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Prostitutes 'appear' on Euro banknotes as part of sex trade campaign
Altered Euro banknotes showing the images of prostitutes are being used to discourage Ukrainian women from getting caught up in the sex trade.
The images, which are otherwise almost indistinguishable from the genuine notes, have been produced as part of a campaign to prevent women from seeking to work illegally in the EU. They show under-dressed women leaning against the grand examples of European architecture printed on the currency's bills since its launch in 2002.
Messages warning about the real price of seeking blackmarket employment abroad are printed across the top of the “fake” notes. Altered Euro banknotes showing the images of prostitutes are being used to discourage Ukrainian women from getting caught up in the se... more -
Senate Passes Bill To Investigate Unsolved Civil Rights Murders
The Senate has approved a bill to investigate civil rights murders. The Associated Press reports that the Senate has passed legislation that will provide additional funds for the Justice Department to investigate unsolved murders during the civil rights movement.
Named after Emmett Till, the Black teenager murdered in Mississippi in 1955 after being accused of whistling at a White woman, the bill authorizes $10 million annually over 10 years to help the FBI and other agencies to re-open and re-investigate these unjust murders, mostly in the South. Additional funds are included for local law enforcement agencies.
The House passed a similar bill last summer sponsored by Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. But the measure had stalled in the Senate due to opposition from Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., who has single-handedly blocked dozens of bills for their spending provisions.
Coburn sought his own legislation that would have taken money from other areas of the budget to pay for the civil rights initiative. But Democrats refused to go along, and Coburn ultimately abandoned his opposition. The bill passed unanimously Wednesday.
Coburn was unapologetic. "For the victims of these decades-old crimes, justice delayed is justice denied," he said. "Yet, it is also unjust that Congress' borrow and spend approach to passing legislation will burden future generations with the cost of today's well-intentioned, but fiscally irresponsible, efforts."
According to civil rights organizations, since 1989, state and federal authorities have made approximately 29 arrests in civil rights crimes and have led to 23 convictions.
The new funding in the Till legislation must be finalized. The Senate has approved a bill to investigate civil rights murders. The Associated Press reports that the Senate has passed legislatio... more -
CALL TO ACTION – Help Pass Bill 1738 “The PROTECT Our Children Actâ€
You can make a different today! Don't wait another minute contact your senator and ask them to vote Yes on Bill 1738 "The Protect Our Children Act" You can make a different today! Don't wait another minute contact your senator and ask them to vote Yes on Bill 1738 "The P... more
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Telephone bill fees illegal says judge
Bell ExpressVu's charge to customers who fail to pay their monthly bill on time is illegal, an Ontario judge has ruled in a class-action lawsuit that throws into disarray the common corporate practice of charging consumers late fees. Bell ExpressVu's charge to customers who fail to pay their monthly bill on time is illegal, an Ontario judge has ruled in a class... more
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City of Ember (2008) Movie Trailer
City of Ember (2008) Movie Trailer :: videos.18d.org :: For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing... and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers in a race against time, must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city's existence, and help the citizens escape before the lights go out forever. Cast: Bill Murray, Toby Jones, Saoirse Ronan, Tim Robbins, Martin Landau, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Harry Treadaway
Director: Gil Kenan
Genres: Children's Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure, Children's/Family City of Ember (2008) Movie Trailer :: videos.18d.org :: For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing... more -
Valkyrie (2008) Movie Trailer
Valkyrie (2008) Movie Trailer :: videos.18d.org :: The July 20th Plot on Hitler's life is one of the most heroic, but least known episodes of World War II history. Severely wounded in combat, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg returns from Africa to join the German Resistance, and help create Operation Valkyrie, the complex plan that will allow a shadow government to replace Hitler's once he is dead. But fate and circumstance conspire to thrust Stauffenberg from one of many in the plot to a double-edged central role. Not only must he lead the coup and seize control of his nation's government--he must kill Hitler himself.
Cast: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Terence Stamp
Director: Bryan Singer
Genres: War
Opens December 26, 2008 Valkyrie (2008) Movie Trailer :: videos.18d.org :: The July 20th Plot on Hitler's life is one of the most heroic, but least known... more -
BC Hydro will charge two-tier rates
System will reward those who conserve energy and penalize those who don't
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California Moves on Bill to Curb Sprawl and Emissions
SAN FRANCISCO — California, known for its far-ranging suburbs and jam-packed traffic, is close to adopting a law intended to slow the increase in emissions of heat-trapping gases by encouraging housing close to job sites, rail lines and bus stops to shorten the time people spend in their cars.
he measure, which the State Assembly passed on Monday and awaits final approval by the Senate, would be the nation’s most comprehensive effort to reduce sprawl. It would loosely tie tens of billions of dollars in state and federal transportation subsidies to cities’ and counties’ compliance with efforts to slow the inexorable increase in driving. The goal is to encourage housing near current development and to reduce commutes to work.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, has not said whether he will sign the bill.
The number of miles driven in California has increased at a rate 50 percent faster than the rate of population growth for the past two decades. Passenger vehicles, which produce about 30 percent of the state’s heat-trapping gases, are the single greatest source of such emissions.
The fragile coalition behind the measure includes some longtime antagonists, in particular homebuilders and leading environmental groups in California. Both called the measure historic.
“What California is doing for the first time,” said Ed Manning, a lobbyist who represents the state’s 25 largest homebuilding companies, “is planning for housing needs, transportation needs and climate-change needs all at the same time.”
Thomas Adams, the board president of California’s League of Conservation Voters, said the changes were “all going to support a development pattern that will help the state meet its climate goals.”
The bill yokes three regulatory and permit processes. One focuses on regional planning: how land use should be split among industry, agriculture, homes, open space and commercial centers. Another governs where roads and bridges are built. A third sets out housing needs and responsibilities — for instance, how much affordable housing a community must allow. SAN FRANCISCO — California, known for its far-ranging suburbs and jam-packed traffic, is close to adopting a law intended to slow the ... more -
Kucinich impeach bill charges Bush 'fabricated threats'; Pelosi hints at...
Concerned that the 35 articles of impeachment he introduced a month ago might be too much for members of the House Judiciary Committee to handle all at once, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) simplified things Thursday.
The former Democratic presidential candidate introduced a single article to impeach President Bush, accusing him of deceiving Congress to convince lawmakers to authorize his invasion of Iraq more than five years ago.
"Yesterday in the House, we had a moment of silence for the troops," Kucinich said during a Capitol Hill press conference. "Today it is time to speak out on behalf of those troops who will be in Iraq for at least another year, courageously representing our nation while their Commander-in-Chief sent them on a mission that was based on falsehoods about the threat of WMDs from Iraq."
Kucinich spoke outside a House office building with the Capitol dome gleaming behind him as he distributed to news organizations, including RAW STORY, the text of his impeachment article. Its title: "Deceiving Congress with Fabricated Threats of Iraq WMDs to Fraudulently Obtain Support for an Authorization of the Use of Military Force Against Iraq."
Surrounded by reporters as well as supporters from activist group Code Pink, Kucinich said he was "grateful" for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's suggestion that the Judiciary Committee may soon hold hearings on his measure.
"Like everything else in Washington, never say never," Kucinich said of the possibility for action on an impeachment measure Pelosi long said was "off the table." Concerned that the 35 articles of impeachment he introduced a month ago might be too much for members of the House Judiciary Committee... more -
Bush Signs Bill Overhauling Eavesdropping Rules
WASHINGTON - President Bush signed a bill Thursday that overhauls rules about government eavesdropping and grants immunity to telecommunications companies that helped the U.S. spy on Americans in suspected terrorism cases.
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He called it "landmark legislation that is vital to the security of our people."
Bush said the 9/11 attack "changed our country forever" and taught the intelligence community that it must know who America's enemies are talking to and what they are saying.
"In the aftermath of 9/11," Bush said, "few would have imagined that we would be standing here seven years later without another attack on American soil. The fact that the terrorists have failed to strike our shores again does not mean that our enemies have given up." WASHINGTON - President Bush signed a bill Thursday that overhauls rules about government eavesdropping and grants immunity to telecomm... more -
Ron Paul on war with Iran
Ron Paul discusses why it is wrong to go to war with Iran.
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U.S. Senate block global warming bill
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans on Friday blocked a global warming bill that would have required major reductions in greenhouse gases, pushing debate over the world's biggest environmental concern to next year for a new Congress and president.
A bill to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere was blocked Friday.
1 of 2 Democratic leaders fell a dozen votes short of getting the 60 needed to end a Republican filibuster on the measure and bring the bill up for a vote, prompting Majority Leader Harry Reid to pull the legislation from consideration.
The Senate debate focused on bitter disagreement over the expected economic costs of putting a price on carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas that comes from burning fossil fuels.
Opponents said it would lead to higher energy costs.
The 48-36 vote fell short of a majority, but Democrats produced letters from six senators -- including both presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain -- saying they would have voted for the measure had they been there.
"It's just the beginning for us," proclaimed Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, a chief sponsor of the bill in the Senate, noting that 54 senators had expressed support of the legislation, although that's still short of what would be needed to overcome concerted GOP opposition. Watch more on the global warming debate »
"It's clear a majority of Congress wants to act," Boxer said at a news conference.
She and other Democrats said this now lays the groundwork for action on climate change next year with a new Congress and a new president that will be more hospitable to mandatory greenhouse gas reductions.
Both Obama and McCain have called for capping carbon dioxide and other emissions linked to climate change. President Bush has opposed such measures and said he would have vetoed the Senate bill if he had received it.
The bill would have capped carbon dioxide coming from power plants, refineries and factories, with a target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 71 percent by mid-century.
"It's a huge tax increase," argued Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, a prominent coal-producing state. He maintained that the proposed system of allowing widespread trading of carbon emissions allowances would produce "the largest restructuring of the American economy since the New Deal."
Supporters of the bill accused Republicans of muddying the water with misinformation.
"There is no tax increase," Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California, one of the bill's chief sponsors said. She said the emissions trading system would provide tax relief to help people pay energy prices. And supporters disputed that it would substantially increase gasoline prices.
Four Democrats joined most Republicans in essentially killing the bill.
E-mail to a friend WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans on Friday blocked a global warming bill that would have required major reductions in greenhouse ... more -
cute chinese waitress experiences the power of special effects!
The lovely oriental girl who is number one waitress in Chinese restaurant! A smile and a star!
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Restaurant sorry over F word bill
A restaurant owner has apologised after diners had their very own F word experience - without Gordon Ramsay.
-Click to read the article A restaurant owner has apologised after diners had their very own F word experience - without Gordon Ramsay. ... more -
Schoolhouse Rock still rules!
Public Service Announcements (PSAs) have never been this good.
Entertaining and informative.
What do young kids have now a days.... anyone know?
This is 30 years old or more, and it still rocks! Public Service Announcements (PSAs) have never been this good. Entertaining and informative. ... more -
Bill O'Riley takes on gay teens...
Queerty reports [via Media Matters]
Perhaps freedom of speech isnt such a good thing
Blow hard Bill OReilly used his Fox News show to again rail against the sexually deviant queers. Discussing cutest lesbian couple Lupe Silva and Brandy Johnson, OReilly not only claims students voted for the girls to tweak the adults, but also says its inappropriate to discuss sexuality in a minor setting. We can still talk about genocide and the atomic bomb, though.
Dr. Laura Berman of Northwestern University and The Chicago Sun-Times stands her ground, telling Bill-O that gay kids need educational support. Media Matters has the entire transcript, but heres a taste:
Berman: Yes, there is experimentation, absolutely, but its also very true that many teens are becoming very clear that they are seriously attracted to the same sex, not the opposite sex. And they have nowhere to turn.
OReilly: Well, I think
BERMAN: They have no support systems.
OReilly: Look, Ive been very consistent on this since my first book was written. I think private behavior belongs in private settings.
Berman: Right.
OReilly: I dont think it belongs in the high school yearbook.
Berman: But youd be OK with the cutest couple, heterosexual couple, though?
OReilly: I would be, because that is the norm of society.
We take it Bill OReilly doesnt have much of an imagination, compassion or a soul. This bastard of a man felt the need to shit on these two girls shining moment? What a disgraceful example of a human being. Queerty reports [via Media Matters] Perhaps freedom of speech isnt such a good thing ... more
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