All residents need relief from this mess, NOW. They need to evacuate. This is ridiculous.

This reminds me of the EPA at Ground Zero.

'Too Little, Too Late.'

A Tennessee Valley Authority employee surveyed damage caused by the Monday failure of a retention pond. (J. Miles Cary/knoxville news sentinel/Associated Press)

Arsenic Found (click here)

Alarming Levels Of Mercury And Arsenic Found In Chinese Freshwater Ecosystem (click here)

...Chen and her team were curious to learn how arsenic and mercury, two toxic environmental metals, moved through the food web in a freshwater ecosystem known to be polluted and contaminated. In a process called bioaccumulation, mercury and arsenic were found throughout the food web, from the water, into the algae, through the tiny algae-eating zooplankton, to the fish. As expected, the researchers found that more nutrient-rich environments supported larger algal blooms, which resulted in lower concentrations of mercury and arsenic in the water due to uptake by the algae....

Long-term exposure (click here) to inorganic arsenic in drinking water in Taiwan has caused blackfoot disease, in which the blood vessels in the lower limbs are severely damaged, resulting eventually in progressive gangrene. Its occurrence in Taiwan may be influenced by factors such as poor nutrition. However, arsenic exposure has caused other forms of blood vessel disease in the limbs in several other countries.

The Development and Use of an Innovative Laboratory Method for Measuring Arsenic in Drinking Water from Western Bangladesh (click here)

...Regrettably, this new source of drinking water was not tested for toxic metals. In 1993, Dhaka Community Hospital first diagnosed chronic arsenic poisoning caused by drinking Bangladesh's groundwater [British Geological Survey (BGS) 1999a]. In 1997, our team produced the first national-scale map of As concentration in Bangladesh's groundwater [Frisbie et al. 1999; U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) 1997]. This map showed that 45% of Bangladesh's area had groundwater with As concentrations greater than the 50 µg/L national standard (Frisbie et al. 1999; USAID 1997). In 2003, a risk assessment estimated that 28 million Bangladeshis were drinking water with As concentrations greater than this national standard (Yu et al. 2003). As a result of this exposure, skin cancer, melanosis, leukomelanosis, keratosis, hyperkeratosis, and nonpitting edema from chronic As poisoning are common in Bangladesh (BGS 1999b; Frisbie et al. 2002). In addition, the rates of bladder cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer are expected to increase in Bangladesh based on an analysis of death certificates for As exposures in Taiwan (Morales et al. 2000)....

18 Days until Inauguration - Maybe we can stem WW III before it actually happens.

Many always assume, for political reasons, that Russia is alway wrong no matter the truth. Let's hope the new American Administration in DC will stop the demonizing of international partners.

Gazprom Plans to Use Part of Ukraine Payment to Cover Fines (click at title to entry - thank you)
By Guy Collins
Jan. 2 (Bloomberg) -- OAO Gazprom will use part of a $1.5 billion payment from Ukraine which it will receive on Jan. 11 to cover fines it says it is owed relating to gas deliveries.
Ukraine will still owe Gazprom $614 million after the $1.5 billion has been received, since the remaining funds will only cover part of the sum owed on gas deliveries, Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov told a press conference in Moscow.
He also said Ukraine must pay for “technical” gas needed to keep pipelines flowing, and said supplies of gas to Europe through Belarus have been increased and have further capacity. He said it is not clear when Ukrainian officials will return for further gas talks. Last Updated: January 2, 2009 09:13 EST

UPDATE 1-Ukraine to divert some European gas on Jan 3-Russia (click here)
Fri Jan 2, 2009 9:37am EST

MOSCOW, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Ukraine has not given agreement to ship the full volume of gas to Europe on Saturday that Russia has requested, Russian gas export monopoly Gazprom (GAZP.MM) said on Friday.
"The Ukrainian side for the next 24 hours has not agreed to the needed transit volume," Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said at a Moscow news conference.
He said Ukraine had agreed to ship 296 million cubic metres (mcm) to Europe on Jan. 3, not the 303 mcm that Russia had requested.
As Ukraine does not recognise the validity of its transit contract with Russia, the two sides are agreeing what volumes to ship to European customers on a day-by-day basis.
He said Gazprom expected to receive most of the arrears it is claiming from Ukraine by Jan. 11, though $614 million will still be outstanding.
Kupriyanov also said Ukraine had admitted stealing gas volumes intended for European customers, and said Gazprom was increasing supplies to Europe. (Reporting by Conor Humphries; Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by William Hardy)

Defining what an 'Economic Stimulus' actually is, requries focus, NOT indulgence.

US Steel Joins BP In Polluting Lake Michigan (click at title to entry - thank you)
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 10.12.07

The questionably named Indiana Department of Environmental Management, which should be still smarting from its BP Whiting Refinery scandal (TreeHugger here and here) is handing out permits to pollute again, this time to US Steel's mill in Gary, Indiana. According to the Chicago Tribune, Indiana is moving to scrap, relax or omit limits on toxic chemicals and heavy metals dumped into a Lake Michigan tributary....

There is an article today in the NYTimes stipulating US Steel is looking for a Trillion Dollar Bailout.

Steel Industry, in Slump, Looks to U.S. Stimulus (click here)

...The industry itself is turning to government for orders that, until the September collapse, had come from manufacturers and builders. Its executives are waiting anxiously for details of President-elect Barack Obama’s stimulus plan, and adding their voices to pleas for a huge public investment program — up to $1 trillion over two years — intended to lift demand for steel to build highways, bridges, electric power grids, schools, hospitals, water treatment plants and rapid transit....

NO !

Here is why.

Besides the obvious, in that the USA does not want to make the same environmental mistakes twice, the safety of our environmental policies have to be assessed to know exactly how much damage was done over the past eight years WHILE the Earth has still been rotating and changing due to Human Induced Global Warming. To DUMP huge amounts of money into industries with grossly damaging environmental records without sufficient restraint would only INCREASE their ability to do more damage AND add COSTS to an already deteriorating American economy with escalating National Debt.

NOT EVERY job in the American Work Force is a worthy one. And why 'create' more jobs adding to 'Superfund Costs' for the sake of an economy. Absolutely not.

Addtionally.

The Economic Stimulus of the next American Administration is to change as well as stabilize the American Infrastructure. That means that industries such as US Steel may not have the 'market share' they used to depending on the demands within the country. That demand will be known as time goes by and can be accommodated in the future. To simply 'DUMP' monies into an economy with the whim of every business interest in the country demanding huge bailouts is pure idiocy.

To 'drop' a cool $1 Trillion US in the pockets of US Steel for the sake of jobs may actually 'crash' the economy future if there is less demand for the products they produce. If the American government were to be so foolish, the industries would then have to turn to international markets that may or may not exist. THAT could lead to a return to outsourcing while seeking labor to supply foreign markets by AGAIN multi-national countries.

I am not an isolationist, but, the monies from the US Treasury is supposed to benefit the US economy and NOT a global infrastruture. The American people and their currency will not be financing the entire global market place. Sorry. The US currency and the way its value is levied according to the National Debt is an issue as well. A very cheap US Dollar as a direct effect on National Security as well.

While the steel industry in the USA has produced a superior product than any global industry can, there is still much to be desired in the knowledge to the impact a NEW American Economic Strategy will provide on the industries profits.

Also to note, it this industry UNDER predominately Republican administrations, that has lost market share. Why? Because the industries they supply have lost market share. Why? Because Republicans base their economic strategies in oil and gas fueled internal combustion engines. The more the 'market share' of US Auto Markers fell due to 'environmental preferences' of conscientious consumers seeking to save the planet for their children (no small promise to future generations) the less US Steel was required within the economy.

There has also been a trend with Republican administrations to 'cut infrastructure' and 'downsize corporations' for increased profits. That said, the hospital systems have downsized their facilities. Consolidation and mergers reduce the need for corporate headquarters and building of the same.

If the American people want to stimulate the steel industry, they need to require all government building and structures such as the 'rebuilding of Ground Zero in New York' be done exclusively with US Steel. It would be a very interesting exercise to fund the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan with 'Stimulus' monies and demand US products and labor ONLY be used in its realization.

FINALLY, $ 1 Trillion US pays for a whole heck of a lot of unemployment and re-education of the American work force. A 'need' that was caused by the lack of government commitment OVER 5 DECADES AGO and the call of American Scientists, to 'sound science' and the acceptance of the need to re-tool the US Economy to be environmentally responsible and 'set a standard' for Global Environmental Responsibility.

Why is the USA dumping its responsibilites? "Not in My Backyard?"

Other terrorists, Abdel-Rahman and Moussaoui are incarcerated at Supermax in Florence, Colorado. Padilla is there. I don't see the issue, really.

"...UK pressure (click at title to article)
The US State Department has asked about 100 countries for help clearing Guantanamo Bay over a two-year period, The Australian newspaper reported.
Australia had rejected a similar request to resettle "a small group of detainees" in early 2008, Ms Gillard said, and would probably do so again.... "

Supermax or Security Housing Unit, has been described; "In 1996, a team from the United Nations assigned to investigate torture described SHU conditions as “inhuman and degrading.” (click here). It might be that the Gitmo detainees have more 'yard time' than they will ever receive at Supermax (click here).

SOURCE: Federal court documents, Bureau of Prisons GRAPHIC: Laura Stanton, Seth Hamblin and M.K. Cannistra, The Washington Post - May 05, 2006 (click here)

"Supermax Prisons" (click here)

19 Days until Inauguration - Hamas has no conscience for their own children?

If this picture doesn’t make you fall down and cry … (click here)
February 28, 2008 7:58 pm
...then i don’t know what will.

Child casualties mount in beseiged Gaza (click title to entry - thank you)
The Associated Press
Published: January 1, 2009
"...But at least 37 children and 17 women have died so far, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry — numbers that U.N. officials also believe are correct.
The broad range of Israel's targets — police compounds, fire stations, homes of militants, Hamas-run mosques and university buildings — means most shelling is occurring in residential areas...."

July 15, 2006

Gaza Under Attack: Child deaths and injuries by age, region and circumstances (click here)
(Last Updated: 01 January 2007)
A key component of DCI/PS's work is documenting violations of Palestinian children's rights. The figures below track child deaths as a result of Israeli military actions in Gaza from 25 June 2006.

Please see DCI Case Studies for more detailed information on the circumstances of death of these children. Please note that we will endeavor to provide information in as timely a manner as possible but the situation on the ground in Gaza poses challenges to the work of DCI's field workers in collecting this information....

“This massacre would not have happened if the Palestinian people were united behind one leadership,”

A Palestinian man places a Hamas flag in the debris of a mosque in Gaza City (click here)

Perhaps it takes Libya to find a methodology to bring extremists to terms with their violence. Colonel Mohammar Quadaffi learned after the loss of two grandchildern that carrying out violence is costly. Disarming Hamas should be a priority for The Arab League if they are to enforce the condition of 'One Palestinian Government.' How that disarmament is going to be carried out needs to be included in any resolution, otherwise, the violence propagated by Hamas will continue and once again Israel will be 'FORCED' into defending its people and cities.

UN Security Council takes up Arab resolution on Gaza
21 hours ago
UNITED NATIONS (AFP) — Libya presented a draft resolution from the Arab League to a UN Security Council emergency meeting that calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
The draft resolution "strongly condemns all military attacks and the excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by Israel, the occupying power, which have led to the death and injury of scores of innocent Palestinian civilians, including women and children."
It calls for "an immediate ceasefire and for its full respect by both sides."
It also calls on Israel "to scrupulously abide by all of its obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly under the Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilians in time of war."
The 15-member council is now expected to convene a public debate on the draft resolution that includes representatives from Israel, Egypt, the Arab League and the Palestinian territories....


A Palestinian carries a wounded girl following an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on Thursday (AFP photo ) (click here)

The statement below by a Hamas leader is the kind of hatred that concerns Middle East leaders that may cause greater stirrings among the extremists. There are many extremist groups capable of carrying out violent acts. It is why there is opposition to Israel's attack into Gaza. Such attacks are viewed as inflammatory. I can't help believe quoting extremists that advocate hate and violence isn't just as bad, if not worse.

Israeli strike kills senior Hamas leader
..."The blood of Sheikh Nizar Rayyan and the blood of other martyrs will never be wasted and the enemy will pay a heavy price for crimes it committed," said Hamas official Ayman Taha....


End this discord: Saud (click title to entry - thank you)
Arab News
...“If the Security Council fail to bring about a cessation of hostilities, an Arab summit will be convened in the Qatari capital Doha,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the source as saying. Foreign ministers of the Arab League met yesterday behind close doors before a final round of talks....

Over a year ago, Prince Saud Al-Faisal foretold of the instability in Gaza.

I don't necessarily agree with his view of the populous of Iraq in that the Shia and Sunnis have lived side by side in peace for centuries. That is not the case. I cite in defense of that point of view the genocidal act of 2002 when Saddam Hussein stopped water from flowing to Southern Iraq with subsequent uprising and death of 50,000 Shi'ites.

That type of 'mind speak' will inhibit movement to a sincerely secure Middle East. I do believe he is correct and sincere about Palestine and all efforts need to be made to unite the nation of Palestine under one government and loyalty. They have to come to terms with their hatred of Israel and seek quality of life for their people and preservation of a future for their children.

Acknowledging the facts and moving forward to resolve issues 'realistically' rather than 'ideally' in a 'Neocon mindset' is the only way to establish stability. Foreign relations of the USA over the past eight years has been based in primarily propaganda.

Diplomats have resigned from the State Department under Bush/Cheney because of the hideous nature of the communication they were demanded to engage with their assignments. With Neocon and Right Wing 'ideology' chronically the language used in foreign relations it masked 'the truth' and any sincere resolve to the violence in the Middle East.

Perhaps one of the first acts of our new Secretary of State should be an apology to the international community for the issues 'faux' foreign policy has caused globally for the past eight years. An apology would open the opportunity to re-evaluate relations and seek treaties that actually work toward peace, stability and prosperity.

The issues with Gaza started with the Sharon Relocation. Hamas has been a menace for some time now. The interview below was following the problems Fatah experienced when Hamas closed Gaza from the central authority of Palestine.

"...The foreign minister said that both Palestinian sides had been warned in Makkah that unless there is an accepted national unity government that promotes the Arab League peace initiative, the fragile agreement would break down. He highlighted the importance of allowing those who fled Gaza to return, including members of Fatah...." (click here)

20 Days until Inauguration - Improvements in Medical Care should be applied nationally.

Decontamination Reduces Death in Intensive Care Unit (click title to entry - thank you)

Antibiotic decontamination of digestive tract or oropharynx beneficial

Publish date: Jan 1, 2009

THURSDAY, Jan. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Decontaminating the digestive tract or the oropharynx with antibiotics to avoid infection reduces the likelihood of death in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), according to an article in the Jan. 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
A.M.G.A. de Smet, M.D., from University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands, and colleagues assigned 5,939 ICU patients to selective digestive tract decontamination (SDD, topical or intravenous administration of four antibiotics), selective oropharyngeal decontamination (SOD, oropharyngeal administration of the same antibiotics), or standard care. A cluster randomization design was used, where all patients received all three regimens in random order over the course of six months.
At day 28, the investigators found that crude mortality was 27.5 percent for the standard care group, 26.6 percent for the SOD group and 26.9 percent for the SDD group. Using a model that took age, sex, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score, intubation status, and medical specialty into account, the likelihood of death was significantly lower for both the SOD group (odds ratio 0.86) and SDD group (odds ratio 0.83) compared with the standard care group, the researchers report.
"These data show an absolute reduction in mortality of 3.5 and 2.9 percentage points (corresponding to relative reductions of 13 percent and 11 percent) at day 28 with SDD and SOD, respectively, among patients admitted to Dutch ICUs," de Smet and colleagues conclude. "Considering the importance of antibiotic resistance in ICUs, the SOD regimen seems preferable to the SDD regimen because it does not include widespread systemic prophylaxis with cephalosporins and involves a lower volume of topical antibiotics, thus minimizing the risk of selection for and development of antibiotic resistance in the long term."
Several of the study authors report financial relationships with the pharmaceutical industry.

Oh, really? NO !!!!!!

He hasn't got a strong case, if a case at all. The appointment by the Governor of a qualified candidate proves that decisions can and are made to benefit the people of Illinois.

This needs to stop, it's harassment and the new Senator-Select needs to be seated.


Prosecutor seeks extension for indicting Blagojevich (click here)
U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald says more time is needed because of the complexity of the corruption case against the Illinois governor, who was arrested on a criminal complaint.
By John Chase 9:46 AM PST, December 31, 2008
The U.S. attorney's office in Chicago today asked a federal judge for an extra three months to formally indict Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his former chief of staff.The move by U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald's office was expected because the deadline for handing up an indictment had been set for Jan. 7. The extension would give prosecutors until April 7....

Triaging the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

According to Gordon Brown there is a dire circumstance with the people of Gaza. I am confident the concerns with Israel stem from 'replenishing the Hamas fighting force.' In other words, while everyone involved, including the Ministries in Israel, knows the issues within Gaza, what reassurances does Israel have that will prevent 'rearming' of Hamas and escalation of the circumstances. Gordon Brown needs to effectively work with the UN to stop the civilian losses, but, also realize their are people in Israel still receiving rocket fire and in places that reach nearly to Tel Aviv.

"Doctors Without Borders"
December 30, 2008
Gaza: First Wounded Patients Receive Treatment (click here)
Four days after air attacks against the Gaza Strip began hospitals are already overwhelmed by an influx of wounded patients. Two Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams have begun treating them and an initial MSF truckload of medical supplies and drugs entered the Gaza Strip today.
A two-person MSF team, composed of a doctor and a nurse, are providing support to the hospital in Shifa, Gaza’s referral hospital, to triage the wounded and refer patients to the MSF clinic in Gaza City, thus easing the hospital’s workload. The facility is already overwhelmed by the influx of wounded patients. A second team – including a doctor, three nurses, and a physical therapist—has treated approximately a dozen wounded patients at that clinic. Twenty more are already scheduled for tomorrow.
Tomorrow, a third MSF teams hopes to reopen MSF’s second pediatric clinic in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, to treat pediatric emergencies and help relieve some of the burden at Kemal Edwan hospital, which is also crowded with wounded patients.
A fourth team is planned for our Khan Yunis clinic in the southern Gaza Strip, if security conditions allow, to relieve the Al Nasser hospital (Khan Yunis) and the Al Najar hospital (Rafah).
An initial MSF truck carrying medical supplies and drugs managed to enter the Gaza Strip today. These items will allow us to re-stock our emergency inventories and supply hospital facilities in the Gaza Strip, which lack drugs and materiel. This truck contains medical kits for treating several hundred wounded and burned patients, as well as mattresses and logistical supplies.
For now, only MSF national staff are working in the Gaza Strip, but MSF is trying to strengthen its teams with international staff.

From the article at the title to this entry - thank you.

..."It is vital that moderation must now prevail - there's a humanitarian crisis."
He said he had spoken on the telephone to the prime minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert, and received assurances that humanitarian aid would be able to get through and help casualties in Gaza.
Mr Brown said: "We have now set aside $10m of aid so that will happen....

The casualties in Gaza also include soldiers of Hamas that will take advantage of humanitarian efforts to 'patch their wounds' enough to return to battle. The people within the hospital systems will be used as field hospitals and the supplies that are supposed to go to the people will be distributed among the soldiers first.

The people of Gaza believe in Hamas and that is an issue for Israel. The Israeli soldier is 'at risk' with increased cooperation regarding humanitarian efforts. Israel needs reassurances and they also need clear communication with their forces to know where aid agencies are working. If we recall, the UN suffered tragedy in Southern Lebanon when Hezbollah were lobbying rockets to Israel due to poor communication. We don't need disaffected efforts that escalates the confrontation or causes injury and death to aid workers or journalists reporting on the efforts and the delivery of the supplies and their ultimate use.

I agree whole-heartedly the circumstances of the civilians are very poor, but, the support of Hamas by these same people have brought them to this juncture. While The West has a conscience regarding the elderly, women and children of Gaza as Palestinians with a right to a quality of life; their own government and propensity for that government does not.

It is profound tragedy that exists in Gaza. While the citizens are the ultimate victims of any failed policy, the 'peace' that everyone seeks chronically has been out of reach while the 'citizen' of Gaza have 'leaned' toward a preference to destroy Israel rather than recognize it and begin an economic relationship. The citizens of Gaza have been unable to discern their best outcome with Israel and Hebrews. They aren't interested in compassion, they are interested in war and place their children in the middle of that philosophy.

There needs to be effective policy based human rights for Gaza, but, it has to be Hamas that changes their methodology of leadership and government, not Israel. Other areas of Palestine are successful. They don't these problems. Hamas chronically volates human rights as using their civilians as human shields and 'bargaining chips' in hopes of a bigger game.

When that is addressed there will be 'a peace' between Israel and Palestine.

She's suing now? Why? She is a lobbyist with 'interests' and she is only attempting to defend those interests now?

"...The story examined Ms Iseman's relationship with the senator a decade ago and it was seized on by Mr McCain's supporters as evidence of media bias. Despite denials by both, it was viewed by the public as a story about a romantic affair, the suit alleges.
The New York Times said it stood by the story. "We continue to bel-ieve it to be true and accurate, and that we will prevail. It was an important piece that raised questions about a presidential contender and the perception he had been engaged in conflicts of interest."
The article was criticised by the newspaper's ombudsman. "If you cannot provide readers with some independent evidence, I think it is wrong to report the suppositions or concerns of anonymous aides about whether the boss is getting into the wrong bed," wrote Clark Hoyt in February...."

The Republicans make a huge issue of morality and the public had a right to know any details, especially coming from aides that would have first hand contact. The anonymous informers aren't really anonymous, now are they. The NYT knows who they are and IF there are falsehoods in any of their reporting they can be held responsible.

There seems to be a lot of disguntled aides within the RNC. This. Palin. A lot. One has to wonder why there exists such problems when they all should be enthusiastically 'pulling' for their nominee.

Perhaps the truth is that the 'grassroots' of the RNC are as oppressed as the rest of the country and sincerely believe their party is lost and floundering. The RNC grassroots did not elect a President. The don't believe in the performance of their elected President and Vice and are sincerely unhappy.

I don't consider Ms. Iseman's interest in her clients effective if she can't speak out to defend herself and hence them. A full vetting of the facts should have been made available from her and she could have insisted the NYT publish same in a front page article. She was ineffective in her capacity.

Now, it seems very opportunist to sue in an attempt to claim damages. How much of the damage was actually done by her for her lack of assertion when the article first appeared?

The RNC is in reckage and the Democrats are along for the ride in fear of political 'fallout' for their next elections.

Basically, the political 'stability' of the USA is questionably intact after a decade of an RNC that prided themselves in winning elections by using 'wedge issues.' The Democrats need to 'resource' the USA Constitution and legislated laws of the country for a stable way forward, otherwise, the Republicans might even look competent.

They are lucky to be alive. Israel controls the waters off Gaza. They have to, otherwise it would raise the risk to other cities.

They don't get my sympathy. It is one thing to attempt a mission that will actually help the people of Gaza by finding 'escort' to their shores with 'permission' from the Isreali Navy and it is another thing to try to DEFY the Security Forces of Israel at a time of conflict.

What were they thinking? They thought cameras and popular faces were going to get them a 'pass' through troubled waters? Not a chance. They should have known that the Israeli Navy would consider them a threat.

Darn shame. They 'risked everything' to what end?


A crowd on a dock in Tyre, Lebanon, welcomed the vessel SS Dignity as it arrived yesterday. The boat carried peace activists and medical supplies. (Mohammed Zaatari/Associated Press)

By Zeina Karam
Associated Press
December 31, 2008
...The vessel, called SS Dignity, was greeted by a small, cheering crowd as it pulled into the southern Lebanese port of Tyre with damage near the prow. Its aid trip was foiled as Israel wages a major bombardment of Gaza that has killed more than 360 people since Saturday....
...The boat's British captain, Denis Healey, said the Israeli action occurred "without any warning or any provocation." Organizers said the boat was in international waters - 90 miles off the coast of Gaza - when it was intercepted....

The Israeli Navy doesn't need to communicate to any boat (ie: "USS Cole") they preceive as a threat. There was 'provocation' by the simple fact the boat was 'on course' to the Gaza coast. The Israeli Navy does not need any reason, other than 'defense' to justify their actions.

The government of Israel needs to 'change their approach' to communicating with the media. They are 'used to developing' a propaganda strategy when in fact they simply need to state the facts.

Their actions in this move to 'stop missiles from Gaza' is justified and the response is not too strong. There are dead in Gaza. There are demands for hospital care in Gaza, but, the measures used by Israel to date have not stopped the rockets over the Gaza border. There could be far more devastation than already exists. Israeli intelligence is very good. They know where the targets are and seek 'precision strikes.' Israel is attempting to limit casualities while defending their own people and cities.

I think the criticism of these measures by Israel is wrong and needs to stop. Egypt and Jordan are at work with all the authorities involved and there is no inappropriate aggression anywhere else in Palestinian territories. This is an isolated circumstance with Gaza and Hamas and it is very unfortunate, but, it must continue to end. The 'end' can be defined as the ceasation of rockets over the Gaza border and disarmament of Hamas.

There is no doubt this issue resulted from failed policy between Hamas and Israel.

Excellant choice. A former Comptroller. Now bad. Nice.

This March 4, 2002 file photo shows Roland Burris, then a Democratic candidate for Illinois governor, speaking at a news conference in Chicago. The Illinois Senate president said Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich plans to name Burris, a former Illinois attorney general and state comptroller, to fill the vacant Senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) (click here)
By CHRISTOPHER WILLS – 2 hours ago
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich plans to name former state attorney general Roland Burris to Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat, setting up a challenge with congressional leaders who have already said they plan to reject anyone the governor picks.
The Democratic governor planned a Tuesday afternoon press conference, but his aides would not say what Blagojevich planned to say.
State Senate President Emil Jones said Burris told him about the appointment. Burris did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.,,,



Link to pictures (click here)

I am confident a successful Illiniois attorney has made many donations to political choices over the years. I don't see any of that should be considered anything except what it is, donations.

I am sure the media is going to try to trash a perfectly qualified candidate for US Senate. Those in the legislature that continue to treat this issue in vengence or political ambition should be brought before Illinois ethics committees for consideration of sanctions, discipline or impeachment.

This choise by the Illinois Governor makes complete sense for the times we are facing. I am confident Senator-Select Burris will be an asset to the Senate and open for advise to the President-Elect if the need arises.

Congratulations to the Governor and his choice for Senate. Well done.

Antarctica is a disaster, the world just hasn't gotten their minds around it yet.

Vostok has a temperature of -15 Fahrenheit with winds are 8 mph. There is no frigid air over Antarctica and the ice at all levels including the terrances that support the 'Blue Ice' is subliming.

Palmer Station is 36 Fahrenheit (above 0). The winds are 2 mph. The barometric pressure across the entire continent is below 29.49, as low as 28.28. The continent is shrouded in fog or clouds with some ice crystal mist and snow grains at the higher elevations.



CSU team takes worm-herder skills to Antarctica (click title to entry - thank you)
By Erin Frustaci
efrustaci@fortcollinsnow.com
...They certainly aren’t your average researchers, donning white lab coats and oversized goggles. That’s not their style. No, they are more extreme than that. After all, it takes a special kind of researcher to travel to the bottom of the earth to study nematodes — which are commonly known as roundworms. It takes a researcher who will proudly wear the name “worm herder.”...
...One might wonder why someone would have an intense desire to study nematodes, but Wall knows just how important the work of a worm herder is. Her lab conducts a series of long-term experiments that measure the effects of climate on the highest level of animals found in the Dry Valleys. They measure and assess where the different species of nematodes are distributed and track declining populations. “We talk about losing endangered species above ground all the time,” Wall said. “We want to know if we lose soil species, does it matter?” Her answer thus far is yes, particularly when it comes to the decomposition of organic matter and the processing of carbon. She said nematodes account for less than 1 percent of the carbon in the ecosystem but turnover 5-7 percent from one useful form to another. The research has shown a 65 percent decrease in Scottnema, a bacterial feeder, which Wall said has a sizable effect on soil carbon.“It’s like measuring the metabolism of the earth,” Wall said...

21 Days until Inauguration - Call for Essayists

Obama inauguration committee seeks essayists, donors (click title to entry - thank you)

By Fredreka Schouten, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The hottest ticket in town — a chance to witness President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration — will be the jackpot in an essay contest being announced today by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
In exchange, participants will be encouraged to donate to the inauguration, though organizers say that is not required.
Linda Douglass, an inaugural committee spokeswoman, said fundraising is "going well" and the committee's move is not an effort to raise cash but to give more Americans a chance to participate.
"This is a way of continuing to move toward our goal of involving as many people as possible," she said.
Ten winners will get tickets to the Jan. 20 swearing-in, the Inaugural Parade and one of the "official" inaugural balls. Each winner will be able to bring one guest. An added perk: Winners will receive airline tickets and two-nights' hotel accommodations — a precious commodity in Washington, where hotel rooms have been booked for weeks.

Shotgun Wedding No More

Alaska needs to start over with it's political choices. Alaska has high incidence of nearly every social issue the USA has, including alcoholism among Native Americans due to lack of employment/quality of life.


From a Flicker photo stated to be Levi Johnson and Bristol Palin before Sarah Palin's Vice Presidential run. Before conception.


Shotgun Wedding No More (click title to entry - thank you)
Bristol Palin, the 18-year-old daughter of former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, gave birth on Saturday to a healthy 7 lb., 7 oz., baby boy in Palmer, Alaska.
“We think it’s wonderful,” said Colleen Jones, the sister of Bristol’s grandmother Sally Heath, who confirmed the news. “The baby is fine and Bristol is doing well. Everyone is excited.”

No statement regarding Mr. Johnson's Mother's reaction.

Virginity Pledge Doesn’t Stop Teen Sex (click here)
Teenagers Who Take Virginity Pledges No Less Sexually Active, More Likely to Forgo Birth Control, Condoms
...Virginity Pledge May Lead to Risky Sex
Researchers say the federal government spends about $200 million annually on abstinence promotion programs, which include virginity pledges. Two previous studies have suggested that virginity pledges can delay sex, but researchers say those studies did not account for pre-existing differences between pledgers and non-pledgers.
In this study, researchers compared the sexual behavior of 289 teenagers who reported taking a virginity pledge in a 1996 national survey to 645 non-pledgers who were matched on more than 100 factors, such as religious beliefs and attitudes toward sex and birth control.
The results showed that five years after taking the virginity pledge:
82% of pledgers denied ever having taken the pledge.

Pledgers and matched non-pledgers did not differ in rates of premarital sex, sexually transmitted disease, and oral and anal sex behaviors.

Pledgers had 0.1 fewer sexual partners in the past year but did not differ from non-pledgers in the number of lifetime sexual partners and the age of first sex.

The biggest difference between the two groups came in the area of condom and birth control use. The study showed that fewer pledgers used birth control or condoms in the past year or any form of birth control the last time they had sex.

Researcher Janet Elise Rosenbaum, PHD, of Harvard University, says the findings suggest that health care providers should provide birth control information to all teenagers, especially virginity pledgers.

Oxycontin named as new drug of choice in Wasilla Alaska (click here)
The mystery drug behind the arrest of Sherry Johnston, the mother-in-law to be of Alaska’s favorite pregnant teen Bristol Palin has been named, and it’s not Meth, the drug Wasilla is usually famous for.
No, this time round it’s Oxycontin....

Bristol Palin's Future Mother-in-Law Busted (click here - video)

Alaska State Troopers have arrested the mother of Bristol Palin's boyfriend on drug charges.
Sherry L. Johnston was arrested after troopers served a search warrant on a home in the town of Wasilla. The 42-year-old Johnston has been charged with six felony drug counts in connection with the drug OxyContin, a strong prescription painkiller.
Johnston is the mother of 18-year-old Levi Johnston. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the GOP nominee for vice president, announced in September that her 18-year-old daughter, Bristol, was pregnant and Johnston was the father.
Sherry Johnston was later released from jail on $5,000 bail.

US visa delays ruining education of many

19 months ago: A U.S. visa applicant is fingerprinted by a visa clerk at the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana, Mexico Monday, March 12, 2007. Nine years after the U.S. government issued the first of its 9 million "laser visas" to Mexican citizens, border inspectors rarely scan the cards to verify fingerprints and photograph stored on their magnetic stripes. Government officials say that checking more people would create too big a backup at the border, where hours-long traffic jams are already common.

Ibtisam Sheqdar

Arab News
MAKKAH: A group of Saudi students in the US has launched a campaign to monitor problems faced by them when they return to the Kingdom on short breaks. These students are forced to reapply for visas at the US Embassy in Riyadh, a process that often takes several months if successful.
Organizers of the campaign, entitled “My Visa Threatens My Future,” say they wish to also create awareness about the problems faced by Saudi students in the US who, fearing the lengthy visa process in Saudi Arabia, remain in the US continuously for years to complete their education.
“The campaign does not intend to challenge the standards according to which visas are issued,” said Basil Al-Sadhan, one of the organizers.
“Acquiring visas is a nightmare for many students. The campaign intends to raise awareness about the difficulties faced by students and the negative effect that these difficulties have on their studies,” he said....

Saudi journalists want their body to be proactive (click here)

Laura Bashraheel

Arab News
JEDDAH: Journalists in the Kingdom have called on the Saudi Journalist Association (SJA), which held board elections in Riyadh last week, to be proactive, help women journalists and protect the rights of journalists in general. Sawsan Al-Homidan, director of Asharq Al-Awsat’s women’s office in Riyadh, called on the new board, which includes seven editors-in-chief, to implement all decisions and do more than just express words.
“The association has a huge responsibility. We’re hoping the new board members will provide all services ... I hope it won’t be just names on paper, payment of fees and then nothing,” she told Arab News. Al-Homidan said the SJA should provide journalists, especially women journalists, with training and legal help.
The SJA was established in 2004. Although four years have passed, the organization has made little contribution other than charging journalists membership fees, many people say.
Ebtihaj Menyawi, former editorial director of Okaz newspaper’s women’s division, described the SJA performance during its first four years as “useless.” “We have seen nothing since its establishment. The SJA is in a deep slumber and has no clue about the problems journalists face,” she said....

Haj

Pilgrims leaving Madinah in droves (click title to entry - thank you)
Yousuf Muhammad
Arab News
MADINAH: The Haj Committee has announced that a total of 564,242 pilgrims arrived in Madinah by yesterday and 344,044 of them have left. A statistical report released by the committee’s secretariat-general said this is an increase of 30 percent over the same period last year.
Essam bin Abdul Aziz Dimyati, chairman of the Guides Establishment at Prince Muhammad International Airport in Madinah, said departures have increased in the last few days with an average of 45 international daily flights taking between 10,000 to 12,000 pilgrims to international destinations, which include India, Indonesia, Turkey, Lebanon, Morocco and South Africa.
A total of 45,656 pilgrims left Madinah by air by Saturday. The figures show a 7 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
The report added that on average 590 buses carrying more than 25,000 pilgrims were leaving the city each day. It said 89 percent of hotels and 59 percent of furnished apartments were occupied.
More than 220,000 pilgrims are still in Madinah, which is a drop of 20 percent over the same period last year.
Giving a breakdown of the number of pilgrims according to their nationality, the report said Indonesians topped the list with 56,781 pilgrims, followed by Pakistanis with 32,441 pilgrims and then Iranians with 23,570 pilgrims.
Meanwhile, 9,510 pilgrims received medical treatment in Madinah with Saudi Red Crescent Society ambulances transporting 137 pilgrims to hospitals.
Under the guidance and orders of Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Majed, all government and private institutions have been mobilized to provide the best services to the guests of God during the pilgrimage season.

Sunday December 28, 2008
Haj plane is first international flight into KT (click here)
KUALA TERENGGANU: Some 355 haj pilgrims became the first group of passengers to fly in on an international flight at the Sultan Mahmud Aiport yesterday.
MAS flight MH 8237 from Jeddah landed in the early morning.
The Sultan Mahmud Aiport was recently upgraded with facilities to handle international flights.
Chief financial officer and executive director Tengku Datuk Azmil Zahruddin said in a statement yesterday that the historic occasion demonstrated the ability of the airport to operate international departures and arrivals.

Haj pilgrims must possess international passport : MPHC (click here)
Published: December 28,2008
Bhopal , Dec 28
The Madhya Pradesh Haj Committee (MPHC) today asked the Muslim in the state who are keen to take Haj pilgrimage next year to ensure that they possess the international passport."The desirous Haj pilgrims are advised to complete the formalities of getting international passport before applying for Haj pilgrimage," MPHC Chief Executive Officer A W Qureshi said in a press statement.
The MPHC had been asked by the Central Haj Committee of India, Mumbai that as per instructions of Royal Embassy Saudi Arabia, New Delhi, pilgrims must possess international passport, Qureshi added. PTI LAL RRN

According to the UN's Briefing today there was a minimum of 62 women and children dead.

That doesn't include any men that were victims as opposed to combatants. At least some of the victims are reaching hospitals that can actually treat them. Israel, while hoping to be compassionate in allowing UN supplies to reach the people of Palestine, is faced with security issues for their soldiers, any aid workers as well as the people of Israel.

I can't help believe that an emergency evacuation would prevent more victims and rescue that many more, rather than allowing them to confuse aggression by Hamas with a real defense of their homeland. If the United Nations could find a way to convince people to leave the region where Israel is concentrating their efforts it could provide a better strategy.

Wounded Palestinians being treated in the Gaza Strip

"...Pat Quinn hopes Rod Blegojevich is out of office by the bicentennial of Lincoln's Birthday.

Well, even more ? good ? government from the faux priorities of Illinois officials.

These guys really have no respect for the fact this Governor was elected by the people to serve and it is 'the political culture' that allows Quinn to attempt to force an elected Governor from office for his own 'personal gratification.'

I am sure "Six Flags Over Lincoln" will be grateful. Honestly. When does the political/media/professional harassment of this Governor end?


Illinois Lt. Governor Pat Quinn with the “Youth Who Excels” awardee harleen Kaur Saini and her family at the 25th. Asian American Coalition of Chicago Lunar New Year Celebration on January 26, 2008, at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.Illinois.

The Impeachment Committee has to assemble their own information and then decide if they have grounds for any Illinois Constititution Process. Currently, they have little reason for impeachment and simply 'believing' there is a conviction on the horizon is not grounds.

22 Days until Inauguration - Tax Cuts? For the Middle Class? Not Halliburton? Nice. Very nice.

Obama Tax Cuts Likely Soon (click title to entry)
Senior Adviser Says Middle Class Needs 'Some Relief Now'
By Philip RuckerWashington Post Staff Writer
Monday, December 29, 2008; Page A04
HONOLULU, Dec. 28 -- President-elect Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan will include an immediate tax cut for middle-class families, and the incoming administration hopes to enact permanent tax cuts soon thereafter, a senior adviser to Obama said Sunday.
David Axelrod said the stimulus package will be implemented soon, given the worsening economy, and could cost $675 billion to $775 billion. The massive recovery plan will seek to create or save 3 million jobs, he said in appearances Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" and CBS's "Face the Nation."...