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French President Nicolas Sarkozy says the prime ministers of Italy and Spain have suggested a region-wide policy of expelling illegal immigrants from their countries.Mr. Sarkozy, a strong advocate of immigration reform, spoke Tuesday at a wide-ranging news conference in Paris.

He told reporters that both Spain and Italy have in the past month suggested a joint expulsions policy, and said he welcomes the progress of his ideas in Europe.

The French leader also defended his recent decision to sign multi-billion-dollar trade and investment deals with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Separately, he said that his government will stop funding the English-language version of the state-owned 24-hour news channel, France 24. He said he is not prepared to support programming that is not voiced in French.

France 24 currently broadcasts in French, English and Arabic.

In defending his support for the trade and investment agreements with Libya, Mr. Sarkozy noted that the Libyan leader has scrapped his suspect nuclear program and released six foreign medical workers imprisoned in Libya since the late 1990s.

Mr. Sarkozy also defended his recent decision to congratulate Russian President Vladimir Putin after his “United Russia” party’s victory in widely criticized parliamentary elections last month. President Sarkozy said he could not justify criticizing Mr. Putin one day for suspect electoral practices, and then ask him for help to resolve the ongoing international dispute with Iran over its suspect nuclear program.
By VOA News
08 January 2008

If nothing else, a post about France and Sarkozy provides an excuse to post a pic and video link about Carla Bruni. But this particular video is relevant since Sarkozy and Bruni are apparently an item. Seems the French might not be real crazy about this arrangement. Hence, for this and other reasons, the post title is ‘Bon Chance, Sarkozy’.

France Stubs Out Smoking

By VOA News
29 December 2007
The French cafe society culture of long conversations over wine and coffee while relaxing in the ever-present haze of cigarette smoke is about to be transformed.

The smoky cafe will be only a memory when France bans smoking in bars, discotheques, restaurants, casinos and cafes on January 1.

Cafe and restaurant owners are concerned there will be little conversation with less wine, coffee and food purchased when customers are not allowed to smoke.

In November, thousands of cafe and restaurant owners marched in Paris to protest the upcoming ban, but the French government is moving ahead with implementing the new law.

Smoking restrictions began earlier this year in workplaces, schools, airports, hospitals and other public sites.

Officials say France has at least 65,000 smoke-related deaths each year.
That France is engaging the politically correct smoke free stance is not a surprise. Surely everyone can climb on board the no smoking band wagon. This is not entirely unlike the global warming mentality that selects causes for which the supporters can feel better about themselves. It’s easy to select only those causes requiring no self-sacrifice or discipline and look upon those on the other side with disdain. Have these same crusaders eliminated any questionable lifestyle choices of their own? Do you see Al Gore giving up his private jet or palatial estate? Has the health problem of obesity received as much attention or willing crusaders as smoking or drinking or other popular targets? The reality of stigmas for personal choice is another reason this post expresses bon chance, Sarkozy.

But the more serious reasons for wishing Sarkozy good luck is related to another hot topic, nuclear power and the threat of a viable energy source being used for weapons.

Sarkozy: France Supports Egypt’s Nuclear-Power Plans

By VOA News
29 December 2007
French President Nicolas Sarkozy says France is willing to help Egypt develop nuclear power plants.

In an interview published Saturday in the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram, Mr. Sarkozy said France will cooperate and work together with Egypt if the Cairo government wants to develop civilians uses for nuclear technology.

Earlier this year, authorities in Cairo announced that Egypt intends to build several nuclear reactors to meet its future energy needs.

The French president has been vacationing in Egypt in advance of an official state visit he will begin on Sunday in Cairo.
France generates 75 or 80% of its electrical power capacity from nuclear plants. This may be one area where France is a leg up on other countries in limiting less desirable effects of other power generating sources. Offering to help Egypt develop similar nuclear power capabilities as many countries align to oppose Iran’s arguments over nuclear issues could just be bad timing. Like the outspoken little maniac from Iran won’t use this in his arguments. Again comes the bon chance Sarkozy.

France opposed the US on many items in recent years. Some critics of those opposing the US suggested certain financial arrangements with Iraq in recent years may have been the real reason for the opposition.

Thursday, 13 February, 2003, 17:31 GMT
France’s economic ties to Iraq
By John Laurenson

During the late 1970s, French companies started work on the Tamuz One nuclear reactor near Baghdad - designed to produce plutonium - and on a second reactor, Tamuz Two.

During the Iran-Iraq war, France was soon supplying Iraq with top level military hardware of its own.

All told, France sold some $25bn-worth of weaponry to Iraq before the UN embargo was imposed after the Gulf War.

But above all, the French are interested in Iraqi oil.

Nicolas Sarkis, of Arab Oil and Gas magazine, says France’s state-controlled TotalFinaElf is poised to win contracts to drill the largest unexploited oil reserves in the world.

Before and after Sarkozy’s election in France reports suggested he was interested in improving the relationship with the US. Some may have cheered no more Chirac, no more freedom fries, no more hassles or some promise of good feelings between France and the US. Like most optimistic forecasts or expectations it will probably require bon chance for the new leader of France even with the cherry reports of his early success.

2007 was France’s Year of Nicolas Sarkozy

By Lisa Bryant
Paris
22 December 2007

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The year 2007 in France can easily be called the year of Nicolas Sarkozy. Since Mr. Sarkozy’s election as president, he appears to be everywhere, and as Lisa Bryant reports for VOA from Paris, he is living up to some of the high expectations.

It’s May 6, 2007, and Nicolas Sarkozy, candidate for the ruling conservative Union for a Popular Movement Party has won the French presidential elections, beating out his Socialist rival Segolene Royale with 53 percent of the votes. During his campaign Mr. Sarkozy promised not just change in France, but a real “rupture” or break from the country’s past. He reiterated this vow during a triumphant speech shortly after the results were announced.

Speaking before cheering supporters, France’s new leader said the country had given him everything. Now, it was time for him to give back to France.

The past seven months have indeed brought changes and a new tone to French politics. Mr. Sarkozy appointed an extremely diverse cabinet, including not only a number of women and ethnic minorities, but also members of the leftist opposition, including French Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Kouchner.

Steven Ekovich specializes in French politics at the American University of Paris.

“Right now, he’s exploiting his image as a young, dynamic president,” he said. “And we’ll see how quickly the French get tired of this energy. But we have quite a dramatic difference with the previous president who seemed to have no energy at all.”

When it comes to domestic policy, says Frederic Micheau, an analyst at the IFOP polling agency in Paris, the French president has largely delivered.

Micheau says Mr. Sarkozy has made good on campaign promises to help realize a new, simplified European Union treaty, simplify immigration laws, and reform the universities and special pension privileges for some French workers.

Not all the changes are popular. The pension reform plans brought hundreds of thousands of striking workers to the streets in November and students upset about the proposed university reforms blocked several dozen French universities. Critics have also blasted new immigration restrictions passed by Mr. Sarkozy’s center-right government.

President Bush poses with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Kennebunkport, Maine, 11 Aug 2007

President Bush poses with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Kennebunkport, Maine, 11 Aug 2007
In fact, Stephane Le Foll, a Socialist deputy in the European Parliament and Cabinet director for Socialist party chairman Francois Holland has nothing good to say about Mr. Sarkozy’s performance to date.

Overall, Le Foll gives Mr. Sarkozy a negative year-end report card. He says the economy is doing badly, and likely to be worse next year. And, he says, the president’s social policies aren’t any better.

Mr. Sarkozy’s foreign policy has also generated criticism. He has established warmer ties with the United States than under his predecessor Jacques Chirac, but analyst Micheau says he has not respected his campaign promises to make human rights issues an integral part of his foreign policy, notably in his dealings with Russia and China, which he visited this year.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, greets Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi at his arrival at the Elysee Palace in Paris, 12 Dec. 2007
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, left, greets Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi at his arrival at the Elysee Palace in Paris, 12 Dec. 2007
And the December visit to France of Moammar Gadhafi of Libya, once considered a terrorist nation, generated outcry particularly when Mr. Gadhafi contradicted Mr. Sarkozy and said the French president had not brought up human rights concerns during their talks.

Socialist politician Le Foll says Mr. Gadhafi’s visit deteriorated the image not only of Mr. Sarkozy, but also of France. He also criticizes the way the French president monopolizes the media and public space.

And Mr. Sarkozy’s energy seems unending, visiting French fishermen one day and flying off to Chad the next, to bring back Europeans facing kidnapping charges. Although he tried to keep his rocky relationship with his wife Cecilia private, the announcement of their divorce in October splashed across front pages of the French newspapers. His new relationship with Italian singer Carla Bruni is similarly grabbing media attention.

Mr. Sarkozy’s popularity has also plummeted from a peak of nearly 80 percent in August to between 50 and 55 percent today. Most analysts believe his honeymoon with the French people is over. Micheau of IFOP is among them.

But Micheau said President Sarkozy’s highest popularity ratings almost reached those of French wartime hero, Charles de Gaulle, so it was inevitable that they should drop.

Micheau says Mr. Sarkozy’s best plan of action for 2008 is to continue making good on his promises of 2007.

(note for this post: if bonne chance is correct and bon chance not precisely so, that explains the use here of bon chance)

On Friday night, December 21, 2007 the News Hour on PBS had the public suffer through an excessively long interview with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The only humor injected in this conversation came at the very beginning when Reid was introduced and when ‘welcomed’ to the broadcast replied, ‘thank you for allowing me on..’

TRANSCRIPT
Originally Aired: December 21, 2007
Newsmaker Interview

Senate Majority Leader Reid Weighs Partisan Divides, Security in Iraq

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., discusses how partisan differences have impacted the pace of recent legislative progress on Capitol Hill, the state of the Iraq war and the next steps for the Democratic-led Congress in an interview with Ray Suarez.
Senator Harry Reid

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JIM LEHRER: Now, our Newsmaker interview with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada. And to Ray Suarez.

RAY SUAREZ: Senator Reid, welcome to the program.

SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), Senate Majority Leader: Thank you very much for allowing me to be on your show.

If you have a tendency toward conspiracy theories you could surmise the interview was prompted by Reid. But that can’t be. After all, this is journalism in America. Subjects of an interview don’t influence their selection. Besides the lame inquiry opening the interview pointing to the pathetic performance of the majority, Reid often repeated his claim that the minority blocked Democratic party initiatives 62 times and that it was some kind of record. His claim that the Democratic party supports the troops with their failed surrender strategy may also have annoyed viewers.

But the left’s amnesty agenda masquerading as immigration reform is the topic of this post. It is reasonable to note that those supporting the rule of law and opposing amnesty are not the only ones on the planet displeased by the fantasy of the ‘global economy’. Offshore outsourcing and the importation of cheap labor are trends that only serve the corporate boardroom. The following reference from 2004 adequately addresses a typical sham of the ‘global’ propaganda.

Workers asked to train foreign replacements
By Stephanie Armour, USA TODAY
4/6/2004

When computer programmer Stephen Gentry learned last year that Boeing was laying him off and shipping his job overseas, he wasn’t too surprised. Many of his friends had suffered the same experience.

What really stunned him was his last assignment: Managers had him train the worker from India who’d be taking his job.

“It was very callous,” says Gentry, 51, of Auburn, Wash., a father of three who is still unemployed. “They asked us to make them feel at home while we trained them to take our jobs.”

The report below from VOA News echoes a sentiment often employed by those who support amnesty for illegal immigrants in the United States. The emotional appeal employed to embarrass or insult opponents of amnesty for illegal immigrants at best succeeds with the latter outcome. That illegals are only here in pursuit of a job or better life and that the US is a nation of immigrants ignores much about the past and ignores other American traditions; not the least of which is playing by the rules.

The situation in Britain mirrors some characteristics of the US problem. They have organized opposition to their immigration problem and a member states the situation only benefits the few. The similarities lend support to the notion that those supporting unreasonable immigration policies do so for personal gain and not the altruistic reasons often claimed in support of the pursuit of bigger profits at the expense of the people and country that made their financial success possible.

British Unease Grows with Foreign Workers
By Sonja Pace
London
21 December 2007

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The British government is set to announce a series of measures early next year to tighten restrictions on immigrant workers. A booming economy has attracted foreigners to Britain from many parts of the world in recent years, especially from the new members of the European Union, but also from the United States, Asia and Africa. While many provide a crucial source of labor, their arrival has also sparked an uneasy debate in Britain over a growing migrant work force. VOA’s Sonja Pace has more from London.

The building boom in Britain may be driven by a strong economy, but the work is carried out largely by foreigners.

British government statistics indicate that more than 2.5 million foreign workers have registered in Britain since 2002.

The largest single group of legal migrants has come from Poland. Zbigniew Cwik is one of them. He says when he first came here life was difficult, without his family and long hours.

“The work was from morning to evening so I am just thinking about the work,” he said.

He goes by Zibbi, for short. He originally came on a training course, stayed, found work doing construction and home refurbishments, brought his family over and eventually started his own business.

Many of the newcomers from parts of Europe arrive here by bus, hoping to find a job and a better life. More than 220,000 Polish workers have registered in Britain in the past year. And, in all, some 700,000 East European workers have come here since the 2004 EU expansion, which opened avenues for them to work in Britain legally.

Hugo Brady of the Center for European Reform says migrant workers are behind Britain’s economic boom.

“Really, immigration in this sense as per the 2004 enlargement has been a win-win situation. I can’t think of any situation in Europe in which it has not been beneficial,” he said.

While some work in highly skilled jobs, most migrants do not. They work in construction, in agriculture - they build roads, sweep streets, clean houses, tend gardens and take care of other people’s children.

And, not everyone is pleased with the influx. The chairman of the lobby group, Migration Watch UK, Andrew Green says the migrant workforce benefits only a few.

“Polish immigration is great news for the chattering classes, because you get cheap nannies, you get cheap restaurants, you get wonderful gardeners and the plumbers are wonderful,” he said. “If you happen to be a British plumber it’s not so good.”

Migration Watch wants tougher immigration limits.

“We’ve got a million young [British] people who are not in education, not in training, not in work,” he added. “Now it’s even more difficult to get those people into the work force if you’ve got literally hundreds of thousands of bright, young Poles ready to do the job.”

But, Britain also hosts migrants from non-EU states, including from the United States, Asia and Africa. The government is now set to further tighten immigration rules with an Australian-style system for restricting immigration to those with skills the country needs.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said this new point system would help manage the immigration flow.

“This is probably the biggest change in our immigration rules that has been seen for many decades,” he said. “It is precisely to encourage the skills that we need as a country and to discourage the skills we don’t need.”

And so the debate goes on. How many migrants should be allowed in, how long should they stay, do they benefit the economy or do they take jobs away from locals?

Hugo Brady with the Center for European Reform says there is another factor.

“People will always fear the ‘other’ and they don’t like the idea of strangers descending on them even if it is a good thing, even if they themselves have benefited from it,” he added. “Somehow this prejudice remains.”

For the migrants who come here, the priority is to make a better life for themselves and their families. Some plan to return home, others are not so sure.

For Britons, the issue remains an ongoing debate.

Avian flu may be the best example of a potential catastrophic event that will be largely ignored or shrouded with incompetence or sheer apathy right up until the moment it becomes a pandemic. While considerable focus and attention was placed on the topic early on, since then the tiny foe has systematically gone about its business with little opposition from any source capable of mounting a reasonable defense.

Not like there are no other major issues about which we should be concerned. However, avian influenza is a threat that can make all the others rather moot. It is the sort of problem that displays no discrimination or prejudice or other human attribute when selecting targets. Whatever can be defined as part of the biosphere is on its list of targets. No socio-economic or geopolitical considerations here. No personal preferences or bias or any other subjective analysis clouds its judgment. As a matter of fact, there is no judgment. It’s not that kind of arrangement.

Most people are aware that H5N1 is only advancing as slow and methodical as it has for lack of successful method to infect other species. There have also been reports that much progress has been made in developing vaccines. Reports in addition to the two presented here have suggested enough vaccine can be produced but there may be shortcomings attached to this solution. And of course, the early discussions made many comparisons to the 1918 flu epidemic as well as the frequency of such events and that we are overdue for another.

The primary point of this post is to publish another warning that there may be a serious lack of concern and response to the risk from this particular foe. The virus is extending the courtesy of giving the human species a great deal of time to solve the problem. But just like the fact that this living organism does not apply subjective analysis to its daily business, the time allowed thus far to prepare ourselves is simply the result of a natural sequence of events. If we end up not being prepared when the threat advances we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

Scientists Say Bird Flu Spreading in Several Asian, African Countries

By Luis Ramirez
Bangkok
07 November 2007

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Nations in Asia and Africa have had much success in stopping the spread of bird flu, but experts meeting in Bangkok this week say the H5N1 virus continues to spread in a number of countries. VOA’s Luis Ramirez reports from Bangkok.

Experts with the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization say bird flu is still considered an animal disease, affecting only a small number of humans so far. But they say the threat of a human pandemic, in which millions could die, is still very real.

Dr. David Nabarro, the United Nations’ senior Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza, told reporters in Bangkok Wednesday that while most nations have made progress in containing the virus’ spread, there remain some problem areas.

“We’ve seen during the last three years that countries have invested a lot of resources in vaccination of poultry, in improving veterinary services, and also in what we call bio-security, in order to try to reduce the risk of…avian influenza continuing to circulate in poultry or in wild birds,” he said. “We’ve seen in many countries, extraordinary success in getting this under control: (but) not everywhere. There’s some problems in the region.”

He says the virus continues to spread in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam in Asia, and Egypt and Nigeria in Africa.

Experts say nations that have yet to develop an export-oriented poultry industry are finding it more difficult to contain the disease.

They say Thailand, as one example, has had greater success in controlling bird flu, because it already had a veterinary system in place to support its sizable poultry exports.

Another challenge that could hinder efforts to contain the spread of H5N1 is the reluctance by some countries to hand over tissue samples of bird flu cases. China is one of them. Dr. Nabarro says negotiations continue in efforts to get Beijing to disclose more data and materials that could help scientists develop a vaccine.

“There are some situations in which countries have asked for clarification on the benefits that they’re likely to get as a result of sharing samples, and there is some international negotiation under way at the moment to try to establish a satisfactory basis for sample-sharing by seeing whether or not it will be possible to ensure that those who do provide samples are able to benefit from products that are produced with the help of those samples,” he said.

Experts say Beijing’s concerns have to do with intellectual property rights to any vaccine that is developed with data or research originating in China. Indonesia has hesitated to supply tissue samples for similar reasons.

Representatives of several nations are scheduled to meet in Geneva later this month to address those concerns and talk about setting up a new international standard of sharing information and samples.

The H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus mainly affects birds and has struck primarily in Asia, but it has also appeared in Europe and Africa. Since its appearance in Hong Kong in 1997, the H5N1 virus has killed at least 211 people in eleven countries. Tens of millions of poultry have died or been slaughtered due to the disease.

The World Health Organization says all evidence to date indicates that close contact with dead or sick birds is the principal source of human infection. Scientists say they are mainly concerned about the virus in animals for now, but fear that the virus could mutate and become easily transmissible between humans.

UN Expert Says World Unprepared for Avian Flu Pandemic

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
24 October 2007

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A top United Nations expert on Avian influenza says the world is not yet ready to protect itself from a potential avian influenza pandemic that could kill millions of people. He says it will take another few years before countries complete their pandemic preparedness plans. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Geneva.

Health experts are concerned that the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus will transform itself into the virus that causes the next human pandemic.

David Nabarro is senior U.N. systems coordinator for avian and human influenza. He says many uncertainties surround the disease. But, what is certain, he says, is that there will be a human influenza pandemic some time in the future.

He says no one knows when or where this will happen or how severe it will be. But, he says, given the potential magnitude of human suffering and of the economic consequences, it is essential to be prepared.

He says most countries have some kind of pandemic preparedness plan in the works.

“Unfortunately, only a relatively small proportion are adequately prepared to keep going in the event that the pandemic has massive absenteeism associated with it. And we need hard work for at least two or three years more to make sure that the whole world is properly pandemic ready. It is not easy. But, I will tell you one thing: being prepared for a pandemic will help countries to be prepared for other mega-catastrophes, not just those that are due to infectious disease,” said Dr. Nabarro.

The World Health Organization reports bird flu has spread to about 60 countries and territories. It says the H5N1 virus appears to be entrenched in the poultry populations of Indonesia, northern Egypt and parts of Nigeria, Bangladesh, China and Vietnam.

Bird flu remains a largely animal disease. But, latest figures show about 350 people who had close contact with diseased poultry have become infected and more than 200 have died.

Dr. Nabarro says health experts fear that one day H5N1 or another animal virus will mutate into a form that could spread easily from one human to another.

In anticipation of this, he says WHO is working with national authorities to make sure they will be able to respond promptly to contain the virus wherever it emerges.

“That prompt response has to be within days,” said Dr. Nabarro. “WHO has worked with countries to develop protocols for rapid response and has also been ensuring that there are adequate stockpiles of Oseltamivir or Tamiflu, which is part of the rapid response. WHO is also working on trying to ensure that there will be a plan that can be put into place for rapid production of pandemic vaccines once the new virus appears and also is looking at the possibility of vaccines against H5N1 in humans stockpiled.”

Dr. Nabarro says it will take drug companies about six months to manufacture vaccines against avian influenza once a pandemic appears and the viral strain is identified. He says millions of people could die during that period.

Should avian influenza strike, he says people should stay away from crowds. They should wear protective gear, such as masks and they should use the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.

The Madrid and London bombings were not the only terrorist attacks after 9/11 but they might be the most reported at least in western media. Certainly the longstanding relationship between the United States and United Kingdom explains the amount of attention these stories receive. Some other stories have pointed the cameras at both countries. Much controversy has characterized decisions made by President Bush not only about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq but on terrorism in general. Former British PM Tony Blair took on the criticism of his close relationship with President Bush with style and flare and is staying in the game in Middle East peace process since leaving the PM’s job in Britain.

Another story that received much attention was about the British military and an incident where nine or more of their service people were captured by Iran and the claim they had drifted into Iranian waters. The tale as it developed over the next days portrayed the group as less than impressive if not down right unpatriotic. Fair or not, together with the sense that the UK is soft on terror and tripping over itself to appease complaints from the Muslim community paints a rather disappointing picture of the island nation. Like most stories there is probably some truth and some misconception within the details.

That is why the story below is of interest. There are indications that while Tony Blair was PM he was unable to get agreement within government to stiffen ‘anti-terror laws’ and the same landscape will face the new PM Gordon Brown. After Brown entered office he was described as a no-nonsense kind of man that may prove to be a formidable adversary to those who disagree with him. But the fact may remain that opposition in the UK to tougher legislation against terrorist activities is more proof that the UK is soft on terror.

Britain to Push for Tougher Anti-Terrorist Laws
By Tom Rivers
London
06 November 2007

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In time-honored British tradition, Queen Elizabeth presided over the state opening of parliament, and unveiled several government proposed pieces of legislation, including new anti-terrorist measures the government hopes to pass in the new lawmaking session. For VOA, Tom Rivers reports from London.

The queen’s been here many times before. An ornate horse-drawn carriage pulled up at Buckingham Palace for the short journey down the road to the House of Lords, where members of both parliamentary chambers gathered to hear her deliver a speech outlining the government’s planned legislative initiatives for the new term.

Amid the pomp and ceremony, political observers were watching closely as this was Gordon Brown’s first time to set the lawmaking agenda as prime minister.

And as the queen read out the words of the Brown government, it is clear that the prime minister sees more anti-terrorism work to be done.

“My government will take further action to create stronger communities and tackle terrorism,” she said. “Legislation to reform the criminal justice system will continue to be taken forward.”

That means Brown will try to do something his predecessor Tony Blair could not do in his final days and that is to get cross-party agreement on strengthening Britain’s terrorism laws.

“My government will seek consensus on changes to the law on terrorism so that the police and other agencies have the powers they need to protect the public while preserving essential rights and liberties,” said Queen Elizabeth.

And trying to find that balance will be key. Specifically, it is thought the government will try to double the time terrorist suspects can be held before formal charges must be brought from the current 28-day period.

The new counter-terrorism bill will also seek to allow for additional questioning after a suspect has been formally charged.

In addition, it is thought the government will try to ban convicted terrorists from traveling abroad after any release.

In addition to measures here, the queen’s speech highlighted the prime minister’s intention to work even more closely with international bodies to counter global terrorism.

“My government will continue to work with the United Nations, G-8 [Group of Eight] and [the] European Union to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction, including addressing international concerns over Iran’s nuclear intentions,” she continued.

Britain is behind efforts to impose a third wave of U.N. sanctions on Iran.

Meanwhile, the European Commission is currently proposing the collection of more flight data on passengers and tighter internet laws as part of its anti-terrorist moves. All EU member states would have to sign off on the new measures if they are to become law.
(end)

Just in case memory is a little vague on the days following the bombings in London in 2005 here is an extensive list of stories from that time.

.
London Bombs Death Toll Expected to Remain Below 100
Authorities say number of deaths now exceeds 50, with more than 700 wounded
08 July 2005

Europe Needs Unity to Battle Terrorism, Analysts Say
Some say London blasts are a wake-up call for EU fractured by infighting
08 July 2005

Bush to Sign Condolence Book in Washington for London Victims
President is now en route to Washington from Group of Eight summit in Scotland
08 July 2005

NATO Ambassadors Express Solidarity with Britain Over London Attacks
Ambassadors meeting in Brussels, condemned terrorism in all forms
08 July 2005

London Police Sift Through Bomb Scenes for Clues
Terror bombings Thursday killed at least 50, injured 700
08 July 2005

British Launch Massive Hunt for London Bombers Who Killed 37
Londoners end terrifying day with resolve to carry on
07 July 2005

US Lawmakers Condemn London Bombings
Lawmakers also say attacks should serve as harsh reminder that war on terrorism must continue, and of weaknesses remaining to be addressed in mass transportation security
07 July 2005

Transit Systems in US Increase Security Measures
A higher level of protection is ordered for all forms of passenger travel
07 July 2005

London Bombing Overshadows G-8
Summit members indicate ending the summit early would play into the hands of those who killed dozens of innocent civilians
07 July 2005

Local US Officials Extend Condolences to Victims of London Attacks, Heighten Security
US officials say they have no information that US transit system is threatened, but they have heightened security on buses and trains
07 July 2005

London Bombings Kill 37; Officials say ‘Hallmarks of Al-Qaida’ Attack
British government suspects Islamic terrorists responsible; massive investigation under way
07 July 2005

Iran, Syria, Others in Middle East Condemn London Attacks
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad condemned the attacks in a cable sent to Prime Minister Tony Blair
07 July 2005

London Bombings Draw Media Focus from G-8 Summit

07 July 2005

US Muslim Groups Condemn London Attacks
The group has said in the past that those who commit acts of terror in the name of Islam are betraying that religion’s values
07 July 2005

World Leaders Pledge United Front against Terror after London Attacks
Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe, whose city lost bid to host Olympics to London, said after attacks ‘right now, we are all Londoners’
07 July 2005

Scenes of Mayhem Terrorize London
Multiple blasts in transit system creates horrific situations for thousands, hundreds known to be injured
07 July 2005

Australia, Japan Offer Support to Britain in Aftermath of Attacks
Australia’s PM John Howard says it is important his country stands ’shoulder to shoulder’ with its British allies
07 July 2005

UN Security Council Condemns London Blasts in Emergency Session
Measure expresses condolences for British people, victims of four bombings in London; says any act of terrorism threatens peace and security
07 July 2005

France On Alert After London Bombings
French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin asks ministers to provide ways to beef up security around France’s vulnerable sites
07 July 2005

London Olympic Bid Team Devastated by News Of Bombings
Chief executive of London’s bid team, Keith Mills, says delegation is shocked by the news
07 July 2005

Bush Condemns London Blasts, Expresses Condolences to British PM
President says ‘we will not yield’ to terrorists
07 July 2005

IOC Expresses Confidence in London after Blasts
International Olympic Committee selected London to host 2012 games during meeting in Singapore, Wednesday
07 July 2005

Trackposted to The Pink Flamingo, Perri Nelson’s Website, Leaning Straight Up, Cao’s Blog, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, third world county, Right Truth, Adeline and Hazel, and Shadowscope, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

By Tendai Maphosa
London
The European Union is proposing a blue card to attract skilled workers to Europe in the face of an aging population and a declining birth rate. From London, Tendai Maphosa reports for VOA, the 27-nation bloc is trying to compete with the U.S. “green card” system and programs in other Western countries to get the best-qualified migrant labor.

The European Union says it will need 20 million skilled migrant workers during the next 20 years to plug labor gaps in the developed world. The so-called Blue Card would lure the workers by making easier for them to work in another E.U. country, have their family join them, receive public housing and get long-term residency status.

To qualify for a blue card, a migrant would need an E.U. job contract of at least two year guaranteeing a salary of at least three times the minimum wage in the country to which they are applying and health insurance.

The plan aims to attract information technology specialists, engineers, doctors, nurses and other highly-qualified workers from Asia, Africa and Latin America, who have been flocking to North America and Australia.

In a recent speech, Franco Frattini, European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom, and Security and the architect of the plan, said it is essential for the European Union to “become a real magnet for highly skilled immigrants.”

A spokesman for Frattini, Riccardo Mosca, told VOA the intention is to fast track the process. He said the card will give skilled workers a grace period to look for another job once their contracts expire. It would also make it possible for employees to go back to their countries to work for a while without the fear of losing their blue cards.

But Marco Manacorda at the London School of Economics said to persuade workers not to go to countries like the United States, the European Union has to make some changes to the current plan.

“I am wondering to what extent Europe might truly be competitive with the United States in terms of attracting skilled migrants to the extent that the premium to being a skilled worker in the United States are much higher than they are in Europe where the wage distribution is much compressed so whether that is going to be a successful policy that is hard to know now,” said Manacorda.

According to the European Commission, about 25 million Europeans are expected to retire and one third will be over 65 years of age by 2050.

The proposals have already faced opposition from trade unions, who fear the blue card could undermine training opportunities for E.U. workers. The Commission has said, however, that E.U. citizens will continue to have priority access to the labor markets of other member states.

and fake IDs……..

By VOA News
24 October 2007
Spanish police have arrested six people suspected of recruiting Islamic militants to fight in Iraq’s insurgency.Spain’s Interior Ministry says the suspects were arrested Wednesday in the northern province of Burgos. It says police searched several homes and a butcher shop and seized documents and computers.

The ministry says the suspects used Internet chat rooms to recruit militants, raise money for jailed terrorists and distribute terrorist propaganda.

Spanish authorities say it is the first time they have broken up an alleged terrorist cell that primarily used the Internet for its activities.

The detainees include an Algerian man thought to have led the group and another man of Moroccan origin.

On Tuesday, a Spanish court charged 22 people with involvement in another terrorist cell accused of recruiting insurgents for Iraq.

Spanish National Court Judge Baltasar Garzon charged 18 suspects with belonging to a terrorist group and another four as suspected collaborators.

One of the suspects is Omar Nakcha, a Moroccan who also is accused of helping terrorists involved in the 2004 Madrid train bombings escape from justice.

Two of the suspects are accused of belonging to the Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group, a network thought to be active in several European countries. The Spanish court issued warrants for their arrest.

By Daniel Schearf
Beijing
24 July 2007

Schearf report (mp3) - Download 424k audio clip
Listen to Schearf report (mp3) audio clip

The European Union’s head of consumer safety says China has promised to “strictly” provide regular reports on how it handles European complaints about dangerous products. China has so far failed to live up to earlier similar promises and faces complaints from around the world about unsafe products. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.

The European Union Commissioner for Consumer Protection, Meglena Kuneva, told reporters Tuesday that Chinese officials have said they will follow through on their agreement to provide quarterly reports on investigations into dangerous Chinese products exported to the EU.

“I received a political commitment of the highest level. And, I will watch how this political commitment will be translated into practice,” Kuneva said.

Kuneva says China is obliged by a memorandum of understanding, signed with the EU in early 2006, to fully investigate EU complaints of unsafe Chinese products and to provide a summary of enforcement efforts in quarterly reports. However, in the last year, she said, China has provided only two reports.

“The first report was very poor in respect of tracking down, the second was better but still not sufficient. That’s why I’m here,” she said.

Half of all unsafe exports last year to the EU came from China. The EU is China’s largest trading partner and one in four products imported to the EU come from China.

But those products include children’s toys with high lead or chemical content or small parts that posed a choking hazard, batteries that may explode and lamps that could electrocute.

China is under pressure to better enforce product safety standards after a series of revelations about tainted and deadly exports.

Chinese officials last week announced the closure of a company that exported mislabeled chemicals that were used in cough syrup in Panama, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people there in the last year.

Two other companies were closed for using toxic chemicals in pet food ingredients believed to have killed hundreds of dogs and cats in North America earlier this year.

The United States has refused exports of Chinese farm-raised fish and seafood after drugs banned in the U.S. were found in shipments.

Chinese officials acknowledge some Chinese companies are responsible for unsafe exports, but insist the vast majority of products are safe.

crossposted at:

Maggie’s Notebook | Conservative Blog

FaultlineUSA

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Nixon’s legacy included the milestone of opening dialogue with China and historic visits by the West to the mysterious and isolated region of the world. Carter’s often criticized administration had what appeared as a Middle East peace effort that came closer than any other at resolving the conflicts. Reagan convinced the Soviet Union to ‘tear down this wall’. Much about President Bush these days points to the near obsession of American Presidents to push for their legacy in the fading hours of their Presidency. Beyond victory in the war in Iraq, President Bush’s latest call for Middle East peace talks presents among other things, his search for a legacy.

Along with most in the international community, as indicated below, the US and EU want nothing to do with Hamas while a few voices are heard urging dialogue with the generally perceived Middle East outlaws. No relationship in the search for Middle East peace may be more of a gamble than the involvement of both President Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. In general, the intentions of both men may be to recover some success for their respective legacies after the controversy and criticism over the war in Iraq and perhaps Afghanistan.

US, EU shun Hamas as Blair takes over as Middle East peace envoy
Compiled by Daily Star staff
Friday, July 20, 2007
The Quartet of Middle East mediators met for the first time with Tony Blair as special envoy on Thursday at a meeting Washington hopes will breathe some life into the stagnant Israeli-Palestinian peace process. In Cairo, Foreign Minister Ahmad Abou al-Gheit said Thursday that a Mideast peace conference called for by US President George W. Bush will likely be held in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting in New York.

Understandably, some in the Middle East are wary or even suspicious of Tony Blair’s involvement. Of all the people on the planet likely to have a role to play in the search for Middle East peace, Tony Blair probably has the best chance of providing a sense of genuine sincerity and honesty to the task at hand. But the baggage of his history with President Bush and some indications he bears his own separate agenda on solving this never ending crisis may sabotage his ability to assist before it really begins.

Blair hampered in Middle East role
BEN LYNFIELD IN JERUSALEM
Ms Rice deftly defended the limiting of the scope of Mr Blair’s job, despite EU foreign ministers arguing that it should be expanded. The American backed brief says “yes” to Palestinian institution building and economy, but “no” to a role in peace negotiations.

Indeed, if Mr Blair entertains the idea of gradually expanding his own mandate, and dreams about jump starting peace talks, he may find that Ms Rice is a no less formidable obstacle than the Israelis and Palestinians.

Among Palestinians, Mr Blair’s impending arrival is being greeted with a mixture of skepticism and anticipation.

But Palestinian politicians outside of Fatah, and even some Israelis, say such a policy is doomed to failure because it excludes the group chosen by the majority of Palestinians in the 2006 elections.

Abbas may be viewed as a wild card in this entire scenario. His power or influence over any part of the conflict may be suspect and the call for elections just one more attempt by a weak player to muster languishing support.

Abbas plans to call early elections, isolate Hamas
AP, RAMALLAH, WEST BANK
Friday, Jul 20, 2007
In a speech on Wednesday, Abbas asked the Palestine Central Council, a Palestinian Liberation Organization decision-making body, to endorse his call for elections that aides said would be designed to freeze Hamas out of the political arena.

Abbas’ aides said they expected the election by the end of the year or early next year. His announcement came as the US and other international mediators were moving swiftly to try to revive Mideast peace efforts.

And no one should overlook the complications provided by the most suspected opposition to any peace in the region, none other than the President of Iran. A meeting between Iran, Syria and Hamas is nothing more than a strategy session of those opposing peace efforts in the Middle East.

Iran’s Ahmadinejad in Syria for talks with Assad, Hamas
19/07/2007 11:04 DAMASCUS, July 19 (AFP)
The fact that Ahmadinejad’s visit — his second to Damascus since becoming president in 2005 — comes so soon after Assad’s re-election will be seen as a clear sign of the value of the relationship to both sides.

The strength of their ties is viewed with the deepest suspicion in Washington, which blames Tehran and Damascus for much of the instability dogging the Middle East region.

The classic mixture of opposing agendas by all involved in Middle East ‘relations’ are no more an optimistic forecast for resolving problems now than at any time in the past. No one should be hopeful this early in the recent moves to hold talks on peace in the Middle East or anywhere else on the planet.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to Perri Nelson’s Website, 123beta, DeMediacratic Nation, Big Dog’s Weblog, Maggie’s Notebook, The Pet Haven Blog, Stuck On Stupid, The Amboy Times, Leaning Straight Up, Cao’s Blog, The Bullwinkle Blog, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, third world county, Right Celebrity, Woman Honor Thyself, stikNstein… has no mercy, Blue Star Chronicles, Nuke’s news and views, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, and Church and State, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

crossposted at:
Reject the UN

It is not hard to believe that the only purpose of the UN is to provide a politically correct appearance for the selfish interests of all member nations. Nothing more than the same politically driven motives that smother any real progress on issues in the US Congress or similar government bodies in countries around the world. It is the international face of polarized agendas in every country on the planet.

A current example is the Doha round of trade negotiations of the WTO. You have the typical subgroups and silly names like the Group of Four (G4) and G10, Bulgaria, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Republic of Liechtenstein, Mauritius, Norway, Switzerland and Chinese Taipei, G6, G20, G33 and on it goes. The G4, the US, EU, India and Brazil as well as China are not interested in ending ag subsidies to protect their farmers. The 3rd world countries are interested in our markets as well as other industrialized countries and want to take advantage of their abilities to undercut the competition.

President Bush and President Putin had a meeting this week and it surely was not only about nukes and radar. President Bush’s ‘fast track’ trade authority expired at the end of June. That, together with all the aforementioned subgroups within the WTO and the failing Doha round and attempts to revive it by the APEC 21 nations meeting in Australia highlight the ‘my country first attitudes’ of so-called free trade agreements.

And of course the UN is involved.

WTO, UN chiefs say fate of billions hangs on global trade deal

Mon Jul 2, 1:25 PM ET

The heads of the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation on Monday both urged a successful conclusion to long-stalled global trade talks in order to lift billions of people out of poverty.

“The world desperately needs a successful conclusion to the Doha trade negotiations,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told a meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in Geneva.

“Existing trade barriers, agricultural subsidies, and restrictive rules on intellectual property rights reinforce global inequities — and they make a mockery of our tall claims to eliminate hunger and poverty from the world,” he said.

It is always done. Use concern over humanitarian interests to promote the selfish goals of member countries. And the other common characteristic is present in all conflicts between two or more adversaries. That is to focus your strategy against the largest or most successful competitors or opponents. The common theme in announcements about the trade talks focus on the G4 their protective policies against unfair trade practices of international competitors. Not a strategy that is lost on any other of the 150 member nations in the WTO. It is simply more common to attack the kings of the hill in seeking global sympathy for one’s mission or goals, right or wrong..

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

While we’re on the subject of national security, border control and immigration, let’s stop a minute and understand another large problem is lurking in the shadows. Any talk of a North American Union like what they are doing in Europe, etc., with the EU is absolutely ridiculous. If you want to surrender your country in a more effective manner than the useless trade agreements that have been a boon to corporate America, jump right on that NA Union bandwagon. A sure fire way to destroy this country and surrender control to the international community, more than it has already, would be suggesting a North American Union as an intelligent idea, which it is not. This can only be another idiot idea from the Kumbaya open borders crowd.

Please Lord, stop the insanity and help us take our country back from those who would destroy it.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Immigration Bill Advances North American Union

By Cliff Kincaid | April 23, 2007

Rep. Edward Royce, a high-ranking conservative California Republican, said over the weekend that a White House-backed amnesty plan for illegal aliens has provisions which undermine the national sovereignty of the U.S. and help facilitate development of a North American Union, much like the European Union that supersedes the sovereignty of 27 European countries.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson’s Website, A Blog For All, Big Dog’s Weblog, Adam’s Blog, basil’s blog, The Pet Haven Blog, Stuck On Stupid, Leaning Straight Up, Cao’s Blog, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, Conservative Cat, Pursuing Holiness, Conservative Thoughts, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Rightlinx, Allie Is Wired, third world county, Faultline USA, Woman Honor Thyself, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, , stikNstein… has no mercy, The World According to Carl, Blue Star Chronicles, Pirate’s Cove, The Right Nation, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, High Desert Wanderer, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Maybe it is not fair but we will take any opportunity to voice our objections on the issue of Bill Gates and Microsoft. In no particular order, some of the hightlights would be Bill Gates’ practices even at the beginning of Microsoft with his acquisitions of DOS and Windows (from Xerox) and his infinite claims of MS innovation.

We posted an article earlier this week pointing to the long history of Microsoft and the lack of responsibility, integrity and ethics. A history of wild claims on software features, chronic failure on meeting announced product launches, unreasonble treatment of third party vendors, infinite security flaws, monopolistic practices and a completely obscene disregard for the public evidenced by their marketing and a product line with little substance to match the hype.

And earlier this week Bill Gates exerted his corporate influence on a Senate committee only too willing to share in the political benefit of his misrepresented case for unlimited H1B visa access to accommodate his personal ambitions. With corporate America pushing for as many visas as they can get and Congressional politicians currently catering to open immigration advocacy gruops, it is only a matter of time before the ill-effects of their intentions will unleash a host of negative consequences for the American public. That public may be too apathetic to respond.

Also currently in the news is another Microsoft habit. Trying to circumvent rulings by the EU by offering license agreements no one with any sense would sign. It just doesn’t stop.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Microsoft to Take a Pass on Patch Tuesday
TechNewsWorld -
By Tim Gray. Microsoft isn’t talking about why it has decided to omit its monthly distribution of security patches. There are several serious problems awaiting fixes, including five zero-day vulnerabilities.

Not only does Microsoft continue to sell seriously flawed software, but they have become so arrogant as to not care or even attempt apology.

Zero-day Office attacks leave experts worried
IT Week, UK - Feb 7, 2007
Cory Nachreiner, a network security analyst at WatchGuard Technologies, said that the crop of five unpatched Office vulnerabilities is leading to a “malware …

How many times do people need to be bitten by the greed of Microsoft before they go elsewhere for answers?

Zero-day attack hits Word
ZDNet - Feb 15, 2007
Word of the new flaw comes a day after Microsoft released updates for nine other Office-related vulnerabilities. Five of them were zero-day flaws, …

The Office suite of products have been a common target of hackers. Doe that not suggest to you that MS could care less if it is vulnerable? Name one MS product that was without major flaws?

Clockwork: Microsoft can’t even get Daylight Savings Time right
MacDailyNews -
“Thousands of Microsoft customers are running into problems understanding and applying the myriad Microsoft Daylight Saving Time (DST) patches required in …

And repeated due to the daylight savings time change this weekend, good luck with those MS patches.

(these additional comments supplied by Stanford Matthews, MoreWhat.com)

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Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Right Pundits, Perri Nelson’s Website, The Virtuous Republic, A Blog For All, The Random Yak, 123beta, Adam’s Blog, basil’s blog, Stuck On Stupid, Cao’s Blog, The Bullwinkle Blog, Phastidio.net, The Amboy Times, The Florida Masochist, Jo’s Cafe, Conservative Thoughts, Pursuing Holiness, Rightlinx, third world county, Faultline USA, Woman Honor Thyself, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, , stikNstein… has no mercy, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, Overtaken by Events, The Pink Flamingo, Dumb Ox Daily News, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Escalating Our Military Involvement in Iraq Sends Precisely the Wrong Message Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Senate Assistant Democratic Leader Richard Durbin released the following statement tonight on President Bush’s address to the nation on the war in Iraq. 01/10/2007

There seems to be more conflict among people in this country as to an Iraq strategy than there is in Iraq. How’s that for helping out the other side? One of the drawbacks to freedom of speech is that people use it even when it is not in their best interest.

President Bush’s Administration is reminiscent of Lincoln and his difficulties with General McClellan in the Civil War. I will skip some obvious comparisons for the Demoratic party’s sentiments but can ask if anyone else was reminded of 1968.

It is unlikely that war plans have ever been completed without modification. Somewhere I heard someone say that after the first round is fired the battle plans go out the window. What politicians won’t give to us they expect from everyone else based on the words in the critiques. They claim they have the answer in their proposal. Leaving Iraq will solve the problem. They also claim the President’s current plan sends the wrong message. They think we’re doomed to fail. Have they ever considered their own actions may become a self-fulfilling prophecy? I have heard them say support the troops. Have they considered the positive effect of also supporting the mission? Slowly the Democrats opposition will convince me of the Dems suspected belief that utopia can be delivered if we all just talk and give each other a big hug. Let’s see ya try that with a terrorist who has repeatedly announced the fundamentalist mantra of killing all infidels. In case you’re not aware, that applies to anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe. And the way two distinct Muslim groups are killing each other in Iraq, that probably means everyone else.

Give the Bush Administration a chance to make something turn right about this wrongly initiated war. You might stop to think that some of us hold Congress partially to blame for failing to uncover the flaws as opposed to covering your political butts. And if the holier than thou minority of those voting against the war feel above reproach, forget about it. You were among the entire Congress, both houses, who failed to unearth the hoax. There is no “fool me once” loophole in matters of this importance. You all have a responsibility to see this thing through to a positive conclusion to right the wrongs and honor the sacrafice of others, Iraqis as well as Americans.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

Another glance at a list of most popular news stories indicates the story of the two “abducted” boys has moved into first place since yesterday. In second place is a strange combo-looking thing featuring Hollywood divorces, Trump and Rosie and assorted other useless information. Third place has electronics standards and the BS electronics show hording space it doesn’t deserve. As a post of ours pointed out, the technology related industries in this country as well as others doles out tech advances in minuscule portions to maximize the profit ripoff of consumers. We have little sympathy for their perceived difficulties and absolutely no respect for their methods. Actually Beckham was in third place but who cares about soccer?

There are no other stories in the list worth mentioning with the possible exception of one on Secretary of State, Rice. The headline reads” Rice Encounters Skepticism in Mideast”. That is offered only for its comedic value. Maybe if the U.S. would put Israel in its place, show some compassion for the ordinary citizens of Palestine, Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East and warn every nation in the region to make an effort at peace, we might have something. Show them you’re serious by completing what you started in Afghanistan and Iraq, quickly. Straighten out some of the messes you’ve gotten us into and start acting like world leaders and maybe some one will take you seriously. If you get that far you can tell Iran and North Korea or any one else spoiling for a fight to straighten up or their situation will change abruptly. Do what you need to provide a little lasting peace and prosperity in the region and then take a break and bring the troops home. It can be done so quit wasting time and get at it. Tell the morons back in the states to stop debating foreign policy and military strategy in the news and get to work also. This country could use some leadership. Let’s start with what we have and stop playing politics. For once, finish the job and stop looking like the idiots you probably are.

C. Harris
MoreWhat.com

U.S. In Greenhouse Doghouse
Sweden, Britain and Denmark are doing the most to protect
against climate change, while the United States ” the world’s
biggest emitter of greenhouse gases ” ranks near the bottom
of the list, according to a report.

The headline above led to the one’s below. Anyone with sense
enough to come out of the rain will understand that the issues of
environmental concern deserve attention and effort to avoid any
disasters due to our negligence or inability to respond properly.
This post is at the least an attempt to promote discussion or even
participation on this too often dismissed subject….the planet on
which we live.

US pours scorn on international greenhouse tax proposal
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia -
… The Prime Minister, John Howard, has claimed strong and
unanimous support for his greenhouse policies from the summit
of 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation …

With China, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia the only countries that
are claimed to produce more greenhouse emissions than the US,
it would be a safe guess that they are not in favor of a tax either.

Pressure grows on US to curb greenhouse gases
Indianapolis Star, United States -
… and politics may push the world’s biggest emitter to join the
Europeans and other industrial countries committed to reducing
their emissions of greenhouse gases …

There is plenty of blame to go around. Recent reports indicate EU
countries are not meeting goals for self-imposed or Kyoto protocol
specifications for reducing greenhouse emissions. Would it not be
more productive to do as some and just adopt measures to reduce
emissions voluntarily. Arguing just seems a delaying tactic. Delays
in addressing environmental problems is not responsible. Obstacles
like economic effects can be overcome as demonstrated by those
actively pursuing improvements.

Xcel Energy CEO calls for greenhouse emission cuts
MyWestTexas.com, TX -
DENVER — Xcel Energy is positioning itself as a national leader
among utilities in calling for action on greenhouse gas emissions
and global warming. …

As above, there are companies who promote and/or practice good
environmental conservation. This would be one indication success
can be achieved without the dire consequences expressed by either
side of the issue. It is not necessary to endorse hugging trees or the
scorched Earth policy. A balanced approach and intelligent action
can avoid disaster either to the environment or corporate wallet.

G-20 Chiefs Discuss Climate Change
Houston Chronicle, United States -
… Australian Treasurer Peter Costello, the meeting’s host, said
there had been “a lot of” discussions about greenhouse gas
emissions by the officials. …

It is a topic even down under. It’s not just on Cspan or Fox.

City joins effort on climate
Boston Globe, United States -
… after the United Nations adopted a declaration that called for
the establishment of a worldwide movement of local governments
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions …

Green spaces in urban redevelopment are just one practical idea
for local communities to share the burden and enjoy the benefits.

Warning signs
Quesnel Cariboo Observer, Canada -
… change. The planet is getting warmer 20 C every year. It’s due
to 7.5 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases produced yearly. Fifty
-eight …

It is also wise not to casually dismiss the passion of science. How
does it happen we embrace ideas in science that support our own
personal opinions but quickly judge without pursuing the truth if
the information is unduly unpleasant? When instant remedies are
not forthcoming the public memory will focus on errors in science
as an argument for dismissing conclusions right or wrong.

Climate issues move to centre stage in the US
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 8 hours ago
… The US, like Australia, has no set limits on greenhouse gas
emissions yet makes up 25 per cent of the world’s total, by far
the largest of any nation. …

Center stage might be optimistic.

Al Gore: My Ally Is Reality
Political Cortex, NY - Nov 17, 2006
… cited Mr Gore’s film An Inconvenient Truth as one factor in
raising public consciousness of the risk posed by mounting levels
of the greenhouse gases blamed …

Solely based on past difficulties, environmental advocates might
do well to replace Al Gore as the Environmental Savior. Rightly
or wrongly associated with the invention of the internet, sharply
criticizing election results and generating conspiracy theories has
done some damage to Al’s credibility.

EarthTalk: Individual Actions to Help Stop Global Warming.
Kansas City infoZine, MO -
… So if you can opt for other forms of long-distance travel, you
can reduce your contribution of greenhouse gases significantly-
-provided, of course, that at …

This is probably only true in terms of aggregate demand being
met by industry. If we require less energy as a nation and the
trend can be maintained, over time this would be beneficial. At
least it would buy time to develop practical alternatives while
lowering adverse effects on the planet and incentives to scorch
the Earth for more profit.

Clean Air Act treats Canadians like ‘idiots,’ says author Monbiot
Canada.com, Canada -
But for British journalist George Monbiot, who examines ways
to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions in “Heat: How to
Stop the Planet from Burning,” it …

Just threw this last headline in for the sake of humor.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com