Breaking News and Commentary from CLG

20 Sep 2011

http://www.legitgov.org

All links are here:

http://www.legitgov.org/#breaking_news

US to pay up to 100 million dollars to build new Bagram prison 19 Sep 2011 As the Obama administration announced plans for hundreds of billions of dollars more in domestic budget cuts, it late last week solicited bids for the construction of a massive new prison in Bagram, Afghanistan. Posted on FedBizOpps.Gov website which it uses to announce new privatized spending projects, the administration unveiled plans for "the construction of Detention Facility in Parwan (DFIP), Bagram, Afghanistan" which includes "detainee housing capability for approximately 2000 detainees." It will also feature "guard towers, administrative facility and Vehicle/Personnel Access Control Gates, security surveillance and restricted access systems." The announcement provided: "the estimated cost of the project is between $25,000,000 to $100,000,000."

750 Million-Dollar US Embassy In Iraq Will Expand Further 16 Sep 2011 U.S. diplomats, military advisers and other officials are planning to fall back to the gargantuan embassy in Baghdad -- a heavily fortified, self-contained compound the size of Vatican City. The embassy compound is by far the largest the world has ever seen, at one and a half square miles, big enough for 94 football fields. It cost three quarters of a billion dollars to build (coming in about $150 million over budget). Inside its high walls, guard towers and machine-gun emplacements lie not just the embassy itself, but more than 20 other buildings, including residential quarters, a gym and swimming pool, commercial facilities, a power station and a water-treatment plant.

Obama Adviser Discusses Using Military on Terrorists 17 Sep 2011 John O. Brennan, the top counter-terrorism adviser to President Obama, on Friday defended a broad conception of where the United States can use military force against members of 'Al Qaeda' and its allies. "The United States does not view our authority to use military force against Al Qaeda as being restricted solely to 'hot' battlefields like Afghanistan," he said. "Because we are engaged in an armed conflict with Al Qaeda, the United States takes the legal position that - in accordance with international law - we have the authority to take action against Al Qaeda and its associated forces without doing a separate self-defense analysis each time."

US military to get 'unfettered access' to bases in Australia 14 Sep 2011 Military ties between the US and Australia are set to take the biggest leap forward in 30 years, with defence and security officials from the two countries meeting in San Francisco on Thursday to lay the groundwork for much closer co-operation. Washington and Canberra are set to finalise agreements that will give the US military unfettered access to bases in Australia, a big step forward that will provide the US with a foothold between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The countries are also discussing greater US access to Australian training and test ranges and pre-positioning of US equipment on Australian soil. [See: US as 'Facehugger' By Lori Price 19 Jan 2010.]

Pakistan flood aid relief hurt by CIA's fake vaccination programme 19 Sep 2011 Flood relief efforts in Pakistan have been jeopardised because the country's security services fear aid agencies are riddled with spies, it was claimed on Monday. The deterioration in relations between Pakistani officials and aid agencies is said to have followed the CIA's fake vaccination campaign earlier this year aimed at obtaining DNA samples from 'relations of Osama bin Laden' [and harming as many Pakistanis as possible with vaccines]. Benoit de Gryse, the Pakistan representative for Médécine Sans Frontières, said: "In terms of the fake CIA vaccination programme, we are worried that abuse of medical identity harms the capacity for aid agencies to provide aid in Pakistan."

US soldier killed in north Iraq 18 Sep 2011 A US military statement says an American soldier has been killed in a non-hostile incident in northern Iraq. The military said the service member died on Sunday. No further details were immediately available, and the name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the family, the Associated Press reported.

Two Marines die in California helicopter crash 19 Sep 2011 Two Marines aboard a helicopter were killed on Monday when the aircraft crashed during a training mission at a Southern California military base, officials said. The two-person AH-1W "Cobra" helicopter went down in the southeast corner of Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar said in a statement.

Zelikow Appointed to Obama's Intelligence Advisory Board 07 Sep 2011 President Obama appointed Philip Zelikow, associate dean for graduate academic programs in the University of Virginia's Graduate School of Arts & Sciences [and 9/11 troll, neocon and Grade 'A' sociopath], to serve on the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, the White House announced Tuesday. Zelikow, White Burkett Miller Professor of History, will remain with the University while serving on the board, which serves as an independent source of advice to the president on the intelligence community's effectiveness in meeting the nation's intelligence needs...

Orchestra suspends four musicians who opposed Israeli musicians' concert --London Philharmonic Orchestra punishes cellist and violinists who wanted Proms appearance by Israeli players cancelled 18 Sep 2011 The London Philharmonic Orchestra has suspended four musicians for nine months for using its name when they called unsuccessfully for the cancellation of a concert by an Israeli orchestra at the Proms. The move follows the [insane] indefinite suspension of an unnamed LPO violinist after she allegedly launched an anti-Israel "rant" when Israeli musicians appeared at the Royal College of Music before the concert at the Royal Albert Hall earlier this month.

Abbas defies Israeli, US opposition with demand for statehood 17 Sep 2011 Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' decision to seek full UN membership for a Palestinian state has sparked a diplomatic row, with both the US and Israel voicing their opposition. A diplomatic dispute was brewing Saturday after Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas vowed to ask the United Nations to recognize its statehood, ignoring opposition from both Israel and the United States.

Sea radiation '3 times higher than thought' --New estimate does not include cesium-134, meaning actual total could be even larger 10 Sep 2011 The total amount of radioactive substances released into the sea as a result of the crisis at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant is believed to have been three times the initial estimate by the plant's operator, according to the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. A team led by senior researcher Takuya Kobayashi estimated the actual quantity at 15,000 terabecquerels, including substances in polluted water and substances released into the air that eventually fell into the sea. The figure is more than triple the estimate by Tokyo Electric Power Co.

Nuclear power plant shut down after leak is discovered --Workers ended Unusual Event at plant around 8 p.m. EDT on September 16, but reactor remains shut down according to US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's website 19 Sep 2011 A leak from a valve at the 778 MWe Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan forced the plant to shut down September 16. News reports say workers with parent company Entergy found the leak from the valve in the system that cools Unit 1 around 3 p.m. EDT. Workers were able to isolate the leak from the pressurizer spray valve.

Fukushima protesters urge Japan to abandon nuclear power --Tens of thousands join Fukushima protest march in Tokyo amid continuing fears over radiation 19 Sep 2011 Tens of thousands of people marched in Tokyo on Monday in the biggest show of public opposition to nuclear power since the start of the Fukushima Daiichi crisis in March. The protesters, who included residents of Fukushima prefecture, called for the immediate closure of all of Japan's nuclear reactors and a new energy policy centred on renewables. The demonstration was the biggest the country has seen in years. Police said 20,000 people had taken part, while media reports put the number as high as 60,000.

MSNBC Covers Yemen Protest, but Not Wall Street Occupation --More time has been spent by MSNBC reporting the fallout of Brad Pitt's comments on his marriage to Jennifer Aniston than has been spent on the fallout from the three nuclear meltdowns at Fukushima. By Lori Price, http://www.legitgov.org/ 20 Sep 2011 CLGers, please contact MSNBC and ask WHY MSNBC is covering -- *endlessly* covering -- Charlie Sheen's 'roast' and 'Mad Men' at the Emmys -- but nary a mention of the protests on Wall Street... We're still hearing about the 'Arab Spring' as the leaves turn red - what about the 'People's Autumn' (October 2011) and the 'CLG Spring'?

Wall Street protests continue, several arrested 19 Sep 2011 At least five people were arrested on the third day of protests in New York's Financial District, spearheaded by a coalition of groups rallying against the influence of corporate money in politics. Beginning on Saturday - on what was called a U.S. Day of Rage - several groups of activists vowed to occupy Wall Street, to express their anger over a financial system they say favors the rich and powerful, and about a democratic process they deem to be corrupt.

Wall Street May Be Blocked Off Again as Police Monitor Protests 19 Sep 2011 New York City police may limit access to Wall Street for a third day, requiring workers and residents to show identification, after a weekend of protests targeting financial firms. The arrangements, including the identification requirement, "will be re-assessed" this morning, Paul Browne, a police spokesman, said in an e-mail. About 300 to 400 people demonstrated near Chase Manhattan Plaza yesterday, down from 1,000 on Sept. 17, for a protest dubbed "#OccupyWallStreet."

CLG Encourages Readers to Attend Oct 6 Action in Freedom Plaza Posted by Margaret Flowers 17 Sep 2011 Citizens for Legitimate Government endorses, supports and encourages its members and newsletter readers to attend the October 2011 events on October 6th. It's time to stop the war machine, to take care of real human needs, to put society on a just, sustainable and rational basis. Join October 2011 to bring forth the world that you desire and that we so desperately need. Citizens for Legitimate Government will further these efforts with its spring 2012 protest, Seize DC. Sign up to receive the CLG Newsletter and the Seize DC action alerts!

Obama's $320 Billion in Health Cuts Targets U.S. Drug Purchases --White House plan would also cut $248 billion from Medicare, $72 billion from Medicaid 19 Sep 2011 President Barack Obama's deficit-trimming proposal would cut $320 billion from U.S. health programs in prescription drug and nursing home spending and by increasing individuals' payments for Medicare coverage. The biggest cut is a $135 billion reduction in drug prices the government pays companies led by New York-based Pfizer Inc. and Whitehouse Station, New Jersey-based Merck & Co. for enrollees in both Medicare, the federal health program for the elderly and disabled, and Medicaid, the U.S.-state program for the poor. [Primary Obusha in 2012!]

Obama: 'This is not class warfare -- It's math' 19 Sep 2011 Taking a defiant tone against Republicans unwilling to raise taxes in order to close the deficit, President Obama today unveiled a $3 trillion long-term deficit reduction plan that relies heavily on raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans. "This is not class warfare -- it's math," Mr. Obama said from the White House Rose Garden, addressing GOP critiques of his plan head on. "The money has to come from some place," he continued. "If we're not willing to ask those who've done extraordinarily well to help America close the deficit... the math says everybody else has to do a whole lot more, we've got to put the entire burden on the middle class and the poor."

New York security on alert for UN assembly 18 Sep 2011 New York is on high alert as world leaders begin arriving for the United Nations general assembly. Security in the city has been elevated since US intelligence agencies received information about "specific and credible" threats of a terrorist attack planned to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The annual UN general assembly opened its 66th session on Tuesday, but the main events, including speeches by leaders, start on Monday at the UN headquarters on Manhattan's east side.

Sentence For Terrorist Is Too Short, Court Rules 19 Sep 2011 A federal appeals court ruled on Monday that the 17-year prison sentence imposed on Jose Padilla, who was convicted of terrorism conspiracy in 2007, was too lenient and sent the case back to the district court here for a new hearing. In a 2-to-1 opinion, the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, in Atlanta, ruled that the sentence was "substantively unreasonable" and did not take into account Mr. Padilla's violent criminal history as a former gang member in Chicago. It also said the lower court did not take seriously enough Mr. Padilla's time at a Qaeda [CIAduh] camp in Afghanistan, where he was trained to kill.

Barricade situation ends at Ariz. Air Force base 17 Sep 2011 Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on the southern edge of Tucson was locked down Friday morning amid unconfirmed reports of gunfire. In the end, no shots were fired, and no weapons and gunman were found, base commander, Col. John Cherrey, said. The commander, who held a two-minute news conference to discuss the five-hour lockdown, didn't answer questions from reporters. Sgt. Maria Hawke, a Tucson police spokeswoman, said base officials told the department that its SWAT, bomb and hostage negotiation squads were no longer needed at the scene. Hawke said she didn't know how the situation was resolved.

Lockdown at Tucson Air Force base ends after military police fail to find any sign of a gunman 17 Sep 2011 A security scare that placed Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in southern Arizona on lockdown ended after a thorough search of the facility found no gunman or weapon, the base commander said on Friday night. Colonel John Cherrey said the base was locked down from 10.30am local time right through to 4pm when a 'room-by room, floor by floor' search of a building where a gunman was reportedly sighted earlier in the day was completed.

Warning of more cases of flu vaccine disorder 19 Sep 2011 A support group for parents who believe their children developed a chronic sleeping disorder after receiving the swine flu vaccine Pandemrix has said there are "a lot more" undiagnosed cases. Sound (Sufferers of Unique Narcolepsy Disorder) was launched at the weekend by parents whose children have been diagnosed with narcolepsy. So far 30 potential cases of narcolepsy have been identified by the Health Service Executive (HSE)while the Irish Medicines Board said there were 16 confirmed cases of narcolepsy in individuals vaccinated with Pandemrix.

Flu Shots Are Tough Sell Again This Year --About half of U.S. adults expressed no intention of getting vaccinated 19 Sep 2011 Drugstores and grocers are offering discounts and other promotions on flu shots earlier than usual this year, hoping to generate stronger demand after a lackluster season. Manufacturers are producing more flu shots than ever this year, with 166 million doses available, compared to 157 million doses last year. But retailers, physicians' offices and others who dispense the vaccine face an uphill battle. [Right, no one wants pharma-terrorists' mercury-laden, squalene-filled vaccines.]

Death toll rises in Nevada air race crash 19 Sep 2011 A 10th person has died of injuries suffered when a plane participating in an air race in Reno, Nevada, plummeted into a crowd of spectators, a hospital treating patients from Friday's accident said Monday. Seven people, including the pilot, were killed on the tarmac, while three others died at area hospitals. Close to 70 people were injured. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board announced Sunday that the small World War II-era plane was equipped with data and video recording devices that they hope to use to help determined what happened and why.

US states seek to privatise prisons 19 Sep 2011 US states are set to privatise scores of prisons as they try to close grow gaping budget deficits, creating significant new markets for the industry's biggest private contractors. In Florida alone, 29 state prisons are set to be privatised. This represents the largest prison privatisation programme in US history, according to Tobey Sommer, an analyst covering the private prison market at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, an investment bank based in Atlanta. Private prisons' star has risen over the past three decades as the war on drugs, which began in the 1980s, saw the introduction of mandatory minimum sentencing.

Save seals from deaths by toxic fumes (oceana.org) 19 Sep 2011 Seals, whales, and many other animals depend on both clean air and clean water to survive in the fragile Arctic environment. But oil drilling threatens both. Spilled oil collects in the same breaks in the ice that seals and other animals use to come up for air. And in the remote Arctic, no one can clean up spilled oil fast enough to prevent animals from inhaling its toxic fumes or becoming coated by oil. But we can prevent Arctic oil spills – by not drilling there. Oil companies are clamoring to drill in the Arctic, despite knowing the risks of spills... Send the Department of the Interior a message today that we want a healthy, vibrant Arctic.

ENDS

© Scoop Media