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17 Mar 2011 15:30

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World: Jakarta’s terrorism concerns rise with recent “book bombs”

  • 4 mail bombs sent in Jakarta, Indonesia in just three days source
  • » Thankfully, only one has actually gone off. That occurred as authorities were attempting to disarm it, and it injured four. The bombs are reportedly being sent through the mail within books, the last of which was “The Militant Jewish,” addressed to Ahmad Dhani, a recording artist and vocal supporter of religious freedom. The other people targeted were Gorries Mere, a high-ranking anti-terrorism officer, Ulil Abshar Abdalla, a senior member of Jakarta’s Democratic Party and a vocal critic of fundamentalist Islamic groups, and Yapto Soerjosoemarno, also an advocate for religious freedom. Jakarta has absorbed a lot of pain from terrorism over the last several years- here’s hoping they get this under control right away.
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Mar 2011 15:01

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Politics: Donald Trump blows the dog whistle long and loud

  • When you interview people, if ever I got the nomination, if I ever decide to run, you may go back and interview people from my kindergarten. They’ll remember me. Nobody ever comes forward. Nobody knows who he his until later in his life. It’s very strange. The whole thing is very strange.
  • Donald Trump • About Barack Obama, in an interview with ABC news. On the heels of his Comedy Central roast, which he ended with an awkwardly obvious political self-promotion, Trump is now using dog whistle rhetoric to appeal to people who doubt the legitimacy of the President (the birthers, basically). This is, as it happens, not uncommon in the realm of Republican politics at this time- Mike Huckabee, however he might like to deny it, was doing precisely the same thing when he claimed Obama had a Kenyan upbringing. So, an early sign that Donald Trump knows how to pander to those racked with distrust and conspiracy theories. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Mar 2011 14:41

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World: Some uninspiring anecdotes on Japan’s nuclear record

  • one A Japanese nuclear plant had its workers mix uranium by hand in buckets, instead of using machines as it was supposed to. This somewhat predictably exposed hundreds to increased radiation, and two later died.
  • two Kei Sugaoka, now in California, used to be a plant engineer. He recalls being told to cut out video of the plant’s steam-leaking pipes before sending it for review. He told this to TEPCO, but no action was taken until he went public. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Mar 2011 13:37

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World: International team makes biggest online pedophilia bust

  • 640 the number of suspects identified so far, in what international law enforcement is calling the biggest bust of a pedophile group in history
  • 230 the number of children that international law enforcement have positively identified as having been abused by the group source
  • » Hats off to the good guys! Authorities believe that the online assemblage of pedophiles had about 70,000 users at its peak. The team that engineered this bust, led by U.K. investigators, took months to advance as the proprietor of the website had sophisticated security measures in place to avoid detection (although if you’re looking to keep your monstrosities clandestine, “The Internet BoyLove Directory” seems like a rather bold title). The Netherlands-based server that was hosting the website is now cooperating with authorities, making it likely that the ringleader of all this will face the justice his crimes have richly earned.
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Mar 2011 11:09

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Politics: Applying for Hillary’s job? Sarah Palin’s heading to the Holy Land

  • While we’ve had a Sarah Palin moratorium on the site for the past two months, and we’re not looking to end it, we’d like to think Palin making a “diplomatic” run to Israel to speak to Benny Netanyahu is news. So we’re going to post it. Because, hey, this will probably be the only Palin-related topic we post about Sarah until she announces she’s running for president. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Mar 2011 10:53

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Politics: Waste of time: House GOP pushes to hur NPR’s federal-funding

  • Taxpayers should not be on the hook for something that is widely available in the private market. I wish only the best for NPR. Like many Americans, I enjoy much of their programming.
  • Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) • Attempting to make his final dagger-push into the body that is the federal funding of NPR. The bill “prohibits NPR and its local affiliates from using federal dollars to produce programming or purchase content from other member stations. Affiliate stations could only use taxpayer money for administrative costs, under the bill.” It’s being fast-tracked for a vote later on today. Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me! The House GOP’s going to push for something that’s not going to pass the Senate, Obama’s not going to sign, and is going to waste everybody’s time yet again. Check. Come on. Your party can’t complain about Obama picking his NCAA bracket if all you’re giving him to work with are stupid things that won’t go anywhere. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

17 Mar 2011 10:34

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World: Tokyo’s dealing with their energy drama fairly well so far

  • yes the trains are running slower and less frequently in Tokyo, in an effort to save energy
  • no authorities don’t expect Tokyo’s power to go out despite higher usage in the wake of cold weather
  • yes people in Tokyo have gotten stuck in elevators as the result of rolling blackouts source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

17 Mar 2011 10:21

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World: Japan, out of options, tries crop-dusting Fukushima

Know how bad things have gotten at Fukushima? Well, now the Japanese military is dumping seawater out of a helicopter onto the nuclear plant. This seems unfortunate. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Mar 2011 22:56

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Politics: Rand Paul’s complaining about his dysfunctional toilet

  • Frankly, the toilets don’t work in my house. And I blame you.
  • Sen. Rand Paul • To Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency at the U.S. Department of Energy. Paul was arguing against efficiency standards for toilets and light bulbs at a National Resources Committee hearing. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Mar 2011 22:40

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Politics: Comebacks: Sharron Angle to run for open House seat in 2012

  • She’s back! After losing an election to one of the most unpopular politicians in the country, in the biggest election year for her party since 1994, Sharron “Second Amendment Remedies” Angle has announced that she’ll be running for the House of Representatives in 2012. She may have a shot at winning this time, so long as she doesn’t do something silly, like suggest that Hispanic students are actually Hispanics in disguise. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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