Thursday, June 21, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
UK Big Brother getting the power to monitor phone calls, texts and internet use in the UK...
-
It is
true, Big Brother is alive and well in the United Kingdom. The British
Government will soon legislate to be able to monitor British citizens' email and
internet use in the very near future
Under the proposed legislation the British Government will be able to monitor phone calls, texts, emails and internet usage.
Internet firms will be required to give the British Intelligency Agency, GCHQ access to all communications it wishes to monitor.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17576745
Monday, June 04, 2012
Seeds of doubt: Brazilian farmers sue Monsanto...
Machines lined up before harvesting soybeans at a farm in Tangara da Serra in Cuiaba, Brazil (Reuters / Paulo Whitaker)
Five million Brazilian farmers are locked in a lawsuit with US-based biotech giant Monsanto, suing for as much as 6.2 billion euros. They say that the genetic-engineering company has been collecting royalties on crops it unfairly claims as its own.
The farmers claim that Monsanto unfairly collects exorbitant profits every year worldwide on royalties from “renewal” seed harvests. “Renewal” crops are those that have been planted using seed from the previous year’s harvest. While the practice of renewal farming is an ancient one, Monsanto disagrees, demanding royalties from any crop generation produced from its genetically-engineered seed. Because the engineered seed is patented, Monsanto not only charges an initial royalty on the sale of the crop produced, but a continuing 2 per cent royalty on every subsequent crop, even if the farmer is using a later generation of seed.
"Monsanto gets paid when it sell the seeds. The law gives producers the right to multiply the seeds they buy and nowhere in the world is there a requirement to pay (again). Producers are in effect paying a private tax on production," Jane Berwanger, lawyer for the farmers told the Associated Press reports.
In the latest installment of the legal battle erupting in South America, the Brazilian court has ruled in favor of the Brazilian farmers, saying Monsanto owes them at least US$2 billion paid since 2004. Monsanto, however, has appealed the decision and the case is ongoing.
In essence, Monsanto argues that once a farmer buys their seed, they have to pay the global bio-tech giant a yearly fee in perpetuity – with no way out.
At stake is Brazil’s highly profitable and ever growing soybean production. Last year, Brazil was the world's second producer and exporter of soybean behind the United States, according to the AFP report. The crops can be used for anything from animal feed to bio fuel, and worldwide demand is growing.
Genetically engineered soy first appeared illegally in Brazil in the 1990’s, smuggled in from neighboring Argentina. The Brazilian farmers found the seed attractive despite the ban in place from the Brazilian authorities because Monsanto had specifically designed the seed to be resistant to its own immensely powerful and popular herbicide Roundup.
When used in tandem, the strong herbicide will kill the weeds while allowing the soy crops to grow unimpeded. After the ban was lifted, genetically modified seed flooded the Brazilian market, and now 85 per cent of the Brazilian soy crop is genetically-engineered. Soy has been extremely successful in Brazil, currently making up 26 per cent of the country’s farm exports last year and netting Brazil a total of $24.1 billion, according to AP. However, Brazil’s farmers were apparently unaware there would be a heavy price to pay.
To make a deal with Monsanto is to make a deal with a company that is one the most powerful and pervasive food giants in the world. It is the world’s number one seed developer, and its patented genes have been inserted into 95 per cent of all American soy, and 80 per cent of all American corn crops. Monsanto has repeatedly levied large damage suits against independent farmers that have unknowingly or unwittingly used their seed.
And Monsanto’s reach goes far beyond agriculture.
Monsanto is also the world’s largest manufacturer of synthetic bovine growth hormone, injected into cows in order to stimulate greater milk production. The widespread pressure by the company to use the chemical and the subsequent measures taken by Monsanto to suppress information regarding the potential health risks sparked uproar among American farmers.
When dairy producers that did not use Monsanto’s products began labeling their products as “Hormone Free” or “Organic”, Monsanto slapped them with a lawsuit as recently as 2008, claiming the labels amounted to negative advertising against hormone-produced milk.
Director of corporate communications for Monsanto, Phil Angell, summed up Monsanto’s take on the issue in a report by food author Michael Pollan for New York Times Magazine in 1998: "Monsanto should not have to vouch for the safety of biotech food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is FDA's job."
The farmers claim that Monsanto unfairly collects exorbitant profits every year worldwide on royalties from “renewal” seed harvests. “Renewal” crops are those that have been planted using seed from the previous year’s harvest. While the practice of renewal farming is an ancient one, Monsanto disagrees, demanding royalties from any crop generation produced from its genetically-engineered seed. Because the engineered seed is patented, Monsanto not only charges an initial royalty on the sale of the crop produced, but a continuing 2 per cent royalty on every subsequent crop, even if the farmer is using a later generation of seed.
"Monsanto gets paid when it sell the seeds. The law gives producers the right to multiply the seeds they buy and nowhere in the world is there a requirement to pay (again). Producers are in effect paying a private tax on production," Jane Berwanger, lawyer for the farmers told the Associated Press reports.
In the latest installment of the legal battle erupting in South America, the Brazilian court has ruled in favor of the Brazilian farmers, saying Monsanto owes them at least US$2 billion paid since 2004. Monsanto, however, has appealed the decision and the case is ongoing.
In essence, Monsanto argues that once a farmer buys their seed, they have to pay the global bio-tech giant a yearly fee in perpetuity – with no way out.
At stake is Brazil’s highly profitable and ever growing soybean production. Last year, Brazil was the world's second producer and exporter of soybean behind the United States, according to the AFP report. The crops can be used for anything from animal feed to bio fuel, and worldwide demand is growing.
Genetically engineered soy first appeared illegally in Brazil in the 1990’s, smuggled in from neighboring Argentina. The Brazilian farmers found the seed attractive despite the ban in place from the Brazilian authorities because Monsanto had specifically designed the seed to be resistant to its own immensely powerful and popular herbicide Roundup.
When used in tandem, the strong herbicide will kill the weeds while allowing the soy crops to grow unimpeded. After the ban was lifted, genetically modified seed flooded the Brazilian market, and now 85 per cent of the Brazilian soy crop is genetically-engineered. Soy has been extremely successful in Brazil, currently making up 26 per cent of the country’s farm exports last year and netting Brazil a total of $24.1 billion, according to AP. However, Brazil’s farmers were apparently unaware there would be a heavy price to pay.
To make a deal with Monsanto is to make a deal with a company that is one the most powerful and pervasive food giants in the world. It is the world’s number one seed developer, and its patented genes have been inserted into 95 per cent of all American soy, and 80 per cent of all American corn crops. Monsanto has repeatedly levied large damage suits against independent farmers that have unknowingly or unwittingly used their seed.
And Monsanto’s reach goes far beyond agriculture.
Monsanto is also the world’s largest manufacturer of synthetic bovine growth hormone, injected into cows in order to stimulate greater milk production. The widespread pressure by the company to use the chemical and the subsequent measures taken by Monsanto to suppress information regarding the potential health risks sparked uproar among American farmers.
When dairy producers that did not use Monsanto’s products began labeling their products as “Hormone Free” or “Organic”, Monsanto slapped them with a lawsuit as recently as 2008, claiming the labels amounted to negative advertising against hormone-produced milk.
Director of corporate communications for Monsanto, Phil Angell, summed up Monsanto’s take on the issue in a report by food author Michael Pollan for New York Times Magazine in 1998: "Monsanto should not have to vouch for the safety of biotech food. Our interest is in selling as much of it as possible. Assuring its safety is FDA's job."
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Kim Dotcom wants charges dropped in what is a "flawed" case...
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| Emblem of Hong Kong (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Dotcom lawyer requests 'flawed' case to be dismissed
The German co-founder of the file-sharing site Megaupload is living in New Zealand where he has residency.
He and three other men are facing extradition to the US on charges of internet piracy and money laundering in what is described as the largest criminal copyright case in the world.
Mr Dotcom's American-based lawyer Ira Rothken says US authorities can't legally charge Megaupload, as it is a Hong Kong corporation and does not have a presence in America.
Mr Rothken says he is confident that the charges will be dropped.
However, if the court does not accept the argument, Mr Rothken says he has filed papers to request that Mr Dotcom and his co-accused get access to their frozen funds so they can pay for their legal defence.
Megaupload was indicted in a federal court in Virginia on 19 January this year and the site was shut down. Mr Dotcom and his co-accused were arrested in Auckland the following day.
Formal papers requesting their extradition were lodged in early March.
Acknowledgements: © 2012, Radio New Zealand
Sunday, May 27, 2012
What is the Illuminati? Are they real, do they control the world and what is their history?
What is the Illuminati? Are they real, do they control the world and what is their history?
http://www.terrorism-illuminati.com/
http://reality-bytes.hubpages.com/hub/What-Is-The-ILLUMINATI-Are-They-Real
http://www.google.co.nz/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=3&oq=the+history+of+the+illuminati&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enNZ455NZ455&q=the+history+of+the+illuminati+video&gs_upl=0l0l0l23878lllllllllll0&aqi=g4&pbx=1
http://reality-bytes.hubpages.com/hub/What-Is-The-ILLUMINATI-Are-They-Real
http://www.google.co.nz/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=3&oq=the+history+of+the+illuminati&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enNZ455NZ455&q=the+history+of+the+illuminati+video&gs_upl=0l0l0l23878lllllllllll0&aqi=g4&pbx=1
5 days ago
A gay Canadian Muslim launches a new book on liberal Islam in Malaysia...
Gay Canadian Muslim launches new book on Liberal Islam in Malaysia
Irshad Manji, a Canadian Muslim …
A Canadian Muslim gay activist launched her controversial new book on liberal Islam in Muslim-majority Malaysia Saturday despite a government minister's attempts to shut down the event.
Irshad Manji launched "Allah, Liberty and Love" at a hastily arranged event in the capital Kuala Lumpur after two other venues pulled out of hosting her, according to local publisher ZI Publications.
"Fantastic event in KL! Great energy -- except 4 cops who told latecomers that event is banned. Didn't stop us. Congrats 2 all," Manji wrote on Twitter.
Jamil Khir Baharom, minister in charge of Islamic affairs, had said Islamic officials and the Home Ministry would not allow the author's roadshow in the country following complaints.
He was quoted by national news agency Bernama as saying earlier on Saturday that the book was offensive to Muslims as was Manji's ideology and openly gay lifestyle, which was deemed to be against Islam.
According to her website, the book, now available in the local Malay language, "shows all of us how to reconcile faith and freedom in a world seething with repressive dogmas... This book is the ultimate guide to becoming a gutsy global citizen".
The book has not been officially banned. Manji was due to fly to New York City late Saturday.
Her previous internationally acclaimed book, "The Trouble with Islam Today", is already banned in Malaysia, ZI Publications said.
Manji also faced problems while touring Indonesia before coming to Malaysia. Police shut down several events after the Islamic Defenders Front group held violent protests condemning her liberal views on Islam and her homosexuality.
It is also not the first time a foreign act has run into trouble in Malaysia.
In February, Malaysia banned a show by American singer Erykah Badu after a photo of her with body art including the Arabic word for "Allah" was published in a daily newspaper.
5 days ago
Christchurch trams should be back on track by Christmas...
Christchurch trams should be back on track by Christmas.Things are beginning to move a little in the earthquake devastated southern New Zealand city.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/6876795/Trams-back-on-track-by-Christmas Video of how things were!
http://communitybloggersevolve.blog.co.uk
http://peter-petterson.blogspot.com
2 weeks ago
Marriage: One on one or five...
US Republican candidate, Mitt Romney is against gay marriage. He's says marriage should be between one man and one woman. Mr Romney's grandfather, also a Mormon like his grandson, believed marriage was between one man and five women
http://communitybloggersevolve.blog.co.uk
2 weeks ago
Chen exposes the fragile control of the Chinese Communist Party...
3 weeks ago
When we grow - full doco on cannabis...
"When we grow" A full length documentary about cannabis.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSKJrgGqx_E&feature=related
4 weeks ago
Cannabis resin makes brain tumours shrink and halts the growth of blood vessels...
Ads
Cannabis resin makes brain tumours shrink, and halts the growth of blood vessels...http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2012/04/27/cannabis-extract-makes-brain-tumours-shrink-and-halts-the-growth-of-blood-vessels-13584451/
1 month ago
Research claims gay men have their hetero cousins outmeasured by a head...
Uncovered Kinsey report shows homosexual members have heteros by a head in the measurement stakes. I wonder? It makes for a good story though.
http://www.salon.com/1999/11/04/size/
http://www.salon.com/1999/11/04/size/
1 month ago
Anzac Day April 25 tomorrow in New Zealand and Australia is the day we remember...
Tomorrow we remember and commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice in all wars during the last one hundred years, and those servicemen and women who served their country proudly and returned home to their families and friends. Lest we forget!
1 month ago
Kiwis part of international force that marched into Madrid during Spanish Civil War...
Saturday, May 19, 2012
The President's Book of Secrets - does it exist or is it a myth?
 |
| Seal of the President of the United States Español: Escudo del Presidente de los Estados Unidos Македонски: Печат на Претседателот на Соединетите Американски Држави. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
 |
| LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: President of the United States, Barack Obama, and his wife Michelle are greeted by British Prime Minister David Cameron outside number 10 Downing Street on May 24, 2011 in London, England. The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and his wife Michelle are in the UK for a two day State Visit at the invitation of HM Queen Elizabeth II. During the trip they will attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace and the President will address both houses of parliament at Westminster Hall. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife) |
 |
| Cover of Book of Secrets |
THE
PRESIDENTS BOOK OF SECRETS - Does it exist or is it a myth?
by Peter Petterson
This post discusses this claim. By the time we finish reading all the relevant comments we may really know or at least be better educated:
It has been reported that moments after being sworn in, all new American presidents gain access to the Nuclear Football" - a briefcase containing the most volatile top-secret information in the world - America's nuclear launch codes.
The "Football " is a high profile national secret - but it is only one of a great many pieces in the classified arsenal at the President's disposal once he assumes the ultimate role of Commander-in- Chief - THE PRESIDENTS BOOK OF SECRETS (video) takes viewers on a journey inside White House history to unveil some staggering information about secrets known only to the President from top-secret intelligence and classified codes and future technologies.
Just what secrecy does an out-going President share with the incoming President-elect during that first private meeting? When does he actually gain access to the vital national secrets and receive the access codes to the nuclear arsenal?
Is there a 'Keeper' who informs the new President-elect about everything? What is so classified that even a presidential clearance is not even enough to gain access? How could a woman ever be elevated to the supreme position in the United States of America? I really don't think it is at all possible, but that is an entirely different subject for another time and place.
Is there really a Book of Secrets - You can answer that after viewing the video.
www.ultra-vid.com/watch-the-presidents-book-of-secrets-2010-dvd
www..en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Treasure_book-of_secrets The movie.
Use URL if your link does not work.
http://kiwiriverman.blogspot.com
Friday, May 18, 2012
The case of the missing terrorists...
The Case of the Missing Terrorists
Paul Craig Roberts
Prisonplanet.com
If there were any real terrorists, Jose Rodriguez would be dead.
Who is Jose Rodriguez? He is the criminal who ran the CIA torture program. Most of his victims were not terrorists or even insurgents. Most were hapless individuals kidnapped by warlords and sold to the Americans as “terrorists” for the bounty paid.
If Rodriguez’s identity was previously a secret, it is no more. He has been on CBS “60 Minutes” taking credit for torturing Muslims and using the information allegedly gained to kill leaders of al Qaeda. If terrorists were really the problem that Homeland Security, the FBI and CIA claim, Rodriguez’s name would be a struck through item on the terrorists’ hit list. He would be in his grave.
So, also, would be John Yoo, who wrote the Justice (sic) Department memos giving the green light to torture, despite US and International laws prohibiting torture. Apparently, Yoo, a professor at the Boalt School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley, was ignorant of US and international law. And so was the US Department of Justice (sic).
Notice that Rodriguez, “The Torturer of the Muslims,” does’t have to hide. He can go on national television, reveal his identity, and revel in his success in torturing and murdering Muslims. Rodriguez has no Secret Service protection and would be an easy mark for assassination by terrorists so capable as to have, allegedly, pulled off 9/11.
Another easy mark for assassination would be former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who staffed up the Pentagon with neoconservative warmongers such as Paul Wolfowitz and Douglas Feith, who in turn concocted the false information used to justify the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. Rumsfeld himself declared members of al Qaeda to be the most vicious and dangerous killers on earth. Yet Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Feith, Richard Perle, together with neoconservative media propagandists, such as William Kristol and Max Boot, have been walking around safe for years unmolested by terrorists seeking revenge or bringing retribution to those responsible for as many as 1,000,000 Muslim deaths.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
The oldest version of ancient Mayan calender found...
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| Maya calendar (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| A modern pictogram of the Mayan god Ahau, after which the 20th day of the tzolkin cycle was named (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
-
The
oldest-known version of the ancient Maya calendar has been discovered adorning a
lavishly painted wall in the ruins of a city deep in the Guatemalan
rainforest.
The hieroglyphs, painted in black and red, along with a colorful mural of a king and his mysterious attendants, seem to have been a sort of handy reference chart for court scribes in A.D. 800 — the astronomers and mathematicians of their day. Contrary to popular myth, this calendar isn't a countdown to the end of the world in December 2012, the study researchers said.
"The Mayan calendar is going to keep going for billions, trillions, octillions of years into the future," said archaeologist David Stuart of the University of Texas, who worked to decipher the glyphs. "Numbers we can't even wrap our heads around." [End of the World? Top Doomsday Fears]
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