30
Nov
2005

President Bush fails to confront the truth

Today, President Bush delivered what was billed as a major address on Iraq. Instead, unfortunately, it was just more of the same "stay the course" rhetoric, moving us no closer to a resolution of the conflict.

We've all been waiting for many months for President Bush to come clean with the American people about the war in Iraq. But clearly, the President still fails to see and confront the truth:

President Bush refuses to acknowledge that the Iraq war has nothing to do with the 9/11 attack on our country by al Qaeda, and it has diverted us from our appropriate response to that attack which was to go into Afghanistan and hunt Osama bin Laden.

He refuses to acknowledge the fact that our long term presence in Iraq is fueling the very insurgency that he vows to end.

President Bush refuses to acknowledge that any mistakes were made and that this war was based on false pretenses.

He ignores the tremendous financial burden on our citizens, and he completely ignores the thousands of wounded that need to hear that they will not be forgotten and that they will receive the care they need.

President Bush even refuses to acknowledge that Iraqi government officials believe that we can withdraw within a two-year time frame, while continuing to demean those members of Congress who disagree with him.

Today President Bush squandered yet another opportunity to level with the American people and bring the country together around a unified effort to end the war in Iraq. Instead, the President used this speech to lash out in a very personal way against those who believe the best strategy for success is an accelerated training of Iraqi security forces and a drawdown of American troops, starting with the National Guard. Once we clearly state that we do not intend to stay in Iraq forever, the insurgency will be diminished and our brave men and women can begin to come home.

The President's failure to address the concerns of the American people and the Congress is a devastating blow to everyone who hoped to hear the President articulate a clear mission and a projection of when our troops can return home.

With American confidence in his handling of the war in Iraq at an all-time low, when will President Bush get the message? It's up to us to keep standing up and speaking out until he does.

In Friendship,

Barbara Boxer


Informant: Martin Greenhut

Political Islam vs. Democracy

Robert Dreyfuss writes that the Bush administration is engaged in a deadly waltz with Shiite theocrats in Iraq and Muslim Brotherhood fanatics in Syria, Egypt, and elsewhere.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/113005L.shtml

Iraq: Things Fall Apart

Max Elbaum writes that things are coming apart in Iraq. The US occupation is blundering from one crisis to another with no guiding strategy beyond "staying the course." The occupation-fueled Shiite-Sunni conflict is growing in fury, casualties and dangers.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/113005K.shtml

Sidestepping Courts in the War on Terrorism

US seeks leverage by moving detainees or changing their status before scheduled hearings. Critics call it legal dodge ball.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/113005J.shtml

US Paying Iraqi Newspapers to Publish Stories

The US military is secretly paying Iraqi newspapers to publish stories written by American troops in an effort to burnish the image of the US mission in Iraq.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/113005I.shtml

Can a Third Party Save Us From a Neocon Doom?

http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/november2005/301105neocondoom.htm


Informant: Neo Mulder

The Woodward scandal should not blow over

How the GOP Stole America's 2004 Election and is Rigging 2008

Harvey Wasserman
Address: http://www.harveywasserman.com/


The Woodward scandal should not blow over

The Free Press -- Independent News Media - Norman Solomon Address:
http://www.freepress.org/columns/display/5/2005/1265


Informant: ranger116

Howard Dean: Dems Will Win House and Senate in 2006

"In 2006, Democrats will take back the House and the Senate. The key to winning is running a national campaign based on our different vision and the themes that Democrats around the country have put forward. Together, America can do better. And in 2006, the Democrats will lead America to do just that." - Howard Dean

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/113005Y.shtml

PHONE MAST BLUNDER SLAMMED

Dec 1 2005

Renato Castello

THREE mobile phone masts refused planning permission have been erected on the Isle of Dogs because of a Tower Hamlets Council ``cock-up''.

Telecommunications giant Orange has installed the 10metre tall masts along Manchester Road because the council failed, within the legal timeframe, to notify the company that it had refused its application.

Unlike other structures, masts can be built by default if the council does not inform applicants within six weeks of it refusing an application.

In this instance, the council sent out the refusal notification a day before the six-week deadline and by second class post.

The masts, which have been designed to look like street lights, have been installed outside the Island Gardens DLR station, on the corner of Manchester Road and Glengarnock Avenue and outside Farnworth House, in Manchester Road.

The council had refused the masts in August 2004 following petitioning from residents. Conservative campaigner Tim Archer, who alerted The Wharf to the matter, said it was a ``cock-up''.

He said: ``This is sheer incompetence by the Labour-run council.

``Last year residents got the masts rejected and then the council can't even be relied upon to send out the legal notice in time.

``Part of me wonders if they did it on purpose. I suppose they will still be getting the rental income from the operator.''

A council spokesperson said the council ``regretted'' the mistake and said it was a ``one-off '' incident.

She added: ``The council takes all representations it receives on planning proposals very seriously and regrets that, on this occasion, those objections were ineffective.''

She said the council has changed its procedures so that all phone mast applications will be determined within 46 days and, if refused, telecommunication companies will be advised by recorded delivery.

http://icthewharf.icnetwork.co.uk/thisweek/news/tm_objectid=16432577&method=full&siteid=71670&headline=phone-mast-blunder-slammed-name_page.html
http://icthewharf.icnetwork.co.uk/thisweek/news/tm_objectid=16432577&method=full&siteid=71670&headline=phone-mast-blunder-slammed-name_page.html#story_continue

Verbleib der Petitionen zu Mobilfunk und Gesundheit

Dr.-Ing. Hans Schmidt
Gebhardtstr. 2d
82515 Wolfratshausen
fax: 08171/911035
WOR, den 20.11.05


An den Petitionsausschuss des Deutschen Bundestages, Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin

Per Fax: 030/227-36130

Betr: Auskunft über Anzahl und Verbleib der beim Petitionsausschuss vorliegenden Eingaben zum Thema Gesundheitsgefährdung durch Hochfrequenzstrahlung

Bezug: Pet 2-14-18-275-021869
Ihr Schreiben vom 06.09.05

Omega siehe unter:
http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/petitionsausschuss_050906.pdf


Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

seit Ihrer Mitteilung vom 6.9.05 über das weitere Verfahren mit diesen Petitionen sind schon mehr als 10 Wochen vergangen.

Bitte teilen Sie mir die vom Ausschussdienst des Petitionsausschusses erstellte Beschlussempfehlung mit Begründung mit, damit ich sehen kann, wie meine Petitionen Eingang in Ihre Empfehlung gefunden haben. Ich bitte weiterhin um Mitteilung der Namen der berichterstattenden Abgeordneten, die Ihre Beschlussempfehlung prüfen.


Vielen Dank im Voraus für eine baldige Antwort.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Stop the Cruel Slaughter of Horses for Food

Recently, I was shocked to discover that thousands of horses are slaughtered every year in the U.S. to satisfy an overseas market for horsemeat!

Growing up my aunt had five horses and I can still remember the sense of awe I had watching them gallop across the field manes and tails flying. Such beautiful, spirited, and sensitive creatures deserve a more dignified end than being slaughtered and served as dinner.

Please Act Now!
http://go.care2.com/e/Ho_/DJ/n5lW

The thought of horses being slaughtered is horrifying enough, but to make matters worse the process is often brutal and inhumane. The transport of horses to slaughterhouses is often extremely cruel. Many horses are injured before even reaching the slaughter plant due to overcrowded conditions during transport. Some are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water, or rest.

In addition, the methods used to slaughter these horses once they arrive at the plant can be exceptionally inhumane. The horses are often forced to endure repeated stuns or blows and often times remain conscious during their slaughter.

The Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (S. 1915) would put an end to this cruel and inhumane practice by permanently prohibiting horse slaughter for human consumption in the U.S.

Urge your senators to support and cosponsor S. 1915!
http://go.care2.com/e/Ho_/DJ/n5lW

Jenny McKinley
Care2 & ThePetitionSite Team

Die "Überflüssigen" besuchen die INSM, die Initiative "Neue Soziale Marktwirtschaft"

Der Reform-Glanz schwindet

Die Initiative Neues Soziale Marktwirtschaft bekommt zunehmend Gegenwind: Bei der Präsentation ihres "Reformers des Jahres" kam jetzt unangemeldeter Besuch von den "Überflüssigen".

http://www.telepolis.de/tp/r4/artikel/21/21460/1.html

Help Stan Tookie Williams by signing this petition

Last Friday, I met with Stan Tookie Williams, reformed gang leader, Nobel Peace prize nominee, and acclaimed author, who is scheduled to be executed in the state of California at 12:01AM on Tuesday, December 13, 2005. I left our meeting with the certainty that Mr. Williams offers more in life than in death and have committed the full support of the NAACP in his fight for clemency.

Having exhausted his appeals, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is the only person who can grant Mr. Williams clemency. At this critical time, I am asking for your help by signing our petition in support of Stan Tookie Williams. Every petition makes a difference and I promise each one will be delivered to Governor Schwarzenegger.

Click here now and sign the petition today:
http://www.petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=2240

It is important that we come together to save the life of Stan Tookie Williams because he has saved the lives of over 150,000 youth, as reported by them, their parents, teachers and law enforcement officials. While on death row, Stan has written a highly acclaimed children¹s book series that educates young people to avoid gangs, crime and incarceration. He has also worked to end gang violence through his peace protocol and Internet Project for Street Peace, an international peer-mentoring program.

Click here now and sign the petition today:
http://www.petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=2240

Our goal is to generate 100,000 signatures and phone calls by Thursday, December 8th, when Governor Schwarzenegger has scheduled a clemency hearing in Sacramento, California. Together, we can save the life of Stan Tookie Williams. I am counting on you to help make the difference.

Call Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Today: Phone: 916-445-2841

I also ask that you, your friends, and family participate this Wednesday, November 30, 2005, in the National Day of Action for Stan coordinated by Campaign to End the Death Penalty. Rallies and Press Conferences will be held in front of City Halls and other locations across the State of California, the country and across the world.

For list of locations and to get involved click here now:
http://www.nodeathpenalty.org/

We thank you in advance for your support in this noble effort.

God bless you,

Bruce S. Gordon
NAACP President and CEO

PS. For more information on the Stan Williams¹ case go to:
http://www.savetookie.org/


Informant: Roy Ulrich

--------

A Conversation with Death Row Prisoner Stanley Tookie Williams from his San Quentin Cell

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/11/30/153247


Informant: Ashley Smith

Wilkerson suggests Cheney may be guilty of 'war crimes'

http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/3700/


Informant: jensenmk

From ufpj-news

A second American defeat?

Frontiers of Freedom
by Dan Abbett

11/30/05

Philosopher George Santayana was on to something in his famous quote, 'those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat their mistakes.' The United States of America made a reprehensible mistake when it turned its back once before on a nation it swore to defend. Will we be so persuaded to repeat that mistake in Iraq? As a gutless body of elected officials approach another election, the unmistakable answer appears to be yes. War is apolitical, or at least it should be. For today’s politicians however, no issue, regardless of consequence is off limits...

http://tinyurl.com/937s6


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

The GOP's culture of corruption

AlterNet
by Stephen Pizzo

11/30/05

Only now is the general public starting to learn just how corruption swept through the GOP ranks after the party's rise to majority status in the 1990s. But it didn't happen all at once. And it didn't begin yesterday. It began over eleven years ago. I stumbled across evidence of the GOP's spreading cancer of corruption back in early 2002 while picking through the still-smoldering ashes of Enron. In fact, it may be proven some day that Tom DeLay was a creation of Enron -- but more on that later. While prosecutors are only now beginning to peel back the layers of corruption involving the GOP's top gun, Tom DeLay and his gang, it was clear long ago to any reporter willing to take the time to look that these guys were up to no good...

http://www.alternet.org/story/28891/


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

The fog of partisan politics

LewRockwell.Com
by Michael S. Rozeff

11/30/05

The American State has actually been dissolving its own philosophic foundations for many years. Paradoxically, the smaller and less powerful the State was, the more enduring it was. The larger and more powerful it has become, the more vulnerable it is. The trend is toward becoming a mere shell with nothing to it except raw power and the residual allegiances and loyalties of old. Feelings for country, place, region, and people run far stronger than feelings for the American State. At some point, a shock may occur. A rare event, a giant political earthquake might happen, such as New Hampshire seceding from the Union. Or perhaps over a period of time, a series of shocks will occur whose cumulative effect is to melt what remains of that comfortable political shield. The inability to fund programs like Social Security without draconian measures might do it...

http://www.lewrockwell.com/rozeff/rozeff47.html


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Stop outsourcing foreign policy to neocons

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=10581


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Liberty, American style

Liberty For All
by Ed Lewis

11/30/05

Notice that JFK talked about the survival and success of liberty. But, those in leadership positions now talk about 'democracy,' and even attack other countries killing thousands while trying to impose democracy on them. The American people believe themselves to be free, to be living in liberty as we human beings were meant to live, while at the same time obeying every edict put out by those in government. Does the reader not find such to be in diametric (absolute) opposition?

http://www.libertyforall.net/2005/dec4/Liberty.html


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

The world's most dangerous man

http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=8185


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Bird Flu - WMD

http://www.rinf.com/news/nov05/birdflu.html


Informant: media_hijack

Judge Declines Protection For Diebold

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1700AP_Voting_Problems.html


Informant: NHNE

Congressman Pete Stark: The War on Our Children

Funding a war in Iraq and providing tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans does more damage than Republicans in Congress care to admit. As they clamor on about patriotism, their funding priorities are costing America its future.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/113005Z.shtml

Netzzusammenbruch war vorhersehbar und vermeidbar

29.11.05 [sfv-PM]

Den vierten Tag in Folge sind über sechzigtausend Haushalte und mittelständische Betriebe im Münsterland ohne Strom. Schnee- und Eislast haben die Strommasten abgeknickt. Hier weiterlesen:
http://www.wasg-dorsten.de/?download=stromdesaster.pdf

Quelle: http://www.wasg-dorsten.de/

Les irradiations d’un téléphone mobile en forme de nounours pour les enfants de 4 ans leurs fait prendre un risque

http://www.next-up.org/pdf/article_news_telegraph_teddyphone_fr.pdf
http://www.next-up.org/main.php?param=dernieresinfos&date_news=2005-11-29

Un Militant du Groupe STS ( Spijkenisse Tegen Straling) enchaîné contre une installation UMTS d’Orange - Hollande

http://www.next-up.org/divers/image_semaine1.php

UMTS-3G en Hollande : Résumé en 60 secondes de la situation en date du 29 Novembre 2005
http://www.next-up.org/divers/editorial_situation_hollande_29_11_2005.htm

What a cuddly signal

http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/what_a_cuddly_signal.jpg

Hot on the heels of marketing the teddybear cellphone comes this RF energized teddybear pyjama.

Best, Imelda, Cork.

--------

Below today's Irish Times article I've typed in the info on the attachment (China) I sent you yesterday. Imelda


THE IRISH TIMES, THU, DEC 01, 05

"THE EXPRESSIVE DRESS THAT SHOWS HOW WOMEN REALLY FEEL
[by] Dick Ahlstrom

The latest in high fashion party wear has a little something extra to offer this year. A Dublin-based research group has developed a stylish dress that looks good but also tells you how the woman wearing it feels about you (right).

These are no ordinary ball gowns. One includes sensors that detect the heart as it pulses and matches the beat by lighting up a bright red panel across the front of the dress. The faster the beat, the faster the panel flashes, lighting up like a neon sign.

A second gown samples the wearer's "alert" response seen in changes to her "galvanic skin response", how well the skin conducts electricity. The more impact a male suitor has, the higher her alert status, and this raises - or lowers if you are not doing well - the brightness of spheres suspended in the garment's outer layer.

These gowns have the potential to take some of the mystery out of human relations but the goal is not to win hearts but to develop wearable electronics.

A number of dresses that combine fashion with electronic signal processing were developed by the Adaptive Information Cluster (AIC). The Cluster is a multi-disciplinary research group involving senior researchers from Dublin City University's centre for sensor research and School of Computer Applications, and University College Dublin's School of Computer Science and Informations, explains the head of the UCD school and an AIC principal investigator, Prof Barry Smyth.

The Cluster received Science Foundation Ireland funding worth €7 million and brings together the work of five PIs, says Smyth, "each of them a professor in either UCD or DCU". It combines the efforts of scientists working in disparate areas including sensor science, software engineering, electronic engineering and computer science.

Headed by DCU's Prof Dermot Diamond, the AIC started up about two years ago and involves the work of about 70 researchers, says Smyth.

PhD candidate at UCD Lucy Dunne carried out the research that delivered a number of "expressive garments" that include sensors that read the wearer's mood. They detect pulse rate, galvanic skin response, the "startle" response and whether the person is laughing, explains Dunne.

The gowns are smart in two ways, looking well but also capturing real-time information on a person's physiological condition. They incorporate sensor technology developed at DCU with electronics, but must still be able to go into the washing machine after the ball and come out working.

These are no ordinary sensors, she says. "It is a really nice crushable foam and integrates well into clothing and is washable."

Changes in the foam's shape produce changes in its electrical response, generating a signal that the smart dress interprets.

The trick is knowing where to put the sensor to get useable information, she adds. While the four gowns she designed, two of which have been installed as part of a display at the Brigham Young University Museum of Art in Utah, US, focus on individual expression, "most of my research is about function".

Wearable electronics could deliver many useful functions, particularly in the medical area. People with limited movement could activate switches or direct motorised wheelchairs using this technology.

Dunne has also produced a prototype sports jersey that monitors heart rate and respiratory effort and the technology could be built into trainers to monitor pace and gait.

© The Irish Times



IRISH INDEPENDENT, WED, 30 NOV, 2005

"A BEDTIME CUDDLE FROM OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD
[by] Edel Kennedy

Parents working away from home could soon be able to give their children a bedtime cuddle from the other side of the world. Wacky inventors have created a pair of hi-tech pyjamas which can simulate the sense of touch and can be controlled over the internet. The makers of the 175 [euros] pyjamas say children will be able to go to sleep comforted by a long-distance 'cyber cuddle'. The unusual garments work through a teddy bear with a tiny computer inside. When a parent touches the bear it will send a wireless signal over the internet to the same area on the pyjamas. The pyjamas will be embedded with air channels, similar to straws, which will inflate or deflate depending on the signal they receive, thus 'hugging' the wearer. Created by researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, scientist Adrian David Cheok said that they are now working on developing the perfect comfortable garments for children and adults. 'These days, parents go on a lot of business trips, but with children, hugging and touching are very important,' he said. However, critics have pointed out that it would be a very poor substitute for the real thing. 'Any system that uses technology to replace parental affection is misleading and not beneficial in terms of parenting,' said a spokeswoman for the ISPCC."

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Teddy bear mobile ‘puts 4-year-olds at risk from radiation’
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1204405/

Sozialpolitische Aktionen und Proteste

Proteste 2005

Jenseits der Wahl – die nächsten Schritte außerparlamentarischer Bewegungen. Strategie- und Aktionskonferenz der sozialen Bewegungen am 19./20. 11. in Frankfurt/M.

Ergebnisse der Aktions- und Strategiekonferenz

http://www.die-soziale-bewegung.de/2005/aktionskonferenz/aktionskonferenz_ergebnisse.html


Presseinformation zur Aktions- und Strategiekonferenz "Jenseits der Wahl - Die nächsten Schritte sozialer Bewegung" vom 20. November 2005 (pdf)

http://www.die-soziale-bewegung.de/2005/aktionskonferenz/pm_konferenz_willivanooyen.pdf


„Frühjahrsaktion 2006“

Auf der Aktions- und Strategiekonferenz in Frankfurt wurde beschlossen, im Frühjahr eine bundesweite Großdemo gegen den neuen schwarz-roten Kahlschlag durchzuführen. Das erste Vorbereitungstreffen findet statt: am Freitag, 16. Dezember 2005 um 11.00 Uhr im Frankfurter Gewerkschaftshaus (Jugendclub) Wilhelm-Leuschner-Str. 69 - 77 (Nähe Hauptbahnhof)


Einladung zum 9. Treffen des Aktionsbündnis Sozialproteste am 10.12.05 in Göttingen (pdf)

http://www.labournet.de/diskussion/arbeit/aktionen/abspokt.pdf


Proteste gegen Ein-Euro-Jobs: Aktionen bei der AWO, Caritas… Gegen 1-Euro-Job-Anbieter

Die 1-Euro-AG des Sozialplenum Bremen protestiert am heutigen „Bremer Erwerbslosentag“ gegen die Rolle der „Bremer Arbeit GmbH“ als Organisator, Koordinator und Berater der sog. InJobs. Siehe die Presseerklärung (pdf)

http://www.labournet.de/diskussion/arbeit/aktionen/eurobremen.pdf


Übersicht über regionale Anti-Hartz-&-Co-Bündnisse aktualisiert

http://www.labournet.de/diskussion/arbeit/aktionen/regionen.html


Aus: LabourNet, 30. November 2005

Existenzgelddebatte, Garantierte Mindesteinkommen: "Wir würden gewaltig reicher werden"

Aktuelle Modelle von Grundsicherungen und Grundeinkommen im Vergleich

Die Synopse von Ronald Blaschke als 1. aktualisierte und erweiterte Ausgabe vom Oktober 2005
http://www.labournet.de/diskussion/arbeit/existenz/ge-synopse.pdf


Grundeinkommen oder Grundsicherung und Arbeitszeitverkürzung/Mindestlohn?

Folien-Präsentation von Ronald Blaschke, Sprecher Netzwerk Grundeinkommen (pdf)

http://www.labournet.de/diskussion/arbeit/existenz/ge-folien.pdf


Eine bessere Stütze? Das garantierte Grundeinkommen hat einen festen Platz im linken Forderungskatalog erworben – für eine Perspektive ist es aber nicht radikal genug.

„Wieder einmal wurde auf der Aktions- und Strategiekonferenz der sozialen Bewegungen in Frankfurt/Main am letzten Wochenende ein garantiertes Grundeinkommen diskutiert. Und wieder einmal ohne greifbares Ergebnis. Die heftige Kontroverse zwischen Befürwortern – wie Roland Blaschke von der sächsischen Armutskonferenz – und Kritikern wie zum Beispiel Rainer Roth aus Frankfurt/Main machte deutlich, dass eine Annäherung zur Zeit nicht in Sicht ist. Dabei speisen sich Zustimmung und Ablehung aus jeweils ganz unterschiedlichen, sehr heterogenen Quellen….“ Artikel von Sebastian Gerhardt in junge Welt vom 23.11.2005

http://www.jungewelt.de/2005/11-23/013.php


Dm-Chef Werner zum Grundeinkommen: "Wir würden gewaltig reicher werden"

„Mit großformatigen Anzeigen wirbt der Gründer der Drogeriemarktkette dm Werner für ein garantiertes Grundeinkommen. Das Geld dafür soll eine Steuerreform einbringen, gegen die die Pläne von Paul Kirchhof zaghaft erscheinen. Im Gespräch mit SPIEGEL ONLINE erklären er und der Steuerexperte Benediktus Hardorp, wie das Ganze funktionieren soll…“ Interview von Michael Kröger in Spiegel online vom 30. November 2005

http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/0,1518,386396,00.html


Aus: LabourNet, 30. November 2005

Scheinarbeitslose und Mißbrauchsdebatte

Offener Brief zu Veröffentlichungen über die von Bundesminister
Wolfgang Clement als in „großem Stil“ „parasitär“ eingeschätzten
Arbeitslosen.

„…Nicht die Arbeitslosen haben versagt, Herr Clement, sondern Sie haben versagt. Dies sollte insbesondere für Sie kein Grund sein, die Opfer ihrer erfolglosen und gänzlich unzulänglichen Politik (völlig falsche Einschätzung der Hartz-IV-Kosten, Vernichtung sozialversicherter Arbeitsplätze, mangelnde Zivilcourage, sich mit Ursachen, Verursachern und Profiteuren der Arbeitslosigkeit auseinander zu setzen etc.) zu Tätern zu machen. Entschuldigen Sie sich bei den Arbeitslosen, Herr Clement, und üben Sie Wiedergutmachung! Offener Brief der GALG (Gewerkschaftliche Arbeitslosengruppe Göttingen) vom 20.11.2005 (pdf)

http://www.labournet.de/diskussion/arbeit/realpolitik/zwang/galg_clement.pdf


Mehrkosten bei Hartz IV: Fehlkalkulation oder Missbrauch?

Die Kosten für Hartz IV sind deutlich höher als von der Bundesregierung erwartet. Jetzt versucht man unter dem Stichwort "Missbrauchsdebatte" den Arbeitslosen die Schuld in die Schuhe zu schieben. Hierzu gibt der DBG-Bundesvorstand seine neueste Broschüre in der Reihe Arbeitsmarkt aktuell heraus. Die Broschüre des DGB vom November 2005 im Download (pdf)

http://region-suedbrandenburg-lausitz.dgb.de/filemanager/download/1060/Ausweitg-Sozialstaat-HartzIV.pdf


Alltägliche Schikanen

Na, was macht die Arbeitssuche? Mein letzter Hausbesucher

„Es klingelt. Einmal, zweimal, dreimal. Ich ahne schon, wer es ist: »mein« Kundenbetreuer von der Arbeitsagentur. Gestern hat er sich brieflich angekündigt, will sich nur mal kurz in der Wohnung umsehen. Ob in unserer Zweier-WG nicht eine eheähnliche Gemeinschaft vorliege und dergleichen mehr. Seit einer halben Stunde ist er überfällig, meine Mitbewohnerin sitzt im nahe gelegenen Café und wartet auf meine SMS…“ Artikel von
Benjamin Kaminski in Jungle World vom 30.11.2005

http://jungle-world.com/seiten/2005/48/6728.php


Mißbrauch? NDR läßt Ein-Euro-Jobber bei der GEZ arbeiten

Ausbeutung ohne Lohn

„NDR beschäftigt illegal Ein-Euro-Jobber für GEZ-Antragsbearbeitung
Das Erwerbslosenforum Deutschland hat gefordert, daß die in Hamburg beim Norddeutschen Rundfunk (NDR) eingesetzten Ein-Euro-Jobber nachträglich eine feste Einstellung und ein reguläres Gehalt erhalten. Wie berichtet, hatte der NDR Ein-Euro-Jobber eingesetzt, um Anträge für die Gebühreneinzugszentrale (GEZ) zu bearbeiten…“ Artikel von Andreas Grünwald in junge Welt vom 30.11.2005

http://www.jungewelt.de/2005/11-30/018.php


Werden beim NDR Ein-Euro-Jobber missbraucht und ausgenutzt?

Erwerbslosen Forum Deutschland empfiehlt den Betroffenen ihr Gehalt einzuklagen.

„Dem Erwerbslosen Forum Deutschland liegen Informationen vor, wonach die beim NDR eingesetzten Ein-Euro-Jobber reguläre Arbeitskräfte anlernen mussten. Nicht ganz durchsichtig sind die Verträge der Hamburger Arbeit Beschäftigungsgesellschaft (HAB), die mit den Ein-Euro-Jobbern geschlossen wurden. Diese sollen nachträglich in Praktikumsverträge umgewandelt worden sein. Für das Erwerbslosen Forum Deutschland stellt sich die Frage, ob hier eventuell die Aufforderung der Hamburger Bürgerschaft vom 10.11.2005 umgangen worden ist…“ Presseerklärung des Erwerbslosen Forum Deutschland vom 28.11.2005

http://www.elo-forum.org/forum/ftopic3767.html

siehe dazu auch:

Die Petition von Michael Lange vom 6.08.2005 veröffentlicht bei PeNG! Aktive Erwerbslose und Geringverdiener e.V.

http://www.peng-ev.de/download/Beschwerde-Petition-gegen-Norddeutschen-Rundfunk.pdf

sowie die Antwort der Bürgerschaft der freien und Hansestadt Hamburg vom 11.11.2005 (pdf)

http://www.peng-ev.de/download/Buergerschaft_Hamburg_1_Euro_Jobs_beim_NDR.pdf


Aus: LabourNet, 30. November 2005

Anschlag auf das europäische Sozialmodell

Attac sieht in Abstimmung zur EU-Dienstleistungsrichtlinie einen "Anschlag auf das europäische Sozialmodell"

Aufruf zur von der Versammlung sozialer Bewegungen angeregten Großdemonstration am 14.1.06 in Straßburg vom 23.11.2005. Diese wird am Samstag, bevor die Bolkesteinrichtlinie im EU-Parlament behandelt wird, stattfinden.

http://www.attac.de/aktuell/presse/presse_ausgabe.php?id=512


»Diese Regelung hätte verheerende Folgen«

Dienstleistungsrichtlinie der EU vor der Entscheidung. ATTAC und andere rufen zu Großdemonstration am 14. Januar in Strasbourg auf. Gespräch mit Stephan Lindner, Mitglied im bundesweiten Koordinierungskreis des globalisierungskritischen Netzwerks ATTAC und Sprecher der EU-AG, von Ralf Wurzbacher in junge Welt vom 24.11.2005 http://www.jungewelt.de/2005/11-24/022.php


Dienstleistungsrichtlinie: Fauler Kompromiss für das Herkunftslandprinzip. Bewertung des DGB vom November 05

http://www.dgb.de/homepage_kurztexte/eu_dirili.htm


Aus: LabourNet, 30. November 2005

Passport proposal runs into roadblock

Washington and British Columbia are objecting to a U.S. proposal to require passport checks at border crossings.

http://www.theolympian.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051129/NEWS/51129006/-1/NLETTER01


From Information Clearing House

The Renaissance of Cooperative Democracy

Why has it taken so long for communities in the United States to start walking away from a system that is not only inhumane but devouring the very resources necessary for all survival?

http://civillibertarian.blogspot.com/2005/11/renaissance-of-cooperative-democracy.html


From Information Clearing House

Fema's Contracting Disaster

A little-noticed internal report reveals that over a year ago, the Department of Homeland Security knew FEMA contracting was a scandal.

http://www.reconstructionwatch.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=49


From Information Clearing House

Christian fundamentalists and Internet gambling

The Abramoff affair: Snapshots from an empire of corruption:
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/nov2005/abr2-n29.shtml


From Information Clearing House

Testimony may solidify case that Rove misled leak inquiry, lawyers say

Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald will present evidence to a second grand jury this week in his two year-old investigation into the outing of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson that could lead to a criminal indictment being handed up against Karl Rove,

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Testimony_from_Roves_former_assistant_may_1128.html


From Information Clearing House

Randy Cunningham's Crash Landing

With search warrants in hand, the feds rummaged through Cunningham's $2.55 million mansion in the exclusive conclave of Rancho Santa Fe, outside San Diego, looking for evidence linking the 8-term Republican to Mitchell Wade, the founder and CEO of MZM, Incorporated, one of the Pentagon's top 100 contractors.

http://www.counterpunch.org/stclair11292005.html



Pentagon Ends New Work On D.C. Firm's Contract:

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.), a member of the House defense appropriations subcommittee, acknowledged last week that his relationship with MZM founder Mitchell J. Wade is being examined by federal authorities.Over the past three years it was also awarded several contracts, worth more than $600,000, by the Executive Office of the President.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/27/AR2005062701856.html


From Information Clearing House

Alito's memos favor authorities

Alito, told the Internal Revenue Service that its lawyers may secretly record conversations with taxpayers, despite an American Bar Association opinion barring lawyers from secretly recording any conversation.

http://tinyurl.com/9sykr


From Information Clearing House

Syria wants UN report changed after witness recants

Syrian officials demanded that a UN report implicating them over the February murder of five-time Lebanese premier Rafiq Hariri be revised after state television broadcast the apparent recanting of a witness.

http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/051129055747.eoe4texu.html


From Information Clearing House

War Pimp Alert: Iran making long-range missiles

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw Tuesday told the House of Commons that it was an "incontrovertible" fact that Iran was developing long-range missiles.

http://www.kuna.net.kw/Home/Story.aspx?Language=en&DSNO=792133

CIA Flights In Europe

The Hunt for Hercules N8183J: Last Friday, the Swiss prosecutor made it clear that he has no compunctions about picking a fight with the world's sole remaining superpower.

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,387185,00.html


From Information Clearing House

Nowhere to run

To describe Iraq as the most foolish war of the last 2,014 years is a sweeping statement, but the writer is well qualified to know.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1653454,00.html


From Information Clearing House

Former weapons inspector claims WMD never the issue in Iraq

The world now knows that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but that hasn't stopped President Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney this week from labelling people who accuse them of faking the evidence as 'dishonest,' 'reprehensible,' 'corrupt' and 'shameless.
'
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2005/s1519429.htm


From Information Clearing House

Ex - Powell Aide Criticizes Bush on Iraq

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11170.htm

US conjures up Iraqi cataclysms to delay retreat

Talk of a jihadist takeover if American troops withdraw is an absurd ploy.

http://tinyurl.com/77ljv


From Information Clearing House

Hospitals Come Under Siege

Hospital personnel are reporting regular raids and interference by the U.S. military as fighting continues in the volatile Al-Anbar province of Iraq. The U.S. raids come as the hospitals face increasing lack of vital supplies and equipment.

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=31222


From Information Clearing House

A war supporter disillusioned in Iraq

He believed in the fight, his family said, until he entered the war zone.
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/13266919.htm


From Information Clearing House

US Interrogator Confirms Routine Iraq Torture

Here's a story that will disappear until bloggers start talking about it. Only PBS Frontline and Democracy Now! have dared to interview U.S. interrogator Tony Lagouranis, who reports widespread torture and abuse throughout Iraq.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/11/28/151943/75


From Information Clearing House

Abuse of prisoners in Iraq widespread, officials say

Iraqi authorities have been torturing and abusing prisoners in jails across the country, current and former Iraqi officials charged.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11169.htm

U.S. casualties in Iraq climbing again

The latest figures issued by the Department of Defense and other U.S. and Iraqi official sources reveal an insurgency still raging unabated in which the number of total casualties inflicted on U.S. troops is once again climbing

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20051128-091236-2567r


From Information Clearing House

To heal or to patch?

Military mental health workers in Iraq

By Stephen Soldz

As part of a "combat stress detachment," her job is to help soldiers cope with the horror of the battlefield -- so that they can return to it as soon as possible. - "I do ache for these guys," says Col. Levandowski. "But if you send too many (soldiers) home, the risk is that mental health will be seen as a ticket out of country."

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11172.htm

With detainees, we're training terrorists

By Marie Cocco

We are a paragon of hypocrisy, promoting the rule of law and denouncing human rights violations among others while systematically breaching them ourselves. So blind is this administration to the consequences of its actions that it has now jeopardized its East European allies, who are under scrutiny by the European Union for violating human rights laws if they allowed the CIA "black sites" to flourish.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11176.htm

Your Own Health and Fitness - Bad Reception

Recording of Olle Johansson interview

Notice from Robert Riedlinger:

Following on from last Sunday’s weblog #330 message about an interview with Olle Johansson and Doug Loranger in Canada, a recording of that interview is now on-line for one week.

Omega listen under:
http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/your_own_health_and_fitness_05_11_29.mp3 (over 10Mb)


[Source]
http://www.kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=11398

Your Own Health and Fitness

Tuesday, November 29th

Researcher Olle Johansson, MD, associate professor in the Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, discusses long term studies showing the adverse health effects of exposure to radio frequency radiation from wireless technologies. Activist Doug Loranger discusses his film Bad Reception: The Wireless Revolution in San Francisco and community activism against citywide wireless broadband Internet access.

http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=336


http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Olle+Johansson

Cheney accused on prisoner abuse

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4480638.stm


Informant: ranger116

Unions Continue to Fight Bush DoD Labor Rule Changes

A union leader called the Department of Defense's proposed new 20-day time limit to challenge contract revisions "a bum's rush" and "unfair." He added: "They are busting the unions with this. Collective bargaining will mean nothing."

http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/112905LA.shtml

Experts Say Flu Fears over Wild Birds Overstated

Fears that migratory wild birds will spread a deadly strain of avian flu across the world have little, if any, scientific proof and chances of them infecting humans are even more remote, experts said.

http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/112905HB.shtml

Poisonings from a Popular Pain Reliever Are on the Rise

Unintentional poisonings from acetaminophen are on the rise, a new study reports. The drug is best known under the brand name Tylenol, but many consumers don't realize it is also found in widely varying doses in several hundred common cold remedies and combination pain relievers.

http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/112905HA.shtml

Silent Streams

Sprawl is threatening almost every stream in the country. The problem is pavement, and the way it has changed the ancient relationship between streams and rain. But a rising citizens movement is trying to save one of our most important natural resources before it's too late.

http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/112905EB.shtml

"It's about Us!": Climate Change Fires Young Minds

As politicians from around the world meet in Montreal to talk about climate change, young people who will have to live with the consequences of their action or inaction will be ready to speak out. "There is no issue that I think more threatens the future of our generation than global warming," said Billy Parish, 24.

http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/112905EA.shtml

Racing to Stop an Execution

So obscure that his conviction for four murders barely made headlines, death row inmate Stanley Tookie Williams owes his notoriety as much to a determined woman who stood by him and to committed death penalty opponents as to his shift from gangster to anti-gang activist.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905S.shtml

Cheney Records Under Wraps

Open-government advocates say that Vice President Cheney is to executive branch secrecy what darkness is to the night. In 2001, Cheney famously refused to disclose the names of oil company executives and others who attended meetings of a White House energy task force that he headed, which helped draft a national energy policy. More recently, a government watchdog group has called attention to less noticed records that Cheney has sought to keep private: travel costs.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905R.shtml

Mystery Train

William Rivers Pitt writes: The Abu Ghraib images were bad enough. Now we have these so-called Aegis videos, allegedly showing contractors in Iraq driving the road between Baghdad and the airport. In the video, men speaking with Irish or Scottish accents use an assault rifle to indiscriminately blast other cars on the road. The video shows cars peppered with bullets careening to and fro, crashing into each other and rolling into the trees. In the background, Elvis Presley can be heard singing 'Mystery Train.'

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905Q.shtml

Bush's Patriotism Smear

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1129-20.htm

Climate Change as Destructive as Effects of WMDS'

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1129-04.htm

Bush's misleading statements on Iraq

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_7708.shtml


Informant: Milo

SWEEP E-Bulletin 11

http://www.omega-news.info/sweep_e_bulletin_11.htm

Right to fly without ID

http://www.papersplease.org/gilmore/


Informant: Milo

Is the President's Soul in Jeopardy?

http://www.counterpunch.com/alper11262005.html


Informant: Milo

U.S. Military Stages Media Offensive in Iraq

http://fairuse.1accesshost.com/news2/iraq-media-offensive.html


Informant: Kev Hall

Alito memos address rights stance

(This should prove an interesting addition to the information on Posada Carriles. He argued that immigrants who entered the US illegally are NOT entitled to US constitutional provision. But that is precisely what Luis Posada Carriles is claiming he had every right to do. And what about foreigners like, shall we say, Santiago Alvarez, aiding and abetting foreigners who illegally enter the country like, shall we say, "Luis Posada Carriles"???)

Informant: Walter Lippmann


MIAMI HERALD Posted on Wed, Nov. 30, 2005

SUPREME COURT

Alito memos address rights stance

In the 1980s, Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito approved an FBI effort to get fingerprints from refugees living in Canada, saying foreigners had no U.S. rights.

BY JO BECKER AND AMY GOLDSTEIN

Washington Post Service

WASHINGTON - As a senior lawyer in the Reagan Justice Department, Samuel Alito argued that immigrants who enter the United States illegally and foreigners living outside their countries are not entitled to the constitutional rights afforded to Americans.

In an opinion that offers insight into the Supreme Court nominee's view of an area of law that has gained new significance with the Bush administration's policies to combat terrorism, Alito gave his approval to an FBI effort in the 1980s to collect from Canadian authorities fingerprint cards of Iranian and Afghan refugees living in that country.

The program to collect background information was constitutional, Alito wrote in a January 1986 memo to the FBI director. And because the refugees were nonresident immigrants of a third country, he reasoned, the FBI could disregard court decisions that prohibited it from spreading ''stigmatizing'' information about citizens.

With the Supreme Court scheduled to hear a major case next term involving the Bush administration's policy of trying ''enemy combatants'' in military tribunals, Alito's views of the FBI's old antiterrorism fingerprint program have resonance today, reflecting what legal experts said is a broad and aggressive view of the law.

The memo on the rights of immigrants was among 120 documents from Alito's 16-month tenure as a deputy assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Counsel that the Justice Department released Monday.

Alito's writings show he was in sync with the philosophy of the Republican administration of which he was a part, staking out strong stances on aggressive law enforcement and on states' rights. The views he expresses also could be construed as paralleling those of the Bush administration as it has pursued its campaign against terrorists, legal experts said.

The current administration has contended, for instance, that al Qaeda and Taliban detainees held at the U.S. naval base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, had no right to have their case heard by a U.S. judge. That is in part because, like the Afghan and Iranian refugees in Canada, the recent detainees were not on U.S. soil. That view was rejected by the Supreme Court.

In his 1986 memo, Alito cites a 1950 Supreme Court case to support the contention that nonresident immigrants of other countries have ''no due process rights'' under the Constitution and a 1970 case that he said suggests illegal immigrants in the United States have limited constitutional rights.

''He seems to be saying that there is no constitutional constraints placed on U.S. officials in their treatment of nonresident aliens or illegal aliens,'' said conservative constitutional analyst Bruce Fein, who served in the Reagan administration with Alito. ``Could you shoot them? Could you torture them? It's a very aggressive reading of cases that addressed much narrower issues.''

Ausgerechnet die Brüsseler Ober-Lobbyistin fordert mehr Transparenz von NGOs

Ausgerechnet die Brüsseler Ober-Lobbyistin (u.a. für Initiative Neue Soziale Marktwirtschaft [INSM]) fordert mehr Transparenz von NGOs.

http://www.attac.de/aktuell/presse/presse_ausgabe.php?id=513

1 http://www.chancenfueralle.de/Termine/Veranstaltungen/Aktuell/Was_ist_sozial__-_Vernissage_und_Empfang.html
2 http://www.freitag.de/2005/45/05450601.php
3 http://www.epd.de/medien/medien_index_37159.html
4 http://www.lobbycontrol.de/blog/download/insm-marienhof-bewertung.pdf


Angelika Shams * Mitglied im Attac-Bundeskoordinierungskreis Egertstraße 12 * 75365 Calw-Stammheim * email: shams@attac.de Fon: 07051 / 935 675 * 0179 / 513 41 59 * Fax: 07051 / 935 677

The Next Attack: The Failure of the War on Terror

http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?id=149495;article=96374;show_parent=1

Cindy Sheehan: ' What I do blame you for is killing my son'



http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?id=149495;article=96372;show_parent=1



Cindy Sheehan
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Sheehan

On Rumsfeld's Watch

http://villagevoice.com/news/0545,hentoff,69754,6.html


Informant: Milo

America Unplugged - The presidency of George W. Bush is failing

By Peter Zeihan

The presidency of George W. Bush is failing.

Love him or hate him, Bush has had the most dramatic international impact of any U.S. president in a generation. But as Bush's fortunes ebb, his ability to control events in Washington and much further afield are fading as well. Geopolitics, like nature, abhors a vacuum, and there is no shortage of players hoping to profit from the political equivalent of U.S. self-flagellation.

American Paralysis

In August, we wrote that the United States was beginning to move "Beyond the War on Terrorism." We argued that the United States had achieved the bulk of what it had set out to do in first containing, and then pursuing and dismantling, al Qaeda.

We put forward that Iraq was a central feature of that plan, and that despite the ongoing horrors there, the broad strategic goals that the United States set out to achieve had indeed been accomplished. Saudi Arabia, Syria and -- to a lesser extent -- Iran were all cooperating with the United States in destroying al Qaeda as a strategic threat. The organization's offensive abilities degraded, from the ability to pull off a Sept. 11, 2001, attack that reshaped the world, to a series of metro bombings in London that did not even produce a glimmer of consideration within the U.K. government that policy should change. Terrorism, of course, continued to occur around the world, but its ability to dictate U.S. foreign policy had largely evaporated. All that was left was some hardly insignificant cleanup, and the United States could then get around to the serious work of dealing with the real issues: boxing in China and boxing up Russia.

But Iraq has not flowed gently into epilogue, and the final agreements that seemed so tantalizingly close in August remain elusive. In the interim, the American citizenry has grown weary of the conflict -- in which the number of American dead has now passed 2100 -- and Bush's popularity has suffered as a result.

But the real inflection point of this presidency was not Iraq; rather, it was Hurricane Katrina. Rightly or wrongly, Bush was perceived not just as unprepared for a major hurricane strike, but also as oblivious to the seriousness of the humanitarian disaster in New Orleans. This perception solidified the opposition of the U.S. left, denied the president any help from the American center and cracked the heretofore unified American right. The result was a president in danger of losing his core supporters, without whom no president can effectively rule. Similar circumstances condemned past statesmen such as Wilson, Truman, Johnson and Nixon into the unenviable company of failed presidents.

Since Katrina, the Bush administration's fortunes have only slid further, with three critical defeats standing out most glaringly. First, its primary congressional ally, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, has been indicted for fundraising improprieties. Second, the administration's efforts to shuttle Harriet Miers into the Supreme Court resulted in a break within the Republican Party. Third, the vice president's chief of staff -- Lewis "Scooter" Libby -- has been indicted for disclosing the status of undercover intelligence officers to the press, a charge that may well be pressed against political mastermind Karl Rove, and perhaps even the vice president himself.

What this amounts to is that the Bush administration has alienated the Republican Party's religious wing and those who value national defense above all else. Between that and the loss of DeLay, the president's star has fallen so far that he can no longer demand meetings with key legislators; he must negotiate for them. His foreign policy agenda is weighed down by the albatross of Iraq, and since congressional Republican leadership is keeping its distance from the president, his legislative agenda has not so much as budged in months.

Even if Bush manages to recover, we are eyeing what will be at least six months of extreme administration weakness. If Bush does not recover, however, stretch that out to until Jan. 20, 2009. A lot can happen in three years.

And, as chance would have it, the United States is not the only power currently facing a crisis of confidence and capabilities.

European Paralysis

The failure of the Dutch and French referendums on the EU constitution during the early summer was more than simply the failure of a vote; it signaled a failure of the very idea of Europe as a supranational entity. Ultimately, the European Union institutions as we know them today are a result of France's efforts to transform the countries of Europe into a platform over which it could rule and from which it could project power. France has always wanted to be able to punch above its weight in the international arena, and Europe was to be its vehicle for achieving that goal.

Yet in May, the French rejected the EU constitution -- and with it, the French vision for Europe.

In large part, the French rejected that vision because they realized it had become unachievable. The other European states were not willing to become French vassals, and once the French realized that they were merely another member in -- and therefore merely another subject of -- European institutions, French nationalism trumped the French desire for French Europeanism. As the union expanded, part of being European came to mean that France does not always get its way. Ultimately, that is something that the French found unacceptable.

And this was hardly the limit of what has gone wrong in Europe recently.

The British enjoy a rebate from the EU budget for the years in which they contribute more to the EU than they receive back (which is every year). The French, who convinced the Germans to back them, are guaranteed a full quarter of all EU agricultural subsidies even though they are among the union's richest members. With the addition of 10 new -- poorer -- states into the EU in 2004, the two standing policies are now in direct financial conflict.

Put another way, for the French to continue to enjoy their gravy train, either the British have to give up their rebate or all those new poor states need to give up some of the EU development funds -- the one part of the EU budget that is actually productive. Family spats over money are always the most vitriolic, and this one has reopened issues about the fundamental nature of the EU as well as discussion over the benefits and problems of enlargements, both past and future.

With the very idea of a European entity with a global reach DOA, the ability of "Europe" to act abroad becomes limited to the capabilities of its constituent powers. And in addition to these powers' lacking Washington's normal reach, they are nearly as politically truncated as the United States.

As France reels from the EU constitution defeat, it now also has to deal with the cultural, political and economic aftermath of three weeks of race riots. The United Kingdom's position on reducing the EU budget has radically reduced its influence within Europe. But more importantly, the Blair government recently lost its first Parliament vote -- typically an early sign that a prime minister is about to attach an "ex-" to his title.

Finally, there is Germany, where Chancellor Angela Merkel has just wrapped up her first full week on the job. The new chancellor has more of a chance than any other European leader to get a fresh start, by seeking a rapprochement with Europe's smaller states as well as the United States. Yet even if she is wildly successful in her foreign relations, and even if her awkward left-right coalition is not sunk by inter- and intra-party bickering, this will still take a great deal of time. No, Europe is as out of the international picture as the United States is for the moment.

Of Absent Cats and Busy, Busy Mice

The result is an unfettered international system.

The world has been gradually sliding toward true unipolarity for the past 15 years. France's view of the European Union was one attempt to stem that evolution, as are China and Russia's on-again, off-again attempts to forge an unwieldy coalition of powers that contains states such as Brazil, India or Iran. Ultimately, however, geographic location dictates that all such attempts will fail.

The European Union could never be a political superpower because the British, Irish, Spanish, Portuguese, Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Poles, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Slovenes, Romanians, Bulgarians, Greeks, Italians, Dutch, Danes, Swedes and Finns really see no point to letting Paris or Berlin dictate their domestic economic or foreign security policies. The idea of a multipolar world is similarly unworkable. Adjacent land powers are only able to ally when both face imminent destruction or one is in a clearly subordinate position -- something that makes us watch Chinese-Russian relations with increasing interest -- while a quick glance at the trade flows of states like Brazil and India clearly show that any political ambitions for setting up an anti-American alliance are limited predominantly to rhetoric. It often does not take a great deal of effort for the United States to use these characteristics to prevent such alliances -- geographic features alone nearly assure an American preponderance of power -- and so, since the end of the Soviet Union, U.S. power has increased step by step relative to other powers.

But what happens when that dominant power finds itself engrossed by internal developments? When this happened to Russia during President Vladimir Putin's first term, Central Europe was swallowed by NATO and the European Union; the United States moved troops into Central Asia; China -- not Russia -- got its fingers into Kazakhstan's energy resources and encouraged a thousand migrant feet to bloom in Siberia; and color revolutions broke Moscow's grip on Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia.

But now the United States -- indeed the entire West -- is in a world of its own.

Eventually the period of inattentiveness will end, even if it takes until the next election, so time is a precious commodity. The question dominating the thoughts of national leaders who often find themselves at loggerheads with Washington is: How do I maximize my position before Washington stops staring at its own navel?

Down in Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez has always done his best to take advantage of Washington's short attention span, and the next few months will be no exception. For him the mode is the Bolivarian Revolution -- and using his ample oil revenues to extend his political reach by manipulating elections in Bolivia and Honduras, supporting indigenous movements in Ecuador, and likely funding Colombia's new united left wing, the Democratic Alternative Pole. Across the border in Brazil, President Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva is far less ambitious, but he is certainly reaping the rewards in terms of public popularity by killing U.S. efforts to create a Western Hemispheric free trade area -- the keystone of Washington's Latin American policy.

In Asia, Pyongyang has got to be wallowing in glee. Anytime the United States is distracted, North Korea tends to be able to foment crises that get concessions from its neighbors. Beijing, while undoubtedly equally happy, will be far more circumspect in its efforts. For China, a U.S. disengagement allows it more time to whip its economy into shape. That means slowing efforts to amend its currency policy; the yuan peg will remain, and China need not worry overmuch about the United States taking advantage of the social unrest that Beijing's softly-softly economic reforms trigger.

Across the Middle East, where U.S. foreign policy has been most active since the Sept. 11 attacks, the effect will be far more noticeable among enemies and allies alike.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will have no reason to do more than give the occasional polite nod to American requests, allowing him to impose his own version of a final settlement on the Palestinians; it will be one they do not much care for. Pressure on Saudi Arabia and Egypt to amend their political systems will either evaporate or be waved away. Syria has just got ten the diplomatic equivalent of a get-out-of-jail-free card (and thus has largely gotten away with the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri and the maintenance of its position of superiority in Lebanon). And if you thought the Iranian nuclear program issue was agonizingly annoying before, just wait.

There is the very deadly possibility that Iraq will go from bad to worse. With American pressure ignorable, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran have little reason to cajole groups to come to the table and every reason to manipulate events to their own likings -- which, in all cases, involves making the American experience miserable. U.S. power can no longer guarantee that the Kurds, Shia and Sunnis will meet, much less hammer out a workable power-sharing accord, leaving Washington -- still -- holding the bag and handing out concessions to prevent the situation from degrading further still. And of course, Iraqi guerrillas are hardly finished.

Although it may be out of the headlines, the United States is still pursuing the al Qaeda leadership in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region, which is extremely difficult without the active participation of Pakistani forces -- forces that in the best of circumstances need to have their feet held to the fire to ensure cooperation. Without some robust American arm twisting, Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has little incentive to pursue a policy that could well bring his government down around him -- not to mention put a bullet in his head.

The Russian Moment

But by far the country with the most pressing need to act -- and coincidentally, the most room to act -- is the one that the United States has been pressing the hardest: Russia.

Unlike U.S. efforts to contain Venezuela or block a rising China, with Russia the United States is playing for keeps. The Soviet Union was one of only three states that have ever directly threatened the United States -- the other two being the British Empire and Mexico. The Soviet Union also came as close as any power ever has to uniting Eurasia into a single integrated, continental power -- the only external development that might be able to end the United States' superpowership. These little factoids are items that policymakers neither forget nor take lightly. So while U.S. policy toward China is to delay its rise, and U.S. policy toward Venezuela is geared toward containment, U.S. policy toward Russia is a simple as it is final: dissolution. Ergo Russia's string of deep and rapid defeats.

But suddenly, the pressure has evaporated.

We are sure to see much more traditional Russian thinking in efforts to construct a multipolar world: attempts at hiving France and Germany away from the rest of Europe; heavy diplomatic engagement with would-be powers like India, China and Venezuela; a resumption of technical efforts with Iran's nuclear power program; reinsertion of Russian influence into North Korea and Syria. But ultimately all of these strategies represent old thinking. What concrete results does Russia really get from having a "strategic partnership" with India, aside from some arms sales? Political hegemony in places like Syria reduces Russian strategy to the diplomatic equivalent of a monkey wrench. The threat to Russia is far deeper, and so if Russia is to use its breathing room to achieve anything of lasting use, it needs a change of mind-set -- and that is precisely what is under way.

On Nov. 14 two men -- Dmitry Medvedev and Sergei Ivanov -- were promoted to deputy prime ministerships. Both are extremely canny politicians and have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to think outside of traditional Russian paradigms. For them, the pre-eminent concern is forestalling further Russian losses and resurging Russian power. Stymieing U.S. initiatives -- the default position for most Russian authorities who have been in positions of power since Soviet days -- is only of high priority when those initiatives actually affect Russia.

Put another way, the new deputy prime ministers think that Russian policy should be a bit more thought-out than simply shouting "nyet" whenever the Americans are up to something. For them issues such as North Korea, Syria, India, Brazil and even Iran are of much lower priority. The real issues are items closer to home: Uzbekistan, Ukraine, the Baltics. It is less about attempting to maintain the long-outdated international balance of the Cold War that Russia's nationalists crave, and more about more traditional Russian concerns of securing the borders by expanding them -- or at minimum expanding Russia's "zones of comfort."

And so it is in these borderlands where Russian efforts will intensify in the months to come. A key tool in the Russian advance will be Gazprom, the state natural gas monopoly, which incidentally boasts one Mr. Medvedev as its chairman of the board. On Nov. 29, Gazprom's deputy CEO announced sharp price increases for a range of former Soviet states, including the Baltics, Ukraine and Georgia. In the case of Kiev, such hikes will likely rip the bottom out of the Ukrainian basket.

A number of politicians throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States are in the process of discovering that not only is the Bear not asleep, but the Eagle is too preoccupied to help shield them from its prowling. In some places -- such as Poland and the Baltics -- where progress away from Russia is an established fact, this will only deepen animosity toward Russia. But in others where the situation is much more tenuous -- most notably Ukraine -- it is leading to efforts at accommodation and will result in a resurgence of Russian influence.

While the economic stick is the order of the day in the western reaches of the former Soviet Union, the southern flank is seeing primarily the military carrot. Central Asian states are many things, but "stable" and "politically inclusive" are certainly not on that list. In a region where Islam is the dominant religion and Afghanistan is but a short walk -- literally -- away, the result has been a government demonizing of militant Islam as a justification for authoritarianism.

Yet efforts to maintain authoritarian control have reduced the options of any opposition forces to one: operating outside the system. Imagine the shock in Central Asian capitals when their policies gave life to the fears buried within their rhetoric. Islam is now a bastion of political -- and sometimes militant -- opposition, and a few sporadic Islamism-inspired attacks have shaken Central Asian political establishments to their core. Suddenly the United States' "revolution" efforts have gone from being perceived as an interesting side note to a deadly threat, and Russia is happy to pick up the pieces of Washington's post-Sept. 11 Central Asia security policies for itself. U.S. forces have already been ushered out of Uzbekistan, and a U.S. diplomatic and economic presence is really only welcome in Kazakhstan -- and even there only on specific terms.

What is particularly notable about this renewed Russian push is how much room there is for progress. American policy in Russia's near abroad has largely been dependent upon the border states' natural antipathy toward Moscow, and not on building stable institutions or links between these regions and the wider world. This makes vast tracts of territory easily accessible to the Russians, whose infrastructure remains hardwired into the entire border region. Without consistent Western attention, geographic realities can easily reassert. Ukraine -- unlike Romania -- is simply on the wrong side of the Carpathians for it to be otherwise. Send questions or comments on this article to analysis@stratfor.com.


Informant: Milo

How our governments use terrorism to control us

http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_277.shtml


Informant: Milo

--------

NATO's Secret Armies: Operation Gladio and Terrorism in Western Europe http://mindcontrol.twoday.net/stories/543167/

Costly Withdrawal Is the Price To Be Paid for a Foolish War

http://www.forward.com/articles/6936


Informant: Lew Rockwell

Bush's Deadly Dance with Islamic Theocrats

http://www.lewrockwell.com/engelhardt/engelhardt138.html

The Neo-Comintern: on the permanent, global democratic revolution

http://www.lewrockwell.com/buchanan/buchanan34.html

Conservative Anti-Militarism

http://www.amconmag.com/2005/2005_12_05/article.html


Informant: Lew Rockwell

Our Seemingly Stable Political Bubble Is Headed For A Burst

http://www.lewrockwell.com/rozeff/rozeff47.html

Soldiers and Reporters

http://www.lewrockwell.com/reed/reed83.html

PHONE MAST DROP-IN

Many former advice line callers update Mast Sanity on their progress and some help to spread the word in their areas quite sucessfully. Groups are joining up and some, like this area, broadcast relevant info whenever they can. People power at its best.

Sandi


The Editor
Gorgie/Dalry Gazette
14th November 2005

Dear Sir

PHONE MAST DROP-IN

Some readers may have missed the significance of the above item on page 8 of the October Gazette, amongst Fountainbridge Library news. There are very good reasons why people living in the vicinity should be alert to the possibility of a phone mast on the roof of the library. Not least is the building’s architectural merit and its history as a Nelson Hall, gifted for the benefit of the people. What would be the visual impact of a rooftop phone mast installation? More worrying is the fact that very little research has been done here into the health effects of microwave exposure. The sort of radiation you get from mobile phone masts and base stations has not been scientifically investigated while the sale of operating licenses has been pushed ahead. Yet residents near masts are increasingly reporting a variety of health effects, including serious illnesses.

Sweden has already acknowledged that people can suffer from exposure to electromagnetic fields and that this condition is not psychosomatic. In July this year over 170 doctors wrote to their Prime Minister in Germany imploring him to take action over the proliferation of phone masts. In their letter to Edmund Stoiber they said “many people have become ill with a characteristic combination of symptoms, at exposure levels far below the guideline limits.” The symptoms include sleep disturbance, headaches, depression, dizziness, sinusitis, palpitations and nausea. Emissions form DECT (cordless) phones are also associated with these symptoms and with concentration disturbance.

This has been known for some time and a range of protective products – paints, foils, screening net curtains etc. are now available, as people become more aware and anti mast campaigns increase. Even the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has acknowledged that increasing numbers of people in the UK suffer from electro sensitivity and that Britain should follow Sweden in recognising it as a physical impairment. (See Sunday Times 11th September and Daily Mail 12th September 2005). Their report has since been watered down to be almost meaningless, for reasons that may not be too hard to grasp.

Adults at least understand enough to speak out when new symptoms arise but what about our children? Can they explain? Will they grow up thinking this is the norm? There are far too many masts and far too few answers. Find out more from http://www.mastsanity.org and http://www.tetrawatch.net websites. In the meantime put the brakes on yet another mast in this area.

--------

Open letter to Edmund Stoiber, Prime Minister, Germany
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/838705/

02's lies counteracted

02 in the Lincolnshire Echo 29.11 05 and a reader’s reply

O2 have applied for permission to erect a 15m monopole on the site.

These are designed to be less visually intrusive than other types of phone mast because they are thinner.

An O2 spokesman said the mast would be safe.

"Our mobile phones and base stations are designed to operate within international exposure guidelines on radio wave emissions.

"These guidelines include a substantial safety margin to assure the protection of everyone, regardless of age and health.

"Measurements by regulators in Britain and Germany show our masts and base stations operate well below these guidelines, often by hundreds or thousands of times."

Omega read "Base Stations, operating within strict national and international Guidelines, do not present a Health Risk?" under: http://omega.twoday.net/stories/771911/

Lincoln City Council can object to the mast application only on grounds of appearance.


A reader’s reply

The current 'guidelines' used by operators only base health effects on thermal heating (amount tissue is heated), they do not take into account non-thermal effects, and it is these that scientists across the world (including the UK governments own) claim can cause adverse health effects after long-term exposure, especially to the frail and children. It certainly isn't scaremongering, the head of the radiological protection board advised mobile operators to consult with schools, even though guidelines were met, why? Because there is a risk with long-term exposure to the new technology. The reason new phone masts are now being brought into urban areas is to implement a new 3G system to enable users to connect to the internet and download video/music. 3G has not taken off after 5 years and people are content with their 2G voice/text phones, but the operators have been given a deadline (2007) to rollout the 3G network or pay a penalty. So this is the real reason we are seeing so many more applications for phone masts. Very few want the 3G service since it cannot meet the download speeds as first thought and a change in technology is needed. Until scientists know one way or another we should not allow corporate greed to override public health concerns from a product that was born out of greed and not need.Until then, we should all adopt a precautionary approach and ensure these masts are placed well away from residential areas and schools.

Mr. Galloway, Pendle

January 7: National Day of Town Hall Forums on Ending the War

ORGANIZE NOW!

Democrats.com and After Downing Street are joining with Backbone Campaign, Progressive Democrats of America, Democracy Cell Project, Cities for Peace, MilitaryFreeZone.Org, Operation Ceasefire, United for Peace and Justice, U.S. Tour of Duty, Hip Hop Caucus, Democracy Rising, World Can't Wait, and Gold Star Families for Peace in asking you to help organize public meetings or smaller gatherings on Saturday, January 7, on the topic of ending the war.

The war is costing us dearly in lives, in security, and in resources. We need this national day to make our demand heard and bring the war to an end. (Events can also be held on days other than the 7th, to fit the schedules of those involved.)

Because the holidays are coming, the time to organize these events is now. Here's how:

STEP 1: Identify an individual or organization or coalition to take the lead in organizing an event.

STEP 2: Post the event so that people can sign up for it and other organizers can contact you and work together. Whoever posts the event will have control of and be able to communicate with the list of people who sign up to attend it. It is also possible to post an event without many details and fill them in later.
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/event

STEP 3: See the resources posted on that website, which include tips on contacting your Congress Member. Invite him or her to host the event or to be your guest at an event you host, whichever they and you prefer. You can also hold an event without a Congress Member, such as a panel, a discussion circle, or a house party, and it's easy to do so with the resources provided here:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/event

STEP 4: Join a conference call for grassroots activists around the country on December 7 at 11 a.m. ET at 1-218-936-6666, then hit 2 (as instructed). The access code is 295965.

More Information:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/event



ImpeachPAC Endorses First Candidate

ImpeachPAC contributed the maximum $2,100 to Democratic congressional candidate Tony Trupiano in his bid to unseat Republican incumbent Thaddeus McCotter in Michigan's 11th District next year.

"We are thrilled to give our first endorsement to Tony Trupiano," said ImpeachPAC President Bob Fertik. "For ten years, Tony has spoken up for Mainstream America on the airwaves. Now he hopes to speak up for Mainstream America in Congress. Tony knows that Americans believe George Bush should be impeached if he lied about Iraq by a solid margin of 53%-42%. And Tony knows that Bush lied about Iraq before the war, and continues to lie now that the truth is finally coming out. Tony will win by demanding that George Bush and Dick Cheney be held accountable for the lies that cost so many precious lives." http://www.impeachpac.org/?q=node/48

In less than a month, ImpeachPAC has raised nearly $40,000 from 853 donors towards our initial goal of $100,000. Please help us reach our goal! http://impeachpac.org



COMING SOON: Announcement of a National Call-In Day to End the War

Tuesday, December 6th (the day Congress resumes after the holidays) we're asking you to call, email and fax your Congress members to lobby for an end to the war in Iraq. This National Call-in Day, organized by Democrats.com, After Downing Street, and PDA, together with United for Peace and Justice and many other peace organizations, aims to flood Congress members' offices with our message for bringing this war to a close. More details coming soon at http://www.afterdowningstreet.org

You can contact Congress about important legislation to help end the war, at any time, here:
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/congress

Sign PDA's Petition in Support of Ending War Funding here:
http://www.pdamerica.org/petition/mcgovern-petition.php



TELL CONGRESS TO IMPEACH GEORGE BUSH
http://democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/65

TELL CONGRESS TO DEMAND DICK CHENEY'S RESIGNATION
http://democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/73

URGE THE SENATE TO REJECT SAM ALITO
http://democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/74


From the Democrats.com Blog
http://democrats.com

To Execute or Not to Execute
Bush Cost Governors Their Elections
Ask the Oil Companies Some Questions
Pentagon Expanding Its Domestic Surveillance Activity
The Chosen Judge
Rumsfeld's Al-Jazeera outburst
EU warned on 'secret CIA jails'
Kerry's 1971 Words: How Sadly They Apply to Iraq
A Congressman for Impeachment
The Biggest FLIP-FLOP in History


FORWARD THIS INFORMATION

HISTORICAL FACTS EXPOSING THE DANGERS AND INEFFECTIVENESS OF VACCINES

http://www.vaccinationdebate.com/web2.html


Informant: Scott Munson

An Exit Strategy Bush Can't Ignore

Joe Conason: How can our troops get out without plunging Iraq and perhaps the Middle East into bloody chaos? The best alternative is a negotiated ceasefire leading to an American withdrawal.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905F.shtml

How to Tame the Logging Beast

At last, the idea of the developed world paying rainforest-rich countries to protect their rainforests, in this case in exchange for carbon storage, is being seriously proposed by Papua New Guinea (PNG) and others at this week's Montreal climate meetings. However, this grand "rainforest protection through carbon markets" vision is largely removed from the daily logging plunder occurring in PNG and the world's other remaining large rainforests.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905E.shtml

29
Nov
2005

'86 Alito Memo Argues Against Foreigners' Rights

In an opinion that offers insight into the Supreme Court nominee's view of an area of law that has gained new significance with the Bush administration's policies to combat terrorism, Alito gave his approval to an FBI effort in the 1980s to collect from Canadian authorities fingerprint cards of Iranian and Afghan refugees living in that country.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905C.shtml

National Security Whistleblowers Boycott Upcoming Hearing

Groups representing national security whistleblowers are urging a boycott of an upcoming congressional hearing, saying their concerns and experiences will not be adequately represented by the witnesses who are scheduled to testify. The House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations plans to hold a hearing December 6 to examine whether agencies are unjustly revoking or suspending security clearances in retaliation against employees who speak out against wrongdoing.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905B.shtml

Treffen bei der EU Kommission zum Thema Mobilfunk und Gesundheit

http://openpr.de/in/70262

HLV INFO 184/AT

29-11-2005

Volker Hartenstein, MdL a.D.

29-11-05

Im Anhang finden Sie eine Presseerklärung zu einem Treffen bei der EU Kommission zum Thema Mobilfunk und Gesundheit sowie 2 Statements für das Treffen. Dass es zustande kam, ist v.a. dem unermüdlichen Einsatz von Frau Dr. Birgit Stöcker, 1. Vorsitzende vom Bundesverband Elektrosmog, zu verdanken. Vielen Dank!!! Für mich ist es aber auch ein Ausdruck unserer gewachsenen Kraft. Ein Grund zur Freude! Es ist aber auch völlig klar, dass nichts von der EU oder anderen Stellen zu erwarten ist, wenn nicht immer mehr Bürgerinnen und Bürger aktiv werden.


Wolf Bergmann /Mitinitiator des Freiburger Appells


"Minimierung elektromagnetischer Felder." Die EU lädt Mobilfunkkritiker ein.

Auf Einladung der Europäischen Kommission - Generaldirektion Gesundheit und Verbraucherschutz - fand am 25.11.2005 ein Treffen im Gebäude der Kommission in Luxemburg statt.

Im Einladungsschreiben von John F. Ryan, Referatsleiter der Kommission, an Frau Dr. Stöcker, Vorsitzende des Bundesverbandes Elektrosmog e.V. heißt es : "Die Europäische Kommission hat den Inhalt Ihrer Eingabe und des dazu eingereichten, von 36 990 Bürgern unterzeichneten "Freiburger Appells" zur Kenntnis genommen ...schlage ich Ihnen vor,...dass Sie die anstehende Problematik persönlich darlegen können."

Bei diesem Treffen legte Frau Henschel vom Bundesverband Elektrosmog insbesondere die Situation elektrosensibler Menschen dar und überreichte den Freiburger Appell mit allen Unterschriften.(auf CD).

Frau Dr. med. Waldmann-Selsam, Initiatorin des Bamberger Appells und des Bamberger Mobilfunksymposions, berichtete von ihren Untersuchungen und Messungen bei gesundheitlich durch Mobilfunk schwer geschädigten Menschen und forderte u.a. den sofortigen Stop von UMTS, die bisher völlig versäumten Untersuchungen von Betroffenen aus öffentlichen Mitteln und die Möglichkeit, Funkmasten (wie u.a. in Spanien geschehen) abzuschalten, wenn in der Umgebung ungewöhnliche Krankheitshäufungen auftreten.

Herr Dr. med. Bergmann, Mitinitiator des Freiburger Appells, machte auf die dramatische Verschlechterung der Situation seit Verabschiedung des Freiburger Appells vor 3 Jahren aufmerksam und überreichte ein Statement sowie eine Zusammenfassung der dringendsten Forderungen aus den mobilfunkkritischen Appellen. (s. Anlage.)

Mr. Ryan wies darauf hin, dass die EU Kommission für das kommende Jahr eine Neubewertung des Gesundheitsrisikos durch Mobilfunk vorbereite. Wegen der Gefährlichkeit der DECT-Schnurlostelefone nannte er auf die Möglichkeit, die Kommission für Produktsicherheit in Brüssel einzuschalten. Zu der Notwendigkeit, sofort Untersuchungen bei Betroffenen durchzuführen, forderte er auf, Forschungsprojekte einzureichen. Angenommene Projekte würden mit 60% der Kosten gefördert.

Freiburg, d. 27.11.2005. Dr. med. Wolf Bergmann. Freiburg. Tel. 0761/78615 oder 55 61141. E-mail wolf.bergmann@tele2.de


Dr. med. Wolf Bergmann Facharzt für Allgemeinmedizin Homöopathie
Reichsgrafenstr. 28
79102 Freiburg
Tel. 0761 - 55 611 41
Fax 0761 - 50 36 78 17
wolf.bergmann@tele2.de

Freiburg, den 28.11.2005

Sehr geehrte Anwesende,

ich danke Ihnen sehr herzlich, dass Sie uns eingeladen haben, um Ihnen unsere wirklich schweren Sorgen und Anliegen zum Thema Mobilfunk und Gesundheit vorzutragen und dass sie uns über die von der Europäischen Kommission verfolgte Gesundheitspolitik informieren wollen.

Als einer der Mitinitiatoren des Freiburger Appells freue ich mich, Ihnen bei Bedarf den Appell zu erläutern und die darin aufgestellten Forderungen an eine verantwortliche Gesundheitspolitik zu übermitteln.

In der kurzen Zeit seit der Verabschiedung des Freiburger Appells bis heute hat sich die Situation auf dramatische Weise verschlechtert:

Die beobachtbaren Beschwerden und Erkrankungen im Zusammenhang mit Mobilfunk nehmen erschreckend zu. Die aktuellen wissenschaftlichen Untersuchungen von unabhängigen Wissenschaftlern bestätigen immer aufs Neue, dass die künstlichen Frequenzen des Mobilfunks tiefgreifende Störungen der biologischen Steuerungsvorgänge lebendiger Organismen verursachen und die Gesundheit stören und zerstören. Trotzdem überrollt uns eine wahre Flut von zusätzlichen neuerlichen, noch belastenderen Mobilfunkfrequenzen (UMTS, Wlan, Bluetooth, WiMax usw.) mit gepulsten Breitbandfrequenzen, die unsere Regelkreise noch mehr stören und einen gesunden = ungestörten Informationsfluss im Organismus zum Erhalt der Homöostase verunmöglichen.

Besonders in Deutschland wird diese Entwicklung durch die Industrie und die Politik mit ungeheurer Geschwindigkeit vorangetrieben, ohne auch nur im Ansatz die wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse über die nicht-thermischen Wirkungen der Mobilfunkfrequenzen zu berücksichtigen. Dabei ist der Dreh- und Angelpunkt in der politischen wie wissenschaftlichen Auseinandersetzung die Behauptung, dass es keinen Nachweis von Gesundheitsschäden bei Einhaltung der extrem hohen deutschen Grenzwerte gebe. Da sich auch die deutschen Gerichte diesem Standpunkt angeschlossen haben, ist die Bevölkerung in Deutschland vollkommen schutzlos einer chronischen und ständig zunehmenden Gesundheitsschädigung ausgesetzt.

In dieser menschlich, gesundheitlich und politisch dramatischen Situation bitten wir Sie sehr dringlich um Ihre kompetente und solidarische und ausdauernde Unterstützung beim Verbraucher- und Gesundheitsschutz.

Dafür im Voraus sehr herzlichen Dank


Dr. med. Wolf Bergmann Facharzt für Allgemeinmedizin Homöopathie
Reichsgrafenstr. 28
79102 Freiburg
Tel. 0761 - 55 611 41
Fax 0761 - 50 36 78 17
wolf.bergmann@tele2.de

Freiburg, den 28.11.2005

Mobilfunk - Gesundheit - Wissenschaft - Politik.

Anhaltspunkte für die Besprechung mit der Europäischen Kommission, Generaldirektion Gesundheit und Verbraucherschutz, am 25.11.2005.

1.) Die gesundheitsschädigende nicht-thermische Wirkung von elektromagnetischen Feldern des Mobilfunks bei geringen Feldstärken, wie sie im Normalbetrieb des Mobilfunks auftreten, ist wissenschaftlich seit langem und aktuell seit dem massenhaften Ausbau des Mobilfunks erwiesen - in Grundlagenforschung, experimentell bei Tier und Mensch, in epidemiologischen Studien und in der Feldbeobachtung. Dies alles bereits vor Einführung von UMTS. Die Beobachtungen und die wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse sind so gravierend, dass sofortige Schutzmaßnahmen zwingend erforderlich sind.

2.) Mit dem flächendeckenden Ausbau von UMTS wird diese schon bedrohliche Situation sprunghaft zu einer hochgefährlichen Situation potenziert.

3.) Grenzwertfestlegungen, die nur die thermische Wirkung je einer einzelnen Mobilfunkfrequenz berücksichtigen und einen Gesundheitsschutz bei Einhaltung solcher Grenzwerte behaupten, sind unwissenschaftlich und unverantwortlich. Sie lassen die Forschungsergebnisse von 6 Jahrzehnten außer acht. Es handelt sich um die wohl größte und gefährlichste Verbraucherschutzlüge seit dem Krieg.

4.) Eine Politik, eine Wissenschaft, eine Rechtsprechung, die sich auf diese Grenzwerte berufen, geben die Bevölkerung einer schweren und sprunghaft zunehmenden Gesundheitsgefährdung völlig schutzlos preis. Eine solche Politik ist ungesetzlich, da sie das Prinzip der Vorsorge und des Gesundheitsschutzes, das in den europäischen Verfassungen zwingend festgeschrieben ist, verletzt.

5.) Eine Politik, die entsprechend den Gesetzen und bei Kenntnis des Sachstandes Gesundheitsschutz und Vorsorge berücksichtigt, muss sofortige Konsequenzen ziehen.

Dringend notwendige sofortige Konsequenzen:

- sofortiger Stop des Ausbaus von UMTS - am aller dringlichsten!
- Absenkung der Grenzwerte mindestens auf die derzeit niedrigsten in Europa.
- Verbot des DECT-Standards und der Pulsung.
- Umfassende Aufklärung der Bevölkerung durch unabhängige Einrichtungen.
- Verbot der Handynutzung in öffentlichen Einrichtungen, v.a. in Kindergärten, Schulen, Krankenhäusern, Seniorenheimen usw. und in öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln.
- Werbeverbot und Warnhinweise (ähnlich wie bei Tabak.)
- Entscheidungsrecht der Kommunen über die Aufstellung von Mobilfunkmasten.
- Untersuchung von Betroffenen in besonders belasteten Gebieten durch unabhängige Wissenschaftler.
- Haftpflicht der Betreiber und Behörden für Gesundheitsschäden.
- Beweislastumkehr.
- Förderung gesundheitsverträglicher Kommunikationsmittel.

Es besteht die große Gefahr, dass die Lobby der Mobilfunkindustrie und die deutsche Regierung alle Machtmittel einsetzen, um in der EU die Grenzwerte der Mobilfunkindustrie, die in Deutschland Gesetz sind, als Standard durchzusetzen. Wir appellieren an die zuständigen EU-Gremien und an alle Abgeordneten des EU -Parlaments, sich diesem Druck nicht zu beugen und ihrem Gesetzesauftrag entsprechend dringend notwendige Maßnahmen für Gesundheits- und Verbraucherschutz hinsichtlich Mobilfunk und aktuell UMTS zu beschließen.

--------

Ärzte und Mobilfunk
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/408385/

Ärzteappelle gegen Mobilfunk
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1064751/

Ärztekammern und Mobilfunk
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1104181/


http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Waldmann-Selsam

Evidence of Death Squads Mount in Iraq

Hundreds of accounts of killings and abductions have emerged in recent weeks, most of them brought forward by Sunni civilians, who claim that their relatives have been taken away by Iraqi men in uniform without warrant or explanation.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905Y.shtml

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Is the U.S. Training Iraqi Death Squads to Fight the Insurgency? :

Investigative journalist Arun Gupta was one of the first to report on the presence of death squads in Iraq back in April of this year. We interviewed him at the time, he joins us again in our firehouse studios.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/12/01/1526201


From Information Clearing House

GLOBAL WARMING SET TO HIT EUROPE BADLY: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/11/29/051129134157.iq7vlpbg.html


Informant: NHNE

Brief- und Flugblattaktion: mobilfunkfreie Busse und Zonen in S-Bahn

Mit der Bitte um weitere Verbreitung:

Anbei das Flugblatt, das am kommenden Freitag und Samstag (9. und 10.12.) am S-Bahnhof in WOR verteilt wird.

http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/bi_wor_flugblatt_busse_und_bahn.doc

Zusätzlich beigelegt sind zwei Briefentwürfe mit der Forderung nach mobilfunkfreien Bussen und mobilfunkfreien Zonen in der S-Bahn. Bitte diese Aktion unterstützen und, wenn möglich, eigene Texte wegschicken.

http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/bi_wor_flugblatt_busse_und_bahn_s2.doc
http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/bi_wor_flugblatt_busse_und_bahn_s2a.doc


Hans Schmidt
1. Vorsitzender Bürgerinitiative Wolfratshausen zum Schutz vor Elektrosmog

051129 - R - Mobilfunk - Newsletter

http://www.omega-news.info/051129_r_mobilfunk_newsletter.rtf

051128 - R - Mobilfunk - Newsletter

http://www.omega-news.info/051128_r_mobilfunk_newsletter.rtf

Griff nach dem irakischen Erdöl

Ein Gespräch mit Greg Muttit, Autor eines Berichts über die geplante Privatisierung des irakischen Erdöls, die den Irakern teuer zu stehen und den Ölkonzernen zugute kommt.

http://www.telepolis.de/tp/r4/artikel/21/21448/1.html

The Abramoff Affair: Snapshots From An Empire Of Corruption

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/nov2005/abr2-n29.shtml


Informant: Friends

A Growing Wariness about Money in Politics

About 40 investigators and prosecutors are looking into the activities of several lawmakers, including Senator Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Congressman John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.) and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), who is currently facing unrelated campaign finance charges in his home state of Texas.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905O.shtml

Is Total Privatization of Public Lands Coming Down the Pike?

Bill Berkowitz writes that the Bush administration is winning the battle to institute public/private partnerships on America's cash-strapped public lands. Is total privatization coming down the pike?

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905N.shtml

Abramoff Sought Bush Officials' Aid in Indian Tribe Fee Dispute

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff sought the help of US Interior Department officials to save the job of an Indian leader under fire for $37 million in fees his tribe paid Abramoff and a partner, sources say.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905L.shtml

Maine Abstains

Something to be thankful for this week: States refusing to cave to Bush's ineffective sex ed policies.

http://www.tompaine.com/uncommonsense/index.php#6856

Set a deadline that lets Iraqis prove what they want

Christian Science Monitor
by Philip Gold

11/28/05

There is a process in American political life by which the unthinkable becomes the inevitable and the inevitable becomes, inevitably, a big mess. Central to this process is a peculiarly American inability to ask, let alone answer, the vital questions of any endeavor: an inability empowered by that peculiarly American attitude, 'We don't have to understand the world, we only need to know about us.' This is how we got into Vietnam. This is how we left. This is how we got into Iraq. It would be tragic, were we to leave the same way. In the spring of 2002, a year before the event, I became one of America's first conservatives to oppose the Iraq war. I did so for so many hard military, political, and economic reasons that they amounted to a moral reason...

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1128/p09s01-coop.html


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Gitmo detainees and the courts

Washington Times
by Nat Hentoff

11/28/05

The self-styled 'world's greatest deliberative body,' the U.S. Senate, voted 84 to 14 on Nov. 15 on an 'improved' Sen. Lindsey Graham amendment to the Defense Department authorization bill that prevents prisoners at Guantanamo from filing habeas corpus petitions to our federal courts regarding their conditions of confinement. This includes complaints of abuses and alleged torture from 'enhanced' interrogations. In its present form, this Graham amendment was co-sponsored by Carl Levin, Michigan Democrat, and Jon Kyl, Arizona Republican. Yet, the Supreme Court ruled in Rasul et al v. Bush (2004) that Guantanamo detainees do have due process rights to challenge, under habeas corpus, the legality of their imprisonment. That decision led to lawyers going to Guantanamo Bay, telling us what's going on and then filing habeas corpus petitions in federal district courts in Washington. The Graham-Levin-Kyl amendment cuts off that judicial route except in a very limited form that does not include the actual conditions under which the prisoners are being held...

http://tinyurl.com/8r4s2


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

The end of the war

The American Prospect
by Robert B. Reich

11/28/05

The War in Iraq may end sooner rather than later – not because prominent congressmen or military experts say we should get out, and not because the American public is losing patience. It will end relatively soon because we can't afford the price tag of recruiting enough soldiers to fight it. Our soldiers comprise what's called an 'all-volunteer' army. But the job of soldiering is 'voluntary' the same way any paid job is voluntary. You're not forced to do it. You're paid to do it. Since Richard Nixon ended the draft in 1973, most of the people who join the military do so because it's the most attractive job available to them. Some are motivated by patriotism, of course, but let's not kid ourselves. People facing a choice between a job in the private sector that's near home and safe, and one in the military that's thousands of miles away and may not be safe, will choose to remain civilians -- unless the military job pays more. And for any given age and level of education, it does...

http://www.prospect.org/web/view-web.ww?id=10665


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

The Murtha moment

The Nation
by staff

11/28/05

"History may well record that the beginning of the end of the American nightmare in Iraq came on November 17, when an old warrior said it was time for the troops to come home. But that will happen only if Congressional Democrats seize the opportunity that Representative John Murtha has offered them to become the tribune of popular sentiment against the war. Like many Americans, Murtha, a Korean and Vietnam war veteran who for three decades has been the pre-eminent Democratic hawk in the House, did not come quickly to the conclusion that the fight in Iraq will not be won by sacrificing more American lives. A backer of the 2002 resolution authorizing George W. Bush to use force, Murtha remained a defender of the misadventure long after many Democrats, and even some Republicans, began to question it. But when Murtha moved, he moved all the way. Describing the war as the result of 'a flawed policy wrapped in illusion,' he told Congress. 'Our military is suffering. The future of the country is at risk. ... Our military has done everything that has been asked of them. ... It is time to bring them home'...

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20051212/editors


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Torturers 'R' Us

In These Times
by Kristian Williams

11/28/05

The national debate on torture reached a new level in October when the Senate voted 90 to nine to restrict Defense Department interrogation techniques and prohibit the 'cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment' of anyone in U.S. custody. The vote came as a major rebuke to President George Bush, who threatened to veto the military spending bill if the proposals were included. Bush responded to the vote by publicly defending the United States’ existing practices. During his Latin American tour in early November, he said, 'We are gathering information about where the terrorists may be hiding. We are trying to disrupt their plots and plans. Anything we do … in this effort, any activity we conduct is within the law. We do not torture.' Yet earlier that very week, Vice President Dick Cheney pleaded with Republican senators in a closed door meeting to exempt the CIA from the cruelty ban. The administration clearly does not like having its bluff called...

http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2414/


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Ever expanding powers

CounterPunch
by Mike Whitney

11/28/05

All of these changes in the law have taken place below the radar of public attention and all of them correspond to a 'nutcase' conspiracy by the CFR to transform Canada, Mexico and the US into one, integrated 'free trade' nation in 5 years time. (I'm not making this up) See: Trilateral Task Force Recommendations,) The only thing that makes this bizarre specter of a 'capitalist police state' seem believable is that Bush has already carried out most of the basic recommendations of that other wacky conspiracy theory; The Project for the New American Century. The US has extended its military presence throughout Central Asia and the Middle East, curtailed civil liberties at home, greatly enhanced the power of the president, militarized space, passed legislation for Missile Defense 'Star Wars,' and reinvigorated the bio-chemical weapons industry. All of these were outlined in the PNAC. Sometimes 'conspiracy theories' come to fruition despite our unwillingness to give them credence...

http://www.counterpunch.org/whitney11282005.html


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Ten reasons why I'm no longer proud to be an American

Common Dreams
by Gary Alan Scott

11/28/05

I am an ex-patriot living and working in Belgium. I have traveled widely over the last 30 years and have lived in three countries besides my native America. I am presently the Director of an International Residence House. One of my students asked me the other day whether I consider myself 'proud' to be an American. I responded by saying that I love my country's founding values, its natural beauty and so, so many people in it, but that I can no longer say that I am proud to be an American. Here are ten reasons why...

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1128-33.htm


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

The FBI plays Big Brother

Toledo Blade
by staff

11/28/05

The FBI is behaving like Big Brother again, conducting surveillance on U.S. citizens without regard to the guidelines it is supposed to follow to keep its operations above board. What's worse is that once these breaches were pointed out, the agency brushed them off as if they were no big deal. Newly released classified documents reveal that the FBI has secretly shadowed citizens for as long as 18 months, and that it did so without the proper legal permission or oversight. It also kept tabs on another target for five years, but didn't bother to tell the Justice Department the person had moved from New York to Detroit. That is a clear violation of rules, and also ominously evokes the bad old days when J. Edgar Hoover presided over an agency that too often ran amok...

http://tinyurl.com/c2w7g


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Corruption threatens GOP control of Congress

Human Events
by Bruce Bartlett

11/29/05

I believe that the root of the current wave of scandal involving Republicans is that the party's governing element in Washington has completely lost sight of the reason they were elected in the first place. Grass-roots Republicans support the party because it is the party of small government. Those who like big government, who always want Washington to do more and take on more responsibility, vote Democratic. So when Republicans begin to ape the Democrats by proposing endless pork-barrel projects and lavish new drug benefits for the elderly, while not even pretending to care about the budget deficit, it makes rank-and-file Republicans wonder why they should remain in a party that has little meaningful difference from the Democrats. Many are going to stay home on Election Day next year, I predict...

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=10553


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Time for Iraq Plan Z

The American Spectator
by Jay D. Homnick

11/29/05

"If you ask Republicans why our forces are still on the ground in Iraq, they will explain: 'Because of our great success in defeating Saddam, we need to midwife the emergence of a historic new democracy. Because of our great success in luring the terrorists out of their hidey-holes, we now get a chance to mow them down far from our home turf.' Ask a Democrat that question, he will aver: 'Because of our great failure in mistaking a tinpot kvetch for a fearsome tyrant, we're stuck babysitting the various corrupt and violent elements of a provincial society. Because of our great failure in waking a sleeping giant, we have spawned a new generation of terrorists that would not otherwise have existed.' Whether this originated in sincere ideology or partisan one-upmanship, the fact is that we are witnessing a radical divergence of worldviews; to be honest, the chasm between the two positions looks to be unbridgeable. And yet, startlingly enough, neither side is comfortable mentioning the name of Zarqawi...

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=9075


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Ex-Powell aide criticizes detainee effort

Cincinnati Enquirer

11/28/05

A top aide to former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday that wrongheaded ideas for the handling of foreign detainees arose from White House and Pentagon officials who argued that 'the president of the United States is all-powerful' and the Geneva Conventions irrelevant. In an Associated Press interview, former Powell chief of staff Lawrence Wilkerson also said President Bush was 'too aloof, too distant from the details' of postwar planning. Underlings exploited Bush's detachment and made poor decisions, Wilkerson said...

http://tinyurl.com/83ayf


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Congressman admits taking bribes

Indianapolis Star

11/28/05

Rep. Randy 'Duke' Cunningham, an eight-term congressman and hotshot Vietnam War fighter jock, pleaded guilty to graft and tearfully resigned Monday, admitting he took $2.4 million in bribes mostly from defense contractors in exchange for government business and other favors. 'The truth is I broke the law, concealed my conduct, and disgraced my office,' the 63-year-old Republican said at a news conference. 'I know that I will forfeit my freedom, my reputation, my worldly possessions, most importantly, the trust of my friends and family'...

http://tinyurl.com/7kbfg


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

'Duke' Cunningham case opens window on military-industrial-Congressional complex

http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/3696/


Informant: jensenmk

From ufpj-news

Wilkerson Continues Assault on Bush, Cheney

A top aide to former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday that wrongheaded ideas for the handling of foreign detainees arose from White House and Pentagon officials who argued that "the President of the United States is all-powerful" and the Geneva Conventions irrelevant.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112905Z.shtml

Help me to put a stop to mast bid

DAVID BALE

29 November 2005 12:18

Families are being urged to back a campaign against a mobile phone mast earmarked for installation just metres from homes.

Phone giant 3G is consulting people in Lakenham about putting a mobile phone mast on top of St John's Church in Howard Road. The proposed mast would be about 100 metres from the back garden of mother-of-two Naomi Leeder, 27.

She has started a petition against the plans and has collected about 150 signatures.

Mrs Leeder, of Osbert Close, said: "If it goes up, I will be moving. My eldest, six-year-old Rose, has only got one kidney and my three-year-old, Charlotte, has chronic asthma and eczema, so I don't want any more health risks on my doorstep."

Mrs Leeder, who lives with her husband Jamie, also 27, a taxi driver, added: "I've got a mobile phone and I'm not totally against it. I just don't want it so near my house," she said. "There are already about four other masts in the area, so I cannot see why they need another one." She has trawled the internet for more information about the health risks of living near mobile phone masts, which has increased her anxieties. "The main risk is cancer, which it says on the internet you are 10 times more likely to get, for women and children, and four times for men, if you live close to the masts," she said.

Mike Davies, community affairs manager at Hutchison 3G, said: "Our network has limitations and this site is designed to cover an area where some of those limitations are. All the science and evidence is plain that there are no health risks from this technology.

Omega this is not true. See under:
http://omega.twoday.net/topics/Wissenschaft+zu+Mobilfunk/
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Cancer+Cluster
http://www.buergerwelle.de/body_science.html


"Using a church has an advantage as it gives a revenue stream which can benefit the community."

The Evening News has campaigned against the installation of mobile phone masts near homes and schools until it is proved they are safe.

Dr Ian Gibson, Norwich North MP, and long-time supporter of our campaign, said: "Do they never learn? They are making themselves so unpopular with the public. Hopefully, this time, as they have asked for consultations with the people in the area, the people will put a stop to it."

If you would like to sign the petition, contact Mrs Leeder on (01603) 616248.

Are you fighting a mobile phone mast application?
Call David Bale on 01603 772427 or e-mail david.bale2@archant.co.uk

http://tinyurl.com/aym8c

Indivisible Law

Was there a Guantánamo-style prison in Kosovo after 2001? If so, has it since been closed? Have the Americans used KFOR - that is, NATO - installations to create a penal establishment that eludes the norms of international law? These are all questions that have aroused the scruples of Alvaro Gil Robles, Human Rights Commissioner for the Council of Europe, who visited an American prison installation in Kosovo in 2002.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112805H.shtml

Adrift and No Substantive Debate

James J. Zogby: We're adrift in Iraq and the public knows it. They feel lost between the false choices they are offered: "staying the course," which they know isn't working, and "leaving," which they fear as an equally dangerous option. The mainstream Democratic alternative - which is to find a middle ground and call for a phased withdrawal with or without timetables - is not a responsible alternative. And so, the war continues, on its present and dangerous course.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112805G.shtml

Daschle: Timing Entwined War Vote, Election

Daschle, who as Senate majority leader controlled the chamber's schedule, recalled recently that he asked Bush to delay the war vote on Iraq until after the impending midterm election. Daschle's account highlights a crucial factor that has drawn little attention amid rising controversy over the congressional vote that authorized the war in Iraq: the debate may have been shaped as much by when Congress voted as by what it knew.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112805F.shtml

FEMA'S Contracting Disaster

A little-noticed internal report reveals that over a year ago, the Department of Homeland Security knew FEMA contracting was a scandal.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112805D.shtml

Cunningham pleads guilty, resigns from Congress

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/cunningham/20051128-1149-bn28duke6.html


Informant: Gomez

While We Were Sleeping

http://www.observer.com/printpage.asp?iid=11935&ic=Cover+Story+1


Informant: William K. Dobbs

Bitte helft uns, Kenia ist der Wilde Westen der Kommunikations-Industrie

Wir benötigen etwas "Entwicklungshilfe" für zwei Schreiben. Wäre es Euch möglich jemanden (einen Eurer Profis) da anzusetzen und uns einen 1-2-seitigen kritischen Kommentar zu zwei Statements in englischer Sprache mit entsprechenden Referenzen zukommen zu lassen?

Wichtig ist zu wissen, dass "man" hier sich immer noch auf die WHO Richtlinien aus dem Jahr 2000 bezieht.

Wir können keine Experten für die Stellungnahme im Hinblick auf Grenzwerte und deren nationalen und internationalen Festschreibungen bezahlen, aber wenn sie/er mal nach Kenia kommt, dann würde unsere Gastfreundschaft das schon aufwiegen.

Bitte helft uns, Kenia ist bereits der Wilde Westen der Kommunikations-Industrie.

Herzliche Grüße nach D

Barbara Schachenmann
ECOTERRA Intl. Nairobi Node

Kampf gegen Privatisierung im Gesundheitswesen

Sind Sie Millionär? Dann geht das Folgende Sie nichts an!

Für alle anderen aber ist wichtig zu wissen: Auf die Beschäftigten in den Hamburger Krankenhäusern kommen folgende Verschlechterungen zu:

a) Kürzung der Gehälter bis zu mehreren 100 EUR monatlich,
b) Streichung des Urlaubs- und Weihnachtsgeldes (»Jahressonderzahlung«),
c) Weitgehender Wegfall von Schicht- und Überstundenzuschlägen, d) Verlängerung der Arbeitszeit von 38,5 auf 42 Stunden pro Woche e) Verkürzung des Urlaubs um 3 Tage (4 Tage für 30 – 40 Jährige),
f) Streichung des Zusatzurlaubs für Wechselschichtarbeitende (bisher bis zu 4 Werktagen),
g) Grundsätzlich nur noch befristete Arbeitsverträge,
h) Verkürzung der Kündigungsfristen
i) Und außerdem: Streichung von weiteren 1000 Arbeitsplätzen!

Informieren Sie sich über den Protest und die Streiks der Beschäftigten in den Hamburger Krankenhäuser.Es geht um deren Arbeitsplätze und um Ihre Gesundheit! Deshalb der Aufruf zur Demonstration am Mittwoch, 30.11.05 ab 8.00 Uhr vom Rödingsmarkt. Alle weiteren Infos auf dem Flugblatt von ver.di-Hamburg vom 28.11.2005. (pdf)

http://www.labournet.de/branchen/dienstleistung/gw/hh_281105.pdf


Empörung, Angst, Widerstand

Interview von Stephan Kimmerle mit Axel Hopfmann über die Gegenwehr an Hamburger Kliniken bezüglich der Folgen der Privatisierung. „Am 30. November sind etwa 17.000 Beschäftigte verschiedener Hamburger Krankenhäuser zum gemeinsamen Warnstreik aufgerufen. Du bist aktives ver.di-Mitglied im LBK, Landesbetrieb Krankenhäuser in Hamburg. Wogegen richtet sich Euer Protest? …“ Interview von Stephan Kimmerle mit Axel Hopfmann auf sozialismus.info vom 22.11.2005

http://www.sozialismus.info/index.php?name=News&sid=1443


Kampf gegen Privatisierung im Gesundheitswesen

»Die Patientenversorgung leidet«

Volksbegehren gegen Privatisierung hessischer Uniklinik gestartet. Interview von Herbert Wulff mit Tobias Paul, Vorsitzender der Gesamtjugend- und Auszubildendenvertretung am Universitätsklinikum Gießen/Marburg und im Sprecherrat der Initiative »Rettet die Klinika« in junge Welt vom 29.11.2005

http://www.jungewelt.de/2005/11-29/024.php

I
Vorstand sucht Eskalation

„An der Berliner Charité streiken die Ärzte. Auch Pflegekräfte und Arbeiter wehren sich gegen geplante Kündigungen und Lohnkürzungen. Seit Montag streiken die Ärzte am Berliner Uniklinikum Charité. Doch auch bei den rund 13000 Arbeitern und Angestellten regt sich weiterhin Protest gegen drohende Entlassungen und Lohnkürzungen. Für Freitag ruft die Gewerkschaft ver.di um »fünf vor zwölf« zum Warnstreik auf. Der Aufsichtsrat will an diesem Tag u. a. über betriebsbedingte Kündigungen entscheiden…“ Artikel von Daniel Behruzi in junge Welt vom 29.11.2005 http://www.jungewelt.de/2005/11-29/015.php
Ver.di: Liebe Mitbürgerinnen und Mitbürger! Die Beschäftigten des Universitätsklinikums Charité wenden sich an Sie mit der Bitte um Verständnis und Unterstützung.

„Seit fast einem Jahr versuchen der Vorstand der Charité und der Berliner Senat als deren Eigentümer die Beschäftigten der Charité zu einem Absenkungstarifvertrag zu erpressen, indem sie ansonsten mit 1500 betriebsbedingten Kündigungen drohen! (…) Wir haben unsere Aktion so organisiert, dass eine sichere und ausreichende Patientinnen- und Patientenversorgung sichergestellt ist. Wir hoffen auf Ihr Verständnis und Ihre Unterstützung- schließlich geht es um unsere Arbeitsplätze und um unsere Arbeitsbedingungen. Nur wenn diese gesichert sind, können wir auf Dauer eine gute Patientinnen- und Patientenversorgung gewährleisten. Kein Personalabbau! Keine betriebsbedingten Kündigungen! Schluss mit der Tarifflucht, für einen Flächentarifvertrag! Keine Privatisierung! Mit meiner Unterschrift unterstütze ich die Forderung der Beschäftigten der Charité!“ Unterschriftenliste des Aktionsbündnisses „Gesunde Charité“ von ver.di vom 28.11.2005. (pdf)

http://www.labournet.de/branchen/dienstleistung/gw/charite_uliste.pdf


Ver.di: Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, liebe Freundinnen und Freunde! Wir bitten euch hiermit, uns in unserem Kampf gegen betriebsbedingte Kündigungen, Tarifflucht, Lohndumping und Privatisierung aktiv zu unterstützen!

„Wir möchten durch die Gründung eines Aktionsbündnisses „Gesunde Charité“ eine breitere Unterstützung in der Öffentlichkeit für die Interessen der Beschäftigten und einer, aus unserer Sicht unverzichtbaren, öffentlichen Gesundheitsversorgung erreichen. Wir sehen die Angriffe gegen uns an der Charité nicht isoliert, sondern als Teil der neoliberalen Politik in Deutschland, ja in Europa, um öffentliche Dienstleistungen privaten Profitinteressen zur Verfügung zu stellen. (…) Wir laden euch daher zur Gründung unseres Aktionsbündnisses „Gesunde Charité“ Mittwoch, den
07.12.2005 am Campus Charité Mitte im kleinen Saal des Versorgungszentrums um 16.30 Uhr ein…“ Die gesamte Einladung mit weiteren Informationen und Hintergründen zur Situation von ver.di vom 28.11.2005 (pdf)

http://www.labournet.de/branchen/dienstleistung/gw/charite_einladung.pdf


Marburger Bund ruft zu Warnstreiks an Universitätskliniken auf

Die Ärztegewerkschaft Marburger Bund (mb) hat für kommenden Freitag (02.12.05) die Ärzte an den Universitätskliniken zu Warnstreiks aufgerufen. Anlass sind die nach Meinung der Ärztegewerkschaft ins Stocken geratenen Tarifverhandlungen mit der Tarifgemeinschaft deutscher Länder (TdL). „Wir haben den Eindruck, dass die Arbeitgeber bewusst auf Zeit spielen“, erklärte der 1. Vorsitzende des mb, Dr. Frank Ulrich Montgomery. Offensichtlich unterschätze man die anhaltende Streikbereitschaft der 22.000 Universitätsärzte. (…)Am 13. Dezember sollen zudem Ärzte-Streiks an kommunalen Krankenhäusern stattfinden. Hintergrund ist die Weigerung der Vereinigung kommunaler Arbeitgeberverbände (VKA), mit dem Marburger Bund Tarifverhandlungen aufzunehmen.“ Pressemitteilung des Marburger Bundes vom 29.11.2005

http://www.marburger-bund.de/bundesverband/pressestelle/mitteilungen/zs2005/5505.html


Aus: LabourNet, 29. November 2005

ImpeachPAC Announces First Congressional Endorsement

ImpeachPAC, a political action committee launched earlier this month to support candidates in next year's congressional election who favor impeachment of George Bush and Dick Cheney, today announced its first endorsement.

http://www.impeachpac.org/?q=node/48


From Information Clearing House



http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=impeach
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Downing+Street+Memo

It's Time To Dump The Dems, Support The Green Insurgency

Can anyone still take the Democrats seriously as an opposition party after leaders like Senators Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), and John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) firmly distanced themselves from Rep. John Murtha's (D-Penn.) call on November 17 for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq?

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=90&ItemID=9177


From Information Clearing House

As we lecture other nations on freedom

US blocked experts from attending Cuba conference: As recently as March 2004, John Bolton, then-undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, told the US Congress in written testimony that Cuba "remains a terrorist and (biological weapons) threat to the United States."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051127/sc_afp/cubabiotechusbritain


From Information Clearing House

Professor of military history says " Bush deserves to be impeached"

For misleading the American people, and launching the most foolish war since Emperor Augustus in 9 B.C sent his legions into Germany and lost them, Bush deserves to be impeached and, once he has been removed from office, put on trial along with the rest of the president's men. If convicted, they'll have plenty of time to mull over their sins.

http://www.forward.com/articles/6936



He Dared to Challenge Power and the Official Consensus:

“I have learned from first hand experience that war is the destroyer of all that is good in the world. It turns our young into soulless killers and we tell them they are “heroes” when they master the art of killing.” Conscientious Objector and Prisoner of Conscience, Sgt Kevin Benderman

http://jack-dalton.blogspot.com/2005/11/he-dared-to-challange-power-and_26.html


From Information Clearing House



http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=impeach
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Downing+Street+Memo

Diving Into falluja: To Hell and Back

with Documentary-Maker Mark Manning
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8353.htm



Audio: Dahr Jamail Interviews Mark Manning:

In this rare interview, Dahr talks with Mark about Fallujah and recounts the circumstances that journalists face today when reporting on events the US government does not want its citizens to know about.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8730.htm

Neocons Floated Idea of Bombing Al Jazeera Before

Sure enough, a search for “bomb al Jazeera” led me to this article, written in September 2003 by Frank Gaffney, in which he recommends “taking out” al Jazeera “one way or another.”

http://tinyurl.com/8bhgh


From Information Clearing House

The illusion of phased withdrawal

Whether euphemized as "redeployment" or described frankly as withdrawal, the new strategy has moved into the mainstream. In this new context, the positions still being defended by Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld are beginning to look increasingly marginalized.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GK29Ak01.html



A Journey That Ended in Anguish:

Col. Ted Westhusing, a military ethicist who volunteered to go to Iraq, was upset by what he saw. His apparent suicide raises questions.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11160.htm



Watch The Video:

Trophy' video exposes private security contractors shooting up Iraqi drivers.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11157.htm



The ties that tangle Iraq and Iran:

What stands out is that Washington resorted to grandstanding in order to cover up the accelerating collapse of its regional policy in Iraq, which surely casts a shadow on the US capacity to force its will on the Iran nuclear issue.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11165.htm


From Information Clearing House

US may use planes as substitute for troops in Iraq

The plan is causing consternation among commanders in US air force, who say it could lead to increased civilian casualties and lead to airstrikes being used as means of settling old scores.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11156.htm

Syrian witness says Hariri's son forced him to lie

By Reuters

A man has appeared on Syrian state television saying Lebanese officials, including the son of Rafik al-Hariri, had forced him to testify falsely to a U.N. inquiry into the former Lebanese prime minister's assassination.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11163.htm

America's War

By Scott Ritter

This is America's war. This is Bill Clinton's war. This is the Congress of the United States' war. This is an indifferent American public's war. This is our war. We're to blame. We're responsible. We're the ones that facilitated this mad rush to insanity that has occurred in Iraq today.

MP3 and transcript.
http://www.traprockpeace.org/podcasts_transcripts/

Teddy bear mobile ‘puts 4-year-olds at risk from radiation’

By Nic Fleming,
Medical Correspondent

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/11/29/nfone29.xml&sSheet=/portal/2005/11/29/ixportal.html

A teddy bear-shaped mobile phone aimed at children as young as four was launched yesterday.

Article supplied by Sylvie

The new Teddyfone ‘is a response to clear demand in the market’

The manufacturers of the Teddyfone claimed it would help parents keep track of their children while minimising potential health hazards posed by radio frequency emissions.

With no screen and only four buttons that can be pre-programmed by parents, the device prevents users from being targeted by text message bullying, calls from strangers or inappropriate adult material.

The makers of the Teddyfone claim that the rate at which the body absorbs energy from the handset, known as its peak specific absorption rate, is 0.16w/kg - close to the lowest available. Most mobiles have SAR values of 0.4 to 0.7w/kg.

Sir William Stewart, the chairman of the Health Protection Agency, advised parents earlier this year to discourage use of mobile phones by children under eight as a precaution against potential health risks.

Yesterday the agency was joined in its criticism of the Teddyfone by even the industry body that represents mobile phone operators.

A spokesman for the Mobile Operators Association said: “The companies we represent don’t market their products to under-16s, as recommended by Sir William Stewart. We believe that is a responsible policy and is in line with the advice on health.”

Paul Liesching, the managing director of Teddyfone Ltd, who said the device was aimed at four- to 10-year-olds, pointed to research showing that a quarter of seven- to 10-year-olds owned mobiles. He said parents should be able to buy low-emission handsets that also protected children from other potential dangers.

“This is a basic parental decision. If you see the utility and benefits of your child having a mobile phone are greater than any potential risks, give your child a mobile phone. If you don’t, then don’t.

“One million children under 10 already have mobile phones which potentially put them at risk from text-bullying, excessive charges and inappropriate material. Teddy-fone is a response to clear demand in the market.”

The new handset has an SOS button that allows children who feel under threat to connect automatically to a parent’s mobile.

A child monitor option allows concerned parents to listen in to what is happening around their child and an optional child locator service sends parents a map of where their son or daughter is, on request, for 50p.

The handsets and two years’ line rental are free. Calls are charged at standard rates.

Sir William, the Government’s leading adviser on radiation, said in January that children under nine should not use mobiles and that those aged nine to 14 should make only short, essential calls.

He said: “When it comes to suggesting that mobile phones should be available to three- to eight-year-olds, I can’t believe for a moment that can be justified.

“My advice is that they should not have them because children’s skulls are not fully thickened, their nervous systems are not fully developed and the radiation penetrates further into their brains.”

Published research suggests that a child’s brain absorbs 50-70 per cent more of the emissions from a mobile phone than an adult’s.

Alasdair Philips, of consumer group Powerwatch, said yesterday: “Marketing a product at children when there is increasing evidence that it may be causing them both short-term and long-term harm is at the very least highly irresponsible.” Dr Michael Clarke, of the Health Protection Agency, said: “It’s up to any company to justify its product in light of our advice that children should be discouraged from excessive use of mobiles.”

Communi8, a British company, lost about £500,000 after launching Mymo, a mobile for under-eights, last year. It withdrew the product following Sir William’s comments.

A survey of 1,232 parents of children under 16 carried out on behalf of Teddyfone found that 35 per cent of respondents were concerned about the potential health hazards for children under 10 with mobiles. Nearly a quarter were worried about their child’s phone being stolen.

Publishers wishing to reproduce photographs on this page should phone 44 (0) 207 538 7505 or e-mail syndication@telegraph.co.uk

12 September 2005: Mobile phone fears for owners, aged five
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=MRXLTO4TQXX4VQFIQMFSFFOAVCBQ0IV0?xml=/news/2005/09/12/nmob12.xml

14 August 2005: Mobiles aimed at under-8s set for return to high street
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=MRXLTO4TQXX4VQFIQMFSFFOAVCBQ0IV0?xml=/news/2005/08/14/nkidmob14.xml

12 January 2005: Don’t allow under-9s to use a mobile
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=MRXLTO4TQXX4VQFIQMFSFFOAVCBQ0IV0?xml=/news/2005/01/12/nmob12.xml


Source: http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=334

See also:
http://www.next-up.org/main.php?param=dernieresinfos&date_news=2005-11-29

--------

NRPB non-response re concerns over mobile phones for under-5s

You may be interested in the email below that I sent to Dr Mike Clark of the HPA-RPD (formerly the NRPB) two weeks ago. As you'll see, this is in response to his reply to an email from a member of the public in which they expressed concern about the marketing of mobile phones to children as young as 4 years old.

You may also be interested - as I am - that Dr Clark hasn't replied to my email in those two weeks - in marked contrast to his practice of responding to other queries I've seen within 2-3 days (I haven't emailed him myself before). It's very surprising that such an emotive and contentious issue hasn't produced a reply from the spokesman for the body that supposedly PROTECTS our nation's (and our children's) HEALTH.

You'll see I've raised a number of pertinent issues closely related to this matter. I believe ALL of these issues demand a response from the Radiation PROTECTION Division of the HEALTH PROTECTION Agency. If you feel, as I do, that a deafening silence on these issues is not good enough, then you might like to email Dr Clark as well - you'll find his email address below.

You may also consider various of the apparent contradictions that I've highlighted in my email below useful in objecting to 'inappropriate developments' of various types.

I shall be posting this text, and the email below, on my website http://www.starweave.com . As I know that the HPA-RPD (AKA NRPB) is in the Top 10 visitors to that site, this may encourage the response that has so far been lacking. I'm not including Dr Clark's email, as I feel that would be discourteous without his agreement. I will, though, say that he seems to take the view that his labelling of this issue as "political" puts it outside his remit - somewhat bizarre, for the body whose advice informs government policy on this subject.

Happy Christmas to all.

Grahame



----- Original Message -----
From: Dr Grahame Blackwell
To: Mike.Clark@hpa-rp.org.uk
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 12:41 PM
Subject: Teddyfone

Dear Dr Clark

I have recently been forwarded a copy of your reply (below) to S**** W**** on the subject of the 'Teddyfone'.

I would agree wholeheartedly with your view that the matter is political in nature. The sole reason that a company is able to market such a product to young children in this country is because a political decision has been made that permits this. That political decision has been made on the basis of advice from the body that you represent. If the advice from your organisation had been materially different then that political decision would most probably also have been materially different. However much you may wish to dissociate yourself from this commercial activity, it's only happening because your organisation has, in effect, given the go-ahead to such activities.

In your email you state "I suspect the company will argue that the product is an aid to child security." In fact, of course, the company doesn't have to argue any such thing. The company doesn't have to argue anything at all. It simply has to conform with ICNIRP guidelines - the 'Precautionary Approach' advocated in various documents published by your organisation. Perhaps you could explain to me exactly HOW this constitutes a 'Precautionary Approach' when the very reason for advocating such an approach, as documented in the Stewart Report and your follow-up Report 'Mobile Phones and Health 2004' (Documents of the NRPB) was that (I quote):

“There is now scientific evidence, however, which suggests that there may be biological effects occurring at exposures below these [i,e, ICNIRP] guidelines.

"We conclude therefore that it is not possible at present to say that exposure to RF radiation, even at levels below national guidelines, is totally without potential adverse health effects, and that the gaps in knowledge are sufficient to justify a precautionary approach. "

In other words, the reason that this product can be legally marketed to children of infant-school age is precisely because your organisation has seen fit to advocate, as a 'Precautionary Approach', those very guidelines whose perceived inadequacy has made such an Approach necessary. I know I'm not the only person who would be most interested to know the scientific rationale behind such an apparent 'do-nothing' policy.

It's also interesting to note that the Teddyfone itself is provided free and there is no line rental charge for 2 years. The manufacturers will be making their money solely from charges for calls made. I'd be interested to hear any business-minded supplier try to justify such a pricing policy on the basis that this is primarily an 'emergency-use--only' product, indeed I'm most surprised that you can even offer that as a plausible argument. The fact is, of course, that the commercial viability of this product depends solely on high call volume - from children of infant school age - and the manufacturers are well aware of that. Let's not kid ourselves - or try to kid anyone else.

Still on the safety angle, It's not clear to me what sort of situation an under-5 might find themselves in that necessitates such a facility. It's not the norm for children of that age to be set loose roaming the streets unsupervised. Is the Teddyfone in fact intended to reduce parental/carer responsibility for supervising infants, on the basis that "It's ok, they'll call us on the Teddyfone if there's a problem"? If so I'd suggest that this is a move towards less, not greater, safety and security for children.

I'm advised that, on a Canadian TV programme last Sunday (20th Nov) Sir William Stewart referred to the marketing of cellphones to under-8s as "grotesque" - a fairly explicit condemnation. Clearly he was on that programme purely by virtue of his position as Head of the HPA-RPD. I'd ask whether you, as spokesman for that same body, disagree with the views of your superior in this matter. If so, what are the public to think if the government's advisory body is divided within itself over the risk to young lives? If not, why is the HPA-RPD not sending out a very clear message to government on the inadvisability of permitting such profiteering at a potentially massive health cost to our children?

I was interested to note, too, your comment in the Daily Telegraph yesterday that "It's up to any company to justify its product" - and Sir William's observation in the same article "I can't believe for a moment that can be justified" (both relating to availability of mobile phones to small children). I've heard you say that yours is an advisory, not a regulatory body and so is not able to determine policy. I'd suggest that a watchdog with no teeth is of very limited value. If in addition it's hesitant about barking too loud, apparently for fear of upsetting those it's supposed to be warning about, then it's worse than useless - it gives the illusion of protection whilst in fact offering none. Even worse than that, by giving 'advice' that encourages government to implement a policy of virtually unrestrained commercial exploitation, that 'watchdog' is effectively holding open the door for all and sundry whilst tying the hands of any poor citizen who wants to protect his or her family (even the Mobile Operators' Association has expressed reservations about the Teddyfone - but it's still legal, thanks largely to your advice to government).

Dr Clark, you cannot have it both ways. You can't appear week after week in the media as the voice of official scientific opinion in the UK - and at the same time claim to have no part in the political process that permits an outrage like the Teddyfone (I use the term 'outrage' advisedly, it seems in keeping with the comments from Sir William Stewart and the Mobile Operators' Association). Whether or not it’s your intention there is no doubt that your position as evidenced in the Telegraph article is the very reason why “It’s up to [the] company” – central government hasn’t been given any good reason by its advisers to decree otherwise. Those little tots clutching Teddyfones this Christmas will be relying for their safety, not on the social conscience of a commercial operator, but on the ‘Protection’ that is central to your professional role. That 'Protection' is quite literally central - not just once, but twice - in the title of your organisation.

I’d be glad if you’d couch any response to this letter in terms that you’d be agreeable to being disseminated more widely; I know that there are very many people who would be interested in that response. If you make it clear in your reply that you would not wish such action, then of course I would honour that. You may also wish to know that the contents of this email are not at this time being displayed or circulated elsewhere.

Yours very sincerely

Grahame Blackwell

--------

What a cuddly signal
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1211691/

Children and mobile phones
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1063256/

Tracking by tagging our children
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1240202/

EMF and childhood cancer
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1239020/

Childhood leukemia and EMF
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1239050/

Hot on Parkinson's Trail

Scientists have amassed a growing body of evidence that long-term exposure to toxic compounds, particularly pesticides, can destroy neurons and trigger Parkinson's disease. They have implicated several pesticides that cause Parkinson's symptoms in animals but hundreds of agricultural and industrial chemicals may play a role.

http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/112805HA.shtml

Pay Up to Save the Rainforests

A bloc of developing countries plans to make a radical proposal this week at the United Nations summit on climate change in Montreal: pay us, and we will preserve our rainforests. The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea said timber was one of the few natural resources available and their only current option for economic growth involved the destruction of the forests.

http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/112805EB.shtml

US to Battle Allies on Post-2012 Global Warming

Washington will battle with its allies over how to slow climate change beyond 2012 at United Nations talks in Canada this week. Up to 10,000 delegates from 189 nations meet in Montreal from November 28 through December 9 for the first annual climate talks since the UN's Kyoto Protocol on curbing heat-trapping gases entered into force in February.

http://www.truthout.org/issues_05/112805EA.shtml

Moyers Has His Say

Former NOW host speaks out on media bias and his feud with former CPB Chairman Ken Tomlinson.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/112805Q.shtml

The accelerating decline of health in America

http://www.newstarget.com/z008094.html


Informant: Scott Munson

Fascism Then, Fascism Now?

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1128-24.htm

The Woodward Scandal Should Not Blow Over

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1128-23.htm

The Challenge and the Fear of Becoming Enlightened

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1128-22.htm

Politicians' Silence on Iraq Speaks Volumes

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1128-29.htm

Running Scared

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1128-20.htm

Use of Chemical in Iraq Ignites Debate

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1128-05.htm

Timing Entwined War Vote, Election

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1128-06.htm

Republicans: A Culture of Corruption

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 28, 2005

CONTACT: Brendan Daly/Jennifer Crider
202-226-7616

Pelosi Statement on Resignation of Congressman Cunningham

Washington, D.C. – House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement today in response to announcement this afternoon by Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-CA) that he would resign from the House of Representatives after pleading guilty to conspiracy and tax charges:

“Mr. Cunningham accepted a bribe to perform an official act – an egregious action that strikes at the very heart of our democracy and dishonors the people he has been elected to represent; it is only proper that he resign.

“This offense is just the latest example of the culture of corruption that pervades the Republican-controlled Congress, which ignores the needs of the American people to serve wealthy special interests and their cronies. The Republican Congress has the wrong priorities; it is time to restore a high ethical standard to the Congress.”

http://democraticleader.house.gov/press/releases.cfm?pressReleaseID=1287



Rep. Cunningham Enters Guilty Plea, Resigns
by Chris Cillizza,
Washington Post

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) pleaded guilty today to fraud, conspiracy to commit bribery and tax evasion. Shortly after entering his plea, Cunningham announced that he is immediately resigning his seat, though he had already announced that he would not seek reelection next year.

http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2005/11/a_rising_tide_o.html


Informant: John Calvert

Mast threat to get worse

By Pete Henshaw

This is Local London

CAMPAIGNERS fighting against T-Mobile's plans to erect a mobile phone mast just 200 yards from Aldersbrook Primary School in Wanstead are today facing proposals for a further three masts Up to 14 new phone masts could go up in Wanstead and Woodford, including nine in the Wanstead area, according to new plans tabled by mobile giants T-Mobile, O2, Orange, Vodafone and H3G.

The annual roll-out plan is a list of existing sites, sites where masts have been granted permission but not yet built and proposed new sites.

It shows that at the moment, Wanstead and Snaresbrook have 15 masts. Another two have been granted permission and nine more are proposed.

Among the masts granted approval is the T-Mobile site in Aldersbrook Road, just 200 yards from Aldersbrook Primary School, which campaigner Elizabeth Canavan and her supporters have been fighting against.

The new list deals Mrs Canavan's campaign a blow as Vodafone, O2 and Orange are all proposing news masts in Aldersbrook Road.

Mrs Canavan said she was dismayed but determined to continue the fight after hearing the news.

She said: "I did not know about the Vodafone or O2 proposals, so now there are potentially four masts on that stretch."

Mrs Canavan said the decision by the Planning Inspectorate to allow the T-Mobile mast - against Redbridge Council's wishes - has set a precedent and encouraged the other companies.

She said: "We really want to open a dialogue with the council and the Corporation of London (which owns Wanstead Flats).

"We want to speak to these companies and get a proper solution.

"What we're calling for is a sensible precautionary approach.

"We're not accepting this risk to our children and community. This is not precautionary, they're flying in the face of precaution."

Elsewhere, Woodford Green has ten masts with another five sites which have been granted permission and no new proposals, while in South Woodford there are nine masts with one site having been given permission and no new proposals.

Mrs Canavan said that if a proliferation of masts was allowed then more and more campaign groups would spring up around the area.

Proposed mast sites included in the list are: l T-Mobile Meadow Walk, Snaresbrook; Saxonby House, High Street, Wanstead; l Vodafone Next to Bowling Green Aldersbrook Road, Wanstead; Gordon Road, Snaresbrook l Orange Blake Hall Road, Wanstead; Aldersbrook Road, Wanstead; Wanstead Tube station l O2 Bowls Club, Aldersbrook Road, Wanstead; Courtney Hotel, Aldersbrook Road, Wanstead l HG3 no new proposed sites in Wanstead or Woodford The full list of all Redbridge sites is available on the Redbridge Council website, where the introduction states: "These sites will still have to be submitted for consideration by the council, either as prior approval sites or as a planning application."

The website address is
http://www.redbridge.gov.uk/planning/telcom2005.cfm phenshaw@london.newsquest.co.uk

11:00am Sunday 27th November 2005

Pharma's Poisoned Generation

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_evelyn_p_051126_pharma_s_poisoned_ge.htm


Informant: Milo

Indictment of a System

http://www.publicintegrity.org/527/report.aspx?aid=763


Informant: Milo

The American Empire and BIG Business

http://www.newswithviews.com/Spingola/deanna25.htm

Activist Oregon Judge Betrays Million Votes, Stabs Property Owners

http://www.newswithviews.com/Taft/john26.htm

The Iraq war and Nuremberg precedent

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051123/OPINION/511230328/1006


Informant: Lew Rockwell

The Real Meaning of 'Freedom of the Press'

You are free to promote the presidential war machine
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2005/11/23/19120/600


Informant: Lew Rockwell

The Coming Storm: Jack Abramoff’s Bipartisan Sleaze

http://www.lewrockwell.com/frank/frank17.html

The Argument From Morality

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig6/molyneux7.html

The Abuse of 'Democracy': Democracy and Presidential War Propaganda

http://www.lewrockwell.com/wittner/wittner16.html

The US government runs the mainstream media in almost Soviet fashion

None Dare Call It Censorship
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig6/douglas2.html

The Mother We All Long For



http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig6/bliss1.html



Cindy Sheehan
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Sheehan

More of the Same at the Federal Reserve

http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul292.html
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