Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Another Angle 26 - December - 2006

ANOTHER ANGLE
News others won't tell you



NATIONAL:



'Godfather of Soul' James Brown Dies
One of the major musical influences of the past 50 years, Brown was to rhythm and dance music what Bob Dylan was to lyrics. From Mick Jagger to Michael Jackson, David Bowie to Public Enemy, his rapid-footed dancing, hard-charging beats and heartfelt yet often unintelligible vocals changed the musical landscape.



President Carter Says U.S. 'Prime Culprit' in Nuclear Proliferation
In his book “Our Endangered Values”(Simon & Schuster), Carter leaves no doubt he has that Great Proliferator, George W. Bush in mind, even though he doesn’t call him that or mention him by name. Just as damning, though, Carter quotes an article by ex-Defense Secretary Robert McNamara in last year’s May/June Foreign Policy: “I would characterize current U.S. nuclear weapons policy as immoral, illegal, militarily unnecessary and dreadfully dangerous.” And that indictment can be laid at the feet of only one hombre.
Jimmy Carter Speaks A Simple Truth About Palestinian Apartheid



Macy's pulls hooded jackets amid dog fur complaints
Macy's removal of the coats comes on the heels of other tests conducted by the Humane Society of the United States on a range of fur-trimmed jackets from retailers such as Burlington Coat Factory, Bloomingdale's, J.C. Penney and Saks Fifth Avenue as well as from designers and clothing lines such as Baby Phat, Andrew Marc, MaxMara and Calvin Klein. Those tests revealed that most of the jackets labeled as "raccoon" or coyote" from China in fact contained fur from raccoon dogs.



Museum Cancels Pirate Exhibit Over Slavery Issues
For the second time in 10 years, Tampa's science museum has canceled an exhibit after objections from black residents. The current controversy revolves around whether artifacts should be displayed from a pirate ship that sunk off the Florida coast. Many objected because the ship was also used to transport slaves.



INTERNATIONAL:



Ethiopia Bombs Two of Somalia's Airports
Early Monday, Ethiopian warplanes bombed two airports in Somalia, striking at the heart of territory controlled by the Islamic Courts Union. It's the second day of Ethiopian airstrikes against the Islamist movement that is now fighting for control of Somalia.
The Roots of Emerging Battle in Horn of Africa



Saudi Royals Snub Bush, Fund Opposition to U.S. Troops
The Iraq Study Group asserted that Saudi private citizens, and probably a few members of the Saudi royal family, have been financing the Sunni opposition in Iraq all along. This is the same opposition that is targeting U.S. troops. Last week, Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah confirmed that his loyalty must lie with Iraq's Sunni tribal chiefs, even if his support also helps insurgents who have been fighting Americans and the Brits.



IRAQ:



U.S. Is Holding Iranians Seized in Raids in Iraq
Iraqi leaders appealed to the American military, including to Gen. George W. Casey Jr., the senior American ground commander in Iraq, to release the Iranians, according to an Iraqi politician familiar with the efforts.



BUSH CRIME FAMILY:



Bush may boost Iraq troops by 20,000
The request for five extra brigades to secure the capital follows the decision by senior US officers that, despite deep reservations, there was sufficient movement among Iraqi political leaders towards tackling sectarian violence to justify the deployment of extra US troops.



A decisive year for "the decider"
How bad a year was it for Bush? There are four distinct stages in the death spiral of a presidency -- and Bush managed to reach three of them in 2006.



ECONOMY:



The United States is Insolvent
That is the conclusion of a recent Treasury/OMB report entitled Financial Report of the United States Government that was quietly slipped out on a Friday (12/15/06), deep in the holiday season, with little fanfare. Sometimes I wonder why the Treasury Department doesn’t just pay somebody to come in at 4:30 am Christmas morning to release the report. Additionally, I’ve yet to read a single account of this report in any of the major news media outlets but that is another matter.



OP-ED:



Are You Ready to Bring Back Black?
I am ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Black folks who are unafraid and unflappable when attacked from without and from within. I am ready to work with a new cadre of Black leaders, not new in experience but new as it relates to their current unsung status, their active youth status, and new in respect to what they have done and are doing “under the radar screen” so to speak. There are many “new” leaders out there, and I am ready to follow them as we Bring Back Black.




SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY:



Petrified whale vomit gift worth its weight in gold
Ambergris has been a valued commodity for centuries, used in perfume because of its strangely alluring aroma as well as its ability to retain other fine-fragrance ingredients and "fix" a scent so it does not evaporate quickly. Its name is derived from the French ambre gris, or gray amber.



HEALTH&FITNESS:



Brazilian berry destroys cancer cells in lab, UF study shows



FOOD&DRINK:



How Food Finds its Way to Your Plate
Where does your food really come from, and what should you have for dinner? Chances are that your food traveled hundreds of miles before it landed on your plate. But some experts say eating local might make us healthier, and better stewards of the environment.



Turkey Croquettes
Yes, it is a lot of work. But the soul-warming richness — and guaranteed compliments — make it worth the effort.




REVIEWS/INTERVIEWS:



Comedian Paul Mooney
Comedian Paul Mooney talks about his recent decision to abolish the "n-word" from his comedy routine.



HUMOR?:



This Modern World