News of the Week
Arab Revolts *************** 11 killed as Iraqis protest in 'Day of Rage' By SINAN SALAHEDDIN, Associated Press BAGHDAD – Thousands marched on government buildings and clashed with security forces Friday in cities across Iraq in an outpouring of anger that left 11 people dead — the largest and most violent anti-government protests in the country since political unrest began spreading in the Arab world weeks ago. *************** Analysts: More Libyan bloodshed could prompt U.S., NATO intervention By Michael Martinez, CNN (CNN) -- If the U.S. military were to intervene in an increasingly chaotic Libya, it would most likely be part of a NATO action in which Libyan bloodshed has reached a humanitarian crisis, analysts said Thursday. *************** Why Didn't the U.S. Foresee the Arab Revolts? What makes it difficult for intelligence agencies to anticipate the uprisings in Egypt, Libya and elsewhere? Captured by Group Think President Obama was reportedly upset that America’s intelligence community didn’t foresee the great Arab revolt. He shouldn’t be. *************** Former Libya Justice Minister: Gaddafi has biological and chemical weapons, and will not hesitate to use them *************** Gaddafi's all female bodyguards known as The Amazonian Guard *************** Qaeda sets up "Islamic Emirate", Libya deputy FM says Gaddafi ordered Lockerbie bombing: Ex-minister Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi personally ordered the Lockerbie bombing in 1988, former justice minister Mustapha Abdeljalil told Swedish daily Expressen, the paper reported on its website Wednesday. *************** Many rape victims in Tripoli A source from Tripoli has confirmed to us that Al Zawiya Street hospital seen many rape victim admittances. Such deplorable and sickening actions were committed after Gaddafi’s speech in which he called for door-to-door cleansing of the city from those who are against his regime. *************** In the Arab world, it's 1848 - not 1989 By Anne Applebaum "Each revolution must be assessed in its own context, each had a distinctive impact. The revolutions spread from one point to another. They interacted to a limited extent. . . . The drama of each revolution unfolded separately. Each had its own heroes, its own crises. Each therefore demands its own narrative." *************** Gaddafi Calls Out ‘Greasy Rats’ and ‘Foreign Agents’ By Steven Stalinsky In a bizarre and rambling speech lasting over an hour on Libyan state TV, Moammar Gaddafi repeatedly warned Libyans, “Beware, America will come and rule you, like Afghanistan and Iraq.” He blamed “greasy rats” and “foreign agents” for the protests, and said that he would not leave Libya but would “die a martyr.” Gaddafi spoke from a podium in front of what appeared to be a bombed-out building — possibly his residence, which he says was bombed by the U.S. and British. *************** The army submits to protesters in Benghazi *************** Christians asked to bow in submission to Allah 'We are in the extreme minority in the crowd, it is intimidating' *************** Morocco Joins In, Defying Predictions By MARC CHAMPION Five people died as a result of looting that accompanied demonstrations demanding changes to the constitution in Morocco, the country's interior minister said Monday, as the thousand year old North African monarchy became the latest government subject to demands for greater democracy that are sweeping the region. *************** Report: Libya fighter jets attack protesters in Tripoli U.S. orders non-emergency embassy staff, families to evacuate http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41700027/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/ Libya air force jets in Malta, pilots seek asylum By GEORGE CINI, Associated Press VALLETTA, Malta – Two Libyan air force jets landed in Malta on Monday and their pilots asked for political asylum amid a bloody crackdown on anti- *************** Turks protest against arrests of army officers [Arab News] Thousands of Turks, including the wives of defendants charged with trying to topple the government, marched to the tomb of the founder of modern Turkey on Saturday to protest at the arrests of army officers. *************** Obamacare *************** ObamaCare ruling: Commerce Clause now reaches “mental activity” by Bruce McQuain Another federal judge has found for the Constitutionality of the individual mandate. But if ever you’ve wondered what tortured logic looks like (made in an effort to justify something that just doesn’t fit) then you’ll be amazed to read the following from the ruling: *************** War
& Terror *************** Russian military to purchase 600 planes, 100 ships By DAVID NOWAK, The Associated Press MOSCOW -- Russia will spend $650 billion to equip its dilapidated military with 600 new warplanes, 100 ships and 1,000 helicopters by 2020, Defense Ministry officials were quoted as saying Thursday. *************** Nervous China puts security apparatus into overdrive By Geoff Dyer in Beijing Sitting last week in his cramped Beijing flat just beyond the city’s fifth ring road, Teng Biao talked about a joke he used to share with Liu Xiaobo, the imprisoned activist who won last year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Mr Liu would tease him about his ability to continue working as a human rights lawyer without being sent to jail. *************** ‘Anonymous’ May Attack Nicaragua, Venezuela Govts Over Libya by Jeremy Sapienza A source within hacker activist group Anonymous told Antiwar.com that media and government targets within Nicaragua and Venezuela may be hit within days, due to rhetorical support for Libyan dictator Muammar Gadhafi. *************** Cables show China used debt holdings to press US Leaked diplomatic cables vividly show China's willingness to translate its massive holdings of US debt into political influence on issues ranging from Taiwan's sovereignty to Washington's financial policy. *************** National *************** Daniels presidential run uncertain, plan ‘depends on the day of the week’ says source By Alexis Levinson - The Daily Caller Among those who follow campaigns from Washington, Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana is regarded as an almost certain candidate for president in 2012. His speeches are carefully scrutinized by the press. Every list of potential Republican nominees contains his name. Yet according to many who know him, Daniels hasn’t come close to making up his mind, and in fact may not be preparing for a national run at all. *************** Obama Won't Go to Court Over Defense of Marriage Act By Marc Ambinder President Obama believes that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and will no longer defend the 15-year-old law in federal court, the Justice Department announced today. *************** Video of US Ambassador Jon Huntsman at "Jasmine Revolution" protests in Beijing hits the Chinese interwebs "I'm just passing by." On Monday, we expressed skepticism at reports suggesting US ambassador Jon Huntsman was present at the Jasmine non-Revolution in Beijing. *************** Obama/Holder Set to Force Minority Democratic Redistricting Plan on “Racist” States Hans A. von Spakovsky, National Review The redistricting process for congressional and state-legislative seats will soon begin in earnest. All redistricting plans must meet the “one person, one vote” equal-protection standard established by the Supreme Court, which means that districts are supposed to be as even in population as possible. *************** Obama Won't Go to Court Over Defense of Marriage Act By Marc Ambinder President Obama believes that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and will no longer defend the 15-year-old law in federal court, the Justice Department announced today. *************** Democrat urges unions to 'get a little bloody when necessary' By Michael O'Brien Sometimes it's necessary to get out on the streets and "get a little bloody," a Massachusetts Democrat said Tuesday in reference to labor battles in Wisconsin. *************** GAY BLACK TEA PARTYER Attacked By Racist SEIU Activists at Denver Tea Party A pro-public union SEIU rally turned ugly today outside the Colorado Capitol in Denver. The Colorado union supporters started out the day chanting, “Tax the rich!” But later the unhinged SEIU thugs accosted a gay black tea partyer. This verbal assault lasted for several minutes. In this segment the pro-union leftists asks this black tea partyer, “I just want to know how you can vote against your own best interest.” *************** Harry Reid: ‘The time has come for us to outlaw prostitution’ U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid speaks to a joint session of the Nevada Legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011 at the Legislature in Carson City. By Anjeanette Damon, David McGrath Schwartz, Cy Ryan ARSON CITY — Sen. Harry Reid on Tuesday called for “an adult conversation” about prostitution in Nevada, saying it is an impediment to economic development because it discourages businesses from moving here. *************** Exodus: Dems trigger Statehouse showdown House Democrats force shutdown: Seats on one side of the Indiana House were nearly empty today as House Democrats departed the the state rather than vote on anti-union legislation. Seats on one side of the Indiana House were nearly empty today as House Democrats departed the the state rather than vote on anti-union legislation. *************** Thune not running for President *************** Is the White House Helping to Orchestrate a National Union Uprising? You be the Judge. Posted by LaborUnionReport A full 88% of America is union-free. Yet, despite the fact that the vast majority of American taxpayers do not belong to a union, let alone work for the government, we Americans are being held hostage by a loud and thuggish minority who feel that it is their right to force the vast majority of Americans acquiesce to their demands. *************** Emanuel wins mayor's race and Obama 'couldn't be prouder' By Daniel Strauss Rahm Emanuel will be the next mayor of Chicago, winning enough of Tuesday's primary vote to avoid a runoff election. *************** SF May Ban Infant Circumcision By MATT BAUME Self-described "civil rights advocates" say that a ballot proposition to ban circumcision is on track for gathering signatures, meaning that San Franciscans may vote on the measure this November. *************** Lugar opposes House budget bill By Mike Lillis A senior Senate Republican on Sunday rejected the spending bill approved by House Republicans on Saturday. *************** Angle tells local Republicans: 'I am not a candidate for president' Former senate hopeful is adamant about exploring future options in Nevada By Steve Ranson, Lahontan Valley News FALLON, Nev. -- Sharron Angle, who ran an unsuccessful campaign against incumbent Sen. Harry Reid last year, told local Republicans twice Saturday night that she is not a candidate for president of the United States. *************** Brothels fear Reid will seek their demise By Henry Brean, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL A group of brothel owners and licensed prostitutes are headed for Carson City Tuesday to defend their industry from a possible new foe: U.S. Sen. Harry Reid. *************** Revealed: Oral sex is ‘bigger cause of throat cancer than tobacco’ By Daily Mail Reporter A virus spread during oral sex is now the main cause of throat cancer in people under 50, scientists have warned. *************** Gay student groups want Chick-fil-A off campuses by Michael Mayday - SFPA Member Gay and lesbian groups across the country have launched campaigns to remove Chick-fil-A from campuses in response to the fast food restaurant providing sandwiches and brownies for a traditional marriage conference hosted by the Pennsylvania Family Institute. Economy
& Taxes *************** John Boehner: NO on Shutdown; YES on Entitlement Reform ABC's Jonathan Karl reports: In a speech to the National Association of Religious Broadcasters Sunday night in Nashville, Speaker of the House John Boehner will address “the moral responsibility” to cut spending, reduce the deficit, avoid a government shutdown and also address spending on entitlements, such as Social Security and Medicare. *************** Prepare To Give Up All Private Data For Any Gold Purchase Over $100 A bill proposed in the State of Washington (House Bill 1716), by representatives Asay, Hurst, Klippert, Pearson, and Miloscia, whose alleged purpose is to regulate secondhand gold dealers, seeks to capture "the name, date of birth, sex, height, weight, race, and address and telephone number of the person with whom the transaction is made" or said otherwise, of every purchaser of gold in the state of Washington. Furthermore, if passed, Bill 1716 will record "a complete description of the property pledged, bought, or consigned, including the brand name, serial number, model number or name, any initials or engraving, size, pattern, and color or stone or stones" and of course price. But the kicker: if a transaction is mode for an amount over $100, which means one tenth of an ounce of golds, also required will be a "signature, photo, and fingerprint of the person with whom the transaction is made." *************** Federal, state and local debt hits post-WWII levels By Steven Mufson, Washington Post Staff Writer The daunting tower of national, state and local debt in the United States will reach a level this year unmatched just after World War II and already exceeds the size of the entire economy, according to government estimates. *************** Rogers: CR is a “Monumental Accomplishment” for American Taxpayers WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers today praised the passage of H.R.1, the Continuing Resolution (CR). The legislation includes funding to continue federal government operations for the rest of the 2011 fiscal year, while making the largest single discretionary spending cut in the history of the nation. *************** International *************** U.K.: Cancer sufferers refused life-extending drugs despite Government pledge Dying cancer patients have been refused costly life-extending drugs on cost grounds despite a Government promise to end the "scandal" forever. *************** China's Web police block US ambassador's name By ANITA CHANG BEIJING (AP) - China widened its Internet policing after online calls for protests like those that swept the Middle East, with social networking site LinkedIn and searches for the U.S. ambassador's name both blocked on Friday. *************** Canadian Family Fights to Keep Boy's Breathing Tube in Place The Canadian family of a 13-month-old boy clinging to life support has defied a court order to remove the boy’s breathing tube and now is looking to an American hospital for what experts say would be a miracle recovery. *************** Don’t put wire on your windows – it might hurt burglars! Villagers outraged after police order them not to protect garden sheds By Daily Mail Reporter Residents in Surrey and Kent villages have been ordered by police to remove wire mesh from their windows as burglars could be injured. *************** Opinion *************** Why Public-Employee-Bargaining Laws Must Be Reformed By Peter Kirsanow The battles over public-employee collective bargaining won’t end in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana. The collective-bargaining statutes in most states are, at best, anachronistic, and in need of serious reform. Almost all are based on a flawed assumption: that public-sector bargaining is virtually the same as private-sector bargaining. *************** Emotional rollercoaster by Matthew Jarzen Public figures mask facts with hyperbole and doomsaying There seems to be a bad habit in American political discourse that, frankly, has run its course for far too long. I’m referring to those who suddenly make an otherwise rational and legitimate issue utterly unreasonable and emotional. When that happens, an issue develops until little focus is on the actual issue. Things becomes politicized to a point where problems cannot be solved within schools, states or nations. *************** Gov. Rick Perry's dream: Make the federal government as innocuous as possible By Jennifer Rubin The nation's governors are in Washington for the National Governors' Association meeting. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, head of the Republican Governors' Association, sat down with a small group of bloggers to talk about his accomplishments and his view of federalism. *************** Straight Into Darkness Posted by Repair_Man_Jack 2010 became the year many Americans realized that the emperor stood shivering in the nude. Liberalism was dead, the Liberals had killed it; what now would the Liberals do? The impact of this Nietzsche-like revelation has awakened the American conscience to the existence of a major crisis. Namely, America is run, lock, stock, and barrel by a set of governments designed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They are designed to execute an antiquated vision of the Liberal ideology that will lead our people nowhere except to cataclysmic failure. *************** Corner of Presidents: Calvin Coolidge, Prophet of Thrift By Amity Shlaes The most neglected virtue in modern life is thrift. Coolidge, however, understood that thrift gives us the miracle of plenty. An old-fashioned Vermonter, he also understood that thrift took devotion. What I’ve come to discover in researching a biography of Coolidge is that he made a religion of thrift and became its prophet. As a result, Coolidge achieved something Reagan did not: Coolidge left office in 1929 with a smaller budget than the one that greeted him when he came in. *************** |
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