Jewish Army trainee in Ga. says he was beaten

Two drill sergeants being reprimanded for religious discrimination

3 October 2008

SAVANNAH, Ga. - In a letter home, a Jewish soldier in basic training at Fort Benning complained of religious discrimination and wrote that a friend overheard platoon members saying they wanted to beat him up.

Days later, Pvt. Michael Handman was beaten so badly he had to be treated at a hospital, and his father believes the attack stemmed from an investigation of Handman's claims that instructors had harassed him and used anti-Semitic slurs.

"I have just never been so discriminated against/humiliated about my religion," Handman wrote to his parents. "I just feel like I'm always looking over my shoulder. Like my battle buddy heard some of the guys in my platoon talking about how they wanted to beat the (expletive) out of me tonight while I'm sleeping."

The letter alarmed Handman's father so much he contacted U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., who asked the Army to investigate.

Handman, 20, of Atlanta wrote to his parents that he was heading to take a shower on Sept. 24, four days after investigators interviewed him about the harassment, when another soldier called him into the laundry room, saying some of Handman's clothes were in a pile on the floor. Handman said he was sorting through the pile on his knees when a fist knocked him on his back.

'I was knocked out'
"He kept hitting the side of my face, back of my head and temples for about 10-15 more seconds that I can remember," Handman wrote. "After that I was knocked out. Next thing I remember is tasting blood and 2 pvts. (privates) standing over me calling my name."

He was treated for a concussion and bruising to the left side of his face at the Army hospital on post and moved to a different platoon after he returned to training the next day, said Fort Benning spokeswoman Monica Manganaro.

Manganaro said two drill sergeants are being reprimanded for religious discrimination toward Handman after he started basic training Aug. 29.

She said one drill sergeant had called Handman "Juden" — the German word for Jews. Another demanded he remove his yarmulke, which Handman wore with his uniform, while eating in a dining hall.

Investigators have interviewed a fellow trainee suspected of attacking Handman, but no charges have been filed. Mangaro said investigators believe the attack "was not due to religious prejudice" but would not explain why.

Letter confirms discrimination
In a Sept. 26 letter to Chambliss, Army Deputy Chief of Staff Samuel Rollinson said investigators found two drill sergeants had violated Army regulations prohibiting religious discrimination.

"While the actions of the NCOs (noncommissioned officers) were not meant to be malicious, and were done out of ignorance for regulations and cultural awareness, this does not excuse their conduct," Rollinson said in his letter.

Handman's father, Jonathan Handman, said his son decided to join the Army when he found himself lost and seeking direction after two years in college. Now Jonathan Handman said his son is afraid of being attacked again and he regrets encouraging him to enlist.

"When my son told me he wanted to join the Army, I supported him 100 percent," he said. "Now I feel like the one that fed him to the wolves."

American Tax Dollars at Work in Psychological warfare towards Iraq

4 October 2008

The Pentagon will invest 300 million U.S. dollars over the next three years to produce pro-Western news programs for the Iraqi media, it was reported.

It has signed contracts with four private companies for the task last week, according to reports.

The U.S. military expects the plan to expand its "information and psychological operations" in Iraq far into the future.

The move reflects a new U.S. thinking about the military's part in media propaganda, contrary to honest news reporting and programs.

Uniformed communications specialists and contractors are now an integral part of U.S. military operations from Eastern Europe to Afghanistan.

Iraq, where hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent previously, has been considered the proving ground for this new strategy of psychological warfare.

While back in the United States, US President George W. Bush signed a 700 billion bailout plan on Friday, that is actually ineffective for the American economy; which is falling over faster into the abyss.

Which Bush seems to have the adage for the average American or for anyone else for that matter of, "let them eat cake?"

Abbas a Western Collaborator String Puppet

Global terrorist, Interpol fugitive Mahmoud Abbas places a brick as the groundwork for a new illegal terrorist building under the guise of a Foreign Ministry building which was said to began, on 4 October 2008; in Ramallah. According to some reports Abbas is due to go jet setting to several Asian and Arab countries next week.

by HRM Deborah

It is a little presumptuous of global terrorist, Interpol fugitive Mahmoud Abbas in his latest endeavors such as laying the groundwork for a new illegal terrorist building, especially on land that doesn’t belong to him or his plans to jet set about the globe again to push his collaboration lies; which is doing Abbas more harm then good these days.

Hasn’t Abbas learned yet, that his packing of bag’s better be for moving his Canaanite terrorist organization out of Palestine and not returning, for illegal’s are not acceptable; let lone terrorism is any part of Palestine or has Abbas been a Western collaborator string puppet so long, he has forgot what reality is?

The Canaanite terrorism and illegal status in Palestine is growing a bit thin to say the least, especially where the welfare of citizens in the country is concerned.

Furthermore, as to Abbas's blatant insults to the people of Palestine during Eid-al-Fitr and Rosh Hashanah, it was taken into notice.

Wholesome Entertainment Makes One Happy

By HRM Deborah

It is interesting these days, of a person every once in awhile asking what I care for in a particular field of entertainment.

As a general rule, I like entraining wholesome family movies and music that is not Haram (sin), usually in movies, ones that tells a whole story, is educational and by chance has a moral.

Usually, these movies are the older type from the 1930’s to the 1950’s.

As to music as a general rule, I usually prefer nasheed’s, Arabic, classical, some big bands, Jazz, Blues and world music, but while I learned as a required course in school of music appreciation; I am still very selective because of content problems.

Usually, if something is not wholesome or acceptable it is not for me.

Bush's Economic Bailout Package Sending American's Down River without Paddle

U.S. President George W. Bush pauses while speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House, on 3 October 2008; in Washington, DC.

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 4, 2008

Audio
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. This week, Congress passed a bipartisan rescue package to address the instability in America's financial system. This was a difficult vote for many members of the House and Senate, but voting for it was the right choice for America's economy and for taxpayers like you. I appreciate their efforts to help stop the crisis in our financial markets from spreading to our entire economy. And I appreciate their willingness to work across party lines in the midst of an election season.

The legislation Congress passed provides the necessary tools to address the underlying problem in our financial system. The root of this problem is that, as assets that banks hold have lost value, their ability to provide credit has been restricted, making it more difficult for businesses and consumers to obtain affordable loans.

Without decisive action, this credit crunch threatens to harm our entire economy. With this legislation, the Federal government can help banks and other financial institutions resume lending. This will allow them to continue providing the capital that is essential to creating jobs, financing college educations, and helping American families meet their daily needs.

Though the $700 billion dedicated to this plan is a large amount, the final cost to taxpayers will actually be much lower. Many of the assets that the government will be purchasing still have significant underlying value. As time passes, they will likely go up in price. And this means that the government should eventually be able to recoup much, if not all, of the original expenditure.

This package will also increase the safety of Americans' personal finances. For 75 years, the FDIC has provided insurance for savings accounts, checking accounts, and certificates of deposit. A similar insurance program is in effect for deposits in credit unions. And since these programs were instituted, no one has ever lost a penny on an insured deposit. The rescue package expands this protection by temporarily increasing the amount insured by the Federal government in banks and credit unions from $100,000 to $250,000. These steps should reassure Americans, especially small business owners, that their money is safe -- and it should restore confidence in the health of our banking system.

In addition to addressing the immediate needs of our financial system, this package will also help to spur America's long-term economic growth. This week, we learned that our Nation lost more jobs in September. Under these circumstances, it is essential for the government to reduce the burdens on workers and business owners. And that is why the rescue package includes relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax, which would otherwise increase taxes for 26 million taxpayers by an average of $2,200. And that is why it includes tax relief for businesses, which can use these savings to hire new employees and finance new investment.

By taking all these steps, we can begin to put our economy on the road to recovery. While these efforts will be effective, they will also take time to implement. My Administration will move as quickly as possible, but the benefits of this package will not all be felt immediately. The Federal government will undertake this rescue plan at a careful and deliberate pace to ensure that your tax dollars are spent wisely.

I know many of you listening this morning are anxious about the state of our economy and what it means for your personal finances. I am confident that the implementation of this relief package can begin to address those concerns. I'm confident by getting our markets moving, we will help unleash the key to our continued economic success: the entrepreneurial spirit of the American people.

Thank you for listening.

Biden sees son, Delaware troops off to Iraq

Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., salutes after addressing the crowd at a deployment ceremony for his son's Delaware Army National Guard unit bound for Iraq.

4 October 2008

DOVER, Delaware— Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden told his son and other Delaware National Guard troops on Friday that his heart was "full of love and pride" as they prepared to leave for Iraq.

"We take comfort in the knowledge that you are the best-trained, best-prepared group of citizen soldiers that our country to this day has ever sent into harm's way," Biden told members of the 261st Signal Brigade at a ceremony outside the state Capitol.

Biden's son Beau, Delaware's attorney general, serves as a captain and a lawyer in the 261st. The unit leaves Sunday for Fort Bliss, Texas, where it will train for about six weeks before heading to Iraq.

The normally loquacious senator spoke only briefly, telling his audience at the outset that his son had advised him: "Dad, keep it short. We're in formation."

"As you serve and look out for your brothers and sisters in arms, your families here at home promise you that we'll look out for one another," Biden said.

Biden's Republican rival, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, gave a similar farewell talk in Alaska last month to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, which includes her oldest son, Track, a 19-year-old private. She told the unit that its year-long assignment to northern Iraq would be a "defense of America, in America's cause. And it's a righteous cause."

The two candidates debated Thursday night in St. Louis. On the subject of Iraq, Palin told Biden that the timetable for troop withdrawal that he supported was "a white flag of surrender in Iraq."

Palin accused Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama of voting against funding for U.S. troops in combat and chastised Biden for defending him, "especially with your son in the National Guard."

Biden did not immediately reply to Palin's mention of his son, but he said Obama had once voted against funding because it lacked a timetable for troop withdrawal. He then noted that McCain himself had voted against funding tied to a withdrawal timetable.

Biden did not mention the debate or the campaign at Friday's ceremony, which was similar to others he has attended, except for the heavy security presence around legislative mall and the unusually large crowd, which numbered roughly 1,000 people.

"I've come here many times before, as a Delawarean, as a United States senator. But today I come, as you prepare to deploy, as a father," he said. "Stand strong, stand together, serve honorably and come home to your families and loved ones."

While Biden received a supportive welcome, Suann Ritter of West Grove, Pennsylvania, said she was unhappy about the attention his presence drew.

"This is turning into a circus instead of what it's supposed to be, a private ceremony," said Ritter, whose husband, Sgt. Donald Ritter, is being deployed for the fourth time. She noted that other units that have deployed from Delaware have not received the same attention. "It's just not fair."

Major Gen. Frank Vavala, adjutant general of the Delaware National Guard, noted that Biden has attended several deployment ceremonies for National Guard units and said the fact that he is a vice presidential candidate can't be dismissed.

"Sen. Biden is the father of a soldier. He has every right to be here," Vavala said.

O.J. Simpson guilty of armed robbery, kidnapping

O.J. Simpson appears during his trial.

4 October 2008
By LINDA DEUTSCH

LAS VEGAS - Thirteen years to the day after being acquitted of killing his wife and her friend in Los Angeles, O.J. Simpson was found guilty of robbing two sports-memorabilia dealers at gunpoint in a Las Vegas hotel room.

The 61-year-old former football star was convicted of all 12 counts late Friday after jurors deliberated for more than 13 hours. He released a heavy sigh as the charges were read and was immediately taken into custody.

Simpson, who went from American sports idol to celebrity-in-exile after his murder acquittal, could spend the rest of his life in prison.

His attorney said he would appeal.

Many people considered the four-week trial justice delayed. Simpson was cleared in 1995 of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, in one of the most sensational trials of the 20th century, but was later found liable for the deaths in a civil case.

"I don't like to use the word payback," defense attorney Yale Galanter said. "I can tell you from the beginning my biggest concern ... was whether or not the jury would be able to separate their very strong feelings about Mr. Simpson and judge him fairly and honestly."

The Hall of Fame football star was convicted of kidnapping, armed robbery and 10 other charges for gathering up five men a year ago and storming into a room at a hotel-casino, where the group seized several game balls, plaques and photos. Prosecutors said two of the men with him were armed; one of them said Simpson asked him to bring a gun.

Simpson's co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, 54, also was found guilty on all charges and taken into custody.

O.J. Simpson is handcuffed after a verdict of guilty on all counts was read following his trial at the Clark County Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas on Friday, 3 October 2008.

Simpson showed little emotion as officers handcuffed him and walked him out of the courtroom. His sister, Carmelita Durio, sobbed behind him in the arms of Simpson's friend, Tom Scotto, who said "I love you" as Simpson passed by. As spectators left the courtroom, Durio collapsed.

Jurors made no eye contact with the defendants as they entered the courtroom. They declined to answer questions after the verdict was read.

Galanter said his client had expected the outcome, and in a courthouse conversation with an Associated Press reporter on Thursday, Simpson had implied as much.

Simpson said he was "afraid that I won't get to go to my kids' college graduations after I managed to get them through college."

Galanter said it was not a happy day for anybody. "His only hope is the appellate process," he said.

Clark County spokesman Dan Kulin said prosecutors would not comment until the case was "completely resolved."

Judge Jackie Glass made no comment other than to thank the jury for its service and to deny motions for the defendants to be released on bail.

She refused to give the lawyers extended time to file a motion for new trial, which under Nevada law must be filed within seven days. The attorneys said they needed time to submit a voluminous record.

"I've sat through the trial," Glass said. "If you want a motion for new trial, send me something."

Stewart's attorney, Brent Bryson, also promised to appeal.

"If there was ever a case that should have been severed in the history of jurisprudence, it's this case," he said of unsuccessful attempts to separate Stewart's case from Simpson's because of the "spillover" effect.

From the beginning, Simpson and his lawyers argued the incident was not a robbery, but an attempt to reclaim mementos that had been stolen from him. He said he did not ask anyone to bring a weapon and did not see any guns.

The defense portrayed Simpson as a victim of shady characters who wanted to make a buck off his famous name, and police officers who saw his arrest as an opportunity to "get" him and avenge his acquittal.

Prosecutors said Simpson's ownership of the memorabilia was irrelevant; it was still a crime to try to take things by force.

"When they went into that room and forced the victims to the far side of the room, pulling out guns and yelling, `Don't let anybody out of here!' — six very large people detaining these two victims in the room with the intent to take property through force or violence from them — that's kidnapping," prosecutor David Roger said.

Kidnapping is punishable by five years to life in prison. Armed robbery carries a mandatory sentence of at least two years behind bars, and could bring as much as 30. Sentencing was set for Dec. 5.

Simpson, who now lives in Miami, did not testify but was heard on a recording of the confrontation screaming that the dealers had stolen his property. "Don't let nobody out of this room," he declared and told the other men to scoop up his items, which included a photo of Simpson with former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.

Four other men charged in the case struck plea bargains that saved them from potential prison sentences in return for their testimony. Some of them had criminal records or were otherwise compromised in some way. One, for example, was an alleged pimp who testified he had a revelation from God telling him to take a plea bargain.

Memorabilia dealer Thomas Riccio, who arranged and secretly recorded the hotel-room confrontation, said he netted $210,000 from the media for the tapes.

Similarly, minutes after the Sept. 13, 2007, incident, one of the alleged victims, sports-memorabilia dealer Alfred Beardsley, was calling news outlets, and the other, Bruce Fromong, spoke of getting "big money" from the case.

Simpson's past haunted the case. Las Vegas police officers were heard in the recordings chuckling over Simpson's misfortune and crowing that if Los Angeles couldn't "get" him, they would.

During jury selection, Simpson's lawyers expressed fears that people who believed he got away with murder might see this case as a chance to right a wrong.

As a result, an usually large pool of 500 potential jurors was called, and they were given a 26-page questionnaire. Half were almost instantly eliminated after expressing strong feelings that Simpson should have been convicted of murder.

The judge instructed the jurors to put aside Simpson's earlier case.

In closing arguments, Galanter acknowledged that what Simpson did to recover his memorabilia was not right. "But being stupid, and being frustrated is not being a criminal," he said.

He added: "This case has taken on a life of its own because of Mr. Simpson's involvement. You know that. I know that. Every cooperator, every person who had a gun, every person who had an ulterior motive, every person who signed a book deal, every person who got paid money, the police, the district attorney's office, is only interested in one thing: Mr. Simpson."



Commentary:

In 1995, while I did not glue myself to the television or news media on this case, I did equate myself with what evidence there was on the murders of Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman and I will admit by the evidence, he did appear guilty; as to the many people I had the opportunity to speak too at the time, mostly at the hospital when my mother was in the process of dying from assassination by poison, they also agreed to Simpson‘s guilt for murder and the people I spoke with where diversified one of the good points of being in a hospital.

Nevertheless, while the previous case was brought in with this latest case, which I am not sure was ethical; it did make it interesting that Simpson was found guilty of this latest crime, apparently with little question this time to the fact.

The one question I have always pondered, is why Simpson actually would wish to murder his ex-wife and her friend, but I am also one of those people that will never understand anyone’s motive for murder, let alone robbery or kidnapping.

I have always been one of those people that believe in the sanctity of human life and to commit theft, is just not acceptable.

Finally, while I never knew Simpson during his sports career, I will never forget his portrayals in the inept Naked Gun movies; which looks like he is still hanging unto the bottom of the bus, riding off down the hill into the sunset and the only reason I ever even saw any of the Naked Gun movies, is my mother for some reason had liked them. Otherwise, these movies would probably have fallen to the wayside, like so many I have not cared to watch.

Speaker lambastes Security Council resolution

4 October 2008

Qom-Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani here on Friday criticized the recent anti-Iran resolution adopted by the UN Security Council.

Addressing a large group of people gathered in a mosque in this holy city, he said if the other side changes its attitude towards the Iranian nation, the people will react positively.

The Iranian nation will not retreat from its legitimate rights and will not heed pressures and bullying, he said, adding that the Iranian people will sit at negotiation table in a logical atmosphere.

The Iranian nation has never violated rights of other nations and have always resisted to oppression and hegemony.

The Iranian people will give a crushing response to any country wishing to violate the Islamic Republic's legal rights, the Majlis speaker reiterated.

He said that the world should know that the will and resistance of the Iranian nation cannot be affected by launching threats and waging psychological wars.

He further reiterated the inalienable right of the Iranian nation to produce peaceful nuclear energy.

Crying in a Global Whirlwind

What is next?

Unemployed: The US Great Depression of the 21st Century

1930's Great Depression

What is the latest US fashion update, they are remakes of the last Great Depression, from longer skirts, more modest blouses, hats to shoes; let’s hope they are long wear like the last Depression for the cost value.

Sidewalk Office

Joshua Persky, an unemployed financial engineer, stands in front of the Charles Schwab building at 50th Street and Park Avenue with a sign proclaiming "Experienced MIT Graduate for Hire" June 24, 2008 in New York City.

Persky, who lost his job in the volatile banking industry six months ago, thought standing on a corner passing out resumes would be a novel approach over networking and writing emails at home.

Persky is married and supports five children.

Unemployed in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Depressed in the 1930's.

This also is a reminder of an event at the end of time, which speaks of severe poverty and famine due in part; to very high cost. Which certain parts of the earth, will not be affected, this usually pertains to that which belongs to Allah (God).

US President Bush Signs $700 Billion Bailout Into Law

U.S. President George W. Bush leaves the Treasury as Secretary of the Treasury Henry M. Paulson Jr. returns inside October 3, 2008 in Washington, DC.

3 October 2008

By Steven Metcalf

US President Bush has signed a bill into law which included the $700 billion bailout package for the financial industry.

The president signed the bill Friday afternoon shortly after the U.S. House approved the measure. On Monday the House voted down a similar rescue package.

He signed the bill after returning from the Treasury Department to thank employees for their hard work on the rescue package.

Commentary:
As the whole scope of the economic crisis being helped by the passing of this bailout bill the answer is actually no, as well as helping the majority of American’s; it more appears they are on there own and in the long run the US will fly over Niagara Falls without the barrel.

As to seeing anything having to do with the bailout bill towards the measures mentioned within the bill, the outlook is over a year at best; it was reported.

Husband of slain soldier arrested in her death

He and another man are charged with first-degree murder

3 October 2008

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The husband of a female soldier found stabbed to death near her home was arrested Friday and charged with murder along with a second man authorities say was hired to kill the woman.

The death of 29-year-old Sgt. Christina E. Smith was the third off-post killing of a Fort Bragg servicewoman in four months, stunning a tight military community that was still seeking to come to grips with the earlier deaths.

“For me, I was thinking, ‘No, gosh, not another one,”’ said Fayetteville police spokeswoman Theresa Chance.

Sgt. Richard Smith, 26, was charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, Chance said. Pfc. Mathew Kvapil, 18, faces the same charges, and Chance said he was hired by Smith to kill the wife as the couple walked together Tuesday evening.

An initial hearing was scheduled for Monday for both soldiers. Officials said they didn’t know if either man had been appointed an attorney yet.

Police divers were searching in a creek about a mile from the crime scene for the murder weapon.

The military said the Army Criminal Investigation Division at Fort Bragg also was investigating, but “no military actions have yet been determined.”

Smith, who was treated for minor injuries, initially reported that an attacker had stabbed his wife in the neck and fled as the soldier ran after him. Neighbors said they heard a woman screaming and saw Christina Smith in a pool of blood.

Fort Bragg officials said the Smiths were both assigned to an Army special operations unit. She was a graphics illustrator in Company A, 5th Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group. She is survived by her husband and her parents, Katherine and Steven Loehrke of Mount Orab, Ohio, the Army added.

Smith’s death follows the killings of Spc. Megan Touma, 23, and 2nd Lt. Holley Wimunc, 24. In the previous cases, the female soldiers were killed off post under different circumstances.

Touma, who was seven months pregnant, was found dead in June in a Fayetteville motel bathtub. Sgt. Edgar Patino, 27, the father of the unborn child, was charged with her death on July 29.

On July 10, Wimunc was reported missing from her apartment. The Army nurse’s body was found three days later by crews fighting a brush fire near North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base.

Wimunc’s estranged husband, Marine Cpl. John Wimunc of Camp Lejeune, was arrested July 14. Lance Cpl. Kyle Alden was charged with aiding John Wimunc by destroying evidence and providing a false alibi.

“We have domestic violence issues like every other city,” Chance said. “Obviously the military seems to be targeted lately.”

Commentary:
Seeing the above article brought something to mind and I am going to try relating a time situation dealing with war that was brought to my attention several years ago; by some veterans from WW2 and I was with my parents at the time, which was always the case in those days.

It makes me think of how children in these time’s can pick and choose where they wish to go with there parent’s, but with my imprisonment; I never had that option nor was I allowed to be usually out by myself.

Even if I went to the market to get something for my mother like a carton of milk, I had a time limit of when I should return and yes, I sweated out the long lines or slow clerk in those days because of the horrors that very often occurred when I was late and this could be as little as two minutes late.

Getting back to what I started to say, in those days, men returning from combat, I was told they use to be isolated for a time before being released back into American society because of the possible dangers from having been in a war, especially murder to domestic violence and even in those days, a few after this isolation still was a menace to society.

Furthermore, it makes me also think of some of the over zealous murder spree’s on civilians that have been documented; in the Vietnam war and in Iraq.

More than 1.1 million people living with HIV in the United States

2 October 2008

United States -More than 1.1 million people in the United States are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as more people are infected with the AIDS-causing virus than die from it each year.

The new estimate, published in today's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, is based on reports of HIV cases from 40 states and cases of AIDS from 10 states and the District of Columbia in 2006. It is about the same as the previous estimate from 2003, which calculated that between 1 million and 1.2 million people were living with HIV.

But the 2003 estimate may have been an overstatement, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) epidemiologists write. This time, they worked with a refined statistical method that includes more reliable counts of HIV infections from more states. Prior to April of this year, not all states tracked HIV the same way, making it difficult for epidemiologists to get a handle on its national impact.

Were the new method applied to 2003, the number of people living with HIV in the U.S. that year would have been lower, about 994,000 people, the CDC scientists write today. That means that since 2003, HIV prevalence has increased by 11 percent, or 112,000 people.

A report this year by UNAIDS, the United Nations agency that tracks the disease around the world, said that an estimated 1.2 million people were living with HIV in the U.S.

Separate, improved epidemiology has shown a sobering picture of HIV before. In August, the CDC reported that it had undercounted annual, new HIV infections by 40 percent. For years, authorities said 40,000 people were infected annually. In fact, that number swung between 49,000 in the early '90s to 58,000 in the late '90s. Today, an estimated 55,000 people are infected each year.

(Image of HIV-1 budding from cultured lymphocyte/CDC)

Africa: Why the Next United States President Won't Mean a Thing to Afrika Unless Part 2

COLUMN

3 October 2008
By Dr. Kwame Osei

At the same time that it laid waste to Angola, the U.S. ensured a similar fate for adjoining Mozambique, which also emerged from Portuguese colonialism in 1975. Here, the U.S., again through South Africa, backed the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) "an artificial armed engine of destruction," created by the intelligence service of the racist Ian Smith regime of Rhodesia (now independent Zimbabwe).

Even more vicious than UNITA, RENAMO committed massive atrocities against civilians and destroyed much of Mozambique's infrastructure in a 16-year long civil war with the left-wing government of the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO).

One million people were killed and five million displaced by the time the war ended in 1992. In 1988, Roy Stacey, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, who was part of a group trying to end Washington's backing for RENAMO, stated that the insurgents were carrying out "one of the most brutal holocausts against ordinary human beings since World War II."

Somalia which today is wracked by civil war and has no central government was the top recipient (per capita) of U.S. military and economic aid in Africa during the 1980s. Siad Barre, the country's dictator at the time, was a key strategic ally of Washington in the Cold War and got $600 million in U.S. aid.

Following Barre's rampage of killing and plunder, Somalia literally fell apart. Barre's forces murdered 5,000 unarmed civilians in 1988-89 and in 1990 he was overthrown.

Similarly, Sudan today is embroiled in an 25-year old civil war that has killed four million people. The U.S. is actively supporting the rebel Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) against the government. However, it has long been clear that Washington wants to keep the rebels strong enough to prevent defeat but does not want them to become capable of toppling the government. "Peace" a U.S. official explained, "does not necessarily suit American interests. An unstable Sudan amounts to a stable Egypt."

Economic War

Washington has fomented not only military conflict and genocide in Africa but also an economic holocaust through its agents the World Bank and the IMF.

The Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) imposed by these institutions on 36 African countries since 1980 have devastated the continent, decimating national economies and health and education systems.

SAPs offer loans on condition that governments drastically reduce public spending (especially on health, education and food subsidies) in favour of repayment of debt owed to Western banks, increase exports of raw materials to the West, encourage foreign investment and privatize state enterprises; the last two steps mean selling whatever national assets a poor country may have to Western multinational corporations.

Under SAPs, Sub-Saharan Africa's external debt has actually increased by more than 500% since 1980, to $300 billion today. In 1997, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) stated that in the absence of debt payments, severely indebted African countries could have saved the lives of 21 million people and given 90 million girls and women access to basic education by the year 2000. The All-African Conference of Churches has called the debt "a new form of slavery, as vicious as the slave trade."

After twenty years of SAPs, 313 million Africans lived in absolute poverty in 2001 (out of a total population of 682 million), a 63% increase over the 200 million figure for 1994. Life expectancy has dropped by 15% since 1980 and today is 47 years, the lowest in the world.

Forty per cent of Africans suffer from malnutrition and more than half are without safe drinking water. Health care spending in the 42 poorest African countries fell by 50% during the 1980s. As a result, health care systems have collapsed across the continent creating near catastrophic conditions.

More than 200 million Africans have no access to health services as hundreds of clinics, hospitals and medical facilities have been closed.

This has left diseases to rage unchecked, leading most alarmingly to an AIDS pandemic. More than 17 million Africans have died of HIV/AIDS which has created 12 million orphans.

Between 1986 and 1996, per capita education spending in Africa fell by 0.7% a year on average.

Forty per cent of African children are out of school and the adult literacy rate in Sub- Saharan Africa is 60%, well below the developing country average of 73%.

More than 140 million young Africans are illiterate. Given the annihilating social impact of SAPs all over Africa, it is not surprising that Emily Sikazwe, director of the Zambian anti-poverty group "Women for Change," asked: "What would they [the World Bank and the IMF] say if we took them to the World Court in The Hague and accused them of genocide?"

Ghana

Structural adjustment here was preceded by CIA intervention.

In 1966, a CIA-backed military coup overthrew Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's President. Hailed as "Africa's brightest star," Nkrumah called for an anti-imperialist, pan-African organization and non-alignment in the Cold War.

In October 1965, Nkrumah published his famous work, "Neo-Colonialism-The Last Stage of Imperialism" in which he accused the CIA of being behind many crises in the Third World. The U.S. government reacted by sending Nkrumah a note of protest and cancelling $35 million in aid to Ghana. Four months later, Nkrumah was overthrown in the CIA-engineered coup.

IMF involvement in Ghana followed the coup and SAPs were activated in 1983. Seen as a "star pupil" by the World Bank and the IMF, Ghana privatized more than 130 state enterprises including the mining sector (its main source of revenue), removed tariff barriers and exchange regulations and ended subsidies for health and education. As a result 20% of Ghanaians are unemployed and the cost of food and services has gone beyond the reach of the poor. GDP per capita was lower in 1998 ($390) than it was in 1975 ($411); 78.4% of Ghanaians live on $1 a day and 40% live below the poverty line; 75% have no access to health services and 68% none to sanitation.

The introduction of user fees for health care in 1985 combined with falling wages and increasing poverty has reduced outpatient attendance at hospitals by a third. As one observer put it, "Patients pay for everything; for surgery, drugs, blood, scalpel, even the cotton wool." User fees in education have raised the primary school dropout rate to 40%.

Ghana is the second largest gold producer in Africa (after South Africa) and gold mining is the country's main source of income.

SAPs have compelled Ghana to sell the gold mining sector to Western multinational corporations which now own up to 85% of the large-scale mining industry. More than half of the 200 active gold concessions belong at least in part to Canadian companies.

The corporations can repatriate up to 95% of their profits into foreign accounts and pay no income tax or duties. This means that Western companies virtually monopolize Ghana's gold which contributes little to its economy.

American Holocaust

Just as "An unstable Sudan amounts to a stable Egypt" so an unstable, war-wracked and poverty-stricken Africa amounts to a stable and prosperous West.

This is U.S. imperial strategy towards Africa and it has destroyed the continent. The strategy aims at extracting the maximum amount of wealth from Africa for the West at the lowest cost through the perpetration of a holocaust created by eleven wars and structural adjustment programs imposed on 36 countries.

The wars have killed more than four million Africans and the SAPs have led to an estimated 21 million deaths; both have resulted in the transfer of hundreds of billions of dollars to the West.

Most African exports to the West are raw materials and the wars have helped keep their price low since the armies need to sell these for whatever money they can get in order to buy weapons; a considerable portion of the weapons are also bought from the West.

SAPs have transferred $229 billion in debt payments from Sub-Saharan Africa to the West since 1980. This is four times the region's 1980 debt. Like the wars, SAPs also help keep raw material prices low by enforcing the expansion of such exports to the West. The value of primary African exports has dropped by about half since 1980.

Four hundred and fifty years of the slave trade and 150 years of Western colonialism in Africa helped build the U.S. and European economies; Washington's ravaging of Africa today continues this horrifying legacy and starkly reveals the grotesqueness of the West.

Further Reading:
Africa:Why the Next United States President Won't Mean a Thing to Afrika Unless Part 1

U.S. puts a military focus on Africa

Afghan diplomat summoned over spread of ElTor biotype

3 October 2008

Tehran-Iran on Friday summoned Afghan Charge D'Affaires to Tehran al-Ghiath to inform him of its request from Kabul to take proper measures on common border areas to curb spread of ElTor cholerae there.

Deputy Director General of West Asian Affairs Department at Foreign Ministry said al-Ghiath had been summoned in absence of Afghan Ambassador to Tehran to call on Afghan government to launch stern campaign against the disease.

The Afghan diplomat was also informed of Iran's readiness to dispatch a medical team to the ElTor-prone regions to help Afghan prevent spread of the lethal epidemic.

Throwing the Olives

A Palestinian woman throws olives into the air as she separates them from leaves during harvest in the village of Zababah, near Jenin, on 3 October 2008.

For Palestinians, who start harvesting olives this month across the West Bank, olives are not only an important agricultural product, the olive tree also symbolizes the attachment to the land, peace among humanity and faith in Allah (God).

Palestinians harvesting olives in the village of Awarta, south of Nabluso; on 3 October 2008.

Also a little known fact from Palestine history was the olive tree’s where first introduced by the Palestine royal family, as well as other forms of agriculture; among other numerous achievements for the well-being of all the people; regardless of there religion because of the belief in the equality among all the citizens of Palestine.

US Bailout Prescription

How much more of these bitter pills, do I take?

US President Bush Signs $630B Continuing Resolution

US President George W. Bush delivers remarks during a meeting with representatives of American businesses on the Economic Rescue Package with full disagreement by the representatives, on 2 October 2008; in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

2 October 2008

WASHINGTON-President Bush on Tuesday signed into law a more than $630 billion continuing resolution (HR 2638) that would fund at current levels the budgets of most Cabinet departments and federal agencies until March 6, 2009, CongressDaily reports (CongressDaily, 10/1).

The bill, which the House passed last week and the Senate approved on Saturday, also includes the $73 billion fiscal year 2009 Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill and two other FY 2009 spending bills (AP/Houston Chronicle, 10/1).

The new fiscal year began on Oct. 1, and Bush had not received any of the 12 annual appropriations bills from Congress (CongressDaily, 10/1).

Bush said, "I am disappointed that the Congress passed a long-term continuing resolution," rather than the individual appropriations bills. He added, "There is much work to be done, and the Congress should not adjourn for the year without finishing important business on spending, taxes, and free trade agreements" (Higa, CQ Today, 9/30).

Commentary: Was U.S. military the first to rob the Treasury?

2 October 2008
by Vic Hummert

In 1946, U.S. Sen. Arthur Vandenberg told President Truman, "If you want to keep this country on a military economy, you must scare the hell out of the people."

Since World War II, U.S. military analysts claim Washington has spent more than $10 trillion on "defense." In 2007, a whistleblower from the Pentagon appeared on Bill Moyers Journal claiming the accounting system there is a farce and trillions cannot be accounted for.

The financial collapse of 2008 has its roots in Defense Department bilking of our Treasury. As of September, analysts of Wall Street's collapse have not put the Defense Department under scrutiny. The bleeding goes back decades.

An Associated Press report from 2000 states: "The military's money managers last year made almost $7 trillion in adjustments to their financial ledgers in an attempt to make them add up, the Pentagon's inspector general said in a report released Friday. The Pentagon could not show receipts for $2.3 trillion of those changes, and a half-trillion dollars of it was just corrections of mistakes made in earlier adjustments." (The Daily Advertiser, March 4, 2000)

Chalmers Johnson, author of three books on U.S. militarism, claims the U.S. defense budget is greater than the defense budgets of nearly 200 countries combined.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, in its 2007 annual report, claimed total global military expenditures passed $1 trillion. Unless we take the keys from arms manufacturers, generals and admirals, economies around the world will find their treasuries sacked.

Bickering continues between political parties of the United States as to who is at fault for the September financial failure. Could we expand our historical analysis to include Truman, Vandenberg and the War Resisters League?

The WRL produces a yearly financial "pie" outlining how many billions go for paying off past wars, billions for ongoing conflicts and billions more planning weapons for future wars.

Bushonomics: Stocks decline on unemployment, factory reports

Trader Eric Schumacher, left, watches the numbers as he works on the New York Stock Exchange floor, on 2 October 2008.

2 October 2008
By JOE BEL BRUNO

NEW YORK- Stocks tumbled and credit markets remained tight Thursday after plunging factor orders and a seven-year high in jobless claims stoked fears that the government's financial rescue plan might not be enough to ward off a recession. The Dow Jones industrials fell nearly 230 points, their fourth straight triple-digit move.

Investors appeared to be pulling more money out of the market and settling in for a prolonged economic winter. The main concern is that the $700 billion bailout plan won't be enough to stimulate growth, and the latest economic reports delivered on Tuesday demonstrate that the economy continues to struggle.

The government said the number of people seeking unemployment benefits rose last week and that demand at the nation's factories has fallen by the largest amount in nearly two years. The market is interpreting the Commerce Department report on factories as a sign that tight credit conditions are hitting manufacturers.

"The economy is what's driving this weakness," said Subodh Kumar, global investment strategist at Toronto-based Subodh Kumar & Associates. "I think now what's going on is a focus on the economic weakness in a whole bunch of areas."

He said "the next couple of days are going to be pretty intense politically" as Wall Street girds for another vote on the financial bailout plan.

The bill that passed the Senate late Wednesday will be sent to the House as soon as Friday. The latest version of the bill adds $100 billion in tax breaks for businesses and the middle class and raises the limit on federal deposit insurance to $250,000 from $100,000.

Supporters are hoping the sweetened bill will be more palatable to some of the 133 House Republicans who rejected the measure in a vote Monday that took Wall Street, and many on Capitol Hill, by surprise.

Those in favor of the plan to let the government buy billions of dollars in bad mortgage debt and other now-toxic assets say it will help unclog the world's ailing credit markets. Banks are fearful of making loans, even to each other, because of worries they won't be repaid. That, in turn, is weighing on the economy, making borrowing more difficult and expensive for businesses and consumers alike.

The credit markets showed some increased strain on Thursday. The yield on the 3-month T-bill, the safest type of investment, rose to 0.80 percent from 0.79 percent late Wednesday. The historically low yields indicate investors are willing to accept the smallest of returns to safeguard their money.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, fell to 3.66 percent from 3.74 percent late Wednesday.

The Dow fell 226.52, or 2.09 percent, to 10,604.55. The blue chips plunged nearly 778 points Monday, logged a partial rebound Tuesday and finished moderately lower Wednesday.

Broader stock indicators also fell sharply Thursday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 29.00, or 2.50 percent, to 1,132.06, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 53.08, or 2.56 percent, to 2,016.32.

___

On the Net:

New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com

Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com

Commentary:
While there is a huge increase of unemployed and the ever-increasing poor, it seems they are never in the picture as for as what has been said numerous times towards this bailout bill and these people are extremely important.

As far as taxes towards these people, they can not afford the cost of living now; let alone in the future.

This second run of this souring bailout bill, is just another case of it will not work, let’s think again.

As far as buying bad debt paper, the chances of recouping and paying back or slim to none and in the long-run will make matters worse; as has been mentioned previously.

I do not know about other people in America, but I do not care to see another deceased homeless person on a public park bench and what makes matters worse; knowing they are forgotten by there government or the gentleman who had a suit job yesterday, sleeping on a bench the next day without a job and lost there home.

Needless to say, these two people could not afford the bailout bill, anymore, then the ones standing in the never-ending unemployment line.

As another quick example, can US afford to build a new embassy in London?

Kyrgyz Muslims Celebrating the End of Ramadan

Kyrgyz muslims pray celebrating the end of Ramadan in Bishkek, on 1 October 2008.

Kyrgyzstan has an overwhelmingly Sunni population. While some claim that this country is secular, there is expressed support for restoring religious values.

Long Table Dinner To Celebrate China's National Day

Tourists eat delicious Islamic food at the long table during the first 'Anshu.Pingba Food Festival,' on 28 September 2008 in Pingba, west China's Guizhou.

Pingba county is the hometowm of Chinese Islamic food and to welcome the 59th birthday of the the nation, they hold the food festival to welcome tourists from home and abroad.

Pressuring the New Economy Bill Vote

2 October 2008

A little something was brought to my attention in regards to the new voting on this second US economy bailout bill that is up for vote and that some people are being pressured to vote in a certain direction namely for this particular revision of the bill.

As to my knowledge, it is not only against the US definition of democracy, but also unconstitutional and who ever is putting pressure on said people to vote in a particular direction is committing a high crime or what I think the legal system calls in the US, as a Felony.

Nevertheless, one can put a host of different wording to try to sidestep this crime, but it will always mean the same thing, a crime and this further goes with the November elections.

This almost makes one think back in US history, of people buying votes or getting them off of tombstones with an effort to win; while I say this is history; because I do not know if it is still occurring.

Bushonomics: Weak economy pushes jobless claims to 7-year high

The unemployed singing the blues, Bushonomics at work.

2 October 2008

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER

WASHINGTON -New applications for unemployment benefits rose slightly last week to a seven-year high due to a weakening economy and the impact of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, the Labor Department said Thursday.

The department reported that initial claims for jobless benefits increased by 1,000 to a seasonally adjusted 497,000. That's significantly above analysts' estimate of 475,000. The total is the highest since just after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks seven years ago.

U.S. stock futures declined on the report. Dow Jones industrial average futures dropped 102 to the 10,785 level, pointing to a lower opening for shares.

The hurricanes, which hit Texas and Louisiana earlier this month, added about 45,000 claims from the two states for the week ending Sept. 27, the department said.

The hurricanes have led to higher claims for several weeks. As a result, the four-week average of claims, which smooths out fluctuations, jumped to 474,000, up 11,500 from the previous week.

In the week ending Sept. 20, Texas reported a 22,235 jump in claims, while Louisiana said claims rose by 9,671.

The number of people continuing to receive benefits increased to 3.59 million, up 48,000 and higher than analysts' estimates. That's the highest total in five years.

Jobless claims are at elevated levels even excluding the hurricanes. Weekly claims have now topped 400,000 for 11 straight weeks, a level economists consider a sign of recession. A year ago, claims stood at 324,000.

The economy is struggling with the financial crisis and slowing consumer spending, leading to increased layoffs by the nation's employers.

Economists expect a separate Labor Department report Friday on payrolls to reflect further weakness in the labor market. They predict the report will show that the nation's employers cut 100,000 jobs last month. That's on top of 605,000 jobs that were eliminated in the first eight months of this year.

The report is expected to show that the jobless rate remains at 6.1 percent. The rate jumped above 6 percent for the first time in five years in August.

The financial crisis will likely cause greater job cuts in the coming months. Several large, troubled banks have been bought by competitors and layoffs are likely.

Citigroup Inc. on Monday purchased Wachovia Corp., which had about 120,000 employees. JPMorgan Chase & Co. last week bought Seattle-based Washington Mutual, which employed roughly 43,000.

Several companies have announced layoffs in the past week, including aluminum company Alcoa Inc., auto retailer CarMax, Inc. and chicken producer Pilgrim's Pride Corp.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews at the Western Wall

Ultra-Orthodox Jews pray at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, before the start the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, on 29 September 2008.

Blowing the Shofar in Tehran

Iranian Jew Parviz Minaei, blows the Shofar (ram's horn), as a call for spiritual preparation for Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year), in the Mashadiha Synagogue, in Tehran.

Palestinian Children’s Enjoyment for Eid

Palestinian children enjoy a ride at an amusement park in the last day of the Eid al-Fitr in the town of Jenin, on 2 October 2008.

Muslims around the world are celebrating the three day Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Palestinian children enjoy a ride.

Russia's last czar declared victim of repression

Russia's Czar Nicholas II, seated second from left, Czarina Alexandra, center rear, and their family are shown in this undated file photo. Bottom row left to right, Princess Olga, Czar Nicholas II, Princess Anastasia, Prince Alexei and Princess Tatiana. Top row left to right, Princess Maria and Czarina Alexandra.

1 October 2008

By LYNN BERRY

MOSCOW -The last czar and his family were victims of political repression, Russia's Supreme Court ruled Wednesday, formally restoring the Romanov name and furthering a Kremlin effort to encourage patriotism by celebrating the country's czarist past.

Nicholas II, his wife and five children were shot to death by a Bolshevik firing squad in 1918, a year after the revolution that led to the creation of the Soviet Union.

For years, their descendants have sought rehabilitation in the courts claiming the executions were political repression. The argument was repeatedly denied until Wednesday when the country's highest court issued the final word, siding with the family.

According to critics, earlier rulings reflected Vladimir Putin's reluctance to condemn the Soviet government's crimes, in part to justify his own retreat from democracy.

But in recent years, Putin and his successor as president, Dmitry Medvedev, have evoked the majesty of the czarist era in Kremlin ceremonies. And they have given a place of prominence to the Russian Orthodox Church, which has canonized Nicholas II and his family.

At the same time, Putin, now prime minister, and Medvedev also have continued to glorify the Soviet Union's achievements and celebrate the symbols of its power.

Oleg Orlov, a member of the human rights group Memorial, said the aim was to give Russians pride in their country by emphasizing the positive aspects of their history while glossing over the bad.

"In Russia, the tendency has been to say ... the czar was a good guy, Lenin was a good guy, Stalin was a good guy, the Bolsheviks weren't that bad," Orlov said.

"The authorities are always right," he said. "What they're telling people now is 'we have a great history and therefore we have a great country.'"

Wednesday's decision to "rehabilitate" the slain Romanovs won't change the minds of many Russians today. While Russian Orthodox believers share the church's veneration of the family as saints, die-hard communists see them as criminals and millions of other Russians place them somewhere in between.

But it is a step in the direction of condemnation of the Bolsheviks who killed the family and, by extension, of the entire Soviet era. And it is likely to put the Romanov family in a more positive light for coming generations of Russians.

Nikolai Romanov, a distant relative of the last czar, said the whole rehabilitation process was ridiculous.

"It's as if you suddenly thought that it was necessary to rehabilitate St. Peter or St. Paul because the Romans had judged them and sentenced them to death," he said on NTV television.

The ruling is also unlikely to have major legal ramifications, at least in the short to medium term, because there is no significant move to restore Russia's monarchy or compensate the imperial family for its losses.

There has been no material compensation for others who have been formally rehabilitated, most of them victims of Stalin-era repressionist.

Some historians had speculated that the Russian government was reluctant to reclassify the czar's killing out of fear that descendants would claim state property, such as the State Hermitage Museum, as compensation. The museum is housed in what used to be the Winter Palace.

Prosecutors, lower courts and even the Supreme Court had rejected all appeals to rehabilitate the family. In its ruling in November, the Supreme Court said they were not eligible for rehabilitation because their execution had been a crime. In reversing that decision Wednesday, the Supreme Court's presidium recognized their "unfounded repression."

German Lukyanov, a lawyer for the Romanov family, said the decision was based on law and said no politics were involved.

"In the end this will help the country, this will help Russia understand its history, help the world to see that Russia observed its own laws, help Russia in its development to become a civilized country," he said.

Orlov agreed that it was "a proper legal decision," but said the real decision was made at the political level. "In the Kremlin? I don't know," he said.

The czar abdicated in 1917 as revolutionary fervor swept Russia. Nicholas II, his wife, Alexandra, and their son and four daughters were shot on July 17, 1918, in a basement room of a merchant's house where they were held in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg.

The remains of Nicholas II and Alexandra and three of their daughters were unearthed in 1991 and reburied in the imperial resting place in St. Petersburg.

Nicholas' heir, Alexei, and the other daughter, Grand Duchess Maria, remained missing for decades until bone shards were unearthed in 2007 in a forest outside Yekaterinburg, not far from the place where the rest of the family's mutilated remains had been scattered.

Officials said earlier this year that DNA testing had confirmed the shards belonged to Alexei and Maria.

The Russian Orthodox Church made all seven of them saints in 2000.

Commentary:

The following is with all due respect to the Russian people and with the intention to help.

While I question several points in the above article, as to one example; it was explained to me many years ago, that Czar Nicholas II did not abdicate in 1917, but was overthrown during the Russian Revolution by assassination, in 1918.

It has always been a hope of mine, that any wounds from the past would be healed and there would be true happiness.

Sweet and Low for Americans

Bailout with 'sweeteners' heads toward Senate win

1 October 2008

By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS and CHARLES BABINGTON

WASHINGTON -After one spectacular failure, the $700 billion financial industry bailout found a second life Wednesday, speeding toward passage in the Senate and gaining ground in the House where conservative opposition seemed to soften.

Senators loaded the economic rescue bill with tax breaks and other sweeteners for the right and left, hoping to secure approval in the House by Friday, just days after lawmakers there stunningly rejected an earlier version and sent markets plunging around the globe.

The measure has not caused the same uproar in the Senate, where both parties' presidential candidates, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, were making rare appearances to vote their support. That would send the package back to the House, where passage would require a turnaround of 12 votes from Monday's 228-205 defeat.

Leaders in both parties, as well as private economic chiefs everywhere, said Congress must quickly approve some version of the measure to start loans flowing and stave off a potential national economic disaster.

"This is what we need to do right now to prevent the possibility of a crisis turning into a catastrophe," Obama said. "To Democrats and Republicans who've opposed this plan, I say: 'Step up to the plate. Let's do what's right for the country at this time, because the time to act is now.'"

At the White House, President Bush said, "It's very important for members to take this bill very seriously."

Even as the Senate neared its vote, congressional leaders targeted the 133 House Republicans who voted against the bill Monday.

House GOP opposition appeared to be easing after the Senate added $100 billion in tax breaks for businesses and the middle class, plus a provision Republicans advocated to raise, from $100,000 to $250,000, the cap on federal deposit insurance. They were also cheering a decision Tuesday by the Securities and Exchange Commission to ease rules that force companies to devalue assets on their balance sheets to reflect the price they can get on the market.

The heart of the bill, and the opposition to it, remained the same. It would enable the government to spend billions of dollars to buy bad mortgage-related securities and other devalued assets held by troubled financial institutions. If successful, advocates say, that would allow frozen credit to begin flowing again and keep the economy from a deep recession.

Proponents say the government eventually could sell the devalued assets at a better price, reducing the program's final cost.

As for House passage, there were worries that the tax breaks would cause some conservative-leaning Democrats who voted for the rescue Monday to abandon it because it would swell the federal deficit.

"I'm concerned about that," said Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., the majority leader.

As revised by the Senate, the package would extend several tax breaks popular with businesses. It would keep the alternative minimum tax from hitting 20 million middle-income Americans, and provide $8 billion in tax relief for those hit by natural disasters in the Midwest, Texas and Louisiana.

The bill would not point to offsetting spending cuts to pay for the AMT and disaster provisions, but it would have revenue offsets for part of the energy and extension measures. The failure to offset many of the tax cuts angered the House's band of "Blue Dog" Democrats.

The increase in the deposit insurance cap was a bid to reassure individuals and businesses with accounts in banks and similar institutions.

The Senate specializes in high-stakes legislating-by-enticement, and the long list of sweeteners it added was designed to attract votes from various constituencies.

Tax cuts new and old are favorites for most House Republicans, the main target of intense lobbying to gain support for the measure. Help for rural schools was aimed mainly at lawmakers in the West, while disaster aid was a top priority for lawmakers from across the Midwest and South.

Another addition, to extend the deductibility of state and local taxes for people in states without income taxes, helps Florida and Texas, among others.

And there were plenty of obscure tax breaks to go around, like one for certain wooden arrows used by children, and another benefiting litigants in the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Senate leaders were expected to try adding another goodie before the final vote: extending a tax break for homeowners who do not itemize their tax returns.

Raising the federal deposit insurance limit - along with the SEC's decision to ease accounting rules on valuing assets - helped House Republicans claim credit for some substantive changes.

And with constituent feedback changing dramatically since Monday's shocking House defeat and the corresponding market plunge, lawmakers' comfort level with the package increased markedly.

Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona, a leading conservative who voted no on Monday, told CNN Wednesday he's "strongly leaning" toward voting for the plan.

Asked if was ready to switch from no to yes, Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Ohio, said: "Not yet, but it's getting there."

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., said Republicans "can argue now that there have been some steps taken that they recommended."

The aftermath of Monday's vote, he said, has "changed the complexion, too, of what people's constituents are now saying. ... There's more of a recognition that we have to do something."

Besides Obama and McCain, Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden was voting on the Senate bill.

Other provisions added by the Senate include a measure to require large companies' health plans to give equal treatment to mental health or addiction if they cover such illnesses. The House and Senate have passed similar "mental health parity" measures, but none has gone to Bush for his signature.