Thursday, April 27, 2006

Government Pesters Wounded Soldiers Over Unwarranted Debts. Nearly 900 soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan have been saddled with government debts as they have recovered from war, according to a report that describes collection notices going out to veterans with brain damage, paralysis, lost limbs and shrapnel wounds. [t r u t h o u t] 12:55:26 PM    comment []

Jane Wells: Thank You George Clooney (and Oprah Too). George Clooney and his father, journalist Nick Clooney, have just returned from a trip to Chad and Sudan, where they met with refugees from the on-going genocide in the Darfur. Why did they go? George Clooney had heard Colin Powell call this genocide and he had read Nicholas Kristof and Samantha Power on the subject. There was more: "I'd had a fairly good year," Clooney explained to Oprah on yesterday's show. "I thought I should cash in some of that capital on bringing attention to some of the things that concerned me." He showed exclusive video footage of his trip, including children chanting "Oprah! Hi Oprah!" Thank God for their efforts! Finally, this genocide has enough sex appeal for mainstream TV. Oprah and 10 million viewers! There isn't time for cynicism here. Genocide trumps just about everything as a crime against humanity. Oprah asked Clooney point blank: "OK so a genocide is taking place, now 10 million people know about this. What can they do?" "They could go online to www.savedarfur.org or they could call the White House, that's 800 224 2084 " he replied. Good for George Clooney. He spoke movingly about what he had witnessed. He was especially poignant about the helplessness of the victims he had met, stranded, homeless, hungry and abandoned. His interest and intentions are admirable. Both he and Oprah stressed the point that we could all get out of our chairs and do something. The belief that one person can make a difference is what has sustained me, and all the people I have worked with over the last 18 months. In this time I have traveled to Africa four times, to bear witness to genocide. I have written articles and posted numerous blogs. I have raised money for survivors and tried to raise awareness about this crisis. I am currently producing a documentary about this genocide. Everyone I have met and worked with in all these efforts believes one can person can make a difference. Many of those people who are not in Africa right now will be at The Rally to Stop Genocide in Washington, DC, this Sunday, April 30. Today I just wanted to say "Thank You" to George Clooney and Oprah. One person can make a difference, and if it happens to be one of you two, well that can make a hell of a difference. Perhaps we could even help reach a critical tipping point. Let's hope it's George Bush and Kofi Annan who decide to make a difference next. Fingers crossed! [The Huffington Post | Full Blog Feed] 12:46:07 PM    comment []

European Inquiry Says CIA Flew 1,000 Flights in Secret. Investigators for the European Parliament said Wednesday that data gathered from air safety regulators and others found that the Central Intelligence Agency had flown 1,000 undeclared flights over European territory since 2001. [t r u t h o u t] 11:14:32 AM    comment []

BOO HOO HOO. POOR EXXON ... The biggest first quarter profit ever posted by Exxon Mobil reportedly "still fell short of Wall Street forecasts," disappointing analysts. [Cursor.org] 11:12:03 AM    comment []

Although more than 600 U.S. personnel have been "credibly alleged to have abused, tortured or killed detainees," a new report documents unfulfilled promises of "transparency, investigation, and appropriate punishment for those responsible." Plus: 'All locked up with no place to go.' [Cursor.org] 11:09:03 AM    comment []

The Washington Post finds "sticker shock on Capitol Hill" as 'Projected Iraq War Costs Soar,' "exceeding even the worst-case scenarios," in the words of the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee. [Cursor.org] 11:08:12 AM    comment []

'Perilously Low Marks' A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll found only 19 percent "feeling confident about the economy," and job approval for the GOP-controlled Congress at 22 percent, down from 33 percent a month ago -- and it's noted that "November will be the last time that voters can punish George Bush." [Cursor.org] 11:06:26 AM    comment []

HOMELAND SECURITY -- HOUSE CONSERVATIVES BLOCK 100 PERCENT CARGO SCREENING: Conservatives in the House Homeland Security Committee yesterday voted down an amendment by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) that would have mandated 100 percent scanning of American-bound shipping containers for radiological weapons. The vote followed an [base "]aggressive lobbying campaign[per thou] by a [base "]coalition of industry groups[per thou] who pressed conservative members to oppose the amendment. On Tuesday, committee chairman Peter King (R-NY) announced that he was caving to industry interests. His excuse was that Markey[base ']s plan was "not realistic": "There[base ']s no sense putting something in the bill if it[base ']s not realistic, if it[base ']s not going to be implemented and can[base ']t be done. We want a real bill, not a headline." In fact, the plan is realistic: for well over a year, Hong Kong has been successfully using high tech screening machines to inspect every single container. Achieving that in the United States will undoubtedly take time, but it is technologically feasible, and should be our number one port security priority. Businesses that rely on shipping simply don[base ']t want to spend the money, and conservatives are bending to their will at the expense of our homeland security. 11:00:54 AM    comment []

CIA 'warns' ex-agents away from media (2). CIA 'warns' ex-agents away from media (2) [The Raw Story | A rational voice - Alternative news] 10:39:31 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2006 Patricia Thurston.