Muslim Clerics need to call for peace in the Middle East, not escalation of violence.

Nasrallah should be ashamed of his role in escalating the level of hate and violence in the region.

16-08-2013 - 12:48 

Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah (click here) will deliver a speech on Friday, in a ceremony celebrating the July 2006 victory.
Hezbollah is holding a ceremony which will begin at 5:00 pm (Lebanon timing) in the southern city of Aita Al-Shaab, which witnessed fierce clashes between resistance fighters and Zionist soldiers during the 2006 war, and resulted in the victory of Lebanon.
Sayyed Nasrallah is expected to tackle the latest local and regional developments during his speech.

by Josh Rogin, Eli Lake  
Aug 14, 2013 4:45 AM EDT
When the Iraqi foreign minister (click here) arrives in Washington this week, among his top requests will be for the White House to overcome objections in Congress to selling his country advanced Apache helicopters the Iraqis say they need to fight terrorists within their borders.

Iraq’s top diplomat, Hoshyar Zebari, will meet with Secretary of State John Kerry on Aug. 15. Zebari’s trip comes just weeks after a daring and successful military assault on the Abu Ghraib prison resulted in the release of more than 500 suspected extremist militants. The jailbreak reversed years of work to roll up al Qaeda’s leadership in Iraq during the U.S.-led counterinsurgency campaign known as the surge.

 
The U.S. government has notified Congress in recent weeks of its intention to sell Iraq $4.7 billion worth of military equipment, but none of those sales include the top item on Iraq’s shopping list, the Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters. The House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee have refused to allow the sale of the helicopters to date....  

President Rouhani has a sincere opportunity to be a partner in peace and prosperity in the Middle East. As a matter of fact, he has the potential of being pivotal considering the years of escalation of violence and hate under the previous President of Iran.

President Rouhani can become a global leader respected by most or he could continue a negative spiral in the Middle East resulting in masses of angry and dying people.

I believe he will be seeking the higher road rather than one of continued violence and unrest. He should step into the center of much of the unrest and provide sincere leadership. The Shi'ites of the Middle East long for it. We know it is possible, the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani stands as evidence to the potential.

By RAY TAKEYH 

Published: August 15, 2013

One of the enduring aspects (click here) of Washington’s Iran debate is its wild oscillations between the hysteria of war and the euphoria of reconciliation....

...In the coming months, Rouhani and his diplomats will inevitably profess their readiness to deal in earnest. The possibility of a limited deal addressing some of the more urgent aspects of Iran’s nuclear program should not be ruled out. If such a deal is done, then it must be welcomed. But standing behind these deliberations will be the untrusting Ayatollah Khamenei and his allies who will always need an American nemesis to justify their ideology to themselves. 
Ray Takeyh is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Nationalism. We witnessed it and experienced with the Bush/Cheney administration.

loyalty and devotion to a nation; especially : a sense of national consciousness exalting one nation above all others and placing primary emphasis on promotion of its culture and interests as opposed to those of other nations or supranational groups 

Nationalism took many forms in the years following September 11, 2001. It still lingers in the culture remaining through the efforts of extremism.

Russia is not going to move off the idea of heterosexuality as a form of nationalism. Why? 

If gay journalists go to Russia to intimidate the government, they will face consequences. I don't know that, but, it will more than likely be viewed as an insult and they will probably be asked to leave at the very least.

Why? 

Hint: 

It is a good guess a visa won't be issued for those suspected to cause problems.

The Russian Disapora is real. 

I am only stating this because at this point it is better to avoid a national movement that can't be stopped. 

Russia's birth rate has dropped. There are many reasons for it, but, there have been many changes in the Russian society to improve their self-identity. Russia is more open, more stylish and inviting in many ways. That is to boost the egos of Russians and effect a level of comfort that promotes loving and babies.

It has been a national effort. The government recognized a falling birth rate and a falling population rate. The Russian government has invested in bringing the Russian diaspora home again. It is not about to be derailed with an emotional assault against baby making when it occurs. As far as the government goes the religious suits them just fine. 

It is a form nationalism. It is either understood or covert, but, their athletes will be indoctrinated to populous behavior to emulate the society's needs.

I suppose folks are welcome to bring demonstrations or undermining the Russian structure, but, it won't be tolerated. At all.

Americans had to get used to the idea that Gay Couples have children. All that is counter intuitive in Russia. 

To be perfectly frank, I live Radio Free Russia better with "Salon Dialogues" to break down barriers and educate the Russians to the truth rather than the myth.

Good luck. You were told.

One other thing to realize how serious Russia is about this issue. Where is the best time and place to instill nationalism? When and where is the best venue to elevate the esteem of Russians and instill their nationalism? 

Don't know?

How about when competing against other nations, win or lose. All the people have to do is take pride 'enough' to carry out 'that feel good feeling' to improve the population of Russia.

I promise you this is no joke and there is no reason to assault the Russian Bear. 

I don't want to hear any bull about a clown.

During the Bush/Cheney paranoid years, Peace Protesters were targeted as dangerous. Peace Protesters. When there were marches snipers were deployed on rooftops and there was the occasional tank. Bulls? That ain't nothin'.

"Peace Fresno" has taken a break for the summer.

Restore the Fourth (Amendment) (click here)
Thursday, July 4, 2013 

10:00 am – 11:00 a.m. in Madera

  The revelations about the National Security Agency’s surveillance apparatus represent a stunning abuse of our basic rights.
Join Peace Madera and Peace Fresno for a street demonstration to protest the NSA’s surveillance of Americans – Restore the 4th Amendment!
We will be there to stand up for our rights under the 4^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and to educate passers-by about the need to speak out, take a stand and join with others who oppose the illegal actions of the National Security Agency. As always, this is a peaceful demonstration....

"Cool Globes"

A number of globes are lined up along the Tremont Street side of the Boston Common as part of the “Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet” exhibit.

 

By Cate McQuaid

Globe Correspondent  

August 15, 2013

Huge, colorful orbs (click here) line up in a row down the Tremont Street side of Boston Common. It looks like a giant might be marshalling his marbles. Get up close, and you’ll see that the spheres, each 5 feet in diameter, are globes, fancifully decorated and proffering solutions to climate change.
“Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet” has landed in Boston. The public art project, for which artists designed globes with green strategies to contend with environmental issues, originated in Chicago in 2007 and has traveled the world. The globes, 48 in all, can be found at sites such as the Esplanade, Copley Square, and Logan Airport. The Common is globe central, with 26.
“It’s hard to use the words ‘global warming’ and ‘fun’ in the same sentence,” said environmental activist and “Cool Globes” founder Wendy Abrams. “We manage to do that.”

Abrams cites two inspirations for the project: the wrecked cars that Mothers Against Drunk Driving pointedly deploy in their Crash Car Program, and the painted cow sculptures that showed up in the streets of Chicago in 1999 — a public art project that prompted Boston to follow suit with painted cod....

The Drought Monitors between the 6th and 13th are basically the same. Deepening Colorado and Kansas.

New London Church (click here)

Significant damage at church south of New London. Hundreds of trees impacted homes in Hortonville. Peak wind estimated at 115 to 120 mph. Image at right is of the church on the south side of New London.

Tornado Damage Exceeds $30M in Wisconsin (click here)

August 14, 2013

 Officials in the Fox Valley say damage from recent tornadoes exceeds $30 million.
The National Weather Service tells WLUK-TV that six tornadoes have been confirmed during the storms. It had previously confirmed five tornadoes as part of the weather system that moved through the region late on Aug. 7 and early on Aug. 8.

The television station reports the sixth tornado hit the Huckleberry Campgrounds near New London. Two people were injured.

Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson tells Post-Crescent Media about $25 million in damage to private property and almost $6 million to public property has been reported so far. He says the total is expected to increase as more reports come in from communities.

 

Military exercises with the Egyptian military would provide the extremists with fuel for anger.

President Obama does not approve of the violence and only sees Free and Fair Elections as a reasonable resolve to the current policies of the military.

By Noah Bierman Globe Staff   August 15, 2013

WASHINGTON -- President Obama (click here) on Thursday canceled a joint military exercise with Egypt that had been scheduled for next month, but stopped short of cutting off $1.5 billion in US aid to the country, in his first response to Wednesday’s bloody military crackdown.
Obama, speaking during his vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, did not use the word coup to define the Egyptian military takeover, which would have triggered an end to the aid under US law. The closest Obama came to threatening financial penalties was the threat of “further steps we may take as necessary.”
The president used some of his harshest language against the military crackdown, calling on Egyptian leaders to end the state of emergency.
“The United States strongly condemns the steps that have been taken by Egypt’s interim government and security forces,” he said.

“Violence will only feed the cycle of polarization that isolates Egyptians from one another and the world...

Six weeks ago Mr. Morsi was removed from power because of charges against him. The actions by the Egyptian military did not dissolve the democracy the Egyptian people are seeking. The elections are still to go forward. What has ensued in the weeks since Mr. Morsi was removed from office is objection to the removal of a President. At the time Mr. Morsi was removed he was not acting in the best interests of all the people. He pledged to be a President to all the people and he broke the law while compromising that promise.

It is my opinion, the Muslim Brotherhood is causing their own problem because they are afraid of the democratic process and the laws of Egypt. They want to return to their understanding of what Egypt is about while not realizing there are many more people in Egypt with different interests that have to be served as well. The Muslim Brotherhood sees a dead end to their ambitions, hence the violence. 

It is the violence, the deaths, their dedication to 'take Egypt' rather than govern it that brings the conclusion a power sharing arrangement will best serve the country. 

The elections have to go forward and the sooner that happens the future of Egypt will be better defined. In the meantime, the urgency to seek a resolve to humanitarian aid to the Egyptian people is in order. The global community could provide medical assistance to the people as well as food and other needs. The Egyptian economy has spiraled severely downward under Mr. Morsi and it's ability to provide basic needs of the people has deteriorated. The global community has to take that into consideration to help achieve non-violence with the people.

The Recall Election in September are drummed up by the NRA and have no interest in the people of Colorado.

The recall elections in Colorado is for a power grab to promote a vicious and violent agenda the NRA has in Washington, DC. This recall is about gun violence and what stops it. 

Currently the BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) is attempting to exert some degree of gun control along our southern border to protect our Border Patrol. The work of the BATFE along our southern border is very focused. The BATFE is attempting to stop the flow of weapons into Mexico across the USA Border. That purpose cannot be inhibited by the NRA. The NRA isn't supporting the sovereign nation of the USA by impeding the purpose of the BATFE.

The NRA wants to prove it has more power than the USA itself to insure it's flow of monies from it's memberships. That is not in the best interest of the people of the USA or it's sovereign borders. 

Posted on July 19, 2013
Yesterday, a Denver District Court Judge certified that the language in the recall petitions for state Senators John Morse (D-11) and Angela Giron (D-3) is valid, putting in place the final piece of the recall election puzzle.  This ruling forced Governor John Hickenlooper (D) to set the first recall election date for state legislators in the Centennial State’s history.  These recall elections are now set for Tuesday, September 10, 2013....

By JACK HEALY
Published: July 28, 2013

...Mr. Morse was first elected (click here) to the Senate in 2006 and won re-election in 2010 by just 340 votes in a district in the Colorado Springs area that is split roughly in thirds among Democrats, Republicans and unaffiliated voters. He is barred by term limits from seeking re-election next year. But as the Senate president, he became a high-profile target for gun advocates in the recall vote. 

“I just go back to Dec. 14 and July 20, and think about the families that had to bury their children,” Mr. Morse said, referring to the Sandy Hook and Aurora shootings. 

Ms. Giron was elected to the Senate with 55 percent of the vote in a Pueblo district that leans heavily Democratic. Only 23 percent of voters are Republicans... 

...Ms. Giron and Mr. Morse are raising and spending far more than their opponents. Ms. Giron’s supporters have raised more than $87,000 and Mr. Morse’s more than $153,000, according to campaign disclosures. Each campaign has received thousands from progressive groups in Colorado and $35,000 apiece from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a Washington group that supports liberal and environmental causes, and $3,500 each from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. 

As they make their case, Ms. Giron and Mr. Morse are trying to expand beyond the gun debate. He emphasizes his years of public service as a police officer and paramedic. She talks about the $40 million in community college funding she helped to secure.... 

NRA Wins Important Appropriations Victories in Congress (click here) 

Posted on July 19, 2013 

...Such legislation could improperly affect hundreds of thousands of people. The ACLU has estimated that the number of people on government terrorist watch lists is over one million, and that the lists have ensnared those with no unsavory affiliations whatsoever. Thankfully, this amendment was defeated 29 to 10.  

And finally, there is good news on a pro-gun amendment successfully offered by Rep. John R. Carter (R-Texas) to end the BATFE’s abuse of gun owners and dealers in the Southwest. Since 2010, dealers in the four states bordering Mexico have been required to report to BATFE the sale of two or more center-fire semi-automatic rifles, of greater than .22-caliber and capable of accepting a detachable magazine, to a single seller in a five-day period, in the same manner that has  been required for handguns since passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968. The policy subjects buyers of multiple rifles to de facto federal registration and creates an additional paperwork burden for the dealer.

 Further, as NRA has explained previously, this policy is an abuse of BATFE’s “demand letter” process, which allows the agency to query firearms dealer records in the course of a legitimate investigation. The process was never intended to be used in such an a broad way, and Congress’ refusal to include long guns in the Gun Control Act’s multiple sales reporting requirement makes clear its intent not to subject gun owners and dealers to this burden. So far, the courts have proved unhelpful in correcting this matter, which makes this week’s vote even more important. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t the end of the appropriations process, and the future of all these provisions remains uncertain. For now, however, the NRA thanks its allies on the Appropriations Committee for working to protect the rights of their constituents and of gun owners everywhere. While such actions may not always garner national headlines, committee members can rest assured that NRA will remind our members of who did--and did not--stand on the side of freedom.

Additional challenges face the Gay Rights community in the USA.

There have been additional court challenges in California that have been rejected. The issue of a constitutional amendment also exists to end the discrimination in the USA.

Trenton, NJ
August 15, 2013
By Geoff Mulvihill
Oral arguments (click here) were scheduled Thursday in a state court in Trenton on a request by six gay couples and several of their children for an immediate ruling, without their 2-year-old case going to trial.
They want a judgment legalizing gay marriage in New Jersey and recognizing as valid same-sex marriages performed in other states.
New Jersey now allows only civil unions for same-sex couples.
A ruling from the bench by Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson is possible, though it would be a rarity on such a weighty case.
Even if Jacobson agrees with the couples, it's not clear whether nuptials could happen immediately.
An appeal to a higher court is likely no matter what the ruling, and there could be a stay on any actions while that court sorts it out.
Thirteen states in the U.S. now recognize same-sex marriages, with New Jersey and Pennsylvania the only Northeastern states not among them.....

There are only thirteen states allowing Same Sex Marriage in the USA, Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York,  Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, Delaware, Minnesota, Washington State and Washington, DC.

This is kind of interesting. In January of 1990 there was virtually no political movement in the USA for Gay Marriage. There only six states banning it at that time. Gay marriage just was outside the realm of possibility, but, there was no real legal standing. Being LGBT was simply not something the country was going to deal with. Then it began to change. The face of the USA is very different today, but, there is still much work to be done. 

Same-sex marriage in the United States (click here for animation of change)  

This map is interesting as a cartogram as well. First the dialogue wasn't even in the USA, then Gay Marriage was made illegal in most states, then came civil civil unions and today the right to marry is growing. A constitutional amendment would make marriage for everyone simply that and would end the chronic tug of war that  goes on politically in all states. There is still much to be done.

Harvey Fierstein. You are wrong about the Olympics.

To begin this is not WWII or Hitler. You are going out on a limb without the support of the tree.

This is going to sound strange Mr. Fierstein, but, it is the truth. Russia's political culture is none of our business. We are attending the Olympics, we are not observers to their elections.

Do you remember Matthew Shepard? Matthew was killed by those that have no value for human life. They treated Matthew as an object and killed him. Something tells me that Russia is not ready for a cultural revolution.

Now, I don't know about you, but, when I run a revolution and/or resistance I want to be sure there are people alive at the end of the revolution or why bother fighting it in the first place?

Russia doesn't even have hate crime legislation to tell the country if they kill a young man for being himself there will penalties over and above that of what the initial crime is.

Mr. Fierstein, do you know we had a Secretary of State named Hillary Clinton? Sometimes people are too busy to keep up. You are very successful and that did not happen over night. You are respected and that didn't happen without building a substantial understanding of your talent and personable insight. But, if you had the chance to hear Former Secretary Clinton speak while serving in office you would have heard words that would rattle the most extremist of any country. She traveled with body guards. She measured her content and leveled opinion in a way that was non-threatening to governments so there would be no retaliation of people living in their borders.

I am quite sure Secretary Kerry is just as forthright in regard to women's rights and gay rights. The USA believes oppression of any group regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or whom they love is a human rights violation. That same focus is in the UN among some very powerful nations, but, leaders know how to bring opinion without causing adverse effects that kill people.

Freedom of speech is a right in the USA. At least most of us like to think so. The USA has never stood in support of oppression of any people and demands retraction of it under this administration. I realize sometimes a single person can move mountains. But, in order for that to occur, Mr. Fierstein the country has to be ready for the movement. Russia is not there. The changes President Obama's administration instituted spread like wildfire. The country was more than ready we were disgusted with the oppression and victimization.

There are signs there is movement in Russia. There are more political leaders standing up to what they state are illegal elections. There have been demonstrators expressing themselves and they are serving time in prison for their bravery. But, they are alive Mr. Fierstein. We need to work to keep them alive. We need to value their message and be sure our leaders value them as well and make inquiry to their well being. They are our heroes as well as those in the country.

And it is their message we need to hear. Not ours. If we are to respect them for their cultural differences while gay we need to hear them correctly, not just in our own understanding.

I believe in much of President Obama's administration has accomplished in regard to Gay Rights in the USA. I am proud of it. I am not gay. But, I have a country now that is unashamed of our citizens and providing a path to personal happiness for all our people. I am sure you are aware of the struggle, but, our Freedom of Speech protected many regardless of those that died violently and without cause.

Boycotting the Olympics is huge, Mr. Fierstein. We don't have to boycott those events when we have an administration we can trust. The changes for our gay community in the USA are historic. Someday, many more countries will be able to measure that same pride for their citizens, too. But, in Russia at this time 'the church' is a focus of cultural clout. Odd, isn't it? I mean I grew up being told the church in Russia was simply for 'Show and Tell.' It was propaganda. Now, we know how deeply that propaganda was wrong. 

When I run into a wall with others of the same mind and it feels as though we are defeated; what I say is, "We keep at it." That is the best we can do Mr. Fierstein. We hold up our heads, deny the defeat and point to the short comings of those that appear to be the victor.

"We keep at it" and I promise you the day will come and probably not to much of a distance into the future when all citizens of Russia will respect diversity while changing the culture of their identity. 

Non-threatening, Mr. Fierstein and steady dialogue. It will happen. It is inevitable. Russians aren't stupid people and they love their social content. When they realize how their social culture will be enriched when they open their minds and hearts to diversity it will happen. We will rejoice with them, but, we will do it together and trust our President and his administration to help.

I wish you well. I wish you much success. Hey. Every hear of Radio Free Europe? Just a thought.

June 9, 2013 10:12 AM

These days it's not easy (click here) for Harvey Fierstein to make his way through the crowded Theatre District. He has two hits playing nearby: "Newsies," which won a Tony last year; and "Kinky Boots," which is up for a slew of them tonight.
If you don't know him Harvey Fierstein by sight, you know him by sound. His VOICE was once compared to "a deep-throated jazz diva who has just tossed back a double-bourbon."
"One of my favorites was 'a sixth grader in shop class learning to use a rasp,'" Fierstein said.
"I mean, at very least, I'm the guy with the voice, you know? Then hopefully, I'm the guy who's really funny with the voice. And then the guy who can not only do comedy, but can do tragedy as well with the voice. And the guy that can really command a stage with the voice."
He comes by the voice naturally...

There is no commercial enterprise that is suppose to have more power than the USA government.

I take it "The Suits" in the picture don't have much flight time logged.

Horton (click here) has a long track record of leadership and results in both business transformation and operational performance. Since his appointment as Chairman and CEO in November 2011, Horton has led a disciplined strategy to put American back on top as the leading global airline.

There is no one company that is suppose to monopolize the markets either. Too big to fail has become a strategy, rather than a plight on our country. It is about time the courts started to look at these companies and decide about the viability of such a strategy when it impacts our economy and way of life.

It doesn't matter how benevolent the facade is, companies are never suppose to be able to control any aspect of our economy to the point of being more powerful than the government.

Airlines have always had trouble being viable. They always come to the USA to reorganize and continue to serve their customers. I appreciate the Justice Department for acting to keep our nation's economy diverse and healthy with room to grow. This merger is appropriate to challenge for anti-trust. Enough is enough.

If the merger goes through it will create unemployment and challenges to other airlines to compete. This merger will lead to more of the same. It is time to stop the downward spiral of our economy due to lack of competition and poverty wages.

11/14/2012
...Some of the nation’s largest (click here) operating companies have succumbed to the temptation to profit off their employees’ retirement savings plans by creating investment advisory subsidiaries that earn rich fees from managing the assets in these plans. American Airlines, Bechtel, Caterpillar, General Dynamics and General Electric are but a few of the major corporations that have, or had, affiliated investment advisory firms which none-too-coincidentally were selected by pension fiduciaries to manage the retirement assets of their employees....

...When the assets of retirement plans are managed by an affiliate of the employer, I refer to these plans as “conflicted” because of the obvious conflict of interest that exists whenever an employer, or named fiduciary of a plan controlled by the employer, decides to hire itself (or an affiliate) to manage the plan....

When there is competition, companies also have to compete for talent. That means if there is one less airline there is less of a market for pilots, mechanics and other staff. Their wages will be controlled by few and few companies. This is ridiculous. We don't need an airline cartel.

August 29, 2012
...Remember the old joke: (click here) the doctors all agreed the operation was a great success … unfortunately, the patient died. Only lawyers could conclude that the results of a retirement plan investment program don’t matter. I can assure you that the results do matter to the workers that participate in these plans and rely upon them for retirement security....

Boo hoo, boo hoo the CEO won't be making his billion dollar bonus this year. If the airlines aren't viable I know of a half dozen airlines waiting to be at the garage sale. Just because there is a merger doesn't mean American Airlines won't file for bankruptcy in the future anyway. It seems to me the Board of these airlines needs to look at the 'talent at the top' more than other means to save themselves.

By Terry Maxon 
Staff Writer
August 14, 2013

American Airlines’ (click here) future may have changed dramatically Tuesday. But it will take time to determine what that future holds.

American plans to go forward with its date Thursday with U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane. It will ask Lane to approve the plan of reorganization, despite the cloud now hanging over the proposal.

American and merger partner US Airways express confidence that they’ll win the legal challenge. But at the least, the lawsuit will delay indefinitely a deal that the two carriers had expected to close next month.

“While we do not yet know how long the court process will run, it will likely take a few months,” American chairman and chief executive Tom Horton told employees in a message....

This was the sky yesterday, August 13, 2013 at "Day Farm."

Those are mesocyclonic clouds at the lower end of the cloud, near the horizon.

Day grew hay and corn (click here) to feed his 400 hogs and prize herd of 200 Holsteins. The farm is just south of Glen Haven and has a large white barn and several out-buildings that stand as a landmark of the agricultural heritage of this area. The buildings were built in the 1880s and 1890s.

National Park faces major decisions as spotlight focuses on D.H. Day farm

published August 28, 2003

By Jacob R. Wheeler
Sun editor

At least once a day (click here) a curious tourist nudges up to the fence surrounding the D.H. Day farm to snap a photo or draw a sketch of the majestic 116-foot-long dairy barn that dominates the landscape along historic route M-109. This is one of the images that people associate with Northern Michigan, nearly as much as the great lake just to the west. In fact, the Society of Architectural Historians chose the D.H. Day farm as one of the “50 Most Significant Structures in Michigan”, alongside stalwarts like the Mackinac Bridge and the Renaissance Center....

Does Secretary Sebilius actually believe the companies of any nature complaining about the law belongs in the economy?

She is "W"rong. Some of the most verbose complaints are coming out of Texas. Too bad. If a company has to close it's door and can't discern the best venue for their employees they don't need to be there anymore. Texas doesn't have a viable economy or government. The people are impoverished and so are their businesses. That goes for Louisiana, too.

There are going to be businesses that will have to reflect on what they are doing with their employees pay rates and the benefits they offer and whether or not they can stay in business. No American should be choosing between a paycheck and their life. 

NONE. 

We can do better across the board and should.

The current "Dysfunction" in the Affordable Care Act is due to mischief by the Republicans.

Sebilius didn't implement this correctly at all. She was far too willing to 'work with everyone' rather than leveling the law. Because she has been to soft 'on crime' there is all kinds of mischief by the Republicans. She played into the political demands of Republicans.

The waivers should never have occurred and now the Republicans are simply attempting to obstruct the Affordable Care Act year after year for their political pandering.

She has allowed 40 votes in the House to continue this idiocy.

There are going to be industry SURVIVORS to this law and there are going to be those that can't 'hack it.' That is life. The egregious nature of the Wall Street companies in handling the well being of the American people in regard to their health care insurance has caused DEATHS. These bastards need to go down and go down hard. There is to be no more DOMESTIC American Deaths allowed! 

Sebilius has allowed playing with the law for 'economic' purposes. This isn't JUST about economics, it is about the health and well being of the American people.

Corporate deaths will occur. Too Bad!!!!!!!!! 

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2013

By Devin Dwyer via World News

Devin Dwyer More from Devin »

...The delay means some Americans (click here) will have to wait a little longer to realize the full benefit of one of the Affordable Care Act's key consumer protections -- a first-ever legal limit on how much people have to spend on their own health care.
The hiccup in implementation primarily affects people enrolled in group health plans with separate administrators for medical services and prescription drug benefits, government officials and industry representatives told ABC News.
Under the law, combined out-of-pocket spending on medical care and prescription drugs cannot exceed $6,350 a year for an individual or $12,700 a year for a family, including co-payments and deductibles, starting in 2014.
Those caps will take effect as planned for all health plans sold in the new insurance exchanges and offered through employers whose medical and drug benefits are administered by the same entity. But Americans enrolled in other plans could still face higher costs.... 

This is appalling job performance by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement the Affordable Care Act. I would have fired her at the first blush of failure. The Affordable Care Act was passed on March 23, 2010 after a full year of debate and law writing. Four years have passed and there has to be delays because computer systems aren't ready? Then don't participate and we'll find a better way. 

Since when does it take four years to implement computer changes? That stuff happens overnight which also means the National Security of the USA from Wall Street NSA invasion "Need to Know" should have been solved already.

For god sakes Computer Apps multiple like rabbits.

When are the Egyptian elections? The military is decentralizing the power. It is not good.

Supporters of ousted President Mohamed Morsy distribute cold waters to protesters outside Rabaah al-Adawiya mosque, in Cairo. File photo 

This is insight from "The Hindu" a long standing news media source in India. It is fairly reliable. They are reporting this military crackdown is not simply clearing the streets of demonstrations. Better said, they aren't just dispersing.

August 14, 2013

...Eyewitnesses reported (click here) thick smoke rising from the areas of the assemblage amid sounds of gunfire. Television pictures showed an army bulldozer taking down the tents, sandbags and a makeshift brick wall that the protesters had erected in Nasr city encampment for their illusionary defence. Protesters set alight tires as the raid progressed, while the security forces torched the tents.

Significant casualties

The storming of the two sit-ins has caused significant casualties, but claims of the death toll have fluctuated wildly. The Muslim Brotherhood - Mr. Morsy’s parent organisation - claimed that 250 people had been killed, describing the encounter with the police as a “massacre.” In the absence of an official count, others estimated that 40 people had died.

"This is not an attempt to disperse, but a bloody attempt to crush all voices of opposition to the military coup," said Brotherhood spokesman Gehad al-Haddad on Twitter.

The intrusion by the security forces triggered an impassioned call by the Brotherhood for countrywide protests—its appeal finding deep resonance in several cities in Upper Egypt—the Brotherhood’s stronghold.... 

The New York Times is stating there are now 19 military governors of 25 in Egypt. I mean Egypt isn't that big a country. The USA has 50 okay? But, when one considers this decentralization of military authority it helps explain the escalation in confrontation.

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK and MAYY EL SHEIKH

Published: August 13, 2013 

CAIRO — Egypt’s new military-appointed government (click here) on Tuesday named a roster of generals as provincial governors, raising fears of a return to the authoritarianism of former President Hosni Mubarak.

Of the 25 provincial governors named, 19 are generals: 17 from the military and 2 from the police. One police general has become well known for his openly insubordinate refusal to protect supporters of Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, an Islamist whose candidacy was advanced by the Muslim Brotherhood.

A military general appointee, Gov. Mahmoud Othman Ateeq of Sohag, a former deputy governor in Alexandria, was filmed in 2011 raising a gun at a demonstration of teachers, who can be heard begging for their lives.... 

I am not willing to point fingers at Murbarak or anti-Murbarak and the same for Morsi. The 'brain trust' within the Morsi camp is simply not there. When a country is in disarray I am not surprised the leaders are coming from the most experienced people. The elections have to go forward. 

Some of this is the concern for a sovereign nation and the influx of militants. The Egyptian military in all honesty is attempting to keep order and function within the country. If the country is in complete disarray there can't be elections.

That said, the UN needs to entertain a power sharing arrangement that should come out of the elections. There should be Morsi influence in the country within a structured settlement after the elections. The purpose is to grow the brain trust of the Muslim Brotherhood. It is not pacifying them, it is about bringing them on board within a power structure that demands civility and ECONOMIC FUNCTION.

There can be dual candidate outcomes. The majority leader and the minority leader. The 'authority' of the power sharing can be proportional to the electorate favor, but, the minority has to have a function and not just a figurehead in the government. If the Muslim Brotherhood is to ever have a real place in Egypt it has to have some degree of recognition within the government to help mold policy.

There can't be a defacto dictatorship on either side of the equation. We value culture. Seeking to eliminate one culture over another is a form of genocide. Those at UN know that. Politics is part of the culture, it's integrity must be respected. 

How is it Jessie Jackson Jr. and his wife is slammed with negativity and Governor McDonnel and his wife simply say, "Oops."

Fox, CNN Provide Minimal Coverage Of VA Governor's Donor Scandal
August 7, 2013
Savlatore Colleluori & Charlie Rafkin

McDonnell Family Benefitted (click here) From At Least $145,000 In Gifts From A Wealthy Businessman And Donor. A Washington Post report highlighted the gifts given to the McDonnell family by businessman Jonnie R. Williams Sr., CEO of dietary supplement manufacturer Star Scientific Inc., which are part of a federal and state investigation:

A prominent political donor gave $70,000 to a corporation owned by Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell and his sister last year, and the governor did not disclose the money as a gift or loan, according to people with knowledge of the payments.

The donor, wealthy businessman Jonnie R. Williams Sr., also gave a previously unknown $50,000 check to the governor's wife, Maureen, in 2011, the people said.

The money to the corporation and Maureen McDonnell brings to $145,000 the amount Williams gave to assist the McDonnell family in 2011 and 2012 -- funds that are now at the center of federal and state investigations.

Williams, the chief executive of dietary supplement manufacturer Star Scientific Inc., also provided a $10,000 check in December as a present to McDonnell's eldest daughter, Jeanine, intended to help defray costs at her May 2013 wedding, the people said. [The Washington Post, 7/9/13]...

How does that work exactly? How does the media weight these issues to virtually eliminate the scandal in Virginia?

Jesse Jackson Jr., wife await sentencing (click here)

By Katherine Skiba and Marina Villeneuve Tribune Newspapers

6:46 a.m. CDT, August 14, 2013

WASHINGTON — Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who pleaded guilty to misspending about $750,000 in campaign funds, will learn today how much his crime will cost him.
A federal judge will sentence Jackson on a felony conspiracy count and also will sentence his wife, Sandi, on a related charge of failing to report about $600,000 in taxable income.  
The sentencing hearings are scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. Chicago time in U.S. District Court in Washington before Judge Amy Berman Jackson, who is no relation to the defendants.

Land reclaimation of nuclear power plants is ridiculous. It takes generations.

How long San Onofre's decommissioning takes and how much it eventually costs will depend on how and where the plant’s radioactive fuel rods are stored and how long it takes to remove low-level radioactive material, a state Senate panel was told Tuesday. (Mark Boster, Los Angeles Times / June 7, 2013)

By Marc Lifsher

August 13, 2013, 8:51 p.m.

SACRAMENTO — Southern California Edison Co., (click here) by law, can spend up to 60 years to completely scrap its San Onofre nuclear plant near San Clemente, but less than 10 years is more realistic, lawmakers were told.
That was an estimate Tuesday from Michael F. Weber, deputy executive director of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. If the Rosemead-based utility is close to the national average in dismantling such technically challenging and potentially dangerous facilities, he said, the process will last seven to 10 years....