tagged w/ Wake to fu up!!!
-
Since 1995, Transparency International has published an annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)[1] ordering the countries of the world according to "the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians".[2] The organization defines corruption as "the abuse of entrusted power for private gain".[3]
The 2003 poll covered 133 countries; the 2007 survey, 180. A higher score means less (perceived) corruption. The results show seven out of every ten countries (and nine out of every ten developing countries) with an index of less than 5 points out of 10.
Here is a nice little guide for any one who is curious.Since 1995, Transparency International has published an annual Corruption Perceptions... more
-
-
CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested today on charges that accuse him of trying to benefit from his ability to appoint President-elect Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate.
The U.S. Attorney in Chicago says federal investigators bugged Blagojevich's campaign offices and placed a tap on his home phone. At a news conference on Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said the corruption charges represent "a truly new low."
An FBI affidavit says the 51-year-old Democrat was intercepted on wiretaps conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife.
FBI chief Robert Grant says even seasoned investigators were stunned by what they heard on those tapes.
Fitzgerald described the situation by saying: "We were in the middle of a corruption crime spree and we wanted to stop it."
The governor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. hahahahahhahahaahhahaahahahaahahahahahahahaahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahCHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested today on charges that... more
-
-
If Iran’s Westernised youths were given the choice of Barack Obama or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in a free election, an overwhelming majority would back the American.
That, at least, may be the sneaking suspicion of Tehran’s ossified leaders who harbour a gnawing, corrosive mistrust of their own people. Why else would they obsessively screen candidates in their bogus elections to prevent the annoyingly popular liberal reformers from standing?
Yet in a nation where two thirds of the population are younger than 30, Iran’s authorities have almost ended their fruitless efforts to ban satellite dishes. They turn a blind eye while countless teenagers enjoy American films and music.
advertisement
<A HREF="http://ads.telegraph.co.uk/event.ng/Type=click&FlightID=34027&AdID=41976&TargetID=11226&Values=1478&ASeg=&AMod=&Redirect=https://secure.widearea.co.uk/wt/campaigns/1000546/1GOCCDD.html" target="_top"><IMG SRC="http://adc.telegraph.co.uk/h/house/for-gifs_mpu.gif" WIDTH=300 HEIGHT=250 BORDER=0></A>
The regime denounces the United States as the "Great Satan", but bookshops outside Tehran University sell dictionaries of "American idiom" and even guides to adopting American accents.
This is American cultural power, perhaps the most important dimension of national strength. Until this week, America’s "soft power" was confined to the appeal of its fashion, music and films. Young Iranians could still unite behind their regime in reviling America’s leaders, especially President George W Bush.If Iran’s Westernised youths were given the choice of Barack Obama or Mahmoud... more
-
-
Liberals are growing increasingly nervous – and some just flat-out angry – that President-elect Barack Obama seems to be stiffing them on Cabinet jobs and policy choices.
Obama has reversed pledges to immediately repeal tax cuts for the wealthy and take on Big Oil. He’s hedged his call for a quick drawdown in Iraq. And he’s stocking his White House with anything but stalwarts of the left.
Now some are shedding a reluctance to puncture the liberal euphoria at being rid of President George W. Bush to say, in effect, that the new boss looks like the old boss.
“He has confirmed what our suspicions were by surrounding himself with a centrist to right cabinet. But we do hope that before it's all over we can get at least one authentic progressive appointment,” said Tim Carpenter, national director of the Progressive Democrats of America.
OpenLeft blogger Chris Bowers went so far as to issue this plaintive plea: “Isn't there ever a point when we can get an actual Democratic administration?”
Barack Obama has become an Honorary Republican. He has proved he has the Right stuff. Left Wing politics always sounds a lot better in speeches and on fictional movies, but when it comes to governing The United States of America you have to get a clue. Barack Obama has got a grasp on the situation, I salute him on his new found beliefs and pledge my whole hearted support of him in his endeavors. We need a strong President right now more than ever.Liberals are growing increasingly nervous – and some just flat-out angry –... more
-
-
LAS VEGAS – O.J. Simpson was transferred Monday from jail to a Nevada state prison to begin serving nine to 33 years for his felony convictions in a gunpoint confrontation with two sports memorabilia dealers, a state corrections official said.
Simpson, 61, arrived at High Desert State Prison in Indian Springs, Department of Corrections spokeswoman Suzanne Pardee said. The all-male medium security prison, about 45 miles northwest of Las Vegas, has 3,000 beds and serves as the intake center for all new southern Nevada prison inmates.
"It went as expected," said Simpson lawyer Yale Galanter, who said he knew Simpson had been due to be moved sometime this week from the Clark County jail. "We're actually expecting that he'll be assigned to one of the southern Nevada prisons."
Simpson trial co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart remained Monday at the Clark County Detention Center, jail records showed.
Stewart, 54, received 7 1/2 to 27 years when he and Simpson were sentenced Friday on 10 charges by Judge Jackie Glass in Las Vegas.
A Clark County District Court jury found the two men guilty Oct. 3 of 12 charges, including kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and conspiracy in the Sept. 13, 2007, confrontation.
OJ make sure and eat all your Karma Corn, to give your fellow inmates some roughage!!!LAS VEGAS – O.J. Simpson was transferred Monday from jail to a Nevada state... more
-
-
WASHINGTON – Congressional Democrats on Monday sent the White House a draft of a roughly $15 billion auto bailout they aim to bring to a vote this week, but White House officials gave a cool initial response.
The measure would rush bridge loans to Detroit's struggling Big Three but would also demand that the auto industry restructure itself in order to survive and would put an overseer chosen by President George W. Bush in charge of monitoring that effort, according to a draft obtained by The Associated Press.
The White House had just begun evaluating the Democratic language, according to officials who would comment on the continuing negotiations only on condition of anonymity. But they said the draft didn't appear consistent with the principles behind a broad agreement to give long-term financing only to viable companies. They said it was hard to tell definitively whether their doubts were warranted and they would continue talking to Capitol Hill representatives.
At the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said, "While we take no satisfaction in loaning taxpayer money to these companies, we know it must be done." He added, "This is no blank check or blind hope."
Earlier Monday, the White House and a top Democratic lawmaker said they were likely to strike a deal quickly on the multibillion-dollar bailout, which places strict restrictions on the automakers while they're.....
This seems wrong to me. Nobody will be purchasing any new cars for a while. The big missed their chance when they chose to push big SUV's knowing that our fuel supply was dwindling. This fact alone show's that management is totally out of touch. Plus, this loan is just a bandage, they aren't going to survive any way. Let them succumb to the food chain. People are hurting out there and these half measures are only going to cause a BIGGER crash in the end.WASHINGTON – Congressional Democrats on Monday sent the White House a draft of a... more
-
