[Marxism-Thaxis] Petraeus Condemns U.S. Church's Plan to Burn Qurans
* ASIA NEWS * SEPTEMBER 7, 2010 Petraeus Condemns U.S. Church's Plan to Burn Qurans By _JULIAN E. BARNES_ (http://online.wsj.com/search/term.html?KEYWORDS=JULIAN+E.+BARNES&bylinesearch=true) And _MATTHEW ROSENBERG_ (http://online.wsj.com/search/term.html?KEYWORDS=MATTHEW+ROSENBERG&bylinesearch=true) KABUL—The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said the planned burning of Qurans on Sept. 11 by a small Florida church could put the lives of American troops in danger and damage the war effort. Gen. David Petraeus said the Taliban would exploit the demonstration for propaganda purposes, drumming up anger toward the U.S. and making it harder for allied troops to carry out their mission of protecting Afghan civilians. (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703713504575475500753093116.html?mod=djemTMB_h#) Protesters stage an anti-U.S. rally in Kabul after an American church says it will burn the Holy Koran on the September 11 anniversary. Video courtesy of Reuters. "It could endanger troops and it could endanger the overall effort," Gen. Petraeus said in an interview. "It is precisely the kind of action the Taliban uses and could cause significant problems. Not just here, but everywhere in the world we are engaged with the Islamic community." Hundreds of Afghans attended a demonstration in Kabul on Monday to protest the plans of Florida pastor Terry Jones, who has said he will burn copies of Islam's holy book to mark the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Afghan protesters chanted "death to America," and speakers called on the U.S. to withdraw its troops. Some protesters threw rocks at a passing military convoy. AFP/Getty Images Gen. David Petraeus said the planned burning of Qurans on Sept. 11 by a Flo rida church could put the lives of American troops in dange Military officials fear the protests will likely spread to other Afghan cities, especially if the event is broadcast or ends up on Internet video. Mr. Jones, head of the 50-member Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., said in a statement that "We understand the General's concerns. We are sure that his concerns are legitimate." Nonetheless, he added, "We must send a clear message to the radical element of Islam. We will no longer be controlled and dominated by their fears and threats." Mr. Jones has been denied a permit for the demonstration, but has said he plans to go forward with the protest. _Journal Community_ (http://online.wsj.com/community) Rev. Stephanie Sapp, spokeswoman for the center, said no one from the Pentagon or other federal agencies had expressed concern or asked that the event be canceled. She did say that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had discussed security measures. Pentagon officials said they were not aware that any Defense officials have reached out directly to Mr. Jones. But military officers said they hoped that Gen. Petraeus's statement—an unusual move since military commanders rarely get involved in politics—would convince Mr. Jones to change his plans. Gen. Petraeus declined to elaborate on the nature of the threats or violence that could occur, but westerners in Afghanistan have been warned away from restaurants and other public places amid the rising tensions. Other senior military leaders echoed Gen. Petraeus commentsMonday. Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, who oversees the effort to train Afghan security forces said he was informed of the planned Florida protests several days ago by a senior minister in the Afghan government. Associated Press Afghans burn an effigy of Mr. Jones during an anti-U.S. demonstration in Kabul on Monday. More * _Muslims Protest Plans to Burn Quran_ (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704282504575471870674163414.html) Gen. Caldwell said many Afghans do not understand either the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment or the fact that President Barack Obama can't simply issue a decree to stop Mr. Jones from his demonstration. Military officials said they were not trying to deny Mr. Jones his right to free speech, but feared he was not thinking about the consequences of his actions. "There is no question about First Amendment rights; that is not the issue," Gen. Caldwell said. "The question is: What is the implication over here? It is going to jeopardize the men and women serving in Afghanistan." Zuma Press Pastor Terry Jones, of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Fla., says he will burn copies of the Quran Military officials also fear that if video of the Quran burning is broadcast in Afghanistan, tensions could rise between NATO forces and the Afghan military and police. Allegations of mishandling the Quran have interrupted Afghan security training at least twice this year, Gen. Caldwell said. In one instance, a Quran fell to the ground when an American officer opened a locker during an inspection of Afghan trainees' barracks. The rumor quickly spread that the officer had thrown it to the ground,
[Marxism-Thaxis] U.S. traffic fatalities fall to lowest level in 60 years
September 10, 2010 http://detnews.com/article/20100910/AUTO01/9100393 U.S. traffic fatalities fall to lowest level in 60 years 33,808 died on nation's roads last year, down nearly 10 percent from 2008 DAVID SHEPARDSON Detroit News Washington Bureau Washington -- The number of people killed on American highways dropped to a 60-year low in 2009, thanks in large part to safer cars, safer roads, better-trained young drivers and a limping economy. Statistics released by the U.S. Department of Transportation Thursday put the highway death toll at 33,808, a drop of nearly 10 percent from 2008. In Michigan, the falloff was even steeper: 871 people died in state traffic crashes last year, an 11 percent reduction from 2008's death toll of 980. It was the state's lowest total since 1924, when 863 people died in traffic crashes, even though there are 10 times as many vehicles on Michigan's roadways today as when Calvin Coolidge was president. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood touted the big reduction -- nearly 4,000 fewer deaths nationwide last year -- and noted that Americans drove slightly more miles in 2009 than in 2008. "It's not an excuse to rest on our laurels," LaHood cautioned. "Nearly 34,000 motor vehicle fatalities on America's roads is still unacceptable." The national decline is dramatic in light of the massive growth in vehicles, drivers and miles traveled during the last 60 years. In 1950, 33,186 people died on U.S. roads with 50 million vehicles and 62 million drivers. Today, there are more than 210 million drivers and 250 million cars on American roads. Last year's statistics represent the lowest fatality and injury rates recorded: 1.13 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2009, compared with 1.26 deaths for 2008. By contrast, the rate in the 1950s was around 6 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. Barbara Harsha, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, attributed the improvement in traffic statistics "to a host of factors, including increased seat belt use, stronger enforcement of drunken driving laws, better roads, safer vehicles and an increasingly well-coordinated approach to safety." But the automakers also claimed a share of the credit. "What we are seeing now is the payoff from years of manufacturer-driven safety improvements, like anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control systems coupled with high visibility enforcement safety efforts by law enforcement," said Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers President and CEO Dave McCurdy, the group that represents Detroit's Three automakers, Toyota Motor Corp. and seven others. In 1950, the government required no vehicle safety features. Only one automaker, Nash, offered seat belts -- as an option. And drunken driving laws were much less stringent. Vehicle interiors were unpadded and so dangerous that Dr. C. Hunter Shelden wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1955 that "it is surprising anyone escapes from an automobile accident without serious injury." Today, nearly 85 percent of all Americans wear seat belts. Government regulators in recent years mandated side air bags, anti-rollover technology and stronger vehicle roofs. Safety also has become a top concern of prospective car and truck buyers, pressuring automakers further to improve their products. Young-driver training cited Former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief Nicole Nason also attributed part of the improvement in last year's highway death toll to better training of young drivers, through graduated driver licenses that give them more rights as they gain experience. Michigan is among the states with a graduated licensing program. "The department and the states' efforts to pass and enforce graduated driver licenses are working," Nason said, noting that more states are placing restrictions on young drivers at night, a time of high risk. Nonetheless, motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 3 and 34, costing society more than an estimated $99 billion annually. LaHood said the weak economy is a plus for highway safety, because some people no longer can afford to go out for fun after work -- if they're working. Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2009 declined 7.4 percent to 10,839, compared with the 11,711 reported in 2008. Overall, 33 states and Puerto Rico experienced a decline in the number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2009 compared with 2008. In Michigan, alcohol-related traffic deaths declined 13 percent in 2009 from the year before. NHTSA Administrator David Strickland also cited the economy in noting that among vehicle categories, big trucks reported the largest decline in traffic deaths: 26 percent. Fewer trucks are on the roads, he said, due to depressed commerce. Both city and country
[Marxism-Thaxis] Pastor, imam at odds over Quran-burning deal
September 10, 2010 http://detnews.com/article/20100910/NATION/9100404 Pastor, imam at odds over Quran-burning deal ANTONIO GONZALEZ Associated Press Gainesville, Fla.-- Will he or won't he? Negotiations between a local Muslim cleric and the leader of a tiny Florida church who had threatened to publicly burn copies of Islam's holy text left the heated debate in a state of confusion with the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks a day away. The Rev. Terry Jones said Thursday he would call off the planned burning of Qurans based on a deal negotiated with the president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida that the location of a mosque planned near ground zero in New York would be changed. But Imam Muhammad Musri said he was clear on Thursday when he told Jones that he could only set up a meeting with planners of the New York City mosque, whose leader said he had spoken to neither the pastor nor Musri. Jones responded by opening the door, if only a crack, that he would go forward with his plan on Saturday. "We are just really shocked," Jones said of Musri. "He clearly, clearly lied to us." For U.S. political leaders and Muslims around the world who have been outraged by Jones' antics, the on-again, off-again threat bred even more angst and frustration. Cleric Rusli Hasbi told 1,000 worshippers attending Friday morning prayers in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, that whether or not he burns the Quran, Jones had already "hurt the heart of the Muslim world." "If he'd gone through with it, it would have been tantamount to war," the cleric said in the coastal town of Lhokseumawe. "A war that would have rallied Muslims all over the world." Muslims consider the book the sacred word of God and insist it be treated with the utmost respect. In Afghanistan, where tens of thousands of U.S. troops are in harm's way, President Hamid Karzai said he heard Jones had perhaps abandoned his Quran-burning plan. "The holy book is implanted in the hearts and minds of all the Muslims," Karzai said. "Humiliation of the holy book represents the humiliation of our people. I hope that this decision will be stopped and should never have been considered." Jones announced earlier Thursday -- with Musri at his side -- that they had a bargain and that he would call off the Quran-burning. Later he accused Musri of lying and said the burning was only suspended, not canceled. Musri, countered that Jones wasn't confused or misled and that "after we stepped out in front of the cameras, he stretched my words" about the agreement. The imam in charge of the New York Islamic center and mosque project also quickly denied any deal was made. Musri said Jones had instead caved into the firestorm of criticism from around the world and that his announcement might have been a ploy to try to force Muslim leaders' hand on the Islamic center. Jones said later that he expected Musri to keep his word and "the imam in New York to back up one of his own men." Musri said he still plans to go ahead with the meeting Saturday. In New York, the Islamic center project leader, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, said in a statement that he was glad Jones had backed down but that he had spoken to neither the pastor nor Musri. "We are not going to toy with our religion or any other. Nor are we going to barter," Rauf said. "We are here to extend our hands to build peace and harmony." Opponents argue it is insensitive to families and memories of Sept. 11 victims to build a mosque so close to where Islamic extremists flew planes into the World Trade Center and killed nearly 2,800 people. Proponents say the project reflects religious freedom and diversity and that hatred of Muslims is fueling the opposition. Moving the mosque is not why Jones canceled his threat, Musri said. Instead, he relented under the pressure from political and religious leaders of all faiths worldwide to halt what President Barack Obama called a "stunt." Musri said Jones told him the burning "would endanger the troops overseas, Americans traveling abroad and others around the world." "That was the real motivation for calling it off," Musri said. Jones had never invoked the mosque controversy as a reason for his planned protest at his Dove World Outreach Center. Instead, he cited his belief that the Quran is evil because it espouses something other than biblical truth and incites radical, violent behavior among Muslims. Obama urged Jones to listen to "those better angels," saying that besides endangering lives, it would give Islamic terrorists a recruiting tool. Defense Secretary Robert Gates took the extraordinary step of calling Jones personally. Jones' church, which has about 50 members, is independent of any denomination. It follows the Pentecostal tra
[Marxism-Thaxis] Israeli Actors Boycott West Bank Theatre, U.S. Actors Support Their Boycott
-Original Message- From: Portside Moderator [mailto:modera...@portside.org] Sent: Friday, September 10, 2010 5:59 AM To: ports...@lists.portside.org Subject: Israeli Actors Boycott West Bank Theatre, U.S. Actors Support Their Boycott Israeli Actors Boycott West Bank Theatre, U.S. Actors Support Their Boycott 1. U.S. actors back Israeli boycott of West Bank theater (Haaretz (Israel) news story) 2. Israeli Actors to Boycott New West Bank Theatre 60 actors, writers and directors argue that performing in occupied territories would legitimise illegal settlements (Guardian (UK) news story) This was published on the American Portside 3. Making history: support for Israeli artists who say NO to normalizing settlements - full listing of U.S. signers (Jewish Voice for Peace) == U.S. actors back Israeli boycott of West Bank theater More than 150 American actors, writers, directors and other artists sign letter of support for the Israeli actors who said they would not perform in Ariel. By Chaim Levinson Haaretz.com September 06, 2010 - Elul 27, 5770 http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/u-s-actors-back-israeli-boycott-of-west-bank-theater-1.312393 More than 150 American actors, writers, directors and other artists signed a letter of support for the Israeli actors who declared they would not perform in the West Bank. The American signatories include Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda on "Sex and the City"; Mandy Patinkin, who played Inigo Montoya in "The Princess Bride"; and character actor and writer Wallace Shawn, who played the principal in "Clueless." Ten days ago, the Israeli actors caused a storm when they released a petition stating they would not perform in the West Bank. Their move was prompted by reports that the theater companies were planning performances at the new cultural center in Ariel. The American letter calls the Israelis' refusal brave, notes that Ariel is one of the largest settlements in the West Bank and calls it illegal by any standard. The signatories said that most of them faced daily compromises with things they found unacceptable, and that when a group of people decided they would make no more compromises and found the strength to refuse, this inspired them and filled them with hope. The American artists were moved to know the Israelis had refused to allow their work to become part of what they called making the cruel occupation normal and accepted, they said in the letter. The occupation is an obstacle to hope and a just and sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians, they added. The signatories said the Israeli artists' decision should be appreciated by those who seek justice around the world. The letter made waves in the artistic community in the United States. On Friday, several actors called the Israeli Consulate to ask what they should do, and were advised by the cultural attache not to interfere in internal Israeli affairs, Yedioth Ahronoth reported. Wallace Shawn told Haaretz on Sunday that the Israeli artists' refusal had touched him. They did something that could get them fired, and he found that inspiring, he said. Theater is the art of truth, and the Israeli artists are following their own truth, he said. If they were to appear in Ariel they would be legitimizing something they do not agree with, said Shawn. If they do lose their jobs as a result of their stand, the world is watching and people will support them, he said. == Israeli Actors to Boycott New West Bank Theatre 60 actors, writers and directors argue that performing in occupied territories would legitimise illegal settlements by Harriet Sherwood The Guardian (UK) August 30, 2010 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/29/actors-boycott-west-bank-theatre Dozens of Israeli actors, playwrights and directors have signed a letter refusing to take part in productions by leading theatre companies at a new cultural centre in a West Bank settlement, prompting renewed debate over the legitimacy of artistic boycott. More than 60 have joined the protest over plans by Israel's national theatre, the Habima, and other leading companies to stage performances in Ariel, a settlement 12 miles inside the West Bank. The letter, to Israel's culture minister, Limor Livnat, says the new centre for performing arts in Ariel, which is due to open in November after 20 years in construction, would "strengthen the settlement enterprise". "We want to express our dismay with the intention of the theatres' managements to perform in the new auditorium in Ariel and hereby declare that we will refuse to perform in the city, as in any other settlement." Israel's theatre companies should "pursue their prolific activity inside the sovereign territory of the state of Israel within the boundaries of the Green Line". Livnat said the boycott would cause divisions in Israeli society: "Culture is a
