Scientists say they have seen one of the fastest evolutionary changes ever observed in a species of butterfly.
The tropical blue moon butterfly has developed a way of fighting back against parasitic bacteria.
Learn more.
July 13, 2007
Iraq Veterans: "...the entire war is an atrocity."
In a very wide-ranging and in-depth piece of reporting, Chris Hedges & Laila Al-Arian of The Nation have interviewed fifty combat veterans of the Iraq war. The results are devastating.
...
"And if you find something, then you'll detain him. If not, you'll say, 'Sorry to disturb you. Have a nice evening.' So you've just humiliated this man in front of his entire family and terrorized his entire family and you've destroyed his home. And then you go right next door and you do the same thing in a hundred homes."
As you would expect, practises allegedly outlawed since Abu Ghraib continue, including the hooding. The arrests are usually abitrary, or based on bullshit evidence or rumour or worse. Most of those who ended up at harsh camps like Abu Ghraib were there for petty crimes like theft, but were treated like animals anyway. (When there was a riot against conditions in the prison, the soldiers shot it up, killing nine people, and one of them posed next to the cracked skull of one corpse, pretending to eat the brains again). The racist language that goes with these practises are as you would expect: "haji", "camel jockeys or Jihad Johnny or, you know, sand nigger." Naturally, the second there's trouble, they open fire on every "haji" in sight:
...
"And, you know, you've got these scared kids on these guns, and they just start opening fire. And there could be innocent people everywhere. And I've seen this, I mean, on numerous occasions where innocent people died because we're cruising down and a bomb goes off."
Doesn't make you proud?
And we let this continue.
Don't forget, it's being done in your name.
Read the rest.
...
"And if you find something, then you'll detain him. If not, you'll say, 'Sorry to disturb you. Have a nice evening.' So you've just humiliated this man in front of his entire family and terrorized his entire family and you've destroyed his home. And then you go right next door and you do the same thing in a hundred homes."
As you would expect, practises allegedly outlawed since Abu Ghraib continue, including the hooding. The arrests are usually abitrary, or based on bullshit evidence or rumour or worse. Most of those who ended up at harsh camps like Abu Ghraib were there for petty crimes like theft, but were treated like animals anyway. (When there was a riot against conditions in the prison, the soldiers shot it up, killing nine people, and one of them posed next to the cracked skull of one corpse, pretending to eat the brains again). The racist language that goes with these practises are as you would expect: "haji", "camel jockeys or Jihad Johnny or, you know, sand nigger." Naturally, the second there's trouble, they open fire on every "haji" in sight:
...
"And, you know, you've got these scared kids on these guns, and they just start opening fire. And there could be innocent people everywhere. And I've seen this, I mean, on numerous occasions where innocent people died because we're cruising down and a bomb goes off."
Doesn't make you proud?
And we let this continue.
Don't forget, it's being done in your name.
Read the rest.
Two-finger salute
FURY erupted last night after Sir Winston Churchill was axed from school history lessons.
Britain’s cigar-chomping World War Two PM — famed for his two-finger victory salute — was removed from a list of figures secondary school children must learn about.
Instead they will be taught about “relevant” issues such as global warming and drug dangers.
...
Churchill — voted the greatest ever Briton — goes off the required lessons list, along with Hitler, Gandhi, Stalin and Martin Luther King.
Because history is, well, in the past and therefore not "relevant".
Pretend history never happened here.
Britain’s cigar-chomping World War Two PM — famed for his two-finger victory salute — was removed from a list of figures secondary school children must learn about.
Instead they will be taught about “relevant” issues such as global warming and drug dangers.
...
Churchill — voted the greatest ever Briton — goes off the required lessons list, along with Hitler, Gandhi, Stalin and Martin Luther King.
Because history is, well, in the past and therefore not "relevant".
Pretend history never happened here.
We're All Gonna Die
The recipe is simple, like the directions on the back of a shampoo bottle. Damaging reports of Bush administration malfeasance emerge. Warnings of imminent terrorist-borne doom immediately follow, all spread far and wide by said Bush administration. Lather, rinse, repeat.
There are many more instances of this curious timing to be found, but apparently, no one in the administration is concerned this dubious pattern - spreading fear among the populace to change the subject, an act of terrorism itself - might start to wear thin.
See the pattern here.
There are many more instances of this curious timing to be found, but apparently, no one in the administration is concerned this dubious pattern - spreading fear among the populace to change the subject, an act of terrorism itself - might start to wear thin.
See the pattern here.
Canadians can now mention bombs, guns at airports
Air travelers in Canada who make comments about bombs and guns will from now on only be arrested if it is clear they are making a serious threat, officials said on Wednesday.
Did they believe actual terrorists would go around the airport saying these things?
Read the rest.
Did they believe actual terrorists would go around the airport saying these things?
Read the rest.
Ready, aim, fire and rain
In the beginning, the idea was to ease drought and improve harvests for Chinese farmers, but over the decades other functions have evolved such as firefighting, prevention of hailstorms, and replenishment of river heads and reservoirs. Artificial rain has also been used by some provinces to combat drought and sandstorms. In 2004, Shanghai decided to induce rain simply to lower the temperature during a prolonged heat wave to bring relief to an increasingly hot and sweaty urban populace.
And now China's weather officials have been charged with another important task: ensuring clear skies for the Summer Olympic Games next year.
Partly sunny here.
And now China's weather officials have been charged with another important task: ensuring clear skies for the Summer Olympic Games next year.
Partly sunny here.
July 11, 2007
When China stops taking our IOUs
China has a huge trade surplus with the U.S. We buy lots of products from China. Walk into any store and you'll countless of Made in China labels.
China doesn't buy as much from us. Last year, our trade deficit with China topped $230 billion. That means $230 billion of our dollars ended up in China.
What does China do with those greenbacks? In many cases, it sends them back here by buying our Treasury bonds. It works perfectly. We buy stuff from China, and China uses our money to finance our government's deficit so we can buy more things. There is only one problem. The Chinese keep accumulating more dollars and we keep accumulating more debt.
Learn more.
China doesn't buy as much from us. Last year, our trade deficit with China topped $230 billion. That means $230 billion of our dollars ended up in China.
What does China do with those greenbacks? In many cases, it sends them back here by buying our Treasury bonds. It works perfectly. We buy stuff from China, and China uses our money to finance our government's deficit so we can buy more things. There is only one problem. The Chinese keep accumulating more dollars and we keep accumulating more debt.
Learn more.
Dismay and anger as Pope declares Protestants cannot have churches
Protestant churches yesterday reacted with dismay to a new declaration approved by Pope Benedict XVI insisting they were mere "ecclesial communities" and their ministers effectively phonies with no right to give communion.
Coming just four days after the reinstatement of the Latin mass, yesterday's document left no doubt about the Pope's eagerness to back traditional Roman Catholic practices and attitudes, even at the expense of causing offence.
Read more.
Coming just four days after the reinstatement of the Latin mass, yesterday's document left no doubt about the Pope's eagerness to back traditional Roman Catholic practices and attitudes, even at the expense of causing offence.
Read more.
UK needs a two-child limit, says population report
Families should restrict themselves to having a maximum of two children to stabilise the effect on the environment of Britain's rapidly growing population, a thinktank warns today.
According to the Optimum Population Trust, Britain's rising birth rate, currently growing at the highest rate for nearly 30 years, should be considered an environmental liability.
Read more.
According to the Optimum Population Trust, Britain's rising birth rate, currently growing at the highest rate for nearly 30 years, should be considered an environmental liability.
Read more.
Tiny tablet provides proof for Old Testament
He had made what has been called the most important find in Biblical archaeology for 100 years, a discovery that supports the view that the historical books of the Old Testament are based on fact.
...
"This is a fantastic discovery, a world-class find," Dr Finkel said yesterday. "If Nebo-Sarsekim existed, which other lesser figures in the Old Testament existed? A throwaway detail in the Old Testament turns out to be accurate and true. I think that it means that the whole of the narrative [of Jeremiah] takes on a new kind of power."
Read the rest.
...
"This is a fantastic discovery, a world-class find," Dr Finkel said yesterday. "If Nebo-Sarsekim existed, which other lesser figures in the Old Testament existed? A throwaway detail in the Old Testament turns out to be accurate and true. I think that it means that the whole of the narrative [of Jeremiah] takes on a new kind of power."
Read the rest.
Scientists find signs of water beyond solar system
Astronomers said on Wednesday they had discovered the best evidence yet of water outside our own solar system -- in the atmosphere of a giant planet 60 light years from Earth.
...
"Although HD 189733b is far from being habitable, and actually provides a rather hostile environment, our discovery shows that water might be more common out there than previously thought, and our method can be used in the future to study more 'life-friendly' environments," Tinetti said.
Learn more.
...
"Although HD 189733b is far from being habitable, and actually provides a rather hostile environment, our discovery shows that water might be more common out there than previously thought, and our method can be used in the future to study more 'life-friendly' environments," Tinetti said.
Learn more.
Firefighters Rip Giuliani, Call Him 'Urban Legend'
The International Association of Firefighters has gone on the offensive against "America's Mayor" Rudy Giuliani, releasing a 13-minute video that viciously rips into the former New York mayor, who has been using his leadership demonstrated on September 11th to urge people around the country to support him in his quest to become President of the United States.
Why would anyone vote for Rudy?
Read the rest.
Why would anyone vote for Rudy?
Read the rest.
al-Qaida Has Rebuilt, U.S. Intel Warns
U.S. intelligence analysts have concluded al-Qaida has rebuilt its operating capability to a level not seen since just before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, The Associated Press has learned.
The conclusion suggests that the group that launched the most devastating terror attack on the United States has been able to rebuild despite nearly six years of bombings, war and other tactics aimed at crippling it.
Still, numerous government officials say they know of no specific, credible threat of a new attack.
So, we can look at this a couple of ways:
1. al-Qaida is a name used to describe many, many opponents of the U.S. for the sole purpose of generating fear in the American public in order to keep the profitable war machine going.
2. al-Qaida is indeed a legitimate threat to the U.S. (not something the U.S. just uses to keep the war machine going) but the strategy for the past six years has not worked and quite possibly has made the situation much worse.
Both scenarios are depressing.
Stay scared here.
The conclusion suggests that the group that launched the most devastating terror attack on the United States has been able to rebuild despite nearly six years of bombings, war and other tactics aimed at crippling it.
Still, numerous government officials say they know of no specific, credible threat of a new attack.
So, we can look at this a couple of ways:
1. al-Qaida is a name used to describe many, many opponents of the U.S. for the sole purpose of generating fear in the American public in order to keep the profitable war machine going.
2. al-Qaida is indeed a legitimate threat to the U.S. (not something the U.S. just uses to keep the war machine going) but the strategy for the past six years has not worked and quite possibly has made the situation much worse.
Both scenarios are depressing.
Stay scared here.
The Best Health Care Is Reserved for Congress
In an excerpt from his new book, Practicing Medicine Without a License, Don Sloan, M.D., shows that members of Congress enjoy health coverage with unlimited doctor visits, no deductibles and no co-pays -- all for $35 a month. So what about the rest of us?
Well, isn't that nice?
Read the rest.
Well, isn't that nice?
Read the rest.
Is it Ok to Demand Anal Sex?
Apparently it's sex day today.
Backdoor entry is now so mainstream, some guys request it on the first date. So, what's your take on the once-taboo act? Open up and give us your comments.
-By Peter Rubin
-Photograph by Sian Kennedy
Yes, check out the picture.
Backdoor entry is now so mainstream, some guys request it on the first date. So, what's your take on the once-taboo act? Open up and give us your comments.
-By Peter Rubin
-Photograph by Sian Kennedy
Yes, check out the picture.
How Bush's AIDS Program is Failing Africans
The president's much-lauded international AIDS initiative has succeeded in saving lives through treatment. But its abstinence-focused prevention programs have put many more lives in jeopardy.
Abstinence-focused programs do not solve the problem.
Why, you ask.
Um, like I said earlier today, because humans are supposed to have sex.
Abstinence goes against our natural urges. Programs involving prevention would work better, but that means you have to condone the fact that people are having sex.
Read the rest.
Abstinence-focused programs do not solve the problem.
Why, you ask.
Um, like I said earlier today, because humans are supposed to have sex.
Abstinence goes against our natural urges. Programs involving prevention would work better, but that means you have to condone the fact that people are
Read the rest.
Joke comprehension may decrease with age
It's no laughing matter: a new study suggests older adults have a harder time getting jokes as they age. The research indicates that because older adults may have greater difficulty with cognitive flexibility, abstract reasoning and short-term memory, they also have greater difficulty with tests of humor comprehension.
Read more.
Read more.
Scientists Build Bacteria-Killing Organisms From Scratch
By hacking a virus with artificial DNA, researchers at MIT and Boston University created a bacteria-killing machine that demonstrates the potential of synthetic biology.
Learn more.
Learn more.
Concern grows in Britain over female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation usually involves the removal of the clitoris and other parts of female genitalia. Those who practice it say it tames a girl's sexual desire and maintains her honor.
Maintains her honor?
Taming a girl's sexual desire is, quite frankly, inhumane. It's about someone else having control over the girl's body. Thus, it's about control.
And the "tradition" excuse is just that, an excuse. This is about controlling girls and women and nothing more.
So in case you're too stupid to figure it out: humans are supposed to fuck. It's really that simple. That's what animals do. Anything done to curtail this most natural urge goes against nature, God, or whatever you believe in why humans are the way they are.
I'll stop my rant. Read the rest.
Maintains her honor?
Taming a girl's sexual desire is, quite frankly, inhumane. It's about someone else having control over the girl's body. Thus, it's about control.
And the "tradition" excuse is just that, an excuse. This is about controlling girls and women and nothing more.
So in case you're too stupid to figure it out: humans are supposed to fuck. It's really that simple. That's what animals do. Anything done to curtail this most natural urge goes against nature, God, or whatever you believe in why humans are the way they are.
I'll stop my rant. Read the rest.
Pope: Other Christians not true churches
For my buddy, Luis. ;-)
Pope Benedict XVI reasserted the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says other Christian communities are either defective or not true churches and Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation.
Well, Pope, that's what you believe.
Read the rest.
Pope Benedict XVI reasserted the primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says other Christian communities are either defective or not true churches and Catholicism provides the only true path to salvation.
Well, Pope, that's what you believe.
Read the rest.
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