Silenced Majority Portal

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"God" Billboard Near Las Vegas

I was just shown this photo - in a New Yorker latest issue hard-copy version - an article on "The New Atheists."  Apparently someone wants to advertise to the heathens, but this looks like an example of idolatry, in a way.  (I did find the same photo.)

Lockerbie Bomber Release Linked to BP Oil Deal

Didn't you just know it?!  You had McCain over there hobknobbing with Khadaffi on his ranch and Twittering that it was cool, right before the release.  Silenced Majority Portal: Now Who's Hanging Out with Terrorists? Not McCain!  Now come to find out there was an oil deal in the picture, involving the Brits & BP.

Lockerbie bomber release linked to oil deal: report - Yahoo! News

Britain agreed to include Lockerbie bomber Abdel Basset al-Megrahi in a prisoner transfer deal with Libya because of "overwhelming interests" shortly before an oil deal was sealed with Tripoli.

The Sunday Times said two letters from Straw, dated five months apart, showed he reversed an original plan to exclude Megrahi from a prisoner transfer agreement that was being discussed with Libya.  The paper said the change of heart appeared to be linked to a stalled $900 million oil and gas exploration deal with Libya for British oil giant BP that was ratified a few weeks later.

Japan's Landslide Election May Benefit the Environment, Promote Change

Divine Wind: What Will Japan’s Election Mean for Climate Policy? - Environmental Capital - WSJ

Of course, it's the Wall Street Journal, but the Party coming into power promised a 25% reduction in greenhouse gasses (over 1990 levels) by 2020, much more ambitious than their rivals, who have been in power since WWII.  

This election also means that an essentially one-party US-backed system has morphed into a two-party system via democratic means.  In the video I saw, people actually put paper ballots into ballot boxes, right out in the open.  This is high-tech Japan, and we use some new-fangled electronic mess that is amenable to manipulation.

 

There are reasons Newt Gingrich was worried that this might happen.  

Japanese govenment crushed in election rout - Times Online

He (new leader) has promised free secondary education, free treatment and delivery for expectant mothers, and an annual allowance of 312,000 yen (£2,000) to all children until they leave junior school. He proposes to cover the cost of this vast spending – 16.8 trillion yen up to 2013 – by cutting government spending on unnecessary projects....There will be a crackdown on the practice known as amakudari – “descent from the heavens” – whereby retiring bureaucrats are parachuted into cosy jobs in the industries that they formerly oversaw.

Even more controversially, Mr Hatoyama has taken an outspoken stand against unfettered international capitalism and promised to abandon the country’s “worship” of the United States. He said that he would break away from decades of unquestioning support for American foreign policy in favour of closer engagement with Asia.

3:1 defeat by the Opposition style (Obama-style, they say) party of "Change" - frustration with the global economy and the bureaucracy - they are throwing the bums out.  Voter participation was way way up and current leader has to step down.

Stand Up For Healthcare - A Tribute to Ted Kennedy - Seattle Westlake 9/3/09

Stand Up for Health Insurance Reform

A Tribute to Ted Kennedy

Host:	Organizing for America
Type:	Causes - Rally
Network:	Global
Price:	It's free!

Date:	Thursday, September 3, 2009
Time:	6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location:	Westlake Park
Street:	4th and Pine
City/Town:	Seattle, WA

RNC - Retro Nursing Care

Canadians Prefer Sex to Sleep

(Thanks to James & Jo, who moved from Florida to Canada!!)

Never mind sleep, we prefer sex

According to a new survey conducted by Westin Hotels and Resorts, a great night's sleep is more important than great sex -- except to Canadians.  The survey polled 12,500 frequent travellers in 10 countries. Overall, 51 per cent reported that sleep was their top priority when checking in to a hotel, but only 48 per cent of Canadians felt that way.

Ten years ago, Westin conducted a similar study, at which point only 31 per cent overall chose sleep over sex.

Restless souls can call 1-888-TIME-4-SLEEP; an expert will divulge tips on how to overcome common sleep problems. The line will be answered from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Monday to Friday, through Sept. 15.  Please note, though, that the expert may not be able to offer any advice on how to sleep though noisy Canadian lovemaking.

Canadian Sex? Go here: www.CanadianSexActs.Org

Obama-Inspired Fashion & A New Muse

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Bedbug Exterminator Summit in Seattle at the Westin

Did I miss a great photo op or what?!!  For all I know, Tom Delay might have shown up!  Isn't that what he used to do?!

Bedbugs bring exterminators together for a summit in Seattle

Experts and exterminators are holding a "Bed Bug Summit" at the Westin Seattle to address the issue, which is preventing a growing number of people from sleeping tight.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009753326_bedbugs27m.html

According to the article, bedbugs became much less common when DDT was used but it's unsafe.  People also travel more nowdays and they carry their bed bugs with them.  They are the "new flea" and a concern to the hospitality and health industries in particular.

& about that pest Tom Delay?  He not only was a tax evader, but wanted a "certain pesticide" not banned (probably DDT.)  According to Wikipedia:

DeLay received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biology from the University of Houston in 1970. He spent three years working for Redwood Chemical. This work was the source for his nickname "the Exterminator". In the 11 years DeLay ran the company, the IRS imposed tax liens on him three times for not paying payroll and income taxes. The United States Environmental Protection Agency's ban on a certain pesticide that was used in extermination work led DeLay to oppose government regulation of businesses, a belief that he has carried with him throughout his political career.

Teddy's Final Letter to the Pope: The Cause of My Life is Universal Healthcare Coverage

Senators Robert Byrd and John Kerry