video~orangutan, dog, more advanced than harpercons

I first found this video at Huffpo, but for some reason, when I tried to watch the video, was told it wasn't "available in your country". So from the original source comes proof that animals have indeed, evolved further than right wingers.

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the maniacally defiant harpercons

h/t Impolitical

So steve the skeeve harper is up to his usual brand of politics. Steal tax payer money and fund an illegal media blitz touting some bullshit, or other. In this case steve decided he'd rather promote his party, by a spending ratio of 5:1, over raising public awareness about the flu pandemic. But hey, why spend money educating the public when body bags are so much more cost efficient?

Impolitical's link concerns the actions taken by steve and his cronies following some backlash from the transparent stunt. According to the story, they removed over 30 pictures of harper from the action plan website.

And this is the part where their sanity comes into question. One of steve's spokeswomen defended the original photos being on the site. 24 hours later, she denied any were taken down. Seriously, wtf is wrong with these people?

Late Sunday night, a PCO spokeswoman had defended the dozens of Harper photos on the action plan website, writing by email that, "The Prime Minister is the chief spokesperson in the Government of Canada for the (action plan)."

Monday evening, the same PCO spokeswoman called The Canadian Press with a single talking point that can in no way be reconciled with the altered appearance of the site:

"We have not removed any pictures of the PM," said Myriam Massabki.

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part 3 from David Pugliese~soldier who witnessed abuse of Afghan boys: “It’s disgusting, we let this happen?”

Hats off to David Pugliese for staying on an important story! A story the harper government and military brass undoubtedly want buried.

In today's report, David speaks with now former corporal, Travis Schouten,26, who witnessed two Afghani men, one with a knife in hand, sodomizing a young boy. Travis reported what he saw to his superiors. Travis played a big role in getting an investigation started. Although the Canadian Forces National Investigation Services concluded allegations were unfounded, it is clear they botched their examination and, frankly, have no credibility in this case.

Pugliese allows Schouten the opportunity to tell his side of the story and clear up some misconceptions surrounding his experience.

“It’s disgusting,” said Schouten, now retired after eight years in the military. “We’re telling people that we’re trying to build a nation there and we let this happen?”

“We allow rampant abuse of young boys at the hands of what is supposed to be their finest police officers and army officers, then what does that say?”

A Toronto paper reported that Travis walked in only to witness the aftermath of the attack. Travis addresses that report and why he just walked away.

“I walked in and they were raping a kid,” he recalls. “The kid was bleeding. They guy with the camo fatigues had a knife in his hand.”

“I wasn’t going to start doing something at the scene,” he recalled. “I’m in the middle of the ANP (Afghan National Police) headquarters. What do I do; start shooting Afghan police? I’d get myself shot.”

Travis takes on the military's cop-out, dismissing the abuse as a "cultural" issue.

Schouten, however, questions whether a five or six-year old child, or even an 11-year-old, can consent. “The Canadian Forces wants people to think it’s a cultural thing, that everyone is doing it, because it takes the onus of responsibility off them to stop it,” he said.

It has been a devastating episode in this former soldier's life. After the incident, he turned to alcohol. Shortly after arriving back home, he was involved in a car accident where a passenger in his car was hurt. After missing an appointment with a psychiatrist, the army tried to have him dishonourably discharged. Schouten fought back and was given an honourable discharge on medical grounds. Travis has little confidence this whole matter will be dealt with in any meaningful way.

Although soldiers know Afghan security forces are having sex with kids, the issue is too explosive to deal with, he adds.
Schouten said the rape and its aftermath shook his faith in the military. “In my mind, when I signed up, it was a brotherhood to me,” he explained. “I thought I was there for an established set of values and I loved that. I was wrong.”

Schouten is now rebuilding his life and is going to university. “I’m putting myself back together,” he said. “But at the same time I do feel people should be held accountable and people should know this is what is going on over there.”

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Follow Up~Military investigation of sex abuse ‘doesn’t ring true’

David Pugliese has new details on yesterday's story regarding the sexual abuse of Afghan boys on Canadian bases. To be clear, the abuse was carried out by Afghani men who were members of Afghan security forces. The Canadian military has in no way been accused of such heinous activities. They, along with the harper government in my opinion, are only covering it up!

What's new

• Today we learn the agency charged with conducting the investigation into the allegations, never stepped foot in Afghanistan.
• the Canadian Forces National Investigation Services has about as much credibility as the RCMP.
• the abuse was enough of a common occurrence that Canadian and foreign soldiers coined a phrase for it: "Man Love Thursdays"
• Liberal MP Bryon Wilfert, NDP’s defence critic, Jack Harris, calling for outside investigations, not buying the government military spin
  

Jack Harris:

“My initial reaction to the report was that it doesn’t ring true and it still doesn’t ring true that all of these allegations can be dismissed as having no substance at all,” Harris said. “It doesn’t pass the sniff test.”

Bryon Wilfert:

“There’s always questions in the public mind whether certain organizations should investigate themselves,” Wilfert said. “I think the severity of these allegations are such and (the NIS report) seems to fly in the face of pretty credible witnesses who have come forward.”

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what is steve harper's role in covering up the sexual abuse of Afghan boys? ~ Sex abuse and silence exposed

A week ago I blogged about a report which focused on the harper government's control over certain media matters in Afghanistan. From granting or denying reporters interviews-to providing government approved talking points to the military, the harper government is deeply involved with respect to what will be reported. And military brass seem to have no objections with their arrangement. In fact the director of public affairs operations with the Defence Department, navy Capt. Dave Scanlon, argues:

"It really is a whole of government approach, with CIDA, Foreign Affairs, National Defence and Public Safety," he says. "Right at the strategic level, you have very, very good co-ordination on communications amongst the four lead departments."

"It's part of my job to tell the Canadian Forces story, but to do that as part of a whole of government context. It has to be done with the political oversight of the government of the day."

So it's been established that the military and the government of the day collaborate to control the message. That being the case, is it unreasonable to assume the harper government was readily aware that sexual abuse of young boys at the hands of Afghan security forces stationed on a Canadian base was taking place?

A story published yesterday entitled, Sex abuse and silence exposed, by David Pugliese, certainly begs the question. While Pugliese exposes the military's role in the cover-up, I find it difficult to believe harper, or at the very least those who report to him, were ignorant of such a volatile situation.

In David's piece, his opening paragraph highlights the fact that upon learning of the abuse allegations, the military's main concern was the story being reported in the media.

Army staff and National Defence headquarters officials were told in 2007 that young boys had allegedly been sexually abused by Afghan security forces at a Canadian base in Afghanistan, but the concern at the time was that the incident might be reported in the news media, according to military records obtained by the Citizen.

But even more disgraceful, is news that some military police were told by commanders to ignore incidents in which Afghan forces were having sex with children because, and get this, since it is practised by some Afghans, Canadian Forces should not get involved in what should be seen as a “cultural” issue. A "cultural" issue?! We're not talking about betting on dog fights or praying at certain times of the day. Can we not draw the line at letting children get raped with our consent?

More from David's must read article.

And after reading it, I'd like to see The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service, investigated. Earlier this year they released a report concluding the allegations of sexual abuse were unfounded and that such incidents were never reported to Canadian military commanders. That is false.

In addition, it appears senior Canadian commanders were also concerned about the abuse. In a June 13, 2008, letter to army commander Leslie, the office of Lt.-Gen. Michel Gauthier asked that an investigation be started into the sexual assault allegations. “Furthermore, initial queries suggest there appeared to be some concern of the part of the Roto 2 BG chain of command with respect to certain off-duty activities related to the same incidents later raised to the reporter,” the letter noted.

The records also indicate the allegations sparked much debate inside the military on what to acknowledge in public. The first response was to deny anything ever took place.

And here come the talking points.

However, a series of “talking points” were produced on June 17, 2008, in which it was acknowledged in regard to “Afghan male sexual abuse of underage males” that “Soldiers are generally aware of this practice taking place in Afghanistan; They know that abuse, let alone of minors is wrong by our standards; They will report this activity to the appropriate authorities.”

Clearly, the CFNIS botched the investigation. Despite eyewitness reports, meetings, discussions and strategy sessions on how to deal with this matter, the investigators concluded the allegations were 'unfounded'? Are they simply following orders from prime minister harper? His ministers? Evidently, letting steve have control over a military rife with yes men is devastating for those poor kids. And it's a shame for our Country.

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Banned by webmaster. Your comments will not be added

Awesome! Dr.Dawg proving there is no difference between left wingers and right wingers!
Except for the fact that right wingers actually govern!

Dr.dawg has banned me from commenting, and even threatened to ban all "Liberal" posters!

Here is the whole thread. Watch the accusations fly. They ban you, and then attack!

Banned by webmaster. Your comments will not be added

Gravatar Brison is a moron.
And given that he's been in both parties, he really is a Librocon...
CWTF | 09.15.09 - 8:31 pm | #

Gravatar Hey Dawg! Are you being paid by any political party? Yes, that includes the ndp'rs.
Christian | Homepage | 09.15.09 - 9:08 pm | #

Gravatar Good God,no. But sometimes I think I should be!
Dr.Dawg | Homepage | 09.15.09 - 9:14 pm | #

Gravatar Wow. Sounds like Rae wasn't being truthful when he said that they'd be listening to all sides of the story when the bill went to committee.

Hey Scott Brison!! How many pro-government death squads are roaming around Venezuela killing Chavez's enemies? None? How many Indian peasants are being slaughtered by pro-government militias in Venezuela? None?

But Chavez is "evil" and Colombia is, ... what exactly?
thwap | Homepage | 09.15.09 - 9:23 pm | #

Gravatar I agree, you should be paid. Any fluffer should receive proper compensation.
Christian | Homepage | 09.15.09 - 9:25 pm | #

Gravatar Brison is a sick man. And his party is chock-a-block with sick, amoral people whose only interest is power.

I'm seriously thinking about banning all Liberals from this site unless they speak out against the banality of Ignatieff-Rae evil.

That goes for their flak "Christian." Peddle your sexual fantasies somewhere else, little man.
Dr.Dawg | Homepage | 09.15.09 - 9:25 pm | #

Gravatar Hold the damn phone there Christian, you disingenuous twat. How dare you attempt to label the good Doc Dawg a fluffer when there's a prominent link on the front page of your blog to a Liberal party fundraising site? You can cast your petty aspersions after you rinse the gritty seed out of your own mouth.
psa | Homepage | 09.15.09 - 9:32 pm | #

Gravatar Now PSA don't go all logical and shit on Christian, after all he is cognizant compared to the dunderheads over at the Blogging Tories..

If only he could take the blinders off once and awhile...
CWTF | 09.15.09 - 9:40 pm | #

Gravatar So Christian how does it feel to be supporting death merchants? Pretty neat I can imagine for you...
CWTF | 09.15.09 - 9:41 pm | #

Gravatar I'm seriously thinking about banning all Liberals from this site unless they speak out against the banality of Ignatieff-Rae evil.

Time to boot this this lefty thug off Progressive Bloggers.
Liberal | 09.15.09 - 9:55 pm | #

Gravatar Time to boot this this lefty thug off Progressive Bloggers.
That you Warren Kinsella?
CWTF | 09.15.09 - 10:00 pm | #

Gravatar That would say something about ProgBlogs.

More tomorrow. I'm quite serious about this.
Dr.Dawg | Homepage | 09.15.09 - 10:17 pm | #

Gravatar "I'm seriously thinking about banning all Liberals from this site ....."

Oh dear. So where would that leave me....?


"Time to boot this this lefty thug off Progressive Bloggers."

Hey, Liberal, I don't agree with Dawg's politics at all, but his material is always interesting, even with one or two of his hangups. And I don't quite know how he does it, but he does attract a reasonably high standard of comment.

Booting Dawg off "Progressive Bloggers" would be like the NDP expelling Ed Broadbent or one of the elder Lewises.

Twit.
knygathin_zhaum | 09.15.09 - 11:01 pm | #

Gravatar Christian's red herring dump on the thread was very Blogging Tory. I think he was just lashing out from the shame this post made him feel.

I think its ti-guy at 9:55.
lenny | 09.16.09 - 12:10 am | #

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steve harper manipulating information coming out of Afghanistan

Well what a shock! Neo-con steve has put together an impressive network of spies to monitor reporters covering the war.

The records, obtained under Access to Information legislation, show that what reporters are asking about, what they are writing about and what they have been told are the subject of regular briefing notes shared with everyone from officers in Kandahar to commanders in Ottawa to civilian officials reporting to the prime minister.

No doubt so steve and the professional liars on his staff can come up with their best spin.

The briefings outline which news organizations have reporters in the field, what information they have requested and what stories they are working on.

They show some interviews are either approved or denied by the Privy Council Office. Talking points for other interviews are approved in advance.

So which interviews is steve harper denying the journalists? Is he preventing reporters from uncovering relevant information Canadians should know about? Even going as far as providing the talking points! That's our steve!

But, wait! Navy Capt. Dave Scanlon, who just happens to be director of public affairs operations with the Defence Department, says there's nothing to see here.

"It's our job to monitor the media and that includes the work of individual journalists – but in full respect for freedom of the press," he says.

Really? How does fully respecting the media square with dictating which interviews are or aren't granted? He goes on.

"When we pass that information up our chain of command to warn them about what may or may not appear in the press the next day so that they're ready for it, that's a natural part of our work and an expected part of our work."

"It's part of my job to tell the Canadian Forces story, but to do that as part of a whole of government context. It has to be done with the political oversight of the government of the day."

Thank-you Captain Scanlon, for admitting neither you nor the government can be trusted with telling Canadians the whole truth!

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How to create a "sticky" post for blogger

I have been meaning to post on this for a while now, so after reading one of Morton's Musings from this morning, I decided I would finally get around to it. A "sticky" post, for those who may not know, is a post you would like featured at the top of your page. Whether it be a poll, an announcement, an image, or a post that has generated a worthy discussion,

the post remains static. Meaning it will not drop a position each time you add a new entry.

For those of you on wordpress, you're on your own:)

Okay, on with it. Create whatever "sticky" you'd like, and publish it. Next, go back to the editor, click edit, and direct your attention to the 'post options' feature located on the bottom left corner of the editor. Now click on that and 3 options appear. The one we are interested in is on the right side, the ‘date’ . Simply change the date to some point in the future~according to how ever long you want the post up there, and voila! You're done.

This will be my sticky for a while.

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Jewish extremists infiltrating the military

I have said before that I have no problem with people of faith, so long as they are rational, skeptical  individuals. Because let’s face it, they have no idea if some almighty being exists, and neither do I. And frankly, I really don’t care if such a being exists because that wouldn’t change the way I live my life or how I treat other people. The ones I do take issue with however, are the believers, those who are  arrogant enough to presume they are the one’s who have it right. So ideologically driven that they must take up ‘His’ cause and fight ‘His’ wars. It does not matter which religion we point to, they each have their share of extremists. These folks are not only irrational and arrogant, they are downright dangerous.

The BBC highlights the transformation taking place within the Israeli military from a secular entity, to one with a growing number of believers. Here are some excerpts.

 

Military rabbis are becoming more powerful. Trained in warfare as well as religion, new army regulations mean they are now part of a military elite.

They graduate from officer's school and operate closely with military commanders. One of their main duties is to boost soldiers' morale and drive, even on the front line.

 

Gal Einav, a non-religious soldier said there was wall-to-wall religious rhetoric in the base, the barracks and on the battlefield.

As soon as soldiers signed for their rifles, he said, they were given a book of psalms.

And, as his company headed in to Gaza, he told me, they were flanked by a civilian rabbi on one side and a military rabbi on the other:

"It felt like a religious war. Like a crusade. It disturbed me. Religion and the army should be completely separate," he said.

 

 

 

But military rabbis, like Lieutenant Shmuel Kaufman, welcome the changes. In previous wars rabbis had to stay far from the front, he says. In Gaza, they were ordered to accompany the fighters. "Our job was to boost the fighting spirit of the soldiers. The eternal Jewish spirit from Bible times to the coming of the Messiah."

Please visit the link for more.

For those with access, BBC 2/Newsnight is airing a full report this evening at 10:30 pm, local time.

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why men die first

This is a classic example of why women have a longer life expectancy than men.:)

Most men just go...@#%^ it! I give up!



Tell me it doesn't ring a bell!?!

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Maria Bartiromo channels her inner wingnut

What a pathetic display of ignorance on the part of the “money honey”. I’m not sure if Maria just thinks, well, I won’t speculate on what she thinks. I’ll let her make a fool of herself with her own words.

On Tuesday, September 1, Maria joined Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) to discuss health care reform in the U.S.

In this clip, Maria is going on about the evils of a government run health care system in the U.K and why it would be wrong for America.

Weiner jumps in and points out that the government already operates Medicare, and folks who use it are generally happy with it.  At that point, Bartiromo interrupts the 44 year old congressman, and shrieks,

 

“How come you don't use it [Medicare]? You don't have it. How come you don't have it?”

As she looks around as if she just made some irrefutable point. Weiner tells her, “I’m not 65.”
Dumbass

I guess when you’re a corporate whore/pimp, facts just get in the way.

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Woohoo! I hate Iggy too! please rec me at Progressive Bloggers.ca

Here!1 Hurry!1!

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