The United Nations food agency said Monday it has scaled down food distribution in Zimbabwe, where more than 1 million people are in critical need, because of a shortage of donor funds. It said further reductions might be necessary across southern Africa. The World Food Program said the poor donor response followed repeated assurances by the government that the nation would be able to feed itself ahead of the next harvests in March. The agency estimated 1.4 million Zimbabweans are in critical need of food aid now and predicts the number will rise to nearly 2 million in coming weeks because of soaring inflation and shortages of food on the local market.
The agency said it has had to resort to cutting back its urban feeding and school feeding programs and suspend mobile feeding in rural areas. About 65,000 tons of emergency food was budgeted at a cost of $35 million for the "lean" period, from October to March, when the previous year's harvest is running low and before the new harvest is ready. The agency received pledges for only 39,000 tons.
The worst current food shortages were being reported in arid areas of western, southern and far northern Zimbabwe. In its operations across southern Africa, the agency said it faced a $60 million funding shortfall and aid cutbacks were affecting 4.3 million chronically vulnerable people, 35 percent of them in Zimbabwe. "Further feeding operations may be cut back across the region if resources do not improve," the agency said.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
Hm...why does a country with so many farms like Zimbabwe need food aid? And why are so many people reluctant to contribute? My first guess is racism.
#5
Yes, Gromky, I hope you had your tongue firmly in your Bob's arse about that racism thing.
A country with so many farms? Where have you been? Please, tell me how many "farms" Bobland has, more importantly, how many "farmers". (Belonging to a shower of shite called zanu-pf, does not qualify, even if one has a farm). Maybe you meant ex-farms.
And, when the food aid arrives, who do you think will control it, and make sure the self-interested povo/officials/army/air force who support Bob on tribal lines get it all?
And market manipulation by Mugabe? Destroy the bread basket of Africa, and prices WILL rise.
TOULOUSE, France -- French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin promised a $186 million package of loans Tuesday to help Airbus subcontractors and other companies affected by the European plane maker's troubles.
Villepin promised $103 million in government loans and guarantees for Airbus suppliers from 2007-2008, and a further $83 million in funding and tax breaks for aerospace and related industries - some of which would be earmarked for research facilities in Toulouse. "We are standing by Airbus and all of its subcontractors," Villepin said during a visit to Toulouse, southwestern France, where the European jet maker is based. Villepin was visiting one of Airbus's subcontractors.
Airbus suppliers have been affected by a costly two-year production delay on the superjumbo A380. The jet maker and its parent company European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. have blamed wiring problems for the holdups, which are set to wipe $6.2 billion off profit over the next four years and are complicating plans for a still unlaunched mid-size jet to compete with Boeing Co.'s 787. So another piece of the airbus bailout falls into place. Mods, the turkey picture, if you please. thanks.
Of course. But in the future, put a URL in the source box please, and use a shorter title (snarky is always okay). AoS.
#2
AoS: OK, first time i did the post-it thing, so give me a minute to figger out how this thing works and then I will take the training wheels off. thanks.
#1
If Mr. Rubin wants to help reduce the future entitlement benefits he frets so much about, he could always support reforming those programs. Yet when President Bush invited him to participate in a bipartisan entitlement commission last year, Mr. Rubin refused.
Which is why we suspect that Mr. Rubin's real game here is politics. The Citigroup Inc. executive is part of Hillary Rodham Clinton's braintrust, and he and she would like nothing better than to coax Mr. Bush into raising taxes in the next two years. That would take the tax issue off the table in 2008, while splintering Republicans the way President George H.W. Bush's tax-hike deal with George Mitchell did going into 1992.
yep
Posted by: Frank G ||
11/14/2006 9:20 Comments ||
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#2
Rubin wants a tax hike now. Fine, give it to him.
Then the recession that is coming anyway will be pinned squarely on the "Tax and Spend" democrats in 2008.
#3
Unfortunately OS, the mass-media fed public tends to blame the party holding the White House, not Capitol Hill. Ignorance is bliss. God forbid people learn a little f'ing civics.
#4
I blame both parties for the mess in Washington. The Democrats for cowardness and hatefulness and the Republicans for spinelessness for not standing up to them and spending too much.
#5
And this is what drives me crazy about the pubbies, no context.
Some pubbie's going on TV somewhere and won't say you know, the president asked Mr. Rubin to be a part of the bipartisan entitlement commission to be a part of the solution, he declined. He's playing politics, nothing more. I have nothing more to say about him or his views.
That should be the standard comment across the board.
#6
I have long envisioned a professional credibility rating for such government wonks. It is objective, based on what they advocated, and what happened.
For instance, though he is publicly damned by the left, I would see the credibility of Arthur Laffer being quite high, because he was right. He didn't just make a theory. It was tested and worked.
Whereas Rubin should have a barrel bottom rating, something he could be reminded of when he shoots off his mouth like this. A warning: "Don't listen to this bozo. What he says doesn't work."
Panama. I guess America was all booked up. JUNKET FOR DEMOCRAT CORRUPTION CRUNCHERS
Just two days after retaking the House and promising to end the "culture of corruption," Rep. Charles Rangel and a dozen other congressmen rubbed elbows with business leaders in sunny Panama. Cuba was booked, too.
They attended a conference in Panama City's luxurious $190-per-night Caesar Park hotel - which has a sauna, pool and 24-hour casino "all set in a lush tropical setting more like a resort than a business hotel," according to its Web site. Gosh, go figure, huh?
While some members say they paid their own way, the conference had big-bucks corporate sponsors, including Pfizer, Citibank, AT&T, American Airlines and Time Warner. The A-List with legislation before Congress. Boggle.
Rangel, who will chair the Ways and Means Committee and who has written Caribbean trade legislation [guaranteeing myself cover for these gigs... purdy clever, eh?], headed the delegation to the Caribbean Multinational Business Conference. I, uh, hafta go, y'see.
"I never saw a pool, a beach or anything," Rangel told The Post. "Of course, I play a major role in it because I am a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee." I'm gonna be the Chairman in January. Woohoo!
Rangel said there was no bad symbolism to the business conference, even though Democrats just knocked off Republicans caught in a corruption scandal that involved lobbyist-sponsored trips. Just business, nothing personal...
Rangel says he paid his own way. Heh, he certainly will now, I'd bet. Wouldn't it be fun to get the hotel records to see who paid what and when?
Rep. Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn) was among about 12 Congressional Black Caucus attendees. Sure, those Panamanians are Persons of Color, right? Duty called - I hadta be there.
Rangel said the event had "nothing to do with Congress" and said there was "not a lobbyist in the group" - although he later added that Macy's and Verizon sent representatives. Um, had nothing to do with Congress? So why were you there, exactly? Didn't you just say "Of course, I play a major role in it because I am a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee."??? Politics is soooo confusing.
#1
I live in an apartment 1 block away from the Caesar Park. Matter of fact, I am looking at it through my window right now. All I can say about Rangel is he must have worn a blindfold to never see a "pool, beach, or anything." Every room in the Caesar provides either an Ocean view or a view of the pool.
Posted by: Destro in Panama ||
11/14/2006 11:09 Comments ||
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Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, has taken the first step toward mounting a presidential candidacy, forming an organization on Friday to explore a White House run.
Posted by: Fred ||
11/14/2006 00:00 ||
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#1
WAPO > KRAUTHAMMER article > 2006 elex = In short, THE DEMS HAVE [OFFICIALLY?] MOVED TO THE RIGHT [= CONSERVATIVISM?]. "CENTRISM" is also dead. Iff BOTH PARTIES are now Rightist = Right-Wing, or forms thereof, its gonna be interesting two years + 2008, for RUDY and opposition. KEEP BUYING DAT POPCORN.
#3
Too much baggage in his personal life. Recall that before 9/11 they were hammering him for all kinds of stuff - remember he withdrew from his race against Hillary because he had all kinds of dirt tht she was going to use on him. And its the worst kind of dirt: the truth, and it would have stuck.
And then, there's this from 2004 (I forgot where the link was, I'll dig it up):
Former mayor Rudolph Giuliani sued all the way up to the Supreme Court to defend the citys sanctuary policy against a 1996 federal law decreeing that cities could not prohibit their employees from cooperating with the INS. Oh yeah? said Giuliani; just watch me. The INS, he claimed, with what turned out to be grotesque irony, only aims to terrorize people. Though he lost in court, he remained defiant to the end. On September 5, 2001, his handpicked charter-revision committee ruled that New York could still require that its employees keep immigration information confidential to preserve trust between immigrants and government. Six days later, several visa-overstayers participated in the most devastating attack on the city and the country in history.
I need to see a full repudiation of that and a lot of other stuff before I would consider Guliani for the nomination. If he gets it and is up against Hildebeeste, then I may not even vote at all, or only half heartedly for the Trunks.
#4
If Mr. Guiliani learnt from his mistake with regard to illegals, I could forgive him, I think. Before 9/11 there were plenty who thought the good times would last forever, and at least he quickly figured out what was important. As for the dirt, the key is the comparison to his opponents.
#7
Maybe the front runner of those who have announced - McCain, Duncan Hunter & Guiliani. I stick with my original thought. NYC Mayor doesn't sell well in flyover country. Lots more will announce over the next year. Mitt Romney would be a very formidable candidate. No baggage (that we know about), won in a very Blue state and is more conservative than the NYC Mayor. He speaks well and is camera ready too.
For those who don't know Duncan Hunter, he is salt of the earth, through and through. Former Army Ranger who spent 26 years in congress. Chaired the House Armed Services Committee. One of only a couple of legislators that actually has a son in Iraq. Tough on illegal immigration and the Islamonuts. Too bad nobody has heard of him outside of San Diego.
I continue to tip my cap to your sagacity but in fairness to Hizzoner, Rudy had prostate cancer, which precipitated his withdrawl from the 2000 Senate Race. I don't think he was afraid of Hillary for a second.
I personally would vote Rudy in a NY minute but I think health questions, ala Paul Tsongas, will probably be added to concerns about his "Blue State Lifestyle".
It's a shame really because he would make a great President.
#10
lol, Ship. But, I do have to say, as a Christian, even though I think Mormons are freaks, I'd vote for him over any of the other front-runners (at least those that have announced).
Now, if we have a JOE M/Condi ticket on the other hand.....
Posted by: BA ||
11/14/2006 15:47 Comments ||
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#11
Intrinsicpilot, I am sure the SS could handle it. I like Hunter but I love Romney. I heard him give a campaign speech and my first thought was that he was POTUS material. The man just seems so ?Presidental? and more than say Hillary, McClueless, McKerry, or even Obama. It's like he was sent from central casting. Before you ask Fred, NO I am not gay. P.S. I think Rudy would make a fine AG, SecState, or maybe Ambassador to the un. Not the President I want.
#12
I was 80% serious BA. I wonder how many Mormons are in the Secret Service. I would expect a fairly good representation with their public service ethic.
#13
Sarge, Ditto on Rudy for an AG. People prefer a NYC pitbull for their attorney. Just not for the leader of the free world. Besides, governors have the best chance. Romney is a serious contender. He's been here to California many times over the past couple of years. I'm sure there's a reason why. BTW, Obama has 0% chance. Of anything nationally. I don't mean to sound superficical but...with a name that's one letter different than Osama I can hear the conversations around the water cooler even now. Heh.
#14
Flyover this;
During the Crown Heights riots, Giuliani set up his command center in the middle of an intersection in Crown Heights.
You've never seen a politician with balls like him. The NY press hated his guts because he takes no shit from anyone. His associate Bernie Karik, was great, yet he's not 'clean' enough for Bush to nominate. Get over it ! You want your Patton, you better listen to what Giuliani says, not what shitheads say about him.
We need a winner, not Mr. Clean.
We need a guy who will fight like a cornered rat and not consider any soft landings for our enemy.
We need a guy who has the brains to know what to do and the balls to do it. Where else will you find that, and how can you be sure ? I am sure, Giuliani, Crown Heights, Ground Zero, taking charge in your face.
The NWFP Assembly passed the controversial Hasba Bill with minor amendments amid fiery speeches and the usual circus a walkout by the opposition here on Monday. Speaker Bakht Jehan Khan was in the chair. The beaming NWFP Chief Minister, Akram Khan Durrani, thanked the House for smooth passage of the bill. He claimed that it would now lay a solid foundation for provision of quick and inexpensive justice to citizens, especially to those belonging to the poor segment of society.
The joint opposition, terming the Hasba Bill unconstitutional and ultra vires, said that it was against the verdict of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The opposition members said that the bill would jeopardise the entire system. They condemned the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal for selecting an inappropriate time for tabling the controversial bill. "The religious alliance wants to get political mileage out of it and appoint its workers on important positions before elections," a member said.
Earlier, the opposition legislators belonging to the ANP, the PPPP, the PPP (Sherpao) and the PML, wearing black armbands, walked out of the House. MPs of the PML-N, a member of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf and independents did not join the protest. Those who did not join the walkout also included Israrullah Khan Gandapur of PPP-S and Nighat Orakzai of PML-Q. However later, the PML-Q MPA said that she remained in the House intentionally only to say "no" to the Hasba Bill. The MMA would have passed the bill unanimously, but now with her negative vote, it was passed with a majority vote instead of unanimously.
Earlier, Nighat Orakzai, who wore a black band around her forehead, returned her copy of the bill to the speaker on the plea that it carried sacred names, and shouted: "Martial law of Maulvis is not acceptable."
Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Malik Zafar Azam moved the bill in the House. The House adopted 6 out of 25 amendments moved by PPP-S MPA Israrullah Khan Gandapur. The speaker read the bill clause-by-clause and sought the consent of the House. The young Gandapur withdrew his three amendments while the treasury benches rejected his other sixteen amendments when the speaker put them to voice vote. Former deputy speaker and dissident MMA MPA from Mardan, Ikramullah Shahid, who had earlier been terming the Hasba Bill unconstitutional and suggesting the chair to refer it to the select committee, withdrew all his amendments and joined his colleagues in the walkout after delivering a speech. Another MMA dissident MPA from Shangla, Pir Muhammad Khan was conspicuous by his absence and that is why all of his proposed amendments lapsed. The lone parliamentary leaders of their respective parties Dr. Salim of Swabi Qaumi Mehaz and Mian Nisar Gul of PTI supported the bill by not joining the opposition.
Former speaker and PPPP parliamentary leader, Abdul Akbar, demanded speaker's ruling on why his amendments were not included. He did not agree with the chair and quoted relevant rules to prove that all his amendments were moved on time but they were ignored.
Earlier, opposition leader Shahzada Gustasip, parliamentary leaders Bashir Ahmad Bilour (ANP), Abdul Akbar Khan (PPPP), Sikandar Sherpao (PPP-S), Mushtaq Ghani (PML-Q), former deputy speaker, Ikramullah Shahid, Khalil Abbas, Israrullah Gandapur and Nighat Orakzai, opposed the bill and asked the speaker to refer it to the House standing committee for improvement.
Bashir Bilour, in his hard-hitting speech, criticised the MMA for making political mileage out of the Hasba Bill, saying it would further enhance sectarianism and divide the already divided sects. He posed a question as to how the MMA would implement the Islamic system in the province when courts would be deciding matters under the existing British law. Why did the government not concentrate on the existing laws instead of complicating the existing system by appointing provincial, district and tehsil Mohtasib, who would be above the law and would not be accountable to anyone? Was this being done because the existing departments, its officers, ministers and chief minister were inefficient and how would they bring improvements under the Hasba Bill?
Posted by: Fred ||
11/14/2006 00:00 ||
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LSA Anaconda, Iraq Proud non-citizen servicemembers raised their right hands, took the Oath of Allegiance, and became proud American citizens during an inspirational Veterans Day weekend ceremony at Living Support Area Anaconda in Balad, Iraq Nov.12.
A number of dignitaries spoke to the almost capacity crowd at LSA Anacondas Sustainer Theater. Brig. Gen. Michael J. Terry, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Commanding General, delivered the key note speech. Terry told the new citizens and the crowd that there is probably no other situation or investment, except serving your Lord, where a person can give up so little and receive so much more in return. Congratulations, Folks!
Becoming an American can have nothing to do with birth or ancestry. Terry said. That is because America is an idea, not a race.
Posted by: Bobby ||
11/14/2006 06:04 ||
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#1
One howler of an error though:
"Living Support Area "
LMAO - anyone that's been there can tell you "living" isn't the best way to describe it in spite of the nice PX, etc.
its LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA. Or LSA-A. Or simply Balad (even tho the town itself, that shithole, is off the the NE).
And a shout out to those guys in the walled compound down there, you know who you are, and we got your backs here in CONUS. Wish I could be with ya but Im just too old and brokedick to be in the field with the warriors. They still got the 3 strand and the goats that go right thru it on the base perimeter?
For those that don't know LSAA is the busiest set of runways in the world right now - used to be Saddam's top airbase in terms of perks and loyal people.
Now someone PLEASE get reporters with at least some knowledge of the military... even though I'm sure this is a nice report from a rather earnest reporter in this case, they still don't *know* the military.
#2
How'd you like to be the PSG who calls the roll on that platoon?
Dayome.
Posted by: Richard Aubrey ||
11/14/2006 10:13 Comments ||
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#3
Exactly the kind of citizens we want: those who think it worth protecting. Not like that Indian woman who heads up PepsiCo, who became a citizen for convenience, then made a speach at Columbia Business School not long after explaining exactly why she loathes America and Americans.
(AsiaNews) After a meeting with the sultan of Perak, a Malaysian state where a Catholic church falsely accused of baptising Muslims was besieged by a Muslim mob, Harussani Zakaria, the local mufti, said a woman was behind the rumour that led to the incident. His only fault, in his words, was to have fulfilled his duty of reminding Muslims of the threats facing Islam today the threats that now Islam faces, The Star daily reported this morning.
On November 5 some 110 Catholic children were set to receive their first Holy Communion in the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Silibin when a mob of 300 people surrounded the building after they learnt via text-messaging that a group of Muslims was going to be baptised there. Mufti Harussani said that on October 21 a woman, a former student at al-Azhar University in Cairo who had converted to Christianity and then returned to Islam, sent him a text message in which she claimed that a group of Muslims was going to be baptised at a church. The message provided date and place.
The mufti then met the woman who brought along documents and material purportedly showing that hundreds of ethnic Malays were soon to convert. He said he raised his concerns over the allegations with representatives of Muslim non-governmental organisations at the state mosque in Perak on November 2. He also said he handed all the information over to the police and the Special Branch for investigation. However, he explained: What I revealed was meant to stay within the confines of the meeting. I did not know that those present would pass the word around. It was never my intention to create chaos. [But] as mufti, I have the responsibility to remind Muslims of the threats facing Islam today.
Harussani, who made his deposition before the police on November 5, denied claims that he was the author of the SMS that led to the incident at the church. Now police is investigating the case to determine the veracity of the muftis statement.
#2
Let's trade all the Malaysian Chrisians, Buddhists, etc., for the Thai muslims, and seal the Malaysian/Thai border. I think that would be a win-win situation, wouldn't it? 8^)
Posted by: Old Patriot ||
11/14/2006 19:57 Comments ||
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#2
The Democrats are back and the economy is sunbeams and lollipops! W00t!
look at that. And they didn't even sit in their seats yet. Those guys are good!
The bad news is that now the economy really will start to tank and the media will just keep printing smiley faces - then when the people get smart enough to realize they can't pay their taxes and the interest rates are 18% they will put the Republicans back in power and blame them for the mess.
I'm going to batten down the hatches abit - no matter what the papers say. Lock those interest rates.
Posted by: The Democrats ||
11/14/2006 19:17 Comments ||
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#6
KRAUTHAMMER > 2006 > the Dems are now Right'ers. It'll be a while yet before they formally begin using the labels SOCIALIST, GOVERNMENTIST, COMMUNIST, CENTRALIST TOTALITARIAN/ABSOLUTIST, + GLOBAL -----, etal. [pre-Amer Hiroshimas?]. They likely will not want the new SSSSSSSSHHHHHHHH UNITARIAN [MODERATE]SOCIALIST NPE to start off on a bad PR footing domestically. AMERICAN HIROSHIMAS/NEW 9-11's is still a threat becuz their focii now is to proceed to WEAKEN FREE AMERICA'S IMAGE + MILPOL/GEOPOL POSITION OVERSEAS, FOR ANTI-AMERICAN, ANTI-DEMOCRATIC, ANTI-SOVEREIGN OWG = GLOBAL SOCIALISM-GOVT-ISM.
DIALECTICALISM = WAFFLE-ISM > VOLUNTARILY = FORCIBLY > NEED AMER HIROSHIMAS/NEW 9-11's AS BACK-UP CONTINGENCY. Gee whiz, Beaver and MaryAnne and Mr. Rogers, they only wanna kill or hurt a FEW 000's = FEW MILYUHNS = FEW SCORE MILYUHNS. ITS GOOD FOR AMERICA, ITS GOOD FOR OWG, ITS FOR THE ENVIRO, ITS FOR "THE PEOPLE", + ITS FOR THE CHILDREN, D***ng IT!?
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.