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Don't pick a fight you can't finish, Mr Miliband
When he visits Kiev, the Foreign Secretary should remember the threats posed by Nato's drive eastwards.
by Anatol Lieven
Before making his speech on policy towards Russia in Kiev, Ukraine, later this week David Miliband would do well to ponder some wise advice from a great predecessor. Lord Salisbury, Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister in the days of the British Empire, dispensed immense global power; but that did not mean that he liked playing about with that power.
Faced with proposals for British policy that he understood to be deeply damaging to the interests of other great powers, Salisbury would look his colleagues in the eye and ask simply: “Are you really prepared to fight? If not, do not embark on this policy.”
If the events of the past fortnight in Georgia have demonstrated one thing clearly, it is that Russia will fight if it feels its vital interests under attack in the former Soviet Union - and that the West will not, and indeed cannot, given its conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Other Western threats are equally empty. Russia itself pulled out of co-operation with Nato. If a real threat is made of expulsion from the G8, Russia will leave that organisation too - especially since a club that does not include China and India is increasingly meaningless anyway. The threat of being barred from joining the World Trade Organisation is a bit stronger - but Russia has done so well economically without membership that this goal too has lost much of its allure.
Moscow has reminded Nato of the importance of Russian goodwill to secure the supply lines of the US-Nato operation in Afghanistan through Central Asia. Alternatively, Nato can become wholly dependent on routes through Pakistan. From where I am sitting, that does not look like a very good move - and where I am sitting at this moment is a hotel room in Peshawar, Pakistan.
By siding fully with Iran, Russia has the capability to wreck any possibility of compromise between Tehran and the West, and to push the US towards an attack that would be disastrous for Western interests - and enormously helpful to Russia's.
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More at link. When he visits Kiev, the Foreign Secretary should remember the threats posed by Nato's drive eastwards. by Anatol Lieven ... more -
Florida man pleads not guilty to Bush, Obama threat
MIAMI (AP) -- A man who authorities said kept an arsenal of weaponry and military gear pleaded not guilty Wednesday to threatening to assassinate both President Bush and Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
The court-appointed attorney for 22-year-old Raymond Hunter Geisel entered the plea at a brief hearing before a federal magistrate judge. Geisel, who has been in custody without bail since his Aug. 2 arrest, spoke only his name and age.
Geisel had previously been charged for threatening to kill Obama. The new charge of making a threat against Bush was added in a grand jury indictment made public Wednesday. Each charge carries a maximum of five years in federal prison.
According to the Secret Service, Geisel made the threats while attending a training class in Miami to become a bail bondsman. Others attending the 48-member class overheard the comments and contacted local police, who turned the information over to the Secret Service.
One unidentified student said that during one of the classes, Geisel referred to Obama using a racial slur and then added, "If he gets elected, I'll assassinate him myself."
Another female student, also not identified, told a Secret Service agent that one day after class she heard Geisel say "that he hated George W. Bush and that he wanted to put a bullet in the president's head."
A search of Geisel's hotel room and sports-utility vehicle turned up a loaded 9mm handgun, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, body armor, a stun gun, a machete, combat knives, tear gas and military fatigue uniforms. The 1998 Ford Explorer also was wired with "police-type emergency lights," according to a Secret Service affidavit.
Geisel is originally from the Bangor, Maine area and moved earlier this year to South Florida. He provided a written statement with misspelled words to the Secret Service denying any threats.
"I Ray Geisel did not say I was going to kill any president or Senter Obama," the statement reads. Geisel also told agents that he had sought psychiatric treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, although they were not immediately able to verify that.
No evidence has been made public indicating that Geisel took any steps to carry out such threats. Obama did make a campaign visit to Florida around the time of his arrest, but he was never in the Miami area. Bush was in Kennebunkport, Maine, at the time, the Secret Service said.
Geisel's girlfriend, Susanne Kynast, attended the hearing but declined to comment, as did Geisel's attorney, Ayana Harris. But in an earlier interview, Kynast said the comments must have been misinterpreted and that Geisel was not violent or particularly interested in politics.
"It's a mistake. It's a non-case. It's a horrifying political mess," Kynast said. "He'd never hurt a person. It would be completely against his character." MIAMI (AP) -- A man who authorities said kept an arsenal of weaponry and military gear pleaded not guilty Wednesday to threatening to ... more -
Russian General threatens Poland over missile deal
Eric Margolis: US missile deal enrages Russia - Part 2
Russian President Dimitri Medvedev stated on Friday that Poland’s agreement to accept a US missile defense system target his country. Washington claims the defense shield is aimed at blocking attacks by rogue nations. These developments follow the recent conflict between Russia, and Georgia.
As contributing editor for The American Conservative and Sun Media, and Founding Committee member of The Real News Network Eric Margolis says: "The reason I was drawn to [The Real News] was the fact it seemed to me to be the voice that I and many others had been looking for."
See Part 1 at: http://current.com/items/89208476_us_missile_deal_enrag...
See Part 3 at: http://current.com/items/89213226_russians_checkmate_us...
See Part 4 at: http://current.com/items/89220467_dems_onside_with_bush... Eric Margolis: US missile deal enrages Russia - Part 2 ... more -
Obamas sex party?
Found this on the net you tell real or not?
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Chavez left unanswered questions about Russian military base in Venezuela
Chavez, a close ally of the regime in Havana, said he had passed on greetings to Medvedev from the former Cuban leader, Fidel Castro. During the Soviet era, Cuba was a close ally of Moscow and in 1962 the site of a major Cold War confrontation over the placement of Soviet missiles.
During a press conference, Chavez left unanswered questions on whether Russian military aircraft and naval vessels could be based in Venezuela in the future.
The mass-circulation tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda said there was speculation Chavez may allow Russia to establish a training facility or military base in the country
Medvedev, while not endorsing Chavez’ remarks about the U.S., said he was ready to work with the Venezuelan president in the “common task to achieve a more democratic, just and secure world.”
Venezuela is already Russia’s largest weapons customer in Latin America, having raised eyebrows in recent years with the signing of contracts to buy military helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov automatic rifles.
Bilateral trade reached $1 billion in 2007, mainly due to the arms trade, according to the Russian government statistics. Chavez, a close ally of the regime in Havana, said he had passed on greetings to Medvedev from the former Cuban leader, Fidel Castro. ... more -
US general warns Russia on nuclear bombers in Cuba
Russia would cross "a red line for the United States of America" if it were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba, a top US air force officer warned.
"If they did I think we should stand strong and indicate that is something that crosses a threshold, crosses a red line for the United States of America," General Norton Schwartz, nominated to be the air force's chief of staff, said Tuesday.
He was referring to a report in the newspaper Izvestia that said the Russian military is thinking of flying long-range bombers to Cuba on a regular basis in response to US plans to install missile defenses in eastern Europe.
Izvestia cited an unnamed senior Russian air force official as saying such flights were under discussion. But it was unclear whether they would involve permanent basing of nuclear bombers in Cuba, or just use of the island as a refueling stop.
In his confirmation hearing to become the air force's chief of staff, Schwartz was asked what he would recommend if Russia were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba.
"I would certainly offer the best military advice that we engage the Russians not to pursue that approach," he said, adding that Russia would cross a "red line" if it did.
A White House spokeswoman declined to comment on the Izvestia report because there had been no "official response from the Russian government."
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman responded to the report by saying, "That scenario is hypothetical and speculative at this point."
Conducting long-range bomber patrols to Cuba would signal a reawakening of military cooperation by former Cold War allies Moscow and Havana, and resurrects issues that first arose with the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.
The crisis, which brought Washington and Moscow to the brink of nuclear war, ended with an understanding that Moscow would remove its intermediate range missiles from Cuba and not introduce strategic systems in the island. Russia would cross "a red line for the United States of America" if it were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba, a top U... more -
Chavez may hug king, won't shut up
Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday he would like to give the king of Spain a hug when he visits Europe next week, but the outspoken leader, referring to a diplomatic spat last year, said he will not shut up.
King Juan Carlos sparked a furor in November by shouting "Why don't you shut up?" at Chavez when he tried to interrupt a speech by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero at the Ibero-American summit in Chile.
Ties have improved since then and the Spanish government said last week that Chavez will meet the king on a visit to Spain next week.
"I'd like to give the king a hug, but you know, Juan Carlos, that I am not going to shut up," a smiling Chavez said on his weekly television show before setting of to Russia for the first leg of his tour.
"We will keep talking for ourselves, for a just and equal world," the left-wing president said.
The king's November outburst made headlines around the world, spawning songs, jokes and even a ringtone for mobile phones.
Chavez threatened to review diplomatic and business ties with Venezuela's former colonial power, a major investor in the region. Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday he would like to give the king of Spain a hug when he visits Europe next week, b... more -
Rape threats intimidate female political candidates
Independent female candidates, particularly those who contested for but were not given party symbols, are experiencing intimidation including the threat of rape, it was revelaed today by Miria Matembe of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Sierra Leone.
Matembe said this situation has forced seven female candidates to withdraw from the local council elections.
"It is disheartening that political parties are using youths to harass female candidates. The youths even threaten to rape them if they fail to withdraw their candidatures," she said.
NDI has pointed accusing fingers at the ruling All Peoples Congress, the opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party and paramount chiefs for the continuous intimidation of female independent candidates who are contesting the forthcoming local council elections.
"It is happening in Kono and some parts of the northern province where it is reported that female candidates are molested and dehumanized," she claimed.
She said NDI, in partnership with other non governmental organisations, has called for an end to all intimidations against female independent candidates.
"I see no reason why they should not be allowed to participate in the electioneering process," she said.
How can political processes move forward while shocking, vicious tactics like this are used? And how can we take away the power that the threat of rape wields? Is it possible not to give up in the face of threats like this? Independent female candidates, particularly those who contested for but were not given party symbols, are experiencing intimidation in... more -
US Not leaving Iraq:No Deal
U.S negotiators have abandoned efforts to conclude a comprehensive agreement governing the long-term status of U.S troops in Iraq before the end of the Bush presidency, according to senior U.S. officials, effectively leaving talks over an extended U.S. military presence there to the next administration.
The failure of months of negotiations over the more detailed accord -- blamed on both the Iraqi refusal to accept U.S. terms and the complexity of the task.
The Us administration wants to secure permanent military bases in the region and have control over the government.
Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.), the presumptive Democratic nominee, has said he would immediately begin withdrawing combat troops at a rate of one or two brigades a month, a pledge he has softened recently by saying he would consult with U.S. commanders on the ground. But he has said that after 16 months in office, the U.S. presence in Iraq would be far smaller than the 144,000 troops there now, with only a "residual" number remaining.
The status-of-forces negotiations have been sharply criticized by Democrats, and some Republicans, as an attempt to tie Bush's successor to the president's policy in Iraq. Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, supports the administration position. He has said he hopes to bring U.S. combat troops home by 2013 but has insisted that any timeline or lessening of U.S. control over its own operations would undercut recent military gains and aid U.S. enemies. U.S negotiators have abandoned efforts to conclude a comprehensive agreement governing the long-term status of U.S troops in Iraq befo... more -
Teacher threatens to rip student's eyeballs out
A 34-year-old teacher, Travis Heckstall (pictured), in Clayton County, Georgia threatened to rip out a student's eye balls, urinate on him, and kill his family. Students that witnessed the incident reported that two students were "horsing around as usual" in the computer lab when the teacher made the threats. The students recorded the teacher's reaction on their cell phones. The teacher calmed down and apologized to the students. In the police report, he stated that he had to position himself in order to not lose control of the classroom.
Heckstall is the son of a Georgia state representative. He was charged and arrested for disorderly conduct. A 34-year-old teacher, Travis Heckstall (pictured), in Clayton County, Georgia threatened to rip out a student's eye balls, urina... more -
Canadian Embassy in Colombia threatened: report
The Canadian Embassy in Bogota has received threats from a paramilitary group over Canada's recent decision to grant asylum to a key witness in ongoing Colombian investigations into links between politicians and paramilitaries, a Colombian newspaper reported Sunday. The Canadian Embassy in Bogota has received threats from a paramilitary group over Canada's recent decision to grant asylum to a ... more
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FBI thwarts "another Columbine" in Ohio planned for 05/14
A high school student at Arlington High School in Ohio planned on locking down the school and killing 60 people using hand grenades. School has been canceled for today. A high school student at Arlington High School in Ohio planned on locking down the school and killing 60 people using hand grenades. S... more
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Bin Laden threatens Europe as President Bush claims victory in Iraq
Al-Qa'eda leader Osama bin Laden has compared newspaper cartoons depicting Mohammed with the Crusades, accusing the European Union and the Pope of being complicit in their publication and in the oppression of Muslims.
there's a vidio in the link. Al-Qa'eda leader Osama bin Laden has compared newspaper cartoons depicting Mohammed with the Crusades, accusing the European Unio... more -
Bin Laden blames Pope, threatens EU
An internet audio message from Osama bin Laden was released last night in which the al-Qaida leader threatened the EU over the publication of cartoons of the prophet Muhammad two years ago.
"Your publications of these drawings - part of a new crusade in which the Pope of the Vatican had a significant role - is a confirmation from you that the war continues" An internet audio message from Osama bin Laden was released last night in which the al-Qaida leader threatened the EU over the publica... more -
Will there be violence at the Democratic convention if Hillary Clinton gets the no...
I cannot believe Obama supporters would make such threats. However, after reading this I am a bit worried about what might go down iif some don't get their way. Does anybody think there is really any credence to this? Remember 1968? I cannot believe Obama supporters would make such threats. However, after reading this I am a bit worried about what might go down iif... more
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Italy nursery knife hold-up ends
A man armed with a box-cutting knife who barricaded himself into a day-care centre in southern Italy has been arrested, reports say.
The 11 children and a teacher who were taken hostage in the centre in Reggio Calabria were all released unharmed.
Police and relatives of the man, named by Italian press as Christian Familiari, spent hours trying to persuade him to leave the building.
Officers finally entered the classroom and arrested him without a struggle.
Releases
The man had allowed cameras from Rai state television into the building, and they filmed him waving the box cutter and shouting as the children cowered in front of him.
Rai television showed the man shouting, surrounded by children
Some reports say he had demanded 500,000 euros (£370,000) but much of his shouting was said to be unintelligible. He had started to release small numbers of children in stages before the police moved in.
The police chief in Reggio Calabria, Santi Giuffre, told the Associated Press the man was complaining about judicial problems, and felt himself "a victim of persecution".
Parents of some of the children had gathered at the school along with a crowd of onlookers. A man armed with a box-cutting knife who barricaded himself into a day-care centre in southern Italy has been arrested, reports say. ... more -
Norway closes embassy in Kabul
The embassy in the Afghan capital received "terror threats" and has been closed until further notice. Officials would not give any information on the nature of the threats, but the country has been singled out previously by al Qaeda for their deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. The embassy in the Afghan capital received "terror threats" and has been closed until further notice. Officials would not g... more
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Man Charged As Guilty For poison Vodka Plot, Further Threat For England's wat...
Wayne Cook, 45 from Tylesdy, Great Manchester, had denied using noxious substances, for harm. Manchester Crown Court had been told Wayne Cook was one of two men who'd sent bottles of Vodka filled with Caustic Soda to a Scottish journalist and a Lancashire councillor. Stephen Robinson, a Scott, pleaded guilty to the same charges. The packages were sent to John Wright, member of Blackburn with Darwie council, and Scottish Daily Express journalist Myra Philip, in April last year. Royal Mail staff intercepted the parcel for Mr Wright, but again, they didn't get it right when accepting the other to Ms Philip. It was accomplished by a note, signed by The Scottish Liberation Army (SNLA.) The note threatened that the English people, "at random, will be killed and with no discrimination or compunction" in order to 'convince' the British Government to disperse from Scotland. (I agree, but that's no reason to poison me...) There was also a threat to poison England's water supplies...woh, uh. Dr John Jackson, a toxicology expert, told the court that the concentration of the caustic Soda in the two miniature bottles was so high, that the "worst-case scenario" for the intended recipients, was death. He also said that they could have caused blindness, nerve-damage, or serious burns to the skin. a serious risk had been would have posed to members of the public or postal staff if the bottles had been broken in Transit, the court was informed. Det Ch Supt Tony Porter, head of greater Manchester police's, counter-terrorism unit, speaking after the verdict, said: "Be in no doubt these men are terrorists. This was not some clumsy joke- it was a serious attempt to cause real harm and intimidation." Ms Philip, 45, who left her job as an news editor with Scottish Express Newspapers operation in Glasgow Last week had said "It was an act of pure cowardice." She then added, "The people of Scotland live in Democracy and they do not need the SNLA to threaten individuals or commit acts of terrorism." Ms Philip said she'd received threatening E-mails over the last few months, including a claim that the SNLA had caused the Cumbrian train derailment which left a passenger dead. She then added: "These people are so despicable, they also claimed responsibility for several sudden deaths in Manchester - gloating that they had left bottles of Vodka laced with Caustic Soda on buses and the 'greed' named individuals who drank from the bottles killed them. " (The claims were untrue) "All of this, emanating from these two individuals, was frightening me and left me emotionally drained." Wayne Cook, 45 from Tylesdy, Great Manchester, had denied using noxious substances, for harm. Manchester Crown Court had been told Way... more
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Internet Security Fights Cyberwar, Cybercrime, Cyberterror
Threats to our ability to communicate, conduct commerce and retain privacy and trust online are continually on the rise. In addition to identity theft, spam and phishing, concerns include cybercrime, cyberwar, cyberterror, pornography, viruses and network attacks. This video about Internet security issues features interviews shot at the 2007 Internet Governance Forum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Rio IGF was the second of five annual global events that attract stakeholders from all walks of life who gathered to discuss issues tied to the future of information and communications technologies.
This documentary was produced for Imagining the Internet http://imaginingtheinternet.org , an online resource exposing future possibilities while simultaneously providing a peek back at the past. In it, you will find the words of thousands of people from every corner of the world, from today and from yesterday, making thousands of predictive pronouncements about the future of humankind.
The multimedia section of the site includes short films and dozens of video interviews - all of them about the hopes and fears for the future of networked communications. Imagining the Internet is a project based at Elon University. Threats to our ability to communicate, conduct commerce and retain privacy and trust online are continually on the rise. In addition t... more -
Driver threatens slow police officer
Ever want to complain that the police officer writing your ticket is taking his merry time? Don't complain...you'll go to jail. (via Boing Boing) Ever want to complain that the police officer writing your ticket is taking his merry time? Don't complain...you'll go to j... more
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Threats
