Ladies and Gentlemen, Please Take Your Seats-WW III is About to Begin
Dearest Readers, sorry for the re-run. Prissy hopes to return this evening with fresh stuff for you! Two new ones at the top for now...
See bottom of this post. GOP Perverts- now didn't Prissy tell you there appeared to be a correlation? See the long list, below.
Mac WorldFrance bans citizen journalists from reporting violence
The French Constitutional Council has approved a law that criminalizes the filming or broadcasting of acts of violence by people other than professional journalists. The law could lead to the imprisonment of eyewitnesses who film acts of police violence, or operators of Web sites publishing the images, one French civil liberties group warned on Tuesday.
The council chose an unfortunate anniversary to publish its decision approving the law, which came exactly 16 years after Los Angeles police officers beating Rodney King were filmed by amateur videographer George Holliday on the night of March 3, 1991. The officers’ acquittal at the end on April 29, 1992 sparked riots in Los Angeles.
If Holliday were to film a similar scene of violence in France today, he could end up in prison as a result of the new law, said Pascal Cohet, a spokesman for French online civil liberties group Odebi. And anyone publishing such images could face up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 (US$98,537), potentially a harsher sentence than that for committing the violent act.
Hey Sarkozy, Could Prissy get some Freedom Fries with that ban? And take a look at what the French have to listen to.
Even if you don't speak French, you can tell he's lit!
Information Clearing House, What President Putin really said, without the American media spin Russian President Putin’s Interview with G8 Newspaper Journalists 6/9/07
DER SPIEGEL: Mr President, it seems like Russia is not very fond of the West. Our relations have somewhat deteriorated. And we can also mention the deterioration of your relations with America. Are we once again approaching a Cold War?
VLADIMIR PUTIN: One can hardly use the same terminology in international relations, in relations between countries, that would apply to relationships between people — especially during their honeymoon or as they prepare to go to the Civil Registry Office.
Throughout history, interests have always been the main organising principle for relations between states and on the international arena. And the more civilised these relations become, the clearer it is that one’s own interests must be balanced against the interests of other countries. And one must be able to find compromises to resolve the most difficult problems and issues.
One of the major difficulties today is that certain members of the international community are absolutely convinced that their opinion is the correct one. And of course this is hardly conducive to creating the trusting atmosphere that I believe is crucial for finding more than simply mutually acceptable solutions, for finding optimal solutions. However, we also think that we should not dramatise anything unduly. If we express our opinions openly, honestly and forthrightly, then this does not imply that we are looking for confrontation. Moreover, I am deeply convinced that if we were able to reinstate honest discussion and the capacity to find compromises in the international arena then everyone would benefit. And I am convinced that certain crises that face the international community today would not exist and would not have had such a dire impact on the internal political situation in certain countries. For example, events in Iraq would not be such a headache for the United States. This is the most vivid, sharpest example but, nevertheless, I want you to understand me. And as you recall, we were opposed to military action in Iraq. We now consider that had we confronted the problems that faced us at the time with other means then the result would have been — in my opinion — still better than what we have today.
It is for that reason that we do not want confrontation; we want to engage in dialogue. However, we want a dialogue that acknowledges the equality of both parties’ interests.
Say what you want about Putin, but he is much smarter than Dubya...
Hot Links
Zaman -Turkey Online'Iran Strikes PKK Camp on Mt. Kandil'
A PKK administrator speaking to AFP said, "We have suffered losses," but declined to give any further details.
The Tehran administration was harshly criticized by Iraq on Sunday because it was reported, "the Iranian forces have entered five kilometers inside Iraq's northern border and bombarded PKK targets."
The Iranian government, however, did not justify the allegation in a statement released yesterday.
Iranian Interior Minister Mustafa Pur Mohammadi said Iran is doing everything it can to prevent the attacks aimed at Turkey from the Iranian border region, highlighting the common benefits of cooperation between Tehran and Ankara.
Prissy's shares her flowers with her Dear Readers
Uruknet info DOES IRAN'S PRESIDENT WANT ISRAEL WIPED OFF THE MAP AND DOES HE DENY THE HOLOCAUST?
The German TV-station n24 spreads the following on 2006-12-14 using the title 'Iran's President calls the Holocaust a myth': "The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stepped up his verbal attacks against Israel and called the Holocaust a 'myth' used as a pretext by the Europeans to found a Jewish state in the center of the Islamic world . 'In the name of the Holocaust they have created a myth and regard it to be worthier than God, religion and the prophets' the Iranian head of state said."
Ansa Italy Berlusconi resigns
(ANSA) - Rome, May 2 - Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi resigned on Tuesday, paving the way for centre-left leader Romano Prodi to form a new government.
Berlusconi formally ended his term as premier three weeks after Prodi squeaked to victory in hard-fought and bitter parliamentary elections .
Before he paid the obligatory call on the head of state, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, to formalise his move, his cabinet held its final meeting .
"We completed our programme, we were the best government of the Republic. They'll be sorry we've gone," he reportedly told outgoing ministers .
Reuters Iran will hit Israel if US does "evil":
The Islamic Republic has never recognized Israel and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for the Jewish state to be "wiped off the map."
Dehqani said naval wargames held in the Gulf last month "carried the warning to those countries that threaten Iran, including America and the Zionist regime".
Experts said the wargames, in which Iran said it had tested new missiles and torpedoes, were a thinly veiled threat that it could disrupt vital Gulf oil shipping lanes if it was attacked.
The Scotsman Bolivia seizes gas fields
He endorsed comments by his foreign minister that coca leaves, from which cocaine is produced, have more calcium than milk and should be included on school breakfast menus.
In his first diplomatic spat with the United States, Mr Morales said he wanted the Bush administration to explain why it cancelled a visa for Senator Leonilda Zurita, who was planning a speaking tour.
Ms Zurita has led rallies with chants of "Long live coca!" and "Death to the Yankees!"
Mercury News AP: Government drafts pandemic flu plan
The Bush administration forecasts massive disruptions if bird flu or some other super-strain of influenza arises in the United States. A response plan scheduled to be released at the White House on Wednesday warns employers that as much as 40 percent of the work force could be off the job and says every segment of society must prepare.
"The collective response of 300 million Americans will significantly influence the shape of the pandemic and its medical, social and economic outcomes," says an undated 228-page draft version of the report that had not been finalized. "Institutions in danger of becoming overwhelmed will rely on the voluntarism and sense of civic and humanitarian duty of ordinary Americans."
An outbreak could lead to a variety of restrictions on movement in and around the country, including limiting the number of international flights and quarantining exposed travelers. But the government does not foresee closing U.S. borders to fight the spread of flu, in part because it would only slow the pandemic's spread by a few weeks and because it would have such significant consequences for the economy and foreign affairs.
Feeling better?
No Dubya, we can't let this go on much longer...no wonder he couldn't get into a public law school-despite who his Daddy was. Good thing, because Dubya doesn't seem to read very well...
FBI Secretly Sought Data on 3,501 People in '05
Washington - The FBI secretly sought information last year on 3,501 U.S. citizens and legal residents from their banks and credit card, telephone and Internet companies without a court's approval, the Justice Department said Friday.
It was the first time the Bush administration has publicly disclosed how often it uses the administrative subpoena known as a national security letter, which allows the executive branch of government to obtain records about people in terrorism and espionage investigations without court approval.
Friday's disclosure was mandated as part of the renewal of the Patriot Act, the administration's sweeping anti-terror law.
American Free Press 9-11 LAWSUITS SUPPRESSED VICTIMS' FAMILIES ANGERED OVER SILENCE FROM MEDIA By Christopher Bollyn
While the media plays up the significance of the government show trial of the seemingly deranged "20th hijacker" Zacharias Moussaoui, not one 9-11 victim's lawsuit has been allowed to be heard in a trial by jury. Why have the 9-11 victims, families not been given the same right to have their cases heard in an open trial?
Ellen Mariani, who lost her husband Neil on United Air Lines (UAL) Flight 175, filed the first 9-11 wrongful death lawsuit against UAL on Dec. 20, 2001. Mariani was interviewed on national television in May 2002 by Bill OÂReilly of Fox News, who repeatedly questioned her about why she had chosen to pursue litigation instead of accepting the government fund.
"I want justice," Mariani said. ÂI want accountability. Who is responsible? I want the truth."
Today, Mariani, like the other 9-11 plaintiffs, is under a gag order which prevents her from speaking about her ongoing lawsuit. Likewise, thousands of employees of federal agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration have received gag orders in the mail keeping them from telling what they know about the events of 9-11.
Bolton by Artist Stephen Pitts
Washington Post US could seek Iran sanctions outside UN: Bolton
Under questioning by Democrats, Bolton said he had not read an article in the New Yorker magazine that the United States had covert military operations in Iran "because I don't have time to read much fiction."
He also rebuffed persistent questions from Democrats on whether in his previous post as the State Department's top arms control diplomat, he had a role in writing administration documents making now discredited assertions about Iraq's pursuit of nuclear weapons.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Congressman. I had no role in this issue," Bolton told Rep. Henry Waxman of California, top Democrat on the Government Reform committee.
Rep. Stephen Lynch, a Massachusetts Democrat, remarked that it was "stunning that you were not in the loop."
Reuters Gasoline prices a "crisis": Bodman
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodman said on Tuesday that high gasoline prices which have skyrocketed to a near record are a "crisis" for Americans.
"It is a crisis in the sense of the individual," Bodman told reporters after a meeting with Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi.
No kidding...
Feds Go All Out to Kill Spy Suit
National security could be protected, while still allowing cases to move forward, if judges allowed notes and evidence to be seen only in a special room by lawyers with security clearances -- as has happened in Guantanamo Bay criminal cases -- or if judges shut down courtrooms during sensitive sessions, according to Shayana Kadidal, a staff attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, which is separately suing the NSA in an effort to stop what it calls unconstitutional wiretaps.
"The government is asserting that none of that is good enough," Kadidal said. "They are saying, 'This is so sensitive we can't rely on the judge.'" Weaver calls that decision political.
"The privilege is being used to hide criminal activity -- embarrassing activity -- and protect the president from adverse publicity and close off the investigation," Weaver said.
Charles Miller, a Justice Department spokesman, denies that the government is trying to hide any wrongdoing.
May those responsible pay dearly for the misuse of our soldiers...
Military.com A Fool's Mission All Over Again
By Ted Ankrum-he is a retired engineer from the Federal Government Senior Executive Service and a retired Navy captain who served four tours in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart Medals. He is a disabled veteran.
My war was Vietnam. I did four rotations, starting in 1967 and ending with the treaty-required withdrawal of all American troops on March 23, 1973. From there, I went to Thailand to support the continuing USAF missions over Vietnam. I learned a lot, and I thought my country and my military did, too. I became a Congressional candidate because of something that happened during my third tour. One morning a young Seabee came to me, his company commander, and told me he had just gotten a letter from his wife telling him he had a new son. He asked if I could put him in a less-exposed place because he wanted to get home to see his son. I did, but he was killed the next day. I was a supporter of the war, in those days because I believed what I was being told. But after the war, when I read what others had to say, and compared it to my experiences, I came to believe that the whole premise of the war was mistaken. I went back to Vietnam in 2003, and confirmed for myself that we were in the middle of a civil war. Vietnam today is no different from all the other countries in Southeast Asia; this is after the other side outlasted us and after more than 50,000 of my fellow troops were killed. I made a promise that if ever our troops were being sent on another fool's mission, I would do whatever I could to change that. We are on a fool's mission, and I am running for Congress.
That Seabee was killed by an IED. It was made from halite melted out of an unexploded U.S. aerial bomb, and detonated using a discarded PRC-25 radio battery. He was driving a 5-ton Tactical Truck whose "armor" consisted of sandbags on the floorboards. If you look on my website, you'll see a picture of me driving my M-151 Jeep, gunner at the ready. He was my company clerk, an E-6 Yeoman. What you don't see is the 'hillbilly armor' in the form of half inch steel plates welded underneath the gas tank I am sitting on and the sandbags on the floor.
ABC Exclusive: Top CIA Official Under Investigation
As executive director of the CIA, Foggo oversees the administration of the giant spy agency. He was appointed to the post by CIA Director Porter Goss after working as a midlevel procurement supervisor, according to former CIA officials.
While based in Frankfurt, Germany, he oversaw and approved contracts for CIA operations in Iraq.
Foggo is a longtime friend of Brent Wilkes, referred to as co-conspirator No. 1 in government documents filed in the Cunningham investigation. The two played high school football and were in each other's weddings.
According to government documents, Wilkes gave Cunningham $630,000 in cash and gifts in exchange for help in getting government contracts.
July 12, 2005-From KOS Diary. Now what did Prissy tell you a long time ago?
Frank Lautenberg Accuses Karl Rove of Treason
On Air America's Morning Sedition, Mark Maron and Mark Riley were interviewing NJ Senator Frank Lautenberg regarding his call for Karl Rove to lose his security clearance as a result of the Plame leak.
Maron said, "Karl Rove is guilty of treason, isn't he?"
Lautenberg responded, "Yes, I think so."
When Senators are accusing White House Deputy Chiefs of Staff of treason, things have reached a new level.
Look for indictment, coming soon...
Quotes of the Day
In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination.--Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.--Helen Keller (1880 - 1968)
Be still when you have nothing to say; when genuine passion moves you, say what you've got to say, and say it hot.--D. H. Lawrence (1885 - 1930)
Best letter to the Editor from Editor and Publisher:
As of this time, no other mainstream media have reported on the effect of Stephen Colbert's brilliant performance that followed Bush's buffoonery at the White House Correspondents dinner. It seems there is a concerted, deliberate media blackout. The scathing satire that set the president fuming (and the audience stunned to silence) hit too close to home.
AND ... once again, the internet has scooped the media. The internet is buzzing about Colbert; the videos have gone 'viral'. The scene of the press jumping to their feet to applaud Bush is being juxtaposed with scenes from years ago when these same sycophants roared with laughter at Bush's insulting skit ("Where are the WMDs?") The transcript of Colbert's presentation is being shared all over the net.
Colbert was not funny; we who watched at home were not laughing. It is hard to laugh at satirical truths about a man who is responsible for so much death and destruction and who so blatantly lies to us. It is hard to watch news correspondents honor and rush to be photographed with this man. Colbert made us look at this as it was happening. He made us drink the "backwash" of this incestuous corporate-government-media poison.
Colbert did not make us laugh. Colbert screams for us.
Perverts of the GOP
From a local Ohio college
GOP: No Child Left Behind
Republican County Constable Larry Dale Floyd was arrested on suspicion of soliciting sex with an 8-year old girl. Floyd has repeatedly won elections for Denton County, Texas, constable.
Republican judge Mark Pazuhanich pleaded no contest to fondling a 10-year old girl and was sentenced to 10 years probation.
Republican Party leader Bobby Stumbo was arrested for having sex with a 5-year old boy.
Republican teacher and former city councilman John Collins pleaded guilty to sexually molesting 13 and 14 year old girls.Republican campaign worker Mark Seidensticker is a convicted child molester.
Republican Mayor Philip Giordano is serving a 37-year sentence in federal prison for sexually abusing 8- and 10-year old girls.
Republican Mayor John Gosek was arrested on charges of soliciting sex from two 15-year old girls.
Republican County Commissioner David Swartz pleaded guilty to molesting two girls under the age of 11 and was sentenced to 8 years in prison.
Republican legislator Edison Misla Aldarondo was sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping his daughter between the ages of 9 and 17.
Republican Committeeman John R. Curtain was charged with molesting a teenage boy and unlawful sexual contact with a minor.
Republican anti-abortion activist Howard Scott Heldreth is a convicted child rapist in Florida.Republican zoning supervisor, Boy Scout leader and Lutheran church president Dennis L. Rader pleaded guilty to performing a sexual act on an 11-year old girl he murdered.
Republican anti-abortion activist Nicholas Morency pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on his computer and offering a bounty to anybody who murders an abortion doctor.
Republican campaign consultant Tom Shortridge was sentenced to three years probation for taking nude photographs of a 15-year old girl.
Republican pastor Mike Hintz, whom George W. Bush commended during the 2004 presidential campaign, surrendered to police after admitting to a sexual affair with a female juvenile.
Republican legislator Peter Dibble pleaded no contest to having an inappropriate relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
Republican advertising consultant Carey Lee Cramer was charged with molesting his 9-year old step-daughter after including her in an anti-Gore television commercial.
Republican activist Lawrence E. King, Jr. organized child sex parties at the White House during the 1980s.
Republican lobbyist Craig J. Spence organized child sex parties at the White House during the 1980s.
Republican Congressman Donald "Buz" Lukens was found guilty of having sex with a female minor and sentenced to one month in jail.
Republican fundraiser Richard A. Delgaudio was found guilty of child porn charges and paying two teenage girls to pose for sexual photos.
Republican activist Mark A. Grethen convicted on six counts of sex crimes involving children.
Republican activist Randal David Ankeney pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault on a child.
Republican Congressman Dan Crane had sex with a female minor working as a congressional page.
Republican activist and Christian Coalition leader Beverly Russell admitted to an incestuous relationship with his step daughter.
Republican Judge Ronald C. Kline was placed under house arrest for child molestation and possession of child pornography.
Republican congressman and anti-gay activist Robert Bauman was charged with having sex with a 16-year-old boy he picked up at a gay bar.
Republican Committee Chairman Jeffrey Patti was arrested for distributing a video clip of a 5-year-old girl being raped.
Republican activist Marty Glickman (a.k.a. ÂRepublican MartyÂ), was taken into custody by Florida police on four counts of unlawful sexual activity with an underage girl and one count of delivering the drug LSD.
Republican legislative aide Howard L. Brooks was charged with molesting a 12-year old boy and possession of child pornography.
Republican Senate candidate John Hathaway was accused of having sex with his 12-year old baby sitter and withdrew his candidacy after the allegations were reported in the media.
Republican preacher Stephen White, who demanded a return to traditional values, was sentenced to jail after offering $20 to a 14-year-old boy for permission to perform oral sex on him.
Republican talk show host Jon Matthews pleaded guilty to exposing his genitals to an 11 year old girl.
Republican anti-gay activist Earl "Butch" Kimmerling was sentenced to 40 years in prison for molesting an 8-year old girl after he attempted to stop a gay couple from adopting her.
Republican Party leader Paul Ingram pleaded guilty to six counts of raping his daughters and served 14 years in federal prison.
Republican election board official Kevin Coan was sentenced to two years probation for soliciting sex over the internet from a 14-year old girl.
Republican politician Andrew Buhr was charged with two counts of first degree sodomy with a 13-year old boy.
Republican politician Keith Westmoreland was arrested on seven felony counts of lewd and lascivious exhibition to girls under the age of 16 (i.e. exposing himself to children).
Republican anti-abortion activist John Allen Burt was found guilty of molesting a 15-year old girl.
Republican County Councilman Keola Childs pleaded guilty to molesting a male child.Republican activist John Butler was charged with criminal sexual assault on a teenage girl.Republican candidate Richard Gardner admitted to molesting his two daughters.
Republican Councilman and former Marine Jack W. Gardner was convicted of molesting a 13-year old girl.
Republican County Commissioner Merrill Robert Barter pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual contact and assault on a teenage boy.
Republican City Councilman Fred C. Smeltzer, Jr. pleaded no contest to raping a 15 year-old girl and served 6-months in prison.
Republican activist Parker J. Bena pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on his home computer and was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison and fined $18,000.
Republican parole board officer and former Colorado state representative, Larry Jack Schwarz, was fired after child pornography was found in his possession.
Republican strategist and Citadel Military College graduate Robin Vanderwall was convicted in Virginia on five counts of soliciting sex from boys and girls over the internet.
Republican city councilman Mark Harris, who is described as a "good military man" and "church goer", was convicted of repeatedly having sex with an 11-year-old girl and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Republican businessman Jon Grunseth withdrew his candidacy for Minnesota governor after allegations surfaced that he went swimming in the nude with four underage girls, including his daughter.
Republican director of the "Young Republican Federation" Nicholas Elizondo molested his 6-year old daughter and was sentenced to six years in prison.
Republican president of the New York City Housing Development Corp. Russell Harding pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on his computer.
Republican benefactor of conservative Christian groups, Richard A. Dasen Sr., was found guilty of raping a 15-year old girl. Dasen, 62, who is married with grown children and several grandchildren, has allegedly told police that over the past decade he paid more than $1 million to have sex with a large number of young women.
Seen enough yet? The rest should be carefully examined for similiar behaviors.
And no- no Democrats were found to have committed these kinds of offenses-especially those involved in the new "Hookergate". Remember, at least Monica was overage...Thank you to Tales of a Freeway Blogger for this list. Feel free to add, anyone was missed.