interpreting the constitution
number 15 08.07.05
Photographs Somewhat Unflattering to Pentagon
The Pentagon has defied a federal judge's
order to release graphic evidence of
prisoner abuse by US military personnel.
The 87 photographs and four videos all
show acts of abuse against prisoners at
Iraq's Abu Ghraib detention facility. The
release last year of a small number of
photos from the prison caused an
international scandal, and military officials
have steadfastly opposed further
publication of images of prisoner abuse.
Pentagon lawyers filed a sealed brief with
the judge explaining their reasons for
withholding the images. Lawyers for the
order to release graphic evidence of
prisoner abuse by US military personnel.
The 87 photographs and four videos all
show acts of abuse against prisoners at
Iraq's Abu Ghraib detention facility. The
release last year of a small number of
photos from the prison caused an
international scandal, and military officials
have steadfastly opposed further
publication of images of prisoner abuse.
Pentagon lawyers filed a sealed brief with
the judge explaining their reasons for
withholding the images. Lawyers for the
American Civil Liberties Union, which is
seeking the release of the photos as part
of a larger Freedom of Information Act
lawsuit, complained that the government
was essentially using stalling tactics.
Earlier, lawyers for the Pentagon argued
against releasing the photos and videos
on the grounds that further humiliation
of the victims depicted would ensue, in
violation of the Geneva Conventions.
Speaking in 2004, Defense Secretary
Donald Rumsfeld told Congress that the
photographs show behaviour by US
personnel that is "blatantly sadistic, cruel,
seeking the release of the photos as part
of a larger Freedom of Information Act
lawsuit, complained that the government
was essentially using stalling tactics.
Earlier, lawyers for the Pentagon argued
against releasing the photos and videos
on the grounds that further humiliation
of the victims depicted would ensue, in
violation of the Geneva Conventions.
Speaking in 2004, Defense Secretary
Donald Rumsfeld told Congress that the
photographs show behaviour by US
personnel that is "blatantly sadistic, cruel,
and inhumane." Republican Senator
Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a
member of the Senate Armed
Services Committee that viewed the
images said at the time: "We're
talking about rape and murder, and
some very serious charges."
Investigations by the military into the
abuses at Abu Ghraib have resulted in
charges several lower-level soldiers.
No military personnel higher than
facility commander Janice Karpinski
have been disciplined. No charges of
rape or murder have been filed.
Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a
member of the Senate Armed
Services Committee that viewed the
images said at the time: "We're
talking about rape and murder, and
some very serious charges."
Investigations by the military into the
abuses at Abu Ghraib have resulted in
charges several lower-level soldiers.
No military personnel higher than
facility commander Janice Karpinski
have been disciplined. No charges of
rape or murder have been filed.
| interpreting the constitution crowd control spread of the red one nation, under surveillance fun d' mental in bed with the red red state rebate verbatim |
red state rebate
News
The energy bill that was passed
by both houses of Congress
before the summer recess
contains over $10 billion in tax
breaks and authorized subsidies
for the energy industry, with the
prospect of many billions more
in future benefits.The subsidies
and tax breaks are largely
targeted toward traditional
energy companies in the oil,
coal, and nuclear industries.
Proponents of alternative energy
research criticized the legislation,
saying it does little to reduce US
dependence on foreign sources
of petroleum. Democratic
congressmen noted that the bill
lacked any provision addressing
skyrocketing gasoline prices.
Even the conservative Cato
Institute was critical of the level
of subsidies to an energy industry
"in no need of taxpayer
assistance."
Prior to passage of the bill,
Republicans removed an
amendment that would have
tripled the damages the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission
could assess in cases of market
manipulation by energy
companies. Also rejected was an
attempt by Western
congressmen to seek refunds to
their states for overcharges
relating to the Enron price
rigging scandals of 2000 and 2001.
by both houses of Congress
before the summer recess
contains over $10 billion in tax
breaks and authorized subsidies
for the energy industry, with the
prospect of many billions more
in future benefits.The subsidies
and tax breaks are largely
targeted toward traditional
energy companies in the oil,
coal, and nuclear industries.
Proponents of alternative energy
research criticized the legislation,
saying it does little to reduce US
dependence on foreign sources
of petroleum. Democratic
congressmen noted that the bill
lacked any provision addressing
skyrocketing gasoline prices.
Even the conservative Cato
Institute was critical of the level
of subsidies to an energy industry
"in no need of taxpayer
assistance."
Prior to passage of the bill,
Republicans removed an
amendment that would have
tripled the damages the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission
could assess in cases of market
manipulation by energy
companies. Also rejected was an
attempt by Western
congressmen to seek refunds to
their states for overcharges
relating to the Enron price
rigging scandals of 2000 and 2001.
Two Yemeni men have told a horrific
tale of torture and imprisonment that
substantiates allegations by the United
Nations that the United States has
established a world-wide secret
detention system. The men, recently
released to Yemeni custody, have
revealed to government officials and
Amnesty International that they were
housed in solitary confinement in what
they describe as a modern prison facility
hidden underground.
The two men were held for over a year
and a half without seeing daylight,
shackled for a majority of the time in
solitary confinement without the right
to speak to attorneys, representatives
from Yemen, human right’s
organizations or their families.
Amnesty International reported that
the Yemenis were both originally
arrested in Jordan and flown first to
what was described as an “old-style”
detention center in an unknown
tale of torture and imprisonment that
substantiates allegations by the United
Nations that the United States has
established a world-wide secret
detention system. The men, recently
released to Yemeni custody, have
revealed to government officials and
Amnesty International that they were
housed in solitary confinement in what
they describe as a modern prison facility
hidden underground.
The two men were held for over a year
and a half without seeing daylight,
shackled for a majority of the time in
solitary confinement without the right
to speak to attorneys, representatives
from Yemen, human right’s
organizations or their families.
Amnesty International reported that
the Yemenis were both originally
arrested in Jordan and flown first to
what was described as an “old-style”
detention center in an unknown
country. They were then transferred
to a final modern purpose built
underground prison where American
personnel who were reported to be
dressed “like Nijas” interrogated them
every day. Each of the airplane
transfers took three to fours hours.
Earlier this year the United Nations’
special rapporteur on torture alleged
the existence of secret US military
“prison ships” believed to be operating
in the Indian Ocean. The UN has
requested from the United States a
complete list of its secret military prison
camps and detention centers. The US
has not responded to this request but
has previously denied the existence of
secret prison facilities.
Sharon Critoph of Amnesty
International said that Yemeni officials
have “no reason to be holding the men
except that the American authorities
have put a condition” that the two men
cannot be released from Yemeni
to a final modern purpose built
underground prison where American
personnel who were reported to be
dressed “like Nijas” interrogated them
every day. Each of the airplane
transfers took three to fours hours.
Earlier this year the United Nations’
special rapporteur on torture alleged
the existence of secret US military
“prison ships” believed to be operating
in the Indian Ocean. The UN has
requested from the United States a
complete list of its secret military prison
camps and detention centers. The US
has not responded to this request but
has previously denied the existence of
secret prison facilities.
Sharon Critoph of Amnesty
International said that Yemeni officials
have “no reason to be holding the men
except that the American authorities
have put a condition” that the two men
cannot be released from Yemeni
| redstat |
Weather
The city of Austin, TX has asked the
local business community to refrain from
using an asphalt sealant made from
coal-tar because it has been found to
contaminate rainwater runoff with
cancer causing chemicals.
The Austin Watershed Protection
Development Review Department
working with the US Geological Survey
tested runoff from urban parking lots
sealed with a commonly used asphalt
sealant that contains chemicals called
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs). The chemicals are released
when automobile exhaust, automobile
lubricants and even rubber tires come
local business community to refrain from
using an asphalt sealant made from
coal-tar because it has been found to
contaminate rainwater runoff with
cancer causing chemicals.
The Austin Watershed Protection
Development Review Department
working with the US Geological Survey
tested runoff from urban parking lots
sealed with a commonly used asphalt
sealant that contains chemicals called
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs). The chemicals are released
when automobile exhaust, automobile
lubricants and even rubber tires come
into contact with the asphalt that the
coal-tar emulsion sealant is applied to.
The Austin study found localized
concentrations, or “hot spots” of PAH
levels that were 65 percent higher than
water runoff from untreated asphalt
parking lots or cement parking lots.
Thirteen percent of Austin’s creeks and
streams are affected by the
contaminated runoff.
It is not known how many parking lots
in the United States are coated with
coal-tar sealant, but asphalt based
sealant is more commonly used in the
western states and coal tar sealant use is
coal-tar emulsion sealant is applied to.
The Austin study found localized
concentrations, or “hot spots” of PAH
levels that were 65 percent higher than
water runoff from untreated asphalt
parking lots or cement parking lots.
Thirteen percent of Austin’s creeks and
streams are affected by the
contaminated runoff.
It is not known how many parking lots
in the United States are coated with
coal-tar sealant, but asphalt based
sealant is more commonly used in the
western states and coal tar sealant use is
more prevalent in the Midwest. In the
Austin study, groundwater tested near
parking lots sealed with the asphalt-
based sealant was ten times less polluted
with PAHs than groundwater tested on
nearby lots sealed with the coal-tar
based sealant.
Coal tar is a known carcinogen and
scientists warn that workers who spread
the sealant may risk contamination
through inhalation exposure unless they
take precautions to protect themselves.
The sealant is spread on parking lots in
urban areas primarily to make the lots
look shiny and newly paved.
Austin study, groundwater tested near
parking lots sealed with the asphalt-
based sealant was ten times less polluted
with PAHs than groundwater tested on
nearby lots sealed with the coal-tar
based sealant.
Coal tar is a known carcinogen and
scientists warn that workers who spread
the sealant may risk contamination
through inhalation exposure unless they
take precautions to protect themselves.
The sealant is spread on parking lots in
urban areas primarily to make the lots
look shiny and newly paved.
one nation, under surveillance
US Department of Homeland Security
has instituted a program whereby all
vehicles entering the United States
from Canada and Mexico will be fitted
with a computer surveillance chip that
will allow department officials to
monitor the movements of those
vehicles on America’s roadways.
The wireless radio frequency
transmitting chips became mandatory at
five designated high traffic border
crossings as of last week and officials at
Homeland Security have a congressional
mandate to roll out the alien
monitoring computer chip system at
115 airports, 15 seaports and 50 of
America’s busiest land border crossings.
The program is referred to by
Homeland Security as the “Secure
has instituted a program whereby all
vehicles entering the United States
from Canada and Mexico will be fitted
with a computer surveillance chip that
will allow department officials to
monitor the movements of those
vehicles on America’s roadways.
The wireless radio frequency
transmitting chips became mandatory at
five designated high traffic border
crossings as of last week and officials at
Homeland Security have a congressional
mandate to roll out the alien
monitoring computer chip system at
115 airports, 15 seaports and 50 of
America’s busiest land border crossings.
The program is referred to by
Homeland Security as the “Secure
Electronic Network for Travelers’ Rapid
Inspection”, or SENTRI. The monitoring
program envisions the collection of large
amounts of biographic and biometric
information about foreign nationals who
are then required to carry an identifying
computer chip upon their entry into the
United States that can be read remotely
by law enforcement officials.
The initiative to require computer
identity tagging of all foreign visitors is a
component of the US Visit Program that
was made law in 2003 and is currently
being phased in by the Department of
Homeland Security. The US Visit
Program is described by border security
personnel as a “continuum of security
measures that begins before an individual
enters the United States and continues
through the arrival and departure” of
Inspection”, or SENTRI. The monitoring
program envisions the collection of large
amounts of biographic and biometric
information about foreign nationals who
are then required to carry an identifying
computer chip upon their entry into the
United States that can be read remotely
by law enforcement officials.
The initiative to require computer
identity tagging of all foreign visitors is a
component of the US Visit Program that
was made law in 2003 and is currently
being phased in by the Department of
Homeland Security. The US Visit
Program is described by border security
personnel as a “continuum of security
measures that begins before an individual
enters the United States and continues
through the arrival and departure” of
foreign nationals who cross the borders.
The long-range goal is to fit all visitors
entering the United States with radio
frequency identification tags that can be
monitored remotely by government
border officials. This includes visitors
from the 27 countries whose citizens
are not currently required to apply for
visas for short US visits. Homeland
Security spokespersons hailed computer
chip surveillance as a “major
transformation” of how the
department tracks aliens and gathers
information. Since 2003, 35 million
visitors to the United States have
passed through the system of which
700 individuals were refused entry;
00002% of all foreign nationals
screened.
The long-range goal is to fit all visitors
entering the United States with radio
frequency identification tags that can be
monitored remotely by government
border officials. This includes visitors
from the 27 countries whose citizens
are not currently required to apply for
visas for short US visits. Homeland
Security spokespersons hailed computer
chip surveillance as a “major
transformation” of how the
department tracks aliens and gathers
information. Since 2003, 35 million
visitors to the United States have
passed through the system of which
700 individuals were refused entry;
00002% of all foreign nationals
screened.
custody. Critpoh called for the US to
end the practice of the secret detention
of terror suspects stating, “not only do
such conditions encourage torture and ill
treatment, but to be ‘disappeared’ from
the face of the earth without knowing
why or for how long is a crime under
international law."
end the practice of the secret detention
of terror suspects stating, “not only do
such conditions encourage torture and ill
treatment, but to be ‘disappeared’ from
the face of the earth without knowing
why or for how long is a crime under
international law."
redstateupdate.net
verbatim number 3.3
"In my line of work
you got to keep
repeating things...
you got to keep
repeating things...
...over and over
and over again
for the truth
to set in...
and over again
for the truth
to set in...
...to kind of catapault
the propaganda."
Greece NY 05.24.05
the propaganda."
Greece NY 05.24.05
Detention Liners and Subterranean Gulags
Taxpayers To Pay
The Energy Bill
The Energy Bill
Toxic Chemicals Parked In City Drinking Water
Transmitters Tuned To Track Tourists' Travels
source: Viroqua Institute
| Five states with the highest rates of incarcerated African Americans - number per 100,00 residents |
| 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 |
| AZ OK TX IA WI |
