All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Horse Slaughter Opponents Sue USDA over Permits

Congress could still cut funding for horse slaughterhouse inspections, effectively reinstating the ban. Both the House and Senate agriculture committees have endorsed such proposals, and the Obama administration’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year also eliminates that funding. Another bill would ban U.S. horse slaughter facilities while prohibiting exports.

While most Americans would blanche at the prospects of eating horse burgers or steaks, the processors plan to serve overseas markets.

The 36-page petition to the U.S. District Court in San Francisco alleges the USDA did not prepare required environmental reviews for Valley Meat Co.’s horse meat plant in southeastern New Mexico or for any of the pending requests. It lawsuit cites negative environmental consequences caused by horse slaughter, including air and water pollution.

The lawsuit alleges that the animals can be fed drugs and medication not fit for human consumption because horses in the U.S. “are not raised in regulated industries conscious of public health and safety concerns, but rather in private homes, on racetracks and as working animals.”

The three other groups challenging USDA and its Food Safety Inspection Service are each from California: the Marin Humane Society in Novato; Horses for Life Foundation; and Return to Freedom of Lompoc. The Humane Society and Front Range Equine Rescue had previously announced their intentions to challenge the USDA in court.

via Horse Slaughter Opponents Sue USDA over Permits.

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Man Without a Country and Other Tales by Edward E. Hale

I supposed that very few casual readers of the New York Herald of August 18th observed, in an obscure corner, among the “Deaths,” the announcement,—

“NOLAN. Died, on board U.S. Corvette Levant, Lat. 2° 11′ S., Long. 131° W., on the 11th of May, PHILIP NOLAN.”

I happened to observe it, because I was stranded at the old Mission-House in Mackinaw, waiting for a Lake Superior steamer which did not choose to come, and I was devouring to the very stubble all the current literature I could get hold of, even down to the deaths and marriages in the Herald. My memory for names and people is good, and the reader will see, as he goes on, that I had reason enough to remember Philip Nolan. There are hundreds of readers who would have paused at that announcement, if the officer of the Levant who reported it had chosen to make it thus:—”Died, May 11th, THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY.” For it was as “The Man without a Country” that poor Philip Nolan had generally been known by the officers who had him in charge during some fifty years, as, indeed, by all the men who sailed [pg 009] under them. I dare say there is many a man who has taken wine with him once a fortnight, in a three years’ cruise, who never knew that his name was “Nolan,” or whether the poor wretch had any name at all.

via The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Man Without a Country and Other Tales by Edward E. Hale.

It’s the Identity, Stupid

Duh? She hits it!

Nervana

Tahrir 13

(Photo via of June 30 demonstration in Cairo via Twitter)

Millions and millions poured into the streets of Cairo and other regions of Egypt, calling for President Morsi to resign. The vast, unprecedented numbers of the June 30 demonstrations, which continued well into July 1st with unflagging fervor and tenacity, has defied expectations. The sheer magnitude of these crowds has even defied logic – after all, Morsi was democratically elected. Yet, this is not a revolution to establish democracy; it is revolution to defend an identity. Although there are several political, social, and economic factors behind June 30, the tipping point was what many in Egypt perceive as a new form of colonization by the Muslim Brotherhood; the revisionist party that considers itself the savior of Islam has embarked on a mission to change the identity of Egypt into an Islamist one.

For over 7,000 years, Egyptians have accumulated…

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IPS – Egyptian Lawyer and Women’s Rights Advocate Wins RFK Award | Inter Press Service

A prominent human rights organisation based here announced Tuesday that its annual award for 2013 would go to Ragia Omran, an Egyptian lawyer and women’s rights activist.

“With dedication and courage, Ms. Omran is often the first to arrive on the scene at jails, police stations, court houses, and military and civilian prosecution offices,” said Kerry Kennedy, president of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, which has presented the award to outstanding defenders and advocates of human rights for 30 years.

“She is doing critical work in a country and a region that is going through a very difficult and important time.” — RFK’s Santiago Canton

“Hundreds of peaceful activists have her to thank for successfully securing their release and protecting their rights to freedom of speech and association. [Omran] is a beacon of hope for the women of Egypt and a champion in the global human rights movement.”

via IPS – Egyptian Lawyer and Women’s Rights Advocate Wins RFK Award | Inter Press Service.

The Gun Report: July 2, 2013 – NYTimes.com

Austin McBride, 16, died after accidentally shooting himself outside his home in Springfield, Ky., Saturday. The teen was cleaning his .22-caliber handgun in preparation for a gun show when it went off, shooting him in the stomach. McBride’s mother had been in the shower at the time of the accident.

via The Gun Report: July 2, 2013 – NYTimes.com.

Olives Sold in Northeast Recalled for Potential Botulism Risk | Food Safety News

A Rhode Island-based grocery chain is recalling certain Mediterranean olives because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.

Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) issued a voluntary recall of Bel Frantoio brand Mediterranean Olives: Calcidica Sweet Monday after the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) discovered that the product was stored at room temperature when it should have been kept refrigerated, allowing for the potential growth of Clostridium botulinum bacteria.

via Olives Sold in Northeast Recalled for Potential Botulism Risk | Food Safety News.

HOPE not hate news: Muslim graves at Christchurch Cemetery, Newport, desecrated by racist vandals

Muslim graves at a Newport cemetery have been desecrated with racist graffiti.

The vandals used white paint to write “Lee Rigby murder”, “white power” and drew swastikas on four gravestones at Christchurch Cemetery.

They also wrote the initials of the British National Party (BNP), the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and the National Front (NF).

People visiting nearby graves spoke of their disgust and shock at seeing the painted messages, which were still wet this morning.

via HOPE not hate news: Muslim graves at Christchurch Cemetery, Newport, desecrated by racist vandals.

Niños de la Memoria | Children of Memory | A documentary film project about children who disappeared during the war in El Salvador

Niños de la Memoria tells the story of the search for hundreds of children who disappeared during the Salvadoran Civil War. Many were survivors of massacres carried out by the U.S.-trained Salvadoran army. Taken away from the massacre sites by soldiers, some grew up in orphanages or were adopted abroad, losing their history and identity.  Niños de la Memoria weaves together three separate yet intertwined journeys in the search for family, identity and justice in El Salvador, and asks the larger question: How can a post-war society right the wrongs of the past?

via Niños de la Memoria | Children of Memory | A documentary film project about children who disappeared during the war in El Salvador.