Deception Pass Bridge (Photo credit: brewbooks)
River cruise ship Prinses Juliana at December 30, 2010 in Cologne. A day later, the ship was in Koblenz due to a suspected norovirus infection of the mostly British passengers placed under quarantine because 30 people complained of vomiting and diarrhea. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
an image of mayan calendar on cosumel island' Mexico (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Norovirus particles (Photo credit: Wikipedia)2012: Year of Deception and Distraction
And so 2012 draws to an end. This year has been one marked by the outright lies of the Establishment and of self-appointed leaders, and the willingness of the masses to believe them. The Mayan Calendar ended on the 21st of December, and with it the New Age fantasy that the world itself would end. The amazing ability of the Mayans to produce an accurate calendar which lasted for 5,125 years (calculated from 13 b'ak'tuns of 144,000 days each) was cited as proof that by not continuing the calendar after that period, they must have believed that the world would end. Isn't it more li... more »
Ukraine rescuers fish man out of 18 meter well
Rescuers help a man to safety after his fall into a 18-metre (59 feet) well in Ukraine.
Norovirus: World health systems battle superbug
Poor Larry isn't looking too good. He's pale and clammy and he's been projectile vomiting over and over again while his carers just stand by and watch. Yet their lack of concern for Larry is made up for by their intense interest in how far splashes of his vomit can fly, and how effectively they evade attempts to clean them up. Larry is a "humanoid simulated vomiting system" designed to help scientists analyze contagion. And like millions around the world right now, he's struggling with norovirus - a disease one British expert describes as "the Ferrari of the virus world". http://w... more »
Teresa Cowley Missing From North Sea Ferry from Hull to Rotterdam
Police say they fear for the safety of a woman who went missing from a North Sea ferry. Teresa Cowley, from Mickleover, Derby, was last seen heading towards the deck of the Pride of Rotterdam ferry in the early hours of Friday. The 43-year-old's disappearance is being investigated by Harbour Police in the Dutch port of Rotterdam, who are liaising with Derbyshire police. http://news.sky.com/story/1031884/fears-for-woman-missing-from-north-sea-ferry
4.5 Magnitude Earthquake NEAR ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 4.5 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 15:11:59 UTC Monday, December 31, 2012 at 05:11:59 AM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 52.788°N, 171.431°E Depth 48.4 km (30.1 miles) Region NEAR ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA Distances 118 km (73 miles) W of Attu Station, Alaska
Dear Canadian Racists: SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!
Seriously. I'm nauseous from the stench of your hypocrisy, selfishness, ignorance, stupidity, whining and lying. Just can it! From the stooges in charge of our corporate media, to our illegitimate regime of morons, thugs, frauds, religious freaks and self-hating closet-cases, all the way down to huckster preachers like whatsisface of the "Caledonia Wake-up Call" (or whatever) to the grassroots of mouth-breathing, shit-headed scum like KKKate MakkkMillan and her brood at SDA. The Sixth Estate blog brought this atrocity to my attention. It's from the *Globe & Mail*. [You know, corp... more »
4.0 Magnitude Earthquake GUERRERO, MEXICO - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 4.0 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 15:00:16 UTC Monday, December 31, 2012 at 09:00:16 AM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 16.625°N, 98.755°W Depth 35 km (21.7 miles) set by location program Region GUERRERO, MEXICO Distances 7 km (4 miles) NE of Marquelia, Mexico
Catch of the Day
Here's one for Ezra Klein, who summed up the GOP extremely well by pointing to a Marco Rubio tweet. Ezra: Today’s Republican Party thinks the key problem America faces is out-of-control entitlement spending. But cutting entitlement spending is unpopular and the GOP’s coalition relies heavily on seniors. And so they don’t want to propose entitlement cuts. If possible, they’d even like to attack President Obama for proposing entitlement cuts. But they also want to see entitlements cut and will refuse to solve the fiscal cliff or raise the debt ceiling unless there are entitlement cuts... more »
4.5 Magnitude Earthquake OFFSHORE GUATEMALA - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 4.5 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 14:21:28 UTC Monday, December 31, 2012 at 08:21:28 AM at epicenter Location 14.306°N, 92.027°W Depth 62.7 km (39.0 miles) Region OFFSHORE GUATEMALA Distances 12 km (7 miles) W of Champerico, Guatemala
Breaking: We’re reliably told that it’s New Year’s Eve!
*MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2012* *With all that the evening entails:* Has it really been twenty-nine years since we did the Richmond Comedy Club with Bill Maher on this, the most disappointing night in all of American show business? Due to Bill’s surprising deportment, millions of people now claim they were there. Let’s just say that Bill, whom we’ve always admired except when he's wrong, went over the daiquiri cliff. We plan to do a half-Howler tomorrow. What does this seasonal mess mean to us? All week long, we will have questions for the new year—and we'll even have some topics we d... more »
4.7 Magnitude Earthquake KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 4.7 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 14:15:23 UTC Monday, December 31, 2012 at 11:15:23 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 7.683°S, 128.402°E Depth 82.2 km (51.1 miles) Region KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA, INDONESIA Distances 323 km (200 miles) W of Saumlaki, Indonesia
Bargaining Chips and Chomping Chains
How can I put this delicately? If you are old, or if aging is in your future plans, your president just doesn't seem to think your life is worth very much. That average $1200 monthly Social Security check you've been counting on? Way too extravagant for Barack Obama's refined sensibilities. In the past, he has been more circumspect about his plans for a "balanced approach" in which the little people share the sacrifice are sacrificed to the predators of the financial class. But yesterday, he got his machismo up. It probably had a lot to do with being mere inches away from fellow ... more »
Paul Krugman hits the nail on the head!
*MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2012* *Dueling portraits of Maya MacGuineas:* Paul Krugman keeps telling the same story well. Today, he starts his column with Starbuck’s version of Steve Jobs. He discusses Howard Schultz, a man who is said to be spreading confusion about our budget mess: KRUGMAN (12/31/12): *Brewing Up Confusion* *Howard Schultz, the C.E.O. of Starbucks, has a reputation as a good guy, a man who supports worthy causes.* And he presumably thought he would add to that reputation when he posted an open letter urging his employees to promote fiscal bipartisanship by writing “... more »
The Connecticut Elementary School Shooting: Video By Ken O'Keefe -Sandy Hook False Flag Psy-Op
It should be obvious to everyone by now that the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting of December 14th, was definitely a Psy-Op conducted by criminals, especially those within the US Government itself, to convince the American public to surrender their guns and repeal the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution. Everything told by our media, and government officials, about this "shooting" has to this point been proven to be false and a pack of lies. It is definitely time that everyone call out these scoundrels for spinning their pack of lies to the public! I came across a most interes... more »
North Korean New Year: First ever Fireworks Display
North Korea welcomes 2013 with reportedly the first ever New Year's fireworks display the country has held. It follows one of the most impressive New Year fireworks displays which took place in Sydney, Australia, as it became the second major city to welcome 2013. http://news.sky.com/story/1031731/fireworks-first-for-north-korean-new-year
NEW WONKS ON THE BLOCK: Who are these guys!
MON*DAY, DECEMBER 31, 2012* *Part 1—Did Ezra Klein really mean that:* We were struck by several year-end lists at the Washington Post. For one example, we were struck by Glenn Kessler’s list of “the biggest Pinocchios [sic] of 2012.” (To peruse that list, click here.) The biggest “Pinocchios” of the past year? In our view, this is part of the muddled logic of the modern fact-check. Kessler doesn’t seem to have a clear, pre-existing term for what it is he’s checking. We would assume he’s correcting “misstatements,” or something of that ilk. Why not use the term?) At any rate, Kess... more »
Untitled
*Brees: Payton's return will be ''eye-opener''* *Street lights still out along I-10 in N.O. East, year after deadly 40-car pileup * *In Memoriam: 2012 ~WWOZ*
Finally... Justice For Víctor Jara-- But War Criminal Henry Kissinger Is Still On The Loose
The song above, "Plegaria a un Labrador" ("Prayer to a Worker") is one of Víctor Jara's classic songs. You need to know who this guy was. On September 11, 1973, Nixon, Kissinger and the CIA gave the go-ahead for a violent fascist coup against Chile's democratically elected government. The presidential palace was bombed and shelled and Chile's beloved president, Salvator Allende, was murdered. But that was just the beginning. Within hours of Allende's murder thousands of his supporters were rounded up (eventually 80,000) and herded into a stadium and many were tortured (40,000) an... more »
Secret Human Testing Revealed in Declassified U.S. Army Documents; Lawsuit Follows
Dees Illustration Nicholas West It is always a challenge attempting to describe how sick and power mad are some of the elite who have taken up positions within the military-industrial-scientific complex. However, it is becoming easier, as more of their past demented actions are coming to light with such a preponderance of evidence that even the most naive must take notice. These actions only hint at what is likely going on all around us today, as well as the future plans of those who see the planet Earth as nothing more than a giant Petri dish. The video below covers Dr. Lisa Mar... more »
22 killed in three attacks in Nigeria
At least 22 people have been killed in three separate attacks in northeastern Nigeria since Friday, including 15 Christians shot Sunday inside a church, according to officials. The violence began early Friday when unidentified gunmen raided a village in Musari, in Borno state, killing five people, said Joint Task Force Lt. Col. Sagir Musa. JTF troops responded, and a gun battle ensued. Three of the attackers were killed, and troops recovered weapons and ammunition. Musa declined to provide further details of the attack. http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/30/world/africa/nigeria-violence... more »
Out of Touch
There is no love lost between Stephen Harper and Joe Clark. When Clark's official portrait was hung in the Centre Block four years ago, Stephane Dion and Paul Martin attended the ceremony. But, breaking with tradition, Harper managed to be away in Europe. So, when Clark came out in support of Theresa Spence last week, it's a sure bet that Mr. Harper was not pleased. Michael Harris writes: But for a former prime minister, and a Conservative one at that, to pay his respects to Chief Spence presents a challenge to the sitting PM. After all, Harper has shown himself to be the Tin Man...more »
Map shows a dot for everyone of the 308,450,225 people logged in the U.S. Census...and it even shows people living in New York's Central Park
This stunning map of the United States puts a dot down for every one of the 308,450,225 people recorded in the 2010 Census - illustrating perfectly the population density of the nation and how large swathes are empty. The visualization of the huge numbers involved allows the user to zoom in to see some pretty unusual quirks of the once-in-a decade survey, which includes a number of individuals designated as living in New York's Central Park. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255002/Stunning-map-shows-dot-308-450-225-people-logged-U-S-Census--shows-people-living-New-Yorks-Cent... more »
Police tighten New Year's Eve security as Times Square emerges as potential terrorist target
When revelers pack Times Square for the annual New Year's eve celebration on Monday night, police will observe a tradition of their own: giving them lots of company. Each year, the New York Police Department assigns thousands of extra patrols to festivities - in ways seen and unseen - to control the crowd and watch for any signs of trouble. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2254936/Times-Square-Police-tighten-New-Years-Eve-security-spot-emerges-potential-terrorist-target.html
Daily Links, Monday, Dec 31, 2012
Happy New Year to you all! What can we pick up from the blogs this week? *BLOGS*: - Drew's marvelous pics from this year. - Oz's takedown of the ROC denial that Honduras is switching to the PRC. - Taiwanese Identity on land takeovers for "development". - Taiwan to start oil exploration in South China Sea. A move guaranteed to peeve the states in the area for no real gain for Taiwan. Phils vs Taiwan, this time. The Ma gov't policy of using the Senkakus to unsettle relations with Japan and the US and the South China Sea to unsettle relations with its southern ... more »
Lostprophets Singer Ian Watkins In Court On Abuse Charges
Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has appeared in court to face allegations of plotting to rape a baby. The 35-year-old, whose band has sold more than 3.5m records worldwide, was arrested with two women earlier this month. As well as being charged with conspiring to rape a child under the age of 13, Watkins faces five other sex abuse charges. http://news.sky.com/story/1031842/lostprophets-singer-in-court-on-abuse-charges
The Community Reinvestment Act is remembered and alocated its share of the blame at last
The reason blog reports that: ''twas Wall Street greed what done it, some folks say, when it comes to explaining the spectacular housing meltdown of recent years, which had its roots in a great many astonishingly risky loans. Other folks suggest that the federal government just may have played something of a role in inducing, even strong-arming, banks to take risks they otherwise would have avoided. Specifically, the Community Reinvestment Act and related policy pressures are pointed to as culprits, part of a government effort to extend home-ownership in lower-income neighborhoods. ... more »
Recumbent Weekend
My friend Michael Cannon recently purchased a recumbent bike due to recurring back pain and other issues. We rode from Taichung to Kaohsiung for two days this weekend, down the 3 and then to the 1. Michael got lots of attention from passers-by (Michael's post is here). The ride was nice in good weather on Saturday, a wonderful and easy 120 kms for me, but Sunday's ride from Chiayi started in pouring rain and cold and blasting winds, and ended in the cold and Kaohsiung traffic, on Rte 1. Still, it was lots of fun watching people honk and yell at Michael, and video, photo, and stop ... more »
Warren Jeffs followers 'prepare for end of the world' TONIGHT
Followers of cult leader, Warren Jeffs, who is behind bars for sexually assaulting young girls, are reportedly preparing for the end of the world tomorrow, after their former leader warned of Armageddon before midnight. The only supermarket and major meeting point of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints community across the movement's key sites - Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah - has been closed, and an expert in the sect has warned CNN the preparations could be a dangerous signal. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255093/Warren-Jeffs-fol... more »
‘Unemployed Man Who Refused A Job Because He Didn't Want To Get Up At 8am’
listen to ‘Unemployed Man Who Refused A Job Because He Didn't Want To Get Up At 8am’ on Audioboo LBC's Julia Hartley-Brewer was discussing whether benefit cards are a good idea but this call diverted the discussion somewhat as this caller revealed that he was recently offered a job, but didn’t want to have to get up at 8:00 in the morning. I think this makes the point about the difference between strivers and shirkers more eloquently than any politician’s speech. As an aside can you imagine a BBC presenter being that shocked by such a caller? Most would side with him.
4.1 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTHERN ALASKA - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 4.1 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 11:38:28 UTC Monday, December 31, 2012 at 02:38:28 AM at epicenter Location 61.650°N, 141.085°W Depth 22.2 km (13.8 miles) Region SOUTHERN ALASKA Distances 67 km (42 miles) SE (134°) from Chisana, AK
Charlie Jackson and Jason Cobb feared dead in alligator-infested lake after being 'ejected' from boat on bachelor party trip
Search and rescue teams in Florida are hunting for two bachelor party revellers feared dead after they were 'ejected' off a boat into alligator-infested waters. Charlie Jackson, 26, and Jason Cobb, 30, both of Osteen, disappeared in the early hours of Saturday after going fishing in a 15ft boat on a lake best known for the giant beasts. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255169/Lake-Jesup-Fears-Charlie-Jackson-Jason-Cobb.html
Syria rebels 'beheaded a Christian and fed him to the dogs' as fears grow over Islamist atrocities....These are the people our government want in Charge
Syrian rebels beheaded a Christian man and fed his body to dogs, according to a nun who says the West is ignoring atrocities committed by Islamic extremists. The nun said taxi driver Andrei Arbashe, 38, was kidnapped after his brother was heard complaining that fighters against the ruling regime behaved like bandits. She said his headless corpse was found by the side of the road, surrounded by hungry dogs. He had recently married and was soon to be a father. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255103/Syria-rebels-beheaded-Christian-fed-dogs-fears-grow-Islamist-atrocities.html
Train season tickets have risen by 40% in five years... and ministers STILL want us to pay more
Train travellers have reacted angrily as they face fare rises of up to 10 per cent from this week - but rather than having sympathy for them, the transport minister has claimed the increase is ‘only right’. Norman Baker countered the damning evidence from pressure groups of overcrowding and poor punctuality by insisting the Government is carrying out its biggest rail investment in two centuries. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255110/Train-fares-Transport-crowded-late-prices-rising.html
NRA Lies Exposed
* by Len Hart, The Existentialist Cowboy* The NRA wants you to believe that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives them an unqualified, blank check right to 'keep and bear' arms as they choose. That's not so! The Second Amendment --from which the right to 'own and bear' arms is derived --is a single sentence': *A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.* U. S. v Miller is the only U.S. Supreme Court decision that directly "interprets" the Second Amendment. U.S. v Mil...more »
Paedophiles to be tagged with GPS alarms which are triggered if they go near a school or playground
New GPS tags set to be introduced in April will mean paedophiles can be banned from areas where children gather. The system, which will monitor the most dangerous criminals via satellites orbiting the earth, will set off an alarm if the sex offenders go too near a school. Satellite tagging, which has already been tested on a number of high profile criminals and immigrations cases including Muslim hate preacher Abu Qatada, will allow officials to track offenders around the clock for the first time. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2255202/Paedophiles-tagged-GPS-alarms-trigg... more »
4.8 Magnitude Earthquake OFF THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 4.8 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 09:36:01 UTC Monday, December 31, 2012 at 07:36:01 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 37.475°N, 143.679°E Depth 34.3 km (21.3 miles) Region OFF THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN Distances 234 km (145 miles) ESE of Ishinomaki, Japan
Japan: Four more patients die in viral outbreak
Four patients have died at a Yokohama hospital after an outbreak of infectious gastroenteritis left nearly 100 patients and medical personnel ill, some with signs of the norovirus in them. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20121231a5.html
Sydney surfer tells of being 'knocked off board by shark'
Authorities have closed two beaches in Sydney’s north after a shark tried to attack a surfer and took a bite of his surfboard. Long Reef and Dee Why beaches have been closed after a 2.5-metre shark reportedly knocked into an off-duty lifeguard’s long board while he was in the water this afternoon. There are no reports of injuries. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2012/12/30/14/15/sydney-beaches-closed-after-reports-of-shark-attack
WSJ: New Nuclear Plant Hits Some Snages
Majia's Blog - 7 hours ago
Dec 24, 2012 p. A3 print edition by Rebecca Smith Majia here: The latest licensed nuclear power plant to be built in Georgia, the Vogtle plant, is having problems and is behind schedule. The initial projected cost was $14 billion, but over-runs typically mean costs rise. The engineer hired to monitor the project has already warned of "costly" delays of two to four years. The construction consortium includes Shaw Group and Westinghouse Electric. Problems include "welding issues" and "design revisions." The plant involves a new type of nuclear reactor. Already there are $900 million... more »
Top 10 Dance Tunes of 2012
Because it's tradition! And what a fine, fine tradition it is. 10. *Motivation (Kris O'Neil Remix)* by Paul Thomas feat. Ladystation 9. *Lost In Your Love* by Redlight 8. *Spectrum (Calvin Harris Remix)* by Florence and the Machine 7. *The Night Out (Madeon Remix)* by Martin Solveig 6. *I Don't Deserve You* by Paul van Dyk feat. Plumb 5. *You Will Never Know (Miguel Campbell and Matt Hughes Remix)* by Imany 4. *Nothing Without Me* by Markus Schulz feat. Ana Diaz 3. *Chronicles of a Fallen Love* by The Bloody Beetroots feat. Greta Svabo Bech 2. *Aeon of Revenge* by Andrew Rayel An... more »
5.0 Magnitude Earthquake SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 5.0 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 08:50:07 UTC Monday, December 31, 2012 at 02:50:07 PM at epicenter Location 3.237°S, 86.454°E Depth 9.8 km (6.1 miles) Region SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN Distances 1334 km (829 miles) SSE (151°) from Kandy, Sri Lanka
4.9 Magnitude Earthquake NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 4.9 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 08:46:20 UTC Monday, December 31, 2012 at 03:46:20 AM at epicenter Location 11.193°S, 77.489°W Depth 69.8 km (43.4 miles) Region NEAR THE COAST OF CENTRAL PERU Distances 17 km (11 miles) SE (127°) from Huacho, Peru
Euro shares dip as fiscal cliff deadline nears
World stocks were set to end the year up 15 percent but dipped on Monday as U.S. politicians prepared for last-minute talks to avoid a fiscal crunch of spending cuts and tax hikes that could drag down the world economy. In Washington, the two political parties are set to hold further talks to try and find a way to avoid the $600 billion "fiscal cliff" due to kick in from the start of January. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/31/us-markets-global-idUSBRE88901C20121231
Explosions across Iraq kill at least 10, wound 46:
Explosions across Iraq killed at least 10 people and wounded 46 on Monday, police said. Seven people from the same family were killed by bomb blasts near their home in the town of Mussayab, south of Baghdad. Bombs also went off in the cities of Hilla and Kirkuk in the north. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/31/us-iraq-violence-idUSBRE8BU03320121231
4.6 Magnitude Earthquake FLORES SEA - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 4.6 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 06:01:25 UTC Monday, December 31, 2012 at 02:01:25 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 7.024°S, 120.279°E Depth 594.4 km (369.4 miles) Region FLORES SEA Distances 140 km (86 miles) N of Lanos, Indonesia
3.9 Magnitude Earthquake OFF THE COAST OF WASHINGTON - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 3.9 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 02:07:22 UTC Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 05:07:22 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 47.722°N, 128.749°W Depth 10 km (6.2 miles) Region OFF THE COAST OF WASHINGTON Distances 264 km (164 miles) SW of Tofino, Canada
4.7 Magnitude Earthquake NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 4.7 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 01:45:00 UTC Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 11:45:00 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 35.271°N, 36.277°W Depth 10.1 km (6.3 miles) Region NORTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE Distances 651 km (404 miles) SW of Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal
5.0 Magnitude Earthquake CHIAPAS, MEXICO - 31st December 2012
Magnitude 5.0 Date-Time Monday, December 31, 2012 at 01:15:18 UTC Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 07:15:18 PM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones Location 15.058°N, 92.140°W Depth 113.9 km (70.8 miles) Region CHIAPAS, MEXICO Distances 8 km (4 miles) NNE of Cacahoatan, Mexico
Yemen: Al Qaeda Offers Bounty For US Ambassador
Al Qaeda militants in Yemen have offered a reward worth nearly £100,000 ($160,000) to anyone who kills the US ambassador to the country. In an audiotape produced by the local affiliate's media arm, al Malahem Foundation, and posted on militant websites, it said it would give 3kg of gold to whoever assassinated Gerald M. Feierstein and £14,000 ($23,000) if an American soldier was killed. The bounties were set to "inspire and encourage our Muslim nation for jihad" and were valid for six months, the statement said. http://news.sky.com/story/1031690/yemen-al-qaeda-offers-bounty-for-us-... more »
Caitlan Coleman Appeal: Couple Vanished In Afghanistan since October
The family of a pregnant woman who vanished in Afghanistan with her husband have appealed for the couple's safe return. Caitlan Coleman, 27, is due to give birth in January and needs urgent medical attention for a liver condition, according to her father James. He and his wife Lyn last heard from their son-in-law Josh on October 8 when he made contact from an internet cafe in Afghanistan. http://news.sky.com/story/1031787/appeal-for-couple-who-vanished-in-afghanistan
Brazil: Most Wanted Man Killed In Gem Heist
Military police in Brazil have killed the leader of a gang which blasted its way into a gem-cutting plant and made off with nine hostages who were later safely freed. In a daring raid, the gang detonated dynamite to storm into the plant in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul and then ran into police on their way out. "There was an intense firefight. Three assailants died and two police were injured," a military police official said. http://news.sky.com/story/1031701/brazil-most-wanted-man-killed-in-gem-heist
Oregon: Bus Veers Off Icy Road: Nine Killed Nine people
A tour bus has crashed through a barrier on an icy road in Oregon and fallen several hundred feet into a ravine, leaving nine people dead and at least 26 others injured. The driver apparently lost control on a snow and ice covered section of Interstate 84 that winds down a hill. http://news.sky.com/story/1031736/bus-veers-off-icy-oregon-road-nine-killed
Fiscal Cliff: Markets Fall As Deadline Looms
European stock markets have opened nervously as the clock ticks down to a New Year deadline for a deal to prevent the US falling over the 'fiscal cliff'. A series of costly tax rises and spending cuts worth more than $500bn kick come into force as 2013 begins in America, unless Congress and the White House can agree measures to stop them being implemented. http://news.sky.com/story/1031794/fiscal-cliff-markets-fall-as-deadline-looms
Hillary Clinton In Hospital With Blood Clot
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been admitted to hospital after the discovery of a blood clot stemming from an accident earlier this month. Mrs Clinton, 65, initially fell ill with a stomach bug that led to her fainting and sustaining a concussion. Officials had insisted she was recovering. But her spokesman Philippe Reines said in a statement: "In the course of a follow-up exam today (Sunday), Secretary Clinton's doctors discovered a blood clot had formed, stemming from the concussion she sustained several weeks ago. http://news.sky.com/story/1031720/hillary-clinton-in-... more »
“Palestinian” people are a fabrication, an invention. — Winds Of Jihad By SheikYerMami
http://sheikyermami.com/2012/12/31/palestinian-people-are-a-fabrication-an-invention/As I have posted before.
Space Plants
This is one of those very basic yet simple questions that needed to be answered. That the answer turns out to be unconditional is a bonus. We can grow plants happily in space. We all expected that doing so would become both necessary and doable. Now we know it is doable. We will soon be considering how to do the engineering as our access to space gets serious and expansion begins in earnest. Bubbles on the moon are particularly attractive. I wonder if it may be possible to produce an active cellular structure of hexagonal units framing water filled bubbles that also cont... more »
Record Numbers of Raptors
I read this story quite differently. The fact is that the recovery of raptor populations over the past forty years has been remarkable. Some may want to claim this is because of the demise in use of DDT, but I am way more inclined to assign causation to the effective end of utterly irresponsible hunting by teenage farm boys. Not only do we have less said farm boys, but they all know better. Growing up in Mid Western Ontario back in the sixties, all game was scant. Yet I was out every day with a rifle in hand patrolling our fifty hectares of country side with a dog on hand... more »
Central Bankers Gone Wild
Yes, the world of central banking is sorting itself out and acting firmly on lessons learned. This can only lead to a far more activist and even successful banking regime and also an early end to the too big to fail nonsense as a license to leverage up the financial Ponzi scheme. With central banks watching each other, it will be difficult to go astray and we can expect to see a body of best practice to emerge. Recall that up to now, best practice has been a combination of the 1933 regulatory regime for financial institutions along with Reagan shifting the tax take to the... more »
Vampire Pterosaurs
Suddenly we have plausible fossil evidence for the gargoyle cum Chupacabra. My reason for not considering such an evolutionary path other than extending the bat lineage was zero fossil evidence. That just disappeared and we now have a convincing start point. We have even retrieved reports in which this creature ha been eyeballed. That it is part of the pterosaur lineage solves all sorts of difficulties. Even the fur evidence conforms nicely. Of interest is the second sketch which explains wing handling. We already knew that there is evidence of extant pterosaurs who ... more »
BBC News - Duncan Smith condemns tax credits as 'not fit for purpose'
"In the years between 2003 and 2010, Labour spent a staggering £171bn on tax credits, contributing to a 60% rise in the welfare bill," Mr Duncan Smith said. He also accused previous Labour governments of boosting tax credit payments ahead of the last two general elections in "an attempt to gain short-term popularity". "It knew what it was doing - this was a calculated attempt to win votes," he said. An interesting article on BBC - http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20873180 As yet no Labour response, but one will be up soon I am sure. I wonder how they will deny what is demon... more »
2013 PREDICTIONS, METROPOLIS, WIZARD OF OZ
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We predict that 2013 *may* be better than 2012. And the reason is that more people, hopefully, will see through the attempts by the elite to brainwash and control them. The elite want us to think that it is a bad thing to have trade unions and high taxes for the rich. *Metropolis* Dognamedblue left this wise comment on the post "SANDY HOOK, SATANISM, SEX": "In the classic 1920's German film Metropolis, the elite controller ... wants the workers to ... revolt so he can crush them. "So he (has) an agent provocateur (Maria) to incite the masses... "Much like Occupy Wall Street, UK...more »
Friday Baseball Post
Not quite Friday, but it's about time I got around to my Hall of Fame post. Well, obviously, it's an unusual ballot this year, with so many all-time greats appearing for the first time. I mean, even without the writers who are inventing crazy distinctions to justify voting for some guys and not others...about that, I'll link to Christina Kahrl's perfectly sensible comments, and a reasonable alternative perspective from T.J. Quinn, and also to a very nice explanation of his own vote by Hank Shulman. I'll also repeat my opinion that eventually, all these guys are going in...maybe not ... more »
As 'Fiscal Cliff' Nears, Let's Review Republican Irresponsibility
By Manifesto Joe While cleaning out some of my stuff, preparing to relocate for a new job, I came upon a 2003 publication from Citizens for Tax Justice that casts some interesting background on the so-called predicament in which the federal government now finds itself. Want to guess which political party, when in executive power, did more spending paid for by borrowing? This table shows *Shares of Non-Social Security Federal Spending Paid for by Borrowing (Fiscal 1947 to 2003 projected)* Truman: none Eisenhower: 3% Kennedy-Johnson: 6% Nixon-Ford: 14% Carter: 13% Reagan: 25% B... more »
Order of Canada for Stevie Cameron sets the right tone for the coming Year of Mulroney
Happy New Year … and this time I mean it! Author and cook Stevie Cameron wearing the official regalia of a member of the Order of Canada. Actual Order of Canada recipients may not appear exactly as illustrated. Below: The real Ms. Cameron; Brian Mulroney, the 18th prime minister of Canada, wearing his OiC pin ... more »
What are we losing in the Web’s images of suffering and schadenfreude? Is our humanity eroding?
The picture arrived on the front page of the New York Post, ignited a firestorm of controversy and then faded within the usual two to three news cycles. It showed a dark-haired man in a light-green jacket, standing on the New York City subway tracks as a Q train approached. “Pushed on the subway track, this man is about to die,” read the headline, making it dreadfully clear that this was an image of death in action. Like Robert Capa’s 1936 photograph that purportedly shows a Spanish Republic militiaman struck by a bullet and collapsing on a hillside. Or Eddie Adams’s agonizing 1968 ... more »
Mohawks Tyendinaga Rail Blockade
Kanyen'kéhaka - Never Been Idle - We Support Idle No More Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012 Tyendinaga Rail Blockade Tyendinaga Mohawks launch temporary rail blockade on main line between Toronto, Montreal by Kenneth Jackson and Jorge BarreraAPTN National NewsAbout three dozen Mohawks from Tyendinaga blocked the main rail line between Toronto and Montreal for several hours Sunday in support of
Failed Syria envoy Brahimi’s mission brings chemical war closer
The Syrian crisis unbelievably took another turn for the worse Saturday, Dec. 29: After making no headway with Bashar Assad in Damascus, the UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi was told in no uncertain terms by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow: “There is no possibility of persuading Syrian ruler Bashar Assad to leave Syria.” As they spoke, a record 400 people died in hostilities in the country. The burnt remains of hundreds of people slaughtered by the army were discovered in a Homs district. And Syrian opposition leaders have repeatedly preconditioned their accepta... more »
Why congressional Republicans don't have to pay even lip service to reality
* * *by Ken* In his last post, "The Cliff Minuet Moves Towards Crescendo," Howie asked, "Are Republicans willing to start facing reality?" And he thought, "Maybe." Sometimes the *Washington Post*'s Chris Cillizza has his uses. And today he's done some electoral math that makes a pretty convincing case why congressional Republicans *don't don't don't* have to pay even lip service to reality in the life of these here United States: Their voters have converted for the forseeable future to the nonreality standard. *As ‘fiscal cliff' looms, Republicans have no political incentive to mak...more »
2012 International Studies Blogging Awards: Final Call
The deadline for nominations and voter registration is 1 January 2013. The list of nominees has slightly expanded since my last update. You should feel free to add nominations in the comments section below. Please do check the eligibility criteria. You can register to vote by emailing us with your coordinates. I’ve mentioned before that registration guarantees you a right Continue reading
Chief Arvol Looking Horse support for Chief Spence and Protection of Mother Earth
By Chief Arvol Looking Horse Censored News http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com As Keeper of our Sacred White Buffalo Calf Pipe, I would like to send out support for the efforts of Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation, for giving of herself through fasting with prayers for the protection of Mother Earth. Throughout history, there have been many Voices from different Nations
Liberalism all the way down? …. six hours on a plane with Judith Butler’s Frames of War
On a plane ride a couple of days ago, I picked up Judith Butler’s Frames of War, perhaps a couple of years after I should have. Though there is a lot of the book that I disagreed with, reading it was a transformative experience. It is perhaps particularly relevant to the subject and content of Continue reading
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Hospitalized
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was admitted to New York Presbyterian Hospital when doctors discovered a blood clot related to her concussion earlier this month after a fall caused by dehydration during a stomach virus. Naturally, conspiracy theorists, let's call them clotters, are pooh-poohing the idea that Secretary Clinton is actually ill because she's yet to testify before the Senate on Benghazi. Next thing we know, Fox "News" will be doing a late-breaking report that blood clots have a liberal bias, according to a new study by the Heritage Foundation. Oh, and... more »
Musical Interlude: Yanni, "The Storm"
Yanni, “The Storm”, with Samvel Yervinyan, Victor Espinola, and Sayaka Katsui - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKA-3Qh6iFw
Musical Interlude: Yanni, “Nostalgia”
Yanni, “Nostalgia” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWUe-iwyB2M
Hillary Clinton hospitalized after doctors discover blood clot
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was admitted to a New York City hospital on Sunday after doctors discovered that a blood clot had formed, the State Department said in a statement. Philippe Reines, a deputy assistant secretary, said in the statement that the clot stems from a concussion Clinton sustained several weeks ago. Reines said that Clinton, 65, is being treated with anti-coagulants at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. She will be monitored there for the next 48 hours, he said. “Her doctors will continue to assess her condition, including other issues associate... more »
"A Look to the Heavens"
“It's the bubble versus the cloud. NGC 7635, the Bubble Nebula, is being pushed out by the stellar wind of massive central star BD+602522. Next door, though, lives a giant molecular cloud, visible to the right. At this place in space, an irresistible force meets an immovable object in an interesting way. *Click image for larger size. * The cloud is able to contain the expansion of the bubble gas, but gets blasted by the hot radiation from the bubble's central star. The radiation heats up dense regions of the molecular cloud causing it to glow. The Bubble Nebula, pictured above i... more »
CSOs and State 17: UP Pahinungod and Typhoon Victims in Mindanao
The main characteristic of "civil society organizations" (CSOs) is volunteerism. In contrast, the main characteristic of government and the state is coercion. This makes the two rather a substitute, not complement, for each other. There are several instances where they collaborate with each other, and that's because government agencies, from local to national, are so many that CSOs and other volunteer individuals have to work with them to minimize duplication of certain functions. Civil society is a state of society where citizens are mature and responsible enough to run their own...more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Fairfax, Iowa, USA. Thanks for stopping by.
"Only One Rule..."
“There’s only one rule that I know of, babies- God damn it, you’ve got to be kind.” - Kurt Vonnegut “Man shows inhumanity to Man. It’s axiomatic of our existence. It’s the story of our past, it’s the story of our present, and it will very likely be the story of our future. Indeed, it’s a story that’s reinforced every day, whether we’re watching the evening news or the latest entry in the “Saw” series. However, our history is also littered with awe-inspiring examples of men and women showing incredible compassion in the face of unspeakable evil and insurmountable odds. Every sto... more »
Life Skills: "How to Protect Your Energy"
*"How to Protect Your Energy"* By Judith Orloff MD “As you go through the intuitive healing process you need to know: each of us has our own special power. We carry it within; it waits to be awakened. Call it your inner self, your spirit, or light–however conceived, you must meet and come to know your core-essence. The source of all intuition, it is your fiercest ally and advocate against danger. By connecting with this part of yourself you’ll mount confidence, feel safer in the world. Then whatever or whoever crosses your path–even the devil incarnate–will be no match for your ... more »
The Cliff Minuet Moves Towards Crescendo
A blame game for the GOP and another bungled opportunity for Obama, the Grand Bargain-- despite Boehner's inability to control his own caucus-- is heading into the melodramatic end-stage. People overseas take this far more seriously than Americans do and for media consumers abroad, it looks like we're actually approaching armageddon. Many low-info Americans actually do too, though others are already rolling their eyes and at all the obviously staged game-playing. I'm guessing there'll be some noisy stock market mini-crash if the whole thing doesn't get wrapped up by tomorrow mornin...more »
"Ode 2 2012"
*"Ode 2 2012"* by Will Durst "And so we bid a not-so-fond farewell to the bow of another large unwieldy year as it sinks slowly over the horizon wobbling unsteadily towards the graveyard of memory. And cheers erupt from we folks on shore waving the double-handed “L for loser” sign above our heads. “So long. See ya. Don’t let the door slam you in the butt on the way out. And if you got any brothers or sisters, don’t give them this address.” Normally there’s some small sense of nostalgia for a departing annum. An iota of regret for the calendar discarded. Not this one. Getting thr... more »
"This Land is Mine": An enlightening look into the absurdity of claiming monopoly over land in Israel/Palestine, and who the real "Master" of the territory is
*Matt's thoughts:* Arrogance ultimately undoes us all. A film only for those still capable of contemplation.
One in 12 in US military has clogged heart arteries
Just over one in 12 U.S. service members who died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars had plaque buildup in the arteries around their hearts - an early sign of heart disease, according to a new study. None of them had been diagnosed with heart disease before deployment, researchers said. "This is a young, healthy, fit group," said the study's lead author, Dr. Bryant Webber, from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. "These are people who are asymptomatic, they feel fine, they're deployed into combat," he told Reuters Health. http://www.reuter... more »
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