Afghan TV Station Manager Arrested for Showing Women's Bare Limbs 

KABUL (AP) -- Authorities arrested the manager of an Afghan TV station for refusing to censor women's bare limbs, officials said Tuesday, cracking down on an envelope-pushing broadcaster as they grapple with the cultural sway of Islamic extremists.

The government has previously censured television stations and taken others to court, but the arrest of Emrose TV's Fahim Khodamani on Monday was the first by authorities for airing overly salacious content, said Deputy Attorney General Fazel Ahmad Faqiyar.

Venezuela's Chavez Calls Obama 'Ignorant'

 CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) ? Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday called President Barack Obama "ignorant," saying he has a lot to learn about Latin America.

The socialist leader said he had been ready to name a new ambassador in Washington when Obama took office, but put that on hold after the new U.S. president accused him of "exporting terrorism" and being an obstacle to progress in the region.

"At least one could say, 'poor ignorant person,'" Chavez said on his weekly television and radio program, adding that Obama "should read a little bit so that he learns about ... the reality of Latin America."

...An excerpt from the daily journal of actor, director, activist, and aspiring reporter, Sean Penn

In a rare, honest and unabridged window to the soul of a modern-day Renaissance Man, Sean Penn has released to the public his 2009 New Year’s resolutions. Drawn from his secret diary, these ten personal goals and aspirations should be read not just out of idle celebrity curiosity, but rather as a study of the motivations which drive a Man of Accomplishment. Has "Milk" caused Sean to believe that the specter of discrimination lurks in Hollywood? Does he really stride the corridors of power from Washington, to Havana, to Tehran, and beyond? Will he do more ground-breaking reporting for the San Francisco Chronicle? All of these questions and more are answered here in the “Penn Diaries.”

__________________________________________________

December 19, 2008 – Another Friday in my life.

Dear Diary,

Not much to report except that these frickin’ Milk promos are killing me. Where am I next week? New York again? Christ. With my luck, Regis and Kelly on Monday. Have two more shrill voices ever been in the same room at the same time? Ask Robin to pick up some ear plugs at Walgreens this weekend. Or maybe I can just tap in by phone or something. I’ll say I’m calling via satellite from the Amazon, or some b.s. It worked with Oprah. Oh, to hell with it. Robin wants to do some shopping, so I’ll take one for the team and flap my gums for five minutes at a studio full of house fraus. Sacrifices must be made if I want Oscar Jr. to join the family…Hardy, har, har.

Anyway, I’ve been blowing this off for weeks. But no more excuses. Tonight I commit to my New Year’s resolutions for 2009. To wit:

1. Turn down next iconic homosexual role. Hate to say it, but maybe a gay dude should have a shot for once. (Related task: Call Eric McCormack. He might have some advice. Or maybe Phil Hoffman. Sigh…Heath, rest in peace brother.)

2. Get to know Hugo better. He seemed pretty cool when we met last year. A bit forward perhaps, but that can be charming in its own way. And that fiery passion is infectious. (Related tasks: Research waterfront properties in Caracas. Also, get fitted for red shirts. All styles.)

3. In honor of the new age dawning brightly, remove “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism” and “Kerry/Edwards” bumper stickers from Prius. Replace with the new ones Gore sent. (Related task: Find out where Prius is.)

4. Start filming documentary, Revolutionary Justice: Inside Cuba’s Compassionate Penal System. Must do before the Gitmo dungeons close!! (Related tasks: Ask the Castro boys to tour the modern counterrevolutionary rehabilitation centers they mentioned. No doubt they’re just busy, even that “retired” El Comandante! Vigor personified, that tough ol’ hombre is. Also, call Soderbergh to borrow research materials.)

5. Finally start screenplay for Saddam: A Life. (Related tasks: Grow thick mustache to get in character. Also, Woody Allen to play both Bushies?? Call his agent. And lock in that Benjamin Buttons makeup dude.)

6. Learn more about Jewish history. (Related tasks: E-mail Mahmoud for the reading list he promised. Also, ask him about dates for grand opening of The Twelfth Imam Nuclear Power Station. Make sure to get shipping address for “Green is the color of Islam” t-shirts and buttons.)

7. Peace mission to Afghanistan. (Related tasks: Check out trip to Waziristan that Omar recommended. Press for OBL interview. "No" is not acceptable! Also, see if Cindy wants to tag along. Oh crap. And send her an election loss condolence card. What a tool of the Bush/Cheney War Machine that Pelosi is.)

8. Impeach the Bush/Cheney War Machine. (Related tasks: Call the NY Times about “We’ve Still Got 20 Days!” op-ed. It must, must, must run on the 1st. Ask Rahm to apply the screws if needed. Also ask him about inauguration tickets. Aisle seats.)

9. Visit North Korea. (Related tasks: Call San Francisco Chronicle to pitch story idea. Also, reread Walter Duranty biography. Take notes.)

10. Live simply and act humbly. (No related tasks.)

 There...Ten resolutions. All of them doable, all of them inspired to a higher calling. Nice job, Sean. And thanks Diary; you never let me down.

If Barack Obama were running as a successful first-term governor of Illinois, he'd be leading in the polls by 57 points, John McCain would be his running mate, and Hillary Clinton would this week be accepting the Republican nomination. Oh…And journalists would be making goo-goo gah-gah sounds and funny faces at Obama’s grandbaby, born to his heretofore unknown illegitimate daughter. (Hey, it was college and it was the 1980s. You know how those things go. At least he’s now taking responsibility.)

Just a quick heads-up. I'll be pulling up stakes for a move to New Zealand shortly. I've decided to become a seeker of meaning and purpose in life. However, be advised that this is not, I repeat NOT, some sort of pathetic mid-life crisis thing. And besides, 80,000 people can't be wrong; even a judge says so. The background...

Court gives green light to "boobs on bikes" parade

 

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A New Zealand court has allowed a parade of topless porn stars on motor bikes to proceed on the main street of the country's biggest city, local media said Tuesday.

Auckland City Council had sought a court injunction to stop the "Boobs on Bikes" parade, scheduled for Wednesday, saying it breached a bylaw banning offensive public events.

 

But Judge Nicola Mathers said while opponents may find the parade offensive or tasteless, the fact that 80,000 people had gathered for a similar event last year meant a significant number of people did not agree with the critics, New Zealand Press Association said.

 

The parade on Queens St., featuring leather-clad local and international porn stars, is part of an "Erotica Expo" organized by self-styled "porn king" Steve Crow.

• ...every electric need we have is generated by the sun, with absolutely no impact on the environment.
• Water is our scarcest resource. We collect rains from the roofs. We recycle all gray waters, with special filters imported from Europe. An anaerobic reaction assures the purity of water at the exit of the system. Water is then used in ponds for the wildlife.
• The use of specially imported ecological soaps assures perfect chemical purity of the water.
• We use special low energy dish washers and washing machine, to save on water consumption.
• Food is cooked with an eco-friendly charcoal, made from coffee husks, on a United Nations Environment Project recommendation. [emphasis added]
• Staff is trained to assure minimization of garbage production.
• All organic wastes are transformed in compost. The rest of the wastes are selected and send to the city council pit and the recyclable wastes (glasses and other container) sent to Nairobi.
• We run an organic vegetable garden, and we have few chickens and few cows, for an organic production of eggs and milk.

To round out the description of this one-of-a-kind vacation destination, some photos:

                   

                    

1. Fly St. Louis to Chicago-O'Hare (Jet)
2. Chicago to Brussels (Jet)
3. Brussels to Entebbe (Jet)
4. Entebbe to Nairobi (Jet)
5. Nairobi to Campi ya Kanzi airstrip (Prop)

1. Campi ya Kanzi to Nairobi (Prop)
2. Nairobi to London (Jet)
3. London to Chicago (Jet)
4. Chicago to St. Louis (Jet)

What an amazing global village we live in! Needless to say, plans are in motion to whisk the wife and me away to the perfect environmentally proper and UN-sanctioned get-away. Solidarity tourism has never been easier or more ethically grounded!

Chavez: I'd Welcome Russian Troops in Venezuela

(Newser) – Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is on a two-day trip to Moscow seeking closer military and economic ties —and raising the possibility that Russian troops may be stationed in Venezuela. Chavez and Russian president Dmitry Medvedev have already agreed to extend an energy partnership and are negotiating an arms deal and military co-operation, reports the BBC.

"If Russia's armed forces want to be present in Venezuela, they will be given a warm welcome," Chavez told a news conference after the meeting. Venezuela will continue to pursue closer military ties with Russia "because the North American empire has plans to invade Venezuela, to disarm Venezuela," he said.

DUBAI (Reuters) - A top cardiologist has warned television viewers in the United Arab Emirates to try to stay calm during the Olympics because they were particularly vulnerable to suffering heart attacks while watching sports.

 

Klaus Kallmayer, head of cardiology at City Hospital in Dubai and the German Heart Centre in Bremen, said cardiovascular incidents increase during sporting events as spectators get caught up in the moment.

 

"Watching a stressful sports game involving the national team can more than double the risk of an acute cardiovascular event. And the UAE's poor cardiovascular record means spectators here can be even more at risk," Kallmayer said in a statement.

 

"Sports enthusiasts who prefer watching the proceedings from the sofa rather than engaging in physical activity themselves should be aware that statistically the comfort of their living room is no safer than actually competing," he said.

 

Kallmayer said he did not wish to scare people away from watching the Games but cautioned them to avoid exceptional stress levels.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Homing pigeons and kites are the latest victims of Beijing's drive to hold a trouble-free Olympics after authorities announced they will be banned in parts of the city.

 

Elaborate kites in the shape of dragons and other creatures are a common sight in the skies above Beijing parks, where enthusiasts fly them to giddy heights.

 

Raising homing pigeons is also a hobby popular among longtime residents, especially old people, who sometimes attach whistles to birds' feet so they whir through the air.

Kite-maker Liu Xuejin, 61, who flies the swallow-shaped kites his store specializes in every night, said the rule was puzzling.

 

"There's not much potential danger in flying kites, so long as you don't play along the roads where there are high electricity wires," said Liu, who has crafted kites out of silk and bamboo for decades. "They must be joking."

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Kids' meals at popular fast-food restaurants deliver more than a quick lunch or dinner -- 90 percent of them have far more than a meal's worth of calories and many are loaded with fat and salt too, according to a report released on Monday.

 

The Center for Science in the Public Interest -- the group that took the fun out of movie popcorn and Chinese takeout by revealing the fat and calorie content of such treats -- said it is difficult to find anything remotely healthful for a child to eat at several restaurant chains.

"People may not get a heart attack until their 50s or 60s, but arteries begin to clog in childhood," said CSPI nutrition policy director Margo Wootan. "Most of these kids' meals appear to be designed to put America's children on the fast track to obesity, disability, heart attack or diabetes."

PHOENIX (Reuters) - The United States began a pilot program on Tuesday that allows some illegal immigrants to come forward and schedule their own deportation, after criticism that stepped-up raids cause traumatic family splits.

Immigration -- principally what to do with some 12 million mostly Hispanic illegal immigrants living and working in the shadows -- is a hot issue in the United States, especially in the midst of an election year and an economic downturn.

 

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency's Scheduled Departure program is set to run through August 22 in five cities. It offers fugitive illegal immigrants with no criminal history up to 90 days to leave the United States, during when they can stay out of jail.

 

An ICE fugitive is an illegal immigrant who has failed to leave after a final order of removal, deportation or exclusion from an immigration judge.

Will we acknowledge that there is no more powerful example than the one each of our nations projects to the world? Will we reject torture and stand for the rule of law?

                                                                        -- Barack Obama, Berlin July 24, 2008

On Friday we were given a glimpse inside the imprisonment of Salim Hamdan. According to most press reports, Mr. Hamdan was once upon a time Osama bin Laden’s driver. Unlike many hired drivers, however, Hamdan was captured on a battlefield driving a car (SUV?) equipped with two surface-to-air missiles.  Because his chauffeur’s license did not have the required ‘SAM’ stamp, Hamdan was arrested by US military personnel and eventually transferred to the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The US military, in contravention of long standing international traditions regarding prisoners detained during wartime, has decided to place Hamdan on trial for alleged crimes committed against the United States. The military has also instituted the unheard of policy of allowing Hamdan representation by American attorneys who may cross-examine witnesses and review evidence. He faces the possibility of release if found not guilty.

The trial began this past week. On Friday, Reuters reported on the kind of treatment Hamdan has experienced during his confinement, based on actual testimony and evidence from the trial. The news story begins by providing a description, albeit limited in scope, of Hamdan’s prison diet:

"Mr. Hamdan commented that he liked McDonald's fries and we brought fries in," FBI special agent George Crouch told Hamdan's terrorism war crimes trial before a U.S. military commission. "Mr. Hamdan even appreciated that McDonald's fries are not good cold."

Don’t we all. Agent Crouch, typical of the devious nature of interrogators, at times “intervened” with the military on Hamdan’s “behalf”:

Hamdan's mood lifted when he was allowed to call and tell his wife that he was alive seven months after his capture in November 2001.

"Mr. Hamdan cried quite a bit," Crouch said. "He was very grateful for the opportunity to speak to his wife. A burden had been lifted from him. At least his wife knew he was alive."

Defense attorneys introduced a document indicating that Hamdan was interrogated in the middle of the night by someone whose identity is classified, between two days of questioning by FBI agent Daniel William.

"He was woken up in his sleep," defense attorney Joseph McMillan said in court. William said had not known about this, but did not think it affected his own interview and Hamdan did not appear tired.

If you’re like me, a parent of young children, your first reaction to this news was to wonder whether you could hire Code Pink to protest outside your kids’ bedroom. (“What do we want?”… “Sleep!”… “When do we want it?”… “For a continuous 7 to 8 hour period!”) I’m kidding, of course. But it’s hard not to see the common humanity we all share when a man’s dreams are interrupted.

And finally, Reuters addresses the all important issue of detainee health:

Military authorities disclosed on Friday that Hamdan had been taken to a hospital briefly on Thursday afternoon. Berrigan said Hamdan had had a fever and felt better on Friday, when he appeared in court.

Joint Task Force spokeswoman Cdr. Pauline Storum said medical staff had examined Hamdan and found him to be "in good health with no acute medical conditions."

A couple of things stand out here. First is the phrase, “…Hamdan had had a fever…” I’m left wondering if this is code for torture. Traditional medicine has two standard treatment protocols for a common fever. As opposed to feeding a cold, one starves a fever. The other method involves administering plenty of fluids. I think we all know the frightful implications the latter carries in this case.

The second point concerns Hamdan’s clean bill of health, according to US officials. More useful would be a comparison of his current health status with that prior to his arrest. Certainly some enterprising reporter can contact the al Qaeda Surgeon General’s office for Hamdan’s medical file. Only then could we obtain a complete picture of the physical impact his confinement has had. Of course gaining insight to changes in his mental health would prove more difficult and open to subjective interpretation.

I come to Berlin as so many of my countrymen have come before, although tonight I speak to you not as a candidate for president, but as a citizen, a proud citizen of the United States and a fellow citizen of the world.

I know that I don’t look like the Americans who’ve previously spoken in this great city.

...in the darkest hours, the people of Berlin kept the flame of hope burning. The people of Berlin refused to give up.

Think about it. The terrorists of September 11th plotted in Hamburg and trained in Kandahar and Karachi before killing thousands from all over the globe on American soil.

This is the moment when we must come together to save this planet. Let us resolve that we will not leave our children to a world where the oceans rise, and famine spreads, and terrible storms devastate our lands.

But I come before you to say that we are heirs to a struggle for freedom. We are a people of improbable hope. With an eye towards the future, with resolve in our heart, let us remember this history, and answer our destiny, and remake the world once again.

Condoms are easier than changing diapers

George Michael -- internationally famous entertainer, political philosopher and expert on human sexuality -- has announced his preference for the US presidential election. What's more, Mr. Michael offers sage advice for his hopeful winner:

George Michael's tip for Obama -- run with Clinton

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - British pop star George Michael has a tip for U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama -- team up with former rival Hillary Clinton.

Michael, 45, touring North America for the first time in 17 years, told fans during a concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden that "I know you guys all need a change."

He admitted he doesn't know what kind of change Obama would bring if elected, saying that after "months of watching CNN" he still does not know what Obama or Clinton stand for. But he went on to say that the Illinois and New York senators would make "the strongest team" for the Democratic ticket.