The Sydney Morning Herald
Vietnam Confirms Latest Bird Flu Case as Meeting Ends
By Darren Schuettler February 24, 2005
HO CHI MINH CITY (Reuters) - Asia's deadly bird flu has infected a 21-year-old Vietnamese man and possibly his younger sister, officials said on Friday as experts wrapped up an international conference on fighting the resilient virus.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2005/02/25/vietnam_confirms_latest_bird_flu_case_as_meeting_ends/
Sydney dam levels up after recent storms
February 25, 2005 - 1:00PM
Weekend storms lifted Sydney's dam levels by 0.7 per cent but there was no end in sight for water restrictions, Utilities Minister Frank Sartor said today.
"You would have to get significant increases in rainfall (to lift restrictions)," Mr Sartor told reporters.
"If we hit 50 per cent (restrictions would ease), eventually they would come off completely at 70 per cent.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Sydney-dam-levels-up-07-per-cent/2005/02/25/1109180086401.html
Australian brothels hooking Kiwi women
February 25, 2005
New Zealand brothels are having trouble filling employment vacancies as Australian operations lure staff over the Tasman with incentives such as higher pay, and clothes and beauty treatment allowances.
"It's like the brain drain - just for prostitutes," said the Auckland co-ordinator of the Prostitutes' Collective, Kate Dickie
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Australian-brothels-hooking-Kiwi-women/2005/02/24/1109180047405.html
Suicide bomber kills police as more troops to pull out
February 25, 2005 - 7:13AM
A suicide bomber disguised as a policeman killed at least 10 people when he blew his car up at an Iraqi police headquarters today, as Ukraine said it would pull its 1,650 troops in the war-torn country.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/After-Saddam/Suicide-bomber-kills-police-as-more-troops-to-pull-out/2005/02/25/1109180068045.html
Iraq's legacy may be a Middle East governed by religion
February 25, 2005
The US and its allies take their chances in promising the Muslim world democracy, writes Waleed Aly.
George Bush is a man with a messianic vision. In his State of the Union address earlier this month, he reiterated his "generational commitment to the advance of freedom, especially in the Middle East". He explains the Iraqi campaign in that light: "The victory of freedom in Iraq will strengthen a new ally in the war on terror, inspire democratic reformers from Damascus to Tehran" and "bring more hope and progress to a troubled region".
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Opinion/Iraqs-legacy-may-be-a-Middle-East-governed-by-religion/2005/02/24/1109180038445.html
Churches attack Iraq troop plan
By Tom Allard
February 25, 2005
A Christian alliance has savaged the Government's decision to send more troops to Iraq as "scandalous", saying the Prime Minister had broken trust with the Australian people.
The National Council of Churches in Australia's strongly worded statement expresses "dismay" on behalf of Christians and regrets that John Howard had not apologised for his stance.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Churches-attack-Iraq-troop-plan/2005/02/24/1109180043284.html
US, Russia put block on nuclear material
By Peter Baker and Walter Pincus in Washington
February 25, 2005
President George Bush and President Vladimir Putin of Russia were set to announce measures to counter the threat of nuclear terrorism at their meeting in Bratislava, US officials said.
A recent US intelligence report warning that Russian nuclear material could still fall into terrorist hands had highlighted the need for the pact, the officials said.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/US-Russia-put-block-on-nuclear-material/2005/02/24/1109180047414.html
Rwanda takes over 15 war crimes cases
February 25, 2005
The United Nations-backed war crimes tribunal for Rwanda has handed 15 of the cases it is investigating to the Rwandan state prosecutor, the first such move since the 1994 genocide.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Rwanda-takes-over-15-war-crimes-cases/2005/02/24/1109180047399.html
Condoms biggest gun in the AIDS battle, study finds
By Maggie Fox in Washington
February 25, 2005
Programs that promote abstinence and monogamy to combat AIDS in Uganda are failing, and only condom use has kept the deadly virus in check, researchers report.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Condoms-biggest-gun-in-the-AIDS-battle-study-finds/2005/02/24/1109180047396.html
New light cast on dark matter
By Richard Macey
February 25, 2005
Astronomers claim to have found a galaxy made almost entirely of one of the most mysterious materials in the universe - the long-sought dark matter.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Science/New-light-cast-on-dark-matter/2005/02/24/1109180047402.html
New light cast on dark matter
By Richard Macey
February 25, 2005
Astronomers claim to have found a galaxy made almost entirely of one of the most mysterious materials in the universe - the long-sought dark matter.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Science/New-light-cast-on-dark-matter/2005/02/24/1109180047402.html
Continuation of Aceh talks is ground for cautious hope
By Matthew Moore in Jakarta
February 25, 2005
The second round of talks to end 29 years of conflict in Aceh has ended with the separatists successfully positioning themselves as moderates prepared to modify their long-held demand for independence.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Continuation-of-Aceh-talks-is-ground-for-cautious-hope/2005/02/24/1109180047393.html
Australian troops to leave Aceh by March 26
February 25, 2005
Australia's military will end its tsunami relief efforts in Aceh province by March 26, holding to an Indonesian government timetable for withdrawal of foreign troops, the force commander said yesterday.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Asia-Tsunami/Australian-troops-to-leave-Aceh-by-March-26/2005/02/24/1109180034724.html
Charles's wedding legal but ludicrous
By Peter Munro in London
February 25, 2005
An emergency declaration that Prince Charles's civil marriage would be legal has not stopped the humiliated heir from declaring that his wedding plans had descended into "a bloody farce".
The palace has insisted that the Queen's decision to stay away from the "low-key" wedding of her eldest son to Camilla Parker-Bowles was not a snub.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Charless-wedding-legal-but-ludicrous/2005/02/24/1109180047420.html
Friday, February 25, 2005
More Morning Papers...
The Cheney Observer
Halliburton Gets Bonuses for U,S, Army Work
Thu Feb 24, 2005 04:58 PM ET
By Sue Pleming
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. defense contractor Halliburton, under scrutiny for its contracts in Iraq, has been given bonuses for some of its work supporting the U.S. military in Kuwait and Afghanistan, the Army said on Thursday.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=7732918>
Army Awards Bonus to Halliburton for Supply Work
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army said on Thursday it had given bonuses to Texas company Halliburton for its logistical work in Kuwait and Afghanistan but had not yet decided whether to give a performance-based bonus for disputed dining services to troops.
http://olympics.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=7732144
Halliburton’s murky path
BY HEDELBERTO LOPEZ BLANCH
The fact that the transnational Halliburton is involved in more obscure dealings, many of which have been exposed but never condemned, is no longer news.
The all-powerful company (headed by the Richard Cheney, current U.S. vice president, from 1995-2000, when he became George W. Bush’s running mate) has now been involved in dirty dealings on more than 12 occasions.
In February, faced with charges from Pentagon officials, the oil and logistics services group was forced to suspend invoices worth $140 million for meals served to the U.S. army in Kuwait and Iraq.
http://www.periodico26.cu/english_new/features/halliburton240205.htm
Sperry performs pressure tests in North Sea and GoM
Halliburton's Sperry Drilling Services has had two recent success with its GeoTap while-drilling formation pressure tester, part of the company's Stellar formation evaluation suite.
http://ogj.pennnet.com/articles/article_display.cfm?Section=ONART&C=TOPST&ARTICLE_ID=222026&p=9
Philadelphia: City of the old and the poor?
By Thom Nickels
Contributing Editor
Brett Mandel, Executive Director of Philadelphia Forward. Photo: Harry B. Cook from February 2, Philly1.com video interview. See: http://www.philly1.com/index020205.html
Philadelphia has a great set of veneers; the sparkly whites, or in this case the blues and the whites, are noticeable at night when the ever improving skyline takes a bit of our breath away. But like a desert mirage the vision crumbles when one looks closer. Beneath the veneers are roots of decay, gaping holes caused by mass extractions. She ain't what she used to be, as the saying goes, though in some ways she's better, but in her soul she's limping, she's crying out for help.
… Many see the BPT as unfair to small business and as affecting jobs and employers. The opposition, like City Council 47, insists that the city should not be cutting taxes. Some of those opposed claim that cutting the BPT would be corporate welfare that would funnel the money to Halliburton.
So how did Dick Cheney and Halliburton get drawn into this?
"From people who are lying and trying to mislead the public," Mandel says. "The fact is that in the city, as in everywhere else across the country, the fat cats walk straight in the door at City Hall, as you can see in some of the transcripts in the pay-to play indictments."
http://www.philly1.com/story1022305.html
The Bush Tapes: Hitting the Erase Button
Doug Wead, for once, is speechless. But his career speaks volumes.
NO WONDER THE religious right has seized control of America's political machinery and launched a crusade to go medieval on the rest of the world.
The media are asleep at their typewriters.
Doug Wead's career, most of which has never been studied by the mainstream media—even now, when he's in the bright glare of publicity—perfectly traces the religious right's successful infiltration of the GOP during the past two decades, culminating in the rise to power of religious capitalism.
http://villagevoice.com/blogs/bushbeat/archive/000740.php
Fox's Viewers Are Faked Out Again
Fox News is apparently feeling bold and brash these days because today (February 24, 2005) it didn't even TRY to pretend that Your World w/Neil Cavuto, the "most powerful business show on the planet," is actually a business show. No way Jose. No need to worry about false advertising when the US government is your client and most of the media's trying to be just like you.
http://www.newshounds.us/2005/02/24/foxs_viewers_are_faked_out_again.php
Nader: Bush family profited from Iraq War
By Sebastian Christ and Philipp Heinz
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Washington, DC, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Ralph Nader, consumer lawyer and former presidential candidate, claimed Thursday that several of President Bush's family members and their political allies profited from insider deals regarding the war in Iraq.
… According to Democracy Rising, Carlyle was 43rd among federal contractors with $676.5 million in contacts in 2002, but one year later it moved to 11th place with $2.1 billion in contracts, "partly from the war on terrorism and partly from Iraq."
http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20050224-052103-7928r.htm
Whiting Petroleum Announces Record Fourth Quarter Results
Fourth Quarter Net Income Rises to a Record $1.31 Per Share and QuarterlyProduction Hits 17.0 Bcfe, a 79% Increase
Whiting Exits December 2004 Producing a Record 188.0 MMcfe Per Day2004 Net Income Per Share Rises 245% to $3.38 Per Share Annual ProductionRises to 47.0 Bcfe
DENVER, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whiting Petroleum Corporation(NYSE: WLL) today reported net income of $32.6 million, or $1.31 per share(all per share amounts are on both a basic and diluted basis), on totalrevenues of $113.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. Thiscompares to a fourth quarter 2003 net loss of $0.3 million, or $0.02 pershare, on total revenues of $42.5 million. Discretionary cash flow for thefourth quarter of 2004 was $71.9 million, up 304% compared to $17.8 millionduring the same period in 2003.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/02-24-2005/0003073085&EDATE=
DOE cuts fee to Bechtel
This story was published Thursday, February 24th, 2005
By Annette Cary, Herald staff writer
The Department of Energy will withhold $300,000 from the quarterly fee paid to the contractor building the $5.8 billion vitrification plant because of safety problems at the Hanford construction site.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/6206894p-6080945c.html
Activist demands details of Enron revival
MANJIRI MADHAV DAMLE
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
[ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005 05:26:53 PM ]
Sign in
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Indiatimes points
PUNE: While there has been talk about re-starting the controversial Enron power project at Dabhol, senior economist Sulabha Brahme who was an active member of the anti-Enron agitation, on Thursday demanded that all details about the proposed revival of the project be made public.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1031080.cms
Family of Suspect in Bush Plot to Sue US
WASHINGTON Feb 24, 2005 — The family of a 23-year-old accused of plotting with al-Qaida to kill President Bush said Thursday they want to pursue a lawsuit accusing the administration of being behind their son's detention and alleged torture in a Saudi prison.
Ahmed Abu Ali "was tortured on orders of the USA; they are monsters," his mother, Faten, said outside a federal courtroom.
The young man's father, Omar, said, "The Saudi government are slaves of the Americans" and the U.S. government is lying when it says his son was under Saudi control for the 20 months before he was flown to the United States and charged.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=528689
No deal on missiles, Canada tells Bush
By Francis Harris in Washington
(Filed: 25/02/2005)
Canada has turned down the Bush administration's pleas to join its missile defence programme, dealing a further damaging blow to relations between the North American neighbours.
Paul Martin, the prime minister, has secretly conveyed the decision to Washington despite a personal request from President George W Bush to think again.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/25/wcanada25.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/02/25/ixworld.html
continued...
Halliburton Gets Bonuses for U,S, Army Work
Thu Feb 24, 2005 04:58 PM ET
By Sue Pleming
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. defense contractor Halliburton, under scrutiny for its contracts in Iraq, has been given bonuses for some of its work supporting the U.S. military in Kuwait and Afghanistan, the Army said on Thursday.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=7732918>
Army Awards Bonus to Halliburton for Supply Work
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army said on Thursday it had given bonuses to Texas company Halliburton for its logistical work in Kuwait and Afghanistan but had not yet decided whether to give a performance-based bonus for disputed dining services to troops.
http://olympics.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=7732144
Halliburton’s murky path
BY HEDELBERTO LOPEZ BLANCH
The fact that the transnational Halliburton is involved in more obscure dealings, many of which have been exposed but never condemned, is no longer news.
The all-powerful company (headed by the Richard Cheney, current U.S. vice president, from 1995-2000, when he became George W. Bush’s running mate) has now been involved in dirty dealings on more than 12 occasions.
In February, faced with charges from Pentagon officials, the oil and logistics services group was forced to suspend invoices worth $140 million for meals served to the U.S. army in Kuwait and Iraq.
http://www.periodico26.cu/english_new/features/halliburton240205.htm
Sperry performs pressure tests in North Sea and GoM
Halliburton's Sperry Drilling Services has had two recent success with its GeoTap while-drilling formation pressure tester, part of the company's Stellar formation evaluation suite.
http://ogj.pennnet.com/articles/article_display.cfm?Section=ONART&C=TOPST&ARTICLE_ID=222026&p=9
Philadelphia: City of the old and the poor?
By Thom Nickels
Contributing Editor
Brett Mandel, Executive Director of Philadelphia Forward. Photo: Harry B. Cook from February 2, Philly1.com video interview. See: http://www.philly1.com/index020205.html
Philadelphia has a great set of veneers; the sparkly whites, or in this case the blues and the whites, are noticeable at night when the ever improving skyline takes a bit of our breath away. But like a desert mirage the vision crumbles when one looks closer. Beneath the veneers are roots of decay, gaping holes caused by mass extractions. She ain't what she used to be, as the saying goes, though in some ways she's better, but in her soul she's limping, she's crying out for help.
… Many see the BPT as unfair to small business and as affecting jobs and employers. The opposition, like City Council 47, insists that the city should not be cutting taxes. Some of those opposed claim that cutting the BPT would be corporate welfare that would funnel the money to Halliburton.
So how did Dick Cheney and Halliburton get drawn into this?
"From people who are lying and trying to mislead the public," Mandel says. "The fact is that in the city, as in everywhere else across the country, the fat cats walk straight in the door at City Hall, as you can see in some of the transcripts in the pay-to play indictments."
http://www.philly1.com/story1022305.html
The Bush Tapes: Hitting the Erase Button
Doug Wead, for once, is speechless. But his career speaks volumes.
NO WONDER THE religious right has seized control of America's political machinery and launched a crusade to go medieval on the rest of the world.
The media are asleep at their typewriters.
Doug Wead's career, most of which has never been studied by the mainstream media—even now, when he's in the bright glare of publicity—perfectly traces the religious right's successful infiltration of the GOP during the past two decades, culminating in the rise to power of religious capitalism.
http://villagevoice.com/blogs/bushbeat/archive/000740.php
Fox's Viewers Are Faked Out Again
Fox News is apparently feeling bold and brash these days because today (February 24, 2005) it didn't even TRY to pretend that Your World w/Neil Cavuto, the "most powerful business show on the planet," is actually a business show. No way Jose. No need to worry about false advertising when the US government is your client and most of the media's trying to be just like you.
http://www.newshounds.us/2005/02/24/foxs_viewers_are_faked_out_again.php
Nader: Bush family profited from Iraq War
By Sebastian Christ and Philipp Heinz
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL
Washington, DC, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Ralph Nader, consumer lawyer and former presidential candidate, claimed Thursday that several of President Bush's family members and their political allies profited from insider deals regarding the war in Iraq.
… According to Democracy Rising, Carlyle was 43rd among federal contractors with $676.5 million in contacts in 2002, but one year later it moved to 11th place with $2.1 billion in contracts, "partly from the war on terrorism and partly from Iraq."
http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20050224-052103-7928r.htm
Whiting Petroleum Announces Record Fourth Quarter Results
Fourth Quarter Net Income Rises to a Record $1.31 Per Share and QuarterlyProduction Hits 17.0 Bcfe, a 79% Increase
Whiting Exits December 2004 Producing a Record 188.0 MMcfe Per Day2004 Net Income Per Share Rises 245% to $3.38 Per Share Annual ProductionRises to 47.0 Bcfe
DENVER, Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whiting Petroleum Corporation(NYSE: WLL) today reported net income of $32.6 million, or $1.31 per share(all per share amounts are on both a basic and diluted basis), on totalrevenues of $113.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. Thiscompares to a fourth quarter 2003 net loss of $0.3 million, or $0.02 pershare, on total revenues of $42.5 million. Discretionary cash flow for thefourth quarter of 2004 was $71.9 million, up 304% compared to $17.8 millionduring the same period in 2003.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/02-24-2005/0003073085&EDATE=
DOE cuts fee to Bechtel
This story was published Thursday, February 24th, 2005
By Annette Cary, Herald staff writer
The Department of Energy will withhold $300,000 from the quarterly fee paid to the contractor building the $5.8 billion vitrification plant because of safety problems at the Hanford construction site.
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/6206894p-6080945c.html
Activist demands details of Enron revival
MANJIRI MADHAV DAMLE
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
[ THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2005 05:26:53 PM ]
Sign in
to earn
Indiatimes points
PUNE: While there has been talk about re-starting the controversial Enron power project at Dabhol, senior economist Sulabha Brahme who was an active member of the anti-Enron agitation, on Thursday demanded that all details about the proposed revival of the project be made public.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1031080.cms
Family of Suspect in Bush Plot to Sue US
WASHINGTON Feb 24, 2005 — The family of a 23-year-old accused of plotting with al-Qaida to kill President Bush said Thursday they want to pursue a lawsuit accusing the administration of being behind their son's detention and alleged torture in a Saudi prison.
Ahmed Abu Ali "was tortured on orders of the USA; they are monsters," his mother, Faten, said outside a federal courtroom.
The young man's father, Omar, said, "The Saudi government are slaves of the Americans" and the U.S. government is lying when it says his son was under Saudi control for the 20 months before he was flown to the United States and charged.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=528689
No deal on missiles, Canada tells Bush
By Francis Harris in Washington
(Filed: 25/02/2005)
Canada has turned down the Bush administration's pleas to join its missile defence programme, dealing a further damaging blow to relations between the North American neighbours.
Paul Martin, the prime minister, has secretly conveyed the decision to Washington despite a personal request from President George W Bush to think again.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/02/25/wcanada25.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/02/25/ixworld.html
continued...
Morning Papers - continued...
Michael Moore Today
Saudi Network Supports Iraq Insurgency
http://www.michaelmoore.com/
Saudi Network Supports Iraq Insurgency
By Donna Abu-Nasr / Associated Press
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A few weeks after his son Ahmed disappeared, Abdullah al-Shayea got a call from an Iraqi official saying the 19-year-old was an intended suicide bomber who barely survived blowing up a fuel tanker in a deadly Christmas Day attack in Baghdad.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=1550
February 24th, 2005 9:39 pm
Secret Media Penetrates Saudi Arabia
Associated Press
News of a Saudi militant's death in Iraq spreads quickly at home, according to Mohsen al-Awajy, a lawyer familiar with the thinking of extremists.
"There is a secret media penetrating Saudi society," he said. "They never announce who goes to Iraq, but they immediately announce who dies."
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=1551
Peace Movement Gears Up for Global Protests on War Anniversary
By Katherine Stapp / Inter Press Service
At Fort Bragg, the largest U.S. army installation in the world and home to the famed 82nd Airborne Division, the mood is not exactly buoyant.
NEW YORK, Feb 24 - ''There are people here who are being deployed for the third time,'' said Lou Plummer, a veteran with a son on active duty. ''At least 50 people from the base have been killed in Iraq.''
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=1544
Death of a Responsible Man
By Theo Rigby
http://pixelpress.org/12x12/12feb_page1.html
Sherwood Baker was a father, a husband, a brother, a son, and a moral, loving person. He was not supposed to be fighting a war in Baghdad. Back home, Sherwood’s family sat and watched months of explosions on television. A chill went through the house when reports of dead U.S. soldiers surfaced. They saw talking heads of gray-haired men saying ‘we are deeply sorry’, and an occasional image of a sobbing mother flashed by. The thought of ‘it can’t possibly happen to Sherwood’ persisted. Death was an abstraction.
http://pixelpress.org/12x12/12feb_text.html
Bush and McClellan Hire James Gannon/Guckert for the White House Softball Team!
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=1547>
Oil Holds Strong Above $51 a Barrel
By Jonathan Leff / Reuters
SINGAPORE - Oil held strong above $51 a barrel on Friday as OPEC appeared increasingly at ease with higher prices, although the United States, the world's biggest consumer, expressed dismay at rising costs.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=1553
continued...
Saudi Network Supports Iraq Insurgency
http://www.michaelmoore.com/
Saudi Network Supports Iraq Insurgency
By Donna Abu-Nasr / Associated Press
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A few weeks after his son Ahmed disappeared, Abdullah al-Shayea got a call from an Iraqi official saying the 19-year-old was an intended suicide bomber who barely survived blowing up a fuel tanker in a deadly Christmas Day attack in Baghdad.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=1550
February 24th, 2005 9:39 pm
Secret Media Penetrates Saudi Arabia
Associated Press
News of a Saudi militant's death in Iraq spreads quickly at home, according to Mohsen al-Awajy, a lawyer familiar with the thinking of extremists.
"There is a secret media penetrating Saudi society," he said. "They never announce who goes to Iraq, but they immediately announce who dies."
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=1551
Peace Movement Gears Up for Global Protests on War Anniversary
By Katherine Stapp / Inter Press Service
At Fort Bragg, the largest U.S. army installation in the world and home to the famed 82nd Airborne Division, the mood is not exactly buoyant.
NEW YORK, Feb 24 - ''There are people here who are being deployed for the third time,'' said Lou Plummer, a veteran with a son on active duty. ''At least 50 people from the base have been killed in Iraq.''
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=1544
Death of a Responsible Man
By Theo Rigby
http://pixelpress.org/12x12/12feb_page1.html
Sherwood Baker was a father, a husband, a brother, a son, and a moral, loving person. He was not supposed to be fighting a war in Baghdad. Back home, Sherwood’s family sat and watched months of explosions on television. A chill went through the house when reports of dead U.S. soldiers surfaced. They saw talking heads of gray-haired men saying ‘we are deeply sorry’, and an occasional image of a sobbing mother flashed by. The thought of ‘it can’t possibly happen to Sherwood’ persisted. Death was an abstraction.
http://pixelpress.org/12x12/12feb_text.html
Bush and McClellan Hire James Gannon/Guckert for the White House Softball Team!
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=1547>
Oil Holds Strong Above $51 a Barrel
By Jonathan Leff / Reuters
SINGAPORE - Oil held strong above $51 a barrel on Friday as OPEC appeared increasingly at ease with higher prices, although the United States, the world's biggest consumer, expressed dismay at rising costs.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=1553
continued...
Morning Papers - concluding
The Gulf News
Controversy over Al Abbar's visit to Palestine
Staff Report
Dubai: The visit by a senior Dubai official to the Occupied Territories last weekend to help Palestinians has been attacked in the Arab media because of reports he also met senior Israeli leaders.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153352
Palestinian premier wins deal for new cabinet
Reuters
Ramallah: Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei won the agreement of lawmakers for a new cabinet yesterday after a third successive day of crisis over demands for more reformers and fewer Yasser Arafat loyalists.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153464
Appointment of envoy to Israel draws flak
AP
Cairo: Egypt's largest Islamic group, the Muslim Brotherhood, has condemned the country's decision to appoint a new ambassador to Israel.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153340
Iran is not Iraq, says Bush
Agencies
Mainz, Germany/Beirut: US President George W. Bush said yesterday that European diplomatic efforts to rein in Iran's nuclear programme were only just beginning and that comparisons with Iraq were wrong.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153350
Quake survivors spend night in the cold
Reuters
Zarand: Frightened of aftershocks and shivering from cold, thousands of Iranians spent the night in tents and temporary shelters after a powerful earthquake struck southeast Iran.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153315
Two women pulled alive from rubble
Reuters
Houdkan: Revolutionary Guardsmen pulled two women alive from the rubble in an isolated mountain village yesterday, over 24 hours after a powerful earthquake struck.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153316
Four people rescued alive from rubble in Khartoum
Reuters
Khartoum: Four people were pulled alive from the rubble of a hospital building site in the Sudanese capital Khartoum yesterday, a rescue worker said.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153308
Hariri: a visionary for Lebanon
By James J. Zogby
Rafik Hariri was larger than life. He was a political giant and a visionary whose accomplishments reflected both qualities - they were enormous in size and far-reaching in consequence.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153317
Iran is not Iraq, says Bush
Agencies
Mainz, Germany/Beirut: US President George W. Bush said yesterday that European diplomatic efforts to rein in Iran's nuclear programme were only just beginning and that comparisons with Iraq were wrong.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153350
Soothing Sunnis is a key strategic element in Iraq
By Amir Taheri, Special to Gulf News
As efforts to form a new coalition government gather pace, a new phrase is making the rounds in Baghdad's political circles: yuhada al sunnah, which means "soothing the Sunnis". This refers to Arab Sunnis who, though accounting for 15 per cent of Iraq's total population, dominated Iraq's ruling elite until the fall of Saddam Hussain in April 2003.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153355
concluding...
Controversy over Al Abbar's visit to Palestine
Staff Report
Dubai: The visit by a senior Dubai official to the Occupied Territories last weekend to help Palestinians has been attacked in the Arab media because of reports he also met senior Israeli leaders.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153352
Palestinian premier wins deal for new cabinet
Reuters
Ramallah: Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei won the agreement of lawmakers for a new cabinet yesterday after a third successive day of crisis over demands for more reformers and fewer Yasser Arafat loyalists.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153464
Appointment of envoy to Israel draws flak
AP
Cairo: Egypt's largest Islamic group, the Muslim Brotherhood, has condemned the country's decision to appoint a new ambassador to Israel.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153340
Iran is not Iraq, says Bush
Agencies
Mainz, Germany/Beirut: US President George W. Bush said yesterday that European diplomatic efforts to rein in Iran's nuclear programme were only just beginning and that comparisons with Iraq were wrong.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153350
Quake survivors spend night in the cold
Reuters
Zarand: Frightened of aftershocks and shivering from cold, thousands of Iranians spent the night in tents and temporary shelters after a powerful earthquake struck southeast Iran.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153315
Two women pulled alive from rubble
Reuters
Houdkan: Revolutionary Guardsmen pulled two women alive from the rubble in an isolated mountain village yesterday, over 24 hours after a powerful earthquake struck.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153316
Four people rescued alive from rubble in Khartoum
Reuters
Khartoum: Four people were pulled alive from the rubble of a hospital building site in the Sudanese capital Khartoum yesterday, a rescue worker said.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153308
Hariri: a visionary for Lebanon
By James J. Zogby
Rafik Hariri was larger than life. He was a political giant and a visionary whose accomplishments reflected both qualities - they were enormous in size and far-reaching in consequence.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153317
Iran is not Iraq, says Bush
Agencies
Mainz, Germany/Beirut: US President George W. Bush said yesterday that European diplomatic efforts to rein in Iran's nuclear programme were only just beginning and that comparisons with Iraq were wrong.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153350
Soothing Sunnis is a key strategic element in Iraq
By Amir Taheri, Special to Gulf News
As efforts to form a new coalition government gather pace, a new phrase is making the rounds in Baghdad's political circles: yuhada al sunnah, which means "soothing the Sunnis". This refers to Arab Sunnis who, though accounting for 15 per cent of Iraq's total population, dominated Iraq's ruling elite until the fall of Saddam Hussain in April 2003.
http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/RegionNF.asp?ArticleID=153355
concluding...
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Putin should welcome Bush as a brother.
This is silliness. Vladimir if this was the case, half the USA would be cheering the rebels in Afghanistan on to achieve their goal as you see it. That was an easy one to see through.
Putin: Bush Must Win or Terrorists Will Triumph
By Simon Saradzhyan STAFF WRITER MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin on Monday made his strongest endorsement yet for his friend U.S. President George W. Bush, saying "international terrorism" will claim victory over the international antiterrorism coalition if Bush loses.
"I believe that the activities of terrorists in Iraq are not as much aimed at the coalition as at President Bush personally ... The goal of international terrorism is to prevent the election of President Bush to a second term," Putin said.
In fact what Putin should do is welcome Georgie as a brother in communism. His 'front' of demanding democracy for all countries when he seeks differently at home has to be seen for what it is, namely 'scapegoating' democracy for the sake of war. Look, Vladimir, it might be that should the new Iraqi government decide to keep the USA troops around awhile (For the life of me I don't know why.) it will be enough to keep the USA entrenched in unrelenting battle and poverty for a long time. Long enough to 'stomp' protest at Iran without raising a sword.
Let's face it, Vladimir, if the USA wasn't in Iraq with all those troops within harms way of Iranian missiles we might even be a dangerous entity to the region. As it stands now with Bush keeping the troops next to Iran they will have to forgoe any confrontation what so ever or be destroyed by Iranian missiles.
So by all means Putin should embarce Bush as a brother with a burgeoning communist/faschist regime coming to the foreground at home. After all, it is Putin who realizes the errors of democracy and the benefit of a more structured government.
elisa
Putin: Bush Must Win or Terrorists Will Triumph
By Simon Saradzhyan STAFF WRITER MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin on Monday made his strongest endorsement yet for his friend U.S. President George W. Bush, saying "international terrorism" will claim victory over the international antiterrorism coalition if Bush loses.
"I believe that the activities of terrorists in Iraq are not as much aimed at the coalition as at President Bush personally ... The goal of international terrorism is to prevent the election of President Bush to a second term," Putin said.
In fact what Putin should do is welcome Georgie as a brother in communism. His 'front' of demanding democracy for all countries when he seeks differently at home has to be seen for what it is, namely 'scapegoating' democracy for the sake of war. Look, Vladimir, it might be that should the new Iraqi government decide to keep the USA troops around awhile (For the life of me I don't know why.) it will be enough to keep the USA entrenched in unrelenting battle and poverty for a long time. Long enough to 'stomp' protest at Iran without raising a sword.
Let's face it, Vladimir, if the USA wasn't in Iraq with all those troops within harms way of Iranian missiles we might even be a dangerous entity to the region. As it stands now with Bush keeping the troops next to Iran they will have to forgoe any confrontation what so ever or be destroyed by Iranian missiles.
So by all means Putin should embarce Bush as a brother with a burgeoning communist/faschist regime coming to the foreground at home. After all, it is Putin who realizes the errors of democracy and the benefit of a more structured government.
elisa
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Still yet another example of the world that left the USA behind when Bush/Cheney 'took' the Executive Branch
On Top of the World :: World No 1 Roger Federer (foreground) and tennis great Andre Agassi could not resist the temptation of hitting some balls on the world’s highest tennis court, the helipad of the Burj Al Arab. :: http://www.gulfnews.com/news/2005/0224/home2.asp 
The Gimp Returns Home
There is no reason for Bush to travel to Russia. In his words to the troops he has recanted every promise he made in Europe stating, 'Terrorists don't recognize negotiations...' He has little to no intention to resolve any issue without war. The only legitimate words he spoke was regarding the Afghanistan invasion. We had allies. We were supported by the world and it has a new government for the first time in it's history. However, Afghanistan has a province of Kabul, the national seat where democracy is practiced, the rest of the country is still under the dominance of warlords with an poppy culture.
The troops of which I saw many did not necessarily applaud waiting patiently to hear that would be going home. Waiting to hear how their National Guard service hadn't turned into a lifetime of hell at the mercy of a Commander and Chief bent on hegemony.
Russia will not hold any new concessions, especially after these words to the troops, if anything there will be less and less. Bush hopes to stir the willing resistance of the populous wherever he goes but offers them nothing but a promise to war to join his coalition of the unwilling. The USA has become an example of how a democracy can be trapped into facism to serve undeserving 'megalomaniacs' that would see their profiteering a manifestation of a call to democracy.
He meant not a word that was spoken in corridors and meeting halls in Europe in the attendance of diplomats or German students. He sees the world as a populous as at home, to 'manage' and 'manipulate' to 'cower' to 'intimidate' to the same or different gods of this world or the world of mysticism makes no difference. As long as he can find a way to keep every audience 'believing' he is still worthy of their 'distant belief and consideration' that glimmer of doubt of his aggressive intent buys him leverage, time, money and influence into his agenda of hegemony.
Bush is a fraud, it is just to wonder which face he puts forward is actually fraudulent if not both or all.
The troops of which I saw many did not necessarily applaud waiting patiently to hear that would be going home. Waiting to hear how their National Guard service hadn't turned into a lifetime of hell at the mercy of a Commander and Chief bent on hegemony.
Russia will not hold any new concessions, especially after these words to the troops, if anything there will be less and less. Bush hopes to stir the willing resistance of the populous wherever he goes but offers them nothing but a promise to war to join his coalition of the unwilling. The USA has become an example of how a democracy can be trapped into facism to serve undeserving 'megalomaniacs' that would see their profiteering a manifestation of a call to democracy.
He meant not a word that was spoken in corridors and meeting halls in Europe in the attendance of diplomats or German students. He sees the world as a populous as at home, to 'manage' and 'manipulate' to 'cower' to 'intimidate' to the same or different gods of this world or the world of mysticism makes no difference. As long as he can find a way to keep every audience 'believing' he is still worthy of their 'distant belief and consideration' that glimmer of doubt of his aggressive intent buys him leverage, time, money and influence into his agenda of hegemony.
Bush is a fraud, it is just to wonder which face he puts forward is actually fraudulent if not both or all.
The Gimp Game
Bush first sent his only begotten Daughter, Condi Rice, to blaze a trail and report back on the fact finding mission including 'the mood' the world finds the USA.
The USA is bankrupt in everyway, international relations, fiscally, morally, legally and diplomatically. Bush can hardly find personnel to fill the vacancies at the top of the administration and the world is watching. Bush's philosophies are old world.
Bush is being brought in line by the world's finest.
He will find no warm welcome in the Russian 'chill' that still exists from it's winter, but, will be brought in line.
In doing so, Bush will return with his dignity but not his 'inauguration rhetoric.' Whether he accepts that 'gift' of dignity being afforded him now, is his choice. But. If he rejects it, then it will be return to the 'gimp game' as before his whirlwind tour of 'containment' of the 'disabled.'
Bush is not returning with allies a many willing to plunge into a war to end all wars. They all were there before.
The USA is bankrupt in everyway, international relations, fiscally, morally, legally and diplomatically. Bush can hardly find personnel to fill the vacancies at the top of the administration and the world is watching. Bush's philosophies are old world.
Bush is being brought in line by the world's finest.
He will find no warm welcome in the Russian 'chill' that still exists from it's winter, but, will be brought in line.
In doing so, Bush will return with his dignity but not his 'inauguration rhetoric.' Whether he accepts that 'gift' of dignity being afforded him now, is his choice. But. If he rejects it, then it will be return to the 'gimp game' as before his whirlwind tour of 'containment' of the 'disabled.'
Bush is not returning with allies a many willing to plunge into a war to end all wars. They all were there before.
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