Clipmarks | finifinito's clips

Hotel Blast in Pakistan Kills 40

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 23:20:06 GMT

clipped by: finifinito

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- A suicide truck bombing destroyed the packed Marriott Hotel, near the Parliament building and the prime minister's home, in the city of Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday night.

The attack killed at least 40 people and wounded another 200, police said.

People were still trapped in the hotel, which burst into flames after the explosion caused a natural gas pipe leak, officials said.

Details and the number of fatalities are still unclear because of conflicting initial reports. One or two vehicles was involved in the attack.

The gas leak set the top floor of the five-story, 258-room hotel on fire, police said, and the blaze quickly engulfed the entire structure.

The Marriott, a Western brand-name hotel, has been the site of attacks in the past, said CNN's Peter Bergen. See where the attack occurred »

Pakistani security officials collect evidence from the estimated 10-meter (33-foot)-deep crater at the Marriott Hotel on Saturday.

Bu$h's Ba$e Bags Bailout

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:10:02 GMT

clipped by: finifinito
clipper's remarks: Socialize the risk, privatize the profits. This is the new social capitalism we hear so much about. Funny, it used to be called crony capitalism.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Ben S. Bernanke, the chairman of the Federal Reserve, at the Capitol on Tuesday for a meeting with Congressional leaders on the rescue plan for American International Group.

WASHINGTON — Fearing a financial crisis worldwide, the Federal Reserve reversed course on Tuesday and agreed to an $85 billion bailout that would give the government control of the troubled insurance giant American International Group.

The decision, only two weeks after the Treasury took over the federally chartered mortgage finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, is the most radical intervention in private business in the central bank’s history.

With time running out after A.I.G. failed to get a bank loan to avoid bankruptcy, Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. and the Fed chairman Ben S. Bernanke convened a meeting with House and Senate leaders on Capitol Hill about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to explain the rescue plan.

Tags: crony capitalism, bailout, aig, fed, ben bernanke, robert paulson, wall street, fiscal crisis, greater depression

Don't "Give A Give A Give A Garmin"

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:05:16 GMT

clipped by: finifinito
clipper's remarks: (h/t Indiana Law Blog)

I'm a lover of all things that are gadgets, and GPS toys are a favorite of mine, but this article discusses the use of GPS data from a defendant's Garmin device. Eric Hanson had evidence introduced by prosecutors in his murder trial was used to pinpoint his location on the morning of the crime. Score one for the prosecutors on this front.

I suspect we will begin to see more of this sooner rather than later. GPS chips are installed on all new cell phones now. My new phone I recently picked up has builtin GPS navigation software which is brilliant, but knowing that the boys at the NSA's Fort Meade, MD SIGINT farm can pinpoint my location anytime they want is kind of scary.

Clip Source: indianalawblog.com

Law - "Police Using G.P.S. Units as Evidence in Crimes"

That is the headline to this AP article published today in the NY Times. Some quotes:

Like millions of motorists, Eric Hanson used a Global Positioning System device in his Chevrolet TrailBlazer to find his way around. He probably did not expect that prosecutors would use it, too — to help convict him of killing four family members.

Prosecutors in suburban Chicago analyzed data from the Garmin G.P.S. device to pinpoint where Mr. Hanson had been on the morning after his parents were fatally shot and his sister and brother-in-law bludgeoned to death in 2005. He was convicted of the killings this year and sentenced to death.

Mr. Hanson’s trial was among recent criminal cases in which the authorities used such navigation devices to help establish a defendant’s whereabouts. Experts say such evidence will almost certainly become more common in court as the systems become more affordable and show up in more vehicles. * * *

Tags: gps, garmin, eric hanson, law

Massive police raids on suspected protestors in Minneapolis

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:31:46 GMT

clipped by: finifinito
clipper's remarks: The hammer is coming down in Minneapolis in advance of the Republican National Convention. Unlike Denver which saw no protests to speak of, RNCC is expecting trouble.

My friend Jane Hamsher and Glenn Greenwald are covering activities by the various local and federal police agencies working in concert together to disrupt the protestors in advance of the convention.

Clip Source: www.salon.com

Massive police raids on suspected protestors in Minneapolis

Protesters here in Minneapolis have been targeted by a series of highly intimidating, sweeping police raids across the city, involving teams of 25-30 officers in riot gear, with semi-automatic weapons drawn, entering homes of those suspected of planning protests, handcuffing and forcing them to lay on the floor, while law enforcement officers searched the homes, seizing computers, journals, and political pamphlets. Last night, members of the St. Paul police department and the Ramsey County sheriff's department handcuffed, photographed and detained dozens of people meeting at a public venue to plan a demonstration, charging them with no crime other than "fire code violations," and early this morning, the Sheriff's department sent teams of officers into at least four Minneapolis area homes where suspected protesters were staying.

UPDATE: Here is the first of the videos, from the house that had just been raided:

[Video]

Tags: police state america, protests, rncc, 2008, minneapolis

Feds, Indy Reach Deal To End Diversity Oversight

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:46:29 GMT

clipped by: finifinito

Clip Source: www.theindychannel.com

Feds, Indy Reach Deal To End Diversity Oversight

Judge Must Approve Agreement

INDIANAPOLIS -- Public safety officials have struck a deal to end federal oversight of racial and gender diversity within city's police and fire departments.

If approved by a federal judge, Friday's agreement with the U.S. Justice Department still would require the city to report hiring and promotions statistics to the federal government for two years.

Republican Mayor Greg Ballard's administration plans to meet soon with the police and fire unions to discuss changes in promotions and creating regular performance reviews.

Until then, the city will rely on existing promotions lists.

"People have the right to expect that in the police department and fire department, people will be evaluated in their job, that those evaluations will matter, and that the best people will be promoted to positions of supervision," Public Safety Director Scott Newman said.

Tags: justice department, city of indianapolis, ifd, impd, affirmative action, diversity

State files lawsuit against Countrywide

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:44:03 GMT

clipped by: finifinito

Clip Source: www.wishtv.com

State files lawsuit against Countrywide

Attorney General Steve Carter said Countrywide Home Loans mislead homeowners and at times even flat out lied to them.

CENTRAL INDIANA (WISH) - The Indiana Attorney General's office has filed a law suit against the mortgage lender, Countrywide. Attorney General Steve Carter said the company mislead homeowners and at times even flat out lied to them.

Countrywide Financial has lent to thousands of homeowners over the years but now some of those homeowners say the company's lending practices are less than ethical; that's according to Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter.

"We know that there are three consumers as we've completed the investigations so we'll bring the charges based upon that but we have many other complaints that are pending and the investigation of those matters is on going," Carter said.

The Indiana Attorney General's office has filed a law suit against the mortgage lender, Countrywide.

Tags: attorney general, steve carter, countrywide, mortgage crisis

Indiana Dems wonder why Bayh was passed over

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:20:04 GMT

clipped by: finifinito

Clip Source: www.wthr.com

Indiana Dems wonder why Bayh was passed over

Indianapolis - Some Democrats are wondering why presidential candidate Barack Obama chose Delaware Senator Joe Biden for his running mate over Indiana Senator Evan Bayh.

Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis political science professor Brian Vargus says Biden clearly has much more foreign policy and national security experience - an area that polls show Obama lagging in - than Bayh.

Sen. Evan Bayh

Obama and Biden spoke in Illinois Saturday.

He also says Obama needs an "attack dog" - the sort of thing Bayh isn't known for.

Vargus says if Bayh continues to have eyes on the White House, he has to show himself as a more known and effective senator.

But state Democratic Chairman Dan Parker says the vice presidential selection process has given Bayh national exposure as a leader, and that's bound to enhance his reputation.

Tags: election, 2008, presidential, senator evan bayh

Obama Picks Joe Biden As Running Mate

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:18:23 GMT

clipped by: finifinito

Clip Source: www.cbsnews.com

Obama Picks Joe Biden As Running Mate

35-Year Senate Veteran From Delaware Brings Foreign Policy Experience To Ticket As Democrat's Choice For V.P.

(CBS/AP) Barack Obama has selected Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware to be his vice presidential running mate, CBS News confirmed late Friday, balancing his ticket with an older congressional veteran well-versed in foreign policy and defense issues.

Biden, 65, has twice sought the White House, and is a Catholic with blue-collar roots, a generally liberal voting record, and a reputation as a long-winded orator.

Across more than 30 years in the Senate, he has served at various times not only as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee but also as head of the Judiciary Committee, with its jurisdiction over anti-crime legislation, Supreme Court nominees and Constitutional issues.

Tags: presidential, election, 2008, obama-biden 08

Clinton Expected to Release Delegates Wednesday

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:14:47 GMT

clipped by: finifinito

Clip Source: abcnews.go.com

Clinton Expected to Release Delegates Wednesday

Sen. Hillary Clinton expected to release her delegates Wednesday to vote for Obama

By DEVLIN BARRETT Associated Press Writer
DENVER August 25, 2008 (AP)

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, hoping to unite the Democratic Party and cement her future in it, will gather her hard-won primary delegates Wednesday at a reception where she is expected to formally release them to Barack Obama.

In this Thursday, June 28, 2007, file photo, Democratic Presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham...

The New York senator has invited her pledged delegates to a reception at the Colorado Convention Center, not far from the main Democratic National Convention arena.

The high-profile gathering of political regulars who once fought against Obama serves a dual purpose for Clinton: Show fellow Democrats that she can be a team player, and display her still-formidable political strengths for the future. Many of her supporters want her to run for president again.

Tags: dnc, democrats, convention, hillary clinton, 2008, presidential, election

Spotlight on Denver

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 07:12:40 GMT

clipped by: finifinito

Clip Source: www.msnbc.msn.com

Spotlight on Denver

Mile High City revs up for Democratic convention

JoAnn Ward, left, and Cathy Greiner look at souvenirs in downtown Denver prior to the start of the Democratic Convention.

DENVER - Like a Cinderella deciding to pass up the ball, Denver said no thanks to an invitation in 1976 to host the Olympic Games. Now the Mile High City is off to the dance of the Democrats, a party pooper no more.

Nervous about the logistics, short on money, excited to show its sophisticated side, proud but a little touchy about its Western past, Denver is as ready as it's going to be for the Democratic National Convention.

Tens of thousands are expected for the Aug. 25-28 convention at the downtown Pepsi Center. An estimated 75,000 people could hear Barack Obama's acceptance speech at nearby Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium.

Tags: dnc 2008, democrats, convention, denver, obama, biden

SUSA: McCain holds on to slight lead in Indiana

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:30:41 GMT

clipped by: finifinito
clipper's remarks: This poll shows how hard we Hoosier Democrats will have to work to win this in November. The Bluenami will need our support to make it happen!

Clip Source: www.blueindiana.net

SUSA: McCain holds on to slight lead in Indiana (+)

It had been a while since SurveyUSA checked in with some poll numbers, and I was beginning to think they had forgotten about us. Not so, says Daily Activist, and thus I will dutifully report the word from the front.

SurveyUSA
645 Likely Voters
8/16-18 -- MoE +/- 3.9%

Those who support John McCain -- or, as we've seen, have an irrational hatred of Barack Obama -- will point to these numbers as a sign that the Republicans will hold on to the Hoosier State in November.

Tags: bluenami, polls

Ringing in Sunday booze sales

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:25:55 GMT

clipped by: finifinito
clipper's remarks: When I ran my one campaign for public office in 2000, I ran on the Libertarian Party ticket for Indiana House District 100 on a platform of repealing the Sunday Blue Laws regulating the sale of alcohol and vehicles on Sunday. 8 years later a group has formed to lobby for this much needed change in our laws in Indiana.

Clip Source: ruthholladay.com

Ringing in Sunday booze sales

Clip Source: ruthholladay.com

Masson's Blog has an insightful and amusing post -- a twofer -- on Hoosiers for Beverage Choice, those bold progressives who are pushing Indiana to get with 35 states and permit alcohol sales on Sunday. More of us can get behind that bandwagon, which is only about 75 years overdue.

Our "blue laws" regulating Sunday sales in the U.S. are quite a history lesson, stretching back to the Puritans and long before. Historically, some European countries refused to allow any commerce on Sundays. That was God's day, and you couldn't sell a pot or swallow a brew. Naturally the Puritans brought this part of the Old Country with them.

Indiana has its identity strongly tied up in this crusade. During the 1920s, 90 of our 92 counties had active members of the Ku Klux Klan -- and the KKK, lo and behold, was heavily aligned with the Prohibition party, if not synonymous. Hence getting rid of booze was a No. 1 Klan goal.

Tags: sunday beer, blue laws

Layofff notices going out today at Star

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:22:32 GMT

clipped by: finifinito
clipper's remarks: Ruth Holladay spent many years working for the Indianapolis Star and was/is one of my favorite writers from Indy. She is an old school print journalist, my favorite kind. Her coverage of the happenings at the Star is invaluable coverage only she is covering. Her reports this week from the layoffs were riveting, this is the first clip from Wednesday.

Clip Source: ruthholladay.com

Layofff notices going out today at Star

Clip Source: ruthholladay.com

The process of notifying 23 people at the Star of layoffs has begun.

Employees are being notified directly; the Guild is not getting a hit list.

However, the secretive process raises concerns for the Guild that Gannett is not honoring seniority. Are older workers being picked off in greater numbers than younger ones?

Talking to Human Resources at the paper is like talking to a voice mail message, said one staffer. There is no real conversation. So right now, it's a lot of worry/wait, wait/worry.

What a lousy way to run a business. Especially a communications one...

Lucious Newsom, R.I.P.

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:18:28 GMT

clipped by: finifinito
clipper's remarks: A long time community activist died this week. Lucious Newsome was a tireless advocate for poor people and operated a food pantry and homeless outreach program on his own for many years. He will be missed.

Clip Source: rtv6blogs.com

Lucious Newsom, R.I.P.

One of the kindest people I’ve met during my time in Indianapolis has died. Lucuious Newsom died Monday at St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove. If you didn’t know him it was your loss.

He was someone who spent time helping those in need. He and his mobile food pantry helped feed the poor, clothe the homeless and and find shelter for the needy. You might have recognized him from his bib overalls that he wore.

I met him last year after hosting the Governor’s Awards ceremony for Indiana Black Expo. He shared with me a story about a young man who vandalized food pantry. Lucious didn’t return the act with anger but kindness. He even showed me the man’s pocket knife that he kept. What surprised me was the knife had a picture of a KKK member on it. Lucious told me in so many words the best way to deal with your enemies is to show them love and compassion and eventually they come around.

Tags: luciious newsome, community activists

Pence: Pelosi Gets the Drilling Message

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:15:52 GMT

clipped by: finifinito
clipper's remarks: Mike Pence tends to gloat a lot and especially when bloviating in front of cameras. Here is a classic example from Howey Political Report on Tuesday of this week.

Clip Source: www.howeypolitics.com

Pence: Pelosi Gets the Drilling Message

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has gotten the message on allowing a vote for more oil drilling. Pelosi changed her position on a recent radio address, saying she would consider allowing a vote. Pence, who has taken to the House floor during the August recess to push for the vote, said Monday, “Since Congress adjourned on August 1st, House Republicans have taken to the House floor to call upon the Speaker of the House to bring Congress back into session and allow a vote on comprehensive energy legislation that would provide the American people more access to American oil. It seems that Speaker Nancy Pelosi finally may be getting the message.

When the floor protest began over two weeks ago, Speaker Pelosi said Republicans would have to use our ‘imagination’ to get a vote on more domestic drilling.

Tags: mike pence, nancy pelosi, anwr, oil company, stooge