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All News Articles for 2010-03-24

Wednesday, March 24, 2010
	GOP Leaders Match Up Message to Violent Talk Words matter--and they matter even more when they are violent words. Apparently, GOP leadership agrees. Despite the unwillingness of mainstream media to connect the dots, the base and leadership of the GOP are matching their rhetoric to the disturbing rise of violent talk at Tea Party rallies and amongst conservative anti-government groups. The conclusion: rather than recoil at violent language, GOP leadership seems to see it as a chance to turn out votes. Read more
	Cluster Bombs Banned for UK Armed Forces British armed forces are being banned from using cluster munitions under a law passed by the House of Commons. The law comes after the UK in 2008 signed an international convention outlawing the weapons - which have maimed and killed thousands of people. The bombs were withdrawn from use by the UK in May 2008 and stockpiles are due to be destroyed by the end of 2013. First developed in World War II, they contain smaller "bomblets" designed to cover a large area and deter armies. Read more
	Journalist Allan Nairn Facing Possible Arrest in Indonesia for Exposing US-Backed Forces Assassinated Civilians In Indonesia, investigative journalist Allan Nairn is facing possible arrest for exposing that US-backed Indonesian armed forces assassinated a series of civilian activists last year. Since Allan Nairn broke the news of the assassination program on Democracy Now! on Friday, the Indonesian press has been buzzing with the allegations. A military spokesman told the Jakarta Globe that the military is considering legal action against Nairn. Read more
	Severed Gas Line Found at Home of Rep. Perriello Brother After Tea Party Activists Post Address Online Federal and local authorities are investigating a severed gas line at the home of U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello's brother, discovered the day after Tea Party activists posted the address online so opponents could "drop by" and "express their thanks" for Perriello's vote in favor of health care reform. The gas line connected a propane tank to a gas grill on the home's screened-in porch, according to sources in Tom Perriello's office. The incident is being viewed as an attempted threat to a member of congress, sources said. Read more
	US School Prom Ruling 'Violated Lesbian Student's Rights' Mississippi school censured for cancelling prom when 18-year-old Constance McMillen asked to bring her girlfriend Read more
	KBR Drops Rape-Case Appeal; Sen. Franken Pleased Defense contractor worried that it might have been in violation of senator's new amendment. Read more
	Tough Bill Advances in Arizona on Undocumented Immigrants LOS ANGELES - The Arizona Legislature gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a proposal that would allow the police to arrest illegal immigrants on trespassing charges simply for being in the state. The provision, which opponents and proponents call a first in the nation, is part of a wide-ranging bill whose sponsors say they hope will make life tougher for illegal immigrants. Read more
	The Weight of the Poor: A Strategy to End Poverty The theory here, to force change through chaos, was among the most provocative of the 1960s. Read more
	The Right's Conspiracy Theory Attack on Frances Fox Piven Sociologist Frances Fox Piven often gets requests from students who want to interview her about her political theories and activism. So when Kyle Olson phoned her in January, told her he was a college student in Michigan, and asked if he could videotape an interview with her about her recent book Challenging Authority: How Ordinary People Change America , Piven agreed. Read more
	Indonesian Army Threatens to Arrest US Journalist Over Assassinations Report; Assassination Interview Censored Allan Nairn Says Go Ahead, We'll Discuss Murders, US Role, in Court Read more
	Diocese Penalizes Homeless Aid Group for Backing Same-Sex Marriage The bishop and a national organization end financial support after Preble Street backs same-sex marriage. Read more
	First Nations, Environmental Coalition Vow to Fight Tar Sands Pipeline VANCOUVER, B.C. - Dozens of orcas, hundreds of thousands of seabirds and millions of salmon were wiped out when the Exxon Valdez oil tanker spilled 40 million litres of crude oil into Alaskan waters. Twenty-one years later, a coalition of British Columbia First Nations says such a disaster can never be allowed to happen again, and declared it will do whatever it takes to stop a proposed pipeline from the Alberta tar sands to the B.C. coast. Read more
	The Key to Solving the Energy Crisis: A Leaf? Professor Nate Lewis is working on a process to mimic photosynthesis and create a fuel that provides energy in a convenient form. Read more
	Legality of US Drones Questioned Missiles fired from US drones killed at least six people on Tuesday in a Pakistani tribal area bordering Afghanistan, according to security officials. It's the latest in a wave of attacks that have been used to target alleged enemy combatants but which frequently kill innocent civilians. Read more