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Obama Meets Al-Maliki During Iraq Trip : NPR
Barack Obama on Monday met with Iraq's prime minister during his first on-the-ground inspection of the war-torn country since launching his U.S. presidential campaign.
Obama and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met in Baghdad, according to witnesses and Iraqiya state television, which aired video of the two. There were no further details on the visit, which has been kept secret for security reasons.
The Illinois senator is also expected to meet Gen. David Petraeus and spend much of the day in meetings with U.S. commanders, who are ready to brief him on the progress of the war.
Obama traveled to Iraq — his second trip to the country — with Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE). The three met Sunday in Kuwait City with Kuwait's emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, and other senior officials, the Kuwait News Agency reported.
All three senators are longtime critics of the U.S. involvement in the war in Iraq. Obama has called for withdrawing American troops at the rate of one or two brigades per month and an end to combat operations within 16 months. He has said he favors leaving a residual force in the country to provide security for U.S. personnel, train Iraqis and counter attacks by al-Qaida.
The stop in Baghdad is the second visit to a war zone during his trip. He spent time in Afghanistan observing the battle against the Taliban and al-Qaida.
Photo credit: The Huffington Post Barack Obama on Monday met with Iraq's prime minister during his first on-the-ground inspection of the war-torn country since launchi... more -
Obama Arrives In Afghanistan : NPR
Afghanistan is the first stop on a week-long overseas trip during which Sen. Barack Obama also plans to visit Iraq. His presence there is considered part of a congressional delegation and not part of his presidential campaign.
Barack Obama visited Saturday with U.S. troops and Afghan officials in this war-weary nation, which is the focal point of his proposed strategy for dealing with threats to the U.S. if elected president.
Afghanistan is the first stop on a week-long overseas trip during which Sen. Barack Obama also plans to visit Iraq. His presence there... more -
coral crisis in full bloom
As many as one-third of the world's coral reefs may be headed toward extinction. A new research paper in the journal 'Science' blames the destruction on a range of culprits, from fishing boats to climate change.
fish schools swimming across coral:
http://www.waynelevinimages.com/images/FISH+SCHOOLS/723...
As many as one-third of the world's coral reefs may be headed toward extinction. A new research paper in the journal 'Science' blames ... more -
San Francisco's sanctuary city status changed by Newsom
San Francisco declared itself a Sanctuary City in 1989. This means it doesn't hand over undocumented immigrants to the federal authorities.
Recently the city policy has come under fire when it was revealed that city officials escorted two juveniles with drug charges back to their native Honduras using tax payers' dollars.
Officials on each side of the issue bring up good points about first time offenders vs clear exploitation of San Francisco's sanctuary status.
Mayor Newsom now says that he will direct all felony cases to the Feds.
Could this have anything to do with Newsom's possible run for Govenor? San Francisco declared itself a Sanctuary City in 1989. This means it doesn't hand over undocumented immigrants to the federal author... more -
Adam Nelson Speaks Out Against Doping
With the Olympic Trials already here, Adam Nelson, an Olympic silver medalist shot-putter, spoke out against doping in an interview with NPR's Tom Goldman. He isn't private at all with his views, his site is even called "throwclean.com." He believes all dopers "are committing fraud and should serve jail time." Do you agree with the guy? With the Olympic Trials already here, Adam Nelson, an Olympic silver medalist shot-putter, spoke out against doping in an interview wi... more
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Army Critiques Post-Invasion Phase of Iraq War
Monday, June 30th, the US Army will release a report which "blasts the post-invasion phase of the Iraq war for being poorly planned and badly mismanaged." If you're occupying the country and the occupying force is angered about the occupation, and going out and writing a report about it, you know there's something wrong. But, then again, there was always something wrong. The point is, even the army is challenging the wrong.
Monday, June 30th, the US Army will release a report which "blasts the post-invasion phase of the Iraq war for being poorly planned an... more -
Gorilla Murders, Tuesday July 1st.
National Geographic Explorer investigates the execution-style murder of six mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. Their search reveals corruption and how Virunga has become one of the most dangerous places on earth.
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National Geographic
(comcast San Francisco: 273)
above link for NG channel link.
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also, Terry Gross interviewed the photographer Brent Stirton on 07/24
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91...
National Geographic Explorer investigates the execution-style murder of six mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park. Their search r... more -
Gen. Ricardo Sanchez: Bush guilty of “gross incompetence and dereliction of duty”
It must be nice to retire and finally be free to speak your mind. Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the man who led American ground forces in Iraq from 2003-2004, has released a new book– titled Wiser in Battle: A Soldier’s Story – that takes aim at the Bush administration with some of the strongest criticism to date from a former Iraq commander.
An excerpt from NPR:
In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, I watched helplessly as the Bush administration led America into a strategic blunder of historic proportions. It became painfully obvious that the executive branch of our government did not trust its military. It relied instead on a neoconservative ideology developed by men and women with little, if any, military experience. Some senior military leaders did not challenge civilian decision makers at the appropriate times, and the courageous few who did take a stand were subsequently forced out of the service.
It’s gonna be hard to accuse General Sanchez of hating the troops.
Hopefully the media will give this book the attention it deserves, even in the wake of the bombshell McClellan book. It must be nice to retire and finally be free to speak your mind. Retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the man who led America... more -
Ira Glass on a TV near you...
Boaz sits down with This American Life host, Ira Glass to chat about the origins of the radio show and tne upcoming TV series. Note: This is a rough cut minus b-roll. Boaz sits down with This American Life host, Ira Glass to chat about the origins of the radio show and tne upcoming TV series. Note: ... more
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Lead exposure in childhood linked to criminal behavior later
"Children who are exposed to lead at a young age are more likely to be arrested later in life."
I stabbed my hand once with my pencil as a kid. The lead is still embedded in my skin.
I say this so that you all watch your backs... "Children who are exposed to lead at a young age are more likely to be arrested later in life." ... more -
Obama Takes Oregon, Clinton wins Kentucky
Each candidate won a state with ease in Tues. primaries, with Clinton vowing to fight on despite essentially being mathmatically eliminated Each candidate won a state with ease in Tues. primaries, with Clinton vowing to fight on despite essentially being mathmatically elimi... more
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This American Life ep 335 - Big Wide World
The following is a great story heard on NPR Radio on the Show "This American Life"
My favorite is about Iraqi teenager Haider Hamza and his life leading up to and after the Iraq war.
DISCLAIMER: it's long, so download it here and listen to it on your Ipod
http://podcast.thisamericanlife.org/podcast/335.mp3
335: Big Wide World
When he was a teenager, Haider worked in the Iraqi Ministry of Information. He was specially trained to talk to visiting dignitaries and foreign reporters, and he loved his job. It was exciting, and he was treated like a celebrity. Then the war broke out, his job disappeared, and Haider suddenly had to figure out what to do next: hide, like his father wanted, or jump into the fray. Plus, other stories about what happens when you strike out into the world.
Prologue.
Host Ira Glass tells a story about how, when he was in seventh grade, he was over at his best friend's house and saw beer in the fridge. He'd only ever seen beer in fridges on TV; he didn't think it existed in real life. It was a little disturbing. And suddenly, he had to reevaluate what he thought of his friend's family. Valentina Filimonova had a similar experience when, two weeks after she arrived in New York from Ukraine, she went to the drugstore to buy tampons. And Starlee Kine describes how her father learned that there was a whole other way to live his life—after staring at a fish tank. (7 1/2 minutes)
Act One. Teen Wolf...Blitzer.
When he was a teenager, Haider Hamza worked in the Iraqi Ministry of Information. He was specially trained to talk to visiting dignitaries and foreign reporters, and he loved his job. It was exciting, and he was treated like a celebrity. Then the war broke out, his family fled, his job disappeared, and Haider suddenly had to figure out what to do next: hide, like his father wanted, or jump into the fray—in one of the most dangerous ways possible. Gideon Yago tells the story. (28 minutes)
Song: "Ala Honak," Sajada Al Ubaid
Act One, Continued.
Haider's story continues. (17 minutes)
Act Two. A Sense of Place.
Filmmaker Tony Hill took his friend Sally Goode, who was born blind, to a place she'd never been before, then taped her trying to figure out where she was. We first heard Hill's story care of our colleagues at the Third Coast International Audio Festival. They got it from the Audible Picture Show. (5 minutes)
Song: "Your Littlest World," The Rogers Sisters
The following is a great story heard on NPR Radio on the Show "This American Life" ... more -
-interview May 6, 2008- Al Gore: 'Assault on Reason' Endangers Democracy
No endorsement yet, no "magic ticket". Some laughter, fun. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90190092
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What a nascent police state sounds like | NPR
Skip to 34:45. Bob Ginsberg is a lawyer for one of the people in Guantanamo. The funny bit is how incompetent the tap is. :)
Bob Gensburg is a lawyer in rural Vermont who represents a Guantanamo detainee, Abdul Zahir. Bob says that as he started to build his case, strange things began happening: his wife picked up their home phone and overheard him talking, but Bob wasn't at home or on his cell phone - he was using the land line at work. Bob also says that his word processing folder, which archives his case for Mr. Zahir, has disappeared from his desktop several times. Bob has spoken with forensic detectives, and believes his phone is tapped and his work is being monitored because he's representing Mr. Zahir. Skip to 34:45. Bob Ginsberg is a lawyer for one of the people in Guantanamo. The funny bit is how incompetent the tap is. :) ... more -
Pope's Red Shoes - Remindes me of Dorthea of Wizard and Oz
Pope Benedict XVI, sporting his handmade red loafers, steps onto U.S. soil at Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Md. Getty Images
All Things Considered, April 17, 2008 · Pope Benedict XVI's ruby red shoes are drawing plenty of attention as he visits Washington, D.C. The handmade loafers, crafted for Benedict by an Italian shoemaker, are seen as a statement of his desire to demonstrate continuity with the symbols and history of the church. Although Pope John Paul II often wore brown shoes, other pontiffs have also worn red shoes. Benedict's shoes also serve as a reminder of the many years he wore the red cloth of a cardinal.
Lawrence Cunningham, professor of theology at Notre Dame University, offers more insights on why the pontiff favors the color in a conversation with Michele Norris.
Pope Benedict XVI, sporting his handmade red loafers, steps onto U.S. soil at Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs, Md. Getty Images... more -
Legitimacy of pot tax revenue remains hazy
California's potential $16 billion budget shortfall has led state officials to an unusual source for tax revenue — medical marijuana storefronts. In a state where it's legal to buy prescription pot, those shops generate millions of dollars each year. But there's just one problem — buying and selling marijuana is still a federal crime. California's potential $16 billion budget shortfall has led state officials to an unusual source for tax revenue — medical marijuana s... more
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Illinois eyes GPS use in tracking restraining orders
The Illinois legislature is considering a law that would allow police to monitor high-risk restraining-order subjects by using GPS technology. Harvard Law School lecturer Diane Rosenfeld, who proposed a similar bill that passed in Massachusetts last year, discusses the Illinois initiative.
The Illinois legislature is considering a law that would allow police to monitor high-risk restraining-order subjects by using GPS tec... more -
Minor league baseball attracts fans through quirky names and mascots.
I listened to this on NPR. I really don't like baseball, but minor league games are always fun to go to. I really like the quirky name: "Conrad the Crawdad." I listened to this on NPR. I really don't like baseball, but minor league games are always fun to go to. I really like the quirky name... more
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Mugabe Faces Strong Challenge in Zimbabwe Vote
Zimbabwe has had only one leader ever since the white minority rule ended 28 years ago: Robert Mugabe. He faces a major threat, though: the two strongest challengers in the upcoming election accuse him of wrecking the country's economy. You think he'll stay in power? Zimbabwe has had only one leader ever since the white minority rule ended 28 years ago: Robert Mugabe. He faces a major threat, thoug... more
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A victim treats his mugger right
A man gets confronted by a teen with a knife, and in response gives the teen his wallet and his coat, then treats him to dinner. A little kindness can go a long way. A man gets confronted by a teen with a knife, and in response gives the teen his wallet and his coat, then treats him to dinner. A li... more
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