A Mob-Defying Former Mayor Knows Why New Jersey Is So Corrupt (BLOG)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XoM5-7-VmU41ZZkvCjVmXi2Z3Si4Kxf5JSHDDRgZsB-xCplMjnqqQjJVKmmBIN7NvTxzJYmvozNwg31-JiIgN5epeS1tO3-opso-9ms1MSsbv-Gx_0rO2kJafF07XoeRGdtRZC60YQ8/s1600/tt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XoM5-7-VmU41ZZkvCjVmXi2Z3Si4Kxf5JSHDDRgZsB-xCplMjnqqQjJVKmmBIN7NvTxzJYmvozNwg31-JiIgN5epeS1tO3-opso-9ms1MSsbv-Gx_0rO2kJafF07XoeRGdtRZC60YQ8/s1600/tt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="dek char-limit multiline" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TitlingGothicFBCondRegular, 'Arial Narrow', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px !important; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 0px 24px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">The chief of Fort Lee turned down a $500,000 mob bribe in 1974. Forty years later, he explains what makes the Garden State so fertile for corruption.</div><section class="article-body-content" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">New Jersey is giving Illinois a run for its money as America’s most corrupt state. Four of the past eight governors from the Land of Lincoln have landed in the pokey, and Chris Christie could share their fate if the worst comes to pass out of recent scandals.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Even without Christie in the clink, senators, congressmen, county bosses, and mayors of almost every major city in New Jersey have been convicted of crimes. What gives? Why does New Jersey government seem like it’s run by the Sopranos? </div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">As the former mayor of Fort Lee, I have some personal insight into New Jersey corruption. In 1974, I turned down a $500,000 bribe from developers linked to the mob to rezone 17 acres adjacent to the George Washington Bridge right where the access lanes were closed this past September in “Bridgegate.” The land was zoned single-family residential, and the developers wanted to build 3,000,000 square feet of retail, hotel, and office space. Had they gotten their way, the $500,000 bribe would have been chump change compared to the tens of millions of dollars they would have made.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the nation.  Almost 9 million people live in New Jersey, yet you could fit a sizeable chunk of the state into Yosemite National Park in California. Years ago, a rocket was shot and lost in Nevada.  It took searchers almost two weeks to find the errant missile. Imagine a rocket being lost in New Jersey. Within seconds of hitting the ground, millions of residents would be calling in with its exact location.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">The law of supply and demand applies to New Jersey real estate: there is very little of it and strong demand for it.  Land in New Jersey is worth a fortune. Corrupt politicians sell their souls for power or money, and the dense development of land is where the action is.  It’s as simple as that.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Even in poor cities the right development of land is worth a six-figure bribe. Just last week Tony Mack, mayor of Trenton, New Jersey’s capital, was convicted, among other things, of conspiring with his brother to accept $119,000 in exchange for the development of an <a href="http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2014/02/convicted_trenton_mayor_tony_macks_lawyer_blasts_jury_verdict_and_mack_loses_his_driver.html" sl-processed="1" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6c899d; cursor: pointer; display: inline; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">automated parking garage</a>.  The jury didn’t need more than a day to return with a guilty verdict.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">A few years ago working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office then headed by one Chris Christie, the infamous federal informer Solomon Dwek helped put three mayors and two state legislators into the slammer primarily by pretending to be a real estate developer offering money in exchange for zoning help. Not too many so-called public servants declined his offer.</div><blockquote class="blockquote" style="background-color: black; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; color: white; display: table; float: left; font-family: TitlingGothicFBStandCond; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 350px; line-height: inherit; margin: 9px 31px 9px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; quotes: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; width: 235px;"><div class="centerer" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 350px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: middle; width: 235px;"><div class="safe-area" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-height: 340px; max-width: 200px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="content" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 30px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 1.6px; line-height: 34.5px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">Corrupt politicians sell their souls for power or money, and the dense development of land is where the action is.</div></div></div></blockquote><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Corruption is even more rampant in the northern end of the state where land is closer to New York City. Two of the towns involved so far in the recent Christie scandals—Fort Lee and Hoboken—are unusually densely developed and both provide spectacular views of the Big Apple.  Fort Lee has more than 35,000 residents living within its two and a half square miles, and Hoboken has more than 50,000 people inhabiting not much more than one square mile.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">If Mayor Zimmer of Hoboken is to be believed, and I have no reason to doubt her, the Christie administration was prepared to deny Hoboken Sandy relief aid if she didn’t favor a redevelopment project represented by David Samson, Chairman of the Port Authority and a close confidante of Governor Christie. Had Zimmer succumbed to the pressure, Samson’s law firm could ultimately have made millions of dollars in legal fees.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">The United States Attorney for New Jersey is reportedly investigating this matter, and if criminal conduct is found, it will dwarf Bridgegate in importance. The misuse of Sandy funds is not only morally indefensible but potentially criminal.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Belleville, New Jersey is another municipality where the development of land, in this instance, for a senior citizen housing project, has a definite stench about it.  Here it seems like the politicians were trying to cement their power rather than to fill their coffers.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">For many years Belleville’s public officials had tried unsuccessfully to raise the money for this development.  When Christie was kind enough to cough up roughly <a href="http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2014/01/christie_awards_political_ally.html" sl-processed="1" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6c899d; cursor: pointer; display: inline; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">$6,000,000 of Sandy aid for Belleville to build the project</a>, it was no coincidence when the Essex County Chairman, a Democrat, and the Democratic Mayor of Belleville both endorsed the Governor’s reelection bid. The only problem is that this project has virtually nothing to do with Hurricane Sandy. In fact, Belleville was ranked 254th of cities affected by the hurricane.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6;"><br />The normally straight talking Christie has been unusually silent recently. He seems like the proverbial three monkeys all wrapped up in one—“see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”  But evil seems to be everywhere, and if the governor doesn’t come clean quickly, he has a better chance of landing in the Big House than in the White House.</span>Local officials love nothing more than supporting housing facilities for senior citizens. They are not motivated simply by pure love in their hearts, but rather because they understand that seniors vote in large numbers and tend to vote for the politicians who were kind enough to find them housing.  Skilled politicians are expert in securing this vote often by putting voting booths in the lobby of the housing.  Again it appears that the governor was using Sandy aid as a political slush fund.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">-DailyBeast</div></section>

A Mob-Defying Former Mayor Knows Why New Jersey Is So Corrupt (BLOG)

The chief of Fort Lee turned down a $500,000 mob bribe in 1974. Forty years later, he explains what makes the Garden State so fertile for co...

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Al-Shabab Bomb Attack Kills 7 In Somali Capital

<iframe frameborder="0" height="506" scrolling="no" src="http://english.share.voanews.eu/flashembed.aspx?t=phg&id=1850554&w=640&h=506&skin=embeded" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Al-Shabab Attack Kills 6 In Somali Capital -- Voice of America</b></span></div><br />Militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for a deadly car bomb explosion in Somalia's capital.<br /><br />Authorities in Mogadishu tell VOA that at least six people were killed, including three Somali soldiers, and eight others were injured in Thursday's blast.<br /><br />Daniel Maclsaac, a spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency, says the bomb appeared to target a U.N. convoy.<br /><br />"A vehicle exploded close to a convoy of U.N. vehicles at about 12:30 there today. It was near the international airport in Mogadishu," he said. "The U.N. in Somalia strongly condemns the attack and expresses deep sorrow at the reported deaths and injuries of Somali bystanders."<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/car-bomb-kills-7-in-somali-capital/1850513.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Al-Shabab Bomb Attack Killing 7 In Somali Capital</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/car-bomb-blast-kills-3-in-somali-capital/2014/02/13/7e500690-94a8-11e3-9e13-770265cf4962_story.html">UN targeted: Car bomb blast kills 6 in Somalia</a> -- Washington Post/AP<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-somalia-blast-idUSBREA1C0H820140213">Al Shabaab car bomb hits U.N. convoy, killing seven Somalis</a> -- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hVe7KA703jWNUAKSzc4svA7RVsFw?docId=2631b369-7b40-4999-aee6-30dd4184a550">Somalia airport bombing leaves at least six dead</a> -- AFP<br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26172956">Somalia: Car bomb explodes near airport in Mogadishu </a>-- BBC<br /><a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/al-shabaab-car-bomb-kills-seven-mogadishu-airport-1436314">Al-Shabaab Car Bomb Kills Seven at Mogadishu Airport</a> -- IBTimes<br /><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2014/02/bomb-explodes-near-airport-somalia-capital-201421310592324646.html">Bomb explodes near airport in Somali capital</a> -- Al Jazeera<br /><a href="http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/02/13/Car-bomb-attack-at-Mogadishu-airport-leaves-5-dead-7-injured/UPI-42381392307406/?spt=rln&or=1">Car bomb attack at Mogadishu airport leaves 5 dead, 7 injured </a>-- UPI<br /><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/13/world/africa/somalia-car-bomb/">Car bomb hits U.N. cars, kills 2 near Mogadishu's airport</a> -- CNN<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/somalia-blast-alshabaab-idUSL5N0LI2JF20140213">Islamist rebels say behind bomb near Somali airport </a>-- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47136&Cr=somali&Cr1=#.Uvz9aoW0ykM">Somalia: UN envoy strongly condemns attack near airport in Mogadishu</a> -- UN News Centre

Al-Shabab Bomb Attack Kills 7 In Somali Capital

Al-Shabab Attack Kills 6 In Somali Capital -- Voice of America Militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for a deadly car bomb exp...

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Japan’s Beloved Deaf Composer is Neither Deaf Nor a Composer (BLOG)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf1EzvzUeWDO3qg71jObNRO8JgUIsTTG_RxMubAx2QFDEz3g5X5cGU7jasnR_LlRNcDBjaJ-y-gxfX2me4LxV361ySCY0BFNtdtUa3oWS3uErA5tahDIhvq3AJXQ1yDjN4EswsDs3IZ8/s1600/coo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf1EzvzUeWDO3qg71jObNRO8JgUIsTTG_RxMubAx2QFDEz3g5X5cGU7jasnR_LlRNcDBjaJ-y-gxfX2me4LxV361ySCY0BFNtdtUa3oWS3uErA5tahDIhvq3AJXQ1yDjN4EswsDs3IZ8/s1600/coo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="dek char-limit multiline" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: TitlingGothicFBCondRegular, 'Arial Narrow', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px !important; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 10px 0px 24px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Turns out, ‘Japan’s Beethoven,’ who ‘wrote’ music for the Olympics, is a complete fraud—and his scandal threatens to derail his country’s figure-skating hopes.</div><section class="article-body-content" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">When Daisuke Takahashi takes to the ice Thursday at the Sochi Winter Olympics, he’ll begin his quest to again make history for his country, as he did four years ago, when he became the first Japanese man to medal in an Olympic male figure skating singles event by taking home the bronze. That same year, he became the first Japanese man to win a singles title at the World Championships, and in 2012 he took the gold at the Grand Prix Final in Sochi—again, he is the first man from his country to ever accomplish the feat. He’ll be hoping for an unprecedented Olympic gold on Friday after the free skating performance, but first he’ll have to start his campaign with a strong short program on Thursday’s primetime competitions (Thursday morning in America).</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">How fitting that the national hero will be skating to a piece of music written by Mamoru Samuragochi, a composer who’s cherished as the Beethoven of Japan. The comparison is not grotesque, since Samuragochi is deaf, like Beethoven was.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Samuragochi was born in 1963 in Hiroshima. According to his autobiography, he started playing piano at age 4 and had mastered Beethoven by age 10. He disliked academic compositional regimens such as the Suzuki method, so he never attended university or conservatory, instead becoming an autodidact. He suffered from migraines, and when he was 24 he found that he suffered from a degenerative illness that left him with a severe audio disability, and he lost his hearing by 35. That year, however, he overcame his handicap and made his first breakthrough scoring the video game <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Resident Evil: Dual Shock Ver., </i>and found further success with the game <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Onimusha: Warlords</i> in 2001. <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Time</i> magazine called him a “<a href="http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1000781,00.html" sl-processed="1" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6c899d; cursor: pointer; display: inline; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">digital-age Beethoven</a>.” He told the magazine: “I listen to myself. If you trust your inner sense of sound, you create something that is truer. It is like communicating from the heart. Losing my hearing was a gift from God.”</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">By 2003, he had sprung into higher stratospheres, and completed his first symphony, an intense and ambitious work subtitled “Hiroshima,” which commemorated the victims of the 1945 atomic bombing of his home city. In 2013, he shot to stardom thanks to a documentary called <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Melody of the Soul: The Composer Who Lost His Hearing</i>, which was aired on Japan’s NHK network. The film chronicles Samuragochi’s visit to the Tohoku region, where he met survivors of the 2011 tsunami. In one scene, he plays with a girl who lost her mother in the disaster, and he vows to overcome his illness and compose a requiem for her. Viewers were moved to tears, and sales of his CDs skyrocketed, while the Hiroshima symphony (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/07/arts/music/renowned-japanese-composer-mamoru-samuragochi-admits-fraud.html" sl-processed="1" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6c899d; cursor: pointer; display: inline; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">180,000 copies sold</a>) became something of a national anthem—it was known as “the symphony of hope.” Japan adores classical music, and Samuragochi became the country’s darling musical genius.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">What an inspirational tale it would make, when Samuragochi’s lyrical <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Sonatina for Violin</i> manages to swell to a crash of cymbals just as Takahashi lands his last triple-axel. And with that final flourish, a nation will stand proud as it turns its eyes and ears to two of its best, as it continues to recover from one of the worst natural disasters in history.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">If only the story were so perfect.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">As it turns out, Japan’s deaf composer isn’t really a composer. He isn’t even deaf.</div><blockquote class="blockquote" style="background-color: black; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: left; color: white; display: table; float: left; font-family: TitlingGothicFBStandCond; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 350px; line-height: inherit; margin: 9px 31px 9px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; quotes: none; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; width: 235px;"><div class="centerer" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: table-cell; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 350px; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: middle; width: 235px;"><div class="safe-area" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-height: 340px; max-width: 200px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="content" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 42px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; letter-spacing: 1.6px; line-height: 48.29999923706055px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">“He told me that if I didn’t write songs for him, he’d commit suicide.”</div></div></div></blockquote><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Last week, under the threat of being exposed by a tabloid interview, and through a statement by his lawyer, Samuragochi confessed that he did not compose much of his work—not the “Hiroshima” symphony, not the <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Sonatina</i>, not even <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Resident Evil</i> or <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Onimusha</i>. Instead, ever since the 1990s, he’s paid someone else to write his compositions. “Samuragochi is deeply sorry as he has betrayed fans and disappointed others,” the statement read.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">The next day, the newspaper story was published, at which point Takashi Niigaki, a part-time lecturer in composition at the renowned Toho Gakuen School of Music, came forward, and he detailed the process in a long press conference. He revealed that 18 years ago Samuragochi came to him and asked him to ghostwrite, which isn’t unusual in the commercial film and video-game world. But Samuragochi received sole credit, and such an arrangement would be a complete no-no in the symphonic realm. That’s not to mention that, according to Niigaki, the celebrated Beethoven of Japan cannot even write musical scores at all. What’s more, he paid Niigaki only seven million yen, or about $70,000, for composing more than 20 pieces over the years, while <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304181204579366651469543892" sl-processed="1" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6c899d; cursor: pointer; display: inline; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank"><i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">The Wall Street Journal</i> pointed out</a>that according to Samuragochi’s Nippon Columbia label, works attributed to him have brought in some $6 million of revenue.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">And then there was the bit about Samuragochi’s hearing—the source of all the Beethoven comparisons.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’ve never felt he was deaf ever since we met,” Niigaki said. “We carry on normal conversations,” and Samuragochi listened to the scores and gave feedback. “At first he acted to me also as if he had suffered hearing loss, but he stopped doing so eventually,” Niigaki said.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Over the years, Niigaki said he grew increasingly concerned and wanted to come clean, but Samuragochi begged him not to. “He told me that if I didn’t write songs for him, he’d commit suicide,” Niigaki told reporters. “But I could not bear the thought of skater Takahashi being seen by the world as a co-conspirator in our crime.”</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Samuragochi responded Wednesday with <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2014/02/12/complete-translation-mamoru-samuragochi-admits-a-life-of-deception/" sl-processed="1" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out; box-sizing: border-box; color: #6c899d; cursor: pointer; display: inline; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s ease-in-out;" target="_blank">a written statement</a> of contrition, saying that he was “deeply ashamed” and apologized to Niigaki. He also admitted that he kinda, sorta faked his deafness, that he has regained some of his hearing, but insisted that he did in fact suffer from a hearing disorder.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">“The truth is that I became deaf and joined a sign-language group and subsequently got a certificate designating me as having a Level 2 hearing disorder,” Samuragochi said. “My hearing condition, in fact, has gotten better recently. Since about three years ago, my hearing has improved such that I can hear words if they are spoken clearly and slowly next to my ears, although they sound muffled and distorted.”</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6;"><br />All of which left Daisuke Takahashi in a bit of a shock. “I wasn’t sure whether I could still use this music or not,” he said. “I didn’t know the background when I chose it; I just liked the music.”</span>The backlash has been swift and furious. The mayor of Hiroshima has threatened to strip him of an award. Nippon Columbia vowed to stop selling “his” music. Niigaki, however, said he didn’t want to press charges, and wouldn’t go after royalties.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s too late to change routines—some skaters swap their music or choreography for old ones weeks before competition, but picking up a new program days before is impossible. So rest assured that you’ll be able to hear Samuragochi’s, or Niigaki’s, <i style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">Sonatina</i> when Takahashi appears in the rink—with the composer’s name(s) removed entirely, that is. (You can watch Takahashi skate to the same music in the clip below.)</div><div class="inlinevideo" itemprop="video" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/VideoObject" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="media-block has-video " style="background-color: black; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 10px auto 15px; max-width: 610px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline; zoom: 1;"><div class="media" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="screenshot" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Video screenshot" class="img" src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/epDUXaEoNr4/0.jpg" style="-webkit-transition: opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; border: 0px; bottom: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: auto; line-height: inherit; margin: auto; max-width: 100%; min-height: 407px; min-width: 100%; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: static; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; top: 0px; transition: opacity 0.2s ease-in-out; vertical-align: middle; width: 610px;" /><span class="play-btn icon-play" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: transparent; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8); cursor: pointer; font-family: dailybeast-icon-font; font-size: 100px; height: 100px; left: 305px; line-height: 1; margin: -50px 0px 0px -50px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: absolute; speak: none; text-align: center; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; top: 265.5px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 100px;"></span></div></div></div></div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">The scandal shouldn’t be able to break the concentration of one of Japan’s best figure skaters, but Takahashi has his work cut out for him regardless, if he’s to hope for gold. Canada’s Patrick Chan and Spain’s Javier Fernandez stand in the way, but the saving grace might be that the top-ranked skater in the world is Takahashi’s young protégé, his 19-year-old compatriot Yuzuru Hanyu. Japan might yet be proud.</div><div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.1875em; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility; vertical-align: baseline;">All the dishonor and distraction behind Samuragochi’s downfall ought to warn us against our propensity for mythmaking. Beethoven, of course, was no stranger to megalomania, and he even loved to brag to his friends about his vanity. He claimed that he once walked right through the whole Austrian imperial family, and was delighted that princes and empresses took off their hats and saluted, and made a lane for him. All the while they ignored Beethoven’s friend, who had stood aside to bow his head—the companion was Goethe. But for all his self-absorption, the Japanese Beethoven ought to have learned from his German counterpart in another manner. It was Beethoven who once fired his housekeeper for telling a lie. “Anyone who tells a lie has not a pure heart,” the composer is said to have exclaimed. “How can she make pure soup?”</div></section>

Japan’s Beloved Deaf Composer is Neither Deaf Nor a Composer (BLOG)

Turns out, ‘Japan’s Beethoven,’ who ‘wrote’ music for the Olympics, is a complete fraud—and his scandal threatens to derail his country’s fi...

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WALL STREET becomes INCREASINGLY UNSTABLE

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">*****SHTF ALERT*****</span> </span></b><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Concerns of 1929 STYLE CRASH</span></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I0EaRI49jju3X8UYjKeJZgayQXcMlp39xHSgreNwcOOilfl_HiT3HSVjXhbVCBYU54xWZC-bjesjwzMNVSmgtdLNXrq9fSDIvRCOMVmjPBWz_6xbL4StbXGMPKbDrI1kW-YQwDJ1SZY/s1600/Wall-Street-sign-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8I0EaRI49jju3X8UYjKeJZgayQXcMlp39xHSgreNwcOOilfl_HiT3HSVjXhbVCBYU54xWZC-bjesjwzMNVSmgtdLNXrq9fSDIvRCOMVmjPBWz_6xbL4StbXGMPKbDrI1kW-YQwDJ1SZY/s1600/Wall-Street-sign-001.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">DJIA increasingly unstable</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><img alt="http://markets.money.cnn.com/markets/overview/modules/chart.asp" src="http://markets.money.cnn.com/markets/overview/modules/chart.asp" /></div><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">*****VIX VOLATILITY INDEX RISING RAPIDLY*****</span></span> </b></div><br /><b>1929 CHART GAINING TRACTION:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/scary-1929-market-chart-gains-traction-2014-02-11" style="color: red;">http://www.marketwatch.com/story/scary-1929-market-chart-gains-traction-2014-02-11</a> </b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Financial Advisers Recommending GOLD and SILVER </span></b></div><br /><b>GOLD BECOMES A SAFE HAVEN AGAIN: </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="199" src="http://www.finviz.com/fut_chart.ashx?t=GC&cot=088691&p=m5" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>WATCH SILVER:</b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><img height="199" src="http://www.finviz.com/fut_chart.ashx?t=SI&cot=084691&p=m5" width="400" /> </b></div><br /><b>...developing...</b></div>

WALL STREET becomes INCREASINGLY UNSTABLE

*****SHTF ALERT***** Concerns of 1929 STYLE CRASH DJIA increasingly unstable *****VIX VOLATILITY INDEX RISING RAPIDLY***** 1929 CHART GAIN...

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MARIJUANA STOCKS turning GREEN daily

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Marijuana's GROWING STOCK MARKET presence</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">*****THE INVESTMENT OF 2014 and beyond****</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD0jg7ljeI9MTCNdcQ780xH2GRVJakavCTbYwy6UQadadskwmdVbSI7a9BkJudYP5apCBXmF4Jwm54MgjEZT43aPNo9I5dtNncFLLHheagTKhhuzamzE8Yfw_gqmMFv9ABO2FKlovguk/s1600/marijuana_legal_gavel_620x350.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD0jg7ljeI9MTCNdcQ780xH2GRVJakavCTbYwy6UQadadskwmdVbSI7a9BkJudYP5apCBXmF4Jwm54MgjEZT43aPNo9I5dtNncFLLHheagTKhhuzamzE8Yfw_gqmMFv9ABO2FKlovguk/s320/marijuana_legal_gavel_620x350.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The LEGALIZATION of MARIJUANA </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MARIJUANA SUPPLY SHORTAGES ALREADY</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MASSIVE DEMAND</b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>JOB CREATIONS</b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SALES ESTIMATES in the BILLIONS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>LEARN MORE: </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://bluehorseshoestocks.com/" style="color: red;">http://bluehorseshoestocks.com/</a> </b><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>...developing... </b><br /><br /></div>

MARIJUANA STOCKS turning GREEN daily

Marijuana's GROWING STOCK MARKET presence *****THE INVESTMENT OF 2014 and beyond**** The LEGALIZATION of MARIJUANA MARIJUANA SUPPLY SHOR...

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Lil' Kim Is Pregnant! (BLOG)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzeGzqAze43fCUCOd-hbDUOLSuThmHM9bEAJR2WXJIbmOw3BgYz7sufIU5aqEbnHeTrkkXAhxCmcUNl3wJgzjmGqBT8gmhnXGqVMTRfeHthkKvnsJrO_rL-OcYEv7GgoKPmpYVPzQ-fo/s1600/kim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzeGzqAze43fCUCOd-hbDUOLSuThmHM9bEAJR2WXJIbmOw3BgYz7sufIU5aqEbnHeTrkkXAhxCmcUNl3wJgzjmGqBT8gmhnXGqVMTRfeHthkKvnsJrO_rL-OcYEv7GgoKPmpYVPzQ-fo/s1600/kim.jpg" /></a></div><div data-action="Contextual" data-category="Article" data-track-tags="a" id="article-body" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rapper <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lil' Kim</strong> is pregnant! "I'm so excited! I'm a few months along, I can't wait to be a mom!" Lil' Kim exclusively tells <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #009bd5; font-size: 1.1em; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Us Weekly</a></strong>.</div><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lil' Kim took to the stage at The Blonds Fashion Week after-party in New York City on Wednesday night, Feb. 12, to announce her pregnancy. "I'm a mom, but I can turn it up a little!" she said as she rubbed her belly. </div><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Indeed, the 39-year-old rapper doesn't plan on slowing down any time soon. "I'm still going to work," she tells <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Us</strong>. "I'm still going to be hardcore. The baby has made me even more of a beast!"  </div><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Right before performing "Lighters Up" she made sure to pay tribute to the late <strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Notorious B.I.G.</strong>, telling the crowd, "It's also going to be Biggie's birthday and the anniversary of his death soon so we [as she points to her belly] love you." </div><div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lil' Kim has chosen to keep the identity of the unborn baby's father private at this time. </div></div><div class="social-foot" style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; height: 50px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 465px;"><div class="share clearfix" style="border: 0px; 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Lil' Kim Is Pregnant! (BLOG)

Rapper  Lil' Kim  is pregnant! "I'm so excited! I'm a few months along, I can't wait to be a mom!" Lil' Kim ex...

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Germany's Foreign Minister: Afghanistan Will Sign U.S. Security Pact

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15AB0uJ8wTsHioJOUr6QMSJ4v98DE1YxSs_87aWrwWDca52wqCFaVrdSzxB3Rcs7NEQshnhWaiB4aOzR-D4ouhXbOjc2TvHGmxy_-wqdmErzfDJ87is9KQAOlpBtR-Gs79OjHko_oLK6z/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh15AB0uJ8wTsHioJOUr6QMSJ4v98DE1YxSs_87aWrwWDca52wqCFaVrdSzxB3Rcs7NEQshnhWaiB4aOzR-D4ouhXbOjc2TvHGmxy_-wqdmErzfDJ87is9KQAOlpBtR-Gs79OjHko_oLK6z/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks during a news conference in Kabul February 9, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Omar Sobhani</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Afghanistan Will Sign U.S. Security Pact, Says Germany -- Reuters</b></span></div><br />(Reuters) - Germany's foreign minister said on Thursday that he had received assurances from Afghan President Hamid Karzai that his country would sign a security deal with the United States that allows Western troops to remain in the country.<br /><br />The United States has warned it could withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan unless the pact is signed soon.<br /><br />Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke to Karzai during a weekend trip to Afghanistan.<br /><br />"He said to me very clearly: the deal has been negotiated, it would not be amended," Steinmeier told the Bundestag lower house of parliament, saying, however, that Karzai had given no indication of the timing.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-afghanistan-usa-germany-idUSBREA1C0R420140213">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment: </b>When it comes to Afghan President Karzai .... who knows what he is thinking.

Germany's Foreign Minister: Afghanistan Will Sign U.S. Security Pact

Germany's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier speaks during a news conference in Kabul February 9, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Omar Sobha...

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U2 Will Give 'Ordinary Love' Its Live Premiere at the Oscars(BLOG)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhXJrhBGscJ90myO1keX3EClpLoV6X8Pv9uJchS4XeMdNUgVI3beCoIa38Z9SvLn22K_Kyj4hqRzXXuFKhVSwpQrEYyXU8iXufXejbb81OAL2kvtDADwM2zdjVu3ql9vb9qsnhzJaQWs/s1600/uu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhXJrhBGscJ90myO1keX3EClpLoV6X8Pv9uJchS4XeMdNUgVI3beCoIa38Z9SvLn22K_Kyj4hqRzXXuFKhVSwpQrEYyXU8iXufXejbb81OAL2kvtDADwM2zdjVu3ql9vb9qsnhzJaQWs/s1600/uu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/u2" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">U2</a> will give "Ordinary Love," their song for the movie <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/mandela-long-walk-to-freedom-20131127" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom</a></em>, its live debut at the Oscars in March, according to <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/u2-ordinary-love-oscars/" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Deadline</a></em>. The tune is up for Best Original Song, with the group saying in a statement that the nomination was <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/u2-on-mandela-oscar-nomination-beyond-our-wildest-teenage-dreams-20140117" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">"beyond our wildest teenage dreams."</a> Last month, <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/american-hustle-dominates-2014-golden-globes-awards-20140113" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">U2 won</a> a Golden Globe in the same category for the song, which the band had written to honor <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/u2-inspired-by-mandela-on-ordinary-love-20131121" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">their close friend Nelson Mandela</a>.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">The band won't be the only musicians performing at next month's award show. <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/pharrell-to-perform-at-oscars-20140204" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Pharrell Williams will sing</a> <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/songreviews/happy-20130607" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">"Happy,"</a> his contribution to the <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/despicable-me-2-20130708" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Despicable Me 2</a> </em>soundtrack, and Idina Menzel, the singer and actress who previously won a Tony for <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wicked,</em> will sing "Let It Go," her tune from the animated feature <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/frozen-20131127" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Frozen</a></em>, according to <em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/idina-menzel-to-perform-at-the-oscars/" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">CBS News</a></em>. <span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O will also perform </span>"The Moon Song," her collaboration with director Spike Jonze for his movie <em style="letter-spacing: 0.012em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/her-20131218" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Her</a>, </em><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">according to </span><em style="letter-spacing: 0.012em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/oscars-karen-o-to-perform-the-moon-song-from-her/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Deadline</em></a><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">.</span></em> Last month, the singer told <em style="letter-spacing: 0.012em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rolling Stone</em> that her first reaction to the honor was <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/karen-o-reacts-to-oscar-nomination-for-her-holy-smokes-20140116" style="color: #003366; letter-spacing: 0.012em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">a hearty "Holy smokes!"</a> She has since released a <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/karen-o-and-ezra-koenig-team-for-dreamy-moon-song-song-premiere-20140210" style="color: #003366; letter-spacing: 0.012em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">new version of the song</a> with Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig, which <em style="letter-spacing: 0.012em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rolling Stone </em>premiered.</div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 0px;">The Academy of Motion Picture Sciences had originally nominated five songs in the category, but<a href="http://origin-www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/best-original-song-candidate-has-nomination-pulled-20140130" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;"> rescinded "Alone Not Yet Alone," </a>a song from a Christian movie of the same name, after ruling that the composer had improperly attempted to influence voters. The Academy chose not to replace the track with another contender, even though it had originally picked <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/oscars-shortlist-75-best-original-songs-20131217" style="color: #003366; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">75 songs as possibilities</a> for the category.</div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />-<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 20.549999237060547px; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/contributor/kory-grow" rel="author" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 20.549999237060547px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">KORY GROW</a> RollingStone<br style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span>

U2 Will Give 'Ordinary Love' Its Live Premiere at the Oscars(BLOG)

U2  will give "Ordinary Love," their song for the movie  Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom , its live debut at the Oscars in March, ac...

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In New York, real populism and real choices (BLOG)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0K9NT6cQQJEyyWx3woHtYeuLpgJZ6P64_mh_MrB0ijXVgfQM2pCypGdrZhOgwphv4-jhlNOicaa0LV_lyci7dz0q2sQpqr2placmWdi90l_QTeuDluBWkd4wc7fkdxtZ9oCoPSp5vjcc/s1600/g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0K9NT6cQQJEyyWx3woHtYeuLpgJZ6P64_mh_MrB0ijXVgfQM2pCypGdrZhOgwphv4-jhlNOicaa0LV_lyci7dz0q2sQpqr2placmWdi90l_QTeuDluBWkd4wc7fkdxtZ9oCoPSp5vjcc/s1600/g.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1392306979163_2836" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;">Once again this year, as in the past two election cycles, Democrats in Washington don’t have to worry much about the kind of fratricidal disorder that plagues the modern Republican Party. But neither should they take too lightly the intraparty breach that seems to be widening in New York, where the mayor of the nation’s biggest city is staring down the governor of its third largest state.<br /><br />On the surface, the argument between Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo over how to finance a massive expansion of prekindergarten education seems like your classic high-class problem, sort of like arguing with your spouse over whether you should build an addition or buy a Tesla instead. But there’s more going on here than just a couple of egos angling for credit. The debate gets at a divide over the direction of liberalism in America, a divide that could soon force the party’s leaders to choose sides.<br /><br />De Blasio, as you may recall, stormed into City Hall with 73 percent of the vote in last November’s election (without, it should be said, any real competition in one of the nation’s most disproportionately Democratic cities). Held up nationally as a model of economic populism, he immediately set about achieving his first goal: enacting a surcharge on New Yorkers making more than $500,000 and using the money to more than double the number of pre-K slots in the city.<br /><br />To pass a new tax, however, de Blasio needed the approval of the Legislature and the governor, his onetime boss and political ally. Cuomo, who has spent most of his term trying to hold down historically high taxes in the state, wasn’t exactly jazzed about this idea. So he came up with a counterproposal: He found money in the state budget to pay for the city’s pre-K expansion, thus obviating the need for any new tax. Problem solved!<br /><br />Except that de Blasio politely but firmly declined the offer. Instead, he has been vacuuming up huge sums of cash from liberal contributors and labor unions in order to mount another major campaign for his new tax, whether Cuomo likes it or not.<br /><br />It’s easy to see this debate as a clash between two pols playing to different constituencies. But that's probably unfair to de Blasio and Cuomo, both of whom seem to be acting out of genuine conviction. What their standoff illustrates is the critical difference between true economic populism, on one hand, and mere progressivism on the other. Politicians and journalists throw these terms around as if they were synonymous and interchangeable, but they aren’t.<br /><br />Populism, by its historical definition, is punitive; it presumes that the main barrier to broad prosperity are the wealthy citizens who refuse to share. The only fair and effective way to mitigate the effects of inequality, the thinking here goes, is to take large sums of capital away from those who hoard it and redistribute it to those less fortunate.<br /><br />Despite what you may read, raising the minimum wage isn’t really a populist idea. It’s straight-up mainstream liberalism, of the kind that dominated Washington for most of the 20th  century. Capping pay for CEOs would be a more classically populist approach.<br /><br />Lots of Democrats call themselves populists these days, but few deserve the label. John Edwards brought the term “populist” back into vogue when he ran for president in 2008, but in fact, almost nothing he proposed would have so much as inconvenienced the richest Americans. Edwards railed convincingly like a populist, but his agenda was more Bill Clinton than William Jennings Bryan.<br /><br />De Blasio is something rare, to this point anyway, in modern politics: a genuine populist. He’s made pretty clear that his top legislative priority is the tax, rather than the availability of pre-K itself. Cuomo’s proposal, while it might not offer as much money up front as de Blasio wants, would clear away political hurdles and allow de Blasio to get the program up and running immediately. The real missing piece in Cuomo’s plan is the tax, which de Blasio sees as indispensable, even though its effect on concentrated wealth would be mostly symbolic. (A New Yorker earning $1 million a year would owe slightly more than $2,500.) As a mayor, that’s about the best he can do when it comes to confiscating capital.<br /><br />De Blasio seems genuinely passionate about pre-K, and yet you have to wonder if, forced to choose, he might rather get the proposed tax and use the money for something else entirely —  like, say, homeless shelters or bus service —  than get his pre-K program without the surcharge. That’s because his proposal is as much about sticking it to the Monopoly monocle guy as it is about expanding education. This is real, intellectually honest populism.<br /><br />Cuomo, on the other hand, is what you might call a modern progressive, in the mold of the Clintons or fellow governors like Jerry Brown. He believes that an activist government can address all manner of social problems, but he doesn’t buy the proposition that confiscating more wealth is the central way to right wrongs. To a modern progressive, getting more kids into early education gets at the root causes of inequality — a problem you do nothing to solve just by taking a few extra bucks from Wall Street millionaires.<br /><br />For decades, going back to Walter Mondale’s shellacking in 1984, Democrats tried to get away from any notion of economic populism, even as the wealthiest Americans concentrated more and more of the wealth. Then in the past few years, shaken by the economic crisis and responding to pressure within their own party, Democratic candidates started mouthing the rhetoric of populism, but they’ve done little, practically speaking, to punish the wealthy.<br /><br />In this sense, Barack Obama has been very much his party’s standard-bearer. Like a guy who attends the occasional tent revival, Obama has gone through periodic fits of populist fervor, railing about “fat cat” bankers and the like. But it’s never seemed terribly believable, nor has it been backed up by any policy more draconian than restoring some Clinton-era tax rates on the rich.<br /><br />De Blasio is the real thing, though, and he’s calling out his party. It’s fine to fancy yourself an economic populist, but this is what it looks like in practice: prioritizing class-based retribution over any single policy outcome because you believe the means by which you attack wealth disparity are at least as important as the end. Its central argument is that the wealthy themselves — more than technology or globalism or failing schools — are ruining the society for everyone else.<br /><br />No matter who comes out on top in New York, you can bet this premise will be tested at the highest levels of the party, in 2016 or perhaps even sooner. No matter how much Democrats may try to paper over the distinctions, not all progressives are populist, and not everyone who calls himself a populist is willing to lay blame so squarely on the wealthy. And not knowing where you stand on all this, as a party, is anything but a high-class problem.</div><div id="yui_3_9_1_1_1392306979163_2878" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.000001907348633px; margin-bottom: 1.1em;"><a data-rapid_p="8" href="https://twitter.com/mattbai" style="color: #324fe1; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;"><em>Follow Matt Bai on Twitter.</em></a></div>

In New York, real populism and real choices (BLOG)

Once again this year, as in the past two election cycles, Democrats in Washington don’t have to worry much about the kind of fratricidal dis...

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Planning de la semaine du 13 au 17 février 2014

<BR><br /><h2><strong><span style="color: #005c9b; line-height: 113%;">Permanences</span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 13 février de 9h à 12h30,<br />- le mardi 14 février de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 15 février de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le jeudi 16 février de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le vendredi 17 février de 13h30 à 17h.<br /></li><br /><li><strong>EGEE</strong> - lundi 13 février de 13h30 à 17h (sur rendez-vous)</li><br /><li><span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/solidarits-nouvelles-face-au-chmage.html">Solidarités Nouvelles face au Chômage</a></span> - mercredi 15 février de 10h à 12h30</li></ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="color: #005c9b; line-height: 113%;">Ateliers</span></strong></h2><br /><ul><li><strong>CV</strong> - mardi 14 février de 9h à 12h30 et mercredi 15 février de 13h30 à 17h<br /></li><br /><li><strong>Lettre de Motivation</strong> - mardi 14 février de 13h30 à 17h</li><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 17 février de 10h à 11h30<br /></li><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - vendredi 17 février de 14h à 16h</li></ul><br /><h2><strong><span style="color: #005c9b; line-height: 113%;">Information collective</span></strong></h2><ul><br /><li><strong>RSA - Conseil Général</strong> - mardi 14 février à 10h</li></ul>

Planning de la semaine du 13 au 17 février 2014

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 13 fé...

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Afghanistan Frees 65 Dangerous Taliban Prisoners Over Heavy International Objections

<div style="text-align: center;"><object data="http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=276846165&edition=BETAUS" height="259" id="rcomVideo_276846165" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460"> <param name='movie' value='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=276846165&edition=BETAUS'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><embed src='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=276846165&edition=BETAUS' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' allowfullscreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' width='460' height='259' wmode='transparent'></embed> </object></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Afghanistan Frees Inmates US Calls Dangerous -- Al Jazeera</b></span></div><br /><i>Sixty-five men walk free from Bagram prison, despite strong objections from the US military.</i><br /><br />Afghanistan has released 65 inmates described as "dangerous" by the US from Bagram prison, north of Kabul, officials say.<br /><br />The prisoners were freed on Thursday morning from the Parwan Detention Facility near the US Bagram Air Field, north of Kabul, according to prison spokesman Major Nimatullah Khaki.<br /><br />They were laughing and smiling as they boarded a bus to leave the facility, he said.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/02/afghans-start-release-dangerous-inmates-201421352720597464.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On Afghanistan Freeing 65 Dangerous Taliban Prisoners Over Heavy International Objections</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/02/13/karzai-tells-us-to-stop-harassing-afghanistan-over-prisoner-releases-us-says/">Karzai tells US to stop harassing Afghanistan over prisoner releases; US says they're Taliban</a> -- FOX News/AP<br /><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jKz1qWEHpLaWrJWPOpvu_19N3jag?docId=79c26dc4-9173-40f5-827f-25b9e25ccc49">Karzai tells US to 'stop harassing' Afghanistan's judicial authority </a>-- AFP<br /><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2558311/Afghanistan-releases-65-prisoners-accused-Taliban-fighters-despite-US-warnings-kill-NATO-forces.html">Afghanistan releases 65 prisoners accused of being Taliban fighters, despite US warnings they will kill NATO forces</a> -- Daily Mail<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/14/world/asia/afghanistan-releases-prisoners-over-us-objections.html">Afghanistan Releases Prisoners Over U.S. Objections </a>-- New York Times<br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-02-13/afghanistan-defies-u-s-in-releasing-65-dangerous-prisoners.html">Afghanistan Defies U.S. in Freeing 65 ‘Dangerous’ Prisoners </a>-- Bloomberg<br /><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26166949">Afghan prisoners freed from Bagram amid US protests</a> -- BBC<br /><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/10635062/Afghanistan-frees-65-prisoners-US-believes-to-be-dangerous.html">Afghanistan frees 65 prisoners US believes to be 'dangerous'</a> -- The Telegraph<br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/13/afghanistan-releases-65-prisoners-against-objections-from-us">Afghanistan releases 65 prisoners against objections from US</a> -- The Guardian<br /><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/afghanistan-frees-65-inmates-from-parwan-prison-over-strong-us-objections/">Afghanistan frees 65 inmates from Parwan prison over strong U.S. objections</a> -- CBS/AP<br /><a href="http://www.france24.com/en/20140213-afghan-prisoner-release-usa-bagram/">Afghanistan releases ‘dangerous’ prisoners despite US protests </a>-- France 24<br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-afghanistan-detainees-idUSBREA1C08Q20140213">Despite U.S. warnings, Afghanistan releases detainees </a>-- Reuters<br /><a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/afghanistan-releases-alleged-militants-linked-u-s-deaths-n29046">Afghanistan Releases Alleged Militants Linked to U.S. Deaths</a> -- NBC<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/afghanistan-frees-suspected-taliban-prisoners/2014/02/13/1352dbc6-9488-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html">Afghanistan frees suspected Taliban prisoners</a> -- Washington Post<br /><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Security-Watch/terrorism-security/2014/0213/In-a-blow-to-US-Afghanistan-releases-suspected-Taliban-detainees">In a blow to US, Afghanistan releases suspected Taliban detainees</a> -- Christian Science Monitor<br /><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/afghanistan-releases-65-prisoners-from-parwan-facility/1850449.html">Afghanistan Releases 65 Prisoners From Parwan Facility</a> -- Voice of America<br /><a href="http://www.euronews.com/newswires/2346750-afghanistan-releases-detainees-despite-us-warnings/">Despite U.S. warnings, Afghanistan releases detainees</a> -- Euronews<br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/afghan-prisoners-released-despite-international-protests-1.267249">Afghan prisoners released, despite international protests</a> -- Stars and Stripes<br /><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/13/afghanistan-releases-65-accused-militants-despite-american-protest/?intcmp=latestnews">Afghanistan releases 65 'dangerous' prisoners despite American protest</a> -- FOX News<br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/details-on-four-detainees-released-from-parwan-from-us-forces-afghanistan/2014/02/13/3650ead2-94c4-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html">Details on four detainees released from Parwan from U.S. Forces-Afghanistan</a> -- Washington Post

Afghanistan Frees 65 Dangerous Taliban Prisoners Over Heavy International Objections

Afghanistan Frees Inmates US Calls Dangerous -- Al Jazeera Sixty-five men walk free from Bagram prison, despite strong objections from the...

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World News Briefs -- February 13, 2014

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BFPkt0AuSFA" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Venezuelans In Shock Over Protest Deaths -- USA Today</b></span></div><br />CARACAS, Venezuela — Burnt trash lay in the streets Thursday, the morning after the largest protests yet against the government of Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro.<br /><br />Signage from a government ministry lay strewn on the ground, having been broken and burned the night before in demonstrations by thousands of Venezuelans that left three people dead.<br /><br />The violence caps two weeks of protests around the country, with both the government and opposition leaders pointed fingers at each other. Both sides also said they would be back in the streets this weekend.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/02/13/venezuela-protests-maduro-arrest/5449425/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MIDDLE EAST</b></span></div><br />Fighting spikes in Syria <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/02/fighting-spikes-syria-as-peace-talks-stall-2014213104128571348.html">as peace talks stall</a></b>.<br /><br />Syrian troops bombard <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26171825">rebel stronghold of Yabroud</a></b>.<br /><br />Cease-fire in central <b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/syrian-planes-pound-rebel-town-lebanon-border-22486085">Syrian city extended</a></b>.<br /><br />Gunmen take part of Iraq town <b><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iQYojL2GiaqcjAxCxwLBDZVrkVHw?docId=1d35bc53-6125-4f92-a54f-8ebe2af7b15d">as historic market burns</a></b>.<br /><br />Israeli fire kills <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-palestinians-israel-violence-idUSBREA1C19F20140213">Palestinian in Gaza: hospital</a></b>.<br /><br />Demonstrators clash <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/02/demonstrators-clash-with-police-bahrain-2014213113721326260.html">with police in Bahrain</a></b>.<br /><br />Turkish president sees 'problems'<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-turkey-internet-idUSBREA1C18420140213"> in law tightening Internet controls</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ASIA</b></span></div><br />Afghanistan frees suspected <b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/afghanistan-frees-suspected-taliban-prisoners/2014/02/13/1352dbc6-9488-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html">Taliban prisoners</a></b>.<br /><br />Kerry: Military drills should not be linked<b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-miliatry-drills-should-not-be-linked-to-korean-family-reunions/1850610.html"> to Korean family reunions</a></b>.<br /><br />US, SKorea warn NKorea <b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/kerry-seeks-ease-tensions-asia-22491031">against aggression</a></b>.<br /><br />North Korea looks ready to conduct fourth nuclear test: <b><a href="http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=157117&category=2">South Korean defense minister.</a></b><br /><br />Taliban attack on police bus <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/taliban-attack-on-police-bus-in-karachi-kills-12/1850629.html">in Karachi kills 12</a></b>.<br /><br />Four killed in attacks in<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-thailand-south-idUSBREA1C06H20140213"> Thailand's restive south</a></b>.<br /><br />Pepper spray, chaos in Indian parliament<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-india-parliament-idUSBREA1C0FN20140213"> over new state.</a></b><br /><br />Obama schedules 4-country trip <b><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2014-02-13/obama-schedules-4-country-trip-to-asia-in-april">to Asia in April</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AFRICA</b></span></div><br />Al Shabaab car bomb hits UN convoy, <b><a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/uk-somalia-blast-idUKBREA1C0HE20140213">killing seven Somalis</a></b>.<br /><br />Ceasefire fails to <b><a href="http://www.leaderpost.com/news/Ceasefire+fails+stem+bloodshed+South+Sudan/9501629/story.html">stem bloodshed in South Sudan</a></b>. Reports of South Sudan fighting, despite pact, <b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/13/world/africa/fighting-persists-in-south-sudan-despite-pact-and-aid-groups-issue-warnings.html?_r=0">prompt worry and warnings</a></b>.<br /><br />Putin backs Sisi to be <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/02/egypt-sisi-second-day-russia-trip-201421363611426204.html">president of Egypt.</a></b><br /><br />Kenyan court charges 70 people with <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/12/kenyan-court-charges-70-members-al-shabaab">being members of al-Shabaab</a></b>.<br /><br />Kenyan denies obstructing case<b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-kenyan-denies-obstructing-case-against-its-president/1850625.html"> against its President</a></b>.<br /><br />UN official calls for economic reform <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/un-official-calls-for-economic-reform-in-central-africa/1850502.html">in Central Africa</a></b>.<br /><br />Libya’s troubled <b><a href="http://www.euronews.com/2014/02/14/libya-s-troubled-present-and-uncertain-future/">present and uncertain future</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>EUROPE</b></span></div><br /><b><a href="http://winter-games.reuters.com/">Sochi 2014: Live</a></b><br /><br />Ukraine's president demands <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-ukraine-judge-idUSBREA1C0XZ20140213">investigation of judge's killing</a></b>.<br /><br />Italian premier challenged <b><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2014-02-13/italian-premier-challenged-from-own-party">from own party</a></b>. Italian PM Enrico Letta's government <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/12/italian-pm-enrico-letta-government-danger-collapse">in danger of collapse.</a></b><br /><br />Switzerland's EU treaties <b><a href="http://www.brecorder.com/articles-a-letters/187/1152964/">could face Brussels guillotine</a></b>.<br /><br />Who spied? Dutch ministers grilled over <b><a href="http://rt.com/news/nsa-dutch-minister-intercepts-743/">misinforming MPs on NSA tapping</a></b>.<br /><br />Russia forecasts increase in <b><a href="http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140213/187465963/Russia-Forecasts-Increase-in-Oil-Gas-Output-in-2014.html">oil, gas output in 2014</a></b>.<br /><br />Greece jobless rate hits <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26171213">new record of 28%</a></b>.<br /><br />Belgian MPs due to vote <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26165882">on child euthanasia</a></b>.<br /><br />Britain warns Scotland:<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-britain-scotland-idUSBREA1C0GR20140213"> Forget the pound if you walk away</a></b>.<br /><br />Internet governance too US-centric, <b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/feb/12/internet-governance-us-european-commission">says European commission</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>AMERICAS</b></span></div><br />Heavy snow as winter storm hits US east coast<b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/13/snow-us-winter-storm-live-updates"> – live updates.</a></b><br /><br />Storm engulfs US east coast as <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26165335">havoc persists in South</a></b>.<br /><br />At least three killed by gunfire<b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-venezuela-protests-idUSBREA1B1K220140213"> at Venezuela protests.</a></b> Venezuela seeks protest leader's arrest <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/least-two-killed-gunfire-venezuela-protests-010438574.html">after three dead in unrest</a></b>.<br /><br />Venezuelan rivals <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2014/02/venezuelan-rivals-trade-blame-over-deaths-2014213142340634979.html">trade blame over deaths</a></b>.<br /><br />Host Brazilian city guarantees <b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/host-city-guarantees-world-cup-venue-ready-143820147.html">World Cup venue will be ready</a></b>.<br /><br />Fury after Argentina orders cruise liner<b><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/argentina/10634998/Former-Navy-chief-accused-Argentina-of-unacceptable-harassment.html"> to lower UK flag</a></b>.<br /><br />Americans' views of <b><a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/167402/americans-views-russia-putin-worst-years.aspx">Russia, Putin are worst in years</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR</b></span></div><br />US Intel officials differ with Obama<a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140211/DEFREG02/302110017/US-Intel-Officials-Differ-Obama-View-al-Qaida"> </a><b><a href="https://draft.blogger.com/US%20Intel%20Officials%20Differ%20With%20Obama%20in%20View%20of%20al-Qaida">in view of al-Qaida</a></b>.<br /><br />Dempsey tours Guantanamo in 1st visit by<b><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/12/3930585/americas-top-soldier-visits-guantanamo.html"> top US officer in 6 years</a></b>.<br /><br />FRANCE 24 EXCLUSIVE:<b><a href="http://www.france24.com/en/20140212-france-24-exclusive-syria-french-jihadist-foreign-fighter-confessions/"> Confessions of a French jihadist in Syria</a></b>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS</b></span></div><br />Comcast to acquire Time Warner Cable in <b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/13/us-comcast-timewarnercable-idUSBREA1C05A20140213">$45.2 billion deal: sources</a></b>. Two biggest US cable companies<b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/biggest-us-cable-tv-provider-buying-second-biggest/1850499.html"> to merge</a></b>.<br /><br />OPEC joins US in predicting <b><a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-opec-joins-us-in-predicting-stronger-2014-oil-demand-/1849807.html">stronger 2014 oil demand</a></b>.<br /><br />Apple in conflict mineral <b><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-26144981">'name and shame' crackdown</a></b>.

World News Briefs -- February 13, 2014

Venezuelans In Shock Over Protest Deaths -- USA Today CARACAS, Venezuela — Burnt trash lay in the streets Thursday, the morning after the la...

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what shelter magazines do you read

It was clear from the comments on <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/02/i-miss-cottage-living-magazine.html" target="_blank">yesterday's post</a> that we are all in need of some fresh new magazines.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIhQ7oTbYFfdcvbmbMmQ9AOczpgOzDvv9R4pa1owHeXXYBIWi5onDic032o4CxjLV08C_m6hQ-F_X-P1Spj8GbeKBMX5wAK2w0O8UipLuH2JVdZN0_xdximrR35LSRYnC9fgWlNLDYg32/s1600/60f7a88986a5fb118868c28b85a43457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIhQ7oTbYFfdcvbmbMmQ9AOczpgOzDvv9R4pa1owHeXXYBIWi5onDic032o4CxjLV08C_m6hQ-F_X-P1Spj8GbeKBMX5wAK2w0O8UipLuH2JVdZN0_xdximrR35LSRYnC9fgWlNLDYg32/s1600/60f7a88986a5fb118868c28b85a43457.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/317714948683806644/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />We all know the classics, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, House and Home etc. But what else is there?<br /><br />So let's share. What magazines do you read and love? And how do digital magazines fit into your month? Do you love them as much as 'the real thing'?<br /><br />Spill it.

what shelter magazines do you read

It was clear from the comments on yesterday's post  that we are all in need of some fresh new magazines. via We all know the classics, H...

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How 'Smart Rifles' Could Change Modern Warfare

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UfUWuS3AbHs" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How Military 'Smart Rifles' Could Change Modern Warfare -- NBC</b></span></div><br />In the future, soldiers in the U.S. military might be able to snipe enemies from 1,000 yards away without any special training, thanks to technology purchased from "smart rifle" maker TrackingPoint.<br /><br />This isn’t classified technology. The Austin-based company’s “precision-guided firearms,” which sell for between $10,000 and $27,000, made headlines when they first hit the market in spring of 2013. Pairing a Linux-powered scope with a guided trigger, the rifle allows even amateurs to hit far-away targets, something confirmed by journalists with little experience using firearms. The scope also works as a camera, letting viewers see a live feed on of whatever the shooter is looking at on their smartphone or tablet.<br /><br />Now the U.S. Army has purchased six rifle kits from TrackingPoint. The military didn't buy the entire guns; instead, it will test the scope and trigger with its own XM 2010 Sniper rifles.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/innovation/how-military-smart-rifles-could-change-modern-warfare-n27856">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>Previous Post:</b> <a href="http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.ca/2014/01/us-army-is-starting-to-test-smart-rifles.html">U.S. Army Is Starting To Test 'Smart Rifles'</a> <br /><br /><b>My Comment</b>: As I had mentioned in a previous post .... this technology has the potential of being a game changer.

How 'Smart Rifles' Could Change Modern Warfare

How Military 'Smart Rifles' Could Change Modern Warfare -- NBC In the future, soldiers in the U.S. military might be able to snipe e...

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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 13, 2014

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NaaXIcpu8Ng" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>White House Says Pursuing Afghan Security Agreement On Troops -- Reuters</b></span></div><br />(Reuters) - The United States is pressing Afghanistan to sign a bilateral security agreement for U.S. troops to remain in that country, White House spokesman Jay Carney said on Wednesday, a day after the director of national intelligence said he did not expect the pact to be signed.<br /><br />"We continue to seek the BSA. We continue to press the Afghan government to sign the agreement," Carney said.<br /><br />The United States wants to keep 10,000 troops in Afghanistan after the pullout of most foreign forces at the end of this year, but has warned it could pull out all of its troops unless the pact is signed soon.<br /><br />Afghan President Hamid Karzai has refused to sign the security agreement so far.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/12/us-usa-aghanistan-whitehouse-idUSBREA1B21A20140212">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Military And Intelligence News Briefs</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=157117&category=2">North Korea looks ready to conduct fourth nuclear test: South Korean defense minister</a> -- Arirang<br /><br /><a href="http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htintel/articles/20140212.aspx">Intelligence: North Korea Situation Index </a>-- Strategy Page<br /><br /><a href="http://security.blogs.cnn.com/2014/02/12/opcw-only-11-of-chemical-weapons-removed-from-syria/">OPCW: Only 11% of chemical weapons removed from Syria</a> -- CNN<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20140213000090&cid=1101&MainCatID=11">Pakistan to buy six Chinese submarines by end of year: report </a>-- Want China Times<br /><br /><a href="http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20140213/187463225/Russian-Air-Force-to-Get-21-Su-30-Fighter-Jets-in-2014.html">Russian Air Force to Get 21 Su-30 Fighter Jets in 2014 </a>-- RIA Novosti<br /><br /><a href="http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20140212/187462295/Russia-Arms-Air-Regiment-in-Far-East-With-Su-35S-Fighter-Jets.html">Russia Arms Air Regiment in Far East With Su-35S Fighter Jets</a> -- RIA Novosti<br /><br /><a href="http://rt.com/news/nsa-dutch-minister-intercepts-743/">Who spied? Dutch ministers grilled over misinforming MPs on NSA tapping</a> -- RT<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2557880/RAF-grounds-Voyager-planes-one-aircraft-plummets-thousand-feet-flight-Afghanistan.html">RAF grounds all Voyager planes after one aircraft plummets several thousand feet during flight to Afghanistan</a> -- Daily Mail<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2558206/MoD-biggest-equipment-deals-6-1bn-budget-running-woefully-late.html">MoD biggest equipment deals are £6.1bn over budget and running woefully late</a> -- Daily Mail<br /><br /><a href="http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2014/02/13/Queen-to-launch-HMS-Queen-Elizabeth-II-carrier-in-July/UPI-98861392279000/">Queen to launch HMS Queen Elizabeth II carrier in July</a> -- UPI<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/okinawa-mayor-plans-to-block-marine-base-says-re-election-gives-him-mandate-1.267385">Okinawa mayor plans to block Marine base, says re-election gives him mandate </a>-- Stars and Stripes<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/military-officials-in-bahrain-take-precautions-ahead-of-protest-anniversary-1.267405">U.S. Military officials in Bahrain take precautions ahead of protest anniversary</a> -- Stars and Stripes<br /><br /><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/army/198222-odierno-army-force-of-420000-too-small-to-take-on-future-missions">General: Army force of 420K insufficient </a>-- The Hill<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dodbuzz.com/2014/02/12/odierno-army-needs-at-least-450000-soldiers/">Odierno: Army Needs at Least 450,000 Soldiers</a> -- DoD Buzz<br /><br /><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/navy/198295-navy-moves-carrier-amid-talks-on-iran">Navy moves carrier amid talks on Iran</a> -- The Hill<br /><br /><a href="http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140212/NEWS/302120020/Bush-Carrier-Strike-Group-deploy-Saturday">Bush Carrier Strike Group to deploy Saturday</a> -- Navy Times<br /><br /><a href="http://defensetech.org/2014/02/12/navy-considers-future-after-virginia-class-subs/#more-22317">Navy Considers Future After Virginia-Class Subs</a> -- Defense Tech<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dodbuzz.com/2014/02/11/navy-places-priority-on-advancing-electronic-warfare/">Navy Places Priority on Advancing Electronic Warfare</a> -- DoD Buzz<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2557603/U-S-special-forces-ordered-destruction-Osama-bin-Ladens-death-photos-two-weeks-secret-seek-destroy-mission-kill-him.html#ixzz2t8437ojf">U.S. special forces ordered the destruction of Osama bin Laden's death photos two weeks after top secret seek and destroy mission to kill him </a>-- Daily Mail<br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/US%20Intel%20Officials%20Differ%20With%20Obama%20in%20View%20of%20al-Qaida">US Intel Officials Differ With Obama in View of al-Qaida</a> -- Defense News<br /><br /><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/198242-62-members-want-to-see-black-budget">Lawmakers want to see the ‘black budget’</a> -- The Hill<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/reforms-wont-hamper-nsas-efforts-official-says/2014/02/12/19738c8c-9418-11e3-84e1-27626c5ef5fb_story.html">Reforms won’t hamper NSA’s efforts, official says</a> -- Washington Post<br /><br /><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140212/DEFREG02/302120041/NSA-Surveillance-Proponent-Unsure-Program-Will-Continue">NSA Surveillance Proponent Unsure if Program Will Continue </a>-- Defense News<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/us/nnsa-chief-y-12-incident-involved-20-grams-of-highly-enriched-uranium-1.267394">NNSA chief: Y-12 incident involved 20 grams of highly enriched uranium</a> -- Stars and Stripes/Knoxville News-Sentinel, Tenn.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/americas/dempsey-tours-guantanamo-in-1st-visit-by-top-us-officer-in-6-years-1.267324">Dempsey tours Guantanamo in 1st visit by top US officer in 6 years</a> -- Stars and Stripes/Miami Herald<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/study-90-percent-of-military-spouses-underemployed-1.267239">Study: 90 percent of military spouses underemployed </a>-- Stars and Stripes<br /><br /><a href="http://nationalinterest.org/commentary/the-us-militarys-ethics-crisis-9872">The U.S. Military's Ethics Crisis</a> -- James Joyner, National Interest<br /><br /><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140203/DEFREG03/302030032/1001/DEFSECT">Commentary: E. Asia's Changing Dynamics and the Role of Air Power</a> -- Michael Raska, Defense News<br /><br /><a href="http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/world-report/2014/02/12/3-reasons-canceling-the-littoral-combat-ship-was-the-right-call?s_cid=rss:3-reasons-canceling-the-littoral-combat-ship-was-the-right-call">Goodbye and Good Riddance: No one will miss the Littoral Combat Ship.</a> -- Benjamin Freeman, US News and World Report <br /><br /><a href="http://thediplomat.com/2014/02/how-much-do-strategic-thinkers-affect-us-policy-anyway/">How Much Do Strategic Thinkers Affect US Policy Anyway?</a> -- Robert Farley, The Diplomat<br /><br /><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/12/inside-the-ring-obama-pushback-against-china-is-pr/">Obama pushback against China is probably too little, too late </a>-- Bill Gertz, The Washington Times

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 13, 2014

White House Says Pursuing Afghan Security Agreement On Troops -- Reuters (Reuters) - The United States is pressing Afghanistan to sign a bil...

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