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Administration Set to Use New Spy Program in US

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:53:52 GMT

clipped by: papananook
clipper's remarks: MORE WAYS TO SPY ON CITIZENS....BEWARE!

The Bush administration said yesterday that it plans to start using the nation’s most advanced spy technology for domestic purposes soon, rebuffing challenges by House Democrats over the idea’s legal authority.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said his department will activate his department’s new domestic satellite surveillance office in stages, starting as soon as possible with traditional scientific and homeland security activities — such as tracking hurricane damage, monitoring climate change and creating terrain maps.

Sophisticated overhead sensor data will be used for law enforcement once privacy and civil rights concerns are resolved, he said. The department has previously said the program will not intercept communications.

“There is no basis to suggest that this process is in any way insufficient to protect the privacy and civil liberties of Americans,” Chertoff wrote to Reps. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) and Jane Harman (D-Calif.)

Carter Defends Plan To Meet Hamas Despite Israel Criticism

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:40:02 GMT

clipped by: papananook
clipper's remarks: At least one man is willing to use some diplomacy since Condi Rice is so ineffective.

Clip Source: www.commondreams.org

Former US president Jimmy Carter on Sunday defended his plan to meet with Hamas leaders during an upcoming trip to the Middle East, amid criticism from Washington and Israel.

Carter, who reportedly plans to meet exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Syria, said he viewed Hamas’s inclusion in peace talks as “very important” and stressed he was not travelling as an official US negotiator.

“There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that, if Israel is ever going to find peace with justice concerning the relationship with their next-door neighbours, the Palestinians, that Hamas will have to be included in the process,” he said in the interview, which was pre-recorded and aired on Sunday.

“It’s very important that at least someone meet with the Hamas leaders to express their views, to ascertain what flexibility they have, to try to induce them to stop all attacks against innocent civilians in Israel and to cooperate with the Fatah as a group that unites the Palestinians,” Carter told ABC news.

Capt. Watson, Ship Fartley Mowat Challenge Canadian Seal hunt, Siezed

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:27:08 GMT

clipped by: papananook
clipper's remarks: Watson has argued that his vessel, registered in the Netherlands, was in international waters and that Europe will be angered by Canada's actions.

Hearn said the vessel was in "Canadian territorial waters" but didn't say if it was within 12 nautical miles (19.2 kilometres) of the coastline. The minister has also said the Fisheries Act gave him the leeway to act outside the 12-mile limit.

The arrests were necessary to prevent future danger to sealers, fisheries officers and observers, he said.
THIS IS ODD CONSIDERING THE CANADIAN COAST GUARD JUST LOS --KILLED--4 SEALERS WHEN DOING A TOW OF THEIR BOAT. WHO IS DANGEROUS?

Clip Source: www.ctv.ca

View larger image

The anti-sealing vessel Farley Mowat is towed by Canadian Coast Guard ship George R. Pearkes into the harbour in Sydney, N.S., on Sunday, April 13, 2008. (Mike Dembeck / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

CTV.ca News Staff

Canada's fisheries minister denies he has handed anti-sealing forces a win with Saturday's storming and seizure of a militant conservation group's boat.

"No, we haven't handed them a gift at all," Loyola Hearn told CTV's Question Period on Sunday.

The Canadian government has shown fellow governments such as Japan, Norway and Iceland -- that have also faced direct actions by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society -- that "we're not putting up with it any more," he said.

"And if he (Sea Shepherd head Paul Watson) can go to other places and get away with it, well, welcome to Canada, Mr. Watson."

Watson said of the seizure of the Farley Mowat and arrests: "I think Mr. Hearn has just handed us a gift.

We're seeing the end of days for the seal hunt."

Israel steps up psychological torture

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:21:58 GMT

clipped by: papananook

Clip Source: www.ctv.ca

JERUSALEM -- A human rights group says Israel has stepped up its psychological torture of Palestinian suspects -- in part by insinuating their families will be hurt if they don't co-operate.

The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel makes the allegation in an 86-page report that examined six cases over the past year.

It says Israel has put more emphasis on psychological torture since Israel's Supreme Court restricted the use of physical torture in a 1999 ruling.

In one case, the group says, Israeli agents convinced a suspect his wife had also been arrested and tortured, driving him to attempt suicide.

In another, they detained a couple for an extended period, tortured them physically, and withheld information about their two young children to try to break them.

The Shin Bet internal security agency, which conducts the interrogations, denied the charges as a parliamentary committee heard the human rights group's findings in a special session Sunday.

Canadian Police Seize Sea Shepherd Anti-Hunt Ship

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:08:24 GMT

clipped by: papananook
clipper's remarks: Canadian Gov't is getting worse--why aren't the people opposing the slaughter?

Clip Source: www.commondreams.org

Canadian officials boarded and seized the ship of a conservation group documenting the annual seal hunt Saturday, accusing its activists of interfering with the hunt.

It was the latest clash between conservationists trying to end a hunt that they view as cruel and Canadian authorities who defend it as well-managed and as an important source of income for coastal communities.

Paul Watson, the head of the U.S.-based Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, said coast guard members boarded his group’s vessel, the Farley Mowat, in the waters of the Cabot Strait.

They “took command of the vessel,” Watson said. “They were screaming at people to lie down on the deck.”

“We will continue to protect sealers while ensuring the sustainable and humane management of the hunt, so it continues to provide economic opportunities for Canada’s coastal communities,” Hearn told reporters in Ottawa.

He said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police asked permission to board the vessel, but were refused.

Get Militaryrecruiters out of our schools

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:05:06 GMT

clipped by: papananook
clipper's remarks: No More cannon fodder!!!

Clip Source: www.worldcantwait.net

National Days of Protest Friday April 18 and Saturday May 17

Tell everyone you know around the country: on these days, let's protest military recruiting for the illegitimate war in Iraq. What are they recruiting youth to do? Should they be stopped? Should they be evicted? Should they be shut down through the mass action campaigns of the people, including protests and nonviolent civil resistance?

Where high school students have to pass the recruiters everyday to get to the cafeteria, there should be protests. Where recruiters phone kids every night, or follow them in the malls, parents should say NO! Recruiters have NO right to do their "business" if the Iraqi people are to have their right to live free of this horrific war and occupation.

* Friday, April 18 (in some cities, April 19). Protest, rally, march, creatively and powerfully act together on this Iraq Moratorium Day. Deliver the recruiters eviction notices. Challenge recruiters to debates at school.

Our Forgotten Shame in the Green Zone

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:49:44 GMT

clipped by: papananook

Clip Source: tvnewslies.org

I’ll admit it, I did not remember either. Even though we reported the story last year, so much has happened in Iraq that somehow I, too, had forgotten. The story, like so many others, had been swept under the proverbial rug by the corporate media, and within a day or so the world forgot about the Filipino workers in Iraq.

But a few days ago, I received a personal email from an officer serving in Iraq and housed in the Green Zone, and the story came back to me, full blast. Just a few words in the message reminded me of the forgotten horror that must be added to the countless crimes this administration is committing in Iraq.

I will not detail the entire story here because it is available at sites such as the Migrants News Monitor. I will, however, reprint the statements of two former American civilian contractors of a Kuwaiti company who testified before the House Committee on oversight and government reform on allegations of waste, fraud and abuse in the construction project.

A CALL FOR A WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 18:05:48 GMT

clipped by: papananook
clipper's remarks: Anything is possible. Try 'em in the UN

Clip Source: www.petitiononline.com

A CALL FOR A WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE UNITED NATIONS

To: Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” – Margaret Mead

Kofi Annan declared that the United States invasion of Iraq was “illegal”. It is important that this development at The United Nations be brought to mass attention and that we begin to participate with the United Nations in bringing the Bush regime to justice. A ray of light and hope exists now, but it is up to all of you now reading this petition to do something. We urge you to contact Kofi Annan with the message at the bottom of this petition. Please tell him to continue to pursue his investigation of the war crimes committed in Iraq. The recent bombing of Mosques and napalming in Falluja are amongst the most recent atrocities performed by The United States military in our name:

View Current Signatures - Sign the Petition

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1116-27.htm

Can Americans Stop Bush/Cheney From Attacking Iran? The Answer is Yes!

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:54:33 GMT

clipped by: papananook
clipper's remarks: An interestingg idea--a national strike...read the whole article to understand my comment:
I think Mad Jayhawk, who is aptly self-named, not so subtly tells us why a strike in "Murrika might not be possible. "murrikans are addicted to war as well as oil.

We are too diverse, apathetic and delusional as a populace to pull together in "solidarity". I doubt that haf the people know what solidaroity means or could fathom the idea of a national strike. We're too selfish and still haven't reached the crisis level needed. Unfortunate and a bit sad, neh? Sorry to sound so negative about a strike I would join in a heartbeat but that's the way I see this benighted nation. Sick, ain't it?

Clip Source: www.opednews.com

The above may seem like a bold statement, but I believe it’s true. The United States of America is operated and kept alive by the American people, not the politicians that rape, pillage, and spend our money and our most precious resource, America’s brave soldiers that fight these illegal wars. Many of our “volunteer military” are not in the fight because of patriotism - but to support their families and seek GI benefits that will allow them to attend college when they leave the armed services.

. As we stated over a year ago, its time that America’s premier alternative news sites, Blogs, and every individual on the Internet get busy and come together in solidarity to take back our country

Why, as we face the utter destruction of our economy and the American way of life do we refuse to come together in solidarity? We have witnessed other countries fighting bloody wars to seek democracy, yet we, who used to have it all, refuse to lift a finger in a meaningful way