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| Rupert Murdoch - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting Davos 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| Roz Chast at the 2007 Texas Book Festival, Austin, Texas, United States. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| Límite Chile/Argentina en el paso del Bermejo - paso Iglesia (Photo credit: Flodigrip's world) |
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| Copahue Volcano (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
10:10 pm MST
No, you don't get a vacuum cleaner, but you do get holiday greetings from Finland
KenInNY at DownWithTyranny! - 10 minutes ago
*by Ken*
What with the crush of events the last couple of days, I haven't had a
chance to pass on this fantabulous holiday greeting from one of country's
proud diplomatic servants. I wish to correct current of suspicion I'm aware
of which claims that I lack "holiday spirit." This may or may not be
related to the fact that I have very little holiday spirit, as witness the
fact that this recent Roz Chast cartoon represents what I consider the *ne
plus ultra* of holiday spirit. (You should be able to click on it to
enlarge, but what do I know?)
Anyway, we were talking holiday spiri... more »
The Academic-Policy Nexus (Or Lack Thereof)
jstacey at Duck of Minerva - 45 minutes ago
In my first post after signing on with “Team Duck” I thought, before
jumping into a series of weighty topics–rise of the east, end of the west,
cratering of the middle east–it might be worth reflecting a little on my
sojourn as a policymaker after beginning my career as a Political
Scientist. As an IR
Continue reading
Idle No More: Thousands round dance for Indigenous rights
brendanorrell@gmail.com at CENSORED NEWS - 52 minutes ago
Idle No More -Couchiching FN thru town of Fort Frances, On - Photo by, Sonny McGinnis
Los Angeles
First Nations and Chief Spence, Los Angeles is with you!
Seattle mall
Round dance between (Harper s home) 24 Sussex and Rideau hall.
Idle No More - North Caribou Lake Embarking on a walk under northern cold temperatures.
3 floors of round dancing in Calgary mall Dec 22
It’s just a *massive* coincidence
Peter Cresswell at Not PC - 1 hour ago
Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Please contact author for permission
to republish: (organon at ihug.co.nz)
(Another) Ugly Underside of the Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Laura Sjoberg at Duck of Minerva - 1 hour ago
Today, the Human Rights Campaign celebrated the two-year anniversary of
President Obama signing the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” a move that
officially allowed lesbians, gays, and bisexuals to serve openly in the
United States military. Soon after, I wrote a blog post suggesting that,
while the policy was definitely an improvement on a
Continue reading
Sanity Comes to Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Jim Horn at Schools Matter - 2 hours ago
When Charlotte's former superintendent, Peter Gorman, was run out of town,
he found work as another edu-henchman for Rupert Murdoch. Since then,
Charlotte has hired someone who is willing to challenge the status quo of
more high stakes testing. From the Charlotte Observer:
Posted: Friday, Dec. 21, 2012
By Ann Doss Helms
ahelms@charlotteobserver.com
The barrage of new state tests being rolled out this year is “an egregious
waste of taxpayer dollars” that won’t help kids, Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Superintendent Heath Morrison said Thursday.
He joins a band of superintendents across the... more »
Copahue volcano eruption puts Argentina and Chile on alert
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 2 hours ago
The authorities in Argentina and Chile have issued an alert over increased
activity at the Copahue volcano, which has begun spewing smoke and gas.
Many residents have already left the area as a precaution.
An orange volcano alert, the second highest, has been issued in both
countries.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20828832
Mount Rokatenda erupts, thousands evacuate, Indonesia
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 2 hours ago
Thousands of residents of the Palue Islands in Sikka, East Nusa Tenggara,
have reportedly fled from their homes after their roofs and windows were
rattled by erupting of Mount Rokatenda.
Residents were evacuated to Maumere, Sikka, Ropa and Ende as the volcano
sent debris and volcanic material cascading down its slopes.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/12/22/mt-rokatenda-erupts-thousands-evacuate.html
Egypt constitution approved in vote, say rival camps
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 2 hours ago
Egypt's new constitution, which was drafted by an Islamist-dominated
assembly, was approved by 64 percent of voters in a two-round referendum,
an official in the Muslim Brotherhood said on Sunday citing the group's
unofficial tally.
An official from Egypt's main opposition group, which campaigned against
the constitution saying it would deepen divisions in Egypt, also said that
its unofficial count indicated the document was approved.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/23/us-egypt-politics-idUSBRE8BL03X20121223
5.2 Magnitude Earthquake VANUATU - 23rd December 2012
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 2 hours ago
Magnitude
5.2
Date-Time
Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 00:29:55 UTC
Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 11:29:55 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
13.080°S, 167.113°E
Depth
211 km (131.1 miles)
Region
VANUATU
Distances
100 km (62 miles) NNW of Sola, Vanuatu
4.3 Magnitude Earthquake MOLUCCA SEA - 22nd December 2012
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 2 hours ago
Magnitude
4.3
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 22:32:42 UTC
Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 06:32:42 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
1.576°N, 126.612°E
Depth
37.5 km (23.3 miles)
Region
MOLUCCA SEA
Distances
121 km (75 miles) NW of Kota Ternate, Indonesia
4.3 Magnitude Earthquake OFFSHORE OAXACA, MEXICO - 22nd December 2012
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 2 hours ago
Magnitude
4.3
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 22:04:35 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 04:04:35 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
15.830°N, 98.318°W
Depth
5.4 km (3.4 miles) (poorly constrained)
Region
OFFSHORE OAXACA, MEXICO
Distances
62 km (38 miles) SSW of Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, Mexico
Every school a killing field: Is the NRA's Wayne LaPierre the stupidest creature on the planet -- or just the most loathsome?
KenInNY at DownWithTyranny! - 3 hours ago
*UPDATE: The NY Post (yes, the NY Post!) today front-paged*
*Blowhard Wayne (the "NRA loon") as "GUN NUT" -- see below*
*Now that Brother Blowhard has made clear exactly who and what he is,
surely he will be universally shunned, right?*
*"[N]othing did more to discredit the merchants of weapons of death than
their own chief advocate’s callous rant."*
*-- from the New York *Daily News* editorial* "Gun-crazed maniac"
*by Ken*
So there I was, fulminating into my keyboard about the astonishing
performance of National Rifle Association Exec VP Wayne LaPierre, who had
broken the NRA's lon... more »
H-Asia: Library of Congress Map Website
Michael Turton at The View from Taiwan - 3 hours ago
H-ASIA
December 22, 2012
Online maps of Asia in the Library of Congress
****************************************
From: Richard J. Smith, Rice University
Happy Holidays!!
My "gift" for the period is to call attention to a vast, rich
and surprisingly under-utilized scholarly resource: the online
Map Collection(s) of the Library of Congress--the contents of which are all
fully downloadable. The basic LOC website is
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/setlhome.html
and the specific search URL is
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/setlmapquery.htm
To find a general item, enter, say, “Chin... more »
Burning down the House
Libby Spencer at The Impolitic - 3 hours ago
Over at The Corner, HQ of the very serious cons, they're somewhat mystified
by the Tea Party cons pushing Boehner overboard during their mutiny on Plan
B.
One false claim making the rounds about the House Republicans who defeated
John Boehner’s “Plan B” last night is that they don’t understand that
higher taxes are inevitable. A lot of them understand that point perfectly
well. Some of them have been privately advising the Republican leaders to
pursue a strategy that they know would lead to higher taxes than Plan B
contained.
Establishment GOPers should have thought of that when ... more »
Jutxaposition of the day
Libby Spencer at The Impolitic - 5 hours ago
At the checkout. Posted without comment.
[via Athenae of First Draft]
NYT Editorial – on LaPierre's "deranged rant"
2old2care at Because I Can - 5 hours ago
We all know it was not a “press conference” – It was Wayne LaPierre telling
the USA what to do and what to think - becausehethinkshecan.
Anyway, the NY Times came back with an editorial that is pretty darn good.
Here’s snips - about the creepy crawlies:
*The N.R.A. Crawls From Its Hidey Hole*
Still, we were stunned by Mr. LaPierre’s mendacious, delusional, almost
deranged rant.
Mr. LaPierre looked wild-eyed at times as he said the killing was the fault
of the media, songwriters and singers and the people who listen to them,
movie and TV scriptwriters and the people who watch th... more »
Some Saturday cuteness and the mess in my office...
Adrienne at Adrienne's Corner - 5 hours ago
*is not my fault.*
Really!
I have a dust ruffle that needs to be shortened. I dumped it on my office
floor with plans to fold it up until after Christmas. However, Erica, my
kitteh, had other ideas. It is now one of her favorite places to snooze.
Plans are afoot to remove it and replace it with a pillow while she is out
terrorizing our numerous birds. Since she *is* a cat - I doubt she'll fall
for it. We can hope...
*She does look comfy... *
*
**Directly opposite her is Frankie, who is grateful she's stayed out of his
bed lately. *
The apartheid state of Israel strikes again
Not a sheep at Not a sheep - 6 hours ago
http://www.israellycool.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/trees.jpg
ALEC Corporations - Legislation that Meets Their Needs
2old2care at Because I Can - 6 hours ago
Found this Occupy video that should bring awareness to all of how
incredibly dangerous it is to have corporations meeting privately behind
closed doors with legislators at ALEC meetings. Legislation that written
specifically to provide protections for the corporations - AT THE EXPENSE -
of the citizens.
Because ALEC hides their legislation from the public – we can only assume
that Freeport McMoran probably wrote this legislation and sponsored it at
an ALEC meeting or at the ALEC Arizona State Dinner/Gala behind closed
doors at ALEC meetings.
The nastiness
In 2012 Freeport McMor... more »
Untitled
Abraham Ben Judea at Abraham says - 7 hours ago
Como se dança o merengue...
Como se dança o merengue...
------------------------------
Tweet
------------------------------
------------------------------
*sweet-sixteen - SoRisoMail.com e-mails com humor!*
------------------------------
Seed Newsvine
Greetings from Kolub! Five Predictions for 2013
KenInNY at DownWithTyranny! - 7 hours ago
*by Noah*
Dear Earthlings,
If you are reading this post, it is December 22nd and the Mayan End of ohe
World Prophecy has not come to pass. However, you can rest assured that the
raving mad right-wing media, from Drudge on down to the demented goofballs
at the FOX "News" propaganda sewer are frantically rewriting the End of the
World Prophecy to mean that the world will end when President Barack
Hussein Secret Muslim Obama is inaugurated, once again, on Monday, January
21st. Hold on to your butts; Doomsday has merely been postponed!
I am writing to you from the mysterious Mormon pl... more »
5 Words that make you sound stupid...
Adrienne at Adrienne's Corner - 7 hours ago
*are you guilty?*
*Actually* – The literal meaning of this word signifies that something is
present or exists in reality, but it is often used incorrectly to add an
extra punch to the sentence. *Guilty*!
*Basically* – This word should be used to signify a simple or fundamental
point, instead people often use it incorrectly in a statement to add weight
and instill a sense of finality. *I hate this word with a purple passion.
Yesterday a caller on Dave Ramsey's show inserted into just about every
sentence. *
*Honestly* – Often times people use this word to add either authority o... more »
4.0 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - 22nd December 2012
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 7 hours ago
Magnitude
4.0
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 21:37:44 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 01:37:44 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
32.997°N, 116.249°W
Depth
1.1 km (~0.7 mile)
Region
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Distances
20 km (12 miles) SW (214°) from Ocotillo Wells, CA
Inside Job-Don Henley (Music Video)
Mark Daniels at GLOBAL POLITICAL AWAKENING - 7 hours ago
Don Henley's "Inside Job" Album Cover
Courtesy: (http://www.wbr.com/donhenley/index2.html) The song is on an
album of the same name:
Inside Job
Released May 23, 2000
Warner Bros. CD 47083-2
Produced by Don Henley and Stan Lynch
So unless he had foreknowledge....
While you were sleeping
They came and took it all away
The lanes and the meadows
The places where you used to play
It was an inside job
By the well-connected
Your little protest
Summarily rejected
It was an inside job
Like it always is
Chalk it up to business as usual
While we are dreaming
This little island disappears
Wh... more »
ACTION - Demand A Plan
2old2care at Because I Can - 7 hours ago
The Demand A Plan website asks supporters to demand action from President
Obama and Congress on ending gun violence and calls for background check
requirements for gun sales, a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity
magazines, and making gun trafficking a federal crime.
*SIGN THE PETITION*
*>>>>>HERE<<<<< *
It’s time. Join more than 750 mayors and 750,000 grassroots supporters to
demand that President Obama and Congress step forward with a plan to end
gun violence.
*A Campaign of*
*Mayors Against Illegal Guns*
*America has turned violence into a profit center. *
*The r... more »
The Nuclear Complex in Japan: How Public Safety is Trumped by Elite Industrial and Government Interests
Majia's Blog at Majia's Blog - 8 hours ago
Japan's nuclear energy industry is a powerful *complex*. Harutoshi
Funabashi explains in the essay "Why the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster is a
Man-Made Calamity" published in *The International Journal of Japanese
Sociology* (2012 vol 21) that Japan’s electrical companies have regional
monopolies and are backed by the institutional power of Japan’s Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety
Agency (NISA), which is located under METI authority, both regulated and
promoted nuclear power until a new “independent” agency was created in ... more »
A Different Perspective - The Return
KRandle at A Different Perspective - 8 hours ago
I spend yesterday in my bunker just in case... Oh, okay, we had a blizzard
and we had to dig out. So, I didn't go anywhere, was at home, but once
midnight passed, I felt safe. Of course, the question was, midnight where?
Midnight in Japan?
Well, then I felt safe much earlier.
Or midnight in New Zealand?
Same thing.
But since the Mayan civilization was basically in the Central Time Zone, as
determined by the United States (though they were in Central America) I
suppose we were safe at midnight there.
And since this is now December 22, well, we're now safe...
Except for that... more »
It's time to fight Slave Leia fatigue - Kaley Cuoco explains
Not a sheep at Not a sheep - 8 hours ago
Pay attention; it's the fancy dress party season so think before you wear
that slave Leia costume...
Mister Wizard Is a Dick
The Mound of Sound at The Disaffected Lib - 8 hours ago
Holiday funnies from Mister Wizard - unless you're the kid
Exactly 54 years ago today
Denis Rancourt at Activist Teacher - 9 hours ago
Paris.
22 December 1958.Everything seems to confirm a single observation: we
are living fake lives, absurd lives in today's cities. Nothing actually
exists of these so-called "acts" and "opinions" of ours. Truly important
decisions are made beyond our observation, beyond the control of
ordinary citizens. Everything we see is fake, a stage drowned in movie
fog. We come and go like puppets in
The best article on gun control...
Adrienne at Adrienne's Corner - 9 hours ago
*evah!*
This is long, but you must read it. You *must*! **
*
*I can't give a hat tip because just about everyone is linking to it, and
well they should. **
*
*Did I mention that you *must* read it? *
*
An opinion on gun control* What are you still doing here? Go read it...*
How Sweden Collaborated With CIA on Renditions and Framing of Assange
AMERICAN KABUKI at AMERICAN KABUKI - 9 hours ago
http://newsjunkiepost.com/2012/12/19/how-sweden-collaborated-with-cia-on-renditions-and-framing-of-assange/
*How Sweden Collaborated With CIA on Renditions and Framing of Assange*
By Featured Author
NEWS JUNKIE POST
Dec 19, 2012 at 5:54 pm
By Rafik Saley, Okoth Osewe, and John Goss
By his own admission, Sweden’s Ambassador to Australia Mr. Sven-Olof
Petersson had advance knowledge of the CIA rendition flight that took place
on December 18, 2001 from Stockholm to Egypt. This flight ended in Egyptian
nationals Ahmed Agiza and Muhammad al-Zery being illegally rendered and
tortured.... more »
Sure, But It's All That Keeps the Bats From Escaping
The Mound of Sound at The Disaffected Lib - 9 hours ago
Federal Court judge Luc Martineau isn't impressed by Harper Public Safety
and Family Values minister Vic Toews. The judge has given Toews 45 days
to accept the transfer back to this country of a Canadian currently held in
a U.S. prison.
The judge found that Toews resistance to the transfer "lacks reason",
ignores "clear evidence" in support of the transfer and suggests a "closed
mind."
That's about as close as a sitting judge could come to calling Toews
"unhinged." Then again, a closed mind is about all that keeps the bats
from escaping from Toews head.
What Mattered This Week?
Jonathan Bernstein at A plain blog about politics - 9 hours ago
How about I'll just say that the early-week negotiations over a fiscal
cliff deal mattered a lot more than the late-week Plan B fiasco, and leave
it at that.
What else? What do you think mattered this week?
NRA Booted From Pillar to Post
The Mound of Sound at The Disaffected Lib - 9 hours ago
National Rifle Association boss Wayne LaPierre has sparked a backlash of
anger and ridicule at his suggestion that the solution to schoolhouse
tragedies like Sandy Hook is more guns at schools.
*The response was forthright from editors and opinion writers. "CRAZIEST
MAN ON EARTH" was the New York Daily News' verdict, noting that the "NRAnut blames everyone and everything EXCEPT the GUNS".
*
*The New York tabloid is currently embarked on a campaign to get Washington
to put in place a ban on assault weapons.*
*Its response to last week's tragedy is in directly opposition to that of
La... more »
Mark Steyn at his best...
Adrienne at Adrienne's Corner - 9 hours ago
*and we thank him.*
*The Massacre of the Innocents*
*H/T Pundette *
* *
Neocon Christmas, Treasons Greetings
Grant G at The Straight Goods - 9 hours ago
On the 12th Day of Christmas....
On the 12th day of Christmas......It didn`t take me long to decide on what
to finish with, Stephen Harper, yes indeed, Mr. Stephen Harper and no he`s
not alone, Bill Barisoff and all BC Liberals, but Bill Barisoff is a
special case, BC`s speaker of the House, the one elected member who in
theory is supposed to be neutral, non partisan, a stickler for rules role
played by a bias thespian whose legitimacy got lost on Campbell`s casting
couch , well you know how it goes,
Stephen Harper gifted Gordon Campbell a $200, 000.00 per year cushy gig
that in... more »
Merkel rival attacks Germany's soaring arms exports
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 9 hours ago
Peer Steinbrueck, set to challenge Angela Merkel as German leader next
year, criticized her centre-right government on Saturday for letting arms
exports surge and vowed to end that if his centre-left opposition wins
power.
The former finance minister, nominated to lead the Social Democrats (SPD)
into September's election against Merkel, said it was a scandal that
Germany has become the world's third largest arms exporter on her watch.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-germany-politics-arms-idUSBRE8BL07N20121222
5.1 Magnitude Earthquake BABUYAN ISLANDS REGION, PHILIPPINES - 22nd December 2012
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 9 hours ago
Magnitude
5.1
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 18:07:17 UTC
Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 02:07:17 AM at epicenter
Location
19.172°N, 121.088°E
Depth
29 km (18.0 miles)
Region
BABUYAN ISLANDS REGION, PHILIPPINES
Distances
116 km (72 miles) NNE (26°) from Laoag, Luzon, Philippines
Vice president quits as Egypt votes on constitution
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 9 hours ago
Egypt's vice-president resigned on Saturday as Egyptians voted in a
referendum that is expected to approve a new constitution that lays the
foundations for the country's transition to democracy but will strip him of
his role.
Authorities extended voting by four hours in the second and decisive round
of the plebiscite on an Islamist-drafted constitution that the opposition
has criticized as divisive and likely to cause more unrest.
Just hours before polls closed, Vice President Mahmoud Mekky announced his
resignation
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/22/us-egypt-politics-idUSBR... more »
Zapatistas emerge for new era
brendanorrell@gmail.com at CENSORED NEWS - 10 hours ago
Marcos in Sonora, Mexico. Photo Brenda Norrell.
By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
The Zapatistas announced their emergence on Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, as one cycle of the Mayan calendar ended, and another began.
Subcomandante Marcos made the announcement in Spanish, translation by
www.narconews.com
December 21, 2012
To Whom It May Concern:
DID YOU HEAR IT?
Egypt's Vice President and Central Bank Governor Resign
AMERICAN KABUKI at AMERICAN KABUKI - 10 hours ago
President Mohammed Morsi (R) shakes hands with his newly
appointed vice president, former judge Mahmud Mekki (L)
during a swearing-in ceremony at the presidential palace
in Cairo. Egyptian Vice President Mahmud Mekki
announced his resignation on Dec. 22. (AFP)
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/12/22/256541.html
*Egypt’s vice president, Central Bank governor resign*
Saturday, 22 December 2012
By AL ARABIYA WITH AGENCIES
Egypt’s vice president, Mahmoud Mekky, and Central Bank governor Farouk
el-Okadah announced resignations on Saturday, state television reported, on
the d... more »
Leslee Hare on Talk with Vince
AMERICAN KABUKI at AMERICAN KABUKI - 10 hours ago
Hi, Everyone,
This is really short notice, on the heels of a very busy week... In an
hour, Vince Martin will be interviewing me live on Vegas All Net Radio.
The link to the show is
http://vegasallnetradio.com/Shows/TalkWithVince.html, and we're going to
cover a lot of ground in the 2-hour show!
It will be wonderful if you can tune in, however Vince posts the
interviews online, so if you're doing other things in an hour, you can hear
the interview once it's posted.
I hope you all had a wonderful 2012 Solstice and beginning of a new era!
with much love,
Leslee Hare
Asteroid Fears Over: Space Rock To Miss Earth...in 28 years time
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 10 hours ago
An asteroid feared to be on a collision course with Earth no longer poses a
significant risk to the planet.
Experts previously said there was up to a one in 500 chance of the space
rock, which is as wide as two football pitches, crashing into Earth in
February 2040.
However, when astronomers made further observations to better predict the
asteroid's course, they found it would pass no closer than 550,000 miles to
the planet - a distance equivalent to more than two trips to the moon.
http://news.sky.com/story/1029118/asteroid-fears-over-space-rock-to-miss-earth
'Doctors must learn care and compassion': Prince Charles claims modern medicine is putting the 'human touch' at risk
Matt at The Coming Crisis - 10 hours ago
The Health Service must learn to listen to its patients and be more caring,
Prince Charles said yesterday.
Modern medicine and technology are putting the ‘human touch’ at risk,
according to the heir to the throne.
In a heartfelt plea, he said medical schools should try to foster a climate
of care and compassion among doctors.
Charles’s intervention follows a series of reports of appalling treatment
by NHS staff, including dying patients left screaming for water.
He called on doctors and nurses to heed what patients say so they can
develop the ‘healing empathy’ so badly needed.
htt... more »
Japan's next leader wants freer rein for military
Matt at The Coming Crisis - 11 hours ago
Imagine that North Korea launched a missile at Japan. Tokyo could - and
would certainly try to - shoot it down. But if the missile were flying
overhead toward Hawaii or the continental United States, Japan would have
to sit idly by.
Japan's military is kept on a very short leash under a war-renouncing
constitution written by U.S. officials whose main concern was keeping Japan
from rearming soon after World War II. But if Japan's soon-to-be prime
minister Shinzo Abe has his way, the status quo may be in for some change.
Abe, set to take office for a second time after leading his cons... more »
It would be nice to think there are SOME people fighting for Thomas Jefferson's vision of the University of Virginia
KenInNY at DownWithTyranny! - 11 hours ago
*The world-famous Rotunda of the University of Virginia* (designed by
founder Thomas Jefferson): *"Students enjoy a warm day on the Lawn
(February 17). Photo by Dan Addison" (caption from the "2011 Year in Photos"
page of the university website)*
*"We had a frank conversation. It is my conclusion that [Rector Helen
Dragas] does not comprehend the damage done to the University of Virginia,
nor does she accept responsibility beyond having poorly managed the
President's removal."*
*-- Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax), a member of the Privileges and Elections
Committee, in a letter to her... more »
Ballot Botch: 'Israeli elections messed up,' voters vexed
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 11 hours ago
Inequality Growing in the US
Majia's Blog at Majia's Blog - 11 hours ago
The Unequal State of America: Why America is more unequal than most By
Reuters
21 December 12
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/20/uk-equality-indiana-oecd-idUKBRE8BJ0IY20121220
**
[Excerpted] America has a higher degree of income inequality than almost
any other developed country. Only three of the 34 members of the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development rank higher - Chile,
Mexico and Turkey.
So why is the U.S. so much more unequal than its peers? The U.S.
Congressional Research Service cited several potential reasons in a report
earlier this year.
One is t... more »
John Baird's Black and White World
The Mound of Sound at The Disaffected Lib - 11 hours ago
Harper ForMin John Baird doesn't like ambiguity. When it comes to foreign
affairs he views the world as black or white. No time for trifling shades
of grey. You're either a good country or a bad country and nothing in
between.
*In a wide-ranging end-of-year interview with Postmedia News on Friday,
Baird said the federal government won’t tolerate excuses for those who
engage in terrorist activities, and that Canada will continue supporting
right over wrong.*
*He also offered no apologies for actions such as supporting Israel,
condemning Iran or criticizing the United Nations — e... more »
Saturday Afternoon Linkage
Daniel Nexon at Duck of Minerva - 11 hours ago
Let’s start with some more Erik Loomis blogging. Doktor Zoom at
Wonkette provides a snarky take on head-on-a-stick gate, while Crooked
Timber provides a forum for an interesting debate over the various issues
at stake. Both point to an underlying dynamic at work: that this is fairly
boilerplate “Professor Punching” as carried out by elements of the
Continue reading
Q: What's the difference between a walrus and a banana?
James C Morton at Morton's Musings - 11 hours ago
*A: You'd better find out, because if you ever try to peel a walrus...**
*
Winter Solstice At Stonehenge - 2012 (14th Mayan Baktun Commences)
leftdog at Buckdog - 11 hours ago
*This was taken yesterday morning - December 21, 2012 at Stonehenge in
England .. showing the first light of the Winter Solstice and the first day
of the new Mayan cycle .. Baktun 14.*
*
**The Mirror*
5.5 Magnitude Earthquake MYANMAR - 22nd December 2012
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 11 hours ago
Magnitude
5.5
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 16:41:44 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 11:11:44 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
22.430°N, 94.753°E
Depth
126.6 km (78.7 miles)
Region
MYANMAR
Distances
52 km (32 miles) NW of Monywa, Myanmar
It's Saturday...and some Chuck Woolery (video)
Adrienne at Adrienne's Corner - 12 hours ago
*what's going on.*
Reaganite Republican: *My Own Personal Tale Regarding Drinking and
Driving this Holiday Season*
Camp of the Saints: *‘An Ayn Rand Christmas’?!?*
Sentry Journal: * No more secret deals: It’s time for conservatives to put
Obama on defense*
* *
Capitalist Preservation: *Auto workers at GM & Ford score big bonuses
while taxpayers still shutout on bailout payback*
Bungalow Bill: *BBCW Wacky Liberal of the Year 2012: #9 Dianne Feinstein*
Daley Gator: *President Obama at Daniel Innouye’s funeral: But enough
about the dead guy, let’s talk about me*
Les Femme... more »
Mysterious animal terrorizes farmers as it mutilates livestock in the middle of the night
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 12 hours ago
In
a ghoulish mystery, an unknown beast is terrorizing Kentucky farmers as
it attacks their livestock, tearing parts from the animals but not
eating
them.
The residents of rural Shelby County have no idea what is stalking their
livestock in the night.
'I heard the goat, the dogs going off and I ran out there and looked and
saw the goat laying on the ground,' said Kevin Cox, an area farmer who's
had one animal fall victim to an attack.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251877/It-indescribable-Mysterious-animal-terrorizes-farmers-mutilates-livestock-middle-night.html
Forget the Mayan Apocalypse, the new date for doomsday is January 1 2017, claim Sword of God cult
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 12 hours ago
The
world may have escaped Armageddon yesterday but the actual Apocalypse
is nigh on four years away, Doomsdayers have claimed.
The new date for annihilation is January 1, 2017, according to followers
of
The Sword of God Brotherhood.
They believe the 'Prophet Gabriel' told the Brotherhood that the 'dying
time' will come on this date and only members of the cult will survive,
while everyone else perishes in 'hellfire.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252051/Forget-Mayan-Apocalypse-new-date-doomsday-January-1-2017-claim-Sword-God-cult.html
Shirley Monserrate among Three charged with murder after 'setting off deadly Indiana house explosion that killed young couple and destroyed five homes so they could collect $300,000 insurance money'
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 12 hours ago
The people have been charged with deliberating setting off a deadly gas
explosion that decimated an Indianapolis neighborhood in the hopes of
collecting an insurance settlement.
The house's owner, Monserrate Shirley; her boyfriend, Mark Leonard; and
his
brother, Bob Leonard, were arrested Friday and charged with murder,
arson,
and several other counts for their role in the Nov. 10 blast that killed
two people.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252115/Three-charged-murder-setting-deadly-Indiana-house-explosion-killed-young-couple-destroyed-homes-they.html
Winter Storm Kills Eight And Disrupts Travel
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 12 hours ago
A winter storm has killed eight people and caused travel misery as it
sweeps across the United States.
The powerful weather system, which dumped more than half a metre of snow in
parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois and Missouri earlier this
week, has been moving steadily eastwards towards New England, where it is
expected to arrive on Saturday.
More than 30cm of rain are likely in northeastern states, with several feet
of snow set to fall over higher ground.
http://news.sky.com/story/1029058/winter-storm-kills-eight-and-disrupts-travel
Tips for Photographing a Christmas Tree
Debra at Housewife Eclectic - 12 hours ago
*Have you entered the giveaway for the designer apron yet?*
There is something so magical about Christmas trees that I can't resist. I
love photographing them and all of their lighted glory. A beautiful, in
focus tree can be a hard thing to capture. Here are my tips for capturing
beautiful photos of your lit tree.
The first thing you need is a tripod or a flat stable surface from which
to photograph your tree. In order to get a beautiful picture of your tree
without flash, you are going to need to use a really slow shutter speed,
which means you will be able to see hand shake if y... more »
4.9 Magnitude Earthquake NORTHERN PERU - 22nd December 2012
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 12 hours ago
Magnitude
4.9
Date-Time
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 16:02:44 UTC
Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 11:02:44 AM at epicenter
Location
6.045°S, 76.521°W
Depth
42.5 km (26.4 miles)
Region
NORTHERN PERU
Distances
46 km (28 miles) E (87°) from Moyobamba, Peru
2012 Quiz Answers
Martyn Daniels at Brave New World - 12 hours ago
Earlier we set our 2012 Quiz
Well who got them right and gets A+ and who gets to stand in the corner
with a pointed hat?
1. Name the service launched to capture them young, lock in the
parents and build on their Prime service? A: Amazon FreeTime
2. Which two technology giants traded patent court victories
around the world and dominated the mobile wars? A: Apple and Sumsung
3. Which famous source of authoritative information stopped
physical publication after 244 years and went digital? A: Encyclopaedia
Britannica
4. Who launch their onli... more »
The War Against Teachers
Judy Rabin at Schools Matter - 13 hours ago
*There are so few who can explain the complexity of how the deep
connections between the attack on public education and teachers -- that if
not stopped --will ultimately lead to the end of democracy itself.*
*
*
*Henry A. Giroux is one of the few:*
TruthOut.org / *By* *Henry A. Giroux *
The War Against Teachers
*December 21, 2012* |
*A little learning is a dangerous thing.*-- Alexander Pope
If the US is to cease its slide into a violent, anti-democratic state, we
must rethink the relationship between education and democracy, and the very
nature of teaching.
The tragic deaths of... more »
Mental illness, medications and school shootings: Preventing another Sandy Hook
Mark Daniels at GLOBAL POLITICAL AWAKENING - 13 hours ago
image source: WhatReallyHappened Gregory Patin
In the aftermath of the horrific school shooting at Sandy Hook elementary
school in Connecticut, the debate regarding preventive measures is focused
on stricter gun control laws. While sensible gun regulations are in order,addressing
the root causes of the mass shootings is more important if real
preventative measures are to be taken.
What caused the gunmen to act is more relevant in terms of prevention than
the weapons used. With or without stricter gun control laws, firearms will
be accessible to potential mass murderers in the U.S.... more »
RoboCop on the Sinclair Spectrum
Phil at A Very Public Sociologist - 13 hours ago
It's autumn 1988. My cousins have handed down to me my first computer, a ZX
Spectrum 48K. I have a little bit of money in my pocket and fancied
something more current than the *BombJack*, *JetPac* and *Deathchase* fare
that's had me bashing those infamous rubber keys. What to get? Rifling
through the latest Speccy releases, I pick *RoboCop* up from the shelf. It
all looks rather nice - the review in a recent *C+VG* saw the legendary
Jazza Rignall award it 95%. Who was I to argue with such provenance?
*RoboCop*, published by the late and very much lamented Ocean was that
rarest of ... more »
Regarding Gun Control: What is an 'Assault Rifle?'
Mark Daniels at GLOBAL POLITICAL AWAKENING - 13 hours ago
Wikimedia Commons Earl Griffin, *Contributor*
I am more familiar with firearms than the average person. I sold them for a
living for several years. I worked as a Peace Officer. I have trained on
many firing ranges under the tutelage of men and women whose instruction
was of great value. I grew up hunting and shooting with my late father and
with my granddad. I have had an opportunity to become intimately familiar
with the function and workings of a wide variety of firearms.
There is a falsehood being perpetrated upon the public. You see an “Assault
Rifle” has what is known as a sel... more »
Steve Harper and that Vision Thing
The Mound of Sound at The Disaffected Lib - 13 hours ago
The most myopic prime minister perhaps in all of Canadian history, Stephen
Harper, may have diagnosed his own affliction.
Shortsighted Steve, asked how his evangelist faith affects his
decision-making, replied that he prays a lot "*to ask for strength and
vision*."
Judging by how the self-proclaimed professional economist totally failed to
see the 2008 global economic tsunami coming, maybe he needs to look
elsewhere for vision. In fact Steve's entire time in power has been
marked by a singular lack of vision from Afghanistan, the Great Recession,
and the F-35 fiasco to the Tar Sa... more »
Is Jesus Christ here on the waterfront?
bob somerby at the daily howler - 13 hours ago
*SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2012*
*The New York Times reports Newtown:* In our view, the New York Times has
done some very good work reporting from Newtown this week.
Granted, the paper has had dramatic material to work with. Yesterday,
Joseph Berger reported the funeral of Anne Marie Murphy, a 52-year-old
mother of four who worked as a teacher's aide at Sandy Hook Elementary
School:
BERGER (12/21/12): The funeral was one of at least six for victims on
Thursday. Other services were for Catherine Hubbard, Jesse Lewis, Benjamin
Wheeler and Allison Wyatt, all 6 years old, and Lauren Gabri... more »
Samsung and Apple Continue to Slug It Out
Martyn Daniels at Brave New World - 13 hours ago
The mobile wars continue and there is now a clear two horse race today
between Apple and Samsung. How long the battle will last and whether
another player will come to join them is as uncertain and unpredictable as
much of the future.
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the latest to deliver bad
news to Apple, in that it has now rejected Apple's pinch-to-zoom patent
because it claims prior patents covered the invention.
A total of 21 specific pinch to zoom methodologies are claimed by Apple's
filing. All were rejected by the patent office on the basis that they had
alre... more »
Train bosses tell people not to travel as UK is hit by MORE rain and 388 flood alerts are issued
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 14 hours ago
Christmas travel plans for millions are in chaos today as widespread flood
warnings across the UK are crippling roads and rail networks and putting
lives at risk.
With much of the country battered by heavy rain overnight, the Environment
Agency has issued 338 flood alerts and 126 flood warnings.
The south west of England is most severely affected - with four severe
flood warnings in place. They have been issued for Helston and Lostwithiel
in Cornwall, and two for Braunton, Devon.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2252030/Christmas-travel-plans-millions-chaos-heavy-rain-cripple... more »
Syria acting to safeguard chemical weapons, says Russia
Lynsey at The Coming Crisis - 14 hours ago
Syria has acted to consolidate its chemical weapons into "one or two"
places to prevent rebels capturing them, Russia's foreign minister says.
Sergei Lavrov said the weapons had previously been "scattered" across the
country and they were "under control" for the time being.
Mr Lavrov also said President Bashar al-Assad had no plans to leave Syria.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20825820
Harper And Guns
Owen Gray at Northern Reflections - 14 hours ago
On the day the NRA advocated having an armed guard in every American
school, Thomas Walkom wrote that the gun issue could come back to haunt
Stephen Harper. For all of his bloviating about the long gun registry,
Walkom reminds his readers that Harper originally voted for it:
Certainly, Harper was careful. Then a Reform MP, he broke ranks with his
party to vote with the Liberals for the gun registry.
He claimed at the time that he was following the wishes of his Calgary West
constituents. But, as he would explain later and in a different context, he
was also uncomfortable with emo... more »
Untitled
New Orleans Ladder at New Orleans Ladder - 14 hours ago
*Sean Payton hasn't asked to attend Saints-Cowboys*
*Pirates and Cajuns square off in New Orleans Bowl*
*Can the Corps of Engineers be forced to deliver more sediment to Louisiana
by an unused provision in an existing federal law?*
*Wetlands center surges forward with new plan*
*A kids' Creole Christmas in New Orleans*
*Frustration on Freret: New Krewe Won't Roll Until 2014 ~NOLA DEFENDER*
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