All posts by nedhamson

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

‘The stupidity is simply staggering’ – The Maddow Blog

‘The stupidity is simply staggering’ – The Maddow Blog.

And including rape and incest exceptions might make the proposal slightly less offensive in a culture-war context, but problems remain. For one thing, the bill would require a woman to prove that she has reported her rape before she can exercise her constitutional right to terminate the unwanted pregnancy. For another, Franks’ original version also banned abortions in “medically futile pregnancies,” involving fetuses so badly compromised that they have no chance of survival. If this provision remains intact, it’s still intended to force women to carry such pregnancies through to the doomed birth.

But even putting these details aside, I get the sense Republican leaders are missing the point.

Making the legislation slightly more palatable to the American mainstream, and removing the offensive lawmaker from his role in championing his bill publicly, is predicated on a dubious assumption: that this is what the House of Representatives should be working on right now. It is, in other words, the best use of lawmakers’ time.

It’s really not. We’re talking about legislation that’s probably unconstitutional, has nothing to do with the nation’s top priorities, and can’t pass the Senate anyway, making the entire effort a vanity exercise intended to make the far-right feel better about itself.

Altering the language and changing the lead sponsor slaps some new paint on a car that won’t start. That’s what Dent appeared to be referencing when he talked about the staggering stupidity, and on this, he certainly has a point.

California Cantaloupe Producers Launch Mandatory Safety Program

Article – QA – Quality Assurance & Food Safety.

(“Invite” does not equal inspect if there are not sufficient funds or inspectors – just saying)

“The CCAB food safety program invites government auditors to inspect all aspects of operations including growing, harvesting, packing and cooling to ensure a set of science-based standards is being followed,” Patricio said.

Israeli official blasts idea of Palestinian state | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR

(Seldom have I heard such a pointless and self-delusional statement by an Israeli official – the world will not allow you to swallow or wipe out Palestinians.)

The statements by Naftali Bennett, economics minister and leader of the Jewish Home party, chime with similar sentiments expressed by other officials in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government and come as the United States is trying to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

“The idea that a Palestinian state will arise inside the land of Israel has reached a dead end,” Bennett said Monday at a meeting of the Yesha settlement group. “Never in the history of Israel have so many people dealt with so much energy with something so pointless,” he said.

via Israeli official blasts idea of Palestinian state | News , Middle East | THE DAILY STAR.

Erdogan escalates the crisis | Europe | DW.DE | 17.06.2013

Erdogan delivered a speech to hundreds of thousands of bused-in supporters. He accused the international press of a plot against him and his government: “CNN, Reuters, remain isolated with your lies!” he said, and attacked the protest movement once more. He described them again as “plunderers,” and threatened them: “You are no real Turks. Watch out: those who work against Turkey will have cause to tremble with fear.” Hotel owners who hid these “terrorists” would also have to pay the reckoning.

The journalist and writer Cengiz Aktar considers Erdogan’s rhetoric to be dangerous: “People who only listen to their prime minister and read newspapers which support the government don’t understand what it’s all about,” he told DW. Erdogan always appeared angry and was only increasing the tension in the country: “If he carries on like that, the country will have an even bigger crisis. He’s always pouring oil into the fire.”

via Erdogan escalates the crisis | Europe | DW.DE | 17.06.2013.

The Lancet: Virological Analysis Of A MERS-CoV Patient

The Lancet: Virological Analysis Of A MERS-CoV Patient.

Overnight The Lancet published a detailed report on the clinical symptoms and virological analysis of the 17th known MERS case – a 73 year old man from the UAE who was first treated at a hospital in Abu Dhabi and was then transferred by air ambulance to Germany on March 19th.

(This is one of the big problems – enough money can get you moved to a new hospital 0 where the disease may be passed on!)

Turkey: Stop police violence – allow the protests!

The brutal crackdown on protests at the end of May in Istanbul’s Taksim Square has shocked the entire world — and triggered a massive wave of protests across Turkey. A coalition of organizations including trade unions has issued demands which trade unionists everywhere will support. These include: free all those arrested; drop all charges against them; hold accountable those responsible for the police violence; and lift all bans on meetings and demonstrations. Please send your message of protest and spread the word today.

via Turkey: Stop police violence – allow the protests!.

New spy revelations: UK spied on allies – World – NZ Herald News

(Boris and Natasha – Spy vs Spy Tsk, tsk. Rupert spying on Parliament – Ahh… better than a summertime spy novel or movie…)

British intelligence agencies intercepted the communications of foreign politicians in London for the 2009 G20 summit, the Guardian reports.

The details were revealed in documents uncovered by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.

The Guardian reports that some delegates were tricked into using fake internet cafes so spy agencies could read their emails.

The newspaper is also reporting that former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev was also spied on by UK-based US agents at the same G20 summit.

The details of the intercept are laid out in a National Security Agency briefing which was shared with high-ranking officials from New Zealand, Britain, Australia and Canada.

Britain is about to begin hosting the G8 summit later today.

via New spy revelations: UK spied on allies – World – NZ Herald News.

Saudi MOH: 3 More MERS-CoV Cases & 4 Fatalities

Saudi MOH: 3 More MERS-CoV Cases & 4 Fatalities.

Not good folks getting too close to the major season for pilgrims – KSA Ministry of Health, announcing 3 new coronavirus cases, and the deaths of 4 previously announced cases.

 

Jeddah is located to the west of Mecca, while Taif (where two patients are announced to have died) is just east of the holy city.

The Embargo or the Never Ending Story / Rebeca Monzo

Through the Eye of the Needle

In recent days many of us have been having friendly conversations and discussions about the famous embargo. Some are in favor of lifting it, others for keeping it in place.

What seems to have been forgotten by everyone, or almost everyone, is the actual reason for its existence. Faulty memories and the many decades of its enforcement have sometimes caused us to forget why it was originally imposed by the U.S. government.

Very often we cite the embargo as the reason for all our troubles. I do not see it this way. The real cause of our problems lies with ourselves. It is always easier to blame one thing or another, even though we have had five decades to create mechanisms to counteract its effects, yet have not done so.

What most people do not realize, because the media never mentions it, is that at the time this measure was imposed as…

View original post 313 more words

Egyptian Aak: Week 24. How Can Tamarod Succeed?

Nervana

 Main headlines

 Monday

Tuesday

 Wednesday

View original post 1,380 more words