Our cities are 'at risk.' So much for Homeland Security.

Con Edison crews worked through the early morning laying new cables.

I could not believe the level of response by New York City Emergency Services to this sad and avoidable explosion. Let's not lose sight of the fact a person is dead and other injured as well as the trauma that pervaded/pervades the area due to the lingering reality of September 11, 2001 and the continued 'lack of resolve' by the Bush Administration in defeating Osama bin Laden.

It broke my heart yesterday to realize New York City was again experiencing events that should be avoided at all costs. That was AT ALL COSTS. It was completely evident the monies given to New York City through federal budgets in the way of Homeland Security is spent to perfection of those response teams. It was amazing to realize how well contained this event was for the people of New York City and New York State. Magnificent is just a word to describe the response of dedicated heroes to people that might be suffering in need of help.

However, for as good as the emergency response, New York City is still mired in 'old infrastructure' which only receives attention AFTER an emergency occurs. More money needs to be coming from DC to upgrade our cities and bring safety to it's citizens.

I mean, these folks don't deserve the support of the country other than 'atta boys' for being brave in the face of some of the greatest threats to them? Really? This is preposterous. This is what 'Bush Tax Cuts' get the USA. More danger and not less.

We need to address the potential dangers of old infrastructure, especially in the cities of our country. We could be refurbishing our cities with 'state of the art' moderization. It is an opportunity to 'do it right' that will benefit people for decades. Why aren't we caring for each other 'beyond' the 'idea' of emergency response, so much as being 'emergency fool proof.'

Condolences to all, including the New York City mayor and New York State Governor that have their hands full in the face of an uncaring Republican 'infrastructure' in DC.

The United Kingdom is way out of line ! Put it into perspective already.

I am simply outraged by the actions of the UK. This is NOT that high a priority to endanger international relations and cooperation in the face of a far higher priority in disarming terrorist networks.

The dynamics of cooperation by Russia just aren't there. Quite frankly they never will be. Russians are far more pragmatic. They were correct to allow the investigation and find the trail of the potential killer, but, to push past that cooperation by the UK is simply a diplomatic initiative and now with the removal of that capacity from the dynamics, all is completely lost. The UK did the wrong thing by conducting themselves as ideologues rather than a civilized nation capable of international relations.

Radioactive trail led British investigators to Lugovoy (click here)
ReutersPublished: Tuesday, May 22, 2007
LONDON - A trail of radioactive contamination - from aircraft to hotels, restaurants, offices and even a soccer stadium - led investigators time and again to one man as they probed the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.
British prosecutors on Tuesday named Andrei Lugovoy, a Russian businessman who had worked for the Soviet KGB security service, as the man who murdered exiled dissident Litvinenko with radioactive polonium 210 in London last November.
Mr. Lugovoy has denied killing Mr. Litvinenko and on Tuesday dismissed the accusation as politically motivated. He has however acknowledged meeting Litvinenko on each of three separate visits to London last October....

This picture of Osama bin Laden is outrageous. I can't believe Bush and Rove has been able to spin this level of terror out of the events of September 11, 2001. This might seem the reality to capitalists but it is hardly the reality to humanity.

Terrorists are a far higher priority to the world in the way of common threat to citizens and infrastructure than any former Russian spy could be. As a matter of fact the former Russian spies could be a far higher threat as far as access to nuclear capacity than any terrorist anywhere in the world if they so chose. With that in mind there is absolutely no reason for Great Britain to be throwing Russian diplomats out from it's sovereign land.

Murder is no joke. I'll grant you that, but, to realize the level of international stability that is sacrificed by removing diplomats of a major nation is simply an outrage on the scale of further impetus for war that will be no doubt the worst war civilization ever witnessed. It's simply out of the question. Great Britain has become bizarre in this perspective.

The UK has removed diplomats over the 'idea' that a Russian killed a former Russian spy. HUH? Litvenenko and Lukovoy were at one time spies for a country that engaged in intelligence about Britain. That's what spies do in case that point got lost in the aggressive stand by Britain now promulgated by the Russian dissident oligarch, Boris Berezovsky. What is taking place in this circle of 'friends' is a dynmics that if it was in Russia would never be tolerated, but, the nature of democracy allows dangerous people to circulate among commoners. In that reality, these Russian players are no different in character than any terrorist.

The fact is Lukovoy is a grand prize for the UK. A former spy, alive in their custody to belly up to any and all information regarding Russia in hopes it saves his sorry life. Don't forget under British law, one is guilty until proven innocent. Lugovoy is already guilty and if 'handed over' to the Brits his best 'chance' at continuing to live is to allow interrorgation to conclude with the best explosure of Russian intelligence he can muster. Great Britain already knows that. Do you actually expect Russia to simply send Lugovy to a murder trial in the UK? I don't. If I don't why is Great Britain so insistant that happen when the implications of Russian coopeation is a threat to it's sovereignty. A threat that more than likely has absolutely nothing to do with the Litvenenko murder. Up to this point, Russia has been more than a partner to the investigation, so why the 'poor' attitude by the UK? I mean do I have to answer that?

Boris Berezovsky is one of the remaining oligarchs still 'intact' after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. I have absolutely no doubt he is behind much of the pressure being exerted on Russia to return Lukovoy to trial. The reasons for that pressure is not about murder, it is about discrediting Russia to force 'an issue' that could possibly lead to war between two military powers based in the fact Russia may have 'ordered' the death of Litvenenko and therefore a justification for The West to finally invade and take control of the people within that nation as well as their assets. The fact of the matter is that during the dissolving Soviet Union, these oligarchs manifested and stole the assets of the Russian people. Berezovsky is wealthy at the expense of average Russian citizens. He can never go back to Russia UNLESS, like any Iraqi exile they have the affection of a major militarized nation to invade for oil. IF there was anything left of Russia, Great Britain, Europe and the USA after 'the war' to end Russian sovereignty, Boris could go home a hero to some.

THIS IS LUDICROUS.

At a time when all nations should be in alliance and cooperation to defeat, capture and kill terrorists INCLUDING Osama bin Laden, now in Pakistan, this 'type' of issue should not be a part of an international agenda so much as a priority for international cooperation. If that cooperation does not come forward than it becomes a list of issues needed to be resolved when it can WITHOUT demands of destabilizing the 'best' of international relations. Great Britain is way out of line here. Lugovoy is no longer a Russian intelligence agent and what is happening here between Russian citizens and current exiles is simply not the place for other sovereign nations to become a part of, even Russia has distanced itself from this mischief in order to maintain alliances. While Russia coopeated FULLY in the investigation it is not about to allow these 'Russians' more 'gaming room' for the sake of something The West calls justice.

If the UK is confident Lugovoy is the murderer than be happy that it doesn't involve a greater enemy affiliated with Osama bin Laden. But in a world when instability is contained as best it can be in the face of the Bush presidency, GET OVER IT, and handle it appropriately without causing sovereign militarized nations to be at each other's throats. The Russians involved in Western mischief just ain't all that.

The diplomats have to be returned to their posts in Great Britain and Russia. This is simply hideous. What the heck are they thinking? I congratulate Russia for being the 'most reasonable' of all the parties, including Litvenenko's widow. Those folks bargained for this when they left Russia. Some day 'the truth' will be known and justice will be done but not today and certainly not in this way. The danger that comes with emmigrated Russians along with Boris has to be realized for what it is and dealt with no different than any other aspect of international instablity.

I mean really now !



If Great Britain is so certain they know whom killed Litvenenko then they need to try the accussed in absentia. There is little reason to continue down this road of aggression, especially in the face of a lack of proven evidence in a trial.

The UK needs to stop having a hissy fit !

Moscow Stops short of £3bn trade war over Litvinenko (click title above)
JAMES KIRKUP POLITICAL EDITOR
jkirkup@scotsman.com)
BRITAIN last night gave a cautious welcome to signals thatthe Kremlin will not interfere with UK investments in Russia as part of the international dispute over the murder of a Russian dissident in London.
On Monday, the Foreign Office expelled four Russian diplomats in protest at Russia's refusal to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, accused of killing Alexander Litvinenko.
Britain is braced for a formal Russian retaliation today, and ministers yesterday met major British companies working in Russia amid fears Moscow could target the £2.7 billion of UK investment in the country as part of its response.
But Russian ministers appeared to strike a relatively emollient note, suggesting their reaction to the expulsions would be confined to the level of diplomacy....


U.K. actions complicate security cooperation -Russian deputy FM -3 (click here)
MOSCOW, July 17 (RIA Novosti) - A senior Russian diplomat said Tuesday that Britain's decision to expel four Russian diplomats over Moscow's refusal to extradite a suspect in a high profile murder case would complicate bilateral cooperation in security issues.
The U.K. decided to expel four Russian diplomats and suspend visa facilitation talks with Moscow after Russia refused to extradite Andrei Lugovoi, the U.K.'s key suspect in the Alexander Litvinenko murder case, citing Russia's Constitution that forbids the extradition of Russian nationals.
"It is obvious that the line London is pursuing will complicate or make impossible cooperation between law enforcement bodies in issues relating to the safety of millions of British and Russian citizens," said Alexander Grushko, a deputy foreign minister.
He said Russia's response would be appropriate and targeted, but that it would not affect ordinary people or businessmen. He did not specified the measures, adding that the British Embassy in Russia would have lost 80 diplomats if Moscow had followed London's example....