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libertyinchaos
Dec. 28th, 2007
10:11 am - Benazir Bhutto's Life and Death, A Review
December 28th, 2007
Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, was assassinated on Thursday (12/27/07) in an attack involving guns and explosives. The following is a brief review of Bhutto's impact on our world. If you would like to know more about Bhutto, please follow the links below.
Bhutto Images:
Bhutto's Accomplishments:
http://www.chowk.com/articles/13269
http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/200
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.as
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co
Bhutto's Assassination:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor
http://www.nationalpost.com/rss/story.h
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jh
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/00
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/st
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_ha
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/00
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/na
________________________________________
Dec. 14th, 2007
07:44 am - A Documentation of the Destruction, CIA Interrogation Tapes
December 14th, 2007
Image Credit: http://www.dubyad40.com
Most if not all of you are already now aware of the destruction of Video Recordings that documented the interrogations of suspected Al Queda terrorists by the CIA.
This article seeks to document this crime, for future referencing in coming litigation. This author predicts much in the way of hearings, in the wake of this clear federal offense.
Clearly, in combination with the violation of 50 USC Sec. 435 at the time of the 'Outing' of former U.S. covert operative Valerie Plame, and the horrendous display of torture inflicted upon suspected terrorists by U.S. Army personnel at Abu Graib, these high crimes and misdemeanors bring to mind a certain quote from the U.S. Constitution...
From Article 2, Section 4:
"The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Congressman Dennis Kucinich's call for impeachment resounds with clarity in the wake of this dark scandal. For this report, I will source video, audio, and several text articles to preserve the integrity of the facts developing in this story.
From MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, courtesy of 'researchris' and Youtube:
If the above video does not load in your browser, you can find it at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzggByJJ
From NPR, National Public Radio:
(December 7, 2007) {It was the second bombshell of the week from the U.S. intelligence community: The CIA acknowledged that in 2005, it destroyed two videotapes showing harsh interrogation techniques used against al-Qaida suspects. The CIA director told agency employees about it Thursday as the New York Times was about to break the story. On Friday, lawmakers in Washington called for an investigation, and civil rights groups said the government may have destroyed key evidence for ongoing terrorism cases.}
For the full story on this report, go here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor
The podcast is available here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/player/med
To follow this issue in it's entirety at NPR, go here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor
The RSS Feed of breaking news on this issue is here:
http://www.npr.org/rss/rss.php?id=17117
From the AFP, Agence France-Presse:
(December 11, 2007) {"We have a commitment from General Hayden for a full and complete accounting and record of everything that's available," the House committee's Democratic chairman, Silvestre Reyes, told reporters...
Following press reports, Hayden revealed last week in a letter to CIA staff that the tapes were made in 2002 and destroyed in 2005, just as Congress was investigating allegations of US abuse of "war on terror" detainees.}
The full story from AFP is here:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i3M
From the AP, Associated Press:
{Though Remes acknowledged the tapes might not be covered by Kennedy's order, he said, "It is still unlawful for the government to destroy evidence, and it had every reason to believe that these interrogation records would be relevant to pending litigation concerning our client." In legal documents filed in January 2005, Assistant Attorney General Peter D. Keisler assured Kennedy that government officials were "well aware of their obligation not to destroy evidence that may be relevant in pending litigation."}
The full story is here:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5geGD
This story continues to develop. We at P&M will certainly be following it.
________________________________________
-Nathan Morrison is a political news columnist for Powers&Morrison.com
For further information on this or any article printed herein, please contact: Morrison@PowersAndMorrison.com, or refer to the sources cited internally.
________________________________________
In un-related news, P&M Columnist Victor Lopez is now back in the United States. His most recent post just came out today, and is available at:
http://www.victorlopez.powersandmorriso
I encourage everyone to stop over to his page and welcome Victor back home!
________________________________________
Nov. 30th, 2007
08:44 am - PM News
November 30th, 2007
We've got some exciting news here at P&M this week, and so I've decided to dedicate this week's post to explaining what's new here at the site.
As many of you are aware, our Columnists are active not only here at P&M, but at many other prominent sites across the web. Freckles, our Teen News Columnist, has over the past several months developed a political website for youth across the nation. Many of you are regular readers, but for those who have not yet dropped in, check it out at:
http://www.youthinkleft.com
Freckles work can also be found at:
http://frecklescassie.wordpress.com
One of her prominent contributors, and a regular correspondent for P&M over the past 2 years, is now joining the writing staff here at P&M. Known across the web as TexasBetsy, her daily blog is also available through YOUTHINKLEFT, at: http://www.youthinkleft.com/news/
Betsy is a regular voice not only at YOUTHINKLEFT, but in Political Chat Rooms, Message Boards, and Radio Programs, reporting on relevant political news with experienced, rational arguments from Texas. Betsy also served for a time here at P&M as Editor for The Old Sarge, a former P&M Columnist who now broadcasts at Nova M Radio. Betsy is also a 'News Ninja' over at Head On Radio Network:
http://texbetsy.headonradionetwork.com/
It is with great pleasure that we announce the arrival of her Column, "Reality Based News and Blogs", here at P&M. Betsy's page will debut here next week, and P&M regular readers can get a sneak peak at her page this weekend. It is scheduled to go live Saturday at noon pacific time.
Another of our long time P&M Columnists, Daniel Solis, has moved on to host a weekly progressive podcast, at: http://www.thinkyouth.net
We at P&M know that the most important thing in Progressive Politics is to get the facts of each issue to our audiences in a direct and no-nonsense way. To this end in late 2006 P&M Columnists were invited to expand their writing base, both by writing freelance for other sites, and by developing both individual web presences, and their own writing staff. Some of our writers, like New Orleans Bureau Chief, Loki, brought their writers directly to P&M, using our established format to bring new viewers to a NOLA badly in need of attention. Others, like Freckles and Daniel Solis, were able to develop active sites elsewhere that have grown their own subcultures entirely. Solis and Freckles both focus on Teen/Youth Political Views, and we at P&M are proud of their ability to develop that smaller niche into such successful forces in the progressive community.
Finally, Columnist Dre, a.k.a. Andre Smith, has also been widely published of late. Dre's worked can now be found at the highly sourced Op-Ed News Site AssociatedContent.com. Follow the link below to see Dre's best articles reproduced in full:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/7
At every news outlet you will find some sort of political slant in the Op-Ed section. Here at P&M, we are proud to feature political news slanted towards the Public's perspective. We're even more pleased to learn that our 'public's perspective' slant is so accurate and on point with the nation's viewpoint that it continues on to other forums. We thank both our readers and contributors, for their continued effectiveness in the ongoing struggle for true democracy in this country. It is through our unity in this effort that progressive voices remain strong. So when you've caught up here at P&M on the latest, and have read all there is to know at your other favorites like Firedoglake and Truthout, make sure to swing by our Columnists' other sites, like YOUTHINKLEFT, and ThinkYouth. Give the next generation of Political activists a chance to earn your readership.
-Nathan Morrison is a Political News Columnist for Powers&Morrison.com For further information on this or any article printed herein, please contact: Morrison@PowersAndMorrison.com All sources cited internally.
________________________________________
Nov. 23rd, 2007
03:04 pm - Your Name And Badge Number, Please...
November 23rd, 2007
Police Tasering Suspect, Image Credit: http://www.surfermag.com/features/onlin
What prompts a Police Officer to use a weapon on a citizen?
Apparently the answer to that question is lengthy, and includes; asking unpopular questions to political candidates, speeding, meeting for a church gathering, and the strangest claimed offense, DOING NOTHING AT ALL.
Don't believe me? Before we take a look at what you can do in such a situation, let's just bust out all of the evidence right here and now...
Being Tasered for asking questions...
On September 19th, 2007, Andrew Meyer, a student at the University of Florida, was tasered and arrested as he posed unpopular questions to former Presidential Candidate, John Kerry. {Two University of Florida police officers were on leave with pay Wednesday as university officials tried to sort out what caused them to use an electronic stun gun to subdue a student, the school's president said.}
For the full story, go here:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/19/studen
Being Tasered for Speeding...
Above Video may shock you...
{UHP (Utah Highway Patrol) tasers man in front of pregnant wife and baby over an alleged speeding ticket. Outraged? Call the Vernal, Utah UHP Office and let them know!}
Story original to:
http://cgi.fark.com/cgi/fark/youtub
Meanwhile, in Florida, Being Maced for attending a Church Function...
Mace Cloud Sprayed Over Peaceful Church Crowd... {An Orlando officer apparently caught on video spraying a can of mace "like it was an air freshener" over a seemingly peaceful downtown crowd -- sickening several people -- has prompted a police investigation.}
For the full story, go here: http://www.local6.com/news/14633857/det
Being Tasered for Defending yourself again street violence...
{"The exact number of times (the Taser was) deployed will be determined in the course of the investigation," Graham said. "Obviously he's engaged in a physical confrontation in the middle of the street with a suspect, therefore it's at the officers discretion at what means he can use to get control of the suspect." Allen is the eighth person shocked by a law enforcement Taser gun to die in northeast Florida. There were two deaths in St. Johns and Clay counties, and one each in Duval, Clay, Nassau, Putnam and Columbia counties.}
For the video report from local Channel 4 News, go here: http://www.news4jax.com/news/14635422/d
For the full story, go to: http://www.news4jax.com/news/14635422/d
And finally, being Tasered for NOT RESISTING ARREST...
{The video shows him backing up, raising his hands and turning away before the police stun him with the 50,000-volt Taser, sending him to the floor screaming before he's stunned again and the Mounties pin down his head and limbs to handcuff him. "Probably the most disturbing part is one of the officers using his leg and his knee to pin his head and his neck against the ground," said Paul Pritchard, who made the video. Dziekanski then became quiet and died soon after. "I don't know why it ever became a police incident," said retired Vancouver police Supt. Ron Foyle. "It didn't seem that he made any threatening gestures towards them."}
For the video of the Tasering, go here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_v
For the full story go here:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/1
A few other stories, just to make sure the evidence rings through loud and clear:
Taser Death - {A 20-year-old man died Sunday after being shot with a Taser device during a scuffle with a sheriff's deputy in Maryland, a spokeswoman for the Frederick County Sheriff's Office said...
Amnesty International has reported that, since June 2001, more than 150 people have died in the United States after being subdued with a stun gun. The organization has called for police departments to suspend use of the devices pending study of their possible risks.}
For the full story, go here: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/18/ta
{(Male Officer) Kovach said he used the device on (Female Drunkard) Gill at least seven times, including twice while she was handcuffed, according to the police report...}
For the full story go here: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/26/tasere
For an informative breakdown on Taser operation, go here: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/26/tasere
Now then, I'm not entirely certain what makes Law Enforcement Officers decide to use weapons on unsuspecting citizens. Yes, that's right I said weapons. Mace, Tasers, these are weapons. They are claimed to be 'non-lethal' and are designed not to cause death, but they are nontheless weapons. Any weapon can be used to kill. Nightsticks, (the non-lethal option pre-taser) are also weapons. Known to the Japanese as the 'Tonfa' all trained martial artists are familiar with ways the nightstick can be used to cause serious injury or even death. Rodney King's famous footage proved surely that the usage of a weapon is the responsibility of the officer.
Using a weapon on a civilian is a serious offense, even if the weapon is not a gun. I'm not sure when 'To Serve and Protect' morphed into 'To Subdue and Control', but American Law does not side with these offending officers. In many of the above cited instances, the tasering (repeated tasering) led to death. That's called murder, whether you wear a badge or not.
What sets a police officer off? Who knows now-a-days... With the examples listed above, I can't tell you with a straight face that obeying the law is enough to keep you from being killed by a control happy cop.
What I can tell you, is the best way to deal with a Police Officer, so as to control the situation from the outset of your particular detainment.
It all starts with a simple question, "May I have your name and badge number please?"
Law Enforcement officers are trained to respond to this question in several ways. 1) They will comply with your request, even when asking you for your license and registration, and will dutifully supply you with their name and badge number. 2) They will take note that you are a citizen familiar with your rights and with the rule of law. 3) They will determine that you are in physical control of yourself.
If an officer does not respond in such fashion, you may use this evidence against him in a court of law. Demonstrating restraint in such a fashion will help to prove your case after the fact.
If an officer steps outside the bounds of his duty, and say, attempts to Taser you, etc. You have the following recourse available:
1) Point out to the officer that his actions are being recorded by the camera mounted on his/her dashboard. This video/audio evidence is not only used in court against citizens, but for them. If a police officer violates the law and is caught on video, that's one thing. If an officer is caught on video breaking the law AFTER BEING WARNED that he/she is being recorded... that's something else altogether. A verbal warning of the fact that you are being taped can go a long way towards preventing police violence.
2) You are absolutely allowed to dial 911, and summon other law enforcement officials to the scene. In fact, you have the ability to dial 911 and ascertain verification that an officer is validly attempting a pull-over, before you agree to pull your car over. If you decide to do so, applying your emergency flashers and driving slowly is expected.
3) You may request a review of your Miranda Rights (to remain silent, etc.) You do not have to co-operate with a police officer's requests, as long as you do not forcibly resist arrest. You MAY remain silent, you MAY go through the booking process and then begin to fight your case from there.
4) You may place the offending officer under arrest. Yep, that's right. Though many have forgotten, citizens of the United States of America have the power to arrest. It's called a Citizen's Arrest, and it's perfectly legal to do. It's one of the 'Checks on Power' that makes our country great. You will most likely be required to report fully on the incident to the officer responding to your request for arrest. You should also be prepared to give a deposition of the events to a lawyer. To arrest someone, you simply need to state to that person (Police Officer or Citizen) I am placing you under citizen's arrest. Physically placing your hand upon either an officer or citizen is considered an arrest as well, in conjunction with the arrest command.
Don't forget, that Law Enforcement is here to Serve and Protect the public, and that force is not always necessary. Know your rights, and always ask for a name and badge number...
Supporting information for Citizens who fear Police Violence:
http://www.constitution.powersandmorris
http://www.amendments.powersandmor
http://www.usconstitution.net/miranda.h
http://www.cccr.org/ - Citizens' Rights Information
From the Amendments to the United States Constitution, the document(s) from which the power of Law Enforcement is given...
AMENDMENT [I.]
Congress shall make NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion, or PROHIBITING the free exercise thereof; or abridging the FREEDOM OF SPEECH, or of the press; or the right of the people PEACEABLY to ASSEMBLE, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
AMENDMENT [IV.]
The right of the people to be SECURE IN THEIR PERSONS, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
AMENDMENT [V.]
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of LIFE, LIBERTY, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
AMENDMENT [VIII.]
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, NOR CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENTS inflicted.
AMENDMENT [IX.]
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, SHALL NOT be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
AMENDMENT [X.]
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or TO THE PEOPLE.
AMENDMENT XIV.
SECTION. 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State SHALL make or ENFORCE ANY LAW which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of LIFE, LIBERTY, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
-Nathan Morrison is a political news columnist for Powers&Morrison.com For further information on this or any article printed herein, please contact: Morrison@PowersAndMorrison.com. All sources cited internally.
________________________________________
Nov. 16th, 2007
08:52 am - Giuliani Vs Clinton? It's a ReRun, I've seen this one, Clinton wins...
Image Credit: http://www.nypost.com/seven/12102006/ph
The year was 2000, the place was New York State. The candidates faced off for a seat in the United States Senate. Then Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani couldn't even finish the race. Ostensibly the reason was he felt he needed time to focus on his cancer treatment.
From his withdrawal speech (May 19, 2000)
Giuliani: "And politics is important, but it is by far not the most important thing in life. Your life is more important, your health is more important, the people you love, your family, people that are close to you and really care about you. You know, those are the most important things in life...And then, after that, comes politics. And it's important, because you serve other people, you know, but there are a lot of ways to do that, including being a better mayor."
Full Transcript available at: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRI
While it is clear that Rudy was facing Prostate Cancer, the disease was caught early and is easily treated through modern medicine. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians:
"The main risks of this surgery are incontinence (lack of bladder control) and impotence (loss of the ability to get or keep an erection long enough to have sex). Fortunately, only a very low percentage of men have severe incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Up to 35% of men have a little accidental leakage of urine during heavy lifting, coughing or laughing."
http://familydoctor.org/online/famd
This is hardly a reason to quit one's job, especially when the primary treatment method for early stage victims is 'Watch & Wait'.
New Yorkers at the time knew the real reasons for Giuliani's withdrawal from the race. His poll numbers began to plummet (especially in Republican heavy upstate NY) in the wake of several recent scandals that were plastered across the evening news, night after night. Two such examples are here:
"In 2000, Giuliani allowed his messy personal life -- a public separation, a public girlfriend -- to spill into the headlines. He dropped out of the race after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, but many people around him saw the illness as just one of many factors ending the campaign."
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/01
"City Hall insiders claim the real reason is complications in his personal life, following his announcement to the press that he is seeking a legal separation from his wife (something that came as news to her) and his flaunting of a relationship with an Upper East Side Manhattan divorcee whom he describes as his 'very good friend.' ...Few have noted that Giuliani's withdrawal announcement came immediately after his wife retained one of the city's premier divorce lawyers."
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2000/may20
Image Credit: http://cityguideny.com/columnpic/donnah
Donna Hanover, then Giuliani's wife,"had been in the headlines lately after announcing she would star in a sexually charged play, The Vagina Monologues. She subsequently canceled her role when the mayor reported he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer."
For the full article on Giuliani's various female companions, go to:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/0
So the man who says, "the people you love, your family, people that are close to you and really care about you. You know, those are the most important things in life...And then, after that, comes politics." then leaves his wife for another woman, after his wife has quit her own job to help support him.
And this expose just would not be complete without a brief review of another controversial (to the GOP Base) Giuliani past-time:
"There`s something a little odd about Rudy Giuliani. He likes to get dressed up as a woman. Repeatedly. In really, really outrageous and revealing outfits..."
http://www.allreaders.com/rudy_giul
In another section of Giuliani's withdrawal speech, he states, ""I used to think the core of me was in politics, probably. It isn't...."
Image Credit:
http://jackblood.netfirms.com/home/imag
So besides the fact that he's currently running for President of the United States, what else did Giuliani do after declaring that politics just wasn't where his 'core' was? That's right, he attempted to remain in power after his second term as Mayor had ended, giving the middle finger to democracy and the rule of law.
“At the end of his last term (as mayor of NYC), Giuliani floated the idea of postponing the mayoral election so he could stay in office a little longer."
http://www.slate.com/id/2176817/
Original to: http://www.windypundit.com/archives/200
That being said, there seems to be this rumor floating around that Giuliani is the frontrunner on the Republican side of the aisle for the Presidential Nomination in 2008. This article: http://mydd.com/story/2007/11/12/18
Finally there is another popular contemporary American myth that somehow Rudy Giuliani was a hero on 9/11...
Image Credit: http://www.alaskapffa.org/
From the NY FireFighter's Union:
(Regarding the IAFF Presidential Forum) "Early on, the IAFF made a decision to invite all serious candidates from both political parties — except one: former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. We made this decision after considerable soul-searching and close consultation with our two New York City affiliates, the Uniformed Firefighters Association Local 94 and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association Local 854, as well as our former Local 94 President and current IAFF 1st District Vice President covering New York."
"The IAFF recognizes that Mayor Giuliani generally enjoys a favorable reputation as a result of his actions immediately after the tragedy of 9/11. As such, we want our affiliates and every one of our members to clearly understand the reason and rationale behind this very serious and sober decision. Many people consider Rudy Giuliani "America's Mayor," and many of our members who don't yet know the real story, may also have a positive view of him. This letter is intended to make all of our members aware of the egregious acts Mayor Giuliani committed against our members, our fallen on 9/11, and our New York City union officers following that horrific day."
In short, Giuliani banned firefighters from searching out the bodies of their fallen compatriots, among other unfathomable acts. Read the entire article here... http://firefightingnews.com/article-U
Rudy Giuliani is no hero. New Yorkers then and now know better, and will tell you so. Sure, he cleaned up Times Square, by selling it to Disney/TimeWarner. Sure he got rid of all the strip clubs there (they moved right next door to 8th avenue). But a hero of 9/11? America's Mayor? These are terms that do not describe Rudy Giuliani.
Womanizer (see Donna Hanover info above), Fascist (see postponing the mayoral election info above), and Betrayer of Trust (see FireFighter info above), that's Rudy Giuliani. These are the reasons he could never hope to defeat Hilary Clinton in the NY Senate Race. This is the evidence that will bring down his campaign for America's Presidency as well.
-Nathan Morrison is a political news columnist for Powers&Morrison.com
For further information on this or any article printed herein, please contact: Morrison@PowersAndMorrison.com
All sources cited internally.
________________________________________
Nov. 9th, 2007
03:50 pm - Oil Spill Ravages San Francisco Bay
November 9th, 2007, 5:45PM California Time
Hamjin Ship - AP Photo
I'm certain that most have now heard of the horrendous event that occurred beneath the Bay Bridge on Wednesday morning. The above pictured Oil Tanker crashed into a support strut for the Bridge, rupturing the tanker's hull and sending crude oil streaming out into the Bay.
This report will focus first and foremost on the developing disaster's pertinent details, and will then expand to suggest ways in which incidents such as this can be prevented.
The Details Thus Far...
"The oil has apparently spread around the bay, with some of it moving beyond the Golden Gate Bridge into the Pacific Ocean. It's reportedly been sighted about 15 miles north of the city and has resulted in at least eight area beaches being closed. "
The Motley Fool - http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2
"The spill occurred shortly before 8:30 Wednesday morning, when the Cosco Busan, a 900-foot container ship bound from Oakland to South Korea, hit one of the fog-shrouded towers of the Bay Bridge's western span, tearing open a fuel tank and dumping bunker fuel into the bay. The cause remained under investigation Thursday. All day Thursday, a sheen of goopy bunker fuel spread in ribbons across the bay. Oil was reported as far south as Hunters Point, east to Oakland up through Raccoon Straits to Richmond, along the San Francisco waterfront, and several miles outside the Golden Gate Bridge. Oiled birds also were found as far north as Stinson Beach."
San Jose Mercury News - http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_7414045?s
Area Wildlife Affected...
Bird in Oil - Picture by Frederic Larson (AP Photo/San Francisco Chronicle)
"It's sort of like a rip in a wetsuit," Edinger said. "They get cold, they beach themselves and they start preening their feathers. They can ingest oil, and that shuts down their digestive system. They lose energy and the ability to take on water and moisture." Birds that escape the slick can fall prey to a different peril: They can't find food, become debilitated and may die. Edinger said most birds being treated were surf scoters, but there were reports of gulls and other shorebirds being affected. He said the next two or three days could see the numbers of imperiled birds jump significantly.
LA Times - http://www.latimes.com/news/printeditio
The State Reports...
Alcatraz in Oil - Picture by Kurt Rogers / San Francisco Chronicle
"California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency on Friday to help fight the San Francisco oil spill that is threatening wildlife and several miles of pristine coastline. "I have signed an emergency proclamation, so all the state's resources can be coordinated to address this oil spill," Schwarzenegger said."
AFP - http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM
The California Bay Bridge has reported no delays due to the spill. Realtime information on Bay Bridge traffic can be found here: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/
There has not been a definitive report on the damage to the Bridge's support strut, however Fox News (Not a valid news source) is reporting the following: "A container ship traveling through dense fog bumped into a tower supporting the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Wednesday, but appeared to have caused no damage to the span, officials said."
Fox News - http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,309
Much mention has been made of Oil 'Booms' in regards to the clean-up effort. Oil Booms are absorbent mesh lined floating structures that filter oil from the surface of water. These products are commercially available for less than $100.00 a piece:
http://www.dawginc.com/spill-control-ab
http://www.abssupport.com/Merchant2/mer
Responsibility (Financial and Otherwise)...
In case there is any doubt whatsoever as to with whom the responsibility for cleanup lies, here is the answer...
According to US Law, TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS CHAPTER 40--OIL POLLUTION :
"Notwithstanding any other provision or rule of law, and subject to the provisions of this Act, each responsible party for a vessel or a facility from which oil is discharged, or which poses the substantial threat of a discharge of oil, into or upon the navigable waters or adjoining shorelines or the exclusive economic zone is liable for the removal costs and damages specified in subsection (b) of this section that result from such incident. "
http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title3
Any company that decides to transport oil through American waters also takes on responsibility for that product and the potential damage it can cause in the event of an incident.
California Dept. of Fish and Game has information for citizens who would like to Volunteer for wildlife recovery efforts:
Clean-Up:
www.OWCN.org
800-228-4544
Report oiled wildlife:
877-823-6926
Report oil sightings:
985-781-0804
As of the print deadline for this article, this author has been unable to locate specific legislation detailing the designated routes Oil Tankers are allowed to travel while in United States waters. If readers have access to this information, please email to: morrison@powersandmorrison.com
It makes Zero sense to route oil tankers through areas home to abundant wildlife. Those in the Bay area and residents of other coastal communities should contact their local state legislative representatives, and those in the federal congress to lodge complaints.
The Exxon Valdez spill (1989) was primarily responsible for the drafting of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. (Information on this law can be found through the EPA at: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill/opaover.h
In the wake of this recent disaster in Northern California, the Federal Government should now be pressed to take further action.
On U.S. highways, toll-roads and State Highways, there exist certain laws designating what sort of cargo can be transported where. Our sea-ways are no less important, and are no less susceptible to damage done by spilled pollutants. It is the responsibility of our government to establish legislation that will hold private companies to the standards required. If a private corporation decides to process and ship oil, let it be known that in order to do so the requirements are stringent. Let's not stop with double hulls, we need to designate sea-lanes for oil transportation that is suitably removed from major wildlife and population centers. If it doesn't make any sense to allow dangerous chemicals to be transported by truck through major cities, than it follows that shipping dangerous chemicals by boat through these same areas is also a major hazard.
-Nathan Morrison is a Political News Columnist for Powers&Morrison.com
For further information on this or any article printed herein, please contact Morrison@PowersAndMorrison.com, or refer to the source cited within the article.
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Nov. 6th, 2007
02:39 pm - The News Of My Internet Death Has Been Greatly Exaggerated
November 6th, 2007 2:45PM California Time
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm pleased to report that after a 13 week hiatus, I'm back online and as fiesty as ever.
The Fires that swept through Southern California recently came within 500 yards of my office (Santa Monica) and within 3 miles of my parents residence (San Diego). All of us are okay, thankfully. Many thanks to the courageous firefighters and firebombers from across the nation.
I'll be posting again on a weekly basis, readers can expect new entries every Friday starting this Friday November the 9th.
I've also recently met with Powers, and rumor has it he will be back shortly also. He has big news, but I'll let him share it.
Thanks to all of you who kept me up to date during my online absence. It's good to be back.
-Morrison
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Aug. 1st, 2007
11:05 am
August 1st, 2007, 11:00 AM PST
As most of you have now heard, the Senate is finally taking action against current Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Impeachment proceedings (long overdue) are now underway. Gonzales's lies are on the public record. It is high time for the public to see justice done.
On to more personal news, in my recent photojournalism escapades, I've currently got a really neat pic entered into a contest at Picture.com.
Rate my photo, Click here
You can also visit the page directly for a better look here:
http://www.picture.com/voteforme/photov
If you like the pic, show it some love by casting a vote!
Feedback is also more than welcome, I learn by doing!
Talk to you all soon...
-Morrison
May. 26th, 2007
05:18 pm - Step Into My World
May 26th, 2007 5:25PM PST
While it is true that I've been offline a lot recently, I certainly have not been inactive. One of the best things about being able to unplug for a little while, is the opportunity to reconnect with nature.
The above photo was taken at dusk over Phoenix Lake, here in the Sierra Nevadas. It, and a number of other photos are now available for viewing at my new photo site on Flickr. The link is:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ntpix/
Within a week or so, this site will be fully active, and within the next month a custom site will launch, to display the sets.
I hope you all enjoy a little peak into my world of photography.
I'll be back in the realm of politics in early June, with an article on the actions of the current Congress.
-Morrison
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May. 21st, 2007
06:22 pm - Powers Takes The ForeFront
May 21st, 2007 6:24PM PST
Ladies and Gentlemen, I apologize for my continuing absence.
I would like to formally announce that Thompson Powers will be primarily heading up the site while my services are needed elsewhere.
Powers and I started this site together, and have continued to grow the organization as a team. Many of you have come to know me on a more personal level, as Powers was not in a position to spend as much time in the chat rooms, etc. I just wanted to pop in for a moment to encourage all of you to take the time to get to know him now that our positions have reversed.
I miss the site terribly, and now understand how he must have felt, being away from the day to day action and away from my newsdesk has been very frustrating at times. I'll hear a story on the radio and want to do an entire article on it, but without the time for proper research and investigation I'm only able to bring you my opinion.
I will be back writing on a more frequent basis soon. I'll also soon be releasing the link to my new photo site, which is currently under construction. In developing my skill set, photography has always lagged behind. I've taken the opportunity to correct this over the past month, and am very excited to share the pictures I've taken with all of you. That link should be posted here within a week or so.
So just for clarity, if you need to get in contact with someone regarding Powers&Morrison.com, please contact Thompson Powers, at:
Powers@PowersAndMorrison.com
http://www.PowersAndMorrison.com/Bl
If you need to reach me, please do so by telephone, as my internet is not what it used to be.
More soon!
-Morrison
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