Earthquake: M 3.8 - Indiana

Magnitude: 3.8
Location: Indiana

Time: Thu, Dec 30, 2010 7:55:21 AM EST
GMT: Thu, Dec 30, 2010 12:55:21 GMT

Latitude: 40° 25' 37" N (40.4270°)
Longitude: 85° 53' 16" W (-85.8880°)
Depth: 3.0 mi

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=M%203.8%20-%20Indiana@40.426998,-85.888000&z=6

More Information: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0000x03.php

Data provided by US Geological Survey.

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Tsunami Report

Page last loaded at: Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:40:19 UTC. Tsunami Messages for All Regions (Past 30 days) Click on the map or table below for more information. Image last created on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:39:14 UTC. Time (UTC) Region Type To: Details 1 29 Dec 2010 07:03 Vanuatu Islands Information Statement Haw html, text 1 29 Dec 2010 07:02 Vanuatu Islands Information Bulletin Pac html, text 2 25 Dec 2010 14:45 Vanuatu Islands Fixed Regional Warning Cancellation Pac html, text 2 25 Dec 2010 14:27 Vanuatu Islands Fixed Regional Warning Supplement Pac html, text 2 25 Dec 2010 13:28 Vanuatu Islands Region Information Statement Haw html, text 2 25 Dec 2010 13:26 Vanuatu Islands Region Fixed Regional Warning Pac html, text 3 22 Dec 2010 22:19 Bonin Islands, Japan Region Information Statement Haw html, text 3 22 Dec 2010 22:18 Bonin Islands, Japan Region Information Bulletin Pac html, text 4 21 Dec 2010 20:43 Bonin Islands, Japan Region Information Bulletin Supplement Pac html, text 4 21 Dec 2010 20:05 Bonin Islands, Japan Region Information Bulletin Supplement Pac html, text 5 21 Dec 2010 17:33 Bonin Islands, Japan Region Information Statement Haw html, text 5 21 Dec 2010 17:31 Bonin Islands, Japan Region Information Bulletin Pac html, text 6 18 Dec 2010 20:14 At the Island of Kahoolawe Local Information Statement Haw html, text 7 02 Dec 2010 03:21 New Britain Region, P.N.G. Information Statement Haw html, text 7 02 Dec 2010 03:19 New Britain Region, P.N.G. Information Bulletin Pac html, text "UTC" = Coordinated Universal Time (aka: GMT or Zulu). "To:" = recipient of messages:             Pac=Pacific Ocean (excluding U.S. mainland & Canada), Haw=Hawai`i, Ind=Indian Ocean, Car=Caribbean Sea

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Earthquake: M 5.0 - Bonin Islands, Japan region

Magnitude: 5.0
Location: Bonin Islands, Japan region

Time: Thu, Dec 30, 2010 9:40:37 AM EST
GMT: Thu, Dec 30, 2010 14:40:37 GMT

Latitude: 27° 18' 28" N (27.3080°)
Longitude: 143° 13' 19" E (143.2222°)
Depth: 21.6 mi

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=M%205.0%20-%20Bonin%20Islands%2C%20Japan%20region@27.308001,143.222198&z=6

More Information: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0000x18.php

Data provided by US Geological Survey.

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Earthquake: M 7.4 - Bonin Islands, Japan region

Magnitude: 7.4
Location: Bonin Islands, Japan region

Time: Tue, Dec 21, 2010 12:19:40 PM EST
GMT: Tue, Dec 21, 2010 17:19:40 GMT

Latitude: 26° 53' 31" N (26.8920°)
Longitude: 143° 43' 32" E (143.7257°)
Depth: 8.7 mi

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=M%207.4%20-%20Bonin%20Islands%2C%20Japan%20region@26.892000,143.725693&z=6

More Information: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0000rxc.php

Data provided by US Geological Survey.

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A Rational Arguement for Michael Vick's Execution

The above video shows Tucker Carlson advocating the execution of Michael Vick. As my loyal readers know, I once worked as a dog walker myself and wrote The Dog Walkers Handbook.

While President Obama has a point about giving people a second chance, there are exceptions. One of those exceptions should be when the crime is of a type where there is little hope of rehabilitation. injury yo animals is one of those crimes.

Hurting and killing animals for fun is an indicator of being a sociopath. There's no cure for that condition. Michael Vick is a sociopath. He got caught. He's sorry that he got caught. Now he throws pigskin for the Philadelphia Eagles. That fact doesn't change a thing. He's still a dangerous nut case who has not recovered. But we'll find that fact out soon enough. About the time he isn't playing football anymore.

Earthquake: M 6.3 - south of the Fiji Islands

Magnitude: 6.3
Location: south of the Fiji Islands

Time: Tue, Dec 28, 2010 3:34:17 AM EST
GMT: Tue, Dec 28, 2010 08:34:17 GMT

Latitude: 23° 22' 28" S (-23.3747°)
Longitude: 179° 47' 38" W (-179.7939°)
Depth: 342.5 mi

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=M%206.3%20-%20south%20of%20the%20Fiji%20Islands@-23.374701,-179.793900&z=6

More Information: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0000vy2.php

Data provided by US Geological Survey.

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Why DC Real Estate Prices Are Going Up, and the Suburbs Will Tank

  Aside from everything, who wants to live a life where you have to be in your car to get anywhere?  No matter what your suburban friends say, nothing is only a few minutes away, because if it was they could just walk there. 

And who wants to lose their power all the time?

Heating a home is going to become very expensive if the prediction below is accurate. Then the cost of driving is going to rise on top of it. And I don't know why nobody is thinking about all the time wasted in the car. 

		$5 Gas In 2012, Ex Shell President Predicts
	NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The former president of Shell Oil, John Hofmeister, says Americans could be paying $5 for a gallon of gasoline by 2012....

 

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Huffington Post: Boondoggle Galactica: Amid Economic Crisis, NASA Forced To Spend Nearly $500 Million On Defunct Program

 

		Boondoggle Galactica: Amid Economic Crisis, NASA Forced To Spend Nearly $500 Million On Defunct Program
	Thanks to congressional inaction, NASA must continue to fund its defunct Ares I rocket program until March -- a requirement that will cost the agency...

 

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Wizards Anti-Human Trafficking Awareness Night

Happy Holidays, SMS!  We have an exciting event announcement!  The DC Human Trafficking Task Force (DCHTTF) is proud to announce that it will be hosting an awareness event on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day on January 11, 2011 during the exciting matchup between the Washington Wizards and the Sacramento Kings. The event will bring awareness on human trafficking at a widely publicized sports game. The DCHTTF will have an information booth at the game and the announcer will read a statement about National Human Trafficking Awareness Day to thousands of spectators in the stadium.  If you attended the DC Stop Modern Slavery Walk in October please wear your red shirts from the walk which highlight the DCHTTF and the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-3737-888). If you weren?t at the walk and do not have a t-shirt please feel free to wear any red shirt to show your solidarity with us as a movement to end human trafficking!  Details: Tickets range from $22 - $65. You can purchase tickets for the game here: [www.verizoncenter.com/wiz/dctaskforce].  When prompted for the secret password simply enter: WIZARDS.  **A portion of the proceeds from the tickets will go towards member organizations of DCHTTF serving victims of human trafficking.**  Help spread the word, here are three things you can do right now:  1. Tell your friends and family members about the event! Forward this email.  2. Post this on your Facebook page!  Join us at the Human Trafficking Awareness Night at the Wizards VS Kings game on January 11! The DC Human Trafficking Task Force will have an information booth at the game. There will be an announcement encouraging the thousands of spectators to visit the DCHTTF information booth in the stadium to get more information on human trafficking. A portion of ticket proceeds will go to the DCHTTF!  Purchase tickets at:http://ow.ly/3rXJf. Use special code: WIZARDS  3. Send this tweet on Twitter!  Come to the #Humantrafficking Awareness Night:@Wizards VS Kings game 1/11!http://ow.ly/3rXJf code: WIZARDS        We hope to see you there!  -Danielle and Fabiana

Earthquake: M 7.4 - Bonin Islands, Japan region

Magnitude: 7.4
Location: Bonin Islands, Japan region

Time: Tue, Dec 21, 2010 12:19:40 PM EST
GMT: Tue, Dec 21, 2010 17:19:40 GMT

Latitude: 26° 53' 31" N (26.8920°)
Longitude: 143° 43' 32" E (143.7257°)
Depth: 8.7 mi

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=M%207.4%20-%20Bonin%20Islands%2C%20Japan%20region@26.892000,143.725693&z=6

More Information: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0000rxc.php

Data provided by US Geological Survey.

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Tea Party Economics Explained With Cows

The richer blue states give you a cow through Federal spending. You complain about the cow as the source of all your problems. You decry wealth distribution. You eat the cow. You want another one.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Worry

So it has happened at last. Anti-gay discrimination in the military just got a big setback. And I predict that one year from now no one will be talking about this issue at all. Fortunately, we will have the hours and hours of television footage predicting disaster to laugh at in the coming years. Not that any amount of inaccurate scare-mongering will stop the cultural conservatives from making wild accusations and predictions in the future.

I wonder what will be the next topic to terrify? I've noticed a lot of infants, many more than usual, shaking their rattles at passing adults on the sidewalk. it sounds to me like overt aggressiveness borne out of a disaffection brought on by latent environmentalism in baby food ads. This socialism must be stopped! Take it away, Glen Beck!

Celtic Christmas This Weekend

Last weekend for Candlelit Celtic Christmas Concerts!

Posted by: "zimmerdc@aol.com" zimmerdc@aol.com  khatitizimmer

Wed Dec 8, 2010 1:33 pm (PST)

Dear Neighbor, 
Fill the hall with candles and greens. Sprinkle in a generous helping of 
holiday spirit and a handful of merriment. Add a Celtic harp, pipes, lute, 
flutes and bodhran and stir vigorously. Then lace with seasonal readings for 
the best holiday show in town – our traditional Celtic Christmas! 
This "beloved Washington tradition" and a "Gift to Treasure" according 
to the Washington Post is enjoyable for both children and adults. 
Please join us and mention at the Concert Café that you are a neighbor of 
Connie Zimmer's and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or hot cider on the 
house. 
Concert dates: 
Saturday, December 11 at 4pm and 8pm 
Sunday, December 12 at 4pm 
TICKETS: 202 965.2000 or _www.dumbartonconcerts.org_ 
(http://www.dumbartonconcerts.org/) 
Adults $33, Seniors $29, Youth (18 and under $16 
Warm holiday wishes, 
Connie Zimmer 
Executive Director

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WikiLeaks Supporters Take Down Visa Site

Huffington Post reports that Visa's web site is down, too. Another hacker attack. Bet they didn't see that one coming. 

 

		WikiLeaks Supporters Take Down Visa Site
	Story is developing: More information to come Just hours after MasterCard's website was disabled by WikiLeaks supporters, Visa.com is now down as well. Via its...

 

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Glenn Beck Limerick by Leisure Lad

WRECK’D TREK O’ MASSA BECK

Once young punk, Glenn was a drunk
Now he’s a Mormon prude
Back in society
‘twas charged by th’Almighty
To tell everyone ELSE what to do

MasterCard.com DOWN: WikiLeaks Supporters Hack Site For 'Payback'

  I've said it before and I'll say it again. Scrap everything you knew before about how things work. We are the information age. Power has shifted from bureaucracies and institutions to small groups of people on a mission. 

In this case, it's supporting Wikileaks. And before we go on and ask for Assange's assassination again, let's remember that he is only the product of the Information Age. He is not the leaker. He is only standing on the infrastructure of the Internet and the vested interest to keep it going by big business. 

The Internet is now too vital to our national economy for it to be shut down even in part because of political trth-telling. 

		MasterCard.com DOWN: WikiLeaks Supporters Hack Site For 'Payback'
	MasterCard.com has been down since about 5 a.m. ET. According to the BBC, hackers who support WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange are taking credit. Earlier this...

 

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Tia has sent you a picture from the Cosmic Discoveries iPhone app.

Tia has sent you an image from the Cosmic Discoveries iPhone app USER'S MESSAGE: Great painting.
Charles Messier
Photographer's Comments From 1758 to 1782 Charles Messier, a comet-hunting French astronomer (1730 - 1817), sought to catalog the location of deep-sky objects that could easily be mistaken for comets in small telescopes. His list contains a few more than 100 diffuse objects. The actual number is controversial because of problems with identifying certain objects. M40 may not exist at all, or at best is a dim double star pair. M102 is probably a duplicate entry of M101. Today the list is considered the sky's very best showpiece objects for deep-sky enthusiasts. All the objects can be seen with small amateur telescopes and many can be seen with binoculars.

Earthquake: M 2.6 - France

Magnitude: 2.6
Location: France

Time: Tue, Dec 7, 2010 8:54:51 PM EST
GMT: Wed, Dec 8, 2010 01:54:51 GMT

Latitude: 45° 9' 35" N (45.1600°)
Longitude: 6° 31' 48" E (6.5300°)
Depth: 0.0 mi

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=M%202.6%20-%20France@45.160000,6.530000&z=6

More Information: http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=202287

Data provided by European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.

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Earthquake: M 2.2 - Poland

Magnitude: 2.2
Location: Poland

Time: Tue, Dec 7, 2010 10:03:25 PM EST
GMT: Wed, Dec 8, 2010 03:03:25 GMT

Latitude: 50° 5' 59" N (50.1000°)
Longitude: 18° 25' 12" E (18.4200°)
Depth: 1.2 mi

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=M%202.2%20-%20Poland@50.099998,18.420000&z=6

More Information: http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/earthquake.php?id=202296

Data provided by European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.

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APt: Dick Cheney Charged In Bribery Case

  Big Jim got his back, by finding out about not hustling people strange to you. Even if you do got a two piece custom-made pool cue. 

- Jim Croce, Viet Nam war fatality

		Dick Cheney Charged In Bribery Case
	LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigeria's anti-corruption agency on Tuesday charged former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney over a bribery scheme involving oil services firm Halliburton Co....

 

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The Scurrilous Pamphleteer

Limerick From Leisure Lad

C. Brown’s ignored, bore without score
Beagle’s off fightin’ th' First World War
Pitching made him small, kites find the trees
His football’s yanked by a borderline personality
Who better prepared to be an adult, I implore?

Torture Threats for Wikileaks Founder from Newt Gingrich

This is an e-mail from TheHill.com (http://TheHill.com) sent by Caxsmith@Mac.com (Caxsmith@aol.com). You may find the following link interesting: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/132037-gingrich-blames-obama-on-wikileaks-labels-assange-a-terrorist

SCANDAL: DPR's DC Citywide Cheer and Pom-Pon Extravaganza is FIXED

The Washington, DC Department of Parks and Recreation held a citywide Cheerleading and Pom-Pon competition that had all the potential to be a great event. It fell flat when they changed the rules of the competition to ensure the two-time citywide champions, Shining Stars, were eliminated from the competition.

Hosted at the Stoddert Recreation Center, hundreds of Washington, DC residents from all over the city cheered their local girls as they shouted, tumbled and did lifts. Smiles were the order of the day. More than that, every team cheered for every other team each time. "We are proud of you!" rang out between team cheer routines.

And then it hit: the two-time city-wide pom-pon champions, Shining Stars, were told that the rules to the competition had changed and the routine they had rehearsed for six weeks put them in the other division, cheerleading, two days before the event. It was too late to change their routine and they were unprepared for the new category.

"We didn't stand a chance in the division they put us in," said the pom-pon captain for Stoddert's Shining Stars Selena Shea. "K'Yanna Blackwell should get fired." K'Yanna Blackwell was responsible for organizing the event.

The Shining Stars were in tears and the pom-pon championship went to another team. On top of that, after denying the Shining Stars their opportunity to compete fairly based on a rule change, there was no copy of the new rules available at the event for anyone to review.

"Stoddert is Fenty's rec center and she disrespected it. She was not supporting the team. Probably she did change the rules to stop Stoddert." observed Ms. Shea.

Ms. Blackwell told Rosendale to say their chant five or more times and didn't ask anyone else to say theirs. Shining Stars got a third place trophy after the event was finished as consolation. Pom-pon captain Selena Shea said. "I feel horrible about competing again, but I am going to compete anyway even though there was a rule change and it might have been because of my team."



This issue is not to take away from the great work and energy of the girls at the competition. Before the unfair ruling, the event was fun and it was great to see the girls doing their routines. The Tigers were another team to watch. Here's a photo of them lining up before competing.



Try Varsity.com for all things cheeleader.

Rosedale Recreation Center had its own cheering section, and after seeing them do lifts and tumbles it was easy to see why. They clearly have been working on their routine for a long time and did a tremendous amount of work on it. The whole event could have been fantastic for everyone. No one is helped by reducing the level of competition.

But the Stoddert Recreation Center's Shining Stars were treated unfairly and then no rules were shown at the event to demonstrate that the truth was, in fact, being told.

Earthquake: M 5.3 - Vanuatu region

Magnitude: 5.3
Location: Vanuatu region

Time: Sun, Dec 5, 2010 7:48:38 AM EST
GMT: Sun, Dec 5, 2010 12:48:38 GMT

Latitude: 21° 50' 29" S (-21.8415°)
Longitude: 174° 35' 7" E (174.5855°)
Depth: 6.2 mi

Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=M%205.3%20-%20Vanuatu%20region@-21.841499,174.585495&z=6

More Information: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010elaw.php

Data provided by US Geological Survey.

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The Comb from Heaven - Limerick by Leisure Lad

THE COMB FROM HEAVEN
Blago the Bribe crossed the line,
By compare Watergate looks benign
Our corrupt little pet
Escaped fate Joliet
Who cares, his hair looks divine!
 
 
 

O'Donnell Limerick by Leisure Lad

WHO BETTER THAN AN AMERICAN DEBTOR?
Ex-witch O’Donnell’s all  purity tenets,
Though ignores  her debts past the limit
Drags the Libs through the mud
(An’ no poundin’ yer pud)
Who better for our U.S. Senate?
 

Limerick on Gay Republicans by Leisure Lad

 
THE BARBARIAN LIBERTARIANS
Log Cabin-ettes pride of their mothers
“Really, we’re moral, not like the others”
As we lower the lights
On these supply-side sodomites
“Gay Abraham ‘twould understand” they blubber!
 
 
 

Hitchens Sibling Rivalry Limerick by Leisure Lad

 
 
SIBLING RIVALRY?
 
Hitchens bros, writers Peter and Chris
A pious an’ an atheis’
Below Chris will reign
With O’Hare, Russell and Twain
Or is there a Pearly Gates sibling rate guest list?
 
 
 

Louis Farrakhan Limerick by Leisure Lad

Louis Farrakhan’s curious vision
Stated with such derision
Honkeys  spawned in a tube
By Dr. Yakub
Gives Western Civ such precision
 
 

Bill Cosby Limerick by Leisure Lad

William Cosby was a comedic fellow
Till he mislaid his charming mellow
“I’m  critic and savior
Of proper inner city behavior”
Shoulda stuck to Fat Albert and Jello

Recession Impressions - Limerick by Leisure Lad

 
RECESSION IMPRESSIONS
Fannie Mae shatters and cracks
Foreclosures abound to the max
White trash got wrecked
Buyin’ McMansions on spec
But Whee! AIG can relax
 
 

The Obama Apolog-O-Rama - Limerick by Leisure Lad

THE OBAMA APOLOG-ORAMA
Beat cop shed some tears
Advancing Skip Gates’s career
Seemed scant consolation
Viewed by the nation
Hanging w’ the Veep  and his non-alky beer
 

Tea Party Limerick from Leisure Lad

The Tea Party geezers familiar refrain
"Why insure the slackers who play?"
But if we made it fair
And cut their Medicare
There'd be quite different protests today.

Levi Johnston Limerick by Leisure Lad

Levi Johnston, a young Alaskan pistol
Impregnated the star-dancing Bristol
But since he went bailin'
from the palace of Palin
He'll prolly be dealin' Crystal

SCANDAL: DPR's DC Citywide Cheer and Pom-Pon Extravaganza is FIXED

The Washington, DC Department of Parks and Recreation held a citywide Cheerleading and Pom-Pon competition that had all the potential to be a great event. It fell flat when they changed the rules of the competition to ensure the two-time citywide champions, Shining Stars, were eliminated from the competition.

Hosted at the Stoddert Recreation Center, hundreds of Washington, DC residents from all over the city cheered their local girls as they shouted, tumbled and did lifts. Smiles were the order of the day. More than that, every team cheered for every other team each time. "We are proud of you!" rang out between team cheer routines.

And then it hit: the two-time city-wide pom-pon champions, Shining Stars, were told that the rules to the competition had changed and the routine they had rehearsed for six weeks put them in the other division, cheerleading, two days before the event. It was too late to change their routine and they were unprepared for the new category.

"We didn't stand a chance in the division they put us in," said the pom-pon captain for Stoddert's Shining Stars Selena Shea. "K'Yanna Blackwell should get fired." K'Yanna Blackwell was responsible for organizing the event.

The Shining Stars were in tears and the pom-pon championship went to another team. On top of that, after denying the Shining Stars their opportunity to compete fairly based on a rule change, there was no copy of the new rules available at the event for anyone to review.

"Stoddert is Fenty's rec center and she disrespected it. She was not supporting the team. Probably she did change the rules to stop Stoddert." observed Ms. Shea.

Ms. Blackwell told Rosendale to say their chant five or more times and didn't ask anyone else to say theirs. Shining Stars got a third place trophy after the event was finished as consolation. Pom-pon captain Selena Shea said. "I feel horrible about competing again, but I am going to compete anyway even though there was a rule change and it might have been because of my team."



This issue is not to take away from the great work and energy of the girls at the competition. Before the unfair ruling, the event was fun and it was great to see the girls doing their routines. The Tigers were another team to watch. Here's a photo of them lining up before competing.



Try Varsity.com for all things cheeleader.

Rosedale Recreation Center had its own cheering section, and after seeing them do lifts and tumbles it was easy to see why. They clearly have been working on their routine for a long time and did a tremendous amount of work on it. The whole event could have been fantastic for everyone. No one is helped by reducing the level of competition.

But the Stoddert Recreation Center's Shining Stars were treated unfairly and then no rules were shown at the event to demonstrate that the truth was, in fact, being told.

Wikileaks Cable: Obama Admin Worked With GOP To Kill Bush Torture Probe

  Who here is surprised?  Obama tries to stop criminal prosecutions of torturers, buy in the end he will not succeed. We will never rest. 

		Wikileaks Cable: Obama Admin Worked With GOP To Kill Bush Torture Probe
	In its first months in office, the Obama administration sought to protect Bush administration officials facing criminal investigation overseas for their involvement in establishing policies...

 

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Three Million Children In India are Enslaved

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The following are a collection of news stories about human trafficking and slavery from around the world. INDIA - Country has 3 Million Children in Flesh Trade OHIO - Panel Sets Vote on Modern-day Slavery Proposal AUSTRALIA - Threats, Debts and Isolation: the New Chains of Slavery INDONESIA - In the Current Slave Trade, Indonesia the Largest Exporter MALAYSIA - Battling Sea-mediated Human Trafficking GEORGIA - Mexican Convicted in Sex Trafficking Case Country has Three Million Children in Flesh Trade By Neha Madaan The Times of India November 25, 2010 Currently, there are three million children in India involved in sex trafficking, according to Ruchira Gupta, the founding director of Apne Aap Women Worldwide, an anti-trafficking organization. She said there are likely many more adult women being trafficked in the South Asian nation. Gupta is lobbying the Indian Parliament for a change in the national anti-trafficking law that would impose harsher punishments for the  buyers of prostituted sex and the traffickers who profit from it, along with removal of clauses that punish women and girls.   To read the rest of the story, click here.     Panel Sets Vote on Modern-day Slavery Proposal   By Jim Provance The Blade November 25, 2010    State lawmakers in Ohio may vote on a bill this week that seeks to crack down on modern-day slavery. The Senate Judiciary-Criminal Justice Committee is expected to vote on legislation to create a stand-alone felony of human trafficking. A full Senate vote could come as soon as today. The bill would then head for the state House, where the speaker has said he will push for passage.  Ohio has been slow to follow 44 other states in enacting a stand-alone crime, even as the state has become a major destination point for those coerced into the sex trade.   To read the rest of the story, click here.     Threats, Debts and Isolation: the New Chains of Slavery    By Geesche Jacobsen Sydney Morning Herald November 26, 2010 A new report by the Australian Institute of Criminology has found that the problem of modern-day slavery in the country has been seriously underestimated. The thrust of the report focuses on the estimated 500,000 migrant workers at risk of being trafficked by industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, construction and meat-packing. The report call for a greater usage of labor laws instead of relying on only criminal prosecutions, which require a higher burden of proof.   To read the rest of the story, click here.   In the Current Slave Trade, Indonesia the Largest Exporter By Endy M. Bayuni The Jakarta Post November 24, 2010 Despite recent high-profile cases of Indonesian housemaids being severely tortured and abused while working abroad, the Indonesian government is not expected to curb its export of domestic workers as they send home billions of dollars in foreign remittances. Live-in housemaids -- whether in Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Riyadh, Hong Kong, or anywhere else in the world -- essentially work under arrangements not unlike the slavery system of old. The contract that a maid signs is unenforceable the moment after she steps into the house.   To read the rest of the story, click here.   Battling Sea-mediated Human Trafficking By Pooja Theresa Stanslas Korea Times November 25, 2010 In Malaysia, the growing illegal cross-border trafficking of humans in recent years has made the government anxious especially in view of rapid economic globalization, the worldwide economic crisis and increasing maritime trade and the nation's dependency on it. Analyzing the trafficking problem is complicated by the difficulty of separating it from human smuggling, which is the voluntary movements of people through illegal channels. The issue is further complicated when smuggled migrants are forced to work in debt bondage to pay off the smugglers which effectively defines them as trafficked individuals. To read the rest of the story, click here.     Mexican Convicted in Sex Trafficking Case in Ga. Greg Bluestein The Associated Press November 24, 2010 A Mexican man was convicted Tuesday on federal charges of orchestrating a sex trafficking scheme in which prosecutors say he lured at least 10 impoverished young Mexican women to the Atlanta area between spring 2006 and June 2008 with false promises of good-paying jobs.  Amador Cortes-Meza, 36, could face life in prison after a jury in U.S. District Court convicted him of the 19 counts he was facing, including sex trafficking of minors, conspiracy and smuggling charges for bringing the women to metro Atlanta and then making them work as prostitutes indefinitely to repay transportation costs and living expenses.   To read the rest of the story, click here.     ABOLITION! Stop Modern Slavery | P.O. Box 66462 | Washington, DC 20035 To report a tip about human trafficking, please contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888. www.stopmodernslavery.org

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NACA CEO ARRESTED in Hearing Fighting for Homeowners

Why am I surprised?  Arrested standing up for homeowners sounds about right.  What they really mean is criticizing banks is illegal. 

NACA
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE CORPORATION OF AMERICA WWW.NACA.COM
Bruce Marks CEO Headquarters: Boston, MA (888) 297-5568 OFFICES: ATLANTA, GA       (404) 377-4545 AUGUSTA, GA       (706) 855-7464 BALTIMORE, MD       (410) 783-0465 BIRMINGHAM, AL       (205) 942-8111 BOSTON, MA       (617) 250-6244 BUFFALO, NY       (716) 834-6222 CHARLESTON, SC       (843) 556-0497 CHARLOTTE, NC       (704) 536-7676 CHICAGO, IL       (773) 723-6222 CLEVELAND, OH       (216) 619-4110 COLUMBIA, SC       (803) 255-0223 DALLAS, TX       (972) 283-1171 DENVER, CO       (303) 694-5437 HAND, TX       (877) 952-6222 HOUSTON, TX       (713) 706-3400 JACKSON, MS       (601) 922-4008 JACKSONVILLE, FL       (904) 306-9272 KANSAS CITY, MO       (816) 531-6222 LAS VEGAS, NV       (702) 362-6199 LAWRENCE, MA       (978) 687-3993 LITTLE ROCK, AR       (501) 492-0083 LOS ANGELES, CA       (310) 412-2600 MEMPHIS, TN       (901) 348-0115 MILWAUKEE, WI       (414) 442-6222 MINNEAPOLIS, MN       (888) 404-6222 NASHVILLE, TN       (615) 781-4240 NEW HAVEN, CT       (203) 562-6220 NEW ORLEANS, LA       (504) 241-2090 NEWARK, NJ       (973) 679-2601 OAKLAND, CA       (510) 652-6622 PHILADELPHIA, PA       (215) 531-5221 PHOENIX, AZ       (602) 248-4408 RALEIGH, NC       (919) 855-8484 SAN ANTONIO, TX       (210) 826-2828 SPRINGFIELD, MA       (413) 788-6220 ST LOUIS, MO       (314) 645-8333 TAMPA, FL       (813) 287-5051 WASHINGTON, DC       (202) 328-6333	To Christine Axsmith: We have enclosed a video of NACA's founder and CEO getting arrested advocating for Chase homeowners at the Senate Banking Committee. Click here to view this story which is sweeping through the internet. Also to view the prior video of Dave Lowman, Chase's CEO for Home Retention, telling homeowner's having difficulties to "Come to Me". Click here for the video showing him lying to Congress and homeowners. NACA will continue to fight for all homeowners. As in all of our previous actions we have important friends, including the police who let us off without being charged. They also provide us access to the gated communities where these CEOs live in the lap of luxury. These police and security guards are like millions of homeowners who are either at risk of foreclosure or know someone very close to them who is in danger of losing their home. Everyone is frustrated and angry at the lenders. We will continue the fight and continue to confront Chase and others, wherever they go and where they live, who get in the way of homeowners achieving a long-term affordable mortgage payment. We are working with the lenders to have a proposal or follow-up for every homeowner prior to the end of the year. Please continue to access your Web-file for updates by clicking here. We are determined to get this done for everyone who is committed to staying in their homes. We want to express our sincere thanks to the hundreds of homeowners who, with very little advance notice attended the Senate hearing. Your presence sent a very strong message. NACA is the most effective organization advocating for hundreds of thousands of homeowners. NACA is able to save hundreds and sometimes over a thousand dollars a month through NACA's legally binding agreements with all the major lenders and investors. We will keep up the fight and look forward to your active participation. Sincerely, NACA Management P.S. NACA is engaged in a campaign against Chase called "Chasing Chase". Click here for details on the campaign.

Washington DC's Non-Profit Scam

  Many museums in DC are just an excuse to run a catering business without paying taxes.  I am speaking of the Newseum in particular. They make a fortune catering to private parties and the entire building is used as private residences - all tax free. Same with other "museums" in this town. No wonder district taxes are so high. We have to make up for these thieving scoundrels. 

Other cities are catching wise to this scam. See below. And don't get me started about the Universities. 

		More Cities Look To Nonprofits For Cash
	BOSTON — Financially strapped U.S. cities are increasingly turning to private universities, hospitals and other tax-exempt nonprofits for cash, but a new report finds methods...

 

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Wikileaks II: Funny to watch

Well Wikileaks II has begun to hit and the results are hilarious, at least in the short term. Watching people react to how things really work is most amusing.

"You mean they don't MEAN all the things they say on t.v.?"

"But the news said..."

"You mean the U.S Government threatens and bullies allies to get what they want?"

"Other governments say one thing and do another and then blame us for it and we let it happen?"

"You mean that the U.S. KNOWS about graft and corruption and says nothing for political reasons?"

I'm glad the revelations are happening over time, so there will be many laughs to come.

Until the killing starts, anyway. Because that is what is going to happen. Once the content leaked in these diplomatic cables is digested, especially in the Middle East, there will be bloodshed over the political betrayals. The blood of American allies. And their replacements may not be inclined towards the same hypocrisy.

Anti-Human Trafficking News From Around the World

No Longer a Pedophile's Haven

 

By Brendan Brady

Newsweek

November 16, 2010

 

Recent moves by the Cambodian justice system show that the Southeast Asian nation is finally taking a firm stance against child sex trafficking by pursuing sentences against not only Western sex tourists but also local men. Cambodia was formally notorious for handing down light sentences to pedophiles and for permitting convicted foreign offenders to return to the country.

 

To read the rest of the story, click here.

 

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Arlington Preparing for Sex Trafficking at Super Bowl

 

By Alex Branch

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

November 17, 2010

 

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott pledged last week to commit state resources to combating an anticipated increase in human trafficking activities in Arlington ahead of the 2011 Super Bowl. He cited the findings of a Florida task force that estimated tens of thousands of women and minors were trafficked in the Miami area during this year's Super Bowl.

 

 To read the rest of the story, click here.

 

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U.S. Urges More Labor Protection in Taiwan

 

By Shi Hsiu-chuan

Taipei Times

November 23, 2010

 

Though Taiwan received the highest possible rating under the 2010 U.S. annual report on human trafficking, the State Department's point-man for international anti-trafficking efforts said Taipei could do more by extending labor protection rights to the 170,000 foreign domestic laborers and caregivers working in the island nation. Ambassador Luis CdeBaca said it was also necessary to prosecute employers who abuse domestic employees.

 

To read the rest of the story, click here.

 

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Brazilian Police Dismantle Human-Trafficking Ring

 

Associated Press

November 18, 2010

 

Brazilian authorities announced the dismantlement of an international human-trafficking ring centered in a southeastern area of the Latin American country.  The ring issued false passports to Brazilians wanting to immigrate illegally to the United States and then turned them over to professional smugglers. A total of 12 people were arrested.

 

To read the rest of the story, click here.

 

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Targeting Human Trafficking in Texas

 

By Jason Buch

San Antonio Express-News/The Houston Chronicle

November 22, 2010

 

Newly-filed legislation in Texas, a national hub for human trafficking, would increase penalties for convicted offenders, simplify the investigation and prosecution process and permit police to detain child victims. Under the bill, a 2009 anti-human trafficking law would be amended to adopt provisions similar to the state's sex crime laws.

 

To read the rest of the story, click here.

 

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Woman Forced to Become a Sex Slave

 

CNN

November 19, 2010

HLN's Joy Behar talks with sex-trafficking survivor Natasha Herzig and America's Most Wanted host John Walsh about sex trafficking in the United States.

 

To watch the video, click here.

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