Columbia Conflict Continues

According to reports on 2 October 2006, leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group have sent a letter to the Colombian government, in which they express their willingness to initiate peace talks. The rebels, however, stated that the talks would begin once the swap of kidnap victims for jailed rebels takes place and once the government demilitarizes the municipalities of Florida and Pradera, both located in the Valle del Cauca department, as well as the departments of Caqueta and Putumayo. Other conditions requested to begin the talks include the discussion of a free trade agreement and an extradition treaty with the United States and the purge of the military, among other issues. Although the FARC has expressed its willingness to engage in peace talks, the government is not likely to cede to all of the group's demands, which is why it is unlikely that the 42-year conflict will be resolved in the near future.

Russia/Georgia Conflict

Russia reportedly ordered the closure of all transport links with Georgia -- including air, rail, road and sea links, as well as postal service -- for an unspecified period of time on 2 October 2006 in the latest escalation of a dispute between the two countries that began with the arrests of several Russian military officers on 27 September for charges of espionage. Air traffic will reportedly cease on 3 October, while it is not known when the other closures will take effect. Meanwhile, in an apparent effort to decrease tensions, Georgia stated on 2 October that it would hand over the four Russian officers it has in its custody to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The OSCE has stated it will return the officers to Moscow.

Falwell Calls Hillary Clinton The Devil

RICHMOND, Va. - The Rev. Jerry Falwell acknowledged on Sunday saying that if Hillary Rodham Clinton were the Democrats’ presidential nominee in 2008, it would motivate conservative evangelical Christians to oppose her more than if the devil himself were running.

Falwell said in a telephone interview that his comments to several hundred pastors and religious activists at the “Value Voter Summit” conference were “totally tongue-in-cheek.”

“I certainly hope that Hillary is the candidate,” Falwell said at a breakfast session Friday in Washington. “I hope she’s the candidate, because nothing will energize my (constituency) like Hillary Clinton,” he said. “If Lucifer ran, he wouldn’t.”

This from the Clinton camp was sort of interesting.

Clinton press secretary Philippe Reines said Sunday, “Working for someone who believes in the Golden Rule, we’re not going to engage in such vitriolic discourse — but it seems that a new low has been reached in demonizing political opponents.”

So Hillary finds vitriolic discourse distasteful, eh? Well that certainly didn’t stop her from fund raising with Harry Belafonte, who once called President Bush the “greatest terrorist in the world” while down in Venezuela supporting Hugo Chavez’s socialist revolution.

I guess vitriol does have a place in politics for Hillary, as long as it is aimed at her political opponents.

Also, funny how this somewhat dumb comment from Falwell gets all sorts of press yet people like Cindy Sheehan and Belafonte telling the world that the President is worse than Osama bin Laden gets scant attention.
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US Eases Ban on Air Travelers Carrying Liquids

WASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The United States said on Monday it was partly easing its ban on liquids and gels in carry-on bags on airline flights, a policy imposed last month after authorities in London said they foiled a plot to bomb U.S.-bound flights.

Travelers will be allowed to carry travel-size toiletries of 3 ounces (90 ml) or less in a small clear-plastic bag, the Transportation Security Administration said. They also may carry on drinks and other items purchased in the secure areas of the airport.

Lip gloss and hand lotion will no longer be confiscated by airport screeners. Those items will be checked over and placed in bags for passengers to carry aboard, if they clear security, a Homeland Security official said.

"After the initial, total ban, we have learned enough from the U.K. investigation to say with confidence that small, travel size liquids are safe to bring through security checkpoints in limited numbers," said Assistant TSA Secretary Kip Hawley.

"We have also taken additional security measures throughout the airport that make us comfortable allowing passengers to bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure area onboard," Hawley said.

The Department of Homeland Security banned liquids and gels on flights in August after the British government arrested at least 24 people and foiled what it said was a plot to simultaneously blow up several U.S.-bound airliners using liquid explosives.

Superdome Tour

The Superdome Post-Katrina:



The Superdome renovation - which included everything from extensive roof repair to sanitizing every seat - cost $185 million: $116 million from FEMA, $41 million from the Superdome Commission, $15 million from the NFL and $13 million from the state.

The FEMA money came from funds to cover uninsured losses to state property, which is separate from funds used to reimburse individual homeowners. The Superdome is one of nearly 1,000 state-owned facilities that will receive assistance.

"This money could not have been spent in the neighborhoods," Thornton noted.

Roy Mouledous, vice president of the Broadmoor Construction Management Agency that oversaw the project, said 30 of the Dome's 35 sub-contractors were locally owned.

"We need jobs and this generated construction jobs," Mouledous said.

Abysmal as the conditions became, Thornton believes the Superdome "saved 30,000 lives" in the evacuation.

"Some would have been in their attics or rooftops," he said.

The renovation isn't complete, just football-ready. The Monday night game is only one event in the long process of hurricane recovery. In stark contrast to the Superdome, the Dominion Tower stands vacant next door, its windows still shattered. The nearby Hyatt Hotel has yet to reopen.

"The symbolism can't be overstated," Thornton said. "The citizens have lost so much, the last thing they wanted to lose was their football team and their stadium. If we can rebuild this place, there's hope for the neighborhoods."

A Tour on Sept. 11, 2006:

Baghdad Bomb Targets Holiday Shoppers

BAGHDAD, Iraq, 09/24 - A car bomb ripped through crowds of shoppers stocking up before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, police in Baghdad said Saturday.


At least 28 people were killed and 26 others hurt in the blast at a market where people were buying gasoline and other supplies in the Baghdad Shiite stronghold of Sadr City.

Shiite Muslims will start to observe the Ramadan holiday starting Sunday, while the holy month begins Saturday for Sunnis.

People carried survivors out of the narrow, muddy streets toward ambulances in the aftermath of the attack at about 10 a.m.

College student Dhiyaa Ali told AP he found bodies and blood everywhere when he ran to help after hearing the explosion from his home.

The bomb was placed in a barrel near a gasoline tanker where people were lining up to buy fuel.

Space Travel Can Be a Dangerous Adventure

The effects of weightlessness on the human body were evident today at a welcome home event for the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Amid the festivities at Ellington Field, Houston, astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshn-Piper fainted twice. Both times she appeared confused just before her legs began to buckle. NASA officials and fellow crew members quickly braced her fall and helped her to the ground.

Despite being a little red-faced, Stefanyshn-Piper remained in good spirits.

"Boy, if that's not a little embarrassing," she said, according to the Associate Press.

Stefanyshn-Piper is among the six member Atlantis crew that returned Thursday after a 12-day long stay in space to add a solar array to the International Space Station.

Experts say Stefanyshn-Piper's fainting spell is not unusual....
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