Friday, March 20, 2009

Iraq, six years of invasion and occupation. When will they be left alone?

American Deaths (click here)
Since war began (3/19/03):
4259



This is an Op-Chart from The New York Times, I find the title to it a bit disturbed. It should read, "The (State of the) Nations of Iraq and Afghanistan," The States of Iraq and Afghanistan (click here).

For Immediate Release: March 20, 2009
Reagan Kuhn (
212) 845-5273 / KuhnR@humanrightsfirst.org
On the Sixth Anniversary of the War in Iraq, Time to Focus on Refugees (click here)
...“Violence and conflict over the past five years have forced millions of Iraqis from their homes and many into asylum in neighboring countries. In the past year, though security improved significantly in Iraq, the political stability and lasting peace that will make it possible for most refugees to return home in safety has not yet taken hold. At Camp Lejeune last month, President Obama recognized refugee and internally displaced families as ‘living consequence[s] of this war’ and declared that ‘America has a strategic interest – and a moral responsibility – to act.’...


Activists protest in Tokyo to mark the 6th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war

The Audacity of Hope - The USA to have its own High Speed Magnetic Rail. I think 'Geithner, Obama and the nation's Governors' Get It !"

Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Hearings tout high-speed rail (click here)
Gary Heinlein / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
LANSING -- Backers of a proposed elevated rail line between Lansing, Ann Arbor and Detroit will try to sell the public on an Earth-friendly plan to send hydrogen-powered trains hurtling along stainless steel rails.
Four freshman lawmakers plan hearings beginning next month in the state's capital to sell the $2 billion privately funded plan.
"The devil will be in the details, of course," said Rep. Mike Huckleberry, D-Greenville, one of the lawmakers backing the plan. "But this concept has enough potential to make it worth pursuing. I'm hoping that we can develop this technology and transportation idea into Michigan jobs."...



It is difficult to 'agree' with the current budget until one realizes the extent this will add jobs due to vast infrastructure changes. The tax base alone will support a far larger budget that will fund these changes in the USA. Video (click here) I believe President Obama has been extremely productive in his early days for the purpose of painting a complete picture to the USA's people. No one can pass judgement until all is realized in the vastness of the definition of 'change.' You know, it is time the USA 'grow up' and stop seeking 'personal creature comforts (A Republican Agenda.)

Today, Governors Schwarzenegger, Rendell and Bloomberg spoke outside the White House after meeting with President Obama. They outlined an aggressive approach to 'growing' the nation's infrastructure by adding 'State of the Art' infrastructure to energy and transportation.

Citing the huge and current infrastructure changes made in allied nations such as those in Europe, and including private enterprise to particiate, the Governors were more than optimistic in embarking on a Brave New World that would insure generations of Americans that they would indeed have a country that lives within the limits of Earth's Troposphere.

Some states are already 'on board' and planning for the future while awaiting sufficient funding to begin.

High-Speed Rail Line Proposed for Michigan (click here)
A company called Worldwide Hydrogen Super Highways is proposing to build a rail line in Michigan that would run from Detroit to Lansing. The elevated line would run along some of Detroit's major freeways and its cars would use solar energy to power hydrogen batteries...

...But his most liberal allies are asserting the opposite, saying they show the need for the sweeping change that Obama's $3.6 trillion blueprint represents. (click here)...

A super high-speed transport system (click here) with a non-adhesive drive system that is independent of wheel-and-rail frictional forces has been a long-standing dream of railway engineers. Maglev, a combination of superconducting magnets and linear motor technology, realizes super high-speed running, safety, reliability, low environmental impact and minimum maintenance.
By ANDREW TAYLOR
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's budget would produce $9.3 trillion in deficits over the next decade, more than four times the deficits of Republican George W. Bush's presidency, congressional auditors said Friday.
The new Congressional Budget Office figures offered a far more dire outlook for Obama's budget than the new administration predicted just last month - a deficit $2.3 trillion worse. It's a prospect even the president's own budget director called unsustainable....

Pakistan rocket attack 'kills 10' - It is a civil war between the Taliban and Tribes


The next major global conflict has the potential to be here. I don't see the forces of terrorists winning and it will be the major nations of the region that will finally settle the 'hornets-nest' of Bin Laden.

The problems existing is to come to terms with protecting the tribes and Afghanis while eliminating the killing force of the Taliban whom have not come forward for expressions of peaceful intent. And what will Iran do? With continued movement toward escalation of its nuclear capacity will it chose to attempt to support terrorists while trying to hold its border with the Kurds, PKK and Turkey or will it participate in securing its border with Afghanistan and Pakistan to stop the growth of any ammunition trade with the Taliban and al Qaeda? India is more than willing to see an end to any terrorist influence and unrest, but, can it be done peacefully or will there have to be conflict to 'end it' and secure civilization from the remaining forces of dysfunctional and renegade authority?

Conducting aggression in this region to stop terrorists forever is a tough call. To escalate any attacks against the Taliban requires insight to the intentions of Iran while controlling pirates and ship traffic in the Arabian Sea. If diplomacy fails to stop the Taliban and protect tribes and the innocent civilians of Afghanistan and Pakistan will the Clinton State Department have secured the alliances of Russia, China, India and perhaps Iran to act responsibility to stop this insanity called al Qaeda? Russia is cutting its defense budget and China has been allies before with Pakistan in arming against India and the West. Its a tough row to hoe but, can it be done to end the domination of terrorist states in the region?

The lesson to be learned is that domestic protections against 'terrorist methods' is by far the most immediate and perhaps the best long term solution to another September 11th. It is why Secretary Napolitano is seeking to secure trains and buses while looking to the borders and ports for infrastructure security. Her department has to expand its personnel to insure more border personnel while Customs expands its capacity as well.









If the same 'road trip' made above was tried today, those trying to complete it would be killed by Taliban forces. The problem existing in Afghanistan and the tribal areas of Pakistan is taking a turn for the worse. In a picture essay below it is clear there are tensions 'created' by the Taliban. They are interested in killing off the people living peacefully among the mountains and cause the NATO and UN forces in the region a great deal of hardship and difficulty by controlling the main road used for supplies. It is why Russia has granted the USA access to the region. The problem with terrorist infiltration of the region is far worse today simply because they have gone unchecked for the most part.

Driving through the Khyber these days (click here for perspective from Winter of 2008) has gotten much more risky. There was serious fighting between the semi secular Afridi. like Yahya’s friends, and their more fundamentalist Taliban influenced neighbors. Scenes like the picture below are common now and unless things change dramatically I would not recommend driving through the Khyber Pass.


Tribal fighter at his post two feet off the main road. The compound he is guarding was attacked two days prior to our last trip to the Khyber

President Obama keeps an Active Public Presence



The media is having a strange response to the new President. They have been unable to really 'diss' him as he keeps such an active public presence. And rightfully so. It is an unfortunate reality to realize the only way the media sees its role is to 'diss' a very popular President hoping to drive him into the basement with his ratings. I believe that is going to be difficult and competing with a USA President 'for attention' isn't a good idea.

There is a lot of work to be done in the USA to reclaim its economy and value of its dollar. Weeding out 'desireable' companies that aren't in huge debt themselves and seeking 'bailout' from the Fed will be a full time job. The USA needs quality employment, not just 'any' employment at any cost. To achieve 'poor quality employment' in the USA will only cause the same economic catastrophe all over again. I would think the media most interested in 'entertaining' the American public would be approaching them from an 'education' perspective and what constitutes 'viable employment' with longevity toward retirement. That of course includes very viable and healthy companies with products that sustain 'trends' in customer satisfaction when it comes to a "Green Economy."

The media is getting it wrong with Iran. They are saying that the video by President Obama is unique and never been tried before. Yes and no. Yes, a cheery welcome to the people of Iran is a new approach and I believe it is sincere, but, the 'reaching past' the Iranian government propagandized media has been used before in Iraq by Bush before he invaded the country. While I understand President Obama's position in attempting to reach a reasonable solution to Iran's 'runaway' nuclear program, supporting UN efforts for inspections and disarmament measures he is engaging with Russia, there is a lot "W"rong in the Gulf.

Today there was another boarding of a ship that was seized by pirates and at the same time there are reports that Iran has reached capacity of producing 'fissile' material in constructing a nuclear weapon. There is also reports of the collision of two USA vessels, one a surface ship and one a submarine. I would not be surprised if the sub is stationed along with its comliment of surface ships in the region of Hormuz for the purpose of monitoring Iranian missile movement and the possible construction of a missile to launch with nuclear capacity.

If the collision occurred in Homuz due to the Navy's attempts to interrupt pirating of vessels as well as monitor Iran I would proport the nuclear capacity of Iran and its interruption of its program overshadows in huge measure any pirating issue.

Israel's Peres sends audio greeting to Iran (click here)
56 minutes ago
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli President Shimon Peres has sent a rare greeting to the people of Iran praising them and saying they would be better off without their hard-line leadership.
In the taped audio message, Peres lauds Iran's ancient culture and urges what he calls the "noble Iranian nation" to "return to its rightful place among developed nations."
The greeting marking Iran's Nowruz holiday was broadcast Friday on the Voice of Israel's Farsi-language station. The station is beamed to Iran, but it is unclear how many Iranians had heard it.
It coincided with President Barack Obama's video message to Iran in which he appealed to Iranians to shift away from decades of confrontation.



Mar 20, 2009 7:34 Updated Mar 20, 2009 15:55
Peres greets Iranians in Persian on Iranian new year festival (click here)
By JPOST.COM STAFF AND AP
President Shimon Peres issued an audio greeting to the Iranian people, urging them to shake off the rule of "an oppressive and fanatical regime" and return to relations of peace and harmony with Israel, which, he recalled, the two countries enjoyed when the Shah was in power, until 1979. He called on the "noble Iranian people" to eschew the rhetoric of hate and even offered a greeting for Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, in Persian....



Last update - 19:56 20/03/2009
Peres to Iran: Reclaim your rightful place among 'enlightened nations' (click here)
By Haaretz Service
President Shimon Peres has recently issued a special message to the Iranian people, ahead of the Iranian holiday Nowruz, which symbolizes the start a new year, urging the Iranian people to reclaim their place among "enlightened nations." "With great pleasure, I offer you this blessing on your holiday, a day of renewal that brings with it happiness and hope of a new day, of better days and a blessed new year," Peres began.
"Unfortunately, the relations between our two countries have hit a low point, stemming from ideas that compel your leaders to act in every possible way against the state of Israel and its people. But I am convinced that the day is not far off when our two nations will restore good neighborly relations and cooperation in thriving in every way," he went on to say....


So if an Iranian wishes you Happy Holidays and follows it with a question regarding the intention of the greetings from the USA and Israel. You might want to answer, "The agreement was PEACEFUL use of nuclear power, not production of fissil material for nuclear weapons. So, what do you think the greeting is all about?"

One might note in the article below, the word the man is using is PROGRESS.

PROGESS is not PEACEFUL. DISARMAMENT is PEACEFUL.


Last update - 17:27 20/03/2009
Iran supreme leader: No one can stop our nuclear progress (click here)
By Reuters
Iran has shown world powers they cannot block its nuclear progress, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Friday, but he made no mention of a
new message by U.S. President Barack Obama to his country. In a separate recorded speech to mark the Iranian New Year, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said global powers had reached a "dead end". But he too made no mention of Obama's videotaped offer of a "new beginning" of diplomatic engagement. Khamenei said Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil producer, had managed to limit the impact of the global economic downturn and of sanctions imposed on it over its nuclear activities.
Advertisement
Iran and the United States are embroiled in a dispute over Tehran's nuclear program, which Washington and its allies suspect is aimed at making bombs. Tehran says the program is for peaceful power generation....

Zoos

American Zoos have to 'incorporate' their conservation efforts separately as a non-profit and different from any amusement areas or rides at the zoos.

The stimulus package is not meant to increase American's past time, so much as increase employment opportunity with a focus in changing the American infrastructure regarding Climate Change, the nation's health and new technologies.


Zoos have been an important venue to educating the public about Climate Change and Human Induced Global Warming in the 'void' of any mention during eight oppressive years of environmental awareness. To be completely fair.



Endangered primate gives birth to triplets in Michigan City (click here)
Posted: 10:41 PM Mar 19, 2009Last Updated: 10:41 PM Mar 19, 2009
First a woman made big news for having octuplets, and now a monkey is making news for having triplets.
It might not seem as big a deal as eight, but for cotton-top tamarins, triplets are very rare.
They were born at the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City a few weeks ago.
It's hard to see them in the video linked at the top of this story, but the newborns are holding onto their parent's back.
Usually, this type of monkey gives birth to twins once a year.
Cotton-top tamarins are one of the most endangered primates in the world.




3/14/2009 11:00:00 AM
Tamarins born recently at zoo (click here)
Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch
MICHIGAN CITY - Triplet cotton top tamarins born two weeks ago at the Washington Park Zoo have brought the local family to nine members.
Jamie Huss, zoo assistant director and primate keeper, is giving special attention to baby Chloe, who was found lying on the floor and basically ignored by her mother, who was busy caring for the other two babies. Huss initially thought Chloe wouldn't stay alive. She's been feeding Chloe with an eye dropper every few hours."She's getting over pneumonia," Huss said, "and is on antibiotics." Just like a human baby, Chloe has a vaporizer and heating pad to help her get better, and is kept in a glassed-in portable nursery. Huss said Chloe was born full-term and weighs only one-tenth of a pound. She is 6 inches long and has a 6-inch tail. Adults weigh up to 1 1/2 pounds and grow to only 8 inches. The birth of triplet cotton top tamarins is unusual, according to zoo director Johnnie Martinez. He waited for a few weeks before announcing the birth, to make sure Chloe was healthy.
Martinez said the cotton top tamarins are an endangered species of mini-primates found only in northern Columbia in South America. The total world population is an estimated 2,000 to 3,000.In the zoo, the cotton top tamarins eat fruits and vegetables, monkey biscuits, meal worms and marmoset diet. They have only one female and one male who reproduce and the entire family helps with the young, carrying infants on their backs. Until she can be reintroduced to her family, Chloe is clinging on to a stuffed teddy bear.
Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.



Zoos and aquariums questioning stimulus bar (click here)
WILLIAM MULLEN CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Published: March 14, 2009
CHICAGO - Long counted as cultural, educational and economic treasures in their communities, American zoos and aquariums were more than a little upset when the $787 billion economic stimulus package signed into law recently expressly denied them any of the money.
"None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be used by any State or local government, or any private entity, for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool," the legislation states.
Being lumped in with casinos and golf courses on a scale of civic merit was insult added to injury. At a time when philanthropic giving is shrinking along with the economy, being denied a source of funding hurts.
"Zoos and aquariums don't belong on that list," said Steve Feldman, spokesman for the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the trade group for the industry.
They are among the most popular family and tourist attractions, they are crucial conservation centers and, he said, they contribute $8.4 billion to the gross domestic product and more than 100,000 jobs annually....



Cute 8 Month Old Lion Cubs Will Be On Exhibit At Naples Zoo Saturday Morning (click here)
By Tim L. Tetzlaff
Naples, FL - Just 8-months-old, these South African lions are as adorable as they are rare. Weighing in about 90 lbs., brother and sister will be romping in a newly renovated exhibit. Naples Zoo members get a preview Saturday at 8 a.m. Accredited institutions like Naples Zoo have the responsibility to provide safe havens for purebred animals that represent their relatives in the wild.
Although they were born at the NEW Zoo in Wisconsin, 4378 Reforestation RdGreen Bay, WI 54313 (click here) the genetics of these young cats can be directly traced to southern African populations. In order to maintain a genetically diverse population outside the wild for at least 100 years, these lions participate in a Species Survival Plan® coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In a few years, the Zoo will exchange with another zoo to breed this rare subspecies....



Order your engraved brick now and be one of the first to have your brick placed on the ramp leading to the Giraffe Exhibit. (click here)
All orders received by March 1, 2010 will be placed by the Giraffe Exhibit in July of 2010.

...The New Zoo is self funded. Revenue generated by admissions, exhibits, concessions, and your generosity keep us going and allow us to expand. Another major source of funding for the continuation of growth at the New Zoo comes from the sale of personalized paving bricks. The bricks are and will be used to pave the terraces of the Visitors Center, the Education Center, and along the pathways of many of your favorite animal exhibits....


In Zoo Cuts, It’s Man vs. Beast
AS in other cities, the shocks of the economic collapse have reverberated throughout Chicago, from the commodities exchanges in the Loop, past the fancy storefronts on Michigan Avenue and into the residential and commercial neighborhoods across the city’s inland expanses.
But the gloom has also spread north along Lake Michigan, through the gates of the Lincoln Park Zoo on the lakefront and right into the Regenstein Center for African Apes. There, the gorillas are no longer getting their blueberries.
Facing a budget shortfall of more than $1 million because of endowment losses, the 140-year-old zoo has had to cut back where possible. "Blueberries are pretty expensive," said Steven D. Thompson, senior vice president for conservation and science programs. "And there are lots of other things we can use as treats."
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/19/arts/artsspecial/19zoo.html?_r=1



Smithsonian's National Zoo announces birth of a giant anteater born March 12
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a giant anteater born yesterday, March 12, in an indoor enclosure. This is only the second giant anteater to be born in the history of the Zoo.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of a giant anteater born yesterday, March 12, in an indoor enclosure. This is only the second giant anteater to be born in the history of the Zoo.National Zoo animal care staff and veterinarians have been closely monitoring mother Maripi ( ma-RIP-ee ) for the past six months, performing weekly ultrasounds and other diagnostics. Staff expected Maripi to give birth in mid to late March based on the typical gestation period of giant
anteaters.National Zoo staff has yet to determine the baby’s gender or weight—and may not for some time. Maripi is showing excellent maternal instinct in caring for her baby and is very patient as the baby nurses and negotiates various techniques of climbing onto mother’s back. Staff will make every effort to not disturb the animals, allowing time for mother and baby to bond.The baby’s father, Dante—who is separated from mother and baby—plays no part in the rearing of offspring. This is the second offspring of Maripi and Dante. In summer 2007, Maripi gave birth to a female, Aurora, who now resides at the Zoo Parc de Beauval in France.Mother and baby will remain off exhibit until further notice. Dante can be seen on exhibit in next to Lemur Island, weather depending.
http://media-newswire.com/release_1087855.html



New head of NOAA says science will guide policy
By JEFF BARNARDASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
GRANTS PASS, Ore. -- The new head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will not only be talking the talk on global warming, she will be walking the walk - eight blocks from the Metro station to her office.
Former Oregon State University marine biologist Jane Lubchenco had planned to rent a small apartment close enough to walk to her offices in the nation's capital, but got sticker shock when she saw the prices - $5,000 for a one-bedroom apartment - enough to finance a large house back home.
So she settled for a little place in the Cleveland Park neighborhood near the Red Line station, walking distance from grocery stores, drug stores and parks, though not the coastal marine ecosystems that have been her lifelong interest.


http://www.seattlepi.com/national/1155ap_sci_lubchenco.html

Forum Moves Water Higher Up Global Priority List


AP Photo
24 months ago
Mexico's Environmental Secretary Jose Luis Luege Tamargo, second right, talks as Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas, left, Turkey's Energy Minister Hilmi Guler, second left, and Loic Fauchon, president of the non-governmental group the World Water Council, right, applaud during a ceremony at the 5th World Water Forum launch meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, Tuesday, March 20, 2007. Turkey officially launched preparations to host the fifth World Water Forum in 2009, a major conference where dozens of countries will discuss ways to better manage the water resources around the world. Turkey took over the chair of the conference in a ceremony from Mexico, which hosted the fourth forum last year when participants called for solutions to shortages and inequalities in the most basic of commodities.




...Rivers shared by neighboring countries provide an estimated 60 percent of the world's freshwater. There are 260 international river basins in the world, which cover nearly half of the Earth's surface and are home to 40 percent of the world's population....

One of the reasons Iraq will never fall into complete chaos and increased threat to the nations of its region or the USA, is because the issues facing it will be incredibly important to the survival of its people. The war is a 'focus' because of the violence itself brings to Iraq, but, once the USA is gone from its turbulence the country will still have enormous problems to handle with little time for war.

Turkey, Syria cooperate on water front (click here)

With water in the Middle East being depleted and demand growing fast, Turkey and Syria have put their differences aside and begun findings ways to share water equitably through innovative projects.


One project both countries agreed in principle to develop is the Asi Friendship Dam, to be built on the Asi (Orontes) River on the border between Syria and Turkey. The Asi River originates in Syria and flows through Turkey's Hatay province before spilling into the Mediterranean Sea.
A Turkish team of technical experts will go to Syria this weekend to start work on mapping, with feasibility studies soon to follow, said sources from the State Waterworks Authority (DSİ) who requested to remain anonymous....