desdemona

Money & Business By Lou Dobbs Dereliction of duty The federal government last week awarded the multibillion-dollar U.S. Visit border security contract to Accenture LLP. The contract is to monitor visitors who enter the United States by air, sea, or land and could be worth as much as $10 billion over 10 years. The award is especially surprising because the federal government passed over two American bidders, Lockheed Martin Corp. and Computer Sciences Corp., to give the contract to Accenture LLP, whose parent company, Accenture Ltd., is headquartered in Bermuda. The deal raises questions as to whether government contracts, especially security contracts, should be awarded to non-U.S. companies and, more broadly, whether the United States is doing enough to discourage companies from expatriating and incorporating overseas. read the entire article here: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/040614/...ion/14dobbs.htm

ok, I do remember LBJ's funeral now, but I guess it just didn't stay in mind as well as JFK's. It's quite an extraordinary event, alot of military history involved.

well that negates her whole show right, I mean, isn't that why her fans go to see her? ooooops, I didn't mean to demean her musical prowess.

sad to hear 50% of americans don't know what D-Day is all about. an event that changed the history of the world.

some of these kids aren't even registered yet though is the problem I think.

what a sad way to go, that has to be one of the worst scourges elderly face. Ronald Reagan was an excellent leader, one thing I remember he did for manufacturing in ohio, he gave the tax break for Honda but only if they built the product in the US, thus we have a Honda car assembly plant in Marion, Oh. I'm curious to the ceremony they will afford him, in my lifetime the only state funeral for a president I saw was JFK's when I was a child. Nixon had resigned so he wasn't entitled to one. I think he'll probably lay in state at the capitol. To quote Reagan "are you better off now than you were 4 yrs ago"? I think we should be asking the same question this time too.

I can't believe he lost, that just happened so fast in the last few seconds really, I don't think he realized the threat til it was too late.

Mock the Vote College students are discouraged from voting by local election boards By Damien Cave Like any good American citizen, young Han wanted to cast his ballot in the presidential primaries. So in October, the sophomore at Hamilton College walked into the office of the county election board in Utica, New York, to register to vote. Han couldn't make it back to his home state of Washington to participate in its caucuses -- they were being held in February, the same week Hamilton requires sophomores to declare a major -- so he decided to vote in the state where he actually lives. But at the election office, a county official told Han that only "permanent residents" may register to vote. College students, she informed the clean-cut twenty-year-old, must vote where their parents live. "This is just how we've always done it," county election commissioner Patricia DiSpirito told Rolling Stone. "A dorm is not a permanent residence -- it just isn't." read the article here: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story?id=5993354

I seem to remember reading about the CEO of Diebold announcing he was a staunch Bush supporter, lol June 02, 2004 Maryland Election Officials Under Fire From Voters EFF Files Brief in Case Challenging the Use of Insecure Diebold E-Voting Machines Maryland - EFF has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in a Maryland case that challenges the integrity of that state's electronic voting machines, which are manufactured by the troubled electronic voting machine company, Diebold Election Systems. EFF presented evidence of problems with electronic voting machines from more than 18 elections nationwide in the past few years, including the 2002 gubernatorial election and March 2004 primaries in Maryland. The evidence includes reports of lost votes, votes registering for the wrong candidate, and voters turned away from the polls using both Diebold and other electronic voting systems. In addition, the California Secretary of State found that Diebold illegally installed uncertified software onto voting machines in 17 counties and referred the matter to the California Attorney General's office for potential criminal prosecution. EFF's brief also provides information on the growing number of technologies that can offer secure voting as well as accessibility for people with manual and visual disabilities. In Schade v. the Maryland State Board of Elections, the plaintiffs are a group of concerned Maryland voters who ask that the state of Maryland address widely publicized security and reliability concerns with the Diebold machines and implement a voter verified paper ballot as required by state and federal law. In the short term, the voters are seeking an injunction that would require the state to either take steps to remedy these concerns before the November 2004 elections or follow California's lead in decertifying the machines altogether. The interim steps the lawsuit asks the state to take include implementing the same 23 basic security standards that California is now implementing, and offering Maryland voters the alternative of a paper ballot if they do not wish to have their vote counted by the Diebold machines. Several independent researchers, including two teams hired by Maryland state officials, have demonstrated that the machines the state of Maryland intends to use in the upcoming November elections have a long list of problems and are vulnerable to vote tampering. One state-paid researcher noted that the results of an election could be altered by "an 8th grader." Most importantly, the Diebold machines used in Maryland provide no voter verified audit capacity, meaning that there is no reliable way to conduct a recount to ensure that the systems have not been tampered with or are malfunctioning. EFF is joined by several other groups who support the plaintiffs in this case. Other signatories to the brief are Verified Voting and VotersUnite!, two grassroots voter organizations. Christopher M. Loveland of the firm of Schmeltzer, Aptaker & Shepard, PC, is local counsel in the case. http://www.eff.org/news/

Cassini-Huygens Will Unlock Saturn's Secrets June 3, 2004 The international Cassini-Huygens mission is poised to begin an extensive tour of Saturn, its majestic rings and 31 known moons. After a nearly seven-year journey, Cassini is scheduled to enter orbit around Saturn at 7:30 p.m. PDT (10:30 p.m. EDT) June 30, 2004. "The Saturn system represents an unsurpassed laboratory, where we can look for answers to many fundamental questions about the physics, chemistry and evolution of the planets and the conditions that give rise to life," said Dr. Ed Weiler, associate administrator for space science at NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. Launched Oct. 15, 1997, on a journey covering 3.5 billion kilometers (2.2 billion miles), Cassini is the most highly instrumented and scientifically capable planetary spacecraft ever flown. It has 12 instruments on the Cassini orbiter and six more on the Huygens probe. The mission represents the best technical efforts of 260 scientists from the United States and 17 European nations. The cost of the Cassini mission is approximately $3 billion. The Cassini-Huygens mission is a four-year study of Saturn. The 18 highly sophisticated science instruments will study Saturn's rings, icy satellites, magnetosphere and Titan, the planet's largest moon. For the critical Saturn orbit insertion maneuver, the spacecraft will fire its main engine for 96 minutes. The maneuver will reduce Cassini's speed and allow it to be captured into orbit as a satellite of Saturn. Cassini will pass through a gap between two of Saturn's rings, called the F and G rings. Cassini will swing close to the planet and begin the first of 76 orbits around the Saturn system. During Cassini's four-year mission, it will execute 52 close encounters with seven of Saturn's 31 known moons. There are risks involved with orbit insertion, but mission planners have prepared for them. There is a backup engine in case the main engine fails. The region of passage through the ring plane was searched for hazards with the best Earth- and space-based telescopes. Particles too small to be seen from Earth could be fatal to the spacecraft, so Cassini will be turned to use its high-gain antenna as a shield against small objects. Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun. It is the second largest planet in our solar system, after Jupiter. The planet and its ring system serve as a miniature model for the disc of gas and dust surrounding the early Sun that formed the planets. Detailed knowledge of the dynamics of interactions among Saturn's elaborate rings and numerous moons will provide valuable data for understanding how each of the solar system's planets evolved. The study of Titan, Saturn's largest moon, is one of the major goals of the mission. Titan may preserve, in deep-freeze, many of the chemical compounds that preceded life on Earth. Cassini will execute 45 flybys of Titan, coming as close as approximately 950 kilometers (590 miles) above the surface. This will permit high-resolution mapping of the moon's surface with an imaging radar instrument, which can see through the opaque haze of Titan's upper atmosphere. "Titan is like a time machine taking us to the past to see what Earth might have been like," said Dr. Dennis Matson, Cassini project scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "The hazy moon may hold clues to how the primitive Earth evolved into a life-bearing planet." On Dec. 25, 2004 (Dec. 24 in U.S. time zones) Cassini will release the wok-shaped Huygens probe on its journey toward Titan. Huygens will be the first probe to descend to the surface of a moon of another planet. It will also make the most distant descent by a robotic probe ever attempted on another object in the solar system. On Jan. 14, 2005, after a 20-day ballistic freefall, Huygens will enter Titan's atmosphere. It will deploy parachutes and begin 2.5 hours of intensive scientific observations. The Huygens probe will transmit data to the Cassini spacecraft, which will relay the information back to Earth. JPL designed, developed and assembled the Cassini orbiter. The European Space Agency managed the development of Huygens and is in charge of operations of the probe from its control center in Darmstadt, Germany. The Italian Space Agency provided the high-gain antenna, much of the radio system and elements of several of Cassini's science instruments. JPL manages the overall program for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/releases/2004/141.cfm

but world opinion should matter, what we do affects the world, that's my biggest complaint about this administration, they want to change the world, but they want to change it to reflect what they think is moral, and what they think each person should relish as their standard of living, aid is one thing, but forcing changes on peoples and countries is so arrogant.

I'm just thinking how we held leaders and military generals from other regimes responsible for the action of their men when conducting war crime tribunals in the past, but it seems as if the US considers themselves immune from the same scrutiny. We are a great power but not immune from abuse, americans suffer a type of social isolationalism when it comes to the world community, in other words, the world doesn't revolve around us!

U.N. Says Abu Ghraib Abuse Could Constitute War Crime By WARREN HOGE Published: June 4, 2004 NITED NATIONS, June 4 — The United Nations' top human rights official said today that the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers could constitute a war crime, and he called for the immediate naming of an international figure to oversee the situation. Bertrand Ramcharan, the acting high commissioner for human rights, acknowledged that the removal of Saddam Hussein represented "a major contribution to human rights in Iraq" and that the United States had condemned the conduct and pledged to bring violators to justice. "Everyone accepts the good intentions of the coalition governments as regards the behavior of their forces in Iraq," he said in a 45-page report issued at the agency's headquarters in Geneva. But, Mr. Ramcharan declared, after the occupation of Iraq, "there have sadly been some violations of human rights committed by some coalition soldiers." In an apparent reference to the incidents of abuse at Abu Ghraib prison and to cases where Iraqi prisoners have died in detention, Mr. Ramcharan said that "willful killing, torture and inhuman treatment" represented a grave breach of international law and "might be designated as war crimes by a competent tribunal." He said it was a "stark reality" that there was no international oversight or accountability for the thousands of detainees, the conditions in which they were held and the manner in which they were treated. To correct this situation, he said, the coalition authorities should immediately appoint "an international ombudsman or commissioner." That person would be charged with monitoring human rights in Iraq and producing periodic reports on "compliance by coalition forces with international norms of human rights and humanitarian law." read article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/04/internat...04CND-NATI.html

Will Grace Slick be his running mate? Former Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen has announced that he is running for president. While he admits that the bid is "to be considered for entertainment purposes only," Kaukonen has announced a nonviolent, anti-hatred and pro-compassion platform with a foreign policy founded on the need for "visual peace". http://jormaforpresident.com/ http://www.y-103.com/

Following the legendary sale of Eric Clapton guitars in 1999, Christie's once again offers at auction a group of fine guitars that Clapton describes as the "cream of my collection." Proceeds from the sale are to benefit the Crossroads Centre that Clapton founded in Antigua in 1997. Highlights include 'Blackie', the unique composite Fender Stratocaster, circa 1956, that Clapton played throughout the early 1970s until the mid 1980s; the 1964 cherry red Gibson ES-335, the second electric guitar he ever bought and the one most associated with his days with Cream; the 1937 Martin, 000-42, used extensively on The 'Unplugged' recording; and the Fender Stratocaster 'Crash 3' designed by famous street artist Crash and the first of Clapton's graffiti guitars to be offered at auction. Also featured are a group of pre-World War II C.F. Martin & Company guitars; a 12-string guitar co-designed by Clapton in 1969 with renowned guitar maker Tony Zemaitis; and guitars donated by musician friends such as Pete Townshend, Brian May and B.B. King. view the catalog here: http://www.christies.com/promos/jun04/clap...rs/overview.asp

'Tomorrow,' 'Fahrenheit' fire up the political debate By Gary Strauss, USA TODAY In what is shaping up to be a tight race between President Bush and presumptive Democratic challenger John Kerry, could politically charged movies tip the election? (Related item: Control Room examines war of information) Chris Cooper plays Dicky Pilager, a grammatically challenged political candidate à la George W. Bush, in Silver City. It seems far-fetched, especially since the special effects in The Day After Tomorrow overshadow its warnings about global warming. Still, some say Tomorrow, Fahrenheit 9/11 and other politically tinged movies could sway voters. "The furor raised by (Tomorrow) can have an impact," says Patrick Michaels, an environmental specialist at the Cato Institute think tank and author of the upcoming book Meltdown: The Predictable Distortion of Global Warming by Scientists, Politicians and the Media. More than 14 million people have seen the movie. "In a tight election, global warming could be a wedge issue," Michaels says. "A few thousand votes could make a difference." Fahrenheit 9/11, Michael Moore's scathing documentary of Bush's actions before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and his ties to Arab oil money, could be more damaging. "A movie calling Bush a liar and incompetent is going to mean debate and discussion," says Jonathan Rosenbaum, a Chicago film reviewer and author of Movies as Politics. read the entire article here: http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2...-politics_x.htm

this is getting out of hand now, "Voters who say they go to church every week usually vote for Republicans. Those who go to church less often or not at all tend to vote Democratic" a quote from an article in USA Today Posted 6/2/2004 10:38 PM Updated 6/3/2004 9:41 AM Churchgoing closely tied to voting patterns By Susan Page, USA TODAY Where will you spend Sunday morning? Will you go to church or Home Depot? Sing in the choir or play golf? Answer that question and you've given the most reliable demographic clue about your vote on Election Day. Voters who say they go to church every week usually vote for Republicans. Those who go to church less often or not at all tend to vote Democratic. Forget the gender gap. The "religion gap" is bigger, more powerful and growing. The divide isn't between Catholics and Protestants, Jews and Gentiles. Instead, on one side are those of many faiths who go to services, well, religiously: Catholics who attend Mass without fail, evangelical Christians and mainline Protestants who show up for church rain or shine, some Orthodox Jews. On the other side are those who attend religious services only occasionally or never. read the entire article here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-0...igion-gap_x.htm

personally, and I say this knowing I'm totally in the dark when it comes to this administration, I think he's taking the fall for Bush's failed policies, the war is Bush's achilles heel, and I think he's doing everything he can before the elections to blame everyone else for his actions. This Chalabis character for another and we'll see if rumsfeld survives.

Edited By Jonathan Cohen. June 01, 2004, 3:30 PM ET Hornsby Welcomes Guests On New Set Bruce Hornsby's upcoming Columbia album "Halcyon Days" features a number of high-profile guest performers, including Eric Clapton, Sting and Elton John. Clapton contributes guitar to three songs on the album, due Aug. 10, and vocals to the track "Candy Mountain Run." Sting duets with Hornsby on opener "Gonna Be Some Changes Made," while John joins the artist on the song "Dreamland." "Halcyon Days" finds Hornsby backed by his regular band, bassist J.V. Collier, drummer Sonny Emory, multi-instrumentalist Bobby Read, guitarist Doug Derryberry and organist John "JT" Thomas. Also guesting on the set is the artist's brother, guitarist RS "Bobby" Hornsby. entire article including track list here: http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_...t_id=1000522670

Nostalgia wafts over the season's live musical offerings, whether it's the 20-year menus of Madonna and Prince or the broader buffets of David Bowie, Rod Stewart and Carole King. Despite a comparatively short career, No Doubt plans a hits retrospective, as does Van Halen in the comeback of its lineup with Sammy Hagar. Bygone hits are hitting the road. And judging by ticket action, those hits are hip. "These older acts built their fan bases by touring, and people know they're going to get a great show," says Ray Waddell, who covers touring for Billboard. "It's a phenomenon we've never seen before: parents and kids going to the same show. Kids in my generation didn't want to see Mitch Miller. But kids now want to see bands from the '60s and '70s. Those bands are going to play 20 hits and play them well. What can a baby band do, play a medley of its hit?" read the article here: http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/20...usic-main_x.htm

Posted 1/5/2004 9:45 PM Updated 1/6/2004 12:39 AM Army expanding 'stop loss' order to keep soldiers from leaving By Tom Squitieri, USA TODAY WASHINGTON — The Army will announce as early as Tuesday new orders that will forbid thousands of soldiers from leaving the service after they return this year from Iraq, Afghanistan and other fronts in the war against terrorism, defense officials said Monday. The "stop loss" orders mean personnel who could otherwise leave the military when their volunteer commitments expire will be forced to remain to the end of their overseas deployments and up to another 90 days after they come home. "Stop movement" orders also bar soldiers from moving to new assignments during the restricted period. The orders do not extend any unit's stay overseas. read the article here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-0...my-troops_x.htm

Canadian Rock Band Sum 41 Returns Safely to Canada Following Sudden Outbreak of Violence and United Nations Evacuation From Democratic Republic of Congo Sum 41 in Congo filming War Child Canada documentary about impact of war on children TORONTO, June 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock band Sum 41 arrived back in Canada following ten days in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where a sudden outbreak of violence between government soldiers and troops loyal to a renegade commander forced their early departure from the war-torn country. Sum 41 was in Congo filming a War Child Canada documentary concerning the impact of the longstanding civil war on Congolese children. Since 1998, more than 3 million people, mostly women and children, have died in the conflict. The United Nations has more than 8,000 peacekeepers deployed in the Congo. During their ten-day trip, the band members met with former child soldiers, girls who had been raped by soldiers and rebel fighters, UN and aid agency officials, and many other Congolese victims of war. "We went to Congo to show people what war is like, how harmful it is to civilians, and we ended up becoming war-affected ourselves," said Steve Jocz, the band's drummer. Deryck Whibley, Sum 41's lead singer, added, "Our being there, hearing the bullets around us, the mortar fire, the injured being brought in for medical treatment, it reinforced our belief that more must be done to prevent war and protect innocent civilians." read the entire article here: http://www.prnewswire.com/

led zeppelin - kashmir ( full volume) :P

anyone use "shoutcast", I tried it awhile back, pretty cool, if anyone broadcasts on that let me know ;)

well he can afford to be more honest nowadays, the threat of being arrested isn't hovering, I always thought paul mccartney was the more politically correct member of the beatles, john lennon spoke his mind more freely. sure miss him, wonder what he'd be saying about iraq.