Are you in the network? I am sitting here at a coffee bar with a Shiner-Bock here in Houston checking out the latest New Jersey Star~Ledger headlines. Carla Katz, former president of the Communication Workers of America, is under a federal probe for mishandling union money for New Jersey's Local 1034. Katz's former post employs over half of New Jersey's state workers including Verizon employees, airline stewardesses, and nurses. Included in the Carla Katz matrix are New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker. Jon Corzine reportedly showered Katz with millions of dollars of gifts assumedly from his former position at Goldman Sachs. Katz has raved over the appeal of Booker's golden slacks.
Brown Paper Bag Test
I never pledged any sorority, nor any family members, but the Washington Post printed an article yesterday on the AKA's 100 year celebration. I think that tells you how significant African-American organizations are in American culture. However, when I receive a letter like this from a federal agency...it belies the accomplishment. Anyhow, another cycle of bar dues are here.
Black and Blue
Although my legs and arms are about the size of tree trunks right about now, I decided to sign up for a membership with the Sierra Club for some happy hiking trails. The organization does amazing work with lobbying and activism on behalf of the United States' national parks, resources, and wildlife. In California, the Sierra Club along with other California groups in the Courage Campaign were able to halt the building of a Blackwater Worldwide military training camp that would have impinged on the sanctity of the San Diego area's Hauser Canyon Wilderness and Pacific Crest Trail and on local businesses. Puportedly to evade public scruitiny, Blackwater Worldwide applied for Potrero, California permits under business entities Raven Development Group and Southwest Law Enforcement. Not to be thwarted, Blackwater Worldwide decided to open up camp again in the San Diego city limits in Otay Mesa, Mexico spawning a new campaign to block the company's permanent fixture in the community. Since last year, Blackwater has been suspected of launching destructive and retaliatory attacks when it fails to get its way. The same residents of the Hauser Canyon that lobbied in the Courage Campaign experienced fires in October after pressuring the private contractor to abandon its petitions to the Potrero Board of Supervisors. A New York Times envoy in Iraq witnessed the company's mercenaries kill their dog, Hentish. Three Blonde American orphanage workers evacuating from post-election violence in Kenya have nothing but gratitude for Blackwater's rescue tactics.
Intensive Care Unit
Similar to cellular phones, interference from radio frequency identification tags found in security cards and even surgical sponges may cause hospital equipment like ventillators and defibrillators to malfunction. USA Today cites a study published in last week's Journal of the American Medical Association which found that 25% of the time, medical devices such as a syringe pump and a pacemaker switched off within range of a hospital bed.
Case for Sudan Goes to UN Court
The United Nations' International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for the genocide that has existed in the country since 2003. Peace-keeping forces issued by the United States' government and the UN have failed to suppress the violence under al-Bashir's direction.
High...Low...Defrost
Raw Story reported last week on the crowd control technology that will be showcased at the Democratic National Convention this year featuring a broadcast from CNN's American Morning. Microwave technology, pepper ball bullets, and Sonic Ray Sound are among the devices that will be used against convention participants in the Rockies this summer. The Denver ACLU has sued the city to find out how money will be spent to fund these science-fiction-like weapons. Interesting enough, is the Ghostbusters like "Goo Gun" that releases a plasma like substance to stop intruders and their humvees in their tracks. No need for Dems to travel to Colorado to get a piece of the action. Blackwater may be opening up shop in a town square near you.
Can You Hear Me Now?
Back from New Orleans refreshed and prepared for my court appearance for a Disorderly Conduct citation in federal court yesterday, I am baffled at the supposed effectiveness of the new robot technology used for diagnosing stroke patients. The RP-7 looks like a laptop on a movable platform but it is billed as the next big thing in innovative medical technology. Skype for doctors...big whoopee. The two way video conferencing system works on the same Wi-Fi connectivity as my Sony VAIO. As for the ticket for parking and/or bringing a tape recorder in the FBI building, it was dismissed by the United States Attorney even though my identity theft situation has not been resolved.
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