One of the few Democrats running proactively against warrantless wiretaps

A new video from Martin Heinrich's campaign for NM-01:



See Firedoglake today for more on Martin's campaign.

UPDATE:
Yesterday I sent $100 of my "stimulus" check to Martin's campaign. I want to stimulate constitutional democracy and this seems like a reasonable investment in that. Got any progressive Dems in your part of the woods for whom you might like to do the same?

--the BB

Worked a short day today

... and I'm taking tomorrow off. I will go to church tomorrow morning then hand the car over to my car pool buddy, stay at home and chill. A chance to blog some more. I have one idea for a post that has been fermenting since yesterday evening.

Last night I cooked up a dish of lentils, brown rice, mango chipotle chicken sausage, onion, orange bell pepper, celery, sun-dried tomatoes, thyme, black pepper, and chicken broth. Had it for lunch today. Lovely!

Tonight on the way home I made a quick stop and picked up more strawberries, a rotisserie chicken (just had some for supper), a pint of Haagen-Dasz, and a bottle of Bacardi Añejo. If anyone wonders what my favorite drink is it is not, no matter what I may have said on other folks' blogs, sex on the beach. It's Añejo and Diet Pepsi, with or without some fresh lime. And very strong on the rum. Only drink it when I am home and not driving anywhere. I have begun my weekend quite officially, as the buzz is beginning. Life looks up!

More later.
--the BB

4078

Latest Coalition Fatalities

05/16/08
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Sgt. John K. Daggett, 21, of Phoenix, Ariz., died May 15 in Halifax, Canada, of wounds suffered May 1 in Baghdad, Iraq, when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment...

Courtesy of the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count

Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience; not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your great goodness, and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. And this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
--The Book of Common Prayer USA 1979)

Keeping them honest....

... is full-time work for an army of citizens.

Brandon Friedman has a post up about how a memo at the VA calls for a halt to diagnoses of PTSD because of 'an increased number of "compensation seeking veterans".'

Did anyone consider the consequences of war?

[another rhetorical questions]

--the BB

Господи помилуй - 5/16/2008

California Supreme Court: State constitution gives gays the right ...
San Jose Mercury News - 1 hour ago
By Howard Mintz and Denis C. Theriault For four years, the gay rights movement has clung to the hope that the California Supreme Court would reverse its flagging political and legal fortunes across the country and legalize same-sex marriage.
California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban New York Times

I just want to correct the first headline. I believe they did not give a right; they recognized that a right inherently existed under the California Constitution. Which was originally written in two official languages, Spanish and English, by the way.

Veto-proof farm spending bill passes SenateSan Francisco Chronicle - 3 hours ago
(05-16) 04:00 PDT Washington - -- The Senate passed the $290 billion, five-year farm bill by a strong veto-proof margin Thursday, ensuring that the measure becomes law despite President Bush's threatened veto, which would be the first presidential veto ...


Chinese netizens move to adopt earthquake orphans
Xinhua - 50 minutes ago
LANZHOU, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Many Chinese netizens have proposed adopting children who lost parents in Monday's massive earthquake.


Suspected suicide blast kills 9 in Sri Lanka
Reuters - 1 hour ago
COLOMBO, May 16 (Reuters) - Nine people, including seven policemen, were killed when a suspected Tamil Tiger suicide bomber on a motorbike rammed a bus in the Sri Lankan capital on Friday, the military and hospital authorities said.


Lebanese Government, Hezbollah Seek End to Political Stalemate
Bloomberg - 2 hours ago
By Daniel Williams and Massoud A. Derhally May 16 (Bloomberg) -- Lebanon's pro-western government and Hezbollah, the Shiite Muslim party that leads the opposition, seek an end to 18 months of political stalemate today in talks brokered by the Arab ...


Africa: Challenges of Democratic Transition
AllAfrica.com - 1 hour ago
The challenges confronting Africa's democratic experiments are many and complex and include entrenching constitutionalism and the reconstruction of the postcolonial state, writes Femi Falana.
Zimbabwe Opposition Leader to Return Home, But Would Regime Cooperate Voice of America
Election date "within 48 hours" Zimbabwe election chief says Monsters and Critics.com


Chávez and Colombia
Wall Street Journal - 2 hours ago
Interpol yesterday issued its findings on the authenticity of the computer files seized from Colombian terrorists in March, and they won't make Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chávez's day.
Venezuela weapons worry US, Colombia The Associated Press
FARC Computer Files Are Authentic, Interpol Probe Finds Washington Post


Cold Comfort for Polar Bears
Wall Street Journal - 2 hours ago
By JIM CARLTON Visitors to some of the oil fields that fringe Alaska's Beaufort Sea get this rather disturbing warning before venturing out into the Arctic cold: Look carefully under cars in the parking lot and the buildings on stilts.

Wildlife populations 'plummeting'
BBC News - 7 hours ago
Between a quarter and a third of the world's wildlife has been lost since 1970, according to data compiled by the Zoological Society of London.


Bush Wraps Up Visit to Israel, Heads to Saudi Arabia for Oil Talks
Wall Street Journal - 57 minutes ago
AP JERUSALEM -- President Bush wrapped up his stay in Israel with no movement on Mideast peace. The president hoped to fare better in Saudi Arabia, where he will talk with King Abdullah about soaring gas prices.

Shingles Vaccine Recommended
New York Times - 6 hours ago
By BLOOMBERG NEWS People 60 or older should be vaccinated with Zostavax against shingles, a painful disorder related to chickenpox, health officials said.
CDC Recommends Shingles Vaccine for Those Over 60 Washington Post



'Bin Laden' call targets Israel
BBC News - 1 hour ago
A new audio message purported to be from Osama Bin Laden has called for Muslims to continue the fight to liberate Palestinian lands.
Bin Laden vows to fight Israel on 60th anniversary Reuters UK

Burma's Junta Will Survive the Cyclone
Wall Street Journal - 6 hours ago
By LESLIE HOOK It's tempting to see the destruction wrought by Cyclone Nargis as a catalyst for democratic change in Burma. After all, other unpopular regimes have been undermined by natural disasters - think Managua in 1972, or Mexico City in 1985.

Burmese junta says relief effort 'finished' as death toll rises
Times Online - 1 hour ago
Aid agencies were appalled today as the Burmese junta declared the relief effort in the country over, just as foreign observers said the number of dead and missing in the wake of Cyclone Nargis could be higher than 200000.
Burma storm aid frustrations grow BBC News
Survivors seek refuge from rain amid the death and turmoil guardian.co.uk

US House blocks Iraq war money, sets pullout plan
Reuters - 10 hours ago
By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON, May 15 (Reuters) - The US House of Representatives, in a surprise and largely symbolic move, defeated legislation on Thursday to fund the war in Iraq for another year. But it also sent the Senate a controversial troop ...

Iraq: Iranian Embassy convoy ambushed
The Associated Press - 2 hours ago
Iran blamed the United States for the ambush, saying Washington's threats against Iran encourage terrorist attacks against Iranian interests in Iraq. "Responsibility for providing security to diplomats as well as diplomatic and international bodies in ...

Le président chinois Hu Jintao se rend dans la région sinistrée
Le Point - Il y a 4 heures
Le président chinois Hu Jintao (à droite) et son Premier ministre Wen Jiabao à Mianyang, dans le Sichuan. Le chef de l'Etat visite le Sichuan pour rencontrer des victimes du tremblement de terre qui pourrait avoir fait plus de 50.000 morts, ...
Une catastrophe si bien exploitée Libération
Le séisme chinois aurait causé plus de 50.000 morts La Tribune.fr

Nigeria/oléoduc: reprise des opérations de secours, bilan confus
Romandie.com - Il y a 59 minutes
LAGOS - Les opérations de secours ont repris vendredi matin au Nigeria sur le site de l'explosion d'un oléoduc alors que la plus grande confusion régnait quant au bilan. Alors qu'un responsable de la Croix rouge nigériane avait annoncé hier la mort ...
Au moins 100 morts après l'incendie d'un pipeline nouvelobs.com


2 Canadians injured in suicide bombing in Afghanistan
CBC.ca - 1 hour ago
Two Canadian soldiers were slightly wounded Friday in a suicide bomb attack in southern Afghanistan, while two Afghan soldiers were also injured.

God, Stir the Soil

God, stir the soil,
Run the plowshare deep,
Cut the furrows round and round,
Overturn the hard, dry ground,
Spare no strength, nor toil,
Even though I weep.
In the loose, fresh mangled earth
Sow new seed.
Free of withered vine and weed
Bring fair flowers to birth.
—Prayer from Church Mission Society, Singapore

--the BB

Too tired to blog tonight

Calla lily in St Margaret's Courtyard, CDSP
photoshopped with dry brush effect
Berkeley - 23 May 2005

Hooray for Kirstin getting home from outpatient surgery! Keep the prayers coming.

An Azeri visitor brings the flag count up another notch as I see the flag of Azerbaijan in the sidebar.

With the earthquake in China, the cyclone in Myanmar, and Bush in Israel, we need to keep praying heartily for the world.

So very much more needs to be said but I just cannot do it tonight.

Love to y'all.
--the BB

Borrowing from Mimi

Mimi's idea to include the Lambeth prayer in her sidebar was such a good one that I just copied her. I also like her use of John 3:8 in this context.

I usually approach Lambeth Conferences with interest. That has changed to dread. But I believe in the Trinity, that wascally Spirit included, and in divine surprises, and in abiding grace.
--the BB

4077

Latest Coalition Fatalities

05/13/08
MNF: MND-B Soldier attacked by IED
A Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldier was killed when his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in northwestern Baghdad at approximately 7 p.m. May 13.

05/13/08
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Cpl. Jessica A. Ellis, 24, of Bend, Ore., died May 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when her vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. She was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team...

--courtesy of Iraq Coalition Casualties Count

Oops! Our bad.

This from Digby, citing documents obtained by the ACLU:

One of the documents released to the ACLU is a list of at least four prisoner deaths that were the subject of Navy Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS) investigations. The NCIS document contains new information about the deaths of some of these prisoners, including details about Farhad Mohamed, who had contusions under his eyes and the bottom of his chin, a swollen nose, cuts and large bumps on his forehead when he died in Mosul in 2004. The document also includes details about Naem Sadoon Hatab, a 52-year-old Iraqi man who was strangled to death at the Whitehorse detainment facility in Nasiriyah in June 2003; the shooting death of Hemdan El Gashame in Nasiriyah in March 2003; and the death of Manadel Jamadi during an interrogation after his head was beaten with a stove at Abu Ghraib in November 2003.

[Digby comments:]
There was nothing illegal or immoral about any of this, of course, because the president has proclaimed that the US doesn't torture.

Burn in hell, Bush, burn in hell.

[Yes, that is a really hateful and frequent refrain in my thoughts. Until Bush repents, I'm not likely to either.]
--the BB

News from Johnieb

Johnieb has just become a grandfather. Pop on over and congratulate one and all.

Thanks be to Godde for a safe delivery.
--the BB

What is Peace?

Check out Mimi's new post on the thoughts and witness of Oscar Romero.
--the BB

4076

Latest Coalition Fatalities

05/12/08
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Spc. Joseph A. Ford, 23, of Knox, Ind., died May 10 in Al Asad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a vehicle accident. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 152nd Cavalry Regiment, 76th Brigade Combat Team, Indiana National Guard, New Albany, Ind.

05/11/08
MNF: MND-B Soldier attacked by IED
A Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldier was killed after being struck by an improvised explosive device during a route clearance patrol at approximately 9:20 p.m. May 11 in northwestern Baghdad. The Soldier was quickly transported...

05/11/08
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Spc. Mary J. Jaenichen, 20, of Temecula, Calif., died May 9 in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of a non-combat related injury. She was assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

Courtesy of Iraq Coalition Casualties Count
--the BB

Cat lovers, check it out

Since I do prince blogging instead of cat blogging (when I can) and, of late, have not done so, here is a cat feature found via John Aravosis at Americablog:

An Engineer's Guide to Cats


Enjoy!
--the BB

The chickens come home to roost

The Associated Press reports:

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The Pentagon has dropped charges against a Saudi at Guantanamo who was alleged to have been the so-called "20th hijacker" in the Sept. 11 attacks, his U.S. military defense lawyer said Monday.

...

The attorney said he could not comment on the reasons for the dismissal until discussing the case with lawyers for the other five defendants. Officials previously said al-Qahtani had been subjected to a harsh interrogation authorized by former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

When they ignored the rule of law, human decency, and common sense they simply shot themselves in the foot. If torture can be demonstrated, one's case falls apart. How many millennia does it take for us to learn that you do not establish truth by torture? And even if you could, it would be wrong.

We have sadistic incompetents running the SCWOT [so-called war on terror, if you haven't seen this acronym lately].

h/t to Israel Hand at Daily Kos
--the BB

Adding another big one to the prayer list

A massive earthquake struck central China on Monday, killing more than 8,500 people, trapping nearly 900 students under the rubble of their school and spilling ammonia from a chemical plant, state media reported.

The 7.8-magnitude earthquake was among the worst to strike China in decades, devastating a hilly region of small cities and towns in Sichuan and nearby provinces. The official Xinhua News Agency said 8,533 people died in Sichuan and dozens of other deaths were reported elsewhere.

--Associated Press

h/t to John Amato at Crooks and Liars, though the first post I saw was this morning on Daily Kos
--the BB

Speaking of shocking news

Not only gambling at Rick's but now this:

The Bush administration on Friday urged a federal appeals court to stop meatpackers from testing all their animals for mad cow disease, but a skeptical judge questioned whether the government has that authority. The government seeks to reverse a lower court ruling that allowed Kansas-based Creekstone Farms Premium Beef to conduct more comprehensive testing to satisfy demand from overseas customers in Japan and elsewhere.

After all, we wouldn't want to catch all that mad cow disease. It might cut down on people who vote Republican.

Yes, a totally tasteless joke vis-à-vis those who suffer the horrendous consequences of this debilitating disease. A disease, near as I have learned, that resulted when we started feeding animal byproducts to vegetarian animals. It's not nice to fool Mother Nature.

Or, as a bumper sticker I saw in Berkeley a few years back puts it:
Nature bats last!

But the Bushies have yet to consider the long-term consequences of their actions.

h/t to John Amato at Crooks and Liars

--the BB

Ne me le dîtes pas!

David Kurtz writes at TPM:

In case you missed it over the weekend, one of the military judges at Gitmo has disqualified the general overseeing the military commissions there from any further participation in the Hamdan case because of his efforts to politicize the process.

I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
--the BB

How do we treat those who serve us?

Aaron Glantz writes for Foreign Policy in Focus:

Eighteen American war veterans kill themselves every day. One thousand former soldiers receiving care from the Department of Veterans Affairs attempt suicide every month. More veterans are committing suicide than are dying in combat overseas.

These are statistics that most Americans dont know, because the Bush administration has refused to tell them. Since the start of the Iraq War, the government has tried to present it as a war without casualties.

In fact, they never would have come to light were it not for a class action lawsuit brought by Veterans for Common Sense and Veterans United for Truth on behalf of the 1.7 million Americans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The two groups allege the Department of Veterans Affairs has systematically denied mental health care and disability benefits to veterans returning from the conflict zones.

Those are only the opening three paragraphs. You can read it all at Truthout, where I found it.

Why is this nation treating its veterans so poorly? [Rhetorical question intended as a call to do better.]

--the BB

Monday constitution blogging

Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Yes, the regular features here have become quite irregular. This morning I came across a post by NWTerriD that falls under Constitution blogging, so even though it is not Thursday....

It seems John McCain deviated from his scripted speech on constitutional issues to proclaim something erroneously. It was quickly scrubbed from most tapes but he evidently really did make the gaffe.

In a speech at Wake Forest he said:

The year 2005 also brought the case of Susette Kelo before the Supreme Court. Here was a woman whose home was taken from her because the local government and a few big corporations had designs of their own on the land, and she was getting in the way. There is hardly a clearer principle in all the Constitution than the right of private property. There is a very clear standard in the Constitution requiring not only just compensation in the use of eminent domain, but also that private property may NOT be taken for "public use." But apparently that standard has been "evolving" too. [emphasis in NWTerriD's article]

NWTerriD checked to be sure that was really what was said. Here are NWTerriD's concluding comments:

I think it's a big deal when a candidate for the Presidency of this country, who starts a speech talking about how the President must swear an oath to protect, preserve and defend the Constitution [insert emphatic hand motions here], just a few minutes later erroneously alters his scripted speech to completely change the meaning of a phrase describing what he says is one of the clearest principles enunciated in the Constitution.

Yes, there is a clear principle in the Consitution, but it is not what he said it is. Does he really not understand what eminent domain is? Did he forget, because he is tired from his hard work on the campaign trail? Who knows?

To those who have been saying that bringing up McCain's age is "ageism," or that it is beneath us as the supporters of a man who is seeking to avoid the politics of personal attack, I say, res ipsa loquitor -- one of those fancy Latin legal phrases meaning, "The thing speaks for itself." His age is a legitimate issue.

There has been much talk about John McSame representing a third Bush term and what I found even more frightening in his speech was this line:

I'm the living proof that an undistinguished academic record can be overcome in life -- or at least that's the hope that has long, long sustained me.

After W, that should scare the living shit out of us all. I'm not talking about academic elitism or saying we need brilliance in that office, only that someone who can think critically and clearly and always be learning is important.
--the BB

Say who?

You can learn about Frontiers for Freedom, one of those think tanks, and who funds them in mcjoan's post today. Knowing about my FISA posts, you clever readers will probably guess it's some bogus group heavily funded by corporations to promote their cause and that, in this case, they might be working for the telcoms. You'd be right.
--the BB

So short!

The time I got to spend back home in Albuquerque was short. Way too short. But still, I got to have some time at home. Did some shopping, some catch-up blogging, and attended mass at San Gabriel this morning. By 9:15 Central Daylight Time this evening I was back in the apartment in River Ridge, unpacked, and firing up the laptop.

Last Sunday I worshiped at St. Anna's on the Eaplanade in New Orleans and here is the photo I took of the church interior. Finally got home to download photos. St. Anna's had a ministry to musicians following Katrina. A guest filled in last Sunday and the music rocked.

Alas, the photo taken of Mimi and me with my camera did not merit posting (I doubt even photoshopping would help), so we will stick with the nice photo already made famous elsewhere.
Since it is the evening of Pentecost and the hours of the Great Fifty Days of Easter are trickling away, I will post a finally double Alleluia to mark the occasion. It is one I actually put together during the first days of Easter and have had at the ready. Time to use it. I hope you have all had a wonderful Eastertide with fresh risen life popping up in delightful and life-giving surprise.
--the BB

Prions le Seigneur - 5/11/2008

United States
Over 20 dead in Mo., Okla., Ga. after new round of storms
The Associated Press - 1 hour ago
SENECA, Mo. (AP) - Stunned survivors picked through the little that was left of their communities Sunday after tornadoes tore across the Plains and South, killing at least 22 people in three states and leaving behind a trail of destruction and stories ...
Pollution may have indirectly saved lives in Okla. town International Herald Tribune
Tornadoes leave at least 22 dead CNN

Serbia
Serbia's pro-West president claims election victory
CNN - 1 hour ago
(CNN) -- Serbia's pro-Western President Boris Tadic declared victory Sunday in parliamentary elections, despite a challenge to his bloc from nationalist groups.
Serbia in coalition scramble after ambivalent vote Reuters
Pro-EU Parties May Win Serbian Elections, Early Results Show Bloomberg

Tadic claims victory for pro-Europeans in Serbian elections
Independent - 2 hours ago
By Vesna Peric Zimonjic in Belgrade Serbs have voted for close ties with Europe in parliamentary elections seen by many as crucial to the country's future.
Nationalists face defeat in Serbian elections Telegraph.co.uk


Myanmar
Myanmar Cyclone Survivors Wait in Camps for Food, Aid to Arrive
Bloomberg - 57 minutes ago
By Ed Johnson and Anuchit Nguyen May 12 (Bloomberg) -- Survivors of the tropical cyclone that swept across Myanmar nine days ago gathered in camps to wait for emergency supplies, as international aid began reaching the worst-affected areas.
Myanmar junta still blocking most cyclone aid International Herald Tribune
Myanmar Junta Still Blocking Much Cyclone Aid New York Times

Burma Could Suffer From Widespread Refugee Crisis
ToTheCenter.com - 1 hour ago
It is currently being suggested by hundreds of aid workers that Burma's dictatorship will prevent the entrance of any outside emergency assistance, prompting a refugee crisis as well as a “devastating public health crisis," reports the Times Online.
David Miliband condemns 'malign' Burma cyclone handling Telegraph.co.uk
UN says 102000 dead in Burma Bangkok Post

Iraq
Delicate Deal Helps Decrease Violence in Baghdad's Sadr City Enclave
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
By Sudarsan Raghavan BAGHDAD, May 11 -- Violence in the Shiite enclave of Sadr City subsided Sunday as a deal took hold to end fighting between Shiite militiamen and US and Iraqi forces.
US official: Too early to know Sadr City truce success CNN
Sadr City fighting eases under short-term truce Los Angeles Times

Sudan - Chad
Sudan Severs Ties With Chad, Blaming It for Attack on Capital
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
By Stephanie McCrummen NAIROBI, May 11 -- Sudan cut diplomatic ties with Chad on Sunday after accusing its neighbor of backing an audacious rebel attack on the Sudanese capital.
Sudan Breaks Off Ties With Chad After Attack New York Times
Government warns Australians: stay out of Sudan ABC Online

Lebanon
Arab League tries to broker Lebanon settlement
The Associated Press - 1 hour ago
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - Arab foreign ministers urged warring Lebanese factions to immediately cease fighting and said Sunday they will send a delegation to try to broker a settlement between the Hezbollah-led opposition and US-backed government.
Egypt's PM Urges Industry to Tackle Food Crisis PC World
Arab delegation going to Lebanon to try to broker a settlement Jerusalem Post
[Google news updated before I could copy links, lost these articles]

Fierce Fighting Breaks Out East of Beirut
New York Times - 2 hours ago
By NADA BAKRI BEIRUT, Lebanon - Fierce clashes broke out on Sunday in the mountains east of Beirut between supporters of the Western-backed government and followers of Hezbollah, the militant group backed by Iran.
Fighting spreads east of Beirut BBC News
In Lebanon's Druze mountain, mothers mourn Reuters

Pakistan
No agreement on Pakistan judges
BBC News - 59 minutes ago
Pakistani leaders have failed to reach agreement on restoring judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan's two main ruling parties wrapped up a weekend of talks in London without reaching a deal, officials say.
Sharif May Quit Pakistan Coalition After Judges Accord Fails Bloomberg
Pakistan Parties Deadlocked Over Restoration of Judges Wall Street Journal

Nepal
Nepal arrests hundreds of Tibetan women
CNN International - 57 minutes ago
By Manesh Shrestha KATHMANDU, Nepal (CNN) -- Police in Nepal arrested more than 500 Tibetan protesters, nearly all of them women, on Sunday before what was to be the first all-female rally against China's actions in Tibet.
Tibetan women protest in Nepal, over 500 detained Reuters
Nepal arrests 560 Tibetan women BBC News

120 manifestants tibétains en exil arrêtés au Népal
nouvelobs.com - Il y a 14 heures
Alors qu'ils manifestaient devant l'ambassade de Chine à Katmandou, des manifestants tibétains ont été interpellés et embarqués par la police népalaise. Plus de 120 Tibétains en exil ont été arrêtés samedi 10 mai par la police népalaise. ...
Arrestation de plus d'un demi-millier de Tibétaines au Népal La Tribune.fr
600 manifestantes tibétaines arrêtées par la police népalaise ... France Info

New Mexico
Wildfire in central New Mexico fully contained
Dallas Morning News - 25 minutes ago
AP MANZANO, NM - A wildfire that burned 59 homes and more than 21 square miles in central New Mexico's Manzano Mountains was fully contained Sunday

Zimbabwe (sounding more like the United States in November 2000 all the time)
Zimbabwe Likely to Delay Presidential Run-Off
Voice of America - 6 hours ago
By VOA News Zimbabwe's electoral commission says the run-off between President Robert Mugabe and challenger Morgan Tsvangirai will not be held within two weeks as required by law.
Zimbabwe police arrest activists BBC News
Zimbabwe: 58 Morgan Tsvangirai supporters arrested Telegraph.co.uk

Venezuela - Colombia - Ecuador - Estados Unidos
Afirma Chávez que EU dirigió ataque a las FARC en suelo ecuatoriano
El Universal (México) - hace 1 hora
El presidente venezolano Hugo Chávez aseveró hoy que el ataque colombiano contra el campamento de las rebeldes Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) en Ecuador fue dirigido por Estados Unidos. ataque donde murió el jefe rebelde Raúl Reyes ...
Chávez: El gobierno de Colombia intenta provocarnos para una guerra El Universal (Venezuela)
Chávez desestima autenticidad de archivos de ordenador de jefe de ... AFP

Holy One, your children suffer through their own folly and willfulness and through mishaps for which they bear no blame. They struggle in their ignorance, brokenness, and confusion. They do great damage to your image and to your creation, harming themselves and one another, damaging their fellow creatures and the earth. You, in whom all things exist, know and feel this more acutely than those who pray to you. Guide us, we pray, out of error and evil to righteousness and the paths of peace and justice. Teach our hearts to hope, to forgive, to love. Help us to join you in the ongoing work of creation, in healing the world, and in establishing your reign. Strengthen us to do your will and grant us the grace to desire it. Amen.

--the BB

Keep the support coming

Red Cross boat sinks in Myanmar
CNN - 3 hours ago
MYANMAR, Yangon (CNN) -- A Red Cross boat delivering supplies to victims of last weekend's cyclone sank Sunday when it hit debris in the Irrawady Delta region, as the US prepared to deliver relief supplies to Myanmar.
Boat carrying Myanmar aid sinks; toll climbs beyond 28000 The Associated Press
Red Cross boat carrying relief good for Myanmar cyclone victims ... International Herald Tribune

Episcopal Relief and Development is one channel for aid.

ERD has established relationships with local partners in Myanmar to get assistance quickly to many of the most vulnerable people.

"Episcopal Relief and Development's programs in Myanmar have helped people achieve economic stability through education, vocational training, and micro-finance initiatives. We have also provided tools and training to improve the food supply and access to clean water," said Abagail Nelson, ERD's vice president for Programs.

In the wake of the catastrophic devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis, ERD is providing churches and individuals with an opportunity to support people affected by this crisis.

"This is a major disaster that will require a strong and committed response," said Nelson. "Survivors urgently need water, food, and shelter. We must respond generously to save lives now and help people recover."

...

To help people affected by the cyclone in Myanmar, make a donation to ERD's "Myanmar & Cyclone Response" online here, or by calling 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development "Myanmar & Cyclone Response" P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058.

--the BB