Hello? Everyone is getting bent out of shape because of 'name calling?' You've got to be joking.

The only people in leadership that would over react to name calling are Republicans.  They aren't in leadership that matters.  President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton are leading the USA through this mischief.

God works in strange ways. 

No world leader is going to declare war because they was some stupid memos leaked. 

Under Bush and Cheney the 'intelligent network' as reported by the Washington Post grew far beyond its ability to maintain its integrity.  The ODDS were with this leak.  Think about it.

I am looking forward to the leaks about the banks.  Cool stuff.  YES!

I mean this is better than the National Enquirer.

Gee whiz, it is reassuring that our leaders are HUMAN.  Nice.

"Class Warfare" is nothing but rhetorical politics. That is the kind of inflammatory language we can expect by the Republicans.

Rep. Eric Cantor is typical in the 'shoot from the hip' political rhetoric' Republicans use to win their Congressional seats from their electorate.  There is NO basis in fact.

If there was a class warfare it occurred during the Bush years when any tax cuts of the Middle and Lower Class in the USA were grossly smaller in proportion to the wealthy.

Try again, Eric, you are making baseless statements.

If the wealthy are too immature to accept their responsibility in this country then don't renew ANY of the tax cuts and let Americans FEEL exactly how stupid Republicans sincerely have become.

...Republicans (click title to entry - thank you) want all the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts to be extended permanently. Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress want to extend them only for individual taxpayers making less than $200,000 and couples making less than $250,000

Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, who will become the House majority leader in January, accused the president of engaging in "class warfare." ''This country is about making sure everyone has a fair shot," he said in an interview.

Obama and his top aides have insisted that he won't approve an extension of upper income rates that is permanent, a potential opening for a short-term extension....

We, as a nation, will know if the new House Representatives are there to play games...

...if among their first orders of business is impeachment of the President.  That is why every Republican in the Senate is stalling on achieving any legislation in a LAME DUCK session.  

I believe the more seasoned members of the Republican House will fend off the impeachment issue for a short while until they can hold faux hearings throughout the House Committees and 'run game' on any crony support, such as oil and gas and bank reform, etc. 

I hope the new members are serious members and the Democrats may be able to find them and actually seek to get some things done. 

It would seem as though the "Big Bad Wolf" didn't show up at the airports to disrupt holiday travel.

That is what the entire movement reminds me of, bullies.  

I congratulate the TSA for a remarkably smooth travel holiday.

Thank you.  Well done.

 

 

No delays reported at McCarran as holiday weekend nears end (click here)

By Jackie Valley (contact)

Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010 | 11:41 a.m.

The annual Thanksgiving retreat — making today one of the year's busiest travel days as people head home — isn't causing major headaches at McCarran International Airport so far.

Michael Alonzo, management analyst at McCarran, said travel operations appear to be running smoothly in Las Vegas with no reported problems causing major delays or long security lines....

Who's afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?  I have to disagree with the 'scare' (click here) some of the news media is feeling after the 2010 elections.  They believe there is some recompense needed to the Republicans regarding the change in leadership in the House.  To begin, I don't believe the media was paying attention to the Republican challengers called The Tea Party.  It could have helped stem the flow of 'change' in the Republican Party by this group of extremists.  It really isn't a Democratic issue, except, they are new faces and new names; therefore; in a difficult political environment for incumbents they 'seem' like the best choice to those that have a difficult time making up their minds most elections, anyway.  

The truth of the situation for the Republicans is that their party was shanghaied by the Tea Party.  They really aren't Republicans.  As a matter of fact, the 'icon' to the Tea Party, Former Governor Palin has stated, "If this is the end of the GOP, so be it."  This is a Conservative Crisis.  In the races where the media concentrated on Tea Party candidates, running under the Republican banner they were mostly defeated in the general elections.

The Tea Party are novices.  118 novices.  I haven't seen any policies written by them, but, simply 'POSITION' STATEMENTS in opposition of those that actually do know how to write policy.  That is why they are oppositional candidates.  They have no ideas.  They have the same problem as Republicans, except, they are more extreme in their goals to social issues.  They are very biased to the rights of other Americans unlike themselves.

At any rate, I sincerely believe the Democrats still hold the clear majority in the House.  I do not believe the Republican Party actually represents their 50% House majority.  There are 124 Republicans in the House and 118 Tea Party members.  That is like having 118 independent members from where I stand.  They don't recognize the GOP platform, don't seek to 'fall in line' under their leadership, but, simply took the GOP money to facilitate their candidacy.  There is something "W"rong with that picture.

So, in all honesty, while I understand President Obama needs to realize his 192 Democrats have to work with the Republicans and he has wanted bi-partisan participation from the beginning of his Presidency; 'the picture' of cooperation is really odd when one seeks to look for a concensus among the GOP now.  The Republicans in the House really are a bit of a mess and I encourage Democrats to reach out to the 118 Tea Party members to find 'common ground.'  I think there is more 'interest' in achieving goals than they might expect.  They aren't Republicans and while their social content is extreme (and it is) their goals may not be that far out of step with 'real governance.'  

I encourage 'open-mindedness' on behalf of the Democratic House.  They may very well be pleasantly surprised.  Until it is obvious otherwise.  After all, Michele Bachmann was not promoted to leadership and the Tea Party didn't have a demonstration.  I believe some of the Tea Party members are sincerely in DC to PARTICIPATE in governance and not extremism when it comes to the well being of the country.  At least give them the benefit of the doubt.

But to change subjects to an article no American should miss.  Of course, the Big Bad Wolf was after more than simply a disruption of holiday travel, he really was the Big Bad Wolf out to hurt three helpless members of the community.

It would seem as though some Red States are having a bit of trouble carrying out their coveted 'Death Sentence.'  Since the Radical Right Wing covets 'their power' over life so much I thought I'd bring the holiday on a high note for them.  Something they can really get there sorry minds around.

Hospira (click title to entry -thank you) won't be producing sodium thiopental until next year.  For the Right Wingers they must have a real affection for the drug, but, for most Americans; one might ask; "What the heck is sodium thiopental? 

States ask Texas to supply ingredient for executions  (click here)

Posted 10m ago

By Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY

...Some states that have the death penalty have asked Texas for doses of sodium thiopental, the so-called knockout drug, used as part of the three-drug cocktail in executions by lethal injection, according to Michelle Lyons, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. She would not identify the states that requested assistance.

The state has declined to make its supply available even though all of its 39 available doses are set to expire in March and there are only three executions scheduled in the state before then, Lyons said

States, including Arizona, Oklahoma, Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky, have scrambled to acquire the drug.

Sodium thiopental renders the condemned inmate unconscious, so the prisoner does not feel pain. 

Hospira, the lone federally approved producer of the drug, has said new batches of the substance would not be available until next year.

Lyons said that despite the looming expiration of Texas' extra inventory, "we do not have plans to distribute the drug to other states."

"We have a responsibility to ensure we have an adequate supply of the drug on hand to carry out any executions scheduled in the state of Texas," Lyons said.

States with shortages are trying to find suppliers abroad or proposing radical changes in their execution protocols to deal with the lack of drugs....

My, my, not exactly what I would call a crisis.  Sincerely.

I am going to enjoy my holiday.  Until tomorrow.

I understand Bristol came in thrid in her tv competition. Ms. Gray was absolutely exquisite.

Jennifer was achieving the impossible on the dance floor.  I didn't watch every competition, but, I was lucky enough to watch the evening where she balanced on one foot on tip toes while balancing on her partner's shoulder.

Wow.  That was balance beyond any imagination and her techniques were flawless.  It would have been extremely tragic had she not been able to compete and win that final evening.

Jennifer Gray is a true professional and with that in mind she put her reputation 'out there' not just 'her political capital.'  To that end she damaged herself on two occasions.  "Dancing with the Stars" needs to reflect on the pressure brought to bear on someone as exquisite as she when they ask professionals, like her and Brandy to become a part of their SHOW.

Political Capital.  I would like to speak to that and to Bristol's competition.

Every young woman should take advantage of their beauty and youth to enjoy their lives everyday they live.  To that end Bristol was able to carry out a dream and see it through and I congratulate her.  If the trappings of her Mother came along for the ride that was to her benefit.

Her 'persona' during the SHOW was one of embattled self-esteem and hard working woman.  Never did I hear anyone refer to her baby and the care and logistics of that child during the competition so I have to believe when she got in her truck (One similar to the one Massachusetts Senator Brown drives, I am sure.) she left the child to the care of others.  Yes?  I don't care to know in retrospect, as it will only be viewed as manipulated anyway.

I have never watched "Dancing with the Stars" before.  Not even when Tom DeLay was trying to win over America's heart and mind.  I am not interested in the 'theme' of these programs.  Just not.  I have been at friends' homes when they would watch the competition in disbelief in the corrupt nature of the outcomes.  So, I patiently watched while they complained.

The show from what I understand and I truly do not like commentating on things I don't come to research and understand 'first hand.'  But, the show has never featured a liberal political figure.  Yes, Bristol Palin is a Right Wing Political figure.

These 'theme' shows, in my opinion, serve one purpose.  They serve to enforce the political 'mind set' of the Right Wing Electorate.  I haven't heard of a gay couple in competition either.

While, no doubt, Bristol would love to have her own identity away from that of her mother's political agenda, that is her plight.  She might try looking up an aspiring Mayor of Wasilla and find out exactly how committed he can actually be to, not only Fatherhood, but being a worthy and wonderful spouse.

Is the show a political show?  You, betcha.  Is it manipulated through its' design?  Absolutely.  Is there some 'real talent' involved that find rewards in participation?  Sure.  Does it hold my attention through its corrupt nature?  Only long enough to know if it is corruption 'by design' or 'by purpose.'  Will I watch any of it again?  No.  Only if others are participating in that event, but, I doubt I'll want to know much more about it than I do now.  I certainly won't 'take an interest' in any of the 'audience participation' ever.

Jennifer's choreographer in "Dirty Dancing" made sure she was never injured.  Interesting.

Oh, one other thing.  The reason the link to the title of the entry goes to 'Jezebel' is because it was there that the 'votes' for Bristol were found to be redundant 'by design.'  I understand Bristol made the statement she believes those that were complaining 'hate her mother.'  That isn't it, that wasn't it and no one 'hates' Sarah Palin.

At this point, I believe the Right Wing Political pundits view criticism as 'hate.'  That is a juvenile concept, but, who ever said they were mature.  I mean "Birthers?'  Give me a break.

In all honesty,...

In this Aug. 16, 2010 photo, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Darron Wright, deputy commander, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division

There isn't much anyone, including the Former President, can say to justify the Iraq invasion.

On September 11, 2010 nearly 3000 citizens died due to the acts of terrorists harbored in Aghanistan.  USA citizens were not killed because of Saddam Hussein and the unarmed nation of Iraq.  There should have NOTHING that removed the purpose of our military from the mission of capturing or killing Osama bin Laden while dismantling al Qaeda.

...I had an overwhelming (click title to entry - thank you) number of intelligent people on my side, not to mention most of the U.S. congress from both parties, the president, and virtually everyone I knew in rural Texas....

"...it isn't about 'having people on "...my side...".  It is a democracy built on laws and policy that maintains the integrity of global order and peace.

Under the Bush / Cheney administration, I witnessed the USA destroyed into a nation of 'power' that can destroy nations for wealth without increasing Natioanl Defense, but, opening it up to greater dangers than ever before in its' history.

The nations that came to the rescue of the USA following 911 spanned the entire globe.  There was not one power on Earth that didn't see the dangers that unveiled an incredibly insane danger to every nation on the planet.  Iraq had that quality?  No.

What occurred after 911 was the work of alliance of every major nation.  What occurred prior to moving into Iraq was a 'manufactured' coalition that could not contribute to any war effort without first receiving monies from the USA Treasure, hence, the corruption of "The Coaliton of the Willing."  No nation on Earth can afford to fight wars alone, yet alone turn countries into mercenaries in order to be called a coalition.

Bush / Cheney abandoned Long Time Allies to chase down a witch in Iraq.  There was no weapons worth mentioning in Iraq including Scud missiles that could never reach its target, yet alone carry WMD into the USA.  The entire 'scenario' was deranged and treasonous to the citizens ot the nation.

Once out of office, the truth finally revealed itself and Afghanistan was a nation of corruption where the Alliance of Canada and the EU was being pushed around by the Taliban and the Karzai government as if they didn't have an impact at all.  The only reason the Allies in Afghanistan didn't quit and leave was due to the continued influence of power of al Qaeda in Europe.  London.  Mardrid.  All facilitated by the abandonment of Bush and Cheney for an oil war in Iraq, justified by the fact 'his dad' was threatened by a man that stood on a balcony IN IRAQ with a gun.

What the hell, right Georgie, any excuse was a good excuse.

The USA had lost its bearings during the Bush/Cheney years and sabotaged from being anything else by a fiscal collapse of the corrupt exploitation of the American Dream.

It is unbelievably amazing to realize how after two years the people responsible for destroying the 'integrity' of the USA are sill 'free men.' 

Simply, amazing. 

The Plutocracy has more clout than any citizen within the borders of the country.  The power of the USA is all they want.  They could not care less about the people of this nation.  The Plutocrats win everytime.  Everytime and the citizens are foolish enough to fall for it.

Amazing. 

First Belize and now Brazil. It looks like the Mexican Drug Cartels are in for an awakening.

Rio might actually  become safe for every tourist including all areas of the country, now.

Rio de Janeiro gun battles leave at least 14 people dead (click here)

Many killed in major police assaults on favela strongholds of drug traffickers and gangsters

Tom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro

The Guardian, Thursday 25 November 2010

Prolonged gun battles between police and drug traffickers left at least 14 people dead yesterday in Rio, including a 14-year-old girl who was reportedly shot through the chest while she surfed the internet.
The deaths came during a series of major police assaults on the city's slums, including one favela that serves as the HQ of the city's largest drug gang.


Triggered by a spate of attacks on police and drivers, the incursions began on Tuesday and involved hundreds of heavily armed police operatives, bulletproof vehicles and helicopters.


About 150 people were arrested during the sweeps by 17,500 officers while at least 22 people have been killed since Sunday, according to Rio's military police. The wounded have included two policemen and an 81-year-old man while an estimated 17,000 children were left unable to attend lessons as a result of the clashes.


"We did not start this war," Colonel Lima Castro, a spokesman for Rio's military police said last night. "We were provoked and we will emerge victorious."


The massive operations in at least 20 Rio favelas followed a wave of apparently co-ordinated attacks by drug traffickers who torched buses and cars and planted homemade bombs in various locations....

I doubt it is over, but, it is a good beginning.  There needs to be gun trafficking stopped as well.

Police in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro (click title to entry - thank you) have urged drug traffickers in a hillside slum to turn themselves in or face a determined assault.

Hundreds of police officers and soldiers, some in armoured vehicles, have surrounded the Alemao favela.

Authorities say the operation aims make the city safer ahead of the World Cup in 2014 and Olympic Games in 2016....

A little frendly advise to the Former President. Welcome the Liberals as a way to construct the spirit of your book, sir.

If I may?

To begin with I believe Former President George Walker Bush is being a very good sport about keeping appointment for interviews. 

But, to the content of the interviews and who best allows for a clear picture of the book, the interview with O'Reilly was lacking.

When the Former Presient interviews with conservaives they al looking for political spin 'sanctioned' by him rather than addressing the content of the book and the 'decision points' he states are his most accurate memories.

Additonally.

I don't believe he needs any hand holding by his Little Brother either.

When Jeb appears in interviews it appears as though the Former President is either promoting his brother's candidacy or needing plenty of emotional support when it might be a more 'liberated' interviewer asking the questions.

But, the context of the book is best revealed by more liberal components to the media as they are looking to find 'truth' and it is only in interviews that the Former President can speak to the scepticism that might be raised.

I wish him well and I may indeed read the book, but, I doubt I am going to praise much of his decisions.  I sincerely believe his autonomy of office foresaken the international community.  The USA is not a Superpower alone, but, only able to make that claim when supported by strong allies.  That is another reason why 'the decision point' regarding Iraq was so very, very "W"rong.  There was no sincere threat to the USA and the international community abandoned the United States of America when it moved autonomously into Iraq with a 'minority' Coalition of the Willing.  That was very, very different than when the USA moved into Afghanistan and should have stayed there.

The challenge to Rahm's residency is a bit lame, isn't it?

It doesn't get more simple than this.  He never RESIDED in Washington, DC.  He, no different than many, many other House Representatives 'take up residence' in DC because otherwise, unlike Vice President Joe Biden, it would be a very long and expensive commute.  If Rahm was serving in Washington, DC that hardly disqualifies him as a resident to Illinois with a home that he paid taxes to the community.  He maintained his interest in his residency in different ways, that's all.  The 'State of Politics' in the USA is sadly lacking for its fairness these days.  The self righteous attitudes opposing decent and qualified people from achieving effective leadership is far less than the civilized discourse I would expect in the USA.  

...Burt Odelson, (click title to entry - thank you)  the lawyer who filed a residency challenge to knock Chicago mayoral hopeful Rahm Emanuel off the ballot predicted Friday the case will end up in the Illinois Supreme Court as Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) said the challenge is "frivolous."

In terms of the brewing legal fight against President Obama's former White House Chief of Staff, "this is a case where either side is going to go all the way," Odelson told me.

The challenge will first go to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners; the loser will appeal to the Cook County Circuit Court, an Illinois Appeals court and eventually the Illinois Supreme Court. The Emanuel team did not want to comment on any potential appeals. But it is routine in a case like this for the courts to be asked to handle all appeals on an expedited basis....

...The Emanuel camp argues that Emanuel always intended to return to Chicago and he left only to serve Obama. Schakowsky said in a conference call organized by the Emanuel campaign, "Rahm should not be punished for responding to the call of the president."...

Being punitive to legitimately qualified people that agree to serve the President of the USA is hardly a good idea.  That creates a lot of disincentives that does not serve the country well.

Just for the record Former US Representative and Former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel was from the Fifth Congressional District of Chicago.  Chicago (click here) has Districts 01, 02, 03. 04. 05. 06. 07 and 09.

Christmas Tree Arrives At White House

Elections are getting a little dangerous in Taiwan, aren't they?

Former Taiwanese Vice President Lien Chan  (click here)

FILE -- In this file photo taken on May 1, 2005, former Taiwanese Vice President Lien Chan, left, and Lien Sheng-wen, his elder son, right, along with other family members, unseen, pose for photos at the grave site of Lien Chan's grandmother, Madam Shen in Xia'an, western China. Lien Sheng-wen was shot in the head and critically wounded while speaking Friday, Nov. 26, 2010, at a campaign rally in suburban Taipei, local media have reported.

(AP Photo/Song Hongmei, File)

TAIPEI, Taiwan – (click title to entry - thank you) A gunman opened fire on a campaign rally on the eve of key local elections in Taiwan on Friday, killing one man and critically wounding the son of a former vice president. A suspect is in custody and may belong to a gang.

Police said the men were hit when the assailant rushed the stage at an elementary school in the gritty town of Yung Ho, on the outskirts of the capital. A candidate for city council was apparently the intended target.

Hospital officials said that though he was shot in the face and temple, Lien Sheng-wen's life was not in danger. He is the son of former Vice President Lien Chan and a politician in his own right.

Such acts of violence are unusual in election campaigns in Taiwan, which began a gradual transition from one-party dictatorship to fully functioning democracy in the late 1980s. Violence carried out by Taiwan's gangs is also limited, though the gangs themselves exercise considerable political influence, particularly on Taiwanese county governments....

There may be a real reason to question the election outcomes.  If anyone dares.

Taiwan pro-China party holds edge in mayoral races  (click here)

By Ralph Jennings

TAIPEI | Sat Nov 27, 2010 7:49am EST

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's China-friendly ruling party held onto most of the island's mayoral posts up for grabs in tense elections Saturday seen as a test of the party's popularity ahead of the 2012 presidential race.
Wins in three of five mayoral seats gave the Nationalist Party, or KMT, a clear shot at retaining the presidency, which will calm Beijing as it has worked closely with the party on landmark trade deals after decades of political hostilities....

 

All this and North Korea's aggressive stance is a concern.  China needs to be more of a 'Big Brother' to the benevolence of its allies.

Nationalist Party (KMT) Taipei mayor candidate Hau Lung-bin (5th L) and his wife Kao Lung-sen celebrate winning at campaign headquarters in Taipei November 27, 2010. Taiwan's China -friendly ruling party held onto mayoral posts in three of five major cities after elections on Saturday, setting the stage for the 2012 presidential race and likely bolstering financial markets.

The President better be okay. With Bush is was bicycling and now we have a hoops injury.

Gauze in hand, President Barack Obama walks to his car  after the game of basketball Friday at Ft. McNair in Washington, D.C.

To be honest, President Obama is tough enough, but, he needs to back off 'the game' for awhile.  From the pictures I saw, he took one heck of a bang to the head.  The stitches are bad enough, but, I worried about concussion when I saw the picture that caused it.  I am sure he is okay, but, enough for a week or two.  Wow.  Take Bo for a walk instead.

The Christmas Bomber Wannabe. Does the fun every stop?

U.S. prosecutors (click title to entry - thank you) say an Oregon teenager of Somali descent has been arrested in an alleged terrorist plot to car-bomb a Christmas tree lighting event in the northwestern city of Portland, Oregon Friday night.

Authorities say 19-year-old Mohamed Osman Mohamud was taken into custody by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation after he dialed a cell phone intending to detonate a bomb, but instead rang for the FBI in a sting operation.  

Mohamud had earlier been given phony explosives by undercover officers, who first learned of his alleged plot last year....

I guess this is the way the authorities bring in those that have radical ideas against the people of the USA.  At one time it would have been called entrapment, now it is a strategy to stop idiocy.  I guess.  One has to wonder if there is something magical about being a young man that seems to be a challenge to these men.  Nineteen years old and he wants to kill people.  What the heck?  Life has no promise for him except death?

Tensions rise as WikiLeaks release nears (click title - thank you)

A Swedish court (click here) has rejected Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's appeal against a detention order in a rape case.

The appeals court upheld an earlier court order, which allows investigators to bring the 39-year old Australian into custody for questioning.

Mr Assange, who is believed to be in Britain, denies the allegations, saying they are part of a smear campaign....




...WikiLeaks is planning (click title to entry - thank you) to make available up to 400,000 sensitive cables from the past five years that include talks with politicians, government officials and journalists, as well as evaluations by US diplomats about their host countries.
According to the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Hayat, several documents show that the US had in turn been providing assistance to Turkey's Kurdish separatist movement, the PKK.

Advertisement: Story continues below

Founded in the 1970s, the PKK is listed as a terrorist organisation in Turkey, the US, the European Union and Australia.
A report in Israel's Jerusalem Post said the US military documents refer to the PKK as ''warriors for freedom and Turkish citizens'' and say that the US had set free arrested PKK members in Iraq.
The documents also point out that US forces in Iraq have given weapons to the PKK and ignored the organisation's operations inside Turkey.....

KCK Declines Responsibility for Bomb Attack - Ceasefire Extended  (click here)

The Democratic Confederation of Kurdistan, the umbrella organization for the militant PKK, distanced itself from the bomb attack in Istanbul on Sunday that left 32 people injured. The organization declared to extend the ceasefire until the general elections in 2011....

Terrorist PKK condemns TAK for Taksim attack

06 November 2010, Saturday / TODAY’S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL

A semi-independent but essentially Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)-affiliated organization’s claiming responsibility for a suicide bomb attack in Taksim on Sunday, which injured 32 people and killed the bomber himself, has drawn the ire of the terrorist PKK, which recently prolonged a unilateral cease-fire until next year’s general elections.

The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack on its website on Thursday. The announcement was met with anger by the PKK, despite TAK saying that the suicide bomber, Vedat Acar, had acted on his own initiative... Suicide bombers due act on their own initiative.  They have to make their peace with god first and then carry out their crime.  That is the way it works.  The blame comes in when the suicide bomber acting on their own initiative is linked with a group sympathetic to their cause.  All the suicide bombers of 911 were acting on their own initiative, but, they are members of al Qaeda.  That is like Murdoch double talk, '...we are fair and balanced.'  Right. What is totally bizarre is the strong inconsistency in reporting.  Does anyone in the West actually know what is going on or simply making headlines out of what they believe is going on?  Because the facts are important and they have to be verified from two sources before they are considered fact.  The Human Error component.  So, TAK is not really taking responsibility, but, portraying the suicide bomber as an individual outside their influence.  Those are the facts.  The only fact undisputed is the fact there was a bombing.  Is the aftermath accurately reported, because, if the bomber didn't attain his goal then what are they trying this at all for? Kurdish TAK rebels say behind Istanbul bombing  (click here)

ISTANBUL | Thu Nov 4, 2010 12:25pm EDT

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - A group linked to Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) guerrillas claimed responsibility on Thursday for a suicide bomb attack in central Istanbul at the weekend.
The Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK) said on its website it had staged the attack, which wounded 32 people near a police bus at Istanbul's Taksim Square, as an "act of revenge."
"We as TAK claim responsibility for the action carried out against the police force of Turkish fascism at Istanbul's Taksim Square on Oct 31, 2010," TAK said....

 
Tuesday, Nov 9, 2010 15:10 ET 


Government harassing and intimidating Bradley Manning supporters  (click here) 

By Glenn Greewald  

...To date, he has never been charged with any crime or even told he's under investigation for anything; this was clearly a thuggish attempt by federal officials to intimidate any American citizen involved with or supporting WikiLeaks. That campaign of intimidation is now clearly spreading to supporters of Bradley Manning.  Last Wednesday, November 3, David House, a 23-year-old researcher who works at MIT, was returning to the U.S. from a short vacation with his girlfriend in Mexico, and was subjected to similar and even worse treatment,,,,

Suicide blast hits Istanbul (click here)

At least 32 wounded in explosion carried out by suicide bomber in heart of Turkish city, police say. Last Modified: 31 Oct 2010 14:11 GMT

,,,Among those wounded, 17 are civilians while 15 belong to the police force, two of whom are said to be in a serious condition.
"It was a suicide bomb and it appears as if the bomber blew himself up. It appears to be a male body," Huseyin Capkin, the police chief, said.
Al Jazeera's Anita McNaught, reporting from the scene, said police were looking for a second attacker. 
"A second bomb had been planted right next to the suicide bomber," she said.
"That bomb did not go off but had it done so, with huge crowds gathered after the first explosion as you would expect, that bomb was designed to cause maximum damage."
Our correspondent said the only confirmed death was that of the suicide bomber....

Okay, so who is the second bomber that faded into the crowd when he decided he didn't want to die? 

Delaware National Guard home after one year in Afghanistan (click title - thank you)

First Lt. Thomas Emerson IV holds 8-month-old daughter Macie while wife Miranda looks on during a welcome-home ceremony for the Delaware National Guard's 238th Aviation Regiment on Thursday morning. "We have a lot to be thankful for," Miranda Emerson said. (The News Journal/JENNIFER CORBETT)

I am also grateful for...

The liberators of the American Society, they have found the determination to 'stand up' for 'the truth.'  Although ignored for fear of their political prowess and a change in 'wind direction' for the Plutocracy.

Why aren't these men and their father's legacies making front page headlines, other than scandalous, while making indisputable history?

John and Thomas Steinbeck, Alex and Wendell Potter, and others such as Keith Olbermann.  

And, of course, the impetus to the movement toward greatness, Michael Moore.

He was not my father's favorite son, but, then I wasn't his favorite daughter either.  However, I was the one he mentored to do exactly as I am doing today.  The First Child, the truth seeker and the bravest of the family.

Michael Moore on Countdown with Keith Olbermann

Carlsbad Reads Together - Thomas Steinbeck - "Travels with Charley" Part 2

Google should have a Macy's Thanksgiving Day baloon in hte parade every year. It just seems right.

Google has become a verb as well as a noun since its inception.  It has maintained high levels of benevolence due to the love of people by its creators.  Google has morphed in recent years into a 'quality of life' sponsor in every country it now has a presence and we have seen essence of culture sponsored very regularly at the webpage for this incredible company.  

This Thanksgiving we were encouraged to enjoy new recipes for the USA Thanksgiving table (click title to entry - thank you) and it seems 'correct' to have them in the Macy's Day Parade as a part of the American Landscape that has brought a higher quality of life to each American and continues to strive to achieve that.  

I am grateful for the services Google provides to my life and does not ask for a dime in return.

New Zealand is not a country to take these losses well.

YOUNGEST: Joseph Ray Dunbar is the youngest of the miners, he had just turned 17 the day before the explosion. 

Pike River mine: 'West Coast's darkest hour'  (click title to entry - thank you)

5:30 AM Thursday Nov 25, 2010

...It had been a slow acceptance of a grim reality, and yesterday was no different as the sorrowing relatives entered the large auditorium.

But within 10 minutes, a wail split the air: "Oh my God."

People stumbled out in tears, distraught, falling into each other's arms.

Sisters, grandmothers and strong, stocky fathers sobbed and supported one another as they returned to their cars.

A second explosion in the mine two hours earlier had crushed any hope. The 29 men were pronounced dead....

In memory of the Pike River miners  (click here)

Remembering the lives of the Pike River miners. You can leave your message of condolence.

SEVENTEEN (click here)

(In memory of Joseph Ray Dunbar and all those who died in the Pike River Mine.)

Joseph Ray Dunbar was just seventeen.
One week ago - turned seventeen.
No doubt had a few drinks out
with his mates.

He'd been through a rough patch, someone said.
Who doesn't??!
A boy from the Coast, even-eyed.
But he's gotten a job now.

New boots.
The making of him, someone said.
You get a lot of respect with a job.
Couldn't wait!

Probably had his lunch packed.
The unlined face, the big smile.
Probably had a way with the girls.
The local girls.

Couldn't wait!
The local girls are wearing black.
Mothers and sons and husbands too.
He probably ran the last hundred yards....

Joseph Ray Dunbar.
Climbed aboard and headed on down.
A smile and a wave and a joke amongst men.
The biggest day of Joseph's life.

You caught the train, Joseph.
You took the train too soon.
You caught the train before your time.