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NRA Endorses McCain, Despite His Anti-2nd-Amendment Record
Does the NRA believe their members are idiots who do not remember anything beyond a few of months ago? Assuming that a vast majority of their members are capable of reading, members should not accept such a dramatic turnaround without extensive explanation (which was not given). Though the NRA is wordsmithing their statements on the “new McCain”... Does the NRA believe their members are idiots who do not remember anything beyond a few of months ago? Assuming that a vast majority o... more
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Lost: Ministry of Defence hard drive
Here we go again! The Ministry of Defence's main IT contractor, EDS, has lost a hard drive containing personal details of up to 100,000 armed forces and 600,000 potential recruits.
I think somewhere in the folds of another dimension exist all the hard drives and personal data and single socks gone missing in the dryer. Here we go again! The Ministry of Defence's main IT contractor, EDS, has lost a hard drive containing personal details of up to 1... more -
Major tumble for European shares
If we're not already in a recession it looks like we soon will be!!
European stock market has plunged over night!
The FTSE 100 share index dropped 9.8% to 3887 points, the first time it has fallen below 4,000 points in five years.
There were similar falls across Europe - Paris was down 9% while Germany was down 9.6% If we're not already in a recession it looks like we soon will be!! European stock market has plunged over night! ... more -
Feds Start Moving on Net Security Hole
Starting Thursday morning, the U.S. government is seeking comment on who should create and vouch for the internet's most crucial document -- the root zone file -- that serves as the cornerstone of the system that lets users get to websites and emails find their way to inboxes.
The non-profit ICANN, the for-profit Verisign and the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration all have different answers to what is a long-standing, and geopolitically charged internet governance question.
But the only thing that matters for the security of the internet is the speed that they answer the question, according to domain-name system expert Paul Vixie.
"We've got to get the root signed, it does not matter by whom," Vixie said by e-mail. "It's necessary simply that it be done, by someone, and that we stop anyone from arguing about whether letting someone hold the root key would make them king."
At issue is a massive net security hole that security researcher Dan Kaminsky discovered in early 2008 that was temporarily patched in July. If not given a complete fix soon, the vulnerability could allow so much net fraud that it would strip all trust from the internet users that any website they were visiting is the genuine article, experts say.
The only known complete fix is DNSSEC -- a set of security extensions for name servers. (That said, there are other effective defenses and OpenDNS, for one, protects users now.)
Those extensions cryptographically sign DNS records, ensuring their authenticity like a wax seal on an letter. The push for DNSSEC has been ramping up over the last few years, with four regions -- including Sweden (.se) and Puerto Rico (.pr) -- already securing their own domains with DNSSEC. Four of the largest top-level domains -- .org, .gov, .uk and .mil, are not far behind, while the entire U.S. government will comply for its websites starting in January 2009.
But because DNS servers work in a giant hierarchy, deploying DNSSEC successfully also requires having someone trustworthy sign the so-called "root file" with a public-private key. Otherwise, an attacker can undermine the entire system at the root level, like a criminal having taken over control of the Supreme Court justices.
With a properly signed root file, your browser can repeatedly ask, "How do I know this is the real answer?", until the question reaches the root file, which says, "Because I vouch for it."
Bill Woodcock, one of the net's foremost experts on network security, blasted the NTIA earlier this summer for moving too slowly on DNSSEC, while the government protested that it was moving at the right speed.
"If the root isn't signed, then no amount of work that responsible individuals and companies do to protect their domains will be effective," Woodcock said in July. "You have to follow the chain of signatures down from the root to the top-level domain to the user's domain. If all three pieces aren't there, the user isn't protected."
On Tuesday, NTIA's Acting Assistant Secretary Meredith Baker told international net leaders that it was opening comment on DNSSEC and root zone signing this week.
"In light of existing and emerging threats, the time is ripe to consider long-term solutions, such as DNSSEC," Baker said. "As we consider deployment of DNSSEC, particularly at the root zone level, it is critical that all the interested stakeholders have the opportunity to express their views on the matter, as deployment of DNSSEC would represent one of the most significant changes to the DNS infrastructure since its inception."
That's where the politics comes in. The DNS root is controlled by the NTIA, which divides the responsibility for the creation, editing and distribution of the root file between itself, ICANN and the for-profit Verisign, which runs the .com domain.
*********CONTINUES Starting Thursday morning, the U.S. government is seeking comment on who should create and vouch for the internet's most crucial ... more -
U.S. May Remove North Korea from Terrorism List
"Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice could announce as early as Friday that the United States will remove North Korea from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, FOX News learned Thursday.
Sources at the State Department told FOX News that there is a potential deal under which the U.S. would de-list North Korea. The deal was discussed during a meeting Thursday morning between Rice and other government agencies.
Sources tell FOX News that it was a direct result of North Korea’s decision to allow U.S. negotiator Christopher Hill recently to inspect its nuclear facilities, including the Yongbyon plant.
Removing North Korea from the terror list would be a major step in mending relations between the reclusive communist nation and the United States, though it also would come amid concerns about North Korea's weapons program.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has said in recent days North Korea appeared to have been powering up its nuclear program and testing missiles. American satellite images confirmed reports of short-range missile testing recently, but the U.S. said those moves would not mean the death of international efforts to persuade North Korea to recommit to an agreement that offers it diplomatic and economic concessions in exchange for nuclear disarmament.
Some officials in Washington have criticized the idea of de-listing North Korea, even labeling the agreement a "get out of jail free card," as key issues, including reported assistance by North Korea to Syria in establishing a nuclear weapons program, are left unaddressed.
Assistant Secretary of Verification and Compliance and Implementation Paula de Sutter told FOX News that she was disappointed that the Verification bureau has not been included in any meetings on what Ambassador Hill brought from Pyongyang and not included in any meetings at the NSC." "Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice could announce as early as Friday that the United States will remove North Korea from its li... more -
Report: U.S. spied on Americans' intimate conversations abroad
"Congress is looking into allegations that National Security Agency linguists have been eavesdropping on Americans abroad.
Government linguists say the U.S. eavesdropped on Americans, including military officers serving in Iraq.
The congressional oversight committees said Thursday that the Americans targeted included military officers in Iraq who called friends and family in the United States.
The allegations were made by two former military intercept operators on a television news report Thursday evening.
A terrorist surveillance program instituted by the Bush administration allows the intelligence community to monitor phone calls between the United States and overseas without a court order -- as long as one party to the call is a terror suspect.
Adrienne Kinne, a former U.S. Army Reserves Arab linguist, told ABC News the NSA was listening to the phone calls of U.S. military officers, journalists and aid workers overseas who were talking about "personal, private things with Americans who are not in any way, shape or form associated with anything to do with terrorism."
David Murfee Faulk, a former U.S. Navy Arab linguist, said in the news report that he and his colleagues were listening to the conversations of military officers in Iraq who were talking with their spouses or girlfriends in the United States.
According to Faulk, they would often share the contents of some of the more salacious calls stored on their computers, listening to what he called "phone sex" and "pillow talk."
Both Kinne and Faulk worked at the NSA listening facility at Fort Gordon, Georgia. They told ABC that when linguists complained to supervisors about eavesdropping on personal conversations, they were ordered to continue transcribing the calls.
NSA spokeswoman Judith Emmel said the agency's Inspector General has investigated some of the allegations and found them "unsubstantiated." Other accusations are still being looked at, she said.
The NSA operates in "strict accordance with U.S. laws and regulations," she said. "Any allegation of wrongdoing by employees is thoroughly investigated" and if misconduct is discovered, "we take swift and certain remedial action."
CIA Director Mike Hayden, who was the head of the NSA when the terrorist surveillance program began, has always maintained that private conversations of Americans are not intercepted and if it should happen inadvertently, the name is removed from the record.
"At NSA, the law was followed assiduously," said Hayden's spokesman, Mark Mansfeld. "The notion that Gen. Hayden sanctioned or tolerated illegalities of any sort is ridiculous on its face."
Author Jim Bamford was the first to interview the two former NSA linguists for his new book, "The Shadow Factory," which will be published next week. Bamford told CNN the accounts from the whistle-blowers demonstrate the NSA was listening to the private conversations of Americans, transcribing them and keeping them.
"They don't delete them," he said.
Bamford has written two other books on the NSA and was a party to an unsuccessful ACLU lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Terrorist Surveillance Program."
More at link, what do you think? "Congress is looking into allegations that National Security Agency linguists have been eavesdropping on Americans abroad. ... more -
Flashback: McCain Pledges to Run a ‘Respectful Campaign’
What a difference a few weeks and a few polling points can make. Last April John McCain pledged to run a “respectful campaign”—a goal he restated on more than one occasion until around midsummer. He also claimed he respected Barack Obama and would call him “Senator” during debates.
Meanwhile, Cindy McCain has also changed her tune since May 8, when she told “Today” anchor Ann Curry that, “You won’t see [negative stuff] come out of our side at all.” Hmm!
This clip was put together in August, but it merits a fresh look. What a difference a few weeks and a few polling points can make. Last April John McCain pledged to run a “respectful campaign”—a goal ... more -
The Dow: A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words (or 5,700 pts)
No more proof is needed that the current intervention is only making matters worse. Bush, Clinton, Greenspan, Bernanke, and the Congress have destroyed the American economy. God help those who were going to rely on their stock portfolio for general living expenses in the near future. No more proof is needed that the current intervention is only making matters worse. Bush, Clinton, Greenspan, Bernanke, and the Congre... more
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YouTube - Hey Sarah Palin (with lyrics/subtitles)
A song to Sarah Palin....
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Obama’s “Spending Cut” Lie
Sen. Obama told a very big lie last night when he said this: "What I ’ve proposed, you’ll hear Senator McCain say, well, he’s proposing a whole bunch of new spending, but actually I’m cutting more than I’m spending so that it will be a net spending cut." That is a lie, not a stretching of the truth. Sen. McCain is just as much a liar... Sen. Obama told a very big lie last night when he said this: "What I ’ve proposed, you’ll hear Senator McCain say, well, he’s pro... more
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12 Children Among 33 Afghan Civilian Dead That US Will Admit To Killing
The inquiry found that of the 33 dead civilians, eight were men, three were women and 12 children.
The US military has admitted killing 33 civilians in an air strike on a village in Afghanistan in August, far more than it has previously acknowledged.
Following the August 22 attack on Azizabad, in Heart province, the Afghan government claimed that 90 civilians, mainly women and children, were killed. This figure was backed by the UN.
Until now the US has estimated that that no more than seven civilians died in the attack. It launched an inquiry after it emerged that film recorded on mobile phones showed rows of bodies of children and babies in a makeshift morgue.
The inquiry found that of the 33 dead civilians, eight were men, three were women and 12 children. The 10 others were undetermined. It also claimed that 22 Taliban fighters were killed in the attack.
The inquiry dismissed the Afghan government's estimate as being over-reliant on statements from villagers.
"Their reports lack independent evidence to support the allegations of higher numbers of civilian casualties," the US report said.
A spokesman for the Afghan government said it stood by its estimate.
The US expressed regret for the civilian losses but blamed the Taliban for having chosen to take up fighting positions near civilians.
"Unfortunately, and unknown to the US and Afghan forces, the (militants) chose fighting positions in close proximity to civilians," the report said.
The acting commander of US forces in the Middle East, Lieutenant General Martin Dempsey, said the attack was based on credible intelligence and was made in self-defence.
"We are deeply saddened at the loss of innocent life in Azizabad. We go to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties in Afghanistan in all our operations, but as we have seen all too often, this ruthless enemy routinely surround themselves with innocents," he said.
US central command said its investigation was based on 28 interviews resulting in more than 20 hours of recorded testimony from Afghan government officials, Afghan village elders, officials from non-governmental organisations, US and Afghan troops, 236 documents and 11 videos.
The issue of civilian deaths has outraged Afghans and strained relations with foreign forces which are in Afghanistan to help fight the insurgency. The Afghanistan president, Hamid Karzai, has warned US and Nato for years that they must stop killing civilians on bombing runs against militants, saying the deaths undermine his government and the international mission.
Following the raid on Azizabad Nato's commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, issued revised tactics and procedures for air and ground assaults against insurgents. The inquiry found that of the 33 dead civilians, eight were men, three were women and 12 children. ... more -
World Is Moving Towards Banning Death Penalty, says Reprieve
Report says five nations responsible for almost all state executions in past year.
The world is moving closer to the final abolition of the death penalty, according to the latest figures published to coincide with World Day against the Death Penalty today.
Currently, five nations are responsible for almost all the state executions carried out in the past year.
So far, a total of 137 countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice, while 60 countries retain its use, usually for people convicted of murder.
At least 1,252 people were known to be executed in 24 countries during 2007. Of all the executions in 2007, 88% took place in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the US.
By the end of the 2007, 91 countries had abolished the death penalty for all crimes and last year a further three countries (Albania, Cook Islands and Rwanda) joined their number, according to Reprieve, which represents death row prisoners around the world.
"The reality is that, despite the progress that has been made over the last 18 months, there are still thousands of people being executed every year around the world," said Clive Stafford Smith, director of Reprieve.
"I have witnessed the barbarity of this sentence in person, having been present at the execution of four of my clients and can say that one execution is too many. We cannot rest until capital punishment becomes little more than an embarrassing chapter in our history."
In Europe, only Belarus retains capital punishment and abandonment of the death penalty is a prerequisite for joining the EU.
The US is the only country in the Americas to have carried out any executions since 2003 but the 53 executions in 2006 represented the lowest annual total for a decade, and death sentences continue to drop from a peak in the mid-1990s.
China is, by far, the country, that makes most use of the penalty. "Asia leads the way globally as the continent that carries out the most executions," said Amnesty International UK director, Kate Allen.
"The number of executions carried out by China last year makes them the world's number one 'executioner'. This year we have seen a noticeable increase in the use of the death penalty in Japan. Executions in that country are typically shrouded in secrecy. And in Pakistan, there are approximately 7,500 people including children, on death row ... We call on Asia's state leaders to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolish the death penalty."
In some areas with a long tradition of executions, such as central Asia, there is a clear move towards abolition. Recently, Kyrgyzstan abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes, Kazakhstan has had a moratorium on executions since 2003 and Tajikistan has had moratoriums on executions and death sentences since 2004.
In Africa, only six countries carried out executions in 2006. Last year, the the high court in Malawi declared the mandatory death penalty unconstitutional and Rwanda abolished it. Burundi, Gabon and Mali are taking steps towards abolition.
In seven countries the death penalty is applied for consensual sexual acts between adults of the same sex: Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and parts of Nigeria.
Iran retains the death penalty for a large number of offences, among them "cursing the Prophet," certain drug offences, murder, adultery, incest, rape, drinking alcohol and sodomy and last year Iran executed at least 317 people, including eight juvenile offenders.
In 2007, Saudi Arabia executed at least 143 people, including children and three women. Since January 2008 the figure has already reached 58.
**Continues Report says five nations responsible for almost all state executions in past year. ... more -
McCain Resurgence Plan - $300 Billion for What?
When you take into account that the plan would not include the approximately 1 million properties already repossessed by banks, 2008 household data, and the qualifiers in place by the McCain Resurgence Plan, how small is the percentage of households being given a handout by this plan? When you take into account that the plan would not include the approximately 1 million properties already repossessed by banks, 2008 h... more
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Liberia: A dawn of a new era?
For the first time in the history of fiscal probity in Africa's oldest republic, the supreme audit outfit in Liberia, the General Auditing Commission-GAC, has presented its first special Forensic Audit report of the Auditor General to parliament. It is mandated by law to report to the Legislature.
In 2005, an Act of Legislature amended section 53 of the Executive Law of 1972 creating the GAC; making the entity independent of the executive branch of government. This led to the recruitment of the current head of the institution, John S. Morlu II, 2006 by the European Union in alliance with the Liberian government. This was done through a conventional vetting process that saw the participation of other nationals having advertised the job in 150 countries the world over.
The presentation of the audit report on Wednesday to the Lawmakers at the Capitol Building-home of the Lawmakers- in Monrovia, signals a dawn of a new era in the fight against fraud and abuse of public fund in Liberia. Till now, this is the inaugural presentation of an audit report to parliament in the history of the continent’s oldest republic.
The Special Forensic Audit Report of the Auditor General on the Bong Mines Community Escrow Account was received by Genevee Massaquoi, Assistant Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representative, Atty. James Karbah on behalf of the lawmakers.
Thirty one copies of the report were given to the Senate, while the Representative received 65 copies. The Liberia National Legislature, the first branch of government, comprises 96 Legislators, 64 Representatives making up the lower House and 30 Senators.
Making the presentation on behalf of the Auditor General, in separate remarks, GAC head of communication, James Jensen, said “GAC’s unbending commitment in making sure that public monies are truly accounted for the general goods of the public”.
“The proper management and application of public resources, is a cardinal platform of directing more donors funding for Liberia and a truest means for Liberia’s post war economic recovery,” Jensen noted.
He praised international partners like the European Commission, American government plus other partners that have been backbones of support to GAC’s quest to cleanse Liberia from the chain of fiscal improprieties, wastes, corruption and abuse of resources.
He assured the lawmakers that the Auditor General (AG), John S. Morlu II, will in a short period present additional audit reports to members of the legislature.
Both Massaquoi and Chief Clerk Karbah expressed appreciation for the report and promised to present them to the lawmakers. The Special Forensic Audit report of the Bong Mines Community escrow account covers the fiscal year ended 2006/2007.
The former mining town, Bong Mines is situated in Bong County, central Liberia. The audit commissioned by the Auditor General included the audits of financial and related records pertaining to three projects in Fuamah District in Bong County. They included Handii road, rehabilitation of the annex to Handii Clinic and seven classroom school construction and clinic renovation all totaling US$236,693.9.
In a related development: a GAC source said the entity has “completed the audits of several government institutions, including, the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP); National Housing Authority (NPA), National Lotteries, Independent Human Rights Commission (IHRC); and the Ministry of Finance”. For the first time in the history of fiscal probity in Africa's oldest republic, the supreme audit outfit in Liberia, the General... more -
City Admits Violating Immigrants Civil Rights
The Latino community has reached an agreement with the city of Manassas, Va., the city has agreed to pay $775,000 and also cover legal expenses of the Latino immigrant families whose civil rights were violated by public school officials. As Washington Hispanic reports, those schools shared their students' confidential information with authorities when the school suspected irregularities in their addresses. On October 2007, 11 residents of Manassas and the Equal Rights Center reported the city for violating dozens of families' civil rights. The Latino community has reached an agreement with the city of Manassas, Va., the city has agreed to pay $775,000 and also cover legal... more
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Barack Obama Writes to Indian Prime Minister
Barack Obama didn't meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his recent U.S. visit, but has written him a letter reports Rediff.com. Sen. Obama congratulated Dr. Singh for shepherding the nuclear cooperation agreement through the Indian parliament and deplored the recent string of terrorist attacks. Obama also said he hoped the civil nuclear cooperation would lead to greater cooperation on the non-proliferation issue, and said he would work with the U.S. Senate to secure ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. "Imagine our two democracies in action: Indian laboratories and industry collaborating with American laboratories and industry to discover innovative solutions to today's energy problems. That's the kind of new partnership I would like to build with India as president," he wrote. Barack Obama didn't meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his recent U.S. visit, but has written him a letter reports ... more
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"Keep the n*gger out of office"
OCTOBER 8--Angered by a delay in the receipt of his voter registration card, a Louisiana man today threatened to shoot election officials, claiming that he urgently needed to cast a ballot to "keep the nigger out of office," according to police. Wade Williams, 75, was arrested this morning on a felony terrorizing charge after allegedly calling the Registrar of Voters and warning that he would come to the state office and empty his shotgun unless he got his registration card. Using profanity and racial slurs, Williams told a state official "about needing to vote to 'keep the nigger out of office," according to an Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office affidavit, a copy of which you'll find here. Though the document does not name the candidate to which Williams is so violently opposed, it seems likely he was referring to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. After being arrested at his Monroe home, Williams was booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center, where the below mug shot was snapped. En route to the jail, he "continued his 'tirade' about niggers and also stated that he had a shotgun, but had it hidden at his residence," reported Lt. Michael Judd. (2 pages) OCTOBER 8--Angered by a delay in the receipt of his voter registration card, a Louisiana man today threatened to shoot election offici... more
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If Churches Want to be Political Then They Should be Taxed!!
Nothing makes me more angry than seeing greedy religious organizations spending tax exempt or tax deferred contributions on hate propaganda especially in these hard times where their contributions and tax exempt money should be spent on the infrastructure that their castles are resting on and the people that really need help. After reading one of the first acts initiated by Bush, the faith based iniatiative, at white house.gov where it clearly grants tax breaks and clearly states NONDISCRIMINATION, I really don't see how they get away with spending, or stealing, this money from the rest of us and then spending it to hurt us. They are theiving sociopathic hypocrites and therefore they are the ones who don't have any morals and should be judged themselves for tax fraud. The above is one link that argues why fanatical wealthy religious institutions aren't paying their fair share. There's no reason why a law or act or something couldn't be made, new laws and acts are made all the time(Patriot Act, Military Commissions act(both nightmares)). According to either the Human Rights Campaign or Glaad or ACLU, I forget, an estimated 10,000,000.00 is spent each year on antigay propaganda and now recently millions alone against the california marriage ammendment(and undoubtably MUCH MORE FOR THE POLITICAL ELECTION UNDERWAY). I doubt very seriously that those dollars are taxed and they should be spent on helping people in need, not promoting intolerance and hatred. It is not acceptable to be spending this inordinately large amount of government tax money on idealogical issues rather than for real assistance to people it is meant for. Nothing makes me more angry than seeing greedy religious organizations spending tax exempt or tax deferred contributions on hate propa... more
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AIG's Bailout Party!
OCTOBER 7--Days after federal officials agreed to an $85 billion bailout of American International Group, the insurance firm spent more than $440,000 for a corporate retreat at a swanky California resort. An invoice from the week-long getaway, a copy of which you'll find below, was obtained by the congressional panel that has been holding hearings this week about Wall Street collapses and executive excess. The late-September AIG gathering at the St. Regis Resort in Monarch Beach cost $443,343, according to the invoice. The six-figure sum covered hotel rooms, banquets, golf fees, and spa services at the resort south of Los Angeles. However, company funds apparently were not spent on exploding cakes or urinating ice statues. (2 pages) OCTOBER 7--Days after federal officials agreed to an $85 billion bailout of American International Group, the insurance firm spent mor... more
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At 16, a champion for democracy
Keep an eye on Olena Prykhodko. At the age of seven, she joined a nationwide group for young women leaders, and by 11 she was demonstrating in support of Ukraine's Orange Revolution. Prykhodko believes young people can help bridge the gap between her country's government and ordinary people.
As the second in our series of Young Women's Learning Partnership profiles, WLP spoke with Olena Prykhodko of Ukraine. Ms. Prykhodko is a member of the Interregional Young Women Leaders Group, which unites girls and young women to promote principles of democracy, equality, and youth leadership in social and political life. She describes her greatest accomplishment as forming a group called the Kharkiv Regional Council of High School Students, which was able to bring youth opinions on child welfare policies to the highest national decision-making level. Ms. Prykhodko, as chair of the group, spoke at a meeting with the president and most senior members of regional and national administration, resulting in stricter policies controlling sales of alcohol and in the construction of free, open air sports areas.
Ms. Prykhodkho interviewed with WLP Program Associate, Siobhan Hayes, to discuss the possibilities for youth participation in politics.
WLP: How did you get involved in activism?
Prykhodko: I have always wanted to become a person that is able to change something in this world. When I was a little girl “changing the world” was a vague idea, yet I felt that I needed to be useful. At the age of seven I entered the all-Ukrainian writing contest for high school female students – and my essay actually passed! I was invited to join the Interregional Young Women Leader’s Group, and have been a part of it ever since. I have now been working with social youth activists for eight years.
***********CONTINUES Keep an eye on Olena Prykhodko. At the age of seven, she joined a nationwide group for young women leaders, and by 11 she was demonstr... more
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