Cool Dead Woman Leaves 21M Tip

I found this next story while wandering around the Yahoo News Odd Stories section and thought it might make you smile at the start of your work week.

Think of it as a giant tip. A wealthy widow repaid the kindness shown to her by a family that runs a Chinese restaurant she frequented by leaving them $21 million, and a High Court judge ruled Friday that her will was legal.

Golda Bechal's 1994's will said she wanted Kim Sing Man and his wife, Bee Lian, the owners of a Chinese restaurant northeast of London, to inherit her money. She died at age 88 in January 2004.

I hope that her relatives ignored her, while she was alive, as it would be twice as sweet, and Karmic Justice, to know that they deserved to be slighted in the will. Either way it shows that being nice to people can have emotional rewards, and in this case, a bonus financial one!

So Golda Bechal is the "cool" dead person of the week! :)


21M

Vick Sentenced To 23 Months

In a update to a story we have covered in the past on disgraced U.S. football star Michael Vick, who had plead guilty for his role in an illegal dogfighting enterprise, was sentenced on Monday to 23 months in prison.

U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson handed down the sentence to Vick, 27, who voluntarily began serving his prison term three weeks ago.

Hopefully, Mr. Vick will also receive psychiatric help, because to be able to be as brutal and cruel to those dogs indicates to me that he has some serious mental disturbance. This should also show, up and coming young men, what NOT to do with their lives. In another hopeful note, most of the dogs were deemed adoptable, and are going to have good homes to live in.


23

Another Shooting Takes Place

In what is surely a sad way to end the week if Sunday is your last day, or too start the week if that is the case, we have another young gunmen shooting and killing innocent people. It seems like after every Big shooting event, there are numerous smaller, maybe copycat style shootings in the weeks after the initial Big shooting.

So here is the first of what may be a rash of similar shootings, a gunman killed two people at a training center dormitory for young Christian missionaries early Sunday after being told he couldn't spend the night, and hours later four people were shot outside a church in Colorado Springs.

It was not immediately known whether the shootings, about 65 miles apart, were related. No arrests had been made in either attack by afternoon.

Sad news for the victims, their families, their friends, and our nation, as we collectively share in their loss. Sadly in what seems to be a weekly event, We send Prayers and condolences to them All!! Take Care!


victims

Biden Calls For Special Counsel In CIA Case

It would seem that my appreciation of the CIA Directors candor with Congressional Oversight Committees, is not receiving the same appreciation by others in Washington.

Senate Democratic leader, Joe Biden said Sunday the attorney general should appoint a special counsel to investigate the CIA's destruction of videotaped interrogations of two suspected terrorists.

Mukasey's Justice Department and the CIA's internal watchdog announced Saturday they would conduct a joint inquiry into the matter. That review will determine whether a full investigation is warranted. "He's the same guy who couldn't decide whether or not waterboarding was torture and he's going to be doing this investigation," said Biden, who noted that he voted against making Mukasey the country's top law enforcer.

I have seen over the last few days the skepticism with the CIA has been growing, mostly from the Democrats, who smell "blood in the water", and a few Republicans, who believe that the Director may have been less than "fully" honest as to why the tapes were destroyed. Truly, this will turn into a circus, with the Presidential race getting into high gear, and Democrats seeing another opportunity to make gains from a possible "misstep" by an already proven "lying" administration. It will take calmer heads to get to the "truth" that we deserve. I guess my first assessment was wrong, but I do hope that the "truth" that we were told, was the "truth"!


special

Tebow WINS Historic Heisman

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow made history Saturday night when he became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy.
Tebow this season became the first "20-20" player in Division I-A football history: He both ran and threw for at least 20 touchdowns. He finished the regular season with 3,132 passing yards and 29 touchdowns (against six interceptions), and he also ran for 838 yards and 22 touchdowns.

We wrote a post awhile back about Mr. Tebow, when he made history at Florida for most Touchdowns ever at their school. Hopefully, no scandals will pop up in regard to money, perks, or anything that would tarnish him, the school, or the trophy.

Here is a list of past winners of the Heisman Trophy:

Year Player Name School
2007 Tim Tebow Florida
2006 Troy Smith Ohio State
2005 Reggie Bush USC
2004 Matt Leinart USC
2003 Jason White Oklahoma
2002 Carson Palmer USC
2001 Eric Crouch Nebraska
2000 Chris Weinke Florida State
1999 Ron Dayne Wisconsin
1998 Ricky Williams Texas
1997 Charles Woodson Michigan
1996 Danny Wuerffel Florida
1995 Eddie George Ohio State
1994 Rashaan Salaam Colorado
1993 Charlie Ward Florida State
1992 Gino Torretta Miami
1991 Desmond Howard Michigan
1990 Ty Detmer BYU
1989 Andre Ware Houston
1988 Barry Sanders Oklahoma St
1987 Tim Brown Notre Dame
1986 Vinny Testaverde Miami
1985 Bo Jackson Auburn
1984 Doug Flutie BC
1983 Mike Rozier Nebraska
1982 Herschel Walker Georgia
1981 Marcus Allen USC
1980 George Rogers S Carolina
1979 Charles White USC
1978 Billy Sims Oklahoma
1977 Earl Campbell Texas
1976 Tony Dorsett Pittsburgh
1975 Archie Griffin Ohio State
1974 Archie Griffin Ohio State
1973 John Cappelletti Penn State
1972 Johnny Rodgers Nebraska
1971 Pat Sullivan Auburn
1970 Jim Plunkett Stanford
1969 Steve Owens Oklahoma
1968 O.J. Simpson USC
1967 Gary Beban UCLA
1966 Steve Spurrier Florida
1965 Mike Garrett USC
1964 John Huarte Notre Dame
1963 Roger Staubach Navy
1962 Terry Baker Oregon St
1961 Ernie Davis Syracuse
1960 Joe Bellino Navy
1959 Billy Cannon LSU
1958 Peter Dawkins Army
1957 John David Crow Texas A&M
1956 Paul Hornung Notre Dame
1955 Howard Cassady Ohio State
1954 Alan Ameche Wisconsin
1953 John Lattner Notre Dame
1952 Billy Vessels Oklahoma
1951 Dick Kazmaier Princeton
1950 Vic Janowicz Ohio State
1949 Leon Hart Notre Dame
1948 Doak Walker SMU
1947 John Lujack Notre Dame
1946 Glenn Davis Army
1945 Felix Blanchard Army
1944 Les Horvath Ohio State
1943 Angelo Bertelli Notre Dame
1942 Frank Sinkwich Georgia
1941 Bruce Smith Minnesota
1940 Tom Harmon Michigan
1939 Nile Kinnick Iowa
1938 Davey O'Brien TCU
1937 Clint Frank Yale
1936 Larry Kelley Yale
1935 Jay Berwanger Chicago


trophy

Will Reggie Bush Lose Heisman

It what is surely going to be a huge disappointment if allegations turn out to be true, that Reggie Bush wrongfully took money, and other items while playing for USC in 2004 and 2005.

Now nearly two years after Reggie Bush won the Heisman Trophy, a book detailing improper benefits he allegedly received while playing for the University of Southern California and his relationship with the financiers of a fledgling sports marketing company could further damage his chances of keeping the most prestigious award in college sports.

The book, "Tarnished Heisman" by Don Yaeger and Jim Henry, published by Simon & Schuster, will include transcripts of recorded conversations that contain Bush acknowledging he owed money to the financiers of New Era Sports & Entertainment. Lloyd Lake and Michael Michaels of New Era planned to feature Bush as their marquee client to launch their marketing agency. The business failed after Bush sought representation elsewhere.

Is there a near epidemic of athletes cheating, taking improper gifts and money, and ll manner of scandal, or is it just that with 24/7 news there is just more ability to veiw these stories than in the past?

Not only is Reggie Bush in danger of losing the Heisman, but his former team may have their title in jeopardy. This will obviously continue to be a huge sports story until something is resolved, and we will keep updating as needed.


trohpy

An Honest CIA Director

I am just getting back from a two day coma, as I rested and slept to get ready for the final three week rush to Christmas. I truly could have used another day, but it was not to be. In addition, the wonderful winter ice and snow provided me with a pratfall, landing squarely on my back, knocking the wind out of me, and injuring my bones. The day is wearing on and I am stiffening up, and hurting in my back, ribs, and spine. Fun!!

I was just reading the story about the CIA, and the open and honest remarks made by their Director, Mr. Michael Hayden. I found his candor refreshing, and hope that he continues to work with the oversight committees as well as he seems to be right now.

The story says that the CIA videotaped its interrogations of two top terror suspects in 2002 and destroyed the tapes three years later out of fear they would leak to the public and compromise the identities of U.S. questioners, the director of the agency told employees Thursday.


CIA Director Michael Hayden said House and Senate intelligence committee leaders were informed of the existence of the tapes and the CIA's intention to destroy them. He also said the CIA's internal watchdog watched the tapes in 2003 and verified that the interrogation practices were legal.

In an administration that plays fast and loose with the truth, it is nice to see someone go against type, and actually do the right thing. It looks like Director Hayden, and the CIA may be on the right path, and that can only be good for America, which has had severe issues in the past.


tapes

Will Bill Halt Political Blogging

I read about this Bill, which is supposedly winding its' way through Congress, and if passed and signed in to law, would have the potential to take away many aspects of free speech, and might endanger all political bloggers. I am writing this post, as a warning, if it is actually true, and if it is a hoax to let us know that as well.

This is the beginning of the text of the bill from GovTracks and he encourages anyone who reads it to reuse his material and pass it on:


S 1959 IS
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1959
To establish the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
August 2, 2007
Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. COLEMAN) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

A BILL
To establish the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007'.
SEC. 2. PREVENTION OF VIOLENT RADICALIZATION AND HOMEGROWN TERRORISM.
(a) In General- Title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 361 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`Subtitle J--Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism
`SEC. 899A. DEFINITIONS.
`In this subtitle:
`(1) COMMISSION- The term `Commission' means the National Commission on the Prevention of Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism established under section 899C.
`(2) VIOLENT RADICALIZATION- The term `violent radicalization' means the process of adopting or promoting an extremist belief system for the purpose of facilitating ideologically based violence to advance political, religious, or social change.
`(3) HOMEGROWN TERRORISM- The term `homegrown terrorism' means the use, planned use, or threatened use, of force or violence by a group or individual born, raised, or based and operating primarily within the United States or any possession of the United States to intimidate or coerce the United States government, the civilian population of the United States, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.
`(4) IDEOLOGICALLY BASED VIOLENCE- The term `ideologically based violence' means the use, planned use, or threatened use of force or violence by a group or individual to promote the group or individual's political, religious, or social beliefs.


The link will give you the rest of the bill, and perhaps you already have information about it that can be shared with the rest of us.
I have written emails to our Iowa Senators, Harkin and Grassly, but haven't had anything come back from them so far, but will update this when they do respond, "as to whether this is an actual bill or not". I went to the Senate's Official Website, but did not see this bill listed anywhere, but maybe I was looking in the wrong section, or maybe it is listed differently!

If you have anything more than what I found, please leave a comment, and let us know, what you know! Thanks!

real or hoax

No Charges For Internet Tormentor

In an aggravating story just now hitting the news, there will be no justice for Megan Meier, who was tormented into killing herself, by an evil neighborhood Mom.

No criminal charges will be filed against people who sent cruel Internet messages to a 13-year-old girl before she committed suicide, the St. Charles County prosecutor said Monday.


The parents of Megan Meier, of Dardenne Prairie, who hanged herself last year, said her suicide came minutes after she received mean messages through the social networking site MySpace.

This story caught my attention right away, as it seems to me, that it would be unconscionable for an "adult" to harrass, and torment a child, like was done in this case. How immature do you have to be, to play childish games, and intentionally hurt a child of 13? I guess I don't know the answer, but I hope that laws change, to reflect the new reality of the internet, and the truly evil nature of setting people up, only to hurt them, like happened to Megan.

My hope is that the woman who did this will meet Karma, and reap the justice that she has coming! It would seem from the story, that the 18 year old employee that helped create the profile, is already meeting Karma, as he/she is being hospitalized for psychiatric treatment!

Condolences and Hopeful Wishes of Happy Memories of Megan, to her family and friends, and not only remember the tragedy that was her death!


evil

Venezuela Rejects Chavez And A Lesson For US

In what was a pleasant surprise this morning, the citizens of Venezuela narrowly rejected President Hugo Chavez's attempt to remain President "for life", and proved that they are as democratic, if not more democratic than we are in the United States. Truthfully, I am very impressed by the way Chavez has handled this defeat, as opposed to the rigged elections in Russia, which were a total disgrace, and an abuse of the system.

The United States on Monday said Venezuelan voters had sent President Hugo Chavez a clear message by rejecting his push for broader powers in a weekend ballot that "bodes well" for "freedom and liberty."

Clearly this is a message from the Venezuelan people that they do not want any further erosion in their democracy and their democratic institutions," US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said after the referendum.

Congratulations to the people of Venezuela, and may this begin the decline of Chavez, and his march toward Socialism!

May our country learn a lesson, and make "our" votes count next year to end this current failed regime, and get us on a different path.


referendum

Why Haven't We Capped This Idiot And Sorry To My Liberal Friends

Here he goes again, should be the headline of the story concerning President Hugo Chavez's remarks to the press today.

President Hugo Chavez again threatened Saturday to halt oil exports if he sees US meddling in, or after, a hotly contested weekend referendum that could let him lead Venezuela for the rest of his life.

"If it starts a process of destabilization, incites a civil war, not only will the United States not get any of the 3.2 million barrels (produced per day in Venezuela according to official figures) but nothing will go onto the market, not a drop," Chavez warned, explaining he would stop all oil exports.


Opponents, whose number has swelled in past weeks with the defection of some Chavez allies, say the reforms would amount to making Venezuela a Cuba-like communist state, with an elected "dictator".

I hope you get a chance to read his comments in full at the link, and then please explain to me why we haven't "capped" this little Castro wannabe! I know one reason if that the "balls" have been cut from the CIA, so they can't do anything productive, because if they could we could have taken down Saddam without invading and wrecking the whole country of Iraq. He should have successfully "died" in his sleep, and then the fates deal with his nation. I say that not for anything other than his abuse of power and murder of his citizens, opponents, and the genocide against the Kurds. Just for those crimes he should have been "retired"!

There are many times in our recent history from the Bay of Pigs on when the CIA, totally messed up, and created more enemies, than allies. The agency needs to be reinvigorated with professionals, that understand the rights and wrongs, of their missions, and when they should be used. President Chavez is a case in point, and may he be "allowed" to sleep, the sleep of the dead, and the sooner the better, for his countrymen, and the world...well except for his sympatico ally, Iranian President Ahmanejidad, and maybe it will give "him" a little start, the morning he reads that his close friend has passed on "peacefully", in his sleep!!

I don't usually advocate this kind of activity, as I believe in Karma, but the Karmic "blowback" of this activity for our country, would surely be much less, than the "blowback" we are creating in Iraq, and elsewhere. When that kicks us back, we are going to think 9/11 was a "day at the beach" in comparison. I don't wish for it to happen, but I can see it coming, like a light at the end of the tunnel, and it turns out to be a high speed freight train, barreling at us!! Scary times ahead!!


capped

Sad End For Emily Sanders

There is a sad story today as police on Saturday identified a body found earlier in the week as that of a missing Butler Community College student.

The identification of the body of Emily Sander, 18, was confirmed by a forensic orthodontist, El Dorado Police Chief Tom Boren said.The body was released to Sander's family after forensic examinations and an autopsy. The results of that examination and the cause of death were sealed by the county attorney's office, and police would not release details about the cause of death.

I am sure there will be some people out there thinking that her "double" life is what brought her to this sad end, but all I see is a family that will be in such deep pain, because their "little" girl will never grace their presence again. Prayers and condolences to Emily's family and friends!!


sad

Hillarys Hostage Crisis Ends

The hostage crisis ended without bloodshed, and the stories coming out reveal that Mr. Eisenberg was having troubles before the hostage taking.

Leeland Eisenberg was already in trouble before he walked into one of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign offices. Three days earlier, his wife had filed for divorce; he was due to appear in court with her for a domestic violence hearing in about half an hour.

Police say Eisenberg went to the office Friday demanding to talk to Clinton about helping him get mental health care and ended up taking at least five people, including an infant, hostage. Night would fall before the last one walked free and the hostage-taker peacefully surrendered.

It is good that things turned out well, as many times we have seen that bloodshed, i.e. murder and suicide, is the way that these hostage crises end up. Congratulations to the state police negotiator, and the Rochester police department for their professionalism, and the good outcome!


crisis

Hostages In Hillarys Office

This has been a day of hostage holding, first I was held hostage all day by Panera's lack of wifi signal, and then a deranged man (Not Rush Limbaugh), wearing what appeared to be a bomb strapped to his chest walked into a Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign office Friday, took several hostages and demanded to speak to the candidate, authorities said.


The man released at least three hostages as the afternoon wore on, but nearly four hours after the standoff began, police said they were still dealing with a hostage situation and the man had not been taken into custody.

The story indicates that the suspect was an older man known around the town to be mentally unstable, the law enforcement official told the AP. He walked into the campaign office and opened his jacket, revealing what appeared to be a pipe bomb.

The law enforcement official confirmed the name of the man as Leeland Eisenberg and said Eisenberg demanded to speak with Clinton. But authorities did not know what Leeland wanted to talk to Clinton about.

It is a hopeful sign that he released three hostages, but law enforcement said that the hostage situation has not been concluded, but he is confident that he has the resources to end the crisis successfully. Our hopes are the same, and good luck!!


hostages

Ronnie aka Phoenix Princess Repost Of Politics For Dummies

I hope this first post today makes you smile or maybe even laugh out loud! I asked for and received permission from a myspace friend, Ronnie aka Phoenix Princess, to repost her post from yesterday. Have a great day! I'll get back to more serious issues later, so enjoy the respite!

Political Economics for Dummies
DEMOCRAT
You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
You feel guilty for being successful.
Barbara Streisand sings for you.

REPUBLICAN
You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
So?

SOCIALIST
You have two cows.
The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor.
You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his cow.

COMMUNIST
You have two cows.
The government seizes both and provides you with milk.
You wait in line for hours to get it.
It is expensive and sour.

CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE
You have two cows.
You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows.

BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE
You have two cows.
Under the new farm program the government pays you to shoot one, milk the other, and then pours the milk down the drain.

AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do an IPO on the 2nd one.
You force the two cows to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when one cow drops dead. You spin an announcement to the analysts stating you have downsized and are reducing expenses.
Your stock goes up.

FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You go on strike because you want three cows.
You go to lunch and drink wine.
Life is good.

JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.
They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains.
Most are at the top of their class at cow school.

GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You engineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer, give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred miles an hour.
Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation per year.

ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows but you don't know where they are.
While ambling around, you see a beautiful woman.
You break for lunch.
Life is good.

RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You drink some vodka.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You have some more vodka.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
The Mafia shows up and takes over however many cows you really have.
TALIBAN CORPORATION
You have all the cows in Afghanistan , which are two.
You don't milk them because you cannot touch any creature's private parts.
You get a $40 million grant from the US government to find alternatives to milk production but use the money to buy weapons.

IRAQI CORPORATION
You have two cows.
They go into hiding.
They send radio tapes of their mooing.

POLISH CORPORATION
You have two bulls.
Employees are regularly maimed and killed attempting to milk them.

BELGIAN CORPORATION
You have one cow.
The cow is schizophrenic.
Sometimes the cow thinks he's French, other times he's Flemish.
The Flemish cow won't share with the French cow.
The French cow wants control of the Flemish cow's milk.
The cow asks permission to be cut in half.
The cow dies happy.

FLORIDA CORPORATION
You have a black cow and a brown cow.
Everyone votes for the best looking one.
Some of the people who actually like the brown one best accidentally vote for the black one.
Some people vote for both.
Some people vote for neither.
Some people can't figure out how to vote at all.
Finally, a bunch of guys from out-of-state tell you which one you think is the best-looking cow.

CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
You have millions of cows.
They make real California cheese.
Only five speak English.
Most are illegals.
Arnold likes the ones with the big udders.

I have included a link to her blog also, if you would like to check out her other posts!! Thanks!



blog link

Iran And Hamas Threaten Peace Process

As would-be peacemakers bask in the international limelight of the Annapolis conference, back in the Middle East two other parties are serving up notice that no deal will come to pass, if they can help it: Iran and its Palestinian ally, Hamas. "The Annapolis conference was already a failure," Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told journalists after a cabinet meeting in Tehran on Wednesday. The U.S. could sponsor a hundred such meetings, he added, and the result would be the same. In Gaza, which is effectively ruled by the fundamentalist Hamas group, anti-Annapolis protesters filled the streets. "They can go to thousands of conferences and we will say in the name of the Palestinian people that we do not accept," Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar told the demonstrators.

Here is a brief overview of Hamas and the problems they create:
HAMAS (in Arabic, an acronym for "Harakat Al-Muqawama Al-Islamia", Islamic Resistance Movement, and a word meaning zeal) is a radical Islamic fundamentalist organization which became active in the early stages of the intifada, operating primarily in the Gaza District but also in Judea and Samaria. Formed in late 1987 as an outgrowth of the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. Various HAMAS elements have used both political and violent means, including terrorism, to pursue the goal of establishing an Islamic Palestinian state in place of Israel. Loosely structured, with some elements working clandestinely and others working openly through mosques and social service institutions to recruit members, raise money, organize activities, and distribute propaganda. In a January 2006 election, Hamas won a majority of seats in the Palestinian legislature.

HAMAS activists, especially those in the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, have conducted many attacks, including large-scale suicide bombings, against Israeli civilian and military targets. In the early 1990s, they also targeted suspected Palestinian collaborators and Fatah rivals. HAMAS increased its operational activity during 2002-2003, claiming numerous attacks against Israeli interests. The group has not targeted US interests, although some US citizens have been killed in HAMAS operations, and continues to confine its attacks to Israelis inside Israel and the territories.

There are an unknown number of official members; tens of thousands of supporters and sympathizers. Hamas receives some funding from Iran but primarily relies on donations from Palestinian expatriates around the world and private benefactors in moderate Arab states. Some fundraising and propaganda activity take place in Western Europe and North America.

The second part of this duo of peace haters is being led by none other than the "little" man himself, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is already calling the meetings a failure, and again saying Israel will not be part of the Middle East in the future, as they will not "last",and that deterioration is in the nature of this regime as it has been built on aggression, lying, crime and wrongdoing," he added. Where's King Juan Carlos, when you need him--"Shut up Mahmoud!!".


threaten

General Wants Many Detainees Released

Until I read this story this morning I didn't realize the extent of the detainee problem in Iraq, other than the abuse scandals that had occurred earlier in our occupation of the country. However, The commander of U.S. prison camps in Iraq said he wants to cut the number of Iraqis in his custody by around two thirds by the end of 2008 as part of a wider counter-insurgency plan to bring down violence.

The number of detainees held by the American-led military forces in Iraq has swelled by 50 percent under the troop increase ordered by President Bush, with the inmate population growing to 24,500 today from 16,000 in February, according to American military officers in Iraq.

The detainee increase comes, they said, because American forces are operating in areas where they had not been present for some time, and because more units are able to maintain a round-the-clock presence in some areas. They also said more Iraqis were cooperating with military forces.

Nearly 85 percent of the detainees in custody are Sunni Arabs, the minority faction in Iraq that ruled the country under the government of Saddam Hussein; the other detainees are Shiites, the officers say.

Let's do the right thing and get this issue resolved as the General indicates, it will be in "our" best interests to get the "innocent" Iraqi's back in their homes, instead of detainment camps.

There is a second link to a very detailed story by New York Times reporter, Tom Shanker, and will give additional insight into the plight of the Iraqi detainees. The link is just below this post. Thanks!


released



tom shanker story

Musharraf Keeps Promise

President General Pervez Musharraf kept his promise as he blinked back tears, Pervez Musharraf, and stepped down as Pakistan's military commander Wednesday, fulfilling a key opposition demand a day before he was to be sworn in as civilian president.


Key opposition leader Benazir Bhutto welcomed the belated move, but she said her party had yet to accept him as head of state. The White House also called it a "good step."

Britain, which shares the United States' deep concern about Islamic terrorism emanating from Pakistan, said Musharraf's move was "an important part" of his plan to restore constitutional order.

As I mentioned yesterday, I am sending best wishes, Luck, and Hope to President Musharraf, and May this begin a new start for Pakistan's struggling "democracy"!!

steps down

Blackwater Lawsuit

The following story is about Blackwater and indicates that a lawsuit against government contractor Blackwater Worldwide accuses its bodyguards of ignoring a direct order and abandoning their post shortly before taking part in a shooting in Baghdad that killed 17 Iraqi civilians.


Filed this week in U.S. District Court in Washington, the complaint also accuses North Carolina-based Blackwater of failing to give drug tests to its guards in Baghdad, even though an estimated one in four of them was using steroids or other "judgment altering substances."

For a quick overview of what Blackwater is all about I have included this post that I wrote shortly after the killings occurred of the Iraqi civilians:
It seems that Blackwater's luck is running strong as it is being reported that, the State Department promised Blackwater USA bodyguards immunity from prosecution in its investigation of last month's deadly shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians. The immunity deal has delayed a criminal inquiry into the Sept. 16 killings and could undermine any effort to prosecute security contractors for their role in the incident that has infuriated the Iraqi government.

Blackwater USA, is the private security firm that has become controversial for its extensive role in the war in Iraq, allegedly opened fire on and killed several Iraqis seems to be the last straw for Iraqi tolerance of the company. Iraqi government officials have promised action, including but not limited to the suspension or outright revocation of the company's license to operate in Iraq.

Pulling Blackwater's license may be all the Iraqis can do, although as of this moment, Blackwater refuses to leave. Should any Iraqis ever seek redress for the deaths of the civilians in a criminal court, they will be out of luck. Because of an order promulgated by the Coalition Provisional Authority, the now-defunct American occupation government, there appears to be almost no chance that the contractors involved would be, or could be, successfully prosecuted in any court in Iraq. CPA Order 17 says private contractors working for the U.S. or coalition governments in Iraq are not subject to Iraqi law. Should any attempt be made to prosecute Blackwater in the United States, meanwhile, it's not clear what law, if any, applies.

Scott Horton, who chairs the International Law Committee at the New York City Bar Association, said "Blackwater and all these other contractors are beyond the reach of the justice process in Iraq. They can not be held to account, there is nothing the Iraqi government can do that gives them the right to punish someone for misbehaving or doing anything else."

This is outrageous, and it just shows how little Bush actually thinks of Iraq as A sovereign nation. There needs to be some accountability in regard to these killings, but it now seems likely that it will not occur! How sad for the victims and their families, and how sad for our country that we allow this to happen!

If the allegations in the lawsuit are true, then we not only have out of control mercenaries running around, doing "our" business, we have impaired mercenaries running around, doing "our" business. Great news, Right! It continues to be one of the underlying "evils" of this war in Iraq, that we are paying mercenary "killers" obscene amounts of money, and they are not under our control, as they run around shooting up the scenery, and the civilians!! Bring these "loose" cannons home and if you cannot prosecute them for past deeds, at least change the law, so you can prosecute them for future conflicts they may be involved in (Iran), and crimes they may commit anywhere we allow them to operate on our behalf!! Personally, I think they should be put OUT OF BUSINESS, but with the ties, and influence they have in Washington, that isn't going to happen!!


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Last Day For General Musharraf

Today I am sending kudos and congratulations to General, and President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, as he spends his last day as a General.

Pervez Musharraf was saluted by his troops Tuesday on his last full day as Pakistan's army chief as he bows to international pressure to become a civilian president.


Faced with swelling anger over his three-week-old state of emergency, the embattled US ally received guards of honour as he launched a two-day ceremonial tour of the army, navy and air force.

I don't know that he has done everything right, as he has been somewhat brutal, but I like Musharraf, and if he needs to knock a few heads together to keep control of his nations nuclear weapons, so be it, as our nation has done much worse, for far less, and I found it annoying when Negroponte went to Pakistan to "bitch" slap Musharraf. We talk alot about a nations sovereignty, but for Bush it has always been lip service, and that was just one more example of us "bullying" another country when they are not towing the line as we see it. The General should have walked him out the door and had him shot, and sent the message to Bush, "that I am fighting against the rebels as best as I can, so get off my back", and keep your "messengers" home!

Good Luck, General, with friends like us, you will need it!!

Again, I wish the soon to be former General, Best Wishes, and a More Luck, because with Sharif and Bhutto back in the country, he is going to need it!

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