Science/Politics=intertwined
Hawking: Humans Entered New Stage of Evolution

Stephen Hawking, the British theoretical physicist, says the human race has entered a new phase of evolution. He published this premise on his Facebook page and in a treatise called “Life in the Universe.” It's been in every science magazine and has been hashed over by believers and non-believers ever since...

The Internet has reacted and is a buzz with a lively discussion on human evolution and how differently we’ve evolved compared to other known species on earth.

Quite a bit different from the reception Galileo's scientific discovery received. The Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher came up with a different twist on an old belief and was denounced for declaring that earth was not the center of the Universe. He was warned by the Catholic Church to abandon his belief and was later tried by the Inquisition for publishing Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, published in 1632. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest.

In the 1600’s the populace residing in villages and towns were illiterate. Books were read by wealthy families and members of the Church. Consequently the overall learning curve was nil for most people.

Hawking, the author of the best-selling book "A Brief History of Time," has intentionally tried to make difficult concepts in physics more accessible to the public.

And that is the jist of Hawking’s contention: that we are more than the sum total of our genes; we are what we read. Hawking maps our human progression from ten thousand years ago as an internal record phase transmitted through our DNA.

He says we are more than just our genes because we can’t discount the external record of other long lasting forms of storage, like the knowledge obtained from external sources, as contributing to our evolution, i.e the web, books, movies, etc..

"At first, evolution proceeded by natural selection, from random mutations. This Darwinian phase, lasted about three and a half billion years, and produced us, beings who developed language, to exchange information," Hawking said.

The knowledge we have accumulated over the last ten thousand years is scant, Hawking points out, compared to the last three hundred, this he says is what sets the human race apart.

"I think it is legitimate to take a broader view, and include externally transmitted information, as well as DNA, in the evolution of the human race," Hawking said.

Hawking points out that in the 18th century it was possible to read all the books written. Today it would take 15,000 years to read all the books in the British National Library. By that time many more books would be written.

Hawking says we have entered into a “self designed evolution” in which we will have the capability of changing our DNA. At first changes will happen to single genes that control diseases like cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy. Genes involved with intelligence are controlled by a larger number of genes which will be harder to identify. But, Hawking believes when they are identified both intelligence and behaviors, like aggression, can be modified.

This undoubtedly opens up an entire new area of disagreement between those who are against genetic modification, which makes this a political discussion as well as a scientific one.

Take a look at some of the dialogue happening on the Internet.

Tell us what you think .

http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/07/03/2241207/Hawking-Says-Humans-Have-Entered-a-New-Stage-of-Evolution?from=rss


Here is Hawking’s Myspace Page at http://www.myspace.com/stephenhawking24



Read more at:

http://www.rationalvedanta.net/node/131

http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2009/07/stephen-hawking-the-planet-has-entered-a-new-phase-of-evolution.html

PHL Guidelines

PrairieHOMEliving's PHL Politico Blog- Post news and opinions. Guidelines-Comments seen here do not reflect the opinions of any advertisers or businesses. No foul language, bullying, personal attacks or the use of language that may be libelous or interpreted as inciting hate or sexual harassment. User comments are reviewed to ensure that comments meet these standards. All viewpoints are welcome. Offensive Posts will be removed. PHL Staff

Health Care Reform Reality Check

www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck


Eight ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage

1.Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
2.Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.
3.Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
4.Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
5.Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
6.Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
7.Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
8. Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick. Learn more and get details:

http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

Eight common myths about health insurance reform

1.Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
2.We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.
3.Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.
4.Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.
5.Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.
6.Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.
7.You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.
8. No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts. Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose. Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make. Learn more and get details: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck/faq

Reasons We Need Health Insurance Reform Now

1.Coverage Denied to Millions: A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html
Less Care for More Costs: With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages. In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job.

2. Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html


3. Roadblocks to Care for Women: Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care. Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html


4.Hard Times in the Heartland: Throughout rural America, there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas. With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes


5. Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage: Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers. From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%. About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline

6.The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction


7. Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. An estimated 87 million people - one in every three Americans under the age of 65 - were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html


8. The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets. Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance - projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. Learn more: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf

HOSTILE TAKEOVER: A Movement, 2010 Election

Grassroots mobs, such as the "TaxDay TeaParty"ists, are coming to your town! Well, maybe they're already there?

They say they're bringing "non-partisan "defiance" into the political process.

They're donning so-called 'Patriot' wigs and reintroducing "Joe-the-Plumber" in what is clearly a 2010 campaign to reassert themselves over the majority party.

BTW the original Tea Partyists fought against taxes WITHOUT REPRESENTATION. These Tea Partyists are clearly against Obama's Health Care Reform, and government spending, and of course the majority party in Congress and the White House.

Where were Tea Partyists when GWB and his administration essentially commandeered a hostile takeover of the U.S. surplus and spent and borrowed billions, trillons?

They were around, but SILENT, when Bush/Cheney sold off the country's assets to the highest bidders, spent untold billions in government contracts to Iraq, tax cuts for the highest earners, the list is long, but the result has been the nation's worst deficit in history-- which President Obama inherited.

We wonder if any of them realize what the term "General Fund" means? Every time any of us take a flight, the taxes we pay provide for such things as Air Traffic Control, security and safety; our taxes pay for construction upgrades, such as bridge reconstruction, etc. , all out of the General Fund. On a city level our taxes pay for city services, water treatment, such as police, and operational costs. Without those taxes, our safety, security and quality-of-life are severely compromised.

Right now the national General Fund and city funds are running on empty, the result of the previous administration's spending is that States have less funding, hence the trickle down to counties and cities. Taxes are essential for running a nation, a state, or a city.

Government services like Medicare and Social Security come from our taxes. They are government run programs that are supposed to kick in when we need them. Those too have been running out of money long before President Obama took office.

"Give me liberty, not debt" is their chant. Why didn't we hear it when GWB was robbing the U.S. treasury for the last eight years?

President Obama has "put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans, cut their taxes, made it more affordable to buy a home, made it more affordable to send their kids to college, provided tax incentives for businesses to create jobs through things like clean energy..."

They're not talking about that, at all...

What did the U.S. Treasury have to borrow to bail out the nation under under Obama, Bush?

From the The Wall Street Journal, "The government also borrowed less in the second quarter than expected, issuing $343 billion in debt, compared with earlier estimates of $361 billion.
The Treasury was able to cut its expected borrowing because it ended the quarter with a cash balance of $318 billion, more than it expected because of the TARP repayments as well as fewer purchases of preferred shares of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. have repaid more than $70 billion from the aid program. In last year's third quarter, the Treasury borrowed $530 billion as it pumped money into the flagging economy, which has recently shown some signs of stabilization." August 2009

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124934320579902975.html


From Bloomberg.com, 2006, "The U.S. Congress approved a $781 billion increase in the federal government's debt limit, the fourth time lawmakers have raised the cap since President George W. Bush took office. The Senate voted 52-48 to increase the legal limit on federal borrowing to $8.97 trillion, up from $8.18 trillion. The House approved the measure last year, meaning the legislation now goes to the president for his signature.
Treasury Secretary John Snow warned Congress in increasingly dire terms that the government couldn't keep paying its bills, and risked defaulting on its debt, without an immediate increase in the cap. The ceiling was lifted about 30 minutes after the Treasury postponed the scheduled announcement of the sale of three-month and six-month Treasury bills. An hour later Treasury said it would sell $37 billion in bills. " March 16, 2006

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=aV04.D.whRXc&refer=us

A little less defiance, and a little more attention to current history, is definitely in order.


Who pays for the uninsured? We do, of course.

In 2008, the Brookings Institute's Henry J. Aaron, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies wrote,

"Covering the currently uninsured has been a political ‘non-starter’ for decades and remains a long-odds proposition not because it is costly—it isn’t—but because it requires massive shifts in who writes the checks to pay for health care and who cashes those checks. Furthermore, the identity of the gainers and losers depends sensitively on how coverage is extended. The debate about extending coverage is not primarily about finding $120 billion to cover the uninsured, but about whether and how to shift who pays and who receives the many hundreds of billions dollars already being spent to continue covering the insured.

For a real-life display of what is at stake, one need go no further than the health programs of the two presidential candidates. Health reform proposals of Senators McCain and Obama would, if enacted, shift hundreds of billions of dollars in payments by businesses and households for premiums, cost sharing, and taxes and reallocate incomes of physicians, insurers, drug companies, and others. All the plans would differ from the status quo, but in very different ways."

Arron wrote, "Achieving universal coverage is mostly about income redistribution—among politically and economically powerful payers and providers with stakes that dwarf those measured by the added system-wide cost of insuring everyone."

August 2008-
http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2008/0825_uninsured_aaron.aspx


Did you notice, none of these media outlets, Bloomberg, Brookings or the Wall Street Journal, used the word "Socialism."

Snarking, Trolling, Un-moderated Public Spaces...on..

Political discourse and commentary have reached rock bottom.

In fact recent town halls indicate that the new reality in political give and take has been hijacked by anarchy. That's right.

The universal certainty that there is no difference between a fact and a fallacy, has been turned on its head.

"Your Voices" blog is no more. The Star Tribune's D. J. Leary has left the building or at least his unmediated space in cyber land.

In answer to David Brauer's post on MinnPost's Daily Glean, yes, other bloggers will set a standard and abide by it and then there are those who will mislead, make up stories, and treat reality as if it was irrelevant.

We believe the steady digression of political discourse in 2009 is a harbinger of what the 2010 Election will be like: based on the kind of zealousness and fervor that eliminates facts and replaces them with accusation and innuendo...to achieve its end.

PolitiFact's Truth Meter on Health Care: Try It Out

A scorecard separating fact from fiction....

John Boehner

Amendment would prohibit use of federal funds for abortions
The Democrat-backed health care reform plan "will require (Americans) to subsidize abortion with their hard-earned tax dollars."


FALSE

Liberty Counsel

Nothing like that in the bill
Page 992 of the health care bill will "establish school-based 'health' clinics. Your children will be indoctrinated and your grandchildren may be aborted!"

FALSE

Paul Krugman

They were raucous in 2005, inside and out
During the 2005 fight over Social Security, "there were noisy demonstrations — but they were outside the events,” and opponents were “not disruptive — crowds booed lines they didn’t like, but that was about it."

FALSE


Bloggers

No mandate in the bills
Health care reform legislation is “likely to mandate free ‘sex change’ surgeries.”

FALSE

Club for Growth

There's no proposal to put a price on life
The health care reform plan would set limits similar to the "socialized" system in Britain, where people are allowed to die if their treatment would cost more than $22,000.

FALSE


More at...http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/

PhRMA helps Obama with Health Care Reform

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is a major player in helping Obama create health care reform.

According to Ron Pollack, executive director of Families USA, the partnership with the deep-pocketed drug industry is one of mutual self-interest, even though the two groups disagree on numerous issues. "We want to achieve coverage for everyone. For PhRMA, this would improve volume for prescription sales because everyone" would have better access to medicine, he said.
Any health care bill that makes it to Obama's desk is expected to extend health insurance to the nearly 50 million who now lack it. That would mean a huge new pool of potential customers for drug companies and other health care providers. That, in turn, has created an incentive to offer concessions to the White House and lawmakers in hopes of shaping the bill, rather than simply opposing it."

Evidently PhRMA is rolling out a huge media campaign in the fall.


"Drugmakers were the first group to reach agreement with the White House and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., announcing several weeks ago that they would absorb $80 billion in costs over a decade.
Even before the announcement, according to several individuals, the White House sought help from PhRMA in passing legislation.
Now, with the legislation under attack, the industry is providing key support during August as Republicans work to inflict a high-profile defeat on the president.
A significantly more ambitious advertising effort by PhRMA is expected to begin around Labor Day."


AP reports that a "staggering sum will dwarf attempts to derail Obama's plans."

Read the entire article at:




http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090808/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_health_care_drugmakers

The Road to Health Care Reform: Demonizing and Violence

From Palin's "evil" reference to Rush Limbaugh's comparison to Hitler, the President and Health Care Reform are feeling a concerted effort to squelch any change.

Take a look at these opinions on Politico.

http://www.politico.com/arena/


This is what's happening at Town Halls by those who oppose changes...

Bradley A. Blakeman, Republican strategist, consultant, entrepreneur:
I would advise my side to keep up the pressure on Congress and the White House. I would encourage citizens and third party groups to attend Congressional own Hall Meetings, telephoning, mailing, and emailing Members and the White House. More...

Dana Perino, Former White House Press Secretary:
Republicans have put the Democrats on defense this summer - exactly what you'd expect from an effective minority party. So, my advice:- keep doing what you're doing - the pressure has worked. The Democrats are all over the map and not inspiring confidence in their proposal- keep arguing on the merits -- the more you argue on the facts, the more defensive they get- stay above the partisan fray. Let the Democrats continue to attack Americans. Don't take the bait- find your voice to describe the reform you support - yes, it's complicated to explain, but work at it. Take a test: can you explain it to your neighbor in one go without any follow-ups? Keep at it until you can- reach out to independents, explain how you want to reform healthcare in real and sustainable ways, without raising taxes on the middle class and ballooning the deficit- take a few deep breaths and get some rest, for in the fall you will have to redouble your efforts!




This is what should happen...


Darrell M. West, Vice President, Governance Studies, Brookings:
August is the time to rally grass roots supporters and get them to write letters, make phone calls, and attend town hall meetings. Members will be paying close attention to what people back home think. With reports of fist fights, yelling, and speakers being shouted down, each side should be careful not to get blamed for anti-democratic behavior. Tactics matter as much as message during district events.


Julian E. Zelizer, Professor of History and Public Affairs, Princeton:
Each side has a fundamental question they need to answer in this debate. For supporters of reform, how will we pay for this? For opponents of reform, what will they do to fix a broken system? The side that offers a better answer will be in much stronger position come this fall.


Michael Kazin, Professor of History, Georgetown, co-editor Dissent:

"For the Democrats (at least those who really believe in an overhaul of our rickety system): Be clear about what the reform bills will do for most people and what they won't do (like promote euthanasia and force you to go to an MD chosen by a bureaucrat). Be clear about the perils of allowing insurance companies to continue running the system (which, except for Medicare and the VA, they do now). And remind people that the elements of the current system which they like -- particularly Medicare and the VA -- are public programs, even single-payer ones. Above all, get out of the wonkish policy weeds and talk about the moral imperative to put together a system which covers everyone without bankrupting the country."


Dean Baker, Co-director, Center for Economic and Policy Research:
Proponents of health care reform have to get the facts out and dispel the fears. The key facts are that the U.S. health care system is incredibly wasteful and that there are enormous opportunities to reduce costs in ways that don't jeopardize and might even improve the quality of care. More...


Timothy Stoltzfus Jost, Law Professor at the Washington and Lee University:
I believe that we have to get health care reform done this fall and that the House bill and parts of the Senate HELP bill provide a sound platform for moving forward. It also is becoming apparent that delay is not helping, that we need to move forward to avoid failure. The strategy I would suggest would be:
1) Focus on the advantages that reform has for the ordinary insured American. Most Americans are insured through their employment, but 400,000 Americans are losing their health insurance every month. The reform legislation offers them health security no matter what happens to their job, or even if they decide to quit it to pursue their own entrepreneurial dream. It also limits the amount of premiums and cost-sharing that their employer can impose on them. In just one year between 2007 and 2008, deductibles for employment-based insurance went up 30% and Americans are increasingly facing unaffordable cost-sharing in their employment-related insurance. More...
2) Make sure that Medicare beneficiaries understand that the legislation improves their Medicare benefits. It is ironic that the greatest opposition to reform seems to be coming from seniors, who already have a public health insurance plan. But the House legislation would expand coverage for preventive services, limit cost-sharing under Medicare Advantage plans, gradually close the donut hole, and increase help for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. All the talk about cutting Medicare costs is making seniors nervous, but cuts will come out of provider and insurer payments, not from benefits.
3) Push back forcefully against the lies and misinformation--the claims of mandated euthanasia and abortion coverage, the end of private insurance arguments.
4) Remind waivering Democrats that it was the Democratic base that worked to get them elected, and that the Democratic base overwhelmingly favors getting this done. Those showing up at town meetings to oppose reform would not vote for them under any circumstances.
5) Serve notice on Senator Baucus and his conferees that they have another month max to get a bipartisan agreement. The Republicans on the Committee should not be allowed to stall reform indefinitely until they can kill it. The Republicans had no interest in bipartisanship when they passed their health reform bill in 1995, and very little when they passed the MMA in 2003 (remember the all-night vote).
6) Energize the base and get this done. Americans may be ambivalent about reform now, but when it is done they will be glad for it. An amendment in Energy and Commerce to recognize Medicare to be socialized medicine and a single-payer system and to abolish it immediately was opposed by every Republican on the Committee. When this is done people will be just as grateful for it as they are for Medicare.

Twitter Attack World Micro

The Cossack Culture alive and performing ethnic cleansing in Russia

Russian politicos dragged down Twitter and its millions of users because of one antagonist who was dissing Russia over military conflicts in Georgia, the War in Abkhazia.

According to an article in the U.K. Register, the "torrent of traffic that brought the site to its knees wasn't the result of a traditional DDoS, or distributed denial of service attack, but rather people who clicked on a link in spam messages that referenced a well-known blogger called Cyxymu."

CYXYMU is the blog name of the Georgian antagonist the Russians wanted to silence.

Here is a link that retells what was endured years ago by fellow Georgians and also reveals the motivating force behind the fighting: Russia's desire to get Georgia to join the CIS.

http://www.alertnet.org/db/blogs/29542/b5f1ff2ebdb92dabafda4b44e960db4c.htm

Here is CYXYMU's orginal post:

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/10/20/the-war-in-abkhazia-cyxymu-remembers/


This kind of aggression on neighboring countries is as old as recorded history. But of course, the difference is the whole rest of the populated world knew about it within a short time frame; and we even became unwitting participants. PrairieHOMEliving's Twitter was down on Thursday...


Now, we can't help but become witnesses, recorders of the atrocities. In the 1870's when the Russian Cossacks pillaged and ransacked the shettels of poor Russian Jews, there were no International agencies or activists, witnesses, working on their behalf, other than those who helped them flee. Some of the oppressed were lucky to be able to immigrate, leaving behind their native country for a better life.. leaving behind the ethnic cleansing..

And with this micro view comes a responsiblity we all share to witness and speak out against injustices in any land...


Putin using old Cossack Strategies-

"Since the fall fo the Soviet Union and more prominently under President Putin, there has been a great revival (See Radio Free Europe’s Piece) of the Cossack culture and increasing political clout including a movement to reassert their role as a security/military instrument of the state. And already it seems like they are back to performing ethnic cleansing duties in Russia."

Read the entire article at:


http://www.strategyunit.net/2005/11/cossacks-revival-tool-of-the-imperial-state-and-ethnic-cleansing/

Sotomayor Confirmed in a 68/31 Partisan Vote

Now there are two women on the Supreme Court, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor.

The Wall Street Journal compared Sotomayor's confirmation with Alito who also won on a partisan vote, 58 to 42:

"During his 2005 confirmation hearings, Democrats criticized his membership in a conservative Princeton alumni group that was critical of affirmative-action efforts. This time, it was Republicans who criticized Judge Sotomayor for her former membership in a Latino advocacy group, the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, and for lectures in which her aspirations for Latinos crossed into "racism," as Sen. James Inhofe (R., Okla.) charged.."

"Democrats said her 17 years of experience on the federal bench, where she compiled a conventional, if liberal-leaning, judicial record, coupled with her working-class background, would equip her to understand the real-world impact of judicial decisions. Republicans, however, seized on the word Mr. Obama used to describe a quality he had sought in selecting her -- "empathy" -- as evidence that he expected his nominee to skew legal cases to favor minorities."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124955682673110741.html