Little Green Links

The Fourth of July

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:50:09 PDT

Direct link to article... [ohnoanotherconservativeblog.com]

Some thoughts on the Fourth of July

Spencer (Iowa) school board to tackle religion/evolution in the public schools

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:37:08 PDT

Direct link to article... [spencerdailyreporter.com]

[...]

Should history be taught to students via the Bible and texts dealing with Darwinism in a public school district's classrooms?

Spencer school board members, with hoped-for input from members of the public, are planning to address issues such as these with a draft religious liberty policy currently under consideration.

Barb Van Wyk and David Schlichtemeier crafted the policy -- which also recognizes the Constitution's "free practice" clause -- and placed it before their peers this week. [...]

The policy offered by Van Wyk, a pastor who is currently working with her family to serve as full-time missionaries in Africa, and Schlichtemeier, a Spencer pharmacist, defines religion and evolution. [...]

Incoming IAEA chief: No evidence Iran seeking nuclear weapons

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:20:10 PDT

Direct link to article... [haaretz.com]

he incoming head of the United Nation's nuclear watchdog said on Friday he did not see any hard evidence that Iran was trying to gain the ability to develop nuclear weapons.

"I don't see any evidence in IAEA official documents about this," Japan's Yukiya Amano told Reuters in his first direct comment on Iran's nuclear program since his election to head the International Atomic Energy Agency, when asked whether he believed Iran was seeking a nuclear weapons capability.

Current IAEA head Mohammed ElBaradei told the BBC last month it was his "gut feeling" that Iran was seeking the ability to produce nuclear arms, if it desired, as an "insurance policy" against perceived threats from neighboring countries or the United States.

"I'm not going to be a 'soft' director general or a 'tough' director general," Amano told Reuters, when asked how he would approach issues like Iran and Syria, which are both subject to IAEA probes.

The Reasons Behind Big Oil Declining Iraq's Riches

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:15:57 PDT

Direct link to article... [time.com]

Any notion that the invasion of Iraq was simply an oil grab took another hit on Tuesday when Baghdad opened the bidding on the rights to develop its massive energy reserves.

In a day-long auction of eight huge oil fields — some of the world's biggest — virtually all the 41 foreign companies invited to bid by the Iraqi government balked at the Baghdad terms.

The only contract signed was a 20-year deal for a consortium led by BP and China's National Petroleum Corporation to develop the giant Rumaila field in southern Iraq.

"Frankly I did not think it would be such a fiasco and embarrassment for the government," says Rochdi Younsi, [...]

Influenza A(H1N1): lessons learned and preparedness

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:53:07 PDT

Direct link to article... [who.int]

[Director of WHO from the July 2 WHO conference]

[...]

We are still seeing a largely reassuring clinical picture. The overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a full recovery within a week, often in the absence of any form of medical treatment. [...]

Most cases of severe and fatal infection continue to occur in people with underlying medical conditions. We are getting, day-by-day, better data on the specific conditions that place patients at heightened risk. [...]

But there are some exceptions that must be the focus of particular concern.

For reasons that are poorly understood, some deaths are occurring in perfectly healthy young people. Moreover, some patients experience a very rapid clinical deterioration, leading to severe, life-threatening viral pneumonia that requires mechanical ventilation.

[...]

Burka Babes - Humor is the best weapon!

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:49:06 PDT

Direct link to article... [courrierinternational.com]

Would you believe there is a comic strip in the Netherlands making fun of all the women in Burquas in that country? And that it's being reprinted in france? With English translations available?

Would you believe this is a link to yesterday's strip?

Staff Strips to Improve Morale

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:27:59 PDT

Direct link to article... [musketballs.donstott.us]

Work safe, probably

Palin Extended Her Influence in Alaska Today

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:52:24 PDT

Direct link to article... [conservatives4palin.com]

However, by resigning now, Palin installs Sean Parnell as an incumbent before the 2010 primary. So, instead of fighting off a strong "CBC" challenger, Parnell will have a much clearer shot at keeping the office in Palinite hands for another four (or possibly eight) years. Sarah Palin did not give up on her reforms today - she institutionalized them, Now, they will not leave office with her, but rather continue under Gov. Parnell.

While we're on the subject of Sean Parnell, I think we need to welcome him to the Governorship. In following Palin for so long, I have followed Parnell by default - both as Lt. Governor and as a congressional candidate. He's a stand-up guy, a fine campaigner, and a fantastic leader for Alaska. In fact, with a little seasoning, he might be a good national candidate himself someday.

Palin to Join Obama Cabinet

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:48:20 PDT

Direct link to article... [sarahpalinvalues.com]

NYPD rookie makes arrest moments after graduation

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:46:48 PDT

Direct link to article... [azcentral.com]

NEW YORK - A New York Police Department rookie just couldn't wait to get started.

One of the NYPD's newest officers has made his first arrest just minutes after graduating from the Police Academy in a ceremony at Madison Square Garden.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says 23-year-old Officer Dariel Firpo is "off to a great start."

Rare Declaration of Independence copy found

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:37:34 PDT

Direct link to article... [azcentral.com]

LONDON - A rare copy of the American Declaration of Independence has been found hidden in a file at the British National Archives.

FOR THE LEFT, SLAVERY IS OK

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:10:12 PDT

Direct link to article... [greensrealworld.blogspot.com]

SLAVE HISTORY IN AMERICA: BAD
Human bondage elsewhere, no problem.

http://greensrealworld.blogspot.com/2009/07/on-slavery-left-is-disingenuous.html

Guns and booze don't mix, lawsuit argues

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:08:00 PDT

Direct link to article... [reuters.com]

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - A well-known restaurateur is fighting back against Tennessee's newly enacted law that allows gun owners to bring their weapons into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.

Randy Rayburn, owner of three top-rated restaurants in Nashville, filed a lawsuit on Wednesday challenging the state law's constitutionality, arguing it creates a public nuisance by threatening the safety of the public.

"If it's called a 'nuisance bar,' with shootings, it normally gets shut down. But in Tennessee, we apparently are going to have 225,000 vigilantes shooting in bars," said David Smith, Rayburn's attorney.

At least 200,000 Tennesseans have permits allowing them to carry their guns concealed while in public. The new law that takes effect on July 14 also specifies that persons who bring their guns into an establishment cannot drink alcohol.

Would you pledge your soul as loan collateral?

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:03:07 PDT

Direct link to article... [reuters.com]

RIGA (Reuters) - Ready to give your soul for a loan in these difficult economic times? In Latvia, where the crisis has raged more than in the rest of the European Union, you can.

Such a deal is being offered by the Kontora loan company, whose public face is Viktor Mirosiichenko, 34.

Clients have to sign a contract, with the words "Agreement" in bold letters at the top. The client agrees to the collateral, "that is, my immortal soul."

Mirosiichenko said his company would not employ debt collectors to get its money back if people refused to repay, and promised no physical violence. Signatories only have to give their first name and do not show any documents.

Wis. agency logo resembles anarchy symbol

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:59:02 PDT

Direct link to article... [upi.com]

MADISON, Wis., July 3 (UPI) -- Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board has drawn criticism for a new logo that some say resembles the symbol for anarchy.

The logo, which was designed by Cricket Design Works of Madison, Wis., features an "A" inside a circle, similar to the traditional symbol for anarchy but with softer lines, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Friday.

Career expo called off due to job shortage

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:54:04 PDT

Direct link to article... [upi.com]

MARIETTA, Ga., July 3 (UPI) -- Organizers of a Georgia career expo said the event has been canceled due to a lack of available jobs at the companies planning to attend.

Animatronic Obama at Disney World

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:48:06 PDT

Direct link to article... [upi.com]

ORLANDO, Fla., July 3 (UPI) -- An animatronic version of President Barack Obama has joined its predecessors in the Hall of Presidents at Walt Disney World in Florida.

The exhibit reopens this weekend after its first makeover since it opened in 1971, CNN reported. It is now called "The Hall of Presidents: A Celebration of Liberty's Leaders."

Disney Imagineers worked hard to make Obama's representative as lifelike as possible, company officials said. That included going to Washington to record his speech and studying his clothing and gestures.

North Korea Fires 3 More Missiles

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:47:06 PDT

Direct link to article... [eye-on-the-world.blogspot.com]

Testicle injury shortens sentence

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:43:33 PDT

Direct link to article... [upi.com]

HELSINGBORG, Sweden, May 28 (UPI) -- A Swedish court told a man convicted of attacking his girlfriend with a knife that his sentence was reduced because the woman's dog bit him in the testicles.

25 Ft. Campbell Troops to Celebrate the Fourth With President Obama

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:40:41 PDT

Direct link to article... [knoxnews.com]

15 months for chicken suit attack

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:40:06 PDT

Direct link to article... [upi.com]

HORNCASTLE, England, June 1 (UPI) -- A British man who admitted biting off another man's ear while dressed in a chicken suit was sentenced to 15 months in jail.

More Hellfire in South Waziristan; Pakistan Army Joins in With Air Strikes on Hotel Meetings

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:36:37 PDT

Direct link to article... [thenews.com.pk]

Police: Man bit wife during dog argument

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:35:34 PDT

Direct link to article... [upi.com]

ST. CHARLES, Ill., July 3 (UPI) -- A 51-year-old man bit his wife during an argument about custody of a dog, police in suburban Chicago said.

Donald Paul, 51, of St. Charles, was arrested and charged with battery Wednesday evening after he allegedly bit his wife and threw her cell phone to the ground when she tried to call for help, the Kane County (Ill.) Chronicle reported Friday.

Columnists name Palin 'Sitting Duck'

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:31:52 PDT

Direct link to article... [upi.com]

VENTURA, Calif., July 3 (UPI) -- Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been selected as winner of the 2009 Sitting Duck Award, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists announced Friday.

The award is given annually to the person who provides the best material for columnists facing deadlines. Palin, who became a national political figure overnight last year when Sen. John McCain selected her as his running mate, beat out former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"Being a prominent jerk or cretin is often a thankless job," said the society's current president, Samantha Bennett of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "This is our way of saying thanks for the low-hanging fruit."

Pachyderms outdo people in cross-species chow bout

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:28:03 PDT

Direct link to article... [azcentral.com]

NEW YORK - In the fight of pachyderms vs. people - the pachyderms now have the upper trunk.

Three circus elephants scored a decisive victory over three human competitive eaters at a cross-species eating contest Friday, chomping down on 505 hot dog buns in six minutes. The humans forced down only 143 buns in the bout at Brooklyn's Coney Island.

The elephants, Bunny, Susie and Minnie - all in their 40s - ate at what appeared to be a leisurely pace from behind a table piled high with buns. They even paused to eat some fresh fruit, which was not counted toward scoring.

Should linking be illegal? In a misguided attempt to aid newspapers, one of America's most influential judges is suggesting a

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:27:08 PDT

Direct link to article... [guardian.co.uk]

Those who wish to keep the internet free and open had best dust off their legal arguments. One of America's most influential conservative judges, Richard Posner, has proposed a ban on linking to online content without permission. The idea, he said in a blog post last week, is to prevent aggregators and bloggers from linking to newspaper websites without paying:

Rooster on the road backs up Interstate 17

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:24:29 PDT

Direct link to article... [azcentral.com]

Drivers found themselves contending with more than holiday traffic Friday when a chicken was found crossing the road.

Northbound Interstate 17 remains backed up north of Loop 101 after a rooster tried to cross the freeway about 11 a.m. at Arizona 74

"It's just a busy holiday - and of course the rooster," said Officer Robert Bailey, a DPS spokesman. "The rooster only compounded matters."

Iran Seeks Arrest of Neda's Dr.

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:23:06 PDT

Direct link to article... [examiner.com]

Serial Killer in Cherokee County SC

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:21:43 PDT

Direct link to article... [wsav.com]

Hezbollah brutality against Iranians graphically reinacted at Iranian-American rally

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:12:00 PDT

Direct link to article... [democracybroadcastingnews.com]

Good video