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Khatami, Karroubi join Mousavi's Green movement
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 6: Politix
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-Lurid Crime Tales-
What Do Most Of These FBI Wanted Murderers Have In Common?
Posted by: Anonymoose || 08/19/2009 19:07 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Success in the school system's bi-lingual education program? /sarc
Posted by: Procopius2k || 08/19/2009 19:41 Comments || Top||

#2  I know! I know!

*raises hand and waves*

They're mostly men!

So, what's my prize?
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 08/19/2009 20:10 Comments || Top||

#3  Sorry, none have committed a Federal crime beyond Unlawful Flight. So the FBI is supposed to chase down all the _______ California releases? What a waste of money.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble || 08/19/2009 20:29 Comments || Top||

#4  No! No! No!

The've all consumed that dreadful poison DihydrogenMonoxide (DHMO). Note that every criminal and murderer in the World has been exposed to DHMO!

Some of the dangers of DHMO include (from the FAQ):

* Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities.
* Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.
* Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects.
* DHMO is a major component of acid rain.
* Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns.
* Contributes to soil erosion.
* Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.
* Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits.
* Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.
* Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions.
* Given to vicious dogs involved in recent deadly attacks.
* Often associated with killer cyclones in the U.S. Midwest and elsewhere, and in hurricanes including deadly storms in Florida, New Orleans and other areas of the southeastern U.S.
* Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 08/19/2009 20:47 Comments || Top||


Peoria police deploy crime-fighting "Armadillo"; lowlifes flee in shame
PEORIA, Ill. -- This industrial city, hard hit by the recession, has found a new, low-budget way to fight crime: Park an unmanned, former Brink's truck bristling with video cameras in front of the dwellings of troublemakers.

Police here call it the Armadillo. They say it has restored quiet to some formerly rowdy streets. Neighbors' calls for help have dropped sharply. About half of the truck's targets have fled the neighborhood.

"The truck is meant to be obnoxious and to cause shame," says Peoria Police Chief Steven Settingsgaard. The Armadillo has helped alleviate problems like drug dealing that can make neighborhoods unlivable....

The Armadillo is the opposite of an undercover operation. Its goal isn't making arrests, but alerting suspects that police are on to them, police say. The surveillance footage is rarely reviewed by the police and is saved for just a short time before it is erased. Still, the unit can have a significant impact....
Posted by: Mike || 08/19/2009 13:11 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  So, the cop on the beat is replaced by a heavy weight clunker.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 08/19/2009 14:01 Comments || Top||


6 Cops, 59 Shots, 43 Wounds - That man is dead Jim
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Alonzo Heyward carried a rifle around his low-rent neighborhood one day last month, ranting about suicide and ignoring the pleas of friends for hours before six Chattanooga police officers surrounded him on his front porch and decided it had to end.

His father says Heyward told the officers, "I'm not out here to hurt anybody."

But the police, who tried unsuccessfully to disarm Heyward, fired 59 rounds to kill him on July 18. The medical examiner found 43 bullet wounds in his chest, face, arms, hands, legs, buttocks and groin. Police contend Heyward was a danger to others and threatened the six officers.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 08/19/2009 13:03 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Remember when states had mental hospitals?
Posted by: Parabellum || 08/19/2009 16:30 Comments || Top||

#2  I remember one such instance where the crazy guy was walking down the street, randomly firing his shotgun in all directions. His outraged family complained that the police shouldn't have shot him, because he didn't hurt anybody.
Posted by: Anonymoose || 08/19/2009 19:14 Comments || Top||

#3  Do the Officers get the Imperial Polk County Florida Sheriff Grady Judd Award?
"The officers stopped firing because they ran out of ammo!"
Posted by: Don Vito Anginegum8261 || 08/19/2009 19:49 Comments || Top||


-Obits-
Kim Dae-jung Dead at 85
Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung died of multiple organ failure caused by complications from pneumonia at Yonsei University's Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seoul on Tuesday. He was 85.

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ji-won, a close associate to Kim, said Kim’s wife Lee Hee-ho, his three sons Hong-il, Hong-up and Hong-gul, his daughters-in-law, relatives and close associates were at his deathbed.

President Lee Myung-bak paid tribute to Kim, saying, "We lost a great political leader. I pray that former president Kim's lifelong wishes will lead to inter-Korean reconciliation and national unity."

Kim's death marks a watershed in Korea's political landscape, where, as a long-time dissident and nemesis of the authoritarian President Park Chung-hee, he represented the pole of democratization against the conservative tendency that emphasized industrialization. He was also an anchor in the binary power structure that pitted his stronghold in the Jeolla Provinces against the conservative power base in the Gyeongsang Provinces.

Kim Dae-jung shaped what is known as the "era of the three Kims" together with former President Kim Young-sam and former prime minister Kim Jong-pil. Only three former Presidents, Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo and Kim Young-sam, are still alive.
Posted by: Steve White || 08/19/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


-Short Attention Span Theater-
Is she really a HE?
Hokay, Rantburg experts, check the pics at the link and record your votes in the comments.

Update at 1545 CT: link fixed. Arrrgh. AoS.
Women's 800m gold medal favourite told to take gender test hours before World Championship race

The gold medal favourite in tonight's women's 800m World Athletics Championships race is today facing claims that she is really a man. South African Caster Semenya, 18, is set to race in tonight's final in Berlin after sailing through a semi-final on Monday in her first major international sporting competition.

But the teenage sensation has sparked controversy over her strikingly muscular physique.

Today officials at the world athletics body, the IAAF, revealed that it ordered her to take a gender test three weeks ago. IAAF spokesman Nick Davies confirmed the tests were taking place, though he said the results would not be confirmed for several weeks.

Until the results are confirmed, there is nothing to prevent Semenya from competing in tonight's final, he said. He added: 'At this moment in time we do not have any evidence to stop her running.'

South African athletics chiefs furiously denied the claims and stated Semenya was definitely female. Molatelo Malehopo, general manager of Athletics South Africa, said: 'She is a female. We are completely sure about that and we wouldn't have entered her into the female competition if we had any doubts. We have not been absent-minded, we are very sure of her gender. We are aware of the claims that have been made but our aim at the moment is to prepare Caster for the race this evening.'

Semenya was ordered to take the test after raising suspicion during an incredible performance at a junior championship. The teenager, from Polokwane in South Africa's Limpopo province, burst onto the running scene at last month's African Junior Championship in Mauritius where she clocked 1:56.72 in the 800 metres. The time was the best recorded in the world so far this year by more than a second.

Mr Davies revealed that Semenya's astoundingly quick performance prompted suspicions over her gender. Experts were concerned over the way she runs and urged the South African athletics body to test her.

A group of doctors, including an endocrinologist, a gynaecologist, an internal medicine expert, an expert on gender and a psychologist, have started the procedure but it is uncertain when the results will be known. The complex process could take several weeks to be complete.

'It would be wrong today to take a decision to withdraw an athlete,' said Mr Davies.

He added that Semenya is not being accused of cheated, and emphasised the test is not compulsory. 'This is a medical condition,' he said. 'It is nothing that she has done. There is a need to make sure rules are followed. We are more concerned for the person and not to make this as something that is humiliating.'
Posted by: Steve White || 08/19/2009 13:03 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  No link.
Posted by: whitecollar redneck || 08/19/2009 13:31 Comments || Top||

#2  Here ya go:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1207653/Womens-800m-gold-medal-favourite-Caster-Semenya-takes-gender-test-hours-World-Championship-race.html
Posted by: mojo || 08/19/2009 16:13 Comments || Top||

#3  Gad zooks!!!!! I wish I hadn't seen that.
Posted by: whitecollar redneck || 08/19/2009 18:42 Comments || Top||

#4  S(he) definately looks different than the rest of the (female) runners.

Posted by: Frozen Al || 08/19/2009 18:48 Comments || Top||

#5  There's 2 seconds of my life I'll never get back....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 08/19/2009 19:42 Comments || Top||

#6  Lady looks like a dude.
Posted by: DMFD || 08/19/2009 21:38 Comments || Top||

#7  Well (s)he still looks better than those Soviet weightlifting "women"
Posted by: European Conservative || 08/19/2009 21:42 Comments || Top||

#8  I'd recommend TuccusTucker™ tape. The brand "she" is using isn't working.
Posted by: ed || 08/19/2009 21:45 Comments || Top||


Arabia
Curly-toed heroin slippers, don't fail me now
Five Pakistani Umrah pilgrims, who have been detained in Jeddah prison following recovery of heroin from their slippers by Saudi Arabian authorities, might have to undergo at least seven years imprisonment even if the Pakistan government files a petition to prove their innocence. In case of inaction on the part of Pakistani government, they would have to face the death penalty under Saudi law.

Javed Ahmed Chhatari advocate, who just recently returned from Jeddah where he met the investigation officer (IO) handling the case, told The News that the people who were arrested by the Jeddah customs, even if proved innocent, could not be released as they were caught red-handed by the customs officials with heroin-filled slippers.

Arif Chowhan, his wife Shumaila Arif; Anees Ahmed, his wife Rabia Anees and their mother Zohra Moosan have been detained in Jeddah jail since June 1 after they were arrested by the Shurta (Saudi police).

The Saudi IO, who wanted not to be named, told Chhatari that the eight pilgrims who reached Jeddah via PIA flight PK-731 on June 1 were arrested after the recovery of four kilogrammes of heroin - 250 grams of heroin per slipper - from their possession.

After recovery of heroin from their slippers, the airport staff stopped all the passengers aboard the Pakistani flight for four hours and only let them go after thorough checking.

During investigation, three other detainees - Shamim Bano, mother of Shafia, and Zubair, her brother – confessed before the police that they had come to Jeddah six times in the past and successfully smuggled the drugs in the same manner. Another detainee Pervez – their cousin – also pleaded guilty.

The IO said that under the Saudi legal system, which runs under Islamic law, there are three types of drug-related charges: smuggling, dealing and usage. The most serious of the three charges is smuggling - and anybody who pleads guilty would have to face the death penalty. The pilgrims caught at the Jeddah airport, the IO said, had been charged with heroin smuggling.

The three detainees had indeed told the Saudi investigators that the two couples and their mother were unaware of wearing the heroin-filled slippers. However, under the Saudi law, those found carrying drugs would have to face trial and a minimum of seven years’ imprisonment even if they prove their innocence with documentary evidence.

The decision in the case will only be announced by the Qazi (judge) and even the King could not interfere with the Qazi’s verdict. Under Islamic Tazeer (penal punishment), the Qazi would conclude the case in three hearings; the proceedings of the case of these Pakistanis are yet to begin.

The Qazi will enforce the “Laiha Itteham” (framing charge) and the accused would prove their innocence through “Dalil” (arguments) in three months’ time. They had to file a “Salisatan” (in person) and a “Wakalatin” (through lawyer) in writing to satisfy the three-member Qazi court.

The court proceedings in Saudi Arabia are conducted under five edifices - Tazeer (penal), Quran, Sunnah, Ijtehad (edict), Ijma (consensus of the Ulema) and Qayas (presumption).

The Pakistan government has not hired any counsel; however, Chhatari will file power of attorney duly attested by the Foreign Office of Pakistan in the court of Jeddah to plead their case.

To prove their innocence, Chhatari said, he would submit four FIRs registered in Pakistan, reports of the CPLC standing committee and Senate as well as the statements of the group members who traveled with them. Their statements were recorded under Section 164 before the judicial magistrate with their translation in Arabic. The Saudi government will only allow him to plead the case after hiring a Mutarajim (translator).

The detained intending pilgrims allege that they were given the heroin-filled slippers prior to boarding the flight as a gift by a so-called sub-travel agent of M/s Al-Huda Travels & Tours namely Syed Sarwat Hussain and his wife Mst. Shafia Khanam, telling them that the same would serve as their identity when they would proceed ahead from the Jeddah Airport.
Posted by: john frum || 08/19/2009 14:50 || Comments || Link || [7 views] Top|| File under:

#1  My, what big shoes you have! 8.8 pounds of heroin per shoe and they weren't aware that they were carying a litle something extra.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon || 08/19/2009 15:30 Comments || Top||

#2  8.8 OUNCES per shoe, perhaps? 8.8 pounds would be just shy of 4 Kilos, the total 'recovered' between the eight folks.

Still, half a pound per shoe is quite a bit when you're talking 'horse'.

Might make the feet a tad 'numb' (of course there's a bit of hiking
Posted by: Mullah Richard || 08/19/2009 16:30 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
Govt moves to clamp down on outlaws
[Bangla Daily Star] Top bosses of different law enforcement agencies are set to hold a meeting with the police officials of 10 southwestern districts in Kushtia tomorrow amidst an alarming resurgence of so-called outlawed gangs.

Inspector General of Police and Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) are scheduled to reach Kushtia tomorrow while the superintendents of police (SPs) of these districts have been asked to be present also.

The districts are Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenidah, Magura, Jessore, Narail, Khulna, Satkhira and Bagerhat since January this year. At least 228 people were killed in these districts since January this year.

Khulna Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Sheikh Hemayat Hossain confirmed about the schedule but declined to disclose any details of the meeting's agenda to the press.

At least five out of 12 outlawed parties have backed to crime spree after further regrouping under the command of 20 kingpins in southwestern region in recent months, the DIG said. "We've put in our best efforts to root out activities of these parties but it is not possible to do so overnight as this menace is there for about 40 years."

A special operation of police to nab all the listed criminals is on track, he said.

Sources close to the outlawed party men and law enforcement agencies pointed fingers at a group of political leaders who allegedly give patronage to the outlawed cadres to get 'benefits' by using their strength.

With the number of killings on the rise, the law and order situation in 10 southwestern districts is getting deteriorated--Kushtia being the worst victim, sources said.

According to police records and press reports, at least 228 persons were killed in the region in last seven and a half months. Of them, around 150 were killed, some of them brutally, by the outlawed party cadres.

In most of the cases, different factions of the outlawed parties almost immediately claimed responsibility for such killings. Tenders of construction work, establishing control over bus and ferry terminals, roads and bazars and extracting illegal tolls are said to be the reasons behind most of these killings.

The five outfits that become criminally active in recent months are Purbo Banglar Communist Party (PBCP-ML), its two factions Janajuddho and Lal Pataka, Gono Bahini and Gono Mukti Fouz.

Kushtia tops the list of killings with 63 murders followed by 46 in Jhenidah, 41 in Jessore, 28 in Khulna, 16 in Chuadanga, 10 in Meherpur, eight in Satkhira, seven in Bagerhat, five in Narail and four in Magura.

Rival party men killed at least 52 outlaws during the period. The deaths included 15 businessmen who had refused to pay tolls. Those killed also included at least 17 local politicians--four belonging to ruling Awami League, eight to BNP and rest to other smaller parties.

The latest killing took place Saturday night when criminals sprayed bullets on several ruling Awami League leaders and activists in Bheramara upazila. College teacher Banda Fattah Mohon, also an activist of AL, was killed in the incident and several others including Bheramara upazila AL joint-secretary Meherul Alam were inured.

Besides, six severed heads, all claimed to have fallen prey to outlaws, were found in Kushtia over the last two weeks sending a chill in the region.

Earlier, several special drives were conducted in the southwestern region to nab the outlaws but there has been no let up of their activities. At least 10 special drives including Operation Clean Heart, Operation Spider Web were launched in last several years. Incidents of 'crossfire' also could not tame the outlaws in the long run. According to data of police records and newspapers reports, a total of 566 crossfire deaths took place in the region since June 2004.
Posted by: Fred || 08/19/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


IO closed for torture on remanded accused
[Bangla Daily Star] The officer-in-charge (OC) of Charvodrason police station in Faridpur who is the Investigation officer (IO) of the sensational gang rape case was closed yesterday for torturing three men accused in the case during remand.

Superintendent of Police (SP) of Faridpur Mizanur Rahaman told reporters that the OC, Ariful Haque, was closed and attached to Faridpur Police Lines.

Another officer, Azim Uddin, has taken over as the OC of Charvodrason police station and also the charge of investigation of the case.

Sources said that the closed OC Haque had also picked up the victim's father to Charvodrason police station on August 11 following filing of the case and detained him at the police station for about 15 hours in the name of interrogation.

The victim's father later said that during these 15 hours he was not served any food.

Sources said following the torture of the three suspects -- Shourav, Tohurul Kazi and Masud Khan -- who are accused in the rape case, Tohurul fell sick and was admitted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital on Monday night.

A Faridpur court sent the three arrestees back to jail after they were produced before it on completion of their two-day remand.

Meanwhile, police are yet to not arrest the FIR named accused of the gang rape case Kalam Khan and Tushar Khan.

The police have also not been to recover any copies of the CDs of the rape.
Posted by: Fred || 08/19/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Britain
Wren accused of stowing £5m cocaine on warship
Posted by: tipper || 08/19/2009 03:49 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Caribbean-Latin America
Clinton Says Defense Deal Would Not Create US Bases in Colombia
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday the pending U.S.-Colombia defense cooperation agreement would not create U.S. bases in the South American country or significantly increase the American military presence there. Clinton discussed the soon-to-be-finalized accord with Colombian Foreign Minister Jaime Bermudez.

The two governments reached provisional agreement on the defense accord, giving U.S. forces access to Colombian bases to tackle regional drug-trafficking and terrorism, late last week. It has since been a focus of heavy criticism for some Latin American leaders, notably Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who has depicted the accord as a manifestation of U.S. imperialism that could provoke war in the region.

At a joint press appearance with her Colombian colleague, Clinton suggested opponents of the agreement were wrongly characterizing it, either deliberately or out of ignorance of its actual terms. She said the deal, to be finalized in the near future, gives American forces access to Colombia bases but that command, control and administration of the facilities will remain in Colombian hands.

"Any U.S. activity will have to be mutually agreed upon in advance. The United States does not have, and does not seek, bases inside Colombia. Second, there will be no significant permanent increase in the U.S. military presence in Colombia. The Congressionally-mandated cap on the number of U.S. service members and contractors will remain, and will be respected," she said.

Clinton also said the agreement is entirely about bilateral cooperation between the United States and Colombia and does not pertain to other countries.
Posted by: Steve White || 08/19/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Your words are falling on deaf ears, Hillary.
Posted by: gorb || 08/19/2009 11:56 Comments || Top||

#2  Like she knows. She's shuffled of to Kinshasa.
Posted by: mojo || 08/19/2009 13:54 Comments || Top||


Honduras expels Argentine envoys
The interim government of Honduras has ordered all Argentine diplomats to leave the country within three days.

It said the move was in response to the expulsion of its ambassador last week by Buenos Aires, one of the strongest critics of June's judicial order military-backed coup. The Honduran ambassador was told to go because of her public support for the overthrow of President Manuel Zelaya.

In a separate development, US officials held talks in Washington with a delegation from the interim government. The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Organisation of American States (OAS), was aimed at working "toward restoration of democratic and constitutional power in Honduras", State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said.

Mr Zelaya was ousted and exiled amid a power struggle over his proposals for a public consultation on constitutional change. His critics said the move was aimed at removing the current one-term limit on serving as president and paving the way for his re-election.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US, which supports Mr Zelaya's return to office, continued "to believe in the need for a negotiated solution" to the crisis.

For the second time since 28 June, Mr Micheletti's government ordered the expulsion of foreign diplomats in a row over the ousting of Mr Zelaya. Venezuela's envoys have also been told to leave but have so far refused, saying they will not recognise an order by the country's interim leadership.
There's an easy solution to that ...
The latest order came five days after Argentina expelled the Honduran ambassador, Carmen Eleonora Ortez Williams, at Mr Zelaya's request.

The Honduran foreign ministry said the decision was made on the basis of "strict reciprocity". Diplomatic relations will now pass through the Israeli embassy.
Posted by: Steve White || 08/19/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  ...because of her public support for the Constitution of Honduras overthrow of President Manuel Zelaya.

Fixed it for you BBC!
Posted by: Procopius2k || 08/19/2009 7:39 Comments || Top||

#2  Am I wrong in thinking all this crap would stop if only Obama wasn't a communist with his own dictatorial tendencies?
Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 || 08/19/2009 11:54 Comments || Top||

#3  "Diplomatic relations will now pass through the Israeli embassy."

This is going to be fun with the Arab ambassadors
Posted by: European Conservative || 08/19/2009 21:02 Comments || Top||


Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia
Russian Demotivator Poster
AFAIK, the caption reads,
"One more generation, and it's over"
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418 || 08/19/2009 01:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Ditto for the US.
Posted by: gorb || 08/19/2009 1:42 Comments || Top||

#2  Gotta forward it to the Tsar....
Posted by: Cornsilk Blondie || 08/19/2009 5:05 Comments || Top||

#3  Chilling. At least here women won't be wearing burkhas. They will be in Eurabia.
Posted by: Varmint Phavimble3524 || 08/19/2009 8:48 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
China stock market hit by panic selling
Posted by: phil_b || 08/19/2009 09:28 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  If it continues tommorow then it will be a very ugly day across the globe.
Posted by: phil_b || 08/19/2009 9:33 Comments || Top||

#2  Wehell now, lessirree...

To wit,

* BHARAT RAKSHAK > WHY CHINA IS JITTERY? Inflationary econ pressures + geopol mil pressures
> NO ASPIRIN = NOT ENUFF GOOD PILLS FOR MULTI HEADACHES.

* WMF > WILL NORTH KOREA REALLY BE ABLE TO LEAVE CHINA AND RUSSIA, AND TURN TOWARDS THE US?

* COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG > NEFA FOUONDATION: EAST TURKESTAN ISLAMIC PARTY [TIP] CLAIMS CHINA "TERRIFIED OF OUR OPERATIONS" [Abdullah Mansur]; + REDDIT > JAPAN WEIGHS THE NUCLEAR OPTION + JAPAN TO EXPAND "PATRIOT"-BASED MISSLE DEFENSES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/19/2009 22:38 Comments || Top||

#3  Wehell now, lessirree...

To wit,

* BHARAT RAKSHAK > WHY CHINA IS JITTERY? Inflationary econ + geopol mil multi-pressures
> NO ASPIRIN = NOT ENUFF GOOD PILLS FOR SINA'S MULTI HEADACHES.

* WMF > WILL NORTH KOREA REALLY BE ABLE TO LEAVE CHINA AND RUSSIA, AND TURN TOWARDS THE US?

* COUNTERTERRORISM BLOG > NEFA FOUONDATION: EAST TURKESTAN ISLAMIC PARTY [TIP] CLAIMS CHINA "TERRIFIED OF OUR OPERATIONS" [Abdullah Mansur]; + REDDIT > JAPAN WEIGHS THE NUCLEAR OPTION + JAPAN TO EXPAND "PATRIOT"-BASED MISSLE DEFENSES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY; + CENTRAL ASIA SOUNDS THE ALARM OVER ISLAMIC RADICALISM [ expandin' + rampagin'].
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 08/19/2009 22:40 Comments || Top||

#4  This must have sunk in.

Like in the 1970s the Fed is denying the inflation risk due to its loose monetary policy. The longer the Fed waits, the higher the inflation will peak. When inflation starts to accelerate, it would cause panic in financial markets. To calm the markets, the Fed has to tighten aggressively, probably excessively, which would lead to a massive dollar rally. This would be the worst possible situation: a strong dollar and a weak US economy. China’s asset markets and the economy would almost surely go into a hard landing. -- Andy Xie
Posted by: KBK || 08/19/2009 23:35 Comments || Top||


Economy
GM Recalls 1,350 Workers as It Adds Shifts, Overtime
Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Co. called back 1,350 union workers, its biggest one-time increase in jobs since 2006, as it boosts second-half production, partly in response to demand from the government’s “cash for clunkers” program. GM will add shifts at the CAMI plant in Ontario, Canada, where the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox and all-new GMC Terrain are built, and Lordstown, Ohio, where it assembles the compact Chevrolet Cobalt, adding back United Auto Workers and Canadian Auto Workers union jobs as sales top expectations.

“The recession is over,” said Erich Merkle, president of consulting firm Autoconomy in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “I think we’re going to get a bit of a drop-off as cash-for-clunkers runs its course, but I believe it will hand off to an economy that’s much stronger.”

In all, the production changes add about 60,000 units to GM’s fourth-quarter plans, Mark LaNeve, the vice president overseeing U.S. sales, said on a conference call. The company said it will make 642,000 vehicles in the fourth quarter, about 20 percent more than in the third quarter. The automaker expects July and August sales to top a previous internal forecast by 60,000 to 70,000 vehicles, he said. GM sales of cars and light trucks in the U.S. fell 19 percent in July, less than the 24 percent drop analysts expected.
Posted by: Steve White || 08/19/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Obama has saved us! I'm so glad my tax dollars could go to help Canadian workers. I'm such a global humanitarian I is.
Posted by: Mike N. || 08/19/2009 0:24 Comments || Top||

#2  its biggest one-time increase in jobs since 2006

I just wanted to point out to any libs here that Obama wasn't president in '06 when the job increases were larger.

Jus' sayin'.
Posted by: Mike N. || 08/19/2009 0:27 Comments || Top||

#3  Is this the best Government Motors can do? Where are the half million jobs Obama promised a couple of months ago that would appear at the end of this summer? Oh, he was talkin about Canada...
Posted by: Percy Spons4194 || 08/19/2009 0:55 Comments || Top||

#4  Where are the half million jobs Obama promised

1,350 union workers is nearly a half million, give or take a couple orders of magnitude.

And even though they are Canadians, they will be building the all-new GMC Terrain which, from the name of it, is one of those super-green hybrids that gets 500 mpg and runs on 4 D batteries. Or a monster SUV.
Posted by: SteveS || 08/19/2009 2:41 Comments || Top||

#5  This is spectacular! The unemployment rate will go from 9.3% to 9.29999999%. It only cost us taxpayers about $4.7 million per job, too!
Posted by: Cornsilk Blondie || 08/19/2009 5:12 Comments || Top||

#6  Always remarkable to listen to what is not being said. Anyone notice how neither Gibbs or anyone in the administration discusses the creation or 3-4 million new jobs?
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/19/2009 8:22 Comments || Top||

#7  The recession is over!

...in Canada.
Posted by: Mitch H. || 08/19/2009 10:40 Comments || Top||

#8  GMC Terrain is a re-badge of the Pontiac Terrain. The Terrain is a clone to the Equinox, Saturn Vue, and Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Posted by: Skunky Glins 5*** || 08/19/2009 21:49 Comments || Top||

#9  1350 assembly jobs is the top of the pyramid. For every job created at the assembly plant level, there are upwards of 20 direct and indirect jobs generated in supplier and community levels.

The CAMI plant in Ontario produces the same vehicle built in Saturn plant Spring Hill, Tenn.

Obama made GM get rid of Saturn.



The vehicle that
Posted by: Skunky Glins 5*** || 08/19/2009 21:59 Comments || Top||

#10  Wasn't Saturn non-union? Or am I wrong?
Posted by: CrazyFool || 08/19/2009 22:43 Comments || Top||


Great White North
That's 'Iqaluit', Not 'Iqualuit'
Prime Minister Stephen Harper got a lesson in Nunavut political landmines after he downed his first helping of seal meat and his office inadvertently referred to people with unwiped bottoms instead of Nunavut’s capital.

A slip of the keyboard led the prime minister’s office to issue press releases Monday referring to Nunavut’s capital as Iqualuit — rather than Iqaluit. In Inuktitut, Iqaluit means “many fishes.” Refer to Iqualuit, however, and local residents turn red, giggle and point out that it is a derogatory term that means “people with unwiped bums.”

The political landmines continued Tuesday when Harper decided to taste a local delicacy — seal meat. Eating seal meat became a political statement earlier this year when Governor General Michaelle Jean made headlines around the world after eating the heart of a freshly killed seal.

Harper appeared reluctant to go as far as Jean and try his first taste of seal in front of reporters with cameras rolling. Instead, Harper and a handful of cabinet members posed for a picture taken by his staff photographer and later released to the media.

Noticeably absent from the photo was Transport Minister John Baird, a confirmed vegetarian.

Officials said Harper really enjoyed eating seal meat and is looking forward to having it again. Harper may not be the only person to taste seal meat for the first time before his trip is over, said one official. “The Prime Minister wants members of the press to have a chance to experience seal before they leave.”
Posted by: Anonymoose || 08/19/2009 00:13 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front: Politix
AARP Health Care Debate Gets Rowdy In Florida
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC || 08/19/2009 10:27 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  FTA: "Tuesday, the AARP tried to answer questions from some angry residents there. They all came here to be heard and, with no other public forum offered by congressional leaders in Brevard County, they turned to the AARP to demand answers."

Looks like the older folks are PO'ed that they aren't being heard in Congress AND by AARP.
Posted by: tipover || 08/19/2009 10:55 Comments || Top||

#2  Any bets that this will effect 2010?
Posted by: tipover || 08/19/2009 10:56 Comments || Top||

#3  As of yesterday, something like 65,000 seniors had turned in their AARP cards, according to one report I read. People aren't just getting rowdy.
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/19/2009 15:12 Comments || Top||

#4  Damn, I miss Brevard County!
Posted by: Cornsilk Blondie || 08/19/2009 16:51 Comments || Top||


Axelrod's very big problem
Headline borrowed from Hugh Hewitt

It looks like Axelrod may have crossed an important ethical line. If so, the tea parties and conservative media need to push this hard.

RTWT at Politico, then go to Hewitt's column from last night


Posted by: lotp || 08/19/2009 07:20 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Ima waiting on the Bernie Madoff link.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/19/2009 8:44 Comments || Top||

#2  Michelle Malkin has something on this today.

Axelrod’s profits: Uh, who’s on the take from the drug lobby again?!?!
Posted by: DanNY || 08/19/2009 8:47 Comments || Top||

#3  It looks like Axelrod may have crossed an important ethical line.

Ethics and Donks? Since when?
Posted by: Procopius2k || 08/19/2009 10:20 Comments || Top||

#4  Oi vey. Very clumsy for people who're supposed to be our intellectual superiors.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/19/2009 12:16 Comments || Top||

#5  Example #458 of a Bambi admin official who'd have been gone in one news cycle, or whose misbehavior would have been so hysterically and obsessively "reported" by the media that you'd have trouble finding weather reports and sports scores - for MONTHS - if it were the Bush years (and the official then would be innocent of anything). Now - nothing will happen, this will get less media attention than a 3.4 earthquake in Hollister, and the national degradation will take another step forward.

Posted by: Verlaine || 08/19/2009 12:30 Comments || Top||

#6  Don't expect much from the MSM on this, they're still in thrall to Bambi and his minions who can do no wrong. As had been noted, our only hope is from the conservative media.
Posted by: WolfDog || 08/19/2009 12:59 Comments || Top||


International-UN-NGOs
UN boss Ban Ki-Moon lacking leadership, ineffectual and prone to angry outbursts
In which case, he's a perfect fit for the United Nations.
Posted by: phil_b || 08/19/2009 05:37 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Saaaayyyy, ever notice that you never see Ban Ki-Moon and Nancy Pelosi in the same place at the same time?

Just sayin'...
Posted by: Mike || 08/19/2009 8:40 Comments || Top||

#2  You mean he'd be fit for the stewardship of any of the Fortune 500? Surprise, surprise. Incompetent and likes to use the immunity of his position to express hatred towards those he considers inferior.
Posted by: gromky || 08/19/2009 9:47 Comments || Top||

#3  UN boss Ban Ki-Moon lacking leadership, ineffectual and prone to angry outbursts

Hey, those are job requirements, not leadership faults.
Posted by: gorb || 08/19/2009 11:55 Comments || Top||

#4  You mean he'd be fit for the stewardship of any of the Fortune 500?

Fortune 500 companies that choose people like that for senior positions do not remain amongst the 500, gromky. Management by outburst not coupled with extreme competence and insight does not result in sustained profitability.
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/19/2009 15:35 Comments || Top||

#5  I'd call that a non-sequitur. Screamers and incompetents are more common the higher you go.
Posted by: gromky || 08/19/2009 20:51 Comments || Top||


Science & Technology
Scientists Develop Intelligent Coffee Mug
Posted by: tipper || 08/19/2009 15:28 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  This is real progress. Why read science fiction, when you can read the news?
Posted by: whatadeal || 08/19/2009 16:21 Comments || Top||

#2  Next project - develop an intelligent coffee drinker....

*ducks* ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 08/19/2009 20:11 Comments || Top||

#3  In Bavaria we already discovered how to keep our beer cold and fresh.

We call a waitress
Posted by: European Conservative || 08/19/2009 20:57 Comments || Top||

#4  In Schangau they have both cold beer and hot thermals. ~<(:-)
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/19/2009 22:40 Comments || Top||

#5  Forgot the "W" :-(
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/19/2009 22:41 Comments || Top||

#6  I've been using phase change materials (PCM) with drinks for decades. Ice.
Posted by: KBK || 08/19/2009 23:16 Comments || Top||

#7  "Whatcher got there, Luke?"
"Thermouse"
"Whaz a thermouse?"
"Keeps hot things hot and cold things cold."
"Oh yeah? Whatcher got in there?"
"Cup of coffee and a popsicle."
Posted by: KBK || 08/19/2009 23:20 Comments || Top||


2,000 DAYS OF WORK ON MARS
As NASA's Spirit rover marks its 2,000th workday on Mars, team members back on Earth are conducting the final dress rehearsal for a long-range operation they hope will free the plucky robot from its Red Planet sand trap.

The rover team keeps track of Spirit's timeline in Martian days, or "sols," which are slightly longer than Earth days. The result is that even though the rover passed the 2,000-day milestone a few weeks ago, as measured on Earth, the Sol 2000 mark didn't come around until Tuesday.
Let's hear it for NASA. Our boys still have it. Not bad for a mission originally planned for 60 to 90 days.
Posted by: whitecollar redneck || 08/19/2009 13:24 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Consider Spirit's problems now.


  • She has far exceeded her life expectancy.

  • She has a totally paralyzed limb.

  • She has extreme mobility problems.

  • She is nearly deaf; it takes a lot of work and energy to tell her anything.

  • She has had memory problems in the past, requiring that she be put into a temporary coma.

  • It has taken and will take a large mutidisciplinary team of doctors and engineers to find a cure for her current problems.

  • The chance of success is minimal.

  • This will take a lot of time and money, which can go to a more deserving recipient: her healthier younger sister Oppie, for example.



What would the principles of ObamaCare say? I think it suggests that we prescribe palliative care and let her go.
Posted by: Eric Jablow || 08/19/2009 18:48 Comments || Top||

#2  Spirit is also an illegal immigrant.

Let MarsCare look after her.
Posted by: Skunky Glins 5*** || 08/19/2009 22:06 Comments || Top||

#3  Skunky, Spirit is an American citizen, and it has always been the responsibility of the US State Department to look out for the interests of American citizens in foreign lands. As Teddy Roosevelt would say, “Spirit alive, or Tars Tarkas dead!”
Posted by: Eric Jablow || 08/19/2009 22:19 Comments || Top||



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Two weeks of WOT
Wed 2009-08-19
  Khatami, Karroubi join Mousavi's Green movement
Tue 2009-08-18
  Maulvi Omar nabbed
Mon 2009-08-17
  Maulvi Nazir one with the ages
Sun 2009-08-16
  Iran chooses hardliner to head judiciary. Wotta surprise.
Sat 2009-08-15
  Eight killed, 80 injured in Hamas, radicals clashes
Fri 2009-08-14
  Missing cargo ship found near Cape Verde
Thu 2009-08-13
  Seven Pak preachers gunned down in Puntland mosque
Wed 2009-08-12
  Georgia Man Guilty In Terrorism Trial
Tue 2009-08-11
  Kuwait arrests al-Qaida linked group
Mon 2009-08-10
  Tests say Noordin Mohammad Top's not the dead guy
Sun 2009-08-09
  Surprise! Abbas reelected Fatah chief
Sat 2009-08-08
  Noordin Mohammad Top reported titzup
Fri 2009-08-07
  Fat Lady sings for Baitullah
Thu 2009-08-06
  Bill Clinton springs journalists from NKor
Wed 2009-08-05
  Ansar al-Islam Number 2 nabbed in Mosul


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