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McCains noisy ghost in closet
The Wall Street Journal touches on the Keating Five scandal and suggests that McCain may have to answer to it after all:
The latest salvo came on Monday when an Obama spokesman, Bill Burton, invoked Charles Keating in hitting back at the McCain campaign for suggesting that Barack Obama had received a pass from the press. Burton said John McCain had been little scrutiny of his association to Keating despite being "centrally involved" in "the last major financial regulatory crisis, resulting in a huge bailout."
Asked by reporters if the Obama campaign planned to make Keating an issue, senior strategist Robert Gibbs was coy: "If we're going to talk about what's fair game in terms of people in a relationship, I don't see how... that wouldn't be important."
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who was labeled the leader of a "corrupt" machine in a McCain campaign ad yesterday, suggests he's all for it.
"You had the Keating Five. We had the biggest scandal in America called savings and loan. The biggest scandal, Daley told the Chicago Sun-Times. "So, if people start throwing dirt and mud, remember it comes back and hits you right in the face ... It would be a great ad. Remember: People lost their life savings, their own homes for a guy named Keating out of Arizona." The Wall Street Journal touches on the Keating Five scandal and suggests that McCain may have to answer to it after all: ... more -
Creationist offers prize for fossil proof of evolution
A controversial creationist has offered 10 TRILLION Turkish Lira to anyone who can provide convincing fossil evidence of evolution.
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Scrabble champion wins after 34 years of practice
A man has finally been crowned British scrabble champion, after practicing for 34 years.
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Giant crystal found in Swiss Alps
Two men from canton Uri discovered a giant crystal in the Plaggenstock mountain in Switzerland. It is bigger and more beautiful than the one discovered in 2005 on the same mountain, which was then called the discovery of the century.
The crystal-hunter Franz von Arx confirmed the discovery which was announced by several news media. The size, colours, purity and beauty of this crystal are amazing. It was found in a heretofore unexplored crevice.
Franz von Arx and his colleague Elio Müller found the giant crystal on September 19. It will be exposed in Flüelen, canton Uri, among other crystals.
In 2005, Franz von Arx had already discovered a giant crystal on that same mountain, at an altitude of 2,600 meters and at a depth of 32 meters. The size and purity of the smoked quartz crystal were then qualified as exceptional. Two men from canton Uri discovered a giant crystal in the Plaggenstock mountain in Switzerland. It is bigger and more beautiful than t... more -
Keeping It Wise - Is America a Christian Nation?
Mahdi Ahmad refutes the claim that America is a Christian nation.
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How John McCain Went From Maverick to Crank -- New York Magazine
To put it kindly. McCain is a screw up from the floor up.
Can you imagine 4 years of this hoser ? And Palin to boot ? !
What is the republican fascination with dumbasses ? They keep voting them into office !
Enough ! To put it kindly. McCain is a screw up from the floor up. Can you imagine 4 years of this hoser ? And Palin to boot ? ! ... more -
Sarah Palin Wants to Spoof Tina Fey on ‘SNL’ -- New York Magazine
Can this idiot suck any more ? She's now whoring herself trying to steal the ratings that Tina Fey created.
There's just no end to this crap. Can this idiot suck any more ? She's now whoring herself trying to steal the ratings that Tina Fey created. ... more -
Russia Bolivia ink helicopter deal
Forrest Hylton: There used to be a recognition of US spheres of influence - all that is over.
Russia and Bolivia strengthened their ties this week. With Moscow concluding a deal with La Paz to purchase five Russian civil defence helicopters. The deal also forms part of a strategy of Latin American integration, sidelining the United States, as countries like Venezuela, Brazil, and Argentina among others, attempt to re assert control over their own progress. Forrest Hylton states that "there used to be a recognition of spheres of influence all that is over."
Forrest Hylton is the the author of Evil Hour in Colombia (Verso, 2006), and with Sinclair Thomson, co-author of Revolutionary Horizons: Past and Present in Bolivian Politics (Verso, 2007). He is a regular contributor to New Left Review and NACLA Report on the Americas. Forrest Hylton: There used to be a recognition of US spheres of influence - all that is over. ... more -
The encirclement of Russia
Chalmers Johnson: "We have to back down unless we are looking for real confrontation with Russia". Part 3
Chalmers Johnson: "It's amazing that we have gone this far pushing the Russians around ... They are the only people on earth who could literally destroy us."
Chalmers Johnson taught from 1962 to 1992 at the Berkeley and San Diego campuses of the University of California. From 1968 until 1972 he was a consultant to the Office of National Estimates of the Central Intelligence Agency. He has written 17 books. His most recent releases are “Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire” (Metropolitan Books, 2000) and “The Sorrows of Empire: Militarism, Secrecy, and the End of the Republic” (Metropolitan, 2004) and his newest book, “Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic" (Metropolitan, 2007). Chalmers has been a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times, the London Review of Books, Harper’s Magazine, and The Nation among others, he appears in the 2005 prize-winning documentary film "Why We Fight".
See Part 1 at: http://current.com/items/89370666_massive_us_military_b...
See Part 2 at: http://current.com/items/89373406_last_days_of_the_amer... Chalmers Johnson: "We have to back down unless we are looking for real confrontation with Russia". Part 3 ... more -
'Free markets' depend on state intervention
Leo Panitch: US state plays role of defending global financial system, it had to act in this crisis.
After President Bush signed the controversial bailout bill into law, Senior Editor Paul Jay talked with Leo Panitch to get his analysis of the situation. Leo said it is irresponsible to suggest that the government should have let these banks fail, ultimately advocating for the full nationalization of the troubled banks. Leo then explains the significance of the US treasury bill as the base upon which everything else in the global financial system is valued, as well as explaining the US government's role as the guarantor of the t-bill's value. Finally, Leo criticizes the dominant paradigm that states and markets are separate and opposing forces in the modern capitalist system.
Leo Panitch is the Canada Research Chair in Comparative Political Economy and a Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science at York University in Toronto. Panitch is also the author of "Global Capitalism and American Empire" and his most recent release "American Empire and the Political Economy of International Finance". Leo Panitch: US state plays role of defending global financial system, it had to act in this crisis. ... more -
Strategic voting in Canada
Barry Kay: Without splitting the left-of-centre vote, Conservatives could not form the government.
With the Canadian election approaching, incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper appears destined to remain in power, with the only question remaining being: How much power will he attain? Senior Editor Paul Jay sat down with Barry Kay, who's own seat distribution forecast at http://www.wlu.ca/lispop shows Harper's Conservative Party just two seats away from forming a majority government. This despite the fact that the vast majority of Canadians support parties that campaign to the political left of Harper's policies. Barry explains both the reasons for this phenomenon in Canadian politics, and the sort of strategy which would be required to ensure an electoral outcome more reflective of the Canadian populace.
Dr. Barry Kay is a Professor of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University. His research focuses on the topics of elections and public opinion. He is a past member of the Canadian National Election Study team, and recent publications pertain to electoral systems, public opinion polling, and the impact of single-issue interest groups. He has developed a model for projecting parliamentary seat distributions from popular vote or opinion polls, which is updated regularly and can be found at www.wlu.ca/lispop. He is also a political analyst with Global Television, for their national election coverage. Barry Kay: Without splitting the left-of-centre vote, Conservatives could not form the government. ... more -
Americans and reality
Robert Parry: The Reagan presidency further detached Americans from world reality. Part 3
Robert Parry is an American investigative journalist. He was awarded the George Polk Award for National Reporting in 1984 for his work with the Associated Press. In 1995, he established Consortium News as an online ezine dedicated to investigative journalism. From 2000 to 2004, he worked for the financial wire service Bloomberg. Major subjects of Parry's articles and reports on Consortium News include the presidency of George W. Bush, the career of Army general and Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell (with Norman Solomon), the October Surprise controversy of the 1980 election, the Nicaraguan contra-cocaine investigation, the efforts to impeach President Clinton, right-wing terrorism in Latin America, the political influence of Sun Myung Moon, mainstream American media imbalance, United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates, as well as international stories . Parry has written several books, including Lost History: Contras, Cocaine, the Press & "Project Truth." (1999) and Secrecy & Privilege: Rise of the Bush Dynasty from Watergate to Iraq (2004).
See Part 1 at: http://current.com/items/89369029_america_pays_the_pipe...
See Part 2 at: http://current.com/items/89370644_america_pays_the_pipe... Robert Parry: The Reagan presidency further detached Americans from world reality. Part 3 ... more -
Obama widens lead in national poll - CNN.com
In the American Revolution, Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette served with distinction in the Continental Army under George Washington.
So important was this Frenchman's contribution to our Revolution that on the 4th of July 1917 in the depths of WW I, General John J. Pershing took his newly arrived American Expeditionary Force in Europe to a small cemetary on the outskirts of Paris.
The great stage was set. Many thousands of French people followed the American procession to this little place. The Americans held their ranks with precision as they were snapped to attention. A supreme quiet came accross the crowd as the history and importance of this moment fell to one man, Colonel Charles E. Stanton who drew his sword, faced the tomb of the Marquis and uttered the imortal words, "Lafayette ! We are Here !"
At that beautiful moment, that instant, the entire world heard America's greatness and what it meant to have us as a friend.
We may never be generals, we may never rise to the greatness of a Stanton but I've learned to recognize a moment in history when I see it.
DR KING ! WE ARE HERE ! In the American Revolution, Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette served with distinction in the Continental Army under George Washi... more -
LATEST IN EASY LISTENING AND ELECTRONICA
My music either has no genre or i just don't know what it is. Check out my myspace page and tell me what you think it is! Or just send me what you think!!! My music either has no genre or i just don't know what it is. Check out my myspace page and tell me what you think it is! Or just... more
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Super Mario Bros. Song/Theme
Its the orginal theme/song, everyone knows it. @Nintendo
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Is TBN related to the British Monarchy?
Just a little observation I made, and It's quite a suspicious discovery indeed. I recently observed TBN"S Emblem or Logo, which consists of A lion and Unicorn to the left and right of a shield, with a crown above and various inscriptions, if you are familiar with symbolism you would know that such a logo is not a logo but is what would be considered a ''Coat Of Arm's'' which is usually associated with Royalty and the Military...Hmmm, why is a Christian Network employing a ''Coat Of Arms''? and are the similarities between the TBN logo and the British Royal coat Of Arms just a coincidence? make your own observations....
The Lion and the Unicorn are time-honoured symbols of the United Kingdom. They are properly speaking heraldic supporters, appearing in the full Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. The lion stands for England and the unicorn for Scotland. The combination therefore dates back to the 1603 accession of James I of England who was already James VI of Scotland.
The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom is the official coat of arms of the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. These arms are used by the Queen in her official capacity as monarch, and are officially known as her Arms of Dominion. Variants of the Royal Arms are used by other members of the Royal Family; and by the British Government in connection with the administration and government of the country. In Scotland, the Queen has a separate version of the Royal Arms, a variant of which is used by the Scotland Office. Just a little observation I made, and It's quite a suspicious discovery indeed. I recently observed TBN"S Emblem or Logo, wh... more -
UK Police train for riot scenarios
Seems like the UK may be getting ready for civil unrest due to financial strife, just like here in the United States.
Police officers from forces across the South West are to receive training to prepare them for riots.
Police horses, dogs and a helicopter will be used to add realism during the two-day courses at Moreton-in-Marsh Fire College, Gloucestershire.
Some officers will take on the role of hostile crowds in real-life scenarios such as raves, demonstrations and disorder at football matches.
Missiles and petrol bombs will be thrown as part of the training.
Officers attending the training will come from Gloucestershire; Dorset; Wiltshire; Avon & Somerset; and Devon & Cornwall Constabularies.
Inspector Mac McGarry, of Gloucestershire Constabulary Operational Services, said: "These are very important and impactive sessions because it is essential all officers allocated to the Public Disorder Unit experience the sort of difficulties they will encounter in real-life situations.
"It also gives us the chance to test the command structure we have in place and the inter-operability with other forces." Seems like the UK may be getting ready for civil unrest due to financial strife, just like here in the United States. ... more -
News Flash: Palin Reads a Newspaper, Now Qualified for VP
In a sharp reversal in tactics, Sarah Palin read a newspaper yesterday, and the McCain campaign is arguing that this should lay to rest any doubts about her qualifications for the vice presidency.
Speaking in a Colorado airport hangar, the Republican vice presidential candidate proudly proclaimed to her assembled supporters, "I was reading my copy of today's New York Times."
This was a dramatic change for Palin, who last Tuesday couldn't name a newspaper she had ever read when queried about in on national TV. Elaborating on her decision to read newspapers, the Alaska governor explained that she had read the New York Times because "they are hardly ever wrong."
Even with this sudden move to the political center, Palin sought to reassure her supporters on the right by completely misunderstanding the Times article she was referring to. The candidate described the front page article as confirming that Barack Obama is "palling around with terrorists," when the point of the article was to show that this assertion (which is the basis of recent anti-Obama TV ads) was false. In a sharp reversal in tactics, Sarah Palin read a newspaper yesterday, and the McCain campaign is arguing that this should lay to res... more -
In the demise of his first marriage, John McCain's life seems to have found a...
In early 1980, John McCain was a man in transition -- and in a hurry.
Nine months earlier, at a cocktail reception in Hawaii, he met a glamorous young heiress named Cindy Lou Hensley and, by all accounts, fell instantly in love. McCain spent months flying from Washington to Arizona pursuing this new relationship. Soon, the 43-year-old naval attache and his 25-year-old sweetheart were engaged.
There was only one complication: McCain was still married.
Carol Shepp McCain, then 42, had endured much in more than 14 years of marriage to John. She had raised their three young children alone while her husband languished in a North Vietnamese prison camp for 5 1/2 years. Her tribulations grew immeasurably after a near-fatal car accident that immobilized her for months and left her scarred for life. Despite their reunion and physical rehabilitation, by the late 1970s the McCains' marriage had begun to crack, as John engaged in what he later termed "dalliances" with other women.
Now it was being torn apart by his relationship with Cindy Hensley. McCain didn't hesitate in bringing his marriage to a swift end.
According to public records, he and Cindy received a marriage license in Maricopa County, Ariz., in early March 1980, four weeks before his divorce from Carol was final. A judge in Florida dissolved the McCains' marriage April 2, entering a default judgment after Carol failed to respond to three court summonses. John and Cindy were wed six weeks later, on May 17.
This rapid-fire sequence of events raises a question about John McCain's path to the White House: Would he be where he is today had he not changed his life, and his wife, when he did?
Much has been said and written about Cindy McCain during her husband's bid for the presidency. But the first Mrs. McCain has remained an enigmatic figure. Much of this is by choice: Carol McCain -- she still uses her married name -- has declined countless requests for interviews throughout the campaign and in the years preceding it. In a brief conversation with The Washington Post recently, she declined to speak about herself or her relationship with her former husband. The McCain campaign did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Nevertheless, John McCain's divorce and remarriage marked a pivotal moment in his public and private life. Restless in his job as the Navy's chief liaison on Capitol Hill, McCain was by then reconsidering his life and work. His break with Carol and marriage to Cindy set him in a new direction.
Is this really a man that you can honestly say has "your" best interests at heart? Too little has been said about McCains integrity, this shows he has very little!!! In early 1980, John McCain was a man in transition -- and in a hurry. ... more -
The Secret Behind the Surge
Bob Woodward's final book on the Bush years in Iraq, The War Within, reports that top secret American targeting and assassination operations--extra-judicial killings--were "very possibly" the biggest factor in reducing violence in 2006-07, even more than the so-called troop surge itself.
He writes that the "groundbreaking" operations were carried out as Special Access Programs or under the Special Compartmentalized Information effort.
Woodward and his editors consider this strategy of summary executions of "key individuals in extremist groups" so ultra-sensitive that they chose not to reveal "the state secrets that have been so beneficial to Iraq."
"Because disclosing the details of such operations could compromise their ongoing use," Woodward writes, "I have chosen not to include more here."
The programs were considered "awesome" by President Bush and were effective enough to give "orgasms" to the top intelligence adviser to Gen. David Petraeus, Derek Harvey.
As he has in the past, Woodward chooses to keep significant and explosive news a secret out of deference to the Pentagon and White House. The media is no longer independent, but part of the national security apparatus. (The New York Times, for example, held the story on FISA/domestic wiretapping for one year.)
Thus far no mainstream media writer has sought to uncover the whole story, and why it was withheld since being launched in May 2006.
No member of Congress has raised a question either. Most lawmkers, however well-intentioned, know little about counterinsurgency doctrine, the actual role of counterterrorism units, and the vast gulags that already hold some 100,000 Iraqis and Afghans in detention without charges or lawyers.
Some immediate questions:
• Since the Iraqis on the receiving end presumably know about these tactics, why keep them secret from the American public, Congress and media?
• How are the operations consistent with US constitutional law and international human rights standards?
• Are they joint US-Iraqi operations, or only US operations?
• Are those targeted for execution carrying out any military action at the time, or do their names only have to appear on target lists?
• Did the target lists come from Iraqi informants or official sources, and how were they verified?
• Why were the targets killed instead of being detained?
• How many targeted individuals were killed or made to disappear?
• Who in the Administration, Congress and upper echelons of the media have known, and for how long?
This is the essence of a dirty war, and could well be the updated "global Phoenix program" recommended by Petraeus adviser David Kilkullen in 2004.
The shame is the utter silence with which the news is being met. Bob Woodward's final book on the Bush years in Iraq, The War Within, reports that top secret American targeting and assassination... more
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