“IN THIS CASE, NO INHERENT DANGER WAS PRESENT, AND SO I FIND YOU GUILTY.“
(Photo courtesy of “Jonesblog” http://prometheus.med.utah.edu )
(Common Dreams)
Words of a judge in Nevada, in convicting and sentencing to “time served” Jesuit priest and peace activist John Dear and 12 others who “trespassed” on Creech AFB to protest deaths from drone aircraft launched from Creech and striking in AfPak. Dear excerpts the pre-sentencing speeches of those convicted and they are variations on a theme that there is indeed grave danger to civilian populations launched by “soldiers” who are no closer to the scene of their devastation than the 18 inches between their faces and their computer screens.
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MASTER CHEFS MUBARAK AND OBAMA COOK UP A RECIPE FOR VIOLENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
(Middle East Report Online)
As violence sweeps over Egypt, the Eyptian regime follows Aaron Wildavsky’s long-ago articulated “recipe for violence” which was written in 1968 to describe the role of white political leaders in America in encouraging black violence. In this “recipe,” masses of people are encouraged to believe that their situation is improving without any real improvement, leaders subtly wonder why they haven’t revolted then react when they revolt with shock and a little suppression, just enough to anger and not enough to stop the revolt. As Middle East Report Online describes the situation, this is precisely the policy of faltering and ambivalent reactions of both the Egyptian and American governments that is providing fuel to the fire of rebellion in the Middle East.
“THE RECIPE”
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FORMING CHICKEN LITTLE AND VOLCANO MANAGEMENT GROUPS; PART OF THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF A SUBURBAN SCHOOL COUNSELOR.
(New York Times)
As recession cuts deeply into middle class employment, suburban schools are showing an upsurge in children getting subsidized lunches and many others fearful that they may have to move away from their friends as their parents seek employment elsewhere. Given the sky-is-falling tendency of many childrens’ reactions to problems in their school and domestic environments, counselors have plenty of work to do—if they don’t lose their own jobs in the next school budget cuts.
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AUSTERITY FLORIDA-STYLE ABOUT TO BE SEEN AS LAWMAKERS TARGET THE STATE’S SCHOOLS FOR SEVERE BUDGET CUTS.
(Lakeland Ledger)
“Frills” like school supplies, course electives and a full staff teachers are likely to go by the wayside as the state faces the end of the federal “stimulus” funding that has briefly kept its schools afloat. 15% cuts in all programs seem to be in the offing as declining revenues will not be made up by a “no new taxes” political administration of state affairs.
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Quote of the day...
I’m not going to speculate. … This is an incredibly complex set of circumstances and we are hoping and praying that the authorities will be able to respond to the legitimate request for participation by the peaceful protesters.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in response on Sunday talk show whether Hosni Mubarak should resign as Egyptian President, articulating “hope and prayer” as U.S. policy toward the revolt.
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I find US policy so riddled with double standards. All its rhetoric about Democracy is is BS because you cannot on one hand stifle Mugabe with untold sanctions while rewarding Mubarak with billions to prop up his army/regime. America clearly is responsible for pulling strings in odd governments ONLY TO FURTHER ITS INTERESTS!!! It doesn’t give hoot or jack about ordinary Egyptians.