Pope Calls for "World Political Authority"!

Anyone else just have a shiver run down their spine?

Photograph by: Vincenzo Pinto, AFP/Getty Images

"VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict on Tuesday called for a "world political authority" to manage the global economy and for more government regulation of national economies to pull the world out of the current crisis and avoid a repeat."

Read the entire article by Philip Pullella of Reuters here.

The War Prayer

Mark Twain has always been a favorite of mine and today I was reading the C&L blog and found this wonderful drawn animation of his work, "The War Prayer". It addresses the wonders of jingoism and the prayers of God's people. (NOT FOR CHILDREN!)



If you would like to read the full text of "The War Prayer", click here.

Kosovo Declares Independence

Think things have been getting too quiet in Europe? The victory of incumbent Boris Tadic in Serbia's presidential elections at the beginning of February was foreshadowing for yesterday's events. Forbes has an article addressing the newly declared independent Kosovo. It is, of course, accepted and backed by the US and the European Union and is, of course, opposed by Serbia and Russia.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the more pro-Russian candidates over the next few years.

The quote from the article that made me look twice was this line:

'Kosovo is a democratic, secular and multi-ethnic society,' which would welcome the EU's 'international civilian and (NATO) military presence in Kosovo.'

Blackout on U.N. Inspector Barred from Hutto Detention Facility

UN Human Rights Inspector Barred from Hutto Detention center in Taylor, TX!!!

&

CCA has been granted an exemption from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services!!!

(Hutto Detention Facility)

The UN human rights office in Geneva has stated that, Dr. Jorge Bustamante, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants, was scheduled to tour the Hutto facility on Monday as part of an official fact-finding mission. But according to news reports, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has denied U.N. Inspectors access to the facility.

They knew the inspection was coming and made a conscious decision to bar them.

Wake Up America!!!

(picture courtesy of Mother Jones.com)

From the Eye On Williamson blog:

Last week, from documents (Linked here - part 1 and part 2 [.PDF]) sent to us from Dave Maass of the San Antonio Current, EOW has learned that Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) applied for and was granted an exemption from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). It’s interesting that CCA would want to keep DFPS out of its facility.

An article from December of 2006 from the Texas Civil Rights Review:
Citizens denounce Hutto jail before county commissioners.


I will follow this article up with more details as time and leads allow.

Who Represents Us at the U.N. Next?

"President Bush surrendered to congressional foes yesterday in his fight to install John R. Bolton as permanent ambassador to the United Nations..."

"Bush circumvented Senate opposition last year, sending Bolton to the United Nations on a recess appointment, and administration lawyers in recent weeks had developed options to keep him there after that appointment expires this month."

(View Washington Post article here)

In the video below, John Bolton gets schooled by Tony Benn. John Bolton is another reason why America is facing the challenges it is today.

This is who Bush believes should represent us with the United Nations? (From a previous posting):

It's about time that Bolton be replaced, but if history has taught us anything...we must remain diligent.

THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED

As promised: THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED DIRECTED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY KIM BARTLEY AND DONNACHA O'BRIAIN IRELAND, 2003 74 MINUTES

Cattle Causing Global Warming?

America's love affair with beef may soon be over.

Thanks to Fran for sending me the link to the United Nations report on livestock regarding livestock's impact on the environment. It took me a while to read it and get it posted. It addresses a wide range of issues including global warming, land degradation, air pollution, water depletion and pollution, and impacts on biodiversity.

As the entire report can be a bit cumbersome, you might read a U.N. news article that gives a brief overview of the report here.

To access a digital copy (pdf format) of the U.N. report "Livestock's Long Shadow, Environmental Issues and Options" click here. This is a must-read for those concerned about the environment. The following is a short excerpt from the report:

"The livestock sector accounts for 9 percent of anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The largest share of this derives from land-use changes – especially deforestation – caused by expansion of pastures and arable land for feedcrops. Livestock are responsible for much larger shares of some gases with far higher potential to warm the atmosphere. The sector emits 37 percent of anthropogenic methane (with 23 times the global warming potential (GWP) of CO2) most of that from enteric fermentation by ruminants. It emits 65 percent of anthropogenic nitrous oxide (with 296 times the GWP of CO2), the great majority from manure. Livestock are also responsible for almost two-thirds (64 percent) of anthropogenic ammonia emissions, which contribute significantly to acid rain and acidification of ecosystems.

This high level of emissions opens up large opportunities for climate change mitigation through livestock actions. Intensification – in terms of increased productivity both in livestock production and in feedcrop agriculture – can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and pasture degradation. In addition, restoring historical losses of soil carbon through conservation tillage, cover crops, agroforestry and other measures could sequester up to 1.3 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year, with additional amounts available through restoration of desertified pastures. Methane emissions can be reduced through improved diets to reduce enteric fermentation, improved manure management and biogas – which also provide renewable energy. Nitrogen emissions can be reduced through improved diets and manure management. "

John Bolton Resigns from U.N. Post

John Bolton Resigns. In honor of his resigning as Ambassador to the United nations, I present this piece of video memorabilia:



Another fine diplomat to represent us. What CIA head do you think will take his place?