This Blog is created to stress the importance of Peace as an environmental directive. “I never give them hell. I just tell the truth and they think it’s hell.” – Harry Truman
(I receive no compensation from any entry on this blog.)
The truth is the Marine Mammal Protection Act needs to be bolstered to protect these MAMMALS. The Baleen whales at one time assisted in removing carbon dioxide from Earth's troposphere when Earth's oceans were teaming with them. They feed on plankton and algae. They are filter feeders that remove 'primary producers' from the oceans and convert microscopic 'carbon based' plants into whale biomass.
Why is that important? Because for every whale that exists on Earth, also exists a carbon based unit that converts gaseous CO2 into living carbon through the ingestion of primary ocean producers, such as algae.
If Earth's oceans were teaming again with Baleen whales, the CO2 content on Earth would be far less. When whales die, unlike a tree, the carbon does not leak back to the atmosphere is small proportion. When a whale dies, the carbon sinks to the bottom of a very deep ocean where it takes millenium to return the potential of being brought back to Earth's surface through carbon deposits called oil.
According to the US Navy, the ONLY place for a Blue Whale is in a museum.
...About the Blue Whale (click here) The blue whale is the biggest animal ever to have lived on earth – bigger than any dinosaur. It is longer than two 40-foot long school buses parked one behind the other. A blue whale’s heart is the size of a car, and the arteries connected to the heart are large enough for a human baby to crawl through. The blue whale is also the loudest animal. At 190 decibels, a blue whale’s call is louder than a jet (140 decibels), and much louder than a person can shout (70 decibels). A sound clip is available on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration web site. Blue whales inhabit every ocean on the planet, and travel from frigid polar waters, where they feed, to warm tropical waters, where they give birth to their calves. In spite of their great size and range, we know very little about these gentle giants. The blue whale is listed as an endangered species under Canada’s Species at Risk Act. It is also on the IUCN (The World Conservation Union) Red List of endangered species. There are estimated to be 4,500 blue whales left in the world, down from 350,000 before whaling activities began. ...
The International Whaling Commission needs to begin a process to stop 'dangerous' naval sonars by all countries.
The venues available would be The United Nations, The Hague, the WTO and possibly the G8. Recently Iceland lost its economy because of the lack of fiscal responsibility in the USA. The country has four whaling vessels. At one time, Iceland used those vessels to help feed their populous.
How is the International Whaling Commission (click here) ever suppose to see the recovery of the number of whales with all this hideous 'war machine superiority' tug of war. It's STUPID already.
Whales are going to be extinct because the USA can't get out of its own way !
The Whaling nations of the International Whaling Commission need to approach a global authority to stop this slaughter. It is NOT necessary. The ONLY enemy of any nation in the year 2008 are terrorist networks, NOT each other.
Humpback Whale in California Waters
...The Natural Resources Defense Council sued the Navy in U.S. District Court after the Navy failed to file an environmental-impact statement for their sonar exercises under the national Environmental Protection Act. Earlier this year, a District Court judge ruled for the plaintiffs and prohibited the Navy from any further....
This is THE Book. (click title to entry, thank you)
Obama transition team will face ethics rules (click here) By Mike Dorning Washington Bureau November 12, 2008 WASHINGTON—After Barack Obama campaigned on a pledge to fight lobbyist influence in Washington, aides announced Tuesday that his transition team will include Washington lobbyists but ban them from working on policy areas on which they have lobbied for the past year. The ethics rules for the transition offer the first public test of how Obama as president will balance the populist goal of curtailing a Washington influence industry that helps well-heeled special interests against the practical need to staff a White House with experienced Washington hands. Experienced players in the capital often are drawn to the rich rewards of lobbying. The oft-criticized "revolving door" between government service and lobbying has proved a durable feature of the capital's culture....
Obama, Tammy Duckworth honor Veteran's Day with visit to Bronze Soldiers Memorial at Soldier Field in Chicago (please click title to entry, thank you)
...Obama issued the following statement:
"As we mark Veterans Day, all Americans are united in honoring the extraordinary service and selfless sacrifice of our nation's veterans. Our veterans are part of an unbroken line of heroes who have defended the American people and stood up for American values - from the beaches of Normandy to the battles in East Asia; from the deserts of Kuwait to the skies above Kosovo; from the cities of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan. Since 9/11, a new generation of American heroes has borne a heavy load in facing down the threats of the 21st century, and their families have been asked to bear the painful absence of a loved one. These Americans are the best and bravest among us, and they are all in our thoughts and prayers.
"On this Veterans Day, let us rededicate ourselves to keep a sacred trust with all who have worn the uniform of the United States of America: that America will serve you as well as you have served your country. As your next Commander-in-Chief, I promise to work every single day to keep that sacred trust with all who have served. May God bless our veterans, and may God bless the United States of America," said President-elect Barack Obama."
There is something very "W"rong with this picture. On one hand it is stated and EXAMPLED of the 'functionality' of this Iraqi town after quelled anarchy and elevated violence.
YET.
The Iraqi government is UNWILLING to allow an agreement with 'time tables' less than 2012. Of course, 2012 also coincides with the next USA elections.
We need to leave Iraq to the Iraqis. There is FAR TOO much 'fire power' in the region. Afghanistan and Pakistan need the USA military more.
Sheik Abdul-Amerr al-Wajid, left, speaks with U.S. Army Capt. Mike Penney, center, and Lt. Col. Michael Getchell, right, with the help of an interpreter, second from right, as he hosts the soldiers for dinner at his home in Iskandariyah, 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of Baghdad, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008. Barely a year ago, Iskandariyah was a stronghold of Shiite and Sunni militants, and residents say sectarian violence was so ferocious that hardly anyone showed up for work at the city's industrial complex and streets emptied by early afternoon. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
Iraq spokesman says US security offer not enough (click here) By QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA – 18 hours ago BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's government spokesman says the U.S. offers of changes in the draft security agreement were "not enough." Ali al-Dabbagh also is asking Washington to offer new amendments if it wants the pact to win parliamentary approval. Al-Dabbagh's comments on Monday were the first public statements by the Iraqis to last week's U.S. response to an Iraqi request for changes in the draft agreement. The pact would keep U.S. troops in Iraq until 2012 and give Iraq a greater role in the management of the U.S. mission. He says the "American answer is not enough" for the government to accept it in its current form. Al-Dabbagh says the government is inviting the U.S. "to give answers that are suitable to the Iraqis."
Iraqi civilians inspect a blood splattered damaged bus after bombs exploded in Baghdad, Iraq on Monday, Nov. 10, 2008. A suicide bomber struck in a crowd that had gathered where an explosion went off moments earlier, with both blasts killing at least 28 people and wounding 68 others, officials said. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
The Awakening groups are said to be one of the main reasons for the reduction in violence in Iraq [AFP]
There are very real reasons why the Shi'ites are demanding the USA leave Iraq. The Petraeus 'Sunni empowerment' has also caused a great deal of alarm and death in at least one Shi'ite region outside the Sunni Triangle.
Iraq's Sunni fighters leave U.S. payroll (click here) The Sons of Iraq are now employed by the Iraqi army. Ruling Shiites still view the fighters with suspicion, and the feeling is mutual. In Baghdad, a bombing kills 31. By Ned Parker and Tina Susman November 11, 2008 Reporting from Baghdad -- The young man stamped his foot, the customary salute to higher officers, handed over his torn identification card and signed his name in a ledger. He pressed a thumbprint in blue ink next to it, and an Iraqi military officer handed him a fat roll of pink-and-green dinar notes.He counted the money and handed back the change....
US-Iraq security agreement forging ahead (click here) Tuesday, November 11, 2008 10:43 GMT Is the US-Iraq security agreement heading towards finalization? The answer awaits last minute developments that have let out an optimistic perception from both parties. Iraqi Prime Minister’s media advisor Yassin Majid said the cabinet has prepared its response to the final US draft declining to elaborate on the response in fear of leaks before passing it to the Presidency Council for approval and then to the Parliament. It seems that it is going ahead as head of Bader Organization said. “There is an understanding that we may go forward with the pact,” said Hadi Al Ameri, head of the powerful Badr organization. He added that Obama's victory had helped convince his followers that the United States would fulfill the commitment to withdraw its troops according to the schedule in the pact....
Diyala Governorate above and Baqubah is its capital. Some of this making sense, yet?
There is still a great deal of political and social turbulence (otherwise known as anarchy) in Iraq that manifests in daily violence.
The events yesterday of the attack that killed nearly 30 people was noted in the media because of the number of dead. However, that is not a unique incident.
The 'quite' in Iraq is selective. The peril in Iraq for 'the individual' is still very real and there is a hint this is more 'civil uprisings' rather than criminal OR al Qaeda. Just because violence from Iraq enters the media doesn't mean it has anything to do with al Qaeda, even if the USA military states they have proof. Their proof as of late is exceptionally skeptical and highly improper when it comes to issues of the Geneva Conventions and International Laws.
By ERIC SCHMITT and MARK MAZZETTI Published: November 9, 2008
...and a more sweeping mandate to conduct operations in countries not at war with the United States....
...But as many as a dozen additional operations have been canceled in the past four years, often to the dismay of military commanders, senior military officials said. They said senior administration officials had decided in these cases that the missions were too risky, were too diplomatically explosive or relied on insufficient evidence....
The USA military have been crossing borders under 'secret orders,' okay? There is NOTHING stopping a General or Commander from disobeying those orders either.
Evidently, the USA military, under Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld/Gates (After all it isn't as though Gates came to Congress and said, "You know there is something fishy going on here.") feels completely exonerated from actions that could cause global war. (You can extrapolate that right into issues with missle shields and the true impetus behind that mess, too.)
The 'border incursions' ordered by Rumsfeld and signed by Bush are AGAINST the laws of the USA. No Commander and Chief or his agents are allowed to attack a sovereign nation in an act of war without the consent of the Congress.
None of the 'border incursions' by Bush/Rumsfeld/USA Military was due to unexpected issues of 'self-defense' when attacked first. This was an Executive Order THAT DIRECTED the activities of our military. It is a matter of impeachment. Bush and his Executive Branch broke USA law.
The ethnicities in Iraq are STILL unhappy with each other.
We aren't sure about some of the 'white ethnic males' and an occassional female in the USA yet, however. Or maybe we are sure. Whatever.
I am also not convinced the media services really portray the continued anxiety of the Shia either. This article points to the fact the suicide bombers in this 'particular' region are women/girls.
What isn't said is that this 'province/governate' is Shi'ite Territory just outside, east actually, of the Sunni Triangle and Baghdad. It is nowhere near the Iranian border either.
This is the 'territory' when traveling east throught Baghdad and leaving The Sunni Triangle, one would enter Shi'ite Territory. So, whatever is going on is real and the people threatening the Shi'ites are doing so on roads out of Baghdad that connect and find 'easy travel' from the Sunni Triangle. There is a reason why the Shi'ites of this region feel they are threatened. The logistics of the area dictate validating the Shia's 'very real concerns.' It all 'FITS / MAKES SENSE.'
Like.
Ah.
What gives?
Because I don't believe for one minute ANY of the violence here is linked to al Qaeda. I believe this is all Civil Violence regarding ethnicities. There is something 'going on' whereby young girls feel it necessary to martyr themselves in an attempt to kill Sunni Arabs and Americans.
Suicide bomb attack by girl, 13, kills four in Iraq (click here) A 13-year-old girl has blown herself up at a checkpoint in central Iraq, killing four Sunni guards and wounding at least 15 civilians. Last Updated: 12:15AM GMT 11 Nov 2008 The attacker took place at a checkpoint in Baquba, capital of Diyala province, which is manned by the former Sunni insurgents who switched sides to battle al-Qaeda, police said. Fifteen people, including three women, were also injured in the attack shortly before noon (0900 GMT), they said. Dr Ahmed Fuad at Baquba General Hospital confirmed the number of killed and wounded and said the bomber appeared to be a 13-year-old girl. Diyala is one of the most dangerous areas of Iraq. Insurgent groups and Al-Qaeda have continued launching attacks there despite a massive military crackdown by US and Iraqi forces. A number of attacks in Diyala, especially suicide bombings, have been carried out by women....
Iraq begins paying Awakening groups (click here) Fighters with Sunni Awakening groups in Iraq, who were paid by the US to turn against al-Qaeda, have begun to receive their first pay cheques from the Shia-dominated Iraqi government. The Iraqi government started paying the salaries of about 54,000 Awakening fighters at 60 locations in Baghdad on Monday. About $15m is to be distributed in a process expected to take several days. "This is really a tremendously important day and a manifestation of the reconciliation process that is happening in Iraq," Robin Swan, a US army brigadier general, said. "The real proof of the pudding is in the payday." The new salaries will represent a slight pay cut from $300 a month under the US, down to $275 a month on the Iraqi security forces payroll. The move to bring the Awakening groups into the security forces could test Baghdad's fragile calm....
This is more than we ever could hope for from anyone else. I love that man. I love that man. Obama is the greatest President that was elected to office. He has NOTHING BUT crisis to handle and he isn't afraid to do it.
It's going to be huge !
Go, Barak, Go !
Members of the Secret Service accompany President-elect Obama, center, to his vehicle as leaves the gym following his workout Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)(AP)
Obama Positioned to Quickly Reverse Bush ActionsStem Cell, Climate Rules Among Targets of President-Elect's Team By Ceci Connolly and R. Jeffrey Smith Washington Post Staff Writers Sunday, November 9, 2008; A16 Transition advisers to President-elect Barack Obama have compiled a list of about 200 Bush administration actions and executive orders that could be swiftly undone to reverse White House policies on climate change, stem cell research, reproductive rights and other issues, according to congressional Democrats, campaign aides and experts working with the transition team. A team of four dozen advisers, working for months in virtual solitude, set out to identify regulatory and policy changes Obama could implement soon after his inauguration. The team is now consulting with liberal advocacy groups, Capitol Hill staffers and potential agency chiefs to prioritize those they regard as the most onerous or ideologically offensive, said a top transition official who was not permitted to speak on the record about the inner workings of the transition. In some instances, Obama would be quickly delivering on promises he made during his two-year campaign, while in others he would be embracing Clinton-era policies upended by President Bush during his eight years in office. "The kind of regulations they are looking at" are those imposed by Bush for "overtly political" reasons, in pursuit of what Democrats say was a partisan Republican agenda, said Dan Mendelson, a former associate administrator for health in the Clinton administration's Office of Management and Budget. The list of executive orders targeted by Obama's team could well get longer in the coming days, as Bush's appointees rush to enact a number of last-minute policies in an effort to extend his legacy....
Benazir Bhutto in 2006 (Photo: Reuters/Toby Melville)
"There may be five chaps here and three chaps there, sitting in huts, plotting, preparing. ... But there aren't hundreds of cells working in bunkers that look like Pentagon military operations centers." Mike has a point. There is far too much military intervention into Tribal Areas of Pakistan without the consent of the Pakistani government. The problem is that militants live among the average Pakistani citizen. When these attacks take place they kill innocent people. In years past, I have witnessed 'targeting' of terrorists that have only destroyed the KNOWN terrorist. It is possible and it should be investigated as a potential for ending the terrorist networks within Pakistan. I rather not make this example, but, it is valid and quite accurate. To quote the exact facts from the BBC:
Sheikh Yassin was killed in a precise missile strike on March 22, 2004 (click here). ...In December 2001, one man died in clashes with Palestinian police after Sheikh Yassin was placed under house arrest. Shooting erupted again in June 2002 when Palestinian police surrounded his house, following a spate of bloody suicide bombings against Israel. And, in September 2003, the Israeli army attempted to kill Sheikh Yassin, while he was at the house of a Hamas colleague in Gaza. His killing in a missile strike on 22 March 2004 was seen by analysts as an attempt to stop his group taking advantage of a proposed Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Sheik Yassin was considered a holy man and was revered by the Palestinian people, but, in fact he sent young boys to their deaths as recruits to suicide bombings. Israel tried on many occassion to stop the ritualist holy man from his continued recruitment for suicide bombers. They were unsuccessful until one day, a missle strike aimed exactly at the car the Sheik was riding was targeted and exploded. They never knew the missile was coming, nor did it cause any other deaths.
Pakistan is a sovereign country with the right to control the activities within its borders. As seen with Syria and with increasing regularity in Pakistan, there are self-righteous attacks by the USA military on areas of these countries without the consent or knowledge of the central authority.
The reporting of the event below is somewhat blurred. It is debatable as to why that is the case, however, under the Bush administration and due to the high rate of violence it has become increasingly difficult for accurate focus to USA military interventions. So, for the sake of example I will point out a few 'jounalistic flaws' that cause 'permission' for continued USA military strikes where they should not be.
"...U.S. drones fired missiles on Monday into a Pakistani village used by Taliban commander Jalauddin Haqqani,..."
The reporting style, for whatever reason it exists, causes the reader to believe the entire Pakistani village was in support of IF not just USED by a Taliban commander. It causes the belief that the entire village is the enemy. That is not the case.
We have witnessed in Afghanistan the oppression by the Taliban. We know they are capable of some terrible behaviors. At the time bin Laden occupied Afghanistan with his regime courtesy of The Taliban, men were required to have beards, women were required to wear burkas and although some still do, that isn't because they were terrified of their own safety. Today, in Afghanistan if a man wants to shave his beard it isn't viewed as sacriledge and a death sentence.
While I am grateful for the reporting and the direct quote and account of an eyewitness, if there could be 'content' added to such reporting that would provide a clearer picture as to why some Americans view this as an egregious act by their military it would be helpful.
Villagers of both Pakistan and Afghanistan are somewhat innocent bystanders in an equivalent to a 'drive by shooting.' They are caught in the middle of a war not of their making nor their desire. While villagers are faced with consequences for lack of loyalty to such oppressive regimes, that doesn't mean they are or should be the targets of USA military intent, when it would be better to kill or capture the oppressors than kill everyone in sight.
Three killed in strike on Pakistani village-witness (click here) 08 Sep 2008 05:37:25 GMT 08 Sep 2008 05:37:25 GMT Source: Reuters MIRANSHAH, Pakistan, Sept 8 (Reuters) - At least three people were killed and up to 20 wounded when suspected U.S. drones fired missiles on Monday into a Pakistani village used by Taliban commander Jalauddin Haqqani, witnesses said. "There were two drones and they fired three missiles," said a resident of Dandi Darpakheil, a village near Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan tribal region. A military official said a house and madrasa founded by Haqqani was the target of the attack. (Reporting by Haji Mujtaba; writing by Zeeshan Haider; Editing by Alex Richardson)
The Tribal Areas were the focus of the Late Benazir Bhutto when she returned to run for office. It was due to that focus, violence toward her began as the campaign got under way. She did nothing to inflame the circumstances, however, her focus was evident and that brought terrorists out of the woodwork to harm her and stop her progression to power within Pakistan. It didn't work and we should all be grateful it didn't work as her spouse now leads the Pakistan Peoples Party and the country of Pakistan.
The tribal areas are where terrorist networks find their best hiding places. They move among the people of that region and seek influence of the people to protect themselves from being arrested or worse. There is little at this point the Pakistani government can do about the Taliban because the country itself is in crisis. It currently has a fiscal deficit that could threaten the elected leadership. Pakistan unemployment is high resulting in hideous circumstances of impoverishment. Where impoverishment lives, so do the opportunities for terrorist networks.
The tribal areas are dangerous territory and to state otherwise would be foolishness, yet, in the wisdom of Benazir Bhutto these were the regions of Pakistan which needed her solemn attention. They are the regions that allow the migration of terrorists into precious Pakistani cities such as Karachi, wear Danny Pearl was kidnapped and subsequently murdered. The tribal areas cause many problems, but, they also have many problems and to realize that Benazir Bhutto longed to raise these people out of misery to create employ, education and quality of life speaks to the path the USA has to take to instrument the changes required to REMOVE and DESTROY terrorist 'entities' in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
When I think of the citizens of these areas the first word that comes to mind is RESPECT. The citizens of Pakistan and Afghanistan that desire a better tomorrow deserve the respect of their government, the USA and an international community that knows the brevity and consequences of their suffering.
Pakistan under Musharraf actually had a 'government within a government' that resulted in the re-establishment of a vicious regime of Taliban which now dominate the civilians of both countries. The Taliban have become accustomed to a great deal of comfort under Musharraf and I doubt sincerely it will continue when the people of Pakistan are empowered to reclaim their sense of freedom and well being. I am not so much worried about the people of Afghanistan, because, they already have education opportunities they thrive on that will liberate them at first opportunity.
The problem with assaulting these tribal areas is that violence serves the opposite of the purpose it intends. And YES. The USA air strikes, when they kill innocent people are assaults considered to be violence, that serve the purpose of the Taliban and not the PPP. The turmoil these people live in everyday has to end and it won't end so long as they view their government as their enemy rather than their liberator.
Benazir Bhutto was the liberator of the people of Pakistan, NOT, their sherrif or jailer and CERTAINLY NOT their oppressor !
...In an exclusive interview with Newsweek's Ron Moreau (click here) in his corner office in the prime minister's secretariat in Islamabad, Durrani, 67, discussed how American attacks are undercutting the country's struggle against militants, Pakistan's commitment to battling extremists in its own way, and how the historically testy relations between the country's political leaders and the military are, at least for now, proceeding smoothly. Excerpts: NEWSWEEK: It has been reported that you made an urgent trip to Washington immediately following an unprecedented U.S. military ground attack in Pakistan's tribal area early last September. What was your message to the Bush administration?Durrani: I did go, but not immediately [following the attack]. First the president [Zardari] said we have to do something about this. Everyone was upset. So first I sent a letter three days [after the attack] to [U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen] Hadley, giving our point of view and strongly suggesting our opposition to this. I said it was highly unpopular in Pakistan and was causing greater anti-Americanism; that the [Pakistani] military is unhappy with this, and most important that it is not helping your cause and is counterproductive. It is doing exactly the opposite of what you are trying to do. We are trying to separate the good guys from the bad guys, trying to separate the tribes from the militants. We made it abundantly clear that this [attack] was pushing them together and creating sympathy for the militants. Soon after that I went to Washington and repeated my message personally to the White House....
Moscow hopes for constructive defense shield dialog with Obama (click here) SHARM EL-SHEIKH, November 9 (RIA Novosti) - Moscow hopes for a more constructive dialog with the administration of Barack Obama about the deployment of U.S. missile defense shield elements in Europe, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. Democrat Obama, who is the first African American to be elected U.S. president, will assume office on January 20, 2009. "Accords on strategic offensive arms and missile shield elements will surely be finally agreed with the new U.S. administration. We drew attention to the positions, which Barack Obama published on his website. They instill the hope that we'll be able to discuss these issues more constructively," Lavrov said. Relations between Russia and the U.S. have plunged to a post-Cold War low in recent years over a host of differences, including the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system in Central Europe and a brief conflict in August between Russia and Georgia over South Ossetia, a Georgian breakaway republic....
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev looks at a banknote while visiting the crime laboratory of a city police department in St. Petersburg in Russia, Friday, Nov. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Dmitry Astakhov, Presidential Press Serivce)
Cuba survives third major hurricane, this time Paloma (click here) Aida Perez, 44 years old, was waiting out Hurricane Paloma with her two daughters in a dormitory at the University of Camaguey inland, along with 900 others from Santa Cruz del Sur, a small city on Cuba’s southern coast. Her house was probably gone, she told an AP reporter, “But what’s important is that we are alive.” In fact, no Cuban died as the third major hurricane to hit the country in seven weeks struck Cuba’s southern coast Nov. 8. The category 4 storm moved northeasterly to exit as a tropical storm. In Santa Cruz del Sur, 9,889 houses were damaged and 1,353 destroyed. A 12-foot wave traveled one mile inland. Reports on pre-storm preparations underscore the contribution of hard work. When Paloma hit Guayabal, 15 miles along the coast from Santa Cruz del Sur, all 2,032 inhabitants had already been evacuated. Over 48 hours, civil defense services moved 1.2 million people via buses and trains....
Exiles Donate $100K to Hurricane Victims in Cuba, HaitiBrothers to the Rescue, who Cuban MIGs shot down and killed in 1996, sell final plane to fund donation (click here) MIAMI -- Cuban exile group Brothers to the Rescue on Tuesday donated $100,000 obtained from the sale of the last of their planes for the benefit of victims of recent hurricanes in Cuba and Haiti.
The organization's president, Jose Basulto, told Efe that the aircraft - a Cessna Skymaster 337H - was acquired by Cuban-American businessman Benjamin Leon, who said he bought the plane because of its historical significance for his countrymen.
Basulto delivered the proceeds of the sale to Miami's Sisters of Charity, which regularly sends food and medicine to Cuba and has redoubled its efforts to collect funds to help victims of the hurricanes and tropical storms that have devastated the two Caribbean countries this year."
The plane was sold to help the victims in both countries and will be preserved for history by Leon, who is also a pilot. He'll keep it in the same condition it's in now and it was in on Feb. 24, 1996, when Cuban MiGs shot (two Brothers to the Rescue) planes" out of the sky, Basulto said....
The strong west to east flow of the jet stream across the U.S. is helping to fuel the early season blizzard across the Dakotas, while at the same time helping to steer Hurricane Paloma away from the Southeast.
The jet stream at this time of year flows from west to east as the winter weather pattern establishes itself.
According to Expert Senior Meterologist John Kocet, not only does the jet have an impact on the intensity of the storms slamming the Plains, it also indirectly influences the path of the sixteenth named storm of 2008.
The Winter Weather Center reports the blizzard conditions will continue into Friday as the core of the storm moves to the east across the Dakotas. More than three feet of snow has fallen in Deadwood, S.D., and across the Black Hills.
Winds topping 60 mph have created extreme whiteout conditions, forcing the closure of Interstate 90 and dozens of other highways and local roads across the western half of South Dakota.
Conditions are just as bad in North Dakota. Interstate 94 is closed west of Bismarck, as are other roads and highways in western North Dakota. As of the late afternoon hours Thursday, Bismarck was being slammed with heavy snow and temperatures tumbling into the 20s. Associated Press reports that the storm knocked out power in parts of southwestern South Dakota and western Nebraska. More than 1,000 customers in Scottsbluff, Neb., were still in the dark Thursday morning.
Snow totals in South Dakota through 10 a.m. Thursday, CST include: Deadwood: 38 inches Spearfish: 19 inches Sturgis: 16 inches Whitewood: 12 inches Newell: 12 inches Ralph: 10 inches
Additional snowfall information is available at the National Weather News Summaries. The snow totals are made worse by the drifting caused by the wind. Drifts as high as ten feet have been reported in Ralph, S.D. Heavy snow fell in the mountains from the Cascades to the Rockies as the storm system blasted out of the Pacific Ocean. Cars are buried by snow in the parking lot of the Alta Ski Resort in Utah, Wed. Nov. 5, 2008. Phot courtesy of Alta Resort.The snow is good news for ski resort operators.
The combination of the storm and lake-effect snow off the Great Salt Lake has dumped over 3 feet of fresh snow at the Alta Ski Resort in Utah's Little Cottonwood Canyon. Snow is on the slopes of Keystone and Breckenridge resorts in Colorado, which will open on Friday.
The Severe Weather Center reports that showers and thunderstorms erupted Thursday afternoon in the lower Mississippi Valley. No severe weather was reported with these storms.
On Wednesday, severe storms spread across the central Plains, with Oklahoma the target of the strongest storms. Winds gusted to 60 mph during a thunderstorm in Oilton, Okla., golf ball-sized hail slammed Oklahoma City, and nearly 3.5 inches of rain fell in Guthrie, Okla.
The South Regional News story reports that the severe weather threat will continue to lessen on Friday as the storm system moves east of the Mississippi Valley. Showers and thunderstorms will slowly push through the South into Saturday.
While the winter storm batters the northern Plains, the tropics have become active late in the 2008 Atlantic basin hurricane season. The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center reports that Paloma formed on Wednesday in the western Caribbean.
Paloma is expected to pass near the Cayman Islands Friday and to strike Cuba over the weekend as a hurricane. A hurricane warning is in effect for the Cayman Islands.
Paloma will reach Cuba by Sunday, becoming the latest storm this year to slam the island nation. If Paloma continues to curve to the northeast and perhaps the east, the island of Hispaniola could be threatened. Several named storms this summer led to widespread devastation that killed hundreds in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The westerly flow through the tropics will help to steer Paloma to the south of the Florida peninsula. However, rain bands could reach as far north as the Florida Keys and parts of South Florida.
DENVER (CBS4) ― Lynn and Linda Martin were looking forward to their dream vacation to the Cayman Islands. They are divers and were excited about two weeks of ocean diving.
But Hurricane Paloma disrupted their plans. The Category 4 storm ended up being the second strongest storm to hit in the month of November.
"They originally said if the hurricane hit, it was going to hit Grand Cayman as a Category 1, so they figured we'd probably be safer on Cayman Brec," said Linda Martin.
The Matins ended up riding out the Category 4 hurricane."
There were a lot of people down there who had been through hurricanes before," Linda said. "They were like, 'you're going to be better off staying here. It's a cement building. It's got boards on the window.'"
The Martins say it was a long night for them.
"I was lying in the bed going 'Please God, please God,'" said Lynn Martin.
The Martins are home now but their pictures show how lucky they were. They show a destroyed island.
"Looking at the pictures brings some sadness," said Lynn. "It's a place that we've really enjoyed. It also brings sadness for the people we knew down there that lost their homes."
Luckily the Martins made it through Hurricane Paloma, but it's a vacation that won't soon forget.
She needs to 'fucking' shut up and wait to appoint herself to the Senate when Stevens goes to jail.
END OF DISCUSSION !!!
Did you ever think you would see the day when Republican mouths were Weapons of Mass Destruction?
Wait. Oh, yeah. Bush.
I'll NEVER vote for her when she tries to run for President of the USA either !
She should go shoot a moose or something, it might make her feel better ! There are laws to prosecute people that do exactly this and cause harm to others by their words and actions. If anything happened OR happens to Barak or any member of his 'limited' family she could be brought up on charges.
She needs to stop whining about her lose and stop blaming OTHERS for the loss and take RESPONSIBILITY ! Typical 'Run at the Mouth' Republican, all hubris and ego without substance.
In social circles she'd be called a 'Junk Yard Dog.' Who needs it?
Palin linked to death threats against Obama (click at title to entry, thank you. 9 Nov 2008, 1243 hrs IST, PTI WASHINGTON: The defeated Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has been blamed by the Secret Service for provoking a spike in death threats against US President-elect Barack Obama. During the bitter election campaign, the Alaskan governor had questioned Obama's patriotism and accused him of "palling around with terrorists", citing his links with the sixties radical William Ayers. Palin's demagogic tone may have unintentionally encouraged white supremacists to plan attacks on the future president of the US. The Secret Service warned the Obama family last month that they had seen a dramatic surge in threats against the Democratic leader, coinciding with Palin's attacks, the Daily Telegraph newspaper has reported. The latest details of the increase in threats to Obama come as a report by a top think tank last week had warned that he is a high risk target for racist gunmen. "Two plots to assassinate Obama were broken up during the campaign season, and several more remain under investigation. We would expect federal authorities to uncover many more plots to attack the president that have been hatched by white supremacist ideologues," warned Stratfor, a security and intelligence analysts. The verbal attacks by Palin on Obama had provoked a near lynch mob atmosphere at her rallies, with supporters yelling "terrorist" and "kill him" until the McCain campaign ordered her to tone down the rhetoric, the British daily said....
The job losses have hit the economy hard because they are in the places where Bush manipulated his re-election of 2004, the construction industry.
We don't need more construction, we need to evaluate the infrastructure and bring its marketability back. New housing statistics IS NOT a measure of a good economy in the USA. It is the measure of wrongful spending. The PROBLEM is that we have too many houses now. Their value needs to come back to them by providing demand through less new housing starts AND the return to the USA economy of good paying jobs. Its the jobs market that needs to be addressed and it be addressed in several ways, realizing that the American Economy is like a pyramid in that good paying jobs provide 'the stimulus' to consumerism and more jobs as demand for services by the 'well employed' come into demand. Once American workers are 'back on track' the rest takes care of itself.
It is no secret that Michigan has some of the highest unemployment/joblessness rates in the USA. There is a real reason why.
The car industry in the USA has been UNWILLING to change their strategy for the 'type' of vehicle Americans drive. They have been 'stuck' in limbo between sports car and SUV for decades. Its nonsense. Getting from one place to another shouldn't involve 'ego' so much as practicality in energy efficiency and safety in transportation.
The collapse of the American Auto Industry is a perfect opportunity for the incoming President Elect to set them back on their feet in a way that brings about the change he is demanding from any 'infrastructure partner' in the NEW America we are all looking to engage.
I believe as a 'model' for rehabiliating the American Auto Manufacturer, President Elect Obama can look toward the 'tried and true' strategy used for decades by airlines, but, with a twist.
The Airline Industry chronically declares bankruptcy only to recover in a short period of time. They use that strategy to realign their debt and income while continuing to conduct business. We all would like to see 'well run' airlines without the fiscal turbulence, but, when one looks at the 'nature of the beast' there is little the airlines can do about it due to 'industry market' fluctuations including competition from small 'start up' operations that seek to undercut the fairs of the Corporate Guys.
The American Auto Industry has before it an opportunity to become a partner to the American people through better design of their product and giving the American consumer realistic choices for their 'personal' transportation needs. Within this understanding is that Americans are finding mass transit a benefit in a world dominated by the loss of a plentiful oil supply. The American Auto Manufacturer has a place in the USA, but, it has to be realized that many modern consumers with a conscience for their children's futures are seeking a product the Ameican Auto Manufacturer might not be interested in providing.
There is peril for the President Elect if he allows currently viable jobs to leave the economy, but, at the same instance if he sinks into corporate bargaining to maintain those jobs at the COST of real change that we all can live with, there will be a continued problem in the environmental concerns of the American consumer and the industry will remain in limbo.
I propose this, let the American Auto Manufacturers continue to conduct their businesses as they see fit. Allow the bankruptcy courts supply relief to them. However, there is a place in the this for the President Elects' new administration, in that, they can offer fluid captial to the industry IF they are willing to become an American Partner and I think that is the best we can hope for with the past history of the American Auto Industry.
We can't dictate what their products can be, but, we can 'STIPULATE' in any government relief what the outcome of an American Partnership should be. The bankruptcy laws can allow the American Auto Industry to take a hard look at unions and pensions. If the President Elect offers a Partnership Act to the American Auto and Energy Industry, he can make provisions that protect unions and pensions while allowing assessment of both those assets and placing high priority on their administration and prudent use. In other words, unions can't overrun the industries for the sake of government backing and nor should pension funds be a bargaining chip in any restructuring.
The Obama Administration MUST be the adminisration of change, not because it is a political venue that is popular, but, because 'the time' is NOW to reinvigorate the American infrastructure to insure the futures of our children and their planet.
GM grapples to avoid filing bankruptcy as cash vanishes (click title to entry, thank you) BY KATIE MERX FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER November 8, 2008 General Motors Corp., for 77 years the world's largest automaker and an icon of American industry, revealed a dire financial outlook Friday that has the company teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Ford Motor Co. delivered its own grim forecast -- although not immediately as dire as GM's position....
It is really very nice for President-Elect Obama to welcome the American Family to be a part of their family and the intimate decision between parent and child as to the best family dog. So, in keeping with the spirit of 'family fun' I propose "The First Dog" should be The Shaggy Dog.
A Wheaten Terrier is a variety that doesn't shed and is considered hypoallergenic. There is also a Wheaten Variety that is called The American Wheaten Terrier. I wish the Obama Family a great deal of luck on deciding on a family dog. It is a thrill to find the right puppy.
By the way, there are pedigree puppies that need good homes, too. They all aren't 'show stock.'
Gee, whiz. I thought there were economic hard times in the USA. Personally. I think this 'run on guns' is a waste of money. But, if people want to waste their money, who's to say differently.
Gun sales spike after Obama election (video) (click title to entry, thank you)
The "idea" that we can actually assemble a re-alliance of Russia and the USA to defeat global terrorist networks that have escalated since the illegitimate war in Iraq is paramont to world peace and economic stability.
Dear God I don't believe this article. Pinch me.
Russia and its beautiful people are NOT our enemy ! They never have been but are easy scapegoats for Republican Neocon rhetoric and politics. Putin is a genius. I am so grateful for him and to him that he navigated the international waters as well as he did while there was a Bush in power.
Georgian forces fired rockets at South Ossetia in August.
Georgia Claims on Russia War Called Into Question (click title to entry, thank you) This article points to the FACT that the new government in Georgia was more full of hubris and "W"rongful directives than actual competency. What was Russia supposed to do? Stand by. Stand by and let people die because to 'escalate' a cross border offensive when Bush was demanding to place a missile shield there and ANY movement by Russia would be considered an act of war that Bush, no different than Iraq, would meet with unrelenting and overpowering force?
Russia was CORRECT. Putin had Bush well contained into Iraq and overwhelmed with the inability to move into a global scale world war so that when Georgia tried to instigate same they met with appropriate and undenial opposition from Russia and its peacekeepers.
No 'Western journalist' bothers to look through the eyes of Russians. I remember when Kristof from the NY Times was covering the democratic movement in The Ukraine, Russia was demonized as a 'problem.' There is a REALITY no one bothers to discover because it might actually mean there IS NO REASON FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS. Gee wouldn't that be a shame?
Every country is allowed to have its sovereignty UNLESS it proves to be so unstable that it complicates the well being of its people, other peoples and their governments. Russia is not only allowed to have its sovereignty, but, to lose Russia as a people and nation would be completely "W"rong and would cause a global shift of 'stability' that would destroy democracy.
Democracy in the USA under Bush/Cheney was nearly destroyed. If it weren't for those willing to be 'the counter culture' to the Neocons, the USA would be a far different country than it is today and Barak Obama would never be President. So, everyone that begins to USE the Old World Russian image of 'communism' as a reason to HATE, needs to put that idea away FOREVER. As a matter of FACT, with the new expansion of Russian influence globally and it's military fluidity, Bush actually did THE BALANCE OF POWER a great big favor.
Russia is more interested in peace than any country on Earth and when it comes to defending its sovereignty, the old Oligarchs need to MEASURE THEIR STEPS in the world. Russia is allowed to defend itself on any terms.
The issue with the breakdown of the Soviet Union isn't as much 'an issue' to Russia as one might consider. Russia has a profound vulnerability. It is HUGE. The land mass of Russia ALONE creates sovereignty issues. If a country cannot defend itself and defend itself well, it won't remain sovereign. Russia has an issue with its 'square mile' content. Every leader of that county, especially KGB, understands that, acknowledges it and acts to thwart that reality.
Into that reality governs the leadership of Russia that has demanded ONLY one thing from its 'nation-states' when it was the Soviet Union and its' 'border Former States' now that it is Russia. THAT ONE THING is the 'idea' of 'stable governing bodies' within a nation. It is a means of control for the protection of Russia. If a country, especially a border country, is 'knocked' off balance it is a direct threat to Russian sovereignty that can escalate exponentially in a short period of time.
The global community should NEVER permit incompetency in governments anywhere and the 'tone' of The West needs to begin to lead to reconciliation of Old World Images of communism and the 'ideology' that the world can actually be entirely a democracy. Its a hideous notion and one that has to end.
There is ONLY ONE approach to 'individual rights' of the peoples of any nation. That approach is to be guaranteed to any people the idea of 'human rights.' The 'rest' takes care of itself. Where people are guaranteed quality of life whereby they are fed and healthy, then and only then, can other hierarchies come into play such as education and individual freedoms. Achieving 'democracy' for the sake of democracy through war is egregious to human rights. Using the 'spread of democracy' as a reason for war is nothing but expansionism.
But, to realize that the nations bordering Russia can be lead by idiots like the kind of Georgia is to realize that Russia is not going to put up with the entire mess and shouldn't.
Russia had done the right and best 'thing' here and I defy anyone to say differently. They stopped the 'childish' ideology that was manipulated by the Bush ? diplomatic ? corp that actually thought they could justify a missile defense shield in Georgia while using Iranian potential to mask its' TRUE rational, which was to find methodologies to invade Russia.
It is my estimation that Bush/Cheney were attempting to instill enough 'false security' to Russian border states that they would actually amass armies to cause instability along the 'entire' of their shared borders.
Yeah, right !
The 'breed' of American Neocon is the worst enemy the world has had since Hitler. At least Hitler was realistic in the potential of Germany's threat. The American Neocon are nothing but 'hubris experts' that use images to create false hopes to those that are 'power hungry' laced with greed and wealth.
The FACT of the matter is that The American Military Industrial Complex was never meant to be a 'profiteers' dream come true. Under Eisenhower, it was supposed to establish MILITARY SECURITY for the USA following Hitler's reign. That 'entity' is supposed to be an intricate part of the USA national defense, but has been used by Neocons over the decades to exploit wealth and build false sense of security in places like Georgia whereby 'immature' leadership thinks they can actually roll over top of people rather than find a PEACEFUL solution to unrest within their country.
Georgia leadership attempted a 'genocide' of South Ossetia because they were a 'separatist' ETHNICITY within 'current' Georgia borders. That genocide was facilitated by the American Military Industrial Complex and it should be held JUST as responsible for arms sales that allowed the Georgian President to nearly annhilate its own people in an entire region of the country.
Russia has facilitated 'a security' for the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia by moving into the territory, stopping the aggression by the Georgian government and declaring autonomous sovereignty of both these small countries (ethnicities) while taking them on as allies to Russia.
Russia did good and I admire them.
It will be up to the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia to promote their small sovereignties to the global community and seek acknowledgement with international recognition by exhibiting stable economies (in a troubled economic climate that ain't easy) and a recognizable social culture. They do not need huge military complexes to protect their sovereign ethnic countries, they simply need to have strong alliances with a country such as Russia that will defend the new nation as it would defend itself while leaving autonomous and benevolent government structures in place.
The severe 'fall off' slowed significantly at about 1:45 PM. I still believe 8500 is the low point. It hasn't really descended very far below 'that mark' since it started its decline this year. Lately, the markets seem to 'be happy' about 'that mark.' The other markets are sustaining losses as well, all are around 4 - 5 percent. This will go on. I'm not really more worried today than two weeks ago.
The USA has to wait for a transition into a government that are WILLING to put people back to work to re-establish the American economy rather than faux stimulus plans that simply drop enough cash in the markets to 'see it through the holidays.' It is a flash in the pan economy. It isn't sustainable and contributes to the debt of the country. Grow the tax base and solve the country's problems, basically. I don't see any other alternative.
Change is coming.
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Commercial banks, investment banks, American International Group, and commercial paper issuers borrowed $590 billion from the Federal Reserve as of Wednesday, the Fed reported Thursday. This is up from $408 billion in the previous week. The increase reflected $243.3 billion in commercial paper purchased by the central bank under a new facility. The program is aimed at allowing nonfinancial firms to restart issuing commercial paper to pay for near-term funding needs. As of Wednesday, Nov. 5, commercial banks borrowed $108.6 billion, the investment banks and broker-dealers borrowed $71.6 billion and AIG borrowed $81.2 billion.
Did the 'bailout' work?
No.
Global financial markets close with major losses (click here) Published: Thursday 06 November 2008 21:45 UTC Last updated: Thursday 06 November 2008 21:45 UTC On Thursday, global financial markets closed showing major losses, with investors worried that the credit crisis is having an increasing impact on the real economy. Central banks in Europe announced steep interest rate cuts, but were unable to halt the markets' decline....
Paloma rapidly strengthens into Category 1 Hurricane (click here) by NOLA.com Thursday November 06, 2008, 6:06 PM ...At 6 p.m., the center of Hurricane Paloma was located near latitude 16.9 north, longitude 81.7 west, about 165 miles south of Grand Cayman and about 280 miles west-southwest of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Paloma is now moving toward the north near 12 mph. This general motion is expected to continue tonight and most of day on Friday, with a gradual turn toward the northeast forecast to occur late Friday and on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph with higher gusts. Paloma is now a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Paloma continues to rapidly organize and additional strengthening is likely. Paloma is expected to become a category 2 hurricane on Friday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center. During the past hour, NOAA buoy 42057 located just east of the center reported a one-minute sustained wind of 71 mph and a wind gust to 78 mph. Paloma is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches of rain over the Cayman Islands with isolated maximum totals of 12 inches possible.
November 7, 2008 1030z UNISYS Water Vapor GOES East Satellite - click title to entry for 12 hour animation, thank you
Bush is out of there. There is dearly little that matters to any of his policy decisions especially when it comes to ratching up rhetoric or the tensions in a Return to the Cold War.
But, if Democrats are already retreating on 'the ability' to even DEFINE success, then they will begin to lose the ground they have won in a 'hard fought for' majority.
Having RUSSIAN MISSILES parked at the borders of FORMER Soviet States is NOT success.
Okay?
Got that?
RUSSIAN MISSILES parked at the borders of FORMER Soviet States is NOT success.
Tauscher is reacting as a typical WASHINGTON "bureaucrat" that huffs and puffs as if there is actually something that can be done with Russia from the standpoint of strong arming that nation. There isn't. The USA is tied up in an illegal, immoral and unnecessary war in Iraq, it is the USA that has increased tensions globally by playing 'brinkmanship' at every turn and has FAILED to secure either Afghanistan or Pakistan leaving them WIDE OPEN to the resurgence and SUCCESSFUL resurgence of the Taliban.
It would seem to me that 'bureaucrats' regardless of party affiliation that have NO real way of measuring the abilities of the USA to LEVERAGE power ANYWHERE in the world right now. Let's see what is the value of the US dollar today? Need to begin to understand they have a new 'lease on life' internationally and they should harness the ability to negotiate and bring about peace and non-proliferation as a 'global answer' to any form of aggression regardless where it started.
Honestly. I thought most Democrats were at least savvy enough to realize THE MAP has changed as of November 4, 2008; but; maybe they only think they have been given FREE REIGN of the power of the USA.
I don't think so ! We've already seen what that does and if that occurs again, come 2010, the Democrats won't be very happy.
THINK ABOUT IT !!!! Jerks !
Tauscher Calls Russian Comments ?unfortunate? (click here) Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Calif.) dismissed recent comments by Russian President Dmitri Medvedev about redeploying missiles as primarily for his country’s “domestic consumption.”In a speech Wednesday, Medvedev said that if the United States proceeds with plans to install a ballistic missile interceptor system in Poland and the Czech Republic, Russia would deploy short-range missiles near Poland.The election of Barack Obama was recognized around the world as a positive step, said Tauscher, who leads the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee. “The only person who didn’t get the memo was President Medvedev. It was an unfortunate tenor and an unfortunate speech. But it is something we can work with.”...
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