Saturday, May 23, 2009

The Pakistan Military is already at SWAT. Amazing people. They are taking back their country.


Refugees wait in line for food at a relief camp in Swabi, Pakistan. Nearly two million Pakistanis have been displaced during the ongoing offensive.

By Alex Rodriguez 11:21 AM PDT, May 23, 2009
Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan -- The battle for the critical Swat Valley city of Mingora began today as Pakistani troops waged fierce street combat with Taliban militants and began the most difficult test yet in the monthlong offensive to regain much of northwest Pakistan from insurgents.Pakistani security forces so far have been able to root out Taliban fighters from regions surrounding the Swat Valley, as well as mountain ridges and towns within the region, where the militants recently won the right to impose Sharia, or Islamic rule....


Army mounts new phase of offensive in Swat : Security forces enter Mingora (click here)
17 Taliban including key commander killed as street battles begin

Taliban flee in small groups from Peochar valley

By Tahir Niaz

ISLAMABAD: Troops stormed into Mingora and fought street battles with the Taliban on Saturday, in a bid to wrest the main Swat town from Taliban control.

Seventeen Taliban including a commander were killed as the new and most important phase of Operation Rah-e-Rast commenced, chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said in a daily briefing.

He said the troops had secured a part of the city from the Circuit House to Makan Bagh. Battles to secure Nawan Killi have begun and a link up between forces coming from Fiza Ghat to Whataki Chowk and Ayub Bridge to Nawan Killi has been completed.

Intense clashes were reported from Nishat Chowk in Mingora. A suicide bomber was shot dead and an explosives-laden vehicle was destroyed in Makanzai area of the city. On the Qambar Ridge overlooking Mingora, three caves with large quantities of ammunition and rations were discovered during a search and destroy operation.

The Taliban are on the run in small groups from their former Peochar stronghold....


‘Pakistan ready to phase out nukes if India does so’ (click here)
WASHINGTON: Pakistan is willing to phase out its nuclear arsenal only if India agrees to do the same, Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani said on Saturday. “Pakistan is willing to engage with our neighbour for a comprehensive settlement in which the nuclear weapons can be phased out by both countries,” he told CNN. Haqqani said Islamabad’s anti-terrorism efforts should not be confused with its nuclear programme but seen and supported in their proper perspective. app

How is Nancy doing? She is being scapegoated by the Republicans. They are going to be very unpopular ...

...in the elections of 2010. They are attempting to build an Anti-Democratic movement because they know they haven't got a leg to stand on. They crashed a global economy, ran an illegal war, nearly lost Afghanistan to the Taliban and attempted to establish a theocracy in the USA. I give them no chance after "The October Surprise" airing. No chance.

She looks good. I think she is traveling to China as a delegation member this week. First woman Speaker. Nice. Great lady. Pretty girl.


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, waves as she enters Homewood Field in Baltimore for Johns Hopkins University's 2009 undergraduate commencement. Pelosi addressed graduating seniors and received an honorary degree. (Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam / May 21, 2009)

Pelosi returns to home stage (click title to entry - thank you)
She stresses climate change in Hopkins speech
By Timothy B. Wheeler
May 22, 2009

Calling climate change "the greatest challenge of our day," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi credited young voters yesterday with pressuring Congress to finally craft a national response, and she predicted that the United States would join other countries this year in an international pact to reduce planet-warming pollution.
Pelosi, speaking at commencement ceremonies for the Johns Hopkins University's arts and sciences and engineering graduates, called climate change a national security, economic, environmental health and moral issue.
"Thanks to your voices, votes and values, America has awakened to the crisis after years of delay and is now moving in a new direction," she said....

It looks like North America is in for a rough ride in 2009 as well. It was rough in 2008. A little different this year, the wind is horitzonal. WOW

What a mess. There has never been air movement like this before. Central America and Northern Brazil are in for storms, too.


May 23, 2009
2130z
UNISYS North and West Hemipshere Water Vapor Satellite (12 hour loop at title to entry - thank you.) There is the usual vortex north of Hawaii anytime there is exception turbulence. Yep. It's evil twin is west of the Florida northern border. They always manifest when there is this level of turbulence. They are stable, consistent and immoble. Same exact latitude, different longitudes.


May 23, 2009
2130z
UNISYS Water Vapor Goes East Satellite. Noted south of the 'shear system' is a heat transfer system off the Equator.


May 23, 2009
2130z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of USA


May 23, 2009
1931 gmt
North Pole Satellite - the vortices are better noted here as well as their conduit systems. Noted those are the only vortices in the Northern Hemisphere 'acting' in this mechanism. The North American continent is the 'drag' to the velocities and therefore has resulted in significant 'shear' at 45 degree north latitude. LOOK OUT !!!!!!

SHEAR LINE
A line of maximum horizontal wind shear. A narrow zone across which there is an abrupt change in the horizontal wind component parallel to it.


May 23, 2009
2212 gmt
Pacific Ocean Satellite - It is a poor resolution to the vortices, but, they can be discerned.

Raw data courtesy of the NCEP Aviation Weather Center located in Kansas City, Missouri, United States (click here)

The Mid-Latidudes are where most upper tropospheric vortices form. Today, noted in the 30 hour loop above, there are many. To animate the loop, adjust the 'loop' to 30 and click animate.

There is just too much heat. The velocities at 60 degrees north is very fast. The air continues to 'pile up' causing vortices. Noted to be very unusual is the 'conduit' between the two Pacific vortices. To the west is the Arctic Oscillation vortex which is directly fueled and accelerating compliments of the vortex east of the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula.

There is one directly over the Kamchatka Peninsula as well. These three vortices are perfect examples of 'heat transfer systems' that result in the northern hemisphere in attempts to cool Earth. The lack of 'residual ice' in the Northern Hemisphere is the reason why the vortices are accelerating and therefore increasing the 'density' of each air mass resulting in vortexes. Air is 'hot' expanded and taking up more space in the troposphere. The only 'coping' mechanism available for Earth is the 'repeated' eruption of vortexes.

Noted in these three are the 'conduits' of air that 'hand off' the heat to each other.

The Artic Oscillation vortex just south of Alaska is receiving accelerated air masses from both the Mid-Pacific and Kamchatka Peninsula vortices.

The conduit between the northern boundary of the Mid-Pacific Vortex and the southern border of the Arctic Oscillation Vortex exists through the entire loop, as early as 0645 UTC. However, the northern boundary of the Kamchatka Peninsula vortex (which has ice formations) is noted to connect with the Mid-Pacific Vortex conduit at 1415 UTC.

These are unusal phenomena and are a direct result of a heated troposphere. The acceleration of the air masses will sustain until the sun rotates to darkness.

There is a publication in 2007 validating the changes in the sea ice at this region of Earth. An increase in floating ice is a clear indication of demise of ice formations in these oceans.

Extreme supply of floating ice to the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean (click here), Oceanology, Volume 47, Number 1 / February, 2007, pp. 1-4.



The Earth has 'wind zones' called Hadley Cells. They are primarily divided into '30 degree increments. Zero degrees latitude to 30, 30 to 60 and 60 t0 90. It would seem this year the "Westerlies," - Mid-Latitude Cells are more severe. (See NASA image above.) There is a lot of turbulence and it occurred very quickly.

May 23, 2009
2030z
UNISYS Visible Satellite of North and West Hemisphere.


May 23, 2008
Quinter, Kansas


May 23, 2008
1430z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of North and West Hemisphere (Again this is 2008).


May 23, 2008
1430z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite (Again this is 2008) of North America.

I know Mike is Right. This mess does not happen overnight. One Private Company (AIG) could never insure the 'venture' capitalists....

It doesn't happen in a year. When Paulson took the Secretary of the Treasury it was to finish what he already knew would lead to exploitation of the American People.

I am happy. I am happy. I am happy.

Only Mike could do this. I mean that with all my heart.

The ONLY entity that could ever insure such 'Capitalists' is the USA government. Government treasuries have capacity to 'guarantee' its sovereignty. A private entity could NEVER have that level of stability. Never. If a private entity ever approached the capacity of sovereignty it would be an anti-trust. Can't happen. Real Life Example: The Russian Oligarchs.

AIG's 'Risk (Financial) Instrument Division' had less odds of succeeding than one could find in Las Vegas.

Go get 'em, Mike. How many body guards did it take this time? And Neocons claim to be civilized people.

A must see film. No American should be outside a theater !!!

Michael Moore Today


October Surprise

Here We Come!


"... they systematically set about to fleece the American people out of their hard-earned money."
– Michael Moore


May 21st, 2009 5:40 pm
Filmmaker Michael Moore targeting economic crisis
LOS ANGELES (
Reuters) – Firebrand filmmaker Michael Moore, who targeted the Bush administration in "Fahrenheit 9/11" and the healthcare industry in "Sicko," is now focusing on the global economic meltdown.
The Oscar-winning director will release his as-yet-untitled documentary across North America on October 2, co-financiers Overture Films and Paramount Vantage said on Thursday.
"The wealthy, at some point, decided they didn't have enough wealth," the statement quoted Moore as saying.
"They wanted more -- a lot more. So they systematically set about to fleece the American people out of their hard-earned money. Now, why would they do this? That is what I seek to discover in this movie."

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=13929

The Biggest Swindle in American History

May 21st, 2009 6:40 pm
Michael Moore's new documentary to open Oct. 2
NEW YORK (
AP) — Michael Moore's documentary about the economic crisis will hit theaters on Oct. 2.
The announcement was made Thursday by Overture Films and Paramount Vantage.
The film is not yet titled. Moore earlier planned to make it more broadly about America as an empire. Instead, the documentary explores the causes of the global economic meltdown. Moore has called it "the biggest swindle in American history."
The division between rich and poor is old territory for Moore, who broke through 20 years ago with "Roger & Me" — about General Motors closing a plant in his hometown of Flint.
Moore won the Academy Award for best documentary in 2003 for "Bowling for Columbine."

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=13930


Root Cause Unearthed


May 21st, 2009 6:41 pm
Michael Moore's latest doc out Oct. 2
Overture, Paramount International distributing
By Steven Zeitchik /
Hollywood Reporter
CANNES -- Michael Moore's movie about the economic fall will unspool during the fall boxoffice.
Overture and Paramount Vantage said Thursday the still-untitled documentary about the collapse of the world economy will bow domestically on Oct. 2. That's almost a year to the day that Congress passed the first U.S. economic stimulus package, officials noted.
The companies also provided more details about the film, announced at last year's Festival de Cannes. The pic will examine the "root causes of the economic meltdown," they said, as well as the "corporate and political shenanigans" that resulted in the financial crisis.
"The wealthy, at some point, decided they didn't have enough wealth," Moore said in a statement. "So they systematically set out to fleece the American people."

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=13931


It's a Date


May 21st, 2009 5:02 pm
Michael Moore doc gets release date
Filmmaker's take on economy set for Oct. 2
By Dana Harris /
Variety
Michael Moore's new documentary, which tackles the root causes of the global economic crisis, now has a release date: Oct. 2.
Overture Films and Paramount Vantage, which made the announcement, are the film's co-financers and distributors. The film is not yet titled.
Overture and Paramount announced the project during last year's Cannes Film Festival. At the time it was described as a sequel to "Fahrenheit 9/11," but during production Moore decided to focus on the growing financial meltdown.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=13928


Popcorn & Pitchforks


May 21st, 2009 8:44 pm
Michael Moore preparing to turn sights on Wall St
LOS ANGELES (
AFP) — Oscar-winning director Michael Moore vowed Thursday to turn his sights on the Wall Street chieftains blamed for the global economic meltdown in a new documentary to be released later this year.
Moore, whose past targets have included President George W. Bush, the US healthcare system and the gun lobby, said his as yet untitled film would be released on October 2.
"The wealthy, at some point, decided they didn't have enough wealth. They wanted more -- a lot more -- so they systematically set about to fleece the American people out of their hard-earned money," Moore said.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/mikeinthenews/index.php?id=13932

This Friday at 9 PM on PBS:
***
American SiCKO Donna Smith on Bill Moyers ***

TV SCHEDULE
Bill Moyers' Journal
Friday, May 22, 9:00pm
9.1[D] (WVPBS)
Why single-payer health care isn't among the health-care reform plans under consideration. Guests include Donna Smith (California Nurses Association), Dr. Sidney Wolfe (Public Citizen) and Dr. David Himmelstein (Physicians for a National Health Program).
CC Stereo Educational Taping Rights: 6 months from original broadcast

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/about/airdates.html?program_id=640056&display_format=ep_description&display_feed=13640&display_date=2009-05-22&display_time=21:00:00&feeds=&station=WSWP&zipcode=&transport=&provider=&channelsuppress=f


Today in History - May 22

By The Associated Press – 1 day ago
Today is Friday, May 22, the 142nd day of 2009. There are 223 days left in the year.
Today's Highlight in History:
On May 22, 1969, the lunar module of Apollo 10, with Thomas P. Stafford and Eugene Cernan aboard, flew to within nine miles of the moon's surface in a dress rehearsal for the first lunar landing.
On this date:…

In 1813, composer Richard Wagner was born in Leipzig, Germany.

In 1992, after a reign lasting nearly 30 years, Johnny Carson hosted NBC's "Tonight Show" for the last time….

...Ten years ago: Columbine High School seniors wearing blue-and-silver gowns marched single file in a graduation ceremony that mixed celebration of the day with sorrow for victims of the recent massacre.

Five years ago: In Tunisia, Arab leaders convened their annual summit, but the opening session was overshadowed by the walkout of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, who criticized peace efforts. Filmmaker Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," a scathing indictment of Bush White House actions after the Sept. 11 attacks, won the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Samuel C. Johnson Jr., who'd built the family's S.C. Johnson Wax company into a consumer products giant, died at age 76.

One year ago: A Texas appeals court said the state had no right to take more than 400 children from a polygamist sect's ranch. (After the Texas Supreme Court upheld the ruling, the children were returned to their parents.) Britain's Conservative Party won a special election that was viewed as a barometer of the popularity of Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Gordon Brown. Indiana Jones returned to the big screen in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."...

...Thought for Today: "It is often said that men are ruled by their imaginations; but it would be truer to say they are governed by the weakness of their imaginations." — Walter Bagehot, English editor and economist (1826-1877).

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jhZfSZI4djl_MxnRykC5lZzlBMYQD98B27181


Friday, May 1st, 2009
"Bernie Madoff, Scapegoat" by Michael Moore (for Time magazine)
The following piece written by Michael Moore appears in this week's Time magazine (and in full at
Time.com) as part of their annual "Time 100" issue highlighting their choices for "The World's Most Influential People."
Elie Wiesel called him a "God." His investors called him a "genius." But, proving correct that old adage from the country and western song, you never really know what goes on behind closed doors.
Bernie Madoff, for at least 20 years, ran a Ponzi scheme on thousands of clients, among them the people you and I would consider the best and brightest. Business leaders, celebrities, charities, even some of his own relatives and his defense attorney were taken for a ride (this has to be the first time a lawyer was hosed by the client).
We're clearly in one of those historic, game changing years: up is down, red is blue and black is President. Aside from Obama himself, no person will provide a more iconic face of this end-of-capitalism-as-we-know-it year than Bernard Lawrence Madoff.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/message/index.php?id=247


Saturday, May 23rd, 2009
The Disease of Permanent War ...by Chris Hedges
TruthDig
The embrace by any society of permanent war is a parasite that devours the heart and soul of a nation. Permanent war extinguishes liberal, democratic movements. It turns culture into nationalist cant. It degrades and corrupts education and the media, and wrecks the economy. The liberal, democratic forces, tasked with maintaining an open society, become impotent. The collapse of liberalism, whether in imperial Russia, the Austro-Hungarian Empire or Weimar Germany, ushers in an age of moral nihilism. This moral nihilism comes is many colors and hues. It rants and thunders in a variety of slogans, languages and ideologies. It can manifest itself in fascist salutes, communist show trials or Christian crusades. It is, at its core, all the same. It is the crude, terrifying tirade of mediocrities who find their identities and power in the perpetuation of permanent war….

http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=1194


May 23rd, 2009 9:19 am
Iraq slaying verdict highlights combat stress
By Kristen M. Hall /
Associated Press
PADUCAH, Ky. – There's no question ex-soldier Steven Dale Green raped and killed a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and murdered her parents and sister.
Still, jurors in Kentucky couldn't agree this week whether to sentence the 24-year-old to death for heinous crimes he committed while serving in Iraq, indecision that may signal growing public awareness of combat stress and its consequences, experts say.
Jurors declined to talk to reporters, but forms they completed during deliberations indicate some factored in the stress of Green's bloody combat tour, poor mental health treatment in Iraq and weak leadership in his unit….

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=13933


Penguin Claims Credit for Decline in Gotham Crime; Also, Dick Cheney claims credit for takedown of A.Q. Khan nuclear network


May 23rd, 2009 10:07 am
The lie Cheney told about A.Q. Khan
by Larisa Alexandrovna /
Raw Story
Somewhere among the strategically placed references to September 11, 2001 and his unapologetic defense of torture, Dick Cheney managed to lie about a series of topics and events that are well documented. It is, after all, the electronic age and facts are not difficult to come by.
One must consider too what motivated the networks to carry a speech by a former Vice President in defense of torture. The ethics vacuum is mind-boggling….

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=13936


May 23rd, 2009
Looking Back at Hell; "But, at the end, the American people are responsible for everything that happened." – "Abu Ahmed," former prisoner at Abu Ghraib


May 23rd, 2009 9:32 am
Ex-inmate recalls days of abuse at Abu Ghraib
By Cal Perry
BAGHDAD, Iraq (
CNN) -- Abu Ahmed says he was there: An Iraqi held prisoner at Abu Ghraib by the American military when inmates were abused.
He says he was kept naked and saw other naked inmates stacked onto a pile while photos were taken, photos that would become public and bring shame to the United States.
The pain of the past few years is clearly etched on the man's face and equally obvious as he talks. It began October 1, 2003, he says, when U.S. troops came to his home and detained him during a sweep of his neighborhood….

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=13934


Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now
Roseanne Barr knows that ACORN is on the side of working people. Here's what she has to say about the non-stop attacks from the right wing:
If these guys hate ACORN so much, then ACORN must be doing something right.
While everyone else is talking about issues and ideas and politics, ACORN is out there working. They’re working side-by-side with the people most affected by years of failed economic and health care policies, by the crappy economy.
They don’t just work with poor people – they are poor people. Poor people doing all they can to stay in their homes, raise their kids, improve their environment and their schools. Get the picture? Yeah.

http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/2749/t/4538/signUp.jsp?key=2287&track=roseanne

continued...