Un économiste norvégien (Morten Jerven) fout la merde avec son ouvrage « Poor numbers »
RFI
Par Jean-Pierre Boris
Le milieu des économistes qui s’intéressent à l’Afrique est traversé par une violente polémique. Au coeur du débat : le livre d’un économiste norvégien travaillant au Canada. Morten Jerven vient de publier Poor numbers (Pauvres chiffres, ndlr). Ce livre met en cause l’exactitude des statistiques économiques sur l’Afrique.
Présentation du livre : http://africanarguments.org/2012/11/20/poor-numbers-how-we-are-misled-by-african-development-statistics-a
C’était dans l’air depuis un moment, mais l’auteur met sérieusement les pieds dans le plat !
Fermeture des écoles publiques à Chicago et à Washington (où les écoles seront offerts à des exploitants privés...)
DC mayor to offer closed schools to charter operators - World Socialist Web Site
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/05/23/dcps-m23.html
DC mayor to offer closed schools to charter operators
By Nick Barrickman
23 May 2013
A new announcement by Vincent C. Gray, Democratic mayor of Washington, DC would see 12 former public facilities opened up for long-term leasing to charter schools in the District of Columbia, with an additional four receiving short-term rights. The announcement comes days after the rejection of an injunction in Federal court which was intended to halt the planned closures of 15 public schools this year and next.
et
Chicago officials release final list of 49 school closures - World Socialist Web Site
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/05/23/chic-m23.html
Chicago officials release final list of 49 school closures
By Kristina Betinis
23 May 2013
In the face of mass opposition, the Chicago Board of Education released its final list of school closings Tuesday, announcing the closure of 49 elementary schools and one high school program this year. The city has shuttered public schools every year since 2001, but the latest round is the largest yet, and one of the biggest mass shutdown of schools in US history.
DroneShield: crowdfunded, networked drone detectors - Boing Boing
http://boingboing.net/2013/05/03/droneshield-crowdfunded-netw.html
http://media.boingboing.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/a88d9f100657c844c46320e9ab8c9b0f1-300x258.jpg
DroneShield is an indieGOGO project from a DC aerospace engineer that aims to build a tiny, net-connected drone-detector/identifier. Based on a Raspberry Pi gumstick computer, it uses a mic to detect the audio signature of nearby drones, and then communicates about its findings over the Internet. The project promises free/open hardware and software specs on its main site.
Tens of thousands rally in Washington for immigrant rights - World Socialist Web Site
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/04/12/migr-a12.html
Tens of thousands rally in Washington for immigrant rights
By Bill Van Auken
12 April 2013
Tens of thousands of immigrant workers and their supporters marched in Washington, DC on Wednesday to demand legislation legalizing the status of some 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States and offering them full citizenship.
Significant demonstrations also took place in Atlanta, Los Angeles and several other cities amid reports that the so-called Gang of Eight Democratic and Republican US senators is preparing to unveil an immigration package by early next week.
Three Experts Explain Why North Korea Keeps Ratcheting Tensions | NK News – North Korea News
L’opinion de trois experts
http://www.nknews.org/2013/04/three-experts-explain-why-north-korea-keeps-ratcheting-tensions
With a seemingly never-ending cycle of threats and counter-threats, North Korea has been in the news at an unusually high frequency in recent weeks.
http://www.nknews.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/North-Korea-Artillery-Threats.jpg
From the North Korean side, threats of “pre-emptive nuclear strikes”, a severance of military hotlines, and the potential closure of the only joint run inter-Korean industrial complex (Kaesong) have all been on the cards in recent days and weeks.
tmcw/ration · GitHub
https://github.com/tmcw/ration
Ration out items in a list in a set amount of time.
tmcw/togeojson · GitHub
https://github.com/tmcw/togeojson
This converts KML into GeoJSON, in a browser or with nodejs.
Peut être une piste pour gérer les kmls dans #GIS pour #SPIP à la place du plugin utilisé pour l’instant...
via ►http://macwright.org/2013/04/01/recently.html
#map #geojson #kml #javascript
tmcw/leaflet-pip · GitHub
https://github.com/tmcw/leaflet-pip
A Leaflet-friendly API for point in polygon operations, using substack’s point in polygon library.
Corée du Nord : les violations des droits humains n’existent pas. Il faut le dire très vite !
Human Rights Abuses “Don’t Exist” In North Korea, KCNA Says | NK News – North Korea News
http://www.nknews.org/2013/03/human-rights-abuses-dont-exist-in-north-korea-says-kcna
WASHINGTON DC – State media outlet KCNA claimed yesterday that “there does not exist human rights abuses and they can not exist” in North Korea. Angry over a UN inquiry announced last week to investigate North Korean human rights abuses, the claim was made in an editorial attacking South Korea for its involvement in the UN action.
600 children living in Washington, DC homeless shelter - World Socialist Web Site
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/02/14/home-f14.html
600 children living in Washington, DC homeless shelter
By Naomi Spencer
14 February 2013
Washington, DC, offers one of the starkest portraits of the social crisis in America. At the District’s former General Hospital, a shelter for homeless families houses 372 adults and some 600 children in tiny living quarters. Families sleep with their scant belongings in areas barely bigger than office cubicles.
Petraeus: the Plot Thickens - WhoWhatWhy
http://whowhatwhy.com/2013/02/05/petraeus-the-plot-thickens-1
By bringing to such a gathering a younger woman who aroused such suspicion, Petraeus was already exhibiting the kind of recklessness not uncommon to highly ambitious people on the rapid ascent. This was especially true given the stakes involved—and Petraeus’s own formidable enemies within the US government.
The New 52 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_52
An interview with DC Comics executive editor Eddie Berganza and editor-in-chief Bob Harras revealed that the new continuity does not constitute a full reboot of the DC Universe but rather a “soft reboot”. While many characters underwent a reboot or revamp, much of the DC Universe’s history has remained intact
Je suis assez content d’avoir arrêté les comics mainstream quand je lis cette énième tentative de relancer les ventes, pour être sincère.
Islamic Green Lantern introduced by DC Comics | Books | guardian.co.uk
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/sep/06/islamic-green-lantern-dc-comics
Simon Baz, the muscular protagonist in his early 20s with the Arabic word for courage, “al-shuja’a,” tattooed on his arm, is the latest example of superhero diversity in the comic book world. His debut comes after DC unveiled a gay Green Lantern in June and Marvel Comics presented a half-black, half-Latino Spider-Man last year.
Aujourd’hui, j’ai trouvé encore plus lourdement sexiste qu’un informaticien de base, un photographe à gros objectif ou un vendeur de magasin de bricolage : un vendeur de matériel pour audiophile .
A la base, je venais chercher : une nouvelle cellule ou un stylus pour ma platine vinyle (dans le temps on disait tête de lecture pour la cellule et saphir/diamant pour le stylus), un nouveau tapis (en caoutchouc ou liège) pour remplacer le mien en feutre (le feutre n’est pas antistatique, c’est donc pénible de voir le tapis systématiquement coller aux disques).
Le gars n’a eu de cesse de me prendre de haut, de considérer que forcément ma platine est mal réglée, et merdique de surcroît (une entrée de gamme dans le genre platine de salon, avec un bon rapport qualité prix pour tout le monde, sauf pour lui), que le seul moyen de me sauver est de lui ramener ma platine, lui laisser une semaine et dire amen à son devis de réglage et d’installation de cellule.
Je passe les détails de la condescendance, les yeux au ciel et le sourire méprisant... Au final, il a donc refusé de me vendre un tapis en caoutchouc et le saphir de mon choix ou même celui de série d’origine ! Sans son intervention et sa main d’œuvre, pas de salut : c’est sur je ne saurais pas changer moi-même ma tête de lecture. Il ne m’a jamais demandé ce que j’attendais de mon écoute de disque par exemple (je n’ai pas des goûts poussés en terme de son, je ne veux pas être DJ et je suis très contente de mon « tourne-disque pourri » aha !), ni si le reste de mon matériel nécessitait autre chose que la cellule que je voulais... ni, bien sûr si j’avais l’habitude le faire moi-même.
Pourquoi me poser des questions, môsieur sait
et n’est pas à un paradoxe prêt : ma platine c’est de la merde mais il peut en faire un bolide !
Il m’a bien fait scier. Refusant de me retrouver dans la même situation face à un autre vendeur, retour @home et recherche sur la fabrication de tapis #diy (ces trucs coutent un pont en plus !) et possibilité ou pas d’en trouver d’occasion en caoutchouc pour trois fois rien.
Voici du coup, quelques liens de casual hacking pour dire merde aux audiophiles à la con :
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PCMvqMhvCow/TdQm4hcvGVI/AAAAAAAAAI8/--gGV8MMH5c/s320/MATDIY8.jpg
http://vinylreprise.blogspot.be/2011/05/diy-cork-turntable-mat-in-30-minutes.html
http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=25713
http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=15112
http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=87&t=42740
http://db.audioasylum.com/mhtml/m.html?forum=tweaks&n=181424&highlight=carborundum&search_url=%2Fcgi
http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/januse.html
http://www.tnt-audio.com/gif/janus.jpg
Purpose and Function of the Turntable Mat
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/ttmat.html
Mon favori, fait avec un matelas de yoga :
http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g397/mmadden27/DSCN1309.jpg
Construis toi-même ta platine :
http://www.decdun.me.uk/tt/mytt.JPG
http://www.decdun.me.uk/turntables.html
http://attitube.com/diy-record-player/diy-record-player
http://attitube.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/glider_front_full_02-963x1024.jpg
Va dans un magasin de DJs, tu auras plus de chance de tomber sur un vrai passionné.
Niveau cellule, je te recommande la shure m44-7 (excellent rapport qualité/prix). Merci pour les liens.
Pas la première fois que j’entends un témoignage de ce genre sur les vendeurs de matériel audio, que le client soit fille ou garçon. Bosser dans l’audio donnerait-il un complexe de supériorité ? :)
Je suis informaticien de base, je viens d’en apprendre de belles sur moi.
@stephane : ne me dis pas que tu n’as jamais assisté à ce genre de scène dans les métiers de l’informatique. Mais ne t’inquiètes pas pour la réputation de ton métier, ce type a battu un peu tous les records de « ma bonne dame » et du mépris technologique.
@0gust1 Merci pour le conseil. J’ai été voir mais à priori la shure est trop lourde pour le bras de ma platine. @alexcorp Parler de cette façon à quelqu’un, quel que soit son sexe ou son genre, vraiment, pour moi c’est inadmissible. Dans ce cas, je pense qu’il s’est particulièrement lâché avec moi par sexisme, mais je ne peux assurer qu’il aurait été génialement ouvert avec un homme qui aurait eu la même demande, mais son attitude n’aurait, je crois pas atteint ce degré supérieur de condescendance.
The Big Sexy Problem with #Superheroines and Their ’Liberated Sexuality’ - ComicsAlliance | Comic book culture, news, humor, commentary, and reviews
http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/09/22/starfire-catwoman-sex-superheroine
Yesterday, two new comic books from the “New 52” relaunch of DC Comics provoked some online controversy: Catwoman and Red Hood and the Outlaws. They were controversial in particular because of the way they depicted women, notably with the aggressively fanfictiony on-panel sex between Batman and Catwoman, and Starfire’s transformation into a promiscuous tabula rasa who can’t even remember the names of the men she sleeps with, and seeks out emotionless sex with both of the two male main characters while they essentially high five about it.
Since pointing out my issues with Starfire yesterday, I have received numerous e-mails — from men — accusing me of slut-shaming. Since there are a lot of people who don’t understand the sexual dynamics that are in play here both creatively and culturally, I’d like to dissect this a little bit and explain why these scenes don’t support sexually liberated women; they undermine them, and why after nearly 20 years of reading superhero books, these may finally have been the comics that broke me.
Understanding the Syrian Opposition: A #Turkish, #American, and #Syrian Dialogue http://www.rethinkinstitute.org/index.php/81-sample-data-articles/global-justice/79-upcoming-event
NIH centre aims to match scientists with discarded drugs : Nature News Blog
http://blogs.nature.com/news/2012/05/nih-centre-aims-to-match-scientists-with-discarded-drugs.html
A cache of at least 24 drugs abandoned during development by three major pharmaceutical companies will become available to scientists seeking novel therapeutic uses for them under a new, competitive awards programme, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and executives from the drug companies announced today.
Punk rock … alive and kicking in a repressive state near you (The Guardian)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/mar/17/punk-rock-state-oppression-burma
Towards the end of our conversation, I ask him the inevitable question: what appeals to him about a music and subculture that will soon be 40 years old? His answer is spoken with the same passion you would have found in London during the hot punk summer of 1976. “It’s simply an expression of freedom,” he says. “It has those do-it-yourself values. And it’s always opposed to the dominant culture. That’s why people like it.” Source: The Guardian
The Political Consequences of a #Drones-First Policy - Joshua Foust - International - The Atlantic
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2012/01/the-political-consequences-of-a-drones-first-policy/252129
Future drone technology, which includes making the planes autonomous, are unnerving to many of us who wonder about the substantial costs imposed by the current, human-controlled aircraft.There are no immediate plans for an autonomous lethal drone yet — all of the automated systems will be for surveillance and resupplying ground troops — but the rush to robots in warfare is worrying. There just isn’t enough thought about what consequences these systems impose on U.S. policy. There needs to be.
State of Deception — Imprint-The Online Community for Graphic Designers
http://imprint.printmag.com/branding/state-of-deception
What is the role of the printed word and image in collectively inciting societies to brand certain members and groups as evil, and to convince the citizenry to condone—if not incite—murder?
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT WILL BE ASKED TO DISBAR TOM GIRARDI, WALTER LACK, HOWARD RICE’S JEROME FALK FOR SCHEME TO CIRCUMVENT NINTH CIRCUIT ORDER IN MATTER OF “IN RE GIRARDI”
<p style="text-align: justify;">Contending that Howard Rice’s Jerome Falk, acting as Special Prosecutor on behalf of the State Bar of California, repeatedly sought to subvert justice by failing to disclose that those he was suppose to prosecute (Thomas Girardi of Girardi & Keese and Walter Lack of Engstrom Lipscomb & Lack) were actually his and his firm’s clients, sources familiar with the situation claim plans are underway to seek the disbarment of Girardi, Lack and Falk.<br /><br />In a letter to Jerome Falk and the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California, complainant minced no words in accusing Falk (as well as Girardi and Lack) of egregious misconduct.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As a service to the community, we shall publish* the communication, below:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Dear Mr. Falk:<br /> <br /> This will serve as a formal meet and confer attempt regarding various matters, primarily relating to your repugnant and continuous deceitful actions taken in connection with your willingness to serve as a special prosecutor on behalf of the State Bar of California against two of your and your firm’s clients (Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack) as part of a scheme to exploit your authority as special prosecutor for financial gain.<br /> <br /> In addition, this letter will serve to explore potential misconduct in connection with misrepresentations made to an official tribunal (i.e. the RAD Committee of the State Bar of California Board of Governors (“BOG”)) that appointed a special master in proceedings I initiated against you.</p>
<p><img src='http://static3.seenthis.net/►http://vietnam.eastmeetswest.org/images/staff&board/jfalk08.jpg" alt="" width="185" height="246" /><br /> <em>Mr. Jerome Falk of Howard Rice (Image:courtesy photo)</em><br /> <br /> To illustrate my point, State Bar of California Board of Governors member William Gailey is a man of high honor with a prior distinguished career as a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. Presently, he operates his own investigation firm (<a href="http://www.gaileyassociates.com/William-Gailey.htm">Gailey Associates, Inc</a>.), which as I understand is one of the best in the country and offers a wide array of services, including industrial espionage and the like.<br /> <br /> Assume, hypothetically speaking only, that Mr. X is an industrialist and a client of Gailey Associates in connection with various business-related transactions. Assume also that Mr. X, while a client of Gailey Associates, was charged by the federal government for participating in a conspiracy to kidnap and murder Mr. Y, the owner of a competing business located in Los Angeles. Mr. X is tried and convicted and sentenced to serve a 30 year sentence in a federal correctional facility. However, after one year he is mysteriously pardoned by the U.S. president.<br /> <br /> Public and media pressure prompt the Los Angeles District Attorney to file an information against Mr. X for violations of State Penal Code provisions, including PC 182 and 187 in connection with the crimes Mr. X committed against Mr. Y. A shortage of qualified detectives prompts the DA to seek volunteer detectives, and Mr. Gailey is deputized, issued a badge, and appointed the role of lead detective in amassing the case against Mr. X on behalf of the People.<br /> <br /> Mr. Gailey shortly thereafter announces the closure of the investigation, and declares that, as far as he is concerned, Mr. X is innocent. As a second hypothetical, assume that with these facts in mind, Mr. Gailey is instead an attorney in private practice who is deputized to act as special prosecutor to try Mr. X, and likewise Mr. Gailey declares Mr. X to be innocent. <br /> <br /> If you don’t see anything wrong with the above two hypothetical examples, please delete this email; otherwise, keep reading because the above hypo is very similar to the scenario that ensued when you agreed to act as special prosecutor against your clients (Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack) on behalf of the People of the State of California to examine the grave and previously adjudicated attorney misconduct Messrs. Girardi and Lack committed against the Ninth Circuit in the litigation against the Dole Food Company.<br /> <br /> The misconduct on the part of Girardi and Lack was investigated by a special master (Senior Judge Hon. Wallace Tashima) appointed by the Ninth Circuit, and his recommendations were adopted by a panel of three Ninth Circuit judges after a full opportunity was afforded to Girardi and Lack to present defenses and bargain with a special prosecutor (Rory Little); these findings were memorialized in the published decision of <a href="http://www.leagle.com/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=in%20fco%2020100713157.xml&docbase=cslwar3-2007-cu Re Girardi</a>. Some of the findings included that Lack and Girardi have resorted to employing “the persistent use of known falsehoods” and that “false representations” were made “knowingly, intentionally, and recklessly” during years of litigation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img style="margin: 0px;" src='http://static3.seenthis.net/►http://data7.blog.de/media/249/6011249_eb1485d01e_m.jpeg" alt="UC Hastings Prof Rory Little" width="185" height="246" /><br /> <em><span style="font-size: 6px;">Rory Little, Ninth Circuit judicial aspirant and professor of law at U.C. Hastings. Professor Little <a href="http://legalpad.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/ninth-circuit-a.html">was appointed</a> special prosecutor in the matter of In Re Girardi by Chief Judge Alex Kozinski. Prior to entering academia, Professor Little served as a federal prosecutor for the Organized Crime and Racketeering Strike Force, prosecuting cases of labor racketeering, money-laundering, narcotics and other organized criminal activity. (image:courtesy photo)</span></em></p>
<p>As you surely recall, the Ninth Circuit also ordered Girardi and Lack to report the findings to the State Bar of California. Because Howard Miller of Girardi & Keese served as President of the State Bar, the Bar disqualified itself and you were appointed as Special Prosecutor by the State Bar to further look into this matter on behalf of the People.<br /> <br /> Despite ample opportunities, you (nor Lack, Girardi, or members of your firm whom I contacted on several occasions in search of information) mentioned that Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack were your and your firm’s clients. <br /> <br /> Shortly thereafter, when you had issued the decision to “exonerate” Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack (as memorialized in a <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/01/31/jerome-falk-s-letter-to-robert-baker-10474846/">"Dear Bob" letter you sent Mr. Robert Baker</a> of Baker Keener & Nahara), I immediately protested by filing both an ethics complaint with the State Bar of California, and asking the BOG to inquire into the matter. Named in the complaint were yourself, Douglas Wintrhrop, Howard Miller, and <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/06/16/d-e-v-e-l-o-p-i-n-g-james-towery-california-bar-embattled-chief-prosecutor-to-resign-11327086/">James Towery</a>.<br /> <br /> At that time, I was unaware that Girardi and Lack were your clients, and the ethics complaint alleged you were biased because of your and your firm’s ongoing business relationship with Skadden Arps and partner Tom Nolan, who served as Girardi’s defense counsel in the matter of In Re Girardi. Also, I argued that since the State Bar of California had disqualified itself, you and your firm should also have been disqualified as the managing partner of your firm (Douglas Wintrhrop) is an officer of the State Bar of California, and was appointed to the position by the BOG headed by Howard Miller of Girardi & Keese.<br /> <br /> Mr. Robert Hawley immediately appointed himself the point of contact, and only several months ago informed me that the complaint was assigned to RAD, which in turn appointed a special master who examined the complaint and found no ethical violations; <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/07/21/rad-committee-of-state-bar-of-california-adopts-finding-of-no-misconduct-by-james-towery-howard-rice-s-jerry-falk-and-doug-winthrop-11520291/">RAD voted to accept this conclusion</a>.</p>
<p><a title="Mr Tom Girardi of Girardi & Keese" href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/mr_tom_girardi_of_girardi_keese/6013138">
<p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: #000000; font-family: ’Times New Roman’; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #020000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></p>
<p>Nevertheless, the serious nature of the offenses and the harm caused by your corrupt activities (as well as the corrupt activities of Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack, primarily as a result of their failure to speak up and reject your appointment) leaves me no choice but to, again, seek discipline against you, Walter Lack, and Thomas Girardi. Additional factors surrounding Thomas Girardi and Girardi & Keese have also become relevant, including the recent malpractice suits filed by Gutierez and <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/11/03/tom-girardi-lashes-out-at-victim-as-girardi-keese-sued-for-legal-malpractice-12110166/">Demeter Energy</a>; the secretive<a href="►http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/04/05/ethics-complaint-filed-with-california-state-bar-against-skadde"> attorney-client relationship between Girardi & Keese and Skadden Arps</a> in the Fogel vs. Farmers matter, the identity and nature of the firms defending MGA in the litigation against Mattel; <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/07/21/complainant-reply-to-rad-committee-s-decision-as-was-communicated-to-state-bar-s-robert-hawley-11520925/">Alec Chang’s membership on RAD</a>; the overall corruption within the State Bar of California manifested in its unwillingness to prosecute Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack; Girardi’s unsettling<a href="►http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/09/30/muslim-community-of-orange-county-mulls-aiding-ronald-gottschal"> friendship with Ronald George</a> and “mentoring” of former crack-addict Mike Nisperos. These factors, coupled with my impression that the firms of Girardi & Keese, Skadden Arps, and Howard Rice have somehow exempted themselves from complying with the rules, make clear that I must press ahead to ensure that you, Walter Lack, and Thomas Girardi are held fully accountable and otherwise prevented from practicing before any federal or state court.<br /> <br /> As such, in the near future the federal district court, appellate court, and U.S. Supreme Court will be asked to investigate your misconduct (and that of Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack), and to otherwise permanently remove your names from the roll of members allowed to practice before each of those courts. <br /> <br /> Particularly, I plan to ask the Ninth Circuit to appoint a Special Master to investigate the matter, and to reopen the matter of In Re Girardi to examine whether Walter Lack and Thomas Girardi fully complied with the order in the matter of In Re Girardi and to report their misconduct to the State Bar of California. It is my position that the order to report their misconduct to the State Bar of California included an implied covenant that any State Bar of California proceedings would be conducted in good faith and in conformity with all rules and duties and principles consistent with the fair administration of justice. By not speaking up when you were appointed, Messrs. Girardi and Lack further aggravated matters and, arguably, violated the order handed down by the Ninth Circuit.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img style="margin: 0px;" src='http://static3.seenthis.net/►http://data6.blog.de/media/317/4844317_33623fac42_m.jpeg" alt="" width="185" height="246" /><br /> <span style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Mr. Walter Lack of Engstrom Lipscomb & Lack. In the matter of In Re Girardi, the Ninth Circuit adjudicated: “with respect to Respondents Lack and Traina, we conclude that the mitigating factors can affect only the length of the suspension we impose. Although Lack’s involvement in the enforcement proceedings was more long-standing than Traina’s, each was specifically responsible for the falsehoods presented to this court. Consequently, each is suspended from the practice of law in this court for six months, effective on the filing date of this order. Fed. R.App. P. 46(c). Respondents Lack and Traina may each file a petition for reinstatement after the period of suspension pursuant to Ninth Circuit Rule 46-2(h). Each shall file the petition using this docket number and include evidence that he is in good standing, with no discipline pending, in all courts and bars to which he is admitted.” (Image:courtesy photo)</span></span></span></em></span><br /><br /> <br /> Similarly, when Walter Lack sought to reinstate himself via a motion advanced to Ninth Circuit Commissioner Shaw, he relied heavily on the fact that the State Bar of California decided not to discipline him. In aggravation and while exponentially compounding his lack of credibility, Mr. Lack conveniently failed to mention that he and you (who represented the State Bar of California) have an attorney-client relationship, and that your decision to not prosecute him was the fruit of an unlawful and highly unethical scheme.<br /> <br /> In addition, please note that I plan to file a writ with the California Supreme Court seeking to invalidate your decision, and asking the Court to order the State Bar of California to commence proceedings consistent with the State Bar Act and the Rules of Professional Conduct against you, Walter Lack, Thomas Girardi, and your respective firms, and to otherwise take action on the original complaint I submitted to the Intake Office which was never processed.<br /> <br /> The writ will be filed prior to the end of this year so as to allow the Court to also address separate matters, and to otherwise maintain jurisdiction over <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/03/09/californiaall-part-7-state-bar-of-california-board-of-governors-asked-to-investigate-foundation-refusal-to-comply-with-irs-rules-and-policies-10792916/">Douglas Winthrop (also of Howard Rice) and Holly Fujie</a> in their capacities as President and Vice President of the California Bar Foundation, and in connection with the overall circumstances, particularly the hush-hush and unlawful transfer of $780,000 from the Foundation to sham charity <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/09/08/orange-county-investigative-news-agency-voice-of-oc-asked-to-produce-all-documents-submitted-to-the-internal-revenue-service-within-the-past-thre-11803606/">CaliforniaALLa>. <br /> <br /> Hence, at your earliest convenience I ask that you provide information, as well as, if you wish, any memorandum containing legal authority explaining why your actions did not constitute professional misconduct. <br /> <br /> Below is a synopsis of the various acts of misconduct I intend to allege. If you believe I am wrong, legally or factually, please so advise as soon as possible:<br /> <br /> Your first act of misconduct took place once the State Bar initially contacted you. Rather than rejecting the appointment, you intentionally, deliberately, and with aforethought accepted the assignment, knowing full well that you were unable to take a position adverse to your clients Walter Lack and Thomas Girardi, and also knowing full well that you would exonerate both of them regardless of the weight of the evidence. In doing so, you hoped to maintain your attorney-client relationship with Walter Lack and Thomas Girardi in order to obtain a future stream of business from them, as well as from Thomas Girardi’s defense lawyer — your confederate, Thomas Nolan of Skadden Arps. By doing so, you have completely breached the duties expected of a prosecutor. Moreover, while temporarily holding public office, you placed your financial interests, as well as the financial interest of your firm, before those of the People, causing injury to the federal judiciary, the Dole Food Company, the State Bar of California, the People of the State of California, the fair administration of justice, myself, and frankly, even your own clients Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack.<br /> <br /> Your second act of misconduct involved the hampering of an investigation, and misleading a tribunal (i.e. the BOG/RAD and the appointed Special Master) by not fully disclosing the attorney-client relationship.<br /> <br /> Thirdly, and in aggravation, even to this date, and after members of your firm were informed of the recent discovery and you had ample opportunity to admit you mistakes, you still have not taken any action to remedy the situation. Instead, you appear to hope that by ignoring the problem, it will somehow disappear. It shall not.<br /> <br /> Thank you for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information or clarification of the above-described facts.</p>
<p>*Links and photos inserted by <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/">The Leslie Brodie Report</a>.</p>
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT WILL BE ASKED TO DISBAR TOM GIRARDI, WALTER LACK, HOWARD RICE’S JEROME FALK FOR SCHEME TO CIRCUMVENT NINTH CIRCUIT ORDER IN MATTER OF “IN RE GIRARDI”
<p style="text-align: justify;">Contending that Howard Rice’s Jerome Falk, acting as Special Prosecutor on behalf of the State Bar of California, repeatedly sought to subvert justice by failing to disclose that those he was suppose to prosecute (Thomas Girardi of Girardi & Keese and Walter Lack of Engstrom Lipscomb & Lack) were actually his and his firm’s clients, sources familiar with the situation claim plans are underway to seek the disbarment of Girardi, Lack and Falk.<br /><br />In a letter to Jerome Falk and the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California, complainant minced no words in accusing Falk (as well as Girardi and Lack) of egregious misconduct.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As a service to the community, we shall publish* the communication, below:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Dear Mr. Falk:<br /> <br /> This will serve as a formal meet and confer attempt regarding various matters, primarily relating to your repugnant and continuous deceitful actions taken in connection with your willingness to serve as a special prosecutor on behalf of the State Bar of California against two of your and your firm’s clients (Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack) as part of a scheme to exploit your authority as special prosecutor for financial gain.<br /> <br /> In addition, this letter will serve to explore potential misconduct in connection with misrepresentations made to an official tribunal (i.e. the RAD Committee of the State Bar of California Board of Governors (“BOG”)) that appointed a special master in proceedings I initiated against you.</p>
<p><img src='http://static3.seenthis.net/►http://vietnam.eastmeetswest.org/images/staff&board/jfalk08.jpg" alt="" width="185" height="246" /><br /> <em>Mr. Jerome Falk of Howard Rice (Image:courtesy photo)</em><br /> <br /> To illustrate my point, State Bar of California Board of Governors member William Gailey is a man of high honor with a prior distinguished career as a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. Presently, he operates his own investigation firm (<a href="http://www.gaileyassociates.com/William-Gailey.htm">Gailey Associates, Inc</a>.), which as I understand is one of the best in the country and offers a wide array of services, including industrial espionage and the like.<br /> <br /> Assume, hypothetically speaking only, that Mr. X is an industrialist and a client of Gailey Associates in connection with various business-related transactions. Assume also that Mr. X, while a client of Gailey Associates, was charged by the federal government for participating in a conspiracy to kidnap and murder Mr. Y, the owner of a competing business located in Los Angeles. Mr. X is tried and convicted and sentenced to serve a 30 year sentence in a federal correctional facility. However, after one year he is mysteriously pardoned by the U.S. president.<br /> <br /> Public and media pressure prompt the Los Angeles District Attorney to file an information against Mr. X for violations of State Penal Code provisions, including PC 182 and 187 in connection with the crimes Mr. X committed against Mr. Y. A shortage of qualified detectives prompts the DA to seek volunteer detectives, and Mr. Gailey is deputized, issued a badge, and appointed the role of lead detective in amassing the case against Mr. X on behalf of the People.<br /> <br /> Mr. Gailey shortly thereafter announces the closure of the investigation, and declares that, as far as he is concerned, Mr. X is innocent. As a second hypothetical, assume that with these facts in mind, Mr. Gailey is instead an attorney in private practice who is deputized to act as special prosecutor to try Mr. X, and likewise Mr. Gailey declares Mr. X to be innocent. <br /> <br /> If you don’t see anything wrong with the above two hypothetical examples, please delete this email; otherwise, keep reading because the above hypo is very similar to the scenario that ensued when you agreed to act as special prosecutor against your clients (Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack) on behalf of the People of the State of California to examine the grave and previously adjudicated attorney misconduct Messrs. Girardi and Lack committed against the Ninth Circuit in the litigation against the Dole Food Company.<br /> <br /> The misconduct on the part of Girardi and Lack was investigated by a special master (Senior Judge Hon. Wallace Tashima) appointed by the Ninth Circuit, and his recommendations were adopted by a panel of three Ninth Circuit judges after a full opportunity was afforded to Girardi and Lack to present defenses and bargain with a special prosecutor (Rory Little); these findings were memorialized in the published decision of <a href="http://www.leagle.com/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=in%20fco%2020100713157.xml&docbase=cslwar3-2007-cu Re Girardi</a>. Some of the findings included that Lack and Girardi have resorted to employing “the persistent use of known falsehoods” and that “false representations” were made “knowingly, intentionally, and recklessly” during years of litigation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img style="margin: 0px;" src='http://static3.seenthis.net/►http://data7.blog.de/media/249/6011249_eb1485d01e_m.jpeg" alt="UC Hastings Prof Rory Little" width="185" height="246" /><br /> <em><span style="font-size: 6px;">Rory Little, Ninth Circuit judicial aspirant and professor of law at U.C. Hastings. Professor Little <a href="http://legalpad.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/06/ninth-circuit-a.html">was appointed</a> special prosecutor in the matter of In Re Girardi by Chief Judge Alex Kozinski. Prior to entering academia, Professor Little served as a federal prosecutor for the Organized Crime and Racketeering Strike Force, prosecuting cases of labor racketeering, money-laundering, narcotics and other organized criminal activity. (image:courtesy photo)</span></em></p>
<p>As you surely recall, the Ninth Circuit also ordered Girardi and Lack to report the findings to the State Bar of California. Because Howard Miller of Girardi & Keese served as President of the State Bar, the Bar disqualified itself and you were appointed as Special Prosecutor by the State Bar to further look into this matter on behalf of the People.<br /> <br /> Despite ample opportunities, you (nor Lack, Girardi, or members of your firm whom I contacted on several occasions in search of information) mentioned that Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack were your and your firm’s clients. <br /> <br /> Shortly thereafter, when you had issued the decision to “exonerate” Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack (as memorialized in a <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/01/31/jerome-falk-s-letter-to-robert-baker-10474846/">"Dear Bob" letter you sent Mr. Robert Baker</a> of Baker Keener & Nahara), I immediately protested by filing both an ethics complaint with the State Bar of California, and asking the BOG to inquire into the matter. Named in the complaint were yourself, Douglas Wintrhrop, Howard Miller, and <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/06/16/d-e-v-e-l-o-p-i-n-g-james-towery-california-bar-embattled-chief-prosecutor-to-resign-11327086/">James Towery</a>.<br /> <br /> At that time, I was unaware that Girardi and Lack were your clients, and the ethics complaint alleged you were biased because of your and your firm’s ongoing business relationship with Skadden Arps and partner Tom Nolan, who served as Girardi’s defense counsel in the matter of In Re Girardi. Also, I argued that since the State Bar of California had disqualified itself, you and your firm should also have been disqualified as the managing partner of your firm (Douglas Wintrhrop) is an officer of the State Bar of California, and was appointed to the position by the BOG headed by Howard Miller of Girardi & Keese.<br /> <br /> Mr. Robert Hawley immediately appointed himself the point of contact, and only several months ago informed me that the complaint was assigned to RAD, which in turn appointed a special master who examined the complaint and found no ethical violations; <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/07/21/rad-committee-of-state-bar-of-california-adopts-finding-of-no-misconduct-by-james-towery-howard-rice-s-jerry-falk-and-doug-winthrop-11520291/">RAD voted to accept this conclusion</a>.</p>
<p><a title="Mr Tom Girardi of Girardi & Keese" href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/mr_tom_girardi_of_girardi_keese/6013138">
<p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: #000000; font-family: ’Times New Roman’; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #020000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px;"> </span></span></p>
<p>Nevertheless, the serious nature of the offenses and the harm caused by your corrupt activities (as well as the corrupt activities of Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack, primarily as a result of their failure to speak up and reject your appointment) leaves me no choice but to, again, seek discipline against you, Walter Lack, and Thomas Girardi. Additional factors surrounding Thomas Girardi and Girardi & Keese have also become relevant, including the recent malpractice suits filed by Gutierez and <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/11/03/tom-girardi-lashes-out-at-victim-as-girardi-keese-sued-for-legal-malpractice-12110166/">Demeter Energy</a>; the secretive<a href="►http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/04/05/ethics-complaint-filed-with-california-state-bar-against-skadde"> attorney-client relationship between Girardi & Keese and Skadden Arps</a> in the Fogel vs. Farmers matter, the identity and nature of the firms defending MGA in the litigation against Mattel; <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/07/21/complainant-reply-to-rad-committee-s-decision-as-was-communicated-to-state-bar-s-robert-hawley-11520925/">Alec Chang’s membership on RAD</a>; the overall corruption within the State Bar of California manifested in its unwillingness to prosecute Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack; Girardi’s unsettling<a href="►http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/09/30/muslim-community-of-orange-county-mulls-aiding-ronald-gottschal"> friendship with Ronald George</a> and “mentoring” of former crack-addict Mike Nisperos. These factors, coupled with my impression that the firms of Girardi & Keese, Skadden Arps, and Howard Rice have somehow exempted themselves from complying with the rules, make clear that I must press ahead to ensure that you, Walter Lack, and Thomas Girardi are held fully accountable and otherwise prevented from practicing before any federal or state court.<br /> <br /> As such, in the near future the federal district court, appellate court, and U.S. Supreme Court will be asked to investigate your misconduct (and that of Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack), and to otherwise permanently remove your names from the roll of members allowed to practice before each of those courts. <br /> <br /> Particularly, I plan to ask the Ninth Circuit to appoint a Special Master to investigate the matter, and to reopen the matter of In Re Girardi to examine whether Walter Lack and Thomas Girardi fully complied with the order in the matter of In Re Girardi and to report their misconduct to the State Bar of California. It is my position that the order to report their misconduct to the State Bar of California included an implied covenant that any State Bar of California proceedings would be conducted in good faith and in conformity with all rules and duties and principles consistent with the fair administration of justice. By not speaking up when you were appointed, Messrs. Girardi and Lack further aggravated matters and, arguably, violated the order handed down by the Ninth Circuit.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img style="margin: 0px;" src='http://static3.seenthis.net/►http://data6.blog.de/media/317/4844317_33623fac42_m.jpeg" alt="" width="185" height="246" /><br /> <span style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 8px;">Mr. Walter Lack of Engstrom Lipscomb & Lack. In the matter of In Re Girardi, the Ninth Circuit adjudicated: “with respect to Respondents Lack and Traina, we conclude that the mitigating factors can affect only the length of the suspension we impose. Although Lack’s involvement in the enforcement proceedings was more long-standing than Traina’s, each was specifically responsible for the falsehoods presented to this court. Consequently, each is suspended from the practice of law in this court for six months, effective on the filing date of this order. Fed. R.App. P. 46(c). Respondents Lack and Traina may each file a petition for reinstatement after the period of suspension pursuant to Ninth Circuit Rule 46-2(h). Each shall file the petition using this docket number and include evidence that he is in good standing, with no discipline pending, in all courts and bars to which he is admitted.” (Image:courtesy photo)</span></span></span></em></span><br /><br /> <br /> Similarly, when Walter Lack sought to reinstate himself via a motion advanced to Ninth Circuit Commissioner Shaw, he relied heavily on the fact that the State Bar of California decided not to discipline him. In aggravation and while exponentially compounding his lack of credibility, Mr. Lack conveniently failed to mention that he and you (who represented the State Bar of California) have an attorney-client relationship, and that your decision to not prosecute him was the fruit of an unlawful and highly unethical scheme.<br /> <br /> In addition, please note that I plan to file a writ with the California Supreme Court seeking to invalidate your decision, and asking the Court to order the State Bar of California to commence proceedings consistent with the State Bar Act and the Rules of Professional Conduct against you, Walter Lack, Thomas Girardi, and your respective firms, and to otherwise take action on the original complaint I submitted to the Intake Office which was never processed.<br /> <br /> The writ will be filed prior to the end of this year so as to allow the Court to also address separate matters, and to otherwise maintain jurisdiction over <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/03/09/californiaall-part-7-state-bar-of-california-board-of-governors-asked-to-investigate-foundation-refusal-to-comply-with-irs-rules-and-policies-10792916/">Douglas Winthrop (also of Howard Rice) and Holly Fujie</a> in their capacities as President and Vice President of the California Bar Foundation, and in connection with the overall circumstances, particularly the hush-hush and unlawful transfer of $780,000 from the Foundation to sham charity <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/2011/09/08/orange-county-investigative-news-agency-voice-of-oc-asked-to-produce-all-documents-submitted-to-the-internal-revenue-service-within-the-past-thre-11803606/">CaliforniaALLa>. <br /> <br /> Hence, at your earliest convenience I ask that you provide information, as well as, if you wish, any memorandum containing legal authority explaining why your actions did not constitute professional misconduct. <br /> <br /> Below is a synopsis of the various acts of misconduct I intend to allege. If you believe I am wrong, legally or factually, please so advise as soon as possible:<br /> <br /> Your first act of misconduct took place once the State Bar initially contacted you. Rather than rejecting the appointment, you intentionally, deliberately, and with aforethought accepted the assignment, knowing full well that you were unable to take a position adverse to your clients Walter Lack and Thomas Girardi, and also knowing full well that you would exonerate both of them regardless of the weight of the evidence. In doing so, you hoped to maintain your attorney-client relationship with Walter Lack and Thomas Girardi in order to obtain a future stream of business from them, as well as from Thomas Girardi’s defense lawyer — your confederate, Thomas Nolan of Skadden Arps. By doing so, you have completely breached the duties expected of a prosecutor. Moreover, while temporarily holding public office, you placed your financial interests, as well as the financial interest of your firm, before those of the People, causing injury to the federal judiciary, the Dole Food Company, the State Bar of California, the People of the State of California, the fair administration of justice, myself, and frankly, even your own clients Thomas Girardi and Walter Lack.<br /> <br /> Your second act of misconduct involved the hampering of an investigation, and misleading a tribunal (i.e. the BOG/RAD and the appointed Special Master) by not fully disclosing the attorney-client relationship.<br /> <br /> Thirdly, and in aggravation, even to this date, and after members of your firm were informed of the recent discovery and you had ample opportunity to admit you mistakes, you still have not taken any action to remedy the situation. Instead, you appear to hope that by ignoring the problem, it will somehow disappear. It shall not.<br /> <br /> Thank you for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information or clarification of the above-described facts.</p>
<p>*Links and photos inserted by <a href="http://lesliebrodie.blog.co.uk/">The Leslie Brodie Report</a>.</p>
Foreign Policy publie une série de photos consacrée au musée/mémorial de la Résistance libanaise.
Le texte introductif semble bien parti.
The Tourist Park of God - An FP Slide Show | Foreign Policy
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/11/11/mleeta_lebanon_tourist_complex
All countries have different ways of commemorating their battles. From memorials to museums, part of moving on from war is defining the narrative surrounding it. That was Hezbollah’s logic, at least, in opening a “tourist complex” in May 2010, displaying its own weapons and those left behind by Israel after the country’s pullout from south Lebanon in 2000.
Mais immédiatement, ça tourne à la parodie grotesque.
– Le titre, d’abord, « The Tourist Park of God », totalement insultant.
– Immédiatement doublé de la mention en page 2 :
The international press has dubbed the Mleeta complex Hezbollah’s “Disneyland.”
Cet axe idiot est particulièrement étonnant, puisque :
– en évoquant « les différentes façons de commémorer les batailles », le billet introductif amène à penser illico au Mémorial de Caen ; dans mon souvenir (j’étais ado), les photos du Foreign Policy ramenées du Sud Liban sont curieusement similaires à ce que j’ai vu près des plages du Débarquement ;
– vraiment, tu regardes les photos publiées, et rigoureusement aucune n’évoque Disneyland ou un « parc touristique de Dieu ». La ressemblance avec n’importe quel musée français de la Première ou de la seconde guerre mondiale est assez frappante (est-ce à Caen que j’ai vu une reconstitution de tranchée de Verdun ?).
Et on arrive à la légende de l’écran 11 :
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/files/fp_uploaded_images/111110_11pk.jpg
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/11/11/mleeta_lebanon_tourist_complex?page=0,10
The helmets of Israeli soldiers killed while fighting Hezbollah militants are displayed next to a tombstone bearing the Star of David.
Non, ça n’est pas une simple « étoile de David », c’est le logo des « Forces de défense israéliennes » (« Tsahal », c’est même écrit en toutes lettres sous l’écusson : צבא ההגנה לישראל). Ça n’est donc pas une tombe juive qui est figurée, mais un symbole assez transparent : la tombe de l’armée d’occupation israélienne. Le même ici :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Defense_Forces
Cette dernière mention est caractéristique de ces couvertures parodiques de ce mémorial, dans lesquelles l’incompétence le dispute à la mauvaise foi.
Draft Bill for a Civil Rights-Based Framework for Internet in Brazil
It is the result of an initiative from the Brazilian Ministry of Justice, in partnership with the Center for Technology and Society of the Getulio Vargas Foundation (CTS/FGV), to develop a collaborative online/offline consultation process in which all the actors from Brazilian society could identify together the rights and responsibilities that should guide the use of the Internet in Brazil. The process, which resulted in a Bill of Law, is an example of the importance and the great potential of multistakeholder involvement on policy-making.
Je suis en train d’imprimer l’étude que vient de publier le Center for American Progress : Fear, Inc. The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America :
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/08/pdf/islamophobia.pdf
J’ai bien l’impression que c’est un document très important. J’en reparle quand je l’aurai lu (et que j’aurai le temps).
Signalé par Stephen Walt:
Fear, Incorporated: Who’s paying for all that Islamophobic paranoia? - By Stephen Walt | Stephen M. Walt
http://walt.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/08/26/fear_incorporated
The irony in all this that the extremists examined in this report have gone to great lengths to convince Americans that there is a vast Islamic conspiracy to subvert American democracy, impose sharia law, and destroy the American way of life. Instead, what we are really facing is a well-funded right-wing collaboration to scare the American people with a bogeyman of their own creation, largely to justify more ill-advised policies in the Middle East.
(c’est moi qui souligne).
Très intéressante, la réaction des néoconservateurs de American Thinker :
Blog : The Soros-supported Center for American Progress blames rich Jews for stoking Islamophobia
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/08/the_soros-supported_center_for_american_progress_blames_rich_jews_f
Who are the figures mentioned as the promoters of prejudice? Most of them are prominent Jews and supporters of Israel, such as David Horowitz, Daniel Pipes and Steven Emerson (the founder of the Investigative Project on Terrorism). The eight foundations mentioned as funding this effort include are almost exclusively ones founded and funded by Jewish donors, and lest readers not be aware of this fact, the Center for American Progress lists not only the other beneficiaries of the charities and foundations (most of them having Jewish or Israel in the title) but also goes to the trouble of naming the individuals behind these charities — not just the donors but also those who serve on the boards.
Why include this additional information except to highlight that Jewish people are behind this effort to “defame” Muslims? By “outing” the people involved, the report puts endangers them. Furthermore, this “report” relies on the conspiracy and age-old anti-Semitic trope that Jews fan prejudice towards others and promotes divisions for their own nefarious purposes (to support Israel in this case). This mindset is straight out of Mein Kampf.
De ce que je vois dans le rapport, ça ne se focalise justement pas sur des donateurs/acteurs juifs américains, mais plus largement sur des illuminés chrétiens américains (surtout !), un ancien milicien chrétien maronite libanais... En accusant American Progress d’antisémitisme, ce sur quoi American Thinker attire l’attention, c’est que le point commun de ce réseau de la haine est l’ultra-sionisme de droite (largement likoudnik), que ses membres soient juifs ou non.
REPORT: $42 Million From Seven Foundations Helped Fuel The Rise Of Islamophobia In America | ThinkProgress
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/08/26/304306/islamophobia-network
To explain how the Islamophobia network operates, we’ve produced this video to show just one example of how they have mainstreamed the baseless and unfounded fear that Sharia may soon replace American laws:
Ce qui est sympa dans le commentaire d’American Thinker, au delà du point Godwin c’est :
This will work its magic in the Muslim world, a substantial fraction of which believes that “defaming” Islam is legitimately punishable by death at the hands of any righteous Muslim. By thoughtfully providing a hit list, the CAP does its part to spread fear and — yes — terror among the opponents of radical Islam.
Moralité : ce rapport n’excuse pas simplement les terroristes : il est, lui même, de nature terroriste.
@baroug : oui. Mais c’est un classique du sionisme de droite américain. Il s’agit des États-Unis, avec deux caractéristiques : (a) la liberté d’expression interdit de « condamner » une simple opinion (et le racisme est une opinion aux États-Unis - il ne suffit pas, comme en France, de dire des choses comme « ça n’est pas une opinion, c’est un délit »), (b) l’extrême-droite sioniste américaine, et notamment sa composante d’extrémistes religieux chrétiens, est elle-même raciste et facilement antisémite.
Du coup, cette droite ne peut répondre simplement en taxant une opinion de « raciste » ou « antisémite » (ce qui suffit à disqualifier un interlocuteur en France) : il faut affirmer que cette opinion a une conséquence pratique directe, en ce qu’elle constitue un appel au meurtre. Et ça, même aux États-Unis, c’est interdit et moralement indéfendable.
Du coup, aux É-U, c’est un classique : il faut toujours aller plus loin que l’imputation d’antisémitisme et pousser le bouchon jusqu’à l’appel au meurtre qui, lui, ne ressort pas de la liberté d’expression.
Le Doha Institute vient de publier son propre commentaire sur ce rapport :
The Islamophobia Network in the United States
http://english.dohainstitute.org/release/0bfba905-573f-4ae2-8a83-2863aef9a4eb
In conclusion, I focus on the four following points:
First: Islamophobia is on the rise in the United States, and it has become more widespread in this past decade than at any other time previously; it has also increased dramatically since 2008.
Second: Islamophobia has its own structure and organization, and enjoys a network of collaborating and coexisting groups that share a hefty budget, experts, and supporters.
Third: The study that I have summarized is extremely useful and contains many facts and examples and a careful study of the backgrounds of the major players in the Islamophobia network.
Fourth: The study’s importance mandates its translation into Arabic; Arab and Muslim organizations will benefit from its practical strategy to combat the dangers of increasing Islamophobia.