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The Confluence of Civilisations

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:44:04 GMT

clipped by: Johanna_G

In response to President Obama’s historic address to the Muslim world in Cairo, the Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono lists in his essay nine imperatives for the peaceful co-existence of the civilisations

The first imperative is to make the 21st century the century of soft power.

The second imperative is to intensify global dialogue and outreach.

The third imperative is the need to find a solution to political conflicts that drive a wedge between the Western and Muslim worlds.

Muslims must be able to differentiate between a conflict involving Muslims, and a "war against Islam".

The fourth imperative is to strengthen voices of moderation in our communities.

The fifth imperative is multiculturalism and tolerance.

The sixth imperative is to make globalisation work for all.

The seventh imperative is to reform global governance.

Imperative number eight is education.

Finally, the ninth imperative is a global conscience.

Tags: co-existence of the civilisations

Dead Star Encased in Diamond Shroud

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:35:21 GMT

clipped by: tabsey

Clip Source: dsc.discovery.com

Diamond in the Sky

Nov. 5, 2009 -- Astronomers have just solved a decade-old mystery that explains the unusual behavior of a neutron star -- the dense, hot corpse left behind after a massive stellar explosion -- at the center of the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant.

It wasn't the X-rays streaming from the center of the supernova remnant that astronomers found puzzling. It's why the beams weren't pulsating as expected. Now the scientists know why: The neutron star is covered with a thin atmosphere of carbon, which acts like a giant bulb to smooth light in all directions.

The findings help to illustrate the extreme nature of these entities.

"The carbon is unique," Wynn Ho, a researcher with the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, told Discovery News. "The neutron stars that have been detected with atmosphere have evolved with hydrogen, and that's what we'd expect because hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe."

Tags: bright, lights, big, city, animals.

Beautiful Man

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:18:08 GMT

clipped by: Antara
clipper's remarks: "He looks like a damned handsome man to me. You can't keep character from shining through, his is luminescent, any more than you can fake what's not there" (from post)

Clip Source: curmudgeonlyskeptical.blogspot.com

Retired Army Sgt. Richard Yarosh has gotten used to the stares. His face is blanketed in knotty scar tissue. His nose tip is missing. His ears are gone, as is part of his right leg. His fingers are permanently bent and rigid.

All is the result of an explosion in Iraq that doused him in fuel and fire three years ago.

"I know people are curious," he said. "They'll stop in their tracks and look. I guess I can understand. I probably would have stared, too."

Soon, a lot more people will be staring at Yarosh's face but in a very different way: A life-sized oil painting of him will go on display at the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington later this month. The portrait, by Matthew Mitchell, is a finalist in the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, which recognizes modern portraiture at the gallery known for its collection of notable Americans. [Continued]

Labels: The Best of America

Tags: beauty, bravery, military, scars, healing, iraq, soldiers, strength, gratitude, smithsonian

Falling down is not defeat . Ddefeat is when your refuse to get up .

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:18:53 GMT

clipped by: swampfoxz

Clip Source: www.odditycentral.com

Rottweiler Dad Adopts Wolf Cub

Ulrok, a fully grown Rottweiler was more than happy to become the father figure in young Beldaran’s life, after the poor baby was rejected by her natural mother. Kahlani, the wolf who gave birth to this little furry treasure, was too young herself and her maternal instincts didn’t kick in.

Caretakers at the Krisma Preserve, in Mt. Desert, Maine, tried to find another surogate parent for Beldaran, but Ulrok was the only one who accepted the young cub, when she was just four days old. Now they spend all their time together, playing in the sun, howling at the full moon and even sleeping together.

It’s nice to see them getting along so well and, no matter how down you are, just one look at them will put a big smile on your face. But, once Beldaran is old enough to take care of herself, she will be introduced to a pack of wolves, to make sure she grows up to be a wolf and not something else.

Tags: wolf cub

Liberals Finally Got the Military Murders They've Been Asking For

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:33:50 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: I imagine that President Obama's old mentors Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn are also pleased with the attack. After all, they sent Ayer's girlfriend and other domestic terrorists of the Weather Underground to attack an Army dance at Fort Dix, an assault thwarted only by their own bomb-building ineptitude. If they had been competent, their attack on Fort Dix would likely have been worse than yesterday's assault. So what say you, progressives... was the massacre of American soldiers all you dreamed it might be?

Clip Source: confederateyankee.mu.nu

Disdain for the military is a constant theme on the political left, a group that has consistently portrayed soldiers as violent psychopaths and babykillers for far longer than I've been alive. I've noted images of progressive protesters carrying signs attacking the troops on numerous occasions. Among the most galling of their constant steam of obscenities directed at our soldiers are variations of the sentiment, "We support our troops when they shoot their officers."

These same liberals must have been thrilled yesterday afternoon to discover that an officer opened fire on our troops. It's time for them to break out their magic markers and pen new signs to praise Major Nidal Malik Hasan for doing what they've asked.

Tags: president obama's old mentors, weather underground, bill ayers and bernadine dohrn, attack dance at fort dix, progressives disdain for the military

The Victims of Fort Hood

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:00:21 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: According to an officer who served with him at Walter Reed Hospital, Hasan spoke approvingly of the shooting of Army recruiters this past summer by a Muslim convert in Little Rock, Arkansas. Authorities also investigated Hasan as long as six months ago for internet postings discussing suicide bombings and other attacks, though they have not yet determined definitively if he was the author of those posts. One of those posts was a blog entry that deified suicide bombers as being similar to soldiers who throw themselves on hand grenades in order to save the lives of their fellow soldiers. A cousin, Nader Hasan, builds a picture of the shooter as a bullied Muslim who was a good person who did not even like weapons, was conflicted about his military service, and was against the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. But postings that are thought to be Major Hasan’s don’t match the portrait of a soldier who was conflicted. They present us with a picture of someone who housed beliefs that

Clip Source: pajamasmedia.com

One of the more brief but powerful scenes at the beginning of 1998’s Saving Private Ryan is when Mrs. Ryan sees a government car slowly approaching her home. She walks out onto her front porch, only to slowly collapse into sobs when she realizes that the unexpected arrival heralds the death of her sons. There are no words in that scene. Some feelings are simply beyond words.

On Thursday afternoon, family members of real soldiers experienced the crushing sense of loss and isolation when they learned that their loved ones were inexplicably cut down on base.

Not in Iraq or Afghanistan, but in Texas.

The knee-jerk response of many to seeing the shooter’s Arabic name was to assume this was a terrorist attack. Impulsive or not, facts now suggest that Hasan’s Islamic faith was indeed a motivating factor in the killings. That supposition seems backed by claims he shouted “Allahu Akbar!” before he began his rampage.

Bob Owens blogs at Confederate Yankee.

Tags: ft hood soldiers, nidal hasan, jihadi, traitor, deserter, aiding & abetting, treason, coward

Clippers comparing our troops to terrorists

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:40:54 GMT

clipped by: n2sooners

Clip Source: clipmarks.com

11-5-2009 6:42 PM

n2sooners

A terrorist by any other name.....

11-5-2009 6:48 PM

katsteevns

.......is a soldier.

Yesterday 3:37 PM

aperiozar

n2sooners, your inability to understand the point katsteevns is making reflects negatively on your IQ status.

A killer is a killer. If you dress him up in a military uniform and send him to invade Iraq he is still a killer. The fact that the American government pays his salary, simply makes it state terrorism, that's all.

Coming back to Fort Hood - it is a place where killers have been trained for decades. From this place many 'soldiers' have left who went on to kill numerous innocent civilians in far-away places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Today 3:31 AM

blackroseheart

Popped just for the comment by "aperiozar" on 11/6/09

Well said!

Tags: terrorism, military, politics, radicals

Multiverses - Multiplying Universes?

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:59:02 GMT

clipped by: celestialdancer

Clip Source: www.newscientist.com

HOW many universes are there? Cosmologists Andrei Linde and Vitaly Vanchurin at Stanford University in California calculate that the number dwarfs the 10⁵⁰⁰ universes postulated in string theory, and raise the provocative notion that the answer may depend on the human brain.

This concept of a "multiverse" could explain a puzzling mystery - why dark energy, the furtive force that is accelerating the expansion of space, appears improbably fine-tuned for life. With a large number of universes, there is bound to be one that has a dark energy value like ours.

It might be, however, that this number is irrelevant, and that in a world ruled by quantum physics what matters is how many universes a single observer can distinguish. "Before quantum mechanics," says Linde, "we thought that 'reality' was a well-defined word." In classical physics, observers are irrelevant - we simply want to know how many universes exist.

Owens Breaks 4 Campaign Promises in First Hour in Congress

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:00:20 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Mr. Owens also indicated during his campaign that he was firmly opposed to cutting Medicare benefits, taxing health care benefits, and increased taxes on the middle class in any way as you can see clearly in the screenshot taken directly from Mr. Owens' campaign website. http://www.gouverneurtimes.com/images/stories/2009/11/06/oewns-screenshot.jpg The House Health reform bill contains sections that cut Medicare benefits, tax existing health care benefits, and increases taxes on the middle class, yet Mr. Owens stated today that he will now vote in favor of those things contrary to what he had promised the voters of NY's 23rd Congressional District that he would vote against. Mr. Owens indicated in his press release today that "This legislation will reform the insurance industry and provide increased access to affordable healthcare without taxing healthcare benefits, cutting Medicare benefits or raising taxes on the middle class, and that is exactly the direction.....

Clip Source: www.gouverneurtimes.com

Congressman-elect Bill Owens was sworn in at noon today.

Owens indicated in a press release released shortly afterwards that he was now in favor of the the "Affordable Healthcare for America Act" bill in direct contrast to his earlier position during the election campaign.

According to Politico.com, Mr. Owens assured voters that he felt the public option had no place in the health care reform bill. Contrary to that position, Mr. Owens now indicates that he intends to vote in favor of the bill even though it now contains a public option.

UPDATED: A spokesman for Congressman Owens indicated correctly that Mr. Owens had recanted his solid position against public option later in the campaign, clarifying that he did not wish public option to be a 'litmus test' for the Health Reform bill and that on Oct. 30th, several days prior to the election, in a debate had stated that he generally supported the public option as it was now written (at that time.)

Tags: contenders doug hoffman and dede scozzafava, government healthcare, ny 23rd district

GOP shouts down Women's Caucus on House floor

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:25:28 GMT

clipped by: dulios
clipper's remarks: Obstructionist tactics in the health care debate. Here's a nice mash-up.

Clip Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

On Saturday morning, a group of House Republicans -- led by Rep. Tom Price (R-Georgia) -- attempted to stop the Democratic Women's Caucus from making their arguments about how the health bill would benefit women by screaming over them.

Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) only had time to say "Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to--," before Price shouted "I object." The presiding chair, Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) made gestures to maintain control, declaring that "the request is not yet before the House" and that Price was "out of order," to little effect. Capps attempted to go on, but Price continued shouting "I object! I object! I object!"

The same shouting tactics were used on Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D-Ohio), who asked angrily, "Do I not have the right to be able to continue my sentence without objections that are trying to censor my remarks here on the floor that I have a right to make as a member of this House?"

[Video]

Tags: gop, republicans, health care, congress, debate, women's caucus

Ross Perot Jr Haggling to Finish Off the Rhino He Shot That Got Away

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:32:24 GMT

clipped by: celestialdancer
clipper's remarks: "White rhino (Ceratotherum simum) are considered a conservation-dependent species and are classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Intense efforts have increased the population from fewer than 100 in 1895 to approximately 17,500 today. Supporters of trophy hunting claim it is a viable method for “managing” the white rhino population. The practice also brings in tourism dollars and helps fund conservation efforts. Many others oppose the notion of trophy hunting, pointing out that killing an animal to get a thrill - and acquire a stuffed head for one’s wall - is not an acceptable “sport”." Apparently his son Hill Perot got his trophy, "white rhino head".

Clip Source: ecoworldly.com

The son of former American Presidential candidate Ross Perot - Henry Ross Perot Jr. - is reportedly engaged in a legal battle involving South African wildlife authorities over the head of rhino he wounded during a trophy hunt earlier this year.

Perot supposedly shot a bull rhino at Mkhuze game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, but the animal escaped. However, Perot believes he’s still entitled to his trophy - the rhino’s head.

According to South Africa’s Independent Online, wildlife authorities have not been able to locate the wounded rhino - or a dead rhino.

A professional hunter acting for Perot then engaged lawyers to allow a “follow-up” operation and it was agreed that Perot could have the animal’s head if it was tracked down during a hunting operation scheduled to start this weekend.

The professional hunter accompanying Perot is said to be Garry Kelly, who claims that the purpose of a second hunt was to destroy the wounded rhino in order to end its suffering.

The First Video Footage of the World's Most Elusive Cat

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:16:23 GMT

clipped by: celestialdancer
clipper's remarks: "Andrew Hearn and Joanna Ross, researchers from the United Kingdom’s Global Canopy Programme’s Bornean Wild Cat & Clouded Leopard Project, have been surveying five species of wild cats of Borneo for several years. Their work has uncovered some remarkable findings. Besides capturing the world’s first ever video of the rare cat, the two are also credited for snapping the first photograph of a live bay cat. Based in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Sabah, camera trapping and radio-tracking methods are utilized in their research. The program also provides educational materials, community surveys and training courses as well. " (from the article)

Clip Source: ecoworldly.com

Researchers in Malaysian Borneo have captured the world’s most elusive and endangered cat on film. The beautiful Bornean bay cat, Catopuma badia, is so rare; a live cat was not even photographed until 1998!

Although the amazing video only lasts seven seconds, the chestnut-red cat with the long tail can be clearly seen walking through the forest. Because so little is known about this particular wild cat, even its eating habits are unknown.

Endemic to the forests of Borneo, threats to this elusive animal include illegal pet trade, poaching, deforestation and habitat loss largely due to palm oil plantations. Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, it is estimated that only 2,500 Bornean bay cats remain in the wild today.

ALong with numerous photographs, the Bornean bay cat video footage is available on the MongaBay website.

House passes health care reform bill!

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:41:01 GMT

clipped by: aklimento
clipper's remarks: This is our first victory of historical significance. We did it! It will be much less injustice and suffering in the society, where taking advantage off weak and defenseless is not viewing as breaking the right of every human for decent existence.

Clip Source: www.nydailynews.com

House passes health care reform bill; Vote garners only one Republican

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and President Obama successfully lead an effort to pass health care reform in the House of Representatives.

WASHINGTON - The biggest overhaul of America's medical system since Medicare took a big step forward Saturday night, narrowly passing the House with a controversial amendment to restrict coverage of abortion.

The bill passed 220-215, with 39 Democrats voting no and one Republican, Rep. Joseph Cao (R-La.), voting in favor of the landmark bill.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was forced to allow the abortion amendment after a deal with conservative Democrats collapsed and they threatened to sink the reform bill.

The move enraged liberals, but most agreed to stay on board and President Obama traveled to the House to make a personal appeal and seal the deal.

The bill proposes to spend $1.055 trillion to add 36 million Americans to the insurance rolls

A $61 billion GOP substitute bill failed

Tags: congress, house, senate, health care reform, human rights

Combat Wounded, Combat Dead

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:17:25 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: defense such as we’re already seeing explored on his behalf … rather than as a committed jihadi, an unlawful combatant, a terrorist, a deserter who aided and abetted the enemy, and a traitor who took up arms against his nation. It’s a push Republican lawmakers and those Democrats who agree could take up, that would command a lot of public support. Politicization of justice? Tell me that hasn’t happened already in this country. I’d call it a simple demand for justice. We owe it to the dead and the wounded to acknowledge why and under what circumstances they died and bled. Here’s an American hero who deserves the highest honors we can bestow on her. NY Daily News. Sgt. Kimberly Munley, cop, gunfighting woman. Went into a hot situation without regard for her own safety, gave better than she got, wounded in action, got the job done. I’d call that gallantry and valor in the face of the enemy, plus war wounds. Maybe even above and beyond. She’s reportedly an Army vet.

Clip Source: www.julescrittenden.com

… deserve Purple Hearts. Their killer probably deserves desertion, treason and terrorism charges if, as all indicators seem to very strongly suggest, he was engaged in jihad, from his violence-inciting, hateful rants about the Koran, his denunciation of the United States as “the aggressor” in arguments with fellow soldiers, to his shouts of “Allahu Akhbar,” to what they believe were his Internet defenses of suicide bombings, to his choice of targets, the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood. If al-Qaeda is an amorphous enemy, an idea made situationally manifest by the will of its adherents, and he was in fact an adherent of its violent agenda, then he is the enemy, his actions were acts of war, and they bled and died under enemy fire.

Is any of the above very likely to be offically recognized? No. No matter what is learned about his motivation, in all likelihood he will be treated as a murder defendant in either a civilian or a military court … possibly with an insanity or bullying

Tags: soldiers deserve purple hearts, jihadi, unlawful combatant, aided & abetted enemy, terrorist, deserter, traitor, gunfighting woman sgt. kimberly munley

Don't get too excited about Health reform bill

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:14:33 GMT

clipped by: jasonkelly

Clip Source: www.truthdig.com

It’s easy to be cynical about all this. The House measure, more ambitious than what they’re talking about in the Senate, doesn’t do a whole lot to control runaway health care costs. And while the insurance companies will have to play a more honest game of pool, they’ll be flush with millions of new paying customers. Then there’s the public insurance option, a nice gesture but really so stingy it would be met with riots in civilized Europe.

Tags: healthcare, politics