number 49 04.27.06
spread of the red
US Shows Signs of Removing Black Site Prisons from Europe
The United States is currently assisting
Morocco in the construction of a secret
interrogation facility, or black site prison,
in the African nation. Although the
American Embassy in Morocco has not
commented on the construction of the
prison, the Times (UK) reports that the
compound is being built near the capital
in Rabat. The project is being overseen
by the Direction de la Securite’ du
Territoire (DST), the secret military
police force in Morocco.
Reports of the construction of the
interrogation facility come as the US
attempts to deflect criticism from the
Morocco in the construction of a secret
interrogation facility, or black site prison,
in the African nation. Although the
American Embassy in Morocco has not
commented on the construction of the
prison, the Times (UK) reports that the
compound is being built near the capital
in Rabat. The project is being overseen
by the Direction de la Securite’ du
Territoire (DST), the secret military
police force in Morocco.
Reports of the construction of the
interrogation facility come as the US
attempts to deflect criticism from the
United Nations and others for the
existence of secret prisons throughout
the world. Last week an employee of
the Inspector General’s Office in the
CIA was sacked for advising reporters of
the existence of black prisons in Europe.
Human rights groups have previously
reported on the partnership between
the US and Morocco in the notorious
rendition program where terror suspects
are kidnapped and spirited to locals
beyond the reach of humanitarian groups
to be interrogated and in some cases
tortured. Amnesty International in
cooperation with other rights advocate
existence of secret prisons throughout
the world. Last week an employee of
the Inspector General’s Office in the
CIA was sacked for advising reporters of
the existence of black prisons in Europe.
Human rights groups have previously
reported on the partnership between
the US and Morocco in the notorious
rendition program where terror suspects
are kidnapped and spirited to locals
beyond the reach of humanitarian groups
to be interrogated and in some cases
tortured. Amnesty International in
cooperation with other rights advocate
groups have documented CIA airlifts
of kidnapped suspects from
Washington DC and the prison camp
in Guantanamo Cuba to Morocco for
interrogation that in some cases
resulted in torture and the mutilation
of suspects.
Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld,
who visited the country earlier this
spring to discuss the possibility of
opening a field office of the FBI in the
country, characterized Morocco as
“friends and constructive partners” in
the world wide war on terror that
the US is currently prosecuting.
it's all true
of kidnapped suspects from
Washington DC and the prison camp
in Guantanamo Cuba to Morocco for
interrogation that in some cases
resulted in torture and the mutilation
of suspects.
Secretary of State Donald Rumsfeld,
who visited the country earlier this
spring to discuss the possibility of
opening a field office of the FBI in the
country, characterized Morocco as
“friends and constructive partners” in
the world wide war on terror that
the US is currently prosecuting.
it's all true
| 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 |
Weather
crowd control
Protest Organizers Warn of Possible Workplace Retaliation
UN Ruling or
Divine Strike?
Divine Strike?
Even as they prepare for an
unprecedented national day of protest in
support of immigration rights and against
legislation proposed by Congressional
Republicans, community organizers must
address the possibility of disciplinary
action by employers against workers
who take the day off to attend the
massive rallies planned across the
country. After last month’s marches in
major US cities, hundreds of immigrant
workers were reportedly dismissed from
their jobs in apparent retaliation for their
involvement in the protests.
In many cases the workers were rehired,
or offered reinstatement, after local
advocacy groups brought pressure to
unprecedented national day of protest in
support of immigration rights and against
legislation proposed by Congressional
Republicans, community organizers must
address the possibility of disciplinary
action by employers against workers
who take the day off to attend the
massive rallies planned across the
country. After last month’s marches in
major US cities, hundreds of immigrant
workers were reportedly dismissed from
their jobs in apparent retaliation for their
involvement in the protests.
In many cases the workers were rehired,
or offered reinstatement, after local
advocacy groups brought pressure to
bear on employers. Businesses that rely
heavily on an immigrant labor force have
been increasingly cooperative with
protest organizers, and many such
businesses will simply close during the
May 1st marches and rallies. But there
have been some reports of threats by
supervisors of retaliation, and there has
been a debate among various worker’s
rights groups and immigration advocates
about how to deal with these situations.
Typically, the firings cannot be
challenged because most states have so-
called “at will” employment laws, which
state that any employee not specifically
protected by a contract may be
terminated at any time, for any reason,
at the discretion of the employer.
heavily on an immigrant labor force have
been increasingly cooperative with
protest organizers, and many such
businesses will simply close during the
May 1st marches and rallies. But there
have been some reports of threats by
supervisors of retaliation, and there has
been a debate among various worker’s
rights groups and immigration advocates
about how to deal with these situations.
Typically, the firings cannot be
challenged because most states have so-
called “at will” employment laws, which
state that any employee not specifically
protected by a contract may be
terminated at any time, for any reason,
at the discretion of the employer.
Among the immigrants who faced
retaliation for participating in protest
rallies were welders, assembly line
workers, meatpackers and restaurant
workers. There were reports of
retaliation from at least eight states,
including Florida, Kansas, Texas,
Michigan, and Illinois. Protest
organizers have cautioned their
constituencies to consider the
possible consequences of attendance,
with some groups opting out of the
boycott entirely. In the Los Angeles
area, the debate over participation in
the protest has been particularly
heated; in many cities, local religious
leaders are heavily involved in
immigration rights causes. it's all true
retaliation for participating in protest
rallies were welders, assembly line
workers, meatpackers and restaurant
workers. There were reports of
retaliation from at least eight states,
including Florida, Kansas, Texas,
Michigan, and Illinois. Protest
organizers have cautioned their
constituencies to consider the
possible consequences of attendance,
with some groups opting out of the
boycott entirely. In the Los Angeles
area, the debate over participation in
the protest has been particularly
heated; in many cities, local religious
leaders are heavily involved in
immigration rights causes. it's all true
Native Americans recently
received a ruling in their favor
from a United Nations
committee in a dispute over land
in Nevada at a site that the US
military has selected to test the
effects of the types of tactical
nuclear weapons that could be
used in an air strike on Iranian
nuclear processing facilities.
The weapons test, referred to as
“Operation Divine Strike”, is
designed to use 700 tons of
conventional and chemical
explosives to simulate a
battlefield-nuclear attack. The
weapon to be tested is reported
to be five times larger than the
military’s largest conventional
weapon.
This spring, the US escalated its
rhetoric insisting that Iran not be
allowed to develop nuclear
energy resources so that it cannot
make nuclear weapons. President
George Bush recently told
reporters that “all options are on
the table” with respect to the
confrontation with the nascent
nuclear power, including a small
yield nuclear strike.
Members of the Shoshone Tribe
brought the action before the
UN Committee on the
Elimination of Racial
Discrimination disputing the
Treaty of Ruby Valley signed in
1863. The committee ruled that
the treaty “did not comply with
contemporary human rights
norms, principles and standards
that govern determination of
indigenous property rights.”
it's all true
received a ruling in their favor
from a United Nations
committee in a dispute over land
in Nevada at a site that the US
military has selected to test the
effects of the types of tactical
nuclear weapons that could be
used in an air strike on Iranian
nuclear processing facilities.
The weapons test, referred to as
“Operation Divine Strike”, is
designed to use 700 tons of
conventional and chemical
explosives to simulate a
battlefield-nuclear attack. The
weapon to be tested is reported
to be five times larger than the
military’s largest conventional
weapon.
This spring, the US escalated its
rhetoric insisting that Iran not be
allowed to develop nuclear
energy resources so that it cannot
make nuclear weapons. President
George Bush recently told
reporters that “all options are on
the table” with respect to the
confrontation with the nascent
nuclear power, including a small
yield nuclear strike.
Members of the Shoshone Tribe
brought the action before the
UN Committee on the
Elimination of Racial
Discrimination disputing the
Treaty of Ruby Valley signed in
1863. The committee ruled that
the treaty “did not comply with
contemporary human rights
norms, principles and standards
that govern determination of
indigenous property rights.”
it's all true
| redstat |
red state rebate
Pols Push Process to Provide Pork for Pet Projects
| Public expenditure per student,primary level, as a percentage of per capita GDP |
50
Despite a budget deficit of more than
$400 billion and large emergency
appropriations for hurricane relief and
further funding for the war in Iraq,
members of Congress still managed to
deliver some $29 billion worth of so-
called “pork barrel” projects for their
constituents, according to watchdog
groups that have studied this year’s
spending bills. Several of the more
controversial proposals have led to
squabbling among Congressional
Republicans, some of whom seek to cut
back on this type of federal spending.
Among the questionable projects
approved this year are $13.5 million for
the World Toilet Summit, to be held in
Ireland; $6.4 million for “wood
utilization research;” $1 million for the
study of waterless urinals; and $500,000
for the Sparta Teapot Museum in
Georgia. At $325 million, Alaska
received more funding for pork than any
$400 billion and large emergency
appropriations for hurricane relief and
further funding for the war in Iraq,
members of Congress still managed to
deliver some $29 billion worth of so-
called “pork barrel” projects for their
constituents, according to watchdog
groups that have studied this year’s
spending bills. Several of the more
controversial proposals have led to
squabbling among Congressional
Republicans, some of whom seek to cut
back on this type of federal spending.
Among the questionable projects
approved this year are $13.5 million for
the World Toilet Summit, to be held in
Ireland; $6.4 million for “wood
utilization research;” $1 million for the
study of waterless urinals; and $500,000
for the Sparta Teapot Museum in
Georgia. At $325 million, Alaska
received more funding for pork than any
other state, although the total was
down more than 50 percent this year
as Alaska Senator Ted Stevens left the
chairmanship of the Senate
Appropriations Committee
Last week saw rancorous debate over a
$700 million railroad project for
Mississippi, which was inserted into the
Senate emergency appropriations bill.
The confrontation pitted influential
Republican Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
against Mississippi Senators Thad Cochran
and former Majority Leader Trent Lott.
The legislative tactic of attaching local
projects to emergency spending
measures in order to shorten or
eliminate Congressional discussion is
increasingly unpopular with the public,
polls show. Observers say that some
members of the Republican delegation
want to respond to the poll numbers
ahead of November’s mid-term elections.
it's all true
down more than 50 percent this year
as Alaska Senator Ted Stevens left the
chairmanship of the Senate
Appropriations Committee
Last week saw rancorous debate over a
$700 million railroad project for
Mississippi, which was inserted into the
Senate emergency appropriations bill.
The confrontation pitted influential
Republican Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
against Mississippi Senators Thad Cochran
and former Majority Leader Trent Lott.
The legislative tactic of attaching local
projects to emergency spending
measures in order to shorten or
eliminate Congressional discussion is
increasingly unpopular with the public,
polls show. Observers say that some
members of the Republican delegation
want to respond to the poll numbers
ahead of November’s mid-term elections.
it's all true
25
| sudan cuba us turkey |
source: UNESCO
Traffic
Corporate Funding
Drives Public Radio
Drives Public Radio
interpreting the constitution
Groups Averse to Justice System Want to Jail Judges
A review of funding trends at
National Public Radio has shown that
corporate sponsorship and advertising
have become increasingly vital
sources of revenue for the nominally
public broadcasting service. According
to the most recent figures available,
NPR receives over 18 percent of its
annual revenues from corporations,
with just 11 percent coming from the
federal government. Long –time
subscribers to public radio and
broadcasting professionals say that
federal de-funding of NPR has led to
the commercialization of the
network.
Facing steady reductions in
government revenues, NPR has
aggressively promoted corporate
partnerships. The trend has even led
some broadcasters to complain about
unfair advantages that NPR may have
in attracting advertising dollars,
because public radio underwriting is
tax deductible.
The network may also risk alienating
its listener base as its on air product
comes to resemble other news
outlets. That base, with its
significantly higher median income,
higher level of education, and sought
after consumer profile, is largely what
attracts corporate sponsorship to
NPR in the first place, according to
industry analysts. it's all true
National Public Radio has shown that
corporate sponsorship and advertising
have become increasingly vital
sources of revenue for the nominally
public broadcasting service. According
to the most recent figures available,
NPR receives over 18 percent of its
annual revenues from corporations,
with just 11 percent coming from the
federal government. Long –time
subscribers to public radio and
broadcasting professionals say that
federal de-funding of NPR has led to
the commercialization of the
network.
Facing steady reductions in
government revenues, NPR has
aggressively promoted corporate
partnerships. The trend has even led
some broadcasters to complain about
unfair advantages that NPR may have
in attracting advertising dollars,
because public radio underwriting is
tax deductible.
The network may also risk alienating
its listener base as its on air product
comes to resemble other news
outlets. That base, with its
significantly higher median income,
higher level of education, and sought
after consumer profile, is largely what
attracts corporate sponsorship to
NPR in the first place, according to
industry analysts. it's all true
The states of Idaho and South Dakota
are asking their citizens to consider
removing legal immunity from the judges
who sit on state courts in ballot
initiatives to be voted on this
November. The Judicial Accountability
Initiative Law for Judges (JAIL for Judges)
would strip immunity from judges
submitting them to both civil and
criminal prosecution for decisions that
they make in cases that come before
them.
Judicial immunity as a theory in civil
jurisprudence predates the American
Constitution and is intended to allow
judges to render their findings with
impartiality and fairness and without fear
of legal action being taken against them.
The U.S. Supreme Court first recognized
the legal theory of judicial immunity in
1868 in a case that found judges to only
be liable for decisions that are rendered
"maliciously or corruptly."
The ballot initiatives are motivated by a
loose affiliation of libertarian, Christian,
disaffected ‘freemen’ and right wing
political groups throughout the country.
The attack on the independence of
America’s courts began in earnest in the
mid-1990s when the US congress was
enamored with notions of dismantling
federal controls and returning power to
the states.
are asking their citizens to consider
removing legal immunity from the judges
who sit on state courts in ballot
initiatives to be voted on this
November. The Judicial Accountability
Initiative Law for Judges (JAIL for Judges)
would strip immunity from judges
submitting them to both civil and
criminal prosecution for decisions that
they make in cases that come before
them.
Judicial immunity as a theory in civil
jurisprudence predates the American
Constitution and is intended to allow
judges to render their findings with
impartiality and fairness and without fear
of legal action being taken against them.
The U.S. Supreme Court first recognized
the legal theory of judicial immunity in
1868 in a case that found judges to only
be liable for decisions that are rendered
"maliciously or corruptly."
The ballot initiatives are motivated by a
loose affiliation of libertarian, Christian,
disaffected ‘freemen’ and right wing
political groups throughout the country.
The attack on the independence of
America’s courts began in earnest in the
mid-1990s when the US congress was
enamored with notions of dismantling
federal controls and returning power to
the states.
In the past few years, however, the
movement his grown embracing
fundamentalist Christians who are
seeking to prosecute judges who rule in
favor of a woman’s right to choose for
crimes including murder. Such initiates
to the JAIL for Judges movement have
been agitated and goaded by preachers,
such a James Dobson and Pat Robertson,
and politicians, such as Tom DeLay and
Bill Frist. Although the JAIL for Judges
movement has achieved its greatest
successes in rural states like Idaho, the
group has chapters and affiliates in urban
states including New York and Florida.
The influential rightwing/libertarian think-
tank the Cato Institute has sponsored
research that endorses limits on judicial
immunity.
In general, the groups rail against
“rampant and pervasive corruption” that
exists in the legal system. The groups
seek not only to remove protections
that shield judges from criminal and civil
prosecution but to amend the
constitutions of each state to set up
tribunals of citizens who act as fact
finders in complaints against judges
because, in the logic of the movement’s
organizers, such complaints cannot be
heard in a corrupted court system. The
movement also seeks to amend the US
Constitution to forbid judicial immunity
in the federal courts. it's all true
movement his grown embracing
fundamentalist Christians who are
seeking to prosecute judges who rule in
favor of a woman’s right to choose for
crimes including murder. Such initiates
to the JAIL for Judges movement have
been agitated and goaded by preachers,
such a James Dobson and Pat Robertson,
and politicians, such as Tom DeLay and
Bill Frist. Although the JAIL for Judges
movement has achieved its greatest
successes in rural states like Idaho, the
group has chapters and affiliates in urban
states including New York and Florida.
The influential rightwing/libertarian think-
tank the Cato Institute has sponsored
research that endorses limits on judicial
immunity.
In general, the groups rail against
“rampant and pervasive corruption” that
exists in the legal system. The groups
seek not only to remove protections
that shield judges from criminal and civil
prosecution but to amend the
constitutions of each state to set up
tribunals of citizens who act as fact
finders in complaints against judges
because, in the logic of the movement’s
organizers, such complaints cannot be
heard in a corrupted court system. The
movement also seeks to amend the US
Constitution to forbid judicial immunity
in the federal courts. it's all true
redstateupdate.net
verbatim number 9.6
"One of the great things about
America, one of the great
beauties of our country...
America, one of the great
beauties of our country...
...is that when we see a young,
innocent child blown up by an IED,
we cry."
Washington DC 03.29.06
innocent child blown up by an IED,
we cry."
Washington DC 03.29.06
%