:: NEWS COCKTAIL aka BlahBlahBlog ::

:: 7.18.2007 ::

:: Surveillance Nation ::

The FBI's data mining initiatives go beyond fighting terrorism.
A slideshow - Check it out.
eWeek

This data-mining initiative isn't operational yet, but it will be designed to help FBI analysts prioritize the risks associated with individuals who have already been identified as persons of interest in connection with a specified terror threat. The initiative will not label anyone a terrorist, but is designed to save time in helping to narrow the field of individuals who may potentially merit further scrutiny with respect to a specific terrorist threat. How closely will this initiative stick to its mandate? You decide ...

A L S O

The Slashdot view

posted by me

:: 5:14:00 PM [+] ::
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:: Live Earth ::

:: 11:53:00 PM [+] ::
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RE 7.7.07 ::

Music's the Messenger at Live Earth
AP via The Washington Post
By REBECCA SANTANA

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- In a global series of concerts featuring aboriginal dancing, imitation chimpanzee cries and a lot of reunited rock bands, musicians and celebrities called for fans to take action against global warming.

A 24-hour music extravaganza stretching from Sydney, Australia, to New Jersey wrapped up Saturday at Giants Stadium with a performance by the newly reunited Police after a series of concerts spanning seven continents and showcasing more than 100 musical acts.

The concerts, with shows in London, Sydney, Tokyo, Kyoto, Shanghai, Hamburg, Johannesburg, Rio de Janeiro, were designed to raise awareness about global warming. Organizers described it as the biggest musical event ever staged, even larger than Live 8 or Live Aid.

The events were inspired and backed by Al Gore, who has made educating the world about global warming his main priority since leaving politics after his losing presidential run. Gore appeared at a number of the events _ in one form or another.

In Sydney, he talked to the crowd by video. In Tokyo he appeared in a hologram. And in New Jersey, the former vice president took the stage in person.

Gore called on fans to adhere to a seven-point pledge to tackle global warming including demanding more renewable energy and helping to preserve forests.

"Put all of this energy in your heart and help us solve the climate crisis," said the former vice president, appearing on stage at the end of the New Jersey concert with his wife Tipper.

The theme at many of the concerts seemed to be that fighting global warming was not about sacrifice as much as it was about making little changes such as buying low-energy light bulbs or unplugging electrical outlets when they are not in use.

Read more here.

posted by me

:: 10:53:00 AM [+] ::
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:: Withdrawal::

W.House debate over troop withdrawal deepens
Reuters via The New York Times

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A debate is intensifying inside the White House over whether President George W. Bush should try to prevent more Republican defections by announcing intentions for a gradual withdrawal of troops from high-casualty Iraqi areas, the New York Times said on Monday.

Citing administration officials and consultants, the newspaper said these officials fear the last pillars of political support among U.S. Senate Republicans for Bush's Iraq strategy are "collapsing around them."

The president and his aides had thought they could wait to begin discussions about any change in strategy after September 15, when the U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, must present a much-anticipated report on Iraq's security and political progress.

But these aides acknowledge it appears that forces are converging against Bush just as the Senate prepares this week to begin what promises to be a contentious debate on the war's future and financing, the newspaper said.

On Sunday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates canceled a long-planned trip to Latin America to help prepare a report for the U.S. Congress on the war, according to the Pentagon.

The administration must deliver an interim report to Congress by July 15 on Iraq. The report has gained significance as an increasing number of both Republican and Democratic lawmakers call for a change in Bush's strategy in Iraq.

Four more Republican senators, including Pete Domenici of New Mexico last week, have recently declared they can no longer support the strategy.

As a result, the newspaper said, aides are telling Bush that if he wants to forestall more defections, it would be wiser to announce plans for a far more narrowly defined mission for U.S. troops that would allow for a staged pullback.

That strategy was proposed by the Iraq Study Group late last year, but the president rejected it.

Read more here.

posted by me

:: 10:40:00 AM [+] ::
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