Medical Worker in Banda Aceh
Today in History
In 1592, born Shah Jahan Mughal emperor of India (1628-58), built Taj Mahal.
In 1779, born Zebulon Montgomery Pike explorer (Pike's Peak).
In 1781, a British naval expedition led by Benedict Arnold burned Richmond, Va.
In 1855, King Camp Gillette inventor (safety razor).
In 1895, French Captain Alfred Dreyfus, convicted of treason, was publicly stripped of his rank. (He was ultimately vindicated.)
In 1914, Henry Ford establishes a minimum wage of $5 per eight-hour day in his automobile factories.
In 1925, Nellie T. Ross succeeded her late husband as governor of Wyoming, becoming the first female governor in U.S. history.
In 1931, born Alvin Ailey, American dancer and choreographer, founding director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, an internationally renowned modern-dance repertory company. Born in Rogers, Texas, Ailey enrolled at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and became involved with the Lester Horton Dance Theater in 1949. He studied under Horton, and after Horton's death in 1953, Ailey became director of the company, a position he held until 1954. That same year Ailey moved to New York City. There he appeared in a number of stage productions while studying under American dancers Martha Graham, Charles Weidman, Doris Humphrey, and Hanya Holm and American actor Stella Adler. During this time Ailey gained fame for the strength and grace of his performances. In 1958 he formed his own company, which joined the New York City Center in 1972.
In 1933, Construction begins on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.
In 1939, born Bridget Parker England, equestrian 3 day event (Olympics-gold-1972).
In 1949, U.S. president Harry S. Truman announces the Fair Deal.
In 1970, Joseph A. Yablonski, an unsuccessful candidate for the presidency of the United Mine Workers of America, was found murdered with his wife and daughter at their Clarksville, Pa., home. UMWA President Anthony Boyle and three others were convicted of the killings.
In 1972, U.S. President Richard Nixon authorizes a $5.5 billion, six-year program to develop plans for a spaceship capable of undertaking multiple missions, thereby launching the space shuttle program.
Reported: MISSING in ACTION
http://www.scopesys.com/today/
The Sydney Morning Herald
Kyoto, coming ready or not
The Kyoto protocol on climate change is coming, whether the United States and Australia like it or not. The Federal Government argues there are flaws in the deal, which commits the world's industrialised economies to a collective 5.2 per cent reduction on 1990 levels of greenhouse gas emissions. And it's right. Any international agreement to combat pollution, on a global level, cuts across national economic interests. No government should cede competitive advantage lightly, especially if, as Kyoto prescribes, the cost of cutting these gas emissions is to be born, initially, only by advanced industrial economies.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Editorial/Kyoto-coming-ready-or-not/2004/12/26/1103996435518.html
'It will take time to track them down'
Prime Minister John Howard said today 560 Australians were still unaccounted for in the wake of the tsunami disaster.
Mr Howard will fly out of Australia today for a meeting of world leaders in Jakarta to discuss help for tsunami-devastated southern Asia.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Asia-Tsunami/It-will-take-time-to-track-them-down/2005/01/05/1104832147391.html
Indonesia, Australia closer than ever
By Cynthia Banham, Tom Allard and Mark Metherell
January 5, 2005
Safe but scared . . . a child who survived the tsunami stares out from an army tent at a refugee camp in Banda Aceh.
Australia's response to Indonesia's tsunami tragedy has heralded a new era of close relations between the two countries, the Indonesian ambassador to Australia said yesterday, and would be remembered for "years to come".
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Asia-Tsunami/Indonesia-Australia-closer-than-ever/2005/01/04/1104832113251.html
Annan reveals shake-up for year of change
The United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has announced a management shake-up, saying the year ahead offered a "critical opportunity" for the organisation to change.
Speaking at a press conference in New York on Monday, Mr Annan announced the appointment of a new chief of staff, Mark Malloch Brown.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Annan-reveals-shakeup-for-year-of-change/2005/01/04/1104832107988.html
Call to ease dumped import ban
The consumer regulator has urged that anti-dumping laws be pared back to ensure lower prices for consumers, a move that could smooth the path for a trade deal with China.
The chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Graeme Samuel, joined the Federal Government's key economic reform agency in warning that anti-dumping laws had been abused by protectionist industries. "Anti-dumping is a competition issue," Mr Samuel said.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/Call-to-ease-dumped-import-ban/2005/01/04/1104832109699.html
US diocese in record $128m sex abuse deal
Hours after agreeing to pay $US100 million ($128.6 million) and make public the secret files of the Catholic diocese of Orange, Bishop Tod Brown knelt in prayer and asked for healing and reconciliation for the victims of sexual abuse by priests.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/US-diocese-in-record-128m-sex-abuse-deal/2005/01/04/1104832108593.html
Court upholds Pinochet's indictment
Chile's Supreme Court upheld the indictment and house arrest of former dictator General Augusto Pinochet for nine kidnappings and one homicide allegedly committed during a long regime marked by human rights abuses.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Breaking-News/Court-upholds-Pinochets-indictment/2005/01/05/1104832158699.html
NZ doubles tsunami aid donation
New Zealand says it has doubled its contribution for tsunami relief to $NZ10 million ($A9.01 million).
The government also pledged to match public contributions to aid agencies, which have already exceeded NZ$4 million ($A3.60 million).
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/NZ-doubles-tsunami-aid-donations/2005/01/05/1104832154234.html
Seeing terror in a new light
The tsunami that wreaked so much destruction are also reshaping the world's political geography, and for the better. The terrible events of December 26 have already moved the United States to acknowledge a broader, more realistic, view of how to fight terrorism.
The US "war on terrorism" has so far been just that: full-scale war in pursuit of regime change and nation building. Now, in pledging long-term assistance to the tsunami disaster zone, the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, has explicitly acknowledged the role of poverty, disease and hopelessness in fostering extremism and undermining democracy. It is a pity Mr Powell couched his comments in terms of America's national security interest, rather than the general good. However, his words are no less important for that.
http://www.smh.com.au/editorial/index.html
The Boston Globe
Indonesia starts building refugee camps for 500,000, while world leaders prepare to meet on tsunami relief
By Burt Herman, Associated Press, 1/5/2005 07:02
ADVERTISEMENT
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) The United Nations said Wednesday that camps for up to 500,000 tsunami refugees will be built on devastated Sumatra island, while world leaders headed to Indonesia to discuss how to distribute billions of dollars in aid.
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/005/world/Indonesia_starts_building_refu:.shtml
Newark North
By Steve Bailey, Globe Columnist January 5, 2005
Imagine a giant scrap yard at the foot of our cleaned-up Boston Harbor. Massport is doing just that.
We like to talk about the New Boston and our new harbor, which we spent $3.8 billion reclaiming. Now think lovely Newark, N.J., home of just the kind of Third World scrap yard Massport is considering for 26 acres on the waterfront in the Boston Marine Industrial Park in South Boston. No final decision has been made, but Massport confirms that Metal Management Inc., which operates 40 recycling facilities in 13 states, is the high bidder and leading candidate among three proposals for the waterfront site. In other words, it pays for Massport to say yes to a scrap yard.
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2005/01/05/newark_north/
http://www.boston.com/
Honesty is the best policy in educating youths about steroids
By Dr. Darshak Sanghavi January 4, 2005
A few years ago, I helped care for a teenager with cystic fibrosis, a chronic lung disease often causing malnutrition. Such patients are usually quite thin. But this young man was suspiciously muscular, and when asked, admitted to using anabolic steroids. He said he needed the look to be an actor someday.
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/fitness/articles/2005/01/04/honesty_is_the_best_policy_in_educating_youths_about_steroids/
What causes bad breath and how can I get rid of it?
January 4, 2005
Bad breath, or halitosis, is often caused by bacteria in the mouth or upper airway that produce sulfur-containing compounds. Usually it can be banished by flossing and brushing teeth twice a day, and brushing and scraping the tongue. If bacteria also are lurking in deep ''pockets" in the gums, a dental professional must scrape them out.
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/diseases/articles/2005/01/04/what_causes_bad_breath_and_how_can_i_get_rid_of_it/
The New York Times
Korea's Tricky Task: Digging Up Past Treachery
By NORIMITSU ONISHI
A display of life-size models of Koreans who resisted Japanese imperialism. But maybe it wasn't that simple.
SEOUL, South Korea - This country may be selling plasma television sets to America and it may have the highest percentage of broadband Internet users in the world. But these days, South Korea's political and intellectual class is also looking back, not only at the military era that ended in the late 1980's but also at the Japanese colonial period that ended six decades ago.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/05/international/asia/05letter.html?hp
Powell, in Indonesia, Describes Scenes of Devastation
By SCOTT SHANE
Published: January 5, 2005
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia, Jan. 5 - Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida got their first look at the epicenter of the tsunami's destruction today, flying low in Navy Seahawk helicopters over miles of flattened coastal villages where tens of thousands of people died.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/05/international/worldspecial4/05cnd-quake.html?hp&ex=1104987600&en=fd46b337108d7584&ei=5094&partner=homepage
Bangkok Post
US help for Thai early alert system
Expertise, technical assistance pledged
The United States is willing to provide Thailand with expertise and technical assistance to develop an early warning system to avert future tsunami disasters, Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai said yesterday.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/05Jan2005_news04.php
B4bn monthly tourism revenue loss expected in affected region
Boaters at an undamaged marina in Phuket continue to enjoy their vacations on the island. Efforts are now under way to get a better assessment of damage to coral reefs, a big draw for divers worldwide. — TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD
Stricken area to take 2-3 months to restore
NONDHANADA INTARAKOMALYASUT ACHATAYA CHUENNIRAN
Thailand stands to lose four billion baht a month in tourism revenue from the tsunami-struck southern provinces, where it is likely to take at least two to three months to restore facilities, according to Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/05Jan2005_biz12.php
Michael Moore Today
http://www.michaelmoore.com/
Tuesday, January 4, 2004
Just One Senator... An Open Letter to the U.S. Senate from Michael Moore
Dear Members of the U.S. Senate,
Welcome back! The 109th session of Congress has just begun. I'm watching you on C-SPAN right now and you all look so snap-happy and clean-faced. It's like the first day of school all over again, isn't it?
I have a favor to ask of you. Something isn't right with the vote from Ohio. Seems a lot of people didn't get to vote. And those who did, thousands of theirs weren't counted.
Does that seem right to you? I'm just asking. Forget about partisan politics for a moment and ask yourself if there is a more basic right, in a democracy, than the right of the people to vote AND have ALL their votes counted.
Now, I know a lot of you wish this little problem of Ohio would just go away. And many of you who wish this are Democrats. You just want to move on (no pun intended!). I can't say I blame you. It's rough to lose two elections in a row when the first one you actually won and the second one you should have won. And it seems this time around, about 3 million more Americans preferred to continue the war in Iraq and give the rich more tax breaks than those who didn't. No sense living in denial about that.
But something isn't right in Ohio and more than a dozen members of the House of Representatives believe it is worth investigating.
So on Thursday at 1:00pm, Rep. John Conyers of Detroit will rise and object to the vote count in Ohio. According to the laws of this land, he will not be allowed to speak unless at least one of you -- one member of the United States Senate -- agrees to let him have the floor.
A very embarrassing moment during the last session of Congress occurred in the first week when none of you would allow the members of Congress who were black to have the floor to object to the Florida vote count. Remember that? You thought no one would ever notice, didn't you? You certainly lucked out that night when the networks decided not to show how you shut down every single member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
No such luck this year. Everyone now knows about that moment of shame. Thank you? You’re welcome.
But this Thursday, at 1:00pm, you will have a chance to redeem yourself.
Congressman Conyers and a dozen other members of Congress have some serious questions about how the Republican secretary of state in Ohio (who was also the state’s co-chair of Bush’s reelection campaign) conducted the election on November 2. The list of possible offenses of how voters were denied access to the polls and how over a hundred thousand of their votes have yet to be counted is more than worthy of your consideration. It may not change the outcome, but you have a supreme responsibility to make sure that EVERY vote is counted. Who amongst you would disagree with that?
If you would like to read more about the specific charges, I ask that you read these two links: “Senators Should Object to Ohio Vote” —by Jesse Jackson and “Ten Preliminary Reasons Why the Bush Vote Does Not Compute, and Why Congress Must Investigate Rather Than Certify the Electoral College”. I am asking everyone on my mailing list to send you a letter joining me in this call to you to do your job and investigate what happened before you certify the vote.
It only takes one member of the House and one member of the Senate to stop the acceptance of the Electoral College vote and force a legitimate debate and investigation. Do you know why this provision is set in stone in our nation’s laws? I mean, why would we allow just two officials in a body of 535 members to throw a wrench into the works? The law exists because nothing is more sacred than the integrity of the ballot box and if there is ANY possibility of fraud or incompetence, then it MUST be addressed. Because if we don't have the vote, what are we left with?
C'mon Senators! Especially you Democrats. Here is your one shining moment of courage. Will you allow the gavel to come down on our black members of Congress once again? Or will you stand up for their right to object?
We will all be watching.
Yours,
Michael Moore
www.michaelmoore.com
MMFlint@aol.com
P.S. My whereabouts this week: I will be on the Today Show Thursday morning, Jay Leno on Friday night. And... the People's Choice Awards are this Sunday night, live on CBS at 9pm! Can we defeat the superheroes Spiderman, Incredibles and Shrek for best picture? A documentary??? Whoa... tune in...
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?messageDate=2005-01-04
The Daily (Sri Lanka)
Parliament mourns, call to work together to rebuild Lanka
by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi and Ranil Wijayapala
Members of Parliament yesterday observed two minutes silence in memory of thousands of people who died and were affected in the tsunami tidal waves.
Parliament paid this supreme respect when the House held first sittings for the new year and also the first sittings since the devastation caused by the tsunami.
Earlier, Speaker W. J. M. Lokubandara making a statement appealed to all citizens to dedicate and commit themselves to re-build the country which had been greatly affected by this incident.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/01/05/new15.html
World Bank President due here
World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn will visit Sri Lanka on the weekend of January 8-9 to have a first-hand view of the destruction to lives, livelihoods and property caused by the tsunami of 26 December. His visit will coincide with that of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, the world bank said yesterday.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/01/05/new16.html
Fixing the southern environment
The tsunami tragedy of December 26 also presents an opportunity to help nature
A sad story is the disaster at the Andaman coast last weekend, which turned the festive mood of people all over the country into worry and sadness.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/en/301204_Horizons/30Dec2004_hori52.php
more to follow...
