3:23 P.M. CDT

THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hey, it’s good to be back with you all. I’ll tell you what.  I want to thank General Colt for accompanying me up here.  I get the honor of introducing the General.

I was back here on February 11th, to welcome home members of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan -- 155 of you got off that plane in the middle of the night, and the only thing that was more exciting than seeing you getting off is watching your families watch you all get off.  So it’s an honor to be back here so soon.

I know many of you have just gotten home in the past few weeks -- so welcome home.  And I know from experience that your families want more than anything to spend time with you.  And so, every time I show up at a welcome home ceremony, I’m always worried about getting in the way.  Because I remember when my son came back home from Iraq after a year, there were all these ceremonies.  And I kept saying, hell, man, stop, I want to see my kid.  (Laughter.)

So, anyway, I get it.  So let me just say how much gratitude the President and I have, and all Americans do, for you all.  You guys have been in the fight from the beginning.  And the risk you’ve taken, the incredible sacrifices you’ve made, the comrades you’ve lost, the losses you’ve personally endured -- you’ve been in some of the most inhospitable terrain in the world.

I’ve been there a number of times, back up those damn mountains.  I’d get a helicopter to go down 9,800 feet, and all I got on is a vest -- a bulletproof vest and a helmet and I’m out of breath climbing up about 40 clicks -- 40 feet.  And you guys are up there, 60 to 80-pound packs running around.  God, you’re amazing.  You just are amazing.  I’m in awe of the job you do, in awe of the job you do.  (Applause.)

As I said back in February, I want to also thank your families.  They made sacrifices as well, those intangible sacrifices -- those missed births and those missed birthdays, those missed graduations, those missed -- an occasional funeral. Perhaps more than anything else, just being missed, just not having you home.

The famous poet -- there was a famous poet I like to quote, John Milton, who said, “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Your families serve as well.  And the rest of America owes your families a debt of gratitude as well.  (Applause.)  And so, to all the families that are listening, I want to say their service is as real as yours and it’s as appreciated.

To the soldiers here, you are the most capable warriors.  Let me say this without any fear of contradiction, you’re the most capable warriors in the history of the world.  There has never, never, never, never been a fighting force as capable as you are.

It’s my job today and my honor to talk a little bit about the man that I get to work with every day.  We’ve just got to spend time with the assaulters who got bin Laden.  (Applause.)

By the way, I shouldn’t say this, but I’m going to tell you anyway -- the President is going to be mad I’m taking so long -- (laughter) -- but today was “Grandfather’s Day,” so I went by earlier this morning before I came out here to my granddaughter’s little spring play.  And after it’s all over she said, “Pop, come back to my classroom with me.”  I said, “I can’t, honey.”  She said, “Are you going someplace on Air Force Two?”  I said, “Yeah, I am, babe.”  She said, “Where are you going?”  I said, going to -- true story -- I said, “I’m going to Fort Campbell.”  I said, “We’re going to see the guys out there who got Osama bin Laden.” Absolutely true story.  She said, “Pop!” and then she grabbed a little friend of hers and she said,  “My Pop is going out to see the whales.”  (Laughter.)  Not the SEALs, the whales  (Laughter.) Because if they’re that good they got to be big, man.  They got to be big.  (Laughter.)  Well, you guys are the gorillas, I’ll tell you.

I want to tell you, look, I’ve watched -- I’ve been around a while with eight Presidents, so I’ve watched Presidents make some difficult decisions.  They’ve all had to make difficult decisions.  But sitting in every meeting getting ready and planning for this mission and assault, for the mission to get bin Laden, I saw something extraordinary.  I saw a President who was told the odds -- told the odds weren’t but much more than 50/50 that he’d be there and we could do this, but they were considerably less than 100 percent.

And I, along with the all the rest of his national security team and Secretary of Defense, stayed -- everyone else, we sat around there and he asked our advice and we gave him our advice, and we told him told him a little this and that.  And finally, he just looked at all of us and said, I got faith in the -- I got faith in these guys.

He walked off on his own without anybody giving him any guarantees at all and he decided -- because he believed in not only the SEALs, but believes in all of you.  He has absolute total faith in all of you.  And he made that determination, and it was an amazing thing to watch.  But it was because he had the absolute confidence that you were there.

And so he decided, when he got into office, because of the fight you all were in from the beginning, that the number one priority was to get Osama bin Laden.  And he knew the risks, he knew there were significant risks, and more importantly, special operations risks to the people who were risking their lives getting there.  But he didn’t hesitate, nor did your guys.

Bob Gates said something interesting.  I’ve known Bob for a long time.  He said, it was one of the gutsiest decisions I’ve ever seen made and one of the gutsiest raids.  This is going to go down in history, what happened.  This is going to go down in history.

And here to introduce your Commander-in-Chief, the guy that I’m proud to serve with, is one of the country’s leading warriors himself, Deputy Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division, General Jeffrey Colt.  Ladies and gentlemen, General Colt.  (Applause.)

GENERAL COLT:  Thank you, sir.

I can only try to tell you today just how proud of you that this Division and this local community are.  But more importantly, today, you’re going to get to hear from the Commander-in-Chief just how appreciative he is of all of your service and your sacrifices.

Please join me in this great privilege of welcoming the President of the United States, Barack Obama.  (Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, Fort Campbell!  (Applause.)  101st Airborne Division—Air Assault, hello!  (Applause.)

General Colt, thank you for that great introduction -- it was great because it was brief.  (Laughter.)  More importantly, thank you for the extraordinary leadership that you’ve shown here at one of the largest Army bases in America.  (Applause.)

And let me just say, I make a lot of decisions; one of the earliest and best decisions I made was choosing one of the finest Vice Presidents in our history -- Joe Biden, right here.  (Applause.)

Chaplain Miller, thank you for the beautiful invocation.

I want to thank General Colt for welcoming me here today, along with your great Command Sergeant Major, Wayne St. Louis.  (Applause.)  The Quartet and 101st Division Band.  (Applause.)  All these troopers behind me —- you look great.  (Applause.)  You noticed they kind of hesitated.  (Laughter.)  

We got a lot of folks in the house.  We’ve got military police and medical personnel.  We’ve got the Green Berets of the 5th Special Forces Group.  I think we’ve got a few Air Force here.  Ohh -- (laughter.)  Well, we thought we did.  There they go -- okay.  Come on.  (Applause.)  And, of course, the legendary Screaming Eagles.  (Applause.)  And although they’re not in the audience, I want to acknowledge the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment —- the Night Stalkers -— for their extraordinary service.  (Applause.)

Now, I’ve got to say, some of you are starting to look a little familiar -- because last December, when we were at Bagram, I was out there to thank you for your service, especially during the holidays.  And we had a great rally, a big crowd -- it seemed like everybody was there from the 101st.

And since then, I know we’ve had quite a few homecomings.  The Rakkasans.  (Applause.)  Destiny.  (Applause.)  Strike.  (Applause.)  Bastogne.  (Applause.)  And some of the Division Headquarters —- the Gladiators.  (Applause.)  On behalf of a grateful nation —- welcome home.  (Applause.)   

Of course, our thoughts and prayers are with General Campbell, Command Sergeant Major Schroeder, and all of the Screaming Eagles and troops that are still risking their lives in theater.  And I’m so pleased that Ann Campbell and Marla Schroeder, and some of the inspiring military spouses are here.  Where are they at?  Right over there.  (Applause.)  We are grateful to you.  God bless you.  There they are.  Thank you so much.  (Applause.)  This happens to be Military Spouse Appreciation Day.  (Applause.)  And we honor your service as well.

Now, I didn’t come here to make a really long speech.  I know you're hearing that.  (Laughter.)  It’s like, yeah, it’s hot!  (Laughter.)  What I really wanted to do was come down and shake some hands.  I came here for a simple reason —- to say thank you on behalf of America.  This has been an historic week in the life of our nation.  (Applause.)  Thanks to the incredible skill and courage of countless individuals -— intelligence, military —- over many years, the terrorist leader who struck our nation on 9/11 will never threaten America again.  (Applause.)

Yesterday, I traveled to New York City, and, along with some of our 9/11 families, laid a wreath at Ground Zero in memory of their loved ones.  I met with the first responders —- the firefighters, the police officers, the Port Authority officers —- who lost so many of their own when they rushed into those burning towers.  I promised that our nation will never forget those we lost that dark September day.   

And today, here at Fort Campbell, I had the privilege of meeting the extraordinary Special Ops folks who honored that promise.  It was a chance for me to say —- on behalf of all Americans and people around the world —- “Job well done.”  Job well done.  (Applause.)

They’re America’s “quiet professionals” -- because success demands secrecy.  But I will say this.  Like all of you, they could have chosen a life of ease.  But like you, they volunteered.  They chose to serve in a time of war, knowing they could be sent into harm’s way.  They trained for years.  They’re battle-hardened.  They practiced tirelessly for this mission.  And when I gave the order, they were ready.

Now, in recent days, the whole world has learned just how ready they were.  These Americans deserve credit for one of the greatest intelligence military operations in our nation’s history.  But so does every person who wears America’s uniform, the finest military the world has ever known.  (Applause.)  And that includes all of you men and women of 101st.  (Applause.)

You have been on the frontlines of this fight for nearly 10 years.  You were there in those early days, driving the Taliban from power, pushing al Qaeda out of its safe havens.  Over time, as the insurgency grew, you went back for, in some cases, a second time, a third time, a fourth time.

When the decision was made to go into Iraq, you were there, too, making the longest air assault in history, defeating a vicious insurgency, ultimately giving Iraqis the chance to secure their democracy.  And you’ve been at the forefront of our new strategy in Afghanistan.

Sending you -- more of you -- into harm’s way is the toughest decision that I’ve made as Commander-in-Chief.  I don’t make it lightly.  Every time I visit Walter Reed, every time I visit Bethesda, I’m reminded of the wages of war.  But I made that decision because I know that this mission was vital to the security of the nation that we all love.

And I know it hasn’t been easy for you and it hasn’t, certainly, been easy for your families.  Since 9/11, no base has deployed more often, and few bases have sacrificed more than you.  We see it in our heroic wounded warriors, fighting every day to recover, and who deserve the absolute best care in the world.  (Applause.)  We see it in the mental and emotional toll that’s been taken -- in some cases, some good people, good soldiers who’ve taken their own lives.  So we’re going to keep saying to anybody who is hurting out there, don’t give up.  You’re not alone.  Your country needs you.  We’re here for you to keep you strong.

And most of all, we see the price of this war in the 125 soldiers from Fort Campbell who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice during this deployment to Afghanistan.  And every memorial ceremony —- every “Eagle Remembrance” —- is a solemn reminder of the heavy burdens of war, but also the values of loyalty and duty and honor that have defined your lives.

So here’s what each of you must know.  Because of your service, because of your sacrifices, we’re making progress in Afghanistan.  In some of the toughest parts of the country, General Campbell and the 101st are taking insurgents and their leaders off the battlefield and helping Afghans reclaim their communities.

Across Afghanistan, we’ve broken the Taliban’s momentum.  In key regions, we’ve seized the momentum, pushing them out of their strongholds.  We’re building the capacity of Afghans, partnering with communities and police and security forces, which are growing stronger.

And most of all, we’re making progress in our major goal, our central goal in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and that is disrupting and dismantling -- and we are going to ultimately defeat al Qaeda.  (Applause.)  We have cut off their head and we will ultimately defeat them.  (Applause.)

Even before this week’s operation, we’ve put al Qaeda’s leadership under more pressure than at any time since 9/11, on both sides of the border.  So the bottom line is this:  Our strategy is working, and there’s no greater evidence of that than justice finally being delivered to Osama bin Laden.  (Applause.)

But I don’t want to fool you.  This continues to be a very tough fight.  You know that.  But because of this progress, we’re moving into a new phase.  In the coming months, we’ll start transferring responsibility for security to Afghan forces. Starting this summer, we’ll begin reducing American forces.  As we transition, we’ll build a long-term partnership with the Afghan people, so that al Qaeda can never again threaten America from that country.

And, as your Commander-in-Chief, I’m confident that we’re going to succeed in this mission.  The reason I’m confident is because in you I see the strength of America’s military -- (applause) -- and because in recent days we’ve all seen the resilience of the American spirit.

Now, this week I received a letter from a girl in New Jersey named Payton Wall.  She wrote to me on Monday after the news that bin Laden had been killed, and she explained how she still remembers that September morning almost 10 years ago.  She was only four years old.  Her father, Glen, was trapped inside the World Trade Center.  And so, in those final, frantic moments, knowing he might not make it, he called home.  And Payton remembers watching her mom sobbing as she spoke to her husband and then passed the phone to Payton.  And in words that were hard to hear but which she’s never forgotten, he said to her, “I love you Payton, and I will always be watching over you.”     

So yesterday, Payton, her mom, and her sister, Avery, joined me at Ground Zero.  And now Payton is 14.  These past 10 years have been tough for her.  In her letter, she said, “Ever since my father died, I lost a part of me that can never be replaced.”  And she describes her childhood as a “little girl struggling to shine through all the darkness in her life.”

But every year, more and more, Payton is shining through.  She’s playing a lot of sports, including lacrosse and track, just like her dad.  She’s doing well in school.  She’s mentoring younger students.  She’s looking ahead to high school in the fall.  And so, yesterday she was with us —- a strong, confident young woman -— honoring her father’s memory, even as she set her sights on the future.

And for her and for all of us, this week has been a reminder of what we’re about as a people.  It’s easy to forget sometimes, especially in times of hardship, times of uncertainty.  We’re coming out of the worst recession since the Great Depression; haven’t fully recovered from that.  We’ve made enormous sacrifices in two wars.  But the essence of America -- the values that have defined us for more than 200 years -- they don’t just endure; they are stronger than ever.

We’re still the America that does the hard things, that does the great things.  We’re the nation that always dared to dream.  We’re the nation that’s willing to take risks -- revolutionaries breaking free from an empire; pioneers heading West to settle new frontiers; innovators building railways and laying the highways and putting a man on the surface of the moon.

We are the nation -- and you’re the Division -- that parachuted behind enemy lines on D-Day, freeing a continent, liberating concentration camps.  We’re the nation that, all those years ago, sent your Division to a high school in Arkansas so that nine black students could get an education.  That was you.  Because we believed that all men are created equal; that everyone deserves a chance to realize their God-given potential.

We’re the nation that has faced tough times before -- tougher times than these.  But when our Union frayed, when the Depression came, when our harbor was bombed, when our country was attacked on that September day, when disaster strikes like that tornado that just ripped through this region, we do not falter.  We don’t turn back.  We pick ourselves up and we get on with the hard task of keeping our country strong and safe.

See, there’s nothing we can’t do together, 101st, when we remember who we are, at that is the United States of America.  (Applause.)  When we remember that, no problem is too hard and no challenge is too great.

And that is why I am so confident that, with your brave service, America’s greatest days are still to come.  (Applause.)

God bless you.  God bless the 101st.  And God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

END
3:47 P.M. CDT

Back in the day, despite the fact that we went to a super jock high school, my friend Lex and I decided we would be part of the after school dance theater workshop. There were definitely some good times, especially when the big show came along at the end of the year, which gave us a chance to prance around on stage to “Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend,” while wearing Ring Pops covered in glitter and dresses that made us look like we should be on maternity leave. So last night when I stopped by the final dress rehearsal of Stand Up! A Show of Resistance at Dance Mission, there were a lot of reminders of those dance-tastic times, of getting to run around stage with friends and get dressed up in cool costumes, but then the dancing actually started, and all I could think was “Where the heck was GRRRL Brigade when I was in high school?”<!--break-->

There were no Ring Pops, but there was floor-shaking taiko drumming and powerful Amazonian women dancers, all tied together with feminist stories from past and present. The strength of the performance didn't come solely from the message of girl power exploding from every corner of the room -- the talent and skill of the young dancers were incredibly real and striking.

The show starts tonight, Friday, May 6, and runs through the weekend. It's worth stopping by to see the next generation of strong and devoted young dancers take center stage -- and I promise the lack of glitter Ring Pops is absolutely a plus.

Stand Up! A Show of Resistance

Fri/6 and Sat/7, 7.p.m.; Sun/8, 5 p.m., $12

Dance Mission Theater

3316 24th St., SF

(415) 273-4633

www.brownpapertickets.com/event/171334 

 

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today held a press conference with local residents and business owners at the Northwestern Marathon gas station in Southfield to discuss efforts to combat rising gas prices. With gas prices at a new record-high across the state, Michigan families and small businesses are struggling while oil companies are making the largest corporate profits in history. As Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Stabenow held a hearing earlier this year to investigate how much market manipulators are driving up prices and to explore ways to strengthen American made biofuel industries and other alternatives to foreign oil. Senator Debbie Stabenow said: 'Michigan families are now spending as much on gas as they are on health care and almost as much as on groceries to feed their families. Meanwhile, oil companies are making the largest corporate profits in history and to add insult to injury, are taking billions in taxpayer subsidies. We need to stop oil companies from padding their profits with taxpayer dollars, increase domestic drilling, get tough on market manipulators, and continue to promote clean energy that reduces our dependence on foreign oil and creates jobs in Michigan.'Jim Hamade, Northwestern Marathon station owner said: 'High gas prices impact every part of our economy, and I think it is horrendous that we are subsidizing oil companies when they are hurting families. I'm very glad to have Senator Stabenow speak on our behalf.'Sharon McRill, Owner of the Betty Brigade said: 'It's troubling to me as a small business owner to see oil companies making record profits and also being eligible for taxpayer subsidies.  Just when small businesses in Michigan are starting to get in position to create new jobs, gas prices, especially for those who have mobile companies, are debilitating.  I'm pleased that Senator Stabenow is in touch with what's going on and fighting for Michigan small businesses.'Don Adiska, Owner of Ovation Photographics said: 'The majority of my work is done on location, which requires me to do a lot of driving and skyrocketing gas prices cut deeply into my take home pay. I appreciate Senator Stabenow's diligence in holding oil companies accountable and helping us transition away from foreign oil.'Ilene Orlanski, Royal Oak resident said: 'The cost of rising prices has really impacted my pocketbook. I agree with Senator Stabenow that we must be investing in clean energy and ending giveaways to oil companies.'At the press conference, Senator Stabenow called for an end to taxpayer giveaways to oil companies.  Major oil companies are making profits of over $60 billion dollars a year by taking advantage of Americans who are paying for their gas twice-first paying record high prices at the pump and then paying oil companies again on tax day.  Instead of giving away $4 billion a year in oil subsidies, Stabenow proposed that those dollars be used to reduce the deficit and fund new clean energy technologies.She also discussed the need for more domestic drilling. Earlier this year, Stabenow cosponsored 'Use-it-or-lose-it' legislation to get oil companies to develop the 60 million acres of land they're currently holding but not using, in some cases just to keep their competitors from drilling there. Oil companies are drilling on less than 25% of federal lands they have leased. Finally, as a long-time advocate for new clean energy technologies, Senator Stabenow emphasized the need for a fundamental change in America's energy policy to give consumers more choices beyond foreign oil.  She is the author of the Charging America Forward Act to help put more advanced technology, highly fuel efficient vehicles on the road.  Her bill provides a $7,500 consumer rebate for purchasing electric vehicles.  It also extends medium and heavy-duty truck tax credits, and reauthorizes the advanced battery manufacturing program-a program that has already dramatically increased advanced battery production in the U.S., creating jobs here in Michigan.    

Treat mom to some maid service by hiring Maid Brigade to help clean the home.  Maid Brigade has 25 years of experience and is Green Clean Certified®, which means they use safe, environmentally-friendly cleaning products that won’t be harsh for the home or for your family’s health. Made Brigade also has services in over 30 states and [...]

Emergency services welcome ruling as Lady Justice Hallett raised concerns about lack of funding to London Air Ambulance

The lack of resources, communication breakdowns and confusion that caused delays in the emergency services reaching people immediately after the 7 July terrorist attacks did not contribute to the deaths of any of the victims, the inquest found.

The emergency services welcomed Lady Justice Hallett's ruling that none of the 52 victims who died in the terrorist blasts on 7 July 2005 could have been saved if help from the emergency services had arrived earlier. "I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that each of them would have died whatever time the emergency services reached and rescued them," the coroner said.

The evidence did "not justify the conclusion that any failings of any organisation or individual caused or contributed to the deaths," she added.

But at an emotionally charged press conference following the ruling, the father of one victim said that even if the delays had not caused deaths, they should not have happened.

John Taylor, father of 24-year-old Carrie, who died in the bombing at Aldgate on the Circle line, said: "Carrie might not have been saved but she should have had the chance, and so should all the rest of them."

Families had called for 32 recommendations, but Hallett made only nine, seven of which related to the emergency services, under rule 43 of the Coroners Rules 1984.

Although changes had been made to emergency services procedures, "some concerns that circumstances creating a risk of other deaths" remained, she said.

Among the recommendations was a call for greater communication between Transport for London and the emergency services, more inter-agency training and better funding for the London Air Ambulance, which had saved lives after the attacks.

She raised concerns about London's ability to respond to future terrorist attacks, because of a lack of funding to agencies such as the London Air Ambulance.

The LAA, which by chance had extra capacity on 7 July and played a crucial role at the Tavistock Square blast site, suffered from a lack of funding which meant that in the event of a similar attack it would fall "woefully short of the response that [it] was able to muster on 7/7 and this gives … cause for grave concern".

Hallett added: "I am concerned that London, a major global capital, host to the Olympics in 2012 and a prime terrorist target, should find itself dependent upon corporate funding and charitable donations."

The failures in communication, which saw the radio systems of all the emergency services rendered useless, had made it "extremely difficult to convey timely and accurate information and requests for assistance", she said.

She recommended that Transport for London inform the emergency services of a terrorist attack, after the inquest learned that a failure in the underground radio network resulted in an unclear and incomplete picture of the nature of the attacks reaching both the London Underground control room and the emergency services in the immediate aftermath of the explosions.

Echoing the families' requests, she also called for inter-agency training for major incidents, saying it was "vital in helping to reduce confusion and in fostering a better understanding of the emergency services' respective roles".

Hallett also recommended the establishment of a common rendezvous point at the scene of an emergency, to be manned by a member of London Underground, a review of how TfL confirms that the traction current of rail lines is off, and a review of whether underground trains should carry first-aid kits and stretchers. The London Ambulance Service was told it should review its existing triage system, so that victims could be given immediate basic medical assistance.

The emergency services stressed that failings exposed by the multi-site terrorist attack had been addressed since 2005.

London Ambulance Service chief executive Peter Bradley admitted that on the day of the attacks the service's response could have been better. "For this reason, we are genuinely sorry if any families or survivors feel unhappy about our response," he said.

Since 7 July, the service had improved its 999 call centre, introduced a new radio system, and introduced a system which sent a set number of vehicles when a major incident was declared, he added.

London's transport commissioner, Peter Hendy, said the actions of his staff "were nothing short of heroic" on July 7. Getting the transport network up and running as soon as possible demonstrated that "Londoners will never be cowed by such attacks, and that the freedoms and tolerance that are such important features of this great city are preserved", he added.

The commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, Ron Dobson, said it would now consider the recommendations. "Today our thoughts are with those who were injured and the families and friends of those who lost their lives, including our London Fire Brigade colleague Lee Baisden," he said.

Speaking outside the Royal Courts of Justice, where Justice Hallett handed down her ruling, Assistant Commissioner Chris Allison, of the Metropolitan police, said he hoped it would provide "some element of closure" to those affected and that he was "exceptionally proud" of the police's work on the day.

Another season of Encounters concludes in epic fashion as the heroes of Hammerfast finally lay the curse of Salazar to rest. For 13 weeks the heroes have been dogged by this villain and his phantom army. It is hard to believe that the adventure started out so promising, with the adventurers at the...

[...]

Dans la lettre que Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès aurait écrite à une dizaine d’amis et membres de sa famille, celui que la police recherché comme témoin principal des assassinats de Nantes affirme que lui, sa femme et ses enfants ont dû partir précipitamment pour des raisons rocambolesques: il explique avoir aidé la Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), sorte de brigade des stupéfiants américaine, avoir recueilli tellement d’informations qu’il doit témoigner dans un procès contre de hauts trafiquants de drogue aux Etats-Unis, et avoir été menacé à cause de cela au point d’être engagé dans le «programme fédéral de protection des témoins» américain.
Les proches de Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès ne sont pas convaincus que cette lettre ait bien été écrite par lui, notamment parce qu’elle a été tapée à la machine et qu’elle ne comporte aucune faute d’orthographe alors qu’il en faisait beaucoup dans ses mails.
Mais qu’en est-il de la théorie que la lettre développe? Un Français peut-il devenir un agent infiltré de la brigade des stups américaines? De là partir témoigner à un procès aux Etats-Unis? Et pour cela être enrôlé dans le Witsec, le programme de protection des témoins américain? Le tout en ayant le droit d’écrire une lettre à une dizaine de proches leur racontant tout ça?
Une source confidentielle, oui, un agent infiltré, non Dans la lettre (PDF), celui qui se présente comme Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès affirme ... Lire la suite

As a dismounted patrol of U.S. soldiers from A Battery, 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team walks through the village of Chil Gazy; Staff Sgt. Jordan Cruz provides security. Afghans in the village voiced their opinions to International Security Assistance Forces troops during their visit in an effort to improve the security situation in the village and throughout the area. Photo via US Army.

 

Kargil/Srinagar, May 06 (Scoop News) –   The IGP Kashmir S M Sahai said that the youth of Kargil should strive hard to maintain the peace and prosperity of the District as the district is known for its peaceful atmosphere.

 

SM Saqhai was speaking on the opening Ceremony of the Saheed Zulfiqar Ali Memorial Cricket Tournament. The IGP Kashmir declared open the 1st Saheed Zulfiqar Ali Memorial Cricket Tournament. today at Khree Sultan Choo Stadium Biamathang Kargil, which was organized by the district Police Kargil under Civic Action Programme of the J&K; Police.

 

 IGP Kashmir who was the Chief Guest said that police department is the largest Job providing Department in the State. He said that the civic action programme of the J&K; Police is an ongoing process and various other developmental activities will be carried out in the Future also.

 

In this tournament 56 teams from all the blocks of Kargil District are participating and on the inaugural function all the players of the 56 teams participated in the Oath Ceremony.

 

It may be mentioned here that Saheed Zulfiqar Ali was martyred at Maisuma Chowk Srinagar in the year 2009 in a grenade Attack and this tournament is a tribute to the martyr. On this occasion the Mother of Saheed Zulfiqar Ali along with Brother and two sisters were also present. Others present on the inaugural Function was Acting Chief Executive Councilor LAHDC Kargil Haji Ghulam Amir, MLA Zanskar Feroz Ahmad Khan, Executive Councilor Ghulam Rasool Naqvi, Brigadier 121 Infantry Brigade S K Sahwny Deputy Commissioner Kargil M Raju, SP Kargil Javed Iqbal Matoo and other District officers and prominent citizens. 

www.scoopnews.in

 

La 11e Brigade parachutiste de Toulouse et un détachement du 1er Régiment de parachutiste de Pamiers s’envoleront mardi 10 mai de Blagnac pour Kaboul la capitale afghane.

As a dismounted patrol of U.S. soldiers from A Battery, 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team walks through the village of Chil Gazy; Staff Sgt. Jordan Cruz provides security. Afghans in the village voiced their opinions to International Security Assistance Forces troops during their visit in an effort to improve the security situation in the village and throughout the area. Photo via US Army.

• Lady Justice Hallett delivers verdict of unlawful killing
• Coroner to issue recommendations to save lives in future
• Hallett says there should not be a public inquiry
• 7 July bombing was worst terror attack in UK bar Lockerbie

10.42am: Hallett says she has found that each one of the 52 victims who were killed would have died "whatever time the emergency services reached and rescued them".

10.40am: Some victims survived minutes, hours or even days before they succumbed, Hallett says.

10.37am: Alexandra Topping sends more from the court. Hallett has said it is important to some families that they know they exact circumstances in which their loved ones died. "Some of them would have died instantly; for others it was less clear."

10.36am: Richard Norton-Taylor, the Guardian's security editor, adds:

MI5 will also be relieved the coroner has said there was no evidence that failings "by any agency" caused or contributed to the 7 July deaths as they admitted at the inquests "more could have been done" - with hindsight.

10.31am: My colleague Richard Norton-Taylor says MI5 will be relieved that Hallett is not calling for a public inquiry. The security service wanted most of its evidence to the inquest to be in private, but failed to convince the coroner.

10.29am: Here is Hallett's quote about the authorities' failings. She said the evidence "does not justify the conclusion that any failings of any organisation or individual caused or contributed to the deaths".

10.27am: Esther Addley and Alexandra Topping send the exact wording of Hallett's verdict:

I have reached verdicts of unlawful killing on the 52 innocent people killed by the four bombs.

There is no evidence that failings by any agency caused or contributed to 7 July deaths, she says.

Hugo Keith, counsel to the inquest, is reading out the names of the 52 people that died.

10.23am: The coroner has said she doubts that many lawyers have ever been involved in "such a consistently harrowing and difficult case" as the 7/7 inquest.

She also has said she believes that the hearings successfully examined highly-sensitive MI5 material relating to the occasions when the bombers came across the security agencies' radar before the attacks.

To my mind, the concerns that I would not be able to conduct a thorough and fair investigation into the security issues in wholly open evidential proceedings have proved unfounded.

10.22am: Hallett says the culmination of the evidence, verdicts and rule 43 recommendations will be in essence the same as a public enquiry.

10.17am: Esther Addley is also tweeting from the court. She says Hallett has said she hopes this will be the end of the investigation into 7/7 - ie she wants no public inquiry.

The families, Esther notes, have stayed a judicial review of the government's decision not to grant a public inquiry. They may reactivate this after today.

The inquest came in to the day and hour planned and "significantly under budget", Hallett says.

Hallett notes that her powers "are limited to report a verdict on the deaths and to submit a rule 43 report where I consider it appropriate". See 9.30am for an explanation of the rule 43 powers.

10.13am: The coroner has thanked the survivors for giving evidence. "Reliving the events of 7/7 was the last thing they needed."

As well as announcing her verdicts for the 52 people killed in the attacks on three tube trains and a double-decker bus, Hallett is also ruling today on whether a separate inquest should be held for the four bombers.

10.11am: Hallett (left) says: "I am not aware of our having left any reasonable stone unturned."

She notes: "Many people dreaded giving evidence before me."

About the scenes of the bombings, she says: "I have seen the unedited photos of each scene and yet I still can not imagine the full extent of the horror of what they saw."

10.10am: Lady Justice Hallett has confirmed she is going to make a series of recommendations which "may save lives" in the future.

10.09am: But the families do not seek necessarily to apportion blame, Hallett says.

10.08am: According to my colleague Alexandra Topping, who is in court, Hallett said: "They [the families] want to find out what happened, how their loved ones died and if their deaths could have been prevented."

10.07am: Hallett has paid tribute to the "quiet dignity" of the families of the 52 victims.

10.07am: Here are details of the 32 recommendations the families wanted Hallett to make in full.

10.05am: "The families have waited six years for the verdict to be reached," Hallett said.

10.04am: The coroner has, as expected, recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

10.01am: Graham Foulkes, whose 22-year-old son David was killed by Khan at Edgware Road, said as he went into court this morning that he was feeling "pretty wound-up" at the culmination of the proceedings. "It's been very tiring and I think very draining and very stressful. We've waited five-and-a-half years for this."

He went on: "Don't talk to me about closure. I got up this morning and David was dead. The verdicts will be read today and when I get up tomorrow David will still be dead. There's no such thing as closure for families."

Asked about the coroner's recommendations, he said: "I'm hoping she's going to expose the failings of the security service and the inadequacies of the emergency services."

He added that he was confident the coroner would make a series of recommendations, but the question is whether they would be implemented.

David Foulkes worked for the Guardian. You can read his obituary here.

Sean Cassidy, father of Ciaran, 22, who died at King's Cross, said: "We hope to get the truth. The truth will be the main thing, really."

9.39am: My colleagues on the video desk have produced this film featuring interviews with the families of Philip Russell, Miriam Hyman and Fiona Stevenson, who were killed in the 7/7 attacks, and David Gardner, who survived.

_

9.30am: Lady Justice Heather Hallett is to deliver her findings today at the inquest into the deaths of 52 people on 7 July 2005, when four Islamist suicide bombers blew themselves up on London's transport system, in the deadliest terrorist attack in British history barring Lockerbie.

Hallett will almost certainly find that the 52 victims were unlawfully killed in the attacks on three tube trains and one bus.

But the inquest also showed that London's emergency services fell short in their response to the bombings. How seriously they failed will be Hallett's duty to decide. She will also look at what the authorities knew about the bombers that might have prevented the attacks.

Hallett is to make recommendations on how to avoid future deaths under her "rule 43" powers, the only power a coroner has to make such recommendations; this is only allowed if doing so could prevent future deaths. But it is not yet clear how much scope Hallett actually has under these powers. Lawyers for MI5 argued in February that the law permitted only "brief, neutral and factual" verdicts.

My colleague Esther Addley, who attended the hearings at the end of last year and the beginning of this one, summarised some of the failings of Transport for London, the Metropolitan police, British Transport police, the Ambulance Service, the Fire Brigade, and City of London police that emerged from the inquest:

However unprecedented the events of that day, however complex the task of responding to multiple emergencies on the capital's overstretched transport network and however powerful the many stories of individual heroism among professionals, again and again the inquest has heard of communication failures, command and control confusion and inadequate provision on the part of the emergency services …

Survivors staggering from the Aldgate train told how they shouted at paramedics who were waiting on the platform for instructions while people were dying just a few hundred yards away in the tunnel.

Fire crews did not arrive at the platform at Edgware Road until 9.44am, almost an hour after the explosion, where they waited instead of proceeding to the carriage … Ambulances from the two closest stations to the bomb site were not dispatched.

The driver of the train, Ray Whitehurst, with none of his communication equipment working, rang repeatedly for help from a fixed-line phone inside the tunnel, but was ignored …

Though the Tavistock Square bus blew up in broad daylight in a busy central London street, it took 52 minutes before ambulances were even dispatched. British Transport police officers who witnessed the explosion and ran to their nearby headquarters to raise help were instead prevented from leaving the HQ after being told it was in "lockdown".

Hallett may propose changes to emergency response procedures, and could criticise MI5, which had two of the bombers – Mohammed Siddique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer – under surveillance but failed to stop the attacks. A photograph that MI5 sent to US secret services of Siddique Khan and Tanweer was cropped so badly as to render Tanweer unrecognisable and cut out Khan altogether, it emerged during the inquest. Among 32 recommendations they would like to see, victims' families want Hallett to recommend tighter restrictions on the sale of hydrogen peroxide, one of the main ingredients in the bombs.

The July 7 hearings were actually 52 separate inquests, involving five months of testimony, starting last October, hearing from more than 500 witnesses either in person or through statements, and dealing with 1,173 pieces of evidence. The evidence provided a detailed picture of the lives of those killed, injured or affected by the bombings, and their relatives. The level of serious injuries came as a shock to many following the hearings. Esther has written a very interesting piece today explaining many of the things we learned from the inquest, from details about the bombers' personalities to how far afield many of the victims came from and how heroically many responded. Also in today's Guardian, Esther speaks to many of the victims' families, Alexandra Topping looks at the relatives' calls for the emergency services to be overhauled, Richard Norton-Taylor examines the role of MI5, Shiv Malik visits Beeston, the area of Leeds where Khan came from, and Vikram Dodd looks at the government's counter-terrorism strategy.

We also have two interactives, one on the victims' testimonies, and one on those who died.

Hallett will not read out her recommendations, but they will be put up on the inquiry's website as soon as she has made her concluding comments. The website also contains all the oral evidence from the inquiry.

Hallett is an appeal court judge who was designated a coroner for this inquiry. She is one of the most senior female judges in the country. Stephen Bates has written a profile of her here. She has been praised for her work at the inquest and her sympathetic handling of the witnesses. She told Simon Ford, for example, a former fireman who took part in a £100m cocaine ring, but used his bare hands to rip back the metalwork of the Tavistock Square bus and help free survivors:

Mr Ford, whatever's happened in your life since 2005, no one can doubt the courage you displayed on 7 July 2005 … So thank you very much for all that you did that day. Thank you.

The bombings were carried out by Mohammed Siddique Khan, 30, Shehzad Tanweer, 22, Hasib Hussain, 18, and Jermaine Lindsay, 19.

Families look to 7/7 inquest coroner Lady Justice Hallett to take action which could save lives

The bereaved families of the 7 July bombings will discover today whether the coroner Lady Justice Hallett accepts their recommendations for changes which they believe could help save lives in future.

The families have made 32 suggestions for Hallett to consider. This morning she will return her verdicts on the 52 victims of the 2005 attacks.

Nine of the families' recommendations, under rule 43 of the Coroners Rules 1984, relate to the security services, but the majority refer to the emergency services.

The coroner has not confirmed that she will suggest changes, though she is widely expected to do so.

Among the changes called for were regular inter-agency training, first aid kits to be placed on tube trains and designated rendezvous points for London Underground staff for meeting emergency workers. It was suggested that tube stations be equipped with specialist stretchers and there was a request for the London Air Ambulance (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) to be publicly funded.

The coroner heard accounts of extraordinary courage from many individual emergency workers. Questions were raised, however, about procedures which, overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, were highly stretched.

London Ambulance Service

Evidence about the London Ambulance Service's response provoked the most criticism. The inquest heard that paramedics were sent to the wrong locations in London on 7 July, or were not dispatched for lengthy periods of time.

It was also reported that the government's official 2006 review of the emergency response found "responders were on the scene within minutes". But evidence emerged that the London Ambulance Service had not provided a complete picture of what took place on 7 July. It was a matter of good fortune that two of the bomb sites were next to the British Medical Association building and Great Ormond Street hospital, where the injured could receive treatment, said Adam Chapman, representing seven of the victims' families.

Chapman said: "For the first time we saw how comprehensively overwhelmed the [ambulance service] was," he said. "Even bearing in mind the unique and very difficult situation, other systems coped and the LAS didn't."

The ambulance service now has a larger dedicated incident room, with trained controllers, and digital radios that work underground. It has reinstated a pager-based communication system, which was replaced by SMS in 2005.

London Fire Brigade

Firefighters arrived at King's Cross station after 23 minutes but did not go to the bomb site for a further 29 minutes because of communication protocols. Some firefighters would not enter tube tunnels until it was confirmed by Underground staff that the current was switched off. Crews also noted equipment shortages, particularly a lack of stretchers. A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said individual radios and a dedicated incident channel had improved communications and firefighters have been given first-aid training with the ambulance service since 2007.

Police

At times officers had to use runners to relay messages from the tunnels because their radios did not work underground. The inquest heard that despite concerns being expressed about communications after the 1987 King's Cross fire, and further warnings in 2003, Met radios were "inadequate"; a working system was not fully in place at the time of the blasts. All police officers can now use a new Airwave system on the underground.

Transport for London

Communication problems meant London Underground staff could not give vital information to their control room or to the emergency services.

The government has rejected requests for emergency response vehicles to be given "blue-light" status like other emergency services, but families are pushing for this to be changed.

A spokeswoman for LU said there was now better first aid, stretchers at stations, more first aiders, improved emergency lighting and safety information and unique reference numbers for stations and locations.

What other measures will be put in place after today, and how the situation will be affected by straitened public finances, remains to be seen. Jennifer Cole, head of emergency management at the Royal United Services Institute, said the emergency response had been satisfactory and changes had to take into account cost and practicality. She added: "The blame of that day lies with those four bombers, not the emergency services."

The accused lifeguard had to be rescued by the fire brigade when he became stuck after being caught spying on a naked woman in a leisure centre, a court has heard

NEWS.com.au

Police deny plans to charge flood dad BigPond News Queensland police say they're unaware of plans to charge a Grantham rural fire brigade volunteer over the death of his family during the floods. But he could be prosecuted for unlicensed driving, police said. Danny McGuire has said police are preparing ... Man whose wife and children drowned in January flood claims he will be charged ...Herald Sun Firefighter expects charges over family's flood deathsABC Online Future of flooded town of Grantham is elevatedThe Australian Clare Northern Argus -Port Lincoln Times -Toowoomba Chronicle all 88 news articles »

La brigade contre la criminalité numérique (OCLCTIC) renforce ses liens avec l’association Signal Spam pour renforcer la sécurité des messageries.

LGBT Weekly

How did leather contests start? LGBT Weekly In 1979 David Kloss of San Francisco was sent by the Brigade Bar to compete and he became the first International Mr. Leather (IML). Also at the time San Francisco crowned its first Emperor, the late Mr. Marcus Hernandez. He and the reigning Empress ...

One of the most enduring themes of the Viet Nam era was that of the badly damaged Vietnam vet who came home and created mayhem – all because of his experiences and training.  It was a myth that died hard only because the war was so unpopular and so many people wanted to believe it.

BG Burkett in his book Stolen Valor, completely takes all the underlying premises that supported that myth apart with facts and statistics.  I don’t have time to relate them all but I cannot recommend that book highly enough.

That said, this article by Luke Mogelson in the New York Times Magazine (via PJ Tatler) entitled “The Beast In The Heart Of Every Fighting Man” is a travesty.  It’s subhead gives you a clue why:

The case against American soldiers accused of murdering Afghan civilians turns on the idea of a rogue unit. But what if the killings are a symptom of a deeper problem?

Instead of telling the story of the now infamous “kill squad” from the 5th Stryker Brigade out of Ft. Lewis WA, and the reasons for their actions and activities, Mogelson does what many hacks do and tries to conflate what happened in a single platoon out in the middle of nowhere in Afghanistan with a problem that infects the entire military.

Granted – no, stipulated – war is hell, it changes people, it is something which anyone who has ever experienced it up close and personal would never wish on another person.  And yes, there are stresses that come from multiple deployments, leaving your family behind and watching men you think more of than anyone in the world die in action.  But those stresses aren’t unique to these wars.  Yes, multiple deployments are fairly unique.  But then the alternative is the duration – which my parents did in WWII – 4 years of war, from beginning to end.

But that’s not the point of the article.  Mogelson does a credible job of telling the “kill squad” story.  It’s a horrible story in which a deviant but charismatic junior leader, in an isolated outpost, talks some impressionable squad members into doing the unthinkable all while the weak leadership in charge of the platoon failed in their roles.

Had he left it here, I could actually find myself saying nice things about it. It is a story that must be told.

But he didn’t leave it there.  He started to veer in that old and predictable lane in which the military is indicted for making robot killers out of their charges and becoming so good at it that things like this happen.

In fact, just the treatment of the title outlines his attempt.  And interestingly, later on in the article, he uses the full quote from Gen. George C Marshall from which the line comes:

“Once an army is involved in war, there is a beast in every fighting man which begins tugging at its chains. And a good officer must learn early on how to keep the beast under control, both in his men and himself.”

Mogelson deals with the first part, but he makes absolutely no effort at all to understand the second part and how critical it is to the institution he attacks.  That is, “good officer[s]” and NCOs do keep control of it and they comprise the vast majority of the leadership in our military.  That’s why the military spends so much time and effort training them to do so.

Mogelson is reduced to using the Philippine insurrection and My Lai, two isolated examples decades apart as some sort of proof of his premise.  They are, instead, outliers.  As was Abu Ghraib.  There are always going to be bad people found in good institutions.  We see bad cops – but we don’t think all policemen are bad nor do we pretend that law enforcement as a whole deserves blanket condemnation.  We realize that with any organization of size which deals in a deadly business that there may be some bad people who we will have to weed out at some point or another.

However, Mogelson, via sociologist Stjepan Mestrovic, rejects that premise:

If we lack a sense of collective responsibility for these more recent war crimes, Mestrovic blames this on our readiness to believe that such occasional iniquities are aberrations perpetrated by a derelict few, rather than the inevitable result of institutional failures and, more generally, the nature of the conflicts in which we are engaged.

Institutional failures?  A military that fights the cleanest wars imaginable, does everything in its power to avoid collateral damage, demands that its leadership monitor and control that so-called “beast” by being totally involved and leading from the front.  A military that has fought like no other military has ever fought in history is an institutional failure?

Yeah, it was 40 years ago too according to these experts.  Except it wasn’t.

Welcome to my world of those long gone days of the Viet Nam era when exactly this sort of nonsense was written about Viet Nam and it’s vets.   And, if you read the comments to this story, you’ll find “mission accomplished” is appropriate:

These men and women return to abuse and often kill innocent people stateside. Their minds are permanently mangled.

The United States military is not protecting us but putting every US citizen in grave danger from the killing robots they have created..

END the military. We will all be safer.

And

In sum, the military's purpose in training young men and women is to twist, destroy, and pervert basic human decency, empathy and consideration of other human beings-- everything that most likely his or her family has also strived to cultivate in him or her-- in order to serve the aims of empire.

Thus, the military is essentially an evil institution.

The old meme is resurfacing and gaining some traction.  As I said way back then, “never again”. 

The military is both an honorable profession and a extraordinarily necessary one.  Its members are not “victims” of some evil institution.  They’re not robots.  They’re not “killing machines” who come home to “abuse and often kill innocent people stateside”.   The purpose of our military isn’t now nor has it ever been to “pervert basic human decency”.  It’s to do a necessary and often distasteful and dangerous job for the BENEFIT of those back home – for their safety and freedom.

Ironically the NYT publishes this garbage just after some hard men heroically risked their lives in a daring raid to kill a mass-murdering terrorist who struck the very city they print this in. 

This is the thanks they get.

~McQ

* Morgans battleground sees strong campaigns from two main parties going head to head in Cardiff north
* Voters keen to have voice on AV and worried about health and schools

As the rain began to fall in Cardiff north, the 'silver haired brigade' were undeterred – with a steady flow of voters turning out to have their say in the city's heated two-horse race.

Red and blue-clad party members manning each polling station showed which colours voters in the constituency were thinking about in today's Welsh Assembly election – with Conservative incumbent Jonathan Morgan AM being challenged by Labour's Julie Morgan who is hoping for a return to politics after being pipped to the post by Conservative MP Jonathan Evans by 200 votes in last year's general election after her 13-year run.

Polling stations in Whitchurch and Llandaff North were reporting good turnout figures so far – with roughly 15% at the Llandaff Community Centre and 20% at the Whitchurch Community Centre off Old Church Road.

Conservative support Diane Bridges, 67, who was recording numbers outside the Whitchurch Community Centre, said the voters had mainly been of the elderly generation and she was disappointed by the lack of young people interested in politics. She said:

"It's very much the silver haired brigade out today. I have only seen one or two young people this morning but the elderly people have been out to vote."

Bridges had been stationed in Rhiwbina earlier in the morning, where she said voters had been turning out in the warm sunshine ahead of the drizzle.

"Rhiwbina is quite an affluent area but people saw my blue rosette and were supportive.

"Julie has come back from retirement and it is as if she's being brought out to shuffle things up. But Jonathan is also very well known in the area and a lot of people feel he's done good."

Inside the centre, clerks Danny Driscoll and Stephen Hull said turnout had been steady – with 173 people turning out to vote out of 1,040 (including postal votes).

"We haven't had the peaks we'd normally have," said Hull. "But we'll get the mums after school at 4pm and then the workers after 5pm."

In Llandaff north, the Cardiff north constituency treasurer for Labour, Paul Geoffries, said he was wary of being too confident of Julie's win – following her loss last year by 194 votes.

"It's not good to be too confident in Cardiff north ever. We had a rush of people at around 8am but it's been a bit quiet. Julie's been out campaigning with the megaphone."

Clerks had recorded 125 out of 862 and 112 out of 818 in the polling station so far and said there had been a lull in voters after 10am.

Health and AV top of the agenda for Cardiff north voters

Voters on the streets reflected the fact they known both candidates involved in what is dubbed the 'two horse race'.

But unlike Cardiff west, the Alternative Vote referendum was also a key factor in drawing out the electorate today.

Emma and Will Adams from Llandaff North said they were keen to see the system reformed.

"We're here to vote on the AV," said Emma. "We want to make a change of it because it worked against us last time."

Will, a mental health worker, added that he was keen to see free prescriptions – something many English counterparts envy about living in Wales – scrapped. He said:

"I think we should pay for prescriptions. Here's too many people who just pick up things because it's free. They are making cutbacks when they could be making money by getting rid of free prescriptions. I'd like to see money invested in the front line."

Emma added:

"I hope they do something about the education system too because Wales is down compared to the rest of the UK. We also don't want to be separated from the rest of the UK – we voted against strengthened powers in March."

Emma Smith, 39, a student nurse from Llandaff north said health was still a key issue:

"I was undecided about AV until the last minute – but with the Assembly election here it's closer.

"For me it's a case of because they have got more powers I think it's important to have a different agenda to what's happening in Westminster – with the main thing being health."

Have you voted? Let us know in our poll.

Vietnam vet re-enlisted after 9-11 says Iraq was a waste, praises Obama KING5.com After 9-11, this Vietnam veteran made headlines when he lost 40 pounds, cut off his pony tail and re-enlisted. At the age of 53, he was deployed with the 81st Armor Brigade to Iraq. He served a 12 month tour. "It was like a plane flew into my heart, ... THE AMERICAN EMPIRE CREATED BIN LADENNewsWithViews.com The American empire created bin Laden and is killing itselfOpEdNews all 4 news articles »

BY CAPT. OZZIE SANTIAGO SMITH III – NORTH SHORE, Hawaii – There are individuals who run marathon events for personal challenge and competition. This thought process does not apply to Staff Sgt. Marc Dibernardo, E. Company, 2nd Assault Helicopter Battalion (AHB), 25th Aviation Regiment, “Diamond Head,” 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB), who races to raise [...]

A reminder that that the “Camp of the Saints” crisis is still in its early stages comes from the European Commission, which estimates that well over half a million refugees have fled Libya since the uprisings began in January:

EU Claims 650,000 People Have Left Libya

(AGI) Brussels — According to the EU’s latest estimates, 650,000 people have left Libya to escape war and bloodshed. The figure was released in the context of the Commission’s report on the EU’s immigration policy. All fugitives have sought refuge in neighboring countries, mainly Tunisia and Egypt, and many have already been helped so as to enable them to return home.

Meanwhile, over 25,000 migrants chose Europe; most of these come from Tunisia, and the majority of them landed on Italy’s coastline (essentially in Lampedusa) and in Malta.

Actually, according to Italian estimates, about 30,000 culture-enrichers have come ashore since the crisis began. But what’s a few thousand migrants here and there?

A lot of the refugees will eventually return home. However, we may assume that a substantial proportion of them will climb into the rickety boats and head for Lampedusa.

Then, when they get to their destination, they may take the opportunity to engage in a favorite culturally enriched pastime: rioting and burning stuff. The following incident occurred at a temporary camp at the far western end of Sicily:

Tunisian Migrants Stage Protests at Trapani Holding Centre

(AGI) Trapani — Tunisian migrants held at an identification centre in Trapani staged protests this afternoon. The group set fire to mattresses and began loud protests from behind the barred windows at the facility. The fire brigade were called in to turn the fires out. Police were also called in to sedate the riots.

Ever since the crisis began, the EU has been wringing its hands and insisting that someone, somewhere must do something about all these unfortunate refugees — but without violating anyone’s human rights, of course.

The European Commission hasn’t changed its mantra:

EU Must Help Border Member States Tackle Immigration

(AGI) Brussels — The EU said the member states most exposed to immigration can’t be left to tackle the emergency on their own.

Presenting a document prepared by the EU Commission defining a common policy on immigration, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom said the EU can’t leave the member states most exposed to immigration from North Africa to deal with the current emergency on their own. Malmstrom acknowledged that some member states are more exposed than others to a massive inflow of migrants and that the situation can’t be dealt with only at a national level. [emphasis added]

What the EC means is that Italy has had to bear the brunt of the invasion up until now, and that France has done its best to make sure that the new arrivals stay penned up in Italian camps.

But the French are having mixed success in their efforts. A group of refugees was rounded up, and then released again by the local judiciary. According to Liberation, via Presseurop.eu:

The French Judicial Fiasco

Libération, 3 May 2011

Liberation devotes its front page to Tunisian migrants landed in Italy in recent days and detained in France. Dozens of the migrants, arrested by French police after crossing the French-Italian border, were freed this weekend after appearing before the “liberties and detention” judge (juge des libertés et de la détention). In Marseille in particular, 35 have been released while the prefecture is requesting permission to prolong their detention in order to return them to Italy or Tunisia. The court ordered their release due to the procedural errors made by the police during the mass arrests. “The swelling of muscles ends up in a judicial rout”, comments Libération, questioning the “meaning of this debacle” which contradicts the thundering declarations of the French authorities. The newspaper quoted the analysis of one of the French lawyers for the Tunisians: “This may be a purely political move. They show their muscles to please public opinion, and make some arrests for the media, even if they lead nowhere.”

The above incident occurred in Marseille, which is the most Islamized city in Europe, with the possible exception of Rotterdam. The article gives us no indication whether the Mohammedan domination of the city played any part in the release of the migrants. Are any of the judges Muslims? Do they have to fear for their safety if they offend Muslim sensibilities in their judicial decisions?

French readers are invited to leave additional information in the comments.


Hat tip: C. Cantoni.

Ghost Brigade has set "Until Fear No Longer Defines Us" as the title of the band's forthcoming album, which has been scheduled for an August 19th (August 23rd in North America) release.

In order to celebrate the release of "Until Fear No Longer Defines Us," the band will embark on a Finnish tour in September and October. Support for most of the shows comes from Finnish dark hardcore act Unkind

I am the son
of black men
burnt by the secret fire
but not consume
because the fire
knows who I am
the son of black men
I am the daughter of
black women
the elder one\washed by the water
of the gods
within my eyes
man have forgotten
my name in this
terrifying world
man have forgotten how
to drink the metro blood
that is the
source of life
let me burn you
with my water everlasting
for you are not eternal
I am the child
of black folks
the carnal knowledge
I carry the fire's brain
of God in your life
I have gone round
the limt that you are
I am the power of my water
the splendor
water's power
and I slew the God
of your heaven
and gave man
to understand
what can not
be understood
I pass pass your
shoulders and I
the know of you
the death that is
inheritance in mien’s flesh
it was I the child
of black folks
that open the flood
of Osiris when
my name was spoken
I am thee one
of black folks
the three hundred
and fifty quieting flames
I am the triumphant
door keeper of the
Settian nature of
the blacks, the first
man and my name
is worn
as clothing in
their lost memories
in America they
call me nigger for
I know the nigger that they are
I am the word
of the blacks
the creator
who created his name
the might of
the beautiful word
no man can speak
behold my possessing
of heaven that is my foot
stool it's al;l the rope
of my hair that
is a meat of offering
the scribes have
scared my skin
with their pens
and with their prayers that
all will be well by man
I am thr west coast
of the blacks'
the streaght way
that non can follow
the greatness
of what is round'
I devour the]
smelling of the Gods
that hung his son
on a cross
he is divined in me
I am the divider
he is the jaw bone
of an ass speakeasy
against my very own
sense of my power
I am the it
of the blacks'
I am the intellect
of the black’s
adoration of my
mighty throne
that the blacks
once sat on
when the world
was you enough
and uncertain
by the pale devil
that came to devour
the black soul
and they lost
their way under
the clock of self hatred
I am the provider
of the blacks'
but they see men
as a shadow
of who they wince was when
because of my manly love
I am the provider
of the blacks
but they see me
as only a shadow
that they can step on
but still I be strong.
-



What is the purpose
of black skin
what is the purpose
of or elders
rich in knowledge
that only age can give
to teach the youths
of our black skin
what is the purpose
of the unity when along
you go into the soup
kitchen where some
black children children
call their second home
books can take you
only so far
the elder's flesh
holds the key
of how to deal
with adversity
how to make your
way pass those
who would stomp
you down
go into the cover lasing home
go into the schools
volunteer to be an ear\to our elders
volunteer to teach our youth
leave not our elders
to die along
Martin Lutheran King
said service is the
substance of greatness
he served so surely
he knew that to
be true to yourself
to our elders be true
what is the purpose
of your purpose
what is your God to you
what are you here to do
go away from
computers and t v
set your old school
and hip hop ways aside
sat to hear the teaching
of our elders
what need have they to lieutenants
the truth my sisters and brothers
the truth that calls you home
is found in the rich
life of our elders
let them teach you
before they die
what is the purpose
of life
what is the purpose of death
each of us
must seek the answer from deep
within our elder's breast nia
-




nature brought us
to the dance
brought us
Say gilliat
the banjoist
jump jim crow jump
whirl about
and turn too
an' do jus so
an' eb ery time
I whirl about
I jump jim crow
gumo caff
and long tail blues
do you know of
the Singing Lucas
if not why don't you
and what of
billy Kersands
the minstrel king
under a spacious canvas
he sings
and Ms Hattie
Delano's originally
Alabama Pickaninnies
and the beautiful voice
of Elizabeth T
greenfield her voice
ranged 27 notes
from a sonorous
to baritone to out do
the highest note of
Jenny lind's
do you know o of James A. Bland
do you know
the greatest
colored Aggregation
the Sunflower coons
the famous colored
lady Sextette
if no so then why
is this history lost to you
nature gave us
Brudder Bones baby
and the Ethiopian\
Nightingale
among de sugar cane
what is your
celebration of
emancipation day
carry me back
to old Virginity
carry me back
to the plantation
that I may see
who was the people
who gave birth to me
Dandy Black brigade
is marchin' through\the streets
the Harerley's color
minstrels are
suffin' their feet
let me see the true uncle Tom
the true Rev. Josiah
Henson preacher
and co-conductor
of the underground
rail road
Ira Aldridge
we call on you
come from the
African Grove
to the streets
of St. louis
James Hewlett
played the Shakerar's role
of Othello
there is an African
Roscias in the land
like an opossum
up a gum tree
Bon-Bon Buddy
the chocolate drop
the chocolate drop
that's me
two real coons
is what whites
see of Bert Williams
and George Walker]and you and me
O Sissierella Jones
sing to me single-dig
it my feet knows
the cake walk that
nature gave to me
Bob Cole be
Willie Wayside
in Dahomey
Abyssinia and
Bandana lung too
in black face
of burnt cock
nature take me back
to the first black
to preform before the Queen
take me back to hear
Sista Sissierella single-
dig it link me to my
history as if
you and I was
the Carolina twins
put me on stage
as some monkey in a cage
as somke curiosity
of what was called
the Genuin Ubangi Savage
o nature you gave me
Esther Sutherland
the biggest thing
in jass and you
gave me Mr Billy Day
and Mr Mel Michael
in their drags
being touch by God
O Bill Bojangles
O Mr Robinson
of the tapping feet
you are my man
as sure as if
I could dance
O Dusty Fletcher
of the open Door
Richard fame
and Pig meat Markham
haming it up on the stage
and Tim Moore
in black face and
Sisle and Blaje
Shuffle Along
and Creams doing
their thing
take back to
to the birth of jass
an American
indigenous music
that will always last
behind the jass
lies the blues
take me back
to Bessie Smith busting
out her voice without
a mic she sang
in the southern tents
you gave me ohio
am feelin' tomorrow
like I feel today
I'll pack my trunk
and make a get-a-way
you gave me
the Dark Town
Stullers nature is you is
or is you aint
my baby as true
as Avon long
tap tap tap
clap clap clap
snake up the
Lindy Hop
truckin' down
to the very brick
American's daughter
Josephine Baker
and chocolate
Dandies along
with Baby Florence Mills
cake walking child of six
you gave me
dark Eddie greenfield
never had no happiness
never felt no one's cress
I'm just a lonesome bit
of humanity
born on a Friday, I guess
you gave me Mr Paul Robeson
as Emperor Tones
because All God's Chullun
got wings aint Clarence
muse got it too
don't you want to be free
year round before
the soul is gone home free
sometimes I'm up
sometimes I'm down
sometime I'm almost
to the ground
Oh yes lard
is it true that
some of us are
as light as the
Slayton's Jubilee
Singers you brought
and strange fruits
-

What cause my words
what sword of penetration
that shapes an alien was
and stone along the way
of pairs that falls as rain
comfort words rules
the day more mind of winds
more thick thought
jostling the scarce copse
bead words like merchandise
weepings of given loves
the holiest word is
never on the tongue
my tongue bears the scars
of foolish passion stolen
sharp and last loose
to nook the ravishment
that thrills pain as rain
and tears madrigal flow
melting snow in St. Louis
words of her streets
the Lou who do
to you too
saint Lou the lady with
murder in her eyes
crys the cry
of just getting by
her rueful ways
words busy as bees
meaning things
bees buzz and bees dance
of where to find
the sweetest of words
the ingratiate of words
bower bones utterings
exquisite as words
never ment to be heard
-


His love is like
a thump in the eye
talkin' to me
and then
was that
you want to\pull my cards out
you strong enough
to be a bold
flood that will
be all places
please my love was like
a good job done
but I knew we
was not going in there
for a win.
-

Crying tears of blood
from the hands
stigmata stigma
of the galaxy
an offering to
the Gods that be
in harassed on the banks
of colors wild\in the streets
the gateway to God
the Galaxy washes me over
give your flowers and candles
o God that bathe
in the galaxy
pray the light
the bell's rings
the light that light
the cleaning that
check the door
the rain is a
hematologist
it is a bleeding
disorder of life
it just came after
the washing of the dirt
crying creatures
crowing from the deep
the devolution
of feet bleeding
their tracks across my face
my eyes, my sight
my cries of why, why, why
the weight of my blood
my squat my plasma
Velcros cloyed with emotions
hacked up within
what I call my personal
world twinkle bleeds
I have seen it before\
in the mirror that
always looks for me.
-




My love sucked
in his throat like
a seed I a joint.
-


A banana leaf
bird brain born
bird brain sebaceous
bird's eye view
is jigger then our.
-


Winter is up to no good
masturbating as spring
becoming me to cast off
my coat and sweaters
and go nude into
back yard and dance as things
turning green yes winter is up
to no good of something.
-



question asked
why is is is
what other song
maybe zs iz iz.
-



Tail along the peak
found a fair man
named man and
he can man me
sexual.
-


O what matter of man
my fancy seeks
what lovely sauce
and stature with
a bit of fat
what size of his contentment
what kind of man relish
my heart with wooing
words and perceived
sexual wants
I know not but
take them as they come
for all black men
are beautiful
under the gracious sun.
-


The natural pain
of a broken heart
the love losted
torn apart
will not be gained
less first love came
such is the way
of the human man..
-


How am I to
win him to my will
within the wilderness
of his silent
silent still
the enduring smile
that he gives
is a fertile ground
from which shall
grow a love that knows
the knowing
I saw him
on the bus]
sitting along
as I passed he looked up
he smile and should I
take this as an invertebrate
to sit beside him and see
up close
the grace of his smile.
-





Five by the knot of grace
no weapons against this love
shall profit
we are wonderful made
in love
this love is the key of avid
this love is a seed
that God gives
the word of our
love is subject
for our appetite
will we be rewarded.
-


A four joint
dine bag
a shift in
the head
looks like I
aint livin life
like I'm dead
toke toke
fills the lungs
water my mind
music exquisite
munches before bed.
-




The older
the colder
old woman
in coat
in summer.
-


The lieutenants that sighs
it've been caught.
-


The same name
to Google me
but O how difference
we all be.
-



Glory be in thunderous
sky torn a sunder
its hands and
light a wet wonder
rudely I stand understand
my man lit by the glow
he bend to the blow
dappled this double
love that we know
and proudly show
out of bliss
he swings his hips
in strict he pump
and slenderly greets me
met me skin to skin
each drop of sweat
on his back]holds a tiny moon
full of light
each night we lay
chest to back
prick to butt
when the stock is dealt
and sex release
and passion born
of our sexual needs
are pleased in the
sun light
our love is warm
and dense with desires
we mingle we sigh
from deeply inside
the clouds cap sized
and dump its load
he explode historical
daughters and sons
teeming in the flow
to rest on my inner thigh
such delight
that I feel
being filled and felt
with sexual will
breath in the breeze
as we drift
into sleep.
-


My brother
let me fill you
with my will
and a smart heart
a rare air after
laughter a light
of the prism’s c;rarity
let me fling my
wordy wings
aloof over
foot hold and root
for what is won
under sun is
loud as a single cloud
free to drop
the melody
of its load on themselves rich and the poor.
-



languished mockery
falls all left but bereft
the piety that be
the gloom of the grave
the sternest phantasies
rules the day
sorrow is honored
in an aerial way
and the cornices corridors
through the halls
is foliage green
with cross flowers
and malign
conquerors of virgins
boys eighteen of years
but they are green
and not to my taste
the mature fluted blow
is more my pleasure.
-

I was flash-blaster
before p t for daring
to be me
I know that
the unit is the key
away from
Geavdosand
what fabulists there be
my brothers
are Oscar mike
by now even
the single-digit midgets
some call me
speed bump
I snafu my mad pad
I tease twerps
and turkey my peeks
I am no Rummy's dummy
I am on yalla
for getting waxed.
-


I am the IR
the Information Retrieval
Boolean bother somely
harvested by Tokenizing words
I have done my linguistic weaponry
to death and still the token attack
I have lived the implementation
of posting lists
like licking the
tongue to taste myself
I have collected
all the documents unit
and indexed all my
determent vocabularies
the tokenization has began
and still the monk as sequence
to its ambiguities.
-



Malcolm X had a revelation
at mecca this shows the power regardless
workin' in a man's life such power is a
dangerous thing when used by other men
who are up to no good John brown
was moved by the same affirmation and
Nat Turner our brother in the life
infused Malcolm who took his turn
hustling the streets
net by defense
name his fearful frown in him
sane as to revolt against slavery this being true
then it is no wonder that black folks
flock to Christians churches and T V
giving away their hard earned cash
to preaches who got it in good with God
as they say the lie of the day
and will pray for you since they along got the ear
pray just for you a little mare
yesterday i got an email
form a white gay student at Indeanna
University calling my work a mixture of Ginsberg Whitman.
-


jazz jasm
spirit spank
popping a nut
jism jizz
jaser teas
jass the heat
the passion
sport as jazz
jazz ball blue
jazz curve
hit new
jazzer
rough jag ball
wobble gives
me the jazz
jazzing me in
nightingale am full
of jazz old as
my ass this jazz
i pf maker
of ebullience spurt
one with the jazzing
of me
jazz that I make
jaz kinda jazz
jessis vigor
jazz is energy
jeism is effervescence
of spirit joy any pep
magnetism and virulent
ebullience toward
courage happiness
of the oh
jazz is enthusiasm
music submerged
it works within
it works within us
blues is jazz and
jazz is blues tinted
jazz put a runty
into the legs
of blues
jass has
the bluest streak
words are
the jazz color
Zi ware
jazz is
bang syncopation
in the tango belt
ny heart beat
is the original
dixieland jass band
jazz is jazbo brown
kazz is jade
jad band jab
jism in them
whorehouse of
storyville
jazz is speed
Charles Parker
breath bloom
like billows
of burning strew
in the church
of the heart
jaz him up
put him in jazz
jazz is janwanza
and jasmine
the prostitutes
perfume jazz
is Jezebel
jazz is improvised
emoting excitement
restlessness of breath
extendability sexual
jazz is a show
of ornamentation
of musical sounds
rhythms colorful
sensations that excites
jazz is fantastic
and grotesque
in its intercourse
jazz was slave
brought from Africa
as a seed the
voodoo jazz seed
zazz is trumpet
tom-boning toy-boys
of the tubas
and Africa drums
as poor as Negroes
jazz escape physical
labor jazz is
creole gumbo
instruments to
our ears
the rhythm and the
scales all African
all Jim crow creoles
jazz gives
European music
practical creativity
and emotional intensity
that they lack
black jazz is poor
jazz is rhythms
like jazz in warm dark
of dick a red
light speculation a suck
a lick up the ass
is jazz jism
riding down my leg
jazz is acceleration
of rhythm without
speeding it up
jazz is an African
strand of rhythm
music overly jass jazz
fucked my ass
you jass man of class
chase the jazz
chasse recherche
l e mate jazz-bo.
-


When the wind is flesh
and a quiet moon bust
the silver asses
will be full of bird's blood
there there and there too
the note on the loan
is raining and due
joust your guises
as if as is ever was
the mites bells
sings just because
they are candelabras
of tongues impossible
migrations of dark people
on the wild track
of my veins within
my arms
when and when again
the waves of aches
crotch and the advances
of once being villages
vigorously swollen the waters
that is my flow to control
swell and attack degradation
procurer raging to a barn
leaving me Puritan
into a new spurn understanding
of things and shifting changes
that make my Settian brothers
to black men exchange
to understand there is a
muscle of a man
Cleo irresistible is his wisdom
elder waiting is his court
the moon's ablution
illuminate earth's
with spiked gold-collar
he flogs the land
into summer still
nature dear nature
re dam again
and leave man's audacity
to burn within
mercy his throat
for his lurk of as lack of
when green things
are caged like
animals of zoos
the dove is made of clay
we are no longer
navel people
no longer drowned moons
nor ancestral fishes
ancestral vibrations
strung ourselves]reaching for what
some god was sent
a men-chile
to save the hierarchies
of fathers and sons
needs to foot stool
their women
you can not take
a crumb of God and
feed the masses
it is all or nothing
the brotherhood of black whole
heatedly lasso the veneration of my
tyrannical inquiries
my pocket full of diggers
of tourniquet torture
after all i am man
a creature unwilling
to face the beast
that he is an optionality
in all things i who raped
myself and I who
pity with my tears and work
my brave meditation
as a germination
licked into your month
tongue to tongue to lay down
i am a race that thirst
and hunger as if
to you was I summoned
to hold my intimate wonder
of the cuts of my wounds
God is the figurehead
but he have no power
man do best what he do
man controls the work \
of the lord
the orchard breaking along
the shores precipitation spits
like a belt of fierce obstinacy
demand of the diggers
the poets only the truth
the sterile stepping
stones ans beings
them here for us human
to see like hangings
the bodies'sweight
of each man from a true
cruelties for tea muzzles
and crumpet dames
the night vigil to guard
the primordial fire
that burns bright it's fermium
in the gulf of rocks
sace the world
of its treasures
save the tongue
for juices
raised your new york
of your birth and
and save the ferocity of horror
wars on the gracious earth
is a street light of squared dears
it's shavings of top soil
full of pestilence
it's fills of unforgettable days
smaller then what
is dissolves of you.
-

Ghost Brigade has set "Until Fear No Longer Defines Us" as the title of the band's forthcoming album, which has been scheduled for an August 19th (August 23rd in North America) release. In order to celebrate the release of "Until Fear No Longer Defines Us," the band will embark on a Finnish tour in September and October. Support for most of the ... Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com

May 4, 2011 - 2:17 pm: CO-OP Restaurant Opening Soon-ish || I just received a rather curious announcement of a new restaurant, to open "soon-ish," in the Hotel on Rivington. The restaurant, called CO-OP, is the creation of the Guerrilla Culinary Brigade. Th... || Go to TheStrongBuzz.com to see the full posting.

Hold off on buying any phone, Verizon subscriber. The PR Brigade at Verizon reached out to the boys at Droid-Life to “share” the upcoming release schedule for some amazing phones, like the DROID X2, the LG Revolution, and the Sony Xperia Play (Playstation Phone). We live in a world of rumors, and every so often, [...]

A non sequitur to start this column: Officials at the Tropicana are planning to use the recently whitened hotel tower facing the Strip as a vast projection screen to promote the entertainment at the hotel. Brad Garrett recently finished his clip for the project, and even his 6-foot-8 inch frame will need substantial visual amplification to be noticed on the refurbished Trop facade.

A few nights ago, Mob Experience frontman Jay Bloom and his associates had some uniquely Vegas fun by playing Rock Band on Xbox and projecting the game on the side of the building. This happened Sunday night, and startled tourists began shooting photos and video of the game being played across about 43,000 square feet of otherwise whitened territory.

This could be a great entertainment feature itself: Rock Band at the Trop. Or, on the Trop.

It just might work.

Onward:

• Before his brief appearance on the red carpet at Chateau at Paris Las Vegas late Saturday/early Sunday, Charlie Sheen stood for an interview in the Chocolate Lounge (which would be a great name for a funk band) at Sugar Factory American Brasserie. Pulling on a cigarette, his eyes darting around the room, Sheen was questioned by Wicked Creative PR ace Stephanie Wilson as part of house coverage of Sheen’s appearance. Talking of Las Vegas, he said, “That whole thing about, ‘What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,’ is not true, if you’re me. What happens in my life is broadcast everywhere, especially if you’re at the friggin’ Palms, where they protect no one. (Pause) That’s all right. I’m just joking. They’re friends.”

They’re friends.

Maybe he was being sarcastic. Seemed like it, at least in part. Or maybe it was just another case of Sheen-like frippery. Whatever, the one-man media brigade appeared to be referring to his most recent trip to Las Vegas, in January, when his exploits at the Palms during the weekend of the AVN Awards (held at Pearl Concert Theater) spilled out of the hotel and were reported in web-ified fashion across the globe. Sheen was reportedly holed up with a trifecta of porn stars, most notably award winner Bree Olson, during the AVN weekend Jan. 8-9.

Officials at the Palms, including hotel owner George Maloof, offered no comment to Sheen’s remarks. Suffice to say the former "Two and a Half Men" star is not booked to host any events at the hotel in the near or distant future.

• The arrest of Flavor Flav on a clutch of outstanding traffic warrants Friday night coincides untidily with his efforts to open an outpost of his House of Flavors fried chicken restaurant at Tropicana. Flav, whose real name is the curiously British-sounding William Jonathan Drayton, was pulled over east of the Strip near Paradise Road and arrested in connection with a series of misdemeanor traffic warrants.

In the days leading up to the arrest, it had been reported by TMZ that Flav/Drayton had “sealed the deal” to open a restaurant and related gift shop at the hotel. Not so. As hotel spokesman Tony Bender said Friday, before Flav’s arrest, and reiterated today, “We do not have a finalized deal in place at this moment.” When asked if Flav’s arrest at all played into talks to open House of Flavors at the hotel, Bender said only, “We’re exploring the opportunity.”

A recent effort by Flav to open a restaurant in Clinton, Iowa, failed after a dispute over operating practices with his business partner. Tough cluck, right?

• Wayne Newton has found a new career in voice-over work, for his role in the new “Hoodwinked Too,” where he's the golden harp named Jimmy Ten-Strings. The movie, which features voice work by Glenn Close, is getting battered about, but Newton is drawing praise because it’s a great performance and, hell, Wayne is such the likable guy.

In the days leading to the film’s release, Wayne and his wife, Kathleen, took an overseas vacation that included a visit to meet Pope Benedict. During the Newtons’ papal tour, the Pope resisted the urge to refer to the Wayner as “Mr. Las Vegas,” and Newton resisted the urge to refer to the Pope as “Mr. Vatican.”

• Belated congratulations to some of my favorite entertainers and individuals in all of VegasVille, Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns, for induction into the new Las Vegas Rock and Roll Reunion Hall of Fame. The band was honored Sunday at Henderson Pavilion, where its original lineup (or, close to it) reassembled to jam and laugh and kick it up. The Rock and Roll Reunion organization is just 2 years old, but rewarding this band is a great place to start dealing the awards. Santa Fe continues to blow the roof off the Lounge at the Palms each Monday night, 10:30 is the start time, in one of the city’s great live showcases.

• Speaking of greatness and live performance, the recently revived Composers’ Showcase was held for the second time since it was moved from the Liberace Museum to Creative Studios on 6415 S. Tenaya Way, Suite 140. It’s where Cockroach Theatre, among other local production troupes, holds their performances. Driven by “Jersey Boys” music director Keith Thompson and “Le Reve” music director Michael Brennan, the 5-year-old event still rocks. Highlights from Thursday included the esteemed Vita Corimbi (of “Menopause the Musical” and, on occasion, Killian’s Angels) and the Yucca Mountain String Band. The event will take about a 6-week hiatus while Thompson focuses on his parody musical, “Idaho,” which has been sampled repeatedly during the Showcase’s five-year run. We’ll keep tabs on this event, which has long served as one of the best hangs in the city.

• Former “Jersey Boys” cast member Erich Bergen surfaced a couple of weeks ago in a most unexpected way: in a bit role on “Desperate Housewives.” The clip is linked to this blog. Bergen is working with producer Adam Epstein (who produced “Hairspray” on Broadway) on a TV project, and his new CD is titled “Vegas Sessions.” On May 18 and 25, he is hosting shows at Los Angeles’ Barre Theater, inviting some of his former cast mates in “Jersey Boys” to appear and sing and reunite. A blurb on the promotional flier for the show quotes from the Los Angeles Times: “His charisma feeds off the spotlight, with his lanky good looks and vibrant intensity.” If nothing else, it’s good to know Bergen is still keeping in shape.

• Lior Suchard is back at the Lounge at the Palms (I swear, it is coincidental that so many of my collected notes are from the Palms). On April 28, the popular mentalist -- and there is no more a coveted title -- started an 8-week run at the hotel.

Before his return to Las Vegas, Suchard fronted a sold-out tour of Russia, reportedly playing to audiences surpassing 2,000. He also stopped in London to play a private event for the Royal Family. And if you don’t resist, he will be happy to bend your glasses.

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow "Kats With the Dish" at twitter.com/KatsWithTheDish.

• Most people don't grasp the connection between energy efficiency and climate change
• Trewin Restorick argues that more physical and interactive forms of communication are required

In its recent report, Buying Into It, the CBI concluded that business is using the wrong language to persuade customers to make greener choices. This could be hindering low-carbon growth. The current value of the UK market for low-carbon goods and environmental services is more than £112bn, and government anticipates a future growth rate of 5% per year over the next decade. Clearly, it is in business's interest to get consumers more actively engaged.

Are we using the right language?

The report concludes that two conversations are taking place. Policy makers and business leaders are fluent in the language of carbon impact and footprints, but the general public is not. The report's research showed that nearly half of those surveyed could see the link between low carbon and climate change, but less than a third could identify a link between climate change and energy efficiency. Clearly, there is a massive discordance in the debate

I have lost count of the number of discussions I have had where the problem of how to describe green issues in a way that is compelling, accurate and relevant has been discussed. The all-encompassing term sustainability neatly pulls together environmental, social and financial components, but the very breadth of its meaning brings problems. Sustainability has become a catch-all statement which organisations can chuck on to anything to bring about a vague feeling of acceptability. But what exactly is a sustainable airport development strategy?

Given the ubiquity of the word and its different uses, it is hardly surprising that most people cannot understand or connect with the concept. In vain, other words and descriptions have been sought: green still has connotations of the knit-your-own yoghurt brigade; environment is often perceived as too distant and remote.

The other choices are even worse. For example, the recent Start Jam suggested other toe-curling possibilities: planet champions, green gods, utopia and guardians of the planet were all presented as options.

Connecting with people

The problem of how best to help people connect with the huge and abstract issues of carbon and climate is one that has been close to Global Action Plan's heart for more than 18 years. The core of virtually every conversation we have with organisations is how can we convey this message in a way that is business-relevant, engaging, immediate and real?

Our conclusion is that words are not enough. A more physical and interactive form of communication is needed to cut through everyday noise. This communication works best if it is created by the organisation and is directly relevant to their needs.

Great companies, great campaigns

For our Environment Champions initiative with Investec, we worked with a committed group of volunteers at the company to examine how much office waste was being sent to landfill. Trawling through the bins showed that Investec's extensive recycling facilities were not being used as they should be.

The team created a huge paper box tower representing the amount of paper thrown away in a two-week period and put it in the middle of Investec's communal atrium and restaurant area. All employees were confronted with a stark visual representation of the waste that their everyday routines created. The iconic tower was used as the stimulus for a hard-hitting internal communications campaign which resulted in a 28% reduction in waste.

The strength of internally generated, interactive communication campaigns is that they fit with the culture and values of the organisation. For example, the communication style of MTV was reflected in their Green Tongues campaign. Employees were rewarded for environmental change with a green lolly, which gave each of them a garish green tongue. They could then challenge their colleagues to take similar action by sticking their colourful tongues out at them.

Could you power your own kettle?

Sometimes, organisations need support creating the level of interactivity they crave. To help them we have a series of portable torture units called the Carbon Gym which travel around the country accompanied by our educators. We've got an Energy Bike and a Carbon Rower, where people use their own strength to power their iPods and other devices.

With the Energy Bike, people have to use their legs to power different electronic devices. This physical connection quickly demonstrates the amount of energy used to power the computer monitor they have carelessly left on over lunchtime. It's always a shock for people to see how much more energy is required to power an inefficient light bulb compared to an efficient one. When we tell them that at least 10 more bikes would be required to power a kettle, that leads to a discussion about over-filling kettles and how much energy is required to heat anything .

Our Carbon Gym has been hugely successful at engaging staff, but could these displays also work to engage customers? For example, the CBI research found that only 26% of people put the cost of running a washing machine into their top three purchasing priorities.

To date, Global Action Plan has not seen much interest from companies in translating the techniques that are proven to work with employees to their customers as well. Our limited experiences have been highly successfully. At the request of property managers, our teams of youth volunteers have gone to car parks of major shopping centres and pumped car tyres up to the correct level, saving shoppers money on their fuel bills and carbon.

Our EcoDriving simulators were used in a competition at a major motor show to find the greenest driver. The prize was a set of energy-efficient tyres. Queues formed rapidly, giving us a great opportunity to talk about fuel-efficient driving. The event gave thousands of people real experience of greener driving techniques.

There is no reason why companies can't use these communication techniques directly to their customers. For example, we have a simple set of scales which helps people see the relative carbon intensity of beef, lamb and poultry. A pair of doll's houses heated by hair dryers shows how much energy and money is lost through poor insulation. The energy bike could easily be linked to different electrical appliances in stores, helping customers make more informed choices.

In our opinion, the techniques and tools are in place; companies just need to be brave enough to take the plunge and help consumers to make the connection that will help unleash the potential of the low-carbon economy.

Trewin Restorick is chief executive of Global Action Plan

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Arianna Ascione of Musica Metal conducted an interview with singer Freddy Cricien of New York hardcore legends MADBALL when the band played at Alcatraz Club, Milano, Italy on April 27, 2011 during the Loud And Proud Festival with DROPKICK MURPHYS, H2O, ANDEAD and DEVIL'S BRIGADE.

The spokesman of Fatah's military wing has denied issuing a statement mourning Osama bin Laden's death

(Scott)

Jeffrey Golberg notes that the Al-Aksa Martyr's Brigade, affiliated with the Fatah movement of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, has put out this statement on the death of bin Laden. In an update Goldberg notes that the statement may "not represent the official position of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade; I have e-mails out looking for confirmation."

Perhaps the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade will have an "official position" that says something different for foreign consumption, which is the tack taken by the Muslim Brotherhood. In any event, here is the text of the statement quoted by Goldberg, translated by by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik:

The [military wing of Fatah] Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades announced the death of Sheikh Osama bin Laden (Abu Abdallah), and said that if bin Laden had indeed died as a Shahid (Martyr), this would not deter the resistance fighters from the path of Jihad against injustice, oppression and occupation in the world.

In their announcement, a copy of which reached MAAN [private Palestinian news agency], the [Al-Aqsa Martyrs'] Brigades said: "The Islamic nation awoke to a catastrophe the reports of the Shahid - (Martyr-) death of the Sheikh, Jihad-fighter Osama bin Laden, in a treacherous manner, by the gangs of the heretics and those who stray."

They continued: "The path irrigated with the blood of its leaders is the path of victory, Allah willing. If Abu Abdallah [Bin Laden] was killed, then he merited the Shahada (Death for Allah) which he had sought, and inscribed with his blood the landmarks of Jihad, leaving behind an entire generation that follows the path of Sheikh Osama."

They said: "The military wings of the Jihad fighters in Palestine and outside of it, who have in the past lost many of their commanders and their men, will not stop. This has only strengthened their determination, their resolve and their loyalty to theirShahids (Martyrs), who have turned their words into a reality testifying to their honesty, and which in fact bolsters the drive and the strength of their brothers on the path to victory or Shahdada (Death for Allah)."

The announcement continued: "We say to the American and Israeli occupier: the [Islamic] nation which produced leaders who changed the course of history through their Jihad and their endurance, is a nation that is capable of supplying an abundance of new blood into the arteries of the resistance and is capable of restoring the glory of Islam and the flag of Allahs oneness, Allah willing."

Marcus and Zilberdik drily observe: "Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is the chairman of the Fatah movement, whose military wing released this statement."

Upscale restaurant in Portland seeks an energetic person with experience working in an upscale kitchen/environment.

Qualifications:

+ Very flexible with schedule and able to work all shifts

+ Hotel restaurant experience a plus

+ Lead by example and implement all procedures

+ Pastry experience a plus

+ Manage all team members to ensure productivity and complete organization within the kitchen.

+ Motivate and promote positive behavior within the team.

+ Communicate effectively within the kitchen and other departments.

+ Create new dishes and evolve the menu development.

+ Control all kitchen costs and achieve the set budgets.

+ Work calm under pressure showing alertness, vigilance whilst taking the initiative.

+ Work towards the kitchen and business objectives.

+ Encourage and develop individual skills whilst contributing to any training needs in the kitchen.

+ Create and implement new systems within the kitchen to increase efficiency and productivity.

+ Manage labor within or below the budget

+ Be proactive in self development and development of all members of the kitchen brigade.

+ Promote the image of our company as a professional organization.

+ Assist with maintaining the standards within the restaurant.

+ Comply with all Company Policies and legal requirements with special reference to Health and Safety.



The company offers great benefits for full time employees after ninety days. Please reply to this posting to submit your cover letter and resume for consideration.

• Location: Portland, OR
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

DES MOINES, Iowa — A truck delivering hydrogen to the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in eastern Iowa has exploded, sending the driver to a local hospital.

A statement from Duane Arnold says the incident, which happened early Tuesday afternoon, has posed no threat to the public or the plant.

The company says the facility continues to operate safely.

Duane Arnold, which is located near Palo just outside of Cedar Rapids, says its internal fire brigade and local firefighters responded to the…

armytimes.com - By Colin Kelly - May. 03 (News) - Another soldier, Spc. William Baxter, a parachute rigger with the 101st Sustainment Brigade, was more succinct with his thoughts. “OK, he’s dead, can we go home?” he asked.

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American and even Swedish media (SVD.se, GP.se) is making a big thing about Obamas ability to follow the hunt-down of OBL using mobile real-time video.

From CNN.com

The White House and Central Intelligence Agency didn't have access to a live audio feed, but they were able to tap other communications, a U.S. official told CNN. There was some live video, though the official declined to elaborate on the nature of that footage.

It is always interesting when the mobile live video over and over again is presented as a kind of science-fiction technology. Its not. Our friends at the Fire brigade in Gothenburg has been live-streaming from response operations since nov 2008. The small and yet functional prototype used back then did over time transform into a commercial service.

What is still a bit surprising is the lack of low-cost head-mounted cameras that have integrated SIM-card/mobile broadband capability so the camera can live-stream the video over public cell-phone networks to remote settings. When this device is available on the market, one could envision a very fast adoption of live-video use in professional work context.

The work of making mobile video from emergency response operations continues with some interesting explorations of geo-temporal traversing. There are so many fascinating visualizations that are now possible to do when we combine live video with footage from the same location but from a different location in time. This geo-temporal traversing is possible when we combine high quality video with data from commercial spatial data services.

La Brigade de répression de la délinquance contre la personne agissait suite à la plainte contre X déposée, par Christine Ockrent, directrice générale déléguée de l'AEF, pour "harcèlement moral".

Spc. Robert Boettner, 31st Chemical Brigade, Northport, Ala., carries a child’s bike from the rubble in the Crescent Ridge area in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Many families lost everything during the tornado and little discoveries like this bike that still works helps them to hold on to hope. Photo by Spc. Katherine Dowd Alabama National Guard soldiers responded quickly and proficiently in response to Governor Robert Bentley’s mobilization of the Alabama National Guard this week. The Guardsmen were mobilized to provide emergency assistance to areas of Alabama that were affected by the tornado Wednesday. Tuscaloosa, Ala., is one of the hardest hit areas in the state, and soldiers from the 31st Chemical Brigade in Northport, Ala., are some of the troops assisting with the cleanup. The Crescent Ridge area of Tuscaloosa is almost unrecognizable. Houses are leveled, trailers are torn to pieces, personal belongings are scattered about and trees are uprooted. The devastation is ...

La Brigade de répression de la délinquance contre la personne agissait suite à la plainte contre X déposée, par Christine Ockrent, directrice générale déléguée de l'AEF, pour "harcèlement moral".

Fires caused by unseasonably warm weather and careless campers have contributed to a potential disaster for Ireland's bogs and forests.

That was a hive, referee! The Brazilian Goiania state championship match between Vila Nova and Goias was delayed for 20 minutes when hundreds of bees decided to convert a crossbar into a hive. The fire brigade was called in to tackle the invasion. Although they initially used an extinguisher, it was a flaming torch that [...]

U.S. Army Pfc. Aaron Birmingham, an infantryman with 1st Platoon, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, from Alpena, Mich., keeps on eye on a wadi in Andar, Afghanistan, April 21. The area is known as a Taliban stronghold and is where the unit received small arms fire earlier in the month. (Photo by: Staff Sgt. Andrew Guffey)

U.S. Army Pfc. Aaron Birmingham, an infantryman with 1st Platoon, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Duke, from Alpena, Mich., keeps on eye on a wadi in Andar, Afghanistan, April 21. The area is known as a Taliban stronghold and is where the unit received small arms fire earlier in the month. (Photo by: Staff Sgt. Andrew Guffey)

In victory, war on terror continues Twin Falls Times-News Idahoans continue to serve on two fronts: Afghanistan and Iraq. Today, about 1500 Idaho Army National Guard soldiers with the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team still serve in Iraq on a deployment expected to last through the fall. ... and more »

I was just wondering what would have happened if Islamic terrorist Laden was killed in India. The media would have gleefully blamed it on Sangh Parivar, Narendra Modi and rising Hindu communalism. The Human Rights brigade would have screamed about fake encounter and State brutalities. Arguments would be made that poor Muslims are not safe [...]