Australian soldiers killing themselves April 30, 2007
Posted by dave128 in Bush Administration, Human Rights, Invasion of Afghanistan, Invasion of Iraq.1 comment so far
The Federal Government acknowledges two soldiers took their own lives after returning from the Middle East, but veteran activists say there could have been as many as five suicides – and they fear more will come.
To date 121 soldiers returned from the Middle East have been discharged for mental illness. About two dozen have serious psychological problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Families say the soldiers who commit suicide on their return are the hidden casualties of war.
Read the whole article: Our suicide soldiers: the hidden casualties
While Iraqis have suffered the most from Bush’s invasion, the tragic repercussions are spread considerably far across the world, and will most likely continue for at least decades to come.
Goodie, another planet to destroy! April 25, 2007
Posted by dave128 in Science.1 comment so far
BBC: New ’super-Earth’ found in space
Seriously though, it’s fascinating stuff.
“We have estimated that the mean temperature of this ’super-Earth’ lies between 0 and 40 degrees Celsius, and water would thus be liquid,” explained Stephane Udry of the Geneva Observatory, lead author of the scientific paper reporting the result.
76 people killed in attack on Ethiopian oil field April 24, 2007
Posted by dave128 in Human Rights, Oil.add a comment
RE: my comments about the documentary Crude Impact and the effects oil has had on civilisation…
Daily Update – Wednesday April 25 April 24, 2007
Posted by dave128 in Bush Administration, Human Rights, Invasion of Afghanistan, Media, Oil, Politics.add a comment
I’m finding it hard to write longish posts, the main reason being it’s too depressing. So, in order to keep what’s left of my sanity I’ll be trying “daily updates”. I won’t be updating everyday, but rather they will be a collection of news worthy/interesting things I’ve come across over a particular day. So, on with it…
The US Government has been positively pwned* over the Pat Tillman cover-up: Ranger alleges cover-up in Tillman case
Via Boing Boing: Fascist America, in 10 easy steps
The independence of Afghanistan’s media could be eroded if a new law is passed: Media at risk under new Afghan law
Indiginous American women are “2.5 times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted than women in the United States in general” says Amnesty International: Native American women suffering shocking rates of rape: Amnesty
Another racism controversy from US radio DJs: US radio DJs in fresh racism row
In the six-minute prank broadcast, the caller says he wants to see one of the female employees of the restaurant naked and calls a part of her body “hot, Asian, spicy”.
[snip]
The two suspended DJs had been vocal supporters on air of Don Imus.
What a huge surprise.
I thought I’d end on something positive, Dave Raggett’s Introduction to HTML. A really handy guide, if like me, HTML scares the bejesus out of you.
Another positive, I watched the excellent documentary Crude Impact last night. It examines that huge issue oil, from its damage to indigenous communities and the environment, to the extent certain countries will go to in order to satiate their lust for oil (*cough* invasion of Iraq *cough*). And on this subject, I wonder just how much oil China and Russia get from Iran? Like this post, the film was mostly depressing, but ended with hope (okay, so HTML for beginners isn’t as snazzy as saving the planet, but meh!). I haven’t felt this energised by a documentary since The Corporation. Please visit their website, and try to view the doco if you can.
The world media are knuts* April 7, 2007
Posted by dave128 in Media.add a comment
You would have no doubt heard the story about Knut, the baby polar bear in Germany. Adorable, (even I must admit all I want to do is give him a big cuddle), amazingly cute and lefty greenie animal activists WANT TO MURDER HIM TO DEATH!!!!
What with headlines such as:
Animal activists to kill baby bear
and
Kill tame bear, say animal nuts
and this:
Berlin Polar Bear Cub at Center of Animal Rights Brouhaha
You know things are serious when the media bring out the “brouhaha”. Dare the New York Post or Britain’s Mirror raise the stakes to a hubbub?
The public were, shockingly, aghast! Kill? That cute bear? WHAT?!?! Some comments from the Daily Telegraph page:
The activists are ill, I think!! 
How about we eradicate the activists instead.!!!!
I am appalled by this. Maybe the suggested fate should be put onto the people that suggested it??
Only people who are trash would think of such a thing to destroy a innocent, harmless animal who cant speak for it self. These activist need to be hung for there barberic thought!!
It’s very scary to me that there are still German people who can think in such a way. It’s too reminiscent of the mind set of World War II. (dave128: where’s a rolls eye emoticon when you need one?)
This is supid. How can you kll something as cute as that?
Are we going to murder poor helpless orphaned children next? How disgusting.
Euthanise the so called ‘animal rights’ activists instead.
OMG are you serious his so cuteeeee,
its appaling to see a chief of animal rights can advocate to kill a helpless animal. what kind of animal activist is he? wolfgang should be banned from animal rights activities.
i feel that people like that should not be living and when they feel that helpless animals like this cute bear should die or be left to defend itself is ludacris. THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD BE LEFT IN CAGES TO ROT OR PUT IN THE WILD AND SEE IF THEY CAN DEFEND THEMSELVES.
That was just a small portion of response to one Sydney newspaper website. The Knut story was featured all over the world, getting pretty much the same reaction.
But there’s just one small thing. It simply isn’t true.
Media Watch: Look out Knut… It’s a zoo out there
But who wants the measly truth to get in the way of a juicy story?
* Yes, I know it’s lame but I couldn’t think of anything wittier. You were warned of my witlessness.**
** I did a Google search for “FOX +News +Knut” but all I found were Bill O’Reilly sites.***
*** Yeap, just as unfunny second time around.
