More
Matrix Masters
Blogs
World Events
US News
Science & Health
Earth News
Free Speech
News from Africa
News from Palestine
Bill of Rights Under Attack

Matrix Masters'
SUPPORTERS

Lorenzo's
Random Musings
. . . about Chaos,
Reason, and Hope

 

U.S. Develops Lethal New Viruses
(Debora MacKenzie, New Scientist, 30 October 2003)
A scientist funded by the US government has deliberately created an extremely deadly form of mousepox, a relative of the smallpox virus, through genetic engineering. . . . the research brings closer the prospect of pox viruses that cause only mild infections in humans being turned into diseases lethal even to people who have been vaccinated. . . . And vaccines are currently our main defence against smallpox and its relatives, such as the monkeypox that reached the US this year. Some researchers think the latest research is risky and unnecessary. . . . "I have great concern about doing this in a pox virus that can cross species," said Ian Ramshaw of the Australian National University in Canberra on being told of Buller's work. . . . this discovery also means some bioterrorists might be more tempted to use the same trick to modify a pox virus that infects humans. Such a disease, like anthrax, would infect only those directly exposed to it. It would not spread around the world and rebound on the attackers. . . . Despite the concerns, work on lethal new pox viruses seems likely to continue in the US. When members of the audience in Geneva questioned the need for such experiments, an American voice in the back boomed out: "Nine-eleven". There were murmurs of agreement.

[COMMENT: The madmen (and women) who have taken over America continue to cower the population with their cries of "remember 9/11." They have hijacked our democracy by instilling fear into the hearts of our now mindless millions who are constantly fed lies by FOX News and their equally unreliable network counterparts. And now these home-grown terrorists are developing even more-deadly weapons, while attacking other nations for simply thinking about doing the same thing. Surely we are seeing the death throes of the American Empire.]

. . . Read more!


posted by LoZo 8:25 PM

 

British anti-war protesters force Bush to sneak in and out of the UK
(Tim Walker, Daily Telegraph, 19 October 2003)
Plans for the Queen and George W Bush to make a triumphant procession along the Mall during the president's state visit next month have been abandoned because of fears of anti-war protests. . . . The decision, taken by Downing Street after consultations with Buckingham Palace, the White House and Scotland Yard, has disappointed the president and his senior aides. . . . The procession is traditionally the public high point of a state visit. A senior Palace official said yesterday that detailed plans had been made. "But Downing Street, anxious about possible anti-war protests from the start, has now decided to pull the plug on it," said the official. . . . "We are liaising with the White House and they have made no attempt to hide their disappointment. They saw it, obviously, as a great photo opportunity." . . . President Bush's trip is the first full state visit of an American president since the Queen came to the throne 52 years ago. He will travel by helicopter to avoid protesters who line road routes. Other proposed events have also been curtailed or cancelled, and he will not address Parliament because of fears of a boycott by MPs. . . . With anti-war campaigners, including militant Muslims, determined to make a protest during the visit, Downing Street has decided to stage photo events that they can control. The President and the Queen are expected to be photographed together during tea at Buckingham Palace and inspecting the guard.

[COMMENT: Note the racist last paragraph that singles one group of people out, "Militant Muslims", without explanation. What about non-militant Muslims, or Christians or trots, anarchos, peace groups, NGOs and all the others that will be protesting?]

. . . Read more!


posted by LoZo 2:49 PM

 

Unrepentant Mahathir says Jews control world
(China Daily, 2003-10-21)
In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Mahathir accused the United States and the European Union of double standards for attacking his speech as anti-Semitic while declining to criticize Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for saying in September 2001 that Western civilization was superior to Islam. . . . "The reaction of the world shows that they (the Jews) control the world," Mahathir, who steps down at the end of the month after 22 years in power, told the newspaper. . . . "Israel is a small country. There are not so many Jews in the world. But they are so arrogant, they defy the whole world. Even if the United Nations says no, they go ahead. Why? Because they have the backing of all these people," Mahathir said. . . . He said his remarks last week to an Islamic summit in Malaysia, which the United States, the EU and Australia among others denounced as anti-Semitic, had been taken out of context. . . . News accounts had ignored his condemnation of all violence, including suicide bombings, and his call on Muslims to heed the teachings of the Koran and talk peace with Israel. . . . Asked why he thought this was the case, Mahathir replied: "Well, many newspapers are owned by Jews. They only see that angle and they have a powerful influence over the thinking of many people. Only their side of the picture is given now."

. . . Read more!


posted by LoZo 8:30 PM

 

Catholic Church Responsible for Genocide in Africa
(The Guardian, October 11, 2003)
It is chilling news that the Catholic church continues to tell people in continents stricken by HIV/Aids that condoms are unreliable (Vatican: condoms don't stop Aids, October 9). For years, physicians and theologians have been trying to persuade it to halt such gross misinformation. . . . The WHO is right in condemning the Vatican's dangerous claims. Although condoms are only one aspect of preventing this appalling pandemic, spreading falsehood condemns many young people to dreadful suffering and death. . . . The Vatican's assertion is tantamount to manslaughter. Thousands, perhaps even millions, will prefer to believe their religious leaders over faceless scientists.The Vatican's assertion is tantamount to manslaughter. Thousands, perhaps even millions, will prefer to believe their religious leaders over faceless scientists.

. . . Read more!


posted by LoZo 11:12 AM

 

Anger at US and at Israeli strike in Syria, mark Islamic summit
(Patrick McDowell, Associated Press, October 11, 2003)
The world's Islamic nations opened their biggest meeting in three years Saturday with a call for the eviction of U.S. troops from Iraq and the rapid restoration of its sovereignty. . . . The gathering of the 57 countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the world's biggest Muslim political grouping, is its first regular summit since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks brought terrorism to the center of world politics. . . . Top priority should go to "the eviction of foreign forces from Iraq, allowing the United Nations to administer Iraqi affairs (as a) prelude to restoration of Iraq's independence, and to the rebuilding of what has been destroyed over the past 20 years, all in accordance with a clear and short timetable," . . . Muslim countries were unanimous in feeling that the United States should leave Iraq and hand over power to Iraqis. Striking a common position on peacekeepers would not be on the summit agenda, he said. . . . Syria declared that it wants the conference to formally condemn Israel's recent airstrike against a training base for Palestinian militants on its soil. Damascus claims the base was closed years ago, while Israel insists it was being used recently by suicide bombers plotting attacks. . . . Malaysia's leader said Israel and the United States were trying to spark a Mideast war. . . . "Israel has been urging America to invade Syria, and Americans seemed to be reluctant, so in order to force the hand of America, Israel invades Syria," Mahathir said. . . . "Now, the Americans will have to support it. Otherwise, the candidates for the presidency in the United States will lose Jewish votes."

. . . Read more!


posted by LoZo 11:08 AM