Tag: Docudharma Times

Feb 23 2008

Docudharma Times Saturday February 23

This is an Open Thread:

Run to the moon, “Moon won’t you hide me?”

Run to the sea, “Sea won’t you hide me?”

Run to the sun, “Sun won’t you hide me all on that day?”

Saturday’s Headlines: McCain Disputed On 1999 Meeting: U.S. considers easing ban on guns in national parks: Middle East:  Israeli mayor of bombarded border town offers to break ranks and talk to Hamas: Europe:Serbia gives reminder of defiance under Milosevic: Alcalde, elderly fighting bull with a priceless pedigree, to be cloned: Africa:Robert Mugabe breaks silence to abuse presidential opponent: Latin America: Guatemala farmers release police: Latin America nuclear pact signed: Asia:  Clouds gather as ‘sulky’ Musharraf retreats to bunker:


Waterboarding Is Focus of Justice Dept. Inquiry

WASHINGTON – The Justice Department revealed Friday that its internal ethics office was investigating the department’s legal approval for waterboarding of Qaeda suspects by the Central Intelligence Agency and was likely to make public an unclassified version of its report.

The disclosure by H. Marshall Jarrett, the head of the department’s Office of Professional Responsibility, was the first official acknowledgment of an internal review of the legal memorandums the department has issued since 2002 that authorized waterboarding and other harsh interrogation methods.

Mr. Jarrett’s report could become the first public accounting for legal advice that endorsed methods widely denounced as torture by human rights groups and legal authorities. His office can refer matters for criminal prosecution; legal experts said the most likely outcome was a public critique of the legal opinions on interrogation, noting that Mr. Jarrett had the power to reprimand or to seek the disbarment of current or former Justice Department lawyers.

Feb 21 2008

Docudharma Times Thursday February 21

This is an Open Thread:

When the New York Times said God is dead

And the war’s begun

Alvin Tostig has a son today

Thursday’s Headlines:McCain’s Ties To Lobbyist Worried Aides: Missile Strikes a Spy Satellite Falling From Its Orbit: Europe: Nato vows to protect north border of newborn Kosovo: What was the Amber Room, and has it really been discovered at last?: Africa: Kenyan athletes accused of organising violence in political tribal clashes: Fighting ‘traps’ Darfur refugees: Asia: South Korea’s next president cleared of fraud: UN envoy to raise Suu Kyi poll ban with Myanmar: Middle East: How Labour used the law to keep criticism of Israel secret:  Anti-US cleric’s cease-fire in doubt: Latin America: Colombia guerrillas to free politicians: Cuba expected to turn over new leaf in farming


U.S. Payments To Pakistan Face New Scrutiny

Little Accounting for Costs To Support Ally’s Troops

Once a month, Pakistan’s Defense Ministry delivers 15 to 20 pages of spreadsheets to the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. They list costs for feeding, clothing, billeting and maintaining 80,000 to 100,000 Pakistani troops in the volatile tribal area along the Afghan border, in support of U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

No receipts are attached.

In response, the Defense Department has disbursed about $80 million monthly, or roughly $1 billion a year for the past six years, in one of the most generous U.S. military support programs worldwide. The U.S. aim has been to ensure that Pakistan remains the leading ally in combating extremism in South Asia.

But vague accounting, disputed expenses and suspicions about overbilling have recently made these payments to Pakistan highly controversial — even within the U.S. government.

Feb 19 2008

Docudharma Times Tuesday February 19

This is an Open Thread:

Read up your history and then you’ll reach your destination

Teach up the youth and then you’ll find the solution

Tuesday’s Headlines: FDA Says It Approved The Wrong Drug Plant: Clinton’s struggle vexes feminists: Europe: Revealed: the first draft of dossier that took Britain to war:The Big Question: Why are so many countries opposed to Kosovo gaining its independence?: Asia: Chinese Olympic critic to stand trial for subversion: Indian Kashmir lists custodial deaths for first time: Middle East:Gazans Feeling Recoil of Attacks on Israel:Return to Abu Ghraib: Africa: South Africa’s democracy and other fragile assumptions:Violence erupts at DR Congo camp: Latin America: Colombian soldiers convicted in massacre


Pakistanis Deal Severe Defeat to Musharraf in Election

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Pakistanis dealt a crushing defeat to President Pervez Musharraf in parliamentary elections on Monday, in what government and opposition politicians said was a firm rejection of his policies since 2001 and those of his close ally, the United States.

Almost all the leading figures in the Pakistan Muslim League-Q, the party that has governed for the last five years under Mr. Musharraf, lost their seats, including the leader of the party, the former speaker of Parliament and six ministers.

Official results are expected Tuesday, but early returns indicated that the vote would usher in a prime minister from one of the opposition parties, and opened the prospect of a Parliament that would move to undo many of Mr. Musharraf’s policies and that may even try to remove him.

Castro Stepping Down as Cuba’s Leader

HAVANA (Reuters) – Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro said Tuesday that he will not return to lead the country as president, retiring as head of state 49 years after he seized power in an armed revolution.

Castro, 81, said in a statement to the country that he would not seek a new presidential term when the National Assembly meets on Feb. 24.

“To my dear compatriots, who gave me the immense honor in recent days of electing me a member of parliament … I communicate to you that I will not aspire to or accept — I repeat not aspire to or accept — the positions of President of Council of State and Commander in Chief,” Castro said in the statement published on the Web site of the Communist Party’s Granma newspaper.

Feb 18 2008

Docudharma Times Monday February 18

This is an Open Thread:

Once I used to join in

Every boy and girl was my friend.

Now theres revolution, but they dont know

What theyre fighting.

Monday’s Headlines: Obama seeks to turn table in Ohio, Texas: Did politics trump law in case of polluting Canadian smelter?: Asia: Pakistanis vote in tense election: Attack kills 82 in the worst atrocity since fall of Taliban:Latin America: Mexicans refuse to call time on historic bar: Guyana gunmen kill police, civilians: Europe: Cyprus reunification back on agenda after presidential poll favours moderates: Anger and fear in a city still divided: Africa: Rice in Nairobi to push for deal: Opposition Says Power Sharing the Way Forward: Middle East: Clashes With Israeli Troops Kill 4 Militants in Gaza


USDA Orders Largest Meat Recall in U.S. History

The Agriculture Department has ordered the largest meat recall in its history — 143 million pounds of beef, a California meatpacker’s entire production for the past two years — because the company did not prevent ailing animals from entering the U.S. food supply, officials said yesterday.

Despite the breadth of the sanction, USDA officials underscored their belief that the meat, distributed by Westland Meat, poses little or no hazard to consumers, and that most of it was eaten long ago.

The recall comes less than three weeks after the release of a videotape showing what the USDA later called “egregious violations” of federal animal care regulations by employees of a Westland partner, Hallmark Meat Packing in Chino.

Jan 27 2008

Docudharma Times Sunday January 27

This is an Open Thread: There is no time limit

Sunday’s Headlines: At Florida Polls, Touch Screens and Crossed Fingers: Pundits in early rush to judge Bush’s legacy: Dozens die in Kenyan riots: A rough guide to Hebron: The world’s strangest guided tour highlights the abuse of Palestinians: Margaret Thatcher told navy to raid Swedish coast: Top agents in secret trip to Pakistan

Obama Wins South Carolina Primary

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Senator Barack Obama won a commanding victory over Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the South Carolina Democratic primary on Saturday, drawing a wide majority of black support and one-quarter of white voters in a contest that sets the stage for a multistate fight for the party’s presidential nomination.

In a bitter campaign here infused with discussions of race, Mr. Obama’s convincing victory puts him on equal footing with Mrs. Clinton – with two wins each in early-voting states – and gives him fresh momentum as the contest plunges into a nationwide battle over the next 10 days.

Jan 26 2008

Docudharma Times Saturday January 26

This is an Open Thread: No Hiding Under a Rock Here.

Saturday’s Headlines: Senators Push to Expand Stimulus: Huckabee’s book deal after Jonesboro tragedy still rankles: A Clash of Views On Whale-Loving: Gazans foil Egyptian moves to close border: Kenya’s Olympic hopefuls forced to choose between training and survival

U.S. Race Captures World’s Eye, and Holds It

DAVOS, Switzerland – To look at the reams of coverage in newspapers outside the United States or to follow the hours of television news broadcasts, you might conclude that foreigners had a vote in selecting an American presidential candidate – or, at least, deserved one, so great is America’s influence on their lives.

From Berlin to London to Jakarta, the destinies of Democratic and Republican contenders in Iowa or New Hampshire, or Nevada or South Carolina, have become news in a way that most political commentators cannot recall. It is as if outsiders are pining for change in America as much as some American presidential candidates are promising it.

Jan 26 2008

Japan Comes Out At Night

1. Opposition leader Ichiro Ozawa comes under fire for disappearing before a Lower House vote allowing the Maritime Self-Defense Force to resume its anti-terror refueling mission. He gives a speech for a candidate backed by his party, Minshuto, in the Osaka governor’s election. And he vows a change in government this year. He’ll likely show up if that happens. 2 hr, 8 min, 43 sec

Founded a University and then found himself in jail.

Perhaps if Tsuneo Nakajima had “Found” another use for his hands he wouldn’t be a guest in the Gray Bar Hotel.

Jan 25 2008

Docudharma Times Friday January 25

This is an Open Thread: Who’s behind the door?

Friday’s Headlines: E.P.A. Chief Defends His Decision on California: Egypt moves to seal Gaza border: Pakistani army in onslaught against Taliban chief linked to Bhutto killing: US troops will be gone within 10 years, says Iraqi minister: Berlusconi eyes return to power in Italy

U.S. Asking Iraq for Wide Rights on War

WASHINGTON – With its international mandate in Iraq set to expire in 11 months, the Bush administration will insist that the government in Baghdad give the United States broad authority to conduct combat operations and guarantee civilian contractors specific legal protections from Iraqi law, according to administration and military officials.

This emerging American negotiating position faces a potential buzz saw of opposition from Iraq, with its fragmented Parliament, weak central government and deep sensitivities about being seen as a dependent state, according to these officials.

Jan 24 2008

Docudharma Times Thursday January 24

This is an Open Thread: Welcome To The Machine

Thursday’s Headlines: F.D.A. Requiring Suicide Studies in Drug Trials: Negotiators Grappling With Stimulus Plan: Gaza embargo ‘will not be crisis’: Robert Fisk: A lesson in how to create Iraqi orphans.: Slovenia’s debut EU presidency marred by row over press freedom: Police in 3 Mexico cities disarmed

Olympic Teams Vying to Defeat Beijing’s Smog

COLORADO SPRINGS – As the lead exercise physiologist for the United States Olympic Committee, Randy Wilber has been fielding one bizarre question after another from American athletes training for the Beijing Games.

Should I run behind a bus and breathe in the exhaust? Should I train on the highway during rush hour? Is there any way to acclimate myself to pollution?

Mr. Wilber answers those questions with a steadfast, “No.”

“We have to be extremely careful and steer them in the right direction because the mind-set of the elite athlete is to do anything it takes to get that advantage,” he said.

The environmental effects of pollution in China is not contained therein. North and South Korea, Japan along with various Pacific Islands feel the effects of this problem throughout spring.

Jan 22 2008

Docudharma Times Tuesday January 23

This is an Open Thread: Phones Lines are now available.

Tuesday’s Headlines: Crossing Mayor Giuliani Often Had a Price: Clinton, Obama reach new level of rancor: Looking Beyond Feudal Politics in Pakistan: Humiliation for Ahmadinejad as veto is overruled: Just the ticket! Painter finds his perfect ‘canvas’ on Paris Métro

In Asia, Global Market Decline Accelerates

Amid fears that the United States may be in a recession, the decline in stock markets accelerated Tuesday morning as exchanges opened across Asia.

Markets in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Sydney all fell farther in the opening hours of trading Tuesday than they had all day on Monday. The Hong Kong market plunged another 8 percent by early afternoon after tumbling 5.49 percent on Monday. In Tokyo, the Nikkei dropped 5 percent, hitting a low not seen since September 2005 and facing its worst two-day drop in 17 years on concern global growth is faltering.

Jan 21 2008

Docudharma Times Monday January 21

This Thread is Open 24/7

Monday’s Headlines: Highly Skilled And Out Of Work: Shut out by GOP, independents may tilt Democratic: Hardliner set for Serbia poll win: Moving day Helmand style: how to turn a farm into a fortress: Signs in Kenya That Killings Were Planned :The Populists Retreat: Frontline Blogger Covers War in Iraq With a Soldier’s Eyes

Pentagon Weighs Top Iraq General as Chief of NATO

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon is considering Gen. David H. Petraeus for the top NATO command later this year, a move that would give the general, the top American commander in Iraq, a high-level post during the next administration but that has raised concerns about the practice of rotating war commanders.

A senior Pentagon official said that it was weighing “a next assignment for Petraeus” and that the NATO post was a possibility. “He deserves one and that has also always been a highly prestigious position,” the official said. “So he is a candidate for that job, but there have been no final decisions and nothing on the timing.”

Jan 20 2008

Docudharma Times Sunday January 20

This Thread is Open: Never to be foreclosed

Sunday’s Headlines: Overseas Investors Buy U.S. Holdings at a Record Pace: Caucus training prepares participants to spread the love: Violence fear over Islam film: China hushes up Olympic deaths: Tijuana’s new chief knows the cartel’s killers are after him: Ex-child soldier’s literary bestseller is ‘factually flawed’

McCain Beats Huckabee in S. Carolina; Clinton and Romney Win in Nevada

Florida Now Looms as Key GOP Primary

Sunday, January 20, 2008; Page A01

COLUMBIA, S.C., Jan. 19 — Sen. John McCain conquered the South Carolina Republican primary Saturday, giving his once-embattled presidential campaign another significant boost and helping to wipe away bitter memories of his defeat here eight years ago.

McCain (Ariz.) opened his victory speech in Charleston by alluding to that loss. “It took us a while, but what’s eight years among friends?” he said, a big smile crossing his face.

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, looking for a victory in the first Southern primary of the 2008 nomination battle, finished second to McCain, but not getting a victory in this conservative state is a blow to his underdog hopes of winning the GOP nomination.

Just one more year! Good riddance to George W Bush

But what kind of mess will the next president inherit, exactly 12 months from today? By Rupert Cornwell in Washington

Arabia is the land of illusion and desert mirages. And as he jetted last week from kingdom to sheikdom, to be regaled with feasts and falcons, jewels and ornamental swords, George Bush might have imagined that all was well with his presidency. But this, his longest and most ambitious trip to the Middle East, will surely be remembered – if it is remembered at all – as a gaudy, irrelevant footnote to a presidency that has long since failed.

Today is a sombre milestone, marking the start of the last of Mr Bush’s eight years in the White House. This being a leap year, exactly 366 days remain until 20 January 2009, when his successor will be sworn into office. It is a time when incumbents look to their legacies. And for this President the view could scarcely be bleaker.

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