Strong>As Canada unveils plans for a military base and Russia drops a titanium flag on the seabed, lawyers say the real centre of action is an obscure United Nations-hosted body known as the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. *** The commission is the global authority that will determine how much territory the big five Arctic seabed claimants – Canada, Russia, the US, Denmark and Norway – will be able to bag for oil exploration and other uses. *** The commission, which is made up of scientists and legal experts, is responsible for implementing the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the key international agreement in this area. *** Unclos gives countries the right to exploit the seabed up to 200 nautical miles offshore, with the option of an extension if they can prove to the commission that the continental shelves emanating from their coasts go farther still out to sea. *** States must make these claims for extra miles within 10 years of applying the treaty, which means Canada has until 2013 and Denmark until 2014 to launch a case. *** The complication with Unclos is Washington’s reluctance – not for the first time – to submit to UN authority by ratifying a treaty approved by much of the rest of the world. *** Doug Bandow, a former administration official who took part in negotiations on the treaty on behalf of Mr Reagan, has argued that it would establish “what looks like a second UN”.

Sure are a lot of folks who see oil as a major concern…political, strategic and economical.

Heroes in the woods...an American tradition continues:

Woman Kills Rabid Raccoon With Bare Hands
Associated Press, by Staff

Chesire, Conn. — A woman killed a raccoon with her bare hands Thursday when the animal attacked a young boy. Officials with Cheshire animal control say the woman was walking in the woods around 11 a.m. with a group of children when the animal bit the 5-year-old son of a friend. She pulled the raccoon off the child, told the children to run home and strangled the animal.

Ol’ Dan’l would be proud.

Think Again!
By Tina Grazier

Hillary Clinton said the following to a question by free lance writer Kiara Ashanti at the National Association of Black journalists Presidential Forum:

“How dare you call Universal Healthcare Socialized Medicine.” and…

“Oh, man that was a string of misrepresentation about me and the systems in other countries. Number one, I have never advocated socialized medicine, and I hope all the journalists hear that loudly and clearly because that has been a right-wing attack on me for 15 years, and it’s wrong.”

The dictionary definitions:

SOCIALIZED: subject to collective or governmental ownership and control.

SOCIALIZED MEDICINE: administration by an organized group, a state, or a nation of medical and hospital services to suit the needs of all members of a class or all members of the population by means of funds derived from assessments, philanthropy, taxation, or other sources — compare STATE MEDICINE

BBC News, by Staff

Danish researchers plan to set sail for the North Pole on Sunday to collect geological data, on a mission similar to Russia's one last week. The month-long Danish expedition will study the Lomonosov Ridge. Russia believes the underwater feature is linked to its territory. Denmark will investigate the ridge to see if it is geologically connected to Greenland, a Danish territory.

OK...now this is beginning to sound like a mariner’s version of Star Trek...beam me up Bjorn?

UPDATE by Tina Grazier

“The Guardian” is reporting that a recent story on Russian television of the flag planting exercise up in Santa country was bogus. Apparently the footage used by the Russian TV station, Rossiya was from the 1997 movie “Titanic”:

In an apparent attempt to "sex up" a news programme, the TV station has been caught passing off footage from the 1997 Hollywood blockbuster Titanic as a real life report on the Kremlin's recent attempt to stake its claim to the riches of the Arctic Ocean. *** The TV fiasco will add fresh controversy to the expedition, which caused scorn and resentment among other northern hemisphere nations.

It took an alert teenager in Finland with a Titanic DVD to spot the sham. Waltteri Seretin, 13, from Kemi, 450 miles north of Helsinki, recognised the images in the national daily Ilta-Sanomat:

"I was looking at the photo of the Russian sub expedition and I noticed immediately that there was something familiar about the picture," he told the paper. "I checked it with my DVD and there it was right there in the beginning of the movie: exactly the same image of the submer-sibles approaching the ship." *** "I've heard they don't always tell the truth in Russia, but I didn't think they could have screwed it up that badly," said the teenager, who has watched Titanic at home on numerous occasions.

Good Gotcha Waltteri! Way to keep those news outlets honest.

Rossiya refused to comment on the "polar" footage…

Along the campaign trail....
"I don't care what they call me as long as they mention my name."
--George M. Cohan

"Without publicity there can be no public support, and without public support every nation must decay."
--Benjamin Disraeli

"No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent."
--Abraham Lincoln

In a political campaign an honest man's money represents consent...approval...and agreement. Tina Grazier

Posted by Tina Grazier

No, it's not George W! This time it's "Global Warming," but either way they just can't stop playing that petty political blame game...and this off hand green comment is so verrrry typical.

Noel Sheppard exposes the Clinton clan's scheme on his blog over at Newsbusters:

A former member of the Clinton administration, and current Senior Fellow at the virtual Clinton think tank the Center for American Progress, claimed Monday that global warming might have played a factor in the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis last week.

Writing at Climate Progress, the global warming blog of CAP, Joseph Romm - who served as Acting Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy in 1997 and as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary from 1995 though 1998 - stated in a piece amazingly entitled "Did Climate Change Contribute To The Minneapolis Bridge Collapse?" *** I was skeptical at first, but after doing a Google search - and after NBC reported Sunday that National Transportation Safety Board investigators are "looking at everything" including "the weather" - I think it is a legitimate question to ask.

One of the definitions for “clan”:

a group united by a common trait, qualification, or program and often appearing self-interested, overexclusive, or narrow…works for me!

Posted by Tina Grazier
Canadian prime minister visits Arctic in an effort to exert sovereignty

Toronto - Canada's prime minister on Wednesday began a three day trip to the Arctic in an effort to assert sovereignty over the area, a week after Russia staked a claim to the North Pole by sending submarines. Stephen Harper is expected to make an announcement on the location of a planned military deep water port later in the week. ''The Russians sent a submarine to drop a small flag at the bottom of the ocean. We're sending our prime minister to reassert Canadian sovereignty,'' a senior government official told The Associated Press.

Meanwhile a new wrinkle may put the US at odds with Canada:

“Russia's Arctic Gambit,” by Investor’s Business Daily
International Law: Russia's flag-planting on the Arctic seabed may seem like a stunt fueled by a return to czarist impulses. But under a treaty the U.S. now supports, the spurious claim could be legally recognized.

by Jack Lee

“With regard to media consolidation, the rules were relaxed too much. Anti-trust law should apply. I think we shouldn’t have abandoned the fairness law; if a media outlet were pushing a particular political point of view... then you had a right to demand the opposite point of view. The airwaves belong to the public, not to anybody, particularly not to Fox News. But having said all that, the editorial page of The Wall Street Journal is even more right wing and irrational than most of the commentators on Fox News. And completely predictable... it’s like Pavlov’s dogs.” —First Lady hopeful Bill Clinton on Rupert Murdoch’s takeover of the WSJ

Right wing yes, irrational no! I've found the left own's Pavlovian theory, just look at their rehtoric, no blood for oil, Bushco, Haliburton, these are just words without meaning, but repeated often enough they take on a whole new meaning of hate amongst the lefties who wallow in such rhetoric without demanding substance!

What Hillary is proposing threatens free speech and your right to choose. If the leftwing message was as popular, they would have the ratings, not Rush, not Sean, Not Fox...this was determined by the public she dismisses with her threats of censorship.

GHAZNI, Afghanistan - A group of 75 Taliban militants tried to overrun a U.S.-led coalition base in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, a rare frontal attack that left more than 20 militants dead, the coalition said in a statement.

The insurgents attacked Firebase Anaconda from three sides, using gunfire, grenades and 107 mm rockets, the coalition said. A joint Afghan-U.S. force repelled the attack with mortars, machine guns and air support. For more on this story click here.

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - A military jury found a Soldier guilty of rape and murder in the slayings of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family, despite testimony that cast doubt on his involvement. For the full story click this link.

by Jack Lee

You know it's almost shameful how much money people are willing to raise and spend to buy their way into an elected seat, in this article we're looking mostly at an Assembly seat in Sacramento. It's not uncommon to see an Assembly candidate raise $400k or $500k for just the primary election... for that two year term in office!

Think... what we are doing here folks? We are pricing many good candidates right out of the running because it costs so much to run! Something has gone very wrong with our democracy when the rising cost of running is not even within eyesight of the inflation rate (as noted in the consumer price index.) Consider that Abraham Lincoln spent $100,000 to win the Presidency in 1860, and he outspent his opposition by 2-1. Today we

"The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality." Dante

Posted by Tina Grazier

THIS is an interesting website about trial lawyers:

In a secret memo last summer, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America notified its members of its scheme to rename the organization the "American Association for Justice" and planned secret conference calls and meetings to convince them to support the name change.

Although they spin the change as having nothing to do with their own actions, the truth is that even the plaintiffs' trial lawyers themselves recognize that they have irreparably damaged their own image.

FACT: A recent national survey revealed that their favorability rating is down to 31%. ** FACT: 75% of voters say lawyers benefit the most from lawsuits; only 4% say victims do. ** FACT: A recent study showed that the lawsuit system forced small business owners to pay $98 billion in 2005, with $20 billion coming from the assets of the businesses rather than through insurance. ** FACT: A recent survey showed that more than three-quarters of America's small business owners are concerned they might be sued in a frivolous or unfair lawsuit, and many have raised their prices or reduced their hiring as a result. ** FACT: In a national survey using a 100 point favorability scale, the AAJ name tests 13 points higher than the ATLA name.

Favorability at 31%...at least they beat our current congress that sits at 3%!

Beauchamps Recants, by Michael Goldfarb

The Weekly Standard has learned from a military source close to the investigation that Pvt. Scott Thomas Beauchamp--author of the much-disputed "Shock Troops" article in the New Republic's July 23 issue as well as two previous "Baghdad Diarist" columns--signed a sworn statement admitting that all three articles he published in the New Republic were exaggerations and falsehoods--fabrications containing only "a smidgen of truth," in the words of our source.

Find the story HERE

A coalition of injured Iraq war veterans is accusing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of breaking the law by denying them disability pay and mental health treatment. The class-action lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs was filed recently in federal court in San Francisco. The suit claims that numerous VA practices violate the constitutional and statutory rights of veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by denying veterans adequate procedural safeguards in the VA benefits process, access to the judicial process, mandated medical care, and VA benefits as a result of their PTSD. For more information on the lawsuit, visit the Disability Rights Advocates website.

Guardian (London, UK), by Rory Carroll

Sean Penn had the Hollywood Oscar but Hugo Chávez had the greater star power when they teamed up for a road show through Venezuela. The actor and the president toured the border region with Colombia last Friday in a convoy of bodyguards, journalists and well wishers who punctuated their stops with cheers. *** Mr. Penn appeared subdued, saying little beyond the fact he was visiting the South American country as a journalist for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting.

As long as I think 'Spicoli"...Penn's fascination with Chavez doesn't seem so far out whacko after all.

by Jack Lee

The California budget is a real problem and it's not just this years session, it happens regularly. The fiscal year begins on July 1st and that is when we should have a budget completed and ready for the governor to sign. But, too often it would be delayed to the point of a fiscal crisis. This is political game playing by the dems mostly and maybe it's time to tie the legislators salary to bringing in an on time and balanced budget? That onlyt seems reasonable to me. The budget is THE most important priority for 120 legislators and why they have to mess around and take it into overtime is just shameful.

Before you blame Republicans for holding up the budget by two votes, I want you to consider this just in from Tom McClintock's blog...

• Republicans moved to approve $10 billion in continuing funding to allow the state to pay its bills until the budget is adopted, but Democrats killed the motion on a straight party-line vote.

• Republicans moved to resume the senate session the very next morning to continue discussions on the budget, but Democrats killed the motion on a straight party-line vote.

• Republicans offered $800 million in spending reductions that Democrats voted NOT EVEN TO CONSIDER.

There is plenty of blame to go around when it comes to the budget. Next week we are going to take a hard look at California spending and what is stalling the signing of a new budget.

Stay tuned!

by Tina Grazier

The House has passed several energy bills designed to “reduce energy dependency” and “support renewable energy”…at least that’s the story. Our representatives will go on their summer break feeling terrific because they believe they’ve accomplished something. But what will these bills actually accomplish for the American people?

Jack's recent post regarding government waste suggests that we can expect to lose a big percentage of the 16 billion (and more) to waste, inefficiency and fraud. The bills will certainly put the tangled bureaucratic web in charge of how things will evolve and get done...and how they will not get done. Unnecessary busy work, mandates and regulation, restrictions and added expense for businesses and contractors will do little to accomplish the stated goals while most of the added expense will naturally pass along to the consumer. Gas prices are bound to skyrocket and energy shortages will likely occur.

Changing trends and global concerns require new and innovative solutions but mandating outcomes and issuing ultimatums, sometimes even before technologies are created or proven effective, is wasteful and can act more as a barrier to progress than a help.

“House Passes Energy Bill That Includes $10 Billion Energy Efficiency Block Grant for Cities” :

The House-approved legislation (HR.3221)…(it) creates a new block grant program that will support community-based energy efficiency and conservation efforts by authorizing a total of $2 billion per year from 2008-2012. Activities eligible under the program would include: encouraging energy efficiency and conservation programs in commercial, residential and municipal buildings; as well as provide energy audits and energy technical assistance. Funds would be allocated to participating communities on a population formula basis. *** In June, the full Senate approved a broad energy package that also includes an energy and environmental block grant program for cities, counties and states.

BIG wonderful congress will give money for “efforts” in efficiency and conservation, to provide AUDITS, and for “technical assistance”…BIG brother anyone? This is how government “creates” jobs...with silly, usually overpaid and unnecessary...busy work. The big cities will get big bucks and little cities will get puny bucks. Couldn’t we have done these things ourselves (if truly necessary) without sending our tax dollars to Washington where approximately 25% comes off the top for related paperwork, just so Pelosi and friends can feel important?

And then there’s this out of Philly:

The House passed, 221-189, and sent to the Senate a bill raising taxes on oil companies by about $16 billion. The bill also would provide an array of loan guarantees, federal grants and tax breaks for alternative energy programs.

The TAX monster will not hit companies it will hit YOU…the consumer. Al and his buds, meanwhile, will receive cash and prizes in the form of loan guarantees, tax breaks and federal grants…BIG favors to BIG GREEN! Sound familiar? If that isn't enough dirty tricks and back stabbing fun, “big green” will eventually become the “big oil” of tomorrow…all at our expense and to promote slimy politicians. This is a corporate hit...it's sabotage (kill oil) and theft (take big oil's business with government approval). Big Al will make out like a bandit...but of course...he knew that all along.

As this week comes to a close, Post Scripts has brought you some of our best and most diverse commentary. I hope you have enjoyed it, we certainly enjoyed bringing it to you!

PEACE LOVING PEOPLE .... a great essay by an anonymous author
WASTE, FRAUD ... Homeland Security
DISNEY MORALS
A SOLDIERS VIEW "WHAT ARE WE..NUMBERS?
TERM LIMITS, PARTS 1 AND 2
EXTRATERRESTIAL LIFE
RUSSIA'S ATTEMPT TO CLAIM OIL IN THE POLAR REGIONS
AL QAEDA'S LATEST THREAT...And so much more and all in one week! Where else can you GET a variety of compelling stories like these FOR FREE?

A man whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War II owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism, "Very few people were true Nazis "he said," but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories."

Today:

We are told again and again by "experts" and "talking heads" that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history.

It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or honor kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals.

The hard quantifiable fact is that the "peaceful majority" the "silent majority" is cowed and extraneous. Communist Russia comprised Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were irrelevant. China's huge population, it was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people. The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel and bayonet. And, who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were "peace loving"?

History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points: Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak up, because like my friend from Germany, they will awake one day and find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun. Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs, Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late.

As for we who watch it all unfold; we must pay attention to the only group that counts; the fanatics who threaten our way of life.