May 7, 2004

UN Official Blames Sudan for Violence Washington Post - Sudanese forces and the Janjaweed militias engaged in "a reign of terror" that "may constitute war crimes and or crimes against humanity," Bertrand G. Ramcharan, the acting UN high commissioner for human rights, wrote in a 16-page report on Darfur. This really is a week for the UN.  "Electing" Sudan to the Human Rights commision, AND blaming them for human right violations.  11:07:57 PM

Acting Guilty The United Nations has sent a stern letter to an important witness in the Iraq oil-for-food investigation, demanding that he not cooperate with congressional probes of the scandal. 12:16:47 PM

Helena Independent Record Portland Lawyer Arrested In Spain Attacks Katu.com, OR -FBI agents arrested a Portland man Thursday as part of the investigation into the deadly train bombings in Spain, federal officials said. Brandon Mayfield, 37, who is a Portland attorney, U.S. citizen and convert to Islam, was taken into custody on a material witness warrant, said a senior law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Mayfield's fingerprints were found on materials related to the Madrid bombings, said a second senior law enforcement official, also speaking on condition of anonymity. Searching Google brings a few interesting results... Brandon Mayfield is a former Army officer and a vocal critic of the Bush Administration's foreign policy.  It appears that immigration law is one of his specialties. I would guess that his fingerprint were on file due to his Army service.  However I don't have a guess as to why they would think to compare them with ones found in Madrid. Portland attorney Tom Nelson, who described himself as Mayfield's friend and mentor is a Portland Muslim and an outspoken proponent of a separate Palestinian state.  He is co-founder of the Americans United Palestinian Human Rights.  Mr. Nelson has also traveled with/for the International Solidarity Movement. 9:51:16 AM

Pakistan bomb blast kills 5 CBC British Columbia - At least five people were killed and 35 injured in an explosion in Karachi, Pakistan, on Friday. A bomb exploded at a Shia mosque inside a religious school shortly after 1 p.m. local time, at the beginning of Friday prayers, police said. Extensive damage has been reported at the mosque, which is one of two at the school for students aged 4-18. There are separate mosques for Sunni and Shia worshippers. This was in revenge for the mistreatment that Pakistan is doing towards the Palestinians... No wait that was last weeks reason... It was to force Pakistan to remove it's troops from the Holy Cities in Saudi Arabia.... No that doesn't work... It was done to force Pakistan to remove it's troops from Iraq... Nope that isn't it either...Just hold on I have a reason her somewhere... Damn this used to be a lot easier... OK, I got it now, it was because "The Zionist made us do it!" Seriously... This event will surely enflame the Islamic world.  9:44:11 AM