#1
The top 6 are all UK dependencies with peculiar legal status. They are all legally not part of the UK and not subject to UK laws, but don't warrant in the rest of the world's eyes being independant countries. Although Bermuda and the Cayman Isles would be if they chose to be.
[Al Arabiya Latest] Egyptian television on Friday aired new footage of President Hosni Mubarak, who has been recovering in Germany after surgery, showing the 81-year-old making phone calls from hospital.
Footage showed Mubarak, wearing a grey cardigan, sitting at a table and going over paperwork with his chief of staff Zakaria Azmi at the Heidelberg University Hospital where he underwent surgery on March 6. Didn't get cut on by a famous 'gyptian doc in Cairo?
The president was also seen making telephone calls, laughing and joking, as he resumed some political activity. Before the operation, Mubarak temporarily handed powers to Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif.
Posted by: Fred ||
03/20/2010 00:00 ||
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Everyone in the country is to be given a personalised webpage for accessing Government services within a year as part of a plan to save billions of pounds by putting all public services online, Gordon Brown is to announce.
Link is to the Tasmania results. There is also an election is South Australia. Navigate from the link for results.
Big swing against Labor in Tasmania. Although the swing to the Greens is somewhat illusory under Australia's Single Transferable Vote system of Proportional Representation. Most of the 'excess' Green votes will flow to Labor.
I remarked the other day that Carbon Trading will be electoral suicide in Australia, the exception being Tasmania. The place seems full of washed up hippie leftist greens.
The South Australian election is much more reliable political barometer for what the Tasmanians call the 'Mainland', ie the rest of us who live in the real world.
#2
Here are the South Australian results. Note the vote for Family First, probably the world's first political party to take an openly sceptical position on climate change (AGW).
If they run in here in the West, they will get my first preference, even though I live in Australia's most marginal electorate just won by a Liberal (ie conservative) at the last election who I want re-elected.
I thought I'd pass this on. My daughter who is a UWA student just mentioned it to me. No disrespect to Professor Gates himself who I'm sure is a good a physicist as his position and degrees warrant, but the UWA awarding him an honorary degree on the basis he is an 'advisor to Barrack Obama' and the first African American Professor of physics, smacks of tokenism to me. But then I may be reading too much into the UWA's press release.
An adviser to US President Barack Obama and world expert on supergravity will tonight deliver a free public lecture at The University of Western Australia, a day before being honoured at the University's Autumn Graduations.
Professor Sylvester (Jim) Gates will have the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science conferred on him by UWA Chancellor Dr Michael Chaney during tomorrow night's graduation ceremony.
Professor Gates serves on President Obama's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, part of the Executive Office of the President. The council represents the nation's leading scientists and engineers who advise the President and Vice President and formulate policy in the many areas where the understanding of science, technology, and innovation is central to strengthening the US economy.
The first African-American to be awarded an endowed Chair in Physics in a major US University, Professor Gates has visited The University of Western Australia to work with the School of Physics' Supersymmetric Quantum Field Theory Group.
There aren't to many African Australian professors of anything. In fact I'm pretty sure there are none. Which perhaps goes some way toward explaining the 'aren't we good leftists liberals awarding degree this to a succesful black American academic' tone of the press release.
#2
Guilt based "tokenism" remains one of the basic nucleonic building blocks of diversity and multiculturalim. Guiltless cultural conquest seldom permits the inclusion of the former majority however. Their day is done. I give you Zimbabwe and South Africa as thriving case studies.
#3
You're undoubtably right in principle, Besoeker, but you're WAY off base if you or phil_b think that Jim Gates is an affirmative action token.
His work on supersymmetry was ground breaking and his international stature in theoretical physics is well-earned. Those who lightly toss off charges of tokenism will be a bit more credible if they've made the same level of deep contributions to a very difficult science.
#4
Yes, yes, yes of course "way off base" and borderline racist. I know nothing of the Professor Gates. Gates the man however, is not the issue. Does it not seem a bit more than simply coincidental that this fellow is being recognized at approximately the same time Barry Soetoro was set to be visiting the region?
#6
Besoeker, IMO you're being a bit disingenuous. Your comment was very much a charge of tokenism WRT this scientist. Sure his race was one reason for this honor. But so were his achievements.
It's no different than the fact that the Costa Rican background of Franklin Chang Diaz is one reason that a lot of schools in the US and in Latin America invite him to speak - that and the fact that Diaz holds a PhD in applied plasma physics from MIT, was in space 7 times as a NASA astronaut (including 3 space walks), became Director of the Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center and then retired to form his own company seeking to develop commercial plasma rocket propulsion systems for space flight.
Both men have earned significant respect as leaders in their fields. Both also serve as outstanding role models for young kids from similar backgrounds. You know, to encourage them to study, discipline themselves and go achieve as well. Which I at least find to be a Good Thing.
It's no mystery why each has been given honorary degrees from a variety of universities. Token my foot.
And if you wonder where my energy comes from on this topic, chalk it up to being aware just how little support there is for kids of all backgrounds in this country to excel in science. Double or triple that lack of support among blacks and hispanics. Being aware because I have taught at the university level. Being aware because I've joined others who are reaching out via the IEEE and similar professional societies to kids at the elementary, middle and high school level - and knowing that we're pushing against a culture more interested in pr0n on the Internet than in our economic future.
We really could, you know, use every good scientist and engineer we can produce. For little things like trying to regain competitiveness in a global economy against rising China and India.
#7
We really could, you know, kind of use every good scientist and engineer we can produce.
interesting you should say that. I have sat on interview panels. I expect engineers to have certain skills. I don't give a rat's ass what race they appear (or claim on their census form). Race, culture, or gender should have nothing to do with it, but it does, don't even try to tell me otherwise. I've seen too many "lessers" selected over panel suggestions for "diversity" reasons. Now, it appears your individuals have the quals and creds to be honored, so I wouldn't disparage them, but the "diversity 'thumb-on-the-scale'" is real and bad for everyone
Posted by: Frank G ||
03/20/2010 18:57 Comments ||
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#8
And if you wonder where my energy comes from on this topic, chalk it up to being aware just how little support there is for kids of all backgrounds in this country to excel in science. Double or triple that lack of support among blacks and hispanics.
"Support" (or a swift kick in the arss) begins AT HOME! You have a home, a drug free home? A father live there as well? Does he have a job? Does he provide for the family and set a good example? If you said NO to any of these things then you've got a bloody uphill climb ahead and you'd better get snapping! Genuinely sucks to be born into a culture of failure, dependence, drugs, tribal polygamy and whoring does it not? Furthermore, not my phueching problem, I paid my taxes and hit the offering plate. Now get off my PROPERTY!
#9
Actually, Besoeker, if you are a taxpayer, or plan to draw on Social Security, or have investments then it it indeed your problem too.
We really truly are in far worse shape competitively than most Americans seem to assume.
Without energetic, bright engineers and scientists we haven't a hope in hell of digging out of the debt we're in, even if we manage to drive a stake through the heart of Obamacare. Along with the political careers of Congress critters and white house hangers on who are promoting it.
"Maybe" bloody'ell! I not only disdain it, I hate it and all it's societal trappings with every fibre of my being! "Counterproductive" you say? I would guess as much, as we watch our kith and kin suffer Soetoro's wealth redisto plan and watch the republic crumble. Forgive my passion good lady.
#12
what lotp said. If we can't find a way to get chicano kids especially succeeding in math and science and pursuing advanced STEM careers, we're fooked. California's public school population is now >50% hispanic, a % that's rising every year.
I'm firmly against aff action but we've got to find some way to get these kids succeeding. Holding up truly distinguished scientists as role models seems like an insufficient but absolutely necessary requirement.
#13
About 30 years too late Lex. I went to night school to get my MA. Guess who could be found in the University library late into each evening? Oriental students, the Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Cambodes and old buggers like me who didn't own a computer. Want to venture a guess as to why the oriental students were in there? Yep, that's it...parential discipline and self pride!
#15
My apologies if I misread your comment, phil. It wasn't my intent to attack either you or Besoeker. It just drives me nuts when I think I hear people on the one hand denounce tokenism / affirmative action and on the other hand fail to acknowledge clear excellence on the part of individuals who fall into various minority categories.
I'll check my assumptions when I think I'm reading that here. And if I've read wrong, please do correct me. It's the sort of situation in which I'm happy to find out I was mistaken.
#1
The economy in America (and, really, in the West) cannot grow until distortions are fully unwound and the market itself can perceive what is apt to survive and thrive and what is withering and slowly dying. This time, such perceptions may take years to realize, especially since America and the West generally continues to retard the inevitable culling.
For those of you who don't click through and read.
I don't have to be a former Sec. of Labor or anything else - I've already figured that out by my little ol' self.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
03/20/2010 18:07 Comments ||
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#3
Even a lefty like Reich can see the blindingly obvious fact that this admin's finance policy consists of transferring trillions from depositors and small borrowers to a diminishing number of mega-banks. Their cost of funds is next to zip, and they're STILL not lending.
Likewise, in the real economy, corporations are not hiring Americans. They're using the downturn to accelerate the transfer of now white-collar jobs overseas via outsourcing of every function they can. Look at the deal volume in system integrator outsourcing contracts-- it's prob'y 10x what it was as little as 8 years ago.
As to the big banks, they and Goldman and the other moneyfiddlers left standing are effectively arbitraging the state, with the connivance of our political class. That's about as good a definition of modern-day oligarchy as you can find.
For eight long years we Minutemen played nice '
On March 15, Minuteman Civil Defense Corps President Carmen Mercer sent out an e-mail message proclaiming, High Alert for All Minutemen.'
Her message began with, Obama cuts border security funding and freezes hiring of new Border Patrol.'
She wrote, The Minutemen are returning to the border locked and loaded to say, You are wrong Obama, America comes first!''
Mercer chastised the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, stating Janet Napolitano thinks border security is a waste of time and a politically sensitive issue,' adding the Minutemen are returning to the border locked and loaded because they think Napolitano is an unqualified buffoon who risks the lives of American citizens every day she is the head of DHS.'
In 2004, Sen. John McCain told Chris Simcox he thought American citizens watching the border would pose a greater risk than the drug cartels.
Mercer said the Minutemen are returning to the border, this time, ready to stop each and every person they encounter because John McCain is responsible for every death of an American citizen at the hands of illegal alien criminals and the drug cartels.'
Mercer called on all MCDC volunteers to return to the southern border with Mexico, en mass, beginning Friday afternoon, March 26, and lasting until Congress deploys the U.S military to our borders to defend the United States of America.
On the eighth anniversary of Chris Simcox's historic Tea Party protest on the border, which began in Cochise County this muster will be a defining moment for our nation,' Mercer wrote.
She went on to call out President Obama, McCain, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-N.C., and others Mercer labeled as impotent and incompetent federal representatives, who have continued to exhibit as much contempt for our Constitution, rule of law and ordered society as do the illegal aliens, drug dealers and human smugglers who violate our borders 24/7/365.'
Mercer said, Enough is enough!' quoting Chirs Simcox, MCDC's founder, who said it first in 2002.
For eight long years we Minutemen played nice; yet for the past eight years we firmly expressed our opinions and desires for the border to be secured,' said Mercer. This muster will be completely different. President Obama and John McCain have left us no choice. This March we return to the border locked, loaded and ready to stop each and every individual we encounter along the frontier that is now more dangerous than the frontier of Afghanistan.'
She said this operation will not be for the faint of heart and MCDC volunteers will work under entirely different Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), as they will approach their duty as citizens with zero tolerance for any and all violations of our border.
Mercer stated, We will forcefully engage, detain, and defend our lives and country from the criminals who trample over our culture and laws.'
Previously prohibited from MCDC musters, long arms will be not only allowed but encouraged.
She said from the surveillance videos they have gathered in the field over the past six months, it is more than evident the violators of our borders seem to have been given carte blanche permission to willfully violate our public safety.'
This time, Mercer said, MCDC will not be tempered by political correctness and stated every single individual they encounter will be apprehended by the Border Patrol with their help; even those who dare enter our country armed will be stopped and challenged.
Mercer stated, Political correctness is a fad of the past. This is for the survival of this great Republic!'
Carmen warns volunteers to prepare for a marathon and bring as much in the way of equipment and supplies as they can carry.
She concluded with, Please help us send a strong message to the cowards in charge of our nation's security. We are ready to defend our nation. Are you?'
#1
Barry will not tolerate much of this. His extreme liberal left will not permit him to ignore it. It runs counter to their plan of immigration amnesty, open borders, and dismantling of the republic. One scenario could see Barry and Holder using the label of "vigalantee terrorism" and declaring an 'OFF-LIMITS to US Citizens' border zone, property seizure as necessary, etc. Holder will order the arrest and carting off of Minutemen and seizure of their weapons and vehicles by the Federal agents or the Army. If a shot is fired, it will not end well for these patriots. This has all the potential of becoming a very dark moment for our nation. Something to pray about for sure.
#6
Mom: An over simplification, but think of it as the motion light you may have mounted over your garage or patio. When it illuminates, you know someone or something has come within the light's detection fan. Now think of it as linking the entire neighborhood and also causing an alarm to sound at the police station. Sensors are not exactly new technology. They gained widespreak use by the Army back during the Vietnam conflict to monitor enemy traffic along border crossings and supply routes. The technology has been kicked up a notch or two since that time and now has the capability to link streaming audio and video through tethered balloons or satellites back to manned ground or airborne monitoring stations. With the technology available today, it is my humble opinion that there really is no excuse or justification for illegal border traffic. The technology and tools to prevent illegal border traffic are readily available, realatively inexpensive, and once established, easy to maintain. The only missing element is the will to employ them.
#7
If a shot is fired, it will not end well for these patriots. This has all the potential of becoming a very dark moment for our nation. Something to pray about for sure.
Excuse me, but I think you are wrong. There are an awful lot of Patriots in the National Guards and in the State Law Enforcement Agencies of these border States. Also, there are a lot of Patriots in these various Agencies, that when push comes to shove are going to flip against the
usurpers.
The Minutemen are setting the stage for the triggering of what we all know is coming. The reality is, that unless the Feds are willing to use the full force of the Armed Services, most of whom will not obey, they are going to be toast. The Feds that is. They are heavily outnumbered.
I also was at a Gun Show recently, these are usually upbeat and pretty mellow affairs, this one was grim. And the mood was one of determination. People are preparing, I suggest you do so as well if you haven't already.
God Bless America!
Posted by: Secret Asian Man ||
03/20/2010 12:43 Comments ||
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#8
Excuse me, but I think you are wrong. Secret Asian Man
Call me an alarmist, no problem. In contingency planning, I have always liked to exercise the potential for a 'worst case' scenario. I hope you are right Asian Man. I would be most delighted to be "wrong."
Alarmist? No, I think your analysis is spot on. Barry and Janet cannot let this go without a response. I believe the Minutemen realize this and are throwing down the gauntlet.
I also believe that the battle ground has been prepared, and the folks are ready. Someones ass is going to be handed to them, and I do not think it will be the Patriotic citizens. The Minutemen that can be seen, represent only a portion of what is waiting in the wings. The people are ready to rock...well, a bunch of them anyway.
Also, there are a lot of people that believe we are not going to make it to November, or, somethings been rigged to put a stop to November elections. I predict things are about to get hot. I have no personal contact with the Minutemen, but they aren't the only group that has been doing
workups.
God Bless America!
Posted by: Secret Asian Man ||
03/20/2010 13:07 Comments ||
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#10
The total disregard for the American people and the upcoming November elections by Soetoro and his cadre appears on the surface to be totally irrational. I'd rather not like to contemplate the 'no November election' hypothesis, but their actions of late certainly lead one to, it nothing else, question their motives.
#11
I'd rather not like to contemplate the 'no November election' hypothesis, but their actions of late certainly lead one to, it nothing else, question their motives.
I have contemplated their irrational behavior and come to two conclusions, neither of which is mutually exclusive.
1. They are stark raving mad, and realize their dream is slipping away, so they are going for all the marbles consequences be damned.
2. They have an Ace of ♠'s up their sleeve that they believe will carry them through to victory.
Either way, they are in for a big surprise.
God Bless America!
Posted by: Secret Asian Man ||
03/20/2010 13:44 Comments ||
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#12
Oddly enough, the most effective thing for the Minutemen to do would be a publicity campaign in Mexico. Border traffic is very sensitive to "conditions", and if illegals think it will be harder to cross, many of them will hold off and not try.
Conversely, this makes things harder for drug runners, who want a lot of illegals crossing, somewhere else, to get the heat off them.
Importantly, I do not think the cartels are in any mood right now to mess around, and may very well mount a raid up north, with the idea of killing any gringo they meet, be they minuteman, BP, or civilians.
So I would advise any Minutemen to be very careful in charting their terrain, and be able to safely bug out in a hurry if 20-30 Zetas, armed to the teeth, decide to wipe them out.
If things do get that hot, they would also be well advised to get some veteran snipers, to act as overwatch of their positions.
What is going on between the gang and the police is vicious. But I am sure the Minute Men will be villified far more than the gang will ever be.
Posted by: Bob Gleanter3083 ||
03/20/2010 14:15 Comments ||
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#14
Toss into the mix the "Oath Keepers," military (present and former) and police officers who have sworn allegiance to the Constitution. The future could be troublesome. It feels like the lid is about to get ripped off.
Indeed, God bless America. Pray for our country. November elections are not far off.
#15
You are deluding yourself if you believe there is a mass of people that are both badly dismayed by our government AND willing and able to take up arms against it. A few will, and they will pay dearly for it. Most will hunker down and hope for change. And it won't come, because the majority are now dependent on the government, and no longer believe they can make it on their own. A true revolt won't happen until the government fails to even come close to delivering on it's promises to the majority, and that won't happen until Atlas shrugs and there is nothing left to take from people to pay the bribes.
#16
But if the polls are even close to right about the number of medical practitioners who are ready to toss it in (and I know personally several who are), Atlas may shrug pretty soon.
#18
I'm afraid Glenmore is right. We've become too civilized for the type of action that is needed today. We've become so civilized we've elected an social anarchist as president. Anyone attempting such a thing will face dire consequences, and if they mistakenly think that the FBI, ATF or the military will not use deadly force they are very, very sadly mistaken. I know not where all of this is headed, but I do not see a happy ending.
I don't like violence, political violence still less. For all my bitching, the government still governs here, and we still have rule of law,a nd there's not another political economy on the planet that offers the combination of freedom, opportunity and democratic control that we have.
So if you don't like the current crowd, throw 'em out, and if you can't prevail at the ballot box, then kwitcher bitchin and suck it up.
#23
I believe it is an impeachable offense to fail to secure the border. I would not have objected to that issue being raised to force GW's hand to do more than 'just a border fence'. However, it is now a new game with Nappinatthealamo taking back-steps.
Add it to the list and hope the next Congress will impeach the b-tard. Oh...and on McCain-My money's on him retiring in Nov.
#25
The first African American president impeached? Did this impeachment topic come about via recent discussions on the outskirts of Roswell, NM? Reality check please.
#26
Securing the border is a classic example of an issue that comes out of nowhere to dominate elections and topple incumbents. Wouldn't be surprised if 2010 becomes the Year of the Border. Perhaps it's wishful thinking, but I wouldn't be surprised if this issue became even more prominent as Mexico melts down. Might just reverse the political dynamic in CA, CO and AZ and bring a wave of anti-amnesty fiscal conservatives into office. Stranger things have happened in politics, and recently (cf the Kennedy seat in MA)...
#27
The purpose of the Czars is that Bog Zero knew two things:
1) Replace the representatives of the people with his own beaurocracy. Congress has effectively become his rubber stamp. The Czars is where the action is. And that action reports to Obama. It also is to be an Opposing force to a hostile Congress if that happens in November.
2) To be Leiutenants in controlling all sectors of this country tightly. Obama can't do that. But his many Lieutenants (Czars) can. Effecticely challenge the Constitutionality of this power structure, and you have stripped him of his command and control.
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.
