Areas Covered Each Week:
Civil Liberties - Health - Environment - Democracy & International Relations - Economics - Science - The War on Terror - The Next War
Story of the Week: Euro MPs to vote on anonymous blog ban
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/3059617/Euro-MPs-to-vote-on-anonymous-blog-ban.html
The closure of the free Internet is imminent. This may be in the EU, however after monitoring things over the last few years what I have noticed is that once one power, especially a “bastion of democracy” like the EU, introduces a law ostensibly to protect “consumer and property rights” the other powers all soon follow. Again the most interesting part is the reactions in the comments section, most of which see this exactly as it is, an under-hand attempt to stifle free speech. It will only take a few high profile prosecutions and silence will ensue, as can be seen by what has happened to a blogger in Malaysia this week, this occasion using “anti-terror” legislation: Malaysia detains 'dissent' writer http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7630789.stm
Finance & Economics:
Fed keeps banks afloat as money market crisis deepens
http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv/idUSTRE48O9B920080925
So U.S. banks borrowed $188 billion per day on average in the latest week from the Federal Reserve, meaning that the Fed loaned out more money than the Treasury’s proposed bailout in just one week (however that $700b figure was plucked out of the air anyway - see the next article). And it is the taxpayer who will pick up the tab. Sounds fair enough. Something that the media also fails to point out is that the architect of this, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, was Chief Executive of Goldman Sachs before he joined the Bush cabinet in 2006. What a small world! It's so helpful to have a guy on the inside when you are pulling off a multi-billion dollar heist.
Treasury Pulled the Number Out of Thin Air
http://www.forbes.com/businessinthebeltway/2008/09/23/bailout-paulson-congress-biz-beltway-cx_jz_bw_0923bailout.html
Classic quote: "It's not based on any particular data point," a Treasury spokeswoman told Forbes.com Tuesday. "We just wanted to choose a really large number."
Hundreds of Economists Urge Congress Not to Rush on Rescue Plan
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aNKGD.bJwmRA&refer=home
The most important quote, re-emphasizing why this is possibly the biggest heist in history: ``I suspect that part of what we're seeing in the freezing up of lending markets is strategic behavior on the part of big financial players who stand to benefit from the bailout,'' said David K. Levine, an economist at Washington University in St. Louis, who studies liquidity constraints and game theory. (if you don't know about Game Theory I urge you to watch the excellent BBC documentary "The Trap" a link to which you can find on the side panel)
Murdoch says bank bailout has to happen
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24394943-31037,00.html
Watching the media over the last week sell the idea of taxpayers picking up a trillion dollar tab for bad corporate practices (market manipulation?) I think it is fairly safe to say that his message trickled down to the troops.
JPMorgan to buy Washington Mutual deposits
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE48P01R20080926?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
Time to pick up some bargains for those who started this in the 1st place
Wall Street Executives Scored $3 Billion as Banks Rose and Fell
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a96vQtgKS3BM&refer=news
Banks raking in record profits but crying poor
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,24393957-2702,00.html
'Fairy godmother' taxpayer faces funding £200bn British bail-out for greedy bankers http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1059233/Fairy-godmother-taxpayer-faces-funding-200bn-British-bail-greedy-bankers.html
That is on top of the US$ trillion early Christmas present that they got last week. Boy aren’t taxpayers generous these days. As you can see taxpayers worldwide are going to be burdened with this, and not just in the US.
Ministers plan 'superbank' merger from new bail out
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7640143.stm
Record one-day jump in oil price
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7630513.stm
A temporary record that will be smashed once the bombing of Iran commences at some point in the next 4 months.
Barroso calls for U.S. economic coordination with EU
http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/09/24/business/OUKBS-UK-EU-USA-BARROSO.php
Like a One World Government with a single currency? What a swell idea! All we have to do is have the world split up between a number of supra-national bodies (EU, NAFTA, AU, SAU, ASEAN) and then manipulate a crisis that "forces" us all together...........
Health:
China milk poisoning cases rise
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7628622.stm
Thank goodness the psychology of corporations is different in China than here. I mean our food producers would never put dangerous stuff in our food in order to make more profit? By the way if you thought this was a new story here's one from last year: Melamine in pet food may not be accidental http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/2007-04-19-pet-food-usat_N.htm
At least they tried it's effectiveness on animals first before giving it to babies
Doctors told to curb use of Ritalin in hyperactive children
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article4813727.ece
Funnily enough no-one is standing up and saying one of the most obvious things that should be done is stop feeding children processed crap that is full of potentially mood altering additives. Ask any parent what happens when you give your child such food. And then imagine what that child would be like if that is all that they ate. However less profit for Glaxo or the food corporations that way.
UK Lawmaker Seeks to Deny Education to Children Who Aren't Vaccinated
http://www.naturalnews.com/024291.html
Mobile phone use 'raises children's risk of brain cancer fivefold'
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mobile-phone-use-raises-childrens-risk-of-brain-cancer-fivefold-937005.html
Scientists warn US Congress of cancer risk for cell phone use
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5humZ8Ygg8tJxvKXJewd7KlCIxLGw
You can bet that the PR departments of the telecoms firms may have something to say about that....I wonder if they are the same firms that used to (still do?) work with the tobacco corporations?
Horny goat weed could be better than Viagra
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14825-horny-goat-weed-could-be-better-than-viagra.html
You can bet that the accounts and marketing departments at Pfizer may dispute this
Hollywood cut secret deals to promote smoking
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14811-hollywood-cut-secret-deals-to-promote-smoking.html
It's great that nowadays this kind of thing would never happen would it?
Aspartame Consumption Again Linked to Degeneration of Brain Neurons
http://www.naturalnews.com/024316.html
So as well as, with a rather dark ironic twist, making you fat, eating or drinking "diet" foods will also kill your brain.
The War on Terror:
Key witness to 9/11 World Trade Centre 7 explosions dies at 53
http://www.infowars.com/?p=4602
another key 9/11 witness keels over???
US generals planning for war without end
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0922/1221998220381.html
Bush prepares another September 11 terror act to transform America into dictatorship
http://english.pravda.ru/world/americas/11-09-2007/96976-bush_terror_act-0
What Was Mysterious Activity Going on in the Marriott Hotel Islamabad by United States Marines
http://www.daily.pk/politics/politicalnews/7422-what-was-mysterious-activity-going-on-in-the-marriott-hotel-islamabad-by-united-states-marines.html
Was it Al Qaeda or a false flag CIA operation to scare the Pakistani leadership (who were supposed to be meeting at the hotel) into towing the line?
Pakistan probes mystery of US Marines' steel boxes in Marriott http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=&id=1c4b3920-7d18-4be1-8b25-efa63409b79d&&Headline=Pak+probes+mystery+of+US+Marines%27+steel+boxes+&strParent=strParentID
Luckily the CIA has never intimidated foreign governments in such a manner before so I'm sure there is a perfectly innocent explanation, like the “bogey man” (Osama) did it.
US to step up action in Pakistan
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7630402.stm
And here is the motive. Don't be at all surprised if Osama is “captured” just before the US presidential vote.
Accused September 11 plotter a no-show at Guantanamo
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN2232561620080922?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
Even after 5 years of torture they still won't comply.
Contractor says immune from Iraq torture lawsuits
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/7831142
We're a corporation damn it we shouldn't be legally liable for anything! We were just following order's (ever heard that one used before?)
The Next War:
Israel asked US for green light to bomb nuclear sites in Iran
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/25/iran.israelandthepalestinians1
“No” - at least not until after the Presidential elections are out of the way anyway.
EU warns Iran close to nuclear arms capacity
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iijfYgMUu7W_-ZKg8BjH5QNTww5QD93D60000
What just like Iraq had WMD's in 2003? The softening of public opinion in favour of war continues apace.
Democrats bury Iran resolution due to war fears
http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/sep/26/democrats-bury-resolution-due-to-fears-of-another-/
Peace has a temporary reprieve? As I have warned on many previous occasions however, in 39 days time after the election is over then the gloves will come off.
Environment:
World's common birds 'declining'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7622904.stm
Don't be led to believing this is CO2's fault. Yes the climate is changing (as it always done – it's the sun by the way) but mostly it is man and his farming practices. Funnily enough the mainstream media debate shies away from that line, as with a number of other similar articles this week)
"Cod delusion' leaves devastated stocks on the brink
http://environment.newscientist.com/article/dn14826-cod-delusion-leaves-devastated-stocks-on-the-brink.html
And while the western world population worries about their CO2 emissions man's rape of the planet in the name of greed and self interest continues apace.
North American fish swimming towards extinction
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/mg19926743.600-north-american-fish-swimming-towards-extinction.html?feedId=online-news_rss20
Environmental Protection Agency against limiting rocket fuel ingredient in water
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/09/22/rocket.fuel.epa.ap/index.html
Solar wind blows at 50-year low
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7632331.stm
Have you ever wondered why it isn't called “Man-Made Global Warming” anymore?
Clearer skies have brought more rain
http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/mg19926745.000-clearer-skies-have-brought-more-rain.html?feedId=online-news_rss20
The Day The Earth Cooled
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=307234476244126
Britons face carbon spot-checks
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/09/26/carbon_spotchecks/
You are all terrorists, just in this case your weapon is emitting CO2 - now stop breathing
BBC investigated after peer says climate change programme was biased 'one-sided polemic'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1063110/BBC-investigated-peer-says-climate-change-programme-biased-sided-polemic.html
Ever since the Blair Government carried out a coup d'etat on the BBC with the Kelly Affair in 2003 they have had a very strong track record of producing heavily edited "in-documentaries" that have attacked and ridiculed anyone whose views on controversial subjects are against the "received wisdom" of our days.
Civil Liberties:
Brooklyn Man Dies After Police Use a Taser Gun
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/nyregion/25tased.html?_r=3&partner=MYWAY&ei=5065&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
These are not, I repeat not, non-lethal weapons.
Female circumcision common in Egypt despite ban
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/sex/mg19926743.400-female-circumcision-common-in-egypt-despite-ban.html?feedId=online-news_rss20
Britons have been "stripped" of their civil liberties amid an "atmosphere of panic" over the threat
from terrorism http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/3053367/John-le-Carre-Britons-have-been-stripped-of-civil-liberties.html
This is a country that a decade ago was a very healthy and free democracy. When the totalitarian tiptoe (a.k.a The Fascist Shift) happens, it happens fast and always in the name of “protecting” the population.
UK Police want increased Stop & Search powers
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/lawandorder/3022457/Red-tape-hindering-fight-against-knives-says-Police-Federation.html
Private companies could get access to millions of UK medical records
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/health/3022434/Private-companies-could-get-access-to-millions-of-NHS-medical-records.html
British identity cards will be covered in EU symbols
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1061761/British-identity-cards-covered-EU-symbols.html
That is because you are province in a country called Europe now. Get used to it.
Education:
Homeschooling Banned in California as State Turns Parents Into Criminals for Teaching Their Own Children
http://www.naturalnews.com/024287.html
Democracy & International Diplomacy:
Bush chides Russia in UN speech
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7630698.stm
The pot calling the kettle black?
N Korea 'wants nuclear seals off'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7628955.stm
Luckily for them they don't have any oil.
Somalis subject to chemical attacks
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=70654§ionid=351020501
I thought we were supposed to invade countries that had WMD, or was that only when they had oil too?
Independent US presidential candidate barred from TV debates
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-nader27-2008sep27,0,298939.story
"Democracy" in action
Science & Technology:
Australia issues first license to clone human embryos
A brave new world?
Scientists designing 'lethal' mini-drones
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-robo-bug_bdsep14,0,7757745.story
Planned cluster bomb hunts targets down
http://technology.newscientist.com/article/mg19926756.400-planned-cluster-bomb-hunts-targets-down.html
How would it distinguish between peace activist and terrorist you ask? I don't think the designers and users of this charming addition to man's cannon of scientific achievement believe there needs to be distinction. It's a shame (or lucky depending on your perspective) that Princess Di died in that car crash as she used to campaign against these things.
Quote of the Week:
"In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up."
- Martin Niemöller, First They Came
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