On Sunday, India failed as a nation

PRASAD PARUCHURI

Posted online: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 at 0000 hours IST

Here are six questions that arise in the wake of the tsunami tragedy which don’t go away.

Question 1: Once the tsunami hit the Andaman and Nicobar islands, the government should have sprung into action and warned the people on the mainland. Southern India could then have been better prepared to face the disaster. Once the tsunami hit the Andamans, we had at least 60 minutes to do this. Why was this not done?

Question 2: Why do we have all that government paraphernalia in the Andamans if we cannot keep an eye on developments in Southeast Asia?

Question 3: What were ISRO’s numerous satellites doing at the time?

Question 4: If the US, Australia and other Pacific nations knew about the tsunami within 15-30 minutes, why did they not warn India and the others? It is unimaginable that they allowed the disaster to happen just because Sri Lanka and India were not ‘members’ in a Pacific watch scheme. If, on the other hand, they did not know, then all the research and money being spent on observing the Pacific watch is a waste. After all, the same tsunami could have travelled south to the western coast of Australia. If they did know that the tsunami was traveling west towards the Indian subcontinent and did not warn the nations concerned, then they have failed humanity.

Question 5: Today it is a tsunami, tomorrow it could be something else. What we know from this tsunami is that India, as a nation, failed. Indian scientists failed. Indian managers failed. Indian politicians failed. Indian administrators failed. The Indian media failed — by wasting time and energy on trivial issues rather than focusing on issues of importance. Why did the nation fail?

Question 6: Finally, if the people cannot be warned about a tsunami, can we trust the government of the day and/or bureaucracy to warn people of nuclear strikes — by rogue states or otherwise?

© 2004: Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd. All rights reserved throughout the world.

http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=61684


Informant: Shanti Renfrew

Ärztlicher Qualitätszirkel Oberfranken:

Elektromagnetische Felder in der Medizin – Diagnostik, Therapie, Umwelt

Dr. med. Beatrix Reimers, Allgemeinärztin, Bamberg
Dr. med. Klaus Landgraf, Internist, Bamberg
Dr. med. Gerd Kleilein, Ltd.Arzt der Notaufnahme, Krh. Coburg
Dr. med. Horst Eger, Allgemeinarzt, Naila
Dr. med. Norbert Schmid, Allgemeinarzt, Bamberg
Dr. med. Cornelia Waldmann-Selsam, Bamberg
Dr. med. Helmut Heyn, prakt. Arzt, Bamberg
Dr. med. Helmut Zillinger, Allgemeinarzt, Bamberg
Dr. med. Bräuninger Wolfgang, Allgemeinarzt, Bamberg

In Bamberg trafen sich Ärzte aus Oberfranken zum 1. Qualitätszirkel „Elektromagnetische Felder in der Medizin“. Der Qualitätszirkel ist von der Bayrischen Landesärztekammer anerkannt und für Fortbildungen zertifiziert.

Der menschliche Körper funktioniert mit vielen unsichtbaren elektrischen Erscheinungen, ohne die er nicht lebensfähig wäre. So bestimmt der Arzt mit dem EKG (Elektrokardiogramm), ob die Herzschlagfunktion richtig abläuft. Die dabei gemessenen winzigen elektrischen Aktionen und Felder entscheiden z.B. über die Diagnose ob ein Herzinfarkt vorliegt oder nicht, oder ob ein Patient mit einer elektrischen „Null-Linie“ klinisch tot ist.

Wie im Menschen treffen wir auch in der technifizierten Umwelt auf eine Vielzahl von elektromagnetischen Feldern, wie in der Nähe von Hochspannungsleitungen, bei elektrischen Geräten und Maschinen und auch beim Mobilfunk.

Bisher glaubte man, diese Felder seien zu schwach, um in menschlichen Körperzellen das Erbgut schädigend zu verändern. Nach der Veröffentlichung der „REFLEX-Studie“ (u.a. auf dem Berliner Ärztekongress 2004) weiß man nun, dass in lebenden Zellen sehr wohl die Erbsubstanz (DNS) zerstört werden kann!

Auch ist bereits seit 1932 (!) bekannt („Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift – Dr. Schliephake, 05.08.1932), dass durch die Senderstrahlung von Kurzwellen unterschiedlichste Symptome, wie schwere Müdigkeit, Schlaflosigkeit und sogar Gemütsveränderungen bis zur Depressivität hin künstlich erzeugt werden können.

Frau Dr. med. Waldmann-Selsam hat in den letzten 2 Monaten in mehren Hundert Haushalten in der Umgebung von Mobilfunkbasisstationen in ganz Oberfranken Summen-Messungen der Leistungsflussdichte der gepulsten Hochfrequenzstrahlung vorgenommen und protokolliert. Damit konnte sie zeigen, dass sowohl die Strahlung des Mobilfunks als auch die Dauerstrahlung der vorhandenen Schnurlos-Telefone (DECT-Standard) - für die Betroffenen war überraschenderweise diese Bestrahlung an Intensität oft höher als diejenige von den Sendestationen in der Umgebung – fast übereinstimmend die folgenden negativen Auswirkungen auf die Gesundheit der Menschen erzeugt:

Schlafstörungen, Konzentrations- und Merkfähigkeitsstörungen, Infektanfälligkeit, rheumatische Beschwerden und Herz-Kreislaufbeschwerden.

Beunruhigend an diesen Vor-Ort-Untersuchung ist die Tatsache, dass diese Symptome auch in weiterer Entfernung von den Basisstationen auftreten und dass oftmals die Schnurlos-Telefone allein dafür ursächlich sein können.

Oberstes ärztliches Gebot und Ziel des Qualitätszirkels ist es, die Beschwerden und Symptome der Menschen zu erkennen, richtig einzuschätzen und entsprechend ernst zu nehmen, wenn ein zeitlicher und räumlicher Zusammenhang mit Mobilfunksendeanlagen oder mit DECT-Schnurlos-Telefonen hergestellt werden kann.

Es erscheint einem, als ob seitens der Mobilfunkbetreiber die Ärzteschaft und die Bevölkerung derzeit nur mit allgemein Floskeln ohne wirklich fundierte Untersuchungen beschwichtigend hingehalten werden sollen. Auch die Ämter und Behörden (Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz, Landesamt für Umweltschutz und Bundesgesundheitsministerium) verhalten sich bei konkret vorliegenden Gesundheitsstörungen oft eher ablehnend und lassen Betroffene hilflos alleine mit ihren Problemen und vertrösten auf weiteren Forschungsbedarf.

Um den aktuellen Stand der Wissenschaft geht es am Samstag, den 29. Januar 2005, im Symposium „Ärzte und Mobilfunk – Auswirkungen auf Mensch und Umwelt“ in Bamberg in den Räumen der Universität im Markushaus. Eingeladen sind alle Ärzte aus Oberfranken und über die Region hinaus und selbstverständlich alle an der Thematik interessierte Bürger.

Dr. med. Helmut Heyn
e-mail: Dr.Helmut.Heyn@onlinemed.de
prakt. Arzt – Naturheilverfahren
Geschwister-Scholl-Ring 12
96047 BAMBERG
Tel. 0951-7004970
Fax. 0951-7004974



Einladung zum 1. Bamberger Mobilfunksymposium

am Samstag, 29. Januar 2005
Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg, Markushaus, Markusplatz 3, 96047 Bamberg

Veranstalter: Ärzteinitiative Bamberger Appell und Ärztlicher Qualitätszirkel Elektromagnetische Felder in der Medizin – Diagnostik, Therapie, Umwelt

9.00–10.00 Uhr: Funktionsweise und Ausbreitungsverhalten von GSM und UMTS; hausgemachte Hochfrequenz-Immissionen (DECT, WLAN, Bluetooth, Zig Bee)
Dr. Ing. Martin H. Virnich, Mönchengladbach, Ingenieurbüro für Baubiologie und Umweltmesstechnik

10.00-10.45 Uhr: Schädigungen des Menschen durch Hochfrequenzsender sind seit Jahrzehnten „Stand des Wissens“.
Dr. rer. nat. Ulrich Warnke, Universität des Saarlandes, FB 8.3 Biowissenschaften

10.45-11.10 Uhr: Berichte von Betroffenen

Kaffeepause

11.30-12.30 Uhr: Epidemiologische Untersuchungen bei Mobilfunksendeanlagen – Beispiele und künftige Überlegungen.
Dr. med. univ. Gerd Oberfeld, Amt der Salzburger Landesregierung, Landessanitätsdirektion, Referat Gesundheit, Hygiene, Umweltmedizin

12.30-13.00 Uhr: Erhöhte Krebsraten um Mobilfunksender in Naila – ein Einzelfall?
Dr. Horst Eger, Allgemeinarzt Naila

Mittagspause

14.10-14.45 Uhr: Einfluss und Bedeutung der Wirkungsdauer von EMF-Strahlung auf das funktionelle System und den Schlaf des Menschen.
Prof. Dr. med. Karl Hecht, Berlin

14.45-15.30 Uhr: Berichte von Betroffenen

15.30–16.00 Uhr: Beobachtungen aus einer psychotherapeutischen Praxis
Dr. med. Christine Aschermann, Nervenärztin, Psychotherapie, Leutkirch

Kaffeepause

16.30–17.00 Uhr: Tinnitusforschung bei EMF-Exposition
Prof. Dr. med. H.-J. Wilhelm, HNO-Arzt, Frankfurt/M.

17.00–17.20 Uhr: Neue Forschungsansätze
Dipl.-Ing. Bernd Rainer Müller, Ingenieurbüro für Arbeitsschutz und Messtechnik, Lage

17.20-17.40 Uhr: Bericht über WHO-Konferenz (Okt. 2004) zu Elektrosensibilität in Prag
Antje Bultmann, Wissenschaftsjournalistin, NN.

17.40-18.00 Uhr: Diskussion mit den Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmern

Änderungen vorbehalten
Teilnahmegebühr: 20 €, Student/innen frei
Die Fortbildung ist zertifiziert. Fortbildungspunkte sind vom Qualitätszirkel beantragt. Stundenzahl: 7 Stunden
Bushaltestelle Markusplatz – Fußweg Bahnhof 15 Minuten – Parkhäuser: P Konzerthalle u. P Georgendamm


Anmeldungen bitte an:

Dr. Cornelia Waldmann-Selsam,
Karl-May-Str. 48, 96049 Bamberg
Tel: 0951-12300, Fax: 0951-2 97 25 06
Mail: peter.selsam@t-online.de

Kontoverbindung:
Dr. C. Waldmann-Selsam,
Stichwort: Mobilfunksymposium
Sparkasse Bamberg, BLZ 770 500 00
Konto: 300 462 603


Ich/wir melde/n mich/uns verbindlich an:







Name und Adresse/Stempel






OFFENER BRIEF an Bundeskanzler Gerhard Schröder
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/448216/

Bamberger Appell – Ärzte gegen Mobilfunk
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/282385/

"Bamberger Appell"
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/265206/

Endlich ein Signal aus Berlin
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/448219/

Strahlendes Bamberg?
http://www.gal.bamberg.de/Zeitung/gaz-63/MF-Strahlendes-Bamberg.htm

Darf’s ein bisschen mehr Strahlung sein?
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/460009/

Symposium in Bamberg: Ärzte und Wissenschaftler warnen vor Gesundheitsgefahren
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/496175/

1. Bamberger Mobilfunksymposium
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/484614/

Die Naila-Studie
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/351483/

"Freiburger Appell" - Umweltmediziner fordern Senkung der Grenzwerte
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/351487/

**First he admits that flight 93 was SHOT down, and now he admits a missile hit the Pentagon. He's forgetting the barrage of lies the public was told apparently. It's funny how his slip-ups more closely match evidence and testimony than do the lies that were told to the public. It's too bad only people like us get to know what really happened, and that the masses of the people are still wanting Bin Laden dead for the 911 attacks. The sheeple have inherited the earth...-Andy Thames

Originally posted by: m.e. onullder

Secretary Rumsfeld Interview with Parade Magazine
http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2001/t11182001_t1012pm.html

***Notice he says "missile to damage this building".

I think what is happening is he is discussing these things with government insiders so often, that when he speaks with the public, he forgets that the public believes something different than what government insiders know to be true.

Across the country come reports of systematic efforts to deprive citizens, particularly African-Americans, of the right to vote. In the key state of Ohio, white suburban precincts had short lines, while black urban precincts--as well as other strong democratic precincts--featured waits of up to 10 hours as a result of the systematic misallocation of voting machines. Voters in the same precincts received supposedly official messages telling them to go to the wrong precinct, or to avoid voting unless they had paid their parking tickets.

Forums led by John Conyers of the House Judiciary Committee have exposed not only evidence of voter suppression but indications of outright fraud in counting the vote. Any suppression or fraud is criminal, and the scale is sufficient to cast doubt on the outcome in OH, and thus on who should be the next President. Nor is Ohio the only state with irregularities.

These actions are in priority order.

1. Call Senator Barbara Boxer at (800) 839-5276 to ask her to challenge the certification of the vote on Jan 6. At least 14 members of the House will challenge the vote, but they need one Senator. Ask Boxer to be that Senator. The 2004 vote does not deserve her assent.

2. Contact the media, starting with the San Francisco Chronicle at letters@sfchronicle.com, and ask them to cover this story, including the fact that many in the Bay Area and California are asking our representatives to stand up to defend the right to vote.

3. Send money to the leading suit to challenge the irregularities in Ohio and compel discovery of important information. The recount, like the original vote, is being obstructed. You can make a tax-deductible donation online at http://freepress.org/store.php#donate (click next to CICJ Election Protection).


Want to do more?

Attend the press conference and rally at Senator Boxer's office, 1700 Montgomery St, San Francisco on Monday, Jan 3 at noon. Meet at the Embarcadero BART at 11am to walk there and present signed petitions. http://usvip.org/DOCS/boxer-jan3.pdf

There are more calls you can make. http://usvip.org/article.asp?id=42
provides phone numbers and scripts. Don't forget, we have two Senators and one Democratic Presidential candidate.

If you can influence the Ohio Congressional delegation, which includes Dennis Kucinich, please do. Politicians, including Boxer, have said that they are taking their cues from Kerry or the OH delegation. Of course, the right to vote belongs to the voters, and the politicians are our representatives, but the reality is that movement by other politicians will help.

Contact additional media: letters@sfchronicle.com, opinion@sacbee.com, letters@latimes.com, letters@nytimes.com, letters@washpost.com.
http://www.democraticrenewal.us/resources/mediacontacts.htm provides many more media contacts.

If you are an attorney and are interested in working on the OH case, please contact Gail Jonas who has agreed to coordinate this effort. Gail can be emailed at gejonas@sonic.net or call her at 707 433 6845 or 707 431 8451.

This message is from United for Peace and Justice--Bay Area
http://www.upj-bayarea.org, though for now election stuff is at
http://www.dsausa.org/sf

Other Bay Area election sites
http://www.usvip.org
democraticrenewal.us


Informant: Martin Greenhut

A key action in the controversy over possible electoral fraud in the U.S. is about to happen -- and you can have your voice heard in it, if you wish. Rep John Conyers, who has held extensive House Judiciary Committee hearings on voting irregularities, is organizing a challenge to Ohio's Electoral College votes -- which will happen on January 6 when the Senate and House come together to open and count the electoral votes from all states. Serious irregularities were found in Ohio and important Ohio election officials did not cooperate with research by Conyers and others. Rep Conyers needs support from other Representatives and at least one Senator in order for his challenge to be effective. The information is below, and you can find out your Representative's and Senators' names and contact information from http://www.vote-smart.org (upper left corner of the home page) - or you can use the quick method given in the P.S. below my note.

As most of you know, I do not consider this a partisan issue. Although normally I consider voting a minimalist form of democracy (compared to all the dialogue and deliberation that is possible and desperately needed), it IS a bedrock fundamental of modern democracies and, when it seriously breaks down -- as it seems to have done in a number of places two months ago -- it needs to be investigated and corrected with all possible speed. Having it openly discussed and the real situation clarified is at least as important (in my eyes) as which candidate ultimately wins the election. Whether or not this airing of the truth occurs has profound implications for future elections in the U.S.

Coheartedly,

Tom


P.S. - QUICK: For a fast email note to your representative(s), here's a one click page that looks up your senators and house representative and sends your personal message to them and the minority House Judiciary Committee, all at once. http://www.thepen.us/contest.html

P.P.S. - BACKGROUND: If you want more background information about this controversy, you can read an interview with Rep. Conyers at
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/12/21/conyers/print.html and his statement of unanswered questions at
http://www.house.gov/judiciary_democrats/conyerselectionstmt121304.pdf
For observed irregularities with the recently-completed Ohio recount, see
http://www.votecobb.org/recount/ohio_reports/index.php
There are also a number of articles at http://www.thepen.us/contest.html if you click the line that says "Click here for arguments" - which includes a defense of Ohio's electoral process by the Ohio Secretary of State, so you can make up your own mind.


From: Bruce First

PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY

Forwarded message:

From: Nancy Wallace
Sent: Dec 30, 2004 6:18 PM
Subject: Fwd: BREAKING: Conyers to Object to Ohio Electors, Requests Senate Allies

OK EVERYBODY THIS IS IT!!! Representative John Conyers, bless his heart, WILL challenge the Ohio Electoral College delegation in the final step next Wednesday Jan 6. I just had a long talk with his aide, and he wants pressure on ALL members of Congress to challenge - Republicans as well as Democrats - to hear what the people are wanting.

The best thing to do is just call the Capitol Hill switchboard first thing Friday morning, 202-224-3121, ask for one of your Senators, and give them the message:

Challenge the Ohio Electoral College delegation!!!!

Then repeat for the other Senator and Rep. If they're not in, email (Google for their official website with email address), and call Monday!!!

Remember, Conyers, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, went to Ohio himself and heard the direct information from the voters - and he says it should be challenged!

If the switchboard is busy, Google on your representative and Senators' names, and CALL DIRECTLY. We must get through! emails should also be sent through their websites this weekend. DO BOTH!!!!

ACT NOW!!!! yahoo, Thank God for some leadership, at last!!!! Let's back Conyers up bigtime!!!! And send this immediately to all your buddies around the country, we need to do e-democracy now!!!

Cheers cheers cheers,
Nancy


Congressman Conyers will challenge the Ohio delegation of the Electoral College.

Note at the end of the story the list of senators who he is asking to join him.

BREAKING: Conyers to Object to Ohio Electors, Requests Senate Allies

Eleanor

Eleanor LeCain

http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/123104W.shtml

Conyers to Object to Ohio Electors, Requests Senate Allies

By William Rivers Pitt
t r u t h o u t | Report

Thursday 30 December 2004

Representative John Conyers, ranking minority member of the House Judiciary Committee, will object to the counting of the Ohio Electors from the 2004 Presidential election when Congress convenes to ratify those votes on January 6th. In a letter dispatched to every Senator, which will be officially published by his office shortly, Conyers declares that he will be joined in this by several other members of the House. Rep. Conyers is taking this dramatic step because he believes the allegations and evidence of election tampering and fraud render the current slate of Ohio Electors illegitimate.

"As you know," writes Rep. Conyers in his letter, "on January 6, 2005, at 1:00 P.M, the electoral votes for the election of the president are to be opened and counted in a joint session of Congress. I and a number of House Members are planning to object to the counting of the Ohio votes, due to numerous unexplained irregularities in the Ohio presidential vote, many of which appear to violate both federal and state law."

The letter goes on to ask the Senators who receive this letter to join Conyers in objecting to the Ohio Electors. "I am hoping that you will consider joining us in this important effort," writes Conyers, "to debate and highlight the problems in Ohio which disenfranchised innumerable voters. I will shortly forward you a draft report itemizing and analyzing the many irregularities we have come across as part of our hearings and investigation into the Ohio presidential election."

There are expected to be high level meetings with high ranking Democratic officials next week to coordinate a concerted lobbying effort to convince Senators to challenge the vote. The Green Party and David Cobb, as has been true all along, will be centrally involved in this process, as will Rev. Jesse Jackson.

The remainder of the Conyers letter reads:

3 U.S.C. §15 provides when the results from each of the states are announced, that "the President of the Senate shall call for objections, if any." Any objection must be presented in writing and "signed by at least one Senator and one Member of the House of Representatives before the same shall be received." The objection must "state clearly and concisely, and without argument, the ground thereof." When an objection has been properly made in writing and endorsed by a member of each body the Senate withdraws from the House chamber, and each body meets separately to consider the objection. "No votes...from any other State shall be acted upon until the (pending) objection...(is) finally disposed of." 3 U.S.C. §17 limits debate on the objections in each body to two hours, during which time no member may speak more than once and not for more than five minutes. Both the Senate and the House must separately agree to the objection; otherwise, the challenged vote or votes are counted.

Historically, there appears to be three general grounds for objecting to the counting of electoral votes. The language of 3 U.S.C. §15 suggests that objection may be made on the grounds that (1) a vote was not "regularly given" by the challenged elector(s); and/or (2) the elector(s) was not "lawfully certified" under state law; or (3) two slates of electors have been presented to Congress from the same State.

Since the Electoral Count Act of 1887, no objection meeting the requirements of the Act have been made against an entire slate of state electors. In the 2000 election several Members of the House of Representatives attempted to challenge the electoral votes from the State of Florida. However, no Senator joined in the objection, and therefore, the objection was not "received." In addition, there was no determination whether the objection constituted an appropriate basis under the 1887 Act. However, if a State - in this case Ohio - has not followed its own procedures and met its obligation to conduct a free and fair election, a valid objection -if endorsed by at least one Senator and a Member of the House of Representatives- should be debated by each body separately until "disposed of".

A key legal aspect of this is the second clause referenced in the letter. Rep. Conyers and the other House members involved do not believe the electors have been lawfully certified. They believe that there has been too much illegal activity on the part of Blackwell, other election officials, and Republican operatives on the ground and therefore, as stated in the letter, the electors were not "lawfully certified" under state law. Next week, the House Judiciary Committee Democratic staff will release the report referenced in the letter, which is now still in draft form, and which led Mr. Conyers to this decision.

The Senators who shall receive the greatest focus from Conyers in this matter are Biden, Bingaman, Boxer, Byrd, Clinton, Conrad, Corzine, Dodd, Dorgan, Durbin, Feingold, Harkin, Inyoue, Jeffords, Kennedy, Kerry, Lautenberg, Leahy, Levin, Lieberman, Mikulski, Nelson (FL), Jack Reed, Harry Reid, Rockefeller, Sarbanes, Stabenow, Wyden and Obama.


Informant: Martin Greenhut

Update from the Field
https://twoday.net/static/omega/files/update_from_the_field_1_13_05.htm

Update from the Field 1/27/05
http://tinyurl.com/5b993

and

With no known buffalo out of the park it's been a fairly quiet week on the western boundary of Yellowstone National Park. Department of Livestock agents are in town, but instead of harassing buffalo they're keeping busy plowing out their buffalo traps and taking joy-rides on their snowmobiles. Our volunteers have been enjoying the peace of keeping an eye on a handful of buffalo quietly grazing inside the park.

We've also been keeping a close eye on Helena, where decision makers have been busy laying the groundwork on a number of ill-fated anti-buffalo plans. Both Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Governor's office announced plans to quarantine Yellowstone buffalo. The FWP plan, finalized today, involves the capture,year-long confinement, and eventual slaughter of up to 200 buffalo calves. The Governor outlined his early ideas on a plan to capture the entire Yellowstone herd in a process that would leave the park, for a time, void of buffalo.

For more on the Governor's plan, please see our press release on the issue: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/media/press0405/pressrelease0405/011805.html

In light of such threats, we've been focusing on our vision of free-roaming herd of American buffalo on their native range in Montana. Our state has a unique opportunity to celebrate itself as the only place in America with truly free-roaming buffalo. The Yellowstone border does not support many cattle and rather than slaughter buffalo at the behest of Montana's livestock industry, we should encourage brucellosis-proof management practices for cattle being grazed in the heart of the buffalo's winter range.

BFC volunteers took our message to Helena today, and performed street theater with fifteen-foot-tall puppets outside the Department of Livestock and State Capitol buildings. Celebrating free-roaming buffalo makes sense for Montana, and our skits demonstrated the value of buffalo in Montana and decried the senseless slaughter that takes place every winter and spring. We will be posting photos of the puppets as soon as the crew returns from Helena.

Check here to view them: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/media/update0405/012005pics

We are proud to have information on BFC featured in the premiere issue of Lowbagger.org, an online journal providing a voice in the cyberspace wilderness:
http://www.lowbagger.org/yellowstonebison.html


* Montana Approves Quarantine Study

Despite receiving 2,228 comments from 49 states and 11 foreign countries overwhelmingly opposing the plan, this morning the Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks released its decision to begin a "quarantine feasibility study," which will result in the slaughter of up to 200 buffalo calves.

The buffalo calves will be captured, starting this winter, inside Yellowstone at the Stephen's Creek trap, transported to a small holding pen at Corwin Springs, experimented upon for a full year, and promptly slaughtered. Half the buffalo will be killed over the course of the study and half at its conclusion.

A news story on the plan and a PDF of FWP's final decision are available here:

http://buffalofieldcampaign.org/press0405/news0405/01/20/05.html
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/legislative/quarantinedecision.html


* Letters to the Editor

With the agency ignoring our comments and moving forward with it's plans, it is crucial that we flood the papers with sound arguments opposing the plan. A swell of public opposition led to cancellation of the hunt. Let's do the same to stop this insane quarantine proposal.

For tips on writing letters to the editor and addresses of key newspapers, please visit:
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/actnow/lte.html

For more information on points to make in your letters, visit our Quarantine information page: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/legislative/quarantine.html

This week's featured letter provides a prime example of a strong and effective letter to the editor:

Idaho State Journal
January 17, 2005

Your Views

Bison hunt

Thumbs up to ISJ ... for your "Journal Views" column on Jan. 7 opposing Montana's bison "hunt." It was in response to articles like yours, and public outcry, that the slaughter was called off. But the persecution of Yellowstone bison will continue as long as Montana allows the livestock industry to control wildlife management policies. They will continue to haze and kill bison, and attempt to reinstate the hunt next year.

Montana refuses to acknowledge that the bison are native wildlife, and should be allowed to roam freely on public land. The majority of U.S. taxpayers, who share ownership of public lands with the extractive industries, would rather have bison on their property than cattle.

I realize that cowboys and free-range cattle are Western icons, but so are roaming buffalo. Montana's policy of allowing its Department of Livestock to "manage" bison is a thinly-veiled attempt to eliminate competition for forage on public land.

Taxpayers would be appalled if they knew how much of their money is spent trying to keep bison in the park. They would also be appalled if they saw how bison are being treated. Although wild bison have never transmitted brucellosis to cattle, hundreds are being hazed, trapped and killed, purportedly to prevent spread of disease.

It seems patently unfair to open a hunting season on bison. I am not opposed to hunting; I enjoy hunting deer and elk. I believe that hunting is a viable wildlife management technique, but killing 10 bison that wander out of the park is absurd!

Bison should be allowed to expand their range naturally and establish a free-roaming population. If overpopulation becomes a problem, then perhaps hunting would be a viable option. Bison are indigenous to this region and should have "equal rights" with deer, elk, moose and other big game species. And with cattle...

David Mead, President, Portneuf Valley Audubon Society, Pocatello


* Last Words

"The buffalo gave us everything we needed. Without it we were nothing. Our tipis were made of his skin. His hide was our bed, our blanket, our winter coat. It was our drum, throbbing through the night, alive, holy. Out of his skin we made our water bags. His flesh strengthened us, became flesh of our flesh. Not the smallest part of it was wasted. His stomach, a red-hot stone dropped into it, became our soup kettle. His horns were our spoons, the bones our knives, our women's awls and needles. Out of his sinews we made our bowstrings and thread. His ribs were fashioned into sleds for our children, his hoofs became rattles. His mighty skull, with the pipe leaning against it, was our sacred altar."

--John (Fire) Lame Deer

--------

Federal Land Purchase Fails - Yellowstone Kills Solitary Buffalo
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/472716/

Sab the buffalo "hunt"
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/463039/

--------

We just now got word from Helena that Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission voted 4-1 to CANCEL THE BUFFALO HUNT for this year! BFC applauds Governor Brian Schweitzer for his leadership on behalf of the Yellowstone buffalo.

We're so happy about this decision, we have to say it again: There will be NO HUNT this year! Please check our web site for updates, as more breaking news will come soon. http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org

Thanks to each and every one of you who applied for a permit, wrote letters to the editor, contacted Governor Schweitzer, and encouraged your friends and family to do these things. And thank you again to Patagonia for your ceaseless support. YOU ALL MADE THE DIFFERENCE FOR THE BUFFALO!

The buffalo are not in the clear by a long shot. While the hunt is cancelled for this year, the buffalo are still under attack because the current management plan that allows for the hazing, capture, test-and-slaughter of our last wild buffalo continues. Buffalo are also threatened with a new quarantine program and a new vaccination program by the agencies who would foolishly attempt to eradicate brucellosis. Very likely, plans to hunt buffalo next year will also be underway.

Take this great news for today and give yourself a high-five! This is the first good news that has come the buffalo's way in a long time.

Stay with us, and stay strong.

For the buffalo,

All of us at BFC

Buffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
406-646-0070
bfc-media@wildrockies.org
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org

--------

Please forward:

Buffalo Field Campaign
News from the Field
January 6, 2005

NEW WEB SITE! http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org

Hope lies in our new Governor Brian Schweitzer, who is demonstrating that he is willing to take a stand for the buffalo. In fact, he's given us the first good news we've had in years (see below). This is far more than our past two governors, Judy Martz and Marc Racicot, can say. Racicot, who just helped Bush to reelection, and Martz, the self-proclaimed "lapdog of industry," were both avid supporters of buffalo slaughter. With Racicot currently serving as a close advisor to President Bush, there's not much help on the federal level. We look to Schweitzer's leadership to make some headway for wild buffalo.

I sent in my $3 for my bison hunting ticket and hope to burn it in my wood stove this week. I need the extra heat as temperatures dropped to minus 20 last night. The Montana DOL are hard at work here burning your tax dollars to keep warm as well. On Tuesday they came out on a morning recon to see one bull buffalo in a housing area less than a quarter mile outside of the park. They went back to their camp to get their snowmobiles and returned to find the buffalo had made his own way back to the park. It saddens my heart to see these wild buffalo get so conditioned to human interference, but it gives me hope that they will always outsmart the DOL.

Thanks to everyone for making the Buffalo Field Campaign continue to make a difference. Remember change does not happen on its own, it takes dedicated individuals and persistence to make it happen and we will be here until that change occurs.

With the Buffalo,
Mike Mease


* BREAKING NEWS! Montana Governor on Hunt: "My instinct is to cancel it."

Tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 7, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is scheduled to draw the names of ten people who will each be given a permit to -if they choose- gun down a beautiful buffalo starting January 15. But, things may not go as planned. Scores of buffalo advocates have been applying for permits, with the promise of not using them and the Patagonia company has offered to pay for any permits that aren't used. Further, Montana's Governor Schweitzer is having some serious misgivings about this so-called hunt. He fears the hunt is poorly-timed, and it will do nothing to quell the misplaced concerns of the livestock industry. He is also convinced Montana will receive a huge black eye from the global public. Rightfully so. There is very little time - nine days from now the gunfire begins - but Gov. Schweitzer does have the power to stop it, and he needs to hear from you to know how bad a buffalo hunt would be for Montana.

PLEASE CALL THE GOVERNOR and thank him for speaking out against the hunt. Call 406-444-3111. Tell him you are opposed, and urge him to stop the hunt! If you're from out-of-state, tell him you won't set foot in Montana until this hunt is stopped, and buffalo are given room to roam in Montana.

The Full Scoop:
- Bison Hunt Opponents Seek License (Billings Gazette)
- Bison Hunt Concerns Governor (Helena Independent Record)
- Montana Public Radio Reports on Governor's Concerns About Hunt
All these stories can be found at: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/

This is BIG NEWS and has appeared on the CNN "ticker". It is critical that we keep putting pressure on Montana to stop the hunt! Please continue writing letters to the editor of Montana and other newspapers. A list of key newspapers as well as tips on writing your letter to the editor can be found at http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/actnow/lte.html.

* Don't Let Your Guard Down

Even with the good news of Schweitzer's position, we still have to be prepared for the hunt to proceed. We have rented a place and are preparing to establish a second camp, near Gardiner, to document and lead media tours of the hunt. With patrols running in both West Yellowstone and Gardiner, our equipment will be stretched thin. We are in particular need of 2-way FM radios and Sony mini DV video cameras. If you want to make a difference for the buffalo, and help us document the hunt, please consider donating today. We couldn't be here without you.


* Comment Period for DOL Vaccination Plan Closes

The deadline for commenting on the Department of Livestock's environmental assessment to vaccinate buffalo calves with an ineffective vaccine meant for cattle closed yesterday. Thanks to everyone who got their comments in on time! BFC's official comments are available for review at http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/science/vacdolcomments.html#bfccomments.

If you didn't get comments in, please don't let that stop you from speaking your mind! Pick up the phone and give the DOL a call and voice your opposition: 800-523-3162. Better yet, write a letter to the editor. Check our web site for the latest news on this nefarious vaccination plan, and write to those papers and tell the Montana and national media how you feel about the DOL rounding up our last wild buffalo and injecting them with an ineffective cattle vaccine! If the idea of livestock inspectors managing and man-handling wild buffalo makes you crazy, say so. Because if you don't... who will? BFC's Dan Brister did. Read his op-ed, "Why Vaccinating Wild Buffalo is Wrong," published by the Helena Independent Record: http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/media/press0405/news0405/121304oped.html


* Last Words
"What are the dying salmon telling you? And the dying forests? What lessons are whispered to you by the ghosts of the passenger pigeons, or the ghostly roll of thunder of a mammoth herd of bison? Allow these voices to inform your actions."
~ Derrick Jensen, A Language Older than Words


Buffalo Field Campaign
PO Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
(406) 646-0070
bfc-media@wildrockies.org
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org


From: "Buffalo Field Campaign" bfc-media@wildrockies.org

Thanks to all who have put their name in the drawing for a buffalo "hunt" permit, all with the intention of not using it to kill a buffalo. We greatly appreciate the support from buffalo advocates everywhere who are contacting friends and relatives and others to help the buffalo in this particular situation.

SPECIAL NOTE: You do need to have a Montana conservation (hunting) license to apply for a buffalo hunt permit, and these - as well as buffalo permit applications - can be obtained at https://app.discoveringmontana.com/elicensesales/.

We also have some great news: Patagonia has agreed to pay the $75 fee for every buffalo kill permit secured by a BFC supporter that isn't used. THANK YOU PATAGONIA for always coming through for the buffalo! Applications must be turned in to Fish, Widllife and Parks no later than 5:00 pm MST on January 3, 2005. The drawing takes place on January 7, 2005, and if your name is drawn, you will receive a phone call from FWP. Stay in touch with us! For FWP's information on the canned hunt visit
http://fwp.state.mt.us/news/article_3245.aspx . To learn more about why a buffalo hunt at this time is a very bad idea, visit
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/legislative/bisonhuntingbill.html

Buffalo Field Campaign
P.O. Box 957
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
406-646-0070
bfc-media@wildrockies.org
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org

BFC is the only group working in the field every day to defend the last wild herd of buffalo in America.


Informant: Deane T. Rimerman

by Max Ward

By now you've seen the headline: Kerry Files Motion to Protect Ohio Vote Evidence. Excuse me while I ... I would have said "p...", but there's nothing left to come up. Everyone who is not inside the Kerry/ABB tent who has been following the Kerry campaign and the Ohio recount effort, has already been dry heaving for months. When are all those good, honest-to-a-fault people going to climb out of the trenches of democracy and admit they've been hosed?

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Dec2004/Ward1230.htm

by Merlin Chowkwanyun

Ralph Nader ran as an independent candidate in 2004 for US President. Unlike both John Kerry and George W. Bush, Nader unequivocally opposed the US invasion of Iraq. During his candidacy, Nader embraced single-payer health care and tackled numerous issues ignored by the two major parties' candidates, including the proliferation of the racist prison-industrial complex, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and increasing concentration of corporate power. If the Democrats continued to adopt "Bush-lite" policies, argued Nader, they might well lose the election by alienating their traditional base. Nader's run earned harsh scorn from Democrats and many of his former supporters in 2000, such as Medea Benjamin, Norman Solomon, and Jeff Cohen. Yet in light of emerging post-election commentary partially attributing the Democrats' loss to the party's tepid economic policies, many of Nader's campaign arguments now seem utterly prophetic in hindsight. In a recent article blasting John Kerry's hasty election concession, Harper's Magazine publisher Rick MacArthur expressed regret over not voting for Nader. This is one of Nader's first in-depth interviews since the election. In it, he offers his insights on the election outcome and the future of American politics....

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Dec2004/Chowkwanyun1230.htm

by Joanne Landy

Harry Kelber's "Did AFL-CIO's Total Silence on War in Iraq Hurt Kerry's Chances to Win Presidency?" (Portside, December 24, 2004) is an illogical piece. Kelber is of course quite right to point out that the AFL-CIO's virtual silence on the war on Iraq during the election campaign was disastrous. But how can he possibly maintain, as he does in his article, that "Kerry would have received a lot more than his 65% share of the labor vote, if the AFL-CIO had tapped into the anti-war movement, where polls showed that about half of the American people believed the war in Iraq was a mistake and were critical of the Bush administration for not having an exit plan." In fact, the AFL-CIO's silence on Iraq was the perfect companion to its enthusiastic support for John Kerry, since he was totally incapable of tapping into and building popular anti-war sentiment because of his vote to give Bush a blank check to invade Iraq, his repeated intonations that once the invasion took place the U.S. couldn't just "cut and run," and his call for a suppose "exit strategy" based on the vain (and reactionary) hope that other wealthy countries would join in the American imperial venture in Iraq....

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Dec2004/Landy1230.htm

A Wave of Questions: Putting a Disaster in Context

by Mickey Z.

How does one comprehend the magnitude, impact, and context of a disaster that may claim more than 100,000 lives? But enough about the U.S. occupation of Iraq. The recent earthquake/tsunami in Asia raises more questions than answers. Here's a start:....

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Dec2004/MickeyZ1230.htm

More than 100,000 dead in south Asia, but it's business as usual at the web sites of America's Christian right organizations

by Bill Berkowitz

It took President Bush three days to ready himself to go before the television cameras and make a public statement about Sunday's devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck southern Asia. Even though he was late, and much more money will be needed, the president pledged at least $35 million in aid to the victims of the disaster. But, as of December 30, some of the president's major family-values constituents have yet to be heard from: It's business as usual at the web sites of the American Family Association, the Family Research Council, the Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family, Concerned Women for America, and the Coral Ridge Ministries. These powerful and well-funded political Christian fundamentalist organizations appear to be suffering from a compassion deficit. Organizations which are missing in action when it comes to responding to the disaster in southern Asia. None of their web sites are actively soliciting aid for the victims of the earthquake/tsunami....

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Dec2004/Berkowitz1230.htm

by Walter Brasch

On Sunday, Dec. 26, an earthquake-triggered tsunami with an effect of 1,000 miles from its epicenter in the Indian Ocean near Sumatra devastated 12 countries. Within hours, numerous countries and private social service agencies had begun massive relief operations. President George W. Bush, vacationing on his ranch in Crawford, Texas, made no public statements. His press office, however, released a 121-word press expressing the President’s “condolences,” and that the Bush Administration would provide all “appropriate assistance” to the affected nations. The statement did not directly quote the President. In contrast, German chancellor Gerhard Schröder cut short his vacation to return to Berlin. On Monday, Bush’s deputy press secretary indicated that Bush “received a special briefing” about the tragedy,” that the administration’s “thoughts and prayers are with all those who are suffering,” and that the U.S. “will be a leading partner” in relief operations. On Tuesday, the President bicycled and continued to clear brush from his ranch. He said nothing to the American public, to the media, or to the international community. However, the deputy press secretary did say that the President was “saddened and has extended his condolences for this terrible tragedy.” When challenged as to why the public silence, a White House official bluntly stated, “The President wanted to be fully briefed on our efforts. He didn’t want to make a symbolic statement about, ‘We feel your pain.’” It was an excuse for why the man who believes he is a “compassionate conservative” once again failed to speak out during yet another extended vacation.....

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Dec2004/Brasch1230.htm

The world has witnessed the greatest natural disaster in the lifetime of most of the people now living. The expressions of human solidarity, stretching across countries and continents, is the one bright light. But even that light is dimmed by the reports and images of growing human suffering and loss that nearly defies the imagination.

President Bush, after days of silence, emerged from his Texas vacation to issue a brief statement. Following a public rebuke and the worldwide reaction of utter contempt, the initial aid offering of the Bush administration was raised from $15 million to $35 million. More is to come, Bush officials promise, as they jockey to have a U.S.-led "coalition" take the leadership of the relief effort away from the United Nations.

Many have commented on the paltry, really disgraceful U.S. aid offer. The U.S. spends approximately $270 million each day for the occupation of Iraq. The cost of one F-22 Raptor fighter jet is $225 million.

The Bush-Cheney Presidential Inaugural Committee intends to raise $40 million in the next few weeks to host its gala parties and the inaugural parade.

This year, the Bush Administration provided a total of $13.6 billion in emergency funding to Florida (it was an election year) in response to the four hurricanes that caused so much destruction in the state. The death, suffering and property destruction was great. More than 100 families lost a loved one.

But in the last week more than 100,000 people in South Asia have died. 5 million are now without access to the basic requirements of life - water, food and sanitation. In Indonesia (the largest Muslim country in the world) and in Sri Lanka and India whole villages and towns have been entirely wiped out.

Building human solidarity, especially at a moment of great crisis, is the cornerstone of the new world movement that opposes militarism and war, racism and globalized exploitation.

The Bush administration is shameless. Endless funds for limitless violence to take over Iraq is one thing (it is well over $150 billion in the last 21 months). Money to meet human needs and to alleviate suffering, however, that will only come as a consequence of political pressure and radical change.

Many of our members and friends have sent donations directly to organizations providing relief to those in need in South Asia and Africa. Given the callous indifference and political cynicism of the Bush administration, it is only natural that people have extended their generous support in a direct way. Members of our movement have been doing the same by sending medicine directly to the people of Haiti after the devastation caused by the hurricane this past Autumn.

We are also seeking to connect any and all humanitarian efforts with a struggle to create political change. Every life that is saved from humanitarian efforts is precious. By creating broad political change, we establish the social and economic foundation that guarantees that access to basic services become a realized achievement of the human race. We, modern society, have this capacity. The allocation of resources is essentially a matter of political priorities. This is the choice: food, water, housing, medicine, schools for the people everywhere - or the funneling of society's wealth to those who maintain and profit from a system of militarism.

When we march and rally in the thousands on January 20 along Bush's inaugural parade route and in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, we will be showing the people of the world that this administration is being opposed by a large segment of the people of the United States. From Iraq to South Asia to Venezuela to Haiti, Cuba, the Philippines and elsewhere, the Bush administration asserts that its policies have the support of the people.

Bush claimed a mandate even when he lost the election in 2001 and asserts now that the people have given him to pursue his criminal and anti-people policies. Richard Nixon assumed the same posture at his reelection inauguration in January 1973 - 18 months before he resigned rather than face impeachment.

HELP MAKE JAN 20 COUNTER-INAUGURAL PROTEST A HUGE SUCCESS

Please do your part to help make the January 20 Counter-Inaugural protest the next big step for the antiwar movement.

Pledge now to support the January 20 demonstration. To endorse, go to http://www.answerla.org.

For a downloadable flyer go to http://www.answerla.org .

You can still make a tax-deductible contribution to the anti-war movement before the end of the 2004 tax year. By making a tax deductible contribution today or tomorrow you can use some of your tax dollars to fund the peace movement instead of Bush's projected nearly half-trillion dollar 2005 Pentagon budget. You can make an urgently needed contribution for the January 20 mobilization online at http://www.answerla.org by clicking on "Make a Donation" on the left side of the page. You can make a tax-deductible contribution online by donating through our sponsor, Progress Unity Fund at http://www.progressunity.org .

You can also make a tax deductible credit card donation over the phone by calling 323-464-1636. Or, write a check to A.N.S.W.E.R./ Progress Unity Fund and send it to A.N.S.W.E.R., 1800 Argyle Ave, #410, Los Angeles, CA 90028.

A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) http://www.ANSWERcoalition.org
info@internationalanswer.org
National Office in Washington DC: 202-544-3389
New York City: 212-533-0417
Los Angeles: 323-464-1636
San Francisco: 415-821-6545
For media inquiries, call 202-544-3389.


A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition-LA
1800 Argyle Ave, #410
Los Angeles, CA 90028
http://www.answerla.org
answerla@answerla.org
323-464-163

Are We Stingy? Yes
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/123104B.shtml

by Jan Herron

Magic City Morning Star

12/29/04

Those 75 members of Congress who voted against the Intel Bill need to be recognized continually for the challenges they face in dealing with this administration and other members of Congress who refuse to support the concerns of a majority of Americans. These 75 brave individuals need our support now, more than ever when you consider that urban terrorism is on the rise, we have lost the war on drugs and illegal immigration is totally out of control. No politician needs to become so arrogant that they forget who placed them in office. Perhaps we need a bumper sticker entitled; 'Support the Courageous 75.' This Congress must start considering the needs of its citizens, now, more than ever. ... Political arrogance is not acceptable and those who continue on that path, which is destroying our country, must be voted out of office!

http://magic-city-news.com/article_2639.shtml


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

by Steven Laffoley

Common Dreams

12/30/04

The Bush administration knows its history. Spinning illegal invasions into righteous liberations has been an effective practice for a thousand years. In 1066, William of Normandy invaded, occupied, and plundered Saxon England. But history remembers William's invasion as one of righteous liberation. Why? Because William had the sense to spin his crime into heroic art on the Bayeux Tapestry. That is, he told a good story. Of course, much like Bush's invasion of Iraq, the true story of William's invasion of England was something altogether darker and more brutish. It is a story with a frightening modern day moral...

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1230-11.htm


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

by James Ridgeway

Village Voice

12/28/04

Running below the surface of the year-end self-congratulatory assertions of American supremacy (as in Monday's Washington Times: 'The world really is becoming more 'American'') are warnings, often ignored, of our decline. The steady loss of the dollar against the euro is one. The spiraling trade deficit is another. And in the past weeks, there were two serious economic signs signaling momentous change, if not outright decline. The first concerns China's invasion of Canadian oil fields, heretofore a U.S. energy fiefdom. The second came in the form of an all-but-hidden report from the Department of Agriculture that America, the breadbasket of the world, is now a net importer of food...

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0452/mondo1.php


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

by Christopher Westley

Ludwig von Mises Institute

12/30/04

I didn't think anyone would dare to apply the Bastiat's Broken Window fallacy to the human tragedy that is still playing itself out along the rim of the Indian Ocean, but sadly, faith in economic fallacies is even more common than deadly tsunamis. That is why I was surprised to hear the Institute for International Economics' C. Fred Bergsten (known affectionately as See Fred) this morning (December 29th) on National Public Radio's Morning Edition explain how this crisis would actually provide long-term benefit to that region of the world...

http://www.mises.org/fullstory.aspx?Id=1712


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

The Jakarta Post [Jakarta]

12/30/04

A few survivors of Sunday's calamity have a snake to thank for being alive. ... Riza, who was living in a rented house near the coast in Banda Aceh with three friends, dashed up to the second floor of a neighbor's house and stood on top of a cupboard. But as she told Antara from a makeshift shelter on Wednesday, the current swept her and her friends off their perch. As Riza was drifting, she saw her neighbors, two girls -- twins -- and their mother. ... As she struggled for her own life and that of the twins, she said a large snake as long as a telephone pole approached her. She and the nine-year-olds rested on the reptile, which was drifting along with the current. 'Thank God, we landed on higher ground where the water level was only about a meter deep. The twins, who were badly injured, were safe...

http://tinyurl.com/56vat


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

The Register [UK]

12/30/04

British Telecom may not bid for ID card contracts because of concern that its involvement would make it seem like a 'Big Brother' company in the eyes of the public. ... The area where BT's skills would be likely to be most appropriate would be in providing the infrastructure that would be used in order to link the network of readers with the national identity register, and hence with multiple other government databases, which would put the company squarely at the Big Brother end of the deal. The Government so far has played down the key role that will be performed by what will, in effect, be a national surveillance network and played up the bits of plastic instead. But as the project progresses the purposes of the network will become more obvious to the public, and the Big Brother aspects will move to the foreground...

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/30/bt_wobbles_on_id/


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Ohio: No, we meant a REAL recount, say Badnarik, Cobb

Houston Chronicle

12/31/04

Two third-party presidential candidates asked a federal court Thursday to force a second recount of the Ohio vote, alleging county election boards altered votes and didn't follow proper procedures in the recount that ended this week. Lawyers for Green Party candidate David Cobb and the Libertarian Party's Michael Badnarik made their request in federal court in Columbus...

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2972009


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

News Release
http://www.votecobb.org

12/28/2004

NEW MEXICO -- December 28 -- Attorneys for Green Party presidential candidate David Cobb will file a Notice of Appeal on Tuesday from a District Court decision which rejected Cobb's request to start the New Mexico recount without paying the entire cost of it in advance. Last week the New Mexico Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Since the Supreme Court did not rule on the merits of the case, it can be heard by the New Mexico Court of Appeals. The Notice will be filed on behalf of Cobb and Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik who are both seeking a recount of New Mexico's presidential vote. The candidates paid the state a deposit of over $100,000, and say that New Mexico law does not require that the entire amount of the recount be paid in advance.

read article:
http://nov2truth.org/article.php?story=20041228193726412

Times Argus

12/29/2004

The Ukrainian election on Sunday serves as a mirror, reflecting back at us our own concerns about the integrity of democracy.

read article:
http://nov2truth.org/article.php?story=20041229113617155

by Warren Stewart

A Buzzflash Reader Contribution

12/29/2004

"That can't be what they really call them!" I exclaimed in amusement. But Lowell Finley, legal counsel for the Green/Libertarian recount effort in New Mexico, assured me that 'phantom vote' was indeed the common legal term for the puzzling phenomenon I had uncovered in looking at the state's canvass report. A phantom vote occurs when the number of votes recorded exceeds the number of ballots cast. Mathematically, phantom votes are merely the inverse of undervotes. However, while undervotes can be accounted for more or less persuasively in one way or another, I have yet to come up with any acceptable explanation for phantoms. Much less, 2,087 of them statewide in New Mexico, just about one third of the margin of victory that determined the selection of that state's presidential electors.

read article:
http://nov2truth.org/article.php?story=20041229114342975

Anthony Wade

OpEdNews

12/29/2004

Democracy has been under attack for four years now. The first shot was fired four years ago by a partisan Supreme Court who thwarted the will of the people to anoint their man, George W. Bush, President. The memories faded during the first Bush administration as 9-11 took center stage and captured the attention of a nation.

Four years passed however and nothing changed. The assassins came back, realizing nothing had been done to prevent another attack upon our democracy.

read article:
http://nov2truth.org/article.php?story=20041229172906818

by Mark Halvorson and Kirk Lund

Star Tribune / Minneapolis

12/29/2004

The right to vote and to have each vote count is the cornerstone of democracy, but deep cracks are showing in this cornerstone.

Disturbing reports of voting irregularities in Ohio recently led nine of us from Minnesota to monitor the recount of its presidential election. The recount was not only to verify the outcome of the Ohio vote but also to ensure accountability in a flawed system.

read article:
http://nov2truth.org/article.php?story=2004122917380148

Or Maybe It’s Time for America to Discover Columbus

by Steve Bhaerman

WakeUpLaughing.com

December 29, 2004

About ten days ago, I attended a community event featuring former Congressman Dan Hamburg (D-California), who recently returned from Columbus, Ohio where he and his wife got arrested -- yes, arrested -- for trying to get a petition to Ohio’s Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell.

read article:
http://nov2truth.org/article.php?story=20041229175833958

January 3rd Pro Democracy Rally in Columbus

12/30/2004

Sign the petition

Spurred by Tuesday’s announcement that state election officials in Ohio have completed the presidential recount, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., founder and president of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, said today that he is even more committed to supporting the election challenge and to host Monday’s rally in Columbus aimed at exposing irregularities in the nation’s voting system.

read article:
http://nov2truth.org/article.php?story=20041230154139314

12/30/2004

ILCA

WASHINGTON (PAI)--"Marching season" will come early in 2005 to Washington, as two union groups join January demonstrations, one against George Bush and the other against the war in Iraq.

read article:
http://nov2truth.org/article.php?story=20041230170439155

by Ron Walters
12/30/2004

Final Call

I have seldom seen tears come to his eyes. But there was Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. sitting in front of Detroit Rep. John Conyers, expressing his pain at the indignity of having to fight to legitimize the right to vote all over again, urging the Congressional Black Caucus to go to Ohio and hold hearings on the massive evidence coming out of voter disenfranchisement coming out of that state.

read article:
http://nov2truth.org/article.php?story=20041230171419411

Imperial Amnesia

Or just imperial lies? Les Dell on Bush in Manila:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig5/dell1.html

Lew Rockwell on the most significant socio-political shift in our time
http://www.lewrockwell.com/rockwell/red-state-fascism.html

Graphic descriptions of abuse in U.S. military prisons around the world -- and questions about civil rights, national security and presidential privilege -- have prompted a growing number of lawsuits against the government and the Bush administration. In the Federal District Court in the Southern District of New York, the ACLU, CCR, Physicians for Human Rights, Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans for Peace filed suit in June 2004 demanding the release of information on military prisoner treatment. In mid-December, the government began providing that information, which the ACLU says shows abuse of prisoners to be systematic, not an aberration.

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/?Page=Article&ID=2610

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6765703/


Informant: ItalysBadBoy

http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=4891


Informant: sash

December 30, 2004

I feel terribly sorry for the loss that has been caused by the biggest catastrophe of tsunami in history. I am utterly lost for words to offer for the deceased and their family. I just pray to god that their souls shall rest in peace.

Just today, WHO has released a warning for the possible emergence of epidemics. It has reported that at the moment, the hygiene has dramatically worsened, and the epidemic such as cholera could spur in any minute. If so, as many people could die from infectious diseases as were killed by the tsunami.

As a Hado (vibration) researcher, I am truly worried about this disaster. As well as the hygiene issue, I feel that the "vibrational fields" of the countries have extremely deteriorated. The "field" is created by feelings of fear, grief, worry, lack of trust, anger, loneliness, and helplessness, and could energize the malevolent microorganisms that prefer this kind of environment.

People cannot help but have these feelings, and they probably carry the feelings with them. Many people feel this way, and there seems to be some plundering going on, but their feeling of anger and hostility can only multiply the negativity of the "field". Also, we must take into account the emergence of a new epidemic.

We have to limit the negative "field" in any way possible. I believe that there is already a spreading Hado (vibration) of fear due to the terrorist attack and bombing, and it is like a gasoline station with an oil leak that is about to explode.

What can we do? The only way is for people from all over the world to pray for the recovery of the affected area. The prayer will definitely carry far with the purity of its Hado. Therefore, from today, let's close our eyes for a few second before our meal and send words of prayer to the countries. Let's send a prayer for them before we go to sleep. Also, when we pray during the end of year and the new year ceremony, let us send a prayer first and foremost for world peace.

Through the research of the water crystal over the last ten years, I have proven that people's pure energy of consciousness can change the water in areas that people have prayed for, regardless of the distance. Also, the most effective Hado prayer is the feeling of Love and Thanks. Now is the time to send everyone's feeling of Love and Thanks to the earth's water.

Please forward this message to everyone you know.

We appreciate your kind participation, cooperation and support.
Thank you very much.

Yasuyuki NEMOTO
Secretary-General, Project of Love and Thanks to Water

PROJECT OF LOVE AND THANKS TO WATER
President: Masaru Emoto
Secretary-General: Yasuyuki Nemoto
East Side Bldg. 1F, 1-1-11 Yanagibashi,
Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0052, JAPAN
TEL: +81-(0)3-3863-0211, FAX: +81-(0)3-3866-5353
WEB: http://thank-water.net/
E-MAIL: love@thank-water.net

This project started on July 1, 2002. The purpose of this project is to raise the collective consciousness of humanity through the prayer of our Love and Thanks to Water, and by this to contribute to establish the world peace.


Informant: Martin Greenhut


Miraculous Messages from Water
http://www.life-enthusiast.com/twilight/research_emoto.htm


Informant: Xtina

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Native American Prayer for the New Year

The year of 2005 starts with a feeling of great sorrow and fear for the future, with the events of the Asian Tsunami unfolding before our eyes on every form of media coverage. I dedicate this prayer to all who are affected in one way or another:

Great Spirit, whose voice carries through the whispering wind and the mighty roar of thunder to guide us through our troubles, please hear my humble request that you give solace and hope to all who are suffering at this time.

Please give them the strength to endure what must be, and give them a chink of light to walk towards in your name.

Please help all of the nations of Mother Earth to join together in brotherly love and walk in your footsteps across the sands of life.

I have heard the great cry of Mother Nature in her sickened state.

I have seen the signs in all living things. If you will, please show us the ways to help to heal this Earth, and all living thing you gave us to care for.

All that IS came from you and returns to you. We are as children before your wisdom and love. Please help us to grow to be more worthy of all you give to us. Please guide us to walk the Red Road.

(excerpt)
I thought now would be a good time to remind us all of what Mast Sanity aims to achieve.

2005 is a year when we must all work together to make real progress with mast issues, so please consider offering to help us as we move forward to try to help all of you. There are many ways in which you can help.

We need the BIG VOICE of the PEOPLE because it is a tough fight against the unscrupulous minority with power and money who have no concern or respect for human and animal life.

We need you to back us with our plans to lobby and change things. We need you to lobby your local MPs and councils.


From Mast Network

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Warriors Of The Rainbow: Native American Prophecy:

There would come a day of awakening when all the peoples of all the tribes would form a New World of Justice, Peace, Freedom and recognition of the Great Spirit.

http://www.powersource.com/ebt/stone.html


From Information Clearing House

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I Am Hope

The flame of hope should never go out from your life. Flash presentation
http://i.euniverse.com/funpages/cms_content/2529/4candles.swf


From Information Clearing House

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=370059


Informant: NHNE

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6770193
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/123104V.shtml


Informant: Laurel

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6770193


Informant: Laurel

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6770193/site/newsweek/


Informant: NHNE

The volcanic and earthquake activity is only a part of the problems ahead for 2005. We are renewing our warning about dangers to the Alaska Pipeline due to permafrost melting - a phenomena that's already gaining notice in Fairbanks: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4120755.stm

The other shoe? We are waiting for reports to come out of the area on damage to oil production infrastructure in the region. I haven't seen a peep about this year, but if there's been enough land movement to push parts of the country 100 feet to the Southwest, then a little dime store logic tells me that might have screwed up some of the oil drilling in the region, which could be a real secondary economic disaster in the making if my worst fears are correct. We're seeing some "leading edge" of the oil angle leaking out in articles such as this one at CBS Market Watch which refers to "oil-rich Indonesia" as likely suffering the most casualties...

Even without damage to oil production infrastructure, the damage will be in the billions: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4129515.stm

"More on your postulate that the thaw will affect the {Alaska] pipeline: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4120755.stm"

"This might bear watching"
http://www.independent-media.tv/item.cfm?fmedia_id=10211&fcategory_desc=Under%20Reported"


Informant: CHEROKEE

http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/123104W.shtml


12/30/2004

t r u t h o u t | Report

William Rivers Pitt

Representative John Conyers, ranking minority member of the House Judiciary Committee, will object to the counting of the Ohio Electors from the 2004 Presidential election when Congress convenes to ratify those votes on January 6th. In a letter dispatched to every Senator, which will be officially published by his office shortly, Conyers declares that he will be joined in this by several other members of the House. Rep. Conyers is taking this dramatic step because he believes the allegations and evidence of election tampering and fraud render the current slate of Ohio Electors illegitimate.

read article:
http://nov2truth.org/article.php?story=20041230153729420

From Daniel Patrick Welch, http://danielpwelch.com

Please, people. We need help with this one. Everyone should be made to remember the shameful spectacle of the certification of the 2000 vote, in which Al Gore presided over the death of democracy. That bile welling up in the pit of your stomach? Use it for this campaign. Send these links to as many people as you can think of.

It is inconceivable that it could happen AGAIN: the Congressional Black Caucus stands up and objects to electors in a joint session of congress because of vote supression, disenfranchisement, official misconduct and outright fraud. But no Senator will provide the required signature. Now, with John Conyers' courageous promise to object to the Ohio electors next week, he and his crew are shopping for a US Senator with balls (figuratively speaking, of course). Whether or not we have any illusions about overturning the election, the principle has to be worth something; make at least one senator have the guts to back up the CBC. To prevent it from happening this time, make sure they remember what it looked like LAST time. Send out these links to as many press, listserv and political contacts as you can think of. Let's flog the shit out of it until AT LEAST ONE SENATOR is shamed into breaking ranks. If you can mirror one of these sites on your own, please do so and circulate the link among your own contacts. Thanks & peace, Danny

http://amsam.org/flicks/congressdropstheball2001.wmv
(also check out the main site, http://amsam.org )

There are also several mirrors up already, and more are bound to pop up. Let's flog this!

http://www.tuff-teach.com/pics/congressdropstheball2001...
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/video/congressdropstheball2001.wmv

And of course, there is the original footage of the unseemly event--though a bit less compelling without the edits:
http://www.seattlewebcrafters.com/politics/ohio/videos.php

But wait, there's more...is this the smoking gun from CNN....? (Jesse Jackson sure thinks so: http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/123104V.shtml ).

SMOKING GUN? THE CNN NATIONAL EXIT POLL SITE PROVES THAT KERRY WON!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=203&topic_id=214060&mesg_id=214060

Thanks to all for help with hosting, digging up, mirroring...etc. Keep fighting the good fight.

Sincerely,

Daniel P. Welch

http://miamedia.com/news/2004-12-30.conyers.letter.senators.html


Informant: NHNE

Cobb: Congress Should Reject Tainted Electoral College Votes
http://votecobb.org/press/2004/dec/pr2004-12-29.php
http://nov2truth.org/article.php?story=20041230170808409


Informant: NHNE

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1230-01.htm


Informant: SIUHIN