[Warning: A photo heavy piece]
Robert Gates, the replacement for outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, has been confirmed by the senate 95-2. The two votes against Gates were cast by Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania and Jim Bunning of Kentucky. The senators were critical of Gates. Bunning said Gates was too critical of the action in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also believes that Gates will bring rogue states to the negotiating table. Santorum took to the floor of the senate ot give an hourlong speech in which he said "How do those who deny this evil propose to save us from these people? By negotiating through the U.N. or directly with Iran? By firing Don Rumsfeld, (and) now getting rid of John Bolton? That's going to solve the problem?"In another joint conference with United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair and United States President George W. Bush, was conducted this morning. Yesterday, the Iraq War Study Group presented its conclusions to President Bush.He said "Having an international group is an interesting idea", which cracks me up. Wouldn't that be the United Nations?
Earlier today, a tornado tore through Northwest London at around 11 this morning London time. (That would be 5 hours ahead of us if you live on the east coast.) England experiences 50 or os tornadoes a year so this is not a strange occurance. However, it swept through the streets of the Kensal Rise area in London (imagine a tornado in London!), flipping cars over and ripping doors off homes. Many homes were evacuated and several more were damaged. An article on the event at BBC's UK site. The weather has been nasty in the North Atlantic lately.
You've hopefully heard about this by now: Hugo Chavez was democratically re-elected in Venezuela. This is the politician's third win. He was first elected in 1998, and then re-elected to a six year term in 2000. After winning the vote, "It's another defeat for the devil, who tries to dominate the world". He won by a healthy margin and is most popular amongst the country's poor who favor his social policies.
NASA unveiled plans on December 5th to place a permanant settlement on the South Pole of the moon by 2020. This will be the first expedition to the moon since 1972. There is hopes to bring other space agencies into the project. The plan involves week long stays of four person crews to do the construction of the base. After initial materials are brough from Earth, the settlement will use hydrogen and oxygen from the moon for fuel and the obvious: air to fucking breathe!
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has reported that it is dramatically short of 20c coins. This is only weeks after issuing new coins with a new design. Why am I laughing about this?
Yesterday saw the launch of France24. It has been founded with the hope of countering the "Anglophone sphere of influence of BBC World and CNN International" especially as of late. It was created by a partnership between Groupe TF1 and France Télévisions and has an annual budget €80Million. It will be broadcast in English and French. The English simulcast will also feature 4-6 hours of French programming. There are future plans to also utilize Arabic and Spanish programming. It has not been stated whether there will be all-Arabic or all-Spanish networks or merely programs in those languages. It will be transmitted to the US by antenna and sattelite. Comcast plans to carry the network. Regardless, go there just to see it. It's free!James Kim, a senior editor at CNET, was found at noon on Wednesday in a ravine in Oregon. He had been deceased for a couple of days after being stranded in the wilderness with his wife Kati and two daughters, Penelope and Sabine, since beginning a return trip home after Thanksgiving. He had covered 8 miles in inclimate weather in street clothes and tennis shoes. Rescuers are calling the effort it took to cover that land in freezing and near-freezing temperatures "superhuman". CNET has set up a blog for people to post their memories, condolensces or anything they wish to write about James Kim.
On this day , in 1732, the Royal Opera House at the Convent Garden in London, England, opens.
In 1776, the Marquis de Lafayette, tried to enter the US military, who were bogged down in the War for Independence.
In 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the constitution. Though this is not formal, it is the de jure first state.
In 1917, we declared war on Austria-Hungary and thereby, entered World War I.
On this day in 1941, Canada declared war on Finland, Hungary, Romania, and Japan. Sort of jumping the gun.
That same day and year, Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, in the territory of Hawaii.
The USS Arizona's forward magazines explode.
The Damage can still be seen at Hickam Field at Pearl Harbor. US Casualties:
2,335 military and 68 civilians killed,
1,143 military and 35 civilians wounded,
4 mini-submarines sunk
4 battleships sunk,
4 battleships damaged,
3 cruisers damaged,
3 destroyers sunk,
2 other ships sunk,
188 planes destroyed,
155 planes damaged
Japanese Casualties:
55 airmen, 9 submariners killed and 1 captured,
29 planes destroyed,
4 mini-submarines sunk
In 1966, there was a fire at the Army barracks in Erzurum, Turkey that kills 68.
In 1972, the last Apollo mission, 17, is launched. The famous "The Blue Marble" photograph was taken upon the journey to the moon. Like I said previously, this was the last manned mission to the moon. This also makes it the last time anyone was 28,000 miles from Earth and capable of taking such a photo. The craft was directly between the Earth and the sun so the earth is fully lit.
In 1988, Yasser Arafat, who is now dead, recognized Israel's right to exist.
In 1995, the Galileo spacecraft, launched in 1989, arrives at Jupiter to take lots of pictures of that planet. It enetered in to orbit on this day. Its really sweet radio attenna did not deploy so they could not get as much as they wanted to for its seven year tour ofJupiter. In 2003 it crashed itself into Jupiter.In 2004, Hamid Karzai became president of Afghanistan. Thats good for us, I guess. Our first experiment with Nation building.
Oh yeah, and today.... STS-116 launched at night, no less. Here's a picture of the rollout. Just fucking awesome!
That's all from me.... whew.
Mario Scaramella, the Italian academic who met with the late Alexander Litvinenko on November 1st, has reportedly tested positive for Polonium-210. This is the same highly radioactive element that was discovered in Litvinenko's body. Scaramella had gone into hiding in fear for his life due to the demise of the former Russian spy.Related to this mess is Yegor Gaidar, a former acting Prime Minister and economist who became severely ill in Ireland. He has since been taken to a Moscow hospital where he has reportedly, been recovering. Also, one of three planes removed from service in the UK, has been cleared of radiation. Despite this, a hotel in Sussex, England, was evacuated to search for Polonium-210.
The British government is demanding cooperation from the Russian government into this case. Litvinenko accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of culpibility in his poisoning and Putin has denied any involvement in the matter. However, Russia has pledged that it will cooperate with the investigation.
Though there are many mysteries - even going back to the October 7th slaying of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya - one of these is where the radioactive materials came from. So far, no nuclear labs are reproting any thefts. Sergei Kiriyenko, head of Russia's state atomic energy agency Rosatom, has stated that only 8 grams of the substance are made a month. He also said it cannot be "obtained illegally there". A lethal dose would be as little as 6.8 picograms (I really went and looked that up and even found out what a picogram is. 1 pg is 1/1,000,000,000,000 of a kilogram. This makes it awfully minute. I'm such a little investigative reporter!). It is also notoriously dangerous to handle but has a half life of roughly 138 days.
In an article posted in CNN yesterday, the Republican party wants a law outlining when fetuses feel pain. It seems the bill is less about actually creating such language in legislature but is actually an act to shore up Republican loyalty. When the Democrats take leadership of congress next year it is likely that few, if any, abortion restrictive bills make it even to the floor of either house. Douglas Johnson, legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee, even called the Democrats "Hardcore pro-abortion loyalists." I think thats a little generalist. There are some Democrats who are not pro-choice. And to call anyone pro-abortion is demeaning. No one is for abortion. They are for the choice. Hitler was pro-abortion.
Other news today: Typhoon Durian has killed 388 people so far. There are also 75 people missing. The Phillipines has been socked by four such storms in four months. At the same time a real whopper of a storm is pummeling the midwest with rain, snow and everything in between. Fortunately, I'm up north in Minnesota where its a balmy 23 today. Thats warm for this week!
On this day in 1941, New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia signed into action the Civil Air Patrol.
On this day in 1955, Rosa parks was arrested for not getting up and moving to the back of the bus for a white person. It sparked the Montgomery bus boycott which helped catapult Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to his role as Civil Rights Leader.
Back on this day in 1990, while we were gearing up for Gulf War I, The two sides, Anglish and French, met underneath the English Channel to unite both sides of the Chunnel. It would be another 4 years before it actually did business but it made it possible to walk on dry land from England to the mainland for the first time in 8,500 years ago. This was the last ice age.
In 1991, the Ukraine voted to get the hell off the sinking ship known as the USSR. The Soviet Union's days were already numbered.
Could it really be possible? Is Iraq in a civil war? Or are they just playing? When is this administration going to wake up and smell the shit they've been shovelling? Don't answer that...Colin Powell, former Secretary of State, and before that, Chairman of the Joint Cheifs of Staff (shouldn't that be cheives?) and he was also National Security Advisor to Reagan. Anyways, he has kind of been the voice of reason in the Republican Party. But that should not surprise anyone. He's the most moderate man in public service aside from John McCain, though McCain is starting to look a little too red. Regardless, he's one of those rare men: he can see both sides of the issue and look at things objectively. Now, if only we could get more journalists like him. He opposed going into Iraq as we did and has even been known to call Neoconservatives "fucking crazies" (I have a source). He's pro-choice and for affirmitive Action. When he resigned from his jpb as Secretary of State, one cannot help but wonder (at least, I can't) that it had something to do with his 1) dragging his heels on Iraq, 2)stating that we needed UN backing before going into Iraq not to mention the nation's support and 3) calling neocons "crazies" even if they are. They're crazy! What do you think they will do to you?
Yeah. That Guy. By the way, check out that cheesy grin. Sort of scary that a retired General can smile like that. (Note: Do not get the high resolution picture on Wikipedia. There is no reason to see anyone at a resolution of 2400x3000. NO ONE!)Colin Powell has come out and said Iraq'a in a civil war. Just admit and move on. Current NSA dude Stephen Hadley said "We're clearly in a new phase characterized by an increase in sectarian violence that requires us to adapt to that new phase". Well, I'm glad that cleared up. Since no one in the White House will say it. It might look bad. But even Iraq's government is shirking this detail. Hadley also said "The Iraqis don't talk of it as a civil war. The unity government doesn't talk of it as a civil war". Because there is no clear grab for power or territory, its not a civil war. What the hell was the British Civil War? They fought for power thereby control of the country, i.e. territory. Ugh...
Moving on because stupidity is depressing. Fiji might have another coup. Sweet! Lets have some action! Apparently, the Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase wanted to offer leaders of the 2000 coup some amnesty. He had two bills presented to the parliament proposing that. Commodore Frank Bainimarama, leader of the Fijian military forces, was a little ticked. He asked for the MP to resign in mid October. In return, Qarase tried to sack him. It didn't work. Now, New Zealand and Australia, both a bit concerned over possible instability in the region, have arranged talks, but negotiations have been unsuccessful.
The military began "practicing" in case of international intervention. But it looks more like preparation for overthrow. And the residents know it. They are stokpiling goods and cash. Even if there isn't a coup, they may destroy their small country's banking system. Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain have expressed concern about travelling there and Australia is pulling workers out of its embassy there. Wait and see!
The case of Alexander Litvinenko (the pictures at right are him: Before and After his poisoning) gets even bigger. Let me give a brief rundown on this man. Alexander Litvinenko was once a KGB (КГБ (Committee for State Security)) agent (as was Vladimir Putin). Later, he worked for the FSB (ФСБ (Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation)). In 1998, he began making accusations of killings, extortions and so forth. Eventually he'd spend some time in prison. While awaiting trial in 2000, he fled to Turkey and rejoined his wife, Marina, and son, Anatoly. He had no passport but he managed to make it into the United Kingdom on Political Asylum. He wrote a couple of books detailing how the FSB blew up apartments to further give rise to oppositition of the Chechen rebels and help Putin win election. He became a citizen if the UK in October of this year.He had received papers from Mario Scaramella concerning the killing of Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. She was shot in the elevator of her apartment building on October 7th. On November 1st, the day he acquired the documents, he also met with two former KGB officers. But Oleg Gordievsky, a long time friend of Litvinenko's, believed the poisoning happened at the flat of a Russian friend. He had tea there before meeting Scaramella (who has since gone into hiding) at Itsu, a sushi restaurant, in Piccadilly.
He is believed now to have been poisoned with Pulonium 210. This is a highly rare substance that an only be made in a nuclear reactor. And the half life on it assures that it was not stolen from stores that the USSR had and were easily taken after the collapse. Yegor Gaidar, a former acting Primie Minsiter under Boris Yeltsin, was found unconscious in Ireland on Novemeber 28. His health is not good and raises even more suspicions after Litvinenko's November 23rd death. A Post Mortem examination is scheduled for today and there has evidnce of radiation has been found on two British Airlines planes.
Well, I need to do some back on this day stuff. There were a lot of important things that happened through out history on this date. For example, The November Uprising of the poles against the Russian happened November 29, 1830. In 1890, the Meiji Constitution took affect in Japan. Yugoslavia became the Federal people's Republic of Yougoslavia in 1945 (aka they became Commies).
In 1967, Robert S. MacNamara resigned as Secretary of Defence amidst bungling of that era's quagmire, Vietnam.
And finally....You see that map at the top? that is the United Nations Partition as devised in 1947 for Palestine. Today, in 1947, the UN voted to go forward with partition. A month later, the Arab League met in Cairo to devise their own military solution to partition. We now have Eretz Israel (ארץ ישראל) and Palestine (فلسطين ). Someone actually asked me where the name Palestine came from. Its from the Phillistines. They have long since been gone but their name still continues.
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Yep. He went there. After Pope Benedict XVI quoted inflammatory remarks made by a 14th Century church theologian about Islam and its connection to violence, there was violent outrage in the Muslim world asking for everything from apologies to his head on a silver platter. That was only two months ago.Besides that, he's never been kind to Turkey. He is German and therefore, some of his attitude toward Anatolia may be suspect. The two territories have never had a good relationship despite seemingly being far from each other. In the19th Century as Germany developed into an Industrial power (albeit late relative to the US and Great Britain) with a large focus on finance and banking, it came into conflict with the far-flung and long-lasting Ottoman empire. It would not take a leap in insight to understand that animosity was high. In modern day Germany, there is a large Turkish community in Germany. For the most part Germans have opinions about the Turks both within the German state and without. Its like trying to find an American who hasn't thought about Mexican Immigrants and Illegal Immigration. For good or bad, everyone has an opinion.
In the past when the current pope was the Cardinal Josef Ratzinger, he also made a comment specifically about Turkey. He basically said that allowing Turkey to enter the European Union would be "a grave error against the tide of history". So than the Holocaust was....? That statement makes it sound like adding Turkey is tantamount to Thermo Nuclear war! If you think its bad just say "Hey, uh, I think letting Turkey in would be bad. All those earthquakes. The funds needed to constantly rebuild their antiquated and crumbling infrastructure would be draining. Not to mention, depressingly repetitive." Or: "Turkey has a long dispute with many of its close neighbors. Greece for one has an ongoing hostility with Turkey over the small island of Cyprus. And they can't admit they commit genocide on Armenia."
He has been called the "anti-Turkish Pope" and I suppose its understandible. And with the recent uproar, he will not be welcomed with any zeal or happiness. He is being received as a visiting political leader: leader of the Vatican, that is. His presence is being handled on a secular basis. He has also now reversed himself on his belief about Turkey. He now thinks letting Turkey into the EU would be a grand idea. Who the hell does he think he is? Oh, yeah.... He's also quoting two other guys: Pope John paul II and Pope Gregory of the 11th Century. Oy Vey!
Is there a civil war in Iraq? Sure as hell seems like it. Last week one of the worst attacks since this whole debacle began occured in Sadr City. President Bush claims it isn't a civil war. National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley claimed the reason it is not a civil war is it is "less aimed at gaining full control over an area than expressing differences and also trying to destabilize a democracy". Well, isn't that a civil war?
Well, civil war existance debate aside, lets also remember that we will be stuck in this quagmire unless we can, well, GET OUT! We need an exit strategy. In other words, we need to begin using tactics that will slowly enbale us to leave the God-forsaken place. I cannot remember who said this (it may have Henry Kissinger or Spiro Agnew): "There is only one acceptable exit strategy: Winning." Stay the Course is a great political slogan. You could even use Lincoln's fabulous illustration: You don't switch horses while crossing the stream. However, after the election has been won, we all start scratching our heads and ask "What's the course?" I'm not going there....
In Ecuador, it appears that Economist turned politician, Rafael Correa may have won his country's presidency. The opponent has yet to concede defeat but with Correa owning 63% of the vote, it would be difficult for Billionaire Alvaro Noboa to make up the margin.
Correa is a leftist who has been politically close to Venezuela's Hugo Chavez (you know, the guy who called Bush the Devil.) and has also promised to build 300,000 homes ofr the country's poor every year. He has also said he'd refuse to pay the "illegitimate" foreign debt and to nix a free-trade deal with the US. With all their economic problems, the nation has not a lot of success with presidents in the recent decade. Let's hope for the best. Whatever that is.
Way back about 900 years ago (in 1095, to be exact.... 911 years ago for nitpickers), Pope Urban II appointed Bishop Adhemar of Le Puy and Count Raymond IV of Toulouse to lead the first Crusade to liberate the Holy Land. Oh the Irony! (see above)
Two big reasons why November 28 is a really big day in Albania: First, in 1443, Skanderbeg, aka, George Kastrioti, liberated (all this liberating...) Middle Albania (is it big enough to have a middle?) with the capture of Kruje. He raised his standard which eventually became the flag of Albania. He has been quoted as saying "I have not brought you freedom, I found it here, among you." The second reason is far less poetic and epic: Albania declared independance from the Ottomans (finally!) in 1912. Again, Turkey hating... Albania is now the only officially Atheist nation in the world. Despite this, according to the CIA World factbook, Albania is 70% Muslim, 20% Albanian Orthodox and 10% Catholic. These are only estimates. There are no churches or mosques in Albania and private practice is allowed only.
Back on this day, in 2000, the eigth drop fell on the Pitch drop experiment in Australia. I shit you not. This experiment was initiated in 1927 when Professor Thomas Parnell of the University of Queensland in Brisbane wanted to demonstrate that some substances though appearing solid were really highly viscous and truly flowed. Pitch is one such substance. Glass is another. Over that last 79 years, 8 drops have fallen very, very slowy. Wanna watch it live? It's like watching grass grow or paint dry but more exciting!✡
Today it seems the world has returned to its nominal behavior: Violence.Yesterday a standoff began in Chicago. It ended with the gunman, Lance Johnson, 21, killing himself and his two female hostages apparently. He took the two women hostage early Thursday morning.
An armed man in Miami stormed into a Spanish language newspaper called El Nuevo. He believed the paper was not properly run. some people were evacuated before he peacefully surrendered.And in Sadr City in Iraq, Sunni men have been burnt with kerosene by militant Shi'ites as the Sunnis emerged from Friday services. THere has also been a spate of mosque burnings.
If you're like me, you're wondering why today? Is there something in the air? The stars? Who knows. I hope you gave thanks yesterday for your live and its relative peacefulness.
On this day in 1859, Charles Darwin published his earth shattering and agitating book The Origin of Species. To quote Darwin from the text itself: "A grand and almost untrodden field of inquiry will be opened, on the causes and laws of variation, on correlation of growth, on the effects of use and disuse, on the direct action of external conditions and so forth."
Also, on this day, and of local import, the show Mystery Science Theater 3000 (aka, MST3K) premiered on a local UHF band station called KTMA. That was in 1988.
Also, Lee Harvey Oswald was shot today after being apprehended for the possible culpibility in the assasination of John F. Kannedy. If you can't recall the year it was 1963.
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