This is an interesting and fair piece from the NYTimes on what it's like for reporters from other outlets to deal with Fox News.

Since Fox News is run by Roger Ailes--formerly a campaign consultant for Messrs Nixon, Reagan, and H. W. Bush--it's unsurprising to read that Fox's touch when it comes to those reporting on it is rather rough. In fact, they act a lot like Nixon's reelection campaign with the press (or the Clintons, if you want to be more contemporary)--hostile, abusive, withholding, and thoroughly contemptuous.

Still, while it's clear that Fox's touch could be a bit more delicate and a bit less paranoid, I don't think this article can be considered a "hit piece." At least, for the author's sake, I hope not; you know what happens when Fox has determined your work to be a "hit piece," don'tcha?

-Elia Isquire

He concludes:-

I admire McCain, but I think Obama will win.

Courage takes on many forms, sadly, it is rarely used in conjunction with women, their sacrifice and hard work.

Like many, I've been watching the terrific HBO series John Adams, fascinated & quite taken back with both John and Abigail Adams.

John was a complicated man. Tenacious and honest, he was blessed with great intellect. He also had genuine affection and deep love for his wife and family. He was conflicted with the many absences he and his family had to withstand while he was on this country's business. John Adams was also bullheaded, (some said) vain and occasionally tone deaf both in his personal and political life; a complicated man to be sure.

Abigail was a wonderful woman, John's equal in every way . . . his rock, lover, friend. John was absent 7 of the first 14 years they were married, leaving Abigail alone to singlehandedly school and care for their children, plant the crops to feed them, make their clothes, survive illness, etc. etc. These selfless acts of necessity took courage, the kind of courage that is often overlooked or dismissed.

This country is most fortunate that John, Abigail, and their contemporaries were willing to sacrifice so much so that we might benefit from their vision of a political system where all men and women are created equal. How can one not ask if the hand of the Divine didn't play some part in the birth of United States of America . . . particularly since both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died 50 years to the day the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1826.

And what does this have to do with Hillary's courage? I've been thinking about the onslaught and barrage of negativism Hillary faced on a daily basis because she was a woman and because she was Bill's wife.

For the misogynistic morons (that's most of the media, both male and female, especially MSNBC, Keith Olbermann, and Chris “cheap shot” Matthews) who want to jump ugly, suck it in. Hillary didn't lose because she was a woman, however, the constant drum beat of hate filled speech didn't help her candidacy or the country.

It was shameful demonstration of how far we still have to travel when it comes to respecting women and their points of view. BTW, just because there were woman jumped on the “Bash Hillary bandwagon” that doesn't mean their comments were any less hateful, hurtful, or misogynistic. Yup, women can be “suck ups” and jerks too!

I don't know how Hillary had the strength and fortitude to get up every day facing this negativism before she uttered one word on the campaign trail. She did, and this country owes her a debt of gratitude.

While she was fighting against incredible odds, against “conventional wisdom”, against the backdrop of a Obama biased media, shouts for her to get out, the machinations of Howard Dean and the DNC, the following took place:

• more people registered to vote than ever before

• more people cast votes in primaries than ever before

• 18,000,000 people cast votes just for Hillary

• this contest went down to the wire and States like South Dakota, Colorado, etc. had a voice in the outcome for the first time in my memory

• her candidacy took this country to a place it had never gone before and in the process this democracy is stronger, more voters young and old are participating . . . and that's a very good thing!

If Hillary's critics had had their way, Obama's selection would have taken place months earlier and the voices of millions of voters across this country would never have been heard.

Since we're talking about courage and tenacity have you ever wondered why:

• Gore didn't have more of tenacity in 2000? Yes, his case went to the Supreme Court, but he still had options that he refused to consider. What if he'd fought on? Where would this country's energy policy be today? Think we'd be facing a recession and gas at $4 a gallon? Would there have been a 9-11 or war in Iraq? We'll never know.

• While talking about courage and tenacity, why didn't Kerry contest the voting in Ohio in 2004? There were so many irregularities that it remains incomprehensible to me why he didn't fight. How much courage and tenacity would that have taken? In my book, not much. Even a cursory look shows massive voting irregularities and fraud. This is a mystery that Stephen Marks brings up in his book Confessions of a Political Hitman.

• Question: Mr. Dean while one of your party's female candidates was taking a brutal sexist beating in the press by the MSM how much courage would it have taken to go on record with the media, putting them “on notice” and saying, “enough!” Answer: More courage than you had, given the fact you made no secret of the fact you were really supporting Obama.

Mr. Obama we already know you'll do and say anything to get elected so we don't have to ask why YOU didn't say something about the reprehensible sexist behavior of the MSM when they were “reporting” on Hillary.

Your only acknowledgment of Hillary's fight was made during the “unity” appearance when you were looking for votes from her supporters! What a joke. Seems to me that a real man would have stopped his campaign and delivered a speech to the media, his supporters, and the world that he didn't want to win in such a scurrilous manner.

What sir, will you tell your daughters if they suffer the residual effects of sexism because you were silent????

Here's something else, a savvy politician would have seen the benefits of doing this. You made a speech about racism and you should have made one on sexism. Had you done so, many in us in Hillary's army would hold a different opinion of you now.

Now all we're left with is the question I have been asking for months, “how much courage does it take to cast a vote?” Until someone presents facts to the contrary, you are the only politician I am aware of who has placed 130 present votes, not yes or no . . . present!

Like I said, courage takes many forms!

Sir Charles Wheeler, pictured left has died. Adam heard mention of this overnight on Friday.

Adam well remembers listening to, as well as seeing this reporter so many times over the years. A brief extract from the Times obituary follows, but the entire piece repays reading.

The doyen of BBC foreign correspondents, Charles Wheeler earned a permanent niche in television history through his coverage of the Watergate scandal during his years as the corporation’s chief correspondent in the United States. Often ahead of the American press corps, he exploited the contacts he had built up during seven years in Washington to provide the fullest and most comprehensive reporting available in the British media — and more than matching in quality, though not in quantity, that of the American networks.

I probably should cut through the bullshit--I think this is an utter non-story. More than that, it is a textbook example of a media-created and sustained story (moreso even than the Wesley Clark flare-up). I think the motivation here is, mainly, the desire for conflict, which is all the MSM can report on at this point. Realities of the race, the electorate, the politicians be damned. I mean, where is the poll for readers to see for themselves? What I really want to see is the margin-of-error. A drop from 59 to 54 could be well within, but that information is nowhere to be found.

(CNN, you'll remember, also did fantastically well ratings-wise during the protracted Democratic primary. They're trying to wring every last drop out of the story.)

Also--and this is where I'm probably going to be a bit more on my own--I feel there is an implicit sexism to the whole thing. Despite the fact that McCain is anti-choice (and terrible on women's issues in a myriad of other ways) these voters are going to sit on their hands in November? Why? Because hell hath no fury like women scorned? They're just so irrational, y'know.

-Elia Isquire

ஆப்கானிய எல்லைக்கு அருகேயுள்ள ஒரு பழங்குடியின மக்களின் பிராந்தியத்தில் வைத்து பாகிஸ்தானிய செய்தியாளர்கள் இருவரை தலிபான் போராளிகள் கடத்தியுள்ளனர்.

சுயாதீன நிருபரான ஸுபைர் ஷா மற்றும் புகைப்படப்பிடிப்பாளரான அக்தர் சும்ரோ ஆகியோரை மொஹ்மண்டில் வைத்து வியாழக்கிழமை பிற்பகலில் அவர்கள் கடத்தியுள்ளனர்.

தலிபான்களின் அனுமதியில்லாமல் அவர்கள் புகைப்படங்களைப் பிடித்ததாகச் செய்திகள் கூறுகின்றன.

அவர்களை விடுதலை செய்வதற்கான சமரசப் பேச்சுக்களுக்காக அங்கு பல பழங்குடியின மூத்தவர்கள் சென்றதாக பிராந்திய மூத்த அதிகாரி ஒருவர் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

இது தொடர்பில் என்ன செய்வது என்று முடிவெடுக்க தமது சபை கூடும் என்று பாகிஸ்தானிய தலிபான்கள் சார்பிலான பேச்சாளர் ஒருவர் தெரிவித்துள்ளார்.

Homepaddock posts on John Roughan's piece in today's Herald on Hager the Horrible. Both are worth a look,especially as Roughan has a go, albeit mild at Hager - which makes a change for journalists who seem, many of them, to think NH walks on water. Roughan especially is not impressed by Hager's feigned outrage over National employing consultants.

The Hive comments on Fran O'Sullivans column on Alexander Downer which is also in today's Herald and which Adam commented extensively on in this post - What does New Zealand stand for?

Keeping Stock comments on John Armstrong's column in the Herald regarding Labour's mistakes in strategy in attacking Key personally. Armstrong identifies that Labour focuses on Key, he understands that because Key is a major factor in National now being electable, but as he notes:-

But Labour's constant chipping away at Key does not seem to be making any headway.

That is because Labour has failed to display any sense of proportion. It has seized on anything that might put Key in a bad light no matter how small or trivial and brandished it as evidence Key is not up to it.

This has proved counter-productive. Voters _ especially crucial female "swing" voters _ have a profound distaste for politicians launching personal attacks on one another's character. The Prime Minister's attack on Key may have done more damage to her credibility than his.

Adam's emphasis.

The Hive draws attention to the mystery of Tom Gear, apparently on the NZ First Parliamentary payroll, see this DomPost article, who is the Tauranga resident referred to the police for alleged illegal activity under the EFA.

This looks as if there is much more to come on this, the extract which follows can be seen as a curtain raiser:-

A NZ First staffer likely to face police scrutiny in a test of new electoral laws has received hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars for a job many in his party know almost nothing about.

Tommy Gear, a close friend of party leader Winston Peters, is expected to be questioned by police following an alleged breach of the Electoral Finance Act.

The case is the first under the controversial new law governing political party advertising to have been referred to police by the Electoral Commission.

Mr Gear is likely to be questioned about NZ First banners that were strung from the remains of his property in Maxwells Rd, Tauranga, in April.

Mr Gear has been employed by the Parliamentary Service, which administers Parliament, from as early as 1998.

He has occasionally used his black Mercedes to chauffeur Mr Peters and carry his bags - but what else Mr Gear has done for a salary in some years of up to $50,000 is a mystery to many party officials.

David Farrar at Kiwiblog also posts on the mysterious Mr Gear. It is interesting is it not that so many of the apparent breaches of the EFA come from those most in favour of it's passing. Is it possible that these people thought that it would not apply to them? Are they so arrogant?

Mr Farrar has posted on the John Armstrong column, he sees the issues in starker terms than Armstrong and where Armstrong suggests playing the ball, rather than the man, DPF writes:-

I can safely predict there is really no chance of this. Simply put, Labour is desperate and dateless and has nothing else to offer.

He comments as well on Fran O'Sullivan's article, like others he cannot understand why NZ wants to be on this body.

The DimPost has an item on the truckers protest. DP is not in favour, but it was this comment which struck a chord with Adam:-

This felt more like a piece of political theatre than a genuine protest; a propaganda exercise orchestrated by Road Transport Forum Director and former National Party Minister Tony Friedlander.

Labour could have gone to town on this, accusing the Nats of shutting down the cities, damaging small business’s ect - but they were too busy in the house trying to pin down John Key on some technical and largely meaningless historical share transaction involving the sale of the railways.

Its an effective metaphor for Labour’s current communications strategy: concentrate on some trivial sideshow while remaining oblivious to whatever’s really going on.

Whilst not agreeing with the Friedlander comment, Adam thinks DP is absolutely correct in the rest of the comment. Labour self destructed in respect of the truckers, nobody got to them. This was their very own piece of stupidity.

Adam would like to congratulate the DimPost on the standard which it sets. Great writing, great satire.

The No Minister team continue to draw attention to the imperfections of the left in their own inimitable fashion, giving pleasure to the many and I suspect discomfort to more than a few. Adam shares Gooner's concern over this rape allegation in respect of the English rugby team. This limbo of public awareness, but no real resolution is just not acceptable.

Jafapete wrote clearly on the Crosby/Textor issue from his perspective .

Meanwhile, NBC 29 sat down with a gentleman who I had the great pleasure of studying under, Larry Sabato, to get his thoughts on the upcoming election, as well as a preview of the upcoming debate between Gilmore and Warner.

The post is well worth a read. Adam was intending to post on it after receiving the newsletter earlier, but other issues intervened.

This issue has the capacity to damage reputations and claim heads, as it would appear that much more lay behind the Court Martial of Colonel Heaton this week than was apparent at the time.

It is critical that the truth be brought out into the open.

Adam, like some others fears that the internal inquiry presently in train may not do that.

It is disappointing to Adam that on a day when he posted about an article in the UK Times about the moral courage and leadership of General Sir Richard Dannatt, Head of the British Army that he should read about the housing rort apparently perpetrated by senior NZ officers, at the behest of their superiors.

He hopes that at least one officer in the NZ Forces will emerge from this with his reputation intact. Perhaps Maj Gen Jones, though this remains to be seen.

Hopefully, we can avoid a scapegoating exercise and get to the bottom of this affair and establish the real culprits and why this happened.

Of course yet another scandal is just what Labour does not need at this time, especially as it would appear that this took place entirely on it's watch.

Phil Goff has been made to look foolish by all this, and of course it breaks the golden rule - No Surprises.

Adam is surprised there has not been more media focus on this.

It begins to seem as though there are widespread governance and probity issues throughout the NZ Public Service.

This is not a good look for Defence in a week which has seen an Auditor General's report on the Defence Ministry's inability to properly manage financial and contract matters. Again another issue which does not appear as yet to have attracted wide -spread media comment. Strange that to Adam's Inquiring Mind.

Looking at various media reports Adam was struck by the degree of public support for the truckers. Why?

These people are not normally the most popular. Indeed, there is a strong argument that their argument is one of special pleading; that may well not stack up on a rational basis.

Adam thinks that Audrey Young may well be right in her Herald blog item:-

I don't think people don't care that much about the truckies' RUCs. But their efforts to clog the cities of New Zealand was a vicarious protest for every other motorist shocked at the price of fuel or householder feeling the strain of rising everything.

It was a bit like that closing scene in the movie Network: "I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

Inconvenienced motorists tooted their support, and onlookers clapped them.

As Audrey Young wrote:-

The Government has offered a logical case of why the RUC should rise and why it could not give a month's notice without defeating the whole purpose of the rise.

The wonder of it is that the Government - in desperate survival mode - didn't delay the rise knowing it would be so politically sensitive.

There are two alternatives: either the Government decided to act out of principle to ensure that all sectors paid their fair share, selflessly disregarding any backlash against Labour; or it did not expect the response it got.

I'll go for the latter.

The Government almost had a brilliant week this week.

Instead it has turned into a shocker.

What Adam thinks happened is they, Labour, had planned a strong weekas Young notes with KiwiRail, an attack on Key, plus as Ms Young notes also a new uni campus in South Auckland and the re-use of the Rugby Ball pavilion for tourism promotion in London, though Adam still thinks that is naff.

What do they get; truckies as heroes of the populace, an attack on Key turning to custard-even if he may be on shaky ground in some respects.

In effect a spectacular own goal on an issue they need not have brought down on their heads.

Why, because as Audrey Young noted above, the transport industry tapped into:-

a vicarious protest for every other motorist shocked at the price of fuel or householder feeling the strain of rising everything.

This coupled with a degree of anger with the Clark government over many, many issues such as perceived arrogance, refusal to listen etc, etc.

Once lit, this response is likely to be very hard to damp down - as reportedly the support for the truckies was nationwide and over 4000 trucks took part.

There is a lot of frustration and anger out there in the community with what is seen as an increasingly out of touch regime.

The government may not rescind the RUC charges, nor on a rational basis should they, but the transport industry may well think they have a win, with Annette King reported as instructing officials to have a look at how RUC is calculated.

Even worse for Labour, the public is likely to perceive the transport industry as having a win, whether or not they in fact have one. Unless Clark rescinds the review. Then she will probably be seen as vindictive.

This whole affair over RUC was political mis-management of the most spectacular sort. It was also totally unnecessary. It further demonstrates that the government, more particularly the inner circle, has lost it's way.

To finish this post Adam thought he would leave readers with a clip from Network, the movie referred to by Audrey Young and for which Peter Finch, as Howard Beale, deservedly won an Oscar. This is the speech when Finch's character first taps the nerve. Watch the reactions of the network executives played by Faye Dunaway and William Holden. Consider what the political strategists in NZ will be doing now.

Finch's character taps into a viewer frustration, which in the end destroys him. Made in 1976 the movie skewered the media then.

What is so interesting is how prescient the movie was. It is arguably more relevant today when we have outfits like Fox News and reality TV than when first made.

Totally tangentially Finch was an Australian actor, often thought of as English. Actors like Finch leave one-dimensional players such as Tom Cruise in the dust.

Watch and enjoy, they just do not make them like this anymore.

The immortal line is:-

"I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

In a later scene from memory, for Adam first saw this film on it's initial release, the I becomes a We as the audience in a crowd scene chant it as a mantra.

It might well become a mantra for the NZ public. Adam would not be surprised if this phrase did not get picked up and used this year.

Well, it looks like uncle sam needs YOU again! This from the washingtOOn post:

---clip---

A Shortage Of Troops in Afghanistan

Iraq War Limits U.S. Options, Says Chairman of Joint Chiefs

By Josh White

Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 3, 2008; Page A01

The nation's top military officer said yesterday that more U.S. troops are needed in Afghanistan to tamp down an increasingly violent insurgency, but that the Pentagon does not have sufficient forces to send because they are committed to the war in Iraq.

Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said insurgent Taliban and extremist forces in Afghanistan have become "a very complex problem," one that is tied to the extensive drug trade, a faltering economy and the porous border with Pakistan. Violence in Afghanistan has increased markedly over recent weeks, with June the deadliest month for U.S. troops since the war began in 2001.

"I don't have troops I can reach for, brigades I can reach, to send into Afghanistan until I have a reduced requirement in Iraq," Mullen told reporters at the Pentagon. "Afghanistan has been and remains an economy-of-force campaign, which by definition means we need more forces there."

Mullen has raised similar concerns over the past several months, but his comments yesterday were more pointed and came amid rising concern at the Pentagon over the situation in Afghanistan, where insurgents have regrouped in the south and east.

Mullen and President Bush also addressed the possibility of a conflict with Iran in separate appearances yesterday, with both saying they favor diplomacy over the use of military force. Asked directly about the possibility of an Israeli strike against Iran, Bush, in an appearance in the White House Rose Garden, said: "I have made it very clear to all parties that the first option ought to be solve this problem diplomatically." But he refused to rule out the use of force in the standoff over Iran's effort to develop nuclear weapons.

Bush also promised to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan by the end of the year. He acknowledged the increasing violence there, saying that "we're going to increase troops by 2009," but did not offer details.

---clip---

SONOFABUSH! The idiot in chief is now saber rattling at IRAN again! Three fronts are better then two, huh g'dubya? Our young people in uniform are EXHAUSTED! Time to bring em home! Support and vote for the ONLY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WHO WILL DO SO!

VOTENADER.ORG

The Telepathic Crickets™ on the ClapSotronics editorial board and I are fed up with the idiots in washingtOOn!

The scientifically impossible I do right away

The spiritually miraculous takes a bit longer

Obama has always said that he would listen to the military leaders in order to handle the situation responsibly. The media has gotten this new narrative in its head, that Obama is apparently shifting on everything, so therefore it interprets everything through this narrative.

For the love of God, media, stop doing this and start acting like the professionals you're supposed to be. It's no wonder no one trusts you.

Cheers,
Charlie

The real place where discussions of global warming belong is in the realm of belief, and particularly the motives for belief. I see three mutually compatible explanations.

The first is as a vehicle of ideological convenience. Socialism may have failed as an economic theory, but global warming alarmism, with its dire warnings about the consequences of industry and consumerism, is equally a rebuke to capitalism. Take just about any other discredited leftist nostrum of yore – population control, higher taxes, a vast new regulatory regime, global economic redistribution, an enhanced role for the United Nations – and global warming provides a justification. One wonders what the left would make of a scientific "consensus" warning that some looming environmental crisis could only be averted if every college-educated woman bore six children: Thumbs to "patriarchal" science; curtains to the species.

A second explanation is theological. Surely it is no accident that the principal catastrophe predicted by global warming alarmists is diluvian in nature. Surely it is not a coincidence that modern-day environmentalists are awfully biblical in their critique of the depredations of modern society: "And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart." That's Genesis, but it sounds like Jim Hansen. And surely it is in keeping with this essentially religious outlook that the "solutions" chiefly offered to global warming involve radical changes to personal behavior, all of them with an ascetic, virtue-centric bent: drive less, buy less, walk lightly upon the earth and so on. A light carbon footprint has become the 21st-century equivalent of sexual abstinence.

Is that rich or what? That was a cackle!

Finally, there is a psychological explanation. Listen carefully to the global warming alarmists, and the main theme that emerges is that what the developed world needs is a large dose of penance. What's remarkable is the extent to which penance sells among a mostly secular audience. What is there to be penitent about?

Read the whole article.

Er is een steeds grote 'markt' voor seropositieve mensen. Na een lichte daling in 2006 tekende het federaal Wetenschappelijk Instituut Volksgezondheid in 2007 een stijging van 3,75% op van het aantal nieuwe besmettingen. WJNH kon de voorlopige cijfers van het departement Epidemologie inkijken. In 2005 telde het WIV 1.074 nieuwe gevallen, in 2006 1.014 en in 2007 1.052. In België zijn de meeste nieuwe hiv-besmettingen het gevolg van homoseks.

Sunday :: The Great Adventure
Is the life you're living a great adventure?  If not, it can and should be.  There is no greater adventure or journey than the one we're on as followers of Jesus.  Get on board.

Monday :: Seeing the Unseen
It's all about faith.  Faith is believing in what we cannot necessarily see.  How strong in your faith?  Ready to step off the edge of that cliff in faith?

Tuesday :: I Hate Snakes
Just because we're following Jesus doesn't mean that life is going to all sweet and nice and comfortable. We're still going to deal with the bad days, the difficulties, hardships, disappointments, hurt, and even the scary and dangerous stuff.  The difference is, as followers of Jesus we can attack these things with rejoicing and joyful hearts knowing they will build godly character in us, bring us to maturity, that they're worked out for our good and they remind us that God is still in complete control.  Attack them there snakes head on!

Wednesday :: The Ultimate Treasure
The ultimate treasure is before all of us - Jesus.  We can choose wisely or we can choose poorly.  The choice is ours.  And what are we going to do with the this treasure once we choose Him?  Will we value Jesus more than anything else?  As much as the man who sold everything he had so he could purchase the field where he found the treasure?  Do we value Jesus that much?

It was a fantastic week!  Thanks for making this year's SSSS a great one!!  You all were a blast.  Check back next week some time for pictures on our main website (www.aucyouth.net).  Have a fantastic weekend!

-Obama's second ad for the general election is up and airing in.....you guessed it......Virginia. All hands on deck. Do what you can, but EVERY VOTE COUNTS this fall, and we have to work hard. You can start by helping us with phone banking on July 9th. Details on the calendar at our main web site.

-Bob Goodlatte has joined with fifty of his colleagues to ask the Administrator of the EPA to lower the amount of ethanol required in America's fuels. The move is in response to rising food prices, which are being driven both by the cost of fuel and a diminished supply, thanks in part both to ethanol use and wild storms out west (and at home; a number of Valley farmers, include Rockingham area Delegate Matt Lohr, have reported large losses following recent storms). Many environmentalists have hailed ethanol as a giant leap forward towards lowering our reliance on foreign oil, but economists have been quick to point out that diverting corn towards ethanol limits the amount used for food. 

-The Northern Virginia Daily has a round-up of area Fourth of July festivities. But what could be more patriotic than showing your support for a candidate in our free and fair elections (once a rarity in the world)? And you can do that by joining us at 2:30 p.m. in New Market for their Fourth of July Parade. (Sorry for the shameless plug)

Politico has the scoop.....Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is currently atop Senator McCain's short list, at least according to unnamed campaign insiders. Now, in this "silly season" between the primary and the general that could mean Senator McCain's dog's groomer, but hey, a scoop's a scoop. 

What's interesting is that this article claims that the Senator has divided his list into two tiers. The second tier includes former Pennsylvania Governor and Secretary of DHS Tom Ridge (who has been marked as a persona non-grata in some conservative circles for his pro-choice views), Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (who is hosting the RNC but just squeaked by in his re-election bid in 2006)......and Seventh District Representative Eric Cantor. 

Now again, this could simply be a red herring. The floating of fake names is legendary in vice-presidential politics (anyone remember when Dick Gephardt was stated to be the nominee in 2004?). But Eric Cantor is certainly getting a great deal of buzz in grassroots circles. Prominent blog Virginia Virtucon has been raising money for a possible McCain-Cantor ticket through RedStorm for at least a month, and there's a very nice site at http://www.ericcantorforvp.com. 

But I'm partial to Cantor for both his politics and because he's our anecdote to a possible pick by Obama of Jim Webb or Tim Kaine. Who tops your list? Bobby Jindal? Mark Sanford? Newt? Let us know in the comments below.  ]]> http://rafaelmieles.wordpress.com/?p=23 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:30:30 +0000 rafaelmieles http://rafaelmieles.wordpress.com/?p=23 A new analysis of HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men points to a troubling increase in new cases among young men, U.S. health officials reported.

Public health experts use the term "men who have sex with men," or MSM, because many of these men are not strictly homosexual or even bisexual.

Between 2001 and 2006 maile to male sex was the largest HIV transmission category in the U.S., and the only one associated with an increasing number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses, according to a report from Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The jump was highest- an increase of 12.4 percent- among boys and men between the ages 13 an 24 years who had sex with other males, particularly among ethnic minorities.

"To reduce transmission of HIV among MSM of all races/ethnicities, prevention strategies should be strengthened, improved, and implemented more broadly, "CDC health officials wrote in their Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Testing is important, they add, because "after persons become aware that they are HIV positive, most reduce their high risk sexua behavior."

The report describes trends in diagnoses of HIV/AIDS in 33 states that have confidential, name-based HIV case reporting.

Of 214,379 diagnoses during the study period, 46 percent were among MSM. The rate of new diagnoses declined in all other transmission categories- injection drug use, high risk heterosexual contact, and other routes of transmission.

Among all MSM, theestimated annual increase in the number of diagnoses among MSM was highest among Asian/Pacific Islanders at 12.1 percent, following by a 3.6 percent rate among American Indian/Alaska Natives; however; these two groups accounted for fewer than 1 percent of all diagnoses made during the study period.  The annual increase was 1.9 percent among Caucasians.

In MSM younger than age 25, African Americans bore the greatest burden with 7,658 new diagnoses (annual rate of change of 15 percent), followed by 3221 new cases among Caucasians (9 percent annula increase) and 2422 new cases among Hispanics (8 percent).

Could it be because these men were REAL men? This is such a great loss, they have given so much during their lives. I know the old saying is true: It is not how long you live; what matters is what you do while you are alive.

I would like to thank Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai for all the help he provided to us for the cause of Life, Liberty and pursuit of property while over seas. He did so much for so many during his time in the service, whether he was in or out of the combat zone.

This past Thursday, three of our lovely men have fallen. There names and ages:

Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai, 42, of Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Capt. Philip J. Dykeman, 38, of Brockport, N.Y.
Cpl. Marcus W. Preudhomme, 23, of North Miami Beach, Fla.

The Marines were assigned to 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

For additional background information on these Marines, news media representatives may contact the Marine Corps Base Hawaii public affairs office at (808) 257-8840/70.

Bob Ellis
USN 80-86

In Memory of Ed "OldIron" Barrett

"Remember that no matter how many missions you have been on, all that matters to the family is the one you are on today." ~ Roert

Source: DoD Identifies Marine Casualties, Patriot Guard Riders.

Here is some of the activies of that day, as best as I can gather. They were killed in the town of Karmah in Anbar province, about 30 miles west of Baghdad, by a suicide bomber who disguised himself as a police officer. This occurred during a meeting with tribal sheiks opposed to AQI. There are rumors that two Iraqi interpreters, a local mayor, and several important tribal sheiks were also killed, but the DoD would only confirm the deaths of the Marines.

When this happened, there were just two days left before the transition was to be made to the Iraqis to take full responsibility of this very region. They are saying that bad weather had postponed the handover, but if you believe that I have a bridge in Brooklyn...

On the brighter side, if there could be one, 10 of the 18 provinces have been returned to the control of the Iraqis. The eight provinces that are left are dominated by the Kurdish and Shi'ites.

Here is a little insight into WHO Lt. Col. Max Galeai was:

Friends yesterday remembered Galeai, of Pago Pago, American Samoa, as a dedicated family man, a natural leader and a caring buddy who would never burden others with his problems. Just last week, in the midst of his deployment in Iraq, he sent e-mails to friends with jokes about the hot weather and friendly queries about how they were doing.

"I'm trying to cope with the fact that he's no longer with us," said Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Taumaoe Gaoteote, of California, a longtime friend. "I didn't know how to react when I heard. I never thought it would actually happen to him."

In a newsletter for families of Kane'ohe-based Marines, Galeai wrote in February that during the deployment, battalion members would be "working with Iraqi police, Iraqi army and other(s) ... as we help the Iraqi people establish the conditions necessary for them to assume responsibility for their own security and local governance."

One of Galeai's friends, Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Paul Moniz, of New York, said he heard from Galeai about a week ago in an e-mail. Galeai didn't talk much about what he was doing in Iraq, but made sure to ask Moniz about how he was holding up. "He was a friend, mentor, bigger than life, extremely bright, just one of those guys," Moniz said. Moniz, who used to work under Galeai, said the officer always "sunk his teeth into his work" and expected a lot from people, but also praised them when they delivered. "He was definitely an inspirational guy. He was caring, compassionate."

Master Sgt. Brett W. Beard, of California, also used to work under Galeai and quickly befriended him. "He just made it super easy to go out there to work day after day," Galeai said. "His first love was always leading Marines."

Source: Suicide bomber kills 3 Hawaii Marines, HonoluluAdvertiser.com.

But this is not all there was to these men. No, not by a long shot. These men were heroes and commanders! Lt. Col. Galeai was on his second tour in Iraq. He had served in the Marines in Virginia, California, Okinawa and elsewhere. In the time between 1988 until his death, he had earned and was awarded two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart and five Meritorious Service medals. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn, and four children.

Cpt. Dykeman was the leader of Fox Company. He had been awarded a host of medals, including the Purple Heart. Preudhomme's awards include the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Ribbon. Yes, these men did not back down when the fighting got tough. They got tougher. If you don't like that, then go live as a slave in another country. You are killing mine.

Back to the post...

This is a very sad post, please forgive me. I wish I could make it different. I truly do. I've never one like this before, and I do not have the words. Therefore please allow me to use the words of our dear friends over at the Gathering of Eagles:

It is with great sadness that I must report that a very good Marine and a friend of the Gathering of Eagles, Lt. Col Max Galeai, has died in Iraq. Max was the CO of the 2nd Battalion 3rd Marine Regiment , which Gathering of Eagles Hawaii Chapter has been supporting with Kona coffee, during their deployment in al Anbar Iraq.

Max died on Thursday, June 26th, 2008 along with two other good Marines, and a number of Iraqi local dignitaries that he was meeting with in al Karmah. An AQI suicide bomber , dressed as an Iraqi policemen detonated himself to cause the deaths. You can read the details here: Honolulu Advertiser.

I had come to consider Max Galeai a personal friend , having exchanged at least a 1/2 dozen e-mails with him recently over the coffee project, Operation Jarhead Java -Kona for the Corps. Max's words to me were always so kind and respectful, I considered it an honor to receive each one of his communications.

Just last week a package arrived in the post for me , from Iraq. It was a beautiful United States flag, perfectly folded, along with a document personally signed by Lt.Col Galeai, stating exactly where and when it had been flown (Fallujah). This flag has now become a sacred treasure to me .

Rest in eternal peace Max. Captain Dykeman and Cpl Preudhomme too. We will never forget you, and may God bless you greatly for your sacrifice for our dear country.

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.

I wish I had the proper words to say, but I do not. What a sad state of affairs when the only press you receive is if you are AGAINST the country so many of us love and are willing to give our lives for. May you rot in hell, AP.

Cross-posted @ The Talon and Rosemary's Thoughts.

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Y'know what's really tragic?  The fact that in 2008 we are still seeing op-eds from the likes of John fucking Bolton.

Yeesh.

Recommend this post at Progressive Bloggers

That is what party leaders are supposed to do - win elections.

Oh, and by the way it is not mandatory to tell your opponents what you are doing, there is no duty of disclosure on these matters. Indeed, discretion and secrecy are often advantageous when battling to win an election.

Now The Hive yesterday carried an item on how the SST might regret having published all that they did, see this Hollow Man II - You Should Read This if You Do the Legal Work for the Sunday Star Times, in which they point out that a number of the allegations made on various blogs, have been refuted and that one Australian 'left'web site has had to apologise and pay compensation.

Adam suspects what has the left frothing with paranoia is that Crosby Textor are successful.

Back to Hager, TV One News had an item this evening from Guyon Espiner where he specifically referred to Crosby Textor, as a firm of dubious advisors, then he said Bill English had obviously learned his lines in reference to English refusing to confirm or deny. Simon Dallow introduced the item by referring to secret advisors.

To Adam's mind the TV ONE item came across as a smear by innuendo, clearly they used a wording that implied something nefarious was afoot, though Espiner made a reference to it all being a trivial matter so why were National sensitive. No doubt so that if queried later a claim of balance and/or inconsequential could be made.

National have a perfect right to be sensitive about who gives them advice, when and of what nature. Crosby Textor if they are working for National have entered into a private, contractual relationship. For National, this is especially so given the campaign of innuendo and smear run against them repeatedly by Labour.

What makes this all so much worse is that the media, especially the SST and the government owned broadcast media in particular, have given oxygen to a story the bare bones of which is that National, perfectly legally, has hired a successful firm of political consultants who advise right of centre parties on running winning political campaigns. So what!

While the Americans wait, the Belgians talk businesses at one of many recent international trade conferences in Tripoli.

They are hoping to snap up deals to build roads, railways, telecommunication systems and a $125m jetty for gas exploration.

The delegation is led by the former minister for foreign trade, Robert Urbain.

So does Monsieur Urbain feel at all guilty about doing deals with the Libyans while American businesses are barred by sanctions?

The answer is definitely "Non".

"All European countries have been encouraged by the US not to do trade with this country.

"But in fact the Americans are very present."

Investments

Indeed, despite decades of icy relations between the two nations, Libya still honours a string of major oil concessions held by American companies.

And the US has protected its investments by threatening to fine foreign firms that make heavy investments in oil here while it is shut out.

Though with Libya seeking around $10 bn of foreign investment in oil there should be plenty for all, and not only in that industry.

I visited a beach west of Tripoli, one of many on a coastline which stretches for more than 2,000 kilometres.

Most of it is unspoilt and deserted, but if Tripoli and its tourism minister Ammar Ltaief have their way, it could soon be teeming with tourists.

"It's clear tourism is going to be an important new source of income for Libya.

"We want to encourage the building of new hotels and the rapid improvement of facilities here."

Booze ban

Libya's tourism minister is a man with big plans and he'll stop at very little to achieve them.

Eight-year tax breaks are on offer to tempt foreign investors and many are apparently biting his hand off.

One British firm is currently negotiating permission to build a 500 hectare tourist complex, complete with a luxury marina, golf courses and fitness clubs.

But isn't the minister aware that his country continues to have something of an image problem, not helped by strict laws banning booze and bikinis? "People coming here in the summer will find men and women wearing shorts - it's quite acceptable, Ammar Ltaief said.

"Alcohol here is prohibited, but maybe in the future we'll take another look at the issue.

"It's not a barrier to tourism."

But one visitor here, Virgin boss Richard Branson, who is thinking of opening a new air route between London and Tripoli, issues a note of caution.

He believes anyone thinking of investing large amounts of cash in socialist Libya might need a stiff drink given the current absence of clear legal protection for their money.

"Without a legal framework no company will invest here - quite a lot of companies got burnt in the past.

"Once the legal framework is in place, the world will realise Libya is deadly serious and a lot will come and invest in this country," Mr Branson said.

Though it might be advisable for the government to hide Colonel Gaddafi's little green book, because it says: "The recognition of profit is an acknowledgement of exploitation."

Supporting privatisation

Tripoli's army of minibus drivers seem to have gone off message, if their enthusiastic attempts to drum up passing trade are anything to go by.

And they're joined by the country's Harvard-educated Prime Minister, Shukri Ghanem, who after 34 years of state-controlled everything is actually talking of privatisation.

"The best thing is to privatise the economy by supporting private endeavour."

The voice of country and western star Kenny Rogers blasts from a shabby music stall in one of Tripoli's outdoor markets.

But whilst the music may be western, the wages are not.

Most government workers - almost everybody - haven't had a significant pay rise for twenty years.

And there are few jobs for the many well-educated people being turned out in their droves by the country's education system.

But on the bright side, huge subsidies mean food is cheap, the weather is good and the Dinar is down.

And if Tony Blair goes through with his trip Tripoli later this year, it is a fine place for a holiday, according to the minister for tourism.

"Blair could come here at any time - he will get a very warm greeting in Libya."

1.  First, here is the CDC's most recent set of statistics on HIV/AIDS in the US (covers through 2006).  Find more info about the CDC's HIV/AIDS statistics and surveillance here.

2.  The CDC just published a report indicating that the number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses in young American men who have sex with men (MSM) rose significantly between 2001 and 2006 (a 12.4% increase, based on statistics from 33 states).

• CDC report (quite technical language, but makes some notable distinctions and clarifications)
• Article from Medical News Today (summary of CDC report, with some commentary)
• Article from the Kaiser Network (slightly less technical, but with more background info - scroll down to see "Comments" section, which has some good quotes giving perspective on the data)

3.  Recent articles from the BBC and The East African (a Nairobi-based newspaper) discuss HIV/AIDS among MSM in the UK and East Africa, respectively.

4.  This article from the Kaiser Network discusses recent research on HIV risks among young Indians working in call centers.

The Financial Times has an 'In Depth' section on Carbon Trading here. The FT has this previously referenced page on Climate Change here as well.