Archive for January 28th, 2006
News Telegraph: One in five dentists ready to leave NHS
Thousands of dentists are poised to leave the National Health Service in protest at the Government’s new work contract, prompting the worst crisis in the profession since NHS services began nearly 60 years ago.
According to research by the British Dental Association and the Conservative Party, as many as half of dentists in London and one in three in Birmingham plan to turn their backs on the NHS by refusing to sign the contract which takes effect on April 1. Nationally about 20 per cent are threatening to go.
The haemorrhage will leave about four million patients without access to a dentist. A further 40 per cent of the remaining 16,000 NHS dentists say they will reduce their health service work, leaving seven million more people struggling to obtain basic dental care.
The UK dentists are voting against the socialized NHS with their feet. Many millions of Britains will now have to scramble for dental care.
And the Tony Blair government does ?
Stay tuned…….
Previous:
Dentistry Today: Failed Asylum Seeker Poses as a Dentist
Dentistry Today: Many Dentists “Set to Quit NHSâ€
NHS Dentistry Watch: Poll Says Dentists Will Still Quit
NHS Dentistry Watch: More Dentists Now, More Dentists Later
NHS Dentistry Watch: Dentists Reject £295 million Scottish Executive Deal
Dentistry Today: NHS Dentistry Near Collapse?
NHS Dentistry Watch: Disaster Warning
National Health Service Watch: The Doctors Complain
NHS Dentistry Watch: Do It Yourself Extraction
Related:
Technorati Tags: dentistry, dentist, dental, NHS, NationalHealthService, teeth, tooth, bogusdentist, UnitedKingdom
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 Mark Steyn at the Claremont Institute’s Winston Churchill Dinner, Bevrely Hills, California December 2005.
WSJ – Opinion Journal: An Act of Hygiene
Democracy fells yet another anti-American government.
QUEBEC–Remember the conventional wisdom of 2004? Back then, you’ll recall, it was the many members of George Bush’s “unilateral” coalition who were supposed to be in trouble, not least the three doughty warriors of the Anglosphere–the president, Tony Blair and John Howard–who would all be paying a terrible electoral price for lying their way into war in Iraq. The Democrats’ position was that Mr. Bush’s rinky-dink nickel-and-dime allies didn’t count: The president has “alienated almost everyone,” said Jimmy Carter, “and now we have just a handful of little tiny countries supposedly helping us in Iraq.” (That would be Britain, Australia, Poland, Japan . . .) Instead of those nobodies, John Kerry pledged that, under his leadership, “America will rejoin the community of nations”–by which he meant Jacques Chirac, Gerhard Schroeder, the Belgian guy . . .
Two years on, Messrs. Bush, Blair, Howard and Koizumi are all re-elected, while Mr. Chirac is the lamest of lame ducks, and his ingrate citizenry has tossed out his big legacy, the European Constitution; Mr. Schroeder’s government was defeated and he’s now shilling for Russia’s state-owned Gazprom (“It’s all about Gaz!”); and the latest member of the coalition of the unwilling to hit the skids is Canada’s Liberal Party, which fell from office on Monday. John Kerry may have wanted to “rejoin the community of nations.” Instead, “the community of nations” has joined John Kerry, windsurfing off Nantucket in electric-yellow buttock-hugging Lycra, or whatever he’s doing these days.
Read it all!
Mark Steyn is RIGHT on the mark with this hilarious but true piece on Canada, Stephen Harper and the Liberal Party demise.
Technorati Tags: MarkSteyn, Canada, StephenHarper, PaulMartin, JacquesChirac, GerhardSchroeder
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 U.S. peace activist Cindy Sheehan (L) stands next to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during a meeting with World Social Forum Organizations in Caracas, Venezuela January 27, 2006. The sixth world forum, an event that began in Port Alegre in Brazil, has registered more than 67,000 participants and starts with a march against imperialism and war that will likely focus on U.S. President George W. Bush and the conflict in Iraq.
ASSociated Press: Peace activist Cindy Sheehan considers challenging Sen. Feinstein
American peace activist Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, said Saturday she is strongly considering running for office against U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein because the California lawmaker will not support calls to immediately bring the troops home.
Sheehan, who was visiting Venezuela for the World Social Forum along with activists from around the world, said she has been thinking of challenging Feinstein for her seat for some time.
“I think this is so urgent and necessary that this is what I have to do,” Sheehan told The Associated Press in an interview, adding she would make a final decision on whether to run after talking it over with her three adult children in California in the coming days.
The Democratic primary will be held in June, and candidates must submit their statements by Feb. 14.
Sheehan, 48, who lives in Berkeley, Calif., accused Feinstein of being out-of-touch with Californians on Iraq.
“She voted for the war. She continues to vote for the funding. She won’t call for an immediate withdrawal of the troops,” said Sheehan, who gained international attention when she set up a protest camp near U.S. President George W. Bush’s Texas ranch last year.
“I think our senator needs to be held accountable for her support of George Bush and his war policies,” she added.
Come on Cindy…….how about the countless millions that Feinstein’s husband, Richard Blum, has made on the Iraq War.
And Cindy…….Senator Feinstein WILL SUPPORT the filibuster of Judge Samuel Alito.
But, Alito WILL be confirmed in any case.
Are you still going to challenge Senator Feinstein?
Please do!
Bill Mundell are you warming up in the bullpen?
 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) greets U.S activist Cindy Sheehan as he arrives at the meeting with World Social Forum Organizations in Caracas, Venezuela January 27, 2006.
Technorati Tags: DianneFeinstein, CindySheehan, BillMundell, HugoChavez, California, CaliforniaElection2006, Venezuela, WorldSocialForumOrganization, GeorgeBush
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 Iran’s Shihab-3 missle
The ASSociated Press in the Jerusulem Post: Iran warns US, Britain of reprisals
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards chief Saturday warned the United States and Britain that Iran would respond with its missiles if attacked, a clear threat to Israel, which lies within easy range of such a launch.
“The world knows Iran has a ballistic missile power with a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,300 miles),” Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi said on state-run television.
Iran’s improved version of Shihab-3 missile can strike more than 2,000 kilometers (1,300 miles) from their launch site, putting Israel and US forces in the Middle East in easy range.
“We have no intention to invade any country. We will take effective defense measures if attacked,” he said. “These missiles are in the possession of the Guards.”
The Guards were equipped with the missiles in July 2003.
“We are producing these missiles and don’t need foreign technology for that,” he said. Iran announced last year that it had fully developed solid fuel technology for missiles, a major breakthrough that increases their accuracy.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are a separate organization from the regular armed forces.
Founded after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Guards have their own air, naval and ground components
If the United States, Britain or Israel were to initiative a military operation against Iran, there is little doubt that the Shihab-3 missle would be launched with conventional, biological and chemical agents at Israel and American troops stationed in Iraq.
Indeed, if a military build-up was perceived by the Iranians missles would be launched and a blockade of oil transport routes would ensue.
Information on the Shihab-3 missle is here and here.
Even portions of Europe would be within range of the Iranian missles.
Safavi also accused US and British intelligence services of provoking unrest in the oil-rich southwestern Iran and providing bomb materials to Iranian dissidents. He said the US and Britain were behind bombings January 21 that killed at least nine people in the southwestern city of Ahvaz, near the southern border with Iraq where 8,500 British soldiers are based.
“Foreign forces based in Iraq, especially southern Iraq, direct Iranian agents and give them bomb materials,” he said.
Safavi said Iran was monitoring dissidents and their alleged links with the US and British forces.
“We are aware of their meetings in Kuwait and Iraq,” he said. “We warn them (US and Britain), especially the MI-6 and CIA, that they refrain from interfering in Iran’s affairs.”
Of course, the United States and Israel desire regime change in Iran. The government of Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is controlled by the Mullahs and Islamofascists. What better way for a regime change than internal subversion.
Re-read this War Game Scenario, Will Iran Be Next?
And
The Case for Invading Iran by Thomas Holsinger
The United States must be careful to not tip their hand prior to being ready logistically to invade Iran.
Iran must stand down its nuclear program.
The Winds of War are blowing stronger today.
Stay tuned……..
Previous:
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Promises access to Lavizan Nuclear Site
Iran Nuclear Watch: Warming to Russian Compromise Proposal
Iran Watch: Iran Blames U.S. and Britain for Bombings
Iran Nuclear Watch: The Russian Nuclear Option STALL
Iran Nuclear Watch: John Bolton – “President Bush Won’t Tolerate Nuclear Iranâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Condoleezza Rice – Refer Iran to United Nations Security Council
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Warns West Over UN Nuclear Referral
Iran Nuclear Watch: Military Action Against Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Would be a “FATAL MISTAKEâ€
Iran Nuclear Watch: Winds of War – Talk of Military Action
Iran Watch: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad – Challenges Europe to Take Back Jews in Israel
Iran Watch: Winds of War – Iran President Meets Anti-Israel militants in Syria
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Moving Currency As Pre-Emptive Move
Jacques Chirac Watch: Threats May Spur Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions
Jacques Chirac Watch: France Will Respond to Terrorism with Nukes
Iran Nuclear Watch: Mohamed ElBaradei Rejects EU Call to Condemn Iran at February IAEA Meeting
Iran Nuclear Watch: IEAE to Hold Emergency Iran Meeting February 2nd
Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Scorns EU 3’s Draft Nuclear Resolution
Iran Nuclear Watch: France Rejects Iran’s Request for More Talks on Nuclear Program
Iran Nuclear Watch: European Union 3 Draft Resolution Opens Door to United Nations Security Council Sanctions
Iran Nuclear Watch: Russia and China Do NOT Support Sanctions Against Iran
The Iran Files
 The Natanz uranium enrichment complex in Natanz is pictured in this January 2, 2006 satellite image
Technorati Tags: Iran, Russia, China, SergeiLavrov, UnitedNations, UnitedNationsSecurityCouncil, ZhouWenzhong, NicholasBurns, EuropeanUnion, MahmoudAhmadinejad, ManouchehrMottaki, JacquesChirac, Chirac, France, Iran, Nuclearweapons, nuclear, AbdulQadeerKhan, AliLarijani, CondoleezzaRice, JohnBolton
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 Judge Charles R. McGrath says death sentence was based on false testimony from a jailhouse informant.
Los Angeles Times: Judge Requests Clemency for a Killer He Condemned
In a highly unusual development, a judge who condemned a killer to die has asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to grant clemency.
Michael A. Morales is to be executed Feb. 21 for the 1981 killing of Terri Winchell, a Lodi high school student. Ventura County Superior Court Judge Charles R. McGrath, appointed by Gov. RonaldReagan, said in a letter to the governor that he believes the sentence was based on false testimony from a jailhouse informant.
Flap previously commented on this case and the heinousness of the murder here.
Bruce Samuelson testified that Morales had callously boasted during a jailhouse conversation that he had planned to rape and kill the teenager. The confession supposedly took place in a crowded cellblock that Morales knew was full of informants.
Samuelson explained away Morales’ willingness to talk by saying the two men spoke in Spanish. A later investigation by the state attorney general, however, showed that Morales, a fourth-generation Californian, doesn’t speak Spanish, McGrath said.
Samuelson’s testimony not only persuaded judge and jury that the killing was egregious, but effectively canceled out Morales’ claim that he felt deep remorse for the crime, McGrath said.
Executing Morales, 46, under the circumstances would be “a grievous and freakish injustice,” McGrath concluded.
McGrath’s letter was included in Morales’ clemency petition, which was filed with the governor Friday. The petition asks that Morales’ death sentence be commuted to life in prison.
A 1981 Crime and now 20 PLUS years later another request for clemency for a convicted heinous murderer.
If Judge McGrath had a problem with sentencing for this case then so be it.
Flap certainly does NOT.
Looking at the facts of the case and the senseless heinous murder of a young girl, Flap could care less that Morales is remorseful for smashing her skull in with a hammer. He and his cousin were lying in wait for her = a special circumstance = death penalty.
Hell, Flap would have expected a Ventura County judge to give Morales the “Big Jab” regardless of the false testimony. And why 25 years later?
The San Joaquin district attorney’s office will file a response to this clemency request.
In the meantime, if Judge McGrath has any hesitation to impose the death penalty as prescribed by law and adopted by the People of California then Flap recommends he either retire from the bench or hear non-criminal cases.
Update:
Apparently Judge McGrath has retired from the Ventura County Superior Court. He is not listed as a current judicial appointee.
Flap does not know if as a retired judge he continues to hear some cases as a “rent a judge.”
Patterico adds his insight here.
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Michael Angelo Morales Watch: Kenneth Starr to Assist Death Row Clemency Bid
Technorati Tags: MichaelAngeloMorales, ArnoldSchwarzenegger, California, StanleyTookieWilliams, ClarenceRayAllen, KennethStarr, Charles McGrath
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 U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York, speaks at a re-election fundraiser as Oregon governor Ted Kulongoski, right, looks on in Portland, Ore., Friday Jan. 27, 2006.
New York Daily News: Hil’s for filibuster
Takes rebel stand to oppose Alito OK for Supremes
Sen. Hillary Clinton yesterday backed a rebel band of Senate Dems seeking to filibuster a vote on the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel Alito.
Democratic leaders had warned that filibuster efforts were going nowhere and would let President Bush score easy political points, but Clinton said, “I oppose his nomination and support efforts to block his confirmation.”
“I do not think Judge Alito would advance the principles Americans hold most dear,” she said, adding she would vote against a move to cut off a filibuster should one occur.
Here we go!
First, it was Dianne Feinstein……..
The Senate Democrats WILL FILIBUSTER on Monday.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) made it clear earlier in the day that the party didn’t have the votes to defeat a cloture vote, so a filibuster was doomed to failure.
Nevertheless, Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) have pushed for a filibuster, a move that delights Republicans.
“If the Democratic left does a filibuster led by Kerry, that’s found money for us,” a top GOP official said.
The filibuster tactic could have repercussions for Clinton. Her move is bound to be seen as an appeal to the liberal base that dominates the Democratic presidential primaries, following several Senate votes that could be seen as attempts to move to the center.
The “PLANTATION” reference = Pandering to the African-American vote
An “ALITO FILIBUSTER” = Pandering to the Pro-Abortion/NARAL movement
Hillary is migrating back to her NATURAL LEFT or does she fear Kerry and/or Gore in the Presidential primary?
Look for more filibuster supporters as the weekend progresses……
Will the GANG of 14 have a news conference?
Stay tuned….
Previous:
Samuel Alito Watch: Dianne Feinstein Reneges and WILL Vote for Filibuster
Samuel Alito Watch: FILIBUSTER?
Samuel Alito Watch: Byrd and Johnson Break Ranks to Support Confirmation
Samuel Alito Watch: Senate Judiciary Committee Sends Nomination to Full Senate
Samuel Alito Watch: Senate Judiciary Committee Poised to Approve Judge Alito
Samuel Alito Watch: Filibuster Likely?
Samuel Alito Watch: Leahy Will Vote NO on confirmation
Samuel Alito Watch: Democrat Senator WILL Vote for Confirmation
Michael Ramirez on Samuel Alito Confirmation Hearings
Samuel Alito Watch: Democrats Force One Week Delay in Senate Judiciary Committee Vote
Samuel Alito Watch: Senator Dianne Feinstein Warns Against Filibuster
Technorati Tags: SamuelAlito, RobertByrd, SupremeCourt, TimJohnson, JohnKerry, TedKennedy, HillaryClinton
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