World-News

26/01/2006 - 16:33:23

IrelandOn-Line

A new environmental forum has been set up to unite communities fighting against industrial pollution, incinerators and mobile phone masts.

The Irish Environmental Forum will include more than 20 different groups from around the country.

Its new chairwoman, Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott, said the environmental movement had been hampered by the lack of a national voice.

“There’s no substitute for the local fight, but we want local groups linked up for mutual help and information, and to nationally start highlighting the fact that it isn’t just happening in one place. There’s a similar disregard for people’s health and the environment all over the country,” she said.

The groups who have signed up to the forum in three preliminary meetings include farmers concerned about industrial pollution in Limerick, residents fighting against the Indaver incinerator in Cork Harbour, and people opposed to mobile phone masts in Waterford.

“Our only litmus test for joining is that you’re serious about it. If you’ve party politics, you leave them at the door,” said Ms Sinnott, adding that she was only a ‘midwife’ to the birth of the forum.

She said that officials in the European Commission had pointed out to her that while countries like Holland and Sweden had strong national environmental groups, the environmental movement in Ireland lacked a similar voice.

“Our Government and state environmental protection bodies are ignoring or exacerbating the problem. Their protection is no protection at all. I look forward to the tackling these difficulties with all of the forums members. It is our country and it is time we take its protection seriously,” she said.

A report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) last year marked Ireland as among the worst in Europe in a number of categories, including the production of greenhouse gases, acidifying substances, ozone and municipal waste.

But it did find that the country rated better than others when it came to energy consumption, freshwater use, organic farming, renewable energy and freight transport demand.


© Thomas Crosbie Media, 2006.


Informant: Colette O'Connell

NOW goes inside the case for war in Iraq and asks: how could the intelligence have been so wrong?

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020206I.shtml

Facing an enlistment crisis, the Army is granting "waivers" to an increasingly high percentage of recruits with criminal records - and trying to hide it.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020206F.shtml

The New York Times: President Bush is not giving up the battle over domestic spying. He's fighting it with an army of straw men and a fleet of red herrings.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020206E.shtml

Legal specialists yesterday questioned the accuracy of President Bush's sweeping contentions about the legality of his domestic spying program, particularly his assertion in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday that, "previous presidents have used the same constitutional authority I have."

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020206B.shtml

A former American occupation official in Iraq is expected to plead guilty to bribery, conspiracy, money laundering and other charges in federal court on Thursday for his actions in a scheme to use sexual favors, jewelry and millions of dollars in cash to steer reconstruction work to a corrupt contractor, according to papers filed with the court.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020206A.shtml

Mike Weight - Cindy's Arrestor - Champion First Amendment Oppressor

--Make His Name Known Like "Borked !" And maybe the next and the next Storm Trooper will think Twice before Violating American's Constitutional Rights ?


Bush Lied - People Died Bush Spied - Must Be Tried !

A U.S. Congressman a couple years ago said, The Founding Fathers did not put the 2nd Amendment in the Constitution to guarantee Americans the Right to hunt for food, But the Right to hunt Elected Officials who try to take our rights away.

The Bush Administration They Hate Our FREEDOM !

"All Laws Which Are Repugnant to The Constitution Are Null And Void"

Marbury Vs. Madison 5 US 137,174,176 http://www.restoringamerica.org/documents/marburyVmadison_text.html

Give us Liberty or Give us Death
Bring it On ! Let's Roll !
"We Don't Give Up Our Rights !
That's What Makes Us AMERICANS !"

Hear The TRUTH for a Change !

87+ Air America Radio Stations Listed Here: http://www.airamericaradio.com/ & Ed Schults at http://www.WeGotEd.com
Jeff Rense at http://www.Rense.com & From the Hosts & Call in Listeners all over the USA, Listen to - The Power Hour with Joyce Riley & Dave Von Kleist Times & Freqs --> http://www.thepowerhour.com/ & Alex Jones on Short Wave at: http://www.infowars.com/

Politically correct speech is just government censorship.

Prejudicial speech is just free speech about what a lifetime of experiences has taught you. "tlb 2001"

More on Politically Correct Speech :http://www.ifeminists.net/introduction/editorials/2003/0708.html

From The US Declaration of Independence http://www.law.indiana.edu/uslawdocs/declaration.html

"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, -- That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, It is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, Laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

The Government that Governs Least Governs Best !!
The Keyboard Is Mightier Than The Sword ©1999 tlb

Thomas Lee Buyea
Florida News Service
Miami, Fla.
USA


Informant: ranger116

Lynne Featherstone MP has asked a question of Ruth Kelly

Would any of you be able to ask your MP to do the same? This would put more weight behind the question. They might take it seriously as its to do with children. I think the question could be beefed up though. Something like 'a phone mast in the classroom?"

Thanks

Sarah P



This is what we sent

Wireless computer networks (WLAN) and other microwave emitting devices http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/wlan_only.doc

Children Act 1989 Part 3 Section 17
http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/childrens_act.doc


The Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP Sanctuary Buildings Great Smith Street London Sw1P 3BT


Our Ref: P-WLANNetwork

Date: 29 September 2005


Dear Ruth

Re: WLAN Systems in schools

I write on the behalf of one of my constituents who has expressed concerns about WLAN computer networks being used in schools.

As this gives off radiation she is asking the government to present guidelines to schools advising against the use of WLAN Networks in schools. I would be grateful if you could inform me on the government's position on this issue.


Parliamentary Researcher to:
Lynne Featherstone
MP Liberal Democrat
Member of Parliament for Hornsey & Wood Green lynne@lynnefeatherstone.org
House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA
(: 020 7219 8401 (Parliamentary) or 020 8340 5459 (Constituency) http://www.lynnefeatherstone.org

Common Dreams
by John Buell

02/01/06

Holding unnamed 'enemy combatants' under indefinite confinement, permitting the secret torture of detainees in Iraq, and bypassing Congress in order to secretly authorize the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on American citizens constitute violations of US and international law. Nonetheless, by themselves these actions are less troublesome than the reactions to them. ... Domestic wiretaps managed to gain more media traction than earlier concerns about the Patriot Act. Members of the Judiciary Committee pointedly asked Judge Alito if the President is above the law. Alito responded that the President is not above the Constitution. His own reading of the Constitution, however, suggested few limits to the President's powers. Nonetheless, hours after the nominee's testimony key Democratic Senators were informing the media that there was little chance of any effective opposition to the Alito nomination and that a filibuster was unlikely. The eventual attempt at a filibuster by a few liberal Democrats amounted to little more than a token bone to a few activists...

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0201-25.htm


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Mother Jones
by Thomas Powers

02/01/06

In public life as in kindergarten, the all-important word is no. We are living with the consequences of the inability to say no to the President's war of choice with Iraq, and we shall soon see how the Congress and the courts will respond to the latest challenge from the White House -- the claim by President Bush that he has the right to ignore FISA's prohibition of government intrusion on the private communications of Americans without a court order, and his repeated statements that he intends to go right on doing it. Nobody was supposed to know that FISA had been brushed aside. The fact that the National Security Agency (NSA), America's largest intelligence organization, had been turned loose to intercept the faxes, e-mails, and phone conversations of Americans with blanket permission by the President remained secret until the New York Times reporters James Risen and Eric Lichtblau learned over a year ago that it was happening...

http://tinyurl.com/9xdyg


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Human Events
by Paul Craig Roberts

02/01/06

Why does any American think that spying without a warrant has any more effect in reducing the threat of terrorism than spying with a warrant? The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which Bush is disobeying, requires the executive to obtain from a secret panel of federal judges a warrant for spying on Americans. The purpose of the law is to prevent a president from spying for partisan political reasons. The law permits the president to spy first (for 72 hours) and then come to the court for permission. As the court meets in secret, spying without a warrant is no more effective in reducing the threat of terrorism than spying with a warrant. Instead of explaining this basic truth, the media have played along with the Bush administration and formulated the question as a trade-off between civil liberties and protection from terrorists. This formulation is false and nonsensical. Why do the media enable the Bush administration to escape accountability for illegal behavior by putting false and misleading choices before the people?

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=12097


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Fox News

02/01/06

As President Bush prepared to address Congress, some members of the House began calling for his impeachment -- a call that has been growing over the last few months, when only the far fringes of the American left called for his ouster. On Tuesday, eight-term California Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters said the president should be impeached for authorizing the warrantless surveillance of some Americans through the National Security Agency. 'If a president's untruthfulness about sexual relationships is an impeachable offense, then surely spying on American citizens, undermining the Constitution and contravening current standing law are impeachable offenses,' Waters said comparing Bush's alleged crimes to ones former President Clinton was tried for...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,183387,00.html


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp




http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=impeach
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Downing+Street+Memo

Some of you may be aware of the dire situation that the villagers in Penally, Pembrokeshire are facing, and in Particular, the Harriet Davis Trust Respite Holiday Home for teminally ill and severely disabled children, where mm02 have put in yet another application for them to deal with. Pembs Cc Planning dept still appear to be more on the side of MM02 than the residents and the Trust.

There are already four masts sited nearby, which have been there for years,and are part of the landscape, in fact, they provide coverage for the whole area. They got a Public Inquiry as Pembs CC didnt make a decision on time for the last application and were slapped with an Appeal for "non determination" by mm02, who tried to get the appeal heard by written submissions, which Pembs CC agreed to on 22nd November. The first any of the residents heard of it was a letter approx 8th December giving them till Jan 3rd to submit written submissions in triplicate! (Usuall tactics) Luckily they were awarded a Local Public Inquiry which will be on May 9th! Mm02 have used a loophole in Welsh Planning Law to hit them with a second identical Application. They have it on good authority that Pembs CC are trying to push this through the system asap to avoid their Inquiry. Anne from Penally has asked for as many people as possible to write to Mr D Lawrence, Head of Planning, Pembrokeshire County Council , County Hall, Haverfordwest SA61 1TP to OBJECT to Planning no 05/1254/PA. They have Visual Amenity, Mast Prolifereration, History of Planning and Appeal rejections with reasons still valid today and most importantly..Harriet Davis Trust Holiday Home for severely disabled and life-limited children and their families within 50-75 metres of the proposed Tetra. With the PERCEIVED health fears these vulnerable souls will face and the disastrous knock on financial effect to the Trust itself!

I know that LPAs usually disregard objections from out of the area, but because of the nature of this case it could be argued that we all have an interest, because the Harriet Davis Trust is the sort of project that should be encouraged, not put out of business. Their website is http://www.harriet-davis-trust.brecon.co.uk , if anyone wants any further details.

Objections need to be sent in asap, as they only have just over a week until the deadline.

Many thanks to anyone who can wite in support of villagers and name and shame 02!

AmandaWesley

--------

I believe his name is David so his email address should be david.lawrence@pembrokeshire.gov.uk .

Angie (ORAM)

--------

I have received a letter from Pembrokeshire County Council in response to my objection letter, stating that they will take my comments into consideration - although I live in Kent, I objected on the grounds that because I have a disabled child I may want to use the Harriet Davis Trust Respite Holiday Home.

I hope this helps - please let me know how it turns out.

Thanks. Angie (ORAM)>

--------

That's briliant Angie,

I also contacted Peter Limbrick of interconnections, the bulletin for Children with special needs, and I know that he has objected.
02 apparently stated in their application that the HD Trust was two miles away from the proposed site, when in fact it is 50-75 metres away, and of course, PEmbs cc do not know much about TETRA applications etc, and seem happy to go along with everything 02 tell them!

Amanda

--------

I don't know if this is of any use but to cut a long story short, I know that a leading member of the Acoustic Neuroma Association, Brian Lloyd, lives near Penally in Hodgeston. His email address is:

brian@beachcomber.freeuk.com

He has his own Acoustic Neuroma website "One Ear to the Ground" which is as follows:

http://home.freeuk.net/beachcomber/oneear/about.htm

I have spoken to Brian on a couple of occasions (when on holiday in Pembrikeshire, but do not know if he is sympathetic to our cause. Might be worth contacting him? (My objection letter to Pembrokeshire C.C will be sent today).


Regards,


John Elliott


--------


http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Acoustic+Neuroma

DEVELOPMENT: Mast battle heads to the High Court

CAMPAIGNERS are to take the fight to a global mobile phone company who want to put a mast up near to their homes. Despite assurances from the Hutchison 3G (H3G) network that the planned 25-metre tall mast near to homes in Suttons Lane, Deeping Gate, will cause no harm, residents are fearful of adverse health effects and the visual impact to the area.

Led by resident Simon Hoppe, they have now formed a group which is attempting to raise enough cash for a serious High Court challenge.

Mr Hoppe has already visited 100 houses in the area canvassing support for the pressing campaign, winning support from nearly every resident to voice their opinions and attend meetings.

The Stop the Mast Action Group has already collected £2,300 from home-owners' donations to fight the mast plan.

Mr Hoppe said: "They (H3G) have had their way so far, but we are not lying down. We urgently need support in this campaign – in the interests of our local environment and landscape, our families' health and the negative effect on property prices."

Residents thought they had defeated the international mobile phone operator back in 2004, when Peterborough City Council rejected the application following residents' strong objections.

But to their horror, H3G appealed to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and won.

The residents claim the mast will be visible from 100 houses and will ruin the tranquil look of the area.

They worry that electromagnetic radiation given off by the mast will be harmful to people nearby, especially children and people with specific health conditions.

H3G claim the site is the only place it can put a mast to provide phone coverage to that area. Verity Stanford, spokeswoman for the company, said: "We do recognise that the presence of base stations can cause concern among some people.

"But the slender monopole will be sited in a remote corner, well away from the nearest residential properties, and the surrounding belt of trees will effectively screen it from view.

"The consistent and reassuring message of the global scientific community is that base stations operating to guidelines do not cause adverse health effects."

Omega read "Base Stations, operating within strict national and international Guidelines, do not present a Health Risk?" under: http://omega.twoday.net/stories/771911/

02 February 2006

All rights reserved © 2006 Johnston Press Digital Publishing.

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=845&ArticleID=1336929

02 February 2006

VETERAN journalist Esther Rantzen has thrown her weight behind a campaign to stop mobile phone giants placing masts on schools.

The TV presenter is spearheading the SHAME (Schools and Hospitals Against Mast Emissions) campaign launched - just weeks after the Bexley Times revealed plans to install phone masts on East Wickham Primary School, in Welling, and Bedonwell Junior School, in Belvedere.

Mrs Rantzen is calling on concerned parents and teachers in Bexley to sign a petition to get the Telecommunications Masts (Planning Control) Bill through Parliament by March 3.

If passed as a law by Parliament, the bill will prevent masts from being placed in close proximity to schools and hospitals.

David Evennett, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, says he is in full support of the bill, which was initiated by David Curry MP.

He said: "The residents have my full support and backing. I object to masts in residential areas because they are out of character, an eyesore and I think there are health concerns.

"I am in full support of David Curry's bill and will be present in Parliament."

A spokesman for SHAME said: "SHAME is not anti-mobile phone but it does prioritise children over the need for a signal at any cost and given the vulnerability of small children relative to adults, can not accept that school premises are suitable sites." In December, angry parents at East Wickham Primary School vowed to fight mobile phone company Hutchinson 3G which has put up a phone mast near a school which is permitted by law.

Clair Doree who has two children at the school, has organised a petition.

Last week we reported how concerned parents and residents in Bedonwell Road, Belvedere, are urging mobile phone giant Orange to scrap its plans to install a mast near Bedonwell Junior School

Resident Alan Eaton, the brainchild behind action group Orange Squash, has organised a 200-signature petition to present to bosses at Orange.

This week opposition towards the mast intensified as both Labour and Conservative councillors in the Lesnes Abbey ward back residents in their campaign.

Labour Councillor Ron Brown said: "At present Orange has not yet applied to the council and are conducting their own consultation.

"We hope they get the message loud and clear that their mast is not wanted here. We are backing the residents 100 per cent."

Jacqueline Sibander, spokesman for Orange, said the planning process was it the early stages.

She added that the company was in full consultation with residents, parents and school representatives.

For more information on Orange Squash, visit the website: http://www.orangesquash.org

For more information on SHAME or to sign the petition, visit: http://www.shame.org.uk

Have your say!
http://tinyurl.com/9f3nl

Suggest a story
http://www.bexleytimes.co.uk/content/emailform/suggeststory.aspx

http://tinyurl.com/bvscl

MOBILE phone giant T Mobile won planning permission for a mast in Manchester Road following a bureaucratic blunder.

Officers missed the 56-day deadline to issue a refusal notice allowing the phone company to go ahead and build a 12 meter high mast outside Majestic Wines.

Now residents are furious and have pledged to fight the phone company all the way to an appeal.

The refusal slip was received a day after the deadline and the firm wasted no time getting on with the job.

David Reynolds, 61, retired businessman and journalist, Judy Tams, 39, of Highfield Estate, Manchester Road, arranged a protest at the site, attended by up to 30 neighbours.

Judy, who is expecting her second child soon, said: "We’re shocked and dismayed by this. The first we knew of the mast going up was when the contractors moved on site and started work.

"As far as we were aware, it had been refused - the council had written to us on October to tell us so. When were they going to tell us - did they think we wouldn’t notice - they knew about this in October."

The application concerns a 12 meter high mast with associated ground cabinets to be built at the corner of Manchester Road and Dean Row Road.

Borough council officers refused the application on October 14 on the grounds of highway safety, acting under delegated powers, but the formal notification was not sent until October 17, outside the 56 day deadline.

Daly International, agents for T-Mobile, informed the council that as it missed the deadline it was "out of time" and therefore they had "deemed consent" to continue and build it.

David Reynolds said: "The planning department say there is nothing further they can do which I don’t accept. The council seem perhaps to have made a mistake and they seem to think they can walk away from it."

Judy said: "We’re also extremely disappointed with the actions Daly International - who as agent for T-Mobile are not acting in the spirit of the planning laws."

Ward councillor Paul Whiteley said he was disappointed that he too only found out about this when the building work began but he has since spoken to the chief executive.

He said: "The system is now being looked at closely and it will be altered and hopefully this is something that will not happen again."

Dean Row Councillor Jim Crockatt added: "I am very disappointed with Daly International. They knew the opposition and the dangers. I accept that it was a bloomer but we employ human beings."

Chief planning officer Peter Yates has written to the Daly International requesting a meeting to discuss the application .

He said the company’s approach to a working relationship with the council was not helpful.

He added that for T-Mobile to press ahead in building the mast was irresponsible.

A spokesman for T-Mobile said:

"Although in this particular instance the letter arrived one day late, we are within our rights to go ahead with the application as is our intention." Katrina McKeever

First published by the Wilmslow Express

Submit your comments
http://www.thewilmslowexpress.co.uk/news/comments/form.html?story_id=208828

http://tinyurl.com/87p7o

The Institute for Public Accuracy has a PDF critique of the State of the Union for public distribution at: http://accuracy.org/s2006.pdf . Please spread the word about this to activists.

Institute for Public Accuracy
915 National Press Building, Washington, D.C. 20045
(202) 347-0020 * http://www.accuracy.org * ipa@accuracy.org
___________________________________________________

Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Responses to State of the Union Address

Interviews Available

CELESTE ZAPPALA, (215) 520-7040, (215) 686-8416, cell: (215) 570-5484, czappala1@yahoo.com, http://www.gsfso.org A member of Gold Star Families Speak Out, Zappala's eldest son, Sgt. Sherwood Baker, was the first Pennsylvania National Guardsman to die in combat since World War II. He was killed in action in Baghdad on April
26, 2004, while searching for weapons of mass destruction. She said today: "Yesterday George Bush spoke with unsubstantiated optimism about the war in Iraq; yesterday another U.S. soldier was killed, bringing the total to 2,243. If all of the families of all of those soldiers had been sitting in the chamber, could Bush's self-serving comments about sacrifice have been heard above the cries of grief and anguish?"

KATHY KELLY, (773) 878-3815, kathy@vitw.org, http://www.vcnv.org Co-founder of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, Kelly said today: "President Bush states that 'The only way to control our destiny is by our leadership -- so the United States of America will continue to lead.' This president led the U.S. into an immoral, illegal war against Iraq based on lies and deception. The president worries that 'a sudden withdrawal of our forces from Iraq would abandon our Iraqi allies to death and prison.' He does not mention that U.S. forces are imprisoning. 16,000 Iraqis, many of them held without charges. The British medical journal The Lancet reported in October 2004 that the U.S. invasion and occupation have cost the lives of 100,000 Iraqis."

TALAT HAMDANI, (212) 598-0970, (917) 579-5416, Ameerjaan2@aol.com, http://peacefultomorrows.org Hamdani is the mother of Mohammad Salman Hamdani, who was a New York City police cadet killed in the World Trade Center attack on 9/11. She is available to discuss Bush's continuing references to 9/11.

RUSSELL MOKHIBER, cell: (202) 468-8868, russell@corporatecrimereporter.com, http://corporatecrimereporter.com Editor of Corporate Crime Reporter, Mokhiber said today: "President Bush said that 'violent crime rates have fallen to their lowest levels since the 1970s.' This is true only if you look at violent street crime and ignore the violent corporate crime that results in pollution, worker and consumer deaths. The rate of violent corporate crime is by all indications on the increase. But we don't know for sure, for while President Bush's FBI tracks street crime district by district, the FBI does not track corporate crime and violence."

QUENTIN YOUNG, (312) 782-6006, (773) 324-5920, pnhp@aol.com, http://pnhp.org Young is coordinator of Physicians for a National Health Program. He said today: "The speech was monumentally cynical from beginning to end. He didn't say much on healthcare, and what he did say was useless. The medical savings accounts he talks about have no way of improving coverage and access to healthcare; or lowering costs. "Bush claimed: 'Our government has a responsibility to help provide healthcare for the poor and the elderly, and we are meeting that responsibility.' That's an absolute lie. Under his watch, there are ongoing brutal slashes in Medicaid." Added Young, "You also had a cynical invocation of helping AIDS victims in Africa; but Bush has backed off from prior commitments on that after garnishing applause for those promises like he did last night."

TYSON SLOCUM, (202) 454-5191, cell: (202) 256-3152, tslocum@citizen.org, http://www.citizen.org Acting director of Public Citizen's Energy Program, Slocum said today: "Bush didn't talk about scaling back demand at all; we need to greatly expand our public transportation systems. He talked about hydrogen, but he used the same rhetoric in 2003. The plans for hydrogen fuel actually involve it coming from coal fire power plants. This means using a high pollution process to create 'clean' energy. "Bush made no mention of the comprehensive energy bill he recently signed. That makes sense; the lobbyists went wild with it, the oil companies got $5 billion, $8 billion for coal, $12 billion for nuclear and only $3 billion for renewables. Oil companies are posting record profits. "We should tax the oil companies to pay to develop renewables and programs like giving people a financial incentive to weatherize their homes so we conserve more fuel."

MARY OLSON, via Linda Gunter, (202) 328-0002, lindag@nirs.org, http://www.nirs.org Olson is with the Nuclear Information and Resource Service. She said today: "The administration has been desperate to find a nuclear waste solution in order to resuscitate the moribund and unpopular nuclear power industry. ... Its latest scheme is reprocessing of irradiated commercial fuel, one of the dirtiest and most proliferation-vulnerable processes in the nuclear fuel chain."

PRATAP CHATTERJEE, (510) 271-8080, cell: (510) 759-8970, pratap@corpwatch.org, http://www.corpwatch.org Bush stated yesterday: "We are continuing reconstruction efforts, and helping the Iraqi government to fight corruption and build a modern economy, so all Iraqis can experience the benefits of freedom." Chatterjee is executive director for CorpWatch. He said today: "Bush's claim that the United States plans to continue reconstruction in Iraq is a cleverly worded lie. The government has no plans to ask for new money in the February budget. The contractors are already shutting down their work even though some of the original $18.4 billion allocated for reconstruction over two years ago has not been spent and half of the money spent so far has either been spent on insurance and private security or worst of all diverted to other schemes such as the building of a new United States embassy." Chatterjee, who wrote the book "Iraq Inc.: A Profitable Occupation," added: "Much of the money taken from Iraq's coffers has been used to swell American corporate coffers or even stolen by corrupt American officials. Meanwhile the people of Iraq have less electricity, less water and more sewage than before the 2003 invasion."

AS'AD ABUKHALIL, (209) 667-3536, (209) 575-0210, AAbukhalil@csustan.edu, http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2005/08/king-fahd-is-dead-and-oppressive.html AbuKhalil is author of the book "The Battle for Saudi Arabia: Royalty, Fundamentalism, and Global Power," professor in the Department of Politics at California State University, Stanislaus, and visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Bush stated yesterday: "We accept the call of history to deliver the oppressed and move this world toward peace. ... And we do not forget the other half -- in places like Syria and Burma, Zimbabwe, North Korea, and Iran." AbuKhalil responded: "Bush left out from that list ... oppressive countries that are aligned with the U.S. (Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE, Oman, Jordan, Libya, Algeria, Guatemala, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Bahrain, etc.)."

STEPHEN ZUNES, (415) 422-6981, (831) 234-9468, zunes@usfca.edu, http://www.fpif.org Bush said: "Let me speak directly to the citizens of Iran: America respects you. ... And our Nation hopes one day to be the closest of friends with a free and democratic Iran." Professor of politics at the University of San Francisco, Zunes said today: "If this is really the case, why did the United States overthrow Iran's last democratic government, that of Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh? If the United States really respects the rights of the Iranian people to choose their own future, why did successive U.S. administrations support the tyrannical regime of Shah Reza Pahlavi, installed by the United States following Mossadegh's ouster, whose dreaded CIA-trained SAVAK secret police tortured and murdered thousands of dissidents, thereby spawning the Islamist revolution that has since come to power?"

JACQUELINE CABASSO, (510) 839-5877, cell: (510) 306-0119, wslf@earthlink.net, http://www.wslfweb.org, http://www.disarmamentactivist.org Executive director of the California-based Western States Legal Foundation, Cabasso has written many articles assessing nuclear policy. She said today: "While the United States accuses Iran of seeking nuclear weapons and President Bush declares that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose 'a grave threat to the security of the world' (the same language he used prior to attacking Iraq), the U.S. is retooling its own nuclear weapons research, design, and production infrastructure to maintain thousands of nuclear weapons for many decades to come, while enabling the production of new nuclear weapons for 'post-Cold War' missions envisioned by U.S. war planners. Following the 9/11 attacks, the Bush administration openly declared the potential first use of nuclear weapons -- even against those countries that don’t have them. The 2002 Nuclear Posture Review revealed U.S. plans for first use of nuclear weapons in response to non-nuclear attacks or threats involving biological or chemical weapons or 'surprising military developments' and targeted countries including Iraq, Iran, North Korea, China, Russia, Syria, and Libya. "The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) ... codified a pledge by the U.S., Britain, Soviet Union, France and China to negotiate 'in good faith' the end of the nuclear arms race and the elimination of their nuclear arsenals. States that agreed to forswear nuclear weapons were guaranteed 'the inalienable right' to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, 'without discrimination.' ... The U.S. and the other nuclear weapon states have failed to live up to their disarmament obligations, establishing a de facto international system of 'nuclear apartheid,' in which they claim the exclusive right to determine who may possess (and threaten to use) nuclear weapons. They also have been responsible for spreading 'peaceful' nuclear technology around the globe, ensuring the possibility of nuclear proliferation. "Now the Bush administration wants to add a second tier to its nuclear double standard by denying uranium enrichment technology -- usable for both nuclear power and weapons -- to countries that don't already have it. Iran will be the test case. But just beyond Iran's border, the U.S. continues to turn a blind eye towards Israel's sizable undeclared nuclear arsenal."

For more information, contact at the Institute for Public Accuracy: Sam Husseini, (202) 347-0020, (202) 421-6858; or David Zupan, (541) 484-9167


UNITED FOR PEACE & JUSTICE | 212-868-5545


From ufpj-news

Just as the industry says, FOR THE GOOD OF MANKIND!

Regards.

Agnes.
http://www.mast-victims.org

Mobile phone loophole that lets children access porn

08:11am 2nd February 2006

Loophole: Children can access porn for as little as £1.50

Children can gain access to internet porn via their mobile phones, a consumer grop warned today.

A loophole in phone safeguards lets youngsters obtain codes for adult websites by paying for them using premium rate text messages.

Researchers for Which? magazine got codes for eight porn sites using an O2 phone registered to a 15-year-old girl.

The phone company's filter system blocked adult material being sent directly to the handset - but still let through access codes to websites showing hardcore sex films, the consumer group said.

It cost £1.50 to pay for the codes which gave access to internet porn sites.

Although the phone company's filter system blocked the adult sites, young viewers could view by entering the codes into a computer, Which? warned.

The consumer group is concerned about the loophole which allows under 18s access to pay-per-view porn sites by paying by text rather than credit card.

Which? magazine editor Malcolm Coles said: "At the moment there's nothing to stop children getting hold of hardcore pornography through their mobile phone. It's easy to access and costs less than a couple of quid.

Loophole

"There are supposed to be safeguards to stop this sort of thing, but they're obviously ineffective. This loophole needs to be closed as soon as possible."

The number of pay-per-view internet sites accepting payment by premium rate text messages has increased over the past few years, according to Which?

Those accessed by the consumer group's researchers boasted that users could remain anonymous because payment was by text.

An O2 spokesman said some adult websites did accept payment via mobile phones.

"While it's the responsibility of those websites to prevent under 18s from viewing the content on a computer, we do not want our mobiles to be used as a payment mechanism without age verification," he said.

"We are in the process of updating the agreements in place with companies that provide mobile content over our network.

"This update will include a requirement for third parties who provide 'computer viewable' adult content, to age verify any customers who choose to pay for it using their mobile phone."

The spokesman said O2 took the risk to children "very seriously", adding: "We have an age verification process for any commercial content that can be viewed on a mobile phone. We also offer a parental control on all of our mobiles that can be activated from the phone."

The premium rate phone and text message regulator Icstis said mobile phone companies and internet content providers were responsible for carrying out age verification checks.

Spokesman Rob Dwight said: "Obviously this is a loophole. Kids can access adult content on their PC screens and be billed via their mobile phones. The situation shouldn't be allowed to continue."

He added: "We are working with the mobile phone networks to look at how this loophole can be blocked."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=375880&in_page_id=1770

http://at-de.i-newswire.com/pr15287.html
http://openpr.de/news/75853

Die Bürgerinitiative Gablitz - Bezirk Wien-Umgebung - brachte am 31.1.2006 eine Beschwerde bei der EU-Kommission ein.

Gründe: Nicht-Umsetzung des Art. 174 EG-Vertrag (Vorsorgeprinzip) in österreichisches Recht, sowie Verstöße gegen das sektorspezifische Wettbewerbsrecht und gegen die Fusionskontrollverordnung durch die geplante Übernahme von Telering durch T-Mobile.

Mehr dazu: http://tinyurl.com/aycrl

Für Rückfragen stehe ich jederzeit zur Verfügung.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

Mag. Robert Marschall

Erster Sprecher der Bürgerinitiative Gablitz, Anton Haglgasse 14/1/3, A-3003 Gablitz, Österreich, Tel: 02231 / 68367, E-Mail: marschall@schutz-vor-elektrosmog.at
Homepage: http://www.schutz-vor-elektrosmog.at/buergerinitiative-gablitz.htm

Thomas Powers explores the meaning of the recent NSA spying scandal and the abject failure of Congress (or the American public) to rein in this administration. Put plainly, the President decided to attack Iraq, he brushed caution and objection aside, and Congress, the press, and the people, with very few exceptions, stepped back out of the way and let him do it.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020106C.shtml

Five difficult years in office have left the White House straining under the weight of its own contradictions. That was abundantly clear in the State of the Union address. The State of the Union was a tale of two presidents. One was gracious about his opponents, seeking common ground for the sake of the nation's future. The other accused his critics of being isolationists, pacifists, protectionists and unpatriotic.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020106B.shtml

President Bush received a roaring ovation Tuesday for his prime-time defense of wiretapping phone calls without warrants. But Bush's explanation relied on assumptions that have been widely questioned by experts who say the president offers a debatable interpretation of history.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020106A.shtml

(excerpt)

Also, don't forget to join Representatives Conyers, Pallone, Holt, McDermott and others reacting to the State of the Union, as well as your comments and questions, at the DCCC blog after President Bush's speech:

http://www.dccc.org/stakeholder/

2006 will be a banner year for Democrats and for America. The DCCC needs to have your support in this fight. We will continue to hold Republicans accountable for every rubber stamp vote they make benefiting their special interests at the expense of American families. Thanks for standing with us.


John Lapp
Executive Director,
DCCC

As government officials keep more and more information from us, they are in turn increasingly less accountable for what they do, since we have no idea they're doing it. Those are small things with grave consequences.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11736.htm

--------

Groundhog Day

James K. Galbraith writes, "Let's see ... It's August. Bush is in Crawford on a 'working vacation.' His polls are in the tank. Congress is in revolt. The economy is going soft. The next elections don't look good. Cheney is off in Wyoming, or wherever he goes. It's 2001. No, it's 2006."

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/081706N.shtml

NSA is aligning its growing domestic eavesdropping operations -- what the administration calls "terrorist warning" in its current PR campaign -- with military homeland defense organizations, as well as the CIA's new domestic operations .

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11733.htm

A former chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), retired Admiral Chris Barrie, has delivered a grim prediction on the state of Australia's defence alliance with the United States.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1559283.htm


From Information Clearing House

A well-known US nuclear proliferation and terrorism expert told Gulf News yesterday that Tehran not only has the nuclear bomb, it is seeking to "duplicate them in large numbers before revealing their existence to the world".

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11730.htm



Iran Papers Are for an Atomic Bomb

A document obtained by Iran on the nuclear black market serves no other purpose than to make an atomic bomb, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Tuesday.

http://www.forbes.com/technology/feeds/ap/2006/01/31/ap2489507.html


From Information Clearing House



Is Iran Building Nukes? An Analysis

The testable part of the claim -- that the Bushehr reactor is a proliferation threat -- is demonstrably false.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11739.htm



Nuclear Iran is not a threat

Why is all this pressure being mounted against Iran when both Washington and Jerusalem unofficially concede that there is nothing to be done to prevent Iran’s government from continuing along its present course of nuclear development?

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11731.htm



Big companies pulling out of Iran

Some major finance and energy companies are cutting commercial ties with Iran as US authorities step up enforcement of existing sanctions and international diplomatic pressure builds over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=15612



U.S. Instigated Iran's Nuclear Program 30 Years Ago:

White House staff members, who are trying to prevent Iran from developing its own nuclear energy capacity and who refuse to take military action against Iran "off the table," have conveniently forgotten that the United States was the midwife to the Iranian nuclear program 30 years ago.

http://tinyurl.com/94lg9


From Information Clearing House

Japan will withdraw its ground troops from southern Iraq by the end of May along with pullouts by the British and Australian forces from the area, Japanese media outlets have reported citing sources in the Japanese Government.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1559087.htm


From Information Clearing House

John Edwards writes that America risks losing its position as a global leader and its reputation as the land of opportunity if it continues on the course that President Bush has set.

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/020106M.shtml

Aktions-Mittel gentechfreier Mais: Protest gegen Gentechnik-Mais in Brandenburg (01.02.06)

Mit einem riesigen Maiskolben haben Gentechnikgegner am Dienstag auf einem Feld bei Strausberg (Brandenburg) gegen den Anbau von Genmais demonstriert. Auf dem Feld beim Strausberger Ortsteil Ruhlsdorf ist nach Angaben des Aktionsbündnisses gentechnikfreie Landwirtschaft Berlin-Brandenburg der Anbau von Genmais geplant. Der Eigentümer habe vier Felder mit insgesamt 20 Hektar Fläche ins Standortregister eintragen lassen. Die Felder liegen den Angaben zufolge im Naturpark "Märkische Schweiz", in einem europäischen Vogelschutzgebiet und in unmittelbarer Nähe zu einem Naturschutzgebiet und den Feldern eines Ökobauern.

Die ganze Nachricht im Internet: http://www.ngo-online.de/ganze_nachricht.php?Nr=12824

01.02.06

Der Bundesverband Volkssolidarität kritisiert Änderungen beim Arbeitslosengeld I (ALG I) zum 1. Februar 2006. Verbandspräsident Gunnar Winkler sagte am Mittwoch in Berlin, dieses Datum werde als "schwarzer Tag für Arbeitslose in die Geschichte eingehen". Seit Monatsbeginn erhielten Arbeitnehmer über 55 Jahre nur noch längstens 18 Monate ALG I statt bislang bis zu 36 Monaten. Die "drastische Reduzierung der Anspruchsdauer" beschleunigt nach Auffassung Winklers die "Talfahrt in die Armut".

Die ganze Nachricht im Internet: http://www.ngo-online.de/ganze_nachricht.php?Nr=12828

01.02.06

Die "Hartz IV"-Reform hat offenbar eine bei einer Gesetzesänderung einmalige Klagewelle vor den Sozialgerichten ausgelöst. Gut ein Jahr nach dem Start von "Hartz IV" seien bereits rund 52.000 Verfahren um die Regelungen registriert worden, teilte der Präsident des Bundessozialgerichts (BSG), Matthias von Wulffen, am Mittwoch in Kassel mit.

Die ganze Nachricht im Internet: http://www.ngo-online.de/ganze_nachricht.php?Nr=12827

Auch wenn der Iran derzeit im Mittelpunkt der Aufmerksamkeit steht, so weist die Ankündigung von Putin, dass mit neuen Raketen jedes Raketenabwehrsystem ausgetrickst werden könne, auf einen gefährlichen Rüstungstrend hin.

http://www.telepolis.de/tp/r4/artikel/21/21904/1.html

Niederlande

Fortschritt der Technik: Nun lassen sich Pässe berührungslos kopieren und fälschen. http://www.telepolis.de/tp/r4/artikel/21/21907/1.html

In seiner 5. State of the Union-Rede hielt Bush an der Führungsrolle
der USA fest, bezeichnete das Land als vom Öl abhängig und blieb
ansonsten bei Gemeinplätzen.

http://www.telepolis.de/tp/r4/artikel/21/21908/1.html

Last night, President Bush talked about a new energy economy. But when you completely ignore the biggest challenge of all -- global warming -- your plans will never measure up.

Using government subsidies for favored energy programs is thinking small. Instead, America needs a bold plan to limit global warming pollution and unleash the market to create a new energy economy.

The U.S. must pass a market-based cap on global warming pollution as the first meaningful step to reduce our emissions and spur private sector investment in the new energy technologies the president supports.

We are fully engaged at every level to see that 2006 is a year of real action. Our campaign activities include:

- Launching a new public education campaign. In the coming weeks, you will get an inside look at our most ambitious national public messaging campaign to date. The campaign will include television, radio, print and online ads and a new website to help us reach millions with our message.

- Strengthening on-the-ground grassroots organizing. In key states where we hope to win over the support of swing senators, we have built statewide outreach and education campaigns. These efforts have focused on building coalitions with industries and citizen groups most at risk as global warming changes our world.

- Getting the science right. Last year, we hired Bill Chameides, one of the world's foremost experts in atmospheric science, to lead our team of global warming scientists. We will use this expertise to make sure we are promoting the most effective policies.

With your continued support, we are doing all that can be done to make 2006 the year of historic action in the fight to stop global warming. No environmental threat is more urgent.

Thank you for being part of this crucial effort to reduce global warming.

Sincerely,
Steve Cochran
Campaign Director,
Campaign to Stop Global Warming

Today (1st Feb) a feature article appeared in Sussex wide paper The Argus titled "The modern blots on the landscape" by Sara Wallis. As usual it was lengthy and windy - little more than quotes from concerned residents, city councillors, and with the inevitable last words given to Telecom spokespeople. Below are some of their gems - I think it would help if people wrote to the letters page which is good at publishing letters (if they are no more than 250 words and ideally locally relevant) as Brighton & Hove are now a microwave nightmare. Send letters to letters@theargus.co.uk

Regards

Gary
Brighton

O2 spokesman: "The antennae are completely safe. There is no danger at all from them"

T Mobile spokeswoman: "Base atations are low powered radio transmitters and it is important to recognise that the radio frequency signal from the masts represents only one source in everyday lives"

"The radio waves from nearby base stations are favourably comparable to exposure from distant masts and from TV and FM radio and other transmitters".

"Based on 40 years of research T Mobile is confident its base stations, operatiing within strict national and international guidelines recognised by the World Health Organisation, do not present a health risk".

Omega this is not true. See under:
http://omega.twoday.net/topics/Wissenschaft+zu+Mobilfunk/
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Cancer+Cluster
http://www.buergerwelle.de/body_science.html

Omega read "Base Stations, operating within strict national and international Guidelines, do not present a Health Risk?" under: http://omega.twoday.net/stories/771911/

„Es ist 8:00 Uhr am Morgen, ich bin gerade aufgewacht. Kein Wecker klingeln hat mich geweckt. Nein, dieses Gerät wäre auch überflüssig und ohne einen sinnvollen Zweck für mich. Einen Wecker brauche ich seit über einem halben Jahr nicht mehr, denn seit dieser Zeit bin ich arbeitslos. Langsam und ohne große Lust verlasse ich mein Bett. Nun folgt das allmorgendliche Ritual, schnell einen Kaffee kochen, eine Zigarette nehmen, den Fernseher einschalten. So sitze ich, im noch immer andauernden Halbschlaf, vor dem Fernseher, und überlege, welcher Tag heute ist und was ich noch zu gedenken tue…“ Autobiografischer Bericht von Jens Neugebauer auf der Seite von gegen-hartz.de

http://www.gegen-hartz.de/nachrichtenueberhartziv/taghartz4.php


Aus: LabourNet, 1. Februar 2006

Informationen zur 58-Regelung auf der neuen Web-Site von Theodor Nussbaum, die sich speziell mit dem Problem des Leistungsbezuges für ältere Arbeitslose befasst. http://www.hartzinfo.mynetcologne.de/seiten/regel/regel.htm


Gesetzliche Befristungsmöglichkeit von Arbeitsverhältnissen älterer Arbeitnehmer ab dem 52. Lebensjahr verstößt gegen EU-Recht

„…passend zur jüngsten Diskussion um die vorgezogene Erhöhung des Rentenalters und die daraus resultierende Notwendigkeit, Arbeitsplätze für ältere Arbeitnehmer zu schaffen (vielleicht auch für jüngere, Herr Müntefering?) beschäftigt sich unser neues Mandanteninfo mit den Auswirkungen des Hartz-Papiers auf „ältere“ Arbeitnehmer. Die letzte Bundesregierung hat 2002 allen Ernstes behauptet, die Abschaffung des Kündigungsschutzes für Arbeitnehmer ab dem 52. Lebensjahr würde einen Anreiz für Arbeitgeber darstellen, diesen Personenkreis vermehrt einzustellen und hat deshalb die Altersgrenze in § 14 Abs. 3 TzBfG auf 52 Jahre abgesenkt. Das ist natürlich unter mehreren Aspekten Unsinn, jedenfalls arbeitsmarktpolitisch. Untersuchungen des WSI (Pfarr u.a., Der Kündigungsschutz zwischen Wahrnehmung und Wirklichkeit, ISBN: 3-87988-922-8; 148 Seiten, Preis: 19,80 €) haben ergeben, dass zwischen einer Lockerung des Kündigungsschutzes und Neueinstellungen keine Verbindungen existieren. Im Übrigen nützt die Einstellung älterer Arbeitnehmer überhaupt nichts, wenn sie zu Lasten jüngerer Arbeitnehmer geht. Tatsächlich sind sog. ältere Arbeitnehmer nach Änderung des § 14 Abs. 3 TzBfG auch keineswegs vermehrt eingestellt worden. Die Maßnahme des Gesetzgebers hat also erwartungsgemäß nicht gegriffen, so dass sich die Frage stellt: wie will denn die neue Bundesregierung mehr Arbeitsplätze für ältere Arbeitnehmer schaffen, wenn das Rentenalter noch schneller angehoben wird? Nun hat der europäische Gerichtshof (EuGH) aber auch noch entschieden, dass die genannte Regelung des § 14 Abs. 3 TzBfG gegen zwingendes EU-Recht verstößt. Einzelheiten entnehmen Sie bitte dem beigefügten Mandanteninfo. Wir sind alle schon sehr gespannt, welches Borstenvieh unsere Politiker nun durch das Dorf jagen werden…“ Aus dem Anschreiben für das Mandanteninfo des Anwaltsbüros Bell & Windirsch vom Februar 2006 (pdf) http://www.labournet.de/diskussion/arbeit/realpolitik/hilfe/mandant0206.pdf


Aus: LabourNet, 1. Februar 2006

Einzigartige und innovative Methoden. Im "Krieg gegen den Terror" untergraben die USA systematisch menschen- und völkerrechtliche Regeln „"Wir foltern nicht", behauptet Georg W. Bush. Der US-Präsident reagierte damit auf die Anschuldigungen der Washington Post, wonach US-Geheimdienste Menschen entführen, um sie außerhalb der USA in geheimen Gefängnissen zu misshandeln. Seit 2001 habe die CIA zeitweise in acht Ländern Foltergefängnisse unterhalten - auch in Europa, so die US-Zeitung. Die Erkenntnis, dass der US-Geheimdienst mutmaßliche Terrorverdächtige in einem Netzwerk geheimer Haftanstalten außerhalb der USA festhält, ist jedoch nicht neu - ebenso wenig wie die Tatsache, dass die US-Behörden in ihrem "Krieg gegen den Terror" die Genfer Konventionen über die Behandlung von Kriegsgefangenen wie auch die UN-Konvention gegen Folter verletzen…“ Artikel von „mb.“ In ak - analyse & kritik - Zeitung für linke Debatte und Praxis vom 20.1.2006 http://www.akweb.de/ak_s/ak502/37.htm


Sicherheit als einzige Antwort auf den Terror? Vom Verlust der Freiheit, dem Kapitalismus der Angst und der Privatisierung der Gewalt

„Wenn irgendwann die Historiker das 21. Jahrhundert mit dem 11. September 2001 beginnen lassen werden, so kaum deswegen, weil an diesem Tag etwas qualitativ Neues geschehen wäre oder gar die Welt im Angesicht der einstürzenden Neubauten mit Erkenntnis geschlagen wurde. Anstatt zu fragen: Warum? folgte das übliche: Was nun? Die darauf gefundene Antwort ließ kaum einen Monat auf sich warten und war auch nicht neu. Auf den privatisierten Terror folgte der Krieg der Staaten. Dabei unterschied sich diese Antwort von jenen der vergangenen Jahrhunderte weniger in der Wahl der Mittel als vielmehr in deren Qualität. Wenn dieser Beginn des neuen Jahrhunderts also eines beweist, dann, dass die vermeintlichen Fortschritte und Lehren des 20. Jahrhunderts im 21. nicht angekommen sind…“ Artikel von Michael Plöse vom 29.01.2006 auf telepolis http://www.heise.de/tp/r4/artikel/21/21853/1.html


Kommunikationsfreiheit und Datenschutz > Datenschutz > Arbeitnehmerdatenschutz > Spionage beim Betriebsrat Siemens in München

Datenausspähung: Eine seltsame Verstrickung von Siemens und Justiz, Zufällen, Irrtümern, Missverständnissen - oder doch geheime Absicht? Kollege Zufall hilft. Siemens und Justiz bei der Ausspähung von Betriebsratsdaten

„Ein Drama, gespielt vom wahren Leben. Die Autoren des Dramas möchten nicht genannt werden“ beim NetzwerkIT http://www.nci-net.de/Archiv/Datenspionage/Datenspionage.html


Meinungs- und Pressefreiheit

Gewalt nimmt zu: 63 Journalisten getötet, mehr als 1.300 bedroht oder attackiert

Pressefreiheit-Bilanz 2005 von Reporter ohne Grenzen vom 4.1.06 (pdf) http://www.reporter-ohne-grenzen.de/fileadmin/rte/docs/ROG_Bilanz_2005_01.pdf


Ausländer- und Asylrecht

Baden-Württemberg verhindert die Integration

Neue Befunde bekräftigen behördliche Diskriminierung durch „Loyalitätstest“ in Baden-Württemberg

„Das Innenministerium von Baden-Württemberg hat im September 2005 seinen Behörden eine klare Anweisung gemacht, wonach alle Muslime unter Generalverdacht zu stellen sind. Das geht aus einem Schreiben
(Aktenzeichen 5-1012 4/12) hervor, das der Süddeutschen Zeitung vorliegt. Darin heißt es: „Bei jedem Muslim, der sich einbürgern lassen will, besteht Zweifel an der inneren Hinwendung zu Deutschland.“ Daher solle jedem „muslimischen“ Einbürgerungswilligen ein Fragekatalog vorgelegt werden, der die Gesinnung prüfe…“ Artikel von Hüseyin Avgan, DIDF-Vorsitzender, vom 31.01.2006 bei DIDF http://www.didf.de/makale.php?id=192


Nein zum Loyalitätstest. Ja zur Einbürgerung

„Migranten, die sich einbürgern wollen, haben es in Baden-Württemberg seit Anfang des Jahres nicht leicht. Das Innenministerium stellt alle Menschen, die aus einem muslimischen Land eingewandert sind, unter Generalverdacht und unterzieht sie einem diskriminierenden Loyalitätstest…“ Flugblatt von Föderation der Demokratischen Arbeitervereine – DIDF (pdf) http://www.didf.de/download/BaWu-Flugi.PDF

Baden-Württemberg: Gesprächsleitfaden für die Einbürgerungsbehörden. Bekenntnis zur freiheitlichen demokratischen Grundordnung nach dem Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz (StAG)

Gesprächsleitfaden für die Einbürgerungsbehörden, Stand 01.09.2005, veröffentlicht bei islam.de http://islam.de/4401.php


Aus: LabourNet, 1. Februar 2006

NATO-Sicherheitskonferenz am 3. und 4. Februar 2006 in München

Raus gegen die Nato-Kriegskonferenz - they make war, we make trouble Aufruf gegen die NATO-Kriegskonferenz (pdf) http://www.no-nato.de/cms/pdf/aufruf_siko.pdf


Für Frieden und soziale Gerechtigkeit weltweit – Nein zu Krieg und Militarisierung Bündnis-Aufruf zu Protesten gegen die NATO-Militärtagung am 3./4. Februar 2006 in München http://www.no-nato.de/cms/front_content.php?idcatart=919&lang=1&sid=8e537ae3af8e01dc4fd29335dc605c3c

Ihr Geschäft heißt Krieg. Gemeinsam gegen die NATO-Kriegskonferenz in München 3.-5. Februar 2006

„Einen bereits angekündigten Pressetermin hat der Veranstalter ohne Angaben von Gründen abgesagt, die Namen der Teilnehmer will er auch drei Wochen vor der Konferenz nicht nennen und das "Regionalthema" für den zweiten Konferenztag stehe auch noch nicht fest, heißt es knapp auf der offiziellen Webseite (www.securityconference.de). Kurz vor der "42. Münchner Konferenz für Sicherheitspolitik", der früheren "Wehrkundetagung", hält sich der Deutschland-Chef des US-Rüstungskonzerns Boeing, Horst Teltschik, äußerst bedeckt…“ Artikel vom AutorInnenKollektiv SehStörung im ak - analyse & kritik - Zeitung für linke Debatte und Praxis vom 20.1.2006 http://www.akweb.de/ak_s/ak502/15.htm


Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz (früher: Wehrkundetagung) - Informationen, Dokumente, Hintergründe

Dossier zur "Sicherheitskonferenz" bei der AG Friedensforschung an der Uni Kassel http://www.uni-kassel.de/fb5/frieden/themen/Sicherheitskonferenz/Welcome.html


Was heißt hier Sicherheit? Am Mittwoch, 1. / Donnerstag, 2. Februar
2006 findet eine Alternativenkonferenz im Einewelthaus und im DGB-Haus München statt. Siehe Programm http://www.gegen-krieg-und-rassismus.de/Alternativenkonferenz.htm


Homepage des Aktionsbündnisses gegen die NATO-Sicherheitskonferenz mit Protestterminen und weiteren Infos http://www.gegen-krieg-und-rassismus.de/


Aus: LabourNet, 1. Februar 2006

--------

Münchner "Sicherheitskonferenz": Ein Stelldichein von Oberbefehlshabern im Krieg

Pressemitteilung des Bundesausschusses Friedensratschlag vom 2.2.06 http://www.uni-kassel.de/fb5/frieden/themen/Sicherheitskonferenz/2006-baf.html


Sicherheitstipps zur Sicherheitskonferenz

„Seit Jahresbeginn können in Bayern Telefone und Internetverbindungen auch ohne Verdacht abgehört und geortet werden. Diese verfassungswidrige Änderung des Polizeiaufgabengesetzes gilt natürlich auch für unbequeme Aktivisten und Demonstranten. Bis zur Klarstellung durch das Bundesverfassungsgericht gilt das Recht des sich besser schützenden?..“ Artikel von Linkes Aufklärungskommando vom
02.02.2006 bei indymedia http://de.indymedia.org/2006/02/137773.shtml


Aus: LabourNet, 3. Februar 2006



http://freepage.twoday.net/search?q=Teltschik

EU-Richtlinie zur Vorrats – Datenspeicherung: Mobilfunker finden, dass sechs Monate genug sind

Von Franz Zauner

Auch Justizministerium für Sechs-Monate-Frist

Handys sind verräterisch. Das hat zuletzt der Saliera-Dieb am eigenen Leib erfahren müssen. Fahndungserfolge wie dieser sind Wasser auf die Mühlen jener, welche eine akkurate Umsetzung der EU-Richtlinie zur Vorrats – Datenspeicherung verlangen. Die EU-Mitgliedsstaaten können die Speicherdauer in einer Bandbreite zwischen 6 und 24 Monaten selbst bestimmen. Die österreichische IT-Branche hofft auf eine Festlegung am unteren Limit. Das Justizministerium dürfte ihnen entgegen kommen.
Datenspeicherung ist ein Kostenfaktor: Pro Tag fallen alleine in Österreich 60 bis 100 Millionen Datensätze an. Diese auswertbar zu speichern, würde den österreichischen Mobilfunk-Netzbetreibern teuer zu stehen kommen. "Wir sollten bei der Sechs-Monate-Frist bleiben", fordert Klaus M. Steinmaurer, Leiter der Rechtsabteilung von T-Mobile. "Alles andere wäre überschießend und nicht notwendig", erklärte er bei der Veranstaltung Mobile Business 06 in Wien.

Praktisch alle einschlägigen Firmen von Microsoft bis Siemens sind sich in dieser Frage einig: Lange Vorratsdatenspeicherung sei unnütz, heißt es unisono. 80 Prozent aller Abfragen durch Polizei und Gerichte würden innerhalb von drei Monaten erfolgen, 99 Prozent innerhalb eines Jahres. Je länger der Speicherzeitraum und je größer die Datenmenge, umso eher sinkt die Aufklärungswahrscheinlichkeit, glaubt Steinmaurer, der Polizei und Gerichten vorwirft, mitunter übers Ziel zu schießen. "Von den richterlichen Aufträgen (zur Herausgabe von Daten) müssen wir elf Prozent zurückweisen", erklärte Steinmaurer gegenüber Heise Online .

Die Politik ist in dieser Frage noch uneins: Wie aus dem Justizministerium verlautet, möchte man generell die Sechs-Monate-Frist verankern. Im Innenministerium wünscht man sich ein Jahr Speicherdauer bei Telefon- und 6 Monate bei Internetdaten. 24 Monate stehen derzeit in keinem Entwurf zur Diskussion.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006
http://www.wienerzeitung.at/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3932&Alias=wzo&cob=217198


Nachricht von der BI Bad Dürkheim

By Nicolette Allen

ANGRY residents living near the site of a proposed mobile phone mast are concerned about the number of masts cropping up all over Worcester.

O2 UK is planning to install a 17.5 metre pole at the Hylton Road Industrial Estate, Hylton road and another 15 metre high monopole in the residential area of Oldbury Road, St Johns, between Ambrose Close and Brookside Road.

Gordon and Pam Roberts from Ambrose Close said they were very concerned about the installation of a new mast.

"We don't know enough about the dangers of these phone masts to have them put up all over the place," said Mrs Roberts.

"The phone company could have chosen to install the mast in the countryside somewhere, rather than here in a residential area of a city."

City council planning officer Paul O'Connor said the council had received letters of complaint and rejection from people living in the Oldbury Road area.

"These rejections are mainly on the basis of concern about health issues," he said.

"However, from a health perspective the installation satisfies all international standards of safety and in terms of appearance, the mast is designed to have as little overall impact on the surrounding area as possible."

Omega this is not true. See under:
http://omega.twoday.net/topics/Wissenschaft+zu+Mobilfunk/
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Cancer+Cluster
http://www.buergerwelle.de/body_science.html

Omega read "Base Stations, operating within strict national and international Guidelines, do not present a Health Risk?" under: http://omega.twoday.net/stories/771911/

Spokesman for O2 Angela Johnson said a tremendous amount of research has been conducted into the safety of these masts.

"These are very low powered two way radio transmitters, with less power than a mobile phone," she said.

"We only put these monopoles where we absolutely need them, but this is a consumer driven business and the majority of people value a good mobile phone service."

A decision will be made by the city council's planning committee today (Thursday) with a recommendation that prior approval is granted.

• What do YOU think? Should there be tighter rules governing the positioning of phone masts? Do we need to know more about possible health issues relating to them? Write to the editor today with your views.

http://www.worcesterstandard.co.uk/news/default1.asp?id=1718

Téléphonie mobile : Guide des Bonnes Pratiques entre Maires et Opérateurs & Propositions à l'AMF et à l'AFOM.

http://www.next-up.org/pdf/lettre_Ouverte_Next_up_au_President_AMF.pdf


- DERNIERE MINUTE
- Communiqué du Groupe de Travail "Téléphonie Mobile et Santé " de l'Association des Maires de France (AMF).

http://www.maire-info.com/article.asp?param=6596&PARAM2=PLUS

PARENTS are protesting against plans to build a mobile phone mast close to a primary school.

Mother-of-two Michelle Esposito, of Otago Road, Whittlesey, started a petition when Vodafone submitted proposals to build the mast on a grass verge next to Alderman Jacobs Primary School.

She said: "I know we all use mobiles, but to put the mast next to a school and in a residential area is ridiculous.

"Parents with children at the school have signed the petition, as well as residents in neighbouring streets.

"Nobody wants the mast to go there, and everyone has been very supportive.

"The site is on an open piece of grass verge. There are no trees or buildings to disguise it, so it will be an eyesore."

If given the green light, the 10m-high mobile phone mast will be placed at the junction of Drybread Road, Bassenhally Road and Otago Road – just metres from the school.

Mrs Esposito collected about 100 signatures, and sent the petition to Fenland District Council planning office last week.

She added: "I know of two previous phone mast applications which have been turned down in Whittlesey, and residents objected against those.

"One proposed site was near the fire station, and another for the other end of Drybread Road.

"I know there are no proven health risks involved with these masts, but this one shouldn't be put so close to the school."

Omega this is not true. See under:
http://omega.twoday.net/topics/Wissenschaft+zu+Mobilfunk/
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Cancer+Cluster
http://www.buergerwelle.de/body_science.html

A spokeswoman for Vodafone said: "We can confirm we have plans for a new mast in Drybread Road, Whittlesey. We can't comment further until the plans have been finalised."

Wendy Coles, spokeswoman for Fenland District Council, said: "If an application is made to put a mobile phone mast up, the company has to comply with government guidelines.

"In this case, Vodafone complied with guidelines, and a 56-day period to consider the application ends this week.

"The only way it could be refused is n grounds of visual impact.

"Its proximity to a school would not be an issue for refusal."

A decision on the mast will be made by the council on Monday.

01 February 2006

All rights reserved © 2006 Johnston Press Digital Publishing.


http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=845&ArticleID=1334160

The truth is now plainly exposed for all who will see it.

There are 19 senators elected as Democrats who will NOT fight for the people, no matter how we plead, and no matter in what numbers. It is not the job of the resource which sends these alerts to endorse or not endorse any candidate. However, if YOU feel strongly that these senators need to be replaced as soon as possible with candidates more loyal and true, the way to do that is through primary election challenges.

The immense side benefit of such an action is that by demonstrating that there are immediate repercussions for betraying our interests, perhaps it will put enough of the fear of the electorate into them to get our "representatives" to start to listen to the voice of the people on other votes coming up. If you live in the states of New Mexico, Nebraska, North Dakota, Florida, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Delaware, Hawaii, or Washington, the next section will give detailed instructions on how YOU can register as a candidate and win. Otherwise watch future alerts for how you can join these and other actions.

KEEP SPEAKING OUT SO WE CAN MOBILIZE EVEN MORE PEOPLE

We did what we had to do. We spoke out in sufficient numbers to have the people's will be heard in the votes of our senators. No longer can they pretend they voted the wrong way because they did not hear from us. And that is why we need to keep speaking out, in even greater numbers, so they know the voice of the people will just keep getting louder.

We spoke out and we were ignored. And have you noticed it makes you feel MORE motivated to see real policy change, not less. And that is why it is so critically important for you to forward each alert to as many other people you know as possible, so that they too can be mobilized even as you are now

Here is an new action page to demand that a special prosecutor be appointed to investigate the illegal warrantless wiretaps of American citizens, as demanded by Al Gore and others already

ACTION PAGE: http://www.millionphonemarch.com/wiretaps.php

Please take action NOW, so we can win all victories that are supposed to be ours, and forward this message to everyone else you know.

Powered by The People's Email Network
Copyright 2005, Patent pending, All rights reserved

Farmers in Mali, the fourth poorest country in the world, have told their government they do not want to see genetically modified crops being grown on their land, after Africa's first "farmers' jury" debated the issue.

http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/013106EB.shtml

The world must halt greenhouse gas emissions and reverse them within two decades or watch the planet spiraling towards destruction, scientists said on Monday.

http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/013106EA.shtml

At the Democratic Forum to Impeach Bush, Attended by Cindy Sheehan and Ramsey Clark among others on Monday in Washington D.C. it was brought up that 9/11 was an inside job and the Washington Post printed it in part #2 below.

Part #1 Tasting Victory http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/30/AR2006013001319.html

Part #2 Tasting Victory, Liberals http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/30/AR2006013001319_2.html


Newspaper add American Civil Liberties Union : ACLU Chief Calls on President to Shut Down Illegal Spying on Americans http://www.aclu.org/safefree/spying/23978prs20060131.html


Thank the senators who stood against Alito Easy one click to send thanks to all the Senators who were in favor of a Filibuster and those who voted against Alito.

We are not going to try to put an upbeat spin on it; Samuel Alito confirmation today as the newest member of the Supreme Court is bad news. But we’re in this for the long haul, and the work for a more just and sustainable America will continue. Thousands of TrueMajority members called Congress, and tens of thousands more sent letters asking senators to stand up for a filibuster and allow for a full debate of Samuel Alito’s record. Twenty-five senators did this, and in doing so showed political courage in the face of overwhelming odds. A total of 42 stood up against Judge Alito’s appointment during the final vote.

Click here to thank the senators who stood up for a filibuster: http://action.truemajority.org/campaign/thanksforthefight/w3ekwkd2l5bt35b?

Click here to thank all the senators who voted against Alito: http://action.truemajority.org/campaign/thanksforyourvote/w3ekwkd2l5bt35b? It’s important to keep working hard for the type of country we want, but also important to let those who stand with us know we appreciate their efforts. According to Ralph Neas, the head of People for the American Way, "Senators who voted to extend debate did everything possible to defeat the nomination of Samuel Alito to a lifetime seat on the Supreme Court. They also upheld the Senats crucial role in our system of checks and balances. We believe that time will confirm the wisdom of their attempt to defeat this nominee". Let show them our gratitude by sending them a thank you letter. Let them know that they did the right thing and have our support. Thanks for all that you do, Matt Holland TrueMajority P.S. To see how senators voted on Alito's confirmation, click here. Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.

Tell-a-Friend!

This message was sent from ranger116.

Keep these messages going to more people! TrueMajority.org is a grassroots group of citizens who believe in America's true values of openness, fairness and compassion. We believe participating in an effective government is the best way to be mutually responsible for our community.

TrueMajority.org, 191 Bank Street, Third Floor, Burlington, VT 05401

http://www.n24.de/politik/article.php?articleId=25353

--------

RFID-Pass: Hack den Chip, lass RFID-Reader abstürzen
http://www.gulli.com/news/rfid-pass-hack-den-chip-lass-2007-08-01/

Elektronischer Reisepass klonbar
http://derstandard.at/?id=2981084

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/1/31944/23746#6

What Really Happened

by Cindy Sheehan

Wed Feb 01, 2006 at 01:19:44 AM PDT

Dear Friends,

As most of youI was arrested before the State of
the Union Address have probably heard, tonight.

I am speechless with fury at what happened and with grief over what we
have lost in our country.

There have been lies from the police and distortions by the press.
(Shocker) So this is what really happened:

This afternoon at the People's State of the Union Address in DC where I
was joined by Congresspersons Lynn Woolsey and John Conyers, Ann Wright, Malik Rahim and John Cavanagh, Lynn brought me a ticket to the State of the Union Address. At that time, I was wearing the shirt that said: 2245 Dead. How many more?

After the PSOTU press conference, I was having second thoughts about
going to the SOTU at the Capitol. I didn't feel comfortable going. I
knew George Bush would say things that would hurt me and anger me and I knew that I couldn't disrupt the address because Lynn had given me the
ticket and I didn't want to be disruptive out of respect for her. I, in
fact, had given the ticket to John Bruhns who is in Iraq Veterans
Against the War. However, Lynn's office had already called the media and
everyone knew I was going to be there so I sucked it up and went.

I got the ticket back from John, and I met one of Congresswoman Barbara
Lee's staffers in the Longworth Congressional Office building and we
went to the Capitol via the undergroud tunnel. I went through security
once, then had to use the rest room and went through security again.

My ticket was in the 5th gallery, front row, fourth seat in. The person
who in a few minutes was to arrest me, helped me to my seat.

I had just sat down and I was warm from climbing 3 flights of stairs
back up from the bathroom so I unzipped my jacket. I turned to the right
to take my left arm out, when the same officer saw my shirt and yelled;
"Protester." He then ran over to me, hauled me out of my seat and
roughly (with my hands behind my back) shoved me up the stairs. I said
something like "I'm going, do you have to be so rough?" By the way, his
name is Mike Weight.

The officer ran with me to the elevators yelling at everyone to move out
of the way. When we got to the elevators, he cuffed me and took me
outside to await a squad car. On the way out, someone behind me said,
"That's Cindy Sheehan." At which point the officer who arrested me said:
"Take these steps slowly." I said, "You didn't care about being careful
when you were dragging me up the other steps." He said, "That's because
you were protesting." Wow, I get hauled out of the People's House
because I was, "Protesting."

I was never told that I couldn't wear that shirt into the Congress. I
was never asked to take it off or zip my jacket back up. If I had been
asked to do any of those things...I would have, and written about the
suppression of my freedom of speech later. I was immediately, and
roughly (I have the bruises and muscle spasms to prove it) hauled off
and arrested for "unlawful conduct."

After I had my personal items inventoried and my fingers printed, a nice
Sgt. came in and looked at my shirt and said, "2245, huh? I just got
back from there."

I told him that my son died there. That's when the enormity of my loss
hit me. I have lost my son. I have lost my First Amendment rights. I
have lost the country that I love. Where did America go? I started
crying in pain.

What did Casey die for? What did the 2244 other brave young Americans
die for? What are tens of thousands of them over there in harm's way for
still? For this? I can't even wear a shirt that has the number of troops
on it that George Bush and his arrogant and ignorant policies are
responsible for killing.

I wore the shirt to make a statement. The press knew I was going to be
there and I thought every once in awhile they would show me and I would
have the shirt on. I did not wear it to be disruptive, or I would have
unzipped my jacket during George's speech. If I had any idea what
happens to people who wear shirts that make the neocons uncomfortable
that I would be arrested...maybe I would have, but I didn't.

There have already been many wild stories out there.

I have some lawyers looking into filing a First Amendment lawsuit
against the government for what happened tonight. I will file it. It is
time to take our freedoms and our country back.

I don't want to live in a country that prohibits any person, whether
he/she has paid the ultimate price for that country, from wearing,
saying, writing, or telephoning any negative statements about the
government. That's why I am going to take my freedoms and liberties
back. That's why I am not going to let Bushco take anything else away
from me...or you.

I am so appreciative of the couple of hundred of protesters who came to
the jail while I was locked up to show their support....we have so much
potential for good...there is so much good in so many people.

Four hours and 2 jails after I was arrested, I was let out. Again, I am
so upset and sore it is hard to think straight.

Keep up the struggle...I promise you I will too.

Love and peace soon,

Cindy


Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever does.~ Margaret Mead


Informant: Hopedance

--------

From the Los Angeles Times

Sheehan Removed From House Chamber Before Speech

From Associated Press

6:20 PM PST, January 31, 2006

Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier in Iraq who reinvigorated the anti-war movement, was taken into custody by police in the House gallery tonight just before President Bush's State of the Union address.

Police escorted Sheehan from the visitors' gallery above the House chamber after causing a disruption, said a Capitol Police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the incident were sketchy.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., had invited Sheehan to the address as her guest.

"I'm proud that Cindy's my guest tonight," Woolsey said in an interview before the speech. "She has made a difference in the debate to bring our troops home from Iraq."

Woolsey offered Sheehan a ticket to the speech -- Gallery 5, seat 7, row A -- earlier Tuesday while Sheehan was attending an "alternative state of the union" press conference by CODEPINK, a group promoting the end of the Iraq war.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-013106sheehan_wr,0,1887102.story?coll=la-home-headlines


Informant: John Calvert

--------

Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2006 04:44:52 -0600

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11120353/

msnbc live vote on Cindy Sheehan arrest - GO VOTE


Informant: DitziSis

--------

Cindy Sheehan got as much press coverage as Bush on the State of the Union

Send E-mails to US Troops in Iraq

Here the current page http://www.anyservicemember.org/cgi-bin/uscg/guestbook.cgi?postingform&pid=2262

Stop and think about it? Our Cindy got as much press coverage as Bush on the State of the Union Speech!

Informant: ranger116

CONTRA COSTA TIMES

Tue Jan 31, 2006 23:55

By Lisa Vorderbrueggen

Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chairwomen Reps. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, and Lynn Woolsey, D-Santa Rosa, painted an alternative state of the union picture Tuesday as a precursor to President Bush's much-anticipated evening speech.

The 62-member caucus' platform features a range of policies from bringing troops home from Iraq, and instituting congressional ethics reforms, universal health care and anti-poverty programs.

"Our nation faces a crisis and we stand at a crossroads," said Lee on Tuesday morning from Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. "Will we continue to be a nation of laws or a nation where the executive claims the privilege of lawlessness? Will we be a nation run for the benefit of big corporations and wealthy donors or a nation of opportunity, where people who work hard are rewarded and everyone has a shot at the American dream?"

Lee, viewed as one of Congress' most liberal members, was referring to the controversy over Bush's support of spying on Americans that may have ties to terrorists, the often too-cozy relationship between lawmakers and lobbyists and the Democrats' contention that conservative policies hurt the poor and help the rich.

Lee has introduced three bills related to the caucus' focus on eradicating poverty.

"Since President Bush took office, the number of poor people in America has grown by 17 percent, growing at a rate of more than 1 million each year," Lee said, and added that the number of children in extreme poverty grew by 500,000. "This is the real state of the so-called 'ownership society.' "

Lee seeks a presidential action plan for the eradication of poverty, a Congressional Budget Office analysis of the impact on poverty of pending federal legislation and a roll-back of tax cuts that Republicans support.

But she used her strongest words to criticize the president on the Iraq war.

"Tonight, the president will take to the stage to try and put a good face on a year of failures," she said. "One thing you won't hear him talk about, however, is the price of his reckless, unnecessary war in Iraq. You won't see him include the cost for the war in the budget that he submits to Congress next week, either.

"You see, the president doesn't have the courage to level with the American people about just how long his 'stay-the-course' policy will keep up in Iraq and how much it will cost, and ask the American people to sacrifice for it."

Details of the caucus members' proposals are available on-line at the http://www.thenation.com , a liberal political magazine.

The Times' will feature local reaction to the president's speech from the full East Bay congressional delegation after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Lisa Vorderbrueggen covers politics. Reach her at 925-945-4773 or lvorderbrueggen@cctimes.com

===========================================

GOOGLE:
Results 1 - 10 of about 26,300 for BUSH STATE-OF-THE-UNION
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=&ie=UTF-8&q=BUSH+%22STATE+OF+THE+UNION%22

ABC graphic labels Bush address "America's Agenda"

http://mediamatters.org/items/200602010001

Despite President Bush's approval ratings hovering in the low 40s and a January 29 ABC News/Washington Post poll showing a majority of the American people disapproving of his performance on nearly every major issue, ABC posted onscreen text reading "America's Agenda" beneath an image of Bush while anchor Elizabeth Vargas introduced ABC correspondent George Stephanopoulos's preview of the 2006 State of the Union address on the January 31 edition of World News Tonight.

To contact us directly, reply to this mail or visit http://mediamatters.org/contact_us

Source:
http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?id=149495;article=98230;show_parent=1