Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Feds Raid Gibson Guitar to "Save Endangered Foreign Trees"
Written by Michael Tennant
Monday, 29 August 2011 14:50
thenewamerican.com
At approximately 8:45 a.m. on August 24, federal agents raided Gibson Guitar Corporation facilities in Nashville and Memphis, making off with an estimated $1 million worth of Gibson property. Gibson’s alleged crime? Using imported wood from endangered trees. At least that’s what the company assumes the feds have in mind. Gibson hasn’t actually been notified of any charges against the company. In fact, according to a Gibson press release, they still haven’t been told on what charges “more than a dozen agents with automatic weapons” raided their factory and stole their property in November 2009. They’re being forced to sue in federal court to get their property back, and even there the government is stalling, having requested an indefinite stay of the case.
Both raids appear to stem from allegations that Gibson imported wood from foreign countries in violation of the Lacey Act. Originally enacted to prevent trafficking in endangered species, the act was amended in 2008 to include plants. According to the Rainforest Alliance:
the law makes it illegal to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any plant, with some limited exceptions, taken or traded in violation of the laws of the U.S., a U.S. State, or relevant foreign law. The U.S. government can use this law to impose significant penalties on individuals and companies who are found guilty of such acts.
Wood being a plant product, any company that imports any wood-based product must, as the Wall Street Journal put it, meet “every regulatory jot and tittle” of the country from which the wood was harvested — and, says Gibson, that applies “if you did not observe a law even though you had no knowledge of that law in a foreign country.” Moreover, because (in the words of the Rainforest Alliance) “the ban on illegal timber as defined in the Lacey Act amendments has not been supported by a clear framework of regulation that sets guidelines for importers, exporters and traders,” it leaves the government a wide range of discretion to persecute businesses that have run afoul of politicians, political appointees, and bureaucrats. Lew Rockwell may have been onto something when he suggested that the attacks on Gibson have precious little to do with preserving trees and much to do with the fact that the company “failed to bribe the right people in DC.”
The 2009 raid concerned wood imported from Madagascar, which the Justice Department maintains was obtained in violation of Madagascan law. “Gibson,” says the company’s press release, “has obtained sworn statements and documents from the Madagascar government and these materials, which have been filed in federal court, show that the wood seized in 2009 was legally exported under Madagascar law and that no law has been violated.”
This year’s raid seems to be about wood from India. The Justice Department “has suggested that the use of wood from India that is not finished by Indian workers is illegal, not because of U.S. law, but because it is the Justice Department’s interpretation of a law in India,” Gibson explains. “This action,” the company hastens to point out, “was taken without the support and consent of the government in India.”
In other words, if the U.S. government thinks a U.S. company has violated a foreign law in the course of importing wood products, it then charges (or at least raids) that company under the Lacey Act, confiscating the company’s property and fighting tooth and nail to retain it. This happens whether or not the United States’ interpretation of the law agrees with the foreign country’s interpretation of it and whether or not the foreign country has made a formal request to the U.S. government to charge the company with a violation of its law.
Gibson, for its part, seems to have gone out of its way to comply with the Lacey Act, making sure that its wood complies with Forest Stewardship Council standards, which include ensuring that wood is harvested legally. In addition, the company has kowtowed to environmentalist heavyweights such as the Rainforest Alliance and Greenpeace. One would think this would gain the company some favor in Barack Obama’s Justice Department, but apparently not.
In an August 25 press conference Gibson chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz calmly but forcefully condemned the government’s actions and maintained his company’s innocence. The raid itself, he said, was “extremely troubling. What is more troubling is that the Justice Department’s position is any guitar that we ship out of this facility is potentially obstruction of justice and could be followed with criminal charges.”
Juszkiewicz noted the irony of conducting such an assault on Gibson at a time of high unemployment, saying the company had “hired over 580 American workers” over the past two years. “We are one company manufacturing in the United States that’s hiring people,” he added, “and yet the government is spending millions of dollars on this issue.” Should the government triumph over Gibson, it would end up forcing the company’s wood to be finished in foreign countries instead of in the United States, thereby depriving some Americans of employment in favor of foreigners.
“We feel totally abused,” Juszkiewicz remarked. “We believe that the arrogance of federal power is impacting me personally, our company personally, and its employees here in Tennessee. And it’s just plain wrong.”
Big importers like Gibson aren’t the only ones who have reason to find these raids troubling. The Journal reports that “musicians who play vintage guitars and other instruments made of environmentally protected materials are worried the authorities may be coming for them next.”
If you are the lucky owner of a 1920s Martin guitar, it may well be made, in part, of Brazilian rosewood. Cross an international border with an instrument made of that now-restricted wood, and you better have correct and complete documentation proving the age of the instrument. Otherwise, you could lose it to a zealous customs agent — not to mention face fines and prosecution. …
It’s not enough to know that the body of your old guitar is made of spruce and maple: What’s the bridge made of? If it’s ebony, do you have the paperwork to show when and where that wood was harvested and when and where it was made into a bridge? Is the nut holding the strings at the guitar’s headstock bone, or could it be ivory? “Even if you have no knowledge — despite Herculean efforts to obtain it — that some piece of your guitar, no matter how small, was obtained illegally, you lose your guitar forever,” [Quinnipiac University law] Prof. [John]Thomas has written. “Oh, and you’ll be fined $250 for that false (or missing) information in your Lacey Act Import Declaration.”
Thus, on top of all the unconstitutional environmental laws the federal government enforces, it is now attempting to enforce, at its own discretion and in excruciating detail, all other foreign countries’ environmental laws, even when those countries do not believe their laws have been violated.
Given this policy’s negative effects on Americans’ liberties and livelihoods, we may all be strumming the blues soon — probably on guitars made in countries with less overbearing governments than the one that presumes to lead the free world.
Monday, 29 August 2011 14:50
thenewamerican.com
Both raids appear to stem from allegations that Gibson imported wood from foreign countries in violation of the Lacey Act. Originally enacted to prevent trafficking in endangered species, the act was amended in 2008 to include plants. According to the Rainforest Alliance:
the law makes it illegal to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any plant, with some limited exceptions, taken or traded in violation of the laws of the U.S., a U.S. State, or relevant foreign law. The U.S. government can use this law to impose significant penalties on individuals and companies who are found guilty of such acts.
Wood being a plant product, any company that imports any wood-based product must, as the Wall Street Journal put it, meet “every regulatory jot and tittle” of the country from which the wood was harvested — and, says Gibson, that applies “if you did not observe a law even though you had no knowledge of that law in a foreign country.” Moreover, because (in the words of the Rainforest Alliance) “the ban on illegal timber as defined in the Lacey Act amendments has not been supported by a clear framework of regulation that sets guidelines for importers, exporters and traders,” it leaves the government a wide range of discretion to persecute businesses that have run afoul of politicians, political appointees, and bureaucrats. Lew Rockwell may have been onto something when he suggested that the attacks on Gibson have precious little to do with preserving trees and much to do with the fact that the company “failed to bribe the right people in DC.”
The 2009 raid concerned wood imported from Madagascar, which the Justice Department maintains was obtained in violation of Madagascan law. “Gibson,” says the company’s press release, “has obtained sworn statements and documents from the Madagascar government and these materials, which have been filed in federal court, show that the wood seized in 2009 was legally exported under Madagascar law and that no law has been violated.”
This year’s raid seems to be about wood from India. The Justice Department “has suggested that the use of wood from India that is not finished by Indian workers is illegal, not because of U.S. law, but because it is the Justice Department’s interpretation of a law in India,” Gibson explains. “This action,” the company hastens to point out, “was taken without the support and consent of the government in India.”
In other words, if the U.S. government thinks a U.S. company has violated a foreign law in the course of importing wood products, it then charges (or at least raids) that company under the Lacey Act, confiscating the company’s property and fighting tooth and nail to retain it. This happens whether or not the United States’ interpretation of the law agrees with the foreign country’s interpretation of it and whether or not the foreign country has made a formal request to the U.S. government to charge the company with a violation of its law.
Gibson, for its part, seems to have gone out of its way to comply with the Lacey Act, making sure that its wood complies with Forest Stewardship Council standards, which include ensuring that wood is harvested legally. In addition, the company has kowtowed to environmentalist heavyweights such as the Rainforest Alliance and Greenpeace. One would think this would gain the company some favor in Barack Obama’s Justice Department, but apparently not.
In an August 25 press conference Gibson chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz calmly but forcefully condemned the government’s actions and maintained his company’s innocence. The raid itself, he said, was “extremely troubling. What is more troubling is that the Justice Department’s position is any guitar that we ship out of this facility is potentially obstruction of justice and could be followed with criminal charges.”
Juszkiewicz noted the irony of conducting such an assault on Gibson at a time of high unemployment, saying the company had “hired over 580 American workers” over the past two years. “We are one company manufacturing in the United States that’s hiring people,” he added, “and yet the government is spending millions of dollars on this issue.” Should the government triumph over Gibson, it would end up forcing the company’s wood to be finished in foreign countries instead of in the United States, thereby depriving some Americans of employment in favor of foreigners.
“We feel totally abused,” Juszkiewicz remarked. “We believe that the arrogance of federal power is impacting me personally, our company personally, and its employees here in Tennessee. And it’s just plain wrong.”
Big importers like Gibson aren’t the only ones who have reason to find these raids troubling. The Journal reports that “musicians who play vintage guitars and other instruments made of environmentally protected materials are worried the authorities may be coming for them next.”
If you are the lucky owner of a 1920s Martin guitar, it may well be made, in part, of Brazilian rosewood. Cross an international border with an instrument made of that now-restricted wood, and you better have correct and complete documentation proving the age of the instrument. Otherwise, you could lose it to a zealous customs agent — not to mention face fines and prosecution. …
It’s not enough to know that the body of your old guitar is made of spruce and maple: What’s the bridge made of? If it’s ebony, do you have the paperwork to show when and where that wood was harvested and when and where it was made into a bridge? Is the nut holding the strings at the guitar’s headstock bone, or could it be ivory? “Even if you have no knowledge — despite Herculean efforts to obtain it — that some piece of your guitar, no matter how small, was obtained illegally, you lose your guitar forever,” [Quinnipiac University law] Prof. [John]Thomas has written. “Oh, and you’ll be fined $250 for that false (or missing) information in your Lacey Act Import Declaration.”
Thus, on top of all the unconstitutional environmental laws the federal government enforces, it is now attempting to enforce, at its own discretion and in excruciating detail, all other foreign countries’ environmental laws, even when those countries do not believe their laws have been violated.
Given this policy’s negative effects on Americans’ liberties and livelihoods, we may all be strumming the blues soon — probably on guitars made in countries with less overbearing governments than the one that presumes to lead the free world.
Cop tasers mentally handicap person while he is complying
I watched another video of a cop using his taser on a mentally handicapped man.
The guy that was tasered did nothing but put his hands up, he wasn't moving or anything, just standing there with his hands up. People were watching, two guys were recording it on a cell phone, that was all anyone did. Maybe my opinion of myself is too high, but I don't think there is anyway I could stand there and watch a fellow human being be tortured without trying to help. Admittedly, this cop appeared to be alone which would make helping his torture victim much easier. If we (as a society) saw someone torturing a mentally handicapped person wouldn't we try to stop them? (I hope the answer is yes.) But if we see someone torturing a mentally handicapped person and they have on a police uniform, we just watch.
That is the core problem.
If five people would have jumped on this cop and kicked his ass, what a totally different world (and Nation) we would be living in.
The guy that was tasered did nothing but put his hands up, he wasn't moving or anything, just standing there with his hands up. People were watching, two guys were recording it on a cell phone, that was all anyone did. Maybe my opinion of myself is too high, but I don't think there is anyway I could stand there and watch a fellow human being be tortured without trying to help. Admittedly, this cop appeared to be alone which would make helping his torture victim much easier. If we (as a society) saw someone torturing a mentally handicapped person wouldn't we try to stop them? (I hope the answer is yes.) But if we see someone torturing a mentally handicapped person and they have on a police uniform, we just watch.
That is the core problem.
If five people would have jumped on this cop and kicked his ass, what a totally different world (and Nation) we would be living in.
Parts of Britain suffer coldest summer for nearly two decades
Tuesday 30 August 2011
telegraph.co.uk
Much of Britain suffered the coldest summer for almost two decades, Met Office statistics show.
As Britons return to work today after a soggy Bank Holiday weekend, official weather data reveals that average temperatures were significantly down on recent years.
The UK’s average temperature from June 1 to August 15 was only 57F (13.9C) – the lowest for 13 years.
For central England the average was 59F (15C), making it the coolest summer since 1993.
Helen Waite, a Met Office forecaster, said: “The average temperature for central England this summer has been just 15C – this sort of temperature is normally typical of September.
“Generally speaking, you would expect to see temperatures of at least 17C for this time of year.”
telegraph.co.uk
Much of Britain suffered the coldest summer for almost two decades, Met Office statistics show.
The UK’s average temperature from June 1 to August 15 was only 57F (13.9C) – the lowest for 13 years.
For central England the average was 59F (15C), making it the coolest summer since 1993.
Helen Waite, a Met Office forecaster, said: “The average temperature for central England this summer has been just 15C – this sort of temperature is normally typical of September.
“Generally speaking, you would expect to see temperatures of at least 17C for this time of year.”
Monday, August 29, 2011
Martial Law In America: Corporate Media Hints At Military Plans To Take On The American People During Domestic Civil Unrest
August 11, 2011 by POPEYE
Filed under Establishing The Police State
(Popeye & Alex Thomas of The Intel Hub) As the United Kingdom continues to riot many have wondered how the United States would respond to a similar outbreak of riots whether caused by an economic collapse, widespread terror attacks, or some other catalyzing event.
For those that are awake to the fact that the government was long ago taken over by elitist oligarchs, this question was answered years ago.
It is public knowledge that the military is planning to take on the American people by declaring martial law and taking part in widespread arrests/gun confiscations. These plans have already been activated multiple times including during Hurricane Katrina and the Seattle WHO riots.
For years we have begged the corporate media to cover these startling facts yet they have instead called us conspiracy theorists and possible domestic terrorists.
Boy have the times changed!
John Hudson, writing for the Atlantic Wire, has published an article about Operation Garden plot and an ominous tweet from White House corespondent Marc Ambinder.
“According to National Journal‘s White House correspondent Marc Ambinder the U.S. already has a game plan in place. “If what happened in London ever happened in the US, the military has plans — CONPLAN 3501 and 3502 — to suppress the ‘insurrection,” wrote Hudson.
CONPLAN 3501 and 3502, or Operation Garden Plot, is a long ago declassified plan that calls for the use of the military, in violation of Posse Comitatus, against the American people.
Unfortunately, the indicators of potential violence outlined by the military that would cause this unconstitutional plan to be acted upon are happening as we speak.
Story continues at federaljack.com
Filed under Establishing The Police State
For those that are awake to the fact that the government was long ago taken over by elitist oligarchs, this question was answered years ago.
It is public knowledge that the military is planning to take on the American people by declaring martial law and taking part in widespread arrests/gun confiscations. These plans have already been activated multiple times including during Hurricane Katrina and the Seattle WHO riots.
For years we have begged the corporate media to cover these startling facts yet they have instead called us conspiracy theorists and possible domestic terrorists.
Boy have the times changed!
John Hudson, writing for the Atlantic Wire, has published an article about Operation Garden plot and an ominous tweet from White House corespondent Marc Ambinder.
“According to National Journal‘s White House correspondent Marc Ambinder the U.S. already has a game plan in place. “If what happened in London ever happened in the US, the military has plans — CONPLAN 3501 and 3502 — to suppress the ‘insurrection,” wrote Hudson.
CONPLAN 3501 and 3502, or Operation Garden Plot, is a long ago declassified plan that calls for the use of the military, in violation of Posse Comitatus, against the American people.
Unfortunately, the indicators of potential violence outlined by the military that would cause this unconstitutional plan to be acted upon are happening as we speak.
Story continues at federaljack.com
Cancer screenings are now spreading deadly superbugs say reports
(NaturalNews)
A new study published in the Journal of Urology warns about a newly-recognized danger associated with cancer screenings -- the spread of deadly "superbugs." According to the report, biopsies, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, and other invasive cancer screening procedures are a direct cause of serious infections, many of which eventually lead to death.
Dozens of studies conducted in recent years have confirmed that not only are many conventional cancer screening methods ineffective or inaccurate, but they also cause more harm than good, in many cases. The number of infections alone that have been caused by prostate biopsies have more than doubled in the last ten years. And roughly 50,000 American men develop infections from prostate biopsies every single year, while nine out of every 10,000 men whose scans return negative end up dying from complications caused by the scan itself.
Even worse, a 2004 study put forth by the John Wayne Cancer Institute in California revealed that needle biopsies, which are the most common screening method used to detect prostate cancer, actually increases the chance that cancer will spread by about 50 percent. So not only does the screening spread deadly infection, but it also increases a man's risk of dying from the cancer it allegedly detects.
Back in April, NaturalNews reported on the results of a 20-year study which revealed that cancer screenings are basically useless as an effective medical intervention. Published in the British Medical Journal, the study found no difference in the overall death rate from cancer between men who were screened for prostate cancer, and men who were not screened (http://www.naturalnews.com/031950_p...).
It is also now widely known that both colon and breast cancer screenings are harmful as well. A US Preventive Services Task Force found that colon cancer screenings put patients' lives at risk, particularly older individuals who are more prone to complications brought about when their colons are accidentally punctured during the probe. And mammograms have been shown to not only falsely identify benign tumors as harmful, but also increase women's risk of breast and other cancers by blasting them with high levels of cancer-inducing radiation (http://www.naturalnews.com/mammogra...).
So why does the medical establishment continue to push cancer screenings when they do not even work, and actually cause cancer? Well, breast cancer screenings alone rake in roughly $4 billion a year for the cancer industry. Add to that the costs associated with follow-up surgeries and other interventions taken as a result of false alarm detections, and overall screening revenues top $70 billion over the course of a decade. In other words, cancer screenings are big money for the cancer industry, regardless of whether or not they provide any real benefit to patients.
The best preventative measures a person can take to avoid cancer involve nutrition and lifestyle, not the poking and prodding of conventional screening procedures. So before you or a loved on rushes off to the doctor to get screened for cancer, why not take some time to learn about the vast array of anti-cancer nutrients and super foods that will help protect you from developing cancer, and also boost your overall health and well-being?
A new study published in the Journal of Urology warns about a newly-recognized danger associated with cancer screenings -- the spread of deadly "superbugs." According to the report, biopsies, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, and other invasive cancer screening procedures are a direct cause of serious infections, many of which eventually lead to death.
Dozens of studies conducted in recent years have confirmed that not only are many conventional cancer screening methods ineffective or inaccurate, but they also cause more harm than good, in many cases. The number of infections alone that have been caused by prostate biopsies have more than doubled in the last ten years. And roughly 50,000 American men develop infections from prostate biopsies every single year, while nine out of every 10,000 men whose scans return negative end up dying from complications caused by the scan itself.
Back in April, NaturalNews reported on the results of a 20-year study which revealed that cancer screenings are basically useless as an effective medical intervention. Published in the British Medical Journal, the study found no difference in the overall death rate from cancer between men who were screened for prostate cancer, and men who were not screened (http://www.naturalnews.com/031950_p...).
It is also now widely known that both colon and breast cancer screenings are harmful as well. A US Preventive Services Task Force found that colon cancer screenings put patients' lives at risk, particularly older individuals who are more prone to complications brought about when their colons are accidentally punctured during the probe. And mammograms have been shown to not only falsely identify benign tumors as harmful, but also increase women's risk of breast and other cancers by blasting them with high levels of cancer-inducing radiation (http://www.naturalnews.com/mammogra...).
So why does the medical establishment continue to push cancer screenings when they do not even work, and actually cause cancer? Well, breast cancer screenings alone rake in roughly $4 billion a year for the cancer industry. Add to that the costs associated with follow-up surgeries and other interventions taken as a result of false alarm detections, and overall screening revenues top $70 billion over the course of a decade. In other words, cancer screenings are big money for the cancer industry, regardless of whether or not they provide any real benefit to patients.
The best preventative measures a person can take to avoid cancer involve nutrition and lifestyle, not the poking and prodding of conventional screening procedures. So before you or a loved on rushes off to the doctor to get screened for cancer, why not take some time to learn about the vast array of anti-cancer nutrients and super foods that will help protect you from developing cancer, and also boost your overall health and well-being?
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Goodbye Amsterdam, Hello Denver
Goodbye Amsterdam
msnbc.msn.com
updated 5/27/2011 3:47:01 PM ETAMSTERDAM — The Dutch government on Friday said it would start banning tourists from buying cannabis from "coffee shops" and impose restrictions on Dutch customers by the end of the year.
The Netherlands is well known for having one of Europe's most liberal soft drug policies that has made its cannabis shops a popular tourist attraction, particularly in Amsterdam.
Backed by the far-right party of anti-immigrant politician Geert Wilders, the coalition government that came into power last year announced plans to curb drug tourism as part of a nationwide program to promote health and fight crime.
"In order to tackle the nuisance and criminality associated with coffee shops and drug trafficking, the open-door policy of coffee shops will end," the Dutch health and justice ministers wrote in a letter to the country's parliament on Friday.
Under the new rules, only Dutch residents will be able to sign up as members of cannabis shops.
Dutch customers will have to sign up for at least a year's membership and each shop would be expected to have only up to 1,500 members, a justice ministry spokesman said.
The policy will roll out in the southern provinces of Limburg, Noord Brabant and Zeeland by the end of the year and the rest of the country next year, the spokesman said.
Amsterdam, home to about 220 coffee shops, is already in the process of closing some in its red light district. Some officials have resisted the measures, saying they will push the soft drug trade underground.
Some Dutch border towns including Maastricht and Terneuzen have already restricted the sale of marijuana to foreigners.
Hello Denver
ganja-gourmet.com
Denver Has More Marijuana Dispensaries Than Starbucks Coffee Shops
Posted by majestic on July 6, 2011
Is this going to be old news very fast, with Denver just the first major American city to see the light? Report from thedaily.com:
DENVER — The Mile High City is getting higher all the time.
There are now more medical marijuana dispensaries in Denver than there are Starbucks. Glossy guidebooks list nearly 300 locations where Colorado’s 125,000 residents who have been prescribed medical marijuana can get their “medicine.” Many offer a free joint to new customers, allowing them to sample exotic strains like Jah Kush, Golden Goat and Romulan Cotton Candy.
Local smokers even have a professional critic to help them navigate the gauntlet of bongs, pipes and vaporizers, or make that essential choice between Super Silver Haze and Purple Passion.
The critic’s pen name is William Breathes; he keeps his real identity secret to ensure he gets the same treatment as any other patient.
His weekly weed purchase is paid for by the Denver Westword, the popular alternative weekly that hired Breathes after its editors realized they were serving one of the most stoned readerships in America.
“It’s a fun new writing area,” Westword editor Patricia Calhoun told The Daily, “and if your publication prides itself on doing strong cultural coverage of art, theater and food, then why not do pot, too?”…
disinfo.com
msnbc.msn.com
updated 5/27/2011 3:47:01 PM ETAMSTERDAM — The Dutch government on Friday said it would start banning tourists from buying cannabis from "coffee shops" and impose restrictions on Dutch customers by the end of the year.
The Netherlands is well known for having one of Europe's most liberal soft drug policies that has made its cannabis shops a popular tourist attraction, particularly in Amsterdam.
Backed by the far-right party of anti-immigrant politician Geert Wilders, the coalition government that came into power last year announced plans to curb drug tourism as part of a nationwide program to promote health and fight crime.
"In order to tackle the nuisance and criminality associated with coffee shops and drug trafficking, the open-door policy of coffee shops will end," the Dutch health and justice ministers wrote in a letter to the country's parliament on Friday.
Under the new rules, only Dutch residents will be able to sign up as members of cannabis shops.
Dutch customers will have to sign up for at least a year's membership and each shop would be expected to have only up to 1,500 members, a justice ministry spokesman said.
The policy will roll out in the southern provinces of Limburg, Noord Brabant and Zeeland by the end of the year and the rest of the country next year, the spokesman said.
Amsterdam, home to about 220 coffee shops, is already in the process of closing some in its red light district. Some officials have resisted the measures, saying they will push the soft drug trade underground.
Some Dutch border towns including Maastricht and Terneuzen have already restricted the sale of marijuana to foreigners.
Hello Denver
ganja-gourmet.com
Denver Has More Marijuana Dispensaries Than Starbucks Coffee Shops
Posted by majestic on July 6, 2011
Is this going to be old news very fast, with Denver just the first major American city to see the light? Report from thedaily.com:
DENVER — The Mile High City is getting higher all the time.
There are now more medical marijuana dispensaries in Denver than there are Starbucks. Glossy guidebooks list nearly 300 locations where Colorado’s 125,000 residents who have been prescribed medical marijuana can get their “medicine.” Many offer a free joint to new customers, allowing them to sample exotic strains like Jah Kush, Golden Goat and Romulan Cotton Candy.
Local smokers even have a professional critic to help them navigate the gauntlet of bongs, pipes and vaporizers, or make that essential choice between Super Silver Haze and Purple Passion.
The critic’s pen name is William Breathes; he keeps his real identity secret to ensure he gets the same treatment as any other patient.
His weekly weed purchase is paid for by the Denver Westword, the popular alternative weekly that hired Breathes after its editors realized they were serving one of the most stoned readerships in America.
“It’s a fun new writing area,” Westword editor Patricia Calhoun told The Daily, “and if your publication prides itself on doing strong cultural coverage of art, theater and food, then why not do pot, too?”…
disinfo.com
Friday, August 26, 2011
Norwegian Police Confirm Drill Identical to Breivik’s Attack
Kurt Nimmo
Infowars.com
August 26, 2011
The Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten reports today police sources have confirmed that hours before Anders Behring Breivik launched his deadly attack at a political summer camp on Utøya island on July 22, police had conducted a drill for a “practically identical scenario.”
“Sources within the top level management of the police in Oslo have confirmed to Aftenposten that the drill finished at 15:00 that same Friday,” the newspaper reports. “All of the officers from the anti-terror unit that later took part at the bombsite at the government buildings and went out to Utøya to apprehend Anders Behring Breivik had been training on the exact same scenario earlier the same day and in the days preceding,” writes Andreas Bakke Foss.
The bomb attributed to Breivik went off only 26 minutes after the anti-terror drill finished, according to officials.
Norwegian police characterize the “very similar” drill and its chronological proximity to the “practically identical scenario” as a coincidence.
Such “coincidences” are now routine during terror events. On September 11, 2001, the Air Force conducted the Vigilant Guardian, Vigilant Warrior, Northern Guardian, Northern Vigilance exercises.
NORAD had trained for a scenario simulating a crash into a building (military officials insisted the buildings involved in the exercise were not the WTC or the Pentagon, although the actual buildings remain classified). The secretive National Reconnaissance Office also held a plane crash scenario on September 11, 2001.
On July 7, 2005,Peter Power, Managing Director of Visor Consultants, a private firm on contract to the London Metropolitan Police, organized a bombing scenario that coincided with the 7/7 London bombings. “At half past nine this morning we were actually running an exercise for a company of over a thousand people in London based on simultaneous bombs going off precisely at the railway stations where it happened this morning, so I still have the hairs on the back of my neck standing up right now,” Power told the BBC.
On July 24, Webster Tarpley noted that the Norwegian terror attack provides a “telltale critical sign of a false flag operation is the holding of drills or exercises – allegedly for counterterrorism purposes – by the police or the military at the same time as the terror attack, or shortly before the real terror attack begins.”
Story continues at newzworldorder
Infowars.com
August 26, 2011
“Sources within the top level management of the police in Oslo have confirmed to Aftenposten that the drill finished at 15:00 that same Friday,” the newspaper reports. “All of the officers from the anti-terror unit that later took part at the bombsite at the government buildings and went out to Utøya to apprehend Anders Behring Breivik had been training on the exact same scenario earlier the same day and in the days preceding,” writes Andreas Bakke Foss.
The bomb attributed to Breivik went off only 26 minutes after the anti-terror drill finished, according to officials.
Norwegian police characterize the “very similar” drill and its chronological proximity to the “practically identical scenario” as a coincidence.
Such “coincidences” are now routine during terror events. On September 11, 2001, the Air Force conducted the Vigilant Guardian, Vigilant Warrior, Northern Guardian, Northern Vigilance exercises.
NORAD had trained for a scenario simulating a crash into a building (military officials insisted the buildings involved in the exercise were not the WTC or the Pentagon, although the actual buildings remain classified). The secretive National Reconnaissance Office also held a plane crash scenario on September 11, 2001.
On July 7, 2005,Peter Power, Managing Director of Visor Consultants, a private firm on contract to the London Metropolitan Police, organized a bombing scenario that coincided with the 7/7 London bombings. “At half past nine this morning we were actually running an exercise for a company of over a thousand people in London based on simultaneous bombs going off precisely at the railway stations where it happened this morning, so I still have the hairs on the back of my neck standing up right now,” Power told the BBC.
On July 24, Webster Tarpley noted that the Norwegian terror attack provides a “telltale critical sign of a false flag operation is the holding of drills or exercises – allegedly for counterterrorism purposes – by the police or the military at the same time as the terror attack, or shortly before the real terror attack begins.”
Story continues at newzworldorder
TIME Magazine Pens Five Page Spread To Convince America Ron Paul Can’t Win
Writer states “Paul isn’t really running for President, at least not entirely.”
Steve Watson
Infowars.com
Aug 26, 2011
TIME magazine has published a five page spread on Ron Paul’s presidential campaign that hits newsstands today. While some are declaring this a lifting of the veil on media coverage of the Congressman, the reality is that the piece will go out of its way to convince readers that Paul is a fad and has no chance of winning.
Washington Post blogger Erik Wemple today shared a post entitled “News media reverses Ron Paul blackout”, which links directly to a Politico article that contends “Ron Paul scores success in media assault”.
“Paul’s complaints contributed to Time’s decision to do its first major piece on him this campaign season,” the Politico article states.
“He performed strongly at Ames,” Time writer Alex Altman told Politico. “I thought, and my editors think, that he had a valid complaint that he was being overlooked.”
On the surface this sounds great from a Ron Paul follower’s point of view, however, it quickly becomes clear from reading Altman’s blog that the Time piece represents a continuation of the desperate establishment attempt to convince voters that Ron Paul does not have a snowflake’s chance in hell.
In his explanation of the upcoming Time piece, Altman opines, “Paul is probably not a credible contender for the nomination,” attempting to convince readers that his ideology and policies do not resonate with voters.
“His foreign policy of nonintervention is a nonstarter among neoconservatives. His view that social issues like abortion and gay marriage should be left up to the states causes social conservatives to blanch,” writes Altman.
“He’s a fiscal conservative, but his crusade for commodity-backed money and warnings about the looming dangers of hyperinflation aren’t exactly simpatico with deficit hawks’ concerns.” the piece continues. “At 76, his age could be a factor, and he hasn’t shaken the fringe rep he was tagged with in 2008. “Ron Paul is not going to be President of the United States,” conservative commentator Charles Krauthammer said recently.”
So Paul’s ideas do not resonate? One commenter puts Altman’s claims into perspective:
Ron Paul can’t win because he appeals to traditional conservatives who believe in small government, to leftists who believe in personal liberty, to ‘blue’ democrats who believe Obama has betrayed the party, to independents who voted for Obama but are disgusted with the Hopey-Changy that never happened, by gays who don’t want government dictating marriage rules, by straights who don’t want to be forced to live by a ‘gay agenda’. Gee…left, right, young, old, conservative, liberal, gay, straight…with all that support, he doesn’t have a chance!
Altman then takes a leap into Orwellian territory by suggesting that “Paul isn’t really running for President, at least not entirely.”
Last time I checked, Paul was placed third in Gallup’s national presidential preference poll, and is running at an almost dead heat with Obama in the popularity stakes.
It has been an average week as far as Ron Paul appearances on the news networks are concerned. He’s been on CNN a couple of times, Fox News a couple of times and appeared on CNBC also. There have also been more print media stories this week, primarily, and rather paradoxically, reporting the fact that the media is not covering Ron Paul.
So the fact is that Ron Paul is no longer being completely ignored by the media. However, as Time has made it all too obvious, he is still being marginalized and ridiculed.
When the time is right for them, the media will simply ignore Paul again – this is the stark reality that the Congressman’s campaign and his followers have to deal with and overcome.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Give peace and freedom a chance - vote for Ron Paul
Steve Watson
Infowars.com
Aug 26, 2011
Washington Post blogger Erik Wemple today shared a post entitled “News media reverses Ron Paul blackout”, which links directly to a Politico article that contends “Ron Paul scores success in media assault”.
“Paul’s complaints contributed to Time’s decision to do its first major piece on him this campaign season,” the Politico article states.
“He performed strongly at Ames,” Time writer Alex Altman told Politico. “I thought, and my editors think, that he had a valid complaint that he was being overlooked.”
On the surface this sounds great from a Ron Paul follower’s point of view, however, it quickly becomes clear from reading Altman’s blog that the Time piece represents a continuation of the desperate establishment attempt to convince voters that Ron Paul does not have a snowflake’s chance in hell.
In his explanation of the upcoming Time piece, Altman opines, “Paul is probably not a credible contender for the nomination,” attempting to convince readers that his ideology and policies do not resonate with voters.
“His foreign policy of nonintervention is a nonstarter among neoconservatives. His view that social issues like abortion and gay marriage should be left up to the states causes social conservatives to blanch,” writes Altman.
“He’s a fiscal conservative, but his crusade for commodity-backed money and warnings about the looming dangers of hyperinflation aren’t exactly simpatico with deficit hawks’ concerns.” the piece continues. “At 76, his age could be a factor, and he hasn’t shaken the fringe rep he was tagged with in 2008. “Ron Paul is not going to be President of the United States,” conservative commentator Charles Krauthammer said recently.”
So Paul’s ideas do not resonate? One commenter puts Altman’s claims into perspective:
Ron Paul can’t win because he appeals to traditional conservatives who believe in small government, to leftists who believe in personal liberty, to ‘blue’ democrats who believe Obama has betrayed the party, to independents who voted for Obama but are disgusted with the Hopey-Changy that never happened, by gays who don’t want government dictating marriage rules, by straights who don’t want to be forced to live by a ‘gay agenda’. Gee…left, right, young, old, conservative, liberal, gay, straight…with all that support, he doesn’t have a chance!
Altman then takes a leap into Orwellian territory by suggesting that “Paul isn’t really running for President, at least not entirely.”
Last time I checked, Paul was placed third in Gallup’s national presidential preference poll, and is running at an almost dead heat with Obama in the popularity stakes.
It has been an average week as far as Ron Paul appearances on the news networks are concerned. He’s been on CNN a couple of times, Fox News a couple of times and appeared on CNBC also. There have also been more print media stories this week, primarily, and rather paradoxically, reporting the fact that the media is not covering Ron Paul.
So the fact is that Ron Paul is no longer being completely ignored by the media. However, as Time has made it all too obvious, he is still being marginalized and ridiculed.
When the time is right for them, the media will simply ignore Paul again – this is the stark reality that the Congressman’s campaign and his followers have to deal with and overcome.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Give peace and freedom a chance - vote for Ron Paul
Clearing the Smoke: The Science of Cannabis
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Thursday, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
'Animal House': Where are they now?
The war between the Deltas and the Omegas at fictional Faber College became the stuff of movie legend, providing the groundwork for movies like 'Porky's', 'American Pie' and 'Old School.'
So where are the Deltas and the Omegas now, and just what is Double Secret Probation? Find out here …
Credits: Universal Pictures
As Larry 'Pinto' Kroger, Tom Hulce played the 'normal' pledge looking to find his footing and meet girls. Hulce achieved critical and popular acclaim for playing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1984's 'Amadeus,' which took home eight Oscars. Hulce was nominated for Best Actor. Hulce was last seen in 'Stranger Than Fiction' and 'Jumper.'
Credits: Universal; Bruce Gilkas/FilmMagic
Stephen Furst burst onto the scene in Animal House as Delta legacy and butt of all jokes Kent 'Flounder' Dorfman, who, like Larry, is accepted as a Delta Tau Chi house because the misfit frat needs their dues money. Furst went on to a variety of TV roles and voice work. He last appeared in 'Basilisk: The Serpent King,' which he also directed.
Credits: Universal; Beck Starr/FilmMagic
John Belushi became a '70s comedic icon playing the ultimate boozy frat boy, John 'Bluto' Blutarsky, first spotted urinating in front of the Delta house. Sadly the 'Saturday Night Live' original cast member would be dead within 4 years from a drug overdose.
Credits: Universal; Columbia Pictures
Tim Matheson started acting in the '60s on shows like 'Leave it to Beaver' and 'My Three Sons' before taking a turn as Delta playboy Eric 'Otter' Stratton. Matheson had an Emmy-nominated recurring role as Vice President John Hoynes on 'The West Wing,' and reprised his 'Animal House' persona in the 2002 college movie 'Van Wilder.' Recently he's been playing Larry Sizemore on 'Burn Notice' and had a bit role in 'No Strings Attached.'
Credits: Universal; Glenn Watson/NBC
As Mandy Pepperidge, Mary Louise Weller played the prissy blond sorority sister whose naked figure nearly killed Bluto in the peeping-tom scene.
A former model, Weller would continue to channel her Cali-blonde good looks into roles on roles on TV's 'Fantasy Island' and 'Chips,' but has not been seen on screen since 1983. She has retired from acting and currently indulges her equestrian love by riding around the horse-show circuit in an RV.
Credits: Universal; MGM
Peter Riegert, who played Otter's close pal Donald 'Boon' Schoenstein, has been acting for 30 years with roles in 'Local Hero,' 'Shock to the System,' 'The Mask,' 'Crossing Delancey' and 'The Sopranos.' His most recent role is Dr. August Kellerman on 'One Tree Hill.'
Credits: Universal; Dario Cantatore/Getty
Thank you sir, may I have another! This is where the six degrees of Kevin Bacon begins: the actor made his screen debut as Omega pledge Chip Diller. Bacon became an A-list star thanks to hits like 'Footloose,' and also performs with his rock band, The Bacon Brothers. His most recent roles were in 'Crazy, Stupid, Love.' and 'X-Men: First Class.'
Credits: Universal; Steve Grantiz/WireImage
Karen Allen played Katy, Boone's girlfriend. Like Kevin Bacon, Allen made her big-screen debut in 'Animal House' before going on to star in movies like 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' 'Starman' and, recently, 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.' She's still acting with roles on two TV movies, 'November Christmas' and 'Hallmark Hall of Fame' (2010).
Credits: Universal; Stephen Lovekin/Getty
The sadistic ROTC captain, played by Mark Metcalf, was as uptight and encouraging as you can get. 'You're all worthless and weak!'
Metcalf would reprise his role as the cranky captain for 2 'Twisted Sister' videos, then continued into a long acting career in TV and film. For seven years, he channeled his nasty side as the Master in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' Up ahead for Metcalf is action drama 'Skinny Dip' which stars porn actress Sasha Grey and '70s icon Pam Grier.
Credits: Universal; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
After playing overwhelmed stoner Professor Dave Jennings, veteran stage and screen actor Donald Sutherland went on to a variety of projects, from 'Hamlet' and 'Ordinary People' to 'Kelly's Heroes' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.' He just played Jack Pellit in 'Horrible Bosses' and is currently filming the upcoming 'The Hunger Games.'
Credits: Universal; John Shearer/WireImage
Character actor Bruce McGill played Delta wild man Daniel Simpson Day ('D-Day'), known for having no grade point average. McGill has appeared in over 130 TV shows and movies. Recent film highlights include 'Vantage Point' and 'Elizabethtown.' He also acts on the small screen as Detective Vince Jorsak on 'Rizzoli & Isles.'
Credits: Universal; Jesse Grant/WireImage
Roberts played the easily charmed desk girl Brunella who would skip out from the dorm to party with Otter and the boys.
Roberts followed her tiny role in the comedy classic with parts in Noah Baumbach's 'Kicking and Screaming' along with multiple roles in movies alongside hubby Eric Roberts. Eliza is sister-in-law to Oscar winner Julia Roberts and step mom to up-and-coming thesp, Emma Roberts.
Credits: Universal; David Livingston/Getty
Verna Bloom played Marion Wormer, the boozy wife of infamous Delta foe Dean Wormer. Mrs. Wormer is more of a party animal than her husband - she crashes a Delta bash and ends up spending the night with Otter. Bloom isn't acting much these days, but makes the occasional TV guest appearance ('The West Wing'). After 'Animal House,' she appeared in films including 'The Last Temptation of Christ' and 'The Journey of Natty Gann.'
Credits: Universal; John Lamparski/WireImage
See all 25 at nydailynews.com
Ron Paul Now Polls Almost At Dead Heat With Obama
Steve Watson
Prisonplanet.com
Aug 24, 2011
GOP establishment outsider Ron Paul continues to poll in high numbers when hypothetically pitted against Barack Obama. Indeed a newly released survey today indicates that the two are almost tied in a dead heat.
The respected pollster Rasmussen reports that Ron Paul earns 38% of the vote to President Obama’s 39% in a national phone poll of 1000 likely voters conducted last week.
It seems that Paul’s Ames straw poll victory and his performance in the Iowa debate recently have resulted in a bump in his popularity amongst voters, While Obama’s continued vacations and dismal handling of the economic downturn have resulted in record low approval ratings.
Last month Paul trailed Obama by 4% as the president scored a 41% to 37% lead.
Another significant finding from the new poll indicates that voters not affiliated with either of the major political parties prefer the congressman to Obama by 10 points – 43% to 33%.
The survey also found that voters under 30 prefer the president, while Paul edges the incumbent in all other age groups.
Another newly released Rasmussen poll shows a stark difference in numbers when Obama is pitted against Sarah Palin, whom, if Karl Rove is to believed, will announce her intention to run next week. Palin polls just 33% to Obama’s 50%.
The Rasmussen survey dovetails with a newly released Gallup poll this week, which found that Ron Paul trails President Obama by just 2 percentage points at 47 to 45%.
Story continues at infowars.com
Prisonplanet.com
Aug 24, 2011
The respected pollster Rasmussen reports that Ron Paul earns 38% of the vote to President Obama’s 39% in a national phone poll of 1000 likely voters conducted last week.
It seems that Paul’s Ames straw poll victory and his performance in the Iowa debate recently have resulted in a bump in his popularity amongst voters, While Obama’s continued vacations and dismal handling of the economic downturn have resulted in record low approval ratings.
Last month Paul trailed Obama by 4% as the president scored a 41% to 37% lead.
Another significant finding from the new poll indicates that voters not affiliated with either of the major political parties prefer the congressman to Obama by 10 points – 43% to 33%.
The survey also found that voters under 30 prefer the president, while Paul edges the incumbent in all other age groups.
Another newly released Rasmussen poll shows a stark difference in numbers when Obama is pitted against Sarah Palin, whom, if Karl Rove is to believed, will announce her intention to run next week. Palin polls just 33% to Obama’s 50%.
The Rasmussen survey dovetails with a newly released Gallup poll this week, which found that Ron Paul trails President Obama by just 2 percentage points at 47 to 45%.
Story continues at infowars.com
More in Touch With Your Feminine Side Lately Guys?
Aug 24, 2011
Tex Lahoma
Bluebeerriver
If you wear Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Calvin Klein, Converse, H&M, Lacoste, Uniqlo or Ralph Lauren we may have an explanation.
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). NPEs break down to form nonylphenol which works to disrupt hormones and is toxic. It's like taking female hormones, it alters sexual development which affects the reproductive system.
Nike and Puma are on top of the problem and say that the feminizing hormones will only be in their products for another nine years.
Some have suggested that Lacoste keep the NPEs in it's products but change the name to LACTATE.
Other suggestions include keeping the feminizing hormones in while gradually making the clothes more frilly and dainty.
Sources:
rawstory.com
greenpeace.org
Tex Lahoma
Bluebeerriver
If you wear Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Calvin Klein, Converse, H&M, Lacoste, Uniqlo or Ralph Lauren we may have an explanation.
Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). NPEs break down to form nonylphenol which works to disrupt hormones and is toxic. It's like taking female hormones, it alters sexual development which affects the reproductive system.
Nike and Puma are on top of the problem and say that the feminizing hormones will only be in their products for another nine years.
Some have suggested that Lacoste keep the NPEs in it's products but change the name to LACTATE.
Other suggestions include keeping the feminizing hormones in while gradually making the clothes more frilly and dainty.
Sources:
rawstory.com
greenpeace.org
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
First responders decry exclusion from 9/11 ceremony
August 16, 2011
By Jeff Stein, CNN
New York City police officers attend last year's September 11 memorial ceremony. First responders are not invited this year.
When debris rained from the sky in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001, the first responders to the terrorist attack did not turn away. They rushed to the World Trade Center buildings while the world around them crumbled.
Yet now, after all the wreckage has been cleared and the rebuilding has begun, their path is again blocked -- not by flying chunks of smoldering rubble, but by space constraints.
The first responders are not invited to this year's September 11 memorial ceremony at ground zero, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office confirmed Monday.
It's a painful insult for many of the approximately 3,000 men and women who risked their lives, limbs and lungs on that monumental day, puncturing another hole in a still searing wound.
In a statement, Bloomberg spokesman Andrew Brent said the commemoration ceremony is for the victims' families.
"While we are again focused on accommodating victims' family members, given the space constraints, we're working to find ways to recognize and honor first responders, and other groups, at different places and times," Brent said.
But first responder John Feal, founder of an advocacy group for the police officers, firefighters, civilian volunteers and others who worked at ground zero, assailed Brent's response, saying Bloomberg "lives in his own world."
"The best of the best that this country offered 10 years ago are being neglected and denied their rightful place," Feal said.
Denise Villamia, a first responder who worked at ground zero for several months, cried over the phone as she recalled her "totally heartbroken" reaction to the news that she could not attend the memorial service.
"I'm crying because it's really a big betrayal on the part of the city, to rob me from my way to pay homage and to find that comfort and healing," she said. "I feel that I have been robbed of my way to pay tribute."
In addition to the victims' families, several politicians, including two presidents, are expected to be in attendance. Bloomberg's office would not provide specifics on the ceremony's arrangements, but did note that the first responders have not been invited to the preceding nine memorial services, either.
Yet first responder Morris Faitelewicz, vice president of the Auxiliary Police Supervisors Benevolent Association, called that explanation "nonsense." Faitelewicz said that, while there are not usually formal invitations, first responders have been able to attend all of the previous ceremonies simply by showing up.
By Jeff Stein, CNN
When debris rained from the sky in lower Manhattan on September 11, 2001, the first responders to the terrorist attack did not turn away. They rushed to the World Trade Center buildings while the world around them crumbled.
Yet now, after all the wreckage has been cleared and the rebuilding has begun, their path is again blocked -- not by flying chunks of smoldering rubble, but by space constraints.
The first responders are not invited to this year's September 11 memorial ceremony at ground zero, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office confirmed Monday.
It's a painful insult for many of the approximately 3,000 men and women who risked their lives, limbs and lungs on that monumental day, puncturing another hole in a still searing wound.
In a statement, Bloomberg spokesman Andrew Brent said the commemoration ceremony is for the victims' families.
"While we are again focused on accommodating victims' family members, given the space constraints, we're working to find ways to recognize and honor first responders, and other groups, at different places and times," Brent said.
But first responder John Feal, founder of an advocacy group for the police officers, firefighters, civilian volunteers and others who worked at ground zero, assailed Brent's response, saying Bloomberg "lives in his own world."
"The best of the best that this country offered 10 years ago are being neglected and denied their rightful place," Feal said.
Denise Villamia, a first responder who worked at ground zero for several months, cried over the phone as she recalled her "totally heartbroken" reaction to the news that she could not attend the memorial service.
"I'm crying because it's really a big betrayal on the part of the city, to rob me from my way to pay homage and to find that comfort and healing," she said. "I feel that I have been robbed of my way to pay tribute."
In addition to the victims' families, several politicians, including two presidents, are expected to be in attendance. Bloomberg's office would not provide specifics on the ceremony's arrangements, but did note that the first responders have not been invited to the preceding nine memorial services, either.
Yet first responder Morris Faitelewicz, vice president of the Auxiliary Police Supervisors Benevolent Association, called that explanation "nonsense." Faitelewicz said that, while there are not usually formal invitations, first responders have been able to attend all of the previous ceremonies simply by showing up.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Head of Libyan Security Services calls out NATO for supporting al Qaeda
Madison Ruppert
Activist Post
Aug 22, 2011
The American “war on terror” is a sham designed to strip freedoms from Americans while consolidating wealth and power into the hands of the elite.
Since the war on terror began, absolutely no measurable progress has been made and the entire nomenclature assigned to this “war” bolsters this fact by showing that this is a war that is meant to continue forever, across the world.
For those who are still taken by the illusion that we are actually fighting terrorism, our support of rebels openly associated with al Qaeda in Libya (the same al Qaeda group responsible for sending militants to Iraq to kill American soldiers) should have shattered this delusion.
The head of the Libyan security services, that is the real Libyan security services not the al Qaeda-affiliated rebel war criminals, Abdullah al-Snousi made this very clear in a statement earlier today.
The following statement was posted on the al Jazeera live blog on Libya but it does not state to whom he made this statement or in what venue.
“What we are facing now in this war is NATO led by al-Qaeda. The European and western officials are lying to their people when they say they are fighting terrorism. In fact they are fighting with terrorism against the Libyan nation and they are following al Qaeda’s orders.
What we find really strange that the same people who brought to us these terrorists elements are the same people now supporting these very terrorist elements. Now the international coalition is not against terrorism but between the west and terrorism. And my colleagues, the heads of intelligence services all around the world know what I am talking about. Libyan head of security services Abdullah Al-Snousi.”
I would have to disagree that the war is “led by al-Qaeda” as it would be quite silly to think that al Qaeda dictates American policy.
I would correct this by stipulating that it is America who dictates al Qaeda policy.
The simple fact is that we are supporting terrorists in Libya and actively encouraging a group of individuals with strong ties to terrorists to overthrow the Gaddafi regime in order to place themselves in power.
Just like authoritarian regimes around the world, the rebel leadership was not chosen or approved by the people of Libya.
They declared themselves the sole legitimate representatives of the people of Libya and swiftly were accepted as such by Western governments.
The Western nations in support of these al Qaeda-affiliated rebels then, in defiance of the Vienna Conventions, stole sovereign Libyan territory and handed it over to the illegitimate rebel envoys.
We can only hope that once these rebels take full control over Libya they will properly and democratically rule, but unfortunately all current signs show that this will not be the case.
Why? Because the opposition forces have already begun to serve their globalist masters by selling them sweet crude oil and establishing a private central bank in order to change Libya from a wealthy independent African nation into an impoverished debt-slave nation beholden to the banking cartels like the IMF, World Bank and Bank of International Settlements.
All we can do at this point is support the Libyan peoples’ right to a democratically elected government and unfortunately this is not the road they are currently headed down.
Activist Post
Aug 22, 2011
Since the war on terror began, absolutely no measurable progress has been made and the entire nomenclature assigned to this “war” bolsters this fact by showing that this is a war that is meant to continue forever, across the world.
For those who are still taken by the illusion that we are actually fighting terrorism, our support of rebels openly associated with al Qaeda in Libya (the same al Qaeda group responsible for sending militants to Iraq to kill American soldiers) should have shattered this delusion.
The head of the Libyan security services, that is the real Libyan security services not the al Qaeda-affiliated rebel war criminals, Abdullah al-Snousi made this very clear in a statement earlier today.
The following statement was posted on the al Jazeera live blog on Libya but it does not state to whom he made this statement or in what venue.
“What we are facing now in this war is NATO led by al-Qaeda. The European and western officials are lying to their people when they say they are fighting terrorism. In fact they are fighting with terrorism against the Libyan nation and they are following al Qaeda’s orders.
What we find really strange that the same people who brought to us these terrorists elements are the same people now supporting these very terrorist elements. Now the international coalition is not against terrorism but between the west and terrorism. And my colleagues, the heads of intelligence services all around the world know what I am talking about. Libyan head of security services Abdullah Al-Snousi.”
I would have to disagree that the war is “led by al-Qaeda” as it would be quite silly to think that al Qaeda dictates American policy.
I would correct this by stipulating that it is America who dictates al Qaeda policy.
The simple fact is that we are supporting terrorists in Libya and actively encouraging a group of individuals with strong ties to terrorists to overthrow the Gaddafi regime in order to place themselves in power.
Just like authoritarian regimes around the world, the rebel leadership was not chosen or approved by the people of Libya.
They declared themselves the sole legitimate representatives of the people of Libya and swiftly were accepted as such by Western governments.
The Western nations in support of these al Qaeda-affiliated rebels then, in defiance of the Vienna Conventions, stole sovereign Libyan territory and handed it over to the illegitimate rebel envoys.
We can only hope that once these rebels take full control over Libya they will properly and democratically rule, but unfortunately all current signs show that this will not be the case.
Why? Because the opposition forces have already begun to serve their globalist masters by selling them sweet crude oil and establishing a private central bank in order to change Libya from a wealthy independent African nation into an impoverished debt-slave nation beholden to the banking cartels like the IMF, World Bank and Bank of International Settlements.
All we can do at this point is support the Libyan peoples’ right to a democratically elected government and unfortunately this is not the road they are currently headed down.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Ron Paul Takes New Hampshire Young Republicans Straw Poll With 45 percent of Vote
ronpaul2012.com
Soundly defeats rivals in Granite State GOP contest
LAKE JACKSON, Texas – It’s been a good week for Ron Paul: a statistical tie at the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa last Saturday, a thousand New Hampshire voters at the Concord, New Hampshire office opening Wednesday night, and today, a resounding victory in the New Hampshire Young Republicans Straw Poll in New Castle.
With 45% of the vote, Paul soundly beat his closest rivals at this traditional lobster bake, with Mitt Romney earning 10% of the vote, followed by Thaddeus McCotter and Rick Perry, tied at 8%.
“Ron Paul’s message of traditional conservatism — fiscal restraint, limited government, and strong national defense — is clearly the future of the Republican Party,” said NH Chairman and State Senator Jim Forsythe, who spoke on behalf of Congressman Paul at the Straw Poll. “The other candidates know that and sound more like him every day. But there are convenient copies, and there’s the real thing.
“It takes more than a sound bite and a flip-flop to fool New Hampshire voters. That’s why there’s real momentum here for Ron Paul.”
Soundly defeats rivals in Granite State GOP contest
With 45% of the vote, Paul soundly beat his closest rivals at this traditional lobster bake, with Mitt Romney earning 10% of the vote, followed by Thaddeus McCotter and Rick Perry, tied at 8%.
“Ron Paul’s message of traditional conservatism — fiscal restraint, limited government, and strong national defense — is clearly the future of the Republican Party,” said NH Chairman and State Senator Jim Forsythe, who spoke on behalf of Congressman Paul at the Straw Poll. “The other candidates know that and sound more like him every day. But there are convenient copies, and there’s the real thing.
“It takes more than a sound bite and a flip-flop to fool New Hampshire voters. That’s why there’s real momentum here for Ron Paul.”
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Rick Perry Gay, Stripper Sex Rumors Rise After Ron Paul Supporter's Ad
sfgate.com
UPDATE: Who Is Robert Morrow?
Is Rick Perry Gay? Did Governor Perry have sex with strippers?
While Governor Perry's camp hoped it would not happen, questions and rumors that Texas Governor and GOP Presidential Nomination Candidate Rick Perry is either Gay and, or, slept with strippers and escorts, have resurfaced after Robert Morrow, a Republican, Ron Paul For President Supporter, and the self-proclaimed President of The "Committee Against Sexual Hypocrisy," or "CASH" took out this ad in the Austin Chronicle which reads:
"Are you a stripper, an escort, or just a young "hottie" impressed by an arrogant, entitled governor of Texas? Contact CASH and we will help you publicize your direct dealings with a Christian-buzzwords spouting family values hypocrite and fraud."
And the Gay rumor was first mentioned last year by blogger Mike Stark, of The Stark Report, but for some weird and unknown reason, Stark stopped blogging about.
Here's my video on the "Perry Gay" question:
But the important central part of Stark's blog, the focus of this Zennie62.com blog post, remains unaddressed to this writing:
As I began looking into this, I repeatedly heard detailed rumors of a past gay relationship between the Governor and his former Secretary of State, Geoff Connor. A version of this story included Perry’s wife, Anita, catching Connor and Perry in the act and screaming at him the next day from her office phone. The most common retelling has it that the Governor was caught, struck a quick (and expensive) deal with his wife that allowed him to avoid an immediate trip to divorce court, and swore everyone involved to secrecy.
I also learned of a new rumor making the rounds. Several sources told me they had heard that the Governor is in a current gay relationship with one of the two (male) chefs that Perry he keeps on staff at the tax - payer funded ($10,000 a month) temporary governor's mansion.
What's interesting, given the longevity and evolving nature of these rumors, is that as far as I can tell, no media outlet has ever publicly asked the Governor the simple question: "Are you gay?"
And still, while Perry has been on the campaign trail this week, and acting like a smart-alec with respect to President Obama and Federal Reserve boss Ben Bernanke, the "Perry Gay" question has gone un-asked. The bet in this corner is that will remain the case, unless there is significant pressure from the Internet.
On top of the "Perry Gay" issue, is the "Perry Stripper Escort" talk.
The same Mr. Robert Morrow who's the President of CASH, wrote a long explanation for his passionate campaign against Governor Perry, and writes "Adulterer Rick Perry is sitting on a keg of slut-fueled nitroglycerine that if it ever exploded, would make Anthony Weiner look like a mere pimple popping." As recited in the Ellis County Observer of August 4, 2011 (another wild even on my birthday), Morrow's comments make a worthy read:
Tea Party fraud Rick Perry
Is Political Herpes
By Robert Morrow Austin, TX 512-306-1510
I urge you to NOT vote for Rick Perry who is one of the biggest frauds and phonies in American politics. I am a 3-time delegate to the Texas Republican convention (2006, 2008, 2010) and I live in Austin, TX. Here why Rick Perry is completely unqualified to be president.
The first thing you need to know about Rick Perry is that he is (or has been) a flagrant adulterer. Nor does Perry understand or appreciate free market capitalism and the importance of low taxes for all; Perry is a crony capitalist and he likes to spend and borrow lots of money. Perry does not respect parental rights (HPV mandate).
The same man who is using a presidential prayer rally for his personal ambitions and who often spouts Christian buzzwords and Bible talk to advance his political career is a flagrant adulterer, having sex with women who are the approximate age of his daughter Sydney, age 24.
Rick Perry's Adultery (& his Arrogance)
I know this because I am a patron of Austin strip clubs. My friends and excellent contacts in the Austin strip club community tell me that Rick Perry, a la Bill Clinton, has an enabling entourage who gets him “young hotties†to have sex with – both here in Austin and especially when he is on the road. I learned about this before the 2010 Texas primary. I had an attractive stripper tell me about her direct dealings with Rick Perry. She said that she was attempting a Monica Lewinsky-type act upon Gov. Rick Perry (oral sex) but that in her words Perry was “too coked up†to perform sexually! When it came time for the stripper to leave, Perry gave her an outrageous amount of money, so large in fact that it probably means that Perry is taking cash bribes or illegal gifts to fund his extracurricular activities. Perry is not a rich man and I doubt he is spending that much of his own money on the women. (Actually sweetheart real estate deals have made the man unusual money.)
Another young woman, who has had direct dealings with Perry’s enabling entourage, told me that Perry is especially flagrantly adulterous when he goes on the road. She said that Perry has sex with the “young hotties†and that Perry and his entourage are literally having orgies in his hotel room. They are either calling escort services or picking up “young hotties†impressed by an arrogant, entitled governor of Texas.
Recently a local Austin reporter was telling me that they had heard about Rick Perry and the strippers in 2006, but they never could nail it down. Well, consider it confirmed. Additionally, there are many people in Austin who are convinced that the man is a homosexual or has had gay affairs in the past. I have never met a man who has had sex with Rick Perry, but I have met women who have had direct dealings with Adulterer Rick Perry and his enabling entourage. Perry has most definitely been living a double life.
That brings up another disqualifying characteristic of Perry: he is arrogant. Rick Perry knows his adultery rap sheet and liability more than anyone else. Perry is fully aware of the tremendous amount of risk this brings to the Republican party, his political career, his personal life and reputation. Yet, Rick Perry, drunk with arrogance and entitlement, presents himself as a legitimate presidential candidate when he is anything but that. Adulterer Rick Perry is sitting on a keg of slut-fueled nitroglycerine that if it ever exploded, would make Anthony Weiner look like a mere pimple popping.
Side note: it is no secret in Austin that for years Rick and Anita Perry have been having marital problems (no wonder); but enabling Anita is wearing her “Hillary Clinton†boots as she supports his presidential run. Anita sure did not support Perry’s 2010 governor’s race, as she rarely went to campaign events and when she did she never smiled, had a robotic look on her face and obviously did not want to be there. At the moments of Rick’s greatest triumphs, Anita would be on stage with a blank look on her face, looking like a lost, unhappy child amidst all the cheering for Adulterer Rick.
Anita’s behavior was so obvious that a local columnist John Kelso wrote an article about her never smiling on the campaign trail: “Somebody needs to goose Anita Perry to get a smile out of her.†http://www.statesman.com/news/local/somebody-needs-to-goose-anita-perry-to-get-1203160.html
For the rest of the Morrow post - which dives into more commentary on Perry's flip-flopping politics, and less the substance that concerns the subject of this blog post click here.
While his is the work of a largely disgruntled Republican in Morrow, there must be some reason why traditional Republicans like Morrow and Karl Rove would come forward, speaking in the negative about Governor Perry. There's also the matter of the people who were feeding rumors to Mike Stark last year, well before the 2010 midterm elections.
Something's in the wind. Blowing.
Stay tuned.
UPDATE: Who Is Robert Morrow?
Is Rick Perry Gay? Did Governor Perry have sex with strippers?
While Governor Perry's camp hoped it would not happen, questions and rumors that Texas Governor and GOP Presidential Nomination Candidate Rick Perry is either Gay and, or, slept with strippers and escorts, have resurfaced after Robert Morrow, a Republican, Ron Paul For President Supporter, and the self-proclaimed President of The "Committee Against Sexual Hypocrisy," or "CASH" took out this ad in the Austin Chronicle which reads:
"Are you a stripper, an escort, or just a young "hottie" impressed by an arrogant, entitled governor of Texas? Contact CASH and we will help you publicize your direct dealings with a Christian-buzzwords spouting family values hypocrite and fraud."
And the Gay rumor was first mentioned last year by blogger Mike Stark, of The Stark Report, but for some weird and unknown reason, Stark stopped blogging about.
Here's my video on the "Perry Gay" question:
But the important central part of Stark's blog, the focus of this Zennie62.com blog post, remains unaddressed to this writing:
As I began looking into this, I repeatedly heard detailed rumors of a past gay relationship between the Governor and his former Secretary of State, Geoff Connor. A version of this story included Perry’s wife, Anita, catching Connor and Perry in the act and screaming at him the next day from her office phone. The most common retelling has it that the Governor was caught, struck a quick (and expensive) deal with his wife that allowed him to avoid an immediate trip to divorce court, and swore everyone involved to secrecy.
I also learned of a new rumor making the rounds. Several sources told me they had heard that the Governor is in a current gay relationship with one of the two (male) chefs that Perry he keeps on staff at the tax - payer funded ($10,000 a month) temporary governor's mansion.
What's interesting, given the longevity and evolving nature of these rumors, is that as far as I can tell, no media outlet has ever publicly asked the Governor the simple question: "Are you gay?"
And still, while Perry has been on the campaign trail this week, and acting like a smart-alec with respect to President Obama and Federal Reserve boss Ben Bernanke, the "Perry Gay" question has gone un-asked. The bet in this corner is that will remain the case, unless there is significant pressure from the Internet.
On top of the "Perry Gay" issue, is the "Perry Stripper Escort" talk.
The same Mr. Robert Morrow who's the President of CASH, wrote a long explanation for his passionate campaign against Governor Perry, and writes "Adulterer Rick Perry is sitting on a keg of slut-fueled nitroglycerine that if it ever exploded, would make Anthony Weiner look like a mere pimple popping." As recited in the Ellis County Observer of August 4, 2011 (another wild even on my birthday), Morrow's comments make a worthy read:
Tea Party fraud Rick Perry
Is Political Herpes
By Robert Morrow Austin, TX 512-306-1510
I urge you to NOT vote for Rick Perry who is one of the biggest frauds and phonies in American politics. I am a 3-time delegate to the Texas Republican convention (2006, 2008, 2010) and I live in Austin, TX. Here why Rick Perry is completely unqualified to be president.
The first thing you need to know about Rick Perry is that he is (or has been) a flagrant adulterer. Nor does Perry understand or appreciate free market capitalism and the importance of low taxes for all; Perry is a crony capitalist and he likes to spend and borrow lots of money. Perry does not respect parental rights (HPV mandate).
The same man who is using a presidential prayer rally for his personal ambitions and who often spouts Christian buzzwords and Bible talk to advance his political career is a flagrant adulterer, having sex with women who are the approximate age of his daughter Sydney, age 24.
Rick Perry's Adultery (& his Arrogance)
I know this because I am a patron of Austin strip clubs. My friends and excellent contacts in the Austin strip club community tell me that Rick Perry, a la Bill Clinton, has an enabling entourage who gets him “young hotties†to have sex with – both here in Austin and especially when he is on the road. I learned about this before the 2010 Texas primary. I had an attractive stripper tell me about her direct dealings with Rick Perry. She said that she was attempting a Monica Lewinsky-type act upon Gov. Rick Perry (oral sex) but that in her words Perry was “too coked up†to perform sexually! When it came time for the stripper to leave, Perry gave her an outrageous amount of money, so large in fact that it probably means that Perry is taking cash bribes or illegal gifts to fund his extracurricular activities. Perry is not a rich man and I doubt he is spending that much of his own money on the women. (Actually sweetheart real estate deals have made the man unusual money.)
Another young woman, who has had direct dealings with Perry’s enabling entourage, told me that Perry is especially flagrantly adulterous when he goes on the road. She said that Perry has sex with the “young hotties†and that Perry and his entourage are literally having orgies in his hotel room. They are either calling escort services or picking up “young hotties†impressed by an arrogant, entitled governor of Texas.
Recently a local Austin reporter was telling me that they had heard about Rick Perry and the strippers in 2006, but they never could nail it down. Well, consider it confirmed. Additionally, there are many people in Austin who are convinced that the man is a homosexual or has had gay affairs in the past. I have never met a man who has had sex with Rick Perry, but I have met women who have had direct dealings with Adulterer Rick Perry and his enabling entourage. Perry has most definitely been living a double life.
That brings up another disqualifying characteristic of Perry: he is arrogant. Rick Perry knows his adultery rap sheet and liability more than anyone else. Perry is fully aware of the tremendous amount of risk this brings to the Republican party, his political career, his personal life and reputation. Yet, Rick Perry, drunk with arrogance and entitlement, presents himself as a legitimate presidential candidate when he is anything but that. Adulterer Rick Perry is sitting on a keg of slut-fueled nitroglycerine that if it ever exploded, would make Anthony Weiner look like a mere pimple popping.
Side note: it is no secret in Austin that for years Rick and Anita Perry have been having marital problems (no wonder); but enabling Anita is wearing her “Hillary Clinton†boots as she supports his presidential run. Anita sure did not support Perry’s 2010 governor’s race, as she rarely went to campaign events and when she did she never smiled, had a robotic look on her face and obviously did not want to be there. At the moments of Rick’s greatest triumphs, Anita would be on stage with a blank look on her face, looking like a lost, unhappy child amidst all the cheering for Adulterer Rick.
Anita’s behavior was so obvious that a local columnist John Kelso wrote an article about her never smiling on the campaign trail: “Somebody needs to goose Anita Perry to get a smile out of her.†http://www.statesman.com/news/local/somebody-needs-to-goose-anita-perry-to-get-1203160.html
For the rest of the Morrow post - which dives into more commentary on Perry's flip-flopping politics, and less the substance that concerns the subject of this blog post click here.
While his is the work of a largely disgruntled Republican in Morrow, there must be some reason why traditional Republicans like Morrow and Karl Rove would come forward, speaking in the negative about Governor Perry. There's also the matter of the people who were feeding rumors to Mike Stark last year, well before the 2010 midterm elections.
Something's in the wind. Blowing.
Stay tuned.
'Mossad plotted to harm Egyptian fertility'
Egypt's Al-Ahram daily claims Israeli Ofir Harrari accused of spying for Israel, devised to sell Egypt hair products endangering reproductive abilities
Roee Nahmias
Published: 08.17.11, 13:47 / Israel News
ynetnews.com
Israeli citizen Ofir Harrari, recently accused by Egypt of spying for Israel, was allegedly involved in a complicated scheme intended to harm Egyptian reproduction abilities, Egypt's official state paper Al-Ahram has claimed.
Harrari, accused by Egypt of being an agent of the Mossad, is set be tried in absentia on charges of "spying for a foreign country with the purpose of harming Egyptian national interest," news agency MENA reported on Sunday.
Jordanian Ibrahim abu-Zaid, a telecoms engineer reportedly involved in the affair as well, was arrested in Egypt.
"According to the public prosecutor's office's investigation, 'Mossad agent Ofir Harrari' instructed Jordanian Ibrahim abu-Zaid to set up a company in Egypt which would exclusively import an Israeli hair product, for both men and women, which causes infertility. This in order to completely destroy Egyptian reproduction abilities," Al-Ahram states.
The report also asserted that the Mossad supposedly required that abu-Zaid open communications companies in Sudan and Libya, so as to enable Israel to follow communication traffic in both countries.
עיתוני מצרים מדווחים על מעצר אילן גרפל (צילום: AFP)
Egyptian press informs of Ilan Garpel's arrest (Photo: AFP)
On June 12, Egypt arrested US-Israeli dual national Ilan Grapel on suspicion of spying for Israel, which denied any such charge.
Egypt's espionage allegations come at a sensitive time when Israel is trying to understand where Egypt's new temporary regime is headed.
It has been estimated both in Israel and in Egypt that the Egyptian allegations stem from a wish to appease Egyptian demonstrators protesting against the close relations that existed between Jerusalem and Cairo in the pre-uprising days.
Roee Nahmias
Published: 08.17.11, 13:47 / Israel News
ynetnews.com
Israeli citizen Ofir Harrari, recently accused by Egypt of spying for Israel, was allegedly involved in a complicated scheme intended to harm Egyptian reproduction abilities, Egypt's official state paper Al-Ahram has claimed.
Harrari, accused by Egypt of being an agent of the Mossad, is set be tried in absentia on charges of "spying for a foreign country with the purpose of harming Egyptian national interest," news agency MENA reported on Sunday.
Jordanian Ibrahim abu-Zaid, a telecoms engineer reportedly involved in the affair as well, was arrested in Egypt.
"According to the public prosecutor's office's investigation, 'Mossad agent Ofir Harrari' instructed Jordanian Ibrahim abu-Zaid to set up a company in Egypt which would exclusively import an Israeli hair product, for both men and women, which causes infertility. This in order to completely destroy Egyptian reproduction abilities," Al-Ahram states.
The report also asserted that the Mossad supposedly required that abu-Zaid open communications companies in Sudan and Libya, so as to enable Israel to follow communication traffic in both countries.
עיתוני מצרים מדווחים על מעצר אילן גרפל (צילום: AFP)
Egyptian press informs of Ilan Garpel's arrest (Photo: AFP)
On June 12, Egypt arrested US-Israeli dual national Ilan Grapel on suspicion of spying for Israel, which denied any such charge.
Egypt's espionage allegations come at a sensitive time when Israel is trying to understand where Egypt's new temporary regime is headed.
It has been estimated both in Israel and in Egypt that the Egyptian allegations stem from a wish to appease Egyptian demonstrators protesting against the close relations that existed between Jerusalem and Cairo in the pre-uprising days.
Ecstasy could treat blood cancers: researchers
By Agence France-Presse
Thursday, August 18th, 2011 -- 8:53 pm
rawstory.com
LONDON — Researchers in Britain revealed Friday they are exploring whether the nightclubbers' drug ecstasy could be effective in treating blood cancers.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham in central England said modified forms of the drug boosted its ability to destroy cancerous cells by 100 times.
Six years ago, researchers found that cancers affecting white blood cells appeared to respond to certain "psychotropic" drugs.
These included weight loss pills, Prozac-type antidepressants, and amphetamine derivatives such as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) -- commonly known as ecstasy.
The Birmingham scientists said their discoveries since then could lead to MDMA derivatives being used in patient trials.
The derivatives could be effective in treating blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
"This is an exciting next step towards using a modified form of MDMA to help people suffering from blood cancer," said Professor John Gordon, from the university's School of Immunology and Infection.
"While we would not wish to give people false hope, the results of this research hold the potential for improvements in treatments in years to come."
The team found that the dose of MDMA required to treat a tumor would prove fatal, so they set about isolating the drug's cancer-killing properties.
They are now looking at ways to get MDMA molecules to penetrate cancer cell walls more easily.
Doctor David Grant, scientific director of the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research charity, which part-funded the study, said: "The prospect of being able to target blood cancer with a drug derived from ecstasy is a genuinely exciting proposition.
"Many types of lymphoma remain hard to treat and non-toxic drugs which are both effective and have few side effects are desperately needed."
The findings are published in the bi-monthly journal Investigational New Drugs.
Thursday, August 18th, 2011 -- 8:53 pm
rawstory.com
Scientists at the University of Birmingham in central England said modified forms of the drug boosted its ability to destroy cancerous cells by 100 times.
Six years ago, researchers found that cancers affecting white blood cells appeared to respond to certain "psychotropic" drugs.
These included weight loss pills, Prozac-type antidepressants, and amphetamine derivatives such as methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) -- commonly known as ecstasy.
The Birmingham scientists said their discoveries since then could lead to MDMA derivatives being used in patient trials.
The derivatives could be effective in treating blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
"This is an exciting next step towards using a modified form of MDMA to help people suffering from blood cancer," said Professor John Gordon, from the university's School of Immunology and Infection.
"While we would not wish to give people false hope, the results of this research hold the potential for improvements in treatments in years to come."
The team found that the dose of MDMA required to treat a tumor would prove fatal, so they set about isolating the drug's cancer-killing properties.
They are now looking at ways to get MDMA molecules to penetrate cancer cell walls more easily.
Doctor David Grant, scientific director of the Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research charity, which part-funded the study, said: "The prospect of being able to target blood cancer with a drug derived from ecstasy is a genuinely exciting proposition.
"Many types of lymphoma remain hard to treat and non-toxic drugs which are both effective and have few side effects are desperately needed."
The findings are published in the bi-monthly journal Investigational New Drugs.
Globalist Getting Desperate - Switch to New Lie
We are actually suppose to believe that aliens are watching our planet and are going to do a preemptive strike on us unless we go along with a carbon tax. I don't know which is scarier, how stupid they are or how stupid they think that we are. Wouldn't it be just as likely the aliens would invade us for not prosecuting British Petroleum for the worst oil spill in history or perhaps the people responsible for the Fukushima nuclear disaster? I don't guess there's any money for a one world government in that, so the aliens let it slide. Anyway here is the mindbendingly stupid article.
Aliens may destroy humanity to protect other civilisations, say scientists
Rising greenhouse emissions could tip off aliens that we are a rapidly expanding threat, warns a report
Ian Sample, science correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 18 August 2011 19.04 BST
It may not rank as the most compelling reason to curb greenhouse gases, but reducing our emissions might just save humanity from a pre-emptive alien attack, scientists claim.
Watching from afar, extraterrestrial beings might view changes in Earth's atmosphere as symptomatic of a civilisation growing out of control – and take drastic action to keep us from becoming a more serious threat, the researchers explain.
This highly speculative scenario is one of several described by a Nasa-affiliated scientist and colleagues at Pennsylvania State University that, while considered unlikely, they say could play out were humans and alien life to make contact at some point in the future.
Shawn Domagal-Goldman of Nasa's Planetary Science Division and his colleagues compiled a list of plausible outcomes that could unfold in the aftermath of a close encounter, to help humanity "prepare for actual contact".
In their report, Would Contact with Extraterrestrials Benefit or Harm Humanity? A Scenario Analysis, the researchers divide alien contacts into three broad categories: beneficial, neutral or harmful.
Beneficial encounters ranged from the mere detection of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI), for example through the interception of alien broadcasts, to contact with cooperative organisms that help us advance our knowledge and solve global problems such as hunger, poverty and disease.
Another beneficial outcome the authors entertain sees humanity triumph over a more powerful alien aggressor, or even being saved by a second group of ETs. "In these scenarios, humanity benefits not only from the major moral victory of having defeated a daunting rival, but also from the opportunity to reverse-engineer ETI technology," the authors write.
Other kinds of close encounter may be less rewarding and leave much of human society feeling indifferent towards alien life. The extraterrestrials may be too different from us to communicate with usefully. They might invite humanity to join the "Galactic Club" only for the entry requirements to be too bureaucratic and tedious for humans to bother with. They could even become a nuisance, like the stranded, prawn-like creatures that are kept in a refugee camp in the 2009 South African movie, District 9, the report explains.
The most unappealing outcomes would arise if extraterrestrials caused harm to humanity, even if by accident. While aliens may arrive to eat, enslave or attack us, the report adds that people might also suffer from being physically crushed or by contracting diseases carried by the visitors. In especially unfortunate incidents, humanity could be wiped out when a more advanced civilisation accidentally unleashes an unfriendly artificial intelligence, or performs a catastrophic physics experiment that renders a portion of the galaxy uninhabitable.
To bolster humanity's chances of survival, the researchers call for caution in sending signals into space, and in particular warn against broadcasting information about our biological make-up, which could be used to manufacture weapons that target humans. Instead, any contact with ETs should be limited to mathematical discourse "until we have a better idea of the type of ETI we are dealing with."
The authors warn that extraterrestrials may be wary of civilisations that expand very rapidly, as these may be prone to destroy other life as they grow, just as humans have pushed species to extinction on Earth. In the most extreme scenario, aliens might choose to destroy humanity to protect other civilisations.
"A preemptive strike would be particularly likely in the early phases of our expansion because a civilisation may become increasingly difficult to destroy as it continues to expand. Humanity may just now be entering the period in which its rapid civilisational expansion could be detected by an ETI because our expansion is changing the composition of the Earth's atmosphere, via greenhouse gas emissions," the report states.
"Green" aliens might object to the environmental damage humans have caused on Earth and wipe us out to save the planet. "These scenarios give us reason to limit our growth and reduce our impact on global ecosystems. It would be particularly important for us to limit our emissions of greenhouse gases, since atmospheric composition can be observed from other planets," the authors write.
Even if we never make contact with extraterrestrials, the report argues that considering the potential scenarios may help to plot the future path of human civilisation, avoid collapse and achieve long-term survival.
• This article was amended on 19 August 2011. The subhead said the report was "for Nasa". This has been corrected.
Aliens may destroy humanity to protect other civilisations, say scientists
Rising greenhouse emissions could tip off aliens that we are a rapidly expanding threat, warns a report
Ian Sample, science correspondent
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 18 August 2011 19.04 BST
It may not rank as the most compelling reason to curb greenhouse gases, but reducing our emissions might just save humanity from a pre-emptive alien attack, scientists claim.
Watching from afar, extraterrestrial beings might view changes in Earth's atmosphere as symptomatic of a civilisation growing out of control – and take drastic action to keep us from becoming a more serious threat, the researchers explain.
This highly speculative scenario is one of several described by a Nasa-affiliated scientist and colleagues at Pennsylvania State University that, while considered unlikely, they say could play out were humans and alien life to make contact at some point in the future.
Shawn Domagal-Goldman of Nasa's Planetary Science Division and his colleagues compiled a list of plausible outcomes that could unfold in the aftermath of a close encounter, to help humanity "prepare for actual contact".
In their report, Would Contact with Extraterrestrials Benefit or Harm Humanity? A Scenario Analysis, the researchers divide alien contacts into three broad categories: beneficial, neutral or harmful.
Beneficial encounters ranged from the mere detection of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI), for example through the interception of alien broadcasts, to contact with cooperative organisms that help us advance our knowledge and solve global problems such as hunger, poverty and disease.
Another beneficial outcome the authors entertain sees humanity triumph over a more powerful alien aggressor, or even being saved by a second group of ETs. "In these scenarios, humanity benefits not only from the major moral victory of having defeated a daunting rival, but also from the opportunity to reverse-engineer ETI technology," the authors write.
Other kinds of close encounter may be less rewarding and leave much of human society feeling indifferent towards alien life. The extraterrestrials may be too different from us to communicate with usefully. They might invite humanity to join the "Galactic Club" only for the entry requirements to be too bureaucratic and tedious for humans to bother with. They could even become a nuisance, like the stranded, prawn-like creatures that are kept in a refugee camp in the 2009 South African movie, District 9, the report explains.
The most unappealing outcomes would arise if extraterrestrials caused harm to humanity, even if by accident. While aliens may arrive to eat, enslave or attack us, the report adds that people might also suffer from being physically crushed or by contracting diseases carried by the visitors. In especially unfortunate incidents, humanity could be wiped out when a more advanced civilisation accidentally unleashes an unfriendly artificial intelligence, or performs a catastrophic physics experiment that renders a portion of the galaxy uninhabitable.
To bolster humanity's chances of survival, the researchers call for caution in sending signals into space, and in particular warn against broadcasting information about our biological make-up, which could be used to manufacture weapons that target humans. Instead, any contact with ETs should be limited to mathematical discourse "until we have a better idea of the type of ETI we are dealing with."
The authors warn that extraterrestrials may be wary of civilisations that expand very rapidly, as these may be prone to destroy other life as they grow, just as humans have pushed species to extinction on Earth. In the most extreme scenario, aliens might choose to destroy humanity to protect other civilisations.
"A preemptive strike would be particularly likely in the early phases of our expansion because a civilisation may become increasingly difficult to destroy as it continues to expand. Humanity may just now be entering the period in which its rapid civilisational expansion could be detected by an ETI because our expansion is changing the composition of the Earth's atmosphere, via greenhouse gas emissions," the report states.
"Green" aliens might object to the environmental damage humans have caused on Earth and wipe us out to save the planet. "These scenarios give us reason to limit our growth and reduce our impact on global ecosystems. It would be particularly important for us to limit our emissions of greenhouse gases, since atmospheric composition can be observed from other planets," the authors write.
Even if we never make contact with extraterrestrials, the report argues that considering the potential scenarios may help to plot the future path of human civilisation, avoid collapse and achieve long-term survival.
• This article was amended on 19 August 2011. The subhead said the report was "for Nasa". This has been corrected.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Abercrombie to pay 'Jersey Shore' cast to stop wearing its clothes
CNNMoney
6:24 a.m. CDT, August 17, 2011
Clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch said it would offer "substantial payment" to MTV's The Jersey Shore's cast members to stop wearing the brand on air.
Mike “the Situation“ Sorrentino may have to find some new attire for his “gym, tan, laundry“ routine.
“We are deeply concerned that Mr. Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image. We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans,“ an Abercrombie & Fitch spokesperson said in a statement. “We have also extended this offer to other members of the cast, and are urgently waiting a response.“
The reality show, currently in its fourth season, features hard-partying and hookups in locations ranging from the show's origin, the Jersey Shore to the current season in Florence, Italy.
Full Story chicagotribune.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man, I know how they feel.
Every year during Beautification Week the city pays me to either leave town or stay indoors.
6:24 a.m. CDT, August 17, 2011
Clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch said it would offer "substantial payment" to MTV's The Jersey Shore's cast members to stop wearing the brand on air.
“We are deeply concerned that Mr. Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image. We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans,“ an Abercrombie & Fitch spokesperson said in a statement. “We have also extended this offer to other members of the cast, and are urgently waiting a response.“
The reality show, currently in its fourth season, features hard-partying and hookups in locations ranging from the show's origin, the Jersey Shore to the current season in Florence, Italy.
Full Story chicagotribune.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man, I know how they feel.
Every year during Beautification Week the city pays me to either leave town or stay indoors.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Bachmann gives Elvis birthday wishes on the anniversary of his death
By MAGGIE HABERMAN | 8/16/11 1:47 PM EDT
politico.com
Michele Bachmann gave Elvis Presley, whose songs she uses at her events, happy birthday wishes today while she was in Spartanburg, S.C.
Unfortunately, today's the 34th anniversary of the day he died.
"Before we get started, let's all say 'Happy Birthday' to Elvis Presley today," Bachmann said. "You can't do better than Elvis Presley."
politico.com
Michele Bachmann gave Elvis Presley, whose songs she uses at her events, happy birthday wishes today while she was in Spartanburg, S.C.
Unfortunately, today's the 34th anniversary of the day he died.
"Before we get started, let's all say 'Happy Birthday' to Elvis Presley today," Bachmann said. "You can't do better than Elvis Presley."