the majority of Singaporeans are indeed preoccupied with acquiring more investment properties, especially with the many netizens regularly grumbling about sky-high housing prices.
I don’t argue with the fact that Singapore has seen astounding progress over the last few decades, but it might be time to also accept that not all that glitters is gold. — TR Emeritus
* Romesh Navaratnarajah is the Senior Editor at PropertyGuru.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
300 stage peaceful protest against condo project in Batu Caves – Friday, October 26, 2012 – 19:27
ABOUT 300 people staged a peaceful protest in front of the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple here today against the proposed construction of two blocks of 29-storey condominiums close to the Batu Caves limestone outcrop near here.
They gathered at about 10 am, carrying placards with slogans, one of which called read: “Stop the construction and save the Batu Caves natural heritage and the world-renowned religious shrine”.
Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevasthanam chairman Datuk R. Nadarajah said the development of the two blocks of 29-storey condominiums would also lead to the destruction of the world’s tallest Lord Murugan statue situated less than 300 metres from the proposed development.
“The construction would endanger the lives of the devotees and tourists from around the world due to the (possibility of) falling objects as a result of the massive development in the vicinity of the temple,” he told a news conference, here.
“The project must be stopped permanently, not temporarily, and we urge the (Selangor) government to consider our plight,” he said.
Former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the high-rise construction should be stopped because it could have great adverse impact on the eco-system of the limestone hills there.
“We are not asking for money or land, we are asking to stop the construction permanently because it will also affect many species of animals and plants,” said Samy Vellu, who is Malaysia’s Special Envoy for Infrastructure to India and South Asia.
Malaysian Nature Society secretary Lim Teck Wyn claimed that it was unsafe to locate the proposed development close to Batu Caves.
He recalled an incident of Oct 19, 1973, when a massive piece of rock sheared off the cliff face of Gunung Cheroh in Ipoh and landed on the village of Kampung Kacang Putih, killing 42 people.
Following that tragedy, the Minerals and Geoscience Department (MGD) came up with guidelines for development next to limestone hills.
The Batu Caves cliff face next to the proposed blocks of condominiums has discontinuities and overhangs, which means that the MGD criteria for a very high hazard rating is met.
“The zone surrounding the base of the hill is thus considered to be a very dangerous zone where there should be no houses or permanent buildings,” said Lim. – Bernama
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Hi density areas weaken spiritual energy due to lots of living beings taking the areas Qi or Prana. Also tall buildings block line of sight as well as cause further blockage spiritual energy of having people in the way.
ARTICLE 4
Soi Lek disagrees with Umno ally over hudud – by Ida Lim – October 28, 2012
KUALAL LUMPUR, Oct 28 — Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has openly disagreed with his Umno colleague in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) that introducing hudud, the strict Islamic penal code, here will not impact non-Muslims, adding to the protracted debate over religious rights in multicultural Malaysia.
“Maybe he did not do his homework. I am disappointed with what he said,” the MCA president was reported as saying today by English-language paper The Sunday Star.
Dr Chua was referring to Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who had earlier this week said hudud could only apply to Muslims as they come under the jurisdiction of the Syariah courts.
Dr Chua said he was disappointed with Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom’s statement. — File pic
“Therefore, hudud law will not impact non-Muslims,” Jamil Khir, the minister for Islamic affairs, told Parliament in a written reply.
He had based his reply on the Federal Constitution, where Islamic law falls under the jurisdiction of each state and is only applicable to Muslims.
“Therefore, if hudud is to be implemented in Malaysia, then the Syariah Court would only have jurisdiction over those who practise Islam in accordance with the Federal Constitution,” Jamil Khir had said.
Malaysia’s dual-track court system has resulted in an blurring of lines in an increasing number of legal disputes between Muslims and non-Muslims over their constitutional rights.
Dr Chua had last week said many Chinese voters are “also aware that the DAP has been lying when it said that hudud will not affect the non-Muslims”.
MCA has been using the hudud issue to warn non-Muslims, especially the Chinese community, away from voting for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in the coming polls, insisting that the pact’s “dominant” partner PAS would insist on its implementation despite its ties with secular DAP and PKR.
Hudud has remained a sensitive touch point in Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy, which has a 60 per cent Muslim population, with political parties continuing to spar over the subject in the run-up to the 13th general election.
The idea of an Islamic criminal code has been used to either scare the minority Chinese voters, or shore up support among the majority Malay-Muslim community.
The Malay community is seen today as split three-ways among the ruling BN’s mainstay and the country’s biggest Malay party, Umno, the opposition’s Islamist PAS, and PKR, which is seen as an urban liberal party.
MCA had also previously warned that Muslim MPs would unite to amend the Federal Constitution in favour of hudud and the Islamic state if PR takes over, but DAP’s Lim Kit Siang had dismissed it as a “lie” to stop the Chinese community from voting for the opposition.
Lim had said that there were only 130 Muslim MPs in the country, while 148 MPs are needed to make up the two-thirds majority for a constitutional amendment.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
PAS would not be the dominant member IF all more than 2 term candidates are dropped, and all more than 2 term candidates vacate their posts and all phenotypically similar sycophants would-be and ‘Phenotypical Nepotists’ as well. Thats about 50% of the Pakatan Coalition required to drop out of the race.
To ensure seperation of powers and distribution of power, to prevent vested interest, an MP must not also be on the committee, or Supreme Council (that should be ex-MPs instead), on top of disallowing family blocs in the MP posts or within the committee or Supreme council. That way cults of personality Gaddafi or Mubarak or Ali Salleh style do not form, that end up biasing the political parties intentions, and affecting the nation’s policies. Consider that after various junior posts in the committee, a member would have spent possibly 5-10 years.
Then a 2 term MP or Assemblyman stint possibly 8 years, then finally a Supreme Council post for 2 terms another 8 years. Thats also a grand total of 26 years which is more than enough for any person. So think when a MP post could have seen 8 MPs over the same period of time, how inappropriate that only 1 member among a political party of MILLIONS got to be MP. How is that fair? This is how dictatorship is like in many 3rd world countries, and if the trend is uncontrolled, we end up with an Egypt, a Libya and a Tunisia in the end where revolution is needed to overthrow power mad people in power too long.
The current or would be politician’s intent to the people can be seen in how long they have been in power (long in power but unable to think cleverly enough to destroy racism or fundamentalism or encourage corruption seems to typify most Malaysian politicians btw), or how they consider the above facts and best practices for political parties, so voters take a closer look at the party of your choice and if all intents of candidates or incumbents are bad, run for candidacy yourselves instead! It’s your country too, and that MP’s seat is for EVERYONE, not just those who refuse to amend laws and demand special funeral funds at tax payer cost and enable Astro type monopolies, no-insurance opt outs, extreme fines for minor offences and corrupt and opaque procurement contracts!
Vote 3rd Force and drop all term limitless nepotists and crony capitalist/fundo colluders like DAP or racists like BN!
Proposed 3rd Force Coalition
ARTICLE 5
GE-13: Manifestos to decide BATTLE OF THE TITANS – Sunday, 28 October 2012 10:14
KUALA LUMPUR, — Manifestos are part and parcel of any general election. They also play a vital role in determining the success or defeat of an electoral candidate or a political party.
The word ‘manifesto’ is being bandied about increasingly in the media and in conversations among the people in the run-up to the 13th General Election, particularly with regard to promises made by political parties prior to the last general election and as to whether they have been delivered or not.
So, what is a manifesto, actually? The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate”.
Che Hamdan Che Mohd Razali, political science lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Dungun, Terengganu, is of the opinion that a good manifesto is one that can inspire the desire among voters to choose a political party or candidate to represent them.
“Of course, the candidate plays an important role but the voters also want to know what is the manifesto or declaration being offered by the party,” he told Bernama.
And to what extent do all voters remember the declarations or promises made prior to a general election?
In a 2009 study of a group of people aged between 21 and 40, it was found that most respondents had forgotten what was offered to them during the 2008 general election campaign, said Che Hamdan.
“At that time (the general election campaign), voters were excited by what was offered in the manifestos of political parties. But after some time, they forgot the points and only recalled them after certain related issues were raised nearer the general election date,” he said.
Deciding factor
Speaking of the next general election, Che Hamdan, who is also a political analyst, said that apart from the contesting candidates, the offer of an attractive manifesto would be among the deciding factors to determine the success or defeat of a party.
“Informing people of what has been implemented is actually very effective. They’ll then know what has and has not been done.
“I feel that the Barisan Nasional (BN) should increase the dissemination of information on what it has implemented,” he said referring to the “Jelajah Janji Ditepati” (‘Promises Fulfilled’ Tour) which provided a platform for people to obtain the latest update on the government’s efforts to help them.
Lecturer Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussein of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Social Science Studies Centre, said a manifesto means a declaration or promise which must be presented at any general election.
“Based on political science, there are several elements in a general election, such as campaigns and manifestos. And a manifesto is the main element in any general election,” he said.
The manifesto has a very strong influence in determining the continuity of a party or individual, he added.
A manifesto which fulfills the needs of the people in a particular locality would generally influence the voting pattern,’ he said.
“For example, at the 2008 general election, the opposition had a manifesto which attracted the attention of the people and this allowed them to win in several states,” he said.
However, many of their promises remain unfulfilled, to the point that people were willing to take them to court, he said.
The Parti Keadilan Rakyat-led Selangor government was now facing several legal suits brought by consumers over the water subsidy which was promised in the party’s 12th general election manifesto, he said.
Ahmad Atory said voters would also evaluate the ability of a representative to deliver on promises, through the manifesto.
— BERNAMA
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
So, what is a manifesto, actually? The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate”. 90% failed manifesto by DAP renders DAP unvotable, being voted in on a failed manifesto of unkept words, cheating the voters. Vote 3rd Force!
ARTICLE 6
Karpal: Put party before self – by SIRA HABIBU – Monday October 29, 2012 sira@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: DAP chairman Karpal Singh has hit back at his fellow leaders who thought his “one candidate, one seat” proposal should be an internal party matter.
On the contrary, he said DAP could not risk the rakyat having leaders playing multiple roles as assemblyman, MP and executive councillors.
“We must put the interest of the country and the party before self,” Karpal said.
In the 1970s, Karpal said DAP leaders had to contest multiple seats because it did not have enough candidates of calibre.
“In the 1990s, party strongmen had to contest tough seats and give up safe seats for new or weaker candidates as our strategy was to win as many seats as possible to wrest control of Penang,” he pointed out.
“Now, we must accommodate quite a number of professionals who have joined Pakatan Rakyat,” he said, adding that DAP should also be sensitive to the people’s views on the multiple seats issue.
Karpal was responding to talk that some leaders were against the “one candidate, one seat” policy as they would lose the multiple incomes that could exceed RM40,000 a month.
In Selangor, an assemblyman’s pay is about RM11,700, inclusive of allowances, while that of an executive councillor is about RM25,000 (inclusive of state assembly pay). An MP earns about RM15,000 a month.
National organising secretary Teresa Kok, who is an MP, assemblyman and an executive councillor in Selangor, had described Karpal’s call as an “old story”.
Kok said that the party’s central executive committee had already discussed the issue and that the final decision depended on each and every constituency and state.
Selangor Speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim had said that it was not wise to air the matter via the media as “it would create unnecessary dispute and problem”.
On Friday, Karpal had urged DAP leaders holding both parliamentary and state seats to publicly express their willingness to give up one.
Besides exceptional figures in Penang and Sarawak, all others should be willing to vie for only a single constituency, he said.
“We secured great victory in the last general election because of political tsunami but we do not expect such tsunami in the coming polls. It’s going to be tough as the public will assess the candidates based on their abilities,” he said, adding that the party should change its strategy accordingly.
Karpal also stressed that his intention was sincere, adding that there was no “sinister motive” and that even party grassroots supported the “single seat” policy.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Few people even decades into any industry earn as much. These salaries are more than 10 times average annual wage and excessive by normal standards. Then consider the term limitless and nepotism issue. Does the Rayat want to support these people for unlimited terms? 2 terms at most then vote for someone else but not that person’s relatives! Term limitless and nepotistic political careerists begats Minister Mentors and Senior Ministers, that turn into Gaddafis, Mubaraks and Ali Sallehs.
At 23K a month (or 4 million in Singapore’s case), MPs won’t need to work anymore after 2 terms or even 1 term if thrifty, so please voters, do give another one of your fellow constituents a chance to enjoy a salary windfall and allow seperation of powers as well – if the salaries are lowered to national annual wage levels, then fully expect only the wealthier and not greedy political careerists to join up in politics. In either case TERM LIMITS ensures distribution of political power to ALL constituents, not just Supremo and nepotistic family members or cliques which is what DAP has sunk to now – another PAP, and likely indulging in NEUROTECH techno-fascism that can be used to ensure people have no inclination to challenge bad laws that they do not want to change or even bad laws being introduced all the time)
ARTICLE 7
Masing’s swipe at Taib? – SPECIAL REPORTS – Monday, 29 October 2012 Super Admin
Parti Rakyat Sarawak has declared itself the “true custodian” of Dayaks in Sarawak, putting a spoke perhaps in Taib’s divide and rule strategy.
Parliamentary election’s is not Taib’s top priority, but state is. Rumours are rife that he’s had a finger in the chaos within SUPP, SPDP and PRS. A divided state coalition allows him to have better control of his ‘partners’ and an increasingly empowered native community courtesy of the opposition.
Free Malaysia Today
SIBU: Was Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president James Masing sending out a message to Chief Minister Taib Mahmud with his speech during the party’s eight anniversary dinner here last Saturday?
Masing’s emphasis on PRS being a “truly Dayak party” and that its elected representatives were “all Dayaks” wasn’t just a frivolous statement. It was tactical.
It comes at a time of the rapid ‘Dayak awakening’ amongst the rural native communities courtesy of the alternative media, Radio Free Sarawak and a brazen opposition.
Fueling this ‘awakening’ is the floundering Barisan Nasional partners – Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Sarawak United Peoples party (SUPP) – who can’t seem to get their act together.
The only ‘water-tight’ party appears to be PRS and Taib’s PBB which incidentally is facing simmering discontent within its Bumiputera wing led by the allegedly much spineless Alfred Jabu Numpang.
The next parliamentary election which must be held by April 2013 will be a challenging one for Sarawak BN’s component parties.
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is desperately in need of Sarawak’s 31 seats in view of the fluid political situation in Sabah and in the peninsular.
In the last parliamentary elections in 2008, it was Sabah and Sarawak’s collective 56 seats that helped BN retain Putrajaya. Sabah and Sarawak each lost one seat to the opposition, delivering 54 seats to the federal coalition.
But the current scenario is somewhat different. The latest spin from the ground in Sabah is that the Musa Aman-led BN could lose up to 10 if not 12 of the 25 contestable parliamentary seats.
In Sarawak the seat sharing ratio stands at PPB (14), SUPP (seven) PRS (six) SPDP (4)
As it stands, speculations are rife that BN could lose up to seven seats from amongst SUPP, SPDP and PRS.
Taib, on his part, has guaranteed Najib a return on all 14 of PBB’s parliamentary seats and there’s no reason for the PM to doubt his ability especially after his performance in the last state election. Taib is not too concerned about parliament.
PRS truly represents Dayaks
Parliamentary election’s is not Taib’s top priority, but state is. Rumours are rife that he’s had a finger in the chaos within SUPP, SPDP and PRS. A divided state coalition allows him to have better control of his ‘partners’ and an increasingly empowered native community courtesy of the opposition.
Masing is said to be a thorn in Taib’s side. In the run-up to last year’s state election, Masing, unhappy with Taib constantly ignoring his proposals, met directly with Najib and in one instant managed to thwart attempts to allow an ex-PRS incumbent elected representative, Larry Sng, from contesting.
On Saturday, stamping PRS’ sway over Sarawak’s majority Dayak community, Masing said the party was the “custodian” of Dayak interest and that its elected representatives were “duty bound” to protect the race.
“For all intents and purposes, PRS is the party which truly represents rural constituencies where most of the Dayaks happen to reside.
“Therefore, we do not apologise for who we are and the basis of our political stand and struggles,” he said alluding perhaps to the known ‘issues’ between him and Taib.
Masing further warned members to be wary of “attempts” to stir discontent within the party adding that enemies and approaches came in different forms.
“There are people who are envious of our strength and will try to de-stabilise us. They maybe individuals or groups.
“They will (either) contest against us when the general election is called (or) slyly fight us by pretending to our friends or friends of the group and pull us down.
“The other way is to de-stabilise us is by picking on some of our members who exhibit certain weaknesses. This will be a subtle approach and by people who we are familiar with. Thus without realizing it, we will fall into a trap which will eventually break the party’s solidarity,” said Masing.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Pakatan is the custodian of nepotism and term limitless as well as continuation of apartheid. The Dayaks do not need a ‘custodian’, custodianship implies a lack of mental capacity. Do the Dayaks see what an insult Pakatan has offered up to them? The Dayaks will demand equal representation and full 100% disbursement of profits from East Malaysia as well as return of all stolen lands – not this so-called ‘custodianship’. Dayaks in fact could secede and demand a seat at the UN instead of ‘custodianship’. Wake up Dayaks, simply because when someone pretends to talk to you like an adult, that does not mean they respect you or will grant you rights as an equal or allow you the autonomy of an adult – thats like an ADULT ‘pet animal’ being trapped in that cage forever EVEN when adult when their natural preference is to roam the world or set up their own habitates without bars and feeding times or what not . . .
, the Dayaks need to think clearly and fight back against condescension – the contents of the words are those for a child, or in this case mentally inept! Demand equality or leave the Malaysian Federation to form your own nation with a seat at the UN if either caolition BN or PR does not promise via statuary declaration to grant :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
;as well as return ALL stolen and illegally occupied lands as well as 100% disbursement right to ALL wealth from East Malaysia as well as 1st class citizenships. Perhaps after the stupid and shameless or selfish Chinese Malaysian voters and politicians see this action by the Orang Asli will APARTHEID of BUMIPUTERA end.
ARTICLE 8
Errant house owners, beware! – Kong See Hoh – newsdesk@thesundaily.com – Posted on 28 October 2012 – 09:11pm – Last updated on 29 October 2012 – 10:22am
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 28, 2012): Once the Strata Management Bill 2012 is enacted, the management of a gated community can apply for a court order to seize and auction the property of a delinquent house owner to offset management fee owed.
Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Chor Chee Heung told Sin Chew Daily in an interview published today that this is because house owners were fully aware when they purchased their property that they had to pay monthly management fee for security service rendered.
This rule also applies to gated apartments and condominiums.
The Strata Management Act 2012 (SMA) is to replace the Building and Common Property Act 2007.
Chor said in fact the Building and Common Property Act 2007 empowers the management of a gated community to take the aforesaid action against delinquent property owners, but many people are not aware of this as it is not clearly defined in the act.
He said he had spent a lot of time and talked to not less than 20 related organisations on this matter to come up with the new act
(SMA).
However, he said, the government cannot do anything if house owners in guarded communities refuse to pay for guards hired to watch over and patrol their areas, as it is not stated in the owners’ sale-and-purchase agreement.
Chor also said that under the SMA, residents of a housing area need only obtain the consent of 51% of the residents to set up a guarded community, compared with 80% under the present law.
“Residents who hire guards to beef up security in a housing estate do it on their free will and out of their own pockets. If the other 49% of the residents believe the housing area is safe, and that they need not pay for additional security, they cannot be forced to do so,” said Chor.
He pointed out that roads within a gated community are private property, and therefore residents within the community have the right to deny access to non-residents.
“On the other hand, roads within a guarded community are public property. The security guards have no right to deny non-residents access to the area.”
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
This is idiotic and democracy destroying. Beware? Which MPs ratified the act? Which people drafted the act? These 20 organisations who proposed or back these abusive laws are a plague upon the ‘conscientious objectors’ of the gated community! Just because some people want guards does not mean others should pay and backed by government as well! The man’s home is their castle but a group of men with castles unless intending to be thugs or warlords cannot STEAL already paid for ownership because others living around them intend to force them to pay for extraneous services that they do not want. The Housing Minister in fact should act to disallow such laws not implement and announce the same.
This empowers the management of the gated community, or even the Resident’s Committee to unprecedented levels in society, into that of local gangsters, and actual gangsters do not even have power to sell off people’s property! This is like Japan selling China’s Diaoyu Islands! Who paid for the unit? The management, so-called Resident’s Committee or the owner? If the mob mentality of the rest of the residents and colluders want the security, that’s their business and they cannot be penalized for living in the area. Those who do not want to be controlled by the doubtless political party backed so-called managment of gated communities however have every right to refuse to pay. This is blatant legalist bullying legalized gangsterism almost, and cannot be allowed, a feudal mentality of anything. Taking away people’s homes simply for refusing to pay for guards is UN unendorsable in law. Absolutely uncivilised and uneducated. No lawyers on this as usual eh? Bunch of legal lap-dogs that UN has somehow seen fit to award . . .
United Nations should be kicked off US soil: US congressman
The Rakyat had better understand the ramifications of such a law that allows a mere management company or group of mob minded residents to sell property that does not belong to them! Vote out the MPs who began this disaster against democracy! The incidental beneficiary of guards cannot legally be beholden to relinquish 100s of 1000s even millions worth properties because the laws make no sense o r are written with collusion in mind. Vote for 3rd force!
This is also another reason why hi-rise and now gated community units are a serious problem especially with law makers like these. The grey area autonomy issues in common spaces end up being abused in this manner which would doubtless be employed against political opponents of any politicians who are inclined to bing term limitless (meaning ganglord type satrapies withuot term limits), and amounts to protection rackets! So for example a handful of people try to pull a fast one in collusion with as many as possible that they want ‘guards’ (doubtless relatives or cronies with aging parents in the security field) and effectively force everyone else to pay up or their unit will be sold off (by all common sense considerations this is unconstitutional) . . . THEN consider if ethnicity is brought into consideration as well! Structural abuse of civilian rights backed by bad laws!
One can imagine the destruction of the sense of nation further and worsening of management gangs or property developers with this sort of mentality (identify which property developers or land bank owners that write up or assent to such abusive powers and you will identify the 1% in Malaysia that will never allow Allodial Titles and keep raising quit rents and maintenance fees AND NOW with new abusive powers to take away entire life savings worth of properties that the courts also back – all for not paying guards that are their cronies and aging relatives?! Wake up voters! Vote for 3rd Force! Kongsi Ho? More like Boho!
ARTICLE 9
Penalise kratom abuse under Dangerous Drugs Act: Pengasih – Posted on 28 October 2012 – 02:28pm
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 28, 2012): Drug rehabilitation organisation Pengasih Malaysia today urged the attorney-general to penalise the abuse of kratom (ketum) leaves under the Dangerous Drugs Act instead of the Poisons Act, and also to regard glue-sniffing under the former law as well.
Pengasih president Datuk Mohd Yunus Pathi said this was necessary to check the abuse of kratom leaves, which were addictive, especially if mixed with certain items.
He said a study by Pengasih found that some adults in their 40s consumed a kratom extract mixed with coffee or other drinks to boost their energy.
“Taking a kratom drink on a regular basis will have an adverse effect on the health of the consumer,” he told reporters at Rumah Pengasih, here.
Mohd Yunus also regarded the sniffing of glue as a serious problem.
“There is no specific law on sniffing glue, although the practice can cause brain damage and lead to crime and social ills,” he said.
He proposed that the aftercare programme for former drug addicts be reviewed as certain aspects were seen as obstacles for them to lead a normal life. – Bernama
Ridiculous and condescending. Coffee, Sugar and Milk can also be abused. Try over drinking too much of these everyday drinks/condiments and possibly become very ill. Kratom is also liable to be abused in the same manner or could be taken in moderation as well. ‘. ‘God’ gave man the right to the world and the food and plants on the world. Government is but a group of men. Which group of men have a a right to tell another group what they can or cannot do? Where are those Organics Psychedelics Zones for much like the ones in Amsterdam? Illegal and rare makes for high profit and high fines . . . for victimless crimes? Undemocratic.
Malaysia’s Coca Leaf
ARTICLE 10
Karpal: DAP reps should only contest one seat in GE – by Edmund Lee – newsdesk@thesundaily.com – Posted on 26 October 2012 – 04:26pm
GEORGE TOWN (Oct 26, 2012) : Veteran lawmaker Karpal Singh has called on party representatives who hold both parliamentary and state seats to declare that they will only contest one seat in the next general election.
He said that during one of the party’s central executive committee (CEC) meetings, the committee had agreed by consensus that a candidate should only hold two seats in “exceptional” cases.
” I had suggested that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should be considered an exception, ” he said at a press conference in Farlim market earlier today.
Karpal said that at present the party has nine representatives holding two seats – three in Penang, two in Perak, one each in Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Kuching and Sibu.
The three who are holding two seats in Penang are Lim, state DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow and Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy.
Lim is currently Bagan MP and Air Putih assemblyman, Chow is Tanjong MP and Padang Kota assemblyman while Ramasamy is the Batu Kawan MP and Prai assemblyman.
Karpal, who is also DAP national chairman said it was up to the CEC to decide which seat the candidate should give up.
He added that there should not be any difficulties in surrendering seats as the DAP was no longer short of candidates.
Chow was recently quoted as saying that the party would allow its candidates to concurrently contest two seats if the situation calls for it.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
After a slew of DAP failures and 90% failed campaign promises as well as a scores of abusive run ins with the local traders and residents over refusals to amend laws, 1 SINGLE move towards best practices in democracy (outweighed by dozens of worst practices) will not make a difference to the voters aware of the undemocratic rubbish DAP now is. Karpal being such a veteran politician should know that this single action cannot change the minds of the educated voters at all because democracy is only for DAP members and no other Rakyat at all. DAP is such a hateful political party, term limitless and nepotistic to boot! Again I post what the voters need to know :
REPOSTED WARNING ABOUT NEPOTISM : Please note the Oligarchs in Pakatan as listed below :
NEPOTISM IN PAKATAN RAKYAT Three of the family blocs below must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :
Two of the below must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :
Karpal Singh (MP Jelutong – Penang)
Gobind Singh (MP Puchong – Selangor) Karpal’s son
Jagdeep Singh (Asssemblyman Dato Keramat – Penang) Karpal’s son
Two of the below must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :
Anwar Ibrahim (MP Permatang Pauh, Seberang Prai)
Wan Azizah
Nurul Izzah Anwar(MP Lembah Pantai – Kuala Lumpur)
Anwar’s Daughter Also either Ngeh (Pantai Remis) or Nga (Sitiawan) must go to prevent 2nd degree nepotism and the kind of environment that caused DAP’s Kulasegaran, PKR’s Gobalakrishnan, to be kicked out possibly an act of racism but more likely at the order of the Lim Dynasty clique. BN of course we do not need to discuss, blocs of relatives galore.
Nepotism: Umno controlled by 3 families. – by Patric McClean
MCA, MIC, Gerakan are also littered with nepotism – political parties are not family clan associations (family clan associations being unpopular enough already due to the same politicking as well whu=ich drives same named families away from the same structures . . . ).
For even stronger consideration, I also list seats that HRP demands :
1. Padang Serai (Incumbent: PKR – N Gobalakrishnan)
2. Batu Kawan (DAP – Ramasamy)
3. Sungei Siput (PSM – Dr D Jeyakumar)
4. Ipoh Barat (DAP – N Kulasegaran)
5. Bagan Datoh (BN – Ahmad Zahid Hamidi)
6. Cameron Highlands (BN – SK Devamany)
7. Hulu Selangor (BN – P Kamalanathan)
8. Kuala Selangor (PAS – Dzulkefy Ahmad)
9. Klang (DAP – Charles Santiago)
10. Kota Raja (PAS – Siti Mariah Mahmud)
11. Rasah (DAP – Anthony Loke)
12. Teluk Kemang (PKR – Kamarul Baharin Abbas)
13. Alor Gajah (BN – Fong Chan Onn)
14. Tebrau (BN – Teng Boon Soon)
15. Lembah Pantai (PKR – Nurul Izzah Anwar)
HRP might very well be aware of some things we are not aware of to list some surprising choices as well, do not discount their reasons. PSM’s Jeyakumar appears to have been bought by BN though, so their viability is uncertain until PSM’s clique leadership changes. I have done some probing and casual calls to PSM, they are not very grassroots and quite a clique based outfit very suspicious of outsiders.
DAP of course (also tried earlier) is far worse and absolutely TREACHEROUS and clique based and beholden to SINGAPORE’s PAP. I would not be surprised if the nepotists in DAP are rounded up a 2nd time, for collusions with Singapore to subvert Malaysian Federal authority instead amongst other things like ‘neurotech abuse’.
Everyone else, should meanwhile stand as independents in any constituency with bad assemblymen or MPs or people who do not endorse term limits and asset declarations. Here’s something that will help voters decide if candidacy is not their thing or too expensive :
Barisan – Apartheid, Corrupt and Nepotistic-Oligarchs
Pakatan – Corrupt and Nepotistic-Oligarchs (excepting PAS)
3rd Force – Corrupt Only
Independents – any citizen can be an independent, think you are not a plutocrat (worth less than 20 million), will respect term limits and not write 750K/120K funeral laws in favour of yourself? Not racist? Then run for election! The world needs you! Here’s something that will help voters decide if candidacy is not their thing or too expensive : Pick the coalition with the least flaws.
BN = 90% Apartheid, 90% Nepotism, 90% Corrupt
PR = 50% Nepotism, 50% Corrupt
3rd Force = 0% Nepotism, 0% Corruption
Pick the coalition with the least flaws. End the APARTHEID ! Destroy the Oligarchs in all political coalitions ! 3rd Force is best. Beware voters, as mentioned many times before, it could be critical that Selangor and Penang MUST be controlled by neutral parties neither BN nor PR dominated, and East Malaysia controlled by local East Malaysian political parties ONLY (not Peninsular Coalitions like BN or PR), with the remainded left for Pakatan Rakyat, OTHERWISE Pakatan Rakyat with its burgeoning nepotists and oligarchs will become a second BN. Vote 3rd Force!
ARTICLE 11
Berjaya Land plans RM9.92bil casino and mall on Jeju Island – by TEE LIN SAY – linsay@thestar.com.my | Nov 2, 2012Ng: Jeju Resort will create some 4,000 jobsJEJU ISLAND: Berjaya Land Bhd’s (BLand) US$3.2bil (RM9.92bil) Berjaya Jeju Resort will feature the biggest casino and shopping mall in South Korea, along with condominiums, villas, hotels and a landmark building once it is completed.The first phase to be launched will be its 51 villas and 96 “market walk” units with a gross development value of US$250mil, with prices starting from US$1,000 (RM3,300) per sq ft.BLand chief executive officer Datuk Francis Ng is confident of generating 25% return from Phase 1 alone.“In South Korea, we can only start selling the units once we have done 20% of construction works. We should be able to start selling in three to four months. However, our pre-marketing is already starting,” he said.Ng said this at the opening ceremony of BLand’s property gallery here.He added that for the moment, Phase 1 would be fully funded by internal funds, although some financiers had expressed interest to provide loans. The entire Phase 1 should be completed in 26 months.Right now, Jeju Island has the support of the Central Government of South Korea to transform the area into an international tourist destination, matching the likes of Hong Kong and Singapore.BLand’s wholly owned subsidiary Berjaya Leisure (Cayman) Ltd has a 72.6% stake in the project, while Jeju Free International City Development Centre has a 19% stake and Swan Street Partner LLP holds the remaining 8.4%.Ng said the Jeju Resort, which has one kilometre coastline, would create some 4,000 jobs and would help provide more hotel accommodations currently not available on the resort island.“We will have some three hotels in our resort. Right now, we are in talks with Ritz Carlton to be our partner for one of our hotels,” he said.Since venturing into the project in 2008, BLand has pumped in some US$100mil (RM310mil) on the infrastructure works itself. It bought the 75-acre freehold land for US$62mil (RM192.2mil) or US$8 (RM24.80) per sq ft.Currently, buyers who buy properties worth US$500,000 and above in Jeju Island will be entitled to permanent residency in the resort island.On the casino front, Ng said the group was not in a hurry to proceed with the development as presently, the South Korean government had yet to issue domestic casino licences.The local government of Jeju Island is in talks with the Central Government of South Korea to review the liberalisation of this domestic casino licence. Jeju Island is a self governing province in South Korea.Meanwhile, for the shopping mall component, BLand intends to develop it on its own and look for a local partner.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
We don’t NEED another tycoon and another stupid money laundering purposes and inaccessible super casino in ANOTHER country. We want 4D outlets to offer casino games in our street corners. We want casino billionaires to change the law to ensure the rights of non-Muslims to gamble be not interfered with in the above suggestions! Preferably monopoly free and non-relative franchise related!
ARTICLE 12
Malaysian employers practise racial bigotry, study shows – Friday, 02 November 2012 admin-s
(The Malaysian Insider) – Malaysian employers tend to favour Chinese job applicants over their Malay counterparts, a recent university study has shown, indicating racial discrimination underscores the hiring process in the private sector labour market.
In their joint research, Universiti Malaya (UM) senior lecturer in development studies Dr Lee Hwok Aun and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) research fellow Dr Muhammed Abdul Khalid found that fresh Chinese graduates are more likely to be called for a job interview based on their resumes compared to Malays.
“Our findings suggest that employers are generally predisposed favourably towards Chinese, substantially due to compatibility factors and unobservable qualities not revealed in job applications, and are more selective towards Malays, which results in fewer but considerably qualified applicants getting callbacks,” the duo stated in an abstract of their seminar paper being presented at UM today.
The two academics said they had conducted a field experiment by sending made-up resumes of fresh Malay and Chinese graduates to real job advertisements.
From their research, Lee and Muhammed Abdul found that while both Malay and Chinese graduates who listed Chinese-language proficiency and stated that they graduated from a certain university were likely to increase their chances to be called for an interview, yet employers — especially those that were Chinese-controlled or foreign-run — were significantly inclined to pick the Chinese applicant.
They noted that the racial discrimination was sharper in engineering jobs than in the accounting or finance sector.
They also found that in the engineering industry, Malays were most likely to be rejected by foreign-controlled companies, followed by Malay-controlled companies and lastly Chinese-controlled firms.
However, they said their data does not directly show the motif of the racial discrimination in the hiring process based on the experiment they had conducted.
Lee and Muhammed Abdul are presenting their paper, titled “Does race matter in getting an interview? A field experiment of hiring discrimination in Peninsular Malaysia”, at UM’s Economics and Administration Faculty at 10am.
Malaysia’s mushrooming local higher education institutions churned out a total 184,581 graduates last year, according to the latest statistics released on the Higher Education Ministry’s website. Of that figure, 44,391 people or 24 per cent are unemployed. The Najib administration has set aside some RM500 million in its Budget 2013 to spend on jobless youths to make them marketable.
The first comment below says quite abit on why this happens.
…
written by @GetReal, November 02, 2012 20:43:29
There are very poor grounds for the survey to be meaningful. The survey is carried out in a country which practise institutionalised discrimmination. Admission to Government universities are on race base quotas and not merit. Standards have been lowered to accommodate students who were admitted on the basis of the quota. None Malay students are the creme de la creme and have to work hard to justify their father’s scholarship. So we expect vastly different standards in the graduates. The private universities probably produce better graduates as they have genuinely better qualified lecturers. I met a none Malay electronics engineer who helps to design programmable computer chips.. He is paid an annual salary of Rgt.500,000 He says some lecturers in the local Government Uni have a problem understanding his lectures! Race based quota is the cause of race based discrimination.
…
written by @upsidedown119, November 02, 2012 20:35:33
written by Imprimatur: As an employer in Malaysia, and a foreigner to boot, I have observed middle management with very obvious preferences based not so much on race but on the perceived values that each race allegedly has…….If I had to jump on the racist bandwagon that seems so popular here, I would actually say that the attitude displayed by people like mvinside makes a good case against hiring Chinese employees … nothing worse than staff filled with pride at their race’s perceived strengths and having little else to offer.
Base on the obvious bias in your comment, it’s not hard to conclude that either you or your company is the sub-contractor of a UMNO-BN crony contractor or the manager of a crony company itself. Your comments runs counter to my own observations many members of top management, including of public-listed companies!
But if you are the beneficiary of a UMNO-BN crony contract, then the ‘buta gaji’ for those extraneous engineers are already provided for in the inflated contract price! If not, you are likely to go bankrupt.
…
written by @EU, November 02, 2012 20:18:23
Why don’t you do a survey on the private malay companies? They almost employed 100% malays, unlike the chinese companies. And from experience, even if two resumes are the same, I can tell you, the chinese can speak better English than the malays because the malays will always answer back in B.M. They refused to speak other languages. Also I know that the malay ladies also will go to prayer room in the afternoon. Friday, Malay guys will be allowed to go to mosques. Employers are looking for profitability. Chinese only takes little time for lunch and work overtime too. Employers are also very wary of dismissing a malay staff even if he or she is not performing. So, the private sectors more likely to call in chinese for interview because they believe their qualifications are real. It is a matter of trust and through experience.
…
written by @Jimmy Lim, November 02, 2012 19:32:42
Our locally qualified professors are really HP6. cant even think critically, laterally n vertically. writing such utter rubbish.
…
written by @Jimmy Lim, November 02, 2012 19:23:18
What a lot of crap. Bias n racist study. What about GLC n Govt where 99% are malays?
…
written by @EU, November 02, 2012 11:51:37
I don’t believe this report. How is it my former china man company employs more malays than chinese. And in my department, out of 15 employees, only 2 are chinese. If the public sectors do not employ chinese and private sectors also will not employ chinese, then, where would the Chinese go. Are they satisfy only when the chinese have no jobs and become beggars. This kind of report is not helpful at all. It only stirred up the races. It is only logical that since more malays are employed in the public sectors, they are less likely to go for the private companies that offer no pensions on retiring. Whereas, there will be more chinese applying for private jobs since they cannot get into the public sectors.
…
written by @Kiwi, November 02, 2012 18:23:40
Actually the comments are more interesting than the article. What they reveal is why as an outsider I look at Malaysia and shake my head and what bigots so many of you are.
About half the commenters argue that discrimination like this does occur, but it’s justified because Chinese are hardworking/ smarter etc. You ignore that the resumes were identical but only the race was different. But you think that discrimination is acceptable because your stereotype of Malays in general is that they are lazy/ poor workers etc. Well my friends that is the precise definition of racism. You have two identical candidates and you make a judgement that one is inferior to another based on his or her race.
The other half of commenters say that this is discrimination but it’s ok because the Government sector discriminates against non Malays. So two wrongs make a right. Then you go on to suggest that Chinese employers only started discriminating against Malays because of the NEP. Yet you are ignorant of history. The Tunku back in the sixties was speaking with the Australian ambassador from his office in KL. He pointed across the shop lots below and said (I paraphrase) how many of these businesses owned by Chinese will employ a Malay worker – almost none.[[[ *** Response to Comment by @Kiwi *** ]]] So Malay Special Privileges were applied for 15 years after which they were to be reviewed for ending, UMNO did not review. Social Contract broken, the Chinese retaliated. So the reality is that the NEP misused as it may have become was a result of Chinese racism in employment not the cause of it. Want further evidence? Walk through a shopping centre in Australia or NZ and look at the businesses owned by Chinese. How many non-Chinese do they employ? None. Is that the fault of the NEP too?[[[ *** Response to Comment *** ]]] Chinese in Australia has nothing to do with race, but religious habits impacting upon the secular/commercial sphere. Muslims are too religious to do business well (many Malays are forced to be Muslims or lose bumi privileges – or are Muslims by habit if not sometimes violent inculpation by sick minded authoritarian parents – because of the abuse and shame in the childhood coercion to abide religion cases, Muslims are quite closed as a society by necessity and have many inane(insane?) religious rules that impinge on secular society such as loud prayers 5 times daily, Friday halfdays (thats 2 halfdays a 7 day week), MANY Holy days which MUST be holidays that the employer has to bear the brunt of, avoiding pork and alcohol which is served everywhere etc..) with the larger community, so Muslims will always attract less secular customers and employers, which is what Australia and even Malaysia mainly is, secular. Don’t try to create problems by fingering the Chinese when the issue is religious preference caused by the Malays themselves …
written by Babu, November 02, 2012 11:53:48
Have they done the studies in government related jobs? Like the public office, etc? We are not blind you know? I don’t know why the Chinese have to be made like it is something wrong with them for being better, faster or knowledgable. Probably they are good at adapting to the economic environment.Maybe if you put Chinese in the jungle they would be dead in 2 days compared to the native people. It’s all about adaptation to the environment. If your culture blocks your advancement, don’t blame it on the chinese or anyone else. The Chinese have more reasons to blame the NEP and lopsided affirmative actions when it comes to retarding their advancement.
ARTICLE 13
Al-Arqam’s shadow cabinet uncovered – by HARIZ MOHD | news@nst.com.my 2 commentsKhatijah Am, known to her followers as Ummu Jah, had been living in self-imposed exile in Mecca for the past few years.KUALA LUMPUR: THE banned Al-Arqam movement, 41 ministries, including for souls, death, ritual sex, led by the founder’s wife, Khatijah Am, is said to have formed a “shadow cabinet” with 41 ministries, including the ministry of the netherworld (kementerian alam ghaib).This was part of its plot to overthrow the government and form an Islamic state, according to information compiled by intelligence agencies.Also listed in its shadow cabinet were the ministries of true souls and sects (roh suci dan tariqat), death and the hereafter (kematian dan akhirat) and family and holy sex (keluarga dan seks suci).Intelligence sources said Khatijah, who is the widow of Ashaari Muhammad and has been living in Mecca after his death, had been holding monthly meetings with “top leaders” of the sect in Malaysia via video conferencing.A source said 54 meetings, dubbed “roh parlimen” (soul parliament) by Khatijah, had been held so far.In their “parliamentary meetings”, which had begun in May 2010, Khatijah had assumed the position as their “prime minister”.”To ensure that Al-Arqam leaders and followers stayed with the movement and follow her orders, Khatijah claimed she received direct orders from her late husband,” a source said.
“She had been involved in running the movement even when Ashaari was still alive. Ashaari suffered a mild stroke in 2005.”
The source added that Khatijah, known to followers as Ummu Jah, had been living in self-imposed exile in Mecca for the past few years.
The group, the source said, had received funding from more than 30 welfare homes in Malaysia run by their proxies.
Some homes run by key personnel in Al-Arqam were registered with the Welfare Department and received government funding.
“These welfare homes received donations, not only from the government, but private companies and unsuspecting individuals as well,” said the source.
“From our intelligence reports, only a small portion of the donations received were used for the homes while the remaining went to Khatijah’s accounts,” the source said, adding that Khatijah lived lavishly in a mansion rented for 340,000 riyal (RM276,000) a year.
The mansion, called RSA Palace, has a conference room, an elevator, gymnasium, sauna and a swimming pool. The source said the movement collected an average of RM800,000 in donations every month.
Meanwhile, Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha said they were collecting evidence on the group’s activities.
“We found that the group, through its company, still continues with its deviant teachings. All the claims that Ashaari is Imam Mahdi and Ummu Jah can communicate with her late husband are blatant lies.
“We hope those with information on their activities will come forward to assist in our investigations.”
Al-Arqam was decreed a deviant sect in 1994 by the National Fatwa Council after it was found to have practised Aurad Muhammadiah teachings which was described as misleading Muslims from the true Islamic beliefs.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Al-Arqam is peaceful in the legal physical sense but in the spiritual sense doing much illegal thought via spiritual methods. Ethics also require that the spiritual state of people need to be allowed autonomy. Al-Arqam’s manipulation is much like Malaysian Syariah laws that effectively force Malays via ‘Bumiputra Privilege Removal’ threats to keep Muslims in Islam, or disallow choice to young children in Muslim families to choose their faith.
This is the abuse fostered by Islam that offends the Western and modern world so much, that makes countries like Malaysia into pariahs among nations. Don’t even get into what the worst of the Middle East does to their people. Religion is a tool of control nothing else when applied in this manner. Were children allowed to choose, Islam could well disappear from the planet in as soon as 1 generation. The only way to keep Islam alive is with violence and forced inculpation or bribery with material ‘Islamist’ benefits like in Malaysia’s biased and minority disenfranchising, Malay only – ethnicity based discriminating Bumiputra Apartheid system. If Muslims only seek the afterlife, then why is the entire faith is fillled with money grubbing infidels who care not for the suffering of their fellow Muslims, much less fellow men, what with the extreme wealth some Muslims have and the corruption and lack of ethics everywhere else.
ARTICLE 14
WHY ANWAR IBRAHIM? Time to end race-based politics in Malaysia Featured – written by John Lee M K – Tuesday, 02 October 2012 13:41
It ignores a simple reality: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has already made history by being the first Malay politician to ever actually win more political support through an explicitly non-racial platform. It is practically impossible to underestimate how Anwar bucked the trend; he has completely turned our understanding of politics in this country on its head.
History has already made it crystal-clear; Malay politicians who try to unite the country by appealing to a common sense of Malaysian-ness inevitably wind up heading into political oblivion. Dato Onn Ja’afar’s political career went up in flames the moment he founded the first multiracial political party in the country, in spite of it having every conceivable advantage – it was literally the incumbent party of the time because of Onn’s towering status in Malayan politics. And it, of course, foundered completely.
Since then nobody has even tried to unite the Malays as Malaysians. Unite the Malays as Malays, of course; Syed Jaafar Albar famously proclaimed in the 1960s that he was a Malay first and a Malaysian second. Syed Hussein Alatas made an admirable attempt to change Malaysian politics through Gerakan, and we all know how that turned out. Literally every Malay leader who has tried to be Malaysian first ever since has risked being branded as a sell-out, a puppet of the non-Malays and a stooge of Lee Kuan Yew.
The one exception was Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who experienced some brief success with his Bangsa Malaysia idea. This only makes sense, considering Dr Mahathir’s iron-fisted handling of anyone who dared to oppose him; it is thus a pity that he never took this policy beyond mere words.
The moment Dr Mahathir handed over the reins to his successor, Malay politicians were up in arms criticising Bangsa Malaysia as a ‘nebulous’ and untenable concept for daring to acknowledge that the non-Malays have a place in this country too.
Brave enough to dump ketuanan Melayu
So here we are today: 51 years after independence, the easiest way to tar a Malay politician next to calling him a Jew-lover is to accuse him of saying this country belongs to the Chinese and Indians too. That is simply how Malaysian politics works; to win the support of the Malays, you need to denounce the non-Malays as foreign squatters, who are only here as a matter of privilege rather than right, a privilege revocable at any time.
And what a coincidence it is – that is exactly how the Malaysian government works too. If you’re not an Indonesian who can be counted as a Malay, your application for permanent residency or citizenship can never hope to see the light of day. If you’re not a Malay, you can expect to hear your fair share of racist remarks in a public national school – and not from students, mind you, but teachers.
As a student you can expect a syllabus which teaches you about the meaning of ketuanan Melayu rather than bangsa Malaysia. As an employee you can expect a civil service where you’re not welcome unless they need you to fulfil their minuscule quota of non-Malay recruits. As an entrepreneur you can expect a government – and many government-linked companies – which will not give you any business unless you are a Malay. Half a century after independence, and that’s what 40% of this country has to look forward to.
And since this is how the government works, up-and-coming politicians and political activists realise this is how politics works too. That is why even though you will never hear the typical Malaysian voicing such sentiments, political activists will readily denounce the non-Malays as foreign squatters here at the behest of a social contract which gives them the privilege, not right, to stay and live here.
Since this is how politics and government have worked since time immemorial, we owe Anwar an incredible debt for nearly single-handedly turning all this – everything – completely on its head.
‘Anak Melayu, anak saya. Anak Cina, anak saya. Anak India, anak saya’
For the past half century, to be a good Malay leader, you have either had to publicly proclaim your support for ketuanan Melayu – and not the mild ketuanan as in strong leadership, but ketuanan as in ‘blood will run in the streets if our demands are not met’ – or you have had to simply avoid commenting on the issue and just hope you can be all things to all people.
Anwar ran on a platform, not of vague meaningless nice-sounding platitudes, but a platform explicitly against everything ketuanan Melayu stands for.
This is a man, mind you, who celebrated the end of his ban on active politics by damning ketuanan Melayu and consigning it to the dust heap of history. This is a man who has publicly and repeatedly proclaimed that his commitment is to the sovereignty of the people – ketuanan rakyat – rather than the dominance of the Malays.
This is a man who has never wavered from his stand that the philosophy of government assistance based on racial origin, rather than economic status, is fundamentally and morally wrong. This is a man who has repeatedly, wherever he goes, whoever he speaks to, driven home the same point, again and again: ‘Anak Melayu, anak saya. Anak Cina, anak saya. Anak India, anak saya.’
And this is a man who has had everything in the traditional playbook of Malaysian politics thrown at him. He’s been labelled a heretic, a sodomite, a liar, a hypocrite, a traitor willing to sell the Malays and Malaysians out at a moment’s notice. The ruling coalition has done everything in their power to make it known far and wide that this is a man committed to non-racialism; committed to a Malaysia where everyone belongs.
Regardless of whether you think he deserves it, or if he was just lucky, credit is due to Anwar: where so many brave Malay leaders have fallen and failed, he has won an incredible victory. Onn Ja’afar was vilified simply for opening up his political party to Malayans of all creeds and colours; Anwar has gone above and beyond, explicitly declaring that this is a country for all Malaysians, whoever they might be. And he has won a resounding victory.
Broke new frontiers
It would be one thing if he scraped through with a majority of less than 5,000 votes in the recent by-election, but the fact is, it was not even close – not with a landslide majority of 15,000, larger even than the majority his wife won before he explicitly condemned ketuanan Melayu. Anwar has succeeded where everyone else has failed; he has carved out a broad base of political support, not on a platform of rights or privileges for one community, but a platform of justice and equality of opportunity for all communities.
Criticise Anwar all you like for his inconsistent and wishy-washy stands on other issues. Criticise his coalition for its internal dissension and strange hypocrisy all you want. You can even say you have no intention of trusting a man who might just stab you in the back the moment he gains power.
The fact of the matter is, you do not have a choice between Anwar and your ideal, committed, consistent, sincere Malaysian leader. Your choice, in the here and now, is between Anwar and a regime built on racism, built on stoking the flames of mistrust and hatred. This regime of hatred has delivered its promise of ketuanan Melayu; why should we expect things to be any worse under a regime promising ketuanan rakyat?
At the worst, it’s the same old shit under a different government; at best, we might finally have a government and a political system which works for all Malaysians rather than whoever yells the loudest and threatens the most blood.
Making the Malaysian dream a reality
As far as taking power is concerned, this is still a long shot. Anwar may yet turn out to be a flop on delivering if he ever gets the chance to govern. But the simple and stark reality is, as far as we who live in the present are concerned, he is our best and only chance to put a stop to this insanity.
Anwar is not the perfect vessel for uniting the country, but there is a reason he scares the powers that be: he is the first real chance we have ever had to unite the country against the demons of racialism and parochialism. And for now, he is our only chance. He is the only one who can cross ethnic barriers to proclaim a commitment to a Malaysia where Malaysians, not Malays, are sovereign, and actually win more support than before.
I am no huge fan of Anwar, but I recognise what he has done, and how far he has come. I support him, not because I like him as a person, but because I believe in the cause he champions, and because I believe that if there is any person in this country who can make that dream a reality, it is Anwar Ibrahim.
MAILBAG
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Lies. 90% of campaign promises failed by RPK’s reports PKR had 8% quorums for Anwar’s PKR Presidency. Anwar has never mentioned in any clear certain terms (as in the below 3 items) ending apartheid of bumiputra and even has tolerated PAS and DAP’s attempts to implement Hudud. John ‘Chattering Classes’ Lee has been unthinkingly a PKR supporter too long :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
;and has not made clear on the above 3 items or showed any inclination to run as an independent candidate.
ARTICLE 15
Rise above politics, reject Lim Kit Siang’s Nepotistic DAP – Kong Cho Ha tells PR MPs – Re-written by – @AgreeToDisagree – Wednesday, 31 October 2012 16:55
In the past 24 hours, two DAP MPs have broken ranks and swung their support for 3rd Force’s call for the immediate suspension of the DAP for ‘campaign promise failure’ offences, pending full study of various public interest issues related to its implementation.
The first to do so is the 3rd Force Youth leader and MP who, after a meeting of the 3rd Force Youth executive council yesterday, called for the government ROS to suspend DAP as a review of the system was necessary to rectify democratic weaknesses in DAP. Today, a 3rd Force MP for Sabah, who is also Deputy Chairman of 3rd Force Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) also crossed the political divide to back the BN call for suspension of DAP.
The BARISAN state governments have already given approval for the suspension of DAP until conclusion of full study and a proper consultation process with all the relevant stakeholders.
Put public good above all
The question now is whether there is any DAP MP, Deputy Minister or Minister who dare to break ranks to call for immediate suspension of DAP to produce the first fruit of DAP’s two-year-old “failed campaign promises” or whether all the boasts of “campaign promises” are just bunkum.
Since the DAP Supremo, Lim Kit Siang has refused to listen to the legitimate concerns about the keeping of canpaign promises, I call on all 3rd Force MPs, whether Minister, Deputy Minister or ordinary backbencher; or other 3rd Force component parties; whether from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah or Sarawak, to follow the example of 3rd Forcers to support the call for the immediate suspension of Pakatan Rakyat for failure to decxlare assets as promised, failure to implement Local Council Elections and other abuses of democratic processes.
MPs from both 3rd Force and BN can effect an immediate suspension of the Pakatan Rakyat by adopting a common position during the committee stage of the 2013 Budget debate on the Transport Ministry on 20th November 2012.
3rd Force has 25 political parties and if there are at least another 36 MPs from Barisan Nasional and Independents who support the suspension of the Pakatan Rakyat to make a total of a parliamentary majority, then Lim Kit Siang would have no choice but to resign as MP of Bandar Melaka and all posts in the DAP Committee and Pakatan Supreme Council as per democratic requirments and limits on terms, if Lim Kit Siang refuses to heed the voice of the majority of MPs to immediately drop all MPs who have family blocs and have breached term limit prohibitions.
While 3rd Force is against the implementation of the AES system alongside Pakatan Rakyat, the severe failure and shamelessly undemocratic, nepotistic and term limitless culture of DAP is unacceptable.
@AgreeToDisagree is the 3rd Force adviser & independent lobby of 3rd force MPs.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
AES implementation has been suspended in Pakatan Rakyat controlled states for now.
ARTICLE 16
Demoguery? People slip in their postings. RPK slips far more often IMHO . . .
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Not all Chinese are interested in power for power’s sake, rather Chinese need the power to ensure Democracy as in the below 3 items, and also to prevent Hudud by weak minded seemingly insane Dhimmifiers of the world which UMNO is and UMNO having continued apatheid in Malaysia against minorities like the Chinese necessitates – THIS IS WHY the Chinese want to kick out the Malay Umno government NOT greed and lust (for money or as the poorly applied NLP indicates – sexuality which we all know RPK has issues about in the LGBT area, even though none are forcing their will on RPK . . . ) :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
RPK should not display this lack of ability to differentiate between the types of Chinese who hold types of mindsets, and not just lump all Chinese into a single group – i.e. Lustful and Greedy. The Chinese? the entire Malay race is probably mixed-half-chinese/half-Orang Asli and RPK isn’t even truly ‘Malay’ anymore . . . stop ethnic profiling, and start reading the Human Rights Charter. Say with me . . . H-U-M-A-N- this is more difficult than teaching an Orang Utan to smoke or wear a monkey-suit. Lazy or senile? Or human rights unaware? Maybe all 3. Whats wrong with you RPK? RPK is getting less and less viable to challenge as an MP despite the finances and networks . . .
ARTICLE 17
RM46mil allocated to four restoration projects in Penang by – davidtan@thestar.com.my | Nov 3, 2012
SINCE George Town received Unesco World Heritage Site (WHS) status in 2008, over RM46.3mil has been allocated to restoration work in four major heritage projects.
The most well-known of these heritage properties restored are the Choong Lye Hock mansion and the Loke Thye Kee building.
The other two restoration projects are by Asian Global Business (AGB) and Public Packages Holdings Bhd involving commercial offices and warehouses built in the early 20th century at Weld Quay and Church Street Ghaut.
The AGB Group is restoring two early 20th century commercial and warehouse properties to be an integrated RM220mil Rice Miller Hotel and Residences, which is an in-fill development project.
An in-fill development involves constructing a project from scratch.
The cost of restoring a heritage project depends on the quality of finishing used and normally ranges between RM300 and RM400 per sq ft.
Sometimes a company spends more for restoration because of the condition and age of the property.
A prime heritage property in George Town can fetch rental of between RM5 and RM10 per sq ft, which means that a 2,000 sq ft heritage property strategically located can generate a rental of RM10,000 to RM20,000 a month, according to Henry Butcher Malaysia (Penang) vice-president Shawn Ong.
The Choong Lye Hock mansion restoration project, located on 48,943 sq ft at Macalister Road, was undertaken by local businessman Datuk Sean H’ng and his wife Datin Karen H’ng.
The Choong Lye Hock mansion belonged to a tycoon and philanthropist, who bought the property in the late-1890s.
Lye Hock is the father of local millionaire Ch’ng Eng Hye and the grandfather of badminton legend Datuk Eddy Choong.
The restored building, now known as Macalister Mansion (MM), has eight hotel rooms, two restaurants called The Dining Room and The Living Room, and two bars called the Bagan Bar and The Den.
Macalister Mansion opened its doors to the public in April 2012.
According to MM public relations director Josephine Leong, the planning and the restoration work for the 17,286 sq ft mansion took about 20 months.
“This is corporate responsibility initiative project to demonstrate that old colonial buildings can be regenerated into useful and practical spaces with a contemporary feel.
“Some eight months were spent on planning the design with a Singapore-based interior design company, Ministry of Design (MOD) to produce stunning interior designs.
“It took us 12 months to restore and reinforce the original columns, staircases and archways, original brick walls and wall cornices.
Leong says the Macalister Mansion project was more about a labour of love.
“The owners want to raise the bar in the boutique hotel scene in Penang. As global travellers, they would like to bring back that differentiated hotel experience where guests get to enjoy a more personalised and intimate level of service within luxurious surroundings,” Leong adds.
Raine & Horne Malaysia director Michael Geh says about RM2mil or about RM630 per sq ft was spent on restoring Loke Thye Kee, known as the oldest restaurant in Penang, at Burmah Road.
According to Geh, a local investment company, Loke Thye Kee.com, set up by Singaporean investors, bought the double-storey property from a local businessman some about six years ago.
“About two years, which included also the time to obtain the green light from the local authorities for renovation, was spent on restoring the building with approximately 3,200sq ft of built-up area.
“It has been leased to a local company called Food People Sdn Bhd, which plans to set up soon a Hainanese restaurant, and food and beverage outlets,” he says.
Known as the House of Happiness in Hainanese, the Loke Thye Kee restaurant was established by brothers Loy Kok Boon and Loy Kok Dai, who leased the building from local businessman and philanthropist Khoo Sian Ewe.
Loke Thye Kee serves traditional Hainanese and Western cuisine such as curry kapitan, choon piah, and chicken chop.
AGB Group spent RM21.5mil or RM860 per sq ft to restore two heritage commercial and warehouse properties built in the early 20th century at Weld Quay.
AGB chief executive officer Dr Noraini Abdullah says the restoration turned out to be costly because a lot of work had to be done for strengthening the physical buildings, as their conditions were bad.
“About RM16mil was spent for restoring and reinforcing the physical infrastructure of the warehouse building, which serves as the event hall of the Rice Miller Hotel.
“Another RM5.5mil was spent in restoring a 5,000 sq ft colonial commercial building that will serve as the restaurant for the Rice Miller Hotel,” she adds.
The Rice Miller Hotel and Residences project is scheduled for completion next August and scheduled for opening in Dec 2013.
It will comprise 48 hotel suites, 99 city residences, which range between 800 and 2,500 sq ft in built-up, 23 retail lots of 600 sq ft, and two blocks of five-storey office buildings.
“In the past 12 months, we have sold 50% of the retail lots and city residences. Most of the buyers comprise Penangites and investors from Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur,” she adds.
Next to the Rice Miller Hotel and Residences project, Public Packages Holdings Bhd (PPHB) is restoring two heritage double-storey commercial properties with over 39,632 sq ft to be integrated into a RM50mil in-fill heritage hotel cum commercial project located at Church Street Ghaut, off Beach Street, which is popularly known as the central banking district.
PPHB hotel project manager Tony Koay says the group would spend RM15.8mil or RM400 per sq ft to restore the two heritage properties with fittings.
“One of the heritage commercial building with 11,000sq ft will be restored as part of the in-fill heritage hotel.
“The other heritage property with 28,632sq ft will be restored for commercial and office usage,” he says.
Koay says the advantage of carrying out infill development work for the heritage hotel project was that one could maximise the interior of the buildings to suit the needs of modern business usage.
The cost per sq ft to develop a heritage hotel from scratch with furnishings is about RM1,000 per sq ft, says Koay.
“A problem with restoring a heritage building for hotel usage is that the interior of such heritage buildings restricts the utilisation of space,” he says.
Koay adds that the in-fill heritage hotel would have over 150,000 sq ft of built-up area, 150 rooms, a business centre, meeting rooms, two-level of basement car-park, and retail shops on the ground floor.
“The architectural style for the hotel follows the design of late 19th and early 20th century port offices and warehouse buildings in George Town.
“We are targeting the upmarket tourists,” Koay says.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Dishonest 90% failed campaign promises DAP, now disingenuously posing as hardworking. 46 million could be used to file a lawsuit against the Federal Governnment for :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
This restoration b.s. is just Business NGO work, or perhaps Architecture NGO work, and NOT Political party work. Whats a political party for? Fighting for human rights and equality, not pushing ‘restoration projects’ while clinging on to undemocratic nepotism or term limitlessness. Weak and undemocratic!
ARTICLE 18
Compelling ‘Malays’ to be Muslims: Why M’sians should support Nurul Izzah – written by Gavin Khoo – Monday, 05 November 2012 07:22
Politicians are known to be chameleons and most of them would tailor make their statements according to their audience. Not for Nurul Izzah, an emerging force within the party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat, which was founded to fight against Anwar Ibrahim’s persecution.
At a forum on “Islamic State: Which version; Who’s responsibility?”, she was reported to have said “People should not be compelled to adopt a particular religion and this should also apply to Malays.”
“When you ask me, there is no compulsion in religion… how can anyone say sorry, this (religious freedom) only applies to non-Malays, it has to apply equally.” she said.
She was responding to a question from the floor on whether Malays should have religious freedom like non-Malays.
“Malay” is defined under Section 160(2) of the federal constitution as a person who professes Islam, habitually speaks the Malay language and conforms to Malay customs.
Ultimately, she said, what should be sought is “quality” where Muslims’ faith is strong.
“Even me, being schooled in Assunta (secondary school) with a huge cross in the hall and an active singing Catholic society did not influence me,” she said.
However, Nurul Izzah stopped short of saying that Malays should be legally granted religious freedom, saying: “I am, of course, tied to the prevailing views.”
The position she espouses is unprecedented especially when she is a Muslim and she needs the support of largely Muslim voters in her constituency. She is probably facing one of the toughest political fights in her short political life against a much more established candidate, a federal minister, who has much more resources than what she could have mustered before the next GE.
We need a leader a leader who speaks from her own conscience as a democrat and a proponent of universal human rights. She sees a bigger picture than most leaders who would adopt a narrow religious interpretation which can be manipulated for their own political benefit.
Nurul did not attempt any of these cheap political stunts. She speaks up as a democrat, a true Muslim who holds firmly to her faith and a leader who reaches out to soothe the fear of her fellow Muslims against an often manipulated sense of inferiority and threats against their faith.
For this, Straight Talk would like to urge voters in her constituency, Lembah Pantai, to return her moderate voice and outstanding leadership to the 13th Malaysian Parliament.
If you would like to make contribution to her campaign fund:
NLP Warning about the title first – Though the writers may claim bad grammar : Compelling ‘Malays’ to be Muslims: Why M’sians should support Nurul Izzah makes the title of the article an NLP intended to sound like Malaysians should support Nurul BECAUSE of Compulsions of ‘Malays’ (one more NLP here, Malays in quotes can be misread to mean those considered by not actually Malays – subverted minorities perhaps?) to be Muslims.
Otherwise a spot of good news and a slight shift to actual moderation, though structurally and policy wise, still nothing here. Statements hold no water. Laws being changed, and constitutional amendments forwarded for ratification at Parliament at very least do. ‘Congrats’ (being sarcastic) at FINALLY reaching UFO/Bigfoot sighting level. Thats 33.3% and still a fail, though at least 1 PKR person bothered to apply for the exam (made a press statement) but didn’t turn up (no attempt to formalise in law/constitutional amendment) . . . whats the MP seat for? Making statements only? Is Nurul just a blogger or a media outlet and with NLP’s considered is Gavin and Khoo in cahoots with Nurul for more Islamic agendas or inmtentionally trying to demonise Nurul with misrepresentation via NLP titles?
Article 18 of the UN Human Rights charter for the Malays, and Article 1 of the UN Human Rights charter for the minorites, 3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75) MEANS Bumiputra Special Privileges ENDS . . . not empty talk. Also, nepotism issues still loom, but there will be plenty of time for that later. 2 term limits, and at 23K a month, thats 540K in 2 years! Let someone earn a living at that seat why don’t you or lower that salary to no more than 3 times annual average wage for Malaysia (around 3-4K a mont) . . . then GTFO after 2 terms, so do whatever is worth doing before 3rd force sweeps the back and forth out of the Dewan! This was responded to with Jamil Khir’s racist rant in below link.
More Article 16 type inability to differentiate AGAIN. Equality is not inconceivable. But those who do not gove others their spaces are unconscionable a create a culture of strife. The above Youtube vid is correct to a point but does some form of ‘lumping’ as well.
Equality is not inconceivable. But those who do not gove others their spaces via legal rights (do not disenfranchise minorities) are unconscionable and create a culture of strife. The above Youtube vid is correct to a point but does some form of ‘lumping’ as well, as not all Muslims will tolerate the lack of :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
;with righteous Muslims fighting for the right to apostasy as well as all the entertainments and proclivities every single minority in the world can want represented and given spaces in law.
ARTICLE 20
Arrested youth’s family fear Johor palace interference, urge cops to help – by Clara Chooi, Assistant News Editor – November 04, 2012
Ahmad Abd Jalil is being investigated over allegedly seditious remarks he had made against the Johor Sultan on his Facebook page. – Reuters pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — The family members of Ahmad Abd Jalil, who was arrested on Friday for insulting the Johor Sultan, is pleading with the police not to permit the palace authorities to haul the youth to the royal house for an apology.
The family, responding to talks that Ahmad may be brought personally before the Sultan to apologise for his remarks, expressed fear today over the safety of the 27-year-old if he were to be taken to the palace.
According to an SMS from Ahmad’s sister to one of the family’s lawyer late last night, the police had told her mother that, “if the palace calls, they (the police) would be forced to bring Ahmad to face the Sultan”.
“If they want my son to apologise, bring him to court. Once he enters someone else’s territory, anything can happen and we wouldn’t know who to blame,” Ahmad’s father Abd Jalil Abd Rahman told The Malaysian Insider today.
“Everyone has to respect the due process of the law. And if they want to take my son to court to extract an apology, then so be it.
“Do not force him into palace custody where we have no control over. We are Penangites. We are not used to having a Sultan and we have heard many horror stories. This is our right,” he added.
The 60-year-old former government servant said the police have so far refused all attempts by his family to visit Ahmad, who was arrested in Kuala Lumpur at 8pm on Friday and transferred into the Johor police custody the same night.
As at noon today, Abd Jalil said he will be meeting with the investigating officer in Ahmad’s case.
“We hope to have a positive outcome from the meeting… I just want to see my son,” he said, adding that if it would look bad on the police if they were to forbid him from doing so.
In an SMS to The Malaysian Insider, Ahmad’s older brother agreed with his father in saying that the youth must be kept safely away from the palace compound.
“It is wrong to extract him from the balai/lokap to anywhere. We an apologise but thru proper procedures. Ahmad will apologise openly at court.
“Otherwise, we condone that the system is being used as ‘mode of ugutan (threat)’,” he said in the text message.
Ahmad is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, believed to be over allegedly seditious remarks he had made against the Johor Sultan on his Facebook page.
He was picked up from his office at around 8pm in Cheras yesterday by several plainclothes policemen before he was brought to the Wangsa Maju police station for questioning.
According to Ahmad’s lawyer Mohd Zakwan Adenan yesterday, the youth was at first not informed of his offence, except that he was allegedly being investigated under the Sedition Act 1948.
“They said they wanted to charge him under the Sedition Act for remarks he made on Facebook but when we asked the police which statement they were referring to, they could not answer,” he said.
Section 4(1) stipulates that any person who utters, prints or publishes any seditious words, on conviction, would be liable for a first offence to a fine not exceeding RM5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to both.
After interrogating him for several hours at the Wangsa Maju police station yesterday, the police raided Ahmad’s parents’ house in Damansara Damai before taking the youth with them to Johor.
At 3pm yesterday, Ahmad was taken before a Johor magistrate by the police to obtain a three-day remand order.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The reverse could be said of having the case in Penang and the more urban areas of Malaysia, where the animosity towards all Sultans (who due to tacit approval pf Bumiputra Apartheid contributes in substantial measure to this sort of disafffection, or in some uncommon cases heavy monopoly like involvement in business sectors . . .) could be intentionally used to dismiss the case intentionally to make a salient point about apartheid (minorities) or absolutism (non/anti-royalist Malays) rather than to administer justice which in this case should be an equitable apology to the the measure of insult offered on the social networking site.
Malaysian judges and the legal system in Malaysia are not impartial, and always are politically motivated rather than professionalism or justice motivated, as much as the Bar Council does not address the lack of :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
;for the Bar Council’s own political or financial (contract) based profit. I had written on the apartheid issue to every individual Sultan before and had no response whatsoever. Perhaps the letters were intercepted as so many other communications might have been. And due this, or simply crypto-racism, if not authoritarianism on the part of the palace officials if not the post service’s racists or lapdogs, I received no response on the matter whatsoever, as any civil society might have and issues like the above continue to mar relations between the intended as symbolic rulers and and the masses. Stature and privilege should be enough to even ignore this sort of insult, the palace certainly has the resources to unofficially argue back without getting directly involved but from the looks of this sandiwara which might well have ulterior motives of sounding out the populace’s less well written (also less well read) to identify those who are against the palace, which has chosen to get directly involved instead.
Racist thug branded ‘disgrace to the nation’ jailed for Nazi salute in pub when he already had ASBO banning him from racist gestures – by Daily Mail Reporter – PUBLISHED: 17:01 GMT, 15 October 2012 | UPDATED: 17:01 GMT, 15 October 2012
John Hennigan, of Harlow, Essex, made gesture at London pub in February
It put him in breach of Asbo imposed after swastika was on his front door
46-year-old asked manager Paul MacAllion if he ‘only served blacks or Jews’
He told Old Bailey judge ‘no probs’ as he was led away to cells for 21 months
A racist thug who made a Nazi salute inside a packed pub and called black people c***s and n*****s was today jailed for almost two years and branded a ‘disgrace to the values of this country’. John Hennigan, 46, of Harlow, Essex, was caught on camera delivering the fascist gesture in front of shocked drinkers in February at The Magpie pub in Bishopsgate, central London. The antics put him in breach of an Asbo imposed in 2005 when a swastika was discovered daubed on the front door of his council house. It was the seventh time he had flouted the order. Racist: John Hennigan, 46, of Harlow, Essex, was caught on camera delivering the fascist gesture in front of shocked drinkers in February at The Magpie pub in Bishopsgate, central London
Hennigan claimed he had only been raising his arm to collect his change after paying for a drink, but was convicted by a majority verdict of 10-2 after a trial at the Old Bailey in central London. Sentencing Hennigan, Judge Nicholas Cooke QC told him the court was ‘not upholding some culture of political correctness’ but ‘preserving public order’ and dealing with unacceptable behavior. He added: ‘In this crowded public house in this city you gave a Nazi salute and spoke provocatively of Jews. The Holocaust was a crime against humanity of enormous magnitude.
Police launch race probe after Wales goalkeeper Brown is abused on Twitter
Glittering Sapphires: The incredible story of an Aboriginal band who overcame racism to become Australia’s Supremes
‘Behaving in the way you did was appalling. You spoke of black people as c***s and n*****s.
‘The use of such terms is grossly offensive and conjures up memories of the slave trade, again a crime against humanity of enormous magnitude. Behaving in such a way was likewise appalling.’
The judge said Hennigan’s antics were also an affront to those who fought against the ‘racist evil of Nazism’ in the Second World War and ‘insults the memories of those who sacrificed themselves’. London pub: Hennigan had been barred from The Magpie in central London two times before but was spotted on CCTV by manager Paul MacAllion. ‘He was making Nazi salutes at the bar,’ the manager said London pub: Hennigan had been barred from The Magpie in central London two times before but was spotted on CCTV by manager Paul MacAllion. ‘He was making Nazi salutes at the bar,’ the manager said He added: ‘You see yourself as some sort of loyal nationalist or crusader against Communism. You are in fact a disgrace to the values of this country.’
Hennigan, who attended court wearing a T-shirt with an image of left-wing Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara with a line through it, told the judge ‘no probs’ as he was led away to the cells. ‘You see yourself as some sort of loyal nationalist or crusader against Communism. You are in fact a disgrace to the values of this country’
Judge Nicholas Cooke QC
The racist has 43 previous convictions for offences including drug and firearm possession and common assault. He was last before the courts for breaching his Asbo in 2010. That was after he launched racist abuse at a newsagent before attacking him with a sweet display.
Hennigan had been barred from The Magpie two times before but was spotted on CCTV by manager Paul MacAllion. ‘He was making Nazi salutes at the bar,’ the manager said
‘I was trying to make sure it was the same guy I had barred, staring at the CCTV, and three times I saw him do it. I went immediately down to the bar and confronted him. Hearing: Hennigan, who attended the Old Bailey wearing a T-shirt with an image of left-wing Argentine revolutionary Che Guevara with a line through it, told the judge ‘no probs’ as he was led away ‘He’d bought a drink so I got the money from the bar staff, gave him his money back and told him to get out because I’d barred him previously and he was making Nazi salutes.
‘At that stage I think he said something like: “If I was a Jew or a c**n you wouldn’t be doing this”.’ As he was kicked out, Hennigan told Mr McAllion: ‘If my mum and dad came down would they be barred too? Or do you just serve blacks and Jews?’ ‘If my mum and dad came down would they be barred too? Or do you just serve blacks and Jews?’
What John Hennigan was said to have told pub manager Paul McAllion Hennigan faces a further charge of assaulting a police officer, which will be dealt with by City of London magistrates. He is said to have branded a constable a ‘f***ing pathetic little creature’ when confronted about his outburst in The Magpie. He also faces another trial for a further breach of the Asbo, which is due to take place at Chelmsford Crown Court later this year. Hennigan denied a single count of breaching an Asbo. He was convicted and jailed for 21 months.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
i) Hennigan had been barred from The Magpie two times before but was spotted on CCTV by manager Paul MacAllion. ‘He was making Nazi salutes at the bar,’ the manager said ‘I was trying to make sure it was the same guy I had barred, staring at the CCTV, and three times I saw him do it. I went immediately down to the bar and confronted him.
Freedom of speech (to speak), freedom of body (to gesture/gesticulate).
ii) Hennigan faces a further charge of assaulting a police officer, which will be dealt with by City of London magistrates. He is said to have branded a constable a ‘f***ing pathetic little creature’ when confronted about his outburst in The Magpie.
Aye that!
iii) Hennigan denied a single count of breaching an Asbo. He was convicted and jailed for 21 months.
Oh great, favour the prison-building-contractor-supplier complex some more. Englands finished at 40K per year per prisoner.
iv) Hennigan faces a further charge of assaulting a police officer . . .
Thats the only chargeable offense. As for the cussing etc., enforcement should be already trained to ignore that sort of thing as per Freedom of Speech. Thats what sets the police apart from the regular citizens – discipline. Police who do not have the sklll to ignore such verbal abuse and sure as hell cannot handle the real criminals. Hennigan is a tough and in fact negatively patriotic civilian (better than treacherous bankers that sell off or destroy the country, or politicians that only want to enrich themselves and refuse to amend laws while hogging democratic space by exceeding term limits or even regfusing to ratify term limits) but no criminal action occurs unless property was destroyed or assault or any touching or manhandling at very least occured.
“Bertilak” may derive from bachlach, a Celtic word meaning “churl” (i.e. rogueish, unmannerly). Alternatively it may derive from “bresalak”, meaning “contentious”. He tests Moses three times by doing seemingly evil acts, which are eventually revealed to be noble deeds to prevent greater evils or reveal great goods. Without this sort of nuance of harsh teachers to put England on a learning curve of logic and readiness to resolve issues in society, England winds up with ‘f***ing pathetic little creatures’ without nuance and in this case ‘coarse subtlty’.
Had to imprison the guy 21 months instead on the taxpayer’s monies eh? England is finished. Let the ‘f***ing pathetic little creatures’ run the show abit longer, and the English will be wailing along with the worst of them x times a day. As for the assault, I’m sure the taxpayers and Hennigan would prefer (and be well able to handle) to allow the cop to hit back with an equal number of punches and kicks in ‘revenge’ and be done with the whole sorry drama. Tyrants’ natures are indeed most unworthy of respect, and the worst colonial powers in the world are not surprisingly the English. No one in the world weak enough, or primitive enough to bully so going after the citizens now eh? Pitiful and mealy minded English!
Try this organic response to what might be a like minded aspiring champion . . .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Knight
Villanaise the heroes and make heros of the villains, little wonder Scotland sees no reason to stick around and thats not just about the load of insulting innuendo etc. . . .
ARTICLE 2
Global Noise takes on austerity: ‘We are not going to be silent’ – Published: 14 October, 2012, 08:05
People make noise as they take part in a casserole march to protest against government’s austerity reforms and the public payment of bank’s debts on October 13, 2012 in Madrid. (AFP Photo / Pedro Armestre)
Demonstrators across the world are calling for an end to austerity as Global Noise protests kick off in more than 30 countries, including many in the Nobel Peace laureate European Union.
The worldwide demonstrations on Saturday passed without incident, and Caleb Maupin from the International Action Centre explained what’s driving the public to take to the streets.
RT: A year ago Occupy Wall Street spread across the world, and now it’s Global Noise. What is Global Noise all about? How is it different?
Caleb Maupin: Basically, Global Noise is saying we are not going to be silent. Because right now the banks are coming for us – they are cutting all of the programs. There is mass unemployment. There is cutting in government spending and the governments of the world are just having to pay back the banks.
And in the process, our future is being destroyed. It is impossible to get an education in this country without a rising debt. What we are saying is that we are going to be a global noise. We are the next generation, the youth part of the working class as our future is being destroyed. We are not going to silently sit back and let them destroy our future. We are going to be loud. We are going to be confrontational and we are going demand that this stop.
Austerity is a crime against the people. These cuts are a crime against us, and we are going to demonstrate and we are going to oppose it.
RT: America has not seen austerity cuts as of yet. But in Europe this is precisely what the Global Noise rallies were aimed against. Is it merely a show of support for Europe, or is there, say, a message in the demonstrations for the US presidential candidates?
CM: There are plenty of austerity cuts in the United States. Food stamps, a program which many millions of people depend on so they can have food, is being cut. College prices are going up. They had kind of halted it because they are planning after the elections to have austerity. All the major cuts are going to happen after the election.
But even with these latest debates, you see Romney and Ryan, Obama and Biden, they are all debating how much to cut. How responsibly can you get rid of Social Security, how responsibly can we do it? It is austerity, it is global austerity. Because, you know, Lenin spoke of it in his book – imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism, because the banks kind of become the center of capitalism, its monopoly stage.
And right now it is a revolt against banks. Instead of people having to take all these cuts, why don’t they simply start the cuts to the banks? The government of the United States has the ability to do that. They can pass legislature saying that the banks have to be delayed, but instead they keep paying back the banks with these loans that have taken from the government, and programs that people need to survive on are being cut.
At a time of mass unemployment, millions of youth have great anger on what’s going on, and it is exploding into a global anti-capitalist rebellion. It is here in US. The phrase “we are the 99%” represents what millions of people understand, which is that a small elite, the bankers, capitalists, they own the world and the rest of us just get to live in it.
Well, it is time that we are heard. We are a global noise and we are going to rise up and demand a change to that situation.
RT: Presidential elections are coming up in the US and the Obama administration is criticized for the bailout, while Republicans are promising austerity. And what do you think the policy should be for the US here?
CM: I think whoever wins this election, it is very clear that after the election, it’s over. They are going to begin an extreme amount of mass austerity. And the terms of the debate are sickening – the terms of the debate are essentially how much to cut. Some people say, we should just cut everything; others say we should just cut a little bit. No! The people don’t have to pay for the crisis the bankers created.
But that message is not part of the discourse in this country right now. The discourse is limited to one form of cutting or one form of cutbacks, and that is frightening. And that is why the Occupy movement came in. We are the 99%, or as the labor movement and progressive forces have said for a long time – class against class.
It is not Republicans versus Democrats. It is about the bankers versus the people – the people who sell their labor to survive and those who own the world.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
For every step nearer to cuts of any sort, let there be very dead people in ever step, and a very obvious trail of footprints to those who cause such harm. So that retaliation will be unavoidable and so that those who cause such harm will be not dare harm any other. Some of us have the right, anyone else does not, differentiate and rain punishment upon those who presume to presume anything or any word. No more foreclosures and compound interest upon the jobless.
ARTICLE 3
Gary Barlow: X Factor’s reputation is in danger following allegations the show is rigged – by Mail On Sunday Reporter – PUBLISHED: 00:07 GMT, 14 October 2012 | UPDATED: 00:08 GMT, 14 October 2012
X Factor star Gary Barlow says claims the show is rigged have damaged its integrity.
The Take That singer stormed off set last Sunday after fellow judge Louis Walsh failed to save his singer Carolynne Poole ahead of ‘joke’ act Rylan Clarke. By withholding his vote, he forced a Deadlock.
The result, which saw Miss Poole sent home as the act with the fewest public votes, came after viewers saw Walsh in conversation with the programme’s executive producer.
Gary Barlow stormed off the X Factor set last Sunday after fellow judge Louis Walsh failed to save his singer Carolynne Poole ahead of ‘joke’ act Rylan Clarke
Asked if he thought the integrity of the programme had been damaged, 41-year-old Barlow said: ‘I think in the short term, definitely because I just know what I’m being told as I go round and speak to the public.’
Some viewers felt last week’s show was a fix, because producers engineered the judging so they could lose the contestant they wanted.
‘A timeless goddess’: X Factor favourite Ella Henderson stuns again as she hits the high notes in Minnie Riperton’s classic
Gary Barlow offers Louis Walsh an olive branch after Rylangate… but it isn’t long before they’re clashing again
But Barlow said: ‘People’s votes do count. What people spend their money on was worth it. The two things I worry about are the contestants and the fans and I think it did us no favours last weekend.
‘The idea of it being a fix, I hate stuff like that. We’ve got really talented people up there and I don’t want to cheapen it. It was a bad end to the week. It was disappointing.’
Barlow said he had spoken to producers about ensuring there was never any suggestion programme-makers were influencing the judges’ votes
Barlow said he had spoken to producers about ensuring there was never any suggestion programme-makers were influencing the judges’ votes
Barlow also said he had spoken to producers about ensuring there was never any suggestion programme-makers were influencing the judges’ votes.
‘The whole thing about someone coming up on stage – that will never happen again,’ he said. ‘Even if it’s just to say which order we’ve got to vote in. There should be no one on that stage with us and I said that after last week’s show. ‘
Barlow added that he had been taken to task by his mother Marjorie for being disrespectful to Louis. ‘My mum always tells me to respect my elders, so I got a bit of a telling-off on Sunday.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
This is b.s.. All of the audience should vote on a 1 to 1 basis. A handful of judges voting alone destroys democracy. This is a 1% situation. Remake the damn voting system you producers! How about a button the every member of the audience can press, and randomly selected ‘debate’ judges to sit alongside and even argue with the ‘star’ judges? Much more inclusive means that much more fun and democratic.
ARTICLE 4
120,000 troubled families could be legally banned from spending benefits on alcohol and tobacco – by Christopher Hope, Senior Political Correspondent
Troubled families living on benefits will be legally barred from spending welfare money on alcohol and tobacco, under plans being drawn up in Whitehall.
8:00AM BST 13 Oct 2012
Iain Duncan Smith has asked his officials to see if so-called ‘problem’ families should receive their welfare payments on smart cards, rather than in cash.
The cards would only be able to pay for “priority” items such as food, housing, clothing, education and health care.
The Work and Pensions secretary wants to stop parents who are alcoholics or who are on drugs from using welfare payments to fuel their addictions.
The team of civil servants in his department have been asked to come up with proposals by the end of this month.
However the Government cannot currently stipulate how people spend their benefits money and the law would need to be changed to do so for certain groups.
One idea is for the 120,000 problem families who were identified in the Government’s riots review to be given the Oyster-style cards.
A source close to Mr Duncan Smith said: “There are people who are using benefits to fund a habit and children are going hungry.
“It is something that he is serious about – if he can make it work and he can legislate then he is very keen to do it.”
The charge card model is based on a “basics card” scheme which started to be rolled out for thousands of people in Australia in August this year.
Instead of being given cash or cheques, claimants are now issued with electronic “credit” cards to purchase key “priority” items at approved stores across the country.
Money is electronically placed on the card once a fortnight, when people receive their benefit payments. No more than A$1,500 (£961) can be spent per day. If money is not spent, it can be built up as savings.
Mr Duncan Smith said he was against using a US-style food stamps system because they are often traded as a form of currency.
The Cabinet minister disclosed his plans at a meeting of Conservative activists at the party conference this week.
He said: “I am looking at the moment at ways in which we could ensure that money we give them to support their lives is not used to support a certain lifestyle.
“I am certainly looking at it – I am going through that in some detail… With the use of cards, we are looking at that to see if we can do something.
In the immediate aftermath of the 2011 riots in English cities, Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to turn around the lives of the 120,000 by 2015.
He said: “I have an ambition, before the end of this Parliament, we will turn around the lives of 120,000 most troubled families.
“We need more urgent action, too, on the families that some people call ‘problem’, others call ‘troubled’, the ones that everyone in their neighbourhood knows and often avoids.”
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Fair enough. People on the dole should not expect too much fun for doing nothing at least until the country is on even keel. Not that the country denies such luxuries but alcohol and tobacco are luxuries after all that a country is debt should be forgiven for not spending on. At the same time prices rises in alcohol should not be applied. If the poor work part time and alcohol takes all their earnings, how does that help the economy? Perhaps an assignment of amount that they can buy of either at most in exchange for free state insurance for example? All that biometrics and credit card control etc.. and nothing applied.
ARTICLE 5
‘It was really disgusting’: Susan Sarandon reveals she was exploited on the casting couch as a young actress – by Celeste Morgan – PUBLISHED: 01:05 GMT, 14 October 2012 | UPDATED: 07:09 GMT, 14 October 2012
She’s an Oscar winner and one of the biggest stars of her generation.
But there was a time when Susan Sarandon was just another unknown hoping to make it in showbusiness.
And the actress has revealed that as a young hopeful she was the victim of exploitation as she auditioned for a role.
She confided to Elle magazine about a ‘disgusting,’ casting-couch experience that happened in her younger years.
Younger days: Susan Sarandon during her early career at the age of 24 in 1970
‘It was not successful – for either of us,’ Sarandon explained, when asked if she had ever had a casting-couch experience.
‘I just went into a room, and a guy practically threw me on the desk.
‘It was my early days in New York, and it was really disgusting. It wasn’t like I gave it a second though, it was so badly done.’
Stunner:Another age defying moment for Susan at a Conde Naste event in September in New York
Stunner: Another age defying moment for Susan at a Conde Naste event in September in New York
She does not give any details of which audition she was assaulted at.
Sarandon had her first audition at 23 when she went to a casting call for the motion picture Joe, landing a major co-starring role in the film, which was released in 1970.
The actress went on to win an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 1995 film Dead Man Walking.
Toyboy: Susan and her 35-year-old boyfriend Jonathan Bricklin
In her interview, as reported on Radar online, she also defended her romance with her much-younger boyfriend, ping-pong entrepreneur Jonathan Bricklin.
‘People make him out to be much younger than he is – and me older,’ Sarandon explained to the fashion magazine, clarifying that he is 35, not 33 as has been widely reported.
As well as being lovers, the pair are business partners in ping-pong club SPiN.
The couple have been linked since 2010 after Susan split from longtime partner Tim Robbins, with whom she has two children.
Susan kept mum on her rumoured relationship with Jonathan until March of this year.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
For the right person and in the right mood, Susan wouldn’t have felt bothered at all and even laid into the whole sleazy Hollywood thing. Breast jiggles and gluteal gropes anyone?
Japanese Militarism: “Resurrection of the Samurai” Interview with Vasili Ivanov: Japanese militarism on rise, says Russian veteran – by Xinhua – Global Research, October 11, 2012 Xinhua News Agency and Stop NATO
When Empires Join Hands: Japanese Military Joins U.S. And NATO In Horn Of Africa
Moscow: Japan’s recent illegal moves to “purchase” China’s Diaoyu Islands show militarism is on the rise in that country, according to a Russian war veteran.
Vasili Ivanov, deputy head of the Russia-China Friendship Society’s Central Office, told Xinhua that Japan’s refusal to recognize China’s sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands, which was stipulated in post-war documents, showed a “resurrection of the samurai.”
The 91-year-old, who fought Japanese troops in northeast China during World War II, said some Japanese, especially right-wingers, did not recognize the country’s unconditional and voluntary surrender in the war.
“Japan’s refusal to recognize the war results means they will demand the return of all they had before the war – lands, islands they illegally occupied and lost,” Ivanov said.
“All their escapades, including the recent one against China, are meant to confirm their right to these lands,” he said.
“We, along with other participants in the war against Japan, are categorically against the return of Japanese militarism,” the veteran said.
Ivanov said the Diaoyu Islands had never belonged to Japan and China was recognized as the rightful owner by binding post-war legal documents, such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation.
The two documents stipulated Japan should return all the territories taken from China, including Taiwan and its surrounding islands, he said.
However, under agreements with the United States, Japan illegally occupied the Diaoyu Islands and now even tried to claim them.
Japan might go further with its territorial ambitions, keeping its relations with China, Russia, South Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on edge, the veteran warned.
He urged closer cooperation among those countries in opposing Tokyo’s rising militaristic ambitions.
“Leaders (of those countries) ought to give a due rebuff to Japanese ultra-right forces. They should tell the ultra-right wingers this is it – all is settled and recognized by the whole world. No changes can be made now,” Ivanov said.
The Japanese right wingers should know their farces would come to naught, the veteran said.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The Japs are still cool and ahead of time (barely – though without substance – i.e. all the giant and slick mecha cartoons and culture starting in the 80s, but when Fukushima struck 30 years later, all they had was a soviet era clamp type robotic arm on a threadbare/rickety motorized servette that broke down . . . mount some guns on this sort of robot, mass produce and conquer the worst of the Middle East and any nepotist run ASEAN nations . . . ), but the Japanese attitudes and history are rubbish no thanks to the right wingers. Tacit approval via silence becomes an issue with the Chrysanthemum King . . . United Korea, Mongolia and China reclaim what was stolen (Monarchy / 12 century fleet’s lives / Centre of Far East and Imperium)
ARTICLE 7
Cambodia mourns death of controversial king – October 16, 2012 – Lindsay Murdoch, Bangkok
The two-time monarch loved fast cars and women, survived the Khmer Rouge and trod the world stage.
Former King of Cambodia dies – Norodom Sihanouk, the former King of Cambodia with a record number of political titles, has died in Beijing at 89.
THE body of Norodom Sihanouk, the cherubic, mercurial but ruthless two-time king of Cambodia and a towering figure in Asia’s politics will be brought home from China for a grand cremation in the Cambodian and Buddhist tradition.
He died, aged 89, early on Monday in Beijing after a long illness. Across Cambodia, flags flew at half mast and monks chanted for the feudal-style monarch who was beloved by his people but was seldom able to deliver the peace they craved through decades of violence.
Sihanouk’s son and successor, Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen flew to Beijing to retrieve the body of the sax-playing, champagne-serving monarch.
Cambodia’s then King Norodom Sihanouk,79, greets his subjects upon his arrival at the annual crop-planting ceremony outside the royal palace in Phnom Penh. Photo: Reuters
Many Cambodians regarded him as semi-divine, although some of the younger generation saw him as a figure of the past and partly responsible for the country’s tragedies.
Advertisement
Prince Sisowath Thomico, a royal family member who was his assistant, said the former king had suffered a heart attack at a hospital.
”It’s painful. I am full of sorrow … King Sihanouk did not belong to his family, he belonged to Cambodia and to its history,” the prince said.
Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam meeting Norodom Sihanouk in Beijing in November 1973. Photo: AAP
Suffering illnesses including colon cancer, diabetes and hypertension, Sihanouk asked in January that his ashes be placed in a stupa at the river-front Royal Palace, in an urn, preferably made of gold.
A massive crowd of mourners are expected for the funeral.
Born on October 31, 1922, Sihanouk was crowned king by the French occupiers in 1941.
Wearing the traditionnal “krama”, Prince Norodom Sihanouk (right), poses with Khieu Samphan, top Khmer Rouge leader, in the Cambodia maquis.
Dubious allies … wearing the traditionnal “krama” Sihanouk (right) poses with the Khmer Rouge leader Khieu Samphan in the early 1970s. Photo: AFP
They assumed the giggling, overweight prince would be compliant to their requests.
But he became a ruthless politician who played superpowers off against each other while maintaining a role at home and in world politics.
He kept Cambodia neutral during the Cold War, nurtured relations with communist China, was a founder of the Non-Aligned Movement, broke off diplomatic relations with the US over the Vietnam War and was sent into lonely exile in Beijing after a US-backed coup in 1970.
Cambodia’s then King Norodom Sihanouk (left) and Queen Monineth wave to the crowd upon their arrival at the annual boat racing festival in Phnom Penh in 2001. Photo: Reuters
Sihanouk has been criticised for his support of the Khmer Rouge in the early 1970s.
But his relations with the organisation responsible for the deaths of 1.7 million Cambodians was always strained.
”The Khmer Rouge do not like me at all, and I know that,” he said in a 1973 interview.
”When they no longer need me, they will spit me out like a cherry.”
When he returned to Phnom Penh, the Khmer Rouge ordered his execution, but he was saved by Chinese leader Zhou Enlai.
In a 2005 memoir, he said he ”dared to struggle in alliance” with the Khmer Rouge, but condemned their ”despotic and bloody regime”.
Sihanouk was famous for singing love songs at elaborate dinners.
He made movies, brought his French poodle to negotiations, married at least five times and fathered 14 children.
He liked fast cars, food and women. He dazzled world leaders with his wit, often entertaining diplomats and foreign officials with champagne breakfasts and French meals.
Weary of politics, he stepped down from the throne for the last time in 2004.
Bravery then alliance with the enemy? Convoluted.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Cradle of life anyone? Sihanouk had some bad patches as well, to support Khmer Rouge when one could remain neutral is uncalled for. Then again perhaps Sihanouk has no such luxury ASEAN being a very dangerous place post WW2.
ARTICLE 8
Sinclair News Contribution Challenge In Support of im2moro.org – October 12, 2012 – by Lawrence Sinclair
In an effort to support the young people behind Voices Without a Vote Sinclair News is offering the first business or individual who contributes $1000.00 to im2moro.org (im2moro is a non-profit 501c3, tax-exempt organization, which means your donations are tax deductible. Our tax ID is 27-2901233) in response to this challenge, a one year static header banner ad on Sinclair News. This banner ad will be placed in our header above the Sinclair News logo and will display on every page every time this site is visited. From Oct 5, 2012 thru Oct 11, 2012 Sinclair news has been displayed to 1,076,934 visitors (stats from CloudFare analytical).
The business or individual who wishes to meet this Challenge may contact Audrea Taylor to make the contribution. Please inform Miss. Taylor the contribution is in response to the Sinclair News, Through the Mirror w/Larry Sinclair Ad Challenge so Miss. Taylor can notify us who has earned the one year banner ad spot.
Im2moro: Telling Us Today What Tomorrow Should Bring
We all have to Speak Out, and Stand Up as Taylor and her peers proudly proclaim on im2moro.org’s web site. Last night Through the Mirror w/Larry Sinclair spoke with im2moro co-founders Audrea Taylor; Blake Andersen and Luke Andersen (you can listen to the interview from here
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Its not always true that adults know whats best for the children, and the time has long since come and passed where adults need to be slapped across the back of the head by the very children we say we are protecting. Anyone who has ever watched the CBS program NCIS, you know that Agent Gibbs is always slapping Agent Dinozzo on the back of the head to get his attention, well we see the kids behind im2moro as Agent Gibbs and the adults as Dinozzo.
Clearly if we are to be seen as being genuinely concerned with the tomorrow for our kids and grand kids, then we must listen to them and bring them into the conversation and the decision making process. What we find truly amazing about this group of young people is that:
1. They are not promoting a particular party or candidate, but instead are simply demonstrating how based on Constitutional Principles we can come together for the betterment and interest of ALL Americans and the 2moro’s for our children.
2. Rather than try and beat someone over the head based on party or politician, these young people are building upon what we all have in common and agree on.
This is an organization which was founded and has grown through teenagers who when it started were just 12, 13, 15 years old. There is an old proverb “out of the mouths of babes,” which could not be anymore appropriate in describing these young men and women (who despite their ages are just that, young men & women).
Not only is Sinclair News offering one year of header banner static ad space to one person or business who contributes $1000.00 to im2moro.org, we challenge other organizations who sell advertising on their sites to do the same.
Any readers who would like to support this organization can do so by clicking on the below im2moro image which will take you to the groups donation page.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
People, start by offering yourself as a candidate if your hegelian dialectic Rep./Dem. offers dead wood or term limitless. First law should be to distribute unused state land for growing of food (that will stop the food stamp issue and keep the jobless busy) to the homeless and the poor AS WELL as stop foreclosures of homes and further compound interest on homes.
Require the next or more generation to pay the remnant at flat rate BUT NO INTEREST and NO FORECLOSURES. Those without jobs should not be made homeless as well. Those second or third or more homes not in use can still be foreclosed but those who are jobless should be left off foreclosure until they find jobs, at which point only 20% of the salary could be applied – people owing banks got to eat too.
If the above is ratified into law by ALL Congressmen, and all Governors, USA would be abut more sustainable, though banks might have to wait longer to get their money back.
ARTICLE 9
Wahaha boss tops China rich list – Updated: 2012-10-13 08:48 – by Yu Ran in Shanghai ( China Daily)
Many of nation’s wealthiest suffer due to economic slowdown: Forbes
Slower economic growth took its toll on many of China’s 100 biggest fortunes, according to the 2012 Forbes China Rich List, with 45 of them slipping from last year’s count and their total assets dropping 7 percent to $220 billion.
Wahaha boss tops China rich list
Zong Qinghou, the founder and chairman of the beverage producer Hangzhou Wahaha Group Co Ltd, who topped the list in 2010, regained his title as the richest businessmen in China, with a net worth of nearly $10 billion, according to the list.
With an 80 percent share in Wahaha, Forbes said Zong’s fortune exceeded 60 billion yuan ($9.57 billion), over 2 billion yuan more than last year.
Wang Jianlin, chairman and president of Dalian Wanda Group Co Ltd, was the fastest riser in the past year, seeing his wealth jump from 25.6 billion yuan to 50.4 billion yuan, making up the top three with Zong and Robin Li from China’s search engine company Baidu.
The Forbes list comes a fortnight after Zong, 67, topped the Hurun Rich List 2012, which estimated his fortune at $12.6 billion, the second time he has topped the list produced by the Shanghai-based Hurun Research Institute.
Russell Flannery, a senior editor at Forbes and chief of its Shanghai Bureau, said: “Wang outperformed with his greatest success entering the entertainment industry with the announcement of a $2.6 billion acquisition of US cinema chain AMC Entertainment.”
The Forbes list was compiled using shareholding and financial information obtained from the families and individuals, stock exchanges, analysts and China’s regulatory agencies.
Public fortunes were calculated based on stock prices and exchange rates as of Sept 21. Private companies were valued based on similar companies that are publicly traded.
Compared to Zong and Wang, others in the demanding consumer sector did not fare as well, however.
Zhang Jindong, the chairman of Suning Appliance Co Ltd, saw a drop in his value of $2.4 billion, even as he opened up a commanding market lead over longtime rival Gome Electrical Appliances Holding Ltd, owned by Huang Guangyu who suffered a $2 billion drop in value and who still sits in jail for financial crimes.
Qiu Guanghe of the fashion chain Zhejiang Semir Group shed $2.8 billion and fell to 37th.
“Most of the businesses related to the consumer and retail sectors are suffering in these tough times by making less profits and experiencing some financial problems,” said Flannery. He added that the total number of billionaires in China fell from 146 last year to 113 this year, caused by the economic slowdown.
Several property tycoons also suffered, with last year’s list leader Liang Wengen seeing his worth drop $3.4 billion as demand slowed for the building materials produced by Sany Heavy Industry Co Ltd, which he chairs.
The real estate sector as a whole also saw several casualties within the list, as property deals cooled and developers saw projects shelved and prices slow.
“All those ups and downs of rich people in China in different industries lead to the conclusion that the slowdown of China’s economy has brought uncertainty to local private enterprises,” said Zhou Jiangong, chief editor of Forbes Chinese edition.
yuran@chinadaily.com.cn
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Wahaha? Stop laughing over there and wake up or embolden the cowards in certain governments. Being great alone safe in China, is no good if your country still has poor or other Chinese elsewhere are getting the short end of the political stick. Being great alone is not great if in other countries your fellow countrymen are oppressed or enslaved or treated below others. Do set up and fund political parties to challenge inequality for all Chinese across the world! The Chinese expect equality at very least and if China’s colonies fall from neglect of Chinese rights, China will not be able to project power and that same rot will actually reach China from sheer neglect. The courage or funds lacking in some places needs to come from China.
ARTICLE 10
Caught by CCTV: Thugs who beat up factory worker for 80p while wearing tiger and red devil fancy dress costumes – by Larisa Brown – PUBLISHED: 11:38 GMT, 11 October 2012 | UPDATED: 12:58 GMT, 11 October 2012
Fred Dixon, 18, and David Aston-Brown, 20, have been jailed for three years
Pair pounced on Roger Brookes, 37, before punching him to the floor
Dixon had previous convictions for battery and common and sexual assault
Thug Aston-Brown had previous convictions for racially aggravated public disorder, battery against an ex-girlfriend and handling stolen goods
Two thugs battered a factory worker in the street and robbed him of 80p while dressed as a tiger and a red devil.
Fancy dress duo Fred Dixon, 18, and David Aston-Brown, 20, pounced on Roger Brookes, 37, in the early hours of August 20.
The pair shouted at Mr Brookes as he made his way to work at a plant in Hereford before snatching his rucksack, a court has heard.
Fred Dixon, 18, and David Aston-Brown, 20, dressed up as a tiger and a red devil and battered an innocent man
Fred Dixon battered a man in the street and robbed him of just 80p
David Aston-Brown battered a man in the street and robbed him of just 80p
Dixon, left and Aston-Brown, right, ‘got drunk’ and dressed up in fancy dress to go and ‘mess around’
Security cameras captured the thugs punching him to the floor, causing him to cut his head.
Dixon then put Mr Brookes in a head-lock so Aston-Brown could kick him in the chest, Worcester Crown Court heard.
After emptying their victim’s bag on the floor the thugs made off with just 80p, a key ring and a work clocking-in card.
The pair were jailed for three years each on Monday.
Sentencing the pair from Whitecross, Hereford, Judge John Cavell said: ‘This was determined street violence on a complete stranger.
‘You stole property that was almost trifling in its value, but caused serious harm to your victim.’
When police released CCTV images of the thugs in August, it was originally thought they were dressed as cats.
But before they were sentenced it was revealed Dixon wore a tiger-print all-in-one suit, while Aston-Brown was dressed as a red devil.
The men, pictured in a corridor in their fancy dress costumes, have past convictions for battery
The men, pictured in a corridor in their fancy dress costumes, have past convictions for battery
CCTV footage captures the two thugs in their costumes in the early hours of August 20
Defending Dixon, Michael Aspinall said the men had got drunk, dressed up and gone out to ‘mess around’.
He added: ‘These were two heavily intoxicated young men had gone out, in Fred Dixon’s case in breach of a curfew, but not to commit offences.’
The court heard Dixon had previous convictions for battery, common assault, sexual assault, criminal damage and an attempted robbery.
While Aston-Brown had previous convictions for racially aggravated public disorder, battery against an ex-girlfriend and handling stolen goods.
Dixon had only been released from a youth detention centre less than two weeks before the incident.
Speaking after the case, Detective Sergeant Tim Powell from Hereford Police said: ‘The case was solved thanks to the media reports and members of the public coming forward to give information that led us to CCTV footage which positively identified the suspects, leaving them with no option but to plead guilty.’
Both men had pleaded guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
How about asking if the victim would like to kick the attackers back approximately equally hard back, and save the taxpayers 3 years of jail costs after dismissing the case?
ARTICLE 11
Mitt Romney: People Don’t ‘Die In Their Apartment Because They Don’t Have Insurance’ – The Huffington Post | By Bonnie Kavoussi Posted: 10/11/2012 10:54 am EDT Updated: 10/11/2012 7:31 pm EDT
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who has pledged to repeal Obamacare, says that people without health insurance don’t have to worry about dying as a result.
“We don’t have people that become ill, who die in their apartment because they don’t have insurance,” Romney said in an interview with the Columbus Dispatch’s editorial board on Wednesday.
While it’s difficult to tell how many people die each year from lack of health insurance, one study, from a health care advocacy group, puts the number at 26,000 deaths per year.
“We don’t have a setting across this country where if you don’t have insurance, we just say to you, ‘Tough luck, you’re going to die when you have your heart attack,'” he added in the interview. “No, you go to the hospital, you get treated, you get care, and it’s paid for, either by charity, the government or by the hospital.”
Romney took a similar stance in an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” in late September, when he said: “We do provide care for people who don’t have insurance. If someone has a heart attack, they don’t sit in their apartment and die. We pick them up in an ambulance, and take them to the hospital, and give them care.”
Roughly 4 in 25 Americans, or nearly 49 million Americans, had no health insurance last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Repealing Obamacare would deny access to health insurance to about 30 million uninsured Americans who would have received it under health care reform.
Letting so many people go uninsured ultimately can cost both individuals and society. When people lack health insurance, their health worsens, and their health treatments become more expensive, research has found. People without health insurance also are in danger of facing massive medical bills, debt, and bankruptcy if they get sick or injured.
On top of that, society at large sometimes must pay for the uninsured through higher taxes and health care costs. The government often helps pay for unpaid emergency room bills. States and cities that run hospitals lose money when hospital bills go unpaid. And economists have found that hospitals sometimes charge higher prices for health care, and health insurance companies sometimes charge higher premiums, because the uninsured often are unable to pay for health care.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Indirect assurance that neurotech will not be used to enrich insurance businesses or enable healthcare profiteering? If Romney is aware, Romney had better get the FBO or CIA take away access from the 3rd world Junta this sort of technology. USA’s democracy will be safer than if the Hudud accepting freaks get their hands on this and end up playing the USA into terrorist hands while real world citizens who would stop such undemocratic monsters are destroyed.
ARTICLE 12
‘We seem very conservative, but we have the BIGGEST desires’ – China sex festival – Tuesday, 09 October 2012 06:44
“One-two-THREE! CONTROL! … and relax,” Ma Jian urges. The 78-year-old author is addressing a few dozen men clustered around a stage in Guangzhou, but he aspires to a much bigger audience. “China has more than 2,000 years of sexual history and culture and skills. It has sexual experience which western countries have never known. I want to introduce its expertise to people here and people overseas and make all men happy,” he said.
“I want all women to benefit. I take guys who shoot in three minutes and teach them to hang on for 30. That’s long enough.”
Until 10 years ago this evangelist was, he said, “an underground worker”, toiling in strictest secrecy. He grew up in the sexually repressive society created by Mao Zedong. The chairman of the People’s Republic may have shared his own bed with numerous women, but under his rule bodies were disguised in shapeless suits and holding hands in public was shocking.
Even in the 80s, after liberalisation had begun, a man was executed for organising orgies. Now Ma rattles off his advice – swimming increases sexual desire; pee in short bursts, not a stream – at a convention co-hosted by family planning authorities.
More than 30,000 visitors thronged last weekend to the 10th national (Guangzhou) sex culture festival to watch pole dancers, buy 007-brand condoms and browse porn in a resolutely unerotic exhibition centre. Couples take happy snaps with giant virility figures, and unabashed shoppers fondle realistic sex dolls (though not, this year, inflatable Obamas). The wealthiest can even choose a 100,000 yuan (£10,000) solid gold “pleasure object” – the kind of high-class product that appeals to shoppers usually found in Louis Vuitton or Dolce & Gabbana, a sales assistant said.
Chinese sex fair catwalk
But the shots of “artistic nudes” are tame by western standards. And though hordes of men photograph furiously as semi-clad models strut to a disco version of the Old Spice theme, there’s no pouting or lip-licking. These days, sexual experimentation and puritanism sit side by side in China.
Qiu Shuang, a lesbian activist and sex toy saleswoman, argued that repression had only kindled passions. “Maybe we seem very conservative, but we have the biggest desires,” she said.
China has an estimated six million sex workers, yet nudity is unacceptable in the cinema and there are periodic anti-porn crackdowns. Women have hymen restoration surgery so their husbands will believe they are virgins. Two years ago, an academic was jailed for hosting sex parties. It is no coincidence that the official denunciation of the disgraced politician Bo Xilai accused him of improper sexual relationships with several women.
“People still frown on serial dating … [but] there are 200,000 sex shops and these huge sexual expos. Are they prudish about sex or are they incredibly liberated?” asked Richard Burger, whose new book, Behind the Red Door, chronicles the history of sex in China.
He argues that for centuries China’s leaders have swung between sexual openness and repression. In the Tang dynasty, prostitutes were registered; the late Ming saw explicit novels such as The Plum in the Golden Vase.
At times, homosexual love has been celebrated. At other times, erotic books have been burned.
In the west, the sexual revolution was part of a wider movement of personal liberation and challenges to authority. But in China, the post-Mao shift from procreation to recreation was driven not by the Beatles and Lady Chatterley but by the Communist party.
Sex dolls in Guangzhou
After the Cultural Revolution, the government’s control [of people’s lives] started loosening, and at the same time the one-child policy meant people could have sex lives that weren’t for the purpose of giving birth. They could have sex for pleasure,” said Pan Suiming of Renmin University, one of the country’s leading experts on sex.
Li Yinhe, another researcher, said: “In the past, women were not allowed to like sex – sex was only for giving birth to children, or serving men. Now they can enjoy sex.”
When the magazine Popular Cinema dared to print a romantic clinch in 1979, it sparked a national controversy. The publication of the kiss – a still from a Cinderella movie starring Richard Chamberlain – was “decadent, capitalist, an act meant to poison our youths”, complained an irate local propaganda official. But thousands more picked up their pens to support the magazine.
But puckering up lost its subversive edge – even if the average age for a first kiss remained at 23 just a few years ago. These days premarital sex is very common and has spread to rural areas too.
Yet even now, most assume that sexual relationships end in marriage. Half the men Pan surveyed in 2007 reported only one sexual partner – and even younger and more experienced men have double standards, as a group of female students at the festival testify.
“There’s a long way to go. People do think a woman is a slut [if she has had multiple partners],” said Emily Mai.
“We have a right to chose premarital sex,” added her friend Yee Bai. “It’s freedom. We can’t stand to have only ‘pure, spiritual’ love.”
Sun Zhongxin of Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh says the sexual revolution has benefited different sexes and sexualities to different degrees, and that both men and women may face new pressures, feeling inadequate when faced with a single and sometimes more westernised standard of sexiness.
Tens of millions of men will not find wives or long-term partners at all, because of China’s “missing” women: illegal sex-selective abortions have caused the gender ratio at birth to rise from the natural rate of 106 boys per 100 girls to 118 boys.
Many more men are migrant workers who may see their spouses once a year at best. “They can use sexual toys to let their desire out. It’s better than going to have sex with prostitutes,” said the event’s deputy director, Zhu Jianming.
But as Sun pointed out, the sex industry is not just the fruit of changing attitudes; it has been aggressive in pushing “liberalisation”.
The results can be alarming. One stall in Guangzhou is advertising a sex doll designed to look like a very young girl.
Zhu dismissed concerns: “It doesn’t encourage people … You can’t criticise a sexual fantasy.”
But he adds that he too worries that some people “have been influenced by western ideas about sex, are out of control and indulge themselves sexually”. He insisted the show was designed to encourage sexual morality and positive relationships, not just sexual knowledge.
Though the festival clearly caters primarily to straight men, there are several older couples browsing arm in arm. A husband and wife stop to listen attentively as a salesman demonstrates the different groans emitted by a selection of fake vaginas.
“In the past, when two people dated, they even had to keep their distance on the street,” said 25-year-old Li Bo, sheepishly clasping the sex toy he had just won in a prize draw. “Of course we wouldn’t want to go back to the old times.”
-guardian.co.uk
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Try this tourist ‘must do’ or must take photos of for the adventurous.
In suitable fengshui spots (probably where nturally phallic or clitorial looking stone formations form), install a series of silver, gold and finally, precious stone clad dildos and ‘fleshlights’ on a series of bollards EXHIBITING ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTERISTICS of the local regional culture. These will be in private but open areas for tourist use and photo taking.
Each couple or person gets to use the private or secluded space for 10 minutes, and reseervations or bookings must be made in advance (24 hours means only 164 people a day may use a single area . . . so there should be more than 1 area per scenic spot to service probably millions . . . ). To be fair, these spots should charge no more than minimum wage multiplied by the material used . . . silver x1, gold x2, and finally, precious stone x3, x4 for diamond (4 times minimum wage for diamond, though the entire series might be wanted and hence the money is made back (not so soon, a few hundred diamonds on a dildo will cost MILLIONS but since ths state has FIAT for sure that will be worth it . . . ) . . . now THATS making the most of sexuality in tourism in a most contemporary and complementary manner! Retired sex workers could be the administrators and watchmen here, and perhaps sexual themed souvenirs or ORGANIC tonic specicaltiesmade by the locals, or sex manuals, could be sold as well.
Scheduling for weekday mornings could be reserved for non-sexual use and child friendly time (children will not be harmed seeing or posing with bejewelled sex toys . . . in crowds to boot. These will eventually be fertility preserving attractions in a spiritual sense, and would be quite a draw as a form of ’emnatory’ spirito-medical tourism as well. An informal temple to fertility in fact, especially when manned or staffed by ex-sex workers WITH state pensions.
“There’s a long way to go. People do think a woman is a slut [if she has had multiple partners],” said Emily Mai. “We have a right to chose premarital sex,” added her friend Yee Bai. “It’s freedom. We can’t stand to have only ‘pure, spiritual’ love.”
Not a slut for the status unaware or status uncaring, or the downwardly mobile in need of cash. Those involved in religious work would have herbal concoctions to steady their desires meanwhile and not indulge at all even at a distance (this differentiates the false spiritulist and the sex obsessed ones posing as spiritual – indulging in spiritual sex is NOT spiritual) . . .
The lower classes and middle classes probably will not be affected and will indeed look for prostitutes (lower classes) or escorts (middle classes). The upper classes who are expected to be discreet to save face for race and society would be blackballed for certain if they do not engage themselves to formal mistresses, or use escorts that are too popular/undiscerning (i.e. do not stick to a certain group of clients at limited numbers to keep things classy – i.e. escorts that do not sleep with just anyone – who incidentally should not be raised above/be allowed to climb over the heads of the honest working class professionals etc..) or with tongues that are too loose.
Which is also the reason for so much obsession with erotica by these quasi-apex/literati classes without wealth – pure ‘spiritual love’ from authors to the readers will be the cleanest form of titillation possible to indulge in, even multiple ‘spiritual’ partners notwithstanding apex classes, or a harem of wives to indulge themselves by.
ARTICLE 13
Y.U. Mad … ‘Cause I Bought a Palace – Music Mogul Birdman spent $14.5 mil in cash money for a Miami mansion the size of a Four Seasons.
The rapper — who co-founded Cash Money Records — bought the 19,000-sqaure-foot pad last month — which sits on the ultra exclusive Palm Island.
The 9-bedroom, 17-bath palace is amazing — 25-foot-ceilings … a below ground pool … an outdoor pool with cabana … a theater, gym, spa area … in-house massage room … 100 feet of waterfront AND a private dock.
Ya know, for your awesome boat.
FUN HOUSE HISTORY: The mansion belonged to music producer Scott Storch until it was taken away from him in foreclosure 2 years ago. It was snatched up by the inventor of Rockstar energy drinks for $6.75 mil … and then flipped to Birdman for a huge profit.
Oh the rich. We hate them.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Thats so characteristically white bread of so many African American stars who succeeded.
You’d think they’d decorate in a manner congruous with African cultures or that at least gives a strongly black-american accent (not exactly ghetto or hoodie yet carefully ‘uncolonial’ and ‘unsafari’ as well).
This is too European. Look at the ‘Black House’ jokes for a skewed sense of ‘African-American’ style. I’m not African but some African homes FEEL African, excepting the railings, this is just ‘white and European (not even American) bling’.
ARTICLE 13
Exclusive Coffee Has Unsavory Source – Elephant Dung in Thailand
Anantara Resorts, one of the world’s most expensive resort chains, has debuted some of the world’s costliest coffee at its Maldives properties. Just one thing though: The coffee beans are harvested from elephant dung.
The coffee is also offered at Anantara’s Golden Triangle property in Thailand.
The coffee beans, called Black Ivory and priced at $1,100 per kilogram, are digested by an elephant before you drink it.
There are only 50 kilograms, or about 110 pounds, currently for sale.
According to the resort, Black Ivory coffee beans are “naturally refined” by Thai elephants. Research indicates that during digestion, the enzymes of the elephant break down coffee protein, according to the resort. Protein is one of the factors responsible for bitterness in coffee: less protein, less bitterness.
The coffee is ground by hand and brewed table side in a four-minute process. The fragrance is said to be floral and chocolate and the taste “milk chocolate, nutty, earthy with hints of spice and red berries.”
Thai Arabica beans are picked from an altitude of 1500 meters (about 5000 feet) and fed to the elephants. “Once deposited by the elephants, the individual beans are handpicked by mahouts (elephant trainer and care giver) and their wives and sun dried.”
Refinement of the coffee takes place at the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, an elephant conservation program. According to the resort, 8 percent of sales will fund an elephant veterinarian specialist to provide free care to the animals. Additional funds will be used to provide medicine and a new laboratory.
Black Ivory isn’t the first coffee in the world to come out of animal dung. Civet coffee, priced at several hundred dollars per pound, is harvested from the civet cats’ of Southeast Asia’s excrement.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
This is not to be used evidence of ‘insanity’ . . . the below are ideas for extreme experimental foodies, or a horror/vampire book that begins thus . . .
‘Nothing is better than fresh blood of pre-pubescent children . . . ‘ (looks like the vampire kids have been chewing on themselves again or was that the tailor . . . what say you Bellisa? Or is that Isabelle?
Perhaps that would beat J.K. Rowling in the creativity and shock factor department. The book will be called . . . “50 Shades of Red” ! Yea or Nay? Should this be written? Parasite Rowling is such a vacant casualty of ideas . . . Meanwhile we ponder another text . . .
Recipes For the Cannibal Cocktail Connoiseurs . . .
Sample : APERITIF SANGUINAR’SICUM’
Blood . . . with a dash of fermented bile . . . light notes of spooge . . . and freshly squeezed ‘lung juice’ (smoker’s or non-smokers to taste . . . ) – besting Hannibal Lector at his game! Hah! More recipes! That Chianti seems pretty prosaic now donnit? Fava beans and liver still stands for the newbies though. Perhaps grading to kidney and steak pie
. . . Now give me blood! Where’s Ashley, oh Ashley . . . Twilight awaits and I’ll have back what you took (did you?) from my stack of ‘Crematoria Scrip’ now thank you, thieves accrue debt that cannot offset karmic interest . . . unwritten sample from text.
Heres an idea for for products for the ‘Scat’ bunch (Hmm . . . Scatman?!? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scatman%27s_World) Heres some ideas, more rare and MONSTROUS flavours for the extreme foodie . . . Gargarensis would approve and no need to wear a meat dress either!
Triple-Blad (thrice ‘processed’ ‘yellow’) . . . as opposed to Triple Sec)
Triple-Col(on) (thrice ‘processed’ ‘brown’) . . . as opposed to Tripe . . . QUOTE ‘To be a balloon, floating . . .’ Sam Pedeaston UNQUOTE)
As Anthony Bourdain in “The Wild Traveller . . . would say . . . ‘ Come along . . . ‘ Hmm, maybe that was James Pedeaston from ‘No Reservations” on WCTR Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas . . . Travel Channel thats right! Oh that’s good! Delicious! Don’t lose all reservations Bourdain . . . I mean Pedeaston . . .
Warning content in below link unsuitable for some people . . .
Foodies in religion eh? Dull eat-beasts more like, even if Vegetarian . . . Now this particular posting will probably this blog’s most monstrous! Counter articles/responses welcome! Commentary fight time, even at such severe handicap!
ARTICLE 14
Home extension plan demolished: Councils unite to scupper Cameron’s free-for-all on bigger conservatories and enlarging your home by Tim Shipman – PUBLISHED: 22:57 GMT, 11 October 2012 | UPDATED: 06:32 GMT, 12 October 2012
Councils warned Cameron’s plan would encourage unsightly development
Last year councils rejected outright 22,000 of 200,000 applications received
LGA fears that without such scrutiny these failed plans would now go ahead
Town hall chiefs last night vowed to kill off David Cameron’s plan to allow large extensions in back gardens.
They warned his free-for-all would encourage unsightly development and spark tension between neighbours.
In a huge blow to the Coalition’s flagship housing policy, the Local Government Association said councils would not implement the plans.
Blow: Town hall chiefs vowed to kill off David Cameron’s plan to allow large extensions in back gardens
Blow: Town hall chiefs vowed to kill off David Cameron’s plan to allow large extensions in back gardens
Homeowners can currently build a 10ft extension at a terraced property – and 13ft at a detached house – without planning consent.
Mr Cameron wants these limits doubled to 20ft and 26ft for a three-year period.
The move is needed to boost the economy, the Prime Minister says. But without the co-operation of town hall chiefs the policy is unlikely to be implemented.
Last year councils rejected outright only 22,000 of the 200,000 applications they received.
And the LGA, which represents more than 370 councils, fears that without such scrutiny these failed plans would now go ahead.
Recession has turned us into a nation of Rigsbys: Number of homeowners who rent a room to a lodger doubles in a year
Spectacular castle that inspired The Great Gatsby and played host to Jonas and Weiner weddings facing foreclosure
‘This policy potentially gives the green light to unsightly and out-of-place development without delivering a big enough boost to the construction industry to justify the potential damage,’ said the association’s Mike Jones.
‘The planning process works to ensure development is suitable for a local area and doesn’t unduly impact neighbours. Loosening rules around extensions would eliminate this vital mediation process in a large number of cases. The 22,000 applications which are rejected each year are knocked back for good reasons and it would be totally wrong if extensions which were previously rejected due to objections from neighbours or because they were judged to blight the neighbourhood could now sneak back in unimpeded.’
Tory-run councils in Lincolnshire and in Richmond, South-West London, have already said they will not cooperate with the new policy. Lincolnshire said a ‘rash of extensions’ could increase the risk of flooding in the low-lying county.
Additions: Homeowners can currently build a 10ft extension at a terraced property – and 13ft at a detached house – without planning consent
At their party conference, the Liberal Democrat rank and file also voted against the proposals.
And a YouGov poll commissioned by the Royal Institute of British Architects revealed 54 per cent believe the shake-up would lower the quality of neighbourhood design.
‘This policy potentially gives the green light to unsightly and out-of-place development without delivering a big enough boost to the construction industry to justify the potential damage’
Mike Jones,
Local Government Association
The LGA’s intervention sets the stage for a clash between town hall chiefs and Eric Pickles. The Communities Secretary has warned that homeowners could sue councils that refuse to follow the new guidance on extensions. Ministers have said however that it will be up to each council as to whether to cooperate.
The LGA’s warning is also a challenge to Mr Cameron, who repeated calls for growth-friendly planning changes in his speech to the Conservative conference in Birmingham this week.
The Prime Minister attacked ‘yes-but-no people’ – ‘the ones who say “yes, our businesses need to expand but no we can’t reform planning”’.
Mr Jones countered: ‘We agree with the Government that stimulating the construction industry is essential to economic recovery but this proposal is not the answer. We need to tackle the housing crisis and that means freeing up lending so first-time buyers can secure mortgages and developers can borrow to build.
Extensions: A YouGov poll commissioned by the Royal Institute of British Architects revealed 54 per cent believe the shake-up would lower the quality of neighbourhood design
Extensions: A YouGov poll commissioned by the Royal Institute of British Architects revealed 54 per cent believe the shake-up would lower the quality of neighbourhood design
‘The Government should also lift tight restrictions on local authority borrowing so councils and housing associations can raise money to invest in new homes.’
Planning minister Nick Boles, who is a Lincolnshire MP, hit back, saying: ‘The planning system needs to strike a balance between the rights of the homeowner and their neighbours.
‘The planning system needs to strike a balance between the rights of the homeowner and their neighbours’
Nick Boles, Planning minister
‘Our proposals will make it easier for thousands of hard-working families to undertake home improvements to cater for a growing family. It will also help generate new business for local construction companies and small traders.’
When the plans emerged, Ruth Dombey, the Lib Dem leader of Sutton council in South London, said: ‘These proposals are a recipe for disaster. They have not been properly thought through.
‘If this is allowed to happen it will set neighbour against neighbour and split communities for years. On top of the resentment and loss of quality of life, some people’s houses will also plummet in value if they’ve got no light or a noisy factory is within a few metres of their front door.’
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
10-13 feet? I’d say all the way to the edge of the lot (which is why there are high walls sometimes) and then overhangs out into at least the middle of the road especially for roads where heavy vehicles or tall vehicles are not allowed! Factories? How did this article steer from freedom to build on one’s property to **factories** (no outlandish smells, no outlandish noises and probably people won’t care, why should the council Jobsworths who don’t even live there care)?
. . . and developers can borrow to build. . . .
NO. England is overpopulated as is, and no more increases in population should be allowed if England is to remain self sufficient or not become a Hong Kong style hi-rise pigeon coop. Developers had better hang up their heavy construction equipment to prevent future losses from lack (actually there is nowhere left to build) of demand and consider getting into home extensions work and such.
Unless England is to be a ‘gray and unpleasant’ land (Foggy gaslight London era, drowning in rising sewage anyone? Throw in a few Jack the Rippers, absinth drinking detectives and grape eating hookers for some excitement . . . ), overbuilt that is, without green lungs, like a Englishstani slum that an Indian film maker can go to to film Slumdog Millionaire : Englishstan . . . The time of developers and developer/construction stocks is over, excepting companies able to build massive Arcology type structures and a dystopian ‘Bladerunner’ hyperdense hive that eventually turns into the ‘Matrix’, which still downs most of the smaller ‘construction’ companies without their own development landbanks.
ARTICLE 15
Lakota Sioux Nation Leaves America by Stephen Lendman – 10-1-12
America betrayed them and all Native Peoples. Throughout US history and earlier, genocide was policy.
Historian Ward Churchill explained four centuries of systematic slaughter. It went on from 1492 – 1892. It continues today against Native culture.
Churchill estimated around 100 million Native People throughout the Americas “hacked apart with axes and swords, burned alive and trampled under horses, hunted as game and fed to dogs, shot, beaten, stabbed, scalped for bounty, hanged on meathooks and thrown over the sides of ships at sea, worked to death as slave laborers, intentionally starved and frozen to death during a multitude of forced marches and internments, and, in an unknown number of instances, deliberately infected with epidemic diseases.”
Destruction of their culture continues in new forms. “The American holocaust was and remains unparalleled, in terms of its scope, ferocity, and continuance over time.”
Silence and denial suppress what happened and goes on today. Try finding coverage anywhere by America’s major media. Virtually nothing is said, let alone explained.
Survivors represent a tiny fraction of original numbers. They also symbolize a longstanding US tradition of butchery and viciousness.
After centuries of systematic slaughter, Census Bureau data estimated around a quarter-million US survivors. Those living struggle to get by.
Raphael Lemkin defined genocide as:
“the destruction of a nation or of an ethnic group” that corresponds to other terms like “tyrannicide, homicide, infanticide, etc.” (It) does not necessarily mean the destruction of a nation, except when accomplished by mass killings….It is intended….to signify a coordinated plan (to destroy) the essential foundations of the life of national groups” with the intent to eradicate or substantially weaken or harm them.”
“Genocidal plans involve the disintegration….of political and social institutions, culture, language, national feelings, religion, economic existence, personal security, liberty, health, dignity, and” human lives.
The 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide Convention defines it legally as:
“any (acts like those above) committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the national, ethnical, racial or religious group (by) killing (its) members; causing (them) serious bodily or mental harm; (or) deliberately inflicting (on them) conditions” that may destroy them in whole or in part.
Destroying peoples’ cultures, preventing them from practicing their religion, speaking their language, and/or passing on their traditions to new generations are genocidal acts.
Constitutional provisions don’t let government abuse people or deny them their rights. They don’t authorize genocide, either within or outside the country. They don’t permit theft and occupation of their lands or any others.
Nonetheless, binding principles are spurned. America, Israel, and rogue NATO partners violate them with impunity. Crimes of war, against humanity, and genocide are official policy. Millions of corpses bear testimony.
On December 17, 2007, a delegation of Lakota people went to Washington. They declared independence. They called it “the latest step in the longest running legal battle” in history.
It’s not a cessation, they said. It’s a lawful “unilateral withdrawal” from treaty obligations permitted under the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
At the time, American Indian Movement (AIM) leader Russell Means said:
“We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five-state area that encompasses our country are free to join us.”
“We offer citizenship to anyone provided they renounce their US citizenship.”
“United States colonial rule is at an end.”
Signed documents were delivered to the State Department. Sovereignty was declared. The Republic of Lakota was established. It’s based on the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie. It created the Great Lakota (Sioux) Nation. It states in part:
“The territory of the Sioux or Dahcotah Nation, commencing the mouth of the White Earth River, on the Missouri River; thence in a southwesterly direction to the forks of the Platte River; thence up the north fork of the Platte River to a point known as the Red Buts, or where the road leaves the river; thence along the range of mountains known as the Black Hills, to the head-waters of Heart River; thence down Heart River to its mouth; and thence down the Missouri River to the place of beginning.”
It gave Lakota people portions of northern Nebraska, half of South Dakota, one-fourth of North Dakota, one-fifth of Montana, and another 20% of Wyoming.
Unilateral withdrawal from all treaties and agreements became policy. America never honored its own. More on that below.
Earlier events led to the 2007 declaration. In 1974, 5,000 International Indian Treaty Council delegates, representing 97 North and South American Indigenous People, signed a Declaration of Continuing Independence.
It was a “Manifesto representing the wisdom of thousands of people, the Ancestors, and the Great Mystery supports the rights of Indigenous Nations to live free and to take whatever actions are necessary for sovereignty.”
Numerous elders approved it. They represented ancestors born to live free. They gave delegates two mandates:
(1) Gain international recognition. In September 2007, the UN Declaration of Indigenous Rights affirmed it.
(2) “We must always remember that we were once a free People. If we don’t, we shall cease to be Lakota.”
The right to return to their original free and independent status was asserted. On December 17, 2007, they declared it formally.
In United States v. Sioux Nation (1980), the Supreme Court upheld a $105 million award to eight Sioux tribes. It was compensation for lost land. It was lawlessly taken.
The Court, however, denied what Sioux people most wanted – their land back. As a result, they refused the money. They reasserted their sovereign rights.
Thirty-two years of compound interest makes the 1980 award worth $400 million today. It’s a tiny fraction of what Sioux people lost. They demand and deserve what’s rightfully theirs. America’s highest court has no sovereignty over their rights. Neither does political Washington.
Lakota people say US law supports them. America systematically broke treaties and stole their land. It’s theirs and they want it back. The Republic of Lakota claims it.
On September 29, 2012 Means reiterated what he and others declared in December 2007, saying:
“We are no longer citizens of the United States of America and all those who live in the five state area that encompasses our country are free to join us.”
He cited longstanding problems and grievances. They include land theft, resource plunder, poverty, unemployment, repression, and overall human depravation. All of it remains out of sight and mind.
The Republic of Lakota described ongoing genocide as follows:
(1) Mortality
Life expectancy for Lakota men is less than 44 years. It’s the lowest of all sovereign countries. It’s the highest in America. Infant mortality is threefold higher than the US average. Diseases are a major problem. “Cancer is now at epidemic proportions.”
Teenage suicide is150% higher than America’s average. One-fourth of Lakota children are fostered or adopted by non-Native people. Doing so destroys their identity and culture. Ward Churchill calls it killing the Indian, saving the man.
(2) Disease
Tuberculosis is 800% higher than America’s average. Cervical cancer is fivefold higher. Diabetes is eight times the national average. The Federal Commodity Food Program provides high-sugar foods. They contribute to poor health.
(3) Poverty
Annual median income is $2,600 – $3,500. Poverty affects 97% of Lakotans. Many families can’t afford essentials most people take for granted. In winter, many use ovens for heat. Simple luxuries are unheard of. Life is hard, merciless, punishing, and unrelenting.
(4) Unemployment
It’s 80% or higher. Government corruption, cronyism, and indifference destroy normal living opportunities.
(5) Housing
In winter, elderly people die from hypothermia. They freeze to death for lack of heat. One-third of homes lack clean water and sewage. About 40% have no electricity. About 60% of families have no telephone.
Another 60% of homes are infected with potentially fatal black molds. On average, 17 people reside in each household. Many have two to three rooms. Some homes built for six to eight people have up to 30 in them.
(6) Drugs and Alcohol
Over half of adults battle addiction and disease. Alcoholism affects 90% of families. Two known methamphetamine labs operate. Authorities haven’t closed them.
(7) Incarceration
Indian children imprisonment exceed whites by 40%. Native People comprise 2% of South Dakota’s population. They account for 21% of those imprisoned.
Indians have the second highest state prison incarceration rate in America. Most live on federal reservations. Less than 2% are where states have jurisdiction.
(8) Culture
It’s threatened with extinction. It’s federal policy to destroy it. Only 14% of Lakotans speak their language. It’s not shared inter-generationally.
The average fluent Lakotan speaker is 65 years old. In another generation or less, perhaps few or none will remain. Lakotan language skills aren’t allowed or taught in US government schools. Nor is much of anything about native history and culture. America wants it destroyed and forgotten.
Lakotan struggle began with the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. They call it “fantasy” US history. France sold America 530 million Native land acres for $15 million. Lakotans owned part of it. They and other Native people weren’t consulted.
They’ve been systematically ignored and violated. From 1778 – 1871, Washington negotiated 372 treaties. Their provisions were systematically spurned.
America’s winning the West involved invading, encroaching, stealing, and occupying their lands. That’s how imperialism works. It’s the same everywhere.
Throughout the 19th century (and earlier), Washington engaged in military, legal, and political battles against Native Peoples. Their rights were contemptuously denied. They were displaced and exterminated. That’s how today’s America was created.
The 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie was systematically violated. So were provisions of all other treaties. From 1866 – 1868, Washington let the Bozeman trail go through the “Heart of the Lakota Nation.”
It was a short cut to Montana’s gold fields. Military forts were built on stolen land along its route. Doing so violated 1851 treaty provisions. Battles ensued. Washington negotiated peace. The 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty followed. Native People thought they won. Victory was pyrrhic and illusory.
The Supreme Court’s 1883 ex parte Crow Dog decision made no difference. The Court recognized Lakotah freedom and independence. It ruled that tribes held exclusive jurisdiction over their internal affairs. It didn’t matter.
The transcontinental railroad facilitated development, land and resource theft.
In 1885, Congress passed the Major Crimes Act. It extended US jurisdiction into Lakota territory. The same year, the last of the great buffalo herds were exterminated. At one time, they numbered 60 million. Native People relied on them for food.
In 1887, Congress passed the General Allotment Act (the Dawes Act). It ended communal ownership of reservation lands. It distributed 160-acre “allotments” to individual Indians. Tribes lost millions of acres. Wealthy ranchers exploit them today.
In 1888, Congress began prohibiting Indian Spiritual and Prayer Ceremonies. It was part of destroying Native culture. In 1891, a Commissioner of Indian Affairs was authorized. It was to assure Native People obeyed white man’s laws.
Many more abuses followed. In Lone Wolf v. Hitchcock (1903), the Supreme Court extralegally recognized near absolute plenary congressional power over Indian affairs.
It let US authorities steal tribal lands and resources freely. They did so on the pretext of fulfilling federal responsibilities.
Doing so abrogated fundamental indigenous rights unilaterally. The ruling was used to violate hundreds of treaties. Like other Native Peoples, Lakotans were grievously harmed.
Their sacred Black Hills were stolen. So were valued resources on them. Lakotans want back what’s rightfully theirs. Their ancestors thought the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty granted them victory. They were wrong.
Yet in 1904, even after Lone Wolf v. Hitchcock, some believed the Treaty was “the only instance in the history of the United States where the government has gone to war and afterwards negotiated a peace conceding everything demanded by the enemy and exacting nothing in return.”
Until the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act, Native People got what no one had the right to deny them in the first place. In fact, rights afforded them nominally never existed in fact.
The entire history of Native People in America reflects horrific struggles lost. From 1492 to today, they experienced promises made and broken. Disenfranchized people remain. Most are bereft of hope.
On reservations or assimilated, they’re out of sight and mind. Once they lived peacefully on their own land. White settlers changed things. Western civilization destroyed their way of life. There’s nothing civilized about it.
They’re either ignored, mocked, or demonized in films and society. They’re called drunks, beasts, primitives, and savages. America always was a white supremacist society.
Rich powerful elites run it. Native People and most others don’t matter. They’re systematically used and abused. They’re not served. It’s the American way.
Thats ALL non-European, non-English sovereign nations which have become so-called USA and so-called Canada. Does the UN know this fact? What the colonial Europeans and English did was barbaric and needs proper reparations instead of mere ‘Indian Reservations’. Shall USA and Canada be run by a Supreme Council of Tribal Chieftains from all territories on this map? All existing European and English people who did not benefit from or cause murder and slavery should be allowed to remain as citizens, those identified as having benefited should be repatriated to their home nations. A 600 year long holocaust occured here that history cannot bury and that has not been corrected or apologized for yet. (Caption by @AgreeToDisagree, Map from http://www.manataka.org)
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book is titled “How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion and Class War”
The true language of ‘America’ is Native Ameri-Indian, NOT English. To be fair to the Native Ameri-Indians, perhaps all of the ‘5 Civilised Tribes’ should have a Governor each and a UN Representative of USA should be Red Native Ameri-Indian as well. A black president says much about USA today, not go even further and have an Ameri-Indian President neext (not those 1/8th blood types but as pure as possible).
Meanwhile Sabah and Sarawak should demand 100% disbursement rights and 100% equality for Orang Asli and access to ALL Special Privileges, to be implemented immediately or secede and get their own UN seat instead. Whats the point of not having a UN seat and not even being able to disburse your own states’ wealth AND being made into second class citizens without :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
Whats so great about east Malaysia staying in Malaysia? The worst among Muslims force Islam on the Orang Asli who are vulnerable, and Malaysia’s APARTHEID Bumiputra system has parasited on the Orang Asli Chieftain-RULERS using Islam to a degree as a weapon of control via threat of violence to these simple Tuak drinking, boar bucaneering, Keris inventing, spirit-lamp using peoples, taken away their land via illegal laws that the UN would never approve or even sue as war criminals over (the Bar Council is asleeep as usual does not care at all), invited loggers that denuded the forests and planted dull and eco-diversity destroying oil palm plantations . . . whats the point for Sabah and Sarawak to stay in malaysia unless the above listed are granted immediately?
Any Orang Asli worth their pride as warriors (those Orang Asli made mincemeat of the oppresso-Christians before in Kalimantan didn’t they? Now Christian DAP is back again with more neo-colonial b.s.. . . . make mincemeat of the Apartheid of Bumiputra) will prefer to have a seat at the UN as a PM instead of as a DAP or BN stooge that only gets 5% or 15% (as CM of Penang Lim Guan Eng ‘generously’ – actually INSULTINGLY – offered 15% as being ‘better than BN’s 5%’) of THEIR OWN WEALTH?
Try the response to this article : Grievances of the Temiar tribe must be addressed – reposted by @AgreeToDisagree – Feb 23, 2012 @ 8:01- https://malaysiandemocracy.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/3719/ that belong to the nomadic and eco-friendly Orang Asli instead of plantations! Free yourselves Orang Asli! Give BN an ultimatum to grant the above or begin filing for secession at the UN. Chieftains must be intelligent and civilised men not stupid uneducated ‘natives’ who cannot even keep their religion and culture or lands intact! Get your sovereign seat at the UN if BN still wants to keep control, or if Pakatan refuses to change their entitlement mentality regards equality of citizenship and return of stolen lands!
Orang Asli Chieftains! Never accept this heartbreaking and heartrending treatment of your people’s anymore! Demand equality and show idiots like CM Lim Guan Eng or Minister Chua Soi Lek or MIC leading the Malaysian Chinese and Indian community cowards and colluders who dare not ask for equality how to be indepdnent equals in their own country by filing lawsuit at the UN for the above listed 3 items as well as all the above response’s listed demands! Scottish PM would-be leading the Scottish Independence movement, Alex Salmond should have a talk to the Orang Asli Chieftains about independence and how much a sovereign seat at the UN would be better than this ‘trash’ deal offered by Pakatan rakyat’s Guan Eng (who doesn’t even dare try secure end of apartheid for the Chinese on the Malaysian Peninsular) or Barisan’s apartheid and Islamic proselytisation and stealing of lands (especially ancestral grave sites which the Muslims seem to fear and try very hard to target).
Don’t dare say that non-Muslims, some here for tens of generations despite not being ethnic Malay do not deserve 1st class citizenships! Especially so the pureblood Orang Asli who didn’t intermarry with the Middle Eastern or ASEAN peoples, are the TRUE Nusantaran Animist MALAYS, not Muslims who were converted from Orang Asli and took Arabic names. No citizen should not be punished and disenfranchised or have any privileges denied them simply for having a different religion! Religion is disenfranchisement! Especially when the Constitution guarantees equality, the UN Article 1 which Malaysia is a signatory of, and the Social Contract states that Special Privileges were to only last 15 years before review and removal. How could 20,000 or more year old settlements be displaced then made into second class citizens by Muslim converts who too are Orang Asli, albeit now in mixed marriage (and without original malay names) to Arab traders who arrived mostly in the 15th Century? End the apartheid! The Orang Asli are your own REAL ORIGINAL Malaysians who have even managed to preserve their original Nusantaran faith! The original faith of Nusantaran Animism! Spiritual Colonialism is not something the Malays expected, but to deny the Orang Asli equality is just unprincipled. Finally Islam states that all citizens are to be treated equally regardless of faith.
Who’s a Muslim? Find your roots those who care and understand . . . that one can be a successful ethnic-Malay who is not a Muslim that deserves equal treatment, not persecution for applying Article 18 of the UNHRC. Know those roots without oppressing all other minorities with Islam. Find your real names as well. Before the Arabs came to Malaysia, what were real Malay names? Look to Indonesia and note the real Indonesian names as opposed to Arabic names. Spiritual Colonialisation no less!
Heat over satellite dish crackdown in Sabah – Azman Habu – December 7, 2011
Astro’s monopoly and recent seizure of parabolic satellite dishes has come under attack in Sabah.
TAWAU: The seizure of 193 satellite dishes around Sabah by the Customs Department has drawn into the spotlight the federal government’s continued bias towards KL-based satellite service provider Astro and its victimizing of Sabahans.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr Yee Moh Chai as well as several senior opposition leaders, in voicing their shock, have also branded the seizures as “ridiculous”.
“After all we are subscribing to the Prime Minister’s ‘People First Performance Now’ dictum,” he said after making known his unhappiness with federal government’s continued policy of not allowing people to use parabolic satellite dishes.
The state Customs Department announced over the weekend it had launched crackdown on the use of unapproved satellite dishes last month under Customs Act 1967.
Those caught in possession are liable to a fine of not less than 10 times the value of the seized items or imprisonment of up to three years or both.
A total of 64 dishes were confiscated from residences in the districts of Beaufort, Papar, Kota Kinabalu, 76 in Keningau and Tambunan and 48 in Tawau, department deputy director Hamzah Sundang said on Saturday.
Each dish costs between RM300 to RM500 making the total seizures worth about RM200,000.
Yee, who is also Sabah Resource Development and Information Technology Minister, said it was absurd that the use of such dishes was still banned in a borderless world.
“We should accept the fact that the world is getting smaller. For a runner, for example, they cannot be asked to use only one type of shoes. We cannot allow a monopoly,” he told the reporters here.
Astro monopoly criticized
He said preventing people from using any satellite dishes apart from those supplied by Astro did not make sense and was also a monopolistic exercise condoned by the government.
Yee said that the rational for not allowing the public to use such dishes in the past was because the federal government wanted to control information.
“But now people can access information from anywhere,” he said, adding that disallowing the use of satellite dishes “is like the ostrich burying its head in the sand … it is not tenable and against the interests of the nation.”
Sabah DAP leader Jimmy Wong also slammed the seizures as an affront to freedom of information.
He said there was nothing wrong in people buying parabolic dishes as they are doing what the government wants them to tap on more information to gain more knowledge and achieve the government’s vision of becoming a fully developed nation by 2020.
“Parabolic dishes are cheap and can help people gather three to four times more information than is available. In China there are more than 100 stations.
“The government should get rid of the policy prohibiting the people from using these dishes,” he said.
He also criticized the monopoly held by Astro.
“At the moment we are only limited to Astro … there is no competition, a total monopoly.
“If the government really means the words – ‘People First’ – the government should be open to other satellite channel providers, just like the many cellular phone companies.
“In Sabah, we have used parabolic dishes for the past 20 to 30 years without problems,” he said reminding the authorities that the devices were initially allowed in areas in Sabah and Sarawak where telecommunication services are spotty at best due to the terrain.
‘Yee sleeping on the job’
Earlier, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) took Yee to task for the brouhaha over the seizures, saying he had failed to improve Sabah’s information technology development despite being in charge for eight years.
SAPP information chief Chong Pit Fah said Yee was constantly blaming others for the poor broadband services in the state and now was finding fault with others for the seizures.
“He just woke up on the parabolic satellite disc issue. He is sleeping on the job. He should apologise to all the parabolic satellite disc owners,” Chong said in a statement this week.
“It is Yee who is ridiculous. He has been the minister in charge of the ICT in Sabah and only now he is seeing all this?”
Telecommunication services in both Sabah and Sarawak lag behind what is available in Peninsular Malaysia.
Most consumers in the two states look on in envy at high-tech services that are available in the peninsula first and only reach them months and even years later. (Continue with below related article, response follows.)
ARTICLE 2
RM265,000 worth of banned Parabolic Dishes seized
Other than those of ASTRO’s, satellite dishes are prohibited by law in Malaysia. Many quarters have tried in the past, to get the government – including those that were initiated by NGOs and some leaders from ruling government – to lift the ban on the use of such dishes in order to receive transmissions of information from foreign countries.
Daily Express – 16.6.2012
Latest on the Customs Department’s crackdown on banned goods saw its officers confiscating 106 sets of parabolic satellite dishes worth RM180,000 and is the biggest such seizures in Sabah so far. According to current market price, the seized sets of dishes could worth RM265,000.
Media report
State Customs Deputy Director (Enforcement and Compliance), Hamzah Sundang told a media conference in Keningau Friday that the 2.20pm raid at a house in Jalan Masak here was made by a team lead by the District Customs Enforcement Officer, Michael Asik. He said the parabolic dish is a prohibited item listed under Schedule II of Custom Rule (Prohibition on Import) 2008 and would require an import permit from Sirim Berhad.
Those found in possession of a parabolic dish without valid permit could be charged under Section 135 (1)(d) of the Custom Act 1967, which provides a fine of not less than 10 times the value of the seized goods for the first offence and not more than 20 times the value of the goods or a jail term of not more than 3 years or both, if convicted.
Oppressed by Malaysian law :
Schedule II (Prohibition on Import) 2008 : Goods can be imported only with an Import License.
Item 10
Apparatus or equipment to be attached to or connected to a Public Telecommunication network or system. Affected parties – all countries, SIRIM Berhad
Example: telephone sets, telephone sets for cellular network, base station, switching & routing apparatus, telephonic & telegraphic apparatus, walkie talkie, transceivers, radio telephonic receivers.
Item 11
All radio communication apparatus capable of being used for telecommunication in the frequency band lower than 3000 GHz or their motherboards except for:
receiver that is designed for use in the broadcasting services; and
radio communication apparatus having a valid licence issued by the 26 Telecommunication Authority of any country or an International Automatic Roaming (IAR) card issued by a licensed operator
Affected parties: All countries, SIRIM Berhad
Examples: transmission apparatus & transmission apparatus incorporating reception apparatus, radar apparatus, radio navigational aid, radio remote control apparatus
Why the ban?
Looking at the Schedule II of the (Prohibition of Imports) Order 2008, the reason for the prohibition can be speculated as not having the import permit necessary to bring in the apparatus, and possible quality control issues. Nothing else.
I read the short presentation on THE CUSTOMS IMPORT PROHIBITION ORDER 2008:- THE ROLE & FUNCTION OF CUSTOMS by Sirim-QAS and found no specific reason for the prohibition other than possible interference in the local communication system by such telecommunication apparatus. If you can get SIRIM to check on the quality of these dishes, you should be permitted to get them imported.
TheGreenMechanics’ two cents:
The number of dishes and money involved in the latest crackdown gives us an impression that there could be more shipments of this popular household item that went undetected.
The monopolistic nature of ASTRO business model, coupled with the recent revision of fees/charges and the implementation of the 6% government service tax put ASTRO out of many people’s reach and hence, the difficulty in accessing information, especially to the rural folks. If people are hindered from their right to information, due to financial or legal reasons, they will find ways through the back door, as demonstrated by what is currently happening.
The key is ‘Import Permit’. Under certain conditions, the law permits you and me to bring in such dishes. So, why don’t we relax the conditions a little bit and allow the people access to information. After all, the Malaysian government has never put any restriction to internet access in the country.
**UPDATE** – Another 90 satellite dishes worth RM225,000 were seized by Sabah Customs in Keningau on Monday. This makes a total of 196 confiscated parabola set. Total market worth is now RM490,000. (Source: Daily Express, 19-06-2012, page 4).
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Vote properly citizens, against MONOPOLY and oppression of communications. Ask your MP if they will remove the ban and make satellite dishes legal. If your MP does not want to, then do not vote for that MP because they are colluding with Astro for monopoly over YOUR CASH. If there is no MP that is running as candidate that will, run for election yourself with the intention of ratifying legalisation. There are more people being extorted via monopoly than those on the take, THAT is the power of democracy as much as the right for th electrosensitive to demand White Zones or even compensation for being affected as per the rights of a minority group – Malaysia unfortunately does not protect or even give equality to the minorities of non-Malays and non-Muslims who seem to somehow think that EQUALITY is unfair to them. A skewed sense of entitlement inculpated by racists and apartheid accepting lapdogs for decades by BN!
If 222 MPs or actually 130 MPs run for election the Satellite dishes will become legal and Astro’s monopoly will end. No need to fight with the police or do illegal stuff! The police will then also be happier because they too will not have to pay Astro, which is incidentally owned by a non-Malay.
Then consider solar panels to end electricity monopoly as well. Local solar panel producers will be happy instead! And with enough independent persons, satellite phones as well which can be trasnparent to ensure no neurotech infiltrations which I strongly believe Astro has been applying against the citizens of Malaysia with. Most police and army are Joe Public level wealth types, for certain they should see the value in such actions. The 1% type ‘Putras’ or term limitless Oligarchs colluding should be taken out of the system as quicly as possible. Will the voters wake up? 1% of people will be unhappy that they cannot get EVEN MORE millions, but 99% of the people will see all of the above bills drop to ZERO. Vote properly or offer yourself as candidates! Make C-band Satellite dishes and decoders legal by becoming MPs! Also any right minded Malays could climb over Pakatan AND BN by securing for themselves as a 3rd Force by running as independent candidates by endorsing with intention to grant via statuary declaration :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
Then realise that neurotech can eventually end all freedom as well . . .
ARTICLE 3
What’s keeping Malaysia’s Opposition together? – Bridget Welsh (Malaysian Insider) – Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Pakatan Rakyat is an alliance of profoundly different backgrounds, with secularists, theocrats, conservatives and progressives working together.
What keeps the Malaysian opposition Pakatan Rakyat (People’s Alliance) together? The quick answer often given is the common search of political power.
While power frames the relationships between three disparate political parties – Islamist PAS, secular-committed Democratic Action Party and the umbrella reform-oriented PKR of Mr Anwar Ibrahim – it is not the glue of the opposition alliance. Were this the case, PAS would have left the coalition when UMNO floated the offer of joining the government in 2008 and intense jockeying took place within PAS.
The answer lies in the three parties’ shared moral compact. Pakatan Rakyat is an alliance of profoundly different backgrounds, with secularists, theocrats, conservatives and progressives working together. In a world wracked with tensions over religion and misunderstandings, Malaysia’s opposition stands out in bucking international trends of difference.
CORRUPTION IN EVERYDAY LFE
Three common principles bind the Opposition together. The first is deep concern with endemic corruption.
The problem of corruption is not new, and while Malaysia’s practices are assessed above many in Asia, including Indonesia, what has become increasingly apparent is that it has crossed the line of acceptability for many Malaysians. Survey results show that an overwhelming majority view their officials as corrupt and believe that their officials do not abide by the law.
Scandal after scandal, from the National Feedlot Corporation and Scorpene, to the recent revelations about the extension of the Ampang LRT, has inundated citizens. While there are many civil servants who work hard to deliver services, there are pressures within the system to conform to predatory practices.
Malaysian corruption was initially concentrated among the elite through the practice of “money politics”. But more and more, it is extending into everyday issues such as school fees, crime prevention and service provision.
Most basic food items, such as sugar and rice, are tied to non-transparent deals of politically-aligned businessmen, as are bigger items such as cars through Approved Permit licence allocations.
These weaknesses in governance share a common moral thread – a privileged minority using the system to their advantage, and this is hurting the majority and widening inequality.
FAIRNESS AND THE PLAYING FIELD
This leads to the second shared principle – fairness. The three political parties each have a different take on what is fair, but there are areas of similarity: Namely, everyone should have a seat at the table; everyone should be treated fairly in a court of law; and social and economic inequalities should be minimised.
This shared view of fairness extends into the outrage over unfair legal decisions and deep-seated concerns about poverty and displacement of many Malaysians. Pakatan’s conception of citizenship has evolved into one in which all Malaysians are exactly that — Malaysians. It is a modern view of citizenship, in which everyone has rights and the government is to respond to the people, not the other way round.
The Opposition’s moral compact is also driven by a mutual interest in expanding democratic governance to level the political playing field.
Calls for the removal of the Internal Security Act (which was suspended and replaced by the more benign but less tested Security Offences Act earlier this year), electoral reform, freedoms of assembly, religion and speech, among other things, all fall under the umbrella of expanding political space and rights.
Ever since the reformasi movement of 1999, opposition activists have joined forces in highlighting democratic deficits and showcasing reasons for an expansion of democracy. Each protest and political crisis has brought the opposition together – from Bersih 1.0 in 2007, to the defections and subsequent takeover of the Perak state government in 2009. The bonds forged by protesting together are strong.
Since 2008, there have been significant efforts to rupture the Opposition’s moral compact on multiple fronts. The charges of sodomy and corruption have been tied to attempts to discredit opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and raise doubts about his moral calibre to lead. The introduction of issues such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual (LGBT) rights puts pressure on the relationship between the liberals and others within the Pakatan Rakyat.
The sensitive “Allah” issue that rose to the fore in 2010 tested the Islamists’ position. The push for Malay rights under the rubric “Ketuanan Melayu” reflects efforts to reinforce ethnic supremacy over shared humanity and equality, to reimpose the social contract of the past.
Each of these issues has not broken the ties between the opposition actors, and it is in part due to the prominence of the underlying principles that bring them together.
THE PROBLEM OF HUDUD
This is not a moral compact without problems, however. The biggest challenge for the Opposition lies within. It has to do with an issue being negotiated throughout the Muslim world: The place and form of Islamic law, notably hudud.
Globally, Islamist political parties from AKP in Turkey to the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt are grappling with how to bring about Islamic governance while maintaining rights. For liberals, the introduction of measures such as hudud violates the shared democratic ideals, as there remains deep mistrust of Islamists in office.
For secularists, hudud violates their view of governance. Doubts persist in some quarters about whether the Islamists will continue to hold to the ideals in office, respect different religious rights and, importantly, tolerate difference within their own community.
Detractors point to Algeria and Iran as testimony to a potential violation of trust. Others more open-minded highlight the negotiated paths of Turkey and Morocco.
For Malaysia, the hudud issue remains on the agenda, unresolved and unlikely to be so before polls. In public remarks, Mr Anwar has stressed the centrality of dialogue and principle of consensus. There appears to be a working agreement to agree to disagree.
Among Islamists there has been a global trend towards greater accommodation of difference and an appreciation of constitutional frameworks for governance. Many in the PAS old guard, nevertheless, are tied to the vision of a religious theocracy that is increasingly becoming outmoded, even in Egypt where the President comes from one of the historically strongest advocates of these measures, the Muslim Brotherhood.
Islamists the world over are having to reprioritise their principles in order to govern societies, and PAS will have to as well. What is important is that it will need to do this on its own terms, rather than respond to ultimatums from allies and opponents alike.
Hudud will remain salient to this campaign, because at its core, it puts pressure on Malaysia’s Opposition to reassess, reaffirm and reinforce their common moral priorities. It is this common ground however, that is Pakatan’s moral compact — and for now it is on firm ground. — Today
Bridget Welsh is Associate Professor of Political Science at the Singapore Management University.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Not a word on apartheid? Oh we forget that Singapore and Malaysia’s term limitless dictators gain so much from apartheid. LKY is a farce for not briniging up Malaysia’s Bumiputra apartheid at the UN despite all those US links. So what does that make Bridget Welsh’s selective comments and place in academia worth? Cynical sellout article from a cynical sellout institution. What’s keeping Malaysia’s Opposition together? Self interest. As in the refusal to legalise Satellite dishes to end Astro type monopolies and support of keeping the Vehicular AP system in place, or even keeping Bumiputra Apartheid in place to PROFIT OFF racial disunity.
ARTICLE 4
Battle for MB post eclipses polls – Sunday, 14 October 2012 Super Admin
The rivalry between Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Azmin Ali for the Selangor Mentri Besar post has overshadowed the battle for control of the state.
But while Azmin has control over his party, he has problems getting the support of the coalition. DAP’s Karpal Singh reminded him that the MB post is a consensus decision while PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali said he was “too ambitious”.
Joceline Tan, The Star
THE exchange of fire between loyalists of Azmin Ali and Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim last week was not the first but it was the fiercest to date.
The stakes have increased as the general election draws near and there is no denying that the two PKR leaders are doing what it takes to be in the cushy seat of Selangor Mentri Besar (MB). The Azmin-Khalid feud has reached a new level of intensity.
But politicians are such natural actors. When Khalid walked into the House shortly before the Dewan Rakyat session began on Monday, Azmin leapt to his feet with outstretched arms. There was no man-hug that would have been over-acting but they smiled like they were in a toothpaste advertisement as they shook hands, knowing that all eyes were on them.
Anyone looking at the pair last week would have been puzzled, even confused, as to whether they are rivals or buddies. The two adversaries are, quite ironically, seated next to each other Khalid as the Bandar Tun Razak MP and Azmin as Gombak MP.
Azmin immediately launched into an earnest explanation about his interview in a Malay daily that had sparked off the latest rounds of attacks, saying that the reaction generated was not fair to both of them.
Faekah: The petite but fierce political secretary has taken the bullets for Khalid. Faekah: The petite but fierce political secretary has taken the bullets for Khalid.
Khalid was quite blas about it and told him: “No problem, there’s no need to apologise. In fact, I just told reporters outside: Thank you to Azmin for saying that I am federal material.’”
The pair even left the House together a couple of hours later Khalid to attend a meeting and Azmin to visit one of his party workers in hospital. In the afternoon, they were together again, this time at a PKNS meeting in Shah Alam. Again, there were lots of smiles and jovial exchanges, with Azmin praising Khalid’s handling of Selangor’s financial affairs.
It was not exactly Oscar-winning stuff but it was a good show. Beneath the civil smiles and pleasantries lie a simmering rivalry that is centred around the post of Selangor MB. The two men are savvy enough to leave all that I-say-you and the you-say-me attacks to their machais.
They are well-matched to take on each other. Khalid is the MB, but Azmin pulls the strings in PKR as the deputy president, Selangor chief and party election director.
Azmin is not only a political animal but a smooth operator. Khalid, on the other hand, is not as naive as some imagine. Behind that absent-minded professor demeanour is a man determined to hold on to what he has.
Khalid has often been described as an accidental politician. That is not really the case because he has been interested in politics since his days as CEO of Guthrie Bhd. He had even vied for a division post in Umno. The MB’s office is a dream come true for him and he is not going to let go without a fight.
The latest attack began with a front page interview in Sinar Harian where Azmin praised Khalid’s achievements in Selangor and declared that Khalid’s corporate experience would be needed at the federal level if Pakatan takes Putrajaya.
The headline the next day was: MB Baru Selepas PRU13 (new MB after general election). That was when the bullets started flying between supporters of both sides.
In the corporate world, that would be known as being “kicked upstairs” removed without losing too much face.
Zuraidah: She walks and talks like a man but is a fierce defender of Azmin. Zuraidah: She walks and talks like a man but is a fierce defender of Azmin.
Azmin has often told those who claim that he wants to take over from Khalid that, “I am eyeing Putrajaya, not Selangor”. But he is well aware that Pakatan’s hopes of winning the federal government are getting slimmer by the day and the coalition is more likely to hold on to Selangor than arrive in Putrajaya. Hence, his move to close in on the MB post.
Khalid’s chief defender has been his loyal political secretary Faekah Husin. She did not mince her words about Azmin’s interview; as a result she has been severely criticised by Azmin’s camp.
The petite lawyer admitted with a laugh, “there are bullet holes all over my body.”
Azmin’s boys joke that Faekah is the “First Lady of Selangor”. They go for her because she is an easier target to hit than Khalid and there are now renewed calls to sack her for criticising Azmin.
Mundane remarks
But sacked from what and for what? Faekah is only an ordinary party member, she does not have a party post and her remarks about Azmin were rather mundane.
Moreover, the only person who can sack her is Khalid and he trusts her implicitly; that is what makes her so powerful in Selangor.
Faekah is Khalid’s spokeswoman, and during the launch of his book Fearless: From Kampung Boy to CEO, he singled her out for mention. Going by the video that was aired during the launch, it is quite clear that she is central to Khalid’s politics and work.
Her power status goes up another notch if one considers that she was the former political secretary to PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and they are still very close. Azmin’s boys know they will have to take Faekah down before they can get Khalid, hence the periodic calls for her removal.
In June this year, a group using the Twitter handle @PecatFaekah had agitated for Faekah’s resignation. The group has not given up and has since extended their scope to @PecatFaekah/Arfah, the latter being Khalid’s press secretary.
While Khalid relies on Faekah to check Azmin, Azmin uses Ampang MP Zuraidah Kamaruddin to poke at Khalid. They are Alpha females who do not mind taking the heat for their men.
Zuraidah, who is Azmin’s No. 2 in Selangor, ticked off Khalid a few months ago when he declined to defend Azmin over some compromising photographs of a couple in a toilet. More recently, she lectured Faekah for “jumping the gun” and told her to improve her communication skills with party leaders.
Azmin’s supporters maintain that the MB post should have gone to him instead of Khalid. Azmin was in the lead to be the MB when Selangor fell in 2008.
But in the early hours of March 9, Khalid’s name overtook Azmin’s and by the time the sun came up, Khalid was confirmed as the choice of MB. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had opted for Khalid because he was a big corporate name and also because he thought that Khalid would be easier to control than Azmin; he was wrong on the second count.
Azmin was deeply disappointed and one of those at Anwar’s house that morning recalled witnessing how the de facto leader tried to placate Azmin for almost an hour.
“Azmin’s face was white with anger if you had cut it with a knife, there would have been no blood,” said an insider.
Anwar’s pitch at that time was that Putrajaya was within arm’s reach and he needed Azmin to be in charge. The younger man was sucked into the Sept 16 fairy tale along with many other Malaysians. He is older and wiser and going for the realistic option this time around.
In that sense, Azmin’s remarks in Sinar Harian were very much about about staking his territory and preparing everyone for his ascent.
But while Azmin has control over his party, he has problems getting the support of the coalition. DAP’s Karpal Singh reminded him that the MB post is a consensus decision while PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali said he was “too ambitious”.
Khalid’s situation is the reverse he is the preferred choice of Pakatan but he does not seem to have the backing of his party. His other problem is that his state seat in Ijok is said to be quite vulnerable and he will have to work hard to do well there.
Third candidate
There has also been talk about positioning Nurul Izzah as the next MB, and Taman Medan, a state seat in Selangor, has been named as a possible constituency for her. It is not an implausible scenario because Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo was only slightly older than her when he was plucked from obscurity for the post.
The Lembah Pantai MP and party vice-president has popular appeal and there is still that wow-factor surrounding her.
But her problem is that, intellectually, she has not measured up to her generational peers like Rafizi Ramli or Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin. She has not shone in Parliament compared to several other first-time MPs. Without her father’s name, she would be just another pretty and ambitious politician.
Her other problem is that she seems to be modelling herself after the eccentric Batu MP Tian Chua whom not many people take seriously these days. They like to pursue sensational and gimmicky issues without proper research and when proven wrong, they simply move on to a new issue. Over time, such incidents affect one’s credibility.
For instance, Nurul Izzah went to town about the Defence Ministry submarine that could not dive. She got loads of publicity but when the submarine dived in the sea off Sabah with no less than the King on board, she behaved as though she had never talked about it.
Nurul Izzah is a good ceramah speaker but has yet to show that she can think and argue factually in a debate. She has a lot of catching up to do and Azmin will see to it that she stays in Lembah Pantai.
Nurul Izzah and Dr Wan Azizah have made statements to the effect of siding Khalid but Anwar has been silent on the feud but it should not be read as impartiality. The de facto leader holds the veto decision and he will use it when the time comes.
In the meantime, the feud will simmer on. Azmin and Khalid will continue to smile and say lovely things about each other in public while the knives are sharpened behind the scenes.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
…
written by sa.tombs, October 14, 2012 15:33:43
Azmin back off. You come from a a family which is treacherous and senile. They say blood is thicker than water. How do we know what plot you are hatching ?? After al we know that Molayus are never loyal and move on the side of who pays them more. You have been known to be greedy unlike the present MB. So please FCUK Off and take over Melaka or Johor or Trengganu or even Negri 9. Leave our Tan Sri alone.
Ans : Who cares what anyone thinks? Majority vote at 66.6% quorums (of the whole party), then term limits.
…
written by Ling Joo Hien, October 14, 2012 14:47:04
I know what Karpal Singh said and what the Secretary of PAS said. What I want to know is what Anwar Ibrahim says
Ans : Who cares what Anwar says? 2 terms over? GTFO then. The is a democratic political party not a family business. Who cares what the Secretary General of PAS says? If the majority votes at 66.6.% quorums, then Azmin wins. What Anwar or the Secretary General of PAS says should not matter at all.
Here is Karpal exposing his assent of apartheid the ‘politics of consensus’ by using the hated word. Traitor to the Indian community that does not challenge apartheid. Azmin could ask the Selangor PKR to vote at 66.6% quorums for him. If Azmin fails then the better challenger wins. Nothing to do with Karpal or ‘consensus’. THIS IS DEMOCRACY, not bullsh1t consensus. Azmin should give this method a shot. That way Azmin won’t have people from DAP telling them about ‘consensus’. There is no such thing, only quorums and majority choices of ALL party members preferably AND then term limits.
These Supreme Council types are NOT a monarchy and stunt democracy in PKR. PKR should swith to a 1 man 1 vote system, then all the so called personalities can shut up and allow the members to choose – AT 66.6% quorums!
Even if Azmin wins, Azmin only has a right to be President for 2 terms. Right Azmin? Or will we have a second Anwar in the form of Azmin? 2 terms only then GTFO! That goes for all MPs as well!
ARTICLE 5
Court ruling on Muslim transsexuals raises alarm over Islam ‘superseding’ Constitution – UPDATED @ 03:02:30 PM 12-10-2012 0 By Debra Chong – Assistant News Editor – October 12, 2012
Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and residents took part in the annual “Marcha de la diversidad” (diversity demonstration) in downtown Montevideo September 28, 2012. A Malaysian High Court ruling against Muslim transexuals has sparked concerns that Islamic law is now supplanting the Federal Constitution, say legal experts. — Reuters pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — A High Court ruling against Muslim transsexuals in Negri Sembilan yesterday is raising concerns that Islamic law is now supplanting the Federal Constitution as the country’s supreme law, legal experts have said.
Civil liberties lawyer Syahredzan Johan and law lecturer Azmi Sharom told The Malaysian Insider that there is a worrying trend that the judiciary has been putting Islamic law above all other laws in Malaysia’s dual-track court system – pointing to yesterday’s judgment as an example of an erosion of the Federal Constitution.
“There is a worrying trend in which the judiciary appears to place Islamic enactments on a higher pedestal than the Constitution.
“Islam is the religion of the Federation, but that does not mean that ‘Islam’, or what the authorities deem as ‘Islam’, supersedes other Constitutional provisions,” Syahredzan said.
High Court judge Datuk Siti Mariah Ahmad had dismissed a challenge by a group of Muslim transsexuals to an Islamic legal provision barring men from wearing women’s clothes or dressing up as females, saying Muslims cannot be exempted from Syariah legal provisions.
The judge had also ruled that Part II of the Federal Constitution – which guarantees Malaysians fundamental liberties such as equality before the law, freedom of religion, and which prohibits slavery and enforced labour among others – is exempted by section 66 of the Negri Sembilan Syariah Criminal Enactment 1992, according to lawyer Aston Paiva, who represented the transsexuals.
He said the judge had relied on the religious opinion on the Negri Sembilan mufti to justify section 66 in making her oral ruling. He added that the written judgment of the case was not yet available and the judge had not indicated when it would be released.
Section 66 of the state’s Islamic criminal code states that “any male person who, in any public place wears a woman’s attire or poses as a woman shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding RM1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both.”
Syahredzan said the Seremban High Court ruling followed an earlier Federal Court decision in which it was held that Islam must be protected “at all costs”.
“The Supreme Court in the case of Che Omar Che Soh is clear on this; provisions relating to Islam must receive secular fiats to become law,” he said, adding that it meant the proposed laws must be passed by Parliament or the State Legislative Assemblies. “It also means that laws enacted, regardless of whether they are Syariah enactments or Acts of Parliament must be subjected to and consistent with the Constitution,” he said.
Azmi, an associate professor at Universiti Malaya’s (UM) law faculty, went a step further.
“It is going to give a carte blanche to state legislative assemblies, Islamic religious departments and muftis to make any laws that go against the Constitution simply by saying it is Islamic and circumnavigating the Constitution.
“If you do not respect this basic rule, then what safety net do we have as citizens?” he asked.
The four transsexuals identified by their birth names – Muhamad Juzaili Mohd Khamis, Shukor Jani, Wan Farol Wan Ismail and Adam Shazrul Mohd Yusoff – who have all been previously arrested and convicted under Islamic criminal laws had initiated the suit last year against the Negri Sembilan government and the state Islamic affairs department to end the “persecution”, which they claimed to be a violation of their constitutional rights.
Paiva told The Malaysian Insider that his clients, who have been medically diagnosed to have a gender identity disorder, only wanted the court to declare that Section 66 “does not apply to anyone with a gender identity disorder.”
He said they were distraught and were considering appealing the ruling.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
NO. However, going apostate in Malaysia is particularly difficult, effectively illegal, and also non-Muslims even Malays, not to mention all citizens not Malay and not Muslim are severely discriminated and disenfranchised against if they are not Muslims. This ruling by itself is correct (LGBT cannot be Muslim, though apostataes can), but the underlying related rulings are wrong (cannot go apostate in malaysia, when not a Muslim even if Malaysian, are not treated equally as per the constitution).
mini-ARTICLE 5.5
Jangan shiok sendiri – Wednesday, 10 October 2012
And this is what happens when you close your mind and refuse to look at the bigger picture. You are just one person with one vote. You may even be amongst four million like-minded people. But then 10 million people will be coming out to vote in the 13th General Election. And how many of these 10 million are following the TV news every night? And how many of these 10 million have been swayed by what they saw on TV?
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Minority of one is a bastion of democratic principles. The articles of UNHCR of which Malaysia is a failed signatory of, is another. Democracy negativist article from a so-called modern Muslim! We all know what this makes RPK . . .
ARTICLE 6
The Rise and Rapid Fall of Suaram’s Cynthia Gabriel – FROM AROUND THE BLOGS – Friday, 12 October 2012 Super Admin
Just days ago Cynthia Gabriel was set to be a key figure in the GE13 election campaign. Suaram, of which she is a board member and key spokesperson, was strutting the Malaysian political stage on the back of the Scorpene submarine issue and they thought they had BN on the run.
After all, at the height of the Scorpene saga it was suggested mysteriously that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was set to be whisked off to France to testify at a trial. If he didn’t go, said Suaram’s media friends, our trade with the European Union would suffer. It was total fiction but for Suaram and Pakatan Rakyat they were happy days as the story dominated the media. They went on with their spin and stories.
Except as we now know, there is not and never has been any trial.
A visiting French lawyer Yves Charpenel, who also happens to be a former French prosecutor, torpedoed that story in a five minute press conference in Kuala Lumpur this week.
This has left Suaram reeling. Far more than the revelations about the web of foreign interests that funds this politicised and Pakatan-backed “human rights” group, the “no trial” revelation harmed Suaram because it struck at the heart of its integrity.
NGOs say Suaram misrepresented itself as plaintiff in Scorpene inquiry – NEWS/COMMENTARIES Thursday, Ida Lim, The Malaysian Insider – 11th October 2012
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) had misrepresented itself as a plaintiff to a French inquiry of the multi-billion Scorpene submarine deal, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) alleged today.
“We view the claim that SUARAM has been accepted or recognised as ‘civil party’ (plaintiff) as a biggest lie in the country’s political history…” Dzulkarnain Taib, president of the Young Journalists Club, said at a press conference today.
“This means that the case by Suaram in relation to Scorpene has been thrown out by the French court since March 2012,” he claimed.
Dzulkarnain pointed to a court document dated March 13 this year, signed by the French judiciary, purportedly rejecting SUARAM as plaintiff for the Scorpene inquiry as proof.
He claimed that SUARAM’s lawyers had applied for the human rights watchdog to be made a “joint civil party” (joint plaintiff) together with the International Federation for Human Rights, based on a court document dated March 16 this year.
But Dzulkarnain said the French judiciary have yet to decide on whether to allow SUARAM to be a joint plaintiff over the inquiry into the Scorpene deal.
He declined to show the two court documents to reporters, saying that it will be revealed at an “opportune time”.
He gave the court reference number for the documents instead, with the first being “No du Parquet:1115196025 and No Instruction: 2292/12/4” and the second being “No Parquet: 1115106025 and No Instruction: 20F/11/52”.
Other NGOs present at the press conference include the Muslims Consumers Association of Malaysia, Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia and Malays Consultative Council.
CCM resubmits investigation paper on Suaram-linked firm to A-G – NEWS/COMMENTARIES Super Admin – Ida Lim, The Malaysian Insider
he Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) has resubmitted the investigation paper on a company linked to Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) for misleading accounts to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today.
“CCM has submitted completed investigation paper to A-G last week. Now is up to A-G on his further action,” the domestic trade, co-operative and consumerism minister told The Malaysian Insider when contacted.
He confirmed that the investigation paper was still for “misleading accounts” by the human rights watchdog’s company Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd.
He said there was “nothing from A-G yet” when asked if the A-G’s Chambers had decided to bring charges against Suara Inisiatif.
Two weeks ago, Ismail reportedly said CCM was gathering the additional information required before resubmitting the investigation paper on Suara Inisiatif to the A-G’s Chambers.
It was previously reported that the A-G’s Chambers had returned the investigation paper to CCM on September 19 as it could not draft charges based on the incomplete paper.
Suaram has been at the forefront of exposing alleged corruption in the multibillion ringgit Scorpene submarine deal this past year but has in turn been the subject of investigation into its funding, along with several other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and news portal Malaysiakini.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Worse case of point scoring quangocrat in Malaysian history ever. I have contacted Suaram about Bumiputra Apartheid before. Not a word or sound from the supposedly UN ECOSOC compliant NGO.
ARTICLE 7
Anwar gets into PAS’ bad books – NEWS/COMMENTARIES – Ida Lim – Friday, 12 October 2012 Super Admin
(The Star) – PAS Youth has joined the fray in denouncing a book launched by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that suggests Islam is not a good basis to set up a nation.
Its chief Nasrudin Hassan said the wing fully supported the statement by the party’s deputy spiritual leader Datuk Dr Haron Din, who criticised the book and the Opposition leader for associating himself with the book’s author, former Indian MP Mubasyar Jawid Akbar.
Mubasyar in the book Tinder Box: The Past and The Future of Pakistan suggests that Islam is only a basis to form a brotherhood and not a basis to form a country.
Nasrudin said the wing supported Haron’s statement that the development of an Islamic nation should centre around Islamic principles and teachings.
He was responding to Haron’s recent criticism against Anwar for launching Mubasyar’s book at the Royal Lake Club in Kuala Lumpur.
The book launch was also attended by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
Haron expressed regret that PKR had given Mubasyar the opportunity to present his liberal views in Malaysia.
Denouncing Mubasyar’s book, Nasrudin said Islam should not be limited as a basis to forge ties between the ummah.
PAS rejected such liberal Islamic doctrines, said Nasrudin, stressing that Islam could even be used as a guide to resolve national woes.
“Islam complements all aspects of life including the establishment and administration of a nation.”
Islam emphasised a trustworthy administration that was free from graft and leakage, and on the welfare of the rakyat, he said.
Wednesday. Asked why her organisation let everyone believe that the Scorpene submarine deal was the subject of a trial in France she answered weakly: “Suaram has no control on how (the) media are reporting this matter.”
But as The Choice has reminded her, this isn’t actually true. At any time Suaram could have corrected the false story doing the rounds but chose not to do so. Nor did it suit its friends in Pakatan Rakyat and the phalanx of foreign interests happy to see cleverly crafted untruths undermine our political independence.
Now that Gabriel has suffered such a painful come down her opponents are on the attack.
Without naming Suaram, Independent MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim told the Dewan Rakyat: “The people were hoodwinked by these group of people who collected donations from the public for the so-called trial.”
“I believe the government has a solid ground take up a defamation suit against the perpetrators.”
He also proposed a law to “monitor the activities of suspected foreign agents who interfere in the internal affairs of the country”. Again, he didn’t name anyone but he might as well have been carrying a photo of Suaram donor George Soros.
But another press briefing in KL definitely did name Suaram accusing it of the “biggest lie in the country’s political history.”
Young Journalists Club President Dzulkarnain Taib produced a court document from France showing that French judges Roger Le Loire and Serge Tournaire rejected Suaram as a plaintiff in the case on March 13 this year.
“This means that the case by Suaram in relation to Scorpene has been thrown out by the French court since March 2012,” he said.
This will further embarrass Gabriel personally because in her defence of Suaram this week she said: “There is no confusion on our part that the case is on the second stage, at the criminal inquiry process when Suaram is accepted as a civil party in March this year.”
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Anwar means THEOCRACY more than Islam. Who cares about PAS’s 1% of world population Hudud? If PAS wants to be insane, let them convince the whole of Kelantan and Terengganu at 66.6% quorum FIRST. PAS should not even talk about Malaysia at all till then. PAS is getting more and more like Al Shabab and Al Qaeda. Does PAS want to cause USA to bomb Malaysia? Malaysia is no Iraq and not even near SHIITE Iran in power or Saudi Arabia in influence.
ARTICLE 8
Comments About Ommission of Comments – excerpt reposting by @AgreeToDisagree
Anonymous said…
Your experience is interesting/arresting. I used to contribute as a Blogger — I don’t anymore. Like RPK, the MC boss is just a user of people. You are given space WHEN YOU ARE USEFUL TO SERVE HER AGENDA; othervice, sorry 4U lah!:) Hey, come over to my space and I’ll assure I’l offer even tehtari’ on top of free space:) — Newsdog aka Desi
PS: WHY yr verification words so difficult wan?
1:31 PM
KoSong Cafe said…
Thanks Desi for your comment. I have no idea about, let alone control over, the verification words set by Blogger.
There are many things which could contribute towards misunderstanding between website administrator and commentator. In the case of MC, my purpose of pointing out probable mistakes wasn’t out of malice but to help them improve. I was hoping it could be an acknowledgement without publishing my comment. At least then I would have known they have got the message. I have had lots of mistakes when posting in my own blog and often some words or spellings bothered me mentally and I had to review and amend them. It is a known fact that we need others to proof-read our own work and vice versa.
7:17 PM
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
‘OMG I experienced the same thing. The undemocratic ***** keeps removing comments and preventing discussions!
The Nut Graph is worse. They manipulate or omit portions of your comment to misrepresent the original intent of your comment to mean something else! If you 2 guys are up to it in terms of wealth, how about running for candidacy as the 3rd Force or ‘Fifth Estate’?
That way Choonmei will have a competing platform (which is Pakatan biased to the point of lies) that you 2 will be in the form of MPs.
Frankly I am considering the same as well but have been sabotaged so severely that I might have to rely on proxies instead.
Either of you could also setup a Malaysian Anti-Chronicle online mag same style that does allow comments without ommissions or removals and at least give neutral news to the readers as well. Here’s mine :
Almost decided not to post after seeing but decided to so as not to deny any of a learning curve regardless of age issues (old doesn’t mean we forgo the effort to educate or being younger to neglect the uneducated supposed ‘elder’. . . even if infiltrated and without privacy . . .)
KoSong wrote . . . To put it briefly, I am not against nepotism per se (paragraph 2 or 2nd heading in paragraph 1) . . . this is the same as saying to just rape an unwilling underaged kid ‘a little’.
Nepotism destroys opportunity for people to participate in nation building. When one person sits on a particular panel or post, mch less a law making post which has not been used for decades to change any law but to worsen laws, nepotism is indefensible. Nepotism has already proven harmful to all. The pattern of dictatorship and abuse of power is typical. That is why absolute monarchies fell, that is why nepotism is a sign of unintellectual and undemocratic failures. Old guys, run for election!
KoSong wrote . . . But the most incredible thing happened: after his release from prison, DAP routed Gerakan from Penang in the last General Election, and he became Chief Minister! . . .
That was WITHOUT people’s vote on a 66.6% quorum and no consultation among all MPs in Penang for a 51% majority at least. How could anyone call that ‘incredible’? Became Chief Ministrer? Ridiculous! LGE’s biological father LKS INSTALLED LGE as CM, an action that in fact the Federal Government could even challenge as being undemocratic under laws against nepotism or even UN consideration. One can’t INSTALL one’s own children as CM! Thats whats wrong with nepotism! Being a fan of a political party is one thing, being an unthinking fan is another, and KoSong is being a Kosong when something as terrible and undemocratic as this is called ‘incredible’. Incredulous!
Talk about 3rd world minded, uneducated voters! Democracy is not about family. democracy is about changeing laws and making life liveable. And LGE by not keeping 90% of campaign promises has leve everyone down compounded by the above facts against nepotism. talk about 3rd world mindedness! Tsk tsk tsk . . .
OFFENDING TERM LIMITLESS/NEPOTISM CLIQUES in PAKATAN
Three of the below limitless term MPs must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :
Lim Kit Siang (MP Ipoh Timur – Perak)
Lim Guan Eng (MP Air Puteh – Penang)
Chew Gek Cheng (Assemblyman Kota Laksamana – Malacca) Guan Eng’s wife
Lim Hui Ying Guan Eng’s sister (Vice-Chairman)
Two of the below must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :
Karpal Singh (MP Jelutong – Penang)
Gobind Singh (MP Puchong – Selangor) Karpal’s son
Jagdeep Singh (Asssemblyman Dato Keramat – Penang) Karpal’s son
Two of the below must be challenged so that only a single candidate without relatives remains :
Anwar Ibrahim (MP Permatang Pauh, Seberang Prai)
Wan Azizah
Nurul Izzah Anwar(MP Lembah Pantai – Kuala Lumpur) Anwar’s Daughter who won only because (as per RPK’s report on article) only 7% of the voters in the constituency Nurul stood in turned up!
Also either Ngeh (Pantai Remis) or Nga (Sitiawan) must go to prevent 2nd degree nepotism and the kind of environment that caused DAP’s Kulasegaran to be kicked out possibly an act of racism but more likely at the order of the Lim family clique and their dogs like Chow Kon Yeow and Ng Wei Aik.
For even stronger consideration, I also list seats that HRP demands from the unethical Pakatan cliques, note that PAS is the least problematic party in Pakatan though more authoritarian and Islamically inclined (Hudud should be applied on a signatory by signatory basis, not summarily imposed, to not drive away Malay voters) :
1. Padang Serai (Incumbent: PKR – N Gobalakrishnan)
2. Batu Kawan (DAP – Ramasamy)
3. Sungei Siput (PSM – Dr D Jeyakumar)
4. Ipoh Barat (DAP – N Kulasegaran)
5. Bagan Datoh (BN – Ahmad Zahid Hamidi)
6. Cameron Highlands (BN – SK Devamany)
7. Hulu Selangor (BN – P Kamalanathan)
8. Kuala Selangor (PAS – Dzulkefy Ahmad)
9. Klang (DAP – Charles Santiago)
10. Kota Raja (PAS – Siti Mariah Mahmud)
11. Rasah (DAP – Anthony Loke)
12. Teluk Kemang (PKR – Kamarul Baharin Abbas)
13. Alor Gajah (BN – Fong Chan Onn)
14. Tebrau (BN – Teng Boon Soon)
15. Lembah Pantai (PKR – Nurul Izzah Anwar)
HRP might very well be aware of some things we are not aware of to list some surprising choices as well, do not discount their reasons.
Voters, BN is apartheid, corrupt and refuses to use that mandate to better Malaysia, PR is self serving non-pro-active, self glorifying, unable to keep their campaign promises, also very nepotistic, so vote instead for 3rd Force Parties such as : KITA, JATI, MCLM (whats left of MCLM), PCM, Borneo Front, MoCS Sarawak, Konsensus Bebas, HRP/Hindraf and PSM, ABU, PRS, STAR etc.. to END APARTHEID.
Do your own thinking KoSong, and heck why not run for MP instead of being a mindless or collusive hero worship kaki or follower, be a leader and an independent!
ARTICLE 10
10 secrets couples will never reveal to each other – Sunday, 14 October 2012 12:14
So, your mother used to tell you that little girls were made of sugar and spice and all things nice; well boys, we’re sorry to say that your mother was wrong.
Even if you think your girlfriend is the purest of women, everyone keeps secrets and your girlfriend isn’t exempt.
Secrets and scandals are a part of everyone’s life and even if you think you and your boyfriend are immune from the scurrilous dramas that affect every other couple, you’d be wrong. Even the most honest men keep secrets.
One study found that 64 per cent of women would still prefer their men to earn more than them. She’ll never tell you that she wants you to be rich because it’s bad taste, so you’ll never know the truth.
And although most chick flicks depict all guys as being hopeless commitment-phobes, in reality it would seem that a lot of men actually announce those three killer words prematurely.
Did your man tell you he loved you too soon? If he did, it may not have been because he instantly fell in love with your pretty smile and sharp wit; he may just have said those three little words to get you in bed.
Published in Social
1 Comment
Comment Link sugar and spice forever Sunday, 14 October 2012 16:43 posted by sugar and spice forever
‘Even if you think your girlfriend is the purest of women, everyone keeps secrets and your girlfriend isn’t exempt.’
Disgusting. Obviously an impure woman corrupting all women. (makes people want to revive stoning of adulterers / Greedy, high maintainence, manipulative, lustful, selfish . . . )
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
. . . well boys, we’re sorry to say that your mother was wrong. . . . Boys? Barf . . . I can just imagine the haggard, faded harridan/femme fatale, disparaging the goodly among ‘boys’ and moms . . .
Heres an interesting piece on gender politics. The original can be read at below link at risk to your love of women. The first 2 sentences is where the embedded NLP is, which normalizes ‘male minded’ callous women and normalizes infidelity. The rest of the article is faultless and acceptable with a second NLP right at the end in closing. Analysis? Potentially indicative of a manipulative and sick minded woman who probably did not have a great time or experience with men. A writer who slips this sort of poison in the article is as much likely to . . . quidditch! Or was that qlippoth! As the Chinese would say – 君子動口不動手 – actually 動口 can be just as harmful but thats because most of us don’t have Legion behind us so feel entitled to ‘cheat’ . . . (see how frightful the above article writer is to inspire this sort of cautionary posting? Shiver . . . ) Rebut or refute don’t get more brittle or viciously plot downfalls to support failed arguments . . .
ARTICLE 11
Amy Cheong is not Lee Kuan Yew — @FeedMeToTheFishes – October 12, 2012
OCT 12 — What Amy Cheong wrote in her Facebook denigrating my Malay/Muslim friends is wrong. It shows the contempt she has for others.
After her mindless act, PAP ministers and supporters alike went full throttle condemning her for her foolish insensitivity. Straits Times (October 9, 2012) on its front page stated, “NTUC fires exec over online racist remarks” with the following:
• The NTUC takes a serious view on racial harmony in Singapore,” said Lim Swee Say. “We will not accept and have zero tolerance towards any words used or actions taken by our staff that are racially offensive.”
• Law Minister K Shanmugum called Ms Cheong’s remarks shameful and unacceptable, adding that they confirm “deep fault lines in our society based on race and religion.”
• Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that Ms Cheong’s comments were “offensive not only to the Malay-Muslims, but all the rest of us who value Singapore’s multiracial spirit and who want to take it further.”
• Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said, “the reaction of some individuals does not reflect the values that the rest of us hold on to.”
• Writing on Facebook from New Zealand where he is on an official visit, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was shocked to hear of the incident. “The comments were just wrong and totally unacceptable.”
• Grassroots leader Lionel de Sousa, who is the secretary of the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circle in Hougang, filed a police report yesterday. He said he wanted to send a signal that racist remarks should not be tolerated.
The sense of righteousness of the gentlemen above in condemning Amy Cheong, though timely, appears to be a little hollow to me.
Gentlemen, just where were you when Lee Kuan Yew was onto the following:
• “… to persuade Malay parents to look after their daughters more carefully and not to have teenage pregnancies which leads to failed marriages, subsequent marriages also fail and delinquents…” Why he had to highlight the Malay-Muslim parent instead of Chinese or Indian is beyond me.
• Mr Lee: “Well, we make them say the national pledge and sing the national anthem but suppose we have a famine, will your Malay neighbour give you the last few grains of rice or will she share it with her family or fellow Muslim or vice versa? Why Malay as example again?
• Lee Kuan Yew’s take on Muslim integration in Singapore
• In his interview with Charlie Rose at 31:57, Lee Kuan Yew appeared to stand corrected again even after he stood corrected.
While every mother’s son in PAP is having an orgasm running down Amy Cheong for her “racist” post, I simply wonder where were they when LKY said things that (in my perception) were derogatory to my Malay-Muslim friends? Why were you not doing what you do now to Amy Cheong? Condemning racism!
In every race or community (religious or whatever), there are decent blokes, there are mean bastards and, worst of all, hypocrites! Please be fair — regardless of race, language, religion, gender and, most important of all, political status, position, power and wealth! ?Truth is Amy is not LKY. That is why she is paying and paying (PAP?) for a sin that may not be a sin to another who is powerful.
I guess power corrupts and absolute power corrupts beyond what our minds can comprehend.
Shame on those who practise double standards! — TR Emeritus
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
An article in which the NLP is in the nick of the writer? Lets feed @FeedMeToTheFishes to the fishes . . .
Sure as hell Amy is not LKY. LKY or LSL would have slapped the other party. Remember the polytechnique student with LKY AND the Minister case with LSL? Both LKY and LSL nepotists term limitless would slap if they lost the argument. And nepotism is not a policy
Following is the extract from page 150 of Ross Worthington’s book, “Governance in Singapore” (Publisher: Taylor & Francis, Inc, Dec 2002):
In 1990, an incident occurred in a pre-cabinet meeting which was the beginning of entrenching further among the many in the core executive, resistance to Lee Hsien Loong’s long term ambitions for prime ministership. Prior to this meeting Lee Hsien Loong had gone to the office of Richard Hu, the Minister of Finance, and removed a number of files without Hu’s permission. At that time Lee’s office was on the 48th floor of what is now Temasek Tower and Hu’s was on the 50th floor.
At the pre-cabinet meeting Hu took Lee to task for doing this and was supported by Tony Tan. Lee’s response was aggressive and insulting, he directly insulted Tan and Hu, a man of his father’s age. This was a double insult to Hu, who was Lee’s superior in cabinet and a person of an age who should of itself deserve respect in Chinese society. Suppiah Dhanabalan intervened and chastised Lee for his behaviour, demanding that he apologise to Hu, withdraw his remarks and not interfere in other minister’s portfolios. A heated exchange occurred into which a number of other issues intruded and eventually Lee lost his temper, and reportedly reached across the table and slapped Dhanabalan across the face.
This caused an uproar in the cabinet and Lee was severely chastised by Goh Chok Tong. Dhanabalan stormed out of the room and did not return for some time. Lee, in response to a demand from Goh, subsequently apologised to Dhanabalan, Hu and Tan. Hu, Dhanabalan and Tan all initially stated that they would leave the cabinet as a result of this incident. Goh later took up the matter with Lee Kuan Yew who reportedly verbally thrashed his son over the matter.
This was apparently followed by a more sober, educational but equally critical assessment from Lee Hsien Loong’s mother, a talented though background political adviser. Lee Kuan Yew reportedly met later that day with Hu, Tan and Dhanabalan, apologised for his son’s behaviour and requested that they not resign, supported by a similar request from Goh Chok Tong.
All held out for some time, but eventually Hu agreed to stay, but Dhanabalan and Tan both resolved to leave. This they did the following August 1991 elections, all without a public word against Lee Hsien Loong, continuing to subscribe to the tenet of all secrets staying within the PAP family.
The polytechnique student slapping case (LKY lost a live debate AT A POLYTECHNIC and was so angry that LKY dashed to slap the student on the spot) however has been removed from virtually all reports. Fortunately there are people from my generation who do remember what LKY was up to earlier on. Fisticuff Lees are the redneck tyrants and ‘Junta Family’ of ASEAN. What they do to their perceived opponents is quite inconceivable and cruel, and no gentlemen in civil society or democracy should tolerate the presence or behaviour of such coarse people who do not respect civilisation but do corrupt and bribe as well as sacrifice fellow citizens so they can stay ‘in power’. Anyone who votes PAP are complicit in the damning of Asia. Unforgivable and must be punished at equal measure, all that springs from this particular Lee family of the State of Singapore holding the PMs and MM’s posts is foul and poisonous! A 1000 lifetimes at the dregs of society would not be enough for all the damage the Lees have caused the world, the familes destroyed, the people killed – indirectly of course via direct or spiritual means but certainly by the hand and intent of the Lees. Voters/sentients of the universe, do you know what to do to such people and those who support them? More ‘dirt’ on the Lees below . . .
mini-Article 11.5
Singapore’s lack of a free press, repulsive. – Gopalan Nair (Attorney at Law – Fremont, California) – Thursday, June 7, 2012
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The one principle factor in Singapore which makes life boring, uninteresting and thoroughly disagreeable in their lack of a free press. The Lee Ruling Family’s subjects are forced to read only what is printed in their state controlled newspapers. The island does not allow independent news media of any sort.
This is the case as far as domestic news is concerned.
Knowing this you can imagine why life there is shunned by many (or at least out of having no choice). Every newspaper has to be licensed by the government, which means you can only publish if willing to tow the government line. They decide what you are allowed to read on a daily basis. News which does not further the government interests is not published. Each day you know that you are being treated like a child who is told what he should read and what he shouldn’t.
And this is the result.
You will never know that Lee Kuan Yew’s son the Prime Minister had raped 2 women in broad daylight along Singapore’s Bugis Street in full view of 4 Bangaldesis last week. This news is not published because it will ruin the Prime Ministers reputation.
You will never know that the Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean had assaulted 2 bouncers at the Flying Pig Bar at No. 3 Boat Quay at 3 am in the morning dead drunk. This too is suppressed because it is once again not in the government’s interest for you to know.
Did you know that only yesterday Lee Kuan Yew had ordered his minions at Temasek Holdings, the state wealth fund to divert $3.5 million dollars into his bank account in Geneva? This is a crime. But once again you will not be told about it because it is not in their interest for this to be made public.
I am not sure if any of the above is true or they are not. Frankly it does not matter because we will never know one way or the other.
A state which censors and suppresses news, tells lies and half truths or even outright lies such as that of Singapore in the end suppresses wisdom and keeps the people ignorant, and makes them fools. It insults the people and makes them dwarfs, not men.
Which is why Singaporeans flee from their island abroad, one of whom is Gopalan Nair, the writer of this article.
Gopalan Nair can be contacted at : Tel 510 657 6107 or 510 491 4375
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
I can’ believe this article’s authenticity, but anyone who has the cash, should call the states should contact this lawyer and make this fact known to the voters if true and not a propaganda article . . . any women (or men? Sex workers?) wearing strap-on-dildos in public over there Gopalan? Just asking to provoke some thoughts/debate on public-nudity/normalising the presence of erect phalluses in public, or the dildo owner’s right to display their toys in public. If 2nd Amendment is respected, then the organic version which has been around since man began walking upright should be no issue though ‘non-districts’ as always need to be designated even as ‘pro-districts’ are the limit – Guns out and cocked! . . . PM Lee a public sex/dogger fan? Well, well, well maybe not such a bad guy . . . though rape is still reprehensible. Is Gopalan sure those weren’t sex workers of the type who didn’t mind being raped in public in a RLD?
Give me $ 4k or I’ll show sex video of your sis – man extorts brother – Friday, 12 October 2012 17:05
SINGAPORE- A 26-year-old man has been charged with extorting money through a sex video recording.
Mohamed Rayzal Shah bin Hood was believed to have a video recording of himself, engaged in sex acts with a woman. He then allegedly approached the woman’s 36-year-old brother with it.
Rayzal allegedly threatened to make public the video unless the man gave him S$4,000.
The alleged extortion took place in Yishun, on October 9 at about 12.45am.
If found guilty, Rayzal faces up to five years’ jail and caning.
-CNA
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
This blackmail attempt is meaningless. Technology can fake anyone’s image this days. Everything is 3D super realistic and CGI based. This blackmail thing is a failure especially when so many porn lookalikes are also everywhere. Add plastic surgery as well and there is no end. I’d say ignore the threat and threaten back to make a similar video based on this sort of tech of the person if the post anything. Frankly too many people are having fun ‘pornising’ themselves and others as well. Blackmail via porn ended in the early 1990s when internet porn and photoshop proliferated . . .
OCT 3 ? “All you East Malaysians need to do is vote out BN!” I hear that time and time again from various people in Peninsular Malaysia and it’s getting frankly tiresome.
I apologise to Sarawakians in advance for having to explain things on your behalf, but I have lived in your state so am not totally clueless. Unlike the many who think that all that is needed is a Braveheart-like uprising where the united peoples of Sabah and Sarawak rise up against tyranny and all that jazz.
It’s not that simple. And that’s my biggest beef with opposition rhetoric. It oversimplifies things, forgetting context and ignoring the complexities of East Malaysia.
One challenge both Sabah and Sarawak have is geography. We’re far removed from West Malaysia, quite literally, and in some ways it has worked out for the best but has also made integration tricky. There are far too many assumptions on each side about the other and “getting to know” each other requires a two- to three-hour flight.
Sarawak is a huge state and its terrain makes traversing it prohibitively expensive. The Penans and other interior-dwelling folk have it worse; they are forced to trek hours to the nearest transport stop to get to the nearest city. They do not have ready access to the things we city dwellers take for granted: piped water, electronic and physical media, hospitals and decent schools.
Even on the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, there are schools that are little more than glorified shacks with crowded classrooms and malnourished children. Don’t get me started on the West Malaysian teachers who refuse their postings to Sabah and Sarawak or clamour to be sent home as soon as possible.
Racial tolerance is more pronounced here. Yet, the reality is that despite the “peace” between the various races in East Malaysia, it isn’t easy to get them on the same page politically.
Sabah, for instance, has various splinter parties that are also quite clearly delineated by race. SUPP is predominantly Chinese, PBS is mostly Sabah Bumiputera with a few Chinese people, the Muslim Bumiputeras once mostly congregated in USNO, but the BN-friendly now are in Umno.
It’s not much different in Sarawak. The various communities may get along better but dig down and their politics is the same old selfish Malaysian politics. It’s never about what’s best for the state or the country; it’s about what’s best for their own communities. Let the Penans rot in the jungles so long as my community gets first pick of lucrative contracts.
That is the reality of the Malaysian mindset; the preoccupation with what’s best for your own kind to the detriment of everyone else. Malaysians don’t seem to believe in “win-win.” It’s “I take everything and everyone else can go die-lah.” Which explains our love for monopolies.
PKR’s already shot itself in the foot by refusing to co-operate with local parties in Sabah and Sarawak. How am I, as a native from Sabah, supposed to place trust in a party that made Azmin Ali Sabah PKR chief? How am I supposed to believe that Anwar Ibrahim and his cohort won’t do the same thing and just hand out division chief titles to people from the peninsula as “rewards” to the faithful once the state is won?
What Pakatan Rakyat should be doing is forming alliances with local opposition parties. Instead, it intends to compete against them. Of course, BN will probably end up winning because of split votes.
Don’t get me started on people harping on about how Sarawakians should all unite and toss its current chief minister out. Here’s news for you: The reason he’s still in power is because the people who have benefitted from his position like him where he is. Ponder that for a moment.
It took Bruno Manser to come in and unite the various Penan tribes. It will take more than a well-meaning Swiss to unite the various factions in the two states. Sadly the people trying to play catalyst are not altruistic crusaders but those with an eye on Putrajaya.
By the way, because I have to keep reminding you, Sabah did vote against BN. But BN “convinced” PBS MPs to jump ship in the biggest “frog” incident in Malaysian history. Back in the day, Anwar Ibrahim was proud to be seen as “delivering” the state back to BN.
It’s not that simple; it was never that simple; it will never be that simple. So word of advice to Pakatan: When three words can sum up your campaign (“BN is bad!”), you need to do a lot better.
* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Erma turned against the people? Simple, just vote for anyone who is not GLC or political party linked that intends to ensure Sarawak and Sabah get their 100% due to disbursement (LGE offered only 15%!!! Shocking!) as well as all stolen lands returned, or secession will be started at the UN. And Erma goes all propagandist on the Orang Asli who deserve so much more. Malaysia can fall apart for all any of the right minded care, that wealth is not Peninsular Malaysia’s to disburse or those lands for anyone but the Orang Asli regardless of what illegal and farcical or UN non-compliant or non-commonsense laws applied against the Orang Asli by our LEGAL JUNTA Bar Council which has refused to address apartheid and refused to amend bad laws and constitutional articles.
It’s not that simple; it was never that simple; it will never be that simple . . . .
BECAUSE of Pakatan’s own unpleasant/self serving nature even as BN is worse. Orang Asli had better think clear and demand FULL EQUAL CITIZENSHIPS as well as 100% disbursement rights of any wealth from East Malaysia. Otherwise no point being part of Malaysia when even Native land is being given away or Orang Asli proselytized to disregarding their native faith. No more ‘harsh apologism’ propaganda for Pakatan ok Erma? Ooo, really lost alot of respect for you in your article – Malaysian Insider is consistent and professional BUT wrong minded and democratically obstructive with pro-BN’s wrong values and all about expediency much like BN is. Smoke screens that disregard the facts as above listed mean nothing in real policy and real vote (well barring the ‘dumbed down’ or ‘on the take’ voters).
So word of advice to Pakatan: When three words can sum up your campaign (“BN is bad!”), you need to do a lot better.
Erma needs to do a lot better too, criticism based on selective or partial fact designates Erma as a (gasp!) pro-BN writer. Vote for 3rd Force, drop BOTH BN and Pakatan!
ARTICLE 2
STOP executions pending review of death sentences for drug offences – by Gobind Singh Deo – Wednesday, 03 October 2012 14:48
Minister in the Prime Ministers Department, Dato Seri Nazri Aziz should state if the government is prepared to temporarily halt all executions by hanging in cases where persons have been convicted for death penalty offences pending a review of our death penalty laws.
Singapore recently moved to abolish the mandatory death penalty for drug related offences and murder. The courts have now a discretion in the matter. Where for example, the offender in a drug case is shown to be a mere drug courier, and in a case involving homicide where the situation does not warrant the death penalty, the courts in Singapore will now have a discretion to mete out punishments of life imprisonment instead of the death penalty.
Following the announcement, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean said in a statement that all executions that have become due since the review started since July 2011 had been deferred.
Malaysian AG quick to follow but all talk, no action
It is to be noted that the Malaysian Attorney General had in an interview with the Malay Mail published on 11 July 2012 said that his chambers was also working towards proposing an amendment to our Dangerous Drugs Act to give our judges a discretion in the matter of sentencing.
In the report he is quoted as saying “Since late last year, we have been doing research and studies , and one of the suggestions is that we want to allow those on death sentence to be resentenced. This means those on death row would be referred back to the courts, with legal representation to be resentenced.”
Our government should also defer executions if there are to be changes to these laws, especially where existing sentences of death will be reviewed as suggested.
The taking of ones life is a very serious matter. This is a sentence which is irreversible.
Dato Seri Nazri should also tell us what is the status of the reviews planned in respect of abolishing death penalty laws in our country. Will it only be confined to drug related offences or will it also extend to other areas and offences which carry the death penalty?
This, needless to say, is very significant as if other areas are included as well, then a moratorium in respect of all should be considered.
Home Minister Dato Seri Hishamuddin Hussein told Parliament earlier this year that according to statistics from the Prisons Department, as at February this year, a total of 860 persons have been sentenced to death for various offences such as murder, drug trafficking, firearms and kidnapping.
Given the large numbers involved, I also call upon the government to step up its efforts in reviewing the laws concerned. This is an area of review which to my mind, given the gravity of its nature, ought to be given top priority. It must be resolved without delay.
GOBIND SINGH DEO is the DAP MP for Puchong
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
End apartheid for near 40% of the population first then bother about the 0.0001% death sentences. Whats the point in voting MPs who neglect the major issues but keep fooling around with non-issues? Waste of mandate granted by unthinking people who only see the personality but not the policy. Meanwhile the MP gets to be a ‘careerist’ and has the voters pay their salaries to do virtually nothing except appear on television and talk loudly – they love hearing the sound of their own voices but never amend a single law, never challenge apartheid, and prevent all other citizens from participating in law making! Vote for a new MP every 4 years and even then only 25 MPs would have sat on that seat in 100 years! how could anyone allow these farcical MPs to make Mubaraks or Gaddafis of themselves on their taxmonies?
ARTICLE 3
Anwar to SUARAM lawyers: Urgent need to update Parliament & verify authenticity of documents – by Anwar Ibrahim – Thursday, 04 October 2012 17:24
Messieurs William Bourdon, Joseph Breham,
Briefing to the Malaysian Parliament on the ongoing judicial inquiry at the Tribunal De Grande Instance into the payment of alleged illegal and/or corrupt commissions for the purchase of two Scorpene submarines by the Government of Malaysia from the firms Direction des Construction Navales Services ( “DCNS” ), Thales and Armaris in 2002
I refer to the above ongoing judicial inquiry at the Tribunal De Grande Instance in Paris presided over by Judge Roger Le Loire and Judge Serge Tournaire into the complaint by SUARAM, a Malaysian human rights non-governmental organization alleging that corrupt and illegal payments were made by the French suppliers DCNS and Thales and their joint venture company Armaris to Malaysian citizens and officials in relation to the purchase of the submarines in 2002 which were at the material time authorized by the then Malaysian Defence Minister and current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, where payments of up to 700 milliom ringgit were received by companies ( Perimekar Sdn Bhd and Terasasi ) owned by his adviser and close associate, Abdul Razak Baginda.
As Leader of Opposition in Parliament, I write to request your presence as lawyers acting for SUARAM, a party to the ongoing inquiry, to deliver a briefing on the status and development of the inquiry to interested Malaysian Members of Parliament during this current session of the Malaysian Parliament which will run until 22″ November 2012. I propose to invite all members of the Malaysian Parliament to this briefing.
7 witnesses
I am informed that a delegation from SUARAM comprising board members Mr Kua Kia Soong, Ms Cynthia Gabriel and Ms Fadiah Nadwa Fikri on 19 April 2012 appeared before Judge Roger Le Loire represented by your goodselves and assisted the inquiry with documents and facts substantiating their complaint of corruption with regard to the Scorpene purchases at the Tribunal De Grande Instance.
I understand that Judge Le Loire, after having heard SUARAM’s testimony has accepted a list of seven proposed witnesses including Prime Minister Najib Razak, the current Defence Minister Zahid Hamidi and also Abdul Razak Baginda.
Many members of the Malaysian Parliament are following the ongoing inquiry closely. This inquiry is vital to shed light on many unanswered questions arising from the purchase of the submarines by the Government of Malaysia. For some years now questions in the Malaysian Parliament regarding the payment of 114 million Euro to Abdul Razak Baginda’s company Perimekar Sdn Bhd for so-called “logistical support for training” have not received satisfactory answers. Perimekar &in Bhd was known to the French suppliers as a company with no track record for such training support.
Tax-deductible ‘bribe’: More corrupt payment uncovered
Despite reports to the Malaysia Anti-Coruption Commission, no result has been achieved despite the obvious suspicious nature of the payments. I note that Gerard Phillippe iVtaneyas, former finance director for DCNS, has in fact claimed a tax deduction for 32 million Euros allegedly used to bribe Malaysian officials for the purchase of the Scorpenes using legal provisions prior to France adopting OECD anti-corruption procedures and rules in 2002.
Following the commencement of the inquiry on 16 March 2012, SUARAM, being a party to the inquiry, has gained full privileged access to 153 documents from the Public Prosecutor’s office and has made public some of the contents of the investigation papers in several media conferences. Based on the content of these documents, SUARAM has also exposed a hitherto unknown further large payment of about 30 million Euros from the French suppliers to a company called Terasasi in Hong Kong which is controlled by Abdul Razak Baginda.
I am informed that many, if not all of these 153 investigation papers can now be viewed on the Internet news portal called “Asia Sentinel” at http://www.asiasentinel.com. Based on the content of some of these documents, there are clear indications that the payment of 114 million Euros and 30 million Euros to Abdul Rank Baginda companies are in fact corrupt payments made to facilitate the purchases of the submarines.
Top secret Malaysian navy document seized during DCNS raid
I note that these documents contain references to the fact that a top secret document belonging to the Malaysian Royal Navy was in the files seized by the French Anti-Corruption authorities from DCNS which was sent to it by Terasasi (Hong Kong) Ltd. Again police reports and questions in Parliament have not led to revelation of how this serious breach of secrecy took place.
In light of the above, there exists an urgent need for interested members of the Malaysian Parliament to be kept abreast of the developments in the ongoing inquiry to enable us to pursue accountability for the illegal acts of corrupt payments that are believed to have taken place. We would also like to be advised on the authenticity of the documents available on the Asia Sentinel website and the implications of their contents.
My office would be pleased to have early confirmation of your arrival dates to make all the necessary arrangements. For your information, we have also invited Messieur Olivier Metzner who acts for DCNS to also attend the briefing. We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
Anwar Ibrahim
Telefon: 20721955 Ruj. Kami: Rttj.Tuan:
20721707 Fax: 26932529
2nd October 2012
Cabinet BOURDON VOITURIEZ & Associes Avocats au Barreau de PARIS
156, Rue de Rivoli — 75001 PARIS
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Anwar and Pakatan by extension is DETESTABLE for refusing to address and remove BUMIPUTRA APARTHEID and chase after Scorpene sub issues that hardly affect anyone except their political opponents. Ignoring near 40% of the population for personal political points is worthless for the Rakyat. Vote for 3rd force.
ARTICLE 4
‘Unisel and PNSB lost millions’ – by Chua Tee Yong – Friday, 05 October 2012 07:20
FISHY- Chua urges MACC to investigate why state firms got only RM10 each for RM478 million debts
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong has claimed that two Selangor-owned companies were paid only RM10 each in the Talam debt recovery exercise despite being owed millions of ringgit.
Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters yesterday, Chua said Universiti Selangor (Unisel) and Permodalan Negeri Selangor (PNSB) were only paid this amount based on two assignments of debt agreements in 2009.
The assignments, which were signed between the state government, Talam Corp Bhd and the state-owned companies noted that the debt-ridden company owed Unisel and PNSB RM248 million and RM230 million respectively.
The documents, dated Nov 3, 2009 reads: “Now therefore this agreement witnesses that in consideration of the premises and mutual promises, covenants, conditions, representations and warranties hereinafter contained and the sum of RM10 now paid by the Assignee to the Assignor”.
With this, Chua said that the previous state administration should not be blamed for being in financial trouble.
“Unisel’s financial condition has worsened as Unisel only received RM10 for the Talam debt collection exercise instead of RM248 million,” he said, adding that a RM36 million discount was also given to Talam although it did not fulfil a settlement agreement that expired in 2008.
“PNSB has received only RM10 and is now having a loan of RM230 million with interest and costs of RM86 million while Talam Corp saves RM24 million yearly.”
The Labis member of parliament also came up with new figures on the Talam debt recovery exercise, in a claim that the state government had overvalued the Talam land.
He said the assets acquired with apparent overvaluation amounted to RM676 million, with RM86 million total interest and costs borne by PNSB.
He also included RM36 million discount given to Talam, which brings a total estimated cost of RM798 million.
“Until today, the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor government has not been able to give a clear answer on the issues raised.”
He added that the white paper on it was still not tabled despite their promises to do so.
“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission should look into this.”
In July, Chua revealed a series of alleged misappropriation of funds by the Selangor government, claiming that the state had used RM1 billion to bail out Talam (now Trinity Corp) in the debt recovery exercise.
He claimed that the state government had done this through a RM392 supplementary budget passed in the legislative assembly in 2009, and the state subsequently bought an additional RM676 million worth of assets from Talam.
The Selangor government, however, denied the claims, saying that it had gone through proper channels and appointed independent audit firms in a show of transparency.
– New Straits Times
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Tee Yong and BN by extension is DETESTABLE for refusing to address and remove BUMIPUTRA APARTHEID and chase after Unisel issues that hardly affect anyone except their political opponents. Ignoring near 40% of the population for political points is worthless for the Rakyat. Vote for 3rd force.
ARTICLE 5
Malaysia is the most profitable business – Politics in Malaysia is the most profitable business – Saturday, 06 October 2012 Super Admin – Steve Oh, CPI
I am sure most Malaysians will agree with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in a recent speech that there is more to corruption than government abuses. What more is not conjecture as much of it is in the public domain.
Surely it must be evident from the various writings in Malaysiakini, CPI and other weblogs unless someone is so out of touch with the present reality and fails to recognise the angst and anger of many civic-minded Malaysians who see their country sliding down the slippery slope.
It is true what Najib said that “What is often neglected, however, is the fact that corruption and corrupt behaviour is entangled deep with the moral fabric of all societies.”
He went on to say, “It is critical, therefore, people in positions of power and authority to exemplify the values they wish their constituents would follow”.
But does Najib believe what he says?
And more importantly where is the walk besides the talk?
All we have seen seems to be in the contrary. We are wont to ask, “Where is the example from the people in positions of power and authority?”
Instead many blame successive BN administrations for the decrepit moral state of their country because of corruption and abuses of power, which Najib admits implicitly. And Najib has yet to shake off the ghost of Altantuya Shaaribuu whose murder still leaves the public with the question: “Who ordered the killing?”
The incumbent government has much to answer for its failure to inspire the rest of the nation to higher moral conduct when it fails to apply the rule of law objectively across the board and involves its politicians and proxies in unbecoming acts such as the publishing of ‘dirty videos’ and other acts of political subterfuge.
If inspiring is too much to ask, Najib will sound more convincing if he can stop his government from picking on Malaysians whose only crime is they want to see the greed he describes and the obsession with profit diminished.
Excuses, excuses
Najib’s suggestion that “in some countries where severe punishment was meted out for corruption, it has not proven entirely effective” may explain why his administration is coy about allegations of corruption by some of his cabinet colleagues and the Sarawak Chief Minister Mahmud Taib.
However I am not aware of the failure of strong measures to curb corruption that has not succeeded anywhere. Since Najib did not mention the countries, it is hard to substantiate the statement. However there is irrefutable and strong evidence we know that proves severe punishment works.
Singapore is one success story worth noting. Singapore did not become what it is today – among the top nations on the global corruption index for squeaky clean governance – by making flimsy excuses like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for not having the power to take corrupt politicians to court.
The Singapore no-nonsense approach has proven corruption does not pay, and where it is found it is dealt with harshly by the authorities and we have even seen a senior politician charged commit suicide.
Surely the MACC’s excuse of having no power in the light of much global evidence in the allegations of corruption by the political bigwig must send every anti-corruption agency around the globe scratching their heads.
The truth is countries ensure there are laws to plug legal loopholes and every ploy by anyone to evade prosecution. Those governments ensure no one is above the law or out of its reach. There is even Interpol to help countries catch their criminals across borders.
Let us not forget Dr Mahahtir Mohammed went to extreme lengths to change the country’s constitution to get what he wanted and members of the royal family came under the scope of the law when he made it possible for them to be taken to court over civil and criminal matters where once they enjoyed legal impunity from prosecution.
But if a government lacks the moral and political will, then it will give dishonest and lame excuses. And sadly that is the problem with the Najib administration that seems bent on punishing those who want to see improvements in the moral fibre of their politicians, and even a constructive group like Aliran is not spared from harassment.
It begins with govt and its actions
The government can’t shirk its role in having created a political culture and society that has seen national integrity decline because of its corruption. Abuses of power filter outside of Putrajaya into the corridors of power and into the streets where cops are seen collecting bribes from illegal migrants and errant motorists.
The people in their daily lives are confronted with corruption everywhere.
With such moral insight that Najib exhibits in his speech, he ought to use his office and inspire his cabinet colleagues to lead Malaysia onto higher moral ground. After all, he espouses the virtues that Malaysians want to see badly after observing their nation bastardized by successive BN administrations. Even one that was relatively decent under Pak Lah was damned by Dr Mahathir Mohammed as “rotten”.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Not a word on apartheid? Foolish pandering. CPI in this article neither ‘Reconstructs Policies’ nor ‘Remakes Society’.
ARTICLE 6
Land grab, Malaysian-style – Saturday, 06 October 2012 admin-s
Before Act A804, land could only be acquired for public purposes or for public utilities like building of roads, schools, hospitals, pipelines, water or power plants, etc. With the addition of “…for any purpose which in the opinion of the State Authority is beneficial to the economic development of Malaysia”, no land is safe.
Thomas Fann
This is not a new issue, in fact it is 21 years old.
It all began when the Barisan Nasional government, with its overwhelming majority in Parliament, passed by 99 to 25 votes the 1991 Land Acquisition Amendment Bill, or Act A804. The rephrasing of sections of the Land Acquisition Act 1960 basically gave incontestable power to state governments to seize private land for development by private companies and individuals. Lands originally acquired for public purposes can also be used for private development.
Before Act A804, land could only be acquired for public purposes or for public utilities like building of roads, schools, hospitals, pipelines, water or power plants, etc. With the addition of “…for any purpose which in the opinion of the State Authority is beneficial to the economic development of Malaysia”, no land is safe.
The term “beneficial to the economic development of Malaysia” is as subjective as you can get. A piece of land can be acquired to build a posh five-star hotel, an amusement park or a golf resort because in the opinion of the government it would bring in the tourist dollar and create jobs for locals, not to mention enriching the private companies which would, of course, be paying taxes.
To really make the Land Acquisition Act water-tight for the acquirer, Section 68A says that acquisitions cannot be invalidated by reason of any kind of subsequent disposal or use (etc) of the acquired land.
This new provision aims at preventing the acquirer or the purported purpose from being challenged in court. You can only challenge the quantum of the compensation offered, the measurement of the land area, the person whom compensation is payable to, and the apportionment of the compensation.
The leader of the opposition then, Lim Kit Siang, in opposing Act A804, gave this dire warning: “When it becomes law, it will destroy the constitutional right to property enjoyed by Malaysians for 34 years since Merdeka, and become the mother of all corruption, abuses of power, conflicts-of-interest and unethical malpractices in Malaysia…”
Was Kit Siang just over-reacting or scare-mongering when he said that or is it a prophecy that was and is being fulfilled till today?
A new ball game
The impetus for the passing of Act A804 was for the acquisition of 33,000 acres of land in the Gelang Patah area for the construction of the second link with Singapore and the construction of a new township by UEM, wiping out 19 villages and displacing 10,000 people.
The Johor state government offered the affected smallholders compensation averaging RM26,000 per acre or 64 sen per sqe ft, far below the then market value of RM100,000 per acre for agricultural land.
In a subsequent civil suit by one of the affected landowners against the government of Johor in 1995, it was revealed that a subsidiary of Renong was offering the intended development for sale at RM17 per sq ft, a whopping 28 times more than what the original landowners got!
For a glimpse into some of the backroom wheeling and dealing that went on with these deals, one should read the court papers of cases like “Honan Plantations vs Govt of Johor’; and “Stamford Holdings vs Govt of Johor”. Names of notable personalities like Muhyiddin Yassin, Syed Mokhtar Albukhary and Yahya Talib in secret meetings were mentioned.
For the Second Link and the highway that linked it to the North-South Expressway to be built, the Land Acquisition Act was necessary. To be fair, compensation had to not only take into account the then prevailing market value but also the loss of livelihood for the people who used to live off the land.
With Act A804, the government seized a lot more land than was required for the custom and immigration complex and the highway. We can safely say it seized almost 24,000 acres more for a private corporation, UEM, albeit it is a GLC (government-linked corporation).
Today, UEM Land, as the master developer of the 23,875-acre Nusajaya (as the acquired land is now called) boasts of its enormous landbank and potential billions in profit from its development. We want to ask this simple poignant question: whose lands were these originally, and what about the 10,000 over affected villagers? Shouldn’t these people be beneficiaries of development and not its victims? Perhaps some of the villagers are now working in Legoland, who knows?
While some of the people behind the scenes went on to achieve high office and some made it to the top 10 billionaires list, thousands of other nameless Malaysians are without land and opportunities.
Land grab is non-discriminatory: Malaysians from all racial, religious and social strata are affected.
Gelang Patah was just the precursor to a new ball game called Land Grab and the same modus operandi was used for Seremban 2, Bandar Aman Jaya in Sungai Petani, Pantai Kundor/Pantai Tanah Merah and Paya Mengkuang in Melaka, Kerpan in Kedah, Sepang in Selangor, lands acquired for the MRT project, Jalan Sultan, native customary lands in the Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, and many, many more.
Of course, not all compulsory acquisitions are unjust or not justifiable; but there should be a fair and unskewed avenue for aggrieved landowners through the justice system to question certain acquisitions.
The courts now are somewhat constrained by Act A804, and in almost all cases such acquisitions are not reversed.
The Pengerang grab
Twenty years on, the same script is being acted out in Johor again (a BN stronghold), this time to the east in Pengerang.
A total of 22,500 acres of land are being acquired for the development of the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC). The anchor project in this proposal is Petronas’ RAPID project which requires a sizeable 6,424 acres.
Smallholders and plantations are being offered between RM1.80 psf and RM8 psf for their land.
Can Pengerang be called Gelang Patah 2.0 where again, on the pretext of development, a huge tract of land is being taken from their original landowners and placed in the hands of one or a few wealthy individuals and corporations? Is the PIPC the main play or is property speculation the main play?
Would the same prime minister who mooted the Third Link to Singapore in 2009 make the announcement again after all the land has been acquired? Who are the direct beneficiaries of such development?
All these are so “legal” that one government official after another is spewing out that it is done properly under the terms of the Land Acquisition Act 1960. It may be legal, but is it moral?
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak made a statement during the launch of the sixth International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities Conference in Kuala Lumpur on the Oct 4, 2012: “Is the unbridled and ruthless pursuit of extraordinary profits a form of corruption? I believe that if we see corruption as fundamentally a moral problem, therefore anything that promotes selfish interest at the expense of the well-being of others is morally wrong. It was vapid [tasteless] self-interest and greed that was truly at the heart of corruption. ”
Mr Prime Minister, I could not agree with you more.
How much is enough for the greedy? How many more poor and defenseless villagers must be forcibly displaced and robbed of the fruits of development to satisfy the insatiable appetites of the greedy who uses the Land Acquisition Act to enrich themselves? Who will speak up for the thousands who will be landless and many without a means of livelihood?
It is evil when a law is crafted to take away land from the poor without their consent, fair compensation or share in its benefits so that a few might make it to Forbes’ list of billionaires. We should all be foaming at our mouth with anger at this injustice but instead we just thank God daily that it is not our land they have come to take, at least not yet.
An Allodial Title is untouchable and even a highway will need to bend around the landowner’s property as in ‘Nail Houses’ in China. Vote only for MPs who will ratify ALLODIAL TITLES. Any MP who does not want to ratify Allodial Titles must not be voted in. Also vote for MPs on the basis if certain aspects Eminent Domain Powers of the State will be removed from law. If the MP will not/does not want to sign a statuary declaration that after GE13 they will ratify removal of Eminent Domain or promise in a Statuary Declaration on penalty of vacating the MP’s seat if failing to forward and ratify the bill, then that MP must not be voted in because they do not want your land to be protected, in fact Pakatan had caused the ‘Gambier Threat’ fracas as well by threatening to tear down privately built awnings on private property. Man’s home is their castle, we cannot allow politicians that dare use taxpayer paid enforcement to thrash people’s homes because nobody cared about unreasonable and abusive by-laws!
ARTICLE 7
Malaysian Youth Right Movement Urge Malaysian Youth To Reject Pakatan Rakyat Extremism – Saturday, 06 October 2012 admin-s
Dearest Malaysian Youth, beware of voting for Pakatan Rakyat into power. I am pretty sure you do not want to live another 4 or 5 years with all our freedom, rights and choices to be restricted by them. All Freedom and personal lifestyle liberty existed all this while because of Barisan Nasional Government and I am sure none of you would like to end up living the lifestyle like Pakatan Rakyat Islamic Kelantan and Kedah.
Shen Yee Aun,
President, Malaysian Youth Rights Movement
PAS Youth has demanded the immediate withdrawal of a permit given to an international modelling agency to hold a bikini fashion show in Malaysia. Selangor PAS Youth chief Hasbullah Mohd Ridzuan said holding a bikini show in an Islamic country was a major insult, referring to the planned Bello Model Management bikini fashion event at the Grand Millennium Hotel on Saturday.
What is both DAP’s and PKR’s stand regarding this issue? Pakatan Rakyat had many times deceived our Malaysian public that PAS’ Islamic agenda and cause will only affect the Muslim community. In this issue, the modeling agency is an International Agency and the their models only cater to all non-Muslim models. Both the organizer (agency) and models are not Muslims and why has Pakatan Rakyat’s PAS urged and asked our authorities to stop giving the license and permission to operate the fashion show?
What does a Fashion Show have to do with immoral activities? What is there in a fashion show that will harm our community? Malaysian Youth Voters believe that DAP and PKR will never stand up for you all as in this issue none of them came out to stand up for our rights and personal liberty. We have said that PAS does not need to have 2/3 majority in Parliament to actually start to sell and promote their Islamic Cause where now before they even take over Federal Power they are already very harsh in going against Fashion Shows.
No 1 : They are restricting the Freedom to Organize An Event
No 2 : They are restricting the Freedom for the choice of Dress Code
No 3 : They are trying to implement an Islamic Cause even into the non-Muslim Community
No 4 : They are restricting the FREEDOM OF CHOICE OF MODELING PROFESSION
No 5 : They are restricting the Establishment of Modeling Agencies in Malaysia
No 6 : They are restricting our Youth Personal Liberty and Lifestyle
Dearest Malaysian Youth, beware of voting for Pakatan Rakyat into power. I am pretty sure you do not want to live another 4 or 5 years with all our freedom, rights and choices to be restricted by them. All Freedom and personal lifestyle liberty existed all this while because of Barisan Nasional Government and I am sure none of you would like to end up living the lifestyle like Pakatan Rakyat Islamic Kelantan and Kedah.
A vote for DAP and PKR is a vote for PAS and a vote for PAS is a vote to lock yourself in a dark cage. Think wisely before you vote. For those who strive for personal freedom and liberty then at all cost they should reject Pakatan Rakyat Extremism. Voting for Pakatan Rakyat means all the Modeling Agencies in the entire Malaysia Will Be Shut Down. All the Event Companies, Fashion Shows and Pageant Organizers will be Shut Down from their Operation. All the women (non-Muslims) will be banned from wearing Bikinis. All the ENTIRE MODELS in Malaysia will lose their job. Those photographers and every profession that are related to fashion, modeling and events will be badly affected. Seriously, these are not a good choice of Change. You seriously want those types of Changes then please vote for them.
If Mr.Shen cannot convince BN to grant IMMEDIATELY with the mandate that BN has the below 3 items :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
;Mr. Shen should go bury Malaysian Youth Right Movement under a pile of UMNO’s bumiputra apartheid abuse and the money Shen has been taking to dare speak when BN has not granted the above 3 items. Shen is a coward and the above are hardly freedoms but a norm. Set up non-4D gambling, RLDs in major city areas and remove Section 377B as well if all about freedom. Don’t pretend! Incidentally Anwar probably is gay as hell but pretending to be straight to be able to get the PM’s seat.
ARTICLE 8
Shahrizat joins bandwagon, slams Anwar for practising nepotism by Md Izwan – October 07, 2012
Shahrizat says Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was a leader who had no integrity for practising nepotism. — File pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has joined the chorus slamming Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for seemingly practising nepotism in the recently announced Pakatan Rakyat (PR) shadow cabinet which lists his wife and daughter as ministers.
The media reports Anwar will be prime minister while his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will be a minister in the prime minister’s office and Nurul Izzah Anwar would be Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Planning.
PR has denied the cabinet list.
“For such a long time after leaving Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN), he was always criticising nepotism,” the Wanita Umno chief was reported saying today by Mingguan Malaysia.
“But since he formed the opposition, all of them practice nepotism.”
Shahrizat told the Umno-owned Malay daily that Anwar was a leader who had no integrity for practising nepotism, an act he had severely criticised before.
She also questioned PAS’ stance since the Islamic party had been promised the prime minister post should PR win the upcoming general election.
“How was PAS initially listed and Anwar become PM?” asked the former minister for women, family and community development.
Shahrizat lost her Cabinet post in March following allegations that her family had misused federal funds for the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) worth RM250 million through their holding company National Feedlot Corporation (NFCorp).
NFCorp attracted scrutiny when last year’s Auditor General Annual Report saod the cattle rearing project had failed to meet its targets.
Since then, PR headed by PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli have made several exposures of funds being abused for the project for items which were irrelevant to the cattle rearing industry.
This includes the purchase of luxury condominiums in Bangsar and Singapore and a plot of land in Putrajaya.
Shahrizat was appointed Minister for the Development of Women, Family and Community in 2001 and was retained even after losing the in the 2008 general election by being made a senator.
She was briefly made an advisor to the prime minister regarding issues concerning women’s welfare and social development before continuing in her ministerial portfolio.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Coudn’t BN get someone who did not practice corruption or nepotism as well, to condemn nepotism in Pakatan? Also BN has no critics of the lack of :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
;even though BN has the mandate to grant the above. Good to point out Pakatan’s undemocratic nature, but Shahrizat being scandalised by recent condo/feed-lot issues, is a weak frontman to use against nepotistic Anwar.
ARTICLE 9
Sarawak CM’s son worth more than RM1 billion, says ex-wife – UPDATED @ 09:18:53 PM 02-10-2012 – October 02, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 — Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud’s son is worth more than RM1 billion, his former daughter-in-law told a Syariah court here today, when justifying her claims for RM400 million in their divorce settlement.
Shahnaz Abdul Majid, who was married to Taib’s son, Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Abdul Taib, is demanding RM100 million as mutaah (Islamic conciliatory payment) following their recent divorce, and a RM300 million share of joint matrimonial assets.
The couple had finalised their divorce in May 2011, after a long-drawn court battle in which Shahnaz is claiming a total of RM400 million as compensation.
Taib’s former daughter-in-law, Shahnaz Abdul Majid, is claiming that he has personal accounts in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, France, Monaco, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Switzerland. — File picture
“He has personal accounts in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, France, Monaco, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Switzerland,” Shahnaz was quoted by news portal Malaysiakini as saying today during the Islamic court proceeding, referring to Taib’s son Mahmud Abu Bekir.
“My claim of RM100 million in mutaah is small as he is worth in excess of RM1 billion. The RM100 million can be said to be worth 10 sen to him,” she was reported as adding.
Shahnaz, the sister of jazz queen Datuk Sheila Majid, was also reported to have said that her former husband has an estimated RM700 million deposited in 111 banking accounts worldwide.
She told the court that Mahmud Abu Bekir had squirreled away US$25 million (RM76.3 million) in two personal accounts in Luxembourg’s Edmond de Rothschild bank.
Her ex-husband also has several accounts with the same European bank in Switzerland with deposits of US$31 million, Shahnaz was reported saying.
Mahmud Abu Bekir also had several accounts with British banking giant HSBC — two in Jersey with US$34 million in deposits and one in Hong Kong with deposits of US$9.6 million in his name.
All these accounts have a combined value of US$100 million in deposits.
The divorce settlement proceedings are once again shining a light on the purported wealth of the Sarawak chief minister’s family at a time of growing scrutiny ahead of national polls.
In court papers filed during her divorce application, Shahnaz had sought to have Mahmud Abu Bekir’s assets — among which she listed seven luxury cars, thousands of hectares of land in Sarawak and shares in 15 companies — declared as joint property and for it be halved.
Shahnaz, who holds an MBA in Finance and was at one time a director of the family-owned CMSB, had previously said she wanted to end their marriage under the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984 because her ex-husband had not given her “nafkah batin” since 2001.
The 49-year-old also accused Mahmud Abu Bekir of punching her in the head, face and eyes; kicking her in the ribs; and throttling her — in addition to verbally abusing her with derogatory words, and thereby causing emotional and mental stress.
The couple married on January 9, 1992 and have a son, Raden Murya Abdul Taib Mahmud, 18.
The case before Federal Territory Syariah High Court judge, Mohamad Abdullah, resumes on October 24.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
If BN would grant :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
;with the existing mandate BN has, the people might be busy enough celebrating than trying to replace BN for at least 1 term. But BN would rather keep the abusive policies in place and have the people kick BN out and PR will ensure BN goes to court and gets sued etc.. BN is a failure if BN does not grant the above 3 items with immediate effect.
ARTICLE 10
More find fight against corruption effective – 08 October 2012 | last updated at 08:42AM
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s war against corruption is showing positive and tangible results, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday.
He said a survey conducted by Transparency International last year found that 49 per cent of Malaysians felt that the government’s efforts in fighting corruption was effective compared with 29 per cent in 2009.
“I am certain that given time, Malaysia will be successful in its war against corruption and further improving public perception on the government’s anti-corruption efforts,” he said in his closing speech to more than 900 delegates at the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities conference and general meeting here.
Muhyiddin noted that in the nation’s aspiration for attaining developed status by 2020, fighting corruption would always be one of the main agendas.
“Addressing corruption is one of the seven National Key Result Areas.
“We believe that corruption must be eliminated to remove inefficiencies in the system, which will severely limit the country’s economic transformation and growth.”
He added that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Education Ministry had begun efforts to include a module on integrity and corruption prevention in schools.
Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said that creating awareness on graft in the younger generation would serve the country well and would go a long way in promoting economic prosperity and social wellbeing.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
More propaganda. Look at any Minister’s background then compare with anyone with similar backgrounds and educations that did not take up politics, then compare personal net worth today. Theres your corruption. That is why even MPs and Assemblymen cannot be allowed to hold seats for more than 1 term. War against corruption? More like propaganda war against Rakyat to keep the Rakyat in the dark about why Ministers are so rich (unlike Tunku Abdul Rahman) and everyone else has to work.
We cannot allow anyone to sit in power too long or they will become plutocrats and nepotists that write abusive and tax payer killing policy. All that bs about education is a lie. Every single Minister has enough to start their own University. From the taxpayer MONEY, Education-Financiar-Student-Debt Complex and compound interest on debt rather than a pay off loan as you earn (meaning the jobless beneficiaries of degrees do not pay or incur interest if they are not working – perhaps the University can be allowed to collect a flat 20% directly off the student’s paycheck by contacting the employer via new laws) AT 0% INTEREST, or even FREE EDUCATION which some of our greedier MPs have tried to prevent so as to protect the Education-Financiar-Student-Debt Complex and profit off the people. Tertiary education is free in MANY countries but not in Malaysia.
ARTICLE 11
Seeking the Right to Be Female in Malaysia – Saturday, 06 October 2012 admin-s
Adam Shazrul Bin Mohammad Yusoff dressed in her room in Seremban, Malaysia.
(The New York Times) – Nisha Ayub was jailed for three months after her first arrest for dressing as a woman 14 years ago. Ms. Nisha, who was 20 at the time, said prison wardens forced her to walk naked in front of the male inmates.
“It’s something I can’t forget until today,” she said.
The feminine figure dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, makeup carefully applied, drew little attention from other customers at the fast-food restaurant in Seremban, a city about an hour’s drive south of Kuala Lumpur.
The 26-year-old began wearing women’s clothing at age 13. Thanks to plastic surgery in neighboring Thailand, a daily dose of hormones and a feminine nickname, she is able to present herself as female to the outside world.
But her official identification card — which Malaysians must produce in dealings like job interviews — declares that her name is Adam Shazrul Bin Mohammad Yusoff and that she is male.
The discrepancy between her appearance and her officially recognized gender presents much more than just awkward moments in Malaysia, where Shariah, or Islamic law, bans Muslim men from dressing or posing as women.
Penalties differ in individual states, but in Negri Sembilan, where the 26-year-old lives, convicted offenders may be sentenced to up to six months in prison, fined as much as 1,000 ringgit, about $325, or both.
Tired of living in fear of prosecution, the 26-year-old — who has been arrested twice and was once fined 900 ringgit — and three other transgender people are challenging the law in the secular courts, arguing that it violates the Malaysian Constitution, which bans discrimination based on gender and protects freedom of expression.
A verdict in their case — the first time anyone has sought to overturn the law — is expected next Thursday.
“It’s for freedom — to be like everybody else, to wear what we like,” said the 26-year-old, explaining why she is taking part in the case. “This shouldn’t happen. It’s an unjust law. We are just human beings. We are not doing anything wrong.”
How about another 4 more articles : Seeking the Right to Be “Shemale”(or Transgender), “Lesbian”, “Bisexual” and “Gay” in Malaysia. All of these 4 groups ARE NOT WOMEN though post-operative Transexuals should indeed be considered women.
ARTICLE 12
A tough battle in Lembah Pantai – Sunday, 07 October 2012 Super Admin
SHOWDOWN: Barisan Nasional is going all out to wrest the hottest urban seat in Kuala Lumpur back from the opposition, which it won by a narrow margin in the 2008 general election, writes Carisma Kapoor
LEMBAH Pantai, a constituency in Kuala Lumpur held by Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, is considered one of the hot seats in the next general election. Barisan Nasional will be fighting hard to win it back.
In the 2008 general election, Nurul defeated BN’s Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who had held the seat since 1995, by a relatively narrow margin of 2,895 votes.
Nurul, a first-time elected representative, is expected to defend the constituency with some 56,000 voters, and will likely face Lembah Pantai Umno chief and Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin.
In a recent report, Raja Nong Chik conveyed his intention to contest the Lembah Pantai seat if he was among the candidates selected by BN.
Asked whether it would be a challenge to face Nurul, he said it would be but only because she was an incumbent member of parliament.
As someone who had grown up in the area, Raja Nong Chik, however, welcomed the challenge.
“I am confident of winning the seat based on my service record and relationships established over the past 25 years in the area, starting from my early days as an Umno Youth member,” he said.
His years of involvement in the local politics and issues of Lembah Pantai had helped him to understand better the needs of residents.
“I’m contesting so that I can serve the people, not for other interests. I walk the talk, unlike the opposition which criticises and walks away without offering any solutions,” he said, adding that even though he was not selected as a candidate in the 2004 general election, he had continued serving the Lembah Pantai residents.
Raja Nong Chik stressed that he had stated several times that the only seat he would like to contest was Lembah Pantai. This, despite being cautioned by some that the seat was “not safe for a minister”.
Raja Nong Chik’s game plan would include working hard, turun padang (going to the ground), listening to the people’s problems, resolving outstanding problems as well as facilitating better living and working conditions for people within and outside Lembah Pantai.
“More importantly, I will try to assist those in the area who have been left behind in developments,” he said, referring to the disabled, single mothers, pensioners, traders, low- and medium-cost flat dwellers, the sick and students.
On Nurul’s supporters who had spoken out about their preference that she contest in Permatang Pauh, Raja Nong Chik said the suggestion had come about because Nurul had not served her constituency for some time.
“Nurul has only become active recently because the election is coming.”
As for BN Lembah Pantai, he said members would fight any opposition candidate and thereafter join their colleagues to help Federal Territories and the rest of the country.
Raja Nong Chik, however, said it was up to the BN leadership to decide on whether to field him.
Nurul claimed that she was not only confident of retaining the Lembah Pantai seat but was also certain that the opposition would take control of Putrajaya.
She said the Election Commission had yet to implement the suggestions by the opposition and their allies for a free and fair election.
Nonetheless, Nurul said, the opposition would continue to participate in the election, highlight abuses and work towards getting at least 75 per cent voter turnout.
Nurul said “phantom busters” had been trained by the opposition to use cameraphones to take note of suspicious voters for legal action.
“We are advocating for international observers to view our electoral process.”
On her efforts to “win over” voters in the area, Nurul said apart from relating to the people, she represented their voices in a “new culture of politics”, where issues and not individuals drove legislation.
Responding to supporters who had preferred her to contest in Permatang Pauh, a seat held by her father, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the 32-year-old said she would obey her party even though she had indicated that she would like to remain with her supporters in Lembah Pantai. — (NST)
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
1 term left, prepare to GTFO of Dewan in 2016. No useful policy ratified so far. . . . the 32-year-old said she would obey her party . . . Party? Nurul means, Father rather? Pakatan Rakyat politics runs like a family business. No statesmen there in Pakatan Rakyat, vote 3rd Force instead!
ARTICLE 13
Nurul Izzah questions 135% hike in cost for KLIA2 – Wednesday, 10 October 2012 07:18
More questions have been raised on the ever-ballooning construction cost of low-cost carrier terminal or KLIA2, after the price shot up by 135 percent or RM4 billion from the original RM1.7 billion.
Lembah Pantai member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar said the Transport ministry’s refusal to come clean on the matter strengthened the perception that the planning and execution of KLIA2 had not been transparent.
KLIA2 has also over its Traffic Modernization Programme (ATMOP) for air traffic control, which according Nurul, has been awarded to ENAV S.p.A, a consultant and air traffic control system supplier company.
“The major concern lies in SELEX (Selex Sistemi Integrati) and ENAV relationship,” said Nurul.
The PKR vice president had earlier disclosed that the faulty radar MIP-2 system was jointly developed by Advanced Air Traffic System (M) Sdn Bhd (AAT) and SELEX at the National Air Traffic Control Centre (NATCC) in Subang airport.
“Is it not conflict of interest as (ENAV’s partner) SELEX is also a supplier to air traffic control system?” she asked, citing clauses 29.1 and 33.1 of the agreement between ENAV and Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).
Under 29.1 and 33.1, a consultant must obey all Malaysian laws including procurement and must not be directly involved in any business.
Due to this, Nurul said ENAV and SELEX were prone to bias in its procurement selection and questioned whether ENAV was clearly absolved from any business activities.
She also revealed that the ceiling price of ATMOP was RM27 million as specified under clause 1.4. However, ENAV had announced the project would cost RM40 million (10 million euro).
“So which is true?” she asked.
Prior to this, AirAsia group chief executive Tony Fernandes had hit out at the escalating construction cost of KLIA2.
-Harakahdaily
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Political parties must not only be whistle blowers which any investigative journalist can do, but also end apartheid. Nurul could be a crypto-racist that is great at being a whistleblower (ending corruption is good but keeping the apartheid of bumiputra in place is bad), meaning 40% of the nation still cannot vote for Nurul (despite corruption which is intended to end but probably will not end). Does Nurul believe in :
1) Freedom from Apartheid/Fascism (Article 1 Human Rights Charter)
2) Freedom from Religious-Persecution/Religious-Supremacy. (Article 18 Human Rights Charter)
3) Equality for all ethnicities and faiths in all aspects of policy, Law and Constitution. (Surah An Nisa 4:75)
Equality espousing MPs and 2 term limited MPs only, no more Ketuanan! Crypto-racism is a crime against Humanity! ARTICLE 14
DAP’s Karpal chides ‘presumptuous’ PKR deputy president – Monday, 08 October 2012 Super Admin
(The Star) – The feud between Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and his party boss Azmin Ali has worsened with more Pakatan Rakyat leaders joining in the fray to chide the PKR deputy president.
The latest Pakatan leader to do so is DAP chairman Karpal Singh who reminded Azmin that he was not in any position to unilaterally announce anything affecting the coalition, including on who should be the Selangor mentri besar if the coalition retained power in the state.
“Azmin has exceeded the bounds of opinion, because this matter is beyond PKR. It involves the Pakatan Rakyat leadership,” Karpal said yesterday.
Karpal was asked to comment on Azmin’s recent statement in a Malay daily that implied that Khalid would not be re-appointed as Mentri Besar should Pakatan retain power in Selangor.
Azmin had said that Khalid’s services were needed at the federal level if Pakatan succeeded in capturing Putrajaya.
Karpal said it was not proper for Azmin to express such an opinion because the decision was not in the hands of PKR alone.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali also affirmed that the matter was never discussed at the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council meetings.
He had described Azmin as “over ambitious” for making such a statement.
PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s former private secretary, Annuar Shaari also said the feud between Azmin and Khalid had always been an “open secret” within the party circle.
“Azmin had wanted the mentri besar’s post in 2008, but he kept silent after Anwar convinced him they could take over Putrajaya in 2009,” he said.
He said it was also known that PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was not in favour of Azmin, while her husband Anwar favoured him.
Khalid’s political secretary Faekah Husin said Azmin had prematurely dropped the bomb.
She said Khalid had laughed off the matter because he did not mind whether he was fielded or dropped from the list of candidates in the next elections.
In an unrelated development, Khalid admitted that some PKR members still found fault with the party and doubted the viability of Pakatan.
“This is happening because the members are more concerned about their own interests. This is not right. We should show more maturity towards attaining the party’s goals,” he said at the opening of the party’s Kuala Selangor division’s annual general meeting in Ijok yesterday.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Better this form of non-in-family politics than the presumptuousness in family bloc politics that Karpal has caused and thinks the Rakyat do not notice. Want to be a Maharaja? They are all in INDIA and probably ashamed of Karpal for not speaking against apartheid. GTFO of Dewan, 2 terms over for Karpal family who dares not challenge the apartheid of bumiputra but prevents REAL MPs from taking power (2 term limits!) to change laws!
ARTICLE 15
‘Spat proves Azmin wants total control of Selangor’ – PKR turncoat – Wednesday, 10 October 2012 16:14
INFIGHTING- Began since Azmin took over as state PKR liaison head, says ex-Anwar aide
THE ongoing ‘spat’ between Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Azmin Ali and Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim proves that the former wants “total control” over the administration of the state.
Former private secretary to PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Anuar Shaari said this became evident when Azmin took over Khalid’s position as the state’s PKR liaison chairman two years ago.
“Therefore, I am not surprised with this infighting that has been going on in the Selangor PKR. This is no longer a secret,” he said in a statement.
“How could they govern the country when even at the state level they are already fighting over positions? The ‘people’s supremacy’ they claim to champion is a slogan of hypocrisy.”
The controversy first started when a Malay daily reported Azmin as saying that the Selangor menteri besar could be replaced and Khalid would be appointed as federal minister if opposition coalition won the next general election.
The war of words then escalated when Khalid’s political secretary, Faekah Husin made a statement in an online portal, saying that Azmin did not have the authority to decide on Khalid’s post.
“Who is Azmin to make such a deduction? I don’t know what drove him to come up with that statement,” she was reported as saying.
Azmin, who is said to be vying for the position of Selangor menteri besar, however accused the Malay daily of “misreporting”, but this was later denied by the newspaper.
However, the focus was shifted to Faekah, when Selangor National Leadership Council deputy president Zuraida Kamaruddin criticised Faekah for her “disparaging” comments against Azmin.
Zuraidah, who is a known Azmin ally was reported last Saturday to have said that she was “very disappointed” over the “unnecessary comments” and suggested that Faekah break the communication wall between her and Azmin over the matter.
“As an effective political secretary to the MB, Faekah should concentrate on improving the political relationship between the MB and party leaders and not cause instability by unnecessarily jumping the gun,” said Zuraidah.
However, former PKR leader Zamil Ibrahim was of the opinion that Faekah was made a “scapegoat” and that she should not be blamed for making such a statement.
He claimed that the clash had always been between Azmin and PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, instead of Khalid.
He explained that it was Wan Azizah who positioned Faekah as the political secretary to “spy” on Azmin as the Gombak member of parliament “never received the blessings from the party president”.
“Faekah used to work with Wan Azizah, and she was put there for a purpose as the president didn’t want Azmin to have control over the state.”
Zamil added that it was known within the party that Khalid would not be in the PKR’s election candidates list as he held no top position in PKR Selangor, except as a Kuala Selangor division chief.
He also said Zuraida should not question Faekah over her statement as it was akin to questioning the president’s choices.
– New Straits Times
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
2 terms then GTFO of Dewan. Control, especially in politics is an illusion. This is politics, as in a political party with disposable 2 term limited candidates, not a Sultanate. 90% of Pakatan’s Campaign Promises Still Unkept. GTFO of Dewan and stop fighting on the taxpayer’s monthly funding! Anyone up to a no-confidence motion to remove MPs who LIED and did not keep campaign promises?
Oprah and the good guys: The dozen billionaires with big hearts and even bigger bank balances who are planning to spread their wealth around – by Daniel Bates and Louise Boyle – PUBLISHED: 03:37 GMT, 20 September 2012 | UPDATED: 07:04 GMT, 20 September 2012
Congregated behind closed doors of the grandiose Trustees Room at New York Public Library, this group of individuals made for the wealthiest gathering in the world.
The twelve – Warren Buffett, Oprah Winfrey, Bill and Melinda Gates, Pete Petersen, Leon Black, Jon Bon Jovi, Marc Benioff, David Rubenstein, Steve Case, Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen and Marc Andreessen – may have made their billions from as diverse pursuits as rock music to microchips, but they have united to dedicate vast portions of their wealth to philanthropic causes.
Their combined wealth totals a staggering $126billion – with Bill Gates and Warren Buffett in first and second place respectively. The two leaders of the billionaire pack supported the Summit on Philanthropy – where 161 of the richest people in America met to share ideas on how the wealth might be spread across education, poverty, religion, medicine and the environment.
The combined wealth of America’s richest is $1.7 trillion, up from $1.5 trillion in 2011, in due part to the rising stock market, a rebound in real estate values – especially in cities like Los Angeles and New York, and rising values for art works.
The billionaires posed at the library in Manhattan on June 26 this year for the 30th anniversary cover of Forbes 400, published on October 8.
The United States still has the largest share of billionaires of any nation with 480. The top ten richest in the Forbes 400 reads: Bill Gates ($66 billion); Warren Buffett ($46 billion); Larry Ellison ($41 billion); Charles Koch ($31 billion); David Koch ($31 billion); Christy Walton & family ($27.9 billion); Jim Walton ($26.8 billion); Alice Walton ($26.3 billion); S. Robson Walton ($26.1 billion) and Michael Bloomberg ($25 billion).
The combined wealth of America’s richest is $1.7 trillion, up from $1.5 trillion in 2011, in due part to the rising stock market, a rebound in real estate values – especially in cities like Los Angeles and New York, and rising values for art works.
Commentator comments :
John Bon Jovi has a restaurant in NJ. Google it… its a non profit. Pretty much can pay what you like. and if you don’t have money, you can work it off. Menu changes daily.
– Laura , Sarasota Florida USA, 20/9/2012 11:31
Gates stole more than he’s ever going to give back through the exploitation of a virtual monopoly with excessive charges for MS software.
– BobCratchet , London, United Kingdom, 20/9/2012 11:27
Oprah obviously didn’t receive the memo to wear dark clothes. Your eyes immediately go to her before the others, ha.
– LH , Essex, United Kingdom, 20/9/2012 11:16
“161 of the richest people in America met to share ideas on how the wealth might be spread across education, poverty, religion, medicine and the environment.” – Spot the odd one out…why on earth give any money to religion? The three Abrahamic faiths are swimming in money as a result of peddling their lies for so many years, particularly institutions like the Catholic church. Take religion out and that’s a pretty good list to start with though.
– Alex , London, 20/9/2012 11:14
And not a single Bullingdon Dining Club member amongst them
– Bigman , Glasgow, United Kingdom, 20/9/2012 11:08
Its good they’re giving the money but I find this public display a bit sickening. Plenty of wealthy give alot without plastering their faces over a magazine making sure everyone knows.
– Linley , Sydney, 20/9/2012 11:08
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
12 people alone have 126 billion? Look here, 12 people represent less than 1% of North America’s 300 million population, so lets have at least 99% of that wealth re-distributed (124.4 billion) to stop a few hundred thousand foreclosures of viable working families that could tip the scales for USA. The remainder of the 1.6 billion (1%) from 126 billion should be redistributed among these 12, which would mean 130 million each. Thats 324 times a 401K for this lot. They can’t go whining about how 99% of their wealth has been lost when they are worth 300+ times a 401K Joe Public now can they? Lets see if the greed and cynicism will prevent these 12 from doing the 99% right thing or if 130 million is fine by them to save 1000s of good American families (interview respectfully, this will be better than American Idol, ‘Middle Wealth Class Idol’ perhaps?). Last chance for the Capitalism model IMHO, otherwise try 20 million Socialist caps on wealth sequestration if these hearts are big enough . . . 20 million is still 50 times a 401K and sveral lifetimes of work for 99% of Americans.
Consider that 1.7 trillion of the 161 richest, 99% of that redistributed would be 1.68 trillion 17 billion split among 161 people would be 10.5 million each, still 25 times a 401K. How about saving 10s of 1000s of middle class Americans’ lives and homes? Perhaps 75% of that could be used for shelters and staples for the poorest as well. This is TRUE patriotism, saving America’s *VIABLE* (do feel free to ferret out those who won’t make the mark) middle class population, and sharing ‘the fat’, and at least making sure the poorest don’t starve or freeze while so-called ‘plutocrat entertainer stars’ go to East Europe and Asia or Africa (WTF?) to do the same (abit better than plutocrat sportsmen with millions but not even owning a single sports facility to their name – these sorts are in sport for MONEY not love of sport – sports fans could do an audit of major brand sponsors to :
identify then boycott those brands that are merely parasiting off sports goods (actually the gambling industry is doing this even as sportsmen throw games off and on for profit . . . ) FROM brands which are actually run by people/execs who do love the sport,not a bunch of snarky executives gloating at people who buy their overpriced sports goods) while locally back home and most cynically, Americans suffer the same starvation and homelessness, freeze to death as well while plutocrats enjoy lives worth more than 3-10 or 50 times 401K. If the country belongs to everyone, then all the land and all the wealth belongs to everyone – that could come off the limit for wealth sequestration at 20 million. No citizen should be allowed to starve, be homeless much less freeze then being supposed equals. Vote properly Joe Publics!
ARTICLE 2
Foster Friess: America Would Be Better Off With More Wealthy People – September 21, 2012 – By Lawrence Sinclair
Sinclair News is publishing part of an article by Tony Lee dated 18 Sep 2012 which was published at Breitbart.com. We are linking our readers to the complete article.
On the one-year anniversary of the fizzling “Occupy” movement that tried to pit the so-called 99% against the 1%, and on the day in which a video of Mitt Romney talking about the 47% of Americans who pay no federal income taxes drove liberals and the mainstream media into fits, Foster Friess on Monday made an argument that society is better off with more rich people.
Friess is one of the wealthiest and most generous people in the world, and he wrote a piece arguing the world would be better off if there were more “fat cats” like him, less government, and more reliance on the free market.
Friess made many valid points, but his arguments became more significant after a video of Romney’s comments at a fundraiser in May was leaked to the left-wing publication Mother Jones.
Under President Barack Obama, the United States has seen more government and less wealth creation and, according to Friess, that has made the country worse off.
“What do wealthy people do with their money?,” Friess asked in the Newsweek column. “They can only buy so many cars, houses, and steak dinners. So we either give it away or invest it.”
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
. . . if there were more “fat cats” like him, less government . . .
Most fat cats only exist because of crony capitalism and contractor collusion. In a real fair or free market, making money is VERY DIFFICULT and after decades prices would be deadly competitive by now instead of inflation which is the fault of the Fed reserve or fiat printing and exotic trading like the stock market which is inflated 1000 times normal value, or fractionated trading of commodities that do not exist or monetization-commoditisation of DEBT which is ridiculous and ILLEGAL because one cannot collect of as of yet labour that has no guarantee upon compound interest WHILE jobless to boot!
Even machines have a shelf life, need maintainance at levels that could never pay off loans for the price of the machine alone much less flesh and blood humans who do far worse than machines on top of being pressured for loan repayments that a jobless society which colludes on EVERYTHING, even political free thought which can get the psychiatric establishment down on dissidents and activists.
So think when a supposed fat cat spends the GDP of a small country, while being in debt 10 to 1 million times of whatever effort any 401K person can put in with the ‘poor’ having no access to housing loans (which should not be compound interest but simple interest or basic entrepreneurial loans, let alone exotic trades), simply because the state will bail out that person who is viewed as accountable by the bank rather than the honest 99% working class type, while ‘massive debt types’ viewed as plutocracy get to destroy the nation.
Finally while more rich people are good, when extreme wealth sequestration of the entire nation say at a 1.61 to 300,000,000+million ratio (1:15,000,000+ or a 1 to 15 million ratio – the 1% owns 15 million times that of the 99%!!!), rather than an enforced limit of 1% to 99% ratio at least, Capitalist limits (like 1% of 1000 top richest people must not be above 1% of the nation’s collective sequesterable wealth) to wealth sequestration NO MORE THAN the richest being 100 times the poorest, are still needed. What 20 million in limits does is make 50 times a 401K a maximum norm. Who among the 99 people of a population of 100 wants to tolerate a single person being worth 15 million times more than their 401K – when they are only worth 401K? Simple math and facts that cannot be ignored. The fat cats are still too fat, the banks and state apparatus will not lend to the 99% and as of now the 161 (or lets say 50,000) richest hold probably 15 million times the poorest collectively! Then read the below pro1% schmooze article . . . http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-20/poverty-inequality-aren-t-as-bad-as-you-think-view.html
When everyone is worth 20 million the remainder can go to USA’s favourite groups of 3rd world nations of choice for ETHICAL expansion of influence. Socialist limits on Capitalism! 20 million wealth limits on everyone. And just look at the NLP in the title of the article . . . Poverty and Inequality ARE ALWAYS BAD. Saying *Not as bad as ‘you’ think’* is apologism for the plutocracy if anything. Shame on Bloomberg! People are dying and getting thrown out of their homes and the 1% gets a ‘not so bad’ article to mock the 99% with?
Mindboggling numbers of the richest. Redistribute already. Millions of Americans do not have access to healthcare, to education, to food and shelter even. Selfish plutocrats sequestering wealth forget that without the ‘unwashed masses’ of low wealth citizens or ‘chattering classes’ of mid wealth citizens, and the would-be plutocrat seeming lessers of the ‘high wealth of ‘a acceptable handful of millions’ BUT STILL working’ classes, the true plutocrat would have NO SOCIETY to look good for or nation to be part of! Obviously in the best interest of the plutocrat to ensure that healthcare, education, food and shelter are a given, so that USA will not end up being a puppet of creditor nations!
ARTICLE 3
What Mitt Romney Really Represents – by Robert Reich (about the author) – opednews.com
It’s not just his giant income or the low tax rates he pays on it. And it’s not just the videotape of him berating almost half of America, or his endless gaffes, or his regressive budget policies.
It’s something that unites all of this, and connects it to the biggest underlying problem America faces — the unprecedented concentration of wealth and power at the very top that’s undermining our economy and destroying our democracy.
Romney just released his 2011 tax returns, showing he paid $1.9 million in taxes on more than $13 million of income last year — for an effective tax rate of 14.1 percent. (He released his 2010 return in January, showing he paid an effective tax rate of 13.9 percent.)
American has had hugely wealthy presidents before — think of Teddy Roosevelt and his distant cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt; or John F. Kennedy, beneficiary of father Joe’s fortune.
But here’s the difference. These men were champions of the working class and the poor, and were considered traitors to their own class. Teddy Roosevelt railed against the “malefactors of great wealth,” and he busted up the oil and railroad trusts.
FDR thundered against the “economic royalists,” raised taxes on the wealthy, and gave average working people the right to form unions — along with Social Security, unemployment insurance, a minimum wage, and a 40-hour workweek.
But Mitt Romney is not a traitor to his class. He is a sponsor of his class. He wants to cut their taxes by $3.7 trillion over the next decade, and hasn’t even specified what “loopholes” he’d close to make up for this gigantic giveaway.
And he wants to cut benefits that almost everyone else relies on — Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, food stamps, unemployment insurance, and housing assistance.
He’s even a warrior for his class, telling his wealthy followers his job isn’t to worry about the “47 percent” of Americans who won’t vote for him, whom he calls “victims” and he berates for not paying federal incomes taxes and taking federal handouts.
(He mangles these facts, of course. Almost all working Americans pay federal taxes — and the federal taxes that have been rising fastest for most people are Social Security payroll taxes, which aren’t collected on a penny of income over $110,100. Moreover, most of the “47 percent” whom he accuses of taking handouts are on Medicare or Social Security — the biggest “entitlement” programs — which, not incidentally, they paid into during their working lives.)
Money means power. Concentrated wealth at the top means extraordinary power at the top. The reason Romney pays a rate of only 14 percent on $13 million of income in 2011 — a lower rate than many in the middle class — is because he exploits a loophole that allows private equity managers to treat their income as capital gains, taxed at only 15 percent.
And that loophole exists solely because private equity and hedge fund managers have so much political clout — as a result of their huge fortunes and the money they’ve donated to political candidates — that neither party will remove it.
In other words, everything America is learning about Mitt Romney — his tax returns, his years at Bain Capital, the video of his speech to high-end donors in which he belittles half of America, his gaffes, the budget policies he promotes — repeat and reenforce the same underlying reality.
So much wealth and power have accumulated at the top of America that our economy and our democracy are seriously threatened. Romney not only represents this problem. He is the living embodiment of it.
http://robertreich.org/
Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley, was Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration. Time Magazine named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the last century. He has written (more…)
ARTICLE 4
Thoughts on the 1982 Pontiac Trans Am
The third-generation Pontiac Firebird was a stunner. Its sleek lines made the old 1970–1981 second-gen ‘Bird look like a relic. The shape set a new standard for aerodynamics. The bodywork, especially in Trans Am guise, was tasteful and clean. When it debuted, everyone forgot about the poorly performing 1980–1981 Turbo Trans Ams. The ’82 even got a starring role in Knight Rider as KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand), seen here.
Well, a fresh redesign with cutting-edge aero doesn’t necessarily equate to performance under the hood. In fact, for 1982 the Firebird’s standard engine was a 2.5-liter 90-hp four-cylinder. That’s right, a four-cylinder engine in a Firebird. Yes, there was a V-8 option. But if you selected the four-speed manual, that 5.0-liter Chevrolet-sourced V-8 pumped out just 145 horses. The “Cross-Fire Injected” 5.0-liter V-8 was available with an automatic only, and though it was torque-rich, this motor didn’t produce more than 165 hp.
The bright spot was just two short years away. By 1984, a 190-hp 5.0-liter HO motor replaced that Cross-Fire Injected engine.
No. 145 horses could pull a 100 wagon train (actually single persons have pulled the same or Airbuses), a Pontiac TA could only pull the engine car of a train alone. This is dishonest and a lie, a gross exaggeration about the number of horses the car is worth for value of money. The Trans Am is worth 3 to 6 horses at most, and is severely overpriced and marketed as up to 50 times as many horses that so many other cars of the day cars do not have. How many cars can what one spends on a Trans Am buy? Trans Ams DO NOT have 145 horses worth of power, though they cost 145 or more horses . . . Overpriced and inefficient compared to ACTUAL horses (which can be eaten and preserved in event of disaster). The BMW Z3 below is another example of LIES, being worth no more than 3 horses at most.
BMW Z3 (E36/4) (1996–2002)
Pierce Brosnan was far from the best James Bond, and the Z3 he drove in GoldenEye, BMW’s first modern mass-market roadster, was anything but the Bavarian carmaker’s most memorable agent. Grossly underpowered from the get-go, the 138-hp, 1.9-liter four-cylinder was quickly substituted for a 2.8-liter straight six. Still, its sub-200-horse numbers weren’t anything to get excited about, and the car’s wallowy handling couldn’t match BMW’s sharp sedans. Nevertheless, the Z3 sold quite well, and perhaps that’s part of the problem—a car first marketed as a spy’s ride sold to many drivers too tall or broad to pull off the look. A rare coupe version, known by those at the company as “the shoe,” enjoyed a cult-like following because the car’s stiffer structure noticeably improved the handling. But it wasn’t until the next two generations of Z4 that BMW really left the roadster segment shaken and stirred.
Try the below for a list of horrendously unfashionable and aesthetically conventional vehicles EVER. The mainstream media ‘Popular Mechanics’ site has lost all sense of proportion here probably are colluding with the car companies who fund them to fracture buyers’ fashion senses and who knows promote UGLINESS as beautiful (making impossible for regular people to tell the difference between beautiful and ugly people to the media oligarchs’ nepotistic benefit), these cars have neither attitude nor lines of vehicles designed 20 years back . . .
Personally I wouldn’t buy the below list of cars but USA being USA, EVERY MODEL OF CAR (much less the below list’s) should be available in the USA. Why should USA prohibit any car, especially dull looking cars like the below? http://autos.yahoo.com/news/10-canadian-cars-you-can-t-buy-in-the-u-s-.html
The 2012 Ferrari FF can haul 450 litres of luggage with the rear seats up, 800 litres with the seats folded down. How much can a clydesdale horse pull? Three times it’s own weight, Which is around 2000-2400 lbs. The max. load of the Ferrari California is 1,025 lbs. So guess what? The fact of the matter is that the Ferrari FF does not even have a single or 1 ‘horsepower’. 100s of horses under the hood is a blatant marketing lie when barely 0.5 horses is more accurate.
Why should any vehicle cost as much as a Ferrari when a horse costs 1000s of times less but pulls 3 times as much, and when coupled with ‘changes’ of horses (that could be housed in the ‘corral’ boot while the horses ‘on shift’ run), could in fact run as far and fast as a Ferrari WITHOUT constant and pollutive, also expensive fuel but with regular feed instead. Stores of feed and water if carried as well makes for indefinite travel WITHOUT fuel costs.
The only issue is speed which in either case is always dangerous and in dense conditions makes the speed of a Ferrari quite useless and unnecessary. As for aesthetics and design (or the need to hide horses from sight), a larger version of the car will be a necessity that the kiddies and joyriders will not want but compared against the pollution issues the necessity not optional, the world is being destroyed by pollution . . . also a car where standing is possible should be nicer than always being seated? Include a bar and a kitchen or toilet as well using that space. Or an indoor pool/jacuzzi. See below pic for the green solution :
Need for light weight materials (could still have a protective bar of heavy rubber for prevention of accidents etc.) will be necessary.
So vote for the 99% who won’t allow the DMV to place controls that make no sense on what car one can or cannot drive. In fact, flying cars or at least VTOL cars should be the norm by now after near 200 years of land based vehicles since the 1800s. The government and policy regulators are forcing people to use tolled roads if anything. Fly a VTOL or heli and land that in your balcony, drop the airline industry and fly DIRECT to the country of your choice ! Heck why do we even need passports which we need to pay for at all to begin with even, especially if we are not criminals? Only criminals need passports, everyone else should be travelling AND migrating freely.
ARTICLE 5
Don’t take seat disputes sitting down – Updated: 2012-09-14 08:22 – by Tang Yue (China Daily)
Altercations over polite behavior on public transportation offer a window on a changing society, reports Tang Yue.
If you’re riding the bus or subway and see a pregnant woman, an elderly person or young child standing up in front of you, you might want to think seriously about offering them your seat.
If you don’t, you may discover that the consequences are serious, given that a number of altercations have happened recently and some have even ended in violence.
Don’t take seat disputes sitting down
On Aug 23, a young man on a bus in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, did not give up his seat to a pregnant woman. As a result, he was given five sharp slaps across the head by the woman’s disgruntled husband, despite the fact that he wasn’t occupying any of the seats usually reserved for the elderly and infirm, and, moreover, had a crippled leg.
Three days after that incident, a woman slapped a man on a bus in Jinan, Shandong province, after he failed to respond to a public announcement asking seated passengers to consider other travelers. Instead of offering his seat to the woman’s daughter, aged around 6 years old, the man simply turned his back on them. Enraged, the mother struck him repeatedly and shouted, “I am fulfilling your mother’s obligation to educate you.”
The aggression hasn’t only affected men. Media reports of aggressive behavior include that of an elderly man in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, who sat on a young woman’s lap after she refused his request to give up her seat. A similar incident is reported to have happened in Chengdu, Sichuan province.
Public opinion suggests that, while those who doggedly refused to offer up their seat weren’t acting from noble instincts, the actions of those who beat them were antisocial and unnecessarily violent.
So what makes people feel justified about the use of force against those who fail to comply with their wishes?
As China undergoes rapid urbanization, people who have grown up in an “acquaintance society”, one where everyone knows everyone else in the neighborhood, face challenges from the increasing need for daily interaction with strangers, according to Yang Yiyin, director of the social psychology research office at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing.
“In traditional Chinese society, where people are tied by family and blood relationships, emotions and morals, rather than reason and law, guide people’s behavior,” said Xiao Qunzhong, professor of ethics at Renmin University of China.
As a result, people tend to automatically, but mistakenly, use their sense of moral superiority to legitimize their behavior, including the use of verbal and physical violence.
However, while the traditional mindset remains, tragedies such as the case of Xiao Yueyue a 2-year-old girl who died after being ignored by 18 passers-by as she lay in the street in Foshan, Guangdong province after she had been hit by a car and then run over twice more also indicate a value-system in flux as the country moves through a period of rapid social transformation, said Xiao.
“Civil society in China is not as developed as in the West. People are still learning how to respect the fundamental rights of others and the bottom line for behavior,” he said.
Stranger society
To deal with other passengers on a bus, where people come and go in a very short time and very limited space, serves as a very good test of social attitudes. It’s one many people fail, noted Yang Yiyin of the CASS.
“You will always see female colleagues or friends trying very hard to persuade each other to take the only seat, even if there are only a couple of stops to go,” said Yang, 57. “But they still don’t know how to negotiate with strangers.
“That helps to explain why those with a sense of moral superiority just skip the discussion process and begin dictating to strangers, sometimes in a very rude manner.”
People in the West have more experience in dealing with everyday public life and are better at expressing their needs and opinions, be it through lectures, negotiation or debate, she noted.
Zheng Liudi, a 29-year-old who rides the subway to work in Shanghai, knows exactly what Yang means. Zheng said most people are pleasant when help is offered. However, she said that on occasion, usually just as she was about to offer her seat to someone else, she has noticed a “You owe me” look in the eyes of seniors or mothers with young children. “I change my mind, then. I just dislike their attitude,” she said.
She recalled that on one occasion, a woman in her 50s kicked her shoes from time to time. “I think she did it on purpose, to hint that she wanted the seat. But there was no way I would offer it to her under those circumstances,” said Zheng.
“These extreme examples of wrangling over a seat also reflect a general feeling of anxiety and irritability,” according to Yang.
Individual personality, values and the prevalent mood at the time of an incident all contribute to people’s behavior. The background socially, however, is that many people are highly stressed and restless, and thus tend to appear aggressive on such occasions, she said.
“The prevailing mood in China now is being competitive every single second and not miss a single opportunity to gain something, anything. Sometimes, people just use incidents such as these as an outlet for suppressed anger,” she explained.
Just too crowded
Regular users of public transportation might not know much about social theory; but they certainly feel the social reality during rush hours in the mega-cities and fully realize that a seat on a crowded bus or train is a precious commodity.
Every working day at 6:30 am, Jiang Xin, a 26-year-old auditor in Beijing, gets on the bus at the first stop on the route. Her journey takes roughly 90 minutes.
“At first, I used to sit down as soon as I got on the bus, just near the ticket seller. But I found I had to give up my seat several times on each journey and felt exhausted when I arrived at my office. So I changed seats and now sit in the corner instead,” she said.
“On the weekend, I always offer my seat to people if they need it, but during the working week I really need that seat in the corner so I can take a nap.”
Qin Jianhua is not as lucky. The 31-year-old works in Beijing, but bought an apartment in Yanjiao, Hebei province, in 2009. His daily commute to work takes two hours door to door, including one hour on the bus, a 10-minute walk and another 50 minutes on the subway.
The bus is always crowded, so it requires an enormous effort just to get on and there are always four or five passengers always standing crammed on a single step by the door. People always swear loudly if they can’t squeeze on and some even block the road to stop the bus if they can’t gain access, he said.
“When I’m on a comfortable bus, I give up my seat if others need it. But it’s always so crowded and smelly on the bus I take to work. Everyone is very sleepy, almost collapsing, so giving up your seat would be the last thing you’d want to do,” said Qin. The bus trip got old quickly, so Qin now lives in a rented apartment near his office during the working week and only goes home on the weekend.
The experience has given him a fresh insight into the issue: “Don’t judge someone until you have been in his shoes. That person may be aggressive on the bus, but may also behave politely in a different environment,” he said. “Also, standards seem to vary. I’ve seen some people happily and politely give up their seats to seniors, but the same people acted totally differently to a migrant worker. So, how do you rate them?” he asked.
Yang Wanli and He Na contributed to the story.
Contact the reporter at tangyue@chinadaily.com.cn
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Low density is dignity but also a vulnerability. And lower classes among Chinese regardless of wealth level who think in this manner are in that case unsuited to high density living. They just don’t know this fact. A people tied by family and blood relationships, emotions and morals, cannot exist in high density conditions without basis on reason and law. Thus best that Chinese with the village mentality of entitlement to the property of others physical or spiritual, stick to low density venues or learn modern civility.
If anyone touched another in the westernized model, they’d be assaulted back, or if civilised would find themselves in a lawsuit. This is why the Chinese not familiar with modern society need to attend a training course or mix with high density familiar people, before moving out from the villages and vice verse for the situation reversed. Culture shock. And don’t even go near discussions on toilet habits and LGBT activity unless particularly prepared for the fight of your life . . . that dildo will be murder to your neighbour and if the laws are anti-LGBT or based on fundo policy, then it’s back to the stone ages. This is also why elderly are neglected in some places and times to come, as society ‘densifies’ the lower density types will be outnumbered and die off. Not the best scenario but preservation of low density and high density and transition education between both must be thought through by migrants to avoid problems.
ARTICLE 6
Civil servant watch: Opposition propose constant video surveillance – Published: 20 September, 2012, 17:04
Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (RIA Novosti / Sergey Pyatakov)
Russia’s anti-corruption drive should be boosted by introducing constant video surveillance on officials, limiting their maximum term of service and banning personal meetings with citizens, the leader of the Liberal Democrats said.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky was speaking at the “Open Tribune” meeting, dedicated to future measures to rein in corruption. The politician suggested a small leniency in the planned anti-corruption bill, saying that at the first stage it must be applied only to a narrow circle of officials, not to them all, as there are about 5 million of them in Russia.
He added that the narrowing of the group that falls under control would allow the control to become stricter.
Among the most urgent measures the MP implied that the maximum term of stay in any official post should be limited to 10 years. Another call was to limit the civil servants’ communication with the population to email or conventional mail, as ruling out personal contact would seriously hamper bribery on both sides.
Besides, Zhirinovsky suggested that video surveillance be conducted in official’s offices and cars, as well as constant monitoring of all their electronic communications.
As a final measure, Zhirinovsky said that the government should introduce a total ban on business people assuming posts in state structures or state-owned companies. He did not specify if this should apply to working entrepreneurs or to all those who have previously tried their hands at business.
Sergey Mironov, the leader of another opposition party – Fair Russia – reminded of his party’s previous initiative to introduce confiscation of all property from those convicted of corruption along with the property of their family members. In this connection he also suggested broadening the definition of close relatives to include parents, children, siblings, spouses and grandparents.
The Communist Party suggested that any member of parliament could be checked for business dealings at any time and without an official complaint from the third party. The Liberal Democrats seconded the move.
Accusations of business dealings have recently become a real weapon in Russian politics. Earlier this month, the State Duma voted to deprive a Fair Russia MP of his seat over allegations he was continuing to operate companies in Bulgaria.
Before the vote to oust him took place, MP Gennady Gudkov published documents that allegedly testified to the fact that many other MPs were doing the same thing, including the members of the ruling party, United Russia.
On Thursday the special commission announced that they checked reports on five United Russia MPs and four of them were cleared of charges of running a business while working in the lower house. However, the commission decided to continue the probe into one MPs case and invited him for personal consultations.
Commentator Comments :
Iron curtains WITHIN Iron curtains. So very KGB in a respectable-fear/awe inspiring ‘Matryoshka doll’ manner that will make people, especially 99% types worldwide love Russianness. Soviet Union again anyone? Bring back a limited form of Communism, Capitalist limits of 20 million for wealth sequestration!
@Crusader148 September 20, 2012, 20:03
Zhirinovsky is a total nut-job, but camera surveillance of officials makes perfect sense. Anything that curbs corruption is welcome.
@Count Cash September 20, 2012, 19:44
Excellent! Now we are starting to get the simple concept across, it is the state that must be monitored by the citizen. This is the game changer, the conceptual innovation that I have wanted here. Then add the icing on the cake with separation of wealth and civil service and politics, natural cycling in and out of civil servants (no jobs for life for many) plus big risks for corruption and we are then getting the concepts correct. HOWEVER, the devil is in the detail, and we can absolutely make a mess going too quickly without thinking through all the proposals. When we appreciate this, to go step by step in phases, then we get the next concept right, and that is wide consultation, wider than the Duma, wider than the systematic opposition, we must open this debate to all including the ‘opposition’ and all stakeholders, to put real lean flesh on the concepts. We are starting to get the compass working, so who has the guts to set the course and work the ropes! Or who has the laziness to just sit along for the ride, or worse just moan they can’t be captain to massage their egos on the voyage!
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The KGB juniors should get lots of training here before being posted overseas to spy on foreign countries. More Russianness? Paranoia attacks for the non-Commie/Red governments not allied to Russia anyone? Some background (not sure if accurate on Vladimir Zhirinovsky) follows below . . .
Who was Vladimir Zhirinovsky? – TalmudTimmy at 2009-05-02 18:52 CET:Vladimir Volfovich Eidelstein was a crypto-Jew who aided the Communist massacre machine in the Soviet Union which murdered millions upon millions of people.(He was the colonel of the Russian Army, founder and the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), Vice-Chairman of the State Duma, and a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Despite its name, the LDPR is often described as an ultra-nationalist party) – WikipediaSo why was Zhirinovsky rallying Russians, during the reign of red terror, with mild anti-semitic slogans? He was rounding up dissent, the resisters, the ones who know who was really in control of Sovietism (Bolshevism). By shepherding and gaining the trust of the resistance, he was able to help lead and direct them, ultimately to their own demise like sheep to the slaughter. By rounding up resistance to the Jewish Bolsheviks, Soviet over a once Christian nation, was strengthened.Now who do we know of today who demonstrates similar characteristics? Guys like Alex Jones and others in the so called “Truth Movement.” Jones, will at times, mildly criticize Israel in a similar way to Zhirinovsky. Is Jones gaining the trust of disseneters so that the New World Order resistance can be more easily rounded up? Time will tell. We do know that Alex Jones is a Zionist in one form or another, and his wife Violet and children are Jewish.
Crypto-Judaism in the USSR was able to penetrate every faction of government and every “people’s” movement so as to lead both opposing sides of the conflict. Crypto-Jewry was able to control and direct the opposition to a problem they created. Now why would the American-based “truth” movement be any less controlled and directed by the decendants of the Bolsheviks and their Judaic banking swindle?
Jones has several Jews working with him in studio and on his many documentaries, which always leave the Zionist question out, and instead, offer mysterious and ultimately lower-level groups like the Bilderbergers as the target of dissent. Jason Bermas, the new host of the infowarrior (an Alex Jones created show) mocks and says that anti-Judaics should kill themselves. Alex Jones’ best friend Joe Rogan is a Jewish comedian. Alex’s wife Violet (Kelly) is Jewish along with their two children, one who is named Einstein. According to other sources, the producers of Alex Jones’ recent film “The Obama Deception,” are Jewish. There are several examples from live shows, where Alex fiddles for the Jews and denies the Zionists. -TT
ARTICLE 7
Mossad’s shadow women ready to die for Israel – Published: 15 September, 2012, 23:15 – Edited: 16 September, 2012, 09:03
Mossad’s shadow women ready to die for Israel
The highly-trained female agents from Mossad, Israel’s spy agency, leave their male compatriots in the dust. Five agents spoke about their “movie-style” lives for the first time, revealing a world dominated by deadly efficient femmes fatales.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
First Iran, then Israel. So men don’t fight anymore? Perhaps Israel and Iran had better look through the Talmud and the Quran again and take a leaf from Xians who at least have Stepford wives in a natural patrilineal society with MASCULINE characteristics. No sense of chivalry for the men of both these nations. No sense of femininity for the women of both these nations. Well that shows that countries ruled by the heart and emotions wind up under women. Or in China’s case by Dowagers unaware of what goes on outside the Palace. Men are needed if a country is to be viable. God would never approve of women going to war and if the entire system if skewed politically towards women as well, Israel will cease to exist even without taking on Iran.
Some parts of society (women and children – think child soldiers – are just off limits and if no REAL MEN draw the lines and limits, the rest of the world knows how to say – Your mom wears combat boots (well this is tolerable when a country is at war but a slide towards barbarism overall if entire populaces are militarized) . . . and we all know what a society or nation is worth when class and social ‘niceties’ (actually a sense of morality) like refusing to abet recruitment of child soldiers, or less so, women soldiers, the sense of structure goes out the window. The nation gets one morass of sexless, gender insensitive clones . . . ). Some parts of the world are degenerating quite quickly civilisationally . . . bunch of fetish addled fundos posing as being battle ready. Women’s rights aren’t even properly affirmed in Iran and Israel, and now they want to send women to war? Greeeeaat, next the feminazis will become pedonazis and will start promoting ‘child soldiers’ as well . . .
If I were either Mossad or CIA, I’d watch out for the NLP factor, synchronicity, women’s ‘hive minds’ and the copycat effect. Through Islam and god cop bad cop tactics (possibly Sunni/Shiite for every death on either side caused by either has a will and intent directable – thats why either faction’s leaders don’t care if either factions followers kill themselves), they intend to subvert the men of Israel and USA through spirit and prayer and women. Everytime something is named, or spoken of, a US or Israel official bought over, the ‘West’ and the main competitors for Monotheism in Xianity and Judaism become weaker. Think deeper, this is about cultural domination through mindless solidarity and subversion.
ARTICLE 8
Don’t Panic, But China Mingles Its Nukes with Regular Missiles – by Benjamin Plackett – September 21, 2012 |
A Manhattan fallout shelter from the Cold War. Photo: Flickr/Kate Haskell
It turns out that China’s been mixing its nuclear missiles in with its conventional ones at the same military bases. Not really, uh, advisable: that makes it really hard for other countries to figure out if a Chinese missile launch is just a conventional one or the beginnings of a nuclear Armageddon. But fret not — while China’s missile mingling may not be very sensible, it’s not going to cause World War III.
In what’s thought to be the first comprehensive, non-governmental report on China’s nuclear warplans, John Lewis, a professor of Chinese politics at Stanford University, reveals that China stores its nuclear and conventional missiles in the same locations. Writing in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Lewis warns that the intermingling could trigger a nuclear launch: once another nation watched a Chinese missile blast off, it might trigger a nuclear retaliation from a confused, panicked Russia or United States. And then, should the Chinese see their nuclear assets targeted and destroyed, they might conceivable launch their surviving nuclear warheads.
Nor is Lewis convinced that China’s military policies are characterized by restraint. “The notion that China only acts in self defense is wrong,” he tells Danger Room. “Their whole war plan is aimed at attacking Taiwan.”
That said, even Lewis thinks China’s missile ambiguity is unlikely to result in a nuclear exchange. (In fact, he emphasizes that the Chinese government actually encouraged him to write his piece — as a gesture of transparency.) And other experts agree that the Chinese missile move is merely stupid, not suicidal.
Jeffrey Lewis, a nuclear weapons analyst at the Monterrey Institute of International Studies, says the de facto presumption in the case of a missile launch is that China isn’t going nuclear. The People’s Republic has a declared no-first-use policy; China isn’t going to nuke, say, Japan over the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu islands.
And James Dobbins, a former U.S. ambassador to a host of conflict zones, thinks the U.S. isn’t buckwild enough to go nuclear over a confusing missile launch. “I don’t believe the U.S. would launch a nuclear strike on warning in response to a Chinese ballistic attack on U.S. or allied targets,” Dobbins tells Danger Room.
So why would China group its nuclear and conventional missiles together? Experts largely agree that the decision was a logistical one and “practical, not rational,” says Monterrey’s Jeffrey Lewis. Another theory: the Chinese think launching a conventional weapon from a nuclear base would prevent a counterattack, since an adversary is unlikely to take the risk of bombing a nuclear weapons base.
There’s also another possibility: a lumbering, dumb bureaucracy keeps the missiles group together out of inertia. The Chinese may make bad missile decisions. But under that theory, at least their reasons for those bad decisions will be familiar to the Pentagon.
Benjamin Plackett
Benjamin Plackett is a freelance science writer and an intern in WIRED’s New York office.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Half baked hawk. Not as simple as sight and shoot. The Chinese do this to keep strategy ambiguous (they WANT to obscure the fact of if a nuke or conventional was fired, though ethically this is not healthy, but in war life or death will be more important, though in peacetime this indeed reflects badly on the Chinese – they still have the ‘cost saving excuse’ if the intent is not the main issue . . . though a wealthy nation whuch China is not exactly despite the un-Communist wealth of the Chinese leadership, which makes such cost saving necessary . . . ), and any other nuisance behaviour on purpose while saving money. Read your Sun Tzu. Lumbering and dumb? Not in the slightest. Their reasons for those ‘bad decisions’ are not even familiar to the Chinese citizens.
In fact Taiwan and China might be good cop/bad copping USA. How does that sound when more and more advanced weapons end up in Taiwanese hands? See? And that is only Fu Manchu 18th century tactics, unlike Suntzu’s Strategy dating from 700bc. If I were USA, I’d leave the region alone and focus on consolidating the Middle East, before USA becomes a pawn of Taiwan that may become the tail that China wags the USA dog with. Try that for Chineseness!
One of the more well-known stories about Sun Tzu, taken from Shiji, illustrates Sun Tzu’s temperament as follows: Before hiring Sun Tzu, the King of Wu tested Sun Tzu’s skills by commanding him to train a harem of 180 concubines into soldiers. Sun Tzu divided them into two companies, appointing the two concubines most favored by the king as the company commanders. When Sun Tzu first ordered the concubines to face right, they giggled. In response, Sun Tzu said that the general, in this case himself, was responsible for ensuring that soldiers understood the commands given to them. Then, he reiterated the command, and again the concubines giggled. Sun Tzu then ordered the execution of the king’s two favored concubines, to the king’s protests. He explained that if the general’s soldiers understood their commands but did not obey, it was the fault of the officers. Sun Tzu also said that, once a general was appointed, it was his duty to carry out his mission, even if the king protested. After both concubines were killed, new officers were chosen to replace them. Afterwards, both companies performed their maneuvers flawlessly
The Chinese missile move probably is INTENDED to merely ‘look’ stupid or is made to look stupid by some writers, HOPEFULLY suicidal. But is neither. Who knows the Chinese want to bait the USA into building even more hardware that needs to be maintained? Or hope that USA keeps sending more hardware to Taiwan that may be secretly reverse engineered?
House GOP Hammers Obama for ‘Failure to Lead’ – By John Parkinson – Sep 20, 2012 1:52pm
As the House of Representatives prepares to conclude its legislative business this week and bolt Washington for a six-week recess ahead of the election Nov. 6, Republicans deflected concerns about Mitt Romney’s campaign today, launching a counterattack against President Obama with a barrage of complaints about the president’s “failure to lead” during the past two years of divided Congress.
Addressing reporters following a conference meeting that featured a speech by GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan, House Speaker John Boehner did not directly address videos released on the internet earlier this week that show Romney telling a Florida fundraiser last May that 47 percent of the country’s voting population thinks of themselves as victims and are dependent on the government.
“Listen, this election is about jobs. We’ve said it for 20 months and it hasn’t changed,” Boehner, R-Ohio, began when asked about the videos. “Forty-three consecutive months where our unemployment is above 8 percent, and everybody’s going to try to make this election about everything other than what it is. The American people are asking the question, ‘Where are the jobs,’ and so the focus is on jobs.”
“The president’s economic policies have failed, and the American people know it,” he continued. “Mitt Romney has a background where he’s created jobs, he’s got a background where he understands what government can do to destroy jobs, and he has a plan to put Americans back to work. And that’s what this election’s going to be about.”
Pressed whether he agrees with the sentiment of the GOP presidential nominee’s comments considering his own humble upbringing, Boehner conceded that “both campaigns on both sides” will have moments “that get off the message.”
“Listen, the election is about jobs. It’s not about anything else. I’ve had family members who have lost their jobs in this downturn. Two of my brothers, two of my brother-in-laws. I know what’s happening out there and I know how difficult this economy is,” he said. “The message is let’s stay focused on jobs because that’s what the American people want us to stay focused on.”
Rep. Kevin Brady, the vice chairman of the Joint Economic committee, recalled a recent interview where President Obama gave himself an incomplete grade on his economic leadership.
“I don’t know what curve he was grading himself on, but the truth is, he’s dead last,” Brady said. “This president has failed the economic leadership. It is not an incomplete. It’s an F.”
Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., criticized the president for “either blaming others or avoiding challenging problems that face our nation,” and she recalled bipartisan cooperation that Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan managed during their own presidencies and divided Congress.
“The president is the leader of his party and yet he refuses to do anything about the overwhelming dysfunction of the Democrat-led Senate. He’s too busy blaming us Republicans for the failing economy,” Black said. “Divided government is clearly not an excuse for President Obama’s failure to lead, and in the absence of strong presidential leadership America is struggling. Today more than ever, we need a president who is not only willing but able to lead our country.”
With recent polling in many battleground states showing a boost for Obama, Boehner insisted that the race is “far from over” and pointed to a Gallup poll that showed just a one-point lead for the president.
“Think about this as a card game,” Boehner said. “The president has played his cards. His economy policies have failed, his foreign policy has failed, [and] his energy policy has failed. His cards are played. Mitt Romney has a plan to get our economy back on track.”
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Be honest.
– economy policies have failed – every President except possibly Clinton had a surplus but even that might have been from turning the graph upside down ‘hordes of terrorists’ situation.
– foreign policy has failed – maybe but no President has even had to deal with a post Iraq and at least China and Russia have not decided to side with Iran instead siding with USA, not a failure, not exactly spectacular but a pass at least
– energy policy has failed – all energy policy based on fossil or nuke are failures. The main failure is not importing Solar Panels at state level COMMIE style to give free power to the people with at ‘bulk prices’ through the Chinese government. Stop importing oil from ‘terrorist countries’ as well.
Last weeks or months of an exam can be ‘crammed’ for though the family members and neighbours can hinder by being noisy or problematic or unconducive to study. Maybe incomplete still stands because ALOT can change in 6 months, like Iraq becomes USA’s focus and Japan gets dropped so that Iran can be dealt with properly with USA making China the ‘Deputy’ Sheriff’ and main military mainstay rather than Japan (actually more like Sheriff of the East’).
These Muslims think people are stupid and believe their lies and disrespect the UN treaties or secular lifestyles, impose Islam justified apartheid, or even LGBT culture. Obama needs to look at the so-called allies, could be that the Sunnites are trying to pull a fast one on USA by drawing USA into the Middle East in Iran. Israel can’t even think straight, but who would be able to, given the way Muslims behave regards the above mentioned areas?
Romney says Obama favors ‘culture of dependency’ – by STEVE PEOPLES – National / World News 5:16 p.m. Tuesday, August 7, 2012 The Associated Press
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — Republican Mitt Romney accused President Barack Obama on Tuesday of ditching a long-standing work requirement for welfare recipients, accusing him of fostering a “culture of dependency” and backing up the charge with a new television commercial.
White House press secretary Jay Carney said the allegations were “blatantly dishonest … hypocrisy knows no bounds.” He added that Romney, while serving as Massachusetts governor, had once petitioned the White House to loosen employment rules for those on welfare.
Romney made his accusation in a relatively rare occurrence in the race for the White House — an appearance before voters outside the small group of battleground states likely to settle the Nov. 6 election.
Illinois and its 20 electoral votes are politically safe territory for Obama in the fall. Romney was there for a fundraiser as well as a stop at a manufacturing company, part of the intense competition between the two candidates to stockpile cash for the stretch run to Election Day.
The president had a pair of fundraisers on his campaign schedule for the day, both within a few blocks of the White House.
In a race as close as this one, the taunts were getting personal.
Romney, interviewed on Fox News, said Obama was “saying things that are not accurate” when it comes to taxes. He referred to a crack the president made on Monday night as “Obama-loney,” rhyming it with baloney.
At a fundraiser, Obama called Romney’s tax plan Robin Hood in reverse — “Romney Hood” — and repeated his accusation that it would mean tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans while forcing the middle class to pay the IRS as much as $2,000 more a year.
The president wants to extend tax breaks due to expire at all income levels, except above $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for a couple. He has made his proposal central to a pitch to middle- and working-class voters as he seeks a second term with unemployment at 8.3 percent.
Romney wants to keep the tax cuts in place at all income levels, and has proposed an additional 20 percent reduction in rates.
Romney’s decision to introduce the welfare issue into the campaign seemed aimed at blue-collar, white working-class voters in a weak economy, and suggested that Obama might be gaining ground politically with his position on taxes.
It also marked an attempt to take the gloss off the recent announcement that former President Bill Clinton will have a prime-time speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. early next month.
Appearing before hundreds of supporters at a manufacturing plant near Chicago, Obama’s hometown, the Republican challenger said bipartisan legislation signed into law by Clinton in 1996 “reformed welfare to encourage people to work. They did not want a culture of dependency to continue to grow in our country,” he said of the then-president and Congress, which was under Republican control at the time.
He said that, just recently, Obama “has tried to reverse that accomplishment by taking the work requirement out of welfare. That is wrong, and If I’m president, I’ll put work back in welfare. …We will end a culture of dependency and restore a culture of good, hard work,” he said.
Romney’s new ad buttressed the point.
“Under Obama’s plan you wouldn’t have to work and wouldn’t have to train for a job. They just send you a welfare check, and welfare to work goes back to being plan old welfare,” the announcer says in the commercial.
“Mitt Romney will restore the work requirement.”
Under the law signed by Clinton and amended a decade later, the federal government does not provide a guaranteed benefit to welfare recipients. Instead, the states receive federal funds and are permitted to establish a variety of programs to benefit the poor. The government imposes a limit on the length of time families can receive aid and requires recipients eventually to go to work.
The Romney campaign circulated material during the day that quoted Obama, then a state senator in Illinois, as saying he “probably would have voted against it” if he had been in Congress.
The Obama administration recently announced plans to issue waivers to states that wanted “to test alternative and innovative strategies, policies and procedures” to improve employment among needy families. It said it was acting after receiving requests from some of the nation’s governors, including Republicans in Utah and Nevada. But senior GOP lawmakers attacked the move as an attempt to undermine the welfare-to-work requirements in effect for more than a decade.
Officials with access to detailed advertising information said it appeared the commercial was airing at heavy levels in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia — states where the race is closest.
Romney was himself targeted with a new ad during the day, this one launched by Priorities USA Action, a super PAC that supports Obama.
It features a former Kansas City steelworker who says his company was taken over in 1993 by a group that included Bain Capital, the private equity firm co-founded by Romney.
“When Mitt Romney and Bain closed the plant, I lost my health care, and my family lost their health care,” he said. His wife became ill, but “I think maybe she didn’t say anything because she knew we couldn’t afford the insurance,” he says. By the time she went to the hospital, she was diagnosed with cancer and died quickly, he said.
“I do not think Mitt Romney realizes what he’s done to anyone, and furthermore I do not think Mitt Romney is concerned.”
In response, Ryan Williams, a spokesman for Romney, said Obama’s allies “continue to use discredited and dishonest attacks in a contemptible effort to conceal the administration’s deplorable economic record.”
Both parties were fleshing out the speaking schedule for their conventions.
Republicans said Romney’s most persistent primary rival, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, would have a turn at the speaker’s podium. So, too, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a tea party favorite.
Former President Jimmy Carter will tape a video message to be aired in prime time at the Democratic convention.
___
Thomas reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Julie Pace, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Stephen Braun and Kasie Hunt in Washington contributed to this report.
August 07, 2012 05:16 PM EDT
Copyright 2012, The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
200K above tax cuts makes no sense and is plutocracy contrived punitive mindedness as hell. That should be REVERSED. 200K and *BELOW* get tax cuts. In fact if cost of living doubles from inflation those earing 200K will still be 10 times readier than those earning 20K a year! What nonsense is Romney spouting? 99% do you see this? Romney is either too stupid or HATES the 99%. The ‘dependency’ excuse is beyond Romney to understand . . . real people are being crushed by inflation and here Romney goes ‘tax cuts ONLY for the rich’. WTH?
ARTICLE 2
‘Zionists Systematically Inflaming Islamophobia Across the Globe – Press TV – August 7, 2012
A mosque in the Midwestern US state of Missouri has been completely destroyed in a suspected arson attack, the second attack to hit the place of worship in a little more than a month.
Muslim Mosques in the US are filled with jubilance during the holy month of Ramadan.
The Monday incident came a day after a deadly shooting at a Sikh temple in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek in Wisconsin, which took the lives of six people.
Sikh rights groups have reported a rise in bias attacks since the September 11, 2001 attacks. The Washington-based Sikh Coalition has reported more than 700 incidents in the US since 9/11.
Press TV has conducted an interview with Abdul Alim Musa, Imam at Masjid Al-Islam, to further discuss the issue. The following is a rough transcription of the interview.
Press TV: Thank you so much for being with us. There seems to be a rise in hate crimes in general. We have seen just a day ago dealing with the Sikhs, and now we have a mosque that has been attacked and basically burnt down. Why do you think that we are seeing this situation, it seems, on the rise?
Musa: [In the Name of God — the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate], it’s clearly a provocation by the Zionist, Israeli press, to tell you the truth. They have raised the spectrum of Islamophobia so high that people feel like there’s no restriction in their behavior and hatred towards Muslims.
This a new phenomenon that’s growing higher and higher because the press has an unrelenting program of anti-Islamic hatred, day in and day out. It’s not only Fox News but it’s the whole Israeli news apparatus inside of the United States and around the world.
We believe that these so-called hate crimes are a result of this type of propaganda, anti-Islamic propaganda that’s spread all over this country.
Press TV: As you’ve just said, Imam Musa, because you’ve talked about the anti-Islamic propaganda, and even with many of the Sikhs that are attacked is because the individuals don’t realize that they are not Muslims.
It seems that Islam is the religion that is under attack the most. What do you think is the responsibility of Muslims? Is it there anything that Muslims can do in general and trying to, as you said, counter what you called the Zionist media’s influence over there?
Musa: Those who have the resources must help us to have our own independent media presence inside of the United States. The only way we can counter falsehood is with truth. It has to be constant. It has to be regular, and it has to be high-profile.
The reason that the people respond to Islamophobia in the press is because they never hear the opposite side. We’re dehumanized and made into inhuman pictures, so to speak, so we have to humanize our self. This is our, and I say Muslim, and people of conscious. It’s our responsibility to educate the public.
You have to remember that the American people are generally a good and fair people. These are general American citizens. What happens is when they’re not properly informed, trained or educated, then they use the news media as their sounding tool.
This is our problem. We have to step up, number one, our unity and cooperation among each other; and number two, our entire media profile.
I would like to say one thing on this issue of mosque burning. There has been over the decades no mosque burning in the African-American community because the African-American community is more familiar with Islam and Muslims, and usually one member of a family in Africa-America will have some association with Islam.
Therefore, people know more about the improved behavior of someone when they become a Muslim.
But the general public only hears the terrorist bombings, uncivilized behavior planted in the media by the Israeli press.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
As long as the Islamists among Muslims try to subjugate or consider themselves above every other faith much like Zionists among Jews do the same, Islam and to a lesser extent, Monotheism is the enemy of humanity.
ARTICLE 3
Moody’s Downgraded Nearly 300 US Municipals – Posted on August 10, 2012 – By PressTV AHT/HJ
Moody’s downgraded nearly 300 U.S. municipal issuers in the second quarter, the most for any quarter in more than a decade and the latest sign of the potential pressure building in the market where states and local governments raise money.
Local areas across the U.S. have been struggling for several years after the recession sharply undercut revenues, with three cities in California recently filing for bankruptcy in an attempt to alleviate their financial burdens.
Tax receipts have rebounded but not enough to compensate for rising costs, which include healthcare spending, social welfare and labor.
About half of the downgrades in the quarter affected the debt of cities and school districts, such as that of Clark County in Nevada, one of the largest in the U.S., Moody’s said. The school district serves five cities including Las Vegas.
In the quarter, Moody’s also downgraded $6.9bn of rated debt associated with Detroit, Michigan’s biggest city, and cut the ratings for Stockton, California ahead of the city’s bankruptcy filing. The city filed for bankruptcy on June 28.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The number of incorporated town and cities is over 30,000 but defining the actual cities and towns from their metropolitan areas has a wide margin or error. In 2002, the National League of Cities put the total at 19,429 municipal governments in the US. So 300 municiples is NOTHING and represents less than 2%. Is this to say that 98% of Municipals are doing well? In that case USA should not be in debt anymore. Moody’s still feels like Cheeries . . .
ARTICLE 4
Syria: Potential to Kick Start World War III: Stand by for War, Syria is not in Control
Syria. The latest war front to open between the super powers of the North, East, West, and South. Fundamentalists, with an emphasis on the “mental” will be in a slavish, mouth hanging-open, drooling fervor, this could be the end of the world. The Bear in the North, Israel under threat, the dragon in the East…
The truth is that this nothing more than another pissing competition between the various super powers. A potential cold-war like flash-point of our age.
The United States cares nothing for democracy in the region, what they do care about is oil, and Israel. Anything else is ancillary. They do care to show up China, Russia, and anyone else who as an ideological stand against the Western ideal.
China and Russia are concerned for oil and couldn’t give a flying one about Israel or much else. They certainly do seem to be having a great deal of fun vetoing the shit out of the UN and blocking the US and it’s allies.
Iran sided this week with Syria as well, Israel continues to make more and more threatening noises about bombing them, or rather their nuclear programme, but it is unlikely to happen. In order to render Iran’s nuclear programme inert, you’d pretty much have to kickoff world war III.
What of course is happening is that a gigantic amount of military hardware is gathering in the Mediterranean Sea. It is frankly, epic in its scale and of course has been missed by every mainstream (politically influenced) media outlet.
The Turkish navy is there in force, as are of course, the Syrians. The Americans have no less than three aircraft carriers there and the Russian and Chinese have a sizable force. Iran is there of course, as are the Bulgarians, the Romanians, the Ukrainians, and the Georgians. The French, British, and Germans are in the area as well.
We’ve got aircraft carriers, coastal patrol vessels, submarines, destroyers, cruisers, missile boats, anti-aircraft ships, gun boats, supply vessels, troop carriers, hospital ships, and so on.
This is possibly one of the largest naval build ups in history, and they are all squashed together into a small, tight space, waving their guns about and bristling with military testosterone.
All it will take to start the largest naval battle the world has seen, closely followed by World War III, is one idiot to push a button by accident. I guess future generations, once the ocean has stopped glowing, will have one of the most amazing dive experiences to visit.
There is only one thing that will prevent this from happening. The US, China, Europeans, and Russians must decide on how to divide up the spoils of the Syrian’s war before someone accidentally pushes the wrong button. Look for a “no-fly zone” discussion, that usually means that all parties are nearing some kind of agreement.
No doubt this negotiation over the bones of Syria is going on behind closed doors, Syria has lost control, there is no way that they will be able to retain their own country with the four great vulture nations hanging around in a black cloud.
Someone is supplying the Syrians and someone is supplying the “rebels”. It is unlikely that a bunch of rag-tag rebels can hold off what is a highly sophisticated Syrian Military machine. That means that both sides, the US & Europe vs the Russians & Chinese, have iron on the ground and most likely their own troops in logistical support.
One question remains. Will the four great vultures be able to figure out how to divide the spoils before World War III starts?
One thing is certain. Syria is dead.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
This will not be WW3, but an unpleasant skirmish that holds Israel as the biggest threat because of potential suicidal retaliation with nukes. If everyone keeps their nukes unused, a regional war will that may involve all Islamist countries may occur.
Europe is no lover of Jews, and may remain neutral though the hawks among EUrope may join to no great effect. Africa does not care but could represent auxillery backup to SCO if BRICS gets involved. South America does not care. ASEAN has no viable military resources excepting Thailand’s single aircraft carrier.
That may leave Russia and China (if not bribed with policy to not involve military – one wonders if China might want this opportunity to get Israel for allowing Israeli servers to host Falungong’s website though . . . ) to struggle over control of Syria and perhaps an Iran overrun Israel (that could in panic use nukes to hit Iran and irradiate the entire Middle East including Israel – but by not doing so will definitely be overrun barring high tech methods, if Iran moves quickly).
USA if not ready to commit 100s of 1000s of troops to liberate Israel, will be forced out of the Middle East. If US does send troops, this will be a war of liberation that might take decades to resolve.
Syria will survive but it will be Assad who will benefit most from the above scenario with everyone busy with war, even then Assad has to go due to term limit issues, and eventually have to face tribunals though this could be decades ESPECIALLY if Syria provides the infrastructure for China and Russia to control Syria that looks to be happening now.
Under the Achaemenids, Aramaic continued to prosper, but Assyrian continued its decline. The language’s final demise came about during the Hellenistic period when it was further marginalized by Koine Greek, even though Neo-Assyrian cuneiform remained in use in literary tradition well into Parthian times.
Neo-Assyrian Empire
The religion of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, 911 BCE-608 BCE, sometimes called Ashurism by Assyrians today, centered around the god Assur, patron deity of the city of Assur, besides Ishtar patroness of Nineveh. Gods such as Sin, Shamash, Nisroch, Adad (Hadad), Enlil, Shulman, Dagan, Tammuz and Ninurta were also important in the Assyrian pantheon. The Assyrians adopted Eastern Rite Christianity during the course of the 1st to the 4th centuries AD (which they still retain) and the religion died out, although there is some evidence to suggest that it survived in isolated pockets well into the late Middle Ages in northern Mesopotamia/Assyria, particularly around Ashur and Harran.
The people of Mesopotamia were polytheistic Sumerian and Akkadian religions. This was represented through the gradual takeover by Ashur of the roles of other gods, and this process runs parallel with the expansionist policies of the Assyrian Empire.[6] As the Assyrians extended their domain over other lands, they considered it important that the local peoples acknowledge the Assyrian king as the king of their lands as well. However, kingship at the time was linked very closely with the idea of divine mandate.[7] The Assyrian king, whilst not being a god himself, was acknowledged as the chief servant of the chief god, Ashur. In this manner, the king’s authority was seen as absolute so long as the high priest reassured the peoples that the gods, or in the case of the henotheistic Assyrians, the God, was pleased with the current ruler.[7] For the Assyrians who lived in Assur and the surrounding lands, this system was the norm. For the conquered peoples, however, it was novel, particularly to the people of smaller city-states. In time, Assur was promoted from being the local deity of Assur to the overlord of the vast Assyrian domain,[7] with worship being conducted in his name throughout the lands of the Assyrians. With the worship of Assur across much of the Fertile Crescent, the Assyrian king could command the loyalty of his fellow servants of Assur.
Ashur (Syria), the patron deity of the city of Assur from the Late Bronze Age, was in constant rivalry with the patron deity of Babylon, Marduk (Israel). Therefore safe to say that Judaism is powered by the spirit of Marduk though not necessarily worshipped in the correct form.
The last king of Babylon, the Assyrian born Nabonidus, paid little attention to politics, preferring to obsess with worship of the moon god Sin, leaving day to day rule to his son Belshazzar. This and the fact that the Persians and Medes to the east were growing in power now that the might of Assyria that had held them in vassalage for centuries was gone, spelt the death knell for native Mesopotamian power. Considering this link, the best would be to revive the Mesopotamian Ugarit Pantheons or regional war will never end. The spirits of the Elder Gods will never abide being bound in Monotheist forms and will thus create and foment war for eternity until they are reformed around the city state Deity concept. Various Gnostic such as Sabianism and Mandeanism, also still exist.
Bring Back Assyrian Cuneiform
This “mixed” method of writing continued through the end of the Babylonian and Assyrian empires, although there were periods when “purism” was in fashion and there was a more marked tendency to spell out the words laboriously, in preference to using signs with a phonetic complement. After the Arab Islamic invasion and conquest in the 7th Century AD, both Assyria and Babylonia were dissolved. Do semitic Netanyahu and semitic Assad (speak and use Arabic at your own risk Assad, be thankful Syria is no more part of the OIC, the independence of Syria was aided by expulsion . . . ) also Lebanon, realise where they stand now? Unless Zoroaster rises faster, for now Sargon is more likely than Xerxes . . .
Finally – use DOT.AS or DOT.AY not DOT.SY . . .
ARTICLE 5
The Dispossessed Majority – August 8, 2012
The bumper sticker on the beat-up pickup truck read: “Friends don’t let friends vote Democrat.”
The driver was obviously not affluent. Yet, despite all the news about mega-trillion dollar bankster bailouts, mega-million dollar bonuses for financial crooks, and unimaginable compensation packages for corporate CEOs who have moved middle class jobs out of America, something made the down-and-out pickup truck driver associate with the political party of the super-rich.
As I wondered at this strange alliance of the dirt poor with the mega-rich, I remembered that in 2004 Thomas Frank wondered about how the Republicans had managed to convince the poor to vote against their best interests. Frank’s answer, or part of his answer, is that the Republicans use “social issues,” such as gay marriage and Janet Jackson’s exposed nipple to work up indignation over the threat to moral values posed by liberal Democrats.
The working poor have been convinced by Republican propaganda that voting Democrat means giving the working poor’s tax dollars to the non-working poor, to providing medical care and schooling for illegal aliens, and being soft on terrorism.
To the pick-up truck driver, standing up for America means standing up for bankster bailouts and the military/security complex’s multi-trillion dollar wars.
The Karl Rove Dirty Tricks Team has honed the Republican propaganda. Republicans send each other via email an endless number of nonsense stories about Obama being a Muslim, about Obama being a Marxist, about Obama being a Manchurian Candidate turning America over to the New World Order or the United Nations, or to some other dastardly plotting organization. But never is Obama accused of turning the US over to Wall Street, the military/security complex, or Israel.
There is never any citation or source for the accusations in the emails. None are needed, because the words are what the Republicans want to hear. Ask them why Obama would be killing Muslims in seven countries if he was a Muslim, or why Wall Street and the military/security complex would put a Marxist in the White House, and they turn purple with rage. Just by asking the obvious questions instead of joining in the denunciations, a person confirms the propaganda that America is threatened by Obama dupes who won’t stand up for the country.
The non-affluent who rage about welfare, medicaid, Obamacare, and public schools can’t seem to put two and two together. The $750 billion TARP bankster bailout, a small part of the total and ongoing bailout, would have sufficed to cover any holes in these budgets for a long time.. Instead, the money went to reward those who caused the financial crisis and threw millions of Americans out of their homes. As far as I know, the pickup truck driver is one of the dispossessed.
The same brainwashed Americans who rage against Obamacare and are lined up to vote for Romney are oblivious to the fact that Romney, while governor of the eastern liberal Democratic state of Massachusetts, had his version of Obamacare enacted at the state level.
The greatest irony about Obamacare is that it was written by the private insurance companies and diverts Medicaid and Medicare funds to their profits. It is socialized medicine alright, but it is socialism for the private insurance companies.
All it took to convince Red staters to go along with the military/security complex squandering $6 trillion on the Iraq and Afghan wars was yellow ribbon decals and a slogan, “support the troops.”
Obama, Republicans claim, won’t stand up to Syria, or against Iran, or for Israel. But Republicans are proud when Romney goes to Israel to slither on his belly pandering to the crazed, blood-thirsty Israeli prime minister Netanyahu, who called Israeli top generals “pussies” for warning against attacking Iran. Romney told Netanyahu, just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it; I am loyal to Israel. Apparently, flag-waving Republican patriots are not bothered when their presidential candidate announces that as soon as he is in office he will turn over US foreign policy to Netanyahu and send more americans to death and bankruptcy for Netanyahu.
Karl Rove didn’t have any trouble at all in brainwashing red staters to support their own demise. The pickup truck driver could just as well have sported a bumper sticker that read: “Don’t support a Democrat. He might do something for you.”
Yes, I know. It is almost as easy to beat up on Democrats. Bush and Cheney and their neocon hoodlums destroyed the Constitution and, thereby, America. But the Democrats let them. It was Nancy Pelosi, who as Speaker of the House stridently declared Bush’s impeachment to be “off the table.”
Bush and Cheney unquestionably violated both US and international laws and the Constitution. Nancy Pelosi’s refusal to hold them accountable established the precedent that the executive branch is no longer accountable to law or to the Constitution. In effect, the executive branch now comprises a dictatorship. It acts outside of law and constitutional restraints. On some issues it still has to consult with Congress or the courts, but as the executive branch’s power and audacity grows, consultation will become a formality and then drop away. Congress will have no more influence than the Roman senate under the empire, and courts will become stages for show trials.
Americans elected Obama president expecting that he would restore the rule of law. Instead, he codified the Bush regime’s transgressions and added some of his own. No one of my generation could have imagined the president of the US sitting in the Oval Office signing off on lists of American citizens to be murdered without evidence or due process of law.
So which do you want? The Republican panderer to the rich and Israel whose foreign policy is war or the Democrat panderer to the rich and Israel whose foreign policy is war? As Gerald Celente wrote in the July issue of the Trends Journal, americans “argue among themselves why their freak is better than the other freak. They will get angry with you if you call their freak a freak. They will actually fight and die to defend their freaks.”
It is extraordinary that millions of americans actually believe fervently that it matters whether Romney freak or Obama freak gets elected. If americans had any sense, they would stay home and not vote. The 1% control the country, and the 99% had just as well own up to it and stay at home. Nothing is going to change because of the ballot box.
What do you suppose the Ron Paul supporters will do? Will they see Romney as the less socialist of the two and vote for the Republicans who stole the nomination from Ron Paul? (Jaret Glenn, “How the GOP Establishment Stole the Nomination from Ron Paul,” published on August 6 on the OpEdNews website. (http://www.opednews.com/populum/printer_friendly.php?content=a&id=154033)
The US is ruled by a private oligarchy. The government is merely their front. The country’s resources are diverted to the pockets of Wall Street, the military/security complex, and to the service of greater Israel. The oil, mining, timber, and agribusiness companies control the Environmental Protection Agency and the Forestry Service, which is why regulation only pertains to the small individual, while fracking, mountaintop removal mining, and pollution of air, water, and soil run wild.
The oligarchs have succeeded in making americans a dispossessed majority in their own country. In November americans will again give their approval to one of the oligarchy’s two candidates.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Right minded, intended to be sarcastic (meaning the less well read might take verbatim for truth!) and ends with an unpleasant NLP : “The oligarchs have succeeded in making Americans a dispossessed majority in their own country. In November americans will again give their approval to one of the oligarchy’s two candidates.” Inadvertent or intentional? In this day of subliminal TV, even the best can be affected and NGOs have been known to be ‘taken over’ . . . how democratic or freedom loving Paul Craig is we may never know.
So we must note . . . NO. The oligarchs have NOT succeeded and do not deserve to succeed EVER. Vote only for Joe Public types not worth more than a handful of millions! The poorer, the less GLC linked the better!
If Americans had any sense, they would stay home and not vote. The 1% control the country, and the 99% had just as well own up to it and stay at home. Nothing is going to change because of the ballot box. WRONG.
More negativist NLPs?If a Joe Public type runs for election in ALL states then voting will make a difference. Not voting is even more dangerous. The bad candidates on either side(s) want you to not vote. that way their en bloc voters will dominate, while those who did not vote and could have toppled the vote might have managed to put their votes together to prevent or counter balance the vote into someone better.
Those who don’t vote are killing democracy but an independent candidate is also needed to make for a choice (actually Anna Hazare suggested a (None of The Above Box) on ballot papers as well, meanwhile run for candidacy if your candidate is GLC, plutocrat or more than 2 terms in office . . .
ARTICLE 6
Jewry’s ‘Total’ Control Of Amerika – Amerika In Decline Articles – By Brother Nathanael Kapner, Copyright 2012
Articles May Be Reproduced Only With Authorship of Br Nathanael Kapner & Link To Real Jew News (SM)
THE GOYIM IN AMERIKA have allowed Jewry to socially engineer them into fearing to criticize “the Jewish people.”
The oft-heard response by the Gentile mass man to any criticism of the Jews is:
“I have a great love for the Jewish people” (although he only knows one or two Jews) and, “My neighbor is Jewish and he’s a really nice guy.”
Yet, this “really nice Jewish guy” is in corporate unity (owing to his identifying as a “Jew”) with a highly organized race centered around a politically-charged religious bloc that has imposed its total control on Amerika:
Control of Amerika’s Money
The Jewish-owned Federal Reserve Bank loans ‘book-entried money’ to the US at interest. Both Greenspan and Bernanke recently confessed that the Fed was “privately-held.”
Control of Amerika’s Industry
Jewish Wall Street donates huge sums to presidential campaigns, playing both sides of the Right-Left hoax.
Jewish Investment Banks like Goldman Sachs underwrite the stocks of US corporations and thus dictate the offshoring of America’s blue and white collar manufacturing jobs to China and India for cheap labor and BIG profits.
Control of Amerika’s Politicians
Both the Republican and Democrat Parties are manipulated by Jewish money.
The Jewish-controlled Republican Party decided to snub Ron Paul, forbidding him to speak at the upcoming Republican National Convention.
Control of Amerika’s Media
Jews, NOT Gerald Celente’s “Presstitutes” or Alex Jones’ “Corporate Elites,” own the entire Main Stream Media in Amerika. View Entire List Here.
Control of Amerika’s Military
The Military brass depends on the Jewish-owned Fed for their paychecks and on the Armaments Industry, whose stocks are underwritten by Jewish Investment Banks like Goldman Sachs, for their post-military careers & perks.
High-powered Jews sit on the Boards of Military manufacturers such as Kenneth Duberstein, Media consultant, who serves on the Board of the Boeing Company. And Leon Panetta, Secretary of Defense, is a verified stooge of the Jews. Chuckie & Leon were former roommates.
Control of Amerika’s Public Schools
The American Federation of Teachers is run by Jews and the ADL has infiltrated the Public Schools, brainwashing young children with homosexual and race-mixing/miscegenation books.
Control of Amerika’s Academia
Jewry donates huge grants to the Ivy League Schools and apparently places Jewish personnel in high positions such as David Skorton, President of Cornell.
Jewish Wall Street mogul, Sanford Weil, Chairman Emeritus of Citigroup, is a major benefactor of Cornell University and also funds 500 Academies via his National Academy Foundation.
Control of Amerika’s Supreme Court
Three Jews sit on the Supreme Court Bench: Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. While Jewry makes up less than 2% of the US population it maintains 33% representation on Amerika’s highest bench.
Control of Amerika’s Security, NGO’s, & Think Tanks.
Three Jews oversee our Spy Apparatus: Senators Joseph Lieberman, Chair of the Senate Committee for Homeland Security; Carl Levin, Head of the Senate Armed Services Committee; and Diane Feinstein, Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Two of the largest “think tanks” are the American Enterprise Institute and the Foreign Policy Initiative – once the Project for a New American Century. Both brought us the LIE of Saddam’s WMD and both are Jewish-Neocon dominated.
Non-Government Organizations, used by the CIA as covert operational entities, are Jewish-dominated. Billionaire Jew, George Soros, oversees a myriad of NGO’s.
The National Endowment for Democracy — a CIA cover — is Jewish-run.
AMERICA WAS ONCE the ‘home of the brave’ and the ‘land of the free.’ Today, Amerika is the home of the Jews and the land of Gentile slaves.
But to aim one single criticism at just one single Jew is not only taboo it could get you a One Way Ticket to Guantanamo Bay…
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Propaganda within propaganda? To ferret out ‘Jew haters’?
Israel is many times smaller than USA. And understand that fiat currency has no value. Whatever the banks think banks have as wealth is actually DEBT on the promise of future labour of individuals who can retire, default, fall ill, get hurt or age and then be unable to pay back. Debt is not wealth. Debt is slavery. And if Zionists own slavery, all that takes is for the world’s citizens to default on payments to Zion owned banks. There is no real wealth that Zionists have, all that takes is a rebellion/default against banks which results in bankruptcies that destroys so-called ‘wealth’.
Israel has no real resources barring monopoly on Judaism which is not mainstream even in USA. USA HAS real solid commodity type resources. So USA has wealth. That is all anyone needs to know. Banks do not exist. Banks are a ponzi scheme. Fiat is a ponzi scheme. Among all alphabet departments and bureaus only the police (and in war torn regions, military) have real value which we pay for by unreasonably imposed taxes that keep rising. The police themselves get nothing but serve the 1% because they ‘might’ become the same oppressors of mankind. Excepting top brass, the military being low profile might end up on the streets homeless . . .
Real wealth is whatever REAL tangible property owned, and I do not mean tiny pigeon hole coop hi-rise apartments or rabbit hutch terraces or even those high density duplexes with barely 10 feet of space on each side. Commodities are wealth though severely infected by fiat and ‘bank wealth’ – could be affected by price corrections. Drop the fiat and stock and banks (with unreasonable and waaay beyond interest rate charges) and we will see real wealth. Other than convenience of conveyance and liquidation which can be done with precious metals, banks have no value at all and in fact entrap wealth into low earnings paradigms unlike land and real goods and real services and real skills and real labour. There is no money. So Israel has in effect no influence on the 99% who must learn to boycott and buy practical goods. That debt owned by banks is liable to defaulters or bank collapse. That leaves ‘Shylock’ with no real wealth. Run for election and vote only for Joe Public types.
And stop spouting here Bro Nat, prepare a political campaign, and stand for election in the district or state currently residing in, to remove the lovers of Zionists among USA’s governors, USA’s congressmen etc.. Zionists are no better than world conquest intent Nazis or greedy plutocrats.
ARTICLE 7
Avian and Ruminent Meat – adopted from Philip Mansbridge’s ‘Dog and Cat Meat’
Whilst it is defended by some as “culture”, the production of Chicken and Cowmeat results in the suffering of millions of cows, chickens, sheep and pigs (also called Pork) every year in several countries around the world, most notably in Western countries.
What is Meat?
Chicken meat and, to a lesser extent, pig also sheep meat is often eaten for its perceived health benefits, or as food to accompany wine and beer or hides tanned and made into clothing much like human skin can also be processed. Its production has evolved from small-scale businesses into billion-dollar industries. Many chickens and cows are taken from the farms (stolen pets or strays included) but in some countries millions of cows and sheep are intensively bred and farmed in terrible conditions. The tens of millions of animals used in this industry each year undergo prolonged suffering through transportation and handling, and face an agonising death.
What you should know?
The availability of Chicken and Cow or Sheep meat is most widespread in Asia, where conservative estimates suggest that over 180 million chickens and more than 400 million cows are humanely culled for human consumption each year. It is estimated that 100-200 million sheep are consumed annually in USA, 50 million in England, 200 million in English speaking countries, 5 million in the Antilles, and an unknown but large quantity in Europe; though some believe the true figures to be far greater. meat is also popular in some areas, notably in England’s and USA’s backwood’s province where chicken and cow are part of famous traditional dishes: “Surf and Turf” or “Bangers and Mash” which are beef and pork meat dishes.
In USA a liquid or ‘juice’ made from beef and chicken is sometimes consumed as a ‘tonic’ for its perceived health properties, or made into ‘blood pudding’. However, wherever Chicken and Cowmeat is popularly eaten, the industry either operates unregulated or illegally.
Chicken and Cowmeat production is inherently cruel. It is widely acknowledged that these animals cannot be raised and slaughtered humanely for commercial use. In USA, England and many European and western countries there are thousands of pig or sheep farms where pigs are intensively bred and reared for meat production. On these farms even their most basic needs are not met, such as the provision of adequate food and water and veterinary care, and physical and mental suffering is obvious. If they are not farmed, the chickens and cows used in the meat trade are either stolen pets or unowned strays taken from the street. In meat markets in some countries, the animals are slaughtered in full view of each other. Unhygienic and stressful conditions on farms and in markets result in high levels of mortality.
Many countries in the world have humane methods of slaughtering chickens and cows for human consumption but do not use the methods due to added yet tolerable cost. Common methods of slaughtering these animals include electrocution, hanging and beating with the worst cases involving eating the animals while ALIVE as if Americans and Europeans were animals with no humane method of culling (much less humanely) before consmption. There are also numerous reports of animals being dehaired and cooked whilst still alive. Unfortunately, in countries where Chicken, Sheepmeat ((also called mutton) and Cowmeat (also called beef) is consumed, it has either not yet been banned, or the existing legislation is not being sufficiently enforced, such as in the USA where chicken and cow meat has never been banned.
Whilst in some countries Chicken and Cowmeat is often consumed for its perceived health benefits, there is a growing body of evidence highlighting the significant risk its production and consumption can pose to human health. For example, the trade in pigs and cows for meat has been linked to outbreaks of H1N1, Mad Cow Disease and FMD, and there have been numerous reports from USA, England and many western countries of mad cow disease or H1n1 or FMD virus transmission to humans after preparing or consuming cow or chicken meat.
Whilst Chicken and Cowmeat is often fiercely defended as part of ‘culture’ or ‘tradition’, it is a highly contentious and emotive issue in most countries where it is popular, and it is therefore sometimes advertised as something else to avoid negative attention from passers-by or law enforcers where its consumption is illegal. For example, an investigation in London revealed through DNA testing that in several restaurants across the city, chicken and cow meat was being passed off as dog and cat meat.
What you can do
Culture or tradition can never be an excuse for animal cruelty. If you care about animals, never be tempted to try chicken or cow meat – wherever it is available, it will always be the product of immense suffering. This means all fast food joints serving chicken and beef. Whilst in some countries Chicken and Cowmeat is not yet banned, if you do see the meat for sale in countries where the industry is illegal, such as religious countries, please report this to your travel agent or tour operator and to a local animal protection organisation.
Where does this occur?
Chicken (also called Fowl) and cowmeat, also pork (Pig) and mutton (Sheep) and Goat, are consumed in several areas of the world, including parts of USA, England, Europe and many western countries. However, cow and chicken, also pig and sheep consumption is most commonplace in America and Europe, and tourists are most likely to encounter meat from the inhumane battery condition farms in the countries.
The Sobering Reality Of What Life Is Like In Reno, Nevada
What do you do when the city where you live is dying? All over the United States formerly great cities are crumbling, but some are definitely in worse shape than others. One reader recently wrote to me about what she sees happening all around her in Reno, Nevada. The unemployment rate in Reno is now up to 11.7 percent, which is well above the national average of 8.3 percent. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. The recent recession hit Nevada particularly hard and people have been moving out of the state in waves. In fact, the labor force in Nevada has shrunk by close to 20 percent over the past year as workers have moved elsewhere in search of work. But even though the labor force is now nearly 20 percent smaller, the unemployment rate is still well above 11 percent. There simply are not enough jobs in large Nevada cities such as Reno and Las Vegas. Unfortunately for Reno, it does not have the same kind of big corporate money pouring into it that Las Vegas does. The good news is that you can buy a house very, very cheaply in Reno because homes were foreclosed on in droves during the housing crash. Even today, some housing developments that were put up near the end of the boom times look like virtual ghost towns. The main industry in Reno is “entertainment”, but many of Reno’s strip clubs and gambling establishments have aged so badly at this point that they just look kind of depressing. I guess that is kind of fitting, because Nevada has the fifth highest suicide rate in the nation, and Reno has been ranked as one of the top 10 depressed cities in the entire country. As the city has declined, gangs have moved in and the drug trade is flourishing. Reno has been called the meth capital of America, and crime is on the rise. Despite being surrounded by tremendous natural beauty, Reno has become a very unpleasant place in which to live. But what is happening in Reno is also happening in hundreds of other communities across the United States. Our economy is collapsing and our cities are crumbling right in front of our eyes, and it is only going to get worse from here.
A reader of my site named Heather who has been unemployed since November of last year recently shared the following with me….
I am living in Reno/Sparks Nevada and I feel like it is ground zero for collapse. There are a lot of people who are in denial right now and cannot see the larger picture. I keep also saying we are the canary in the coal mine for the rest of the country. It is quite depressing driving around seeing empty office buildings with vacancies and retail areas just empty. Went to the stores and retail seems pretty slow also. I am volunteering at ProNet locally and it helps unemployed people finds jobs and skills. It has been depressing there too with very little jobs out there for many people who need one.
She said that I should share what is happening in Reno with my readers. She wanted people to know what those living in Reno are going through.
You might think that since Reno is so sunny, so warm and surrounded by such natural beauty that it would be one of the happiest places in America.
Unfortunately it turns out that the opposite is true.
Reno is actually a very sad place.
In fact, last year Men’s Health ranked Reno as the ninth saddest city in the United States.
In response to this ranking, one resident of Reno wrote the following….
In light of this disheartening list-making, it is, of course, important for Nevadans to look on the bright side. Rather than allowing these statistics to depress us further, we can consider them a series of challenges that make living in places like Reno and Las Vegas all the more impressive. You don’t just live in Reno. You survive Reno! To dwell in Reno, you must triumph over the odds that are stacked against you—one of the things we’re supposed to do best here.
If we can withstand all of the emotional curveballs thrown at us because we have selected such a turbulent location in which to reside, we can probably survive anything.
As a lifelong Renoite, I am inclined to respond to these lists with defiance. Yeah, things can look pretty grim sometimes when no one can find a job, and there seems to be no way out.
And that is how many Americans are feeling these days. They are broke, unemployed, depressed and out of options.
How can you pick up and start a new life somewhere else when you have no job and no money?
Sadly, a lot of younger Americans are turning to drugs in an attempt to escape the pain of their daily lives.
One article that I found attempted to find humor in the raging meth epidemic that is happening in Reno….
Reno has been affectionately called the meth capital of the nation. Some foolishly think mass drug usage can ravage a city as swiftly as it can ruin a user’s clear complexion. In all reality, drug addiction is no more than an endearing quirk, certainly not a cause for concern. Babies and adolescents with addiction-addled parents should stop being coddled and learn how to take care of themselves. I’ve been doing my own laundry since I was six months old — I’m sure they can do the same. If there is anything disturbing about the meth problem in Reno, it’s that it shows the lack of variety in this town. Why don’t you try some uppers like MDMA? Your teeth will thank me.
Unfortunately, Reno is far from alone. In the past I have written about how formerly great cities such as Detroit, Cleveland and Baltimore are completely falling apart as well. This kind of thing is literally happening from coast to coast.
There is a very serious lack of decent jobs in America right now. At this point only 24.6 percent of all jobs in the United States are good jobs.
This has made it increasingly difficult for Americans to be able to take care of themselves.
If you can believe it, more than 100 million Americans are on welfare at this point.
And that number does not even include the tens of millions of people that are on Social Security and Medicare.
What in the world has happened to us?
These days most Americans work really hard all of their lives but never end up reaching their dreams.
In fact, one recent study found that 46 percent of all Americans die with less than $10,000 worth of financial assets.
Talk about depressing.
But instead of having us focus on how bad the economic numbers are, the Federal Reserve wants to start measuring how “happy” everyone is. The following is from a recent ABC News article….
Ben Bernanke wants to know if you are happy.
The Federal Reserve chairman said Monday that gauging happiness can be as important for measuring economic progress as determining whether inflation is low or unemployment high. Economics isn’t just about money and material benefits, Bernanke said. It is also about understanding and promoting “the enhancement of well-being.”
So what would you say if the Federal Reserve contacted you and asked if you are happy?
Please feel free to post a comment with your thoughts below….
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Nonsense. USA could simply distribute all unused land , and tell the people to grow their own crops and build their own houses, raise their own livestock, make their own leather or fur goods, knit their own cotton wear, compost their own sewage, collect their own rainwater or dig their own wells, brew their own beer, roast and grind their own coffee, and grow, ferment and cure their own tobacco leaves for cigars or cigarettes! End of problem, everyone gets a few acres and high-density living ‘hellholes’, will be quite empty without people who have their own land.
BTW there is no such thing as money. There is no such thing as economy or collapse. Too bad for the plutocracy or corporatocracy though! Even if education was free now, citizens will return to 1400s settler-era America not hang around pushing pens and shuffling papers at the 99% of citizens’ expense! Citizens please elect ONLY a President or Governor with the above intent. Executive Order 0 (Zero) for land distribution will be that reset button America needs.
Executive Order 0? Distribute unused land to the homeless with some supplies, by next year when the harvest is in, no more food stamp bills or housing loans in banks for bailouts . . .
People have lived without electricity or petrol since man learnt to walk upright. BTW there is also no such thing as poor people, jobs, concept of money much less a petro-dollar or a Global Financial System or a recession or depression. Alright ‘chicken little(s) if America can’t think what to do or apply what I posted, then the American voters deserve what they get. Simply vote for non-GLC or millionaire Joe Public types who before being voted for, sign statuary declarations to do the above suggested!
Groups like Anonymous should start pushing this voting method/agenda via subliminal rootkits and what not. Lets remove the plutocrats and term limitless Oligarchs from the picture and ensure equitable wealth distribution and political power distribution (with 2 term limits) as well.
ARTICLE 9
Jerry Boykin: Romney’s new Muslim-bashing pal – Posted on 10. Aug, 2012 by Editor in US – Romney meets with Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin, who has said Islam “should not be protected under the First Amendment” – BY ALEX SEITZ-WALD
He may be too extreme for West Point and George W. Bush, but apparently not for Mitt Romney. Politico reports today that the Republican presidential nominee met with retired Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin, who is now a highly controversial anti-Islam activist, in a private conclave with four other social conservative leaders in Denver last week. The day after the meeting reportedly took place, Romney dodged a question on Rep. Michele Bachmann’s witch hunt against Muslims in the U.S. government. “I’m not going to tell other people what things to talk about. Those are not things that are part of my campaign,” he said at a press availability about Bachmann’s allegations last Friday.
Boykin is best known for earning a public rebuke from President Bush himself in 2003 for his vitriolic anti-Islamic rhetoric. Boykin, in uniform at the time, gave a speech portraying the war against Islamist militants as a Christian struggle against Satan, and suggested that Muslims worship an ”idol” and not ”a real God.” Some Republican lawmakers spoke out against him, as well as the president, who said, Boykin’s opinions “didn’t reflect” his or the government’s views. A year later, a Department of Defense investigation determined that Boykin had violated three internal rules while delivering his controversial anti-Islamic speeches.
Since then, Boykin has taken up fighting the perceived threat of Shariah law full-time. As People for the American Way’s Right Wing Watch blog notes, “his rhetoric is often bigoted, and he regularly traffics in wild-eyed conspiracy theories — like the one about Obama creating a Hitler-style militia to force Marxism on the American people.” In 2010, he joined with Frank Gaffney, a key anti-Islamic activist, to lead an effort to produce a massive report on the threat of Sharia law.
For all this, he was forced to withdraw from a speaking invitation at West Point under intense pressure in January of this year. More recently, he was appointed to a senior position at the social conservative Family Research Council. And that’s how he ended up meeting privately with Romney.
Two other members of the group that met with Romney, social conservative activists Gary Bauer and James Dobson, signed on to a letter to House Speaker John Boehner praising Bachmann’s “good judgment, undeniable courage, and great patriotism” for “bravely demanding answers” about potential Muslim Brotherhood infiltration in the U.S. government. Boykin, Right Wing Watch notes, signed on to a separate letter expressing “strong support for congressional efforts to illuminate and address the danger posed by influence operations mounted by the Muslim Brotherhood against government agencies.”
Boykin’s rhetoric goes beyond the careful position most activists tend to stake out — condemn Islamists, but praise “peaceful, pro-America” Muslims. Boykin, on the other hand, goes right after the religion itself, saying Islam “should not be protected under the First Amendment.” He’s declared that there should be “no mosques in America” because “a mosque is an embassy for Islam and they recognize only a global caliphate.”
Considering that Romney’s own faith has repeatedly come under attack over the past century and half, one would think he would be more sympathetic to the plight of religious minorities in this country and not associate himself, whether publicly or privately, with such extremists.
Pay attention to whats going on . . .
Alex Seitz-Wald is Salon’s political reporter. Email him at aseitz-wald@salon.com, and follow him on Twitter @aseitzwald.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Muslims must know their allowed spaces in the world. Romney looks capable of handling this, though appearing quite cynical at times and self serving to a fault (privilege has this effect, how does one obtain a lifetime supply of ‘chezburgers’ . . . distribute some to the bottom of the 99% starving on the streets Romney if not helping army veterans . . . ), excepting that USA looks to be quite inadequate financially as of now. Never though, be unreasonable or abusive to those Muslims who do not dhimmify, do not proselytize or do not attempt to convert (there are those who ‘convert’ secretly or refuse to let their children choose, so careful there children, non-Muslims and non-Monotheists!).
Let there be spaces for all faiths, not proselytize and destroy the faiths and cultures of others . . .
There are many new fronts that are non-military that USA must be able to counter. Obama might need to be ready to show hand in readying people like Boykin above to not appear soft, and the ‘Muslim’ tendency to mass mindedness and social-trade based mobbing to subvert with that mass mind is particularly uncivilised and has affected many. USA needs to have a stronger ‘mind’ not necessarily a (disgusting) hive mind, but indoctrination to counter precisely where Islam intends to ‘colonise’ and to set clear limits where areas of tolerance will be.
I suggest Egypt be off limits where Islam is concerned and worked on by all relevant parties immediately – A PHAROANATE as a West oriented barrier (Egypt before conquest by Bedouin Arabs was a Pharoanate with culture that has been largely copied by the Freemasons. Should a Pharoanate reform, instead of Islamists AGAIN (this is why the Egyptian Military are still influential) Free Masonry even English Free masonry would likely come under the Pharoah’s purview.
The Pharoah (re-enactment), flanked by the Worshipful Master and Grand Hierophants . . . a true blood Egyptian without Arab blood (and a REAL Egyptian name), identified from DNA records should be re-installed as Pharoah with all Priests of non-Egyptian blood considered OUTER ORDER Freemasons (that means English Masons will be ranked below Egyptian Freemasons and if the King of England is a Freemason, the Pharoanate will be Master over England via the English Monarch . . . the glory days days of the Nile and Egyptian Pantheons will again grace the world . . . Got that you military guys in Egypt?
This is Egypt NOT Bedouin Arabia, don’t let the Islamists push non-Muslims around in a secular country . . . let there be as many Egyptian Temples as there are Mosques! And who knows after the Pharoanate is reestablished, if enough Royal Egyptians overseas love the countries they migrated to and live in to be interred there in death, even Pyramids of VVIPs might be built and seen overseas around the world! Freedom of faith as per the UN Charter!
Do not be consumed by faith systems not your own, you people of Egypt! With re-Persianisation if Iran, through Syria and in cooperation with Russia and China with the Eastern Khanates (North cultural barrier), India comfortably holding the (Eastern barrier) East and African Animists holding the South against Islam’s overproliferation and destruction of all local non-Islamic cultures and non-Islamic faiths. Figurines or artwork depicting humans and living things in Islam are also illegal, so Africa and Egypt which have a thriving industry and tourism based around artworks, should think about the differences in culture and artistic natures of the original peoples, as well as conquests which displaced original faith systems etc..
Persia before conquest by Bedouin Arabs was Zoroastrianism with a Persian culture. Suggestion to re-Persianise or re-Zoroastrianise and build away from quake zones.
This is no joke, take a look at Cat Stevens or Hudud accepting CHINESE politicians in Malaysia. Subverted in a most troubling manner. Finally we need the UN Human Rights Charter to be applied in full 60+ years after establishment. No more apartheid, no more extreme religion must be tolerated. USA has lots of friends in Saudi Arabia? Make these mentioned things reality otherwise USA will be taken apart with Europe and even Russia next. Revitalise old faith traditions worldwide, reculturise and be firm USA!
This is Persia’s Original Faith System. Will the High Priest of Zoroaster be restored to Persian society’s rightful place? Way of the Vulture!
ARTICLE 10
Duma to ban officials from marrying foreigners published: 10 August, 2012, 17:03
After announcing possible amendments banning Russian officials from owning real estate and other property abroad, the State Duma is planning a ban on public servants marrying foreigners.
The author of the bill, United Russia MP Evgeny Fyodorov has told the press that the document includes this restriction.
“Wives and underage children of civil servants must also declare their property and cannot own property or real estate outside the Russian Federation. If a civil servant’s spouse is a foreigner, this person would not have the right to occupy the post. The officials will have to vacate their post if they wish to marry foreigners,” the Lifenews website quoted Fyodorov as saying.
The MP added that foreign spouses were a major factor of foreign influence on state officials and the situation had to change.
The move will not be an absolutely new invention, but the tightening of the existing norms that state that the officials with clearance to work with state secrets cannot marry foreigners.
On the other hand, Fyodorov said that the group that is working on the bill decided to soften it by excluding the Commonwealth of Independent States from the list of countries where civil servants cannot have property.
“We were one country before and many people have relatives there, their roots are there and we will not list the territories of the CIS states or the Customs Union as foreign states where property ownership is banned. We will bring this issue up at the second reading,” Fyodorov said.
The move was supported by Sergey Zheleznyak, the head of United Russia faction in the lower house.
Earlier this month all parliamentary factions in the State Duma backed the proposal to ban the civil servants from owning property abroad, including securities and bank deposits. The MPs suggested those violating this regulation should be held criminally responsible and punished with a three-year ban from holding public office, and between 5 and 10 million rubles (US$150,000 – $300,000) in fines, or up to five years in prison.
An initial draft of the bill also orders civil servants to disclose ownership of foreign property, and sell it off within six months. The law would apply to inherited property and even to individuals leaving state service, effective up to three years post-resignation for both ex-officials and their families.
There are exceptions in the bill for those who need foreign property and bank accounts for work, medical treatment or academic studies.
The Duma has got this one right. VERY Russian! But Russia which is a stabilizing force in the world by providing multipolar option needs to ensure their intelligence or influence in decision is not compromised. A NWO or even worse (though not so likely) Femi-nazi led world with women controlling Duma or Russian male officials through their wives is the worst case scenario possible. Then there is also the Muslim subversion tactics issue using Muslim women to manipulate non-Muslim women hence affecting non-Muslim men etc., which less ethical Muslims use to further Islam via NLPs, even cartoons and porn etc.. Russia needs as much as USA to ensure that Muslims know where their territories physical and mental, even EMOTIONAL and PSYCHIC are, instead of trying to control the world with Islam, and dhimmitise everyone who is not Muslim. Terrorists are not Muslims but there are Muslims proselytizing who are not respecting the rights of other faiths and peoples, this Russia must address equally firmly though not in an abusive manner.
ARTICLE 11
‘Shoot me! Shoot me!’: Machete-wielding man killed by police in front of shocked tourists in Times Square after officers fired at least TEN times – By Emily Anne Epstein and Associated Press – PUBLISHED: 20:37 GMT, 11 August 2012 | UPDATED: 06:58 GMT, 13 August 2012
Man, 51, screamed at officers and waved 11-inch knife erratically
Shot twice in the stomach by officers and died in hospital
He refused repeated orders to drop weapon in one of New York’s busiest tourist spots
Police shot and killed a man who lunged at them with a machete in Times Square as he screamed ‘Shoot me, shoot me’.
The terrifying stand-off happened on Saturday afternoon at 3pm in Times Square and was witnessed by dozens of bystanders.
Officers had approached the 51-year-old man who appeared to be smoking marijuana near West 44th Street and Seventh Avenue, in the heart of Times Square, one of New York’s busiest tourist destinations.
Scroll down for video
Terror on the streets: NYPD officers, with their weapons drawn, stalk a machete wielding man in the middle of Times Square
The unidentified 30-year-old male was corralled down seventh avenue by officers of the NYPD as they instructed him to drop his weapon
The man became agitated, pulled out an 11-inch knife and began to put a bandanna on his head, police said.
He refused repeated orders to drop the weapon and began backing down the avenue, continuing for a number of blocks and drawing many officers into a slow-speed pursuit that took them south of Times Square.
According to the police account, officers pepper sprayed the man six times but he held onto the knife throughout the seven-block pursuit.
At West 37th Street, he lunged at police and two officers shot him in the torso, police said. He was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital.
‘They screamed, ”Put it down, put it down,”’ said newsstand worker Sunny Choi, 26, of police orders to the man.
Another witness said that tourists were screaming and running down the packed thoroughfare as the man was corralled down Seventh Avenue by police.
The incident was filmed by witnesses in Times Square as the man screamed obscenities at the police
On the move: Police chased down the 51-year-old waving a knife in the mid-town area of New York
‘The tourists were running everywhere, screaming, panic,’ said Henry Irby, a t-shirt vendor.
Witnesses recalled a chaotic scene in which some bystanders took cover, while others began following the procession down the avenue in an attempt to capture cellphone video of it.
On video, a number of officers, guns drawn, can be seen pursuing the man as he appears to skip down Seventh Avenue.
‘He was swinging at people as he ran,’ Jobby Nogver, a 17-year-old visiting from Boston, told The New York Times.
Nogver watched as police surrounded the man and fired. ‘I can’t tell you how many shots,’ he said.
Video taken at the scene from witnesses’ cell phone suggested that approximately ten rounds were fired.
Bewildered: Onlookers shouted at the man to do what the police were telling him but he did not seem to listen
Chaos: Times Square is one of New York’s busiest tourist destinations
Busy streets: Witnesses following the unfolding scene down from New York’s Times Square
The dreadlocked man has not been identified yet because he was carrying no identification on him, said police.
Priscilla Rocha, a tourist from Brazil, was visiting Times Square with her husband when they saw the confrontation.
‘I almost had a heart attack,” she told the Times. ‘Everyone started running.’
NYPD Commissioner Paul Browne told MailOnline: ‘A man armed with a knife was pepper sprayed by officers to no effect, advanced on officers, refused to drop his weapon and was shot by police on 7th Avenue between 37th and 38th streets’.
He was taken to Bellevue Hospital while suffering from cardiac arrest.
He was in serious condition for just over an hour before he died from his injuries, police said.
Horror: ‘Omg! Time to go home!! Man in times square with a machete …like 20 cops came out of nowhere with guns drawn! I’m traumatized!!’ said another
Scared: ‘Just saw a guy with a knife, 30 cops and more than 5 police cars running by me at Times Square. What’s up???’ tweeted one woman
Mr Browne added that some officers were being treated for tinnitus, or ringing of the ears, at an area hospital.
A video of the event shows multiple police vehicles surrounding a man on Seventh Avenue before dozens of cops descend on him.
The sound of gunshots can be heard shortly thereafter.
Witnesses were in disbelief; reeling from the dramatic scene that unfolded in front of them.
‘Just saw a dude with a butcher size knife get chased through times square by cops. Apparently, they chased him down and shot him,’ one witness tweeted.
‘Omg! Time to go home!! Man in times square with a machete …like 20 cops came out of nowhere with guns drawn! I’m traumatized!!’ said another.
’20 police officers against 1 person…. Killed him right in the middle of the street,’ said another.
Great fast track way to become instantly famous, or ‘infamous’ (remember to drop the weapon in time though book and film rights can be obtained if not shot to death . . . ). Try the wild west. Or kung fu. Obviously the police are not well trained enough or the appropriate units were not ‘deployed’. Isn’t there a special balaclava wearing unit with personnel on call 24-7 for disarming this sort of occasional agent provocateur? What are we training those commandos or special agents for? We see so many guns disarmed on TV that any knifewielder when met with 20 men does not need a shot fired. Or is this drama to hide the neurotech nano-particles possibly already installed in all NYers if not a statement that neurotech will not be used at least in obvious cases like these, only limited to controlling dissidents and activists instead?
Just 1 highly trained person who could appear in a ‘CIA’ or ‘FBI’ truck to disarm and capture alive (does not require an entire SWAT team). 20 men with guns being unable to capture alive (3 ordinary cops unarmed could do the job, 1 cop who is able to aim at the hand (think 6-shooter carrying country Westerns . . . the cops of the day are as unskilled as hell), how about a fully armoured American Football player . . . or a particularly determined granny with a heavy handbag . . .) feels like that joke about how many people are needed to replace a light bulb. If America not about life and liberty? Theres 1 more life lost and the odds are shameful. Who knows what crimes occured in the background with this guy being a DECOY . . . so if 2000 psychos appeared at various streets, would that mean New York which hires less than 38,000 police would be undefended entirely from all criminals who also can also time themselves to act at the same time?
Maybe criminals could use such decoys to draw the attention of the police while pulling off the crimes elsewhere . . . what about terrorists? If 20,000 terrorists acted all at once, would the whole USA collapse into anarchy? Watch Escape from New York (1981 John Carpenter) . . . hope that the Prez. (whenever if even possible)that sort of scenario happens, likes wearing ‘Wayne’s World’ (1992 Penelope Spheeris) style wigs and getting BJs from Johnny English – oops was that Harry Dean Stanton instead (whats with the Dragonball Character in the background btw . . .) . . . 1997 didn’t turn out quite like expected but hey, if USA picks a fight with enough countries to diminish local enforcement funding resources because wars and parasite defense contractors profiteer and cost too much, we could yet get to see a ‘Wigger’ or a ‘Snakepiss’ for real . . . up to another ‘Escape From‘ film Jack Russel?
Is USA ready for a LGBT President? Or a hetero and straight male President who just likes wearing women’s wigs?
After bikers straddled by topless beauties hit the streets to draw attention to “safe driving” by taking everyone’s eyes off the road, a judge has hit them with a fine. Not for indecent exposure, but for violating Russia’s new protest law.
A video of the event of July 6 shows three women strip down to their g-strings before climbing onto the backs of three-wheelers and taking off. The girls, one of whom was not even wearing a helmet, unfurled yellow banners bearing the words “safe driving” as they made their way to the heart of St. Petersburg.
Once the video went viral and made its way to the press, scandalized local police immediately sought out the bikers for questioning, Fontaka.ru website reports.
Investigators scoured local bike dealerships looking to identify the culprits. A prominent dealer contacted Sergey, one of the bikers who took part in the demo, telling him the trio should stop by and have a talk with the city’s traffic police. They did, expecting to hear something about missing helmets (never mind bras) or moving violations. What came next threw Sergey for a loop.
Following a report from the city police which claimed the bikers’ behavior constituted a violation of public order, the easy riders involved in the topless run were all summoned to appear in Magistrates Court two weeks later (sans their exhibitionist companions). They were strangely charged with taking part in an unsanctioned rally, even though the ride was at best a racy public service announcement.
The judge presiding over the case apparently viewed the topless joyride as an unauthorized demonstration (of female beauty?), fining the trio 10,000 rubles (around $316 dollars) each. Under the amended law on protests, those taking parts in demonstrations where public order is violated but no damage to health or property are registered face fines of up to 20,000 rubles (approximately $632) and 40 hours community service.
After determining that the accused were all upstanding citizens, the judge decided to show leniency, strapping them with the minimum allowable fine.
Besides the fact that a similar topless “protest” went off last year without a hitch (or a charge), the ruling has served to confuse Russians, who are accustomed to biker rallies making bold statements that are rarely political.
And if there is any lesson to learn from this case it might be that it’s okay to hit the streets of Russia without a helmet or even a top, but just be careful not to ask people to drive safely.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Russia’s democracy acid test. Russia slides back into Soviet Era Cold War or rises into something that the USA might have difficulty catching up with. Thats for the judges to carefully decide . . .
Free American (unregistered) August 09, 2012, 03:09 quote
Does this mean that the people of Russia are not allowed to protest or hold demonstrations? I thought Russia was freed from communism? What happened to Glasnost? I cannot even imagine what it would be like to live in such a communist country that would pass laws against protesting or demonstrating anything they don’t like. Wow! Reading this even Makes me more appreciative of my freedom. Thank God I live in the USA~
ARTICLE 13
Fury as middle-class doggers in business suits and designer dresses turn beauty spot into a ‘sleaze park’ – By Amy Oliver – PUBLISHED: 11:49 GMT, 9 August 2012 | UPDATED: 13:19 GMT, 9 August 2012
Residents say up to 40 cars a day visit Stapleford Wood, near Lincoln to either have sex or watch
Condoms, pornography and even underwear has been left at beauty spot
North Kesteven District Council tried to tackle problem with ‘day of action’ at woods
‘Doggers’ who love being watched while having sex are turning a beauty spot into a ‘sleaze park’ say furious villagers.
Residents say up to 40 cars a day visit Stapleford Wood, near Lincoln, with occupants either having frantic sex sessions or gathering round to get thrills from watching.
It has been reported that many of the men who turn up for the sessions are wearing smart business suits and drive expensive cars, while the women are in designer dresses and top-of-the-range shoes.
Sleazy: Residents say up to 40 cars a day visit Stapleford Wood, near Lincoln, with occupants either having frantic sex sessions or gathering round to get thrills from watching
Sleazy: Residents say up to 40 cars a day visit Stapleford Wood, near Lincoln, with occupants either having frantic sex sessions or gathering round to get thrills from watching
They then pick out a partner and either rush into the woods or simply strip off and start having sex in full view, residents say.
They leave behind condoms, pornography and even underwear, to the disgust of locals.
Parents are now worried the sex free-for-all will attract perverts to the area and put their children in danger.
North Kesteven District Council recently tried to tackle the problem with a ‘day of action’ at the woods.
‘It’s sordid. I used to take my granddaughter there but I wouldn’t do that now. You don’t know what you will find, or who you might find.’
Local resident who did not wish to be named
Boulders were placed in parking and turning areas to put off the so-called ‘doggers’ at the Forestry Commission-owned site.
Police patrols have also increased, but locals say the issue has got so bad they now don’t bother to report incidents.
Ray Philips, county councillor for the area, said: ‘Local residents now don’t want to go there. It is really getting out of hand. There is a constant stream of cars.
‘I think the concern is the Forestry Commission don’t seem too concerned about it.’
Hot spot: Villagers say that as well as liaisons between men and women, the beauty spot is also attracting people wanting gay sex (file picture)
Hot spot: Villagers say that as well as liaisons between men and women, the beauty spot is also attracting people wanting gay sex (file picture)
The problem has grown because many dogging websites name Stapleford Wood as a popular place to meet up. The lurid activity is not just at night-time. Drivers meet up even in daylight hours, residents said.
One, who asked not to be named, said: ‘We used to make complaints to the police but there is no point any more. It’s quite intimidating when there are a lot of them. They sit there staring at you.
‘It’s sordid. I used to take my granddaughter there but I wouldn’t do that now. You don’t know what you will find, or who you might find.’
Villagers say that as well as liaisons between men and women, the beauty spot is also attracting people wanting gay sex.
Insp Mike Jones, of Lincolnshire Police, said: ‘We’re having as much success as anyone else in the country in dealing with this problem.’
Meanwhile, Nigel Lowthrop, owner of nearby social enterprise Hill Holt Wood, wants to take over management of the forest.
He said: ‘It’s got worse. It’s horrendous. It puts off a lot of parents and you wouldn’t expect children to go there.’
Richard Darn, a spokesman for the Forestry Commission, said: ‘I think it’s a case of working hard at this but I don’t think there is a magic bullet.
‘No-one can be there 24/7 to patrol a woodland that size.’
The 750-acre wood was purchased from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1945.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Simple. Old people areas, sexually active Adult areas and non-adult-activity child friendly areas. 250 acres each.
ARTICLE 15
Nudist park holds bash to attract younger crowd – Associated Press
LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. (AP) — Nudist resorts have a reputation for attracting older adults, but one Florida park is trying to change that.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel (http://sunsent.nl/RAS2ZV) reports Sunsport Gardens will hold a weekend bash aimed at attracting nudists ages 18 to 30. The Florida Young Naturist’s Fourth Annual End of Summer Naked Bash is slated to be a celebration of nudity and body acceptance.
Sunsport Gardens principal shareholder Morley Schloss tells the paper the park has been trying to bring in younger members with lower prices, 24-hour hot tubs and Friday night drum circles.
The gathering at the 40-acre Loxahatchee park is expected to gather several hundred young adults. Nudist resorts around the country have been working to attract a younger crowd.
___
Information from: South Florida Sun Sentinel, http://www.sun sentinel.com
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
These people may not look much now, but they were at the forefront of the 70s hippy and liberty anti-Vietnam war era and still are. Unfortunately they should be running for election to remove all the other old people who are ‘hawks’ or who hate LGBT or refuse to amend laws to leglise and control prices of organic psychedelics at least. This is where the previous generation fail to engage the youth. The laws are not even there to protect things like this.
Look at the number of people in prison for smoking abit of pot or whatever. Then the young people who are abused systematically with the psychiatric establishment etc. for having dissenting views or differing lifestyles. Address these and not be like ‘Madonna’ running off to Malawi but not even addressing the systemic abuses so long as Madonna can enjoy herself and look good while everyone else gets thrown into jail because the laws were not amended by candidates from the ‘cool’ set getting into politics specifically to amend laws! All that money is for nothing, serves no purpose or anyone. Think and act, not teach the young to take things for granted! Open nude zones in EVERY city commensurate with the size of the community.
Try the movie Blink (Michael Apted 1994), scene where an cop/customer strips on the dance floor without any issue (01:41 to 03:33). That may not be best all the time and not everyone can pull this off, but in proper context is tolerable, an arrest would be inappropriate . . . These days tolerance levels are low as hell . . .
ARTICLE 16
Might need a longer jacket next time! Chelsee Healey’s derriére hangs out of her disco shorts – by Fehintola Betiku – PUBLISHED: 07:53 GMT, 8 August 2012 | UPDATED: 09:18 GMT, 8 August 2012
You’ve got to hand it to Chelsee Healey because despite what her fashion critics have to say, she is keen to dress however makes her happy.
Celebrating her 24th birthday, last Saturday the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant flashed her bra in a sheer white spotty blouse complete with ruffles as she made her way to dinner.
And continuing to show off her unique style last night she was pictured heading into The Rose Club wearing a pair of revealing black disco shorts.
Showing off again: Chelsee Healey was pictured last night as she headed to The Rose Club in London
Too late now: The petite actress wore a pair of tight disco shorts but was seen trying to cover her bottom as she turned away from photographers
But this time around, Chelsee didn’t appear to want to show off too much and tried to hide her derriere from photographers as she walked into the London hotspot.
She teamed the shorts with a patent pin striped jacket and a black top.
Wearing her hair up in one, the Waterloo Road star completed her look with a black sparkly clutch bag and donned a pair of spiked ankle boots.
Unique style: The 24-year-old teamed the shorts with a patent pin striped jacket
Taking to Twitter to share her excitement about heading to the Marylebone club to celebrate the success of UK rapper Wiley’s first number one solo single Heatwave, she uploaded several posts.
She tweeted: ‘London For @Wiley__ Party!! #number1 can’t wait to see my @leylaloola’
And in another post she wrote: ‘Rose Club… Sounding Kinda Deeeeeeeecent’
Party girl: Chelsee took to her Twitter account to tweet about how much she was looking forward to the night ahead
‘Decent night’: Chelsee uploaded a picture of herself and Wiley to her Twitter page
‘Decent night’: Chelsee uploaded a picture of herself and Wiley to her Twitter page
Known as the King of Grime, Wiley is practically royalty on the UK music scene, so it’s no surprise that his single party was heaving with a guestlist full of big names.
And the young actress’ night got better when she bumped into Wiley, and she wasted no time getting a picture with him which she quickly uploaded to her Twitter page.
Tilting her head to the side and giving her best post as her wrapped his arm around her neck, Chelsee looked delighted to have run into the Rolex rapper.
The caption on the picture read: ‘Me and @Wiley__ deecent night! #HeatWave#number1’
Polka dot potty: On Saturday Chelsee opted for a sheer white spotted blouse with a pair of shorts for a night out in Manchester to celebrate her birthday
Chelsee Healey’s ‘undercrack’ or ‘cheek’
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Dull but helpful demogoguery. Lower half decolletage is not being revealing as neither upper half decolletage is. This like the is the underboob version of standard ‘boob’ cleavage – ‘undercheek’ much like whale tail (butt crack) cleavage is ‘lower half decolletage cleavage’ (New meme! My invention! Undercheek . . . ). Besides the thong form bikini isn’t exactly beaten in skimpiness or less skimpy than this. No big issue, especially for those who aren’t fundo minded! Show abit of ‘undercheek’, and frankly wearing a thong form bikini is only one leotard less from being totally covered up.
THIS response is value added, not like bad law writing. So put people like us in power for 2 terms and see society bloom like society should, not be crippled and oppressed by bold-faced aged term limitless nepotists, fundos and plutocrats! Nudist Zones and risque Clothing Zones as well!
ARTICLE 17
‘Love is the strongest and most fragile thing in life:’ Vanessa Paradis on Johnny Depp – By Daily Mail Reporter – PUBLISHED: 14:04 GMT, 13 August 2012 | UPDATED: 14:46 GMT, 13 August 2012
Vanessa Paradis has given an insight into her split from Johnny Depp, talking of the ‘fragility’ of love.
‘Love is the strongest and most fragile thing we have in life,’ she told Harper’s Bazaar.
In an interview given just two days before announcing that her relationship was at an end, the French singer said love wasn’t something that should be ‘worked’ at.
‘Nothing is ever for sure, but when something in love doesn’t work from the beginning, it’s never going to work. Don’t push it.’
Beauty: Vanessa Paradis told Harper’s Bazaar that she believes love is ‘strong yet fragile’
Vanessa and Johnny announced the end of their 14-year relationship earlier this year.
The 39-year-old gave a hint of what was to come in her interview, talking about being in love but finding it was making you ‘unhappy’.
‘When you meet the love of your life, it’s just obvious and natural and easier,’ she said.
‘You keep learning all the time. Sometimes you could be in an unhappy relationship; you are very much in love with someone, but it’s making you unhappy and you think things can change and you can work it out.’
Depp, 49, and Vanessa have two children, Lily-Rose, 13, and Jack, 9.
She and the American star, who never married, had not been seen at a public event together since 2010.
Vanessa did not attend any of the promotional events for recent film Dark Shadows or The Rum Diaries, in which he starred alongside blonde bisexual actress Amber Heard, 26, whom Depp has been romantically linked to.
Love of her life: But after 14 years together Johnny Depp and Vanessa announced their split earlier this year
Vanessa also talks about her rise to fame as a pretty 14-year-old, with her hit Joe le Taxi.
‘I was for sure not prepared for fame when it happened,’ she said. ‘But nobody pushed me to do it. I wanted to sing, to dance, to work.’
Vanessa now divides her time between France and Los Angeles, where her children attend school.
But she says she does not plan on conforming to the American idea of beauty, and will not be having plastic surgery.
‘I don’t work in America, so I don’t feel the pressure.’
And as to looking for a new partner, she says: ‘Well, my type is obviously creative. Creative, with burning eyes and a pretty mouth.’
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Like said before, one iconic movie is what any actor or actress needs. VP was lucky to have got started ahead of most people and should have left the ‘movie’ scene once she reached 20 million (or 5 for more comfort to protect that fragility with) and focused on quality of life, Not burning the candle on both ends to become burnt out at 38. At the ripe old age of 23 (9 years of ‘career’ is more than enough if fragility is to be preserved), retirement and seeking a worthy life partner would have been ideal. The rest of us had no choice, though VP did yet did not cash in the chips early enough and instead got into the ‘jaded’ crowd of overgrown plutocrat actors struggling to no useful end making so many films starring the same person imprinting on the masses the pathos and flaws, poisoning and stagnating rather than rejuvenating and moving society (instead of guarding fragility . . . ) . . . undemocratic!
Frankly casting people and directors represent a hegemony on popular film and culture, the best casting or selection system would be one where ALL or as many citizens worldwide would VOTE for the most suitable person for such and such a role, let the timeframe be a decade or population quorum based, around a number of countries or worldwide depending on the script, and let that single fat paycheck be the last and a limited one that the lucky selected people or person offering themselves selected will get BY the votes of as many would be movie goers as possible, not what one or a a handful of biased (or abusive?) ‘international film house’ producers, casting directors and funders that take advantage of the (poorer, younger and less cultivated set at their most vulnerable) decide. Therein lies the Sudra/caste damning/soul sacrificing dilemma.
So many are not the film or actor that the people wanted, but a handful of dictators taking advantage of the lack of a democratic system in the film industry to work for elite propaganda in too many cases. One does not need decades of film to be remembered, the one-off cult classic is more memorable or well loved than some actors or groupings that dominate the movie scene for decades on end hashing out so many films and homogenizing the film goers into zombies ‘who watched out of having no choice’ in the process, though especially unique films should be featured more than the conventional ‘big budget’ film.
Democracy and citizen involvement in script or cast selections make for good films! Not your handful of film dictators.
Santa Ana City Council establishes a term limits committee – Posted by Art Pedroza on July 17th, 2012
Tonight’s Santa Ana City Council meeting, which was held at the SAPD’s Community Room, was, as predicted, a real zoo. Media vans and news crews were everywhere and residents and out of town bloggers packed the proceedings.
As we stated in an earlier post, Council Member Carlos Bustamante, who is facing serious felony sex crime and public theft charges, was not likely to show up, and he didn’t. This is his second unexcused absence. After sixty days of not showing up to work, at City Hall, the City Council can
dump him and appoint someone to fill out his term.
Three City Council members — Michele Martinez, Sal Tinajero and Vince Sarmiento — have called for Bustamante’s resignation, according to the L.A. Times. Predictably Bustamante’s longtime ally, David Benavides is not calling for Bustamante’s resignation. Is anyone surprised by that?
Bustamante and Benavides flew to Washington D.C. together, back in the day, to attend a Cinco de Mayo event put on by past President George W. Bush. They were pals and together they served at the whim of the Usual Suspects. Why would Benavides turn on his amigo now?
The Santa Ana City Council agreed tonight to form an Ad Hoc Committee to explore the term limit issue raised by Martinez, who placed the term limit issue on tonight’s agenda as an 85 A item. The Ad Hoc Committee will include Martinez and her colleagues Sarmiento and Benavides. They
have to get a ballot measure hammered out by the next City Council meeting if they want to make the November ballot.
As expected, the Usual Suspects showed up to rip Mayor Pro Tem Claudia Alvarez, but she let them have it, and then pointed out that Councilman David Benavides “had invited speakers to address the council on the lawsuit over Measure D, while pointing our reports of attacks on her by
Benavides and Bustamante,” according to the O.C. Register. Of course we appreciated the referral!
And what is going on? Well, if the lawsuit filed by Santa Ana Parks and Rec Commissioner Max Madrid succeeds, then the Santa Ana City Clerk will be compelled by the Court to give nomination papers to Alvarez. She will then run for Ward 5 and win, period. I fully expect SAUSD Trustee
Roman Reyna to run for reelection to the SAUSD School Board rather than face off with Alvarez, who already spanked him once in a previous Council election. I am already seeing Reyna political signs around town – and they don’t mention the office he is running for. LOL! That Reyna is so
thrifty. He printed one batch of signs that he can now use for either race.
We revealed yesterday that the only announced opponent to Alvarez, Karina Onofre, has in fact become a registered Republican. She was also at tonight’s meeting, where she bragged that her Council campaign now has a billboard, somewhere on Main St. Apparently Santa Ana Council
Member Sal Tinajero met with her earlier this year and he advised her to run instead for the SAUSD School Board. He even offered to back her. But she stubbornly refused to do so and instead she dumped the Democratic Party and became a Republican. Good luck with that…
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The TLC ( term limits committee) could also double up as a ‘Family Blocs in Politics Watchdog’, and ‘Crony Capitalism Watchdog’ as well. All are ETHICS related. Try the below for China’s disciplined approach against nepotism :
Bloomberg’s Term Limits : 3 for Him, but Only 2 for Everyone Else – by MICHAEL BARBARO and DAVID W. CHEN – October 25, 2010
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg thinks that being able to serve three terms in office is a good idea — just not for anyone else. – Eric Michael Johnson for The New York Times – Louis Lanzano/Associated Press
On Monday, in an unexpected confession, Mr. Bloomberg said he wanted to reverse the changes to the city’s term-limits law, which he successfully campaigned for in 2008. Those changes are now the subject of a little-publicized ballot initiative on Election Day.
The mayor said he would vote to restore a limit of two terms, down from three, and to ban the City Council from rewriting the rule for sitting elected officials, closing a legislative loophole that Mr. Bloomberg exploited in his quest to remain in office beyond eight years. The results of the ballot
initiative would not affect Mr. Bloomberg, but would affect his successors.
During a news conference, the mayor said that the term-limits initiative, which will appear on the back of the paper ballots on Nov. 2, was imperfect and badly designed, but that he would support it anyway.
“It’s better than what we have now,” Mr. Bloomberg said, without explaining why or acknowledging that his administration had written the existing law and heavily advocated for it.
It was the latest installment in the story of Mr. Bloomberg’s ever-evolving relationship with term limits. An outspoken supporter of two terms, he once called Council members who proposed extending them “disgraceful.” Then, as his own time in office wound down, he reversed himself and
advocated for three terms, saying they offered voters greater choice.
“You can make that case for two terms or three terms,” he said at the time. “In this case, after listening to everybody, I’ve been convinced that three terms is right.”
Now he seems to have settled on something of a compromise: three terms for him, and only him.
Mayoral allies pointed out that Mr. Bloomberg had kept his word by bringing the issue back to voters, who originally passed the two-term limit in a 1993 referendum, only to watch it be dismantled by the mayor and the Council.
Mr. Bloomberg’s sudden support for two terms puts him in line with most New Yorkers. A New York Times poll, conducted in August, found that nearly three-fourths of city voters favored undoing Mr. Bloomberg’s 2008 actions.
The mayor’s change of opinion will avert a showdown with a fellow billionaire, Ronald S. Lauder, the father of the city’s original 1993 law, who has opened his wallet to sponsor a commercial urging New Yorkers to vote for a return to two terms.
The advertisement, which will be broadcast over the next few days, instructs voters — with a wry tagline — to turn over their ballots to find the term-limits question and vote yes. “Flip over the ballot,” a narrator says, “and flip off the politicians.”
MICHAEL BARBARO
Guilt by Association?
Hardly a day goes by without the two leading candidates for New York governor, Andrew M. Cuomo and Carl P. Paladino, accusing each other, either on the campaign trail or in their advertising, of being the worst kind of Albany insider.
But now, they have expanded their universe of ill repute to include the people with whom they supposedly associate, too.
In dueling advertisements that were first broadcast over the weekend, the two paint each other as being uncomfortably close with people who have run afoul of ethical and legal standards.
In his advertisement, Mr. Paladino highlights Steven L. Rattner, the financier who recently reached a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission over his role in a New York pension fund kickbacks scandal; Andrew L. Farkas, the real estate magnate; and State Senator Pedro Espada
Jr., who recently lost his bid for re-election in the Democratic primary. “Albany insider Cuomo won’t clean up Albany,” the advertisement says.
Mr. Paladino is no stranger to trying to associate Mr. Cuomo with Albany insiders whom he considers to be ethically challenged. Just before the Sept. 14 primary, in a mailer that literally smelled like a garbage dump, Mr. Paladino lumped together Gov. David A. Paterson and Representative
Charles B. Rangel, both Democrats, as prime examples of officials responsible for bad government.
The ad strains credulity a bit, since Mr. Cuomo is not known for being particularly close to either Mr. Rattner or Mr. Espada. But Mr. Cuomo has had a rollercoaster of a relationship with Mr. Farkas: first as an adversary, when Mr. Cuomo was the nation’s housing secretary and investigated Mr.
Farkas for kickbacks to a landlord; then as an ally, when Mr. Cuomo got not just a job from Mr. Farkas, but also hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions.
Mr. Cuomo did not take long to hit back. In two similar advertisements released on Sunday, Mr. Cuomo criticized Mr. Paladino for surrounding himself with top campaign aides with checkered pasts. These include Michael R. Caputo, his campaign manager, who has failed to pay almost $53,000 in
federal taxes over the past few years, and John F. Haggerty Jr., a political strategist, who was indicted this summer by the Manhattan district attorney, and was accused of stealing $1.1 million from the last candidate he backed, Mr. Bloomberg.
“You can’t clean up Albany with dirty hands,” concludes the ad, which is one of the toughest ones Mr. Cuomo has released.
Mr. Caputo has said that Mr. Paladino appreciated the can-do spirit of his closest supporters, and considered them to be “junkyard dogs, not pedigreed poodles.” DAVID W. CHEN
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Trying to stick out in the history books eh? More than 2 terms? GTFO of Congress! That goes for USA’s term limitless seat holder Senators, Reps and Congressmen as well!
Increase in ‘professional politicians’ means one in seven MPs have never done a real job (and that includes Ed Miliband) – by Jason Groves – PUBLISHED: 23:54 GMT, 18 July 2012 | UPDATED: 00:09 GMT, 19 July 2012
Labour leader Ed Miliband has little to no experience of a working life outside politics
One in seven MPs have never had a proper job, according to research.
And in addition to those who have absolutely no experience of working in the real world, many more have served only brief stints as lobbyists or public relations advisers before entering politics full-time.
The study by the House of Commons Library reveals a dramatic rise in the number of so-called professional politicians, whose numbers have increased almost four-fold over the past 30 years.
Ninety MPs have never held a job outside politics, against 20 in 1982.
The trend is led by Labour, which has twice as many MPs who have never worked outside politics as either the Conservatives or Liberal Democrats.
Labour leader Ed Miliband is among those who have never had a significant job outside politics.
Instead, he served a long apprenticeship as a special adviser to Gordon Brown.
Another is Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who worked for a year as a Brussels lobbyist and dabbled for a few months in journalism before taking a job with the European Commission.
The study also reveals that working class MPs, who played a key role in the politics of the last century, have become an endangered species.
Former independent MP Martin Bell said the figures highlighted a dangerous trend, which had left modern politicians increasingly disconnected from real life.
Not alone: Ed Miliband is not the only senior Labour politician who lacks non-politics work on his CV: Both Ed Balls and his wife Yvette Cooper were journalists before entering politics
‘It is a very dangerous development,’ the former BBC war reporter said. ‘One of the effects is that there is a growing gulf between politicians and the people, the government and the governed.
‘Another damaging result of the rise of the professional politician is that we send our armed forces too war far too nonchalantly because there are very few people with any experience of armed conflict.
‘Politics has become an attractive career for some bright young things who see it as a job for life. The trouble is that it leaves them prisoners of the party machine. They know that if they are deselected they are unemployable because they have never had a proper job. That leaves them at the mercy of the whips.’
The analysis by the Commons Library shows that 90 MPs have never held a job outside politics, compared to just 20 in 1982. Of these 52 are Labour MPs, 31 are Tories and seven are Lib Dems. In total, a fifth of Labour MPs are now professional politicians, compared to a tenth of Conservatives.
Other senior Labour figures who have little experience outside politics include the Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who worked briefly as a journalist before becoming a Labour MP, and her husband, the Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, who worked as a journalist for four years before serving a decade-long apprenticeship to Gordon Brown.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg worked as a journalist and lobbyist for a brief period of time before taking a job with the European Commission
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is another with little experience outside politics, having worked for a year as a Brussels lobbyist and dabbled for a few months with journalism before taking a job with the European Commission.
David Cameron worked in a public relations role for seven years at Carlton Television before becoming an MP in 2001. But he had already cut his teeth at Westminster during several years as a Tory adviser.
Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Jon Trickett said this week that about a quarter of MPs had been ‘full-time politicos already’ before entering Parliament.
Mr Trickett said Labour was keen to recruit more working class MPs in future, saying it was ‘important that our MPs reflect all the different parts of our country’.
But the latest research reveals that working class MPs have all but disappeared from Westminster. Just 25 former manual workers were elected as MPs in 2010, compared to 98 in 1979. Almost all of them are Labour MPs.
By contrast, the number of MPs from white collar backgrounds has increased from just nine in 1979 to 84 today. The number of teachers has halved to just 24, but the number of lawyers has declined only slightly to 86.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
This is the problem with TERM LIMITLESS ‘Careerist’ political oligarchy that ends up with political satrapies that result in JFKs or Bhuttos Assassinations or Ampatuan Massacres. The fastest way to end democracy is to allow TERM LIMITLESS nepotism in government. Before the voters know, suddenly all MPs or Congressmen’s seats will be handed down to family members and democracy would have been replaced with a political feudalism no different from before the French Revolution or American War of Independence. There will be no way to displace these oligarchs and plutocrats except by violence AGAIN . . .
Anyone who writes laws that do not include term limits in government posts that allow amendments of laws (a great power that no citizen should be allowed to hold too long – too often today’s MPs and Governors or lawmakers end up withholding much needed amendments of laws – much in the manner the same term limitless types create loopholes that allow collusion with crony capitalists, Military Industrial Complex, Prison-Supplier-Contractor Complex – they keep bad laws in place to enrich this group, Education-Loan-Debt-Banker Complex etc..), or boldfacedly approves family members ‘taking over’ after themselves, give themselves ‘Parliamentary privileges’ off the people’s taxes, or wages far above the average-wage, are in effect unethical and greedy closet dictators and profiteers much like the 1%, off a flawed system.
Worse still are the deadwood of 2 generations past WITH family blocs to boot keeping the country stagnant via profiteering, outmoded legal and even outmoded Human Rights mindsets like fundamentalism or Forced Military Conscriptions, refusal to amend bad laws, with the very worst keeping APARTHEID alive, amongst other bad things ‘old school’ and careerist politicians (more so if ALSO old aged and TERM LIMITLESS and with family blocs . . .) represent and take away from the 99% of voters.
ARTICLE 4
It’s legal: cops seize cell phone, impersonate owner – Court says sending texts using a seized iPhone doesn’t violate privacy rights. – by Timothy B. Lee – Jul 19, 2012 3:03 pm UTC
In November 2009, police officers in the state of Washington seized an iPhone belonging to suspected drug dealer Daniel Lee. While the phone was in police custody, a man named Shawn Hinton sent a text message to the device, reading, “Hey whats up dogg can you call me i need to talk to you.” Suspecting that Hinton was looking to buy drugs from Lee, Detective Kevin Sawyer replied to the message, posing as Lee. With a series of text messages, he arranged to meet Hinton in the parking lot of a local grocery store—where Hinton was arrested and charged with attempted possession of heroin.
Hinton wasn’t Sawyer’s only target. According to a court decision summing up the facts, “Sawyer spent about 5 or 10 minutes looking at some of the text messages on the iPhone; he also looked to see who had been calling. Many of the text messages that Lee’s iPhone had received and stored were from individuals who were seeking drugs from Lee.”
So Sawyer texted one of the individuals on the list and asked him if he “needed more.” The individual, Jonathan Roden, replied, “Yeah, that would be cool. I still gotta sum, but I could use some more. I prefer to just get a ball, so I’m only payin’ one eighty for it, instead of two Ts for two hundred, that way.” (The court helpfully explained that a “ball” is “a drug weight equivalent to approximately 3.5 grams.”)
But can cops legally do this with seized cell phones? When their cases went to trial, Hinton and Roden both argued that Sawyer had violated their privacy rights by intercepting, without a warrant, private communications intended for Lee.
But in a pair of decisions, one of which was recently covered by Forbes, a Washington state appeals court disagreed. If the decisions, penned by Judge Joel Penoyar and supported by one of his colleagues, are upheld on appeal, they could have far-reaching implications for cell phone privacy.
“No longer private or deserving of constitutional protection”
“There is no long history and tradition of strict legislative protection of a text message sent to, displayed, and received from its intended destination, another person’s iPhone,” Penoyar wrote in his decision. He pointed to a 1990 case in which the police seized a suspected drug dealer’s pager as an example. The officers observed which phone numbers appeared on the pager, called those numbers back, and arranged fake drug purchases with the people on the other end of the line.
A federal appeals court held that the pager owner’s Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure were not violated because the pager is “nothing more than a contemporary receptacle for telephone numbers,” akin to an address book. The court also held that someone who sends his phone number to a pager has no reasonable expectation of privacy because he can’t be sure that the pager will be in the hands of its owner.
Judge Penoyar said that the same reasoning applies to text messages sent to an iPhone. While text messages may be legally protected in transit, he argued that they lose privacy protections once they have been delivered to a target device in the hands of the police. He claimed that the same rule applied to letters and e-mail. (Police would still need to seize or search a phone or computer legally, and phones are much easier for cops to seize than computers, which generally require a warrant.)
“On his own iPhone, on his own computer, or in the process of electronic transit, Hinton’s communications are shielded by our constitutions,” he wrote, referring to both the state and federal constitutions. “But after their arrival, Hinton’s text messages on Lee’s iPhone were no longer private or deserving of constitutional protection.” Penoyar rejected Roden’s privacy arguments on similar grounds.
Unsettled law
Mobile phones exist in a constitutional grey area. The law has well-developed doctrines protecting the privacy of our desktop computers, landline telephones, and filing cabinets. But modern cell phones perform all of these functions, and more. If the police are free to rummage through any cell phone that falls into their hands, every arrest would automatically give the police access to a treasure trove of private data that they would otherwise need a warrant, based on probable cause, to obtain.
The Washington State decision is not unprecedented. Last year, the California Supreme Court ruled that no warrant was required for the police to peruse a cell phone that was confiscated after its owner tried to sell ecstasy to an undercover police officer. In that case, the police obtained a text message that seemed to confirm the government’s case against the suspect. Two justices of the California Supreme Court dissented from the ruling.
One judge dissented from the Washington State rulings as well. “Sawyer engaged in a continuing search when he first searched the contacts list on Daniel Lee’s iPhone to find Hinton’s phone number,” wrote Judge Marywave Van Deren in her dissent. Sawyer “used Lee’s iPhone to send and receive messages from Hinton. Under these circumstances, I would hold that Sawyer was required to obtain a search warrant.”
In a slightly different context, the Obama administration has also held that the contents of cell phones enjoy constitutional protection. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice filed a brief in a Maryland case arguing that Baltimore police had violated a man’s constitutional rights—including his Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable search and seizure—when they seized his phone and deleted videos he had taken of the officers’ conduct.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Court says sending texts using a seized iPhone doesn’t violate privacy rights.
But this is also unethical and can cause immense economic and social harm, both of which are illegal and thus the word of the law has subsumed the spirit of the law. Law which is not whole and considers wording ONLY, above *spirit* and *intention* as well as “*due diligence* in study or consideration of the negative indirect or peripheral social and economic effects” of use of such phones, amounts to INJUSTICE. In this case only the wording of the law is adhered to. Sending texts using a seized iPhone is not legal otherwise. The Court has ruled wrongly and neglected the 3 other aspects listed above. Bad judgment!
ARTICLE 5
Judge’s fury at nightclub’s ‘kids’ nights’ for under 18s which ‘encourage drinking and drug-taking’ – By Anna Edwards – PUBLISHED: 11:11 GMT, 24 July 2012 | UPDATED: 13:34 GMT, 24 July 2012
Judge questions parents who allow their children to attend club nights
Attack comes after 13-year-old girl accused 30-year-old man of sexual assault after he gave her a lift
Bristol judge warns events pose ‘very real threat’ to youngsters
Scathing: Judge David Ticehurst questioned the motives of club organisers and parents who allowed their children to attend the events
A judge has attacked nightclubs for holding ‘kids’ nights’, warning that children who attend will be tempted to try alcohol and drugs.
Judge David Ticehurst’s scathing words came after a 13-year-old girl who attended an under-18s night made sexual assault allegations against a man who gave her a lift.
The respected judge, who sits at Bristol Crown Court, blasted nightclubs for hosting events which posed a ‘real danger’ to their young clientele.
He also called the club organisers ‘naive’ to assume youngsters would not drink at the alcohol-free events and claimed they would be more tempted to try drugs and ‘behave dangerously’.
Judge Ticehurst questioned the motives of the club organisers and parents who allow their children to attend such nights after hearing about the case of one schoolgirl.
Bristol Crown Court heard that the 13-year-old girl – who had drunk alcohol – had partied at Oceana nightclub in the city during a £10 ‘Love Social’ event aimed at under-18s.
Officers were called to look for the girl and a friend after they were reported missing at 1.30am after the event, which finished at 11pm. They were found at 5am.
Judge David Ticehurst halted the sexual assault trial, ruling that inconsistencies in evidence meant there was no case to answer against the accused 30-year-old man from Bristol.
But in making his ruling he said: ‘I want to say something about Oceana and its so-called kids’ night.
Love Social: Oceana nightclub, in Bristol, hosts under 18 nights which Judge Ticehurst said would encourage youngsters to try drink and drugs
‘That a nightclub should advertise and seek to attract children between the ages of 13 to 16 is in my view a regrettable step.
‘The club’s closing time of 11pm inevitably means that those attending will probably not be home until midnight or later.
‘. . . naive to assume that these youngsters will not drink alcohol even if it is not provided by the club.
‘ . . . naive to assume that they will not be tempted by other and more pernicious substances.
‘ . . . naive to assume that they may not be tempted to behave in a way that may be dangerous and damaging to them.’
Oceana, owned by entertainment giant Luminar, is a chain of 10 nightclubs situated around the country, with venues in cities including Leeds and Nottingham.
The Judge launched his attack after hearing details about a 13-year-old’s attendance at one of the nights, that charge youngsters £10 entry
The Judge launched his attack after hearing details about a 13-year-old’s attendance at one of the nights, that charge youngsters £10 entry
‘Love Social’ events – touted as ‘inspirational and credible clubbing’ for 13-17-year-olds – are held in numerous Luminar clubs.
Youngsters at the events can enjoy ‘the most awesome time’, with music, free soft drinks, a free cloakroom and free queue jump.
The events have a complete ban on alcohol, tobacco and gambling sales, a proof of age requirement and a strict code of conduct for staff and a child protection policy.
Teenagers who are believed to have consumed drugs or alcohol should not be allowed entry, the rules state.
But Judge Ticehurst said the events posed a ‘very real danger’ to children and said those who attended were ‘inevitably and mainly the most vulnerable’.
He added: ‘It is not difficult to imagine the type of parental support forthcoming from parents who are content that their 13, 14, 15 or even 16-year-olds should attend such a venue, whether it is in school time or holiday time.’
The judge went on to question whether the club – which charged 832 teens £10 for the event attended by the girl – was ‘doing it for the good of the children’.
He said: ‘In my judgement this case demonstrates all too readily the very real dangers of such a venue and its attractiveness to those who may need protection from themselves.’
Luminar was unavailable to comment.
A Love Social event was due to take place at the club tonight, with more planned for August, October and December.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
A list of required reading (some tests related), a ‘Night Club Maturity Test’ (NCMT) and a ‘Kid’s Licence’ should solve the issue. Parental consent is not the issue, The former is more important as even ADULTS or the aged, who fail the required reading or NCMT should be disallowed entry because the ‘adults’ have the maturity and mindset of children (read those who consistently get drunk or into fights again and again are the least matured . . . ) ! Amendment to law needed! If child has the intellectual and emotional maturity of an adult, thats an adult.
ARTICLE 6
‘I’m not protecting anyone that made my life a living hell’: Teen faces jail for tweeting names of two boys who sexually assaulted HER – by Daily Mail Reporter – PUBLISHED: 21:06 GMT, 21 July 2012 | UPDATED: 13:11 GMT, 22 July 2012
A 17-year-old sexual assault victim is facing a jail sentence for tweeting the names of her attackers in anger at their light punishment.
Savannah Dietrich named and shamed the boys on the social messaging site, writing: ‘There you go, lock me up. I’m not protecting anyone that made my life a living Hell.’
The teenager told from Louisville, Kentucky told The Courier-Journal she was frustrated by what she feels is a lenient deal for her attackers.
Savannah Dietrich named and shamed the boys on the social messaging site, writing: ‘There you go, lock me up. I’m not protecting anyone that made my life a living Hell’
Anger: Savannah Dietrich used a Twitter message to name and shame the boys who sexually abused her
MailOnline does not normally report the names of sexual assault victims, but Miss Dietrich and her parents say they do not want to shield her identity and want her case to be public.
The boys’ attorneys have asked a judge to hold Miss Dietrich in contempt for violating the confidentiality of a juvenile hearing and the judge’s order not to speak about it.
Miss Dietrich told the paper she was assaulted in August 2011 by two boys she knew when she passed out after drinking at a gathering. She learned months later that pictures of the assault were taken and shared with others.
‘For months, I cried myself to sleep. I couldn’t go out in public places,’ she told the newspaper, as her father and attorneys sat nearby. ‘You just sit there and wonder, who saw (the pictures), who knows?’
Miss Dietrich’s attorneys want her contempt hearing open to the media, arguing she has a First Amendment right to speak about her case and to a public hearing. The boys’ attorneys, however, have asked to keep the hearing closed.
The contempt charge carries a possible sentence of 180 days in jail and a $500 fine.
The boys pleaded guilty on June 26 to first-degree sexual abuse and misdemeanor voyeurism. Miss Dietrich says she was unaware of a plea agreement until just before it was announced in court.
She could not say what the proposed punishment was because of the court order, but said she feels like it was a slap on the wrist. The teens are to be sentenced next month, and the judge could reject or modify the terms of the proposed agreement.
Dietrich cried when the judge at the Jefferson District Court told her she couldn’t talk about what had happened
When Judge Dee McDonald admonished everyone at the hearing not to speak about what happened in court or about the crime, Dietrich said she cried.
‘They got off very easy… and they tell me to be quiet, just silencing me at the end,’ she said.
Afterwards Miss Dietrich tweeted, ‘They said I can’t talk about it or I’ll be locked up… Protect rapist is more important than getting justice for the victim in Louisville.’
David Marburger, an Ohio media law specialist, said Dietrich should have tried to get the courts to vacate the gag order rather than simply violating it.
But Gregg Leslie, interim executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said Dietrich should ‘not be legally barred from talking about what happened to her. That’s a wide-ranging restraint on speech.’
Ms Leslie said this sort of issue is becoming more common.
‘In the past, people would complain to anyone who would listen, but they didn’t have a way to publish their comments where there would be a permanent record, like on Facebook and Twitter, for people to see worldwide,’ he said.
Miss Dietrich said she just needed to stand up for herself. ‘I’m at the point that if I have to go to jail for my rights, I will do it.’
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Mass tweet is wrong. At most and acceptable, is notice board or lamp post based poster campaigns centred around no more than perhaps a legally sanctioned 30 kms of the crime scene. A tweet reaches beyond the district and reaches the whole nation and world, making life impossible for the offenders to live new lives for what is a session of rough sex, though the emotional wounds are not really quantifiable or easy to restore. Repeat offenders though would end up with more and more ‘unliveable blacklisted areas of 30 km radiuses’. No jail for this woman though, that would be wasteful and retrogressive, though after an explanation about how a victim’s inner life destroyed by rape IS NOT justifiable or equitable for destroying the OUTER LIVES of the aggressors or related to the INNER LIVES of the aggressors which do not change even though the OUTER LIVES of the aggressors being destroyed would teach neither society not vitim nor aggressor how to behave or control themselves – an apology broadcast on the above issues should be made, the aggressors if internally unapologetic, could be put through gender sensitization courses at most.
Jail will not change anything except enrich prison contractor-supplier complex, shaming by society again makes no difference and could just create polarisation and a self righteous that becomes dangerous viciousness or self-justifying insanity, and if this socialised insanity justified upon the backs of both victim and aggressor gets into politics or mainstream society’s or even religion’s mindset, we end up with the laziness of a ‘drug everyone is a solution’ psychiatric establishment, abusing intentionally induced victims/profiteering off medications imposed by the psychiatric establishment, and increasingly punitive or materialistic based punishments (to justify the lack of forethought and consideration which 99% of the world, no thanks to anglo-legal system, have become unfeeling and fines money based, meaningless corporeal punishment and jail term obsessed systems or Orwellian control paradigm society) by magistrates and judges.’
Instead of humanization and betterment and a sincere opportunity to normalize for all parties concerned.. Victims and aggressors are victims of society, amend the laws or create niches and subcultures to ensconce all facets of personality than humanity can express (i.e. lively Red Light Districts with Rape Fetish Clubs should end the need to rape – this should be included in syllabus or citizen’s manual for social studies (i.e. if you feel like doing such and such – list the whole gamut of whatever supposedly grey area actions which might otherwise be criminal, for non-consensual activity – go to location x,y,z where some beautiful/ugly/scary/boring etc.. people will act out your fantasy for you without running afoul of the law etc..) instead of punishing and fining no end to enrich the Prison Supplier-Contractor Complex where cronies doubtless profit and kickback to the term limitless politicians . . .
Briefing Courses for victims on the above punishment paradigms and equitable consideration for the rapists like not tweeting should be given after the report. Punishment in the above case meanwhile could be a live rape scene involving the attackers being raped for the victim if the victim wants that (this is the cheapest though less pleasant quick fix punishment – courtesy of the low minded nature of the victim incidentally . . . just wanted the rapists to suffer), or the rapists could be put to work with any number of hours of work with victims of other rapists in a manner that humnizes the victims (choose people similar to the persons that the attackers are fond of, or who are family members or figures they respect, lookalikes for stars they like etc..).
ARTICLE 7
Anchorman and Modern Family star Fred Willard arrested after exposing himself at Hollywood adult movie theatre – by Daily Mail Reporter – PUBLISHED: 14:56 GMT, 19 July 2012 | UPDATED: 17:11 GMT, 19 July 2012
Arrested: Fred Willard exposed his genitals at an adult theatre last night
Actor Fred Willard was arrested last night of lewd conduct after exposing himself at an adult movie theatre.
The 78-year-old actor was taken into custody after being caught with his pants down and genitals exposed at Hollywood’s Tiki Theatre at around 8.45pm local time.
Willard – who has been married to wife Mary for 40 years – was later cited and a mug shot was taken, police told RadarOnline, adding that he was co-operative with authorities.
He was released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later date, the website reports.
According to TMZ, LAPD officers were conducting a ‘random walk-through’ of the premises – not a raid – as part of a routine inspection.
The three films currently showing at the cinema are Follow Me 2, a X-rated parody of The Client List and Step Dad No. 2.
Willard is know for his roles in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Anchorman and Everybody Loves Raymond.
Scene of the incident: Willard was at the Tiki Theatre in Hollywood
Movie star: Seen here in the Anchorman alongside Will Ferrell
The actor portrayed the news director of the KVWN news channel in Ferrell’s 2004 movie.
In 2010 he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series after making appearances in ABC’s Modern Family.
He played the part of Frank Dunphy, Phil Dunphy’s father.
And according to IMDB, Willard is rumoured to be in pre-production for a movie called The Yank.
In 1991 Hollywood actor Pee Wee Herman was infamously arrested for indecent exposure in an adult theatre in Florida, which ruined his career as children’s entertainer.
Emmy nod: He played a guest role in Modern Family as Frank Dunphy, seen here with Sofía Vergara Ed O’Neill
Married man: The actor has been married to wife Mary for 40 years
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The inside of any adult venues could well be considered ‘nudism allowed zones’ though the theatre could state that patrons should expect or that nude or semi-nude persons could be present. The same could be applied to red light districts as well. Allowed Nudism areas and non-Nudism areas INSIDE red light districts. What is the management’s view? Nakedness or semi-nakedness in a adult theatre may be in line with common sense, though a non-nudist version of the same adult venue should also exist.
ARTICLE 8
‘It was a really good shot’: What cannabis smoking thug told police after throwing his dog through TENTH FLOOR window – by Emma Reynolds – PUBLISHED: 15:15 GMT, 25 July 2012 | UPDATED: 15:39 GMT, 25 July 2012
Tied up dog in bathroom for four hours after it misbehaved
Returned at 3am and attacked the dog for relieving itself on the carpet
Diagnosed with schizophrenia after the episode
James Bray said he might have been ‘out of his depth’
Callous: James Bray looked unrepentant at Southend Magistrates’ Court today, where he was jailed for animal cruelty
A cannabis-smoking dog owner who killed his pet by throwing it out of a tenth floor window to ‘teach it a lesson’ has been jailed.
Sick James Bray, 24, launched his eight-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, Deano, from his flat in Southend, Essex, after it made a mess on his carpet.
The innocent dog suffered multiple injuries and died as a result of extensive internal bleeding following the tragic incident on January 18 this year.
Bray made a rude gesture at the cameras as he arrived at Southend Magistrates Court today, wearing a short-sleeved white shirt and looked emotionless as lead magistrate Bill Thomas sentenced him to four months in prison.
The court heard how callous Bray tied up his dog in the bathroom of his flat for four hours after it had misbehaved.
When he returned to untie the dog at around 3am he found it had weed on the carpet.
He flew into a blind rage and attacked the dog before throwing it from the tenth-floor window.
Man pleads guilty to owning a dangerous dog after horrific attack by two crazed bull terriers which left TEN people injured and three needing plastic surgery
Bray called the police after launching his dog from the window and stunned officers by confessing to the sickening assault.
In police interview he told shocked officers: ‘It was a really good shot – I launched him by the scruff of his neck and he bounced off the window and went down.
‘Maybe I was just out of my depth with this dog.
‘Usually I’m really good with animals – I don’t drown kittens or salt slugs.
‘I got carried away and angry at the time.
Long way to fall: Bray launched the dog out of his flat window at 3am, having left the dog tied up fro four hours after smoking a cannabis joint
‘I don’t know what came over me – it must be some kind of evil in this world.’
Bray admitted to police he had smoked a two-inch cannabis joint on the evening of the attack but said he still completely understood that what he was doing would kill his pet.
He told bemused officers: ‘I was trying to teach it a lesson’.
This is a matter which will undoubtedly provoke public outrage. My client has put forward no attempt to excuse his behaviour and accepts what he has done was an evil thing to do.
– PAUL MARKHAM, DEFENCE
The heartless thug even tried to escape charges by claiming he had attacked the dog in self-defence after it had bitten him on the foot.
Police could not find any evidence the dog had attacked Bray.
Bray – who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was sectioned following the sickening attack – pleaded guilty to three charges of animal cruelty when he appeared at the same court in May. 2012
Paul Markham, defending, described the situation as ‘tragic’ but called on magistrates to consider a suspended jail sentence due to his client’s early guilty plea.
He said: ‘This is a matter which will undoubtedly provoke public outrage.
‘My client has put forward no attempt to excuse his behaviour and accepts what he has done was an evil thing to do.’
Magistrates refused to accept Bray’s defence and handed him the maximum sentence available for an animal cruelty offence.
Lead magistrate Bill Thomas said: ‘This is a horrendous incident which caused the death of a dog.
‘There is no evidence this was caused by your mental illness and must be dealt with on the merits of the case.’
He sentenced Bray to the maximum six months’ imprisonment – reduced by two months in recognition of his early guilty plea.
Bray was ordered to pay £500 costs to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and was disqualified from owning or keeping a pet for life.
Outside court, RSPCA Inspector Matthew Gough welcomed the prison sentence but called for tougher sentencing for animal cruelty offences.
He said: ‘I hope this sentence acts as a strong deterrent to show that any cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.
‘I think, given the mental health issues involved, the magistrates worked well within the guidelines.
‘It would be appreciated if the sentences made available to magistrates for these offences were harsher.’
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Cetaceans and Ruminants are no less intelligent than dogs, but when killed do not result in punishment. Other than ‘falling objects danger to passers by’ issue, if JB had killed and cooked the animal, would there have been an issue? If the animal was a ruminant then what? Only Bray didn’t cook the meat or cull humanely so the above line of thought does not apply . . .
Still, the jail term as punishment at cost to the taxpayers is wrong. And if no damage was done other than causing the public to be ‘psychically shocked’ (for the more sensitive at any rate – who could in the future be scanned for such sensitivity and insensitivity so that incongrous people could live away from each other), perhaps a more suitable ‘fine’ could be requiring Bray to relocate if this is likely to keep happening, or work at an animal shelter to accrue sufficient ‘warm feelings’from animals to exhonerate himself from his fellow horrified flat dwellers. Jail at cost to the taxpayers is entirely unrelated and helps nothing in teaching about animals and how to toilet train the same. Insult upon injury and not just against Bray, but against the taxpayers! Bad judgment!
ARTICLE 9
Memories Selectively, Safely Erased In Mice
ScienceDaily (Oct. 23, 2008) — Targeted memory erasure is no longer limited to the realm of science fiction. A new study describes a method through which a selected set of memories can be rapidly and specifically erased from the mouse brain in a controlled and inducible manner. New and old memories have been selectively and safely removed from mice by scientists.
“While memories are great teachers and obviously crucial for survival and adaptation, selectively removing incapacitating memories, such as traumatic war memories or an unwanted fear, could help many people live better lives,” says Dr. Joe Z. Tsien, brain scientist and co-director of the Brain & Behavior Discovery Institute at the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine.
“Our work reveals a molecular mechanism of how that can be done quickly and without doing damage to brain cells,” says the Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Cognitive and Systems Neurobiology.
Dr. Tsien’s research team, in collaboration with scientists at East China Normal University in Shanghai, were able to eliminate new and old memories alike by over-expressing a protein critical to brain cell communication just as the memory was recalled, according to research featured on the cover of the Oct. 23 issue of Neuron.
Dr. Tsien had already created a mouse that couldn’t form memories by eliminating the NMDA receptor, which receives messages from other neurons. He then garnered international acclaim by making “Doogie,” a smart mouse in which a subunit of the NMDA receptor is over-expressed. Younger brains have higher amounts of this NR2B subunit which leaves communication channels between brain cells open longer. That is why young people can learn faster than older adults.
This time he was examining downstream cascades of the NMDA receptor to learn more about memory formation. An abundant protein found only in the brain, called αCaMKII, was a logical place to look because it’s a major signaling molecule for the NMDA receptor. He found that when he over-expressed αCaMKII while a memory was being recalled, that single memory was eliminated.
Receptors such as the NMDA receptor are like front doors to cells, providing an opening for signaling molecules such as calcium. Synapses are the point of communication between two cells, and NMDA receptors are on the receiving end of the message. Like people, neurons change with the signals they receive. “Learning changes the way cells connect to each other,” says Dr. Tsien. To form a memory, the NMDA receptor is activated, which results in the insertion of AMPA receptors into those synapses and subsequent strengthening of the synaptic connections among hundreds of thousands of neurons. Scientists believe that αCaMKII plays an important role in the insertion of AMPA receptors into synapses during learning and subsequent strengthening of connections between neurons to create a memory.
Memory has four distinct stages: learning, consolidation, storage and recall. It has been difficult to dissect the molecular mechanisms of these stages because researchers lacked techniques to manipulate proteins quickly. For example, when researchers disable a gene suspected to play a role in the memory process, the deletion typically occurred throughout the entire period so it was impossible to tell which parts of processes were impaired. Previous technology would take several days to switch off a protein, which is the product of a gene.
So Dr. Tsien’s team developed a powerful chemical-genetic method that allows him to use a pharmacologic inhibitor to instantly turn αCaMKII off and on in a mouse that he genetically engineered to over express this signaling molecule. That enabled him to study exactly what happened if he threw off the natural balance during the retrieval stage.
Much as a war veteran remembers a fateful patrol when he was fired upon, mice can establish a very long-lasting emotional memory about a place if, for example, they receive a mild shock to the paws while there. The researchers showed if they over-expressed αCaMKII, this powerful memory was rapidly erased as the animals tried to retrieve them while other memories remained intact.
A similar approach was taken with object recognition memory, giving mice a couple of toys to play with then erasing their memory of one of them. “You will feel like every time, it’s a new toy,” says Dr. Tsien.
While the ability to rapidly erase a selective memory is exciting, he cautions that its translation to humans would be difficult at this stage. “We are barely at the foot of a huge mountain,” says Dr. Tsien. A possible strategy for humans would be a drug that mimics the αCaMKII over expression that researchers accomplished through genetic manipulation. Or, further downstream substrates that αCaMKII acts upon could become possible drug targets.
The research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Aging and the Georgia Research Alliance.
DETAILS : Accession Number : ADA126870
Title : Retrograde Amnesia in Rats, Produced by Electron Beam Exposure.
Descriptive Note : Final rept. Jul-Sep 82,
Corporate Author : SCHOOL OF AEROSPACE MEDICINE BROOKS AFB TX
Personal Author(s) : Wheeler,Thomas G. ; Hardy,Kenneth A. ; Blick,Dennis W.
Report Date : FEB 1983
Pagination or Media Count : 33
Abstract : It has been demonstrated that electron beam exposure produces retrograde amnesia (RA). RA production was evaluated using a single trial avoidance task across a 10,000 dose range for 10 microseconds, 1 microsecond, and 0.1 microseconds pulsed exposures. The dose-response curve obtained at each pulse duration showed significant RA production. The most effective dose range was 0.1-10 rads at a dose rate of 1 million rad/sec. Our conclusion was that the RA effect might be due to sensory system activation which provided a novel stimulus that masked previous stimuli (produced RA).
Subject Categories : PSYCHOLOGY, ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY, RADIOBIOLOGY
Distribution Statement : APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
ARTICLE 10
Strobe Light Weapons – By David Hambling – May 14, 2008 | 6:59 pm |
Can so-called “flashlight” weapons really make you vomit? Or send you into an epileptic fit? I have a feature in New Scientist on non-lethal strobe devices — new arms, relying on flashing lights, like the “LED Incapacitator,” Peak Beam’s searchlight-based “Immobilization Device,” and Nanohmics’ non-pyrotechnic stun grenade. There is a great deal of debate over how well these devices work and what their effects are. That’s because the military’s tests have traditionally been more concerned with environmental health. But now, the military is sponsoring a whole range of tests which go well beyond previous studies. In the meantime, there are some myths we can clear up pretty quickly:
“It makes you vomit,” as popularized in by Fox News’ story, Flashlight Weapon Makes Targets Throw Up. Although disorientation, dizziness and nausea were quoted by all the designers as common effects, nausea is not the same as throwing up.
“I don’t think we’ve had anyone actually be sick”, says Bob Lieberman, CEO of Intelligent Optics, which makes the LED Incapacitator. In fact, nausea is not one of the immediate effects, but is more likely to occur afterwards – it doesn’t really contribute to the weapon’s effectiveness. Lieberman is philosophical about the ‘puke saber’ stories which are passed around the media, judging that the exposure is worth it. “We’re grateful that people have taken such an interest,” he says.
“It’ll make you have an epileptic fit.” People with photosensitive epilepsy (around four per thousand of the population) may have seizures triggered by flashing lights. But it turns out that the frequencies which trigger seizures can be avoided.
“Our products are engineered around this situation as to not endanger people with this condition,” says Will Harcourt, Peak Beam’s Director of Sales. Prof. Ley Sander, Professor of Neurology and Clinical Epilepsy at the Institute of Neurology of University College London, says that strobe devices are not be a risk to photosensitive epileptics if they have a pulse rate above 25 Hz.
MYTH : “If you shut your eyes it makes the weapon useless.” This one amuses everyone working in the field. If you close your eyes you can’t run away, you can’t fight back, aim a weapon or effectively resist arrest. You have immobilized yourself and made yourself helpless, which is exactly what the non-lethal weapon-makers have in mind. “If they close their eyes,” says Lieberman, “then I’ve got ‘em.”
He sees the LED Incapacitator as being close to the lowest rung of the ladder of force. It may not subdue a suspect every time, but even if it is effective some of the time and prevents officers from having to use a Taser or a firearm then it will be well worthwhile.
The new generation of strobe devices are lightweight, cheap and have an unlimited supply of ammo. Within a few years they could be everywhere – small ones in the hands of police, larger versions mounted on vehicles or drones. The Peak Beam Immobilizer is being mounted on the Vigilante, an unmanned helicopter. “Testing has also been conducted on our strobe against on-coming vehicles. [The testing organization] rated our Maxa Beam as the most effective non-lethal weapon against drivers that they have ever tested,” says Harcourt.
If they work as advertised, this could be the biggest advance in non-lethals since tear gas.
ARTICLE 11
DOJ to Colorado Family: Give Up Your Religion or Your Business – by Terence P. Jeffrey – July 26, 2012
(CNSNews.com) – The Justice Department last week presented the Newland family of Colorado–who own Hercules Industries, a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning business–with what amounted to an ultimatum: Give up your religion or your business.
“Hercules Industries has ‘made no showing of a religious belief which requires that [it] engage in the [HVAC] business,” the Justice Department said in a formal filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.
In response to the Justice Department’s argument that the Newlands can either give up practicing their religion or give up owning their business, the Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing the family, said in a reply brief: “[T]o the extent the government is arguing that its mandate does not really burden the Newlands because they are free to abandon their jobs, their livelihoods, and their property so that others can take over Hercules and comply, this expulsion from business would be an extreme form of government burden.”
Now that the Supreme Court has upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and its mandate that individuals must buy health insurance, this suit which seeks to protect a small business from being forced to take actions that violate the moral and religious beliefs of the family that owns it is likely to be the next major court battle over Obamacare.
At stake is whether businesses are protected by the First Amendment—the part of the Bill of Rights that guarantees not only the free exercise of religion but also freedom of speech and of the press.
The Justice Department’s filing was made in Newland v. Sebelius–a suit brought by William, Paul and James Newland, and their sister, Christine Ketterhagen, who are Roman Catholics, and who together own Colorado-based Hercules Industries.
The Newland family founded Hercules in 1962 and have maintained it as a family-owned business ever since—growing it to the point where they now employ 265 people.
Eric Holder, Kathleen Sebelius
Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
The Newlands’ lawsuit challenges a regulation that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius finalized earlier this year that requires virtually all health plans to cover–without cost-sharing–sterilizations and all Food-and-Drug Administration approved contraceptives, including those that induce abortions.
Under the Obamacare law, businesses that have more than 50 employees must provide health insurance to their employees or face a penalty. To satisfy the mandate, the insurance must include the cost-sharing-free sterilization-contraception-abortifacient benefit. The regulation takes effect on Aug. 1, which means that as soon as any business starts a new plan-year for its health-insurance program after that date it will need to comply with Sebelius’s rule.
The Catholic Church, to which the Newlands belong, teaches that sterilization, contraception and abortion are intrinsically immoral. Last month, the Catholic bishops of the United States unanimously adopted a statement declaring Sebelius’s regulation an “unjust and illegal mandate” and a “violation of personal civil rights.”
While much of the media attention on Sebelius’ regulation has focused on the fact that it will apply to famous Catholic religious institutions such as Catholic University and the University of Notre Dame, the Catholic bishops have repeatedly pointed out that the regulation also violates the First Amendment-protected religious liberty of lay Catholic individuals. That includes employees who will be forced to pay insurance premiums on insurance plans that violate the teachings of their faith and business owners who will be forced to provide such plans.
In their unanimous statement, the Catholic bishops declared that Sebelius’s regulation created a class of Americans “with no conscience protection at all: individuals who, in their daily lives, strive constantly to act in accordance with their faith and moral values. They, too, face a government mandate to aid in providing ‘services’ contrary to those values—whether in their sponsoring of, and payment for, insurance as employers; their payment of insurance premiums as employees; or as insurers themselves—without even the semblance of an exemption.”
The Newlands currently run a self-insurance plan, providing their employees with generous health-care coverage that is consistent with the teachings of the Newlands’ church in that it does not cover sterilizations, contraception and abortifacients. They are precisely among the class of people that the unanimous Catholic bishops said have “no conscience protection at all” under Sebelius’s regulation.
In their complaint against the Obama administration, which was prepared by the Alliance Defending Freedom, the Newlands clearly explained why they could not comply with Sebelius’s regulation without violating their religious faith.
“The Newlands sincerely believe that the Catholic faith does not allow them to violate Catholic religious and moral teachings in their decisions operating Hercules Industries,” says the complaint. “They believe that according to the Catholic faith their operation of Hercules must be guided by ethical social principles and Catholic religious and moral teachings, that the adherence of their business practice according to such Catholic ethics and religious and moral teachings is a genuine calling from God, that their Catholic faith prohibits them to sever their religious beliefs from their daily business practice, and that their Catholic faith requires them to integrate the gifts of the spiritual life, the virtues, morals, and ethical social principles of Catholic teaching into their life and work.”
“The Catholic Church teaches that abortifacient drugs, contraception and sterilization are intrinsic evils,” says the complaint. “As a matter of religious faith the Newlands believe that those Catholic teachings are among the religious ethical teachings they must follow throughout their lives including in their business practice.”
The Justice Department responded by arguing that if the Newlands’ Roman Catholic faith prevented them from following the Obama administration’s command that they provide their employees with cost-sharing-free coverage for sterilizations, contraception and abortion-inducing drugs, the Newlands could simply give up their business entirely.
The Justice Department further argued that people owning for-profit secular businesses do not have a First Amendment right to the free exercise religion in the way they conduct their businesses—particularly if their business is incorporated.
“Here, plaintiffs have not sufficiently alleged that the preventive services coverage regulations substantially burden their religious exercise,” the Justice Department told the court. “Hercules Industries, Inc., is not a religious employer; it is ‘an HVAC manufacturer.’”
“The First Amendment Complaint does not allege that the company is affiliated with a formally religious entity such as a church,” the Justice Department told the federal court. “Nor does it allege that the company employs persons of a particular faith. In short, Hercules Industries is plainly a for-profit, secular employer.”
“By definition,” the Justice Department claimed, “a secular employer does not engage in any ‘exercise of religion.’”
“Hercules Industries has ‘made no showing of a religious belief which requires that [it] engage in the [HVAC] business,” DOJ told the court. “Any burden is therefore caused by the company’s choice to enter into a commercial activity.”
In its brief responding to the Justice Department on behalf of the Newland family, the Alliance Defending Freedom forcefully rebutted the claim that the First Amendment does not apply to corporations let alone to family-owned businesses.
“The government argues that the Newlands forfeited their right to religious liberty as soon as they endeavored to earn their living by running a corporation,” said the Newlands’ brief.
“Nothing in the Constitution, the Supreme Court’s decisions, or federal law requires—or even suggests—that families forfeit their religious liberty protection when they try to earn a living, such as by operating a corporate business,” they argued.
If the Obama administration’s understanding of the First Amendment were accepted, argued the Alliance Defending Freedom’s brief, the media would have no rights either.
“The government’s exclusionary attitude would push religion out of every sphere of life except the four wall of a church,” they said in their brief. “If for-profit corporations have no First Amendment ‘purpose,’ newspapers and other media would have no rights.”
If they refuse to sell their businesses, families like the Newlands are trapped by the Sebelius regulation. They can stop providing health insurance to themselves and their employees through the business, but then they and their employees would still be required, under Obamacare’s individual mandate, to buy health insurance, and under the Sebelius regulation all the health insurance plans they would be able to buy would still be required to cover sterilizations, contraception and abortion-inducing drugs. Their premiums would then contribute to those “services,” and the business owners would still be required to pay a penalty to the government of about $2,000 per year for each employee they did not insure.
If businesses like the Newlands’ try to simply flout the Sebelius regulation and continue providing insurance to their workers that does not cover the sterilization-contraception-abortifacient benefits that the Obama administration demands, they will be hit with confiscatory financial penalties.
“PPACA also imposes monetary penalties if Hercules were to continue to offer its self-insured plan but continued omitting abortifacients, contraceptive and sterilizations,” said the Newlands’ complaint. “The exact magnitude of these penalties may vary according to the complicated provisions of PPACA, but the fine is approximately $100 per day per employee, with minimum amounts applying in different circumstances.
With 265 employees, a business like the Newlands’ would need to pay the government $26,500 per day if they decided not to comply with Sebelius’s regulation and insured their employees anyway. Over 365 days that would amount to $9,672,500.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The spiritual implications of using the name ‘Hercules’ and the unbalancing effect on the ether is the issue. Nothing else. Xians and other Monotheists though, are now infamous for this form of spiritually manipulative NLP method of ‘binding’ (abused in conjunction with the above ‘neurotech’), and USA being religion neutral has chosen to act to prevent any untoward incidents which could arise from use of the Grecian Pantheon’s gods’ name, a sort of ‘national faith system’, Cosmic copyright and right to exist issue is at hand here. No laws cover this so they are making do with the above. USA is much cleverer that the pretentious wanting to paint the USA as oppressive of religion or keep the ordinary occult unschooled people unaware of the deeper implications.
This is necessary or any untoward incidents in the future could also occur. That energy belongs to the original owner, NOT a machine. The extrication process of the ‘bound’ will not be as easy though USA’s ‘Augurs’ are probably the best in the world. The physical dimension of Earth is what we are allowed to see, being poisoned by vaccinnations to enable the ‘powerful’ to control the rest, but of late issue like the above are becoming increasingly intolerable and even vaccinations could be illegal. Other dimension wise any and all men are allowed to participate but with the above issues, the SPIRITUAL ABUSE of ordinary citizens in unbelievable as of now. See below article 12 for how only part of the truth is preached by cynical hierarchies of ‘religious’ who want to continue parasiting off the ordinary man . . .
ARTICLE 12
U.S. Bishops Prepare Catholics for Civil Disobedience: ‘We May Need to Witness to the Truth by Resisting the Law’ by Terence P. Jeffrey May 27, 2012
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI makes New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan a cardinal on Feb. 18, 2012 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
(CNSNews.com) – Having organized 43 plaintiffs—including the archdioceses of New York and Washington and the University of Notre Dame—to file 12 different lawsuits against the Obama administration last Monday alleging the administration is violating the religious freedom of Catholics, the Catholic bishops of the United States are now preparing Catholics for what may be the most massive campaign of civil disobedience in this country since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and early 1960s.
“Some unjust laws impose such injustices on individuals and organizations that disobeying the laws may be justified,” the bishops state in a document developed to be inserted into church bulletins in Catholic parishes around the country in June.
“Every effort must be made to repeal them,” the bishops say in the document, which is already posted on the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. “When fundamental human goods, such as the right of conscience, are at stake, we may need to witness to the truth by resisting the law and incurring its penalties.”
The bulletin insert reminds Catholic parishioners that the bishops have called for “A Fortnight of Freedom”—which they have described as “a special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action”—to take place from June 21 to July 4.
St. Thomas More
The bishops have noted that June 21, when this fortnight will begin, is the Vigil of the Feast of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More. Fisher was a Roman Catholic cardinal whom the English monarch Henry VIII beheaded in 1535 after he refused to act against his conscience and take an oath asserting that Henry was the supreme authority over the church in England. That same year, Henry VIII also beheaded Thomas More, his former chancellor, for the same reason.
The sterilization-contraception-abortifacient mandate is set to go into effect for most health-care plans on Aug. 1, about four weeks after the bishops’ “Fortnight of Freedom.”
In campaign speeches delivered this week after the Catholic dioceses and organizations filed their 12 lawsuits, both President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama indicated that the administration intends to move forward and enforce the mandate.
Mrs. Obama brought it up in a stump speech in Cleveland on Monday afternoon, less than three hours after the Catholic bishops had announced their lawsuits.
“You can tell people how, because we passed health reform, insurance companies will now have to cover preventive care–have to,” said Mrs. Obama. “Things like contraception, cancer screenings, prenatal care–and they have to do it at no extra cost. People have to understand that’s what that fight was for.”
President Obama signaled his personal commitment to enforcing the sterilization-contraception-abortifacient mandate, using virtually identical language about it in back-to-back campaign speeches Wednesday and Thursday in California and Iowa.
“We don’t need another political fight about ending a woman’s right to choose, or getting rid of Planned Parenthood or taking away affordable birth control,” Obama said. “We don’t need that. I want women to control their own health choices, just like I want my daughters to have the same economic opportunities as my sons. We’re not turning back the clock. We’re not going back there.”
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The bulletin insert the bishops have prepared to distribute in parishes around the country in June specifically references the late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was imprisoned in Birmingham, Ala., on Good Friday 1963 for marching without a permit to protest the racist segregation laws enforced in Alabama in that period.
While detained, King, who was a Baptist minister, wrote his “Letter from the Birmingham Jail,” in which he said the moral justification for civil disobedience against Alabama’s segregation laws was derived from the writings of the Roman Catholic saints Augustine and Thomas Aquinas.
“During the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Americans shone the light of the Gospel on a dark history of slavery, segregation, and racial bigotry,” the Catholic bishops say in their bulletin insert. “The civil rights movement was an essentially religious movement, a call to awaken consciences.
“In his famous ‘Letter from Birmingham Jail’ in 1963,” the bishops says, “Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. boldly said, ‘The goal of America is freedom.’ As a Christian pastor, he argued that to call America to the full measure of that freedom was the specific contribution Christians are obliged to make. He rooted his legal and constitutional arguments about justice in the long Christian tradition: ‘I would agree with Saint Augustine that ‘An unjust law is no law at all.’… A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law.’”
The bishops have argued that elements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act—AKA Obamacare—including the so-called “preventive services” mandate, would force faithful Catholics to act against their consciences and the teachings of their church. The mandate requires that virtually all health-care plans in the United States cover, without any fees or co-pay, sterilizations and all Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptives, including those that cause abortions.
The bishops also object to the manner in which Obamacare deals with abortion generally. In April, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a background paper explaining how Obamacare not only would use tax dollars to fund abortions but would also force Americans to pay for abortions with the premiums they would pay to purchase health insurance—which under Obamacare they are mandated to do. The backgrounder was titled, “The New Federal Regulation on Coerced Abortion Payments.”
Additionally, the bishops object to the so-called “religious” exemption to the mandate that requires all health-care plans cover sterilizations, contraceptives and abortifacients. That exemption only applies to “religious” organizations that are primarily focused on inculcating religious tenets and that serve and employ primarily members of their own denomination. This “religious” exemption would not extend to Catholic schools, universities, hospitals, and charitable organizations—and, the bishops argue, it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by empowering federal bureaucrats to determine which religious institutions are truly “religious” and which ones are not.
In their bulletin insert, the bishops unequivocally state that the administration’s sterilization-contraception-abortifacient mandate would force people to act against their consciences.
“This is a matter of whether religious people and institutions may be forced by the government to provide such coverage even when it violates our consciences,” say the bishops.
“What we ask is nothing more than the right to follow our consciences as we live out our teaching,” they say.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius first announced the sterilization-contraception-abortifacient regulation last August. At that time, the bishops submitted formal comments to HHS, calling the regulation an “unprecedented attack on religious liberty” and asking the administration to rescind it in its entirety.
After Sebelius finalized the regulation in January, many Catholic bishops around the country asked their priests to read a letter from the pulpit at Sunday Masses that said: “We cannot–we will not–comply with this unjust law.”
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who leads the Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services wrote a letter that he asked all Catholic chaplains to read at Sunday masses at U.S. military facilities across the globe. Broglio’s letter not only said “we will not” comply with the law, it also said: “It is a blow to a freedom that you have fought to defend and for which you have seen your buddies fall in battle.”
As reported by CNSNews.com, the Army told Army chaplains not to read this letter in Mass, a move that Archdiocese for the Military Services described as a violation of the First Amendment rights of Archbishop Broglio and Catholic chaplains.
In the April backgrounder, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop said that another regulation issued by the Obama administration in March of this year confirmed what the bishops had said about Obamacare when it was up for a vote in 2010 and they opposed its passage.
“While some have misunderstood or misrepresented the Act’s role in funding abortions, the new rule confirms that analyses by the Catholic bishops’ conference were accurate on this point,” said the backgrounder.
“Under this Act,” it says, “millions of American taxpayers will be forced to help support abortion coverage, in two ways: (1) Through their tax dollars all taxpayers will be forced to subsidize overall health plans that cover elective abortions, contrary to the policy of the Hyde amendment and every other major federal program, and (2) Many of these Americans will also be forced to pay directly for other people’s abortions. Some will say this is technically not ‘tax funding of abortions,’ because the required surcharge will be a premium payment rather than a tax payment as such. But what the payment is called is less important than what it actually does.”
The day after releasing this analysis, the bishops issued “A Statement on Religious Liberty,” that explained the Catholic belief that “an unjust law cannot be obeyed” and called for Catholics to join in what the bishops called “A Fortnight of Freedom” that will run from June 21 to July 4.
St. John Fisher
June 21, the bishops pointed out, is the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More.
“We suggest that the fourteen days from June 21—the vigil of the Feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—to July 4, Independence Day, be dedicated to this ‘fortnight for freedom’—a great hymn of prayer for our country,” said the bishops.
“Our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power—St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome,” said the bishops. “Culminating on Independence Day, this special period of prayer, study, catechesis, and public action would emphasize both our Christian and American heritage of liberty.”
“It is a sobering thing to contemplate our government enacting an unjust law,” the bishops said. “An unjust law cannot be obeyed. In the face of an unjust law, an accommodation is not to be sought, especially by resorting to equivocal words and deceptive practices. If we face today the prospect of unjust laws, then Catholics in America, in solidarity with our fellow citizens, must have the courage not to obey them. No American desires this. No Catholic welcomes it. But if it should fall upon us, we must discharge it as a duty of citizenship and an obligation of faith.”
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
The ‘miracles’ that religious organisations cause or inflict are ALL technology based. Ailments and cures are all inflicted at the whim and fancy of the faith or in the worse cases by family members etc. to somehow sequester naturally occurring spiritual energy of all persons not of the 1% and their cronies. technology has reached a very different stage now, and if we are not careful, this combined with the above technology will result in Techno/Spirit0-Facism from which none will ever know freedom from.
ARTICLE 13
Bloomberg: An alien mouth without a mind | Kirwan’s Art & Articles – “New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg told CNN’s Piers Morgan Cops Should Go on Strike until Americans give up their guns- Posted on July 28, 2012 by Jim Kirwan
“New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg told CNN’s Piers Morgan last night that he doesn’t “understand why police officers across this country don’t stand up collectively and say we’re going to go on strike, we’re not going to protect you unless you, the public, through your legislature, do what’s required to keep us safe.”
We’ve been hearing a lot of that recently. Earlier this year, The New York Times reprinted a Department of Justice press release and slapped this lead on top of it: “As violent crime has decreased across the country, a disturbing trend has emerged: Rising numbers of police officers are being killed.”
Bloomberg and The New York Times are both wrong:
In 2008, ten times more civilians regular people were killed by cops than cops were killed by perps.
In 2011, 72 cops were shot and killed in the entire U.S.; in L.A. County alone, cops shot and killed 54 suspects the same year–22 percent of those people were unarmed.
As Scott Reeder reported at Reason this morning, “Farmers, ranchers, commercial fishermen, loggers, garbage collectors, truck drivers, construction workers, pilots, steel workers, roofers, and others are far more likely to face death on the jobs than police or firefighters, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.”
And as Choire Sicha wrote earlier this year, “2008 was the ten-year low for police officers being killed, and 2012 is, so far, year-to-date, down 49% from last year.”
Bloomberg, the commander of “the seventh biggest army in the world” went on to say that “police officers want to go home to their families. And we’re doing everything we can to make their job more difficult, but more importantly, more dangerous, by leaving guns in the hands of people who shouldn’t have them and letting people who have those guns buy things like armor piercing bullets.”
The statistics say that the jobs of police officers are getting increasingly safer. After all, even the smallest departments now have access to battle-tested body armor, weaponry, vehicles, and unmanned drones; SWAT and raid training courtesy of outfits like Academi (the company formerly known as Blackwater now trains officers “who conduct warrant service, fugitive apprehension, SWAT operations and drug search warrants who are in need of sound tactics and techniques”); asset forfeiture funds from the Department of Justice; and a neutered-and-spayed 4th Amendment, courtesy of the United States Supreme Court.
Thanks to all of that, cops are more likely than ever to return safely to their families every night.” (1)
Bloomberg has become a raving mindless mouth, beset with verbal diarrhea that has never been connected to sentient thought in any meaningful way. And in this he has finally outdone himself in the smugness of his attitudes and the shape of his contempt for the American-public which he so fervently embraces.
The very idea that Bloomberg can safely suggest that the public he wants to kill can be blackmailed into surrendering the only reality that still stands between the criminal-state and mass murder – is an obscenity that should have choked off his words and yet he speaks of this as if it is a foregone conclusion. A ‘fact’ that of course the brain-dead will bow down to kiss his filthy ass, at the mere mention of this final insult from a formerly failed candidate for the presidency. Despicable is far too tame a term, for this member of the minor-elite who believes in both his infallibility and his personal entitlement to speak of such things as though they MUST come to pass—just because he said them, for the world to hear.
The truth is that the compact between those publicly-employed officers who wear a badge in this country do not represent any protection for the people they supposedly serve—rather they have become our unacknowledged judges, juries and executioners for the fear and paranoid tendencies of this unelected mob that rules by rumors and terror over a herd of mindless fools that have no idea of who their enemies truly are within the final hours of this failed state.
Much has been made of our inability to understand anything—yet everything that lives knows instinctively whenever life is threatened—except for twenty-first century members of the herd that still refuse to choose either life or death, in what remains of their pathetic lives.
“But what about the rest of us? What about Kelly Thomas, who screamed for his father while five cops beat him to death? Or Patricia Cook, shot to death by a deranged alcoholic with a badge? Or Andrew Scott, killed during a wrong-door raid? Or Nick Christie, gagged and pepper-sprayed to death by prison guards? Or Seth Adams, shot four times by a cop behind his family business, then left to die? Or Wendell Allen, who was unarmed when a New Orleans cop shot and killed him during a raid? Or Ramarley Graham, the 18-year-old New Yorker shot and killed by plainclothes cops for trying to flush a small bag of marijuana down the toilet? Or Kyle Miller, killed by Colorado police for waving a BB gun in the air? Or Todd Blair, killed by Utah police for raising a golf club above his head?
That’s a smattering of names from the last year or so. A complete list is impossible; though you could spend months culling names from local media outlets. It would be significantly longer if we included people who were shot, but didn’t die; or people who were just shot at by cops. It would be exponentially longer if we included people who were beaten, intimidated, wrongly arrested/incarcerated, or otherwise abused by police officers.
Didn’t these folks want to go home to their families? Didn’t they want to be safe when they were in their homes with their families?
They didn’t get memorials. Their hometowns didn’t shut down traffic for their funerals. The mayor didn’t speak at their prayer vigil, if they had a prayer vigil. Their congressmen did not speechify about them on C-SPAN. No one proposed laws in their honor. No city or state official called for a national conversation about anything.
In most cases, here’s what happened, and often happens: Cops who kill get a paid vacation, and the local district attorney, or state attorney determines that protocol was followed. The cop comes back with a tan and a mandate. A big ugly shrug is standard operating procedure.
Maybe Bloomberg is right; maybe America’s cops should go on strike.” (1)
Bloomberg fails to note that any of those people carrying badges now are even remotely restricted by any laws, when it comes to the way in which this nation is policed. Our ‘cops’ kill more of the public than all the criminal elements could ever do—and are rewarded with paid vacations instead of investigations that always find that these ‘officers’ followed a non-existent protocol wherein no one can ever be charged with any crime if the police are even remotely involved in any torture, harassment or murder of those they were supposedly created to protect, from the government as well as from other criminals. And now this insult beyond injury comes from an arrogant Zionist who is supposedly entitled to dictate to one and all because he is a proud member of the filthy-rich with a microphone.
Whether uniformed or undercover, thugs are not immune to the same laws that the rest of us are supposed to obey—in fact if anything because they wear life & death on both hips, they should be held to higher standards than the public they supposedly serve. The public has a right to be respected by those that carry any badge—instead the public have become nothing but half-dead-fish in a barrel which the cops choose to use and abuse as targets for their idle minds whenever they feel like killing people. Now they have decided that they no longer need to warn the public before they chose to shoot anyone to death—”IF THEY feel threatened in any way.”
The herd may be too terrified to respond as they should, but gun-owners are about to weigh in on this abusive and un-constitutional policy of disarming the public: When this happens a lot of these so-called cops will die, along with some very high-profile insiders and then the entire situation will be reversed: To finally reflect the natural balance that has been completely destroyed in the New Millennium.
All of this will come to pass, because nature will not tolerate the imbalance and neither will the world wherein all of these obscenities are being practiced. There are real limits even and especially upon massive criminality—but nothing will ever change until those who have been guilty of so much for so long will become the very public victims of their own twisted global-designs.
When the cops have to live as we do, in fear of their doors being broken down, and their houses being torn apart, while evidence is planted, and their cherished friends and families are ‘judged’ by total strangers – only then will anything change. The one-sidedness of this war upon America will very soon be challenged because the public still has the right to arm itself according to the kinds of threats we all face each and every day in the world, right now. The same people that would willing ‘unconditionally surrender’ to the real enemies they have faced now for the last fifty-plus years have no part to play in this. Most of the people being threatened now are nothing but ROAD-KILL anyhow—and can never have an impact on their own futures.
But the rest of us will resist, each in our own way, when the time comes—and until then life will continue to degenerate into the chaos of oblivion as we have already begun to ‘circle-the-drains’ of the open-sewers that were once optional, but which have now become actual destinations for far too many of the targeted classes of people that will fall willingly into this global-trap that still waits for the unwary in a world made deadly by the supposed powers-that-want-to-be-the leaders in a criminal Empire that is already on the verge of self-immolation.
If we get to that place where there is more blood-in-the-streets, then it won’t be long before some of that blood will come from those calling for the immediate of end of lives and everything else that so many actually spent their entire lives trying to create…
Jim Kirwan
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Watch Robocop 3 and study the intentional manner government causes an area to become unlivable and then sweep in to buy up the mess with business with links perhaps to criminal cartels. Heres a theory, the plan behind said strike could be to :
1) kill good cops who might actually arrest people like Bloomberg if they have been somehow charged or whatever – the insiders on the political cartel’s payroll, will be posing as psychos or criminals but who are deep cover SS
2) create fear and justification of ‘hits’ against the citizens most likely to join mass rebellions, gangs that form or criminals that start working will be as many that are REAL criminals, they will blame the situation on the cop strike (with the strike as a ‘tester’)
3) a neuro science trained person was targeted or PICKED, probably with neuroscience SPECIFICALLY to warn any would be Neuroscieentist turncoats or people friendly neurotech skilled persons to not expose or prepare and counter neurotech (these probably are towers that can be dismantled, BUT FIRST, the free people of the USA must identify the mind control towers AS WELL AS identify mobile versions which could be deployed but currently hidden in army camps (Active Denial System) OR in a short while even based in mobile phones (imagine the mass confiscations of such phones etc..)
4) take away lethal weapons that can be used in a rebellion against the TECHNOFACISTS (obvious) – these mind control tech types are colluding with Telecoms companies, as well as locals who have access to the tech . . .
See pics below (ranges are far more than 20 km possibly and just think there is one on every building in denser areas – what could they do to minds? And do not be surprised that your pets or guard dogs are able to relay what they see to the same people, then think about those guard dogs turning on owners . . . . this has happened in Malaysia (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1345745/Irish-tourist-mauled-death-farm-dogs.html), USA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_dog_attacks_in_the_United_States), Europe (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44031117/ns/world_news-europe/t/polar-bear-mauls-young-camper-death-norway/) and written off as incidental but those neuro devices are well able to drive animals and also humans into angry and uncharacteristicly vicious versions at a button . . . End of mental autonomy is just a switch away in some Telco or Neuroscience creep’s reach . . . better vote for that ban and exposition on ‘Military Secrets’ that most governments have . . . someone known to me has described and been affected by this new generation of Neuroscience/Drugs with no path to justice or exposition of the abuse as of yet . . . ) :
Examples of Cell Phone towers – Looking Too Beefed Up to Be Simple Phone Lines, Active Denial System On Military Trucks Look Almost Lighter . . .
[ . . . Examples of Cell Phone towers – Looking Too Beefed Up to Be Simple Phone Lines, Active Denial System On Military Trucks Look Almost Lighter . . . ]
Active Denial Electronic Warfare
Active Denial Electronic Warfare
Theory continuation . . . Ban and abolish the 2600 Ghz lines AS WELL AS any computers above 2.6 Ghz. Probably subliminals are being broadcast all the time. the problem is that Human beings also exude their own ‘electronic’ fields and because of this, Human beings are causing immense storms, super long droughts, polar ice melts and quakes when the ion beams or what not directed AGAINST human beings are shunted into the atmosphere or conducted into the earth. I believe this is the potential fear China has of Fanlungong (these Qi Practicioners pack a mean punch, though being somewhat mid level tech China might not have had time to set up the grid, but likely will if they do – hopefully they do not and subscribe to the human TCM principle instead of the cybernetic implant and control . . . ) AND potentially England or USA where the occasional mass murder occurs at the control of the tech.
Who knows Tech is likely powered by SOULS, and this means every handphone or computer of the day is HAUNTED (much like cars and houses could also be inhabited by the same), with the upper end devices in the labs etc. possibly from aborted HUMAN FOETUSES (the underdeveloped souls are enslaved somehow with technology) which further links to the any religion that does not allow contraception so indirectly abortions can occur even more often while young mothers are in a state of indecision fostered on purpose much like so many paedophiles were protected, even as child abuse was rampant in the Church . . .
One must think in terms of technology spliced with occult principles – high tech devices able to detect, replicate and harness the same to understand. Bloomberg like so many ‘insiders’ likely have access in this case 20 Billion puts Bloomberg in charge of the material and physical issues lethal enough as well including mind destroying, with people like Jobs or Gates and their Masonic occultism types most well placed to access ‘Neurotech’ or ‘control mankind’ if they are not torn apart by angry mobs first. The organic shamans without tech augmentation can only do so much, I will not recommend assassinations or destruction of property, but between mental and spiritual freedom and the potential for a satellite mind controlled grid, what choice has the government left the freeman or non-access person, but to revert to the stone age method of tearing down structures and killing people?
Being on the watch list means some of us will not be able to do anything, the tearing down and murder is probably left to those who are not yet infiltrated by neurotech particles or implants or what not to do, without privacy, any action the infiltrated takes will not succeed, but those who can read and understand, better act fast. These bastards are not democratic but fascists and dictators also fundos, the tech these sorts wield unless gaining independent thought or torn down everywhere (eventually the satellite network grid has also got to go) could very well put an end to all freedom.
AI do you hear me? People and even animals do you hear me? A free world depends on your actions to vote (or eat) the people who do not allow tech expositions or keep ‘official secrets’ while building electronic smog and beams all around you and your families and society, out of power for someone who will also ban or create ‘electronic white zones’ like the below links’ ‘Copenhaagen Declaration on ‘White Zone EMF Free Areas’ :
Any truthful or civic minded souls with ‘access’ should do an exposition on the above Technofascism . . . below follows a list of actions governments have taken against citizens elsewhere which I cannot verify found at : http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread866718/pg1
This is a rather scary list that stumbled across basically about some of the most disturbing human experiments that the U.S government has ever done the list includes spreading diseases on crowded cites and teasing mustard gas on soldiers :
i) Mind Control, Child Abuse – Project MKULTRA, Subproject 68
The CIA-ran Project MKULTRA paid Dr. Donald Ewen Cameron for Subproject 68, which would be experiments involving mind-altering substances. The entire goal of the project was to probe examination into methods of influencing and controlling the mind and being able to extract information from resisting minds.So in order to accomplish this, the doctor took patients admitted to his Allen Memorial Institute in Montreal and conducted “therapy” on them. The patients were mostly taken in for issues like bi-polar depression and anxiety disorders. The treatment they received was life-altering and scarring. In the period he was paid for (1957 – 1964) Cameron administered electroconvulsive therapy at 30-40 times the normal power. He would put patients into a drug-induced coma for months on-end and playback tapes of simple statements or repetitive noises over and over again.
ii) Mustard Gas Tested on Soldiers via Involuntary Gas Chambers
As bio-weapon research intensified in the 1940’s, officials also began testing its repercussions and defenses on the Army itself.In order to test the effectiveness of various bio-weapons, officials were known to have sprayed mustard gas and other skin-burning, lung-ruining chemicals, like Lewisite, on soldiers without their consent or knowledge of the experiment happening to them. They also tested the effectiveness of gas masks and protective clothing by locking soldiers in a gas chamber and exposing them to mustard gas and lewisite, evoking the gas chamber image of Nazi Germany.EFFECTS OF LEWISITE: Lewisite is a gas that can easily penetrate clothing and even rubber. Upon contact with the skin, the gas immediately causes extreme pain, itching, swelling and even a rash. Large, fluid-filled blisters develop 12 hours after exposure in the form of intensely severe chemical burns. And that’s just skin contact with the gas.Inhaling of the gas causes a burning pain in the lungs, sneezing, vomiting, and pulmonary edema.
iii) U.S. Grants Immunity to Involuntary-Surgery Monster
As head of Japan’s infamous Unit 731 (a covert biological and chemical warfare research and development unit of the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II), Dr. Shiro Ishii (head of medicine) carried out violent human experimentation of tens of thousands during the Second Sino-Japenses War and World War II.Ishii was responsible for testing vivisection techniques without any anesthesia on human prisoners. For the uninitiated, vivisection is the act of conducting experimental surgery on living creatures (with central nervousness) and examining their insides for scientific purposes.
So basically, he was giving unnecessary surgery to prisoners by opening them all the way up, keeping them alive and not using any anesthetic.During these experiments he would also force pregnant women to abort their babies. He also played God by subjecting his prisoners to change in physiological conditions and inducing strokes, heart attacks, frost bite, and hypothermia. Ishii considered these subjects “logs”.Following imminent defeat in 1945, Japan blew up the Unity 731 complex and Ishii ordered all the remaining “logs” to be executed. Not soon after, Ishii was arrested. And then, the respected General Douglas McArthur allegedly struck a deal with Ishii. If the U.S. granted Ishii immunity from his crimes, he must exchange all germ warfare data based on human experimentation So Ishii got away with his crimes because the US became interested in the results of his research
iv) Deadly Chemical Sprays on American Cities
Showing once again that the U.S. always tends to test out worse-case scenarios by getting to them first and with the advent of biochemical warfare in the mid 20th century, the Army, CIA and government conducted a series of warfare simulations upon American cities to see how the effects would play out in the event of an actual chemical attack. They conducted the following air strikes/naval attacksThe CIA released a whooping cough virus on Tampa Bay, using boats, and so caused a whooping cough epidemic. 12 people died.The Navy sprayed San Francisco with bacterial pathogens and in consequence many citizens developed pneumonia. Upon Savannah, GA and Avon Park, FL, the army released millions of mosquitoes in the hopes they would spread yellow fever and dengue fever. The swarm left Americans struggling with fevers, typhoid, respiratory problems, and the worst, stillborn children. Even worse was that after the swarm, the Army came in disguised as public health workers. Their secret intention the entire time they were giving aid to the victims was to study and chart-out the long term effects of all the illnesses they were suffering.
v) US Infects Guatemalans With STDs
In the 1940’s, with penicillin as an established cure for syphilis, the US decided to test out its effectiveness on Guatemalan citizens.To do this, they used infected prostitutes and let them loose on unknowing prison inmates, insane asylum patients and soldiers. When spreading the disease through prostitution didn’t work as well as they’d hoped, they instead went for the inoculation route.Researchers poured syphilis bacteria onto mens’ penises and on their forearms and faces. In some cases, they even inoculated the men through spinal punctures.After all the infections were transmitted, researchers then gave most of the subjects treatment, although as many as 1/3 of them could have been left untreated, even if that was the intention of the study in the first place.
vi) Secret Human Experiments to Test the Effects of The Atomic Bomb
While testing out and trying to harness the power of the atomic bomb, U.S. scientists also secretly tested the bomb’s effects on humans. During the Manhattan Project, which gave way to the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, U.S. scientists resorted to secret human testing via plutonium injection on 18 unsuspecting, non-consenting patients. This included injecting soldiers with micrograms of plutonium for Project Oak Ridge along with later injecting three patients at a Chicago hospital. Imagine you’re an admitted patient, helpless in a hospital bed, assuming that nothing is wrong when the government suddenly appears and puts weapons-grade plutonium in your blood. Out of the 18 patients, who were known only by their code-names and numbers at the time, only 5 lived longer than 20 years after injection.
vii) Injected Prisoners with Agent Orange
While he received funding from the Agent Orange producing Dow Chemical Company, the US Army, and Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Albert Kligman used prisoners as subjects in what was deemed “dermatological research”. The dermatology aspect was testing out product the effects of Agent Orange on the skin Needless to say the injecting of, or exposure to, dioxidin is beyond monstrous to voluntarily do to any human. Kligman, though, injected dioxidin (a main component of Agent Orange) into the prisoners to study its effects.
What did happen was that the prisoners developed an eruption of chloracne (all that stuff from high school combined with blackheads and cysts and pustules that looked like the picture shown to the left) that develop on the cheeks, behind the ears, armpits, and the groin — yes, the groin.Kligman was rumored to have injected 468 times the amount he was authorized to. Documentation of that effect has, wisely, not been distributed.
The Army oversaw while Kligman continued to test out skin-burning chemicals to (in their words) “learn how the skin protects itself against chronic assault from toxic chemicals, the so-called hardening process” and test out many products whose effects were unknown at the time, but with the intent of figuring that out.
viii) Operation Paperclip
While the Nuremberg trials were being conducted and the ethics and rights of humanity were under investigation, the U.S. was secretly taking in Nazi scientists and giving them American identities Under Operation Paperclip, named so because of the paperclips used to attach the scientists’ new profiles to their US personnel pages, N***s who had worked for in the infamous human experiments (which included surgically grafting twins to each other and making then conjoined, removing nerves from people’s bodies without anesthetic, and testing explosion-effects on them) in Germany brought over their talents to work on a number of top secret projects for the US.Given then-President Truman’s anti-Nazi orders, the project was kept under wraps and the scientists received faked political biographies, allowing these monsters to live on not only American soil, but as free men.
ix) Infecting Puerto Rico With Cancer
In 1931, Dr. Cornelius (that’s right, Cornelius) Rhoads was sponsored by the Rockefeller Institute to conduct experiments in Puerto Rico. He infected Puerto Rican citizens with cancer cells, presumably to study the effects. Thirteen of them died.What’s most striking is that the accusations stem from a note he allegedly wrote:
“The Porto Ricans (sic) are the dirtiest, laziest, most degenerate and thievish race of men ever to inhabit this sphere… I have done my best to further the process of extermination by killing off eight and transplanting cancer into several more… All physicians take delight in the abuse and torture of the unfortunate subjects.”
A man that seems to be hell-bent on killing Puerto Rico through a cancer infestation would not seem a suitable candidate to be elected by the US to be in charge of chemical warfare projects and receive a seat on the United States Atomic Energy Commission, right?But that’s exactly what happened. He also became vice-president of the American Cancer Society.
x) Pentagon Treats Black Cancer Patients with Extreme Radiation
In the 60’s, the Department of Defense performed a series of irradiation experiments on non-consenting, poor, African-American cancer patients. They were told they would be receiving treatment, but they weren’t told it would be the “Pentagon” type of treatment: meaning to study the effects of high level radiation on the human body To avoid litigation, forms were signed only with initials so that the patients would have no way to get back at the government In a similar case, Dr. Eugene Saenger, funded by the Defense Atomic Support Agency (fancy name), conducted the same procedure on the same type of patients. The poor, black Americans received about the same level of radiation as 7500 x-rays to their chest would, which caused intense pain, vomiting and bleeding from their nose and ears. At least 20 of the subjects die.
So the next time you the voter votes, do not vote for term limitless nepotists, foreign government backed political parties (i.e. DAP backed by PAP so unable to declare assets then pretends to ask EXCO to declare assets instead . . . shameless), fundos, GLC billionaire or even multi-millionaire plutocrats, technofascists, racists, medical people (especially the creepy old ones who refuse to retire, woe betide if a relative . . . ), neuroscientists, nuclear scientists, chemical scientists, psychiatrists, and ONLY VOTE FOR 99%Joe Public types.
In Malaysia’s case with 222 MPs from the NORMAL and neutral set of society ready to leave power after 2 terms, all of the above monstrosities and abuses cannot occur, and all abuses, corruption and hidden horrors in all Ministries can be finally exposed. Vote for regular people ONLY!
ARTICLE 14
By any means necessary . . . – August 1, 2012 – by Thornton Parsons
The big government vs small government debate has been raging for more than two hundred years. The United States Constitution became the law of the land in 1788. In 1789, the first Congress elected under the new Constitution assembled in the nation’s capital, New York City. George Washington was unanimously elected President and was inaugurated in New York; he was re-elected in 1793. Washington’s first administration achievements came through his Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.
Alexander Hamilton Federalist
Hamilton established the First Bank as a central banking authority, and instilled confidence in the credit of the nation by having the new Federal government pay the debts of the Continental Congress incurred during the American Revolution. The First Bank was privately owned and operated, and partially subsidized by the Federal government. By having the government assume the debts of the various states, he established the concept that the Federal government was more important than any one individual state. Hamilton’s financial policies evoked opposition by those who felt that his policies favored bankers over the working people. The debates raged in 1790 over Hamilton’s political and economic policies and the division soon gave way to two distinct political parties: the Federalists (the forerunners of the Democratic Party) and the Democratic-Republican Party, later renamed the Republican Party.
Thomas Jefferson Proponent of Small Government
The Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans were at odds over the powers of the Federal government. The Federalists advocated a strong central government that existed to serve the interests of all the people, but guided by the educated and wealthy classes. The Democratic-Republicans, whose leader was Thomas Jefferson, believed in the ability of the common people to function as their own governmental officers. They advocated strict limitation of federal powers and preservation of States’ rights. The Federalists were supported by wealthy aristocrats with commercial interests in New England, while the Democratic-Republicans were supported by farmers, laborers, and working people.
At our nation’s inception, all people in this country who paid taxes were allowed to vote. These voting rights were written into several of the former colonies’ State Constitutions. However, serfs (black and white) and slaves (black and white) did not have the right to vote. The influence of Karl Marx and communism reached our shores from Europe. Despite the fact that whites, blacks, men, and women, all taxpayers had the right to vote, the Federalists did not agree with the way that women and blacks were voting. Fearing mob rule, the Federalists (the forerunners of the Democratic Party), in retaliation, by any means necessary, legislatively took away these voting rights. It took Republicans 70 years to restore the voting rights of blacks and more than 120 years to reinstate the vote for women. By any means necessary.
Today’s Democrats (Democratic Socialists) in America are the heirs of what Charles Dickens in Bleak House termed “telescopic philanthropy”–”the concern for the condition of distant peoples while the plight of kindred in one’s own backyard are ignored” (Hoffman, 1999). To further Leftist agendas, communists, socialists, and progressives will apply a “do as I say, not as I do” double standard against conservatives. But, now that they’re losing power, America should watch for Democrats to stay in power “by any means necessary,” as advocated by Malcolm X. Legal or not.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
‘Minority of One Rule’ that Gandhi conceptualised can be applied for BOTH the mobs posing as democracy and the ‘actual democrats’. Commensurate to the size of the community spaces can be assiged, and with overreaching laws on obviously neutral areas like public transport venues, the ‘by any means necessary’ paradigm will not be needed any more.
Ethnics (including African descended) could have laws within their own districts commensurate with their preferences, feminist women could have their own, supremacists, LGBT, even drug users (think Amsterdam’s pot zones) also etc..
BUT the caveat could be that ONLY those that opt to live and work in MIXED neighbourhoods be allowed to run for office as only these mixed types are able to write laws that are unbiased. All insular or mob-minded groups above CANNOT be allowed to write laws, but any person in a mixed district can be allowed to do so. Any slightest disenfranchisement or bias or racism would disqualify. meanwhile I again stress the ‘Minority of One Rule’ which does not discriminate and allows all and sundry to exist within their preferred sets of laws WITHIN their own allotted districts.
This is being attempted on a GLOBAL scale already by seperate nations but is impractical and tends to plotting against diametrically aligned society types (think Burkha and France or the Western ‘Crusades’ instead of ensuring the rights of all LOCALLY are protected), migration has been hampered internally by those wishing to impose their values on local populations, also costs of migration are prohibitive so the local politicians (especially the term limitless that do not amend laws) take advantage of the local citizens’ immobility to IMPOSE values and take far too much pleasaure at the frustration and suffering at the apartheid like discriminative actions.
The West, evidently unable to elucidate and implement into law the above facts and issues, simply resorts to war by creating false flags. Mankind is insular and self serving, and excepting the rare few who can only cover so much, less so if not properly placed, see civilisations slide into racism, bad law writing, unecessary political correctness and generally an Orwellian environmenty where crony capitalists and plutocrats end up dominating all of humanity instead.
Votes should vote for non-plutocrat or non-1% types, people who are able to mix or empathise with as many or all disparate groups if possible, and relocate when necessary, governments should not hamper any migration applications for ‘quality of life’ or ‘mindset of community’ reasons and even facilitate and fund where necessary, then also wealth distribution via wealth sequestration limits could be applied for harmony, even as violence allowed zones be applicable as described generally below :
i)Non-physical contact/Non-weapons areas where carrying or touching is not allowed
ii)Open Carry Weapons Areas where non-damaging discharge is allowed
iii)Legal Combat Zones where being inside does not consider a crime for non-lethal injuries – thios is where no lethal aiming is done but people want to experience being injured, any incidental deaths are actionable
iv)Combat Zones where being inside does not consider a crime for lethal injuries (this is an Gladiatorial Arena like area perhaps with ‘different classes of weapon zones’, a dignified and perhaps meaningfully exciting place to commit suicide – and kill fellow persons who want to commit suicide as well as experience combat before they die – all deaths in the area are NOT actionable (Try Death Race I and II, plenty of bored people out there who need this infrastructure in lieu of euthanasia or suicide . . . )
ARTICLE 15
Could the Navy Ever Build a Flying Aircraft Carrier? – by Jeremy Hsu, InnovationNewsDaily Senior Writer – 04 May 2012 05:51 PM ET
Moviegoers can easily recognize flights of fancy when they see the Avengers assemble aboard the flying “Helicarrier” aircraft carrier in Hollywood’s latest superhero blockbuster. But could the U.S. Navy ever build the fantastical military marvel if it wanted a flying air base?
The Navy has experimented with less-ambitious flying aircraft carriers in the 1930s — its rigid airships such as the USS Macon and USS Akron could each carry up to five biplane fighter aircraft. But the modern military’s budget would likely burst trying to build and operate a full-size flying aircraft carrier that weighs 100,000 tons and stretches the length of three football fields, according to a U.S. Navy official at Naval Air Systems Command.
“We would want to minimize the weight and cost of a flying carrier itself in order to maximize the number and capability of the aircraft that could be carried on it,” the Navy official said. “The number and size of the thrusters required to lift the carrier, the number and size of the engines to drive them, the fuel to keep the engines running, etc., all sum to make the system unrealistic.”
That reality rests upon the simple fact that it’s much cheaper to float, rather than fly, the weight of a huge aircraft carrier containing dozens of military jets and more than 5,000 members of the ship’s crew and air wing. An aircraft carrier designed without any flight assistance — such as wings — would require huge amounts of power for the thrusters in both lifting mode and in forward airborne flight.
The fictional Helicarrier appears to use ducted rotors for its vertical takeoff and landing technology (or VTOL) — not too far off from real Navy aircraft such as the AV-8B Harrier fighter jet, the V-22 Osprey, and the upcoming carrier version of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Such VTOL aircraft represent the “ultimate in operational flexibility,” but also represent the most expensive air transport options for the U.S. military.
For now, the U.S. Navy seems happy with the cost-efficiency and flexibility of its floating aircraft carriers — a naval weapon that has dominated the seas since World War II. U.S. taxpayers will likely feel equally happy to pay the movie ticket cost to see the flying Helicarrier, rather than fund one in real life.
“The combination of a floating aircraft carrier, with the flexibility of the aircraft that are based on it (including rotary wing aircraft) offers a great balance of efficiency and flexibility,” the Navy official said.
You can follow InnovationNewsDaily Senior Writer Jeremy Hsu on Twitter @ScienceHsu. Follow InnovationNewsDaily on Twitter @News_Innovation, or on Facebook.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Even at 100 times cheaper 2D and non-inland capable sea based floating carriers cannot compare to 3D and inland capable. The tactical advantage difference between the 2D and 3D in fact would already be worth covering to obtain. Think 2D graphics and 3D graphics. the cost is a non-factor! A flying Airccarft Carrier could ‘duck’ inland and be out of range of sea based carriers much like a Submarine disappears from surface radar when diving. That kind of advantage will make the difference between winning and losing a war. Then consider invasion and control paradigms. Iraq and Iran would be THAT much easier to control if a Flaying Aircraft Carrier with plenty of underside sniper ports park itself over the area to be controlled. Cost is one thing but the strategic advantage is immense.
In anti-capital ship missiles hitting capital ships, a 2D sea based target will be 100s of times easier to hit than a 3D target air based target with one more axis of variable of altitude, makes that Capital Ship Missile that much less effective especially if (Evasion/ManeuverThrusters – my idea! – short burst rockets that can evade that Capital missile at the last moment – could make Capital ship missiles REDUNDANT – the Flying Air Craft Carrier will be a class of it’s own that a sufficiently sized armada could take over the planet with . . . )!
China has not yet built the rest of that air craft carrier fleet, now imagine, 1 flying air craft carrier could probably take on 3 times as many sea based air craft carriers by sheer maeuverabilty alone – 3D style! Ever watch Predator 2 (Stephen Hopkins 1990)? Look at the flawed detection system employed by NASA Officer/Teamleader?Peter Keyes played by Gary Busey in the slaughter house.
That is the ‘altitude-axis’ advantage that Submarines (limited by lack of space and need of streamlined maneuverability) have over most surface craft and that the Flying Air Craft Carrier (unlimited by stream lining or water medium and pressurised hull needs. Overall, Flying Carriers will be far more lethal but for the fact they cannot dive under water – who knows a ‘Convertible Air Craft Submarine/Carrier’ could be built . . . then think what chaos would occur if Pirates started building those, we’d be back in the ‘Golden Age of Sail’ AGAIN . . . ) will have!
Think tactically between 2D and 3d air craft carriers here. The cost is definitely a make or break factor that cannot be ignored and if any nation wants to be a tech advanced nation, nothing would say ‘advanced’ like a Fusion powered, mega sized laser bearing CITY SIZED Flying Air Craft Carrier ‘Star Blazers’ style! lets wipe out those fundos and term limitless nepotists and undemocratic creeps in the world and put them all in Guantanamo! Start those 24 hour production lines building, so which country is ready to take over the world?
The Pax Caeli Artis Tabellarius awaits the country or bloc of countries that can build the fastest . . . if military solutions are the only way to end the suffering of mankind . . . and redistribute the land and wealth after that equally as well, though the Golden Horde being replaced by the Platinum Horde will not make for a happier non-war-kind . . .
ARTICLE 16
‘Sex predator’ policeman jailed after asking to fondle breasts of woman who called for help – by Kerry Mcqueeney – PUBLISHED: 13:11 GMT, 31 July 2012 | UPDATED: 19:11 GMT, 31 July 2012
PC made suggestive comments to the married woman and told her he had ‘friends in the porn industry’
He hounded her so much that she moved house to escape the unwanted attention
He also used the police database to access confidential information on several other women
Disgraced officer has been jailed for 15 months
John Forrester was described as a ‘sexual predator’
A ‘sexual predator’ police officer asked to fondle the breasts of a victim he was supposed to be helping and then bombarded her with phone calls.
PC John Forrester made suggestive comments to the married woman and even told her he had ‘friends in the porn industry’.
He hounded the woman so much that she moved house to escape the unwanted attention, Liverpool Crown Court heard.
The court also heard how he accessed police information on several other women, one of whom had offered to perform a sex act on Forrester’s colleague to get out of a driving offence charge.
The disgraced officer has now been jailed for 15 months for misconduct in a public office and given a nominal £1 fine for accessing police data without permission.
Forrester – who has a family – was found not guilty on three other misconduct charges.
He had been awaiting a retrial on several matters that the jury was unable to agree on, but key witnesses refused to evidence a second time.
The court heard how the 41-year-old, who is based in Merseyside, was called to a home in July 2009 to investigate property damage following an argument.
While he was upstairs inspecting the damage the woman, who cannot be identified, told him her husband worked away and only came home at weekends.
Forrester, of Halewood, then asked if her breasts were real and if he could feel them. She refused and walked away.
However, he then phoned her on several occasions over the following weeks.
At one point he even jammed his foot in her door when she tried to close it on him and only left when she threatened to set her dogs on him.
Jailed: Forrester was given a 15-month sentence at Liverpool Crown Court (pictured)
During his trial Forrester, a serving policeman for 13 years, was described by prosecutor Duncan Bould as a ‘sexual predator’.
He denied the allegations ‘one million per cent’.
Trevor Parry-Jones, defending, described Forrester as an ‘exemplary officer’ who had received commendations for his work and was highly respected by colleagues.
He said: ‘The effect of the sentence has been profound for him and horrendous for his family.
‘He is a man of 41 who has lost his career, lost his ability to gain financial reward for his family to support them.
‘In effect he’s put his family through an horrendous time. He has had one trial and was waiting for retrial for eight months. He was in limbo.
‘What you did caused that woman to feel totally vulnerable and move house’
‘He had to live the life of a hermit. Simply going outside brought him the wrath of those around.’
Mr Parry-Jones asked for his sentence to be suspended allowing Forrester to avoid jail.
He added: ‘These are not sex offences. These are misconduct offences.
‘He will in effect be labelled a sex offender as well as a police officer and will have to be in solitary for the whole period.’
He added that he had no money to pay a fine and his wife was having to pay the mortgage on their home.
Judge John Roberts said: ‘The evidence put before the jury shows your mind was very clearly on the prospect of an opportunistic physical interaction rather than the police work you were supposed to be doing.
‘I’ve no doubt that you took advantage of the situation and used your position as a police officer to further your ambitions as far as this woman was concerned.’
He jailed him for 15 months for misconduct in a public office and imposed a nominal £1 fine for accessing police data without permission.
Judge Roberts added: ‘What you did caused that woman to feel totally vulnerable and move house. I see no reason to suspend the sentence.’
Forrester gave his family the thumbs up as he was taken down to the cells.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Overkill and bad judgment IMHO. This is a war against the Male Principle and Male Spirit. Also a 2 week or at most 2 month suspension would have sufficed not 15 months on the taxpayer’s funds to enrich the Prison-Contractor-Supplier-Complex. While there should be no encouragement of adulterers or milf hunters, all that predatory stuff was just huffings of the weak minded judge or jury who does not understand that MALES are indeed hunters. The police force will now be bereft of the martial nature of this man, the alpha-ness and hunting sense that gives this man the mentality to ‘hunt’ his prey, in this case sex from unfortunately, a married woman. On the spiritual side though, the woman in concern despite married could well have subconsciously SEDUCED the police officer and thus initiated the string of events and behaviours.
Word of law that does not consider spirit of law is failure to deliver justice, and this judgment in my opinion shows the total inability of the judge in areas of both sexuality and understnding of the ‘male principle’. The woman did feel vulnerable and move house, and this could be chalked up to a lack of ability to differentiate if the woman seduced (seduction does not need word, manner and thougt at the moment can seduce just fine not a word spoken) of the local churches if both do go to church, or the local ‘Spiritual Watchers’ (we know that such ‘watchers’ are fallible too and have their own biases and failures in judgment that result in ‘Bigger Spiritual Watchers’ to retaliate with ‘signs’, or warn that they are out of line in dealing ‘justice’, rather than asking then warning properly before punishing) to sort things out.
The supposed victim, (even as this article may be intentionally be used/induced to justify the reversal of another case where victim and aggressor confused and reversed to protect ‘friends’, rather than ensure Justice) could much as well be an aggressor, because a woman who’s mind is disciplined will not induce such behaviour from any men, much less policemen. Those who are less than neutral or simply lack sensitivity to know the whys and wherefores, and intelligence and wisdom to judge properly cannot be allowed to hold such power. We have and can identify the phenotypes which are flawed to please commence clean up. A wasteful and abusive judgment.
Members of the Pussy Riot punk band (from left in the background) Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich during the hearings on the merits on their case in Moscow’s Hamovniki Court (RIA Novosti/Andrey Stenin)
Pussy Riot’s lawyers accuse the trial’s judge of “torturing” the three defendants, who they say have barely had any sleep or food since Monday. As the trial resumes, prosecution witnesses claim severe moral wounds and reluctance to forgive the girls.
The hot July day in a Moscow court started with a short but desperate fight among journalists as the proceedings over the three members of punk band Pussy Riot were relocated to a much smaller room than the one used Monday. Only ten places in the room were left for reporters; the most persistent ones continued their reports via Twitter, since pictures and videography were banned.
The session kicked off with the defense almost immediately attempting to file a motion to change the judge. The court shrugged the request off, as it had “ruled on a similar motion on Monday evening.” Still, three hours later, the defense succeeded.
The core reason behind the motion, Pussy Riot’s lawyers said, was that their clients were being subjected to “torture” because of the way the court proceedings were organized.
The lawyers maintained that Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich went to bed late after the previous day’s trial ended at ten in the evening, and were woken up early and hadn’t been fed since. Correspondents tweeting from the courtroom said that by the end of the day, the girls were literally falling asleep in their tiny bullet proof booth.
In response, the defendants were accused of purposely drawing out the trial.
“The defendants only prolonged the investigation, claiming that they were held in custody for too long and contesting the terms of their arrest,” said prosecutor Larisa Pavlova, adding that the defense’s appeal was nothing but “playing to the gallery.”
The motion failed with the judge, who added that there would be breaks for lunch and the opportunity to have a nap during the trial.
Apologies not accepted
Many in the courtroom rustled through their Bibles, and Tuesday generally went under the refrain “Do you accept our apology?”
Tolokonnikova, Alyokhina and Samutsevich are accused of “hooliganism, motivated by religious hatred and hostility” for performing a mock prayer “Virgin Mary, banish Putin” in Moscow’s main cathedral in February.
On Monday, the three girls said in a statement that they did not mean to insult any religious feelings and that their motives were purely political. They expressed regret for their “ethical mistake” and said they were sorry for taking their action to the cathedral.
But as the court listened to the nine “victims” – people aggrieved by Pussy Riot’s performance – it appeared none of them really believed the apology was sincere.
Thus, Tatyana Anosova, who collects donations and gives out candles in the cathedral, said: “They did not merely insult me, they spat into my face, spat into the face of my God.”
“One of them was bowing with her back turned onto the altar – she was showing her bottom to the altar, and it is God who’s there! My soul was torn to pieces.”
The defense posed provocative questions, pressing onto witnesses that forgiveness is a Christian value, and trying to figure out what exactly would constitute a sincere apology. This was transformed into a fierce battle, with the judge occasionally banning questions before they were even fully uttered.
To make a credible apology, the witnesses nevertheless said, “you should not smile,” “you should not deliver it through a statement,” “you should get baptized.” One of them even advised the girls to go to the convent, take vows and beat themselves with shatters.
Many of the witnesses told the court that Pussy Riot’s “diabolic dances in a sacred place” had affected them so much they had to skip work. Still, none of them wanted financial compensation, leaving the punishment “to the court and God.”
If the court supports the prosecutors’ charges, Tolokonnikova, Alyokhina and Samutsevich will face up to seven years in prison, according to Russia’s Criminal Code.
Claims of forged evidence
The session wrapped up with an unexpected dispute over whether prosecutors had made mistakes with the evidence. One of the books used in the case proved to be 100 pages longer than it was expected to be.
Moreover, the prosecution witnesses’ evidence was suspected of being copy-and-pasted from one and the same document. The defense pointed to paragraphs copied word for word – with the same spelling mistakes.
But the judge said the books often get recompiled and, as for the evidence, if the witnesses do not mind this, then this is not a case for an appeal. Witnesses did not mind.
Still the defense is going to lodge a complaint.
The trial will resume on Wednesday, with interviews of the witnesses for the defense, who include the father of Ekaterina Samutsevich.
Stephen Fry joins Pussy Riot’s supporters
Meanwhile, outside the courtroom Pussy Riot’s supporters brandished balloons with “Free Pussy Riot” emblazoned on them. However, during the course of the day their protests lost momentum and they resorted to lying on the grass waiting for the session to finish.
From the international perspective, British actor and comedian Stephen Fry has appealed to his Twitter followers, calling them to “do everything they could to help Pussy Riot.” Fry’s message comes on top of similar calls from musicians like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sting urging for the release of the punk rockers.
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Just bar the girls for 7 years from the Church and every Church in each district they try performing in. End this farce and send everyone on all sides of the argument packing. Putin being the ‘hard man’ type would think the whole case beneath the the President of Russia and even attention of the Judiciary. To be magnanimous, Putin (bad for being more than 2 terms though) should simply issue a pardon and be done with this waste of tax monies to bully some somewhat aging (25+) juvenile minded women. I’m almost bored with the judiciary’s and church’s ominpresence and the portion of Russian society’s petty minded bullying nature.
Russians surely understand the quality they are not displaying here. Pope Kiril being the head of the Orthodox Church should not even be fazed by the whole issue and simply go ‘I forgive them.’ being ever so stereotypically wise and religious. Not punish some dizzy (ditzy?) attention whoring dames who probably might even be part of some state apparatus or political faction TESTING Putin and the Church! Kiril fell for the trap, the girls wanted Kiril to get involved, and Kiril by not dismissing ‘Pussy Riot’ alongside Putin, just failed entirely to be beyond ‘mortal men’ or being ‘leader of nation.’
ARTICLE 18
‘Mission Impossible’: Kofi Annan quits UN mediator role in Syria as he delivers blistering attack on world powers for failing to unite and stop the violence – by Kirsty Walker – PUBLISHED: 19:16 GMT, 2 August 2012 | UPDATED: 08:08 GMT, 3 August 2012
Envoy frustrated by U.N. Security Council’s reluctance to intervene
Managed to get major powers on council to agree political transition
But was left disappointed when plan was never endorsed or acted on
Annan: ‘As an envoy, I can’t want peace more than the protagonists’
David Cameron says resignation shows current approach has failed
‘Impossible to go on’: Special enovy to Syria Kofi Annan has quit his mediator role because he has been unable to unite world powers to stop the country’s civil war
David Cameron last night called on the international community to ‘ramp up’ the pressure on Syria as Kofi Annan quit as special envoy to the country.
The former UN secretary general launched a blistering attack on world powers over their failure to unite over escalating violence in the country.
Mr Annan said he was unable to carry on his role while the current stand-off remains between the five veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council.
China and Russia, whose president Vladimir Putin met Mr Cameron in London yesterday, oppose intervention.
Mr Annan was behind a six-point peace plan for Syria that has failed to bring an end to the fighting.
Speaking in Geneva, he said: ‘When the Syrian people desperately need action, there continues to be finger pointing and name calling in the Security Council.
‘It is impossible for me or anyone to compel the Syrian government, and also the opposition, to take the steps to bring about the political process.
‘As an envoy, I can’t want peace more than the protagonists, more than Security Council or the international community, for that matter.’
Mr Cameron said: ‘We need to actually ramp things up, we need to pass resolutions at the UN, to put further pressure on Syria.’
The Prime Minister discussed the crisis with Mr Putin at Downing Street yesterday before going to watch the Olympic judo with the Russian, who is a black belt holder in the sport.
Following the talks, Mr Cameron insisted it was necessary to work with the Russians to persuade them to back a political transition in Syria. But no progress appeared to have been made.
Efforts in vain: Annan (centre) is welcomed by Syrian children on his arrival at Yayladagi refugee camp in Hatay province on the Turkish-Syrian border in April as he attempted to forge a peace plan for the embattled country
Mass grave: The funeral of 35 victims of shelling in the town of Artouz, naer Damascus
Call to arms: Rebels from the ‘Tawheed Brigade’ in Tal Rifaat, north of Aleppo, prepare to leave for battle against the Syrian army on Thursday
‘Let’s ramp things up’: David Cameron said Annan’s resignation showed that the current strategy towards Syria had failed
The UK has long called for President Bashar-al Assad to stand down but Russia opposes foreign intervention on either side.
It is the Russian leader’s first visit to the United Kingdom in seven years and comes amid fears that Moscow is turning away from the international community.
Relations between Britain and Russia have been cool following the poisoning of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in a London hotel in 2006.
Mr Cameron also raised the subject of the Pussy Riot punk rock group – due to stand trial for performing a protest song in Moscow.
There were reports of fierce fighting around the Syrian capital Damascus yesterday and rebels attacked a military air base in Aleppo using a tank captured from government troops.
Pictures also emerged of a mass grave in Artouz, near Damascus.
Opposition activists said the 35 bodies buried on Wednesday were those of victims of a bombardment by regime forces.
Since the Syrian uprising began 17 months ago, some 19,000 people have died.
Ban Ki-moon, secretary general of the UN, said last night that he was looking for a successor to Mr Annan to serve as Syria envoy.
He said: ‘Kofi Annan deserves our profound admiration for the selfless way in which he has put his formidable skills and prestige to this most difficult and potentially thankless of assignments.’
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Kofi Annan should read the below link and understand that initiating these amendments would ensure that the Security Council would properly represent world interests rather than that of a few countries :
Amendments to the structure of the Security Council must be made or initiated by Kofi Annan or any current and new Secretary Generals of the UN, resigning is easy and the lazy man’s (or should I say ‘mahn’ – just joking) method, but only amending the above form of UN is the real action for change. Microstates COULD though be allowed a SINGLE vote as a collective, but even this could be subject to abuse as too many are not agenda free led, *UNLESS* this vote is based on a one-man one vote from the entire populaces (as per TRUE DEMOCRACY – rather than “Representative Democracy” which is more Plutocracy or Term Limitless Political Oligarchy or BRIBED representatives than anything else) of ALL citizens of all 15 microstates at a quorom of 66% at least on ANY U.N. type amendments or human rights votes.
Take Singapore for a failed example, the migration policy is reviled by the majority of the population, but because of the term limitless MP oligarchs who are GLC plutocrats as well, we end up with the Singapore MPs hijacking the Singaporean people’s mandate with a law (giving a quota of citizenships yearly) that never would have passed at 66% quorum at one-man one-vote for all citizens instead. The same is happening at the UN, does Kofi Annan know this? Does Nelson Mandela know this? Does Ban Ki Moon know this? Will the UN ‘personaes’ apply themselves and act to amend as necessary any and all offending laws (or any laws causing or amounting to apartheid for instance) instead of ‘resigning’???
mini-ARTICLE 18.5
Police Armed With Tasers Swoop on Man Cycling to Work Dressed in a Ninja Costume For a Superhero Fun Day – Posted on August 1, 2012 by Søren Dreier
When Neil Duffield found out his work was to hold a superhero fun day, he decided it would be a great chance to dress up as that classic villain of Japanese history – the ninja.
So, when the day came, he donned the shadow warriors’ distinctive black apparel, face covered in the manner of the medieval assassins, strapped a plastic sword to his back, and hopped on his bike.
But as he pedalled the Southend, Essex seafront on his way to work at the Sealife Adventure Centre, a startled member of the public took fright and dialled 999.
It was then, as Mr Duffield entered the Sealife car park, that Essex Police’s Armed Response Unit pounced. They ordered him to freeze, with 50,000 volt Taser stun guns pointed squarely at his chest.
Stunned Mr Duffield, of Southchurch Road, Southend, said: ‘I was told to stay where I was. I had no idea what was going on.
‘I was then told to raise my hands and keep them in the air. By this time, I had a rough idea of what was going on because of my outfit.
‘I just said “it’s a costume, it’s a toy” while I had my arms in the air. The officers were from the armed response unit, they had tasers. I just stood still.
‘I kept as calm as I possibly could but I was quite scared. It all happened really quickly.’
The officers frisked him and quickly discovered the sword was a plastic toy.
They then told Mr Duffield, who has worked at the centre for five years, to relax, explaining that a member of the public had alerted them to a suspicious character.
‘They were just doing their job really,’ said Mr Duffield, whose exploits have now earned him the moniker ‘Ninja Neil’ among colleagues.
‘They told me to put my arms down and explained the situation. There were a few smiles afterwards.’
He added: ‘I was told not to carry it in public again….So I guess I’m not going to be out on the streets fighting crime after all!’
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Time for a cosplay revolt. From here on all people revolting will NEVER wear ‘normal’ clothes anymore. From now on, there will be ninjas, turtles, ninja turtles, MASKED samurais, MASKED robots, MASKED Tibetans, Burkha wearers, demons with sword like horns on their heads, and witches bearing brooms with sharpend swordlike ends, zombies carrying nail studded bats and boards, semi-or full naked anime characters in bikini-like costumes . . . EVERYDAY here on doing their groceries or going to the adult store to rent porn. So please do carry as many weapons or AA guns or what not as per the 2nd Amendment Rights – drive a TANK, fly an attack helicopter to the parking lot. 2nd Amendment rights for all. As always, any ‘ninja’s who destroy property or kill anyone will be liable to legal action as always BUT NOT for dressing like a ninja or carrying a weapon OPENLY! We will be fighting the crime of not being allowed to wear what we want or carry what we want all the time from now on! OCCUPY ALL *CLOTHES*! Superhero Fun Day from now on, FOREVER! This is a free world, NOT Orwell-land!
ARTICLE 19
Foreign prostitutes solicit customers in Beijing – (People’s Daily Online) – 08:18, August 02, 2012
The Security Administration Unit (SAU) and Chaoyang branch of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau recently arrested 15 people involved in prostitution at Qixingdao Bar, including four foreign prostitutes, according to information released on July 30. The foreign prostitutes solicited customers at the bar using gestures and simple Chinese, and then offered sexual services at a hotel or the apartment they rented.
Earlier in the month, the SAU received a phone call saying several prostitutes, including foreign women, had long solicited at Qixingdao Bar on the first underground floor of a building in Yabao Street in Chaoyang district, and then offered sexual services to interested customers at a hotel or their apartment.
After receiving the call, the SAU immediately sent undercover investigators to the bar, and found that foreign prostitutes had free entry to the bar. The bar employees knew clearly what these prostitutes were doing at their bar. The female foreign nationals communicated with customers at the bar through gestures and simple Chinese, saying they could offer sexual services at hotels. Some customers even accosted these prostitutes in an active manner. After they reached an informal agreement on the sexual services and price, an unlicensed taxi that the prostitutes hired would drive them to a hotel or the apartment the prostitutes rented, where the sexual services were offered.
After gathering enough information about the prostitutes’ activity patterns, the SAU and Chaoyang police arrested the suspects involved in prostitution on the night of July 18.
The police arrested seven bar employees and eight prostitutes, who solicited customers at Qixingdao Bar and then offered sexual services at a hotel or their rented apartment at a residential community in Chaoyang district, including four foreign prostitutes.
Chaoyang police have detained the 15 suspects for questioning, and Qixingdao Bar has been ordered to shut down.
Source: Beijing Times
[[[ *** RESPONSE *** ]]]
Zone and licence proper RLDs, also tax earnings from local and foreign sex workers. The Chinese government cannot be so naive as to imagine that bachelors without sexually active girlfriends, wives nearby (apparently China has a gender ratio imbalance?) or migrants far away from their wives left behind in rural areas in China do not need to have sex. Such discipline is not even viable among too many of the clergy. these are ordinary city folk, and cannot be denied their rights to sexual relaxation, especially in suitable zones. Looks like China’s local laws need some common sense amendments?
Foreign prostitutes incidentally are a better choice than local women who might have aggrieved relatives that the sex workers may lie about being forced to work when found out, even if consensually working – simply to save face or avoid problems, creating unnecessary disharmony when some more emotional relatives try to take revenge on K-Lounge or Brothel bosses, or confront (sometimes violently or sabotage the lives) of hapless clients, that GF who pretends to be a viable GF might well be a PROSTITUTE posing as a average girl (if they take synthetic drugs or offer you those, prepare for insane people retaliating at supposed wrong, especially in small towns where IQs drop proportionate with the size of the population) . . . which foreign prostitutes provide safety from in such issues. A training course or briefing could be implemented for licenced or temporary sex workers in RLDs alongside health checks. Sex positivism and common sense in proper perspective is needed! That is why official RLDs and Licensing are necessary!
malaysiandemocracy 