Click here to view this media Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said Sunday that despite her past statements, she doesn’t “judge” gays and lesbians. In 2004, Bachmann told the National Education Leadership Conference that homosexuality was “part of Satan.” “If you’re involved in the gay and lesbian lifestyle, it’s bondage,” she declared. “Personal bondage, personal despair and personal enslavement. And that’s why this is so dangerous.” “We need to have profound compassion for the people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life, and sexual identity disorders. This is a very real issue. It’s not funny, it’s sad.” “That is the view President Bachmann would have of gay Americans?” NBC’s David Gregory asked Bachmann Sunday. “Well, I’m running for the presidency of the United States,” Bachmann replied. “I’m not running to be anyone’s judge.” “But you do judge them,” Gregory noted. “I don’t judge them,” Bachmann disagreed. “I am running for presidency of the United States.” “Congresswoman, do you think that anyone hears that and thinks you haven’t made a judgement about gays and lesbians?” Gregory wondered. “That’s all I can tell you. I am not judging,” Bachmann insisted. The candidate added that she would be willing to appoint a gay cabinet member if they shared her views.
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Click here to view this media Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said Sunday that despite her past statements, she doesn’t “judge” gays and lesbians. In 2004, Bachmann told the National Education Leadership Conference that homosexuality was “part of Satan.” “If you’re involved in the gay and lesbian lifestyle, it’s bondage,” she declared. “Personal bondage, personal despair and personal enslavement. And that’s why this is so dangerous.” “We need to have profound compassion for the people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life, and sexual identity disorders. This is a very real issue. It’s not funny, it’s sad.” “That is the view President Bachmann would have of gay Americans?” NBC’s David Gregory asked Bachmann Sunday. “Well, I’m running for the presidency of the United States,” Bachmann replied. “I’m not running to be anyone’s judge.” “But you do judge them,” Gregory noted. “I don’t judge them,” Bachmann disagreed. “I am running for presidency of the United States.” “Congresswoman, do you think that anyone hears that and thinks you haven’t made a judgement about gays and lesbians?” Gregory wondered. “That’s all I can tell you. I am not judging,” Bachmann insisted. The candidate added that she would be willing to appoint a gay cabinet member if they shared her views.
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Click here to view this media Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said Sunday that despite her past statements, she doesn’t “judge” gays and lesbians. In 2004, Bachmann told the National Education Leadership Conference that homosexuality was “part of Satan.” “If you’re involved in the gay and lesbian lifestyle, it’s bondage,” she declared. “Personal bondage, personal despair and personal enslavement. And that’s why this is so dangerous.” “We need to have profound compassion for the people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life, and sexual identity disorders. This is a very real issue. It’s not funny, it’s sad.” “That is the view President Bachmann would have of gay Americans?” NBC’s David Gregory asked Bachmann Sunday. “Well, I’m running for the presidency of the United States,” Bachmann replied. “I’m not running to be anyone’s judge.” “But you do judge them,” Gregory noted. “I don’t judge them,” Bachmann disagreed. “I am running for presidency of the United States.” “Congresswoman, do you think that anyone hears that and thinks you haven’t made a judgement about gays and lesbians?” Gregory wondered. “That’s all I can tell you. I am not judging,” Bachmann insisted. The candidate added that she would be willing to appoint a gay cabinet member if they shared her views.
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Palestinians to push ahead with bid next month despite US opposition and warnings move will endanger future peace talks Palestinian leaders have said that they will formally request recognition of their state and full membership of the UN next month, despite strong US opposition amid warnings that such a move would jeopardise future peace talks. Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, will personally present the application to the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, before the UN general assembly opens on 20 September. The UN has the moral, legal, political and historical responsibility to recognise Palestine and “to put an end to the Israeli occupation”, said Ryad Malki, the Palestinian foreign minister. Abbas is to travel to Lebanon on Tuesday to discuss the plan. Lebanon will hold the rotating presidency of the UN security council next month and is expected to be sympathetic to the Palestinian campaign. The Israeli prime minister’s office said the Palestinian move was “expected and regrettable”. “Binyamin Netanyahu [the Israeli prime minister] still believes that only through direct and honest negotiations – not through unilateral decisions – will it be possible to advance the peace process,” the statement said. The Palestinian decision to adopt the UN approach is borne of frustration over stalled negotiations. Direct talks broke down last September when Israel refused to extend a temporary freeze on settlement expansion. The Palestinians also hope that UN recognition of their state will increase international pressure on Israel to end its 44-year occupation. Full membership of the UN requires the backing of the 15-member security council before approval by the general assembly. The US has already stated its intention to veto such a move. The UK, also a permanent member of the security council, has not declared its position. If the bid for full membership fails, the Palestinians are expected to request “non-member state” status – a step short of full recognition – at the general assembly, which requires a two-thirds majority of the 193 countries. At the moment, the Palestinians believe they have the support of about 120. Both the Palestinians and the Israelis have launched global diplomatic offensives in recent weeks to win support for their respective positions. According to Malki, the Palestinians’ “weakest point” was Latin America and the Caribbean, whose countries are meeting on Friday to try to establish a common position. The Israeli diplomatic campaign has focused on Europe. The 27 EU countries are presently split on whether to back the Palestinian bid, with Germany and Italy opposed, Ireland and Portugal in favour, and France and the UK undeclared. EU officials have pushed for a compromise in an attempt to keep the EU bloc together. The US has also sought to avoid a vote at the UN by attempting to reopen direct talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians on the basis of the pre-1967 borders with agreed land swaps to allow the big settlement blocs to remain in Israeli hands. Despite Netanyahu’s oft-repeated statements that there is no alternative to negotiations, many in the international community are sceptical about his willingness to make concessions to allow the establishment of a Palestinian state. Last week, the Israeli authorities confirmed plans for 1,600 homes in settlements in East Jerusalem, with another 2,700 expected to be approved in the coming days. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which was annexed by Israel after the 1967 war, to be their capital. “The settlements are the real obstacle to the resumption of negotiations,” Abbas was quoted as telling the US consul general in Jerusalem on Saturday. Israeli media reported this month that President Shimon Peres at the last minute cancelled a meeting with Abbas,that had been scheduled to try to revive negotiations, after Netanyahu failed to provide him with anything new to put on the table. Israel has repeatedly raised the spectre of renewed violence in the autumn, regardless of the outcome of the UN bid. The Palestinian Authority has called for peaceful demonstrations to coincide with the expected vote in New York. Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s rightwing foreign minister, has said the Palestinians are preparing for “bloodshed the likes of which we’ve never seen before”. “The more they talk about nonviolent activity, the more preparations there are for bloodshed. When you prepare a march of tens of thousands of people who will storm checkpoints and pass through without being checked, everyone can imagine what would happen … the Palestinians are planning this in great detail,” he said. The Israeli security forces are preparing for a number of scenarios, according to reports in the local media. Special training of thousands of police officers is under way, and 200,000 litres of foul-smelling water canon has been stockpiled. The defence minister, Ehud Barak, told Army Radio on Sunday that millions of dollars had been spent on riot gear. However, he added, he expected and hoped September would pass quietly. Palestinian spokesman Ghassan Khatib denied this. “These Israeli predictions of violence aren’t true,” he told Associated Press. “Israel is trying to fuel a fake picture of what will happen in September.” Road to statehood? 1918-48 The British governed Palestine after the end of the first world war and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, which had ruled the region. The British promised self-rule to the Arabs but also backed the creation of a Jewish homeland in the region. 1948-67 After the war that followed Israel’s declaration of its state in May 1948, the West Bank and East Jerusalem was governed by Jordan, and Gaza was governed by Egypt. 1967-93 During the Six-Day War, Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza, and captured and later annexed East Jerusalem. It imposed military rule over the Palestinian territories. 1993 The Oslo accords were signed between Israel and Palestine, leading to the creation of the Palestinian Authority. The PA was given control over some West Bank cities, but Israel military control was maintained over 60% of the West Bank. Palestinian territories Middle East Israel US foreign policy United Nations Harriet Sherwood guardian.co.uk
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Passenger groups, environmental lobbyists and unions predict average fares will rise four times faster than wages in 2012 Hitting rail commuters with a swath of double digit rail fare increases will carry “economic and political consequences” for the government, campaigners have warned on the eve of inflation figures that will mean some tickets rise by 13%. Millions of rail passengers will get an indication of the fare increases due in January when the inflation rate that sets annual price rises is published on Tuesday. Under the government’s austerity drive, from next year season tickets will rise by the rate of retail price index inflation plus 3% until 2014, with room for a further 5% increase on some services. With the RPI due to hit 5% next week, commuters face a 13% increase on certain routes – to the dismay of passenger groups, environmental lobbyists and trade unions. “It will be a straw that breaks the camel’s back,” said Stephen Joseph, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT), which has warned that average fares will rise four times faster than wages in January. “There are both economic and political consequences for this. For some people in the London labour market and some cities outside of London, this will be a big chunk of money. “If you look at places where there is a large number of rail commuters, there is a significant number of marginal seats. Those are precisely the places that will be affected by eye-watering rail fare rises.” The Department for Transport has confirmed that it will retain the so-called flex system, which allows rail companies to average out fare increases across a basket of tickets instead of applying uniform price increases. Under this framework, a further 5% can be added to the RPI + 3% hike on certain fares, provided that the total increase within that batch of fares is in line with the official limit. This means that an annual season ticket from Bournemouth to London, currently £5,424, could rise by £705 to £6,129. Increases could be even higher on fares that are not capped, such as advanced purchase fares. Train operators, who levy the fare increases and are often a lightning rod for passenger ire over ticket prices, will pass on the increased revenue to the government and are keen to emphasise that they are only following DfT policy. “Increasing the money raised from fares will mean that taxpayers contribute less to the running of the railways, whilst ensuring that vital investment can continue,” said David Mapp, commercial director at the Association of Train Operating Companies. The government spends around £4.6bn a year on the railways with the farepayer contributing £6.2bn, a gap the DfT wants to widen after setting a target to reduce industry costs by a further £1bn by the end of the decade. Theresa Villiers, the rail minister, ruled out scrapping the flex system, which had been dropped in the final year of the Labour government. “The scale of the deficit means that the government has had to take some very difficult decisions on future rail fares but the long term solution is to get the cost of running the railways down. That way we can get a better deal for passengers and taxpayers. We are determined to do this and if we succeed, we hope to see the end of above inflation rises in regulated fares,” she said. Nonetheless, a concerted campaign against the rises has already begun. The environmental group Climate Rush will join CBT, unions and the shadow spokeswoman for transport, Maria Eagle, at Waterloo station, in London, tomorrow to protest against the increases. According to CBT, fares will rise by an average of 8% – four times more than the average wage rise. Eagle said: “For many, the cost of getting to work is now the biggest single item in the monthly budget, bigger even than rent or mortgage payments. These fare rises are the direct consequence of the decision to cut too far and too fast, meaning commuters are having to pay more to plug the hole in the transport budget.” Despite warnings that inflation-busting hikes will dent demand for rail travel, journeys on the network rose by 6.9% last year to 1.32bn. Inflation fell modestly in June, to 5% on the RPI measure, as hard-pressed retailers slashed the price of electronics goods such as televisions. City analysts expect a similar reading for July, with average earnings growing at less than half that pace, many households are already enduring a painful squeeze on their living standards. High oil prices, January’s increase in VAT and the weakness of the pound, which pushes up the cost of imports, have all boosted prices. CPI inflation, the measure targeted by the Bank of England, is expected to be above 4%, for most of this year. Sir Mervyn King will be forced to write to George Osborne this week to explain why inflation remains more than half a percentage point above the government’s 2% target. Rail transport Transport Transport policy George Osborne Inflation Mervyn King Bank of England Dan Milmo Heather Stewart guardian.co.uk
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Save the Children says it has placed record numbers of Somali children with foster families in recent months Some parents fleeing conflict and famine in Somalia are abandoning their babies after arriving at the vast refugee complex at Dadaab, Kenya, a charity has said . Save the Children said it had placed record numbers of unaccompanied children with foster families in recent months, including a small number of babies abandoned by their families after arriving at the camps. Staff say it is unclear why the babies were left, but they believe it is probably a result of the desperation felt by parents who have often walked for weeks without food, water or shelter. Nasib, a two-month old infant, was found on a roadside by a woman who took him to a police station. The woman was asked by police to care for the child while they investigated the case. Another baby, Naifin, was left in the home of a registered refugee by his mother who had just arrived from Somalia. She had asked to stay overnight after arriving at the camp, but fled before dawn, leaving her child behind. Both families are being supported by Save the Children’s child protection team in Dadaab. “We can only imagine the levels of desperation driving parents to abandon tiny babies in this way,” said Prasant Naik, the charity’s Kenya country director. “After walking from Somalia without food and water, it is clear that some parents feel that they cannot care for their children any more, despite having reached help.” Child protection staff also report a sharp increase in the number of children coming from Somalia without their families. In July, Save the Children helped 80 unaccompanied children who arrived at the camp, up from a monthly average of 22 in 2010. Children separated from their parents face the risk of sexual abuse, forced labour and being caught up in violence, the charity said. They are also more vulnerable to malnutrition and disease. About 1,400 Somalis arrive every day at Dadaab, the world’s biggest refugee complex , pushing the number of recorded refugees beyond 400,000. The flow of Somalis across the border is expected to continue in the coming months. Famine has been declared in five regions of Somalia, and aid is arriving only slowly because of logistical challenges and restrictions imposed by the al-Shabab insurgents who control some of the worst-hit areas. Many of the refugees are arriving in poor shape, with many children suffering from malnutrition. The three Dabaab camps – Dagahaley, Ifo and Hagadera – were originally set up 20 years ago when Somalis first started fleeing drought and war. They were designed for 90,000 people, but the population quickly grew as Somalia descended into a failed state. The UN office for humanitarian affairs (OCHA) has warned that the famine is likely to get worse in the coming weeks. The number of acutely malnourished children in Somalia, currently standing at 390,000, could double within the next year. Somalia Kenya Africa Famine Refugees Mark Tran guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Debt-Panel Faces Pressure From Lawmakers’ Backers. What A Shame If They Can’t Agree On Cutting Social Security And Medicare!
August 14, 2011 No Comment
enlarge Credit: MainLine Peace Action A Republican think tank hack quoted in this story uses classic misdirection techniques . He equates Democrats lobbying for senior citizens on behalf of Social Security and Medicare with … Republican “distaste” for tax increases. Yoo hoo, Mr. Frenzel? The difference is, rich people aren’t going to die if they don’t get their way: The 12-member congressional panel charged with finding $1.5 trillion in budget savings may be unable to overcome resistance from the lobbyists, donors and interest groups that sustain them in office. The committee, already split by internal divisions over taxes and entitlements, will examine defense and health care for possible cuts, and both industries have influence with its members. Health professionals are the biggest donors to three of the House members. Three senators have dozens of military installations to protect, and employees of defense contractor Boeing Co. (BA) are top donors to the panel’s co-chairwoman, Patty Murray. Retirees are among the largest givers to almost all the lawmakers, and members considering scaling back Social Security or the Medicare insurance program for the elderly will confront a barrage of lobbying by the seniors’ group AARP. “Nobody wants to promise their cohorts any kind of pain and suffering or divergence from the current theology,” said Bill Frenzel, a former congressman who served as the ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee. Republican distaste for tax increases and Democrats’ insistence on protecting entitlement programs is a “doomsday formula,” he said.
Continue reading …Chris Matthews Thrilled His Regulars Think Perry’s Easier for Obama to Attack Than Romney
August 14, 2011 No Comment
Last month Tucker Carlson said , “Very few people have done more to divide the country than Chris Matthews.” Once again proving the point, Matthews on the syndicated program bearing his name this weekend expressed great joy that his regulars almost unanimously agreed that Texas governor Rick Perry will be easier for the Obama campaign to attack than former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney – “This is one of the great moments in this program's history” (video follows with transcript and commentary): HOWARD FINEMAN , HUFFINGTON POST: However, there’s more to the Rick Perry story. We’re only beginning the Rick Perry story. CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST: Well, I want to know what he’s like. FINEMAN : It’s all in theory right now. MATTHEWS: Well, here’s what the White House, I wanted to know what the White House thinks about his opportunity, the opportunity to go after him. We asked the Matthews Meter the most opportune question of the week, twelve of regulars including Howard, about Rick Perry versus Mitt Romney, the two hottest candidates right now. Which one of those will be easier for the Obama campaign to go negative against? Who’s the fattest target? This is one of the great moments in this program's history because 11-1, one of the ones I really like, a knockout punch says Perry is a fatter target than Mitt Romney. Imagine that. “One of the great moments in this program's history” is his regulars almost unanimously agreeing that one Republican candidate for president will be easier for the current White House resident to attack than another. And this is what passes for journalism on a program syndicated on NBC stations around the country. I realize I ask this question quite frequently, but do Comcast and General Electric really condone this kind of blatant bias that could be considered offensive by almost half the nation?
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Star of more than 100 films passes away from kidney failure aged 79 The Indian actor Shammi Kapoor has died aged 79. His doctor, Bhupendra Gandhi, said Kapoor was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital two days ago in critical condition. He was on dialysis and died on Sunday of kidney failure. Kapoor, one of Bollywood’s Kapoor acting dynasty – his brothers Raj and Shashi were also successful actors, and his father, Prithviraj , was a theatre personality of the 1950s – was best known for his light-hearted roles. Shammi Kapoor made his debut in Bollywood in 1953 and appeared in over 100 films including Junglee and Professor. He also appeared in “Brahmchari” and “Janwar.” He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. Bollywood India guardian.co.uk
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Defence chiefs look to raise cash, selling SAS watches and armoured cars, aircraft carriers and kilts Good news for aspiring 007s: a whole raft of spy gear, including luxury watches, desert warfare camouflage jackets and the odd armoured vehicle is now available at knockdown prices as the Ministry of Defence tries to offload non-vital equipment and plug a hole in its budget. A range of expensive watches – some originally costing up to £5,000 – as well as an array of other items, from ships to Scottish military kilts, have been put on sale as the Mod tries to recoup a little money. Items for sale on the Defence Equipment & Sales website include a ladies Crystal Dior watch “set with 48 diamonds 0.24 carat, black lacquered dial, black rubber strap set with black sapphire crystal”, worth £4,000, a Raymond Weil Tango men’s watch with “Stainless steel case, black dial with red accented hands, luminous Arabic numbers, sapphire crystal glass”, that would normally retail at £1,000, and a men’s Maurice Lacroix three-dial chronograph watch with “Sapphire crystal scratch resistant glass, white square dial with luminous hands”, worth around £5,000. The watches are likely to have been bought for SAS and defence intelligence operatives working in overseas embassies to help them blend in at events attended by dignitaries and diplomats. But there are other less expensive, and more offbeat, items on offer at the unusual jumble sale. A mobile hydration system is a snip at £22.50, while new combat jackets ordered for the SAS can be had for £30, despite originally costing £350. Other items include ships’ mattresses, a portable dentist’s chair and impervious membrane for foot-and-mouth protection – originally costing £550, but on sale at £17.99. For those with a penchant for fancy dress, Scottish regimental parade socks (£15), can be teamed with military kilts (£30). Would-be soldiers can purchase army-issue grey braces for £7 or a jaunty bush hat for £10. There are some rather larger items on offer. The HMS Ark Royal is expected to be auctioned for around £3m, despite costing £200m, while Saxon armoured vehicles – the model used in Baghdad, which originally cost £85,000 – are going for £3,000. Some question the wisdom of the firesale. Conservative MP Patrick Mercer, a former infantry commander, called the move short-sighted: “The one thing of which you can be certain is that once precious defence equipment is sold, it will be needed again within the week.” He told the Mail on Sunday: “It is like selling the family silver. These goods have cost us millions and now they are being sold for peanuts. That cannot be right.” The MoD: “We are committed to delivering the best possible return for the taxpayer when disposing of surplus equipment. Last year alone the Disposal Services Authority (part of Defence Equipment and Support) secured £84m from sales.” Defence policy Ministry of Defence James Bond Alexandra Topping guardian.co.uk
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