Mood: don't ask
Now Playing: Look what the US has caused ...
Topic: WAR
... I'll meet you 'round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend...
Bloggers Without Borders...
Zebra 3 Report by Joe Anybody
Saturday, 11 October 2008
Baghdad Burning - a day as a refugee
Mood: don't ask Now Playing: Look what the US has caused ... Topic: WAR Baghdad Burning ... I'll meet you 'round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend... Monday, October 22, 2007 Bloggers Without Borders... Syria is a beautiful country- at least I think it is. I say “I think” because while I perceive it to be beautiful, I sometimes wonder if I mistake safety, security and normalcy for ‘beauty’. In so many ways, Damascus is like Baghdad before the war- bustling streets, occasional traffic jams, markets seemingly always full of shoppers… And in so many ways it’s different. The buildings are higher, the streets are generally narrower and there’s a mountain, Qasiyoun, that looms in the distance. The mountain distracts me, as it does many Iraqis- especially those from Baghdad. Northern Iraq is full of mountains, but the rest of Iraq is quite flat. At night, Qasiyoun blends into the black sky and the only indication of its presence is a multitude of little, glimmering spots of light- houses and restaurants built right up there on the mountain. Every time I take a picture, I try to work Qasiyoun into it- I try to position the person so that Qasiyoun is in the background. The first weeks here were something of a cultural shock. It has taken me these last three months to work away certain habits I’d acquired in Iraq after the war. It’s funny how you learn to act a certain way and don’t even know you’re doing strange things- like avoiding people’s eyes in the street or crazily murmuring prayers to yourself when stuck in traffic. It took me at least three weeks to teach myself to walk properly again- with head lifted, not constantly looking behind me. It is estimated that there are at least 1.5 million Iraqis in Syria today. I believe it. Walking down the streets of Damascus, you can hear the Iraqi accent everywhere. There are areas like Geramana and Qudsiya that are packed full of Iraqi refugees. Syrians are few and far between in these areas. Even the public schools in the areas are full of Iraqi children. A cousin of mine is now attending a school in Qudsiya and his class is composed of 26 Iraqi children, and 5 Syrian children. It’s beyond belief sometimes. Most of the families have nothing to live on beyond their savings which are quickly being depleted with rent and the costs of living. Within a month of our being here, we began hearing talk about Syria requiring visas from Iraqis, like most other countries. Apparently, our esteemed puppets in power met with Syrian and Jordanian authorities and decided they wanted to take away the last two safe havens remaining for Iraqis- Damascus and Amman. The talk began in late August and was only talk until recently- early October. Iraqis entering Syria now need a visa from the Syrian consulate or embassy in the country they are currently in. In the case of Iraqis still in Iraq, it is said that an approval from the Ministry of Interior is also required (which kind of makes it difficult for people running away from militias OF the Ministry of Interior…). Today, there’s talk of a possible fifty dollar visa at the border. KEEP READING -->
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 2:16 PM PDT
Eavesdropping & Surveillance programs - Spying on Americans
Mood: energetic Now Playing: Email from the ACLU Topic: CIVIL RIGHTS Dear ACLU Supporter, It is outrageous that service men and women and international aid workers have had their private conversations needlessly and wantonly invaded by our government. That is why the ACLU’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Congress’s expansion of the NSA’s surveillance authority under the FISA Amendments Act is so critical. Our case, Amnesty International v. McConnell -- brought on behalf of an impressive array of journalists, human rights organizations and lawyers -- shines a spotlight on the devastating effect of unchecked spying power on Americans doing indispensable work around the globe.
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 1:45 PM PDT
Updated: Saturday, 11 October 2008 1:53 PM PDT
Thursday, 9 October 2008
Military Times website has stuff you want to know about
Mood: chillin' Now Playing: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/ Topic: WAR Hello Peace & Justice Activists I got some interesting stuff for you all today All the links below looked good, I found them HERE on 10-10-08 http://www.militarytimes.com/news/ *************** ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A Middletown, Del., man has pleaded guilty to impersonating a Navy rear admiral. Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 12:31:10 EDT OCEANSIDE, Calif. — The Pentagon on Tuesday announced the death of Marine Col. Michael R. Stahlman, who died Sunday from injuries stemming from a nonhostile incident July 31 in Iraq. Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 13:05:50 EDT TOKYO — China has cut some military exchanges following Washington’s approval of a multibillion-dollar arms package for Taiwan, the commander of the U.S. forces in the Pacific said... Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 16:22:01 EDT WASHINGTON — The situation in Afghanistan now is the worst since the U.S.-led invasion of 2001 and the country is in danger of a “downward spiral” into violence and chaos, according... Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 16:13:12 EDT A key senator is asking the Pentagon to halt a $300 million program to produce pro-American news and public service messages in Iraq. Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 13:53:05 EDT MANASSAS, Va. — A former Navy information systems technician has been awarded $300,000 after suing a Manassas gym over an exercise program he says left him permanently disabled. Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 12:23:59 EDT TORONTO — Another U.S. war resister has been ordered to leave Canada with his family after living in Toronto for the past four years. Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 9:33:43 EDT RAMADI, Iraq — In the past, when Iraqi police here ran out of gas, they often turned to the Marines, who generally obliged by filling the trucks and generators — courtesy of the U.S.... Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 9:21:28 EDT BERLIN — A soldier has been charged in the gang-related beating death of another soldier at a base in Germany, the military said Wednesday. Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 13:06:11 EDT FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The third-highest award for gallantry under fire will be given to an 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper for actions during a firefight in Afghanistan, the division said... Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 8:57:11 EDT NORFOLK, Va. — The sailor killed Saturday night aboard the aircraft carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower was struck by an F/A-18F Super Hornet on the flight deck “during catapult launch,”... Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 11:18:00 EDT NORFOLK, Va. — For the first time since the security crackdown after the 2001 terrorist attacks, Navy ships in Hampton Roads will be available for public viewing during Fleet Week. Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 11:18:12 EDT Although a major influx of troops in an increasingly violent Afghanistan isn’t likely until next spring and summer at the earliest, the incoming Central Command commander said Tuesday that he... Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 13:00:46 EDT PHILADELPHIA — The widow of an Iraq war veteran who committed suicide while in outpatient care for depression at a Veterans Affairs hospital has sued the federal government for negligence. Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 13:00:32 EDT Congress has directed the Pentagon officials to follow new, more specific guidelines on the structure of the internal board that reviews sexually explicit materials to determine whether they can be... Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 13:00:12 EDT WASHINGTON — A U.S. military officer warned Pentagon officials that an American detainee was being driven nearly insane by months of punishing isolation and sensory deprivation in a U.S.... Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 12:59:57 EDT A program allowing injured active-duty members to apply for veterans’ disability benefits before they separate is reducing the financial strain on wounded troops in the months before they leave... Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 12:58:06 EDT WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court appeared divided Wednesday over how to resolve a long-running dispute over whether environmental laws may be used to limit the Navy’s use of sonar to... Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 12:56:22 EDT Reacting to complaints of delays in care as well as a recent report that found hundreds of thousands of combat veterans are living with undiagnosed traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress... Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 8:53:21 EDT WASHINGTON — U.S. airstrikes in Afghanistan on Aug. 22 killed 33 civilians, far more than the military had acknowledged before, the commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East said Wednesday. Posted Thursday Oct 9, 2008 8:52:41 EDT
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 7:02 PM PDT
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
twincities Independent Media Report on RNC Ations
Mood: amorous Now Playing: ST PAUL PROTEST REPORT from the anti-captalist Topic: PROTEST! Anti-Capitalist Bloc @ the RNC: An I.W.W. ReportSubmitted by Anonymous on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 15:58. During the first week of September 2008, Republican Party delegates gathered in St. Paul, Minnesota for the Republican National Convention (RNC) - the media spectacle and corporate sleaze-fest that completes their nominating process. An army of armor-clad riot police, National Guard, and private security with their humvees, rubber bullets, and tear gas protected them. FBI-assisted sheriff's raids at more than a half-dozen activist homes and organizing centers in Minneapolis-St. Paul sought to hinder opposition. But thousands of protestors still took to the streets to emphatically reject the Republicans' vicious policies of war, discrimination, and attacks on the working-class and poor. Among the more important mobilizing efforts against the RNC was the Anti-Capitalist Bloc, an initiative of the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) union - Twin Cities General Membership Branch. The Anti-Capitalist Bloc was conceived as an organizing front for the week of the RNC that would unite those anti-capitalist activists with an orientation toward organizing. The Anti-Capitalist Bloc issued a "Call" and adopted a set of "Solidarity Principles" that made clear our opposition to not only the Republican party but the whole system of capitalism. Ten other groups signed on including three other I.W.W branches. Approximately 1800 full-color posters with the Anti-Capitalist Bloc message were distributed over the course of the week. But as Wobblies, we know that words are not enough, and so a series of events, actions, and contingents were organized by the Anti-Capitalist Bloc. Saturday August 30th One raid in St. Paul hit the home of a large group of activists including one of the main Anti-Capitalist Bloc organizers. Police with assault rifles raided and detained several activists present, searched the house and copied computer hard drives. The police eventually backed off, releasing everyone without charge, after a large number of media, legal observers and activists arrived on the scene. Benefit Concert: Sunday August 31st At the close of the rally, an invitation was extended to those assembled to accompany the I.W.W. barista back to his first day of work at the Mall of America Starbucks. In an orderly fashion, so as not to provoke police, folks left the picket signs, bought tickets and boarded the Light-Rail Train from Minneapolis to the Mall of America. Aboard the train, wobblies and their supporters, spirts high, belted out "Solidarity Forever" and other songs, and engaged the other riders who wondered about the police presence. The Mall of America is located in Bloomington, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. At the first LRT stop in Bloomington, a contingent of riot-police stopped the train and engaged the I.W.W. about our intentions at the Mall. When it was made clear to Bloomington PD that we were merely accompanying our Fellow Worker back to his job and that we did not intend to picket, protest, riot, or engage in any of the other disruptions being bandied about the media, they allowed us to continue. At the Mall of America, it was a different story. As the train pulled in to the Mall station, dozens of fully-equipped riot police were visible. When the doors opened, an armored cop stood in front of each door preventing anyone from leaving the train. Attempts to negotiate were fruitless. No one, either with the I.W.W or passengers completely separate were allowed to leave. Police at first refused, then finally relented to, our demand that a woman and her child be allowed to exit as the woman was having a diabetes emergency. Mall officials were calling the shots and the police were enforcing them. Eventually, the doors simply shut and the train pulled out of the station back toward Minneapolis to the chants of "Bullshit!Bullshit!" from the unionists and the other passengers alike. Although we did not enter the Mall in force as planned, we were able to mobilize a good group of people in support of the I.W.W. Starbucks campaign. The action highlighted the crucial role workplace organizing must play in anti-capitalist strategy - something that would not have otherwise happened during the RNC protests. The reaction of the police at the Mall reinforced our perspective: The police answer to property, not "public safety"; the bosses fear workers organizing as much as they do protests and blockades on the streets. "Labor Day" Monday September 1st The Anti-Capitalist Bloc contingent in the permitted march was conceived as a visible organized contingent promoting the politics of working-class direct action anti-capitalism to the mass of anti-war, labor, immigrant rights, and other demonstrators. In this it was quite successful. Over 300 people eventually joined in with the Bloc over the course of the march. The Bloc was led by Red & Black "DIRECT ACTION AGAINST CAPITALISM" banners in front, on the right by the new Twin Cities I.W.W. banner proclaiming "SOLIDARITY" in 5 languages (English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali and Finish - Ojibwe or Dakota will be added soon), and flanked on the left by Solidarity & Defense's tri-lingual (English, Spanish, Arabic) banner against the raids on immigrants. A "NO WAR BUT THE CLASS WAR" banner took up the rear. This "wall of banners" system kept the Bloc cohesive and visible, and gave participants a sense of security. A 5-person "tactical-team" from the local committee was in place to make emergency tactical decisions should that have been neccesary. The Bloc was loud and feisty. "Capitalism? NO! Patriarchy? NO! Racism? NO! Revolution... Yeeeaah!" "No War, But Class War!" "No Justice, No Peace! Police off the Streets!" "Ah!An-ti!Anticapitalista!" were some of the chants that caught attention. At different intervals during the march the Anti-Capitalist Bloc would come to a halt to give short speeches and allow space to seperate in front of us, a countdown would ensue and then the Bloc would charge forward to the cries of "Revolution!" The Bloc recieved compliments from many observers of differing political stripes. One union staffer offered this gem: "The IWW...you guys are like the black bloc of the labor movement." The full-color poster/statement of the Anti-Capitalist Bloc was distributed to 1000-1200 people at the March on the RNC. The professional look of the poster helped the Bloc stick out and was incentive to onlookers and demonstrators to hang on to it. This helped on a day when they were being inundated with literature from the full spectrum of the Left. Many of the participants asked for extra-copies to bring home, or share with friends - a sign that the Anti-Capitalist Bloc will retain some memory within the movement. The poster was worth the high cost and should be seen as part of any succesfull future major mobilization. The Bloc consistenly announced its intention to be a space where all anti-capitalists could be present including people with kids, elders, and people with differing abilities. It was not significantly different in composition from previous efforts however - majority young white guys with a bit of a Black Bloc look. This was by no means exclusively the case - lots of women participated and a few people of color. Only a couple young children and a few older people marched with the Bloc. The Bloc made a serious effort to vocally oppose all oppression, but clearly our movement still has a lot to overcome before it will look like the whole working-class, especially its most exploited and oppressed sections. Interestingly, a clear majority of those that marched with us were not members of the I.W.W. or any of the other endorsing groups. The Anti-Capitalist Bloc organizers stressed on multiple occasions that the purpose of this Bloc was not to engage in physical confrontations with the huge numbers of heavily armored police and Guard, but to help expand the base and popularity of anti-capitalist ideas and methods. At the same time it was stressed that we were not opposed to or in competition with those attempting to blockade the Convention. The logic of the Anti-Capitalist Bloc was embraced by all the participants - even among those that had clearly come ready to rumble. As the march finished up back at the state Capitol, the Anti-Capitalist Bloc came to an official end. A meeting was convened for those who wished to attempt to go back into downtown St. Paul and unite with the the blockades. A large percentage of those on the Bloc plus some others headed back down. One estimate put the returning group at 200. The returning march group soon met a sizable police force who eventually began shooting tear gas, rubber bullets, bean bags, and concussion grenades at the crowd. Police eventually gave up trying to detain the whole group, picking off a few for arrest while most escaped, ending one of the largest stand-offs of the day. SEIU: Tuesday September 2nd Poor People's March: Riot police again had a heavy presence and made several provocative forays into the rally to nab individuals ID'd in actions the day before, or in one case to grab a flag pole deemed larger than city regulations allowed. Several undercover/plainclothes police were quite obvious in the crowd as well. The Poor People's march weaved it's way through downtown St. Paul. The Anti-Capitalist Bloc marched and sang (at one point the Manu Chao lyrics "We are the workers/and we are marching/bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao!") Another 300-500 posters were distributed by membeers of the Bloc. The march continued up to the state Capitol lawn, where the "Ripple Effect" concert (featuring Dead Prez, Anti-Flag, Michael Franti, and others) was winding down. The police were refusing to allow Rage Against The Machine to perform as the concert permit had expired. Members of Rage Against The Machine encouraged the hundreds of young people there to join the march. They mostly did, and the march easily tripled in size. The march permit held by the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign did not prevent police from again opening up with their full barrage when demonstrators ended up back outside the Xcel Energy Center where the RNC speeches were happening Truckers Fuel Protest: The convoy ended up being much smaller than hoped for and, like the other actions of the week, heavily policed. Wednesday September 3rd Anti-Capitalist Bloc meeting: Rage Against the Machine: Whatever one thinks of Rage Against The Machine's sound or their place in the music industry, there is no doubt that they are treated as dangerous by the police. Their political message and attitude has struck a nerve with a sizable fan-base who seem willing to follow Rage's lead out into the streets. Tom Morello, the ground-breaking guitarist for Rage, explicitly promotes the I.W.W. with his solo side project, the "Nightwatchman". Thursday September 4th No Peace for the Warmakers: Some Conclusions At a time when the State was seeking to take advantage of some of the weaknesses of the RNC Welcoming Committee's strategy and base, the Anti-Capitalist Bloc conveyed in a non-sectarian way another approach for radicals. While the number of people from endorsing groups that came from out of town was small, those that came contributed significantly to the collective success. In this way it was an important continuation of the new spirit of collaboration among the groups and militants of the "Red & Black" revolutionary anti-authoritarian movement. We welcome comments, clarifications, questions, and criticisms. Solidarity Forever! Links: Benefit Concert: I.W.W. Starbucks Rally: "Labor Day": SEIU corporate sponsor of RNC: Poor People's March:
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 11:58 PM PDT
IvySea Inspiring the average joe anybody
Mood: bright Now Playing: in these hard economic times, here are some ideas Topic: FAILURE by the GOVERNMENT Z3 Readers this is an email I recieved from IvySea (click their link to join the email list serve) IvySea They always have great positive insights to the many stressed out topics we all deal with in our every day joe anybody lives. This short email below was inspiring, so I am sharing it here with you all! Greetings! In these times of change, when systems and institutions seem to be crumbling, and fear and anxiety seem intense, it's helpful to remember that seeming crisis can also be an open door that invites us to unparalleled opportunity. We have a choice in how we see and perceive -- crisis or opportunity, limitation or an invitation to unveil hidden potentials and capacities? Rather than isolating ourselves -- which is a 'default reaction' when we sink too deeply into fear and anxiety -- we can choose to open up, expand, seek allies both seen and unseen. Often, even a shift in our perception invites a whole new range of synchronicities and openings before us, and we're able to see what wants to be born even as something else might be dying or falling apart. The old systems, organizations, ways of working and so on are wanting to crumble because something else wants to be born. There is never death without something else being born, or rebirthed anew -- energy is constant; it just changes form. There is such a wealth of wisdom available to us to help us see our way through the apparent crisis and limitation -- and see into the wonderful new potentials, doorways, and opportunities for creating, and co-creating new community, new ways of working, new and healthier systems and organizations, a new marketplace centered on wellbeing for all and sourced in a belief that there really is more than enough. Caroline Casey, the visionary symbolist, in her wonderful book on working with archetypes (Making the Gods Work for You), quotes Mathew Arnold: "to be cultured is to be reacquainted with the highest possibilities of the human spirit throughout time." Casey goes on to point out that the first definition of 'culture' in the Oxford English Dictionary is "worship; reverential homage." She asks: "Do we live in an economy or a culture? If we live in a culture, what will we cultivate together?" This is an intense time of change, and it offers an unparalleled opportunity to create -- within and for ourselves, and together -- a culture and an experience based on the very best possibilities, with beauty, loving-kindness, ingenuity, wellbeing, and plenty. We have an invitation to release what is not authentic, what is not truly aligned with our highest potentials and greatest joy, and embrace that which is. Really, given that choice, which do you choose? For guidance and inspiration on choosing the highest potentials and expressing those in your life and livelihood, schedule an insight-and-inspiration tele-session or series. Wishing you well on your journey in these times of opportunity! May you see through the seeming crisis and go joyfully and intentionally through the doorway into greater possibilities. Joyful Blessings, Jamie Walters, Founder, Ivy Sea
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 5:44 PM PDT
Video Camera + Bike left unchained + Bike thieves = TEST
Mood: not sure Now Playing: How safe is your city? Put it to the bicycle test Topic: ANYBODY * ANYDAY BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - How safe is your city? An Argentine publicist has developed a bicycle test to gauge crime in different neighborhoods. Using hidden cameras and cheap bicycles as bait, Mariano Pasik, 37, films how long it takes a thief to steal an unchained bike in different areas of Buenos Aires. His hypothesis is that the longer the bicycle is left the safer the area is. "It's not a statistic but in a way it shows that (in) the places where the bicycle gets robbed really quickly perhaps the quality of life is poorer," said Mariano Pasik, 37. Pasik speeds up the videos, sets them to music and puts them on a website (http://www.lapruebadelabicicleta.com/). He hopes other videographers will join his nonprofit "Bicycle Test" project and create a worldwide insecurity index. Z3 Readers you can read this complete full article here: ps there were no women bike thiefs' in this test so far (?)
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 3:24 PM PDT
Updated: Wednesday, 8 October 2008 3:31 PM PDT
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Voting on Ballot Measures in Oregon 2008
Mood: energetic Now Playing: The important ballot measures to remember in Oregon 2008 Topic: CIVIL RIGHTS OregonVote NO on Measure 61 Measure 61 would greatly expand the number of criminal defendants subject to mandatory minimums, this time for non-violent property and drug crimes. Under this measure, a sentence would have to be served in its entirety, and there would be no eligibility for reduction at any time during the sentence (good time credit). ACLU opposes mandatory minimum prison sentences because they eliminate a judge’s ability to evaluate the facts of each case and consider the character and history of the defendant in determining the most appropriate sentence.
This measure requires judges to impose a minimum prison sentence, the length of which would depend only on the person’s criminal history. It would prohibit judges from ordering a lesser sentence which current law allows in exceptional situations based upon an individual’s particular circumstances. As a result, the new sentences are mandatory minimum sentences. They differ slightly from Oregon’s current mandatory minimum scheme in that Measure 57 would allow an inmate to receive credit for good behavior during incarceration. Measure 57 also would increase access to drug treatment programs for those who are incarcerated or on post-prison supervision or probation. It would provide local counties with additional funding for drug courts, intensive supervision and jail beds to use as sanctions for those who fail to comply with conditions imposed by their treatment programs. If Measure 57 receives more “yes” votes than Measure 61, it would supersede (and replace) Measure 61. (Likewise, if both measures receive a majority of votes cast, but this measure receives fewer “yes” votes than Measure 61, Measure 57 would not go into effect.) * While in an ideal world we would hope that voters would reject both Measures 61 and 57, we are also well aware of current political realities in Oregon. Deciding how to vote on Measure 57 will be one of the most difficult decisions civil libertarians will face this year. Recommendation: The ACLU of Oregon Opposes Ballot Measure 57, but we urge ACLU members and supporters to be aware of its link to Ballot Measure 61 and make up your own minds.
Measure 58 would impose arbitrary limits on english language Instruction in public schools. The measure also runs the risk of being in conflict with federal equal education opportunity requirements and jeopardizing federal funding. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on “race, color or national origin.” This is part of an ongoing nationwide “English-only” effort. Measure 58 would eliminate local control by school boards, educators and families and replace it with a one-size-fits-all approach that would hurt students who are not able to become completely fluent in English within a relatively short period of time.
Measure 64 would mandate that no “public resources” be used to collect or to help collect money used for “political purposes.” This would basically restrict political speech and association rights of public employees and non-profit organizations. The definition of “public resources” is very broad and would include the use of “public buildings.” Measure 64 would bar candidates and ballot measure-related events in those buildings while still allowing every other type of group to meet. That raises significant concerns under the Oregon and U.S. constitutions. In addition, Measure 64 would eliminate the ability of public employees to make decisions about their own payroll deductions including union dues and deductions made to non-profits who may speak out on ballot measures and legislative proposals.
Ballot Measure 56 would partially remove “double majority” requirement for property tax election. Currently, a property tax measure can be approved only if it has both a majority of “yes” votes and more than 50 percent of registered voters participate in the election (“double majority”). The ACLU of Oregon has always opposed the “double-majority” requirement because it runs counter to the principle of one-person/one-vote. Under the current requirement, a tax measure would fail even if it receives a large majority of “yes” votes if fewer than 50 percent of registered voters participate in the election. That means that the “votes” of people who refuse to vote would have greater weight than the votes of people who return their ballots. While Measure 56 would not repeal the “double-majority” requirement altogether, it is an improvement.
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 4:16 PM PDT
How the election could impact telecom and the FCC
Mood: special Now Playing: Presidents and telephone deregulation "to be or not to be" Topic: TECHNOLOGY Hello Z3 Readers, The following article is located here: http://telephonyonline.com/independent/news/telecom-policy-changes-1007/index.html This is the first few paragraph regarding the FCC and The Telcom Industry with the aspect that a new president will be at the helm and what the outlook is shaping to be(come) ORLANDO -- Whether the next president is John McCain or Barack Obama, the telecom industry can expect some policy changes, according to Washington insiders speaking at the Comptel fall trade show and convention here this week. But the extent of that change appears uncertain, with some experts predicting minor impact and others expecting bigger shifts. Larry Irving, co-chair of the Internet Innovation Alliance, was heavily involved in the last major telecom reform effort as assistant secretary of commerce and head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration under Bill Clinton. Given all that will challenge the next administration, Irving believes extensive change in telecom regulation is unlikely, regardless of who wins the election. “With two wars, the economic meltdown, healthcare issues and other problems, telecom won’t come to the fore,” Irving said as part of a panel on the impact of the election. Under Obama, to whom Irving is an adviser, the focus will be on encouraging competition to bring choices and reasonable prices to consumers and on promoting new technologies and innovations that solve old problems such as access to the last mile for competitors. (more)
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 1:33 PM PDT
Saturday, 4 October 2008
Housing is a Human Right
Mood: loud Now Playing: INDY MEDIA ARTICLE by Theresa Mitchel Topic: HUMANITY Housing is a Human Right
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 2:34 PM PDT
Updated: Saturday, 4 October 2008 2:40 PM PDT
Disruptive Technologies
Mood: bright Now Playing: biogerontechnology information Topic: TECHNOLOGY Well hello my fellow readers, Here is a paragraph from this link HERE It's about living longer and from what the writer calls: "Disruptive Technologies" In ‘U.S. sees six disruptive technologies by 2025,’ Computerworld reports that the National Intelligence Council (NIC) is preparing a report about disruptive technologies expected to have a major impact on the world. The NIC defines as disruptive ‘a technology with the potential to cause a noticeable — even if temporary — degradation or enhancement in one of the elements of US national power (geopolitical, military, economic, or social cohesion).’ According to a preliminary version of this report, the list of these disruptive technologies should include biogerontechnology, energy storage materials, biofuels and bio-based chemicals or service robotics. But read more for more details about biogerontechnology… Z3 Readers you can read the full article at this link here: http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/?p=1035
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 2:19 PM PDT
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