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Combining Varshaphal and Birth Charts

ANOTHER VEDIC TUTORIAL BY GARY GNOMES

Varshaphal charts are intended to give a microscopic viewpoint of the chart of the individual karmic pattern of the individual. Literally, Varshaphal means “fruit of the year”. But the Varshaphal chart, at least as I was taught it, was never intended to be a chart that was interpreted independently of the annual chart. As a matter of fact, the notable teacher from India, Dr. K.S. Charak, who lectured on Varshaphal and other Indian astrological techniques, insisted that the Varshaphal chart would never manifest anything that did not show in the natal chart.

If this is true, why even study the Varshaphal chart? First of all, similar to certain types of Jaimini systems, the Varshaphal reveals at an instant what the birth chart can only show through intensive analysis. The Varshaphal places a microscope over the entire chart and focuses all of the Jyotish elements in one year. Secondly, most classical Vedic systems use the Moon as the sole predictive indicator. The Varshaphal chart, refreshingly, takes certain perspectives from the Sun and/or like certain elements in Jaimini (the Jaimini Karakas) and other types of predictive systems contained within the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra (specifically Karaka dasas), allows the degrees of the planets some role in when their effects will manifest. Finally, it allows individuals the perspective of judging a single year based upon a single starting point that is eminently recognizable to most individuals. To be quite honest, to the layman (and even to certain astrologers) the Jyotish system as it is currently practiced is quite complicated, and the timing of mahadasas by date is often very difficult to follow. Why not give the consumer of astrology a standard reference point, such as an overview of how their year will be?

The Varshaphal chart also charts the progress of the soul…where the Sun sits and how the person’s evolution is progressing. This is an important element to map in a person’s life.

SOME VARSHAPHAL BASICS

Chart construction

The single easiest way to calculate a Varshaphal chart is the method specified in the Uttara Kalamrita. Essentially, one should just figure out the degrees and minutes at which the Sun sat when you were born, then figure out when the Sun will reach that same position during the year in question. Because degrees and minutes will be included in the calculation, one can estimate the lagna (the sign rising in the Eastern horizon as well. This can be calculated quite easily using an ephemeris for those who do not possess a computerized program. For those who have a computer program but who do not have a “Varshaphal” option, locating the sun placement is a bit of trial and error, but one can usually get the exact degrees and minutes, and this will produce the entire chart for you. Finally, the commercially available larger vedic astrology programs contain Varshaphal calculation and charts as installed options—just input the year you desire and you will be all set. (One element of Varshaphal that I will not discuss in this lecture is the sahams, not because they are invalid but because this will exceed the time limits of this lecture.)

Varga charts

Standard varga charts are calculated as they are in the birth chart for the year. So the sixteen standard varga charts are included in most Varshaphal calculations. These can be interpreted in the same way that the natal chart vargas are to be interpreted. In addition, there are several additional varga charts that are apparently derived from the Tajika (Varshaphal) system. The primary additional vargas that are introduced into Jyotish are:
The Panchamsa – the one-fifth divisional chart: Useful for matters connected to children, creativity, past-life credit, mantras and other related matters. This chart can be interpreted in the same way as a natal chart can be interpreted, but it yields the best results when one looks at the fifth house in this chart, Jupiter, Venus and the fifth lords in this chart, the varshaphal chart and the natal chart.
The Shastamsa – the one-sixth divisional chart: Useful for assessing health matters, enemies and obstacles. This chart should be analyzed by looking at the sixth house in this chart, Saturn, Mars, Ketu and Rahu, and the sixth house lords of this, the varshaphal and natal charts. Spiritual sadhana or service can also be assessed through this chart.

The Ashtamsa – the one-eighth divisional chart. This chart can be used to assess long term obstacles in life, problems in relationships, hidden problems and even chronic illnesses (that could lead to death) for the individual. Again one would look at the eighth house in this chart, Saturn, Mars, Rahu and Ketu and the lords of the eighth house in this chart, the birth chart and the annual chart.

The Ekadamsa – the one-eleventh divisional chart. The Ekadamsa chart is used to assess financial gains, friendships, status, and elder siblings. The factors to look at in this chart are the eleventh house in this chart; the eleventh lord in the natal chart, in the annual chart and in this chart, as well as Jupiter, Venus and Mars.

Muntha and Year Lord.

The Muntha is the progressed rising sign in the birth chart. Basically this is used for determining the central focus of the year and is also considered when interpreting which planet should be “lord of the year”. The major idea behind the Muntha is that it is good when placed in a benefic house (such as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 9th, 10th, or 11th houses), difficult placed in the 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 12th houses.
(Please keep in mind that planets in the eighth and twelfth houses are not necessarily evil; as a matter of fact, they can produce surprising increases in status during their periods, especially if the individual is unselfish or engaged in some kind of spiritual practice or service.)

There are five planets that are considered office bearers in Varshaphal charts. These are the:

1) Muntha Pati or the lord of the sign in which the Muntha is placed
2) Janma Lagna Pati or the lord of the ascendant in the birth chart
3) Varsha lagna or the lord of the ascendant in the annual chart
4) Tri Rasi Pati or the lord of the Tri-Rasi (this changes from sign to sign according to whether the Varshapravesha rising sign occurs during the day time or the night time.
For Aries rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is the Sun; the night time is Jupiter.
For Taurus rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is Venus; the night time is Moon.
For Gemini rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is Saturn; the night time is Mercury.
For Cancer rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is the Venus; the night time is Mars.
For Leo rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is the Jupiter; the night time is the Sun.
For Virgo rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is the Moon; the night time is Venus.
For Libra rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is the Mercury; the night time is Saturn.
For Scorpio rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is Mars; the night time is Venus.
For Sagittarius rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is Saturn ; the night time is Jupiter.
For Capricorn rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is Mars; the night time is Mars.
For Aquarius rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is the Jupiter; the night time is Jupiter.
For Pisces rising, the day time Tri-Rasi Pati is the Moon; the night time is the Moon.

5)Dina-Ratri Pati or the lord of the Sun sign occurring during the day time or the lord of the Moon sign if the Varshapravesha occurs at night.

The lord of the year should meet two essential qualifications.

1) It must aspect the Varshaphal rising sign (Varshapravesha)
2) It must be the strongest of the planets aspecting the lagna.

In cases where no office bearer aspects the rising sign, the Muntha lord automatically becomes the year lord. According to some sources, the Moon can never become the year lord. According to others, this restriction does not apply. Strength is determined from the status of the planets according to the Pancha-vargiya bala, a rather complicated system of assessing planetary strength. As the name implies, five factors are used:
a) Griha bala or Kshetra Bala – points assigned if a planet is in its own house. 30 points are the most given for a planet in its own sign. The low point is 7.5 for a planet in an enemy’s sign.
b) Uccha bala – as the name implies, points are given based upon how close a planet is to its exaltation sign. The most a planet can get for being at highest exaltation is 20 units; the least is zero (for deep debilitation). There are a series of calculations using degrees and minutes in order to calculate the points for planets between highest exaltation and lowest debilitation.
c) Hudda bala- a special feature of this system found nowhere else in Hindu astrology. Each sign is divided into five parts, each with its own hudda or leader (the Sun and Moon do not own any huddas). If a planet falls in its own Hudda, it gets 15 points (the most); in a friend’s Hudda, 11:15 points, in an enemy’s Hudda, 3:45 points. The calculations for this are actually a bit complicated and outside the realm of this article.
d) Drekkana Bala—This is a direct quote from Dr. K. S. Charak’s text, Varshaphala. “The Drekkana lords for the consideration of the Pancha-Vargiya bala is different from those in the Parashari system. Here the lord of the first drekkana in Aries is Mars. The lords of the first drekkana in the successive rashis are the planets that fall in regular order from Mars onwards (i.e. Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. Begin the second drekkana of Aries from the Sun and proceed in the same order. The cycle continues through the third drekkana of Aries, with its lord Venus, until the third drekkana of Pisces, whose lord happens to be Mars. This method of determining the Drekkana lord is only applicable to the Pancha-Vargiya Bala.” (p.59)
e) Navamsa bala—Unlike the drekkana bala indicated above, the Navamsa is calculated as in Parasari astrology, so lords of planets in their own signs receive 10 points and lords of planets in enemy signs receive 2.5 points, and planets in friend’s signs receive 7.5 points.
These are then tabulated and the planets with the most reduced points becomes the strongest planet.

Special Tajika Mahadasas

The Patyayini Dasa

I actually prefer this mahadasa to the standard mahadasas used in Vedic astrology, because it is NOT nakshatra-based and seems to be unique to every annual chart. In this system, the longitudes of the seven planets and the ascendant cusp, are recorded in signs, degrees and minutes. Like the chara karakas specified in the Brihat Parasara Hora Sastra, the signs are ignored and the remaining degrees, minutes (and seconds) are noted as the Krishamshas in ascending order. This ascending order determines the dasa order in the Patyayini system. So the planet (or ascendant) with the lowest number of degrees [in its sign] is the first dasa under this system.

The calculation of the length of the periods is judged in a different way. Starting with the planet that has the lowest number of degrees, this gets a patyamsha equal to its degrees in its sign. The degrees of the first planet are subtracted from the planet next highest in degree, and the difference between the two is the patyamsha of the next planet. The degrees of the second planet are then subtracted from the third planet in order to generate the next patyamsha, and so forth. After the patyamshas have been calculated, the duration of the periods is calculated using the following formula to calculate the number of days in each period:

Take 365 days times the Patyamsha (of the planet in question) divided by the highest degree value (also called the Krishamsha value) of the planets in question.

This formula will render the days for each subperiod. The antardasas are calculated by taking the same proportion of time for a dasa as they do for an entire year.

Mudda Dasa
This mahadasa might be more appealing for those used to the Vimsottri mahadasa system. In order to calculate the mudda dasa, do the following.

1) Take the number of years of life completed. Add to this the nakshatra number at birth. If it is Krittika, for example, add three), then subtract two (the number 2), then divide this by 9. Ignore the quotient. The remainder gives the dasa operating that year. A remainder of 1 would give the Sun; 2 the Moon; 3 Mars; 4 Rahu; 5 Jupiter; 6 Saturn; 7 Mercury; 8 Ketu; 0 Venus. In other words, the normal Vimshottari sequence compressed into a year starting with a lunar position progressed by one Nakshatra a year.
2) In order to calculate the balance of the dasa, use the balance of the birth dasa. The remainder of the birth dasa period will be the same as the balance of the birth dasa percentage as contained in your natal chart. As a result of the method, the mahadasa of the year is almost invariably the one after the one that the previous year ended with. Of course, the new year does have different planetary positions, so there will often be major change from one year to the next.

Alternate Mudda Dasa

According to the Utttara Kalamrita , one of my favorite Jyotish texts, one can take the dasa lord of the annual chart’s Moon nakshatra as being the starting mahadasa in the annual chart. The simplicity of this approach appeals to me, and I have found that it gives extremely good results. (I have used a similar technique in determining the timing of prashna charts.)

Which Dasa?

Take your pick. By far the most interesting thing that I have noticed about Jyotish is that different modalities of prediction work consistently well if one uses the same reference base. Transposing a 360 day system on top of a 365 day system will not produce similar results, but using two 365 day systems (or two 360 day systems) will.

Can one use other dasas on the Varshaphal chart?

In my opinion, yes. Dr. Charak had said he good results when he used the Yogini mahadasa system a few years ago (whatever happened to the interest in Yogini?) and I have experimented with compressed (one year) Jaimini Chara dasa and Kalachakra dasa systems to good effect, so long as one follows the interpretational rules contained in each system.

Yogas in Varshaphal

The use of yogas has always seemed to be a bit suspect to me, as I think you can garner the same results by careful chart analysis as one can from yogas, but there are special yogas in the Varshaphal system. I would like to mention the two most important, as these tend to show very good results when interpreting these charts.

The Ithasala Yoga. This occurs when a faster moving planet is behind a slower moving one and will “catch up” to the slower moving planet by aspect or conjunction. There are special conditions attached to this yoga, and if any of the conditions fail to manifest, the yoga will not fructify. Retrograde motion will cancel the yoga, for example, and planets must be in their “orbs of influence” for the yoga to work. If it does fructify, it is a yoga of good fortune. Because of all of the conditions that can spoil an ithisala yoga or its variants, a true unspoilt ithisala is pretty rare.

Ishrafa Yoga is a separating yoga, occurring when a faster moving planet is moving away from a slower one. This is considered a combination for misfortune.

Most of the Varshaphal Yogas are variations on these two combinations. It is also acceptable to use Parashari Yogas in the Varshaphal system.

Special Condition in the Varshaphal Chart

A year in which the rising sign for the Varshaphal chart is the same as the birth chart rising sign is considered a difficult year for the person whose chart is being analyzed. There will either be personal injury or loss of money during this year.

Combining the Natal Chart and the Annual Chart—Tried Techniques

One of the more obvious techniques that can be used for comparing the two charts is to compare the rising sign house for the Varshaphal Year with that of the rising sign for the natal chart. If the rising sign of the Varshaphal chart is the 2nd house, it will show a focus on money, in the fifth house an increase of focus on children; if in the seventh house it will show a focus on marriage. If in the ninth or eleventh houses, it will show an emphasis on status or luck. So this is the first step one should take in analyzing a Varshaphal chart compared with a natal chart. Next, check the Muntha point in the chart.

The second step is to look at the changeable karakas, such as the Atma Karaka in the birth chart and check its location in the Varshaphal chart. If the Atma Karaka planet is well placed in the Varshaphal chart, the year will be beneficial to the native, if it is badly placed, then luck and personal health will be adversely affected. Go down the list. Check the Amatya Karaka (career indicator) next; then the Bhatri Karaka (desires, skills and brothers); Matri Karaka (mother, education, status) next; Pitri/Putri Karaka (children, creativity, intelligence, father); Gnati Karaka (service, illness, servants); Dara Karaka (wife, partnerships). These planets are the planets in the highest to lowest degree in the birth chart. You can also check the planets that assume these positions in the Varshaphal chart. These karakas in the varshaphal chart are not quite as strong as they are in the natal chart however. But, if these karakas are the same planets in both the birth and Varshaphal charts, the strength of these planets for producing good and bad effects, according to their significations, are extremely strong.

The other thing you want to look for is the placement of the planets in the Varshaphal chart in relation to the natal chart. If you want to get practical about it, the birth chart is a transit chart for the time that a person is born; the Varshaphal chart is essentially a transit chart of the year in question. Is Jupiter transiting a good position in the natal chart; is Saturn, the Nodes or Mars? Some Sun signs are very sensitive every year to transits from the inner planets; for example, those with Virgo suns will often have debilitated Venuses and exalted Mercury’s in a Varshaphal chart; those with Pisces or Aquarius suns are prone to debilitated Mercury’s and exalted Venus. The Capricorn and Cancer axis has similar situations with strong and weak Mars, for example. These all have to be factored in when analyzing the chart.

In analyzing the chart, I would start with the birth chart. The Varshaphal is an ancillary chart that should not be interpreted in isolation from the birth chart. The major thing to keep in mind is that the birth chart should be analyzed in the standard manner, utilizing a standard analysis of the birth chart, including the Parasari aspects, dasas, and harmonic charts.

There are no real shortcuts to analyzing dasas. However when you analyze the Vimshottari Mahadasa -- or whichever Mahadasas you use; I would recommend the Yogini and Tribhagi (a compressed Vimshottri system) if you are partial to nakshatra-based dasas, as these can be used for general purposes or the Chara dasa introduced by K.N. Rao as accurate systems. Look for the relationship of the Mahadasa lords to each other and there position in the charts as strong or weak, natural benefics or malefics, or as benefic or malefic lords of the chart. There should also be an analysis of the varga charts for in-depth analysis of the date presented.

When you do this, and get a general feel for whether the period will be benefic or malefic, then look at the Varshaphal chart. When you analyze the dasas, you will notice that these are easier to analyze than the birth chart mahadasas because they will manifest within a year’s time. Also, you should keep in mind the principle of applying (ithisala) and separating (ishrafa) aspects as you are reviewing the charts.

In the patyayini mahadasa system you will see the year lord giving very strong and positive results according to where it is placed in the chart. I always check at least this and the mudda dasa results for the year before I pronounce a final judgment upon a year chart. Also, short-term transits of the planets (like a retrograde Mercury or a debilitated Venus or Mars) can produce very telling results on a short-term basis that may not show up in any of the charts! I would look for these in assessing moods of individuals.

I have not covered other special features of Varshaphal, such as the use of Sahams (degrees in the chart that are derived by adding and subtracting certain planets and houses in the Varshaphal chart and also in the natal chart; these produce points in the chart that concern prosperity, knowledge (or Guru), strife, disease and other matters. They have found a home in Western astrology in the form of the Arabic Parts. I have found that Sahams tend to work, but not consistently, implying that many conditions must be met for these points to work properly—but the standard natal chart guidelines I have given above do produce the desired for results; perhaps the sahams are refining points rather than key factors in annual chart interpretation.

In any event, Varshaphal is a fascinating system but is not typically a quick study—it took me a couple of years to get results that I could identify as reliable and consistent—but it is, as said before, a great interpretative tool and a laser beam to accuracy in the year ahead.

Reference Texts:

Charak, Dr. K. S., A Textbook on Varshaphal, Vani Graphics, Delhi, India, 1995.
Kalidas (translated by S. S. Sareen, Uttara Kalamrita. Sagar Publications, Delhi, India)

GARY GOMES (GANGADHARA GIRISH / SWAMI KAMPANANDA) is a Hindu Astrologer (Jyotishi) based out of New Bedford and Malden, MA. Gary holds degrees in Sociology and Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. He is an ordained Swami of the Temple of Kriya Yoga. He has studied Hindu Astrology with several prominent Indian and American astrologers, is certified to instruct Jyotish (Hindu Astrology) by the American Council of Vedic Astrology, has organized an Institute for instruction in Jyotish (Vedic Astrology), and has done charts for thousands of individuals from different parts of the United States and the world. He is also a board member of the American Council of Vedic Astrology. He has also written for several international publications, including The Mountain Astrologer, The International Astrologer, Express Star Teller (Madras, India), Indigo (South Africa), the ACVA Journal, Gochara (Great Britain) and in publications in Australia and France. He has been a speaker at several international astrology conferences. He is also an Assistant Professor of Jyotisha (Hindu Astrology) at the Hindu University of America and is also a Reiki Master. He can be reached for personal, business, and marriage consultations by contacting: CRYSTAL EXPECTATIONS, 854 BROCK AVENUE, NEW BEDFORD, MA 02744, TELEPHONE: (508) 990-7898.


Sally Cheyne McDonald on Sep 26 | Link
Comments

Well get ready everyone!
Mars starts its station tomorrow. Then retro for two months. Wonder where we're headed. Don't know about you all, but I've had enough earth excitement for the moment.

Posted by: jm on September 26, 2005 06:53 AM

Speaking of direction chnge, here is the latest from our drenched and unhappy Republican in Louisiana:

>>Given my prior statement, I, at this time, formally renounce the Republican Party. I declare my loyalty to the Democratic Party. I will therefore, change my registration card at the earliest time that I can. I formally declare George W. Bush, to be a criminal, and should be taken at the most expeditious time, and charged with crimes against humanity. This was not an easy thing to follow through with, but my choice is final!! I will therefore, no longer be able to give post, as a Republican.<<

Posted by: jm on September 26, 2005 07:03 AM

Fantastic pictures from the protest in DC

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootbearwdc/

Posted by: Pallas1800 on September 26, 2005 07:43 AM

Hello Everyone,

I have been looking at the site over the past few weeks and am available to answer questions. I greatly appreciate your interest!

Gary Gomes

Posted by: Gary Gomes on September 26, 2005 11:13 AM

Gary, thank you for being here and I will most likely have questions once I study the data. I really appreciate very much your sharing your knowledge!

Posted by: Laurie on September 26, 2005 12:01 PM

Greetings Gary, and thank you so much for this abundance of information. You have shared so much of your knowledge that it will certainly take me awhile to absorb enough to feel that I can ask questions without exposing my ignorance. Again, thank you!

Posted by: shylurker on September 26, 2005 02:13 PM

Hello, AW,
So much has happened over the weekend. Pat QOP, I am so sorry about Eric. You sound so strong, but I know it must be hard. Your personality really comes through in your messages. I feel I have gone through this with you in a small way, even though I mostly only have time to lurk here. I’ll will be another AWer thinking about you.

I was at the march Saturday. It was wonderful to be there with so many people who "have their pilot lights on," as one singer at the concert said. One of my favorite posters was: “Do you know the difference between Viet Nam and Iraq? . . . . Bush had a plan to get out of Nam.” There were so many good posters, I can’t remember them now (we took pictures, which should remind me). I loved “Billionaires for Bush” (singing “All we are saying . . . is Give war a chance”). I spoke with one rather fragile old man marching with two canes. His sign said he was a World War II vet against the Iraq war. Walking all that way with two canes.

The Viet Nam vets made me choke up. My generation. I’m so proud of them. And I really started to cry seeing one middle-aged Canadian woman with the Canadian flag in her hat and a sign saying “Canadians stand with you guys” (why did that get me?).

My husband is angry with the press. 150,000 of us demonstrating, and one outlet (AP?) gave one quote from a protester and one quote from the pro-war handful heckling from the sidelines. WaPo did do a front page story on it and a 2-page spread in the front section. Not much reporting on it on the cable news channels that I saw, though.

Posted by: Marcia on September 26, 2005 02:22 PM

Thought you all might enjoy this:

For those of you who don't get HBO, or who missed Bill Maher's show last
Friday, here's the text of his message to Shrub. Maher's delivery was
hilarious. In print it's just sad. [I don't know, I still think it's pretty funny--Marcia.]

""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""
"Bill Maher from Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO - Sept 10

"Mr. President, this job can't be fun for you any more. There's no more
money to spend--you used up all of that. You can't start another war
because you used up the army. And now, darn the luck, the rest of your
term has become the Bush family nightmare: helping poor people. Listen
to
your Mom. The cupboard's bare, the credit cards maxed out. No one's
speaking to you. Mission accomplished.

"Now it's time to do what you've always done best: lose interest and
walk
away. Like you did with your military service and the oil company and
the
baseball team. It's time. Time to move on and try the next fantasy job.
How about cowboy or space man? Now I know what you're saying: there's so
many other things that you as President could involve yourself in.
Please
don't. I know, I know. There's a lot left to do. There's a war with
Venezuela. Eliminating the sales tax on yachts. Turning the space
program
over to the church. And Social Security to Fannie Mae. Giving embryos
the
vote.

"But, Sir, none of that is going to happen now. Why? Because you govern
like Billy Joel drives. You've performed so poorly I'm surprised that
you
haven't given yourself a medal. You're a catastrophe that walks like a
man. Herbert Hoover was a shitty president, but even he never conceded
an
entire city to rising water and snakes.

"On your watch, we've lost almost all of our allies, the surplus, four
airliners, two trade centers, a piece of the Pentagon and the City of
New
Orleans. Maybe you're just not lucky. I'm not saying you don't love this
country. I'm just wondering how much worse it could be if you were on
the
other side.

"So, yes, God does speak to you. What he is saying is: 'Take a hint.'

Posted by: Marcia on September 26, 2005 02:24 PM

John Aravosis over at americablog.org has posted at 6:46 9/26 an amazing story (the ones beneath it are very interesting, too, BTW and not so nausea-producing). Although he has blocked out the worst parts of the pictures, it is still sickening to see, so be forewarned. And what was that about Mars, dear jm?

Not for the faint of heart, not for those without un-iron-clad stomachs. What will be the official response? And where are those Abu Ghraib photos? OMG, what has happened to us? Will we ever find our way back?

Posted by: shylurker on September 26, 2005 02:25 PM

shylurker, we don't want to go back. We want to expose it all, so we can learn from it, and have no need to experience it again. That's one of the reasons it's happening (again), we haven't learned what we needed to, and until we do, it just gets horrifically worse.

Gary Gomes, this is fascinating work you are sharing with us. Thank you. My first question: how is this system different from utilizing a solar return chart superimposed over a birth chart for a comparison in how one has progressed? I hope that makes sense.


To Sally: I wonder how the eclipse on the 3rd? will relate with the Mars retro so close?

Posted by: Peg on September 26, 2005 04:12 PM

Cindy Sheehan arrested today!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050926/ap_on_re_us/war_demonstrations

Posted by: Laurie on September 26, 2005 07:00 PM

Garry, thank you. Like Shylurker, i too hope i'm able to absorb enough to ask an intelligent question (as Peg just did).

Marica, i'm just livid about the lack of coverage regarding the DC March. There are estimates of close to 1/2 million people there. One British reporter stated that he watched the line progress four straight hours. A friend said this morning that they were packed nose to nose, elbow to elbow.

Our press has reverted (after an odd break during Katrina) to mouthpiece for the regime. There are so many things going on, yet the press focused entirely on Rita, Katrina, Bush's photo ops and Cheney in that order. Only one mention that posse comitatus may be overturned (that on NPR).

If it weren't for the absolute horror of what is going on i would be enthralled by the fast paced changes occuring.

Question to AWers, adding to Pegs. There is, it appears, increased earthquake activity. Large one just an hour or so ago in Peru (7.0), one in Palm Springs (3.2) and another large on Sunday in Indonesia. Do Mars retrograde periods see increased earthquake activity? And, how might an eclipse play into this scenario, if at all?

karen

Posted by: farrout on September 26, 2005 07:07 PM

farrout: In addition, an earthquake occured last week in California. 4.9 on the scale. NPR hourly news.


Posted by: Beverly on September 26, 2005 09:18 PM

Gary,

Being a student of Vedic Astrology I have enjoyed
both of the articles and also I am trying to
improve my knowledge on Vedic A. Also I 've read books by BV Raman on Basic Vedic Astrology, Book
on Yogas. Do you have a website on Vedic Astrolgy
and can you give the website, if you do>

Posted by: Raj on September 26, 2005 09:22 PM

Gary Gomes
Many thanks for sharing your wisdom so generously with us. As you say not a quick study...only two years? I do sense the patterns but see that knowing the symbol rich background of the veda would carry one to a much higher understanding a quantum rather than cartesian astrology...
I find it fascinating.


Raj,
http://crystalexpectations.net/
is at least one site for Gary.

And my thanks to you Sally for for bringing this gift.

tseka

Posted by: tseka on September 26, 2005 10:46 PM

Beverly,
For what it is worth, I tried to answer your question about Galloway's speaking prowess near the end of the last entry "Moon Over..." It was close to the end of the thread.

Shylurker, do not despair. 500 rednecks to 100,000 war protestors. The numbers speak to who is prevailing. The whole world IS watching.

Idon't know about the eclipse's effects, but it happens in Cindy Sheehan's first house and squares the EQ of chart of her son's death. It is a cardinal square. I think Equatorial Ascendents may have to do with health, but I'm not sure.

Posted by: Beasley on September 27, 2005 03:58 AM

Has anyone seen this?
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/CBS_News_says_Michael_Brown_rehired_as_FEMA_consult_0926.html

This is also posted at BuzzFlash. The mind boggles - explodes really.

Brownie rehired by FEMA to investigate himself?

Beam me up, Scotty.

Why - how - astrologically or otherwise can something like this happen without so much public outrage finishing off these - these - ????

Posted by: susan on September 27, 2005 04:36 AM

Thank you Sally and all you fantastic astrologers. I've told friends this is my fav website for all the great astrological insight as it pertains to the world and politics.

I had to share this . So many people I know have called the tollfree number for Congress to oppose Roberts nomination.. but many haven't been able to get through on the main number for Congress, even in the middle of the night?? I read this on the Thom Hartman show and what he suggests is a great idea for anyone that does feel the same way.


1) There is a growing ground swell of opposition to the stealth reactionary John Roberts that can no longer be ignored.

2) To take action there are two alternative toll-free numbers still working, 888-818-6641 and 888-355-3588, plus an action page that will give you all the direct phone and fax numbers of your own senators, http://www.millionphonemarch.com.

I hope this is helpful to you.

Namaste

Another Sally

Posted by: Sally on September 27, 2005 05:02 AM

Masters of War
Bob Dylan


Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

Amen Bobby

Posted by: Starrynights/SN on September 27, 2005 06:57 AM

It seems to me this fellow has been quite active lately... and attracting attention.

*snip*
The Dalai Lama told 36,000 people at Rutgers Stadium that the concept of war was outdated and young people have a responsibility to make this century one of peace.

*snip*
The speech was the largest nonathletic event in Rutgers history, topping visits by former President Clinton and former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.

*snip*
“This whole planet is just us,” the 70-year-old exiled monk said Sunday. “Therefore, destruction of another area essentially is destruction of yourself.”

His last statement is probably a little advanced for 36,000, but it doesn't hurt to get it out in the air waves. I wager the crowd was quiet.

Posted by: jm on September 27, 2005 08:27 AM


If Fox News Had Been Covering History...

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1ldyn/id2.html

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 01:09 PM


Parents challenge US 'intelligent design' teaching
· Theory is repackaging of creation dogma, court told
· Test case could decide how evolution is taught

Julian Borger in Harrisburg
Tuesday September 27, 2005

Guardian

Religion and science clashed in a drab Pennsylvania courtroom yesterday over a test case that could decide how evolution is taught in America's state schools.
The civil trial, triggered last year by a classroom battle, marks the beginning of the first major legal assault on evolution science in 18 years. The case also represents the first legal test of "intelligent design", the belief that life on earth is too complex to be explained by random genetic mutation and therefor

http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5294891-103602,00.html

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 01:46 PM


Molly Ivins...

AUSTIN, Texas -- So here are all the liberals going into a giant snit just because George W. Bush appointed a veterinarian to head the women's health section of the Food and Drug Administration. For Pete's sake, you whiners, the only reason he chose the vet is because Michael Brown wasn't available.

If you recall, Ol' Heckuva-Job Brownie had to go home, walk his dog and then hug his wife after exhausting himself in his triumphal handling of Hurricane Katrina. Otherwise, he'd have been Bush's first pick.

http://www.creators.com/opinion_show.cfm?columnsName=miv

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 01:59 PM


September 27, 2005
Cronies at the Till
The first results are in on who is set to profit from the Katrina cleanup, and - surprise - many of the firms winning major contracts have big political connections. Congressional investigators are already looking into AshBritt, a Pompano Beach, Fla., company with ties to Mississippi's governor, Haley Barbour - the former chairman of the Republican National Committee. AshBritt has nabbed $568 million in contracts for trash removal. Questions have also been raised about the political connections of two other major contractors: the Shaw Group, and Kellogg, Brown & Root, a subsidiary of Halliburton. Both companies have been represented by Joe Allbaugh, President Bush's former campaign manager and the former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency - although Mr. Allbaugh says he does not help any of his clients obtain federal contracts.

And there's more. An article in yesterday's Times by Eric Lipton and Ron Nixon reports that more than 80 percent of the $1.5 billion in contracts signed by FEMA for Katrina work were awarded without bidding or with limited competition. The Times article even finds a federal employee - Richard Skinner, the inspector general for the Homeland Security Department - willing to go on the record with his concern, saying, "We are very apprehensive about what we are seeing."

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/27/opinion/27tue1.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 02:08 PM


September 27, 2005
Hurricane Victims Face Tighter Limits on Bankruptcy
By MARY WILLIAMS WALSH
and RIVA D. ATLAS
When Congress agreed this spring to tighten the bankruptcy laws and crack down on consumers who took on debt irresponsibly, no one had the victims of Hurricane Katrina in mind.

But four weeks after New Orleans flooded and tens of thousands of other residents of the Gulf Coast also lost their homes and livelihoods, a stricter new personal bankruptcy law scheduled to take effect on Oct. 17 is likely to deliver another blow to those dislocated by the storm.

The law was intended to keep individuals from taking on debts they had no intention of paying off. But many once-solvent Katrina victims are likely to be caught up in the net intended to catch deadbeats.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/27/business/27bankrupt.html?ei=5094&en=59682518c87426f9&hp=&ex=1127880000&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 02:21 PM

http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html

Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]

April 16, 1963
MY DEAR FELLOW CLERGYMEN:
While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities "unwise and untimely." Seldom do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and that your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I want to try to answer your statements in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.

More...

Posted by: Pat C on September 27, 2005 02:51 PM

jm - Isn't the Dalai Lama just Brilliant! He was in town here in Houston on Thursday and I think he may have been the reason Rita kept on sliding east to a less populated area. I wish I could have gone to see him, but the tickets went to college students first for free and they went fast. There was also a symposium later that night at $1000 per person. Way out of my budget...maybe one day....

Posted by: Cybear on September 27, 2005 03:03 PM

http://phoenixwoman.blogspot.com/

Sun Rises In East. Dog Bites Man. Jim Sensenbrenner Is A Greedy, Callous Liar.

I read in the print edition of the NYT this morning an article stating that Congress had never imagined such a thing as Katrina when passing the Bankruptcy bill earlier this year.

I knew that had to be bullshit -- I remembered countless Democratic efforts to soften various parts of the bill, all of which got shot down by the Republicans -- and Scout Prime confirms it for me:


Go read a copy of the Democratic House Judiciary Staff's dissenting views on the bankruptcy bill that was leaked to RAW STORY prior to the bill's passage. It's right there...
While some people abuse the bankruptcy system, more than 90 percent of debtors file for bankruptcy due to unemployment or underemployment, an illness or accident, or divorce. The bulk of the remainder suffered from other legitimate difficulties, including activation for military service, being a victim of crime or natural disasters, or a death in the family ...

More...

Posted by: Pat C on September 27, 2005 03:24 PM


COMMENT
RAIN AND FIRE
by Hendrik Hertzberg
Hendrik Hertzberg on a film that sheds light on the nuclear-terrorism threat.
Issue of 2005-10-03
Posted 2005-09-26

Movie screenings in private theatres for invited audiences, with drinks, canapés, and opportunities to schmooze with stars and directors, are a favorite tactic of the Manhattan branches of Hollywood’s publicity machines. The goal is to generate buzz, which, with any luck, will trickle down to the ticketbuying masses. Early autumn is a big season for new releases, and last week, what with the opening of the New York Film Festival and all, there were lots of such screenings around town.

One of them was different. Its setting was a modest auditorium in the immodest East Side mansion that houses the Council on Foreign Relations. The audience consisted of diplomats, military officers, international bankers and lawyers, and think-tankers. The speakers after the lights went up were white-haired gentlemen in business suits: Pete Peterson, the council’s chairman; Ted Turner, the billionaire philanthropist and founder of CNN; Warren Buffett, the folk philosopher and fabulously rich investor; Richard Lugar, Republican, the current chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and Sam Nunn, Democrat, the retired chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and now head of a nongovernmental organization called the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

The film, “Last Best Chance,” was a bit unusual, too.

http://www.newyorker.com/printables/talk/051003ta_talk_hertzberg

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 03:39 PM

http://villagevoice.com/blogs/bushbeat/archive/001882.php

Win Some, Lose Many

Flood of news: Lynndie convicted, St. Patrick's Four acquitted, Sheehan arrested, soldiers still dying

Posted by: Pat C on September 27, 2005 04:42 PM


Bring Back Warren Harding
by Frank Rich
The New York Times
September 25, 2005

THERE are no coincidences. On Monday, as L. Dennis Kozlowski was slapped with 8 to 25 years in jail for looting Tyco International of some $150 million, the feds were making their first arrest of a high-ranking member of the Bush administration. The official was David Safavian, the chief of White House federal procurement policy who once worked for Jack Abramoff, the sleazy Republican lobbyist whose disreputable client list, in another noncoincidence, included Tyco. While it's an accident of timing that Mr. Safavian was collared at his suburban Virginia home just as Mr. Kozlowski was sent to the slammer in New York, the two events could not better bracket a corrupt era worthy of the Gilded Age.

http://www.topplebush.com/oped2210.shtml

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 04:54 PM


SUSAN WALSH / APHECK OF A JOB? Bush and Brown before the FEMA head resigned
From the Magazine | Nation
How Many More Mike Browns Are Out There?
A TIME inquiry finds that at top positions in some vital government agencies, the Bush Administration is putting connections before experience
By MARK THOMPSON, KAREN TUMULTY, MIKE ALLEN / WASHINGTON
SUBSCRIBE TO TIMEPRINTE-MAILMORE BY AUTHORTIME: How Reliable Is Brown's Resume?

Posted Sunday, Sep. 25, 2005
In presidential politics, the victor always gets the spoils, and chief among them is the vast warren of offices that make up the federal bureaucracy. Historically, the U.S. public has never paid much attention to the people the President chooses to sit behind those thousands of desks. A benign cronyism is more or less presumed, with old friends and big donors getting comfortable positions and impressive titles, and with few real consequences for the nation.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1109345,00.html

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 05:15 PM


from Josh Marshall, Talking Points...

September 25, 2005 -- 11:06 PM EDT)
Let's return to the matter of Timothy E. Flanigan, currently awaiting confirmation as Deputy Attorney General of the United States, and Jack Abramoff.

To review the highlights
Advertisement



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of our story, Timothy Flanigan was appointed Deputy White House Counsel at the beginning of the Bush administration. He later left that job to become General Counsel of Tyco Corporation, which had relocated to Bermuda to avoid paying taxes to the US Treasury. At Tyco, Flanigan hired Abramoff to fend off legislation which would have forced Tyco to pay its taxes. And, in the course of that hiring and work, Abramoff first boasted of his access to DeLay, Rove and others and then later claimed that he had spoken to Rove and enlisted his assistance on Tyco's behalf.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_09_25.php#006629

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 05:20 PM

Hello Everyone,

The Vedic annual chart is indeed a solar return chart. But it also has an area in it called a Muntha point (which is the progressed ascendant). Usually, this is not done, but you can lay the muntha point and the entire chart over the birth chart, and this will let you know which areas will be hot spots the next year. Of course, the Vedic system also looks at transits; these produce effects in the planetary periods.

Some Vedic Astrologers do work with primary, secondary and tertiary progressions (the late Richard Houck’s book “The Astrology of Death” was based a great deal on tertiary progressions), but these are not normally used in the Vedic system. In some ways, Vimshottri mahadasa is derived from a type of progression system that starts from the Moon—for instance in my chart, the Moon starts in space ruled by Rahu, then the next dasa is ruled by Jupiter, which is the next in sequence, then Saturn, then Mercury. The interesting thing is that the dasa coincides with the ruler of the next point in space, so the Moon is essentially “moving through” these nakshatras, while manifesting the results of its placement in the birth chart.

There is another type of progression called a Bhrigu progression, which moves 2 and one half degrees every year. These work a bit like Western progressions in which grahas hitting grahas produce profound results. But there is so much depth in the Vedic chart, (with harmonic charts, etc.) that many astrologers never even look at these progressions.
There are literally thousands of techniques in the Vedic system; they all tend to give corroborative answers. I personally tend to think the more of these that are used the better; I have never seen them contradict each other. And many have parallels in Western astrology, and Chinese astrology.

All the best,
Gary Gomes

Posted by: Gary Gomes on September 27, 2005 05:25 PM


GOP Leaders Try to Soothe Conservatives
Drive Planned to Defuse Ire Over Spending

By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 27, 2005; A04

Squeezed between a conservative clamor for spending cuts and the rising cost of hurricane relief, Republican congressional leaders will respond this week with a public relations offensive to win over angry conservatives -- but no substantive changes in budget policy.

Republican lawmakers and leadership aides conceded that the wholesale budget cuts envisioned by House conservatives are not being contemplated; the Senate is moving toward approving a temporary expansion of Medicaid for hurricane survivors, estimated to cost $9 billion. Nor are GOP leaders considering tax increases.

And Hurricane Rita's blow to a politically sensitive region of Texas could add more pressure to spend.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/26/AR2005092601410_pf.html

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 05:28 PM


Charley Reese....

Confessions Of A Hit Man

John Perkins' book "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" explains American foreign policy better than any of the academic tomes you might read on the subject.

In a nutshell, the game is played this way: People like Perkins work for consulting firms, and their job is to entice a foreign head of state to go deeply in debt. They do this by greatly exaggerating the economic returns on big projects such as dams and electrification systems

http://reese.king-online.com/Reese_20050926/index.php

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 05:42 PM


By the way, do you know George Bush's position on Roe vs Wade?

Answer -- he really didn't care how the citizens got out of New Orleans.

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 05:49 PM

For our Texas friends...
"DeLay's Washington lawyer, Ed Bethune, was dispatched to Austin last week to size up the situation."
http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/auto/epaper/editions/sunday/metro_state_3463b4281173e17e0095.html

Keeping track of Texas politics here..
http://www.txdemocrats.org

Posted by: Jill G on September 27, 2005 06:04 PM

WV! It's great to have you back!

It just occured to me that Sally posted awhile back some information on Brown. . .his chart indicated that this was one nasty dude. Because of it, i'm convinced that Brown is back in the administration's good graces BECAUSE he threatened to spill something about them. Wonder what it was?

karen

Posted by: farrout on September 27, 2005 06:18 PM

Hi Beasley, I got your astro info on Galloway yesterday and left a thank you and some comments for you and others too on the previous thread.

Such fantastic links today!

Posted by: Beverly on September 27, 2005 08:35 PM

Thank you Karen

Brown Blames 'Dysfunctional' Louisiana
- By LARA JAKES JORDAN, Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, September 27, 2005

(09-27) 09:30 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --


Former FEMA director Michael Brown aggressively defended his role in responding to Hurricane Katrina on Tuesday and blamed most coordination failures on Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin.


He also said that in the days before the storm, he expressed his concerns that "this is going to be a bad one" in phone conversations and e-mails with President Bush, White House chief of staff Andy Card and deputy chief of staff Joe Hagin.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2005/09/27/national/w081533D43.DTL&type=printable

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 08:36 PM


Though basically for the San Francisco area there
are many good ideas on how to prepare for an
emergency...


http://www.72hours.org/

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 08:42 PM


Democrats' dilemma
- E. J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post Writers Group
Tuesday, September 27, 2005


Washington -- DEMOCRATS and liberals are ecstatic that President Bush has finally faced his moment of accountability. The travails of Hurricane Katrina followed a bad summer for the president and have called into question his leadership style, competence and intense partisanship.

But Democrats are less ecstatic about -- Democrats. Over the last several weeks, it was impossible not to run into Bush critics who would shake their heads and complain: "Yes, but where are the Democrats? Who are our leaders? What do they say?"

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/09/27/EDGA8ET9TT1.DTL&type=printable

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 08:51 PM


Gary

Thank you for all of the information on Vedic
Astrology. Too much for me to digest without considerable study so like others I have printed
out both articles and you letter above.

I would like to see an article by you on what
vedic astrology sees for this country and it's
'leaders' (sic), over the next six months. And I would hope that we can look forward to
a continuing series of articles on current events.
You are a welcome addition to the many talented
astrologers on AW.

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 08:59 PM

To all:
Does anybody know what it means to "federalize the national guard" in the case of the 24 hour delay that Gov. Blanco needed inorder to consider Bush's offer? What are the implications and consequences of this.

What was she apprehensive about? Something more must have been going on other than her concern about losing control....I find some comments when I google, but nothing in depth that would explain the rational/reason on both sides. I think this is important inorder to understand Bush's underlying motivation to help in the area and no one is talking about it in the news or internet.

Posted by: Beverly on September 27, 2005 09:00 PM

Remember how our lousy Media told stories about riots, rape and murder in the NO Stadium? Well it was all made up! The evacuees have been talking. People were really helping each other!
I haven't been able to google anything much, this is the only site that mentions it so far.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-katrina-urban-rumors-hk2,1,7616298.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines&ctrack=1&cset=true
Thom Hartmann mentioned it yesterday, but I can't find his research either.
They should all sue for libel!!

Posted by: Jill G on September 27, 2005 09:05 PM


I'm filled with rage
It's political, it's personal -- I just wanna clobber the people in charge!

- - - - - - - - - - - -
By Cary Tennis

Sept. 27, 2005 | Dear Cary,

I have an emotional problem. I walk around with a rage inside me that I don't know how to address. I fantasize about things that, were I to describe them to you, I would be visited by black-suited men at my apartment one night and, if not taken away, at least placed on a list I'd rather not be on.

I don't know what to do with my rage. I can't hold it inside me like this, but every time it seems to dissipate, and I've forgotten, as I have the luxury of doing, what a sorry, sad, unjust and, yes, despicable state of affairs we've galloped merrily into, something dramatically and heart-wrenchingly demands that my rage be acknowledged. And frankly -- it's necessary to be reminded of these things.

http://www.salon.com/mwt/col/tenn/2005/09/27/political_rage/print.html

Posted by: on September 27, 2005 09:10 PM


Beverly

Basically the National Guard in under State control. Bush wanted to Federalize the LA guard
and the Governor said no. Thus all the blame game
on her. The Louisiana National Guard was basically
all she had to help her and the State and she wasn't about to give that authority to "W"...and
I believe she was right.

Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 09:15 PM


Without my vote as he plans to vote for Roberts...


Sen. Byrd to Run for Record Ninth Term

- - - - - - - - - - - -


By LAWRENCE MESSINA Associated Press Writer

September 27,2005 | CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Sen. Robert C. Byrd formally announced Wednesday that he will seek a record ninth term in the Senate.

Using the Capitol Rotunda as a stage, the 87-year-old Democrat told the crowd he was "ready to go. Another round."

"I have the best job in America because I represent you, the people of West Virginia. And I want to keep this job," Bird told supporters.

Byrd has 47 years in the Senate and will become the longest-serving member in its history in June. He previously served six years in the U.S. House, and before that terms in both chambers of the West Virginia Legislature.


Posted by: wv on September 27, 2005 09:22 PM

wv: thank-you. I understand what you are saying but 8,000 (Louisiana's) national guard were in Iraq when the hurricane hit. Some returned several days later. It doesn't make sense to me. I think there is much more to it.

Posted by: Beverly on September 27, 2005 09:28 PM

Astro Databank has Cindy Sheehan's birth time and chart

http://www.astrodatabank.com/NM/SheehanCindy.htm

Posted by: Morgana on September 27, 2005 09:30 PM

Ooooh, thanks Morgana!

Where's Vis? Tr Varuna is now two degrees from Cindy's Ca sun.

Posted by: shylurker on September 27, 2005 09:45 PM

Folks, while listening to the Democratic Senator from Florida, Bob Nelson, go on and on about how Roberts will be such a wonderful CJ, I realized something.
http://www.c-span.org/watch/cspan2_rm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS2
We've got to purge the corrupt old Democrates as well as the Republicans from the Legislative branch!
They are too out-of-touch with the people's needs and wishes. What weasels! Makes me nauseous.

Posted by: Jill G on September 27, 2005 10:15 PM

Poll: Did Drownie Brown do a good job as head of FEMA?
http://www.cnn.com/

Posted by: shylurker on September 27, 2005 10:23 PM

Who do you think is most responsible for the government's failures in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina?

New Orleans Mayor Nagin
Louisiana Gov. Blanco
Michael Brown

http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/lou.dobbs.tonight/

Posted by: Morgana on September 27, 2005 10:31 PM

Well, I am finding something:
"New York Times" 9-9-05
Article titled "Political Issues Snarled Plans for Troop Aid"
The Insurrection Act was involved with Mr. Bush's offer: Would allow the president in times of unrest to command active-duty forces into the states to perform law enforcement duties. This act has not been evoked since California governor Pete Wilson's time.
Don't know for sure but think it must over-ride Posse Comitatus.

Posted by: Beverly on September 27, 2005 10:34 PM

Beverly
i do believe you've got it. I posted something about this during the three day delay, immediately following Katrina, when we were all wondering why Bush and FEMA weren't responding...
For years a major hurricane in New Orleans was the model for the second most serious disaster event in the US. They had their plan. When Bush told Pelosi "What went wrong?" he was serious.

What appeared to all of us as a bumbling administration and FEMA in disarray was in my opinion exactly what they planned... and central to this plan was to see if they could institute marshal law in America. Much of the plan required controlof media, access etc. FEMA cut communication lines in the affected areas. The reports of snipers and pandemonium were repeated over and over to sway public opinion that military must go in.

It was an extreme use of pressure to Louisiana governor and New Orleans mayor to cede their authority to the federal govenment: a way to work around posse comitas. Lousiana did not cede and many died but as i stated before a small battle was won for the "people"

In addition the Mississippi river and delta / Port of New Orleans are essential to control of something like 80% of trade goods entering and exiting US. Not even mentioning the strategic aspects of the oil biz and biochemical depots located there.

It's come to this

And on a similar and unhappy note because of Codex a primary homeopathic laboratory sold out its business last week taking a majority of lesser known and essential medicines with them. Today i learned that another provider from Germany has deleted several madicines from their line. And there is concern if they will be able to stay in business.

While we are distracted with the big story many more are unfolding and are going to really hurt.
tseka

Posted by: tseka on September 27, 2005 11:22 PM

Oopps martial law but you knew that ja?
tseka

Posted by: tseka on September 27, 2005 11:29 PM


tseka

You may be interested in this site. Click on
product to see what it contains....

Posted by: wv on September 28, 2005 12:05 AM


The Silent Coup

By John Atcheson

09/27/05 "ICH" -- -- While the media’s been dazzling us with wag-the-dog wars in Iraq and Jennifer, J-Lo and Jacko non-news here at home, a far more important battle has been taking place right under our collective national nose.

In what amounts to a silent coup, an unholy alliance of corporate power brokers and conservative Republicans have spent the last five years attempting to hi-jack democracy and move the seat of governance from Pennsylvania Avenue to K Street.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10407.htm



Posted by: wv on September 28, 2005 01:00 AM


oops I forgot to add the site...


http://134606.amazonherb.net/

http://134606.amazonherb.net/source.aspx

Posted by: wv on September 28, 2005 02:14 AM

Gossip on the internets is that Mr. Snapping Turtle may be indicted tomorrow. Hee hee.

Posted by: shylurker on September 28, 2005 05:18 AM

Just click on the stars.
http://www.doodie.com/prez.swf

Posted by: shylurker on September 28, 2005 05:35 AM

Hey, Cybear... The Dalai L seems to be right where it's happening. In the third eye of the storm?

This strikes me as very, very interesting:

From a gabfest in Aspen:
"What made that synopsis especially uplifting was this: “The critics were no left-wing bloggers. They were rich, mainly Republican and presumably Bush voters in the last two presidential elections.” For two full days these movers and shakers of supply-side splendor confabbed over such diverse issues as world poverty, human rights and the international economy - and “the connecting link,” Novak noted with as much surprise as lament, “was hostility to President Bush.”

More...http://pmcarpenter.blogs.com/p_m_carpenters_commentary/2005/09/now_for_somethi.html

Posted by: jm on September 28, 2005 11:45 AM

WV
thanks, an interesting link
tseka

Posted by: tseka on September 28, 2005 03:06 PM


more Charley Reese...

Ma Nature's Mad

If I were superstitious, and if I were inclined to personify impersonal forces of nature, then I might suggest Mother Nature is ticked off at President George Bush for neglecting the environment. Back-to-back storms aimed squarely at the nation's oil and refinery facilities are likely to do more damage to the president's popularity than 2,000 Democratic speeches.

It's ironic. What area of the country besides New Orleans has so many offshore rigs and onshore refineries? The answer is the Galveston-Houston area. But I'm not superstitious, and I try not to personify impersonal forces. The storms are merely a coincidence. For George Bush, however, they represent bad luck in spades.

http://reese.king-online.com/Reese_20050928/index.php

Posted by: wv on September 28, 2005 03:08 PM


September 28, 2005
Saudi Women Have Message for U.S. Envoy

By STEVEN R. WEISMAN

JIDDA, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 27 - The audience - 500 women covered in black at a Saudi university - seemed an ideal place for Karen P. Hughes, a senior Bush administration official charged with spreading the American message in the Muslim world, to make her pitch.

But the response on Tuesday was not what she and her aides expected. When Ms. Hughes expressed the hope here that Saudi women would be able to drive and "fully participate in society" much as they do in her country, many challenged her.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/28/international/middleeast/28hughes.html?hp&ex=1127966400&en=1dfdb4ea08995e8c&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Posted by: wv on September 28, 2005 03:30 PM


NY Times Editorial

September 28, 2005
Time to Connect the Dots

Along with ruined homes and upended trees, the recent hurricanes left behind a revived debate about global warming. While some environmentalists point to the wreckage as a kind of retribution for America's failure to control greenhouse gas emissions, right-wing talk show hosts repeat, over and over, that even if global warming did exist, there is no proof it had anything to do with Rita and Katrina.

In a way, they're all right. It is impossible to link Katrina or Rita, or any particular hurricane, specifically to global warming. This does not mean that President Bush and the rest of us should not be connecting the dots. These are natural disasters - but with human fingerprints.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/28/opinion/28wed1.html?hp=&oref=login&pagewanted=print

Posted by: wv on September 28, 2005 03:35 PM

To Gary Gomes.....I am not a professional astrologer, and I do not pretend to understand Vedic astrology, but I did find one thing you said interesting....that in all the systems of examining a chart, there are results which tell the same 'story'.....I was taught (nothing really to do with astrology) that on an energy level, all of the 'whole' is contained within each part....(we won't even get into the fact that the act of observation changes the information on an atomic level). Thanks for your observation!

I have been off (out of town) doing murals for a wonderful man who has staked his own life on his conversations with faeries, and has quit his job and now is opening a place called A Faerie Tale. So I am painting faeries, bees, angels and Pan (with a woman I just met in July, whom I really clicked with...she invited me to help her)....and some really cool mushrooms on the walls of his store. We will be doing a wax process on Friday to do the faerie 'orbs'...

We were painting a tree with some faerie homes in it when I heard "do a blue faerie" so I did, standing in the tree. Ron told me several days later that the blue faeries are the 'winter' faeries. He has said repeatedly that the veils between the human and faerie realm are thinning dramatically, as we speed up our own vibrations. And that humans who do not raise their own consciousness will be in dire straights in a few years. So there's your karma a-komin'.....so don't worry about what the rest of humanity is doing, but make some room for some faeries in your home....because the rest of these cretins in charge will be tasting the fruits of their own deceit post haste, I think....

Starrynights, boy, thanks for the Dylan Master of War lyrics....I'd been watching the American Masters on PBS on B. Dylan the last few nights and was able to really reconnect with the early years of Dylan's growth and why his music is so powerful (basically, it is because he speaks truth in words of poetry). BTW, another 'super' powered Gemini.

Posted by: judi g on September 28, 2005 05:29 PM

12:33 PM EST

Announcement that Tom DeLay has been indicted on
one criminal count of conspiracy!!!!!!

in Travis County.

Wonder why they can't make it a Rico charge? guess that's federal!!!

And the investigation expires TODAY... They waited for the last minute...Amazing.

Posted by: Pallas1800 on September 28, 2005 05:36 PM

Mr. Snapping Turtle's woes have now begun!

Posted by: shylurker on September 28, 2005 05:37 PM

Wahoo.

Even though the GOPS tried to change the rule
that you have to step down as the leadership position, they couldn't....so he has to step down and somebody named Roy Blunt steps into the position.

Would you believe under the rules of the House he
still remains in Congress though?

Posted by: Pallas1800 on September 28, 2005 05:40 PM

The wall is beginning to be breached....
Fear and Loathing in Camelot...http://www.salon.com/books/review/2005/09/27/lawford/index.html
I am hoping that some of you will be interested in going to Salon and getting a pass to read the review of Chris Lawford's new book on the Kennedy's dreadful burden of silence
....this is the part at the end which bears mentioning to all...

But while Lawford provides a wealth of psychological insight into his family's rise and fall and survival, he is unable to give us any political understanding of the twin traumas that befell his family in the 1960s. After Bobby's 1968 assassination, the remaining Kennedy elders apparently decided not to push for a full and honest investigation of what happened in Dallas and Los Angeles, as Martin Luther King Jr.'s family has done (but so far failed to accomplish). In this regard, Lawford continues to stick with the family program. His book does not ponder why the lone gunman theory has never been accepted by a wide majority of the American people and why the JFK assassination has deeply troubled the nation's unconscious for over 40 years.

The family's decision to stay quiet has proved deeply tragic. It clearly did not serve the country, which following the two assassinations entered a long, dark period whose politics were characterized by imperial overreach and a cult of official secrecy, reaching its zenith in the Bush administration. And, as Lawford's book strongly demonstrates, the Kennedys' silent stoicism also had ruinous emotional effects on the family.

Fortunately, for those seeking a fuller understanding of the murders of the Kennedy brothers, there is a wave of new scholarship on the subject, from Gerald McKnight's brilliant dissection of the Warren Report, "Breach of Trust" (University of Kansas Press), to Gareth Porter's "Perils of Dominance" (University of California Press), a fascinating revisionist history of Kennedy's foreign policy that documents how JFK artfully deflected the relentless pressures from his national security apparatus to escalate the war in Vietnam. Upcoming books on both Kennedy's Cuba policy and Jim Garrison, the New Orleans district attorney lionized by filmmaker Oliver Stone for his lonely battle to crack the JFK case, also promise to shed further light on what historian Douglas Brinkley has called "the 20th century's great murder mystery." The historical portrait that is slowly emerging of JFK and his closest confidant Bobby is of an administration whose inner circle was at sharp odds with the government's national security hard-liners -- from Cuba to Laos to Vietnam to nuclear arms control and peaceful coexistence with the Soviet Union.
-----
And you ask why Gore and Kerry conceded?

Posted by: judi g on September 28, 2005 05:54 PM

Gary, just realized I left the 'n' out of your name....I should have seen that, considering I am doing paintings of the world of elves, faeries and gnomes!

Posted by: judi g on September 28, 2005 06:00 PM

What's good about this is that it is not just an attack on DeLay...

It's an attack on illegal corporate contributions, all the under the table that has turned this into a fascist country and which of
course Dumbya thrives on...

the gops have always had slush funds...if you remember Nixon's safe filled with 1 mil in cash.

I dont think the DA would have dared to indict unless one or both of the other two indicted turned state's evidence, what do you think ?

I can see DeLay now, threatening that county that they won't see any relief funds....

Posted by: Pallas1800 on September 28, 2005 06:17 PM

Judi G

"The historical portrait that is slowly emerging of JFK and his closest confidant Bobby is of an administration whose inner circle was at sharp odds with the government's national security hard-liners -- from Cuba to Laos to Vietnam to nuclear arms control and peaceful coexistence with the Soviet Union. "

I think it goes far beyond the NSA/CIA whose beginnings in the 40's were composed of fascists
and pro-Hitler moles brought in by the Dulles brothers, who also were pro-fascist, pro-corporate.

It goes back to the Warburg testimony before Congress, I think it was in the 50's, Warburg represented "the bankers" - the original dozen or so , both Amerian and International at that time,
whose plan has always been one world government with them as the "governors". The same group including Bush who attempted the military overthrow of FDR and the governement.

It is said about 10 days before his death, JFK was let in on the plan, and rejected it saying "The American people must be told of the attempt to destroy the Constitution and this country" paraphrasing words to that effect.

They didn't waste anytime in shutting him up.

Jackie made a tape to be opened either 75 years after her death, or 75 years after his death, Iforget which. Most of us posting here won't be alive to learn what is on that tape...but I would really like to know who she named.

Posted by: Pallas1800 on September 28, 2005 06:45 PM

Well, it was the Seattle Times that broke the story about the Katrina Myth of the Convention Center.
The vast majority of reported atrocities committed by evacuees — mass murders, rapes and beatings — have turned out to be false, or at least unsupported by any evidence, according to key military, law-enforcement, medical and civilian officials in positions to know.
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=katmyth26&date=20050926&query=New+Orleans+Convention+Center

Posted by: Jill G on September 28, 2005 06:46 PM

Pallas, thanks for the feedback...I keep wanting to call the Warburgs "big daddy Warbucks:" And don't you think that the ominous silence for 42 years (now there's an interesting number) after JFK's assassination (and later RFK's) from the Kennedy family has parallels with Gore/Kerry?

and I just read a review of a book by an economist, Barry Lynn, who is warning that the bill is coming due for the globalization...and he lays it ALL on BILL CLINTON! The reviewer thinks that is bogus (isn't really fair, he says)....haven't finished reading the whole thing, but the reviewer mentions that the book is instructional.
Sept. 15, 2005  |  Critics of globalization see a host of evils in the spread of free trade and free markets across the world: human rights abuses, exploited workers and environmental havoc, just to name a few. In "End of the Line: The Rise and Coming Fall of the Global Corporation," Barry Lynn looks at globalization and sees all that and worse: Imminent disaster is looming, an economic crash of dire proportions. But there's a paradox -- the instruments of this crash are precisely those companies currently regarded as the most successful businesses in the world, the leanest, meanest, best-run corporations.

Posted by: judi g on September 28, 2005 07:21 PM

Recall something in a speech of JFK's where he referred to the "Gnomes of Zurich" am sure they are the same unholy group or portion of the group that really runs this world who made sure that Bush/Cheney took the election by any means fair or foul. That was prob in reference to the Warburg meeting.

On Delay. Oh happy happy day! Schadenfreude
in full flower. Doing my Snoopy dance!

Posted by: bbuster on September 28, 2005 07:23 PM

Judi G and all, there is an interesting analysis of the psychological origins of rumors about people displaced by Katrina being violent, etc.

Comparison with kids who were killed at Kent State and rumors sprang up about how the victims were dying of sexually transmitted disease anyway, etc.

This is a very insightful blog:

http://respectfulofotters.blogspot.com

Posted by: Barbara on September 28, 2005 07:37 PM

BTW...Gay Republican set to take over the job of DeLay
AP is reporting that Rep. David Dreier (R-CA) is expected to at least temporarily succeed House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) as majority leader, following DeLay's indictment.
(Drier was outed in 2004 by Raw Story as a gay man)

Posted by: judi g on September 28, 2005 07:42 PM

Sally,

Saturn is really catching up on shrub,his cronies
and repugnant party. delay has been indicted by the Grand Jury.Next in line for indictment is rogue rowe-tomorrow or next week/month- and then
bill fritz for insider trading and culminating in the impeachment of the inept robber in thief at
Whouse, along with rummy,cheny indictment for war
crimes etc.etc. Dominoes have just begun to fall
and collapse, worse and more catastrophically for
the cons than the levees in New Orleans!

Posted by: Raj on September 28, 2005 07:46 PM

Schadenfreude part deux--now he knows how we've felt the past 5+ years...

http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article_7445.shtml

squirm, Smirky, squirm!!!

Posted by: Garry on September 28, 2005 07:47 PM

Common Dreams has a piece by David Michael Green called "George Bush in Hell...:
too long to post, got it as an email, you will have to search for it....no URL.

Posted by: judi g on September 28, 2005 08:58 PM

Thanks judi g for the above mention. Its on

http://www.commondreams.org/cgi-bin/print.cgi?file=/views05/0927-22.htm

Posted by: Raj on September 28, 2005 09:17 PM

Should read this to know how the crooked cons' mind work(we do know, but this is like confirming
our worst info about these cons).when corrupt delay was FINALLY indicted by the grand jury, news
reports said that David Drier will be the next
maj.leader for the cons, but that was quickly nixed by the repug cons. Any one care to guess WHY
as usual cons' minds work in the most bizzare way.
its because Drier is gay, then he can't lead them
But he can run and get a congress seat for them.
now it seems the cons have settled the maj. position on Roy Blount.

Posted by: Raj on September 28, 2005 09:35 PM

teska, hi and thank you for your insightful comments. I do agree that there was a bigger plan to what happened in NO that fell apart. We are always informed about these big catastrophes before hand to soften the blow when they happen. Example..."We need another Pearl Harbor inorder to implement our plans" preceded 9/11 from the PNAC. I find it strikingly uncanny that the most vulnerable port and gas/oil supply route was the target of the hurricane. Seems the odds would have spared them or at least one of the infrastructures. Not both. And yes, I do no that you meant martial law. I am going to go visit Mark Lerner's astrology on Martial Law in America to see how his comments are playing out.
Last week I mentioned Posse Comitatus in an NPR excerpt and I hear just this past Monday that Mr. Bush is stronly pushing it to congress again and gave comments to the press about it.
Re: Homeopathy..just last night I must have taken 20-30 - 6x homeopathic tablets of whatever I had on hand for leg cramps. Drank water and went right back to sleep...immediately! They have really become expensive as there popularity increases. I don't feel concerned about the loss of one company or another, as some other company will pick up the slack but do worry about govt. interference/regulation with them as they are a natural replacement to all the denatured drugs that Americans gulp by the millions and am sure the pharmacuticals are aware of this. Such as their attempts to regulate vitamins/minerals.
To all: I am unable to express my utter joy at the indictment issued against DeLay. Not that I wish to see people in trouble, but that it is so good to see wrongdoing and corruption brought to the light of day. There is an excellent blog/thread at astrodatabank specifically on Delay astrology. Very long and detailed, by people with an excellent grasp of astrology. The relevance of the yod is discussed in detail and was so interesting I had to copy it out to study. Would highly recommend it to those following him.
Pallas1800: Yes I do believe there is some plea bargaining going on, at least with the two indictments issued a couple of weeks ago, and may have led to today's indictment/s but don't know yet about the two issued with Delay's today.

A North Carolina republican Representative Patrick McHenry??? is being interviewed on "Talk of the Nation" explaining why it is necessary to rebuild after Katrina with money alotted to CPB and the Bacon Act. How dare him! When questioned by Brian Nallor (twice) about the pork in the latest budget he came right back to CPB and how many schools could be built in Louisiana with the money. I don't know how else I could get the important tid-bits about the world and Washington D.C. without my NPR to keep me informed. I am frightened again and stomach turning in knots at the prospect of losing the only access to civil discourse I have on the radio.

Posted by: Beverly on September 28, 2005 09:44 PM

One more thing....I can't figure out why Mr. Bush would appoint Rove to oversea the Katrina rebuilding. I understand the appointment from a political point-of-view but don't understand it in relation to the Treasongate issue. Wouldn't it make sense to hold off on that until Fitzerald comes forward with whatever he has? I am not very goog at speculation but something is up with that too as it defies logic and Bush must know something that we don't know.

Posted by: Beverly on September 28, 2005 09:53 PM

Beverly,

You can also get the TRUTH on airamerica radio &
pacifica radio.

Posted by: Raj on September 28, 2005 09:55 PM

My spelling is so bad it is a wonder I can even get astroworld.us typed correct! I am sorry!

Posted by: Beverly on September 28, 2005 09:58 PM

Yes, Raj and I have all the call numbers for Air America in Michigan (there are many) but cannot receive their signal that far. Otherwise, I would have to be on the internet all day.. my eyes go buggy and have too many other things I want to keep abreast of so I listen a lot.

Posted by: Beverly on September 28, 2005 10:03 PM

A wealth of the latest information on DeLay;
Note the hilarious photo....what makes it even funnier is his grin.
Please join me and sign the petition to have Delay resign from the House of Representatives.
http://www.dailydelay.blogspot.com
Your signature automatically goes to you State Rep.

Posted by: Beverly on September 28, 2005 10:17 PM

A direct request for Congressman Conyers to assume a leadership role:
http://tinyurl.com/dqwbs

Posted by: Beverly on September 28, 2005 10:58 PM

Well this has been an interesting Mars station so far. I noticed that the Moon is in Leo today around the Saturn, so hubris and the fall of kings seem to be the order of the day. More to come, I'm sure, with Jupiter going into Scorpio Oct. 27, and that grand fixed cross coming up.

Posted by: jm on September 29, 2005 12:27 AM


Sinister Events in a Cynical War

By John Pilger

09/28/05 "ICH" -- -- Here are questions that are not being asked about the latest twist of a cynical war. Were explosives and a remote-control detonator found in the car of the two SAS special forces men "rescued" from prison in Basra on 19 September? If true, what were they planning to do with them? Why did the British military authorities in Iraq put out an unbelievable version of the circumstances that led up to armoured vehicles smashing down the wall of a prison?

According to the head of Basra's Governing Council, which has co-operated with the British, five civilians were killed by British soldiers. A judge says nine. How much is an Iraqi life worth? Is there to be no honest accounting in Britain for this sinister event, or do we simply accept Defence Secretary John Reid's customary arrogance? "Iraqi law is very clear,? he said. ?British personnel are immune from Iraqi legal process." He omitted to say that this fake immunity was invented by Iraq?s occupiers.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10425.htm

Posted by: wv on September 29, 2005 02:11 AM

RAJ, thanks for getting that URL for me....

we are in a really wacky period of time right now....wacky and horrible. I can only hope that jm's astro 'hit' with Saturn and the Moon IS about the truth being told....but there does seem to be the momentum present which the astrologers have been prediciting.

Posted by: judi g on September 29, 2005 02:19 AM

And Bill Frist...what a piece of work that Frist family is....I've posted on that before, how the company his dad and brother founded was going about the country, bribing local city and county supervisors to sell of the publically funded hospitals in their cities and counties and then stripping them of assets and selling them off for the property (which I saw on PBS)....not content with his huge riches, Bill Frist, who lives in a 25 million dollar home in VA has to do insider trading. Oh....isn't that what Martha did? Oh....less that $250 thousand she made? and she went to jail for how long? Hmmmmmm....frist made 2-6 million on his....
Watchdog alleges leader Frist made $2-6 million on insider trade

RAW STORY

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, now under a formal investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for insider trading, made between $2 million and $6 million by selling his HCA holdings just before stock values plummeted in the face of a bad earnings report, an analysis released today by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) alleges.

Posted by: judi g on September 29, 2005 02:24 AM

Poll: Is the indictment of Mr. Snapping Turtle politically motivated?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3080261/#survey

Posted by: shylurker on September 29, 2005 02:40 AM

"Payback is such a bitch"

Frist, DeLay, Abrahamoff - these things are not "happening" on their own. The fine (secret)hand of the fib and cia are behind what's going on. Too bad the dumbya screwed them royally, they have this nasty habit of screwing back.

This is Gonzalez's Justice Department, and he certainly isn't doing this, meaning he doesn't have complete power over the worker bees yet.

Those career J.D's together with the pros who have already been pushed out of the cia and fib are behind this,(methinks- because a lot of investigation had to be going on behind the scenes) and the career Justice guys are moving fast before Gonzales does to the Justice Dept what has been done to cia and fib...firing them and replacing them with republican hacks.

(the only one who hasn't come in yet with the indictments is Fitzgrerald, by the way_ maybe he'll announce his indictments on the last day as
the Texas DA did - let's hope he gets courage from the Texas DA. Just think if the behind the scenes guys passed on the goods on Frist, Abrahamoff, and DeLay - imagine what they know and could do on Rove and dumbya.

Posted by: Pallas1800 on September 29, 2005 02:40 AM

Low flying chickens seen coming in for a landing ...coming home to roost!

Posted by: judi g on September 29, 2005 03:03 AM


Oil reserves are double previous estimates, says Saudi
By Saeed Shah
Published: 28 September 2005
Saudi Arabia, the biggest oil producer, and Exxon Mobil, the largest oil company, yesterday declared that the world had decades' worth of oil to come, in an attempt to calm fears about the record prices experienced in recent weeks.

Forming a powerful alliance, the Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi said, at an industry conference in Johannesburg, that the country would soon almost double its "proven" reserve base, while Exxon's president, Rex Tillerson, spoke of 3 trillion or more barrels of oil that are yet to be recovered.

Mr Naimi said that Saudi Arabia would "soon" add 200 billion barrels to its current reserves estimate of 264 billion barrels. The level of the kingdom's reserves and future production capacity are a controversial issue, with sceptics suggesting that it is running out of oil. Muhammed-Ali Zainy, of London's Centre for Global Energy Studies, said: "Since these Opec countries [like Saudi Arabia] are closed, the only information available is available to themselves alone. So they can come up with a new reserves figure and the rest of the world will just have to take it."

Mr Naimi also said that there were "no takers" for more oil right now, as a result of constrained refining capacity. Roughly a quarter of US refining capacity is still shut after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the country's southern coast, but global refining capacity - to turn crude oil into petrol and other products - was struggling to keep up with demand even before that.

"Give us the customers and we will pump more oil," the Saudi oil minister told reporters at the 18th World Petroleum Congress, adding that more refineries needed to be built. He said that enough global output would be added in the next three to four years to restore "some margin of safety" to oil markets.

The comments did have a soothing impact on the market. Despite early reports that Rita has sunk several rigs and left at least nine others adrift in the Gulf of Mexico, crude oil slipped 75 cents to end at $65.07 in New York yesterday. US petrol prices, however, continued to rise, leading George Bush to call on Americans to conserve fuel.

Saudi Arabia is the world's key oil power, with more than a third of Middle Eastern reserves - on its existing estimate - and it currently pumps out 9.5 million barrels a day, providing well over 10 per cent of world supply.

Mr Naimi said talk of oil scarcity reminded him of the 1970s, when people also thought the end of the age of oil was at hand. "But in the intervening years, when we were supposedly facing a precipitous decline, world oil reserves more than doubled," he said.

It is widely accepted that demand for oil will rise over the next decade or two. Most projections of how that demand will be met assume that Saudi Arabia will be able to ramp up production to 15 million barrels a day or more by 2020.

However, sceptics, led by the US banker Matthew Simmons, have argued that production in Saudi Arabia's known oil fields is already declining and that no major new fields have been discovered. By extension, these critics suggest the world has reached, or is about to reach, the high point of production.

Separately, Exxon's Mr Tillerson told the convention in South Africa that his company estimated that global energy demand would increase by 50 per cent over the next 25 years. Mr Tillerson said that by some estimates there was as much as 7 trillion barrels of oil yet to be discovered. On a more conservative basis, the world still had more than 3 trillion barrels from conventional fields, oil sands deposits and other sources. "That is more than twice all the oil recovered up to now in all of human history," Mr Tillerson said.

Craig Pennington, an energy analyst at Schroders in London, said: "The message from these two [Naimi and Tillerson] is that, 'Don't worry. We do have enough oil. Just give us time to bring it in'."

Saudi Arabia, the biggest oil producer, and Exxon Mobil, the largest oil company, yesterday declared that the world had decades' worth of oil to come, in an attempt to calm fears about the record prices experienced in recent weeks.

Forming a powerful alliance, the Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi said, at an industry conference in Johannesburg, that the country would soon almost double its "proven" reserve base, while Exxon's president, Rex Tillerson, spoke of 3 trillion or more barrels of oil that are yet to be recovered.

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article315546.ece

Posted by: wv on September 29, 2005 03:09 AM

O O O O....just read on Salon Table Talk that the new leader of the majority is Blunt, and that::
"Well, guess what. CREW has also launched a new website, www.beyonddelay.org, which details the tainted thirteen’s violations and encourages visitors, through the website, to contact their member of Congress to ask for an investigation of these members.
The 13 members are:
-- Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO)"

Ye Gods.....which one of them is MORE unethical than the other?

Oh that's right...this is a librul witchhunt....

Posted by: judi g on September 29, 2005 03:14 AM


You are here: Home > Beyond DeLay: Report Summaries > Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Article Options:



Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO) is a fifth-term Member of Congress, representing the 7th district of Missouri. In 1999, two years after taking office, Rep. Blunt was handpicked by then-Whip DeLay to serve as Chief Deputy Whip, and Rep. Blunt assumed the role of Whip in 2003, when DeLay became the Majority Leader. Rep. Blunt’s ethics issues stem from his misuse of his position for the benefit of his family.

Legislative Assistance to Family Members

Legislative Assistance for Philip Morris

In 2003, Rep. Blunt divorced his wife of 31 years to marry Philip Morris (now Altria) lobbyist Abigail Perlman. Before it was known publicly that Rep. Blunt and Ms. Perlman were dating – and only hours after Rep. Blunt assumed the role of Majority Whip – he tried to secretly insert a provision into Homeland Security legislation that would have benefitted Philip Morris, at the expense of competitors.

http://www.beyonddelay.org/beyond_delay/rep_roy_blunt_r_mo

Posted by: wv on September 29, 2005 04:27 AM


Flu vaccine

Preparing for a pandemic

Sep 22nd 2005
From The Economist print edition


More vaccine is needed to prepare the world for an influenza pandemic

IT IS hard to imagine that the aches and pains that most people know as flu could mutate into a superflu that might kill tens of millions of people within two years. And yet, if superflu strikes—as it has done three times in the past century—that is what may well happen. In the global influenza pandemic of 1918, 25m-50m people died. Many scientists now believe that another influenza pandemic is inevitable some time soon.

These concerns might be little more than another background worry if it were not for the fact that there is currently a strain of bird flu in widespread circulation to which humans have no natural immunity. This strain has killed more than 60 people so far, about half the number infected. Small pockets of human-to-human transmission have already been seen, and health officials are worried that the widespread geographical extent of bird flu means that it is not a question of if a strain emerges that can be transmitted easily between humans, but when.

http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=4423927

Posted by: wv on September 29, 2005 04:47 AM


Patty, Maxine or Laverne???

Analysts say White House counsel Harriet Miers has been mentioned as a possible nominee for the
Supreme Court.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/28/scotus.bush.ap/index.html

Posted by: on September 29, 2005 05:00 AM


The above is from me...look at the picture....

Posted by: wv on September 29, 2005 05:03 AM

food for thought....

http://www.americanfreepress.net/

Posted by: wv on September 29, 2005 05:19 AM



SEPT. 30 - OCT. 6, 2005
The Hammer Gets Nailed
Tom DeLay’s political games come to an end
by LOU DUBOSE

“I HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG.”

Log that one in the book that includes Richard Nixon’s “I’m not a crook.” And Bill Clinton’s “I did not have sexual relations with that woman.” Beyond that, Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay also told the Capitol press corps that he did nothing “unethical” and nothing “unprecedented.” A clean ethical bill of health for Tom DeLay? As we say down here in Sugar Land, “not hardly.”

DeLay made one legitimate point. The conspiracy indictment that Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle handed down, naming DeLay and two fund-raisers running a political action committee he helped set up in Austin, is “political.” DeLay is the most powerful politician in Congress, and he is a Republican. Ronnie Earle is one of the last Democrats with any real power in Texas. He’s starting a process that threatens the career (and the ability to walk the streets and play golf) of an elected Republican.

http://www.laweekly.com/ink/printme.php?eid=68388

Posted by: wv on September 29, 2005 05:26 AM

Someone get the drinks and dominoes. I don't care what anybody says, I'm playing anyway.

Or checkers anyone?

How's about a friendly game of Old Maid?

Posted by: jm on September 29, 2005 11:08 AM

I got to thinking about this post Katrina world we have now. I think the people of this country will be preocessing the experience for some time to come.
It's so different from 911 when we had the emerging hero with the bull horn... one Mr. George Bush. Now we have no one. Everyone up there looks kind of bad. It's kind of like being boinked on the head, dazzled, and then dazed. Seeing stars that aren't there.
Well I hope Jupiter leaves Libra with our balance back intact.

Posted by: jm on September 29, 2005 01:02 PM

I read somewhere that one of the predominant aspects for 2006 will be Saturn opposite Neptune. You can see that coming in this article. I saw the dalmation immediately. My guess is that most here will be able to see it as well.

Empty suit in the White House
John Steinberg
http://www.rawstory.com/exclusives/steinberg/one_shot_092805.htm

Posted by: Shade on September 29, 2005 02:08 PM

must read article about the abiotic nature of oil and the so-called "shortages".....

http://www.conspiracyplanet.com/channel.cfm?channelid=63&contentid=2819

Posted by: Garry on September 29, 2005 03:32 PM

Shade....I quoted Clinton back a while as saying that by the elections of 2008 (and I would say 2006) people will want actions grounded in reality, people would want thngs to have a reason and a purpose....which is my paraphrazing of course....but that also sounds like Saturn opposing Neptune....and that is a good thing.

Posted by: judi g on September 29, 2005 03:36 PM

Shade, that is an excellent article you posted on the optical illusion in the W.H.!!!

Posted by: judi g on September 29, 2005 03:56 PM

Hear the sound of sizzling pork.

http://tinyurl.com/e2lq

SEC Upgrades Sen. Frist Stock Inquiry

The Securities and Exchange Commission, which is examining a stock sale by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, has upgraded its initial informal inquiry to a formal investigation.
The change means the agency can issue subpoenas for documents rather than just requesting them. Federal prosecutors also are investigating the Tennessee Republican's recent sale of stock in HCA Inc. about two weeks before its price dropped. Frist's family founded the big hospital operating company.
The SEC has made the investigation formal, a person familiar with the matter said Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the agency does not comment publicly on its inquiries.
It is customary in potential cases of insider trading for the agency to initiate a formal inquiry so investigators can obtain telephone and financial records and other documents.

More...

Posted by: Pat C on September 29, 2005 04:17 PM

John Roberts sworn in 15:00:30 Washington D.C., Eastern Standard Time.

karen

Posted by: farrout on September 29, 2005 08:02 PM

Karen, pardon my nit-pickin', but is that 15:00:30 EST or EDT? Many thanks.

Posted by: shylurker on September 29, 2005 08:36 PM

shylurker, I believe it is EDT.

Posted by: Pat C on September 29, 2005 09:03 PM

for all the cons(who inspite of calling themselves
cons, have not an iota of consevation of nature in their bones or skin or blood or whatever).It
is a complete travesty to call cons and burn all kinds of fossil fuels to the max and destroy this
earth.One more SOLID proof that GLOBAL WARMING is
totally OUT OF CONTROL because of these moronic
cons(proof below)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050928/sc_nm/environment_alska_dc

Posted by: Raj on September 29, 2005 09:06 PM

http://www.tomdispatch.com/index.mhtml?emx=x&pid=25288

Tomdispatch Interview: Cindy Sheehan, Our Imploding President

My brief immersion in the almost unimaginable life of Cindy Sheehan begins on the Friday before the massive antiwar march past the White House. I take a cab to an address somewhere at the edge of Washington DC -- a city I don't know well -- where I'm to have a quiet hour with her. Finding myself on a porch filled with peace signs and vases of roses (assumedly sent for Sheehan), I ring the doorbell, only to be greeted by two barking dogs but no human beings. Checking my cell phone, I discover a message back in New York from someone helping Sheehan out. Good Morning America has just called; plans have changed. Can I make it to Constitution and 15th by five? I rush to the nearest major street and, from a bus stop, fruitlessly attempt to hail a cab. The only empty one passes me by and a young black man next to me offers an apologetic commentary: "I hate to say this, but they probably think you're hailing it for me and they don't want to pick me up." On his recommendation, I board a bus, leaping off (twenty blocks of crawl later) at the sight of a hotel with a cab stand.

More...

Posted by: Pat C on September 29, 2005 09:11 PM

Poll needs help: Will Roberts make a good justice?
http://www.cnn.com/

Posted by: shylurker on September 29, 2005 09:24 PM


Amen! I couldn't agree with her more...

September 29, 2005
After the Love Is Gone
By NORA EPHRON
I broke up with Bill a long time ago. It's always hard to remember love - years pass and you say to yourself, was I really in love or was I just kidding myself? Was I really in love or was I just pretending he was the man of my dreams? Was I really in love or was I just desperate? But when it came to Bill, I'm pretty sure it was the real deal. I loved the guy.

As for Bill, I have to be honest: he did not love me. In fact, I never even crossed his mind. Not once. But in the beginning that didn't stop me. I loved him, I believed in him, and I didn't even think he was a liar. Of course, I knew he'd lied about his thing with Gennifer, but at the time I believed that lies of that sort didn't count. How stupid was that?

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/29/opinion/29ephron.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

Posted by: wv on September 29, 2005 09:54 PM

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3374771

Camping along roads banned near Bush's ranch

Prompted by Cindy Sheehan's makeshift anti-war campsite, McLennan County commissioners have passed a law prohibiting camping along county roads, including those near Bush's ranch.


The law, which also prohibits sewage receptacles, follows the nearly monthlong protest in August outside Bush's ranch near Crawford.

After about an hour of debate, commissioners approved the new ordinance Tuesday with a 3-2 vote. Commissioners voted two weeks ago to prohibit parking along 23 miles of county roads in the area.

Commissioner Ray Meadows, whose precinct includes Bush's ranch, proposed the restrictions in response to Crawford residents who complained of blocked roads and associated health and safety risks.

Commissioners Joe Mashek and Lester Gibson opposed the law, saying state laws are in place to enforce road obstructions, public nuisances and health violations.

"We don't have a law that says you can't live in the right of way, you can't erect tents in the right of way," county attorney Mike Dixon said.

Under the new law, those who camp in the right of way will be warned to leave and remove their tents. If they don't, they can be arrested for criminal trespass, Dixon said.

He added that protests are allowed, just no camping.

Jim Harrington, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project in Austin, said the new law could be a workable plan as long as it doesn't impede the right to protest.

Posted by: Pat C on September 29, 2005 11:00 PM

This has been an amazing week. Mr. Snapping Turtle gets snapped real good by Ronnie Earle; Ashcroft will have to testify under oath about Muslim detainees; Abu Ghraib photos must be released, and the grisly photos-for-porn website has been exposed; Judy Miller has been released from jail (to testify, I guess); Smirky looks like he's at death's door; and Fitzgerald will soon do something; and . . . . Whew!! Lordy lordy.

Posted by: shylurker on September 30, 2005 12:30 AM

And how could I overlook Abramoff and Lawrence Franklin (AIPAC) and . . .

Posted by: shylurker on September 30, 2005 12:43 AM

Now this struck me as very interesting. I figured Saturn in Leo would have a positive effect on the entertainment industry, Saturn wanting us to get it right. Looks like people are increasingly weary of canned, robotic, lifeless, predictable television. Reality shows tried to fill the void, but they are diminishing, as Katrina was the reality show of the season.

>>Since the 50's, TV producers have rejoiced with each technical advancement that made it easier to put on a polished, perfectly timed episode. Better editing and transmission equipment meant--whew!--they didn't have to air live.
Yet this season, more producers are daring to go live before millions of viewers, turning their casts and crews into circus performers working without a safety net for the first time ever.
Will and Grace makes its 8th season debut today with an episode performed once for the Eastern, Central, and Mountain time zones, with a secon staging for the Pacific time zone.
"This will be like the cassic golden era of television".<<

This should improve their acting skills, which delights me. Spontaneous laughter is also not preventable.

Posted by: jm on September 30, 2005 12:45 AM


Manipulating the Public Mind

By Charles Sullivan

09/29/05 "ICH" -- -- A sea of humanity descended upon the nation’s capital yesterday to voice its opposition to the invasion and occupation of Iraq. My wife and I, along with a sizable contingent from West Virginia, were among the teeming throngs that flowed through the streets of the District of Columbia like a raging river in the aftermath of a storm. The rally was about more than the shameful events orchestrated by our government in the Middle East, it was equally about U.S. imperialism on a global scale. It was also about the Bush regime’s appalling lack of concern for the Gulf Coast’s poor—particularly the inhabitants of New Orleans. It was about the complicity of Congress in the criminality of what passes for government in America these days. Demonstrations and acts of civil disobedience will continue throughout the weekend.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10448.htm

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 12:52 AM


...more Fiore....

http://www.sfgate.com/comics/fiore/

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 01:07 AM


As Iraq Burns; Dems Look on the Bright Side

By Arianna Huffington
09/28/05 "ICH" -- -- If you need yet another reminder why the Democrats continue to teeter on the verge of becoming a permanent minority party, I suggest you pick up the Boston Herald and watch CBS News.

At the same time the situation in Iraq continues to deteriorate, with CBS reporting on the "undeclared civil war" raging between Shiites and Sunnis and the Saudi Foreign Minister telling the world that Iraq is "going toward disintegration," there was John Kerry giving a speech arguing that "progress" was being made. As the Boston Herald put it, Senator John Kerry "back-pedalled on blistering criticism of the war."

Unbelievable.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10439.htm

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 01:11 AM


The U.S. Has Plans to Invade Iran Before Bush's Term Ends

By Walter C. Uhler

09/29/05 "ICH" -- -- Bill Gertz is a right-wing national security reporter for the Rev. Sun Yung Moon's neo-fascist newspaper, The Washington Times. He's also a spigot from which flows much classified information illegally leaked by like-minded "patriots" seeking to advance their hawkish agenda in the military-industrial-congressional complex. And, frankly speaking, that's the only reason I pay any attention to him.

So I was hardly surprised when, on September 16, 2005, Gertz reported on the Bush administration's "computer slide presentation." which was aimed at persuading whoever would listen that Iran is working feverishly to build nuclear weapons.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10441.htm

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 01:20 AM


jm..

I worked for TV Guide for 30 years, and ran a
Chapter of the TV Academy for 28 years. I apologize to all for promoting television all of
those years, especially when I knew it had turned
to crap about 1965. News went when Cronkite stepped down and totally collaped when Bill Moyers
left. When I watch today I watch BBC - PBS - LinkTV and House and Garden. If the second coming
was on the networks or cable TV I would miss it
entirely. Such a great idea ruined by a bunch of
tasteless bastards, who have brought a promising
media down to the lowest common denominator,catering to people with absolutely no
taste, no sense of history and no sense of humor.
Forgive me for adding to the corruption of many
minds.

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 01:28 AM

The stench continues to emanate from Ohio:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/29/173846/901

Posted by: shylurker on September 30, 2005 01:29 AM

Awwww, wv, cast off your sack-cloth and ashes. You're a great human, a real mensch!

Posted by: shylurker on September 30, 2005 01:32 AM


Jailed Times Reporter Freed After Source Waives Confidentiality
By DAVID JOHNSTON
and DOUGLAS JEHL

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 - Judith Miller, the New York Times reporter who has been jailed since July 6 for refusing to testify in the C.I.A. leak case, was released from a Virginia detention center this afternoon after she and her lawyers reached an agreement with a federal prosecutor to testify before a grand jury investigating the matter, the paper's publisher and executive editor said.


Ms. Miller was freed after spending more than 12 weeks in jail, during which she refused to cooperate with the criminal inquiry. Her decision to testify came after she obtained what she described as a waiver offered "voluntarily and personally" by a source who said she was no longer bound by any pledge of confidentiality she had made to him. She said the source had made clear that he genuinely wanted her to testify.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/29/politics/29cnd-court.html?ei=5094&en=ab3e643986deb5a5&hp=&ex=1128052800&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 02:02 AM

You're completely forgiven, wv. You were a youngster then.

As you know, I haven't watched TV for 30 years. It's impossible for me to follow. Not only the programming but the jerky camera movement, the screaming, and the throwing of commodities out of the screen. Altogether brutal. Throws off my equilibrium. I do remember, though, the live theater shows when it first came out and I was entranced. Good plays. And slower pace.
Things are cyclic, so perhaps one day it will transmogrify into something more elegant and dignified. Who knows?
I won't be watching, but I'll be hoping.

Posted by: jm on September 30, 2005 02:08 AM


N.Y. Times reporter in CIA outing case freed
Judith Miller’s source reportedly released her from confidentiality pledge
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BREAKING NEWS

Updated: 8:45 p.m. ET Sept. 29, 2005
After nearly three months in jail, New York Times reporter Judith Miller was released Thursday after agreeing to testify in the investigation into the disclosure of the identity of a covert CIA officer, people familiar with the case said.

Miller left the federal detention center in Alexandria, Va., at 4 p.m. after reaching an agreement with Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald. Legal sources said she would appear before the grand jury investigating the case Friday morning. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because of the secrecy of the grand jury proceedings.

The sources said Miller agreed to testify after securing an unconditional release from Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, to testify about any discussions they had involving CIA officer Valerie Plame.

Story continues below

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 02:09 AM



w w w . h a a r e t z . c o m

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last update - 17:22 28/09/2005
PM aide: If no progress with PA, gov't may annex part of W. Bank
By Haaretz Service

Eyal Arad, a senior strategy adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said in remarks broadcast Wednesday that if the diplomatic deadlock with the Palestinians continues, Israel may consider turning unilateral disengagement into government policy - including annexation of West Bank territory and withdrawal to what the Jewish state would set as its permanent border.

However, Israel Radio, which broadcast Arad's remarks, quoted the Prime Minister's Office as saying, "There is no plan for a further unilateral withdrawal."

Referring to the stalled peace process with the Palestinian Authority, Arad said, "If we see that the standstill continues - despite the fact that it's a standstill in a diplomatic situation that is 'easy on Israel' - there may be room to consider turning disengagement into a strategy."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/objects/pages/PrintArticleEn.jhtml?itemNo=630325

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 02:44 AM

For those of you scoring along at home, here's a handy compilation of all the * "administration" scandals to date (from Salon, so watching an ad before seeing the article may be required):

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/01/18/scandal/

unbelieveable and simply disgusting....

Posted by: Garry on September 30, 2005 02:51 AM


Pentagon analyst to plead guilty to leaking information to AIPAC

By The Associated Press

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia - A Pentagon analyst charged with providing classified information to an Israeli official and members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobbying group will plead guilty, according to the U.S. District Court clerk's office.

Lawrence A. Franklin, 58, was indicted in June on charges of leaking classified materials - including information about potential attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq - to two members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and an Israeli official.

Edward Adams, a spokesman for U.S. District Court Clerk in Alexandria, said a hearing to accept Franklin's guilty plea has been scheduled for Wednesday. However, the charges to which he would enter the plea were not disclosed. Franklin was indicted on five charges.


http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/630966.html



Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 02:52 AM

Thanks, Garry. Nice link. Hope you stocked up on popcorn and libations earlier since I'm sure the stores shelves will be bare by tomorrow.

Posted by: shylurker on September 30, 2005 03:00 AM

Thanks shy, that's a good idea!!
Meanwhile, check out this brilliant take on our "favorite" neoconvix:

http://2politicaljunkies.blogspot.com/2005/09/absolut-corruption.html

Posted by: Garry on September 30, 2005 03:30 AM

It would be political suicide for Israel to try to annex part of the West Bank.

Go ahead Isreal, "make my day." Lebanon revisited.

Posted by: Beasley on September 30, 2005 04:16 AM

You'll pardon me if I mention astrology here...With everything coming apart at the seams and dung as big as horses falling on and in the WH, this is Pluto's final direct conjunct dumbya's South Node!

Pluto is not on his South Node...it's past his South Node by 1 degree, and it went direct at the beginning of September 1 degree past his South Node. Could all this have been percolating since December 2003/Jan2004 when Pluto was first exact on his South Node?

The second pass of Pluto on his South Node was June/July 2004 in Rx, 3rd pass direct was Oct/Nov 2004, and final conjunct pass Direct is now, +1 degree at 21 Sag.

I wrote this in October 2003, and my predictions were correct..but my timing was not, I expected his downfall much sooner, not taking into account that (taking its own undermining time as it usually does) Pluto's final and fourth pass would tell the tale.

http://www.astroworld.us/archives/000327.html#000327

Schadenfreude. Shall I sit here and be ashamed of the smile that remains on my face at every news report concerning him this week?

NAAAAAh.

Posted by: Pallas1800 on September 30, 2005 05:52 AM

Pallas,

I completely concur with your analysis. I thought he would lose the election on this South Node factor alone, but as it's turned out, it was his public disgrace and downfall that were insured by the false win. Exit stage left. And keep smiling, although your muscles might get sore if you don't take an occasional grin break.

Posted by: jm on September 30, 2005 06:08 AM

Krugman's column mentions the Halliburton mess which was written up in the LA Times..

Missteps Hamper Iraqi Oil Recovery
Efforts to fix facilities founder. Hundreds of millions of dollars are lost as fields deteriorate.

QARMAT ALI, Iraq — The failure to rebuild key components of Iraq's petroleum industry has impeded oil production and may have permanently damaged the largest of the country's vast oil fields, American and Iraqi experts say.

The deficiencies have deprived Iraq of hundreds of millions of dollars in potential revenue needed for national rebuilding efforts and kept millions of barrels of oil off the world market at a time of growing demand.

Engineering mistakes, poor leadership and shifting priorities have delayed or led to the cancellation of several projects critical to restoring Iraq's oil industry, according to interviews with more than two dozen current and former U.S. and Iraqi officials and industry experts.

The troubles have been compounded in some cases by security issues, poor maintenance and disputes between the U.S. and its main contractor, Houston-based KBR, a subsidiary of Halliburton Corp., according to the interviews and documents.

Despite the United States' spending more than $1.3 billion, oil production remains below the estimated prewar level of 2.5 million barrels per day and well below a December 2004 goal of up to 3 million barrels per day.

Interviews and documents from whistle-blowers show problems with at least three projects deemed crucial to Iraq's oil production:

Much- this is just the beginning!


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-oil26sep26,1,2817269,print.story

Posted by: Pat C on September 30, 2005 02:16 PM

The huuuuge karmic reckoning that these events seem to reveal apparently required GWB 'winning' the election. For if he hadn't, the retribution would have been less. Same is true for if Gore had won with a majority senate and house of Republicans and Kerry, too. And the lost dream with Dean has a different perspective, also.
Recall Sally saying a simple win/loss of an election was not what our country, our souls and our world needed. It needed to come from unthinkable depths for unforseeable change.
A couple years back, we alternate thought progressives were speaking a lot of the change of Ages, the Great Age turn of the spiral, wheels within wheels within wheels that was taking place. Think those cycles are still resonating, aren't they?

Posted by: bbuster on September 30, 2005 02:54 PM

While America is watching reality shows....

From Jo:

More profits for Cheney:
-------------
Labour's £10bn nuclear sell-off
US firms tipped to bid for Sellafield
Terry Macalister
Friday September 30, 2005

The Guardian

Operations at Sellafield and other major nuclear plants such as Sizewell and Dungeness are to be sold off to the private sector for more than £10bn under plans drawn up yesterday by the board of British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL).

American companies such as Halliburton and Fluor are seen as likely contenders in any race to take over British Nuclear Group, which is the main operating arm of the government-owned BNFL, handling nuclear generation, reprocessing and clean-up businesses. The transfer of key operations out of state hands at a time when Britain is facing an energy shortfall will generate surprise, particularly with North Sea oil and gas running down and the government edging towards a decision to proceed with a new generation of nuclear reactors. But a sell-off is likely to be approved by the government when Gordon Brown is struggling to fund his spending commitments.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/nuclear/article/0,2763,1581783,00.html

..................

September 30, 2005
AIPAC and Espionage: Guilty as Hell

Pentagon analyst plea bargains, threatens to expose Israel's Washington cabal
by Justin Raimondo

The plea bargain struck by former Pentagon analyst Lawrence A. Franklin – charged with five counts of handing over classified information to officials of a pro-Israel lobbying group, who passed it on to Israeli diplomatic personnel – has delivered a body blow to the defense of the two remaining accused spies. Steve Rosen, who for 20 years was the chief lobbyist over at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and Keith Weissman, AIPAC's top foreign policy analyst, befriended Franklin and pumped him for top-secret information – including sensitive data about al-Qaeda, the Khobar Towers terrorist attack, Iran's weapons program, and attacks on U.S. soldiers in Iraq. Now they face the likely prospect of Franklin testifying to their treason in court.

For months, AIPAC's defenders have been bruiting it about that this prosecution is persecution, that the whole thing is a "setup." What Rosen, Weissman, and Franklin are accused of is routine, said their defenders – "everybody does it" – and the decision to go after AIPAC is thinly disguised anti-Semitism, the 21st century American equivalent of Kristallnacht. They have impugned the FBI as some sort of neo-Nazi outfit, exonerated the accused before even hearing the charges, and engaged in a smear campaign against anyone who wonders why it is that a purportedly American organization is engaged in an intelligence-gathering operation involving the transfer of top-secret information to a foreign government.

Now the man they portrayed as being a persecuted victim is admitting that, yes, he spied for Israel, and, furthermore, the clear implication of this apparent plea bargain is that he is prepared to expose the spy ring that Israel was – and perhaps still is – running inside AIPAC, one of the most powerful lobbying groups in Washington.

This case has received relatively little publicity in relation to its importance. It isn't just the fact that, for the first time in recent memory, Israel's powerful lobby has been humbled. What is going on here is the exposure of Israel's underground army in the U.S. – covert legions of propagandists and outright spies, whose job it is to not only make the case for Israel but to bend American policy to suit Israel's needs (and, in the process, penetrate closely-held U.S. secrets).

Particularly fascinating is the apparent longevity of the ongoing investigation: the implication of the latest indictment [.pdf] is that FBI counterintelligence officials have been looking into Israel's covert activities in the U.S. since at least 1999, when Rosen apparently was observed telling a "foreign official" that he (Rosen) had "picked up an extremely sensitive piece of intelligence" identified as "codeword protected." At this meeting, the indictment avers, Rosen handed over this information – regarding "terrorist activities in Central Asia" – to the foreign official.

More http://antiwar.com/justin/

Posted by: Pat C on September 30, 2005 03:11 PM

HUD chief foresees a 'whiter' Big Easy

By Brian DeBose

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

September 30, 2005

A Bush Cabinet officer predicted this week that New Orleans likely will never again be a majority black city, and several black officials are outraged. Alphonso R. Jackson, secretary of housing and urban development, during a visit with hurricane victims in Houston, said New Orleans would not reach its pre-Katrina population of "500,000 people for a long time," and "it's not going to be as black as it was for a long time, if ever again." Rep. Danny K. Davis, Illinois Democrat and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, quickly took issue. "Anybody who can make that kind of projection with some degree of certainty or accuracy must have a crystal ball that I can't see or maybe they are more prophetic than any of us can imagine," he said. Other members of the caucus said the comments by Mr. Jackson, who is black, could be misconstrued as a goal, particularly considering his position of responsibility in the administration. "I would beg and hope that the secretary, if that is what he is saying, would re-evaluate the situation," said Elijah E. Cummings, Maryland Democrat. Mr. Jackson, whose remarks were reported by the Houston Chronicle, said New Orleans might reach a population of 375,000 people sometime late next year with a black population of about 40 percent at the highest, down from 67 percent before Hurricane Katrina sent a storm surge that overwhelmed New Orleans levees and flooded 80 percent of the city. The population of New Orleans before Katrina was a little less than 500,000, surrounded by large, predominantly white suburbs. The largely black Ninth Ward and the predominantly white middle-class Lakeview section near Lake Pontchartrain were overwhelmed by floodwaters.

More http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050929-114710-8545r.htm

Posted by: Pat C on September 30, 2005 04:04 PM



Bennett: Black Abortions Would Lower Crime
Sep 30 10:37 AM US/Eastern

WASHINGTON


The White House on Friday criticized former Education Secretary William Bennett for remarks linking the crime rate and the abortion of black babies.

"The president believes the comments were not appropriate," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.

Bennett, on his radio show, "Morning in America," was answering a caller's question when he took issue with the hypothesis put forth in a recent book that one reason crime is down is that abortion is up.

"But I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could, if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down," said Bennett, author of "The Book of Virtues."

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/30/D8CUKRH04.html

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 04:37 PM

Hey all, read this---hopeful news (under the big RESIGN it's in green, The News) and look for today's date:

http://waynemadsenreport.com

Posted by: Garry on September 30, 2005 05:19 PM

http://tinyurl.com/b88d6
Senators Accuse Pentagon of Obstructing Inquiry on Sept. 11 Plot


http://www.wingtv.net/thornarticles/paulisaac.html
Fireman Admits Again: 9-11 Inside Job


http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-1795336,00.html
Anthrax terrorists outfox the FBI


http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/nyc-imam0930,0,219637.story?coll=ny-top-headlines
Incoming FDNY chaplain questions 9/11 story


news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050930/ap_on_re_us/fdny_muslim_chaplain_1
FDNY Chaplain Resigns After 9/11 Remarks

Posted by: Pat C on September 30, 2005 06:34 PM

Madesenreport.......................................................................................my suppositions without his ability to fact find!
Very reassuring!!!
It's Friday with a big fire story in Malibu...................watch for the quick reveal at the end of the day!
Big Cspan call in show "Do the Democrats have ideas?"
Some faulty thinking repigs called in.
Odeous Kyl of Arizona talking about the GDP not being affected by Katrina as a platform for NOT passing legislation to help K victims. Also not raising taxes>
Going to call his aid and blast!
PQ

Posted by: Pat QOP on September 30, 2005 07:20 PM


Arianna Huffington

Bio

09.30.2005
Miller Walks: The Plot Thickens (5 comments )
It’s time for Judy Miller and Arthur Sulzberger to change their talking points.

The claim that Miller “has finally received a direct and uncoerced waiver” is laughable… and, indeed, has already been laughed at by 1) my increasingly frustrated sources within the Times 2) a chorus of voices in the blogosphere (see here, here, and here) and 3) (and much more significantly) Joseph Tate, Scooter Libby’s lawyer, who told the Washington Post yesterday that he informed Miller’s attorney, Floyd Abrams, a year ago that Libby’s waiver “was voluntary and that Miller was free to testify”.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/miller-walks-the-plot-th_b_8116.html

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 07:30 PM


Voice of the White House September 25, 2005

TBR News.org – September 25, 2005

“It now appears that all of the carefully laid plans of Karl Rove to establish a voting bloc that would guarantee Republican control of this country for decades to come have come a cropper. Bush was to be put forward as the candidate of the Religious Right because that group is organized and fanatic but even they are having serious doubt about the persona of Bush. Business supported him because he supported them in return for huge infusions of cash. Now, like the Christians, big business is moving away from Bush because of the economic disaster that he has created and can no longer control. The idea of setting Bush up as Our Protector Against Terrorists played well for a while but grew thin what with all the noise about pink days and green days but the utter disaster and collapse of authority in the wake of the two hurricanes in the Gulf have put paid to his momentum and what goes up, must come down. Private polls taken by staffers here indicate that Bush is below 20% (!) on the national approval list and staff members, eager to enhance their careers, are deserting and passing this information to Congressmen who are, predictably, reacting strongly to the possible loss of their very lucrative jobs. The President’s staff is doing its best to keep this sort of rapid slippage from him because when Bush gets depressed, Bush gets drunk and staffers, and Cheney and Rove, are terrified lest Bush show up at a mandatory occasion, plastered enough to slur his already slurred speech or stagger into the garden or the hall and vomit. Bush is a binge drinker and no one knows if he has a bottle hidden in his desk or office safe and binge drinkers can certainly surprise their friends upon occasion. Coalitions, self-serving and survival oriented, are forming and this will be a reprise of the end of the Nixon administration, mark my words.”
http://www.tbrnews.org/Archives/a1855.htm

See our Inside the White House archive:
www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/category.asp?id=41

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 07:56 PM

should not brag too much, but hey, I blogged in here on Sept.28, 7:45pm, that the next in line for
indictment is rogue rowe(I said tomorrow or next week), now looks like next week as the sharks are
cicling rogue rowe for a devour. I like that when that happens.

Posted by: Raj on September 30, 2005 08:01 PM

Hey Raj-
Pardon my ignorance, but who is this "rogue rowe" you speak of? Is this a reference to Rove?

Posted by: Garry on September 30, 2005 08:32 PM

Garry,
Sorry for the mispell of rove.You got it right
since I've been referring to him. I don't care to spell these cons' names properly.

Posted by: Raj on September 30, 2005 08:40 PM

Thanks Raj!!!
I TOTALLY understand--correct name spelling implies respect, and we know these convicts are not deserving of such.

I call him Rover sometimes, but I still fear that I may be besmirching the good name and reputation of canines everywhere....

Posted by: Garry on September 30, 2005 08:43 PM

Just posted over at DU that Fitzgerald will be holding a press conference at 3:00. Apparently that's 3:00 pm CDT. Dunno any more.

Posted by: shylurker on September 30, 2005 09:00 PM

It's a hoax. Jerk who posted that sez h/she was just teasing. #*$#(@(#*$&&!

Posted by: shylurker on September 30, 2005 09:04 PM

Keep watchin' shylurker! Something is going to pop out of Fitzgerald's office....eventually. Would love to see all these guys go down at once, but it appears more like Chinese Water Torture watching the Bush Admin. drip drip drip away, ya want someone to open the taps and swoosh all gone.

Posted by: Morgana on September 30, 2005 09:20 PM

I don't care much how these corrupt crooks go down
Morgana, all at once OR like chinese water torture
which they practice on the prisoners in abu graib
or gautonomo bay. Just keep on going down and just
disappear or vanish or get lost so that the rest of our lives for the next 50 years or more, we don't have to deal with such rotten characters.

Posted by: Raj on September 30, 2005 09:27 PM

Athena and Hera make a re-appearance... how timely!

Statues of Ancient Goddesses Discovered

ATHENS, Greece - The life-sized marble statues of two ancient Greek goddesses have emerged during excavations of a 5,000-year-old town on the island of Crete, archaeologists said Friday.

The works, representing the goddesses Athena and Hera, date to between the second and fourth centuries — during the period of Roman rule in Greece —

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050930/ap_on_sc/greece_ancient_statues

Posted by: Morgana on September 30, 2005 09:41 PM


Captain Courageous

By Chris Floyd

09/30/05 "Moscow Times" -- -- Quietly, firmly, relentlessly, the good captain laid out the list of atrocities committed at the order of the enemies of freedom: "Death threats, beatings, broken bones, murder, exposure to elements, extreme forced physical exertion, hostage-taking, stripping, sleep deprivation and degrading treatment." A catalogue of depravity, all of it designed -- with diabolical sophistry -- by self-exalted men cloaking their violent perversions with sham piety and righteous sputum. This was terrorism on a grand scale, chewing up the innocent and guilty alike.

The good man is of course Captain Ian Fishback, the born-again U.S. Army officer who has blown the whistle on the systematic abuse of captives rounded up in President George W. Bush's War on Terror, The New York Times reports. Fishback, frustrated after 17 months of trying to get the atrocities investigated through official channels, finally turned to Human Rights Watch -- and top Republican senators -- seeking redress for the bloody dishonor that Bush has brought upon America.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10462.htm

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 10:59 PM


The "American street" speaks: Will the Democratic Party listen?
As more and more Americans turn against Bush's Iraq war, Democratic politicians remain silent. Their play-it-safe strategy isn't just cowardly, it also won't work.

By Juan Cole

09/29/05 "Salon" The antiwar mother of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq, Cindy Sheehan, protested with hundreds of others outside the White House on Monday. She and the others approached the gate of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue three times, and each time police warned them that they were trespassing. On the third approach, Ms. Sheehan was arrested and carried from the scene, as were the others. She left behind, in the fence, a picture of her dead son Casey, who died fighting the Mahdi Army in Sadr City in spring of 2004. Ever since, Ms. Sheehan has been asking the U.S. government to explain what exactly he died for.

On Saturday, well over 100,000 demonstrators, including Ms. Sheehan and the "Gold Star" families of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq, had rallied in Washington against the ongoing Iraq war. Such numbers are difficult to verify, but this minimum was admitted by the Washington police, and supporters of the event claimed at least twice that. This large and impressive demonstration was accompanied by other protests, in London, San Francisco and other cities, though on a smaller scale. Critics of the event derided it as a carnival, but what popular movement in history has not been Rabelaisian? Crowds and their performers clown and mug, ridicule the sacred and celebrate the deity all at once. Carnivals of protest create their own bubble of consciousness, in which the unspeakable can finally be shouted, the powerful parodied, and the status quo turned upside down.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10457.htm

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 11:02 PM


War, The American Tsunami

By Charles E. Carlson

09/30/05 "ICH" -- -- Don't be too quick to blame the administration for its slow response to Katrina. With his popularity dropping, there is nothing the President wants more than to look like humanitarians and peacemakers. Mr. Bush just doesn't know how! The American Tsunami took Washington by surprise because Washington is on a wartime footing and doesn't know how to carry out a friendly rescue.

Remember when the Indonesian tsunami came along? Bush made himself look foolish by leaving a couple of zeros off on his first offer of help. Our President offered something like one dollar per victim, making America an incredible cheapskate when compared to other, poorer countries. Maybe he just couldn't bring himself to say "sorry, we're spending all our money for war."

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10463.htm

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 11:05 PM


The Evil of Torture and the Power of Non-violence

"Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as cooperation with good." Mohatma Mohandas Gandhi

"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people." Martin Luther King; Birmingham Jail,4-16-63

By Mike Whitney

09/30/05 "ICH" -- -- Leftists and intellectuals have a tough time explaining the presence of evil in the world so they steer away from the topic like the plague. This is a big mistake and will eventually inhibit our ability to deal effectively with the present crisis.

Typically evil is understood in the context of spiritual belief and depends heavily on one's acceptance of the ultimate division of reality into unseen forces of good and evil; God and Satan. The trouble with this analysis is that it completely eschews demonstrable phenomena that can help us understand the nature of the problem itself. There are things we can know about evil in a practical, provable way that provide both insight and remedy. These things do not require belief in a Supreme Being or faith in an afterlife.

The Leftist approach sidesteps evil altogether, looking instead for hidden psychological causes or deep-seated emotional problems to explain the erratic behavior of destructive people.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10465.htm

Posted by: wv on September 30, 2005 11:10 PM

Morgana and others interested in our NA heritage: There is a review of a wonderful book posted right now at salon.com. The book is "1491" and I urge you to go get a free pass and read about this book. It'll definitely be on my shelf soon!

Posted by: shylurker on September 30, 2005 11:17 PM

Blumenthal on Karen Huge's "Listening" tour:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1581335,00.html

Posted by: shylurker on September 30, 2005 11:29 PM

Hee hee, shylurker,
was that a typo or tongue-in-cheek description of big mommie Hughes, who gossip has it buys her high heels at a shop that caters to transvestites?

Posted by: bbuster on October 1, 2005 12:54 AM

Hmmm, bbuster. I would've figured maybe Big & Tall shops.

Posted by: shylurker on October 1, 2005 01:48 AM

Over on Planet Waves, E. Francis says the Oct 3rd eclipse (2005) is the "twin" of the Iran-Contra one. Is that true? Wow! (if so)

Posted by: shylurker on October 1, 2005 02:29 AM

And here's another tidbit to add to shylurker's,
also from Planet Waves:

In December 1832, with Mars retrograde in Taurus, the Skull and Bones secret society was established at Yale University and John C. Calhoun became the first Vice President of the United States to resign. The following March, after a landslide reelection in November, President Andrew Jackson (whose natal Mars was in Taurus), signed the "Force Bill," which authorized him to use troops to enforce Federal law in South Carolina.

Posted by: tseka on October 1, 2005 02:54 AM

Pat QOP your back! Yea team!

Pallas you've a grinning buddy over here in Princeton. I'm unleashing "nasty chart's" (me) most enduring ability to enjoy, vigorously and sadistically, the pain and suffering of those who have systematically lied to and raped our country and others. Makes me almost able to believe in passionate and concerned diety.

Transiting Sun sat on top of Delay's progressed Neptune, which sat on top of his Solar Arc Pluto, which sat on top of his natal Neptune on the 29th of Sept. 2005. hmmmm. Natal Ascencent and Jupiter opposed Solar Arc Mars and Solar Arc Ceres on the descendent which are both hovering near Caput Algol. :0)
and transiting Mars (now officially retrograde).

All of that Sun,Pluto, Neptune energy I first mentioned suggests that he is in for a reality check big time.
There were some other horrendous aspects to look at, like his Solar Arc and Progressed MC at 28 Libra making an inconjunct to Ceres sitting on Caput Algol and transiting Jupiter making an inconjunct aspect to Solar Arc Mars and Transiting Mars in Taurus...once again so close to Caput Algol :0) and approaching his 7th house of law suits, and one on one enemies.

Saturn is fast coming up to his natal Saturn/Pluto conjunction in his 9th house. And, oh yes, there is a horrific yod between natal Mars at 27 Pices and that Solar Arc Ceres in Taurus (I repeat, so close to Caput Algol :0))at 26 Taurus and that Progressed/Solar Arc Mc at 28 Libra at the foot.

Let the good times roll.

Posted by: Beasley on October 1, 2005 04:18 AM

Can anyone update us on Pat QOP, Jo and Sharon? I'd appreciate knowing. Many tnx.

Posted by: shylurker on October 1, 2005 04:50 AM

Shylurker,
PatQOP just posted about 10 posts up on Sept 30th.
about the Madsen report.

Posted by: Beasley on October 1, 2005 05:11 AM

Hi Shylurker & all,

I'm fine, I'm glad to see PatQOP is posting, but what's going on with Jo? Someone posted something "from Jo" above (I think Pat C). Is she having computer problems?

Things are falling into place for me - still not living at home but we're pretty comfortable on an air mattresses in one of Myron's offices, keeping company with a dog we rescued and some other folks in similar circumstances. In fact, many are camping out in various places like offices. There are so many amazing stories associated with these events. I want to write down the ones I know of, as well as my own, maybe put it up on a web site one of these days.

We visit our home a few times this week but I won't live there until we have electricity - which is supposed to happen within a few days. We also have to up an extra dog fence with some gates to partition off the side yard for our pack of now 3 dogs in the yard (used to have one but we recued another ("Survivor") and are also keeping my mom-in-law's dog, Roxie for a while. We need to do a lot of clearing brush on our property, mowing, weeding, mending fences, as well as cleaning the interior and getting current with our acounts but I'm up for it. Today I spent three hours cleaning the parking lot of the office building while Myron mowed the lawn...in the hot sun...with a hat but no sunscreen. I felt like Sally Field in that movie where she picked cotton. I've ived at our home in New Orleans for 2 1/2 years but have hardly pulled a weed as it was kind of foreign to me -- I've lived in rentals or in condos for so long. I think I'm going to do more of that now and make the home feel like mine.

I've been greatly uplifted this week by the Tom Delay indichtment and am eagerly anticipating the results of Fitzgerald's investigtaion. Doesn't the period expire at the end of October?

Thanks for asking about me. My best to all of you. I'm enjoying the posts so much, as always.

BTW, Hi Pallas!!! Just an aside...Pallas has been in touch with me, reaching out with great concern and much generosity. Pat C has also been in touch. But I know I have been in the thoughts of all the AWers and you have been in mine.

Lastly, sending a great deal of love to PatQOP.

Love,
Sharon

Posted by: on October 1, 2005 05:44 AM

PQ!

It's wonderful to see those words tumbling from your creative brain.
It's amazing how Eric's departure was so perfectly timed with this change in direction seemingly going on in this country. I think he waited till he knew things would be all right for the remaining souls.

This from the NYT:

>>Federal auditors said on Friday that the Bush administration violated the law by buying favorable news coverage of President Bush’s education policies, by making payments to the conservative commentator Armstrong Williams and by hiring a public relations company to analyze media perceptions of the Republican Party.

In a blistering report, the investigators, from the Government Accountability Office, said the administration had disseminated “covert propaganda” in the United States, in violation of a statutory.<<

more...http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/01/politics/01educ.html

Posted by: jm on October 1, 2005 07:45 AM

How odd that this would turn up in the wake of last weekend's D.C. protests:

Rare Germ Found in D.C., but No Terror Fears
Tularemia Is Highly Infectious; Can Cause Pneumonia and Systemic Infection
http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/Health/story?id=1174699

Posted by: NEOBuckeye on October 1, 2005 08:30 AM

Sharon,

I appreciate your reports from that ghastly but recovering scene. This will be such an enduring powerful memory for the rest of your life. It sounds like you are experiencing it from all angles and depths, which is so wise. It will be interesting to see how it changes your life now. Let us know.

Posted by: jm on October 1, 2005 08:39 AM

We get a Mars retrograde every two years..right?
Not too often. I think it's for the purpose of halting the forward motion and modifying the direction.
Easy enough. We've got a few months.

Posted by: jm on October 1, 2005 09:24 AM

I been thinking... we could be at a fascinating point in this country's history. Since The USA Mars is going retrograde by progression for the first time, lasting 80 years, that's bound to change our direction. Someplace we've never been.
I'm curious. Could be something worth looking at.

Posted by: jm on October 1, 2005 09:36 AM

Hi Aw'rs,
I'm back..........sort of. It was nice to have the week............no commitments. I did have to battle my son-in-law, to avoid going to NJ (550miles) for a memorial service there. ( We have planned one here)
Car is spitting fuel inside the engine and my own grief process is more frozen imoblization, than copious weeping, at this point. ( mars station 23 tau. ( 12th) house directly opposite n moon 23 scorpio.
I can understand Dubya's deer frozen in the headlights stance
with a 12th house sun......if not sympathize with.
Not presidential material!!!!!!

Didn't someone say Jo was traveling in Europe? Hi, Jo enjoy!!!

Sharon, my thoughts have been with you, even tho I havn't expressed them. Did you ever find your Mother-in-law's cat?
I'm looking forward to your comments from ground 0 when you have time from clean-up.
I saw a John Norquist ( former Democratic mayor of Milwaukee on PBS ) talking about the remake of NO. Favors vouchers & trashing the city as it had been. I found him rather chilling, (slitty reptillian eyes) so l googled him to find he was born in Princeton Oct 22, to a minister; no relation to Grover. The point? Consciousness raising is a non-partisan effort!!!!!!

A dear old friend, my role model and first to purchase a painting from me......... also passed away, on Sept. 1, so Eric is in very good company!
Love you all..
PQ

Posted by: Pat QOP on October 1, 2005 12:36 PM

Good morning, AWers. And what a good morning it is. Sharon, I do hope you can at least keep a diary of what's going on--preferably one that's on-line. Your snap-shot today provides excellent insight into what's "really" going on in NOLA. It would be fascinating to have a series of such snap-shots.

Oh, Pat QOP! So happy to hear from you, too. You are an inspiration, as always. Your insights into yourself and your unabashed sharing of them are just remarkable. Keep going, one step at a time.

Posted by: shylurker on October 1, 2005 01:10 PM

Thank you Shy,...
The mirroring is very valuable and needed now. With Mars in the 12th, I do have my detractors..............and some lack of self confidence!
BTW....Sen Kyl's aid was not interested in hearing what I had to say.........black mark on his name!
PQ

Posted by: Pat QOP on October 1, 2005 01:38 PM


Israelis urge U.S. to stop Iran's nuke goals
By David R. Sands
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published September 30, 2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The United States and its allies must act to stop Iran's nuclear programs -- by force if necessary -- because conventional diplomacy will not work, three senior Israeli lawmakers from across the political spectrum warned yesterday.
As a last resort, they said, Israel itself would act unilaterally to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear arms.
Iran will not be deterred "by anything short of a threat of force," said Arieh Eldad, a member of Israel's right-wing National Union Party, part of a delegation of Knesset members visiting Washington this week.
"They won't be stopped unless they are convinced their programs will be destroyed if they continue," he said.

http://www.washtimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20050929-114709-2065r

Posted by: wv on October 1, 2005 03:09 PM

Pat POQ what a gift to find you here this saturday morning. I can only echo shylurker's thoughts -you bring us illumination in your honest sharing.

Sharon, the delight continues while reading your post keep the "snapshots" coming.

NeoBuckeye hey thanks for that post on tularemia.

jm, you set me thinking with your continued exploration of the shift. i share much of what you are expressing both physically and intuitively.

AWers all, it is a pleasure to be in such fine company. i thank each of you for the wisdom you bring.

Posted by: tseka on October 1, 2005 03:30 PM


One thing that will have to be considered before
New Orleans is rebuilt is the mold inside of all
the homes that were underwater, and even in some
that won't. They will be uninhabitable and will
have to be destroyed. To let people return to those houses will mean a slow death from the mold, and certainly not a place for children or the elderly.
I have only seen Olbermann mention this problem.

Posted by: wv on October 1, 2005 03:38 PM

Just a quick Saturday morning note:

Although I have volunteered for the Red Cross, which is definitely part of the gop party, I've done so as a way to legally get into the affected areas to help people... but I wouldn't give them
a cent...not one centimo.

If anyone is going to contributre money
to New Orleans and Katrina, I highly reccomend Habitat for Humanity who will and are building houses for the displaced.

And also to any of the animal saving societies...I like Noah's wish...which is very fitting for this tragedy.

Gotta run, but HI Sharon! Good to hear from you.

Posted by: Pallas1800 on October 1, 2005 05:22 PM

When the city of NO is rebuilt will the rebuilt city be called "New 'New Orleans'"?

Posted by: Raj on October 1, 2005 07:55 PM


October 2, 2005
Stumbling Storm-Aid Effort Put Tons of Ice on Trips to Nowhere
By SCOTT SHANE and ERIC LIPTON
WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 - When the definitive story of the confrontation between Hurricane Katrina and the United States government is finally told, one long and tragicomic chapter will have to be reserved for the odyssey of the ice.

Ninety-one thousand tons of ice cubes, that is, intended to cool food, medicine and sweltering victims of the storm. It would cost taxpayers more than $100 million, and most of it would never be delivered.

The somewhat befuddled heroes of the tale will be truckers like Mark Kostinec, who was dropping a load of beef in Canton, Ohio, on Sept. 2 when his dispatcher called with an urgent government job: Pick up 20 tons of ice in Greenville, Pa., and take it to Carthage, Mo., a staging area for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/02/national/nationalspecial/02ice.html?ei=5094&en=806ad9870e2c625c&hp=&ex=1128225600&partner=homepage&pagewanted=print

Posted by: wv on October 1, 2005 08:05 PM

http://villagevoice.com/blogs/bushbeat/archive/001904.php

snip...

A tremendous amount of hard work by reporters and NGOs is responsible for what we know so far about the dealings of Jack Abramoff and Tom DeLay. A ton of material has been made public over the past few years.

But one of the key exposés was a February 22, 2004 story by Susan Schmidt of the Washington Post, revealing the Indian tribes' huge payments to Mike Scanlon, a DeLay aide who wound up working for Abramoff.

For a concise rundown of Abramoff's career, check out the blistering backgrounder by Texans for Public Justice that traces Abramoff's wheeling and dealings from his days as a shill for South Africa's apartheid regime to his exalted status as a "Pioneer" fundraiser for George W. Bush.

Those are just starting points. But you'll need them, because the two-pronged scandal shoots off in all directions. Abramoff and DeLay are two of the most connected influence-peddlers D.C. has ever seen, so the gunk from this spill covers a lot of territory. And only now is the scandal reaching critical mass as far as the public is concerned.

That must have something to do with the ouster — however temporary it turns out to be — of arguably the most powerful person in Congress.

More...

Posted by: Pat C on October 1, 2005 08:31 PM

Yahoo headlines 'Prosecutors quiet after Miller's
testimony'.That certainly looks like the CALM before the STORM. Next week, as early as Monday or
Tuesday, the fireworks will herald the beginning
of the end for shrub's robbery of WHouse.

Posted by: Raj on October 1, 2005 11:17 PM

Indeed they are Raj---Wayne Madsen says that the WH is waiting until the Plame case info is released to announce their next SCOTUS pick thereby hoping to bury/trump it in the news cycle.....

Posted by: Garry on October 1, 2005 11:46 PM


Raj, I love it! New New Orleans....that should (and maybe will) be picked up by the Chamber of Commerce, etc. Alot of the old New Orleans is intact and, yes, there will be some areas of boutique housing, probably done in the old architectural styles. That has been happening anyway. The city has been very stringent about knocking down old architecture to this point and you needed a permit. I think they will monitor the new construction styles closely. The ones that have been built in the last few years seem to be lovely, clean and modern. They have come out in all price ranges from $100,00 on up.

WV, you are very right...mold is a serious concern. My husband, Myron, is a building scientist and mold consultant (about to go get another certification). There are definitely ways to get rid of superficial mold, such as using bleach to clean it, but it is best if moldy sheetrock is replaced and porous things are thrown out. Masks should be warn as it becomes airborne when moved around. Not all mold is dangerous but, since people can't tell until it's been identified (and labs often offer conflicting opionions on mold types), it's best to err on the cautious side. We have lots of workers who don't wear masks and gloves (although we advise them to) and they haven't even gotten a cold. So, it depends on the person, their immune system and the type of mold. I've been around it and worn gloves most of the time. At this point, we've removed the affected layers of sheetrock from the apartments at risk and have fans and a/c running, as well as open shades to let the sun in. We're advising people to throw out anything moldy or, if non porous, to clean it well with bleach. This all seems to be working. We had 1 foot of water at these apartments and we think it drained in a few days. It's the homes that have had 4-10 ft of water for 1-2 weeks that should not be lived in until they are completely renovated. Many may not be worth the money but certain people, like one city councilman, have announced they are rebuilding from the studs.

All the best,
Sharon

Posted by: on October 2, 2005 12:31 AM

Pat QoP, lovely to hear from you, and am in awe of your indomitable spirit.
Pallas, great!! of you to WORK/ not contribute with/ to Red Cross. H for H is spawn also, although they do good work. I think if we cross off all the organizations started & headed by the illuminous ones, there'd be none left.
I'm reading that the west is the next place planned for military strategic needs, everybody knows about Idaho getting rocked by successive quakes?
Beautiful weather we're having in central Il. this weekend, hope ya'll are enjoying some too!!!

Posted by: Peg on October 2, 2005 02:05 AM

Well, do tell!!! They've just announced the discovery of a moon surrounding the "10th planet" Xena--so what did they name it? Gabrielle, of course...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051002/ap_on_sc/new_planet_moon

Posted by: Garry on October 2, 2005 02:34 AM


Why not Torture Judith Miller?

By Mike Whitney

10/01/05 "ICH" -- -- Let's see if I got this right?

The New York Times star investigative reporter, Judith Miller, spent 12 weeks in the hoosegow only to discover that she actually had permission to testify before the Federal grand jury the whole time? Is this what the Times means when they say that she had to confirm that she "finally received a direct and uncoerced waiver" from her source. (Ass. Chief of staff, "Scooter" Libby)

Oh, so it was all just a big mistake?

The facts, however, indicate that there may have been other factors that led to Miller changing her mind, including the prospect of spending another 60 days in the slammer. Apparently, her role of "martyr for the First amendment" has a shelf-life of about 12 weeks after which she returns to her day-job of dissembling pawn for the ruling party.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10481.htm

Posted by: wv on October 2, 2005 02:42 AM

Watching Faux News: America's Most Wanted Criminals...a millionaire gunned down after huge squabbles with Abramoff and Co. Connection to the mob evident. This is also part of the probe.

Posted by: Beasley on October 2, 2005 02:45 AM

Pallas, what about his Vx at 23 Sag? And his progressed Mc and Uranus at about 21 Gemini? Also progressed ascendent nearing 22 Virgo. And progressed moon at about 20 Sag.? The projections are for 2006, but close enough now to be felt.

Posted by: Beasley on October 2, 2005 02:58 AM

Poll: Is the Delay indictment 'politically motivated'?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9553862/site/newsweek/#survey

Posted by: shylurker on October 2, 2005 03:10 AM

Hi Beasley.

I have his vertex at 17 Sag in the 5th house in the relocated chart to DC.

Haven't done up the progressed chart to see what the progressed MC & Uranus are aspecting...but nataly his Uranus conjunct his North Node trine Jupiter is what has always saved his ass...so I wouldn't be happy to see his natal Uranus being triggerd -

On the other hand with transiting Pluto opposing progressed Uranus PAST the natal trine, the world may luck out :)

Posted by: Pallas1800 on October 2, 2005 03:20 AM

By the way, does anyone recall what happened around last Mar/April- was there any expose of the bush-sham of any kind?

There was an eclipse of dumbya's relocated MC to Washington DC 19 Aries on April 8.

Well there;s another one coming up October 17 at 25 Aries . In his natal birth chart at New Haven it is exactly on his MC, but whether Crawford or Wash
DC the eclipse is within 5 degrees of his relocated MC's.

Pass the bon bons please.

Posted by: Pallas1800 on October 2, 2005 03:37 AM

About half way down the page right hand side. The article is the new planet Xena and her sidekick moon Gabrielle. Gods what the heck would that astrology be!!!!

Do you think the so-called 10th planet should be named after TV character Xena?

Yes
No
I don't care

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/10/01/new.planet.moon.ap/index.html

PS Yup have a New Moon Solar Eclipse ditty in the works.

Posted by: Morgana on October 2, 2005 05:48 PM


Because the Libra New Moon rules love and relationship, this is the most powerful New Moon for bringing new love into your life. This year, the Libra New Moon has a lot of help from a group of very powerful configurations and a solar eclipse. This should make all your ritual work (and there are a lot of suggestions in this Moon Message) potently real and meaningful.

First the configurations: Let's start with the mystic rectangle, which includes a Sun/Moon/South Node in Libra sextile Saturn in Leo and opposing North Node in Aries, and Neptune in Aquarius opposing Saturn in Leo and sextile the North Node in Aries. Mystic rectangles usually focus the energy of the chart into a center axis point of concentrated effort. Notice that this particular grouping of planets speaks to clashing attitudes about power and what it means to be in proper relationship with each other. Saturn in Leo and North Node in Aries embody the conservative voices among us that cling to worn out ideologies of strategic war making and power consolidation in order to control the rest of the world and its resources. Sun/Moon/South Node in Libra and Neptune in Aquarius represent the way of negotiation and working together to find alternative, unique solutions to the world's political, religious, energy, and eco/geopolitical problems.

http://www.astrowisdom.com/thisnewmoon.htm

Posted by: wv on October 2, 2005 06:48 PM


New Orleans returnees face health risks
Contaminated water, mold among problems

Friday, September 30, 2005; Posted: 8:00 p.m. EDT (00:00 GMT)

Merry McSwain cleans glasses salvaged from her home Friday in New Orleans' lakeview area.
Image:


New Orleans (Louisiana)
Health
Diseases
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
or Create Your Own
Manage Alerts | What Is This? NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- Doctors prepared for a possible surge in the number of patients in New Orleans on Friday as many residents returned to begin the long process of rebuilding their lives after Hurricane Katrina.

Contaminated water, mold and the dusty sediment left behind when the city was pumped dry are some of the key health threats facing residents, according to Dr. Frederick Cerise, the head of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

"We've been testing around the city and it's not consistently clean and that's because there are still leaks in the system," Cerise said.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/09/30/hurricanes.health/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Posted by: wv on October 2, 2005 07:28 PM


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 questions about murder of the Big Easy
- Mike Davis, Anthony Fontenot
Sunday, October 2, 2005

The most toxic debris in New Orleans isn't the sinister gray sludge that coats the streets of the historic Creole neighborhood of Treme or the Lower Ninth Ward, but all the unanswered questions that have accumulated in the wake of so much official betrayal and hypocrisy.

Where outsiders see simple "incompetence" or "failure of leadership," locals are more inclined to discern deliberate design and planned neglect -- the murder, not the accidental death, of a great city.

Here are 25 of the urgent questions that deeply trouble the local people we spoke with on a trip to New Orleans and South Louisiana. Until a grand jury or congressional committee begins to uncover the answers, the moral (as opposed to simply physical) reconstruction of the New Orleans region will remain impossible.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/10/02/INGSHEVHR31.DTL&type=printable

Posted by: wv on October 2, 2005 08:04 PM

The astrology of Xena (pure speculation but interesting)...

http://www.karmastrology.com/Xena.shtml

Posted by: Morgana on October 2, 2005 08:06 PM

Just want this spread far and wide.

From a friend:

Bush wants to union-bust AFGE out of VA, resulting in the forced termination of 30,000+
VA career employees. That's right, one of the biggest union-busting efforts ever!

Dismantling VA
Larry Scott | September 29, 2005
The Senator's aide chuckled rather loudly and said, "What VA? By the time this administration is done there won't be a VA." Our conversation had begun with a discussion of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA's) healthcare budget, and quickly came down to a single, simple point. VA is being dismantled.

CONTINUED: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,,77901,00.html

Posted by: Pat C on October 2, 2005 08:21 PM

Bush directly involved in leak?
Read the article and then be sure to see the cartoon at the link in comment number 10 under it:

http://thinkprogress.org/2005/10/02/bush-directly-involved/

Posted by: Garry on October 2, 2005 08:41 PM

news http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00004.htm

Posted by: mike on October 2, 2005 10:25 PM

Hi, well....as I was driving up to the place where I have been doing murals, I was listening to Air America on William Bennett's incredible pronunciations on black babies and crime....and i wondered, is the pressure getting to all these guys? Is the camel trying to get thru the eye of the needle, and they can't maintain their scrim of respectablitly (in GOP eyes, they never had any in most of our eyes)....and they are spouting their true beliefs? These guys....shouting out that their views are normal and right....like pirranha on a minnow...then I read an interesting piece in the new Mother Jones on Edward J. von Kloberg III ,who died (suicided) a few months ago. In an article called Shame is for Sissies, read how these guys operate ...he was the most flamboyent and unappologetic about his business (doing buiness with notorious dictators)....he had style, but those who emulate him (DeLay comes to mind) are deadly serious.
http://www.motherjones.com/news/outfront/2005/09/shame_sissies.html
and.....

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2005/09/armageddon.html

Strangely enough, Mother Jones just came the other day, but about 3 weeks ago we were given an assignment in the silk screening class I take to use symbols in a piece of work....and I chose 'radiation'.....but it was just such an overpowering feeling (the teacher mentioned using the pieces for Xmas presents.....like who would want RADIATION art? I still did the piece)....and then MJ comes, sits on my table for days, and I looked at it....and it is a piece of art by a Japanese artist, really great, a guy with radiation symbols for eyeballs...Welcome to the Garden of Armageddon.....
(proud to be a monthly contributer to their investigative fund)..

Posted by: judi g on October 2, 2005 11:50 PM

Since we had a music discussion here awhile ago, I thought I'd post this--guess who's making a GWB protest album? BURT BACHARACH!!!

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE420051002083640&Page=4&Title=Features+-+People+%26+Lifestyle&Topic=0

Posted by: Garry on October 3, 2005 12:23 AM

Jonathan Alter: the most corrupt congress in the history of the country:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9557669/site/newsweek/

Posted by: judi g on October 3, 2005 12:55 AM

Surprise, surprise--Iraq war hampered
Katrina response:

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article316682.ece

Posted by: Garry on October 3, 2005 03:44 AM

hmmmm. according to the Mirror UK, Margaret Thatcher is being tied to the investigation of DeLay's scamming ways...http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16201986&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=keep-it-sealed-keep-it-secret--name_page.html

I can just imagine the run up to the Saturn opposing Neptune.....

Posted by: judi g on October 3, 2005 03:58 AM
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