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2 more NATO Summit activists charged
May 20th
(AP) CHICAGO – Prosecutors said Sunday they have charged two more people as part their investigation into activists who planned to take part in demonstrations at the two-day NATO summit.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s office said Sebastian Senakiewicz, 24, of Chicago, is charged with falsely making a terrorist threat. mark Neiweem, 28, who authorities believe to be from Chicago, is charged with attempted possession of explosives or incendiary devices.
The men were scheduled to make an initial court appearance later Sunday, when prosecutors were expected to offer more details about their allegations. also expected in court Sunday is a third man, Taylor Hall, who was arrested during Saturday night protests and is charged with aggravated battery to a police officer. Authorities did not immediately release Hall’s age or hometown.
The latest charges came a day after three other activists appeared in court and were accused of manufacturing Molotov cocktails and having plans to attack President Barack Obama’s campaign headquarters and other targets during the NATO protests.
Kris Hermes, an attorney with the National Lawyers Guild, which has represented many of the activists, said the new charges were an “effort to frighten people and to diminish the size of the demonstrations.” Hermes said Sunday that his group has tried but failed to obtain details from authorities about the charges.
“Like with the others, police have given us minimal information … next to nothing,” he said.
The trio charged Saturday are Brian Church, 20, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Jared Chase, 24, of Keene, N.H.; and, Brent Vincent Betterly, 24, of Oakland Park, Fla. They were arrested on Wednesday and face charges of conspiracy to commit terrorism, material support for terrorism and possession of explosives.
Senakiewicz was arrested a day later and there was no immediate indication that he had links to Church, Chase or Betterly. It also wasn’t clear when Neiweem was arrested and if he had any links to the other charged activists.
Defense lawyer Michael Deutsch on Saturday accused police of setting up their clients in an attempt to frighten peaceful protesters. He said undercover officers brought the firebombs to a South side apartment where the men were arrested.
Critics say filing terrorism-related charges against the protesters is reminiscent of previous police actions ahead of major political events, when authorities moved quickly to prevent suspected plots but sometimes quietly dropped the charges later.
“Even if charges are dropped or reduced later, they will have succeeded in spreading fear and intimidation,” Hermes said.
Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy on Saturday flatly dismissed the idea the arrests of the initial three suspects were anything more than an effort to stop “an imminent threat.”
Prosecutors said Church, Chase and Betterly used fuel purchased from a Chicago gas station for makeshift bombs, pouring it into beer bottles and cutting up bandanas to serve as fuses. if convicted on all counts, they could get up to 85 years in prison. They are each being held on $1.5 million bond.
2 more NATO Summit activists charged
NATO, Afghanistan hammer out long-term ties
May 19th
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, left, appears with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, right, at the Lisbon NATO summit. STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: Russia expands help with ISAF transit
- NEW: Civilian casualties and good government are broached
- ISAF reaffirms support of Afghan peace moves
- Leaders want to make security leadership transition by 2014
For more about the country and the war, read the Afghanistan Crossroads blog.
Lisbon, Portugal (CNN) — NATO and the Afghan government on Saturday forged a "long-term" partnership declaration — an agreement that will leave international forces in the war-torn country for many years after a planned military transition in 2014.
"we will stay as long as it takes to finish our job," said Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO’s secretary-general.
"NATO is in this for the long term. we will not transition until our Afghan partners are ready. we will stay, after transition, in a supporting role," he also said.
He and Afghan President Hamid Karzai signed the pact before reporters at the NATO summit in Lisbon. along with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, they made remarks and took questions from reporters.
"Today marks the beginning of a new phase in our mission in Afghanistan. we will launch the process by which the Afghan government will take leadership for security throughout the country, district by district, province by province. The direction, starting today, is clear: towards Afghan leadership and Afghan ownership," Rasmussen said.
NATO, whose International Security Assistance Force has been battling insurgents for years in Afghanistan, will start transferring security leadership to Afghans next year, with a goal for Afghans to be in the lead by 2014.
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"that is the vision President Karzai has set out. it is a vision we share, and we will make it a reality, starting early next year," Rasmussen said.
As the changeover occurs, coalition forces will focus on supporting roles, such as training soldiers and police, and helping the country develop its government, infrastructure and economy.
The agreement reaffirms NATO’s "enduring commitment to Afghanistan’s security and stability."
When asked about the transfer timetable however, Rasmussen said, "I don’t foresee ISAF troops in a combat role beyond 2014, provided, of course, that the security situation" permits a "more supportive role."
"Let me stress the agreement we have signed today is not only a signal to Afghan people we will stay committed," Rasmussen said, "it’s a signal we won’t leave behind a security vacuum that could create instability."
Karzai — who has been critical of international troops in Afghanistan, in part for their role in causing civilian casualties — was pleased by the "keen awareness" among world leaders in Lisbon toward the "realities" in the country.
He also said the leaders were supportive of the country’s efforts to reach out and make peace with insurgents, citing the formation of the High Peace Council — a group dedicated to pursuing peace with militants.
"On all the agendas, I found voices of concord and agreement from world leaders," he said.
NATO said ISAF leaders "reaffirmed their support for the Afghan-led process of reconciliation and re-integration."
"There was also agreement that these Afghan-led efforts to reconcile and re-integrate insurgents are for those fighters who renounce violence, cut links with terrorist groups and accept the Afghan constitution," NATO said.
Both Karzai and Rasmussen stressed their optimism over the transition plan. Karzai said the "determination and hard work" of the Afghans and the "strong commitment" of the international community will make the plan work.
Rasmussen cited improvements across the country. A decade ago, he said, Afghanistan was "torn apart." since then, there have been strides militarily and in other sectors, citing the "rapid growth" in security force numbers.
Ban lauded what he called a "successful meeting."
"as we move ahead, we must be guided by realities, not schedules. Let us remember Afghanistan has been at war for decades," Ban said. "There are no short cuts to peace. The U.N. is committed to supporting the Afghans over the long term."
The U.S. and NATO allies are looking to turn two or three Afghan provinces over to Afghan control by June, with "several more" in the summer or fall.
"Starting early next year, Afghan forces will begin taking the lead for security operations," Rasmussen said.
"This will begin in certain districts and provinces, and based on conditions, will gradually expand throughout the country. The aim is for the Afghan forces to be in the lead country-wide by the end of 2014."
Some of those targeted for the first transition include the relatively calm provinces of Parwan, Bamiyan and Panjshir, CNN Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr reported earlier this week.
"But of course, we cannot succeed alone. The military is necessary, but we need a true comprehensive approach. that is a clear lesson of our experience in Afghanistan," Rasmussen said.
Some coalition countries are already backing that approach.
Canada, which is ending its combat mission in Afghanistan in July, announced Tuesday "a new role" to play in the war-torn nation, with a focus on security, diplomacy, human rights and development.
And a senior U.K. official confirmed Saturday that what British Prime Minister David Cameron has said publicly remains official policy: no matter how violent Afghanistan is at the end of 2014, the British will end combat operations by 2015.
The official says the process is on track to "begin transition in some provinces in early 2011" and that despite the country’s vow to stop fighting in four years, the British will remain involved in Afghanistan in a noncombat role.
"The alliance’s commitment to Afghanistan will endure beyond ISAF’s current mission," the official said.
NATO said the leaders at the gathering welcomed the bolstering of "the strength, equipment and capabilities" of Afghan troops. it said Afghan security force numbers are "on track to reach 300,000 by the end of 2011."
The agreement addresses the civilian casualty issue, and it comes a day after three Afghan civilians were accidentally killed and four others were wounded during an operation in Kunar province, in Afghanistan’s east.
Typifying the kind of incident that has undermined international credibility in Afghanistan, troops used mortar rounds to return fire against insurgents, but three or four rounds landed short of the targeted area, near a village.
"any civilian casualty is a tragedy," the declaration said. "we strongly condemn the intentional targeting of civilians by insurgents, who have caused the overwhelming majority of civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan.
"at the same time, we will continue to take all necessary steps to shield civilians from harm, measures that have already contributed to a substantial decrease in civilian casualties caused by ISAF and Afghan forces."
The partnership declaration urges the Afghan government to tackle government corruption and improve governing.
"This will help translate security gains into political gains and promote stability," the agreement said.
Also, Rasmussen announced stronger ties between the alliance and Russia, including the completion of arrangements for expanded transit of equipment to ISAF troops.
CNN’s Chris Lawrence contributed to this report
NATO, Afghanistan hammer out long-term ties
Facebook Stock or Toilet Paper? Buy the Toilet Paper Dumbass!
May 18th
Are you one of those people who like Facebook and can’t wait to drop your life’s savings into the upcoming stock sale? do you honestly think that Facebook is a sound investment? If you are and if you do, then take a minute and first look at the recent articles where General Motors pulled their Facebook ads. Why you might ask? Because the simple truth is, people don’t buy shit because they saw some lame ass ad on Facebook. Hell I go to Facebook about 20 times a day and can honestly say I NEVER click on ads. Shit I don’t even read the damned things.
Facebook is just another fucking fad people. it will be around for a while and then as soon as something else pops up, the people will migrate to that like the cattle they really are. Remember MySpace? Yeah I loved that shit. You could do way more on MySpace than you could on lame ass Facebook, but like the sheeple I am, I followed everyone else over to Facebook.
So ask yourself, what exactly am I getting by buying Facebook stock? what real value does Facebook have? do they produce a product, hell do they even make a profit? the answer to both of those questions is fuck no.
Mark Zuckerberg and every other stock holding employee of Facebook is hoping and praying that dipshits like you will make them billionaires and then mark my words, they will sell their stock quicker than you can say, ponzi scheme.
Facebook Stock or Toilet Paper? Buy the Toilet Paper Dumbass!
Brett Lawrie vs George Brett
May 17th
George Brett was involved in one of the most controversial incidents in baseball called “the pine-tar incident.” it went down like this:
Even though George Brett didn’t exactly do what he said he was going to do while sitting in the dugout, he came very close. And with good reason!
Recently, Toronto Blue Jays, Brett Lawrie may have also created a monster called the “batting helmet incident.” After umpire Bill Miller called Lawrie out on a pitch up and away in the ninth inning of a one-run game against Tampa Bay, Lawrie — who was on his way to first base — turned to argue the call. Miller immediately ejected him, and Lawrie then spiked his helmet on the turf. it bounced up and hit Miller on the hip as Lawrie proceeded to berate him. Miller then tossed Blue Jays manager John Farrell after he came to his player’s aid.
All was said and done, right? Lawrie was expected to play in today’s game. He was even in the line-up. And then Major league baseball stepped in and threw a four-game suspension to Lawrie for his aggressive actions towards Miller. there has been no details that I know of towards any fines, but Lawrie is expected to sit the bench for the next four games. As far as Bill Miller’s controversial call? USA Today has the story on that. Chime in with your comments down below. I’d love to hear what you think about all of this.
Clippers pleased at quieting Grizzlies’ FedExForum crowd
May 14th
Frustrated at what they perceived to be a whiny attitude, some Grizzlies fans brought a giant cutout of Clippers guard Chris Paul’s head adorned with a baby bonnet and a pacifier to last week’s Game 5.
By the end of Game 7, it had become a Clippers keepsake, what passed as a trophy for a first-round series win.
In the Clippers’ locker room after their 82-72 win over Memphis on Sunday afternoon, Paul’s giant cutout head rested comfortably in Caron Butler’s stall, at least until a clubhouse attendant walked over and turned it around. it was a trophy that represented the spoils of winning, when the Clippers spoiled a Sunday afternoon for a group of Memphis fans who had spent the past two weeks loathing them.
“It’s the best feeling,” Paul said. “You’ve got somebody screaming at you all game long, then you see them walk out pouting.”
But it wasn’t the Clippers’ star power — Paul and forward Blake Griffin — that left the home crowd pouting.
To wrap up the franchise’s first playoff series win in six years, the Clippers relied on a hodgepodge of players off the bench like Kenyon Martin, the 12-year veteran out of Cincinnati; Eric Bledsoe, the second-year guard out of Kentucky; and Nick Young, the hot shooter who sparked the Game 1 comeback. (To say nothing of Mo Williams and Reggie Evans.)
All five bench players had positive plus-minus numbers. all five starters had negative ones. The bench combined for 102 of the team’s 240 minutes, 41 of its 82 points, 23 of its 46 rebounds and only five of its 16 turnovers.
“The second unit is the MVP of the series,” said starting guard Randy Foye. “They made the difference in the game.”
The difference in crunch time, too. The Clippers’ starters didn’t even score a point in the fourth quarter until Paul’s two free throws with 28.4 seconds to play. By then, the Clippers were up 78-71 — the first 23 points of the fourth quarter all off the bench — and Memphis fans had started to find the exits.
Two Clippers fans walked down to the first few rows behind the team’s bench, with one snapping photos with her smartphone. it was a moment to savor — the Clippers’ first playoff series win since 2006 and just their second since moving to Los Angeles in the mid-1980s.
In a loud locker room, players occasionally yelling one-liners at one another from what appeared to be inside jokes, the team was preparing to head to San Antonio for Game 1 of a Western Conference semifinal series. Paul said he booked plane tickets for his family to San Antonio before Sunday’s game, he was so confident in the outcome. He was fairly certain they were non-refundable.
“It’s really satisfying because they’ve got a really, really good crowd,” said Mo Williams, who scored nine points off the bench, including a 3-pointer with 7:04 to play that extended the Clippers’ lead to 10. “Satisfying to kind of shut them up a little bit.”
Clips praise defense
Guard Eric Bledsoe said he felt the Los Angeles Clippers played their best defense of the year Sunday, and the Grizzlies were in no position to argue.
Memphis shot a paltry 32.5 percent (25 of 77) and missed all 13 of its attempts from beyond the 3-point line.
“The way we played defense,” forward Blake Griffin said, “is a testament to what we can do.”
– Kyle Veazey: (901) 529-2799
Clippers pleased at quieting Grizzlies’ FedExForum crowd
Battling your iPhone has never been more fun w/ Self Aware for iOS
May 12th
Oregon base Dingle LLC today announces the recent release of self Aware for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. This wildly original puzzle game pits players against their own iPhones as they match wits with a renegade security program named STU in a battle to free their phones from this omnipotent technological menace. self Aware is part mini-game escapism and part puzzle challenge all packaged so cleverly you might just have to 2nd guess where the game ends and your normal mobile device starts.
Battling your iPhone has never been more fun w/ Self Aware for iOS
Reid: Supporters of Filibuster Reform Were "Right," "the Rest of Us Were Wrong"
May 11th
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. (Photo: Stephen Crowley / The New York Times)Every two years, when the Senate’s newly-elected members take office, the Constitution opens up a brief window when the Senate’s rules can be changed with just 51 votes — the rules typically require a two-thirds majority to make any changes. last year, several senators proposed taking advantage of this window to reform the filibuster rule and prevent Senate Republicans from continuing their unprecedented campaign of obstruction of bills and nominees. Ultimately, however, these reforms failed because too many Senate Democrats were unwilling to move forward with them.
Yesterday, in a floor speech, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) admitted that the reformers were correct, and that the senators who kept the filibuster intact were wrong:
If there ever were a time when Tom Udall and Jeff Merkley were prophetic, it’s tonight. These two young, fine senators said it was time we changed the rules in the Senate, and we didn’t. they were right. The rest of us were wrong — or most of us now anyway. What a shame. so here we are, wasting time because of the Republicans. … And then, to top it off, one of the finest members of the Senate we’ve had, ever, was defeated yesterday by a man, listen to this, Mr. President, who campaigned on the platform that there’s too much compromise in the Senate. And he’s going to come back here and not compromise with anybody on anything. Now that’s what we need in the Senate, more people who are willing to do nothing but fight.
Reid’s frustration with the result in the Indiana GOP Senate primary closely maps concerns that ThinkProgress raised shortly after Tea Party candidate Richard Mourdock defeated long time incumbent Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN). In the wake of Mourdock’s success running on a platform of uncompromising obstructionism, it is unlikely that any Republican senator will be willing to cross party lines in order to pass even the most essential legislation or to fill crucial jobs such as a seat on the Supreme Court. as Reid now seems to recognize, the choice facing Senate Democrats is whether to dramatically reform the Senate rules or leave America completely unable to govern itself.
Despite their unwillingness to do so last year, however, they will have another opportunity to do so very soon — provided they have at least 51 votes in favor of reform. next January, when the 113th Congress convenes, another window opens enabling the Senate’s rules to be changed by a simple majority vote.
Reid: Supporters of Filibuster Reform Were "Right," "the Rest of Us Were Wrong"
The Villages
May 11th
The Villages, Florida is better known to its occupants as Disneyland for Adults.
Nestled into the central Florida region, between Ocala and Orlando, is a community of baby boomers who give a new meaning to retirement. among the well-manicured grounds and many different neighborhood villages you will find an extremely active population of 70,000 and growing. the number one activity is free golf. You can schedule your round at any of the forty courses, with more being developed, from morning to evening. if golf isn’t your interest, there are numerous other activities such as, a pool in every village and recreation center, over 600 clubs and organizations, two town squares, soon to be three, with entertainment and dancing every night of the year, shopping, restaurants from drive through to fine dining of every nationality, movie theaters, library, adult education center and much more. the area recreation centers provide meeting rooms, game rooms, and pool tables with free play. another benefit of residency is automatic membership to all the country clubs with their great eateries and beautiful lounges where you can drop in for a cold draft beer after golf or pickle ball, or a cocktail before dining. Situated next to the country clubs are the pro shops to supply all your golf needs.
Today’s retired population is very different from the generations that preceded them. It is said that being sixty today is like the new forties. Retirement no longer brings the image of the knitting needles and rocking chairs, waiting for time to pass to get to that final stage of life. instead, we are looking at people who are involved in their community, volunteering their time, doing worthwhile projects, exercising at the gym, running in the park, or taking classes. They are people looking to utilize their new found free time productively. those teenage years were extremely busy and fast changing times. There wasn’t always enough time to pursue all of your interests. so, it’s not long after becoming a resident of the Villages, you realize, all of those things you thought passed you by as a teenager were now becoming available to you once again. Find that part in a play, or sing in a chorus, become a cheerleader or a member of the, marching band, a team member for baseball or swimming. if there is something you would like to accomplish, you can probably find it.
The best part of experiencing all that this community has to offer is having access to absolutely everything you may need or want by golf cart. There are miles and miles of cart paths to travel along with expanded streets that have designated cart lanes. the need for frequent stops at the gas station disappears.
Once you get a glimpse of all that is at your fingertips, you realize why the Villages, Florida is truly Disneyland for Adults.
Protandim Supplement Anti-Aging Drug Causes Surge in Stock Price for Parent Company Lifevantage Corporation
Feb 9th
In less than a 30 day period, the stock price of the Lifevantage Corporation (LFVN) rose by over 19% based on some changes in management and board of directors. The stock which currently resides at about a dollar and a half is still a good buy according to analysts based on the performance of its primary product, Protandim.
Protandim is a dietary supplement which has been clinically proven to reduce the effects of oxidative stress, as well as the progressive rate of cellular aging according to the company. Secondary to the Protandim is LifeVantage TrueScience Anti-Aging Cream.
LifeVantage, dietary supplement company which currently holds four patents for Protandim, is reportedly also researching and developing products to address such issues as altitude sickness, skin cancer, photo aging of the skin, renal failure, osteoarthritis, HIV/AIDS-associated lipodystrophy, pulmonary hypertension, periodontal disease, heart disease, coronary artery bypass graft failure, asthma, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, metabolic syndrome, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and optic neuropathy.
Lifevantage held its annual shareholders meeting on January 10th. The results of the meeting, which included adding four new board members, appears to be what has spurred the recent increase in stock prices.
According to information released by the company, the new board gathered after the shareholder meeting and appointed Woody Spedden as the new Chairman of the Board.
Q2 financial results for LFVN are expected to be released after the close on Valentines Day next week. Just a few months ago the company increased its 2012 fincal outlook saying that it expects revenues of $95-$105 million versus previous estimates of $80 to $90 million. Similarly operating income projections were also raised by about $3-$5 million.
Roseanne Barr: Is she serious about Green Party presidential bid?
Feb 4th
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Roseanne Barr: Is she serious about Green Party presidential bid?