What next?

Fetal lawyers are unconstitutional. They are representing the interests of the father when the attorney has never consulted him. The potential mother's view is already established. 

The age of majority in most southern states when it comes to criminal proceedings is 16 years of age. The so called minor can make their own decisions and do not need parental oversight by the age of 16. 

The entire idea a fetus has constitutional rights is hideous that leads to oppression women due to their anatomy. 

If a society is that interested in the LACK OF FETUS' surviving the pregnancy of a woman, they can grow their own in a test tube with hired females to act as surrogates. The question in that case is, if a society can't achieve pregnancy voluntarily by couples wanting children, does the society have a right to exist beyond it's last generations. 

The fact the State of Alabama is advancing religious dogma as legitimate legal tender is at question. It reenforces oppression and violate the US Constitution. The entire idea of fetal rights is hideous and assaults habeas corpus of all women. If a state can enforce a pregnancy to term when conceived in copulation, it can enforce pregnancy through fetal transplant as well. It places an ideology of uterine domination over the very identity of a woman.

A sovereign country exists because of the will of the people as a collective, not because the powerful dictates daily outcomes of many. It is why dictatorships fall and democracy doesn't.

The Minisk agreement is worthless. The civil war in Ukraine is escalating.

The rebels are entering Ukraine from Crimea. These were suppose to be issues settled without deaths. There is no intentions by rebels to have peace. Russia signed the Minisk agreement as if it had the ability to leverage peace, but, it is not happening.

January 24, 2015 

Fifteen people were killed in shelling (click here) in the east Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on Saturday, Ukraine’s interior ministry said, an attack Kiev blamed on separatist rebels and the Russian military.

A witness described the shelling to Reuters as enough to knock the paint off his house.

The deaths follow the separatists’ rejection of more peace talks and as fighting surged to its most intense in months. The United Nations said on Friday 262 had been killed in the previous nine days.

Government-held Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov, lies on a coastal route from the Russian border to Crimea, which was annexed by Russia from Ukraine last March.

The city council said rockets fired by rebels from long-range GRAD missile systems struck a multi-story building and caused fires to break out....

The conflict is taking on a two front offensive. Europe was a signator to the Minisk agreement, it has an interest in the disintegrating agreement..

January 24, 2015
...Its symbolic importance (click here) made the airport a key target for the separatists. After a holiday lull they began pounding again in mid-January. The Russian media soon aired footage of rebels raising their flag above the rubble, so Mr Poroshenko ordered a counter-offensive. But on January 22nd reports emerged that the airport had fallen under rebel control. Shelling continued around it and over Donetsk, with 13 people killed at a bus stop on the same day. Fighting has spread all along the front line: Debaltseve and several towns north of Luhansk have been under intense fire. In these circumstances, the Minsk peace deal struck in September seems largely notional. A summit of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France has been cancelled. In Kiev a bombastic Mr Poroshenko has promised to recapture the south-eastern region. Russia’s deputy foreign minister warned of “irreversible consequences” if Ukraine sent troops into Donetsk city.

One senior Ukrainian government official says negotiations are losing their meaning: “We sit and talk for hours about nothing.” Mr Poroshenko says 9,000 Russian troops are active inside Ukraine. Russia, as usual, denies this. Mr Poroshenko’s figure may be exaggerated, but big rebel attacks cannot happen without Kremlin support. “There is a difference between [Russia’s] political statements and reality,” one Donetsk rebel concedes...'

It would seem to be the case. Such talks are suppose end war, not direct it. If Europe is to settle these aggressions, NATO enters the picture. What amazes me is the demands of Russia to remove Star Wars satellites from their border while they escalate hostilities with former Soviet states. If Russia was sincerely interested in peace along it's borders there would be a valid and enforceable peace, not continued escalations of aggression and death. Either Moscow has control of it's military arm or it doesn't. The Russian military is basically overseeing a conflict with Ukraine, in that is the power to end the conflict as well.

How many Ukrainians are going to die before this ends? What is Moscow's estimate? Endless? Generational? 

8675 people dead from the Ebola virus.

The vigilance and treatment needs to continue until the virus has vanished. Unless the quality of life of these people improve there is always the potential for another outbreak of a different strain of the virus. Elevating the wellness of these populations is vital and it is a global concern.

January 25, 2015

...There is still no vaccine or licensed treatment, (click here) nor is it clear whether the international community has actually learned any lessons from an epidemic that killed at least 8,675 people.

"Things have changed drastically for the better " no one can deny that," said Aitor Sanchez Lacomba, Liberia country director for the International Rescue Committee. "How can we make sure that we don't have these kinds of situations in the future?"

Previous disease outbreaks, including SARS and bird flu, prompted calls to build strong health surveillance systems and to reinforce agencies like the World Health Organization....

The WHO requested a $100 million emergency fund after the swine flu and has yet to realize that goal. These funds are important. There should be a permanent fund with investment of those funds to increase in value when not in use.

The outbreak has not killed as many people as some predictions. At its height, one estimate warned that as many as 1.4 million people could become infected by mid-January if there were no additional interventions. Instead, the probable, suspected and confirmed case toll is 21,797 with 8,675 deaths....

WHO needs a better administrative staff that has a good understanding of the dynamics of disease. The best way for that to happen is for their research physicians and an administrators to be on a panel where priorities can be applied to funds to stem an outbreak. Since the WHO is a vitally important organization the lead member of any panel should be a physician with administrating qualifications. These responsibilities can't be taken lightly as they effect the global population. Simply because this was a so called insignificant economic country, it has proven exactly what negligence causes to a global community.

...WHO blamed incompetent staff and said it let bureaucratic bungles delay people and money to fight the virus. The document said the agency was hampered by budget cuts and the need to battle other diseases flaring around the world....

The legislature is one leg of the three braches of Guyana government. No president has the right to dismiss the legislature.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) " The European Union (click here) is withholding $37 million in aid slated for Guyana because the government of the South American country is operating without a Parliament.
EU officials said they will withhold the money meant to help boost the country's sugar industry and finance infrastructure works until their concerns are addressed. The EU noted in a statement late Friday that one of the functions of Guyana's National Assembly is to oversee the budget.
President Donald Ramotar temporarily suspended the opposition-controlled legislature in November to avoid a no-confidence vote.
He has called for elections in May but has not yet formally dissolved Parliament. The National Assembly could remain legally suspended for up to six months.

The withholding of $37 million in aid should get President Ramotar attention.

King Salman is wasting no time in bringing younger people into his cabinet.

January 24, 2015
Jeddah: Fouzia Khan

Saudis (click here) recalled the late King Abdullah’s concern for the people in general and Saudis in particular, and his unique contribution in making their lives peaceful and comfortable. They expressed their full faith in his successor, King Salman.

Omar Abdullah Nasseef, dean of the English language institute of King Abdulaziz University, said: “May Allah forgive and bless the soul of King Abdullah. He not only won the hearts of Saudis but Muslims all over the world. His great achievements in the form of development of the country and for the prosperity of Islam are unforgettable. The whole nation is with King Salman and we are fully confident that the transformation of the Kingdom will bring more development and progress. We hope to see a giant leap for King Abdullah’s project of interfaith dialogue for the peace and prosperity of the whole world.... 
 

January 24, 2015
By Riyadh Ghazanfar Ali KHan

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman (click here) appointed Mohammad bin Salman as defense minister here Friday, in what observers have described as an empowering message to young people in the Kingdom.
Prince Mohammad, the son of King Salman, was a state minister, member of the Council of Ministers, and special adviser and head of the crown prince’s court before his new appointment.
At 35 years of age, he is now the youngest member of the Cabinet. The prince, who holds a degree in law from the Riyadh-based King Saud University, thanked the king for showing confidence in him.
Prince Muhammad has been involved in charitable causes and social initiatives supporting the youth and their career aspirations. In 2011, he founded the Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Charity Foundation, popularly known as the MISK Foundation. He has held many positions during his 10-year public career....

This is how the "Arab News" memorialized him.

 January 23, 2015
Jeddah Siraj Wahab

From the moment (click here) he took over in 2005 after the death of King Fahd, the hugely popular King Abdullah was a man on a mission.
The biggest challenge for him was to get the economy back into shape and end the isolation Saudi Arabia had faced in the international world after 9/11. He took drastic measures and bold decisions. He united his people by launching national dialogue.
Saudis from every corner of the Kingdom were brought into the decision-making process. He launched many economic cities. A multitude of international conferences and seminars and meetings indicated a country on the move under an able leadership.
Women regarded him as a benevolent father who cared for them, and understood their problems. He always received them with a smile. He knew the pulse of the Kingdom. When one day, he visited a poor household in Riyadh the whole nation gasped. Here was their king wanting to know the state of a fellow citizen....

As much some what to criticize and diminish the rule of the Late King Abdullah, he sought to bring his country into the times if found itself. He did that while still holding on to the deepest traditions of the people. In so much the Arab News chose to show the late king with President Obama only speaks to the fact he was an ally and friend.

"Ransomeware Virus," who benefits from the ransom, the Islamic State? The FBI has no clue or how to stop it.

What is the problem? Why isn't everyone talking about this? The FBI has absolutely no clue what to do and the ransom is Bitcoin. So, what joy, the FBI can't find the perpetrator or arrest them. How great is this.

December 8, 2014

NPR spoke with other victims (click here) who did not want to be named for fear of losing their jobs or customers. But they described the same sequence of events.
One small business even called 911.
Lt. Catherine Buckley with the Colorado Springs Police Department reviews the call log for NPR.
The attack happened on Nov. 12. An officer went to the crime scene immediately. But when he got there, employees decided he couldn't really solve the problem. So they didn't file a police report. He left within 20 minutes.
Buckley reads from the department notes: "One of the employees had either received an email, or clicked on a link which opened up the malware CryptoWall 2.0."
The Tennessee company decided not to pay. It didn't trust the hackers to give back the files, so it relied on backups that it had. The Colorado Springs company did pay, in the amount of $750.
And here's where it gets weirder.
While ransomware criminals used to accept prepaid cards and other familiar forms of payment, they're now moving into so-called "cryptocurrency." Some rings only take Bitcoin, the electronic cash that's popular among hedge fund investors and online drug traders....

It originated in Russia, then it went global.

May 14, 2014
Donald Leinwand Leger

On a bitter cold Friday in January, (click here) an ominous warning popped up on a computer screen at the Chamber of Commerce in Bennington, Vt.
The warning — next to a ticking countdown clock — threatened to destroy all data on the computer if the chamber refused to pay a $400 ransom within 40 hours.
Local computer whiz Max Squires quickly identified the culprit: CryptoLocker, computer malware that freezes access to every file, including photos, documents and programs with a secret pass key known only to the hacker.
Solution: None.
Hackers operating on the Internet's "Dark Web" are spreading a new, more sophisticated generation of the malicious software known as "ransomware," anonymously shaking down anyone with an unprotected computer, from lawyers and cops to small businesses. Where small groups of anonymous hackers once hit individual consumers, the hackers have now organized into crime syndicates that boldly launch massive attacks against entire companies, computer experts and law enforcement authorities said....

January 13, 2014
Eric Geiger

With the nasty CryptoLocker malware (click here) making the rounds—encrypting its victims’ files, and then refusing to provide the unlock key unless a payment of $300 is made via Bitcoin or a prepaid cash voucher—ransomware is back in the spotlight.
You can remove many ransomware viruses without losing your files, but with some variants that isn’t the case. In the past I’ve discussed general steps for removing malware and viruses, but you need to apply some specific tips and tricks for ransomware. The process varies and depends on the type of invader. Some procedures involve a simple virus scan, while others require offline scans and advanced recovery of your files. I categorize ransomware into three varieties: scareware, lock-screen viruses, and the really nasty stuff.....


...Ransomware has gotten so powerful, Morales says, the hackers really do lock down victims' data: "The truth is, is we have no way to recover their data if it gets destroyed. So we can't help them."

The very best defense, he says, is having a backup that's not connected to your machine in any way. Storing things on the cloud or on a USB drive that's plugged into your computer won't cut it.

There are states ready to lead into the future.

January 16, 2015
By Anna Gronewold

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A group of Nebraska senators (click here) on Friday announced proposals aimed at boosting the state's wind energy production by offering tax incentives and reducing regulations for developers.
The announcement follows a report prepared for the Nebraska Power Review Board that estimated the state could generate at least 2,000 more megawatts of renewable energy under the existing transmission system. The American Wind Energy Association ranks Nebraska fourth in the nation for wind energy resources, but the state still lags in the nationwide market.
"Nebraska has the wind resources to meet our needs, and we need to capitalize on what's left over from that by exporting to other states," Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha said at a news conference Friday morning....

Comprehensive studies have been conducted regarding bird flight and wind turbines, there is nothing prohibiting the turbines in any state.

Through his life, he was a good friend to everyone. He will be missed.

My sincerest sympathy to his family and the nation he lead.

I also can't believe the concern of The West for his death in relation to oil and oil prices. Everyone should be ashamed. OPEC is an organization and Saudi Arabia is a member state. I apologize for the thoughtlessness of politicians and Wall Street. They think with their wallets not their hearts.

Good bye, King Abdullah, a dedicated Prince and then a dedicated King. Saudi Arabia had a magnificent King.

Former Governor Mitt Romney can finance his own campaign for the nomination, Jeb Bush cannot.

Preibus stated the elections of 2016 is all or nothing. All Stops Off. Looks like the candidates are taking him seriously.

January 22, 2015
(Reuters) - Leading potential Republican presidential candidates (click here) Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney, who are engaged in a behind-the-scenes competition for dollars and support among party loyalists, met privately in Utah on Thursday.
Bush spokeswoman Kristy Campbell said the former Florida governor had wanted to catch up with Romney and that the meeting had long been scheduled. A Romney spokesman said the meeting had taken place but provided no details....

Senator Menendez is welcome to take his concerns to the United Nations.

There is a treaty called the Non-Proliferation Treaty (click here). There are many countries in violation of the NPT. The United Nations can be asked to enforce the NPT, which would be refreshing. Short of war there is no control the USA can exert to stop a nuclear weapon. There is nothing the USA can do besides war to end a SUSPECTED nuclear weapons program, ie: Iraq and WMD.

September 6, 2014
By Kevin Rawlinson and agencies

UN inspectors have gained rare access (click here) to an Iranian nuclear facility, giving them a "better understanding" of Tehran's disputed programme, it has been reported.
They observed a plant where centrifuges for enriching uranium were developed as part of a transparency deal but acknowledged that Iran remains resistant to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) investigation.
According to a confidential IAEA report obtained by Reuters, inspectors visited a research and development centre for centrifuges on 30 August. It gave neither details nor the location of the site. But such access could be crucial to helping the agency determine how far along Iran might be in developing more modern models of the machines.
Iran's efforts to replace the breakdown-prone, 1970s vintage IR-1 centrifuge it is now operating at its Natanz and Fordow enrichment plants are closely watched by the west since success could lead to more efficient equipment enabling the country to amass material that could be used for atomic bombs more quickly....

Now unless Senator Menendez has read the classified document, which I doubt, he has no basis for his fear mongering. That is exactly what those words provide. Without any basis Senator Menendez is fear mongering and painting President Obama as an ally to Iran.

When fear mongering results in threats to Iran there is a good chance the negotiations will be disturbed at the very least. Senator Menendez obviously has problems with the administration and he needs to take HIS fears forward to resolve his lack of knowledge to the activities of Iran. 

Oh, yeah, I doubt Israel has any knowledge of the documents at the IAEA unless of course they stole it. 

If the NPT is going to be enforced there will have to be inspectors in ALL these countries and determine if they have WMD. Then the countries will have to be disarmed of their nuclear program. The one country that worries me more than any other, is not Iran, but Pakistan. Pakistan is not one of the permanent countries to the NPT. I wish someone would get on with this and make the world a safer place. Quite frankly, if all the illegal nukes were disarmed, the five permanent countries could get very serious about eliminating their own programs that have no purpose except to be a budget expense.

President Obama's administration has focused on genocide. I don't any other weapons that can cause genocide as fast a multi-national nuclear war. 

Huckabee advocates censorship of black entertainment.

The First Amendment doesn't belong to everyone.

Stop creating a political issue about abortion.

...Amniocentesis is generally done between weeks 15 and 20 (click here) (usually around week 16) to look at genetic information. It can also be used later in pregnancy to see how the fetus is doing.

Amniocentesis for birth defects testing

Amniocentesis is often done around week 16 to see whether a fetus has certain types of birth defects. Amniocentesis can also tell the sex of your fetus.

Amniotic fluid has cells that have been shed by your developing fetus. The cells are checked for the number and size of chromosomes (karyotype) to see if there are any problems that put the baby at risk for certain conditions. Testing is most commonly done as early as possible so that women and their families have time to consider their options. But amniocentesis cannot find many common birth defects, such as cleft lip, cleft palate, heart problems, and some types of intellectual disability.... 

Studies have shown the actual development of the fetus to feel pain is 22 weeks, but, for the sake of argument I'll settle for 20 weeks.

The eleven points (click here) below summarize the substantial medical and scientific evidence that unborn children can feel pain by 20 weeks after fertilization....

The idea pain is a decision regarding abortion is false. It has decades since Roe v. Wade. What has occurred in those decades is the discovery surgeons can perform surgery in utero. Therefore, administering anestesia to a fetus is not issue anymore.

More and more women are being burdened by legislators who seek to instill religious values in our country. The decision regarding abortion is between a woman and her doctor.

Where did I hear that before? Health issues should be between people and their doctor? 

I know where I heard that, it was during the hysteria surrounding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. That's right. The Republicans were stating the government should not be involved in health care, those decisions are between a person and their doctor; UNLESS; that person is a pregnant women and then the government has more rights than the person.  

I suppose a person's liberty is insured with guns, but, not their own health care where privacy is no longer guaranteed.  

Democracy is not for the faint hearted.

Gee, whiz, is that a Humvee? Interesting. Humvees may be the icon of revolution post Islamic State violence.
 
January 22, 2015
(Reuters) - Authorities in southern Yemen (click here) re-opened Aden's air and sea ports on Thursday, officials said, after President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi accepted some demands from the dominant Houthi group in a move expected to ease days of tension in the capital.
Security authorities on Wednesday closed air, sea and land crossings into Yemen's southern port city of Aden after fighting in Sanaa that threw the Arab state deeper into turmoil. They said the Aden security committee had said it was cancelling a decision to close the airport, sea port and land crossings in response to the agreement, which provided for all state institutions to return to work....

The citizens of any Middle East democracy have chosen to run, hide and change affiliations than stand and fight. It is a dangerous paradigm that exists where democracies are replacing dictatorships and warlords.

I can only speculate, but, in a region of the world where god has been the overlord of the people for millennium, it is all the more difficult to bring about the authority of leadership in state affairs.

One of the factors that leads to unrest in the Middle East is the devotion to god in the faiths. It is difficult to realize god can be as much a part of a citizen's life in a country controlled or better said governed by democracy. It was all so clear before, god came first in any justice and all else was the enemy. Now, with changes in representation within a governing authority throughout the region, the people are asked to tolerate and respect each other. Controlling one's life with gun fire means protecting Islam, when in fact Islam is protected by an egalitarian democracy and there is no need for gun fire.

In such freedom the Mosques and churches need to be protected from vandalism and hate. The religion of any people is found in their thoughts, prayers and celebrations, not the annihilation of all others. The words I am hearing from every venue of violent extremists, even in France, is "Who is defending Islam?" Democracies respect Islam and honor Allah simply by providing a place for worship to happen and leaders the right to communicate the faith. Democracies are good for all faiths without exception. Democracies provide a place for all faiths and honor the right for them to exist and have followers of the faith. 

Tolerance is not an easy commodity in the Middle East as violence has ruled the people for so long. It is not an easy transition and there will be problems from time to time. There was a problem in France, but, the people have not given up their democracy and come together to celebrate their rightful place in a country that tolerates all forms of religions and communication.  

It is very obvious. Someone tampered with the footballs.

"Watching Patriots Scandal From Afar, a Retired Football Maker Say Wilson Did It's Job" (click here)

...After all her years at the factory, Helser has never seen a controversy like the one enveloping the N.F.L. now. According to reports by ESPN and others, the N.F.L. found that 11 of the New England Patriots’ 12 game balls were underinflated during their rout of the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in the A.F.C. championship game. The balls were approved by a referee before the game but were checked again at halftime. They were reinflated after they were found to have lost about two pounds per square inch of pressure.

The scandal, which some have called Deflategate, has caused some to wonder how and when the balls were deflated after they met the N.F.L.’s exacting specifications and were shipped from the Wilson factory here. Helser said the Wilson employees had done their jobs.

“When it leaves our factory, they may have trouble with a bladder every once in a while with losing some air,” she said. “But when they have 11 out of 12 balls losing air, it’s not Wilson’s fault. I’m sure when it left our factory here in Ada, it was as good as it could be.”

Despite reports that the cold weather or a player spiking the ball might have led to the deflation, the only way to remove that much air that quickly would be to put a needle in the valve and to let the air seep out, said Kevin Murphy, who runs the American football division at Wilson....

Eleven out of twelve. Why not twelve? So someone knew there would be at least one ball meeting regulations if asked? The deflation is nearly identical. So, the eleven compromised balls were uniform. Someone deflated the balls some time from inspection to half time. That isn't that much time. Inspection before game time can't be that long. Someone knew what he or she or they were doing and did it with precision. There is nothing to say someone from the opposing team didn't do it either. But, if the other team wanted to create a problem why only eleven balls?

There is a timeline. The compromise fits into a timeline. 

What I find strange, is the fact other team members handled the ball(s) and never detected the compromise. These are professional players. No one else on the Patriot lineup, including the center, detected the problem? Odd. It took an opposition player to detect it. Very odd.

Considering the footballs belonged to the Patriots, it is Patriots that have responsibility for the CUSTODY of the balls after inspection. It is an easy decision. The Patriots neglected and/or compromised the footballs in their custody. Nothing else to say. 

US Senator Tester of Montana can task US FIsh and Wildlife and "The Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery."

Get the lousy oil out of the Yellowstone River NOW! US Fish and Wildlife has to do an assessment and it needs to be cleaned up before it thaws in the Spring.

January 21, 2015
By Matthew Brown

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A second large oil spill (click here) into Montana's Yellowstone River in less than four years is reviving questions about oversight of the nation's aging pipeline network.
Investigators and company officials on Wednesday were trying to determine the cause of the 40,000-gallon spill that contaminated downstream water supplies in the city of Glendive.
Sen. Jon Tester said Saturday's spill from the decades-old Poplar Pipeline was avoidable, but "we just didn't have the folks on the ground" to prevent it....

Senator Tester can task the "The Prince William Sound Oil Spill Recovery Institute to mentor and/or conduct the removal of the oil within icey waters.

"Advancing Oil Spill Response in Ice Covered Waters" (click here)

Senator Tester can be a real hero and act to save the land and water from complete disaster. 

Vladimir, all you had to do was ask for an invitation. Take example of Prime Minister Netanyahu.

A Russian spy ship Viktor Leonov at the port in Havana, January 20, 2015. (Reuters / Stringer)

It is starting to feel like old home week. You shouldn't have burned the gas.

January 21, 2015

The Russian Navy’s (click here) intelligence collection ship, the Viktor Leonov, has docked in Havana just a day before the arrival of an American delegation. The Russian warship is moored in open view of a pier usually used for cruise ships.
The ship’s visit, unannounced by the Cuban authorities, comes as the US and Cuba are attempting to restore diplomatic ties broken in 1961.
The Americans will conduct the first official negotiations with the Cuban leadership in more than half a century.
The Viktor Leonov is part of Russia’s Northern Fleet and is fitted with a wide range of intelligence equipment, a crew of 220 and high-tech electronics.... 

Bienvenido, bienvenida. El comercio es bueno, ¿no? Muchos en los EE.UU. han esperado este día . Va a ser divertido! 
Cuba tiene una gran hospitalidad y con agregado ingreso económico será el 

anfitrión del Caribe. Está todo bien , hombre.

Pense que con tantos fumando porros en los EE.UU. no habría interés en cigarros 

cubanos . ¿Qué sé yo ? 

Chevys siguen siendo grandes en Cuba . Derecho ? Eso es una buena cosa.

Cultural Exchange. We are looking forward to it. 

Every time there is a new Congress in the USA, Netanyahu is here making a speech. 

In this May 24, 2011 file photo, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walks with House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio to make a statement on Capitol Hill in Washington. Photo by AP

It is politics both for the Republicans and Netanyahu. What national leader can simply dial up the US House Speaker asking for time with a joint session of Congress. Really? There has been no progress on the Israel and Palestine status, but, why should that stop anything?

June 21, 2015
By Barak Ravid

Such invitations (click here) are usually made leader to leader,' spokesman says, referring to Speaker Boehner's invitation, issued two months before the Israeli election is to take place...

With all the tensions and problems facing the Middle East where is the Prime Minister? You know, I don't hear how Israel is burdened with the Palestinian state. If a Prime Minister can come to the USA while settlements continue to oust Palestinians from their land either physically or financially, things simply can't be that bad.

HEBRON,January 21, 2015 (WAFA) – In an unprecedented move, (click here) the municipality of the illegal Israeli settlement Kiryat Arba near Hebron has asked a Palestinian resident nearby to pay a property tax of 88,200 Israeli shekel (about $22,400) to the Israeli municipality.

Youth against Settlement, a local initiative against illegal settlement activities, said Abdul-Karim al-Jabari, a Palestinian resident of Hebron, was shocked when a staff from the Israeli municipality of Kiryat Arba handed him a notice asking him to pay the aforementioned payment to the Israeli municipality.

Al-Jabari, whose land is partially occupied by illegal settlers, said that his land is not located within the municipal boundary of the illegal settlement Kiryat Arba, stressing that the decision aims at forcing him and his family to leave his land.

Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights, are all declared illegal by International Law and United Nations Charters....

 

Israel has the longest running "Occupy Palestine" in history.

I swear, the American legislators are twits.

The War is Over! The USA is bound by the Geneva Conventions. It has no right to hold prisoners of war once there is an end to the battle.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -
On the same day that President Obama (click here) reiterated his call to close Guantanamo Bay, a detainee has published a first-of-its-kind account of his time in the prison....

Rep. Jackie Walorski can stamp her feet about Gitmo all she wants, but, the end of the war means the USA has to handle the release of POWs within the Geneva Conventions.

You can call them detainees if you want, but, the fact of the matter is the people at Gitmo are POWs. They were taken during war.

So, I suggest Rep. Walorski and Senator Ayotte find a way to carry out their priorities within the Geneva Convention or get of the way. The facts are clear in a recent Senate investigation, there is torture occurring with prisoners. This book is a diary of a detainee and it validates the same facts found in the Senate investigation. This book was written long before the Senate compiled and released it's findings,

The war is over. It is time to end the torture as well.

There is a reason why Iran and Russia are building a relationship.

Iran has been an observer in the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization). It may be Iran is looking to more into the organization as a member.

Members (click here)

China
Russia
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Uzebekistan

Observers

India
Iran
Mongolia
Pakistan 

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental international organization founded in Shanghai on 15 June 2001 by six countries: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its member states cover an area of over 30 million km2, or about three fifths of Eurasia, with a population of 1.455 billion, about a quarter of the world's total. Its working languages are Chinese and Russian....

Prime Minister Lavrov states Iran is annoyed about the freezing of some assets by the EU. Iran is stating it is seeking relief in an agricultural sector in their economy. I doubt the EU is holding finances that effect Iranian agriculture.

Russia is pivotal to many of the conferences between The West and nations such as North Korea and Iran. China is one of the most profound partners in conferences with North Korea.

President Putin will be meeting with the officials in Hungary. 

Prime Minister Lavrov states there is no place for terror and will not be tolerated. He refers to the United Nations as a policy that is respected. I believe some of the struggles of special interests in Russia are impacted by their need to protect from terror attacks. If groups such as the gay community wants to achieve recognition they should affiliate with a political party to provide a sense of legitimacy. I believe legitimacy as opposed to violence will win recognition in Russian society which will drive the political affiliations they need to make. 

Russia has a significant history with violence. It too has lost children to violence. The method Russia subscribes to is control of any uprising. Those that seek to demonstrate have to conduct peaceful demonstrations to be recognized. Russia is very conscience of the impact of 'difference' as a method to empower decent and danger to citizens. 

Prime Minister Lavrov did express sorrow in regard to the deaths in Paris. He stated it doesn't matter the country such violence would not be tolerated. 

Russia has always believed in stable states. It supports governments seeking to maintain control of their populations. That is in opposition to the position The West seeks in relationships with other countries. The West demands freedom of expression as a means to civility. In normal populations that appreciate freedom as a quality of life there is inherent danger that allows terror groups to be nurtured by violent extremists. Russia is the polar opposite and views lack of control as a threat to sovereignty. 

Russia is one of the BRIC countries. It is a standard understanding that BRIC countries are burgeoning in expertise and open development of it's people. The problem Russia has yet to breach is the idea openness is an aspect of economic development. So, when it comes to what the differences are at the border of Ukraine and Russia; there are canyons of differences. The Ukraine government realizes the need for open economic markets and to those attached to Russia; they are unwilling to see the benefit. 

Russia has a lot of work to do to bring about stability of it's own border with Ukraine including reining in the violence of those called rebels. The rebels are viewed by Russian society as being correct, while there is nothing desirable of their values by Ukraine government. If the rebels are legitimate in their values, then they need to see Ukraine is as well. If the idea is stability, then Russia needs to get on with it as Russia was the signator to the agreement with Ukraine, not the rebels.