Archive for November 16th, 2006
Funny, he’s advertised on several major progressive blogs. I know we all need to support ourselves….but ya gotta draw the line somewhere!
On the November 14 edition of his CNN Headline News program, Glenn Beck interviewed Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN), who became the first Muslim ever elected to Congress on November 7, and asked Ellison if he could “have five minutes here where we’re just politically incorrect and I play the cards up on the table.” After Ellison agreed, Beck said: “I have been nervous about this interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, ‘Sir, prove to me that you are not working with our enemies.’ ” Beck added: “I’m not accusing you of being an enemy, but that’s the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way.”
Read more at Media Matters
Maybe there’s hope……
Gearing up for a major clash with the Bush administration and Republicans in Congress, several key Senate Democrats are planning to overhaul the newly minted legislation governing military tribunals of detainees.
Even before it was signed into the law last month, Democrats were criticizing the military commission bill as unconstitutional and a magnet or endless legal challenges.
Defense lawyers working on behalf of military detainees at Guantanamo Bay quickly filed suits with the U.S. District Court challenging the constitutionality of the tribunal bill because it suspends the writ of habeas corpus, a court order that would allow detainees to have the legality of their detention reviewed in court to determine whether they should be released from custody.
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who is running for president and who, come January, will be the second ranking Democrat on the International Relations Committee, introduced legislation today that would amend the existing law.
Read more at The Hill
What has become of all these victims?
By Becky Bohrer, Associated Press Writer | November 16, 2006
NEW ORLEANS –Hearings began Thursday on whether the city should seize or demolish hundreds of buildings damaged in Hurricane Katrina that are still in disrepair.
City leaders say that the empty, heavily damaged houses that dot some of New Orleans’ worst-hit neighborhoods are impeding recovery and that they hope the hearings will spur property owners to begin repairs.
Housing inspectors began canvassing neighborhoods in August — a year after the storm hit — looking for damaged or derelict buildings.
Of the 8,500 properties inspected thus far, 1,020 have been deemed blighted or public nuisances and referred for administrative hearings, said Brenda Breaux, chief deputy city attorney for housing. She said some neighborhoods haven’t yet been inspected.
More here
God Bless the Child/Now Baby or Never
Billie Holiday & Count Basie
Now we’re talkin old school! 
An article by Helen Thomas. God love the woman! She’ll be at the Miami Book Fair this weekend, and I’m hoping to get there and get a copy of her book signed!
By HELEN THOMAS
HEARST NEWSPAPERS
WASHINGTON — The mid-term elections sounded the requiem for the group of neoconservatives who helped design the disastrous U.S. invasion of Iraq.
It’s over for them and their big dreams of pre-emptive wars and conquest of the Middle East. If anything, this group has left America weakened by the tragic military misadventure in Iraq. They convinced President Bush it would be a “cakewalk” to invade and occupy Iraq but it has turned out otherwise. Those power-driven ideologues have learned that the price for their dream was high — too high.
So much for their calamitous “Project for A New American Century,” which laid out the agenda to transform several Arab nations to their liking. It also meant sending Americans to kill and die for reasons yet to be explained by the president.
The neocons now blame a dysfunctional Bush administration — not their own ignorance of the history of the Arab world. They have belatedly learned that Iraqis — like any other people — will fight any foreign invader and occupier. History would have shown them that overcoming an insurgency in the form of internal resistance has been a losing proposition. Look at the experiences of such high-powered nations as the U.S. in Vietnam, the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and the French in Algeria.
More here
May they rot in hell, one and all, including Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and all the enabling congressmen/women who refused to do anything about it.
WASHINGTON — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has upgraded its initial inquiry into a “full-fledged criminal investigation” of former congressman Mark Foley’s reported communications with teenage boys, a spokesperson told Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers today.
“We were until recently conducting a preliminary investigation,” said Kristen Perezluha, an FDLE spokesperson. “Now we are conducting a full-fledged criminal investigation.”
Perezluha added that the agency had probable cause to continue with the investigation.
“Usually we establish if there is factual and credible information to start looking at it for criminal violations,” Perezluha added. “We’ve been assisting the FBI.”
Read more at the Sun Sentinel
WASHINGTON –Pentagon guidelines that classified homosexuality as a mental disorder now put it among a list of conditions or “circumstances” that range from bed-wetting to fear of flying.
The new rules are related to the military’s retirement practices. The change does not affect the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that prohibits officials from inquiring about the sex lives of service members and requires discharges of those who openly acknowledge being gay.
The revision came in response to criticism this year when it was discovered that the guidelines listed homosexuality alongside mental retardation and personality disorders.
Mental health professionals said Thursday they were not satisfied by the change.
Continue reading at Boston.com
L.A. Investigating Alleged Patient Dumping
Los Angeles
Authorities are examining a surveillance tape that shows an elderly woman wandering Skid Row in a hospital gown and slippers as they investigate the practice of hospitals and police agencies dumping homeless people downtown.
 Carol Ann Reyes, 63, of Gardena, was taken from a Kaiser Permanente hospital in Bellflower on Monday to the downtown area known as Skid Row, authorities said.
A surveillance camera outside the Union Rescue Mission showed Reyes walking from the direction of a taxi that had just driven away. She wandered the street for about three minutes before a mission staff member brought her inside.
City officials have been looking into the alleged dumping of homeless people in Skid Row, a ramshackle area downtown.
Several hospitals have acknowledged that they put some discharged indigent patients with nowhere else to go into taxicabs headed to the area because it offers a chance for getting services and shelter. Los Angeles police also are investigating whether other law enforcement agencies dump people without anywhere else to go downtown.
“We have been looking into homeless dumping for some time, and this (tape) gives us another example of what has been going on,” said Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the city attorney’s office.continue reading
Hospital Faces Skid Row Dumping Charges
Los Angeles
In an unprecedented crackdown on a practice experts say is shamefully common around the country, a major hospital chain was accused by prosecutors Thursday of ridding itself of a homeless patient by dumping her on crime-plagued Skid Row.
A surveillance camera at a rescue mission recorded the demented 63- year-old woman wandering around the streets in a hospital gown and slippers last March.
In announcing the criminal and civil charges, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo said a Kaiser Permanente hospital put the woman in a taxi and sent her to the neighborhood even though she had serious, untreated health problems.
“Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, part of Kaiser Permanente, the largest HMO in the nation, will be held accountable for violating state law, its commitment to its patients, its obligations under the Hippocratic oath, and perhaps most importantly, principles of common decency,” Delgadillo said.
No U.S. hospital has ever been prosecuted on criminal charges of patient-dumping, said President Bush’s homelessness czar, Philip F. Mangano.
Mangano, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, said patient dumping is a widespread practice. “We need to hold hospitals accountable, but also work with them to resolve these issues,” he said.
Kaiser’s Bellflower hospital, which discharged the woman, is among 10 Los Angeles-area hospitals under investigation on suspicion of discharging homeless patients onto the streets instead of into the custody of a relative or shelter.
The legal actions filed against Kaiser late Wednesday included criminal charges of false imprisonment and dependent adult endangerment, and civil claims involving the treatment of patients and laws on discharging them.
continue reading
Stem cell injections worked remarkably well at easing symptoms of muscular dystrophy in a group of golden retrievers, a result that experts call a significant step toward treating people.
 “It’s a great breakthrough for all of us working on stem cells for muscular dystrophy,” said researcher Johnny Huard of the University of Pittsburgh, who wasn’t involved in the work.
Sharon Hesterlee, vice president of translational research at the Muscular Dystrophy Association, called the result one of the most exciting she’s seen in her eight years with the organization. Her organization helped pay for the work.
She stressed that it’s not yet clear whether such a treatment would work in people, but said she had “cautious optimism” about it.
continue reading
Sounds great, huh? A quick read of the article could lead one to believe that the research is for the benefit of dogs as well as for humans.
Here’s a question for you:
To do the research, where do they get these dogs with muscular dystrophy?
Here’s the answer:
They create them.
Genetic modification of animals to study disease. Transgenic animals have specific genes inserted, modified or removed, with the aim of modelling a specific condition. The aim of these models may be to exactly mimic a known single gene disorder, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy or albinism, then use the model to investigate novel ways it may be treated. Other models are generated to approximate complex, multifactorial disease with a genetic component, such as cancer or Alzheimer’s disease, then investigate how and why the disease develops.
source
We focus on very young (1-2 months old), clinically asymptomatic dogs, as it can be expected that early infiltration of donor-derived muscle cells, before the onset of irreversible fibrosis and necrosis, may prevent or ameliorate clinical symptoms. E.g., we will investigate whether stem cell transplantation results in infiltration of donor derived cells in cardiac and skeletal muscle and whether skeletal and cardiac functions improve after transplantation. The kinetics of the infiltration of donor-derived cells will be studied by sequential analysis in transplanted dogs. If our studies show that stem cell transplantation can diminish the disease pattern in DMD dogs, a clinical study to the effect of stem cell transplantation in patients with DMD may be initiated. In addition, the model for stem cell transplantation in very young dogs may be extended to study the role of genetically modified, autologous stem cells, in which a functional copy of the dystrophin gene is being expressed. In the pilot year of the project, an experimental set-up for stem cell transplantation in very young, healthy non-DMD dogs (less than 2 months of age) will be developed.
source
“Transgenic animals”
“Model”
“Experimental setup”
These words sound as benign as “collateral damage.”
PETA Presents: Testing…One, Two, Three
Senate Democrats rewarded Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) yesterday for his success as chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) by giving him a specially created leadership position.
In return for the new title of vice chairman of the caucus, which ranks third among Democratic leaders, Schumer has agreed to serve another two years as chairman of the Senate Democratic fundraising committee.
Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) announced after a closed-door meeting of the Democratic caucus yesterday that Democrats had created the new position, which puts Schumer below only Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the incoming majority whip, and Reid, but means he outranks the Democratic conference secretary.
Though Reid will not formally take over as Senate majority leader until January, he has already reshaped the leadership. In addition to Schumer’s new job, Reid created two other posts to foster better relations between elected leaders and committee chairmen.
More on the Senate here
Hoyer wins bid for House leadership position……. Breaking
Month Summary Chart
Date Total Name Place of Death - Province Cause of Death
16-Nov-2006 0 | US: 0 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
15-Nov-2006 3 | US: 3 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Diyala province Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Diyala province Hostile - hostile fire - IED
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Diyala province Hostile - hostile fire - IED
14-Nov-2006 7 | US: 7 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Baghdad Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Baghdad (northern part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Baghdad (northwest part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire
US Lance Corporal Timothy W. Brown Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire - IED
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire
13-Nov-2006 2 | US: 2 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Baghdad Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Baghdad Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
12-Nov-2006 6 | US: 2 | UK: 4 | Other: 0
US Private 1st Class Harry A. Winkler III Samarra - Salah ad Din Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Lieutenant Michael A. Cerrone Samarra - Salah ad Din Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
UK Marine Jay Hylton Basra (Shatt Al-Arab waterway) - Basrah Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
UK Corporal Ben Nowak Basra (Shatt Al-Arab waterway) - Basrah Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
UK Warrant Officer Class 2 Lee Hopkins Basra (Shatt Al-Arab waterway) - Basrah Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
UK Staff Sergeant Sharron Elliott Basra (Shatt Al-Arab waterway) - Basrah Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
11-Nov-2006 3 | US: 3 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US Staff Sergeant Misael Martinez Ramadi - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Staff Sergeant William Samuel Jackson II Ramadi - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Sergeant Angel De Jesus Lucio Ramirez Ramadi - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
10-Nov-2006 3 | US: 1 | UK: 0 | Other: 2
SLO Sergeant 1st Class Rastislav Neplech Al Kut - Wasit Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
POL Sierzant (sergeant) Tomasz Murkowski Al Kut - Wasit Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US NAME NOT RELEASED YET Hadithah (west of) - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
09-Nov-2006 5 | US: 5 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US Sergeant 1st Class Rudy A. Salcido Baghdad Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Lance Corporal Kristopher C. Warren Al Anbar Province Non-hostile
US Sergeant Bryan Burgess Fallujah - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire
US Sergeant Courtland A. Kennard Baghdad (western part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Staff Sergeant Gregory W. G. McCoy Baghdad (western part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
08-Nov-2006 0 | US: 0 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
07-Nov-2006 2 | US: 2 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US Staff Sergeant Richwell A. Doria Kirkuk - At-Ta’mim Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire
US Lance Corporal Ryan T. McCaughn Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire
06-Nov-2006 4 | US: 3 | UK: 1 | Other: 0
UK Kingsman (private) Jamie Lee Hancock Basra - Basrah Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire
US Sergeant Lucas T. White Baghdad (northwest of) Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire
US Chief Warrant Officer John R. Priestner Balad - Salah ad Din Non-hostile - helicopter crash
US Chief Warrant Officer Miles P. Henderson Balad - Salah ad Din Non-hostile - helicopter crash
05-Nov-2006 2 | US: 2 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US Specialist Douglas C. Desjardins Ramadi - Anbar Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Corporal Jose A. Galvan Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
04-Nov-2006 3 | US: 3 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US Corporal Kyle W. Powell Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire
US 2nd Lieutenant Mark C. Gelina Al Anbar Province Non-hostile
US Specialist James L. Bridges Baghdad (western part) Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire
02-Nov-2006 8 | US: 8 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US Lieutenant Colonel Paul J. Finken Baghdad (eastern part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Lieutenant Colonel Eric J. Kruger Baghdad (eastern part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Staff Sergeant Joseph A. Gage Baghdad (eastern part) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Lance Corporal James Brown Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire - small arms fire
US Staff Sergeant Jason D. Whitehouse Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Corporal Michael H. Lasky Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Lance Corporal Luke B. Holler Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Private Michael P. Bridges Taji - Salah ad Din Non-hostile
01-Nov-2006 3 | US: 3 | UK: 0 | Other: 0
US Lance Corporal Minhee Kim Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire
US Corporal Gary A. Koehler Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire
US Kevin J. Ellenburg Baghdad (west of) Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
Total 51 | US: 44 | UK: 5 | Other: 2
Source
Pets: They bring happiness to your life. They offer unconditional love and happiness. If you can, I highly reccomend getting yourself as many pets as you think you can handle. I got these kittens from a feral colony nearby where I used to live. They were four weeks old and likely would not have survived the winter on their own. Now they are eight weeks and happy as can be.
I have paid out almost $200 in vet bills but they are so worth it! Going to a local animal shelter or contacting your local Humane Society is a great way to give a loving animal a home. Often they have already been treated for various ailments and you can avoid the vet bills I had. Don’t wait! Do it today!
(this is my first youtube video! It’s so easy to do)
Staff and agencies
Thursday November 16, 2006
Guardian Unlimited
A US marine has been sentenced to 18 months’ jail in a Californian military court over his role in the kidnapping and murder of an Iraqi man in April.
The sentence of John Jodka III was reduced yesterday after he pleaded guilty to his part in the killing of Hashim Ibrahim Awad, 52, in Hamandiya, west of Baghdad. The military judge in the case, Lieutenant Colonel David Jones, said five years in prison and a dishonourable discharge were appropriate, but due to a “very fortuitous pre-trial agreement”, the sentence was reduced.
More at Guardian Unlimited
By ANDREW TAYLOR
Associated Press Writer
Posted November 16 2006, 10:25 AM EST
WASHINGTON — Nancy Pelosi was unanimously chosen by Democrats Thursday to be speaker of the House, becoming the first woman ensured the job that constitutionally is second in line of succession to the presidency.
Even as Pelosi was enjoying her finest hour politically, her fellow Democrats remained divided by a family feud over whom to select as her top lieutenant.
Pelosi officially takes the post in January, succeeding Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert, when the House convenes in formally elects her in the next session of Congress.
Source here
I’ll tell ya what…..you couldn’t get me on a cruise ship. Too many people get weird illnesses…..and if that don’t get ya, there’s always the possibility you might disappear!
By the time Carnival Cruise Lines‘ Liberty pulls into Port Everglades this weekend from a transatlantic voyage, more than 700 people on board will have been afflicted with a highly contagious, stomach flu-like illness that appears to be norovirus, the cruise line said Wednesday.
The outbreak could be the largest reported in recent years by the cruise industry.
“It’s impossible for now to say what the source is,” said David Forney, chief of the cruise ship sanitation program at the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He said it’s likely passengers brought the virus with them when they boarded and it spread from there, but U.S. inspectors will look at whether food or water contributed to the outbreak.
More at the Sun Sentinel
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