tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152684102024-03-13T22:34:59.976-05:00WORLDVIEWWorldview is taken from the German word Weltanschauung, which means look onto the world. A worldview is the way in which a person sees the world. This blog will obviously reflect my worldview. I will post thoughts on things that are happening in the world. I will post thoughts on just about any topic, because everything can be seen through a worldview!Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.comBlogger730125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-17777169759169090152010-11-14T13:38:00.002-06:002010-11-14T13:45:37.828-06:00Chinese vase fetches $83 millionIt was just an old Chinese vase that had been in the family for 80 years. It turned out to be much more.<br /><br />When the intricately painted 18th-century piece went on the block at Bainbridges, a small suburban London auction house, it sold for a record $83 million Thursday, scooped up by a Chinese buyer.<br /><br />"How do you anticipate the Chinese market?" asked the shocked auctioneer, Peter Bainbridge. "It's totally on fire."<br /><br />The sale price was more than 40 times the pre-sale estimate and a record for a Chinese work of art — an outcome Bainbridge called "a fairy tale" for the family who owned the vase.<br /><br />To read the rest of the story follow this link: <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/offbeat/2010-11-12-chinese-vase-sells-for-83-million_N.htm">Vase</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Commentary on this story:<br /><br /><br /><!--Begin SermonAudio Link Button--><SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://www.sermonaudio.com/code_sourcefeatured.asp?reversecolor=FALSE&showoverview=FALSE&flashplayer=FALSE&tiny=TRUE&minimal=FALSE&eventtype=EVENTID&sermonid=1113101851191"></SCRIPT> <!--End SermonAudio Link Button-->Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-23631363419237296912010-07-10T17:43:00.001-05:002010-07-10T17:44:31.427-05:00Internet Control or Security?<object height="36" width="470"><param value="http://www.divshare.com/flash/audio_embed?data=YTo2OntzOjU6ImFwaUlkIjtzOjE6IjQiO3M6NjoiZmlsZUlkIjtpOjExOTU5NzI3O3M6NDoiY29kZSI7czoxMjoiMTE5NTk3MjctMTZlIjtzOjY6InVzZXJJZCI7aToyMDAwMTkwO3M6MTI6ImV4dGVybmFsQ2FsbCI7aToxO3M6NDoidGltZSI7aToxMjc4ODAxNzQxO30=&autoplay=default" name="movie"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param><embed wmode="opaque" height="36" width="470" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.divshare.com/flash/audio_embed?data=YTo2OntzOjU6ImFwaUlkIjtzOjE6IjQiO3M6NjoiZmlsZUlkIjtpOjExOTU5NzI3O3M6NDoiY29kZSI7czoxMjoiMTE5NTk3MjctMTZlIjtzOjY6InVzZXJJZCI7aToyMDAwMTkwO3M6MTI6ImV4dGVybmFsQ2FsbCI7aToxO3M6NDoidGltZSI7aToxMjc4ODAxNzQxO30=&autoplay=default"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br />Here is the link to the news story referenced in the above commentary:<br /><a href="http://news.techworld.com/security/3228198/obama-internet-kill-switch-plan-approved-by-us-senate/?olo=rss"><br />Internet</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-84563399843906170062010-07-10T17:26:00.001-05:002010-07-10T17:28:20.211-05:00Chatter Rises On Iran StrikeThe first really clear indication that serious planning was underway to strike at Iran’s rogue nuclear weapons site came a month ago when British news outlets reported that Saudi Arabia had given Israel permission to cross its airspace en route to Iranian targets.<br /><br />Yesterday, the United Arab Emirates ambassador to the United States said publicly that his country was willing to live with the consequences of a strike against Iran despite the enormous amount of trade between the two countries and the likelihood of riots after a strike.<br /><br />Today, you have Sen. Joe Lieberman in Israel saying the U.S. would influence Iran, “through diplomatic efforts and economic sanctions if we can, but through military action if we must.”<br /><br />Read the rest of the report at this link: <a href="http://www.dodbuzz.com/2010/07/07/chatter-rises-on-iran-strike/">Iran </a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-20332140869032688052009-10-16T23:55:00.001-05:002009-10-16T23:56:31.199-05:00Retired US Air Force serviceman Larry Warren to unveil fascinating footage of the best known UFO event in Britain<h3>Retired US Air Force serviceman Larry Warren to unveil fascinating footage of the best known UFO event in Britain</h3> <p>12:50pm Friday 16th October 2009<br /> </p> <div id="byline"> <span> <a href="http://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/news/biog/20518"> By World reporter</a> </span> </div> <br /> <!-- Actual Article Text Start --> <p> REMARKABLE revelations of the best known UFO event in Britain is set to be unveiled in Halton. </p> <p> An action-packed Paranormal Week of free events is lined up at Halton Lea Library in Runcorn, from Monday. </p> <p> In what is seen as a big coup, retired US Air Force serviceman Larry Warren will be showing fascinating footage shot by a USAF law enforcement official in Rendlesham forest on the night of December 27, 1980. </p> <p> His roll of film - to be screened at 7pm on Friday, October 23 - includes images he claims proves what he and many British people have insisted did happen. </p> <p> Larry has spoken at UFO conferences all over the world and has appeared on countless TV and radio programmes. </p> <p> Rob Bethell, Mark Rosney and Jebby Robinson of the TV series Spook School will also host evenings. </p> <p> Hands-on workshops will run every night and paranormal experts will be available to answer question.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Here is the link to the original story: <a href="http://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/news/4680975.A_coup_will_see_amazing_UFO_revelations_at_paranormal_event_in_Runcorn/">UFO </a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-72935813146675438242009-06-01T11:01:00.000-05:002009-06-01T11:03:01.970-05:00Invasion of the killer caterpillarA PLAGUE of killer caterpillars is sparking health alerts across Britain.<br /><br /><br />Brown tail moth caterpillars each have up to two million hairs which can break off, get into the air and cause severe allergic reactions.<br /><br />Thousands of the moths recently invaded a housing estate near Trowbridge, Wilts, where worried residents came out in itchy rashes.<br /><br />And a family restaurant near Folkestone, Kent, was forced to close part of its car park over health fears. <br /><br /><br />Julie Payne, 35, lives on the affected housing estate. <br /><br />She said: “Every time we went into the garden we found caterpillars everywhere.<br /><br />“Then we noticed there were thousands of what looked like cobwebs in our cherry tree.<br /><br />“We now know they are the moths’ nests.<br /><br />“The children started coming out in spots and they could not stop scratching themselves.”<br /><br />Inhaling or touching the tiny bristles can also lead to potentially fatal breathing problems, plus headaches and conjunctivitis.<br /><br />But the caterpillars pose no threat when they turn into moths, which is due to happen in about four weeks.<br /><br />The Health Protection Agency has warned the public to wash their hands and eyes should they come into contact with the caterpillars, and use calamine lotion if they develop a rash.<br /><br /><br />Link to original source: <a href="http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/82730/Invasion-of-the-killer-caterpillar/">caterpillar</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-4045276758804961292009-05-14T14:08:00.001-05:002009-05-14T14:10:43.183-05:00Pentagon Preparing For War With The Enemy: Russia<p align="left">Take some time and read the following article<br /></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center">Pentagon Preparing For War With The Enemy: Russia<br />By Rick Rozoff</p><p align="center"><br />URL of this article: </p><p align="center"><a shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=13614" rel="nofollow">www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=13614</a></p><p align="center"><br /><a shape="rect" target="_blank" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102580848837&s=15873&e=001Q8Hk65GigMlPyev5EjThlKc7uBoAsY9e9dvqmAK1mjSBTfI-5UqYrCFJSaJLDo20Zo7bB-vuMd16X7ZkC4PtugVXPYuUy3v0B2YbER170E6kbw2tA_h1Vg==" rel="nofollow">Global Research</a>, May 14, 2009</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"> </p>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-38513613912116990402009-05-14T09:38:00.003-05:002009-05-14T09:42:00.724-05:00Fish that triggers hallucinations found off British coast<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3nZJQJY3lPs/SgwtFcFtaxI/AAAAAAAABaE/N4sNXFfAO-I/s1600-h/SarpaSalpa_1402282c.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3nZJQJY3lPs/SgwtFcFtaxI/AAAAAAAABaE/N4sNXFfAO-I/s400/SarpaSalpa_1402282c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335689229989931794" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />A species of bream, sarpa salpa, which can trigger hallucinations when eaten, has been been discovered in British waters due to global warming. <br /><br /><br />The species of bream is normally found in the balmier waters of the Mediterranean and South Africa, was found by fisherman Andy Giles in his nets in the English Channel. <br /><br />Mr Giles, 38, caught the fish, which is instantly recognised by its gold stripes running along its body, six miles south of Polperro, Cornwall. <br /><br /><br />"We were trawling for lemon sole and hauled up the net at the end of the day and almost immediately saw this striped fish, we didn't have a clue what it was," he said. <br /><br />"I had never seen one before and after taking a photograph of it I tried to look it up on the internet and called some friends to see if they knew what it was. <br /><br />"I put it in the fish box and brought it back for experts to have a look at it. <br /><br />"Now I realise what it was and the effects it can have, perhaps I should have taken it into town to sell to some clubbers!" <br /><br />There have only been three previous recordings of sarpa salpa in British waters before, with one of them being off the Channel Islands in 1983. <br /><br />James Wright, a senior biologist at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, said: "These are a fairly common fish off Tenerife, Malta and Cyprus but it is very rare to get them this far north. <br /><br />"It could be a single fish that was shoaling with a different species but it could be that there are more of them in our waters." <br /><br />Sarpa salpa are a popular dish in many Mediterranean restaurants. <br /><br />But according to marine experts, certain species of plankton-eating fish, like the sarpa salpa, can give off hallucinogenic fish poisoning if the heads or other body parts are consumed. <br /><br />The effects include vivid hallucinations within minutes of eating it which can last for days. <br /><br />In 2006 two men, one aged 90, were hospitalised in the south of France after eating sarpa salpa. <br /><br />The elderly man suffered from auditory hallucinations a couple of hours after eating the fish followed by a series of nightmares over the next two nights. <br /><br />The younger man, aged 40, endured similar effects which took 36 hours to disappear. <br /><br />Here is the link to the original report: <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/5318202/Fish-that-triggers-hallucinations-found-off-British-coast.html">Fish</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-57512801496191782562009-05-14T09:30:00.000-05:002009-05-14T09:31:51.329-05:00Potential outcomes in Pakistan's war with TalibanPakistan's military is pressing ahead with an offensive to try to crush the Taliban, following warnings from Washington that the militants pose an existential threat. Following are some scenarios of how events could unfold:<br /><br />WEAK PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT STRUGGLES TO PUSH BACK TALIBAN<br /><br />Even if Taliban fighters melt away from their strongholds in Swat in the face of the latest army offensive, they can regroup.<br /><br />Militants could stealthily widen and consolidate their territorial grip as long as they were careful not to overreach and provoke another major army offensive.<br /><br />"The Pakistan Taliban are effectively taking advantage of the lack of governance and development. Neither appeasement nor military assault is likely to prove effective for handling the long-term threat posed by these groups," said Maria Kuusisto, Pakistan analyst at Eurasia Group in London.<br /><br />The outlook would be more of the same -- instability, a continued terrorist threat, and a divided Pakistani leadership.<br /><br />But this relatively negative outlook is already priced in, analysts say, meaning local markets will largely ignore the poor security situation and focus on the brighter economic picture.<br /><br />There would be room for gains by local stocks, and the rupee would stabilize, seeing an orderly depreciation over time due to exchange rate reforms. There would be little or no impact on global markets.<br /><br />MILITARY OFFENSIVE DEALS SIGNIFICANT BLOW TO TALIBAN<br /><br />The Pakistani government and army so far retain considerable public support for their offensive against the Taliban in Swat. If they can press home their advantage and deal a significant military blow to the Taliban, stocks could see strong gains.<br /><br />"We reiterate that investors keep an eye on the bigger picture and any progress on the political and military front should be taken as a bullish signal," Credit Suisse said last week. Analysts said the stock market upside could be 25 percent.<br /><br />The military has also shown success in dealing with militants in tribal areas earlier this year.<br /><br />But crushing an insurgency is notoriously difficult.<br /><br />"Pakistani military forces already are privately expressing their concerns that many of the Taliban have blended in with the refugees fleeing the district, likely making it a matter of time before Taliban forces are able to reconstitute themselves in the area," risk consultancy Stratfor said in an analysis.<br /><br />Furthermore, a sustained campaign against the Taliban would worsen an already severe refugee crisis and send the civilian death toll sharply higher, undermining popular support.<br /><br />"If the war against militants becomes a prolonged one, and with heavy civilian casualties (as can be expected), public resentments against the government may well serve to break up the unity, laying the groundwork for both social and political unrest," said Jan Zalewski, analyst at IHS Global Insight.<br /><br /><br />To read the rest of the report follow this link:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-Afghanistan-Pakistan/idUSTRE54D2ND20090514?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0">War</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-2992760559426872932009-05-01T22:05:00.002-05:002009-05-01T22:10:14.547-05:00North Korean nuclear test likelyWASHINGTON (AP) — A senior Obama administration official said he expects that North Korea will test a nuclear weapon before it is forced back to international disarmament negotiations.<br /><br />At an event at the Brookings Institution, U.S. President Barack Obama's coordinator for weapons of mass destruction policy, Gary Samore, also on Friday expressed some understanding for Russia's objections to U.S. missile defense plans in Europe.<br /><br />Samore said that North Korea was trying to divide the five countries that have been involved with it in disarmament talks. He said that North Korea was looking for ways to provoke problems.<br /><br />"It's very clear that the North Koreans want to pick a fight," he said. "They want to kill the six-party talks."<br /><br />North Korea has vowed to quit six-nation nuclear negotiations and restart its atomic program after the U.N. Security Council's criticism of North Korea's launch of a long-range missile on April 5. North Korea also kicked all international monitors out of its nuclear facilities.<br /><br />Asked if he expected Pyongyang to carry out another nuclear test, Samore said: "I think they will. That's what they are threatening to do."<br /><br />Pyongyang conducted its first atomic test in 2006, and is thought to have enough plutonium to make at least a half-dozen nuclear bombs.<br /><br />Samore said that the United States is committed to the six-nation talks and predicted that North Korea would be forced back to negotiations within nine months.<br /><br />"We'll just wait," he said. He added that he believed that other major powers would support further sanctions against North Korea if they carry out a test.<br /><br />"The Chinese are very, very angry at the North Koreans," he said.<br /><br />Among the five countries involved in the negotiations with North Korea, China is widely seen as having the most influence. It is also a member of the U.N. Security Council, which would have to approve any international sanctions.<br /><br />On Russia, Samore broke with the old U.S. line formulated under the Bush administration, that Russia's objections to U.S. missile defense plans in Europe were completely unfounded.<br /><br />He said that some of Russia's concerns were valid in the context of U.S.-Russia talks for long-term reduction of its nuclear arsenals.<br /><br />The Bush administration had argued that its missile defense plans in Poland and the Czech Republic were aimed at countering Iran and that the system's 10 interceptors were too few to pose a threat to Moscow's vast arsenal.<br /><br />However, Samore said that Russia's concerns could be legitimate if the two countries significantly reduced their arsenals of nuclear missiles.<br /><br />"When we go down to really low numbers <br /><br /><br />Link to the original article: <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5igcaZacOiLSKfjFH5pfHST5vfmBgD97TNAHO0">Test</a><br /><br /><br />Additonal report:<br /><br />Korea 'will test nuclear weapon'<br /><br />A SENIOR United States government official said yesterday he expects that North Korea will test a nuclear weapon before it is forced back to international disarmament negotiations.<br /><br />Gary Samore, co-ordinator for America's weapons of mass destruction policy, says North Korea wants to divide the five other countries involved in the nuclear talks. <br /><br />Pyongyang has vowed to restart its atomic programme in anger at United Nations security council criticism of its long-range rocket launch on 5 April.<br /><br />Link to original report: <a href="http://news.scotsman.com/world/Korea-39will-test-nuclear-weapon39.5229050.jp">Weapon</a><br /><br /><br /><br />North Korea seeks upper hand with nuclear threat<br /><br /><br />SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea's threats on Wednesday to conduct a nuclear test and fire an intercontinental ballistic missile are likely aimed at increasing its bargaining leverage with global powers.<br /><br />The North said it would go ahead with the tests unless the U.N. Security Council apologized for tightening sanctions against Pyongyang in response to the reclusive state's rocket launch this month.<br /><br />* Experts say that since the North's only nuclear test in October 2006 was just a partial success, another is inevitable because Pyongyang needs to see if it has built a better bomb design. A nuclear test is one of the biggest cards North Korea can play in its strategy of brinkmanship with the international community, and doing so would push Pyongyang right to the top of U.S. President Barack Obama's agenda.<br /><br />* The North for years has used its military threat to squeeze concessions from regional powers. A nuclear test, coming so soon after the North defied global warnings and launched a long-range rocket in early April, would give it more options to play in its dealings with Washington.<br /><br />* It will be difficult for the North to back down from its threat unless a face-saving solution can be found. But a test, if it does occur, would not likely happen for several months due to the preparation needed.<br /><br />* A test would likely rattle financial markets in North Asia, which shrugged off the North's launch of the long-range missile this month.<br /><br />* North Korea will alienate China, its last major ally and biggest benefactor, with a nuclear test. It will likely be hit with further U.N. sanctions as a result because Beijing may not use its U.N. Security Council veto to protect Pyongyang, which will also take a hit financially for the large costs it takes to conduct a test.<br /><br />* But since the isolated North may already feel the pinch from a tightening of existing sanctions called for in response to the rocket launch, it may believe the economic damage that would come after a test would not deal too heavy a blow to its already wobbly economy.<br /><br />* A second nuclear test would also deplete the North's meager supply of fissile material, which experts say is estimated to be enough for six to eight nuclear weapons.<br /><br />* North Korea will likely try to resume all of its nuclear activities, after it started to take apart its Yongbyon nuclear plant in a disarmament-for-aid deal it reached with the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.<br /><br />* The North said this month it had restarted its facility at Yongbyon that separates plutonium from spent fuel rods cooling at the plant, which could eventually give it enough fissile material for one more nuclear bomb.<br /><br />* A second nuclear test would be heralded by the North's propaganda machinery as a triumph for leader Kim Jong-il and his "military-first" policy. This would help Kim further solidify his leadership after questions were raised about his grip on power after he was suspected of suffering a stroke in August.<br /><br />Link to original report: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSTRE5403TR20090501">Threat</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-22541745702284074702009-04-30T16:51:00.000-05:002009-04-30T16:52:03.969-05:00Reaction: Swine flu spreads<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/00ebHr9BpO4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/00ebHr9BpO4&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-79988957717911129402009-04-29T16:55:00.001-05:002009-04-29T16:55:56.353-05:00WHO raises the level from a 4 to a 5<object id="WNVideoCanvasDEFAULTdivWNVideoCanvas" width="500" height="321"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="wmode" value="windowless"></param> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"> <param name="movie" value="http://video.latimes.com/global/video/flash/widgets/WNVideoCanvas.swf"></param> <embed src="http://video.latimes.com/global/video/flash/widgets/WNVideoCanvas.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="windowless" width="500" height="321" allowFullScreen="true" 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></embed></object>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-60025026341300120392009-04-28T20:00:00.002-05:002009-04-28T20:13:12.848-05:00Is There A Swine Flu Cover Up?Is the seriousness of Swine Flu being downplayed? Did a Florida hospital try to cover up a case of the Swine Flu?<br /><br /><br />Listen to the latest Worldview podcast to find out. Here is the link:<br /><br /><a href="http://worldview.mypodcast.com/2009/04/Is_There_A_Swine_Flu_Coverup-203374.html">Podcast</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-77324011055549093692009-04-28T13:04:00.004-05:002009-04-28T13:14:43.329-05:00Newly Discovered Minor Planet<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3nZJQJY3lPs/SfdHb8CcYtI/AAAAAAAABZ8/_rfYUZ_IvY8/s1600-h/or.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3nZJQJY3lPs/SfdHb8CcYtI/AAAAAAAABZ8/_rfYUZ_IvY8/s400/or.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329807229314687698" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The following is from the, Earth Changes Media Newsletter:<br /><br /><br />A newly discovered "minor planet" with an elongated orbit around the Sun may help explain the origin of comets, researchers said on Monday. The orbit of 2006 SQ372 is an ellipse four times longer than it is wide, said University of Washington astronomer Andrew Becker, who led the research team.<br /><br />The new object is about 60 miles in diameter. "It's basically a comet, but it never gets close enough to the Sun to develop a long, bright tail of evaporated gas and dust," Becker said in a statement. <br /><br />Here is an additonal report:<br /><br /><br />WASHINGTON - A newly discovered "minor planet" with an elongated orbit around the Sun may help explain the origin of comets, researchers said on Monday.<br /><br />The object, known as 2006 SQ372, is starting the outward portion of a 22,500-year orbit that will take it 150 billion miles away from the Sun.<br /><br />The icy lump of rock is just over 2 billion miles from Earth, a bit closer than the planet Neptune, researchers told a symposium on Monday. They will publish their findings in the Astrophysical Journal.<br /><br />The orbit of 2006 SQ372 is an ellipse four times longer than it is wide, said University of Washington astronomer Andrew Becker, who led the research team. Sedna, a distant, Pluto-like dwarf planet discovered in 2003, is the only other object with a similar orbit, but not nearly as stretched out.<br /><br />The new object is about 60 miles in diameter. "It's basically a comet, but it never gets close enough to the Sun to develop a long, bright tail of evaporated gas and dust," Becker said in a statement.<br /><br />University of Washington graduate student Nathan Kaib said it is unclear how the object formed, "It could have formed, like Pluto, in the belt of icy debris beyond Neptune, then been kicked a large distance by a gravitational encounter with Neptune or Uranus," Kaib said in a statement.<br /><br />More likely, he said, it came from the Oort Cloud, a distant reservoir of icy, asteroid-like bodies that orbit the Sun at distances of several trillion miles (km).<br /><br />"One of our goals is to understand the origin of comets, which are among the most spectacular celestial events. But the deeper goal is to look back into the early history of our solar system and piece together what was happening when the planets formed," Kaib said<br /><br /><br />Here is the link to the original report: <a href="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/minor+planet+helps+explain+comets/976962/story.html">Planet</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Link to an additional story: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUSN1843538920080818">Planet</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-16527144018892078202009-04-27T16:51:00.001-05:002009-04-27T16:54:50.777-05:00Swine Flu Update<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ea36hYuTrGA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ea36hYuTrGA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-55773205579227509622009-04-26T14:14:00.003-05:002009-04-26T14:23:18.463-05:00Swine Flu UpdateI just recorded a new podcast dealing with the Swine Flu outbreak: You can listen to it at this link:<br /><br /><a href="http://worldview.mypodcast.com/">Flu</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LIyA5X0wJ1Y&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LIyA5X0wJ1Y&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Recent news stories:<br /><br /><br />US declares public health emergency for swine flu<br /><br /><br />WASHINGTON – The U.S. declared a public health emergency Sunday to deal with the emerging new swine flu, much like the government does to prepare for approaching hurricanes.<br /><br />Officials reported 20 U.S. cases of swine flu in five states so far, with the latest in Ohio and New York. Unlike in Mexico where the same strain appears to be killing dozens of people, cases in the United State have been mild — and U.S. health authorities can't yet explain why.<br /><br />"As we continue to look for cases, we are going to see a broader spectrum of disease," predicted Dr. Richard Besser, acting chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We're going to see more severe disease in this country."<br /><br />At a White House news conference, Besser and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano sought to assure Americans that health officials are taking all appropriate steps to minimize the impact of the outbreak.<br /><br />Top among those is declaring the public health emergency. As part of that, Napolitano said roughly 12 million doses of the drug Tamiflu will be moved from a federal stockpile to places where states can quickly get their share if they decide they need it. Priority will be given to the five states with known cases so far: California, Texas, New York, Ohio and Kansas.<br /><br />Napolitano called the emergency declaration standard operating procedure — one was declared recently for the inauguration and for flooding. She urged people to think of it as a "declaration of emergency preparedness."<br /><br />"Really that's what we're doing right now. We're preparing in an environment where we really don't know ultimately what the size of seriousness of this outbreak is going to be."<br /><br /><br />E-mail reports from Mexico <br /><br /><br /><br />I'm a specialist doctor in respiratory diseases and intensive care at the Mexican National Institute of Health. There is a severe emergency over the swine flu here. More and more patients are being admitted to the intensive care unit. Despite the heroic efforts of all staff (doctors, nurses, specialists, etc) patients continue to inevitably die. The truth is that anti-viral treatments and vaccines are not expected to have any effect, even at high doses. It is a great fear among the staff. The infection risk is very high among the doctors and health staff. <br /><br />There is a sense of chaos in the other hospitals and we do not know what to do. Staff are starting to leave and many are opting to retire or apply for holidays. The truth is that mortality is even higher than what is being reported by the authorities, at least in the hospital where I work it. It is killing three to four patients daily, and it has been going on for more than three weeks. It is a shame and there is great fear here. Increasingly younger patients aged 20 to 30 years are dying before our helpless eyes and there is great sadness among health professionals here.<br />Antonio Chavez, Mexico City <br /><br />I am a doctor and I work in the State of Mexico. I don't work in the shock team; I am in the echocardiography team, but I do get some news from my colleagues in the hospital. There have been some cases of young people dying from respiratory infections, but this happened before the alert and they were not reported because the necessary tests weren't done. We doctors knew this was happening a week before the alert was issued and were told to get vaccinated. I went to buy some anti-virals for my husband, who is also a doctor, because he had contact with a young patient who presented influenza symptoms and died. I don't think pharmacies stock enough anti-virals. <br /><br />I understand the government doesn't want to generate panic, but my personal opinion is that they issued the alert too late. Still now, the population is not getting the information they need. We have been out in the street and some people are not wearing face masks and are not taking any preventive measures.<br /><br />You can read more reports at this link: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm">E-mails </a><br /><br /><br /><br />Please send me any reports you come across. My e-mail is tsrk30@sbcglobal.net<br /><br />I will record another podcast later today.Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-47451331460129404202009-04-25T15:11:00.003-05:002009-04-25T15:14:12.348-05:00Swine Flu PodcastI just posted the latest episode of the Worldview podcast. The subject is the Swine Flu. Here is the link to the program:<br /><br /><a href="http://worldview.mypodcast.com/2009/04/Swine_Flu-202419.html">Flu</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-88946041660881758862009-04-25T14:55:00.001-05:002009-04-25T14:57:41.541-05:00Swine Flu Cannot Be Contained-CDCWASHINGTON, April 25 (Reuters) - An unusual new flu virus has spread widely and cannot be contained, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed on Saturday.<br /><br />"It is clear that this is widespread. And that is why we have let you know that we cannot contain the spread of this virus," the CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat told reporters on a conference call.<br /><br />The strain of swine flu is suspected of killing as many as 68 people in Mexico and infecting more than 1,000 more, including eight in the United States. (Reporting by Maggie Fox, editing by Patricia Zengerle)<br /><br />Link to original story: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN25473389">Flu</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-59780422223677791442009-04-24T09:36:00.000-05:002009-04-24T09:37:23.813-05:00Beatbox chef<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yUKjh0ey7mc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yUKjh0ey7mc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-6936805632210996712009-04-23T19:49:00.001-05:002009-04-23T19:53:26.441-05:00Wrong: Depeche Mode<object id="uvp_fop" width="400" height="255" allowfullscreen="true"><param name="movie" value="http://d.yimg.com/m/up/fop/embedflv/swf/fop.swf"><param name="flashVars" value="id=v208574489&eID=1301797&lang=us&enableFullScreen=0&shareEnable=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed height="255" width="400" id="uvp_fop" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://d.yimg.com/m/up/fop/embedflv/swf/fop.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="id=v208574489&eID=1301797&lang=us&ympsc=4195329&enableFullScreen=1&shareEnable=1"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Wrong, wrong, wrong!<br /><br />I was born with the wrong sign<br />In the wrong house<br />With the wrong ascendancy<br />I took the wrong road<br />That led to the wrong tendencies<br />I was in the wrong place at the wrong time<br />For the wrong reason and the wrong rhyme<br />On the wrong day of the wrong week<br />I used the wrong method with the wrong technique<br /><br />Wrong<br />Wrong<br /><br />There's something wrong with me chemically<br />Something wrong with me inherently<br />The wrong mix in the wrong genes<br />I reached the wrong ends by the wrong means<br />It was the wrong plan<br />In the wrong hands<br />With the wrong theory for the wrong man<br />The wrong lies, on the wrong vibes<br />The wrong questions with the wrong replies<br /><br />Wrong<br />Wrong<br /><br />I was marching to the wrong drum<br />With the wrong scum<br />Pissing out the wrong energy<br />Using all the wrong lines<br />And the wrong signs<br />With the wrong intensity<br />I was on the wrong page of the wrong book<br />With the wrong rendition of the wrong hook<br />Made the wrong move, every wrong night<br />With the wrong tune played till it sounded right yeah<br /><br />Wrong, wrong<br />(Too long)<br />Wrong (Too long)<br />Wrong (Too long)<br />Wrong (Too long)<br />Wrong (Too long)<br /><br />I was born with the wrong sign<br />In the wrong house<br />With the wrong ascendancy<br />I took the wrong road<br />That led to the wrong tendencies<br />I was in the wrong place at the wrong time<br />For the wrong reason and the wrong rhyme<br />On the wrong day of the wrong week<br />I used the wrong method with the wrong technique<br /><br />Wrong!Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-45096886736837191982009-04-12T21:19:00.004-05:002009-04-12T21:25:36.588-05:00The Ascendancy of the Scientific Dictatorship<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3nZJQJY3lPs/SeKhZXxE8WI/AAAAAAAABYs/o1v22i0tYJ8/s1600-h/41Z6CB01YGL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_3nZJQJY3lPs/SeKhZXxE8WI/AAAAAAAABYs/o1v22i0tYJ8/s400/41Z6CB01YGL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323995166754009442" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Ascendancy of the Scientific Dictatorship: An Examination of Epistemic Autocracy, From the 19th to the 21st Century (Paperback)<br /><br /><br />Here is the story of how the criminal elite hijacked science and transformed it into a weapon against the masses. This examination includes: (1.) The occult Origins of Darwinism. (2.) Nominalism and radical empiricism as instruments of epistemological manipulation. (3.) Eugenics and population control. (4.) Scientistic cults and religious engineering. (5.) Echelon, PROMIS software, and other technologies of the Panopticon Singularity. (6.) Neoconservativism as a continuation of Technocracy and Jacobinism. (7.) Transhumanism, Singularitarianism, and other futurist variants of the elite's occult religion. (8.) The unfolding endgame between scientific dictatorships.<br /><br />Most Helpful Customer Reviews<br /> <br /><br />Many of us are familiar with U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower's farewell speech to the nation on January 17, 1961, in which he warned the American public to "guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence" of the "military-industrial complex." A less known quote from the same speech sets the tone for the Collins brothers' incredibly erudite tome: "... we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite."<br /><br />This book discloses exactly who these technological elite (technocrats) are; that they've been working behind the scenes for centuries, and public policy has indeed become its captive. Its aspiration has always been the implementation of a sociopolitical, technocratic utopian world order.<br /><br />The breadth and scope of Philip and Paul Collins' massive study is nothing short of dazzling. "The Ascendancy of the Scientific Dictatorship" is a meticulous examination of a shared ideological construct centuries in the making. This elite circle of technocrats hasn't simply carried forth a unified grand master plan, however; the Collins brothers stress the fact that what we are dealing with is a "conspiracy of ideas," whose adherents have developed into a powerful "epistemological cartel."<br /><br />Reading "The Ascendancy of the Scientific Dictatorship" is to embark on an intellectual journey of the highest order. The Collins brothers effortlessly discuss a wide range of philosophical concepts, all of which are integral to understanding the thinking and development of those behind the formation of a would-be technocracy. There simply isn't any other book that is even in the same league. "The Ascendancy of the Scientific Dictatorship" penetrates the core concepts of Gnosticism, Rosicrucian mythos, Baconian utopianism, Freemasonry and the Royal Society of London; from Darwinism to scientism, population control, eugenics and Malthusian propaganda; Jung, Hegel, Wells and Huxley; Fabian socialism, world government, evolutionary pantheism, and the deification of man. The reader is privy to the fact that there is genuine continuity between Illuminism, Jacobinism, Socialism, and Marxism; that the dialectical manipulation of society is symptomatic of "the Hegelian nexus where Darwin, Marx, and Hitler intersect." The Collins brothers are equally at ease with diverse concepts such as Bentham's Panopticon, sociocracy, semiotic manipulation, "sci-fi predictive programming," transhumanism and the techno-eugenic movement - and the implications thereof. Other books that have attempted only a fraction of what is discussed in this book seem haphazard in comparison.<br /><br />I highly doubt it is even possible to convey the scope of the book in a simple review: with the range of topics discussed, along with judicious quotations from a dizzying array of sources - the breadth of "The Ascendancy of the Scientific Dictatorship" is simply mind-numbing. This book is the definitive statement identifying the significance behind the political concept of a New World Order. "Worth its weight in gold" really does apply in this case - and, of course, as is customary with such scholarly endeavors, the bibliography is worth the price alone<br /><br /><br />To order the book or to read more information, follow this link: <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/worldview00d-20/detail/1419639323">Book</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-61316102878022730482009-04-12T20:38:00.002-05:002009-04-12T20:53:32.098-05:00Bangkok on brink of anarchyWe have been focusing on Somalia and the Pirates and I believe that we need to continue to watch that part of the world. However, there are some other parts of the world that we need to take some time to look at:<br /><br />With Thailand on the brink of anarchy after another day of violence, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra called for a revolution last night.<br /><br />He said now was the 'golden time' for protesters to rise up against the government, and he could return from exile to lead them.<br /><br />His call came after Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva fled Bangkok and declared a state of emergency as protesters stormed the interior ministry and roamed the streets of the capital.<br /><br />Troops fired in the air as red-shirted demonstrators surrounded and attacked the car carrying the Prime Minister away from the ministry.<br /><br />The protests against 'rigged elections' come just a day after a summit of Asian leaders was brought to a halt in similar scenes.<br /><br />There was a tense stand-off between riot police and supporters of Shinawatra with the government threatening 'tough measures' and hospitals on stand-by to take casualties.<br /><br />The Foreign Office today urged Britons planning to travel to the 'Land of Smiles' to 'urgently review' their plans. <br /><br />Political tensions have simmered since Shinawatra was ousted by a military coup in 2006 for alleged corruption.<br /><br />He remains highly popular, however, in the impoverished countryside.<br /><br />In Bangkok today troops fired at least four shots in the air as about 50 protesters broke through security at the ministry in Bangkok with the Prime Minister Abhisit inside.<br /><br />Bands of anti-government protesters roamed areas of Bangkok as the emergency decree was announced, with some beating up motorists who hurled insults at them.<br /><br />The emergency decree bans gatherings of more than five people, forbids news reports considered threatening to public order and allows the government to call up military troops to quell unrest.<br /><br />But there were initial signs that the government might not be able to contain the protesters.<br /><br />Reporters saw red-shirted demonstrators swarm over two of three armored personnel carriers outside a shopping mall in downtown Bangkok, while police stood by as a furious crowd beat a car in which they thought Abhisit was riding with poles, rocks and even flower pots.<br /><br />It's apparent that we will be surrounded and suppressed by military force. Tear gas and military personnel have been prepared. So we told our people to be ready and be prepared,' said Jakrapop Penkair, a key protest leader.<br /><br />'If they use force, the people will be our weapon. We are not scared. Abhisit must be ousted immediately.'<br /><br />Prime Minister Abhisit suffered a political humiliation when the summit he had presented as a sign of the country's return to normality had to be cancelled yesterday after red-shirted supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra broke into the venue, sending Asian leaders fleeing by helicopter.<br /><br />To read the rest of the reports and see pictures follow this link: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1169244/Calls-revolution-Tourists-warned-stay-away-violent-protesters-Bangkoks-streets-forcing-PM-flee.html">Report</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-48424697676705851932009-04-12T20:29:00.002-05:002009-04-12T20:34:39.898-05:00Somali Pirates Update<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UgPss2Tov1E&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UgPss2Tov1E&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br />How the U.S. Navy ended Somali pirate drama<br /><br />(Reuters) - U.S. Navy special forces shot dead three Somali pirates on a lifeboat off Somalia and freed American cargo ship captain Richard Phillips on Sunday in a dramatic end to a five-day standoff, officials said.<br /><br />Here are answers to some key questions about the incident, mainly from information provided to reporters by Vice Admiral Bill Gortney, head of the U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet.<br /><br />HOW DID THE NAVY END THE STANDOFF?<br /><br />Navy SEALs, elite special operations troops, on the USS Bainbridge shot dead the pirates in the lifeboat after the Bainbridge's captain determined that Phillips' life was in imminent danger because a pirate pointed an AK-47 rifle at him.<br /><br />Navy sailors then sailed to the lifeboat in a small inflatable craft and rescued Phillips, who was tied up inside the 18-foot-long lifeboat. He was later transferred to the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship.<br /><br />A U.S. military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said special operations forces had tried to approach the lifeboat earlier in the standoff, but the pirates had fired at them.<br /><br />A fourth pirate who surrendered before the end of the standoff was aboard the Bainbridge when Phillips was freed.<br /><br />The pirate had sought medical treatment for a stab wound to the hand, inflicted by a member of the Maersk Alabama's crew when the gang tried to hijack the ship, the official said.<br /><br />The pirate was being transferred to the Boxer.<br /><br />OW WERE SEA CONDITIONS AT THE TIME?<br /><br />Conditions were deteriorating and the USS Bainbridge was towing the lifeboat in search of calmer waters at the time of the incident. The lifeboat was about 80 to 100 feet away from the Bainbridge when the Navy SEALs opened fire on the pirates.<br /><br />The lifeboat was about 20 miles off the coast of Somalia when the standoff ended. U.S. military officials were determined to prevent the lifeboat from reaching the Somali shore.<br /><br />WHAT IS PHILLIPS' CONDITION?<br /><br />Phillips is in good health, Gortney said. The former hostage declined an offer of food after his rescue and has called home. President Barack Obama also called the Boxer to speak to him.<br /><br />WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE FOURTH PIRATE?<br /><br />The Navy says it is working with the U.S. Department of Justice to determine how to hold the pirate accountable for his crimes. He could be prosecuted in the United States or in Kenya, Gortney said.<br /><br />WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE INCIDENT?<br /><br />U.S. officials insist they did not want the stand-off to end violently. Somali pirates have generally not harmed their hostages and officials fear they could now act more violently.<br /><br />"This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it," Gortney told reporters at the Pentagon on a conference call from his headquarters in Bahrain.<br /><br />Link to original article: <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/usTopNews/idUKTRE53B2IB20090412?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0">Q&A</a><br /><br /><br />Somali pirates vow retaliation after captain freed<br /><br />MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Somali pirates on Monday vowed to retaliate for the deaths of three colleagues who were shot dead by U.S. Navy snipers hours before in a daring nighttime assault that freed a 53-year-old American captain.<br /><br />The Navy Seals late Sunday rescued freighter Capt. Richard Phillips, who had been held by pirates on a lifeboat that drifted in the Indian Ocean for five days.<br /><br />"Every country will be treated the way it treats us," said Abdullahi Lami, one of the pirates holding a Greek ship anchored in the pirate den of Gaan, a central Somali town.<br /><br />"In the future, America will be the one mourning and crying," he told The Associated Press by telephone. "We will retaliate for the killings of our men."<br /><br />He gave no details and it was not clear in what way the pirates could retaliate, though some fear they could take their revenge on the hundreds of other foreign nationals they hold on seized ships.<br /><br />The rescue dealt a blow to pirates who regularly seize passing ships and hold them captive until multimillion dollar ransoms are paid. But it is unlikely to help quell the region's growing pirate threat, which has turned the Gulf of Aden and the waterways along Somalia's coast into some of the most dangerous shipping lanes on the planet.<br /><br />Pirates currently hold more than a dozen foreign ships, most moored along the Horn of Africa nation's long coast, with about 230 foreign sailors from Russia to the Philippines.<br /><br />The American rescue followed a similar operation Friday carried out by French navy commandos, who stormed a pirate-held sailboat, the Tanit, in a shootout at sea that killed two pirates and freed four French hostages. The French owner of the vessel was also killed in the assault.<br /><br />Residents of the Somali town of Harardhere said tensions were growing there.<br /><br />Abdullahi Haji Jama, who owns a clothing store in the town, said: "We fear that the pirates may retaliate against the foreign nationals they are holding."<br /><br />But he also said people feared "any revenge taken by the pirates against foreign nationals could bring more attacks from the foreign navies, perhaps on our villages."<br /><br />Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said the American operation "could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it."<br /><br />Jamac Habeb, a 30-year-old self-proclaimed pirate, told The Associated Press that the three pirates' deaths were "a painful experience." Speaking from the pirate hub, Eyl, he added: "this will be a good lesson for us."<br /><br />"From now on, if we capture foreign ships and their respective countries try to attack us, we will kill them," Habeb said. "Now they became our number one enemy," he said of U.S. forces.<br /><br />So far, at least, it has been rare for Somali pirates to harm captive foreign crews.<br /><br />Several years ago, a crew member of a Taiwanese fishing boat hijacked for six months was killed by pirates, but no reason was given but it appeared to be an isolated incident, according to Noel Choong, who heads the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. No reason was given but it appeared to be an isolated incident, he said.<br /><br />Somalia has been engulfed in fighting and anarchy since the 1991 overthrow of Siad Barre, and remains today a country with no effective government, a nation ruled by tribal clans.<br /><br />The piracy scourge appears to have evolved partly out of an attempt by Somali fishermen to protect their waters against illegal foreign trawlers who were destroying their livelihoods. Some of the vigilantes morphed into pirates, lured by the large profits they could win in ransoms.<br /><br />Somalia's prime minister welcomed the U.S. Navy's operation Sunday.<br /><br />"The Somali government wanted the drama to end in a peaceful way, but anyone who is involved in this latest case had the choice to use violence or other means," Abdulkhadir Walayo, the prime minister's spokesman, told The Associated Press. "Anyway, we see it will be a good lesson for the pirates or anyone else involved in this dirty business."<br /><br />Pirates were defiant though, vowing the events would not stop them form seizing more ships.<br /><br />One pirate vowed the events would not stop them from targeting more ships.<br /><br />"The mere killing of three and capturing one will not make us change our mind," said one pirate holding a German ship anchored in the Somali town of Harardhere who refused to give his name. "We are determined to continue our business regardless of the recent killings and arrests."<br /><br />Link to original report: <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5juHtLRZ1oWZW0i4NkwPI3LWc4oPQD97H93D81">Retaliation </a><br /><br /><br />Books about Somali and Piracy: <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/worldview00d-20">Read</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-57586783109907146242009-04-11T10:33:00.000-05:002009-04-11T10:34:30.567-05:00Pirates hijack US tugboatNAIROBI, Kenya – The head of a Kenyan seafarers' program said Saturday that Somali pirates had hijacked an American-owned tugboat with 16 crew in the Gulf of Aden.<br /><br />Nairobi-based Italian Ambassador Pierandrea Magistrati said he only could confirm that "there is a boat that has been hijacked, I believe by Somali pirates."<br /><br />The hijacking took place as the American captain of the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama was still being held hostage on a lifeboat being watched by two U.S. warships.<br /><br />The head of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Program, Andrew Mwangura, said maritime industry sources had informed his organization that the Italian-flagged U.S. tugboat was towing two barges when it was attacked. He said it was unclear if the attack took place off the coast of Somalia or further north near Yemen. He said did not know what was on the barges.<br /><br />Mwangura said the attack was launched around 11 a.m. (0800 GMT) Saturday.<br /><br />More U.S. warships were trying to stop Somali pirates from sending reinforcements to the lifeboat where the American captain was being held for a fourth day hundreds of miles from land, a diplomat said Saturday.<br /><br />The Nairobi-based diplomat, who receives regular briefings on the situation, said the four pirates holding Capt. Richard Phillips in a lifeboat under the close watch of U.S. warships some 380 miles off shore had tried to summon other pirates from the Somali mainland.<br /><br />The diplomat, who spoke on condition on anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to reporters, said that pirates had been trying to reach the lifeboat. A Somali who described himself as having close ties to pirate networks also said the pirates were trying to reach the lifeboat.<br /><br />The Somali told The Associated Press that pirates had set out in four commandeered ships with hostages from a variety of nations including the Philippines, Russia and Germany. The diplomat told the AP that large pirate "motherships" and skiffs were heading in the direction of the lifeboat.<br /><br />A second Somali man who said he had spoken by satellite phone to a pirate piloting a seized German freighter told the AP by phone Saturday that the pirate captain had reported being blocked by U.S. forces and was returning Saturday to the pirate stronghold of Harardhere.<br /><br />Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, he said the pirate told him the ship was in sight of a U.S. Navy destroyer Saturday morning local time, received a U.S. warning not to come any closer and, fearing attack, left the scene without ever seeing the lifeboat.<br /><br />A Pentagon official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations said in Washington Saturday morning that there had been no developments overnight. He declined to comment on the report that the U.S. Navy had turned back the pirates.<br /><br />The diplomat said from Nairobi that at least two American ships and U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft had been attempting to deter pirate ships and skiffs from contact with the lifeboat but he did not know if the pirates and Navy ships had come into contact.<br /><br />The Somali man said the pirate also told him that two other commandeered ships from Taiwan and Greece that were trying to reach the lifeboat feared a showdown with the U.S. Navy and returned to Eyl, a port that serves as a pirate hub, on Friday night. It was not immediately possible to contact people in Eyl Saturday.<br /><br />The Somali man said the fourth ship that had tried to reach the lifeboat was a Norwegian tanker that was released Friday after a $2 million ransom was paid. The owner of the Norwegian tanker Bow Asir confirmed Friday that it had been released two weeks after it was seized by armed pirates off the Somali coast, and all 27 of its crew members were unhurt.<br /><br />Phillips, 53, of Underhill, Vermont, was seized Wednesday when he thwarted the takeover of the 17,000-ton U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama, which was carrying food aid for hungry people in Somalia, Rwanda and Uganda. He told his crew of 20 to lock themselves in a cabin, crew members told stateside relatives.<br /><br />Phillips surrendered himself to safeguard his men. The crew later overpowered some of the pirates but the Somalis fled with the captain to an enclosed lifeboat, the relatives said.<br /><br />The Alabama was heading toward the Kenyan port of Mombasa — its original destination — with 20 American crew members aboard. It was expected to arrive Saturday night, said Joseph Murphy, whose son is second-in-command of the vessel. <br /><br />On Friday, Phillips jumped out of the lifeboat and tried to swim for his freedom but was recaptured when a pirate fired an automatic weapon at or near him, according to U.S. Defense Department officials speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk about the sensitive, unfolding operations. <br /><br />Negotiations had been taking place between the pirates and the captain of the Bainbridge, who was getting direction from FBI hostage negotiators, the officials said. <br /><br />Sailors on the USS Bainbridge, which has rescue helicopters and lifeboats, were able to see Phillips but at several hundred yards away were too far to help him. The U.S. destroyer is keeping its distance, in part to stay out of the pirates' range of fire. <br /><br />The lifeboat has some gas and the ability to move, according to U.S. defense officials who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive details. <br /><br />U.S. sailors saw Phillips moving around and talking after his return to the lifeboat, and the Defense Department officials said they think he is unharmed. <br /><br />The Bainbridge was joined Friday by the USS Halyburton, which has helicopters, and the huge, amphibious USS Boxer was expected soon after, the defense officials said. The Boxer, the flagship of a multination anti-piracy task force, resembles a small aircraft carrier. It has a crew of more than 1,000, a mobile hospital, missile launchers and about two dozen helicopters and attack planes. <br /><br />The vice president of the Philippines, the nation with the largest number of sailors held captive by Somali pirates, appealed for the safety of hostages to be ensured in the standoff. <br /><br />"We hope that before launching any tactical action against the pirates, the welfare of every hostage is guaranteed and ensured," said Vice President Noli de Castro. "Moreover, any military action is best done in consultation with the United Nations to gain the support and cooperation of other countries." <br /><br />France's navy on Friday freed a sailboat seized off Somalia last week by other pirates, but one of the hostages was killed. <br /><br />France's defense minister promised an autopsy and investigation into the death of the hostage killed during the commando operation, which freed four other captives and was prompted by threats the passengers would be executed. <br /><br />The pirates had seized the sailboat carrying Florent Lemacon, his wife, 3-year-old son and two friends off the Somali coast a week ago. <br /><br />Two pirates were killed, and Lemacon died in an exchange of fire as he tried to duck down the hatch. Three pirates were taken prisoner in the operation, and are to be brought to France for criminal proceedings. <br /><br />Piracy along the anarchic and impoverished Somali coast, the longest in Africa, has risen in recent years. <br /><br />Somali pirates have been seizing ships with many hostages and anchoring it near shore, where they have quickly escaped to land and begun negotiations for multimillion-dollar ransoms. <br /><br />They hold about a dozen ships with more than 200 crew members, according to the International Maritime Bureau, a piracy watchdog group based in Malaysia. The bureau lists 66 attacks since January, not including the Alabama. <br /><br /><br />Link to the original report: <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090411/ap_on_re_af/piracy">hijack</a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-77393281220600227232009-04-11T09:38:00.002-05:002009-04-11T09:49:30.860-05:00Modern Day Pirates<object width="400" height="342"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://current.com/e/89495678/en_US"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://current.com/e/89495678/en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="342" wmode="transparent" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" 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/><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PRRQrrCiVKY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PRRQrrCiVKY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0I6xGCnWjJo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0I6xGCnWjJo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15268410.post-41463167331237906752009-04-11T09:31:00.002-05:002009-04-11T09:36:15.837-05:00Somalia Standoff UpdateHere is the latest information about the situation near Somalia <br /><br /><br />Somalia Standoff Generates Debate US Policy Debate <br /><br />The standoff between the U.S. Navy and pirates off the coast of Somalia is generating debate within the Obama administration over policy toward the Horn of Africa nation.<br /><br />The Washington Post has a report Saturday on how U.S. officials are discussing the more general Somalia problem, and the potential terrorist threat of the Somali extremist group, al-Shabab<br /><br />National security officials were quoted as saying a debate is taking place on whether a preemptive missile strike against al-Shabab is warranted. <br /><br />U.S. officials said the group, which controls parts of Somalia, poses a dilemma. They point to its rapid expansion, ties between its leaders and the al-Qaida terror network, and the presence of Americans and Europeans within its ranks. But they said there is no evidence the group is planning attacks outside Somalia.<br /><br />They were also quoted as saying the Obama administration differentiates itself from the former Bush administration by taking a more cautious, and less aggressive approach, on such security matters.<br /><br />Previous administrations have also grappled with Somalia as a failed state.<br /><br />In 1993, then President Bill Clinton ordered U.S. troops to track down a Somali warlord, leading to a long firefight in which 18 American soldiers were killed. The battle led to the book and movie called Black Hawk Down.<br /><br />Link to original report: <a href="http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-11-voa12.cfm">Debate</a><br /><br /><br />U.S. Warships Converge On Pirates<br /><br /><br />(CBS/AP) U.S. warships are trying to stop Somali pirates from sending reinforcements to a lifeboat where an American captain is being held hostage as the high-seas standoff off Africa's eastern coast entered a fourth day Saturday. <br /><br />Underscoring the high stakes involved, France's navy on Friday freed a sailboat seized off Somalia last week by other pirates, but one of the hostages was killed. <br /><br />A Nairobi-based diplomat, who spoke on condition on anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to reporters, said the pirates have summoned assistance but at least two American ships and U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft are deterring pirate ships and skiffs from contact with the lifeboat. <br /><br />The pirates have threatened to kill their American hostage, Capt. Richard Phillips, if the U.S. attacks them, according to a Somali who has been in contact with the pirates. <br /><br />The Somali said the pirates had called in four commandeered ships with hostages from a variety of nations including the Philippines, Russia and Germany. <br /><br />The vice president of the Philippines, the nation with the largest number of sailors held captive by Somali pirates, appealed Saturday for the safety of hostages to be ensured in the standoff. <br /><br />"We hope that before launching any tactical action against the pirates, the welfare of every hostage is guaranteed and ensured," said Vice President Noli de Castro. "Moreover, any military action is best done in consultation with the United Nations to gain the support and cooperation of other countries." <br /><br />U.S. rules of engagement prevent the Americans using their vastly superior fighting power to engage the pirates if there is any danger to civilians. <br /><br />The situation is new for the pirates. Normally, they seize a ship with many hostages and get it anchored near shore, where they can quickly escape to land, and then begin negotiations for multimillion-dollar ransoms. Left with only Phillips and a lifeboat that is out of fuel, they are in a vulnerable position. <br /><br />According to CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips, reports out of Somalia this morning say that a group of clan elders may be trying to mediate in this standoff. <br /><br />The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer will join two other Navy ships - the USS Bainbridge and the USS Hallyburton, which has helicopters - which are near the lifeboat 200 miles off Somalia. <br /><br />The Boxer is the flag ship of a multination anti-piracy task force that resembles a small aircraft carrier. It has a crew of more than 1,000, a mobile hospital, missile launchers and about two dozen helicopters and attack planes. <br /><br />Negotiations had been taking place between the pirates and the captain of the Bainbridge, who was getting direction from FBI hostage negotiators, the officials said. <br /><br />The dangers of taking action were underlined by an attempt by the French Navy to rescue the people aboard the yacht Tanit. Four hostages, including a small child, were freed and two pirates killed when French commandos moved in on the yacht, but the yacht's captain was also killed. <br /><br />So for now, the U.S. Navy appears to be working on the assumption that time is on its side. <br /><br />Meanwhile, the Maersk Alabama headed toward the Kenyan port of Mombasa - its original destination - with 20 American crew members aboard. It was expected to arrive Saturday night, said Joseph Murphy, whose son is second-in-command of the vessel. <br /><br /><br />Negotiating With High-Seas Bandits <br /><br />"The issue is going to be claustrophobia, sea sickness, heat, boredom," Rick Gurnon, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, told CBS News. "I think after a few more days in the lifeboat, the Somalis will think going to prison for two years is trading up." <br /><br />At least that's the hope, said CBS' Phillips. The pirates are demanding their safety be guaranteed should they release the American ship's captain - in addition to, of course, a reported $2 million ransom. <br /><br />"I'm sure the emotional level on all sides is raised with the warships on the scene," Hugh McGowan, a former commanding officer with the New York City Police Hostage Negotiating Team, said on CBS News' The Early Show. "I'm sure for the hostage takers, they assumed they were going to be in and out and get away without any problems, so now it's much more complicated." <br /><br />On Friday, Phillips jumped out of the lifeboat and tried to swim for his freedom but was recaptured when a pirate fired an automatic weapon at or near him. <br /><br />Discussing Captain Phillips' failed attempt to escape, McGowan said such actions are dangerous. <br /><br />"You never want to be critical of what the hostage does because they're in isolation," McGowan said. "And he probably thought he could make his escape. When we talk to people about, you know, being held hostage, we really recommend that they not try something like this unless they're really 100% - maybe 1,000% - sure they're going to be successful. Even then, think about it two or three more times before you try it, because the rescue is on the way and that's the best way of getting out of it." <br /><br />Piracy along the anarchic and impoverished Somali coast, the longest in Africa, has risen in recent years. Somali pirates hold about a dozen ships with more than 200 crew members, according to the International Maritime Bureau, a piracy watchdog group based in Malaysia. The bureau lists 66 attacks since January, not including the Alabama. <br /><br />Current TV correspondent Kaj Larson, who has produced a documentary on modern day piracy, said that Somali pirates in recent years has been reluctant to harm their hostages. <br /><br />"That's because they have such a good business model going and they're making so much money - between $50 million and $150 million in ransom money last year - it's not in their best interest to hurt the hostages. That's certainly helping the situation right now. <br /><br />"That being said, these are certainly violent men who are well-armed, and the potential [for hostage deaths] always exists." <br /><br />Larson said the experience of the French commando raid Friday will affect how the crisis involving the American hostage plays out. "You're going to see the U.S. Navy being patient and being steady and waiting and playing the waiting game, waiting these pirates out." <br /><br />McGowan, likewise, believes the Navy will not the fire upon the pirates. "Unless the circumstances call for it, I don't see them doing that. They're being advised by the FBI, and our advice always is to be patient." <br /><br />Link to original report:<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/04/11/world/main4936629.shtml"> Warships</a><br /><br />Books about Somalia and Piracy: <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/worldview00d-20">Books </a>Trevor Hammackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03758938087739499249noreply@blogger.com0