Second trial for 20 hospital staff follows UN criticism of convictions for protest-related charges A civilian court on Sunday began the retrial of 20 Bahraini medical staff whose conviction on protest-related charges brought condemnation from international rights groups and UN officials about crackdowns in the Gulf kingdom. Officials in Bahrain ordered a new trial this month after sharp international criticism of the verdicts, which were handed down by a special security court and found the doctors and nurses guilty of backing anti-government protests and attempting to overthrow the ruling monarchy. Their sentences ranged from five to 15 years. The medics were among hundreds arrested after Bahrain’s majority Shia Muslims began protests in February seeking greater rights from the ruling Sunni regime. At least 35 people have been killed in unrest in the island nation, which is home to the US navy’s Fifth Fleet. Prosecutors dropped several lower-level charges in the first civilian court hearing, but the most serious accusations remain. The next session was scheduled for 28 November. One defence lawyer, Jalila al-Sayed, said it remained unclear whether the civilian proceedings would allow new witnesses and evidence, and whether the previous convictions had been formally overturned. The doctors and nurses remained free, but were banned from leaving the country. They worked at the state-run Salmaniya medical centre close to the capital’s Pearl Square, which became the focus of Bahrain’s uprising that was inspired by other revolts across the Arab world and Middle East. The authorities saw the hospital’s mostly Shia staff – some of whom participated in street marches – as protest sympathisers, although the medics claimed they treated all who needed care. Shia Muslims represent about 70% of Bahrain’s population, but claim they face systematic discrimination such as being barred from top government and security positions. Bahrain’s Sunni rulers say they are willing to make reforms, although not as far-reaching as protesters demand, such as ending the monarchy’s ability to select the government and set state policies. The sentences brought sharp criticism from rights groups and statements of concern from the office of UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and the UN human rights office. Bahrain Arab and Middle East unrest Protest Human rights United Nations Middle East guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Second trial for 20 hospital staff follows UN criticism of convictions for protest-related charges A civilian court on Sunday began the retrial of 20 Bahraini medical staff whose conviction on protest-related charges brought condemnation from international rights groups and UN officials about crackdowns in the Gulf kingdom. Officials in Bahrain ordered a new trial this month after sharp international criticism of the verdicts, which were handed down by a special security court and found the doctors and nurses guilty of backing anti-government protests and attempting to overthrow the ruling monarchy. Their sentences ranged from five to 15 years. The medics were among hundreds arrested after Bahrain’s majority Shia Muslims began protests in February seeking greater rights from the ruling Sunni regime. At least 35 people have been killed in unrest in the island nation, which is home to the US navy’s Fifth Fleet. Prosecutors dropped several lower-level charges in the first civilian court hearing, but the most serious accusations remain. The next session was scheduled for 28 November. One defence lawyer, Jalila al-Sayed, said it remained unclear whether the civilian proceedings would allow new witnesses and evidence, and whether the previous convictions had been formally overturned. The doctors and nurses remained free, but were banned from leaving the country. They worked at the state-run Salmaniya medical centre close to the capital’s Pearl Square, which became the focus of Bahrain’s uprising that was inspired by other revolts across the Arab world and Middle East. The authorities saw the hospital’s mostly Shia staff – some of whom participated in street marches – as protest sympathisers, although the medics claimed they treated all who needed care. Shia Muslims represent about 70% of Bahrain’s population, but claim they face systematic discrimination such as being barred from top government and security positions. Bahrain’s Sunni rulers say they are willing to make reforms, although not as far-reaching as protesters demand, such as ending the monarchy’s ability to select the government and set state policies. The sentences brought sharp criticism from rights groups and statements of concern from the office of UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and the UN human rights office. Bahrain Arab and Middle East unrest Protest Human rights United Nations Middle East guardian.co.uk
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Click here to view this media Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann admitted Sunday that Libya may still be under the rule of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi if she had been president instead of Barack Obama. In May, the candidate called the U.S. military action in Libya “a disaster in the making.” “If President Bachmann had been in charge, wouldn’t Muammar Gaddafi still be in power?” Fox News’ Chris Wallace asked Bachmann Sunday. “Well, he may be,” Bachmann agreed. “I stand by that decision. I think it is wrong for the United States to go in to Libya. Barack Obama said we were going in to Libya for humanitarian purposes. It wasn’t humanitarian purposes. It was regime change. And what’s the result? We don’t know who the next leaders will be.” “It could be a radical element. It could be the Muslim Brotherhood. It could be elements affiliated with al Qaeda. We don’t know yet who that regime will be, but worse, we’ve seen the MANPADS go missing and the should-fired rockets that are very dangerous, that could fit into a trunk of a car. And there are some reports out there that they may have even gone as far as Gaza and of course, that could be used to bring down a commercial airliner. This is a very bad decision, and it’s created more instability in that region, not less.” “Are you suggesting that we would be better off with Gaddafi’s dictatorship still in effect?” Wallace wondered. “The world is certainly better off without Gaddafi,” Bachmann replied. “But consider what the cost will be. We are only looking at a snapshot today. The last chapter hasn’t been written on Libya… We knew who the devil was that was running [Libya]. We don’t know the next one. And again, this was leading from behind on the part of the administration.”
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Click here to view this media Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann admitted Sunday that Libya may still be under the rule of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi if she had been president instead of Barack Obama. In May, the candidate called the U.S. military action in Libya “a disaster in the making.” “If President Bachmann had been in charge, wouldn’t Muammar Gaddafi still be in power?” Fox News’ Chris Wallace asked Bachmann Sunday. “Well, he may be,” Bachmann agreed. “I stand by that decision. I think it is wrong for the United States to go in to Libya. Barack Obama said we were going in to Libya for humanitarian purposes. It wasn’t humanitarian purposes. It was regime change. And what’s the result? We don’t know who the next leaders will be.” “It could be a radical element. It could be the Muslim Brotherhood. It could be elements affiliated with al Qaeda. We don’t know yet who that regime will be, but worse, we’ve seen the MANPADS go missing and the should-fired rockets that are very dangerous, that could fit into a trunk of a car. And there are some reports out there that they may have even gone as far as Gaza and of course, that could be used to bring down a commercial airliner. This is a very bad decision, and it’s created more instability in that region, not less.” “Are you suggesting that we would be better off with Gaddafi’s dictatorship still in effect?” Wallace wondered. “The world is certainly better off without Gaddafi,” Bachmann replied. “But consider what the cost will be. We are only looking at a snapshot today. The last chapter hasn’t been written on Libya… We knew who the devil was that was running [Libya]. We don’t know the next one. And again, this was leading from behind on the part of the administration.”
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Click here to view this media Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann admitted Sunday that Libya may still be under the rule of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi if she had been president instead of Barack Obama. In May, the candidate called the U.S. military action in Libya “a disaster in the making.” “If President Bachmann had been in charge, wouldn’t Muammar Gaddafi still be in power?” Fox News’ Chris Wallace asked Bachmann Sunday. “Well, he may be,” Bachmann agreed. “I stand by that decision. I think it is wrong for the United States to go in to Libya. Barack Obama said we were going in to Libya for humanitarian purposes. It wasn’t humanitarian purposes. It was regime change. And what’s the result? We don’t know who the next leaders will be.” “It could be a radical element. It could be the Muslim Brotherhood. It could be elements affiliated with al Qaeda. We don’t know yet who that regime will be, but worse, we’ve seen the MANPADS go missing and the should-fired rockets that are very dangerous, that could fit into a trunk of a car. And there are some reports out there that they may have even gone as far as Gaza and of course, that could be used to bring down a commercial airliner. This is a very bad decision, and it’s created more instability in that region, not less.” “Are you suggesting that we would be better off with Gaddafi’s dictatorship still in effect?” Wallace wondered. “The world is certainly better off without Gaddafi,” Bachmann replied. “But consider what the cost will be. We are only looking at a snapshot today. The last chapter hasn’t been written on Libya… We knew who the devil was that was running [Libya]. We don’t know the next one. And again, this was leading from behind on the part of the administration.”
Continue reading …Click here to view this media Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann admitted Sunday that Libya may still be under the rule of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi if she had been president instead of Barack Obama. In May, the candidate called the U.S. military action in Libya “a disaster in the making.” “If President Bachmann had been in charge, wouldn’t Muammar Gaddafi still be in power?” Fox News’ Chris Wallace asked Bachmann Sunday. “Well, he may be,” Bachmann agreed. “I stand by that decision. I think it is wrong for the United States to go in to Libya. Barack Obama said we were going in to Libya for humanitarian purposes. It wasn’t humanitarian purposes. It was regime change. And what’s the result? We don’t know who the next leaders will be.” “It could be a radical element. It could be the Muslim Brotherhood. It could be elements affiliated with al Qaeda. We don’t know yet who that regime will be, but worse, we’ve seen the MANPADS go missing and the should-fired rockets that are very dangerous, that could fit into a trunk of a car. And there are some reports out there that they may have even gone as far as Gaza and of course, that could be used to bring down a commercial airliner. This is a very bad decision, and it’s created more instability in that region, not less.” “Are you suggesting that we would be better off with Gaddafi’s dictatorship still in effect?” Wallace wondered. “The world is certainly better off without Gaddafi,” Bachmann replied. “But consider what the cost will be. We are only looking at a snapshot today. The last chapter hasn’t been written on Libya… We knew who the devil was that was running [Libya]. We don’t know the next one. And again, this was leading from behind on the part of the administration.”
Continue reading …‘Just Scrap The Cap’ Video A Creative Way to Raise Awareness on Social Security Fix
October 23, 2011 No CommentThe Economic Opportunity Institute and Social Security Works released a new video this week that features two senior citizens rapping “Scrap the Cap,” a reference to the easiest and most logical solution to the long-term funding of Social Security. The organizations are quick to point out that talk of a ‘crisis’ in Social Security is nonsense since the program currently has a $2.6 trillion surplus, and that scrapping the cap on taxable income for Social Security is a good fix for the long-term projections of a funding shortage. Currently, everyone paying into Social Security only pays taxes on the first $106,800 of their income and nothing on any income above that, effectively meaning that wealthier citizens pay no Social Security taxes on most of their income. Eliminating this cap would make the program solvent for a much longer time period. Anyone who supports “Scrapping the Cap,” can take action on the web site related to the video . The lyrics of the song: The real old school in the house Give it up for the geezers Had our golden years all planned out Small pension, golf cart and a Florida house But congress put a hit on Social Security Mugged us of our dignity despite our maturity Tax we paid with every check we earned Time to collect we the ones gettin burned There’s nothing we can do if we can’t get paid ‘cept eat cat food, and drink haterade Listen up cuz while we drop some knowledge We raised our little boy, put him through college Only safety net is our next of kin Look out son, cause we’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in (what!?) No arguin (what!?) No arguin (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in Name’s Spinal Twist, check my orthopedic kicks ‘cause I stoop farther south than the St. Lunatics. I’m still getting play and it’s all thanks to Pfizer, Keepin me stiffer than my Yankees cap visor My station wagon windows are dark with tint I subscribe to vibe and I get the large print They call me Martini got substance abuse ‘cause I’m always playin gin and sippin on juice Our son wants to know if we can pay the rent, But without benefits we ain’t got 50 cent, We don’t pack a nine, we’re just strapped for funds But we’re still game killers for our bachelor son [interlude] Social Security payments are far from erratic “it’s broke and failin” don’t believe that static This crisis is a fiction there would be no debate If we all pitched in at the same tax rate There’s a cap on how much millionaires pay Even though we all work like every single day These are the facts but they’re provin’ thin So pull out the couch ‘cause we’re movin in We’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in (what!?) No arguin (what!?) No arguin (what!?) Pull out the couch ‘cause we’re movin in Alright now younginz, you’re our last resort ‘cause sooner or later, we’ll be needin support If you don’t want roommates just learn this rap It’s only one line, shout SCRAP THE CAP Scrap the cap Scrap the cap Throw your hands up Just scrap the cap Scrap the cap Scrap the cap Throw your hands up Just scrap the cap
Continue reading …‘Just Scrap The Cap’ Video A Creative Way to Raise Awareness on Social Security Fix
October 23, 2011 No CommentThe Economic Opportunity Institute and Social Security Works released a new video this week that features two senior citizens rapping “Scrap the Cap,” a reference to the easiest and most logical solution to the long-term funding of Social Security. The organizations are quick to point out that talk of a ‘crisis’ in Social Security is nonsense since the program currently has a $2.6 trillion surplus, and that scrapping the cap on taxable income for Social Security is a good fix for the long-term projections of a funding shortage. Currently, everyone paying into Social Security only pays taxes on the first $106,800 of their income and nothing on any income above that, effectively meaning that wealthier citizens pay no Social Security taxes on most of their income. Eliminating this cap would make the program solvent for a much longer time period. Anyone who supports “Scrapping the Cap,” can take action on the web site related to the video . The lyrics of the song: The real old school in the house Give it up for the geezers Had our golden years all planned out Small pension, golf cart and a Florida house But congress put a hit on Social Security Mugged us of our dignity despite our maturity Tax we paid with every check we earned Time to collect we the ones gettin burned There’s nothing we can do if we can’t get paid ‘cept eat cat food, and drink haterade Listen up cuz while we drop some knowledge We raised our little boy, put him through college Only safety net is our next of kin Look out son, cause we’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in (what!?) No arguin (what!?) No arguin (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in Name’s Spinal Twist, check my orthopedic kicks ‘cause I stoop farther south than the St. Lunatics. I’m still getting play and it’s all thanks to Pfizer, Keepin me stiffer than my Yankees cap visor My station wagon windows are dark with tint I subscribe to vibe and I get the large print They call me Martini got substance abuse ‘cause I’m always playin gin and sippin on juice Our son wants to know if we can pay the rent, But without benefits we ain’t got 50 cent, We don’t pack a nine, we’re just strapped for funds But we’re still game killers for our bachelor son [interlude] Social Security payments are far from erratic “it’s broke and failin” don’t believe that static This crisis is a fiction there would be no debate If we all pitched in at the same tax rate There’s a cap on how much millionaires pay Even though we all work like every single day These are the facts but they’re provin’ thin So pull out the couch ‘cause we’re movin in We’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in (what!?) No arguin (what!?) No arguin (what!?) Pull out the couch ‘cause we’re movin in Alright now younginz, you’re our last resort ‘cause sooner or later, we’ll be needin support If you don’t want roommates just learn this rap It’s only one line, shout SCRAP THE CAP Scrap the cap Scrap the cap Throw your hands up Just scrap the cap Scrap the cap Scrap the cap Throw your hands up Just scrap the cap
Continue reading …‘Just Scrap The Cap’ Video A Creative Way to Raise Awareness on Social Security Fix
October 23, 2011 No CommentThe Economic Opportunity Institute and Social Security Works released a new video this week that features two senior citizens rapping “Scrap the Cap,” a reference to the easiest and most logical solution to the long-term funding of Social Security. The organizations are quick to point out that talk of a ‘crisis’ in Social Security is nonsense since the program currently has a $2.6 trillion surplus, and that scrapping the cap on taxable income for Social Security is a good fix for the long-term projections of a funding shortage. Currently, everyone paying into Social Security only pays taxes on the first $106,800 of their income and nothing on any income above that, effectively meaning that wealthier citizens pay no Social Security taxes on most of their income. Eliminating this cap would make the program solvent for a much longer time period. Anyone who supports “Scrapping the Cap,” can take action on the web site related to the video . The lyrics of the song: The real old school in the house Give it up for the geezers Had our golden years all planned out Small pension, golf cart and a Florida house But congress put a hit on Social Security Mugged us of our dignity despite our maturity Tax we paid with every check we earned Time to collect we the ones gettin burned There’s nothing we can do if we can’t get paid ‘cept eat cat food, and drink haterade Listen up cuz while we drop some knowledge We raised our little boy, put him through college Only safety net is our next of kin Look out son, cause we’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in (what!?) No arguin (what!?) No arguin (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in Name’s Spinal Twist, check my orthopedic kicks ‘cause I stoop farther south than the St. Lunatics. I’m still getting play and it’s all thanks to Pfizer, Keepin me stiffer than my Yankees cap visor My station wagon windows are dark with tint I subscribe to vibe and I get the large print They call me Martini got substance abuse ‘cause I’m always playin gin and sippin on juice Our son wants to know if we can pay the rent, But without benefits we ain’t got 50 cent, We don’t pack a nine, we’re just strapped for funds But we’re still game killers for our bachelor son [interlude] Social Security payments are far from erratic “it’s broke and failin” don’t believe that static This crisis is a fiction there would be no debate If we all pitched in at the same tax rate There’s a cap on how much millionaires pay Even though we all work like every single day These are the facts but they’re provin’ thin So pull out the couch ‘cause we’re movin in We’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in (what!?) No arguin (what!?) No arguin (what!?) Pull out the couch ‘cause we’re movin in Alright now younginz, you’re our last resort ‘cause sooner or later, we’ll be needin support If you don’t want roommates just learn this rap It’s only one line, shout SCRAP THE CAP Scrap the cap Scrap the cap Throw your hands up Just scrap the cap Scrap the cap Scrap the cap Throw your hands up Just scrap the cap
Continue reading …‘Just Scrap The Cap’ Video A Creative Way to Raise Awareness on Social Security Fix
October 23, 2011 No CommentThe Economic Opportunity Institute and Social Security Works released a new video this week that features two senior citizens rapping “Scrap the Cap,” a reference to the easiest and most logical solution to the long-term funding of Social Security. The organizations are quick to point out that talk of a ‘crisis’ in Social Security is nonsense since the program currently has a $2.6 trillion surplus, and that scrapping the cap on taxable income for Social Security is a good fix for the long-term projections of a funding shortage. Currently, everyone paying into Social Security only pays taxes on the first $106,800 of their income and nothing on any income above that, effectively meaning that wealthier citizens pay no Social Security taxes on most of their income. Eliminating this cap would make the program solvent for a much longer time period. Anyone who supports “Scrapping the Cap,” can take action on the web site related to the video . The lyrics of the song: The real old school in the house Give it up for the geezers Had our golden years all planned out Small pension, golf cart and a Florida house But congress put a hit on Social Security Mugged us of our dignity despite our maturity Tax we paid with every check we earned Time to collect we the ones gettin burned There’s nothing we can do if we can’t get paid ‘cept eat cat food, and drink haterade Listen up cuz while we drop some knowledge We raised our little boy, put him through college Only safety net is our next of kin Look out son, cause we’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in (what!?) No arguin (what!?) No arguin (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in Name’s Spinal Twist, check my orthopedic kicks ‘cause I stoop farther south than the St. Lunatics. I’m still getting play and it’s all thanks to Pfizer, Keepin me stiffer than my Yankees cap visor My station wagon windows are dark with tint I subscribe to vibe and I get the large print They call me Martini got substance abuse ‘cause I’m always playin gin and sippin on juice Our son wants to know if we can pay the rent, But without benefits we ain’t got 50 cent, We don’t pack a nine, we’re just strapped for funds But we’re still game killers for our bachelor son [interlude] Social Security payments are far from erratic “it’s broke and failin” don’t believe that static This crisis is a fiction there would be no debate If we all pitched in at the same tax rate There’s a cap on how much millionaires pay Even though we all work like every single day These are the facts but they’re provin’ thin So pull out the couch ‘cause we’re movin in We’re movin in (what!?) We’re movin in (what!?) Pull out the couch cause we’re movin in (what!?) No arguin (what!?) No arguin (what!?) Pull out the couch ‘cause we’re movin in Alright now younginz, you’re our last resort ‘cause sooner or later, we’ll be needin support If you don’t want roommates just learn this rap It’s only one line, shout SCRAP THE CAP Scrap the cap Scrap the cap Throw your hands up Just scrap the cap Scrap the cap Scrap the cap Throw your hands up Just scrap the cap
Continue reading …