June 21, 2006

News -- June 21, 2006

Lawyer Representing Saddam Hussein Killed - "One of Saddam Hussein's lawyers was shot to death Wednesday after he was abducted from his home by men wearing police uniforms in Baghdad, court and police officials said."

U.S. Back at Full War Footing in Afghanistan - "The United States military is quietly carrying out the largest military offensive in Afghanistan since U.S. troops invaded the country in 2001. "The Taliban has made a comeback, and we have the next 90 days to crush them," said a senior U.S. military official."

If Saddam gets death for killing 148, what's the going rate for starting WWIII based on lies? - "They best be careful, though. They're setting themselves up with this precedent. If Saddam gets death for killing 148, then Bush and Co. have much to fear for their crimes."

US rejected Iranian overtures in 2003 - "Officials in US President George W. Bush's administration turned down a 2003 Iranian offer to begin talks with the US, recognize Israel, and end support of Palestinian terror organizations, The Washington Post reported on Sunday."

Oil prices could spike, Saudi warns - "World oil prices could double or triple over the current painful $70-per-barrel level if diplomacy failed and military conflict broke out over Iran's nuclear ambitions, Saudi Ambassador Prince Turki al-Faisal warned this morning."

The Zero Tolerance Militarized Police State - "Mayor Ray Nagin's order that National Guard troops be used to patrol New Orleans is a method of law enforcement quickly engulfing major US cities as crime becomes terrorism and men with machine guns and camouflage become the vanguard of a militarized police state."

Secrecy Mustn't Crush Rule of Law - "Are there any legal limits to what the executive branch can do in the name of national security, or is it anything goes?In separate federal lawsuits challenging the warrantless surveillance of American citizens, the Bush administration argues that courts must dismiss cases claiming that the National Security Agency has broken the law because those claims implicate "state secrets." ... The way the government has asserted the state-secrets privilege means these courts will do more than answer the already serious question of what protection official secrets deserve in a democratic government. The judges will be deciding whether the rule of law applies to any party, whether an agency of the government or a private company, acting in the realm of national security."

What are George Bush's gift-givers trying to tell him? - " A braided leather whip, a sniper rifle, six jars of fertilizer and a copy of the Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook were among the presents foreign leaders have given US President George W. Bush. They are clearly trying to tell him something."

Professors of Paranoia? - "In recent months, interest in September 11-conspiracy theories has surged. Since January, traffic to the major conspiracy Web sites has increased steadily. The number of blogs that mention "9/11" and "conspiracy" each day has climbed from a handful to over a hundred. Why now? Oddly enough, the answer lies with a soft-spoken physicist from Brigham Young University named Steven E. Jones, a devout Mormon and, until recently, a faithful supporter of George W. Bush. Last November Mr. Jones posted a paper online advancing the hypothesis that the airplanes Americans saw crashing into the twin towers were not sufficient to cause their collapse, and that the towers had to have been brought down in a controlled demolition. Now he is the best hope of a movement that seeks to convince the rest of America that elements of the government are guilty of mass murder on their own soil." - From the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Scientific Analysis Proves Towers Brought Down By Incendiaries - "Scientific analysis on WTC steel debris undertaken by BYU Professor Steven Jones proves that the twin towers were demolished by means of incendiary devices and the release of the conclusive evidence is imminent."

Digital camera blocking technology created - "Georgia Institute of Technology scientists say they've created a prototype device that can block digital video cameras from working in a specific area. The scientists say the prototype -- which could be used to stymie unwanted use of video or still cameras -- uses off-the-shelf equipment to scan for, find and neutralize digital cameras. The system works by looking for the reflectivity and shape of the image-producing sensors used in digital cameras."

Parents Can Select Healthy Embryos, Pre-Implantation Genetic Haplotyping - "Parents with a high risk of having a child with a serious genetic disorder, such as cystic fibrosis, will be able to select healthy embryos through IVF as a result of new technology from Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, UK."

Womb transplants 'possible in 5 years' - "Women with damaged or missing wombs could, within five years, have transplants that would allow them to have children naturally, scientists said yesterday."

TV, Internet trump the great outdoors - "Americans are less interested in spending time in natural surroundings like national parks because they are spending more time watching television, playing video games and surfing the Internet, according to a new study."

Earth surrounded by giant fizzy bubbles - "The space above you is fizzing with activity as bubbles of superhot gas constantly grow and pop around Earth, scientists announced Tuesday."

Test Tube Meat Nears Dinner Table - "Scientists are growing little clumps of meat in dishes. One day, these synthetic morsels could end up on your grill."




Quote of the Day
"Tomorrow is never promised to you."
~ Walter Payton

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