text:
Talk:Ahmedi of Iran's PDKI discusses Kurdistan's general strike and the democratic future of Iran

E-mail interview
'''It seems like often, discussion of the politics in Kurdistan, whether in Iran, Iraq or Turkey, is dominated by discussion of communist or guerilla groups like the PKK or the Communist Party of Iran. Do you think moderate, western-style democratic groups are shut out of the conversation in the international media, and if so, why? What is PDKI's place in the conversation within Iranian Kurdistan?'''

Different organisations use different methods to raise awareness about issues they regard as important. Naturally, international media outlets give attention to more militant actions. The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan is the oldest Kurdish political party in all four parts of Kurdistan and the most experienced political organisation in Iranian Kurdistan; we have in the past waged a guerrilla war against the Islamic Republic from 1979 to 1997, and although we are not rejecting armed struggle as a method, we think that there are other opportunities that are less costly in terms of human lives that are worth pursuing.

We have always believed that it is of strategic importance to engage in different forms of political protest that are less costly in terms of human lives; for example, in the form of general strikes and other forms civil disobedience – which we witnessed all over Iranian Kurdistan on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the assassination of the Kurdish leader Dr. Ghassemlou on July 13, 1989, by the Islamic Republic in Vienna.

The PDKI is the leading Kurdish political party in Iranian Kurdistan; in the first rounds of elections to the Majlis after the revolution, our party won an overwhelming majority of the votes in Iranian Kurdistan and our party leader at the time, Dr. Ghassmlou, was elected to the Council of Experts, which had the task of drafting the constitution, as the only secular member. During the past 63 years, and in particular during the past 30 years, we have shown that we act in the interest of our people and as a consequence of that our party is popular and respected by the Kurdish people. Thus, even though we think it is important that international media pays attention to the situation in Iranian Kurdistan, for us it is more important to engage in forms of political activity that are of long-term significance. It should also be mentioned that the general strike on July 13 did not receive any attention by international media for the simple reason that the Islamic Republic has created a North Korea-like situation in Iranian Kurdistan where not only international media cannot gain access to the region, but it is also difficult for the Kurds themselves to inform the outside world about their plight.

'''What's the place of federalist liberal democracy in a post-theocratic Iran? Should it be concerned mostly with relieving ethnic tensions? Is overcentralization a fundamental problem of the Iranian state?'''

It is our firm belief that democracy and federalism will solve many of Iran’s internal and external problems. Iran’s destructive foreign policies are a reflection of the nature of the Islamic Republic, that is to say, its undemocratic nature. Iran’s ethnic and national diversity holds the key to democracy to Iran because this diversity can function as the best form of checks and balances to decentralize power in the country for the twin aim of safeguarding liberty and democracy internally and to turn Iran into a constructive regional and international member of the world community. A decentralized, federal and democratic Iran, unlike the Islamic Republic of today, will not export and support fundamentalism and terrorism. Given Iran’s lack of democratic traditions and a host of other factors, it is the country’s diversity that can be conducive to democracy.

Why hasn't the PDKI signed onto the Iran Solidarity group that was formed in Europe earlier this week?

To my knowledge, the organizers of this campaign have not approached our party. But our party has in different statements and actions expressed its solidarity with the brave people that are standing up against the regime. At the same time, I have to underline that it is important for us that our support and solidarity is not interpreted as support for the “reformist” faction of the regime. We support the political struggle for liberty and democracy in Iran. This should be differentiated from taking sides in the regime’s factional infighting between “conservatives” and “reformists”. Whatever their differences, these factions are all defenders of the Islamic system of government, which is antithetical to liberty and democracy.

'''You first left Kurdistan over twenty years ago. Can you comment on how the situation for Iranian Kurds has changed since then?'''

During the past the 30 years, cultural oppression and discrimination, deliberate state policies to keep Kurdistan in a state of economic underdevelopment, torture, executions, arbitrary imprisonment and “disappearances” of political activists and civilians have been part and parcel of the lives of the Kurds. So it would be more adequate to speak of continuity rather than change. Furthermore, what is new to the picture is the spread of narcotics among the Kurdish youth, which we believe is a deliberate policy by the regime to destroy the fabric of the Kurdish society and, hence, to prevent organized resistance in Kurdistan.

'''How would you characterize the strike that's underway in Iranian Kurdistan now? Is it closely tied to the movement against Ahmedinejad in the Persian cities of Iran, or is it more a purely Kurdish phenomenon?'''

The strike was mainly organized to mark the 20th anniversary of the assassination of the Kurdish leader and former General-Secretary of the PDKI, Dr. Abdul Rahman Ghassmlou. Every year, since the assassination of Dr. Ghassemlou 20 years ago by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the PDKI has called on the Kurdish nation in Iranian Kurdistan to commemorate Dr. Ghassemlou and at the same time condemn the Islamic regime’s policies of assassination.

But it is at the same time an expression of solidarity and support for the people of Iran that stands up against the Islamic Republic and fights for freedom, democracy and equality.

'''What role should the Kurdish exile community take in the Iranian unrest - is it better to return now and join the strike against Ahmedinejad, or to give support from abroad? If the latter, how can the Kurdish diaspora best help the Kurdish people in Iran?'''

Returning to take part in protests would make them easy targets for the regime; the Kurdish diaspora should instead work to raise awareness about the situation in Kurdistan and Iran by, for example, demonstrating, writing letters to government officials in the countries they live in, and so on.

Given the Iranian leadership's past propensity for assassinations, do you think Mousavi, Karroubi et al are at personal risk in taking part in protests against Ahmedinejad?

To my knowledge, both Mousavi and Karroubi have indirectly made clear that they will not urge people to take to the streets if they don’t get permission from the regime, hence the possibility that they would take part in future demonstrations is unlikely.

I do not think that the regime will assassinate Mousavi or Karroubi; it would be strategically unwise. It would demonstrate that the regime’s own figures have turned against the Islamic Republic and assassinating any of them would turn them into martyrs and could be used by the Iranian peoples as a pretext to stage violent protests.

'''Finally, what's the best strategy for the uprising against the Ahmedinejad? How can the Kurds, and all people of Iran, win?'''

I firmly believe that the uprising is not only targeting Ahmedinejad but rather the regime as a whole. That is not to say that the protesters are homogeneous; different groups have different approaches to what should be done. However, it is imperative that all the different groups that are opposing the regime reach a consensus on a common strategy to bring about real democracy in Iran. For this to be possible, a multinational federal democracy must be recognized as the future model for Iran. Given this, an alliance could be created that can stage protests and other forms of political activity across the country rather than the major cities. In such a scenario, the regime will have greater difficulty to suppress the organized resistance of the peoples of Iran, as it did recently.

Follow-up
Great, please make sure to send me the links to both the radio and the text version of the interview. Also, I have written "Iranian peoples" it should be the peoples of Iran. I would appreciate if you could change that!

2009/7/15

I should be able to get it published on Wikinews this afternoon, then the audio version for Sea of Green Radio tomorrow.

--Edmund

Mr Ahmadi has offered to take a few more questions from the community if we can get them in today. --Killing Vector (talk) 00:35, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

Collaboration
This page is a collaboration without an article. It is in danger of speedy deletion. I suggest you start the article very soon. Otherwise someone will likely delete it per WN:SD:Other #2. --SVTCobra 00:48, 15 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Nevermind. --SVTCobra 00:51, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

Please add Category:2009 Iranian presidential elections
editprotected --Александр Дмитрий (Alexandr Dmitri) (talk) 21:32, 7 November 2009 (UTC)
 * ✅. Cirt (talk) 21:38, 7 November 2009 (UTC)


text:
Ahmedi of Iran's PDKI discusses Kurdistan's general strike and the democratic future of Iran

July 15, 2009

Unrest in Iran following the 2009 Iranian presidential election has now continued for over a month. Despite the focus of international attention on continued demonstrations against the Ahmedinejad government, an ongoing press blackout means little of the news, which does arrive from Iran, comes from the provinces which are home to 74% of Iran's population.

On July 13, unconfirmed reports began to emerge of a general strike in the four largely-Kurdish provinces in the north-west of Iran which make up Iranian Kurdistan. Videos showed empty, deserted streets and shuttered shops in Mahabad, Saghez and other Kordestani cities. The reports of the strike coincide with the twentieth anniversary of the murder of Abdul Rahman Ghassemlou, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (PDKI).

Loghman Ahmedi, a Kurdish exile and the PDKI's representative to the United Kingdom, spoke with Wikinews.

'''It seems like often, discussion of the politics in Kurdistan, whether in Iran, Iraq or Turkey, is dominated by discussion of communist or guerilla groups like the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) or the Communist Party of Iran. Do you think moderate, western-style democratic groups are shut out of the conversation in the international media, and if so, why? What is PDKI's place in the conversation within Iranian Kurdistan?

Different organisations use different methods to raise awareness about issues they regard as important. Naturally, international media outlets give attention to more militant actions. The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan is the oldest Kurdish political party in all four parts of Kurdistan and the most experienced political organisation in Iranian Kurdistan; we have in the past waged a guerrilla war against the Islamic Republic from 1979 to 1997, and although we are not rejecting armed struggle as a method, we think that there are other opportunities that are less costly in terms of human lives that are worth pursuing.

We have always believed that it is of strategic importance to engage in different forms of political protest that are less costly in terms of human lives; for example, in the form of general strikes and other forms civil disobedience – which we witnessed all over Iranian Kurdistan on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the assassination of the Kurdish leader Dr. Ghassemlou on July 13, 1989, by the Islamic Republic in Vienna. The PDKI is the leading Kurdish political party in Iranian Kurdistan; in the first rounds of elections to the Majlis after the revolution, our party won an overwhelming majority of the votes in Iranian Kurdistan and our party leader at the time, Dr. Ghassemlou, was elected to the Council of Experts, which had the task of drafting the constitution, as the only secular member. During the past 63 years, and in particular during the past 30 years, we have shown that we act in the interest of our people and as a consequence of that our party is popular and respected by the Kurdish people. Thus, even though we think it is important that international media pays attention to the situation in Iranian Kurdistan, for us it is more important to engage in forms of political activity that are of long-term significance. It should also be mentioned that the general strike on July 13 did not receive any attention by international media for the simple reason that the Islamic Republic has created a North Korea-like situation in Iranian Kurdistan where not only international media cannot gain access to the region, but it is also difficult for the Kurds themselves to inform the outside world about their plight.

'''What's the place of federalist liberal democracy in a post-theocratic Iran? Should it be concerned mostly with relieving ethnic tensions? Is overcentralization a fundamental problem of the Iranian state?'''

It is our firm belief that democracy and federalism will solve many of Iran’s internal and external problems. Iran’s destructive foreign policies are a reflection of the nature of the Islamic Republic, that is to say, its undemocratic nature. Iran’s ethnic and national diversity holds the key to democracy in Iran because this diversity can function as the best form of checks and balances to decentralize power in the country for the twin aim of safeguarding liberty and democracy internally and to turn Iran into a constructive regional and international member of the world community. A decentralized, federal and democratic Iran, unlike the Islamic Republic of today, will not export and support fundamentalism and terrorism. Given Iran’s lack of democratic traditions and a host of other factors, it is the country’s diversity that can be conducive to democracy.

Why hasn't the PDKI signed onto the Iran Solidarity group that was formed in Europe earlier this week?

To my knowledge, the organizers of this campaign have not approached our party. But our party has in different statements and actions expressed its solidarity with the brave people that are standing up against the regime. At the same time, I have to underline that it is important for us that our support and solidarity is not interpreted as support for the “reformist” faction of the regime. We support the political struggle for liberty and democracy in Iran. This should be differentiated from taking sides in the regime’s factional infighting between “conservatives” and “reformists”. Whatever their differences, these factions are all defenders of the Islamic system of government, which is antithetical to liberty and democracy.

'''You first left Kurdistan over twenty years ago. Can you comment on how the situation for Iranian Kurds has changed since then?'''

During the past 30 years, cultural oppression and discrimination, deliberate state policies to keep Kurdistan in a state of economic underdevelopment, torture, executions, arbitrary imprisonment and “disappearances” of political activists and civilians have been part and parcel of the lives of the Kurds. So it would be more adequate to speak of continuity rather than change. Furthermore, what is new to the picture is the spread of narcotics among the Kurdish youth, which we believe is a deliberate policy by the regime to destroy the fabric of the Kurdish society and, hence, to prevent organized resistance in Kurdistan.

'''How would you characterize the strike that's underway in Iranian Kurdistan now? Is it closely tied to the movement against Ahmedinejad in the Persian cities of Iran, or is it more a purely Kurdish phenomenon?'''

The strike was mainly organized to mark the 20th anniversary of the assassination of the Kurdish leader and former General-Secretary of the PDKI, Dr. Abdul Rahman Ghassmlou. Every year, since the assassination of Dr. Ghassemlou 20 years ago by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the PDKI has called on the Kurdish nation in Iranian Kurdistan to commemorate Dr. Ghassemlou and at the same time condemn the Islamic regime’s policies of assassination.

But it is at the same time an expression of solidarity and support for the people of Iran that stands up against the Islamic Republic and fights for freedom, democracy and equality.

'''What role should the Kurdish exile community take in the Iranian unrest - is it better to return now and join the strike against Ahmedinejad, or to give support from abroad? If the latter, how can the Kurdish diaspora best help the Kurdish people in Iran?'''

Returning to take part in protests would make them easy targets for the regime; the Kurdish diaspora should instead work to raise awareness about the situation in Kurdistan and Iran by, for example, demonstrating, writing letters to government officials in the countries they live in, and so on.

Given the Iranian leadership's past propensity for assassinations, do you think Mousavi, Karroubi et al are at personal risk in taking part in protests against Ahmedinejad?

To my knowledge, both Mousavi and Karroubi have indirectly made clear that they will not urge people to take to the streets if they don’t get permission from the regime, hence the possibility that they would take part in future demonstrations is unlikely.

I do not think that the regime will assassinate Mousavi or Karroubi; it would be strategically unwise. It would demonstrate that the regime’s own figures have turned against the Islamic Republic and assassinating any of them would turn them into martyrs and could be used by the peoples of Iran as a pretext to stage violent protests.

'''Finally, what's the best strategy for the uprising against the Ahmedinejad? How can the Kurds win?'''

I firmly believe that the uprising is not only targeting Ahmedinejad but rather the regime as a whole. That is not to say that the protesters are homogeneous; different groups have different approaches to what should be done. However, it is imperative that all the different groups that are opposing the regime reach a consensus on a common strategy to bring about real democracy in Iran. For this to be possible, a multinational federal democracy must be recognized as the future model for Iran. Given this, an alliance could be created that can stage protests and other forms of political activity across the country rather than the major cities. In such a scenario, the regime will have greater difficulty to suppress the organized resistance of the peoples of Iran, as it did recently.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


text:
Comments:Microsoft announces web version of Office

Open source will win the day in the end.

Why would I buy another Microsoft product when: I have to call them in order to keep a PAID for copy of Microsoft Windows Vista running. I wasted an hour on the phone with Microsoft who outsourced calls to India and was hung up on three times, just to try and have my system not crash, because Microsoft decided that I had installed too many clean copies on one computer! Why buy from a company that doesn't give you fair usage of your own product? Given a choice, I would never buy another Microsoft product again. It's time for some competition in the computer industry! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.64.171.147 (talk) 20:46, 15 July 2009 (UTC)


text:
Comments:'Monster' fish killed in Swiss lake after biting swimmers

Lamest idea for a possible Jaws sequel.
 * It's the Swiss. They have a tiny country, so naturally you're only terrorised by tiny fish. --Brian McNeil / talk 12:07, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

"Meat from the fish was later served to tourists around the lake." -- hilarious ending to the article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 141.241.100.29 (talk) 17:24, 15 July 2009 (UTC)
 * That'll Teach him to bite people...ROFL Dillard421 (talk) 21:44, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

They served it as food after... Damn funny i think lol —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.78.198.3 (talk) 17:47, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

The fish may have been guaring a nest of eggs.

my name is Zander.


text:
User talk:128.211.177.24

Your recent edits
Hi there. In case you didn't know, when you add content to talk pages and Wikinews pages that have open discussion, you should sign your posts by typing four tildes ( ~~~~ ) at the end of your comment. On many keyboards, the tilde is entered by holding the Shift key, and pressing the key with the tilde pictured. You may also click on the signature button located above the edit window. This will automatically insert a signature with your name and the time you posted the comment. This information is useful because other editors will be able to tell who said what, and when. Thank you! --SineBot (talk) 11:56, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:128.211.177.24


text:
User talk:WereSpielChequers

Welcome
--Brian McNeil / talk 12:08, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:WereSpielChequers


text:
Comments:U.K. National Portrait Gallery threatens U.S. citizen with legal action over Wikimedia images

The UK legal system doesn't care about your rights
I hope the threatened parties simply ignore the National Portrait Gallery's bloviating. All of them are under U.S. jurisdiction, and us Americans shouldn't allow our rights to be reduced to the least common denominator among nations, especially when those nations include ones like the U.K. that have no concrete protections of individual liberties under law. Another manifestation of this same phenomenon is libel shopping wherein multinational entities file baseless SLAPP-type libel suits in U.K. courts because there is no rigid protection of freedom of speech as there is in the U.S. Unfortunately, it can be hard for publishers to avoid harm in those cases, but in this one it's easy. Let them eat cake. 209.30.170.213 (talk) 14:29, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

I was just there the other day, glad I didn't take any pictures. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 141.241.100.29 (talk) 17:23, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

 * That's a slightly different issue, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were some kind of sui generis "intellectual property" interest in lighting arrangements that would be violated by taking a picture of an item inside the gallery. That's how ridiculous this is. 209.30.170.213 (talk) 18:04, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

The comparison between America and the U.K. seems unfortunate, but there's certainly truth in it. Really, which part of these threats is surprising? It's obviously a legal threat made against a party that seems vulnerable for the sake of money. That's just how it works. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.156.13.88 (talk) 01:53, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

Someone daring to question the ability of the US of to do anything? Tar and feather!
I'm sincerely surprised to see anybody trying the "I'll sue anybody anywhere even if I am not right". They should pay for the right to use the method.

Anyway it's twice as ridiculous as the infringer comes from the States. After all the abuses abroad perpetrated by US based firms now they are still the ones to do as they please?

There's a sickening view anyway. Museums are places of culture which get next to nothing in the beautiful NATO country sight which spends sums that can feed the entire World just on weapons of mass destruction. At the same time Spears, Madonna or Metallica have the right to do anything to save them from starvation, but these last fortresses of education and art have no rights whatsoever.

So big players like Microsoft, Adobe and many other US based software firms can also retain the right to prosecute anybody anywhere in relation with software they don't bother to maintain and support anymore (old versions), yet a museum should be the last one to request anything while it maintains, restores, offers guided tours, etc.

You sick hypocrites!

Unsigned. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.32.194.22 (talk) 02:38, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

 * Nothing you just said made any sense at all. You are severely misinformed and/or idiotic. Even assuming arguendo that the museum's "rights" are being infringed, what does this have to do with the U.S. government at all? This is an action by a U.K. public entity against an individual and (indirectly) a private non-profit in the U.S. in which the U.S. government has not expressed any opinion and is not even a party. I don't see what this has to do with U.S. foreign policy stereotypes. Apparently, according to you, the U.S. government should prevent its private citizens from filing copyright claims that are countenanced by law in the countries in which they are filed? I find no analogy here to threatening to sue a U.S. individual in a foreign court with no jurisdiction of the body. 209.30.170.213 (talk) 20:38, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

 * The government of a country represents the people of that country. Even with a despotic system there are ways to change the leadership. In the case of a voting society the citizens are entirely responsible for the actions of the state they 1. organised 2. voted 3. paid. As for stereotypes - the one I know are generated from the film industry about the state being democratic, although it has nothing to do with the greek concept, about fighting for freedom by imprisoning people, etc. Or from the news media - fighting for life by putting bombs at clinics, etc. Also the justice system based on analogy and precedence is just a retrograd system used by a minority of countries. The others just use the law instead of political bargaining. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.32.194.22 (talk) 12:02, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

 * You're still not making any sense. One can, once again, assume your dubious premises to be true and still fail to come to any kind of a point. What does the representativeness or non-representativeness of governments have to do with this? As for the "retrograd" system of justice based on "analogy and precedence" I agree that it's not in vogue among the majority of countries. The numerical majority employs a system based on bribery, manipulation by executive officials and extortionate political prosecution. I'd much prefer to keep our "retrograd" system and stay in the minority. 209.30.170.213 (talk) 15:30, 18 July 2009 (UTC)
 * I think you're wasting your time. 89.32.194.22 is babbling incoherently. Obviously the thorazine drip came out and he's loose unmedicated. --Brian McNeil / talk 15:42, 18 July 2009 (UTC)


text: User talk:91.198.174.201

title: User talk:91.198.174.201


text:
User talk:141.241.100.29

Your recent edits
Hi there. In case you didn't know, when you add content to talk pages and Wikinews pages that have open discussion, you should sign your posts by typing four tildes ( ~~~~ ) at the end of your comment. On many keyboards, the tilde is entered by holding the Shift key, and pressing the key with the tilde pictured. You may also click on the signature button located above the edit window. This will automatically insert a signature with your name and the time you posted the comment. This information is useful because other editors will be able to tell who said what, and when. Thank you! --SineBot (talk) 17:26, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:141.241.100.29


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Talk:First Tropical Depression of 2006 Forms

Infobox
editprotected Please replace Hurricane with Hurricane 2006 Infobox. – Juliancolton  | Talk 20:40, 15 July 2009 (UTC)
 * ✅ Cheers, Van der Hoorn (talk) 23:29, 15 July 2009 (UTC)


text:
Talk:Felix becomes Category 1 hurricane as it threatens Aruba

Infobox
editprotected Please replace Hurricane with Hurricane 2007 Infobox. – Juliancolton  | Talk 20:42, 15 July 2009 (UTC)
 * ✅ Cheers, Van der Hoorn (talk) 23:22, 15 July 2009 (UTC)


text:
Template:Hurricane 2008 Infobox

 * 2008 hurricane season
 * List of notable tropical cyclones
 * Wikipedia's entry on Tropical cyclones
 * Wikitionary's definition of a Tropical cyclone

title: Template:Hurricane 2008 Infobox


text:
Talk:Bertha becomes first hurricane of 2008 Atlantic season

Infobox
editprotected Please replace Hurricane with Hurricane 2008 Infobox. – Juliancolton  | Talk 20:47, 15 July 2009 (UTC)
 * ✅ Cheers, Van der Hoorn (talk) 23:21, 15 July 2009 (UTC)


text:
Talk:Tropical Storm Edouard moves on land along Texas coast

Infobox
editprotected Please replace Hurricane with Hurricane 2008 Infobox. – Juliancolton  | Talk 20:48, 15 July 2009 (UTC)
 * ✅ Cheers, Van der Hoorn (talk) 23:10, 15 July 2009 (UTC)


text:
Comments:Nine dead and more than 70 injured after bridge collapses in Peru

I am writing a book review assignment on the Bridge of San Luis Rey 1927 it was written about 6 people dead on a bridge in Peru. My question is and I do believe that things repeat themself, do you think that the bridge that callaspe in 2008 or 2009 has something to do with the bridge that fail in 1714, that kill 6 people.... I am doing a book reveiw on the bridge, the book is fiction, but as I read this article regarding nine people die and seventy was injured.... what do you beleive......


text:
User talk:Mchang~enwikinews

– Juliancolton  | Talk 23:25, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

Your account will be renamed
Hello,

The developer team at Wikimedia is making some changes to how accounts work, as part of our on-going efforts to provide new and better tools for our users like cross-wiki notifications. These changes will mean you have the same account name everywhere. This will let us give you new features that will help you edit and discuss better, and allow more flexible user permissions for tools. One of the side-effects of this is that user accounts will now have to be unique across all 900 Wikimedia wikis. See the announcement for more information.

Unfortunately, your account clashes with another account also called Mchang. To make sure that both of you can use all Wikimedia projects in future, we have reserved the name Mchang~enwikinews that only you will have. If you like it, you don't have to do anything. If you do not like it, you can pick out a different name.

Your account will still work as before, and you will be credited for all your edits made so far, but you will have to use the new account name when you log in.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Yours, Keegan Peterzell Community Liaison, Wikimedia Foundation 23:21, 17 March 2015 (UTC)

Renamed
 This account has been renamed as part of single-user login finalisation. If you own this account you can |log in using your previous username and password for more information. If you do not like this account's new name, you can choose your own using this form after logging in: . -- Keegan (WMF) (talk) 06:34, 21 April 2015 (UTC)

title: User talk:Mchang~enwikinews


text:
U.S. Capitol Police kill man during traffic stop turned chase

July 16, 2009

U.S. Capitol Police shot and killed a man yesterday after a traffic stop became violent; two officers were slightly injured.

Police reported that the incident began when officers attempted to pull over a white Mercedes for a routine violation. This occurred at about 5:15pm local time in the 100 block of Massachusetts Avenue NW. The suspect sped away, almost running down two officers, striking a parked car and crashing into a police vehicle. He then crawled out of his car's window brandishing a gun. Officers demanded he drop the weapon, but he began shooting at them. They returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect; he was later declared dead at Washington Hospital Center.

Robert Drumm, a food-service manager visiting from Edmond, Oklahoma, reported hearing a collision and then, "boom, boom, boom, boom. A pause and then a bunch more [gunshots]"; he estimated hearing about a dozen shots in total. According to spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, "The subject disregarded repeated demands by police officers to put down the weapon that the suspect had. He began shooting a weapon at several U.S. Capitol Police officers. U.S. Capitol Police returned fire, hitting the suspect. [...] Our officers fired because they believed their lives were in danger." Two officers had minor injuries and were treated on site. As precautions, a U.S. Capitol access road next to the Senate was closed, and doors on the North side were locked. However, police believed the incident was isolated and unrelated to Capitol security.


text:
Tropical Storm Dolores now active

July 16, 2009 The National Hurricane Center (NHC) upgraded Tropical Depression Five-E to tropical storm status Wednesday. The storm, now officially Tropical Storm Dolores, is the fourth named tropical cyclone of the 2009 Pacific hurricane season.

As of 8 p.m. PDT July 15 (0300 UTC July 16), Tropical Storm Dolores is located within 30 nautical miles of 17.1°N 117.4°W, about 630 miles (1015 km) southwest of the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 knots (50 mph, 75 km/h), with stronger gusts. The minimum barometric pressure is estimated at 1000 millibars.

Meanwhile, Carlos is once again a tropical storm after having reached hurricane status on July 14.

The NHC expects Dolores to continue moving out to sea during coming days. In a recent statement from the organization, forecasters noted that "There is a short window available for any further intensification", but the storm is likely to weaken once it moves over cooler waters.

title: Tropical Storm Dolores now active


text: Talk:Tropical Storm Dolores now active

title: Talk:Tropical Storm Dolores now active


text:
Wikinews interviews Mike Lebowitz, chairman of the U.S. Modern Whig Party

July 17, 2009 According to the Pew Research Center, a non-advocacy organization that evaluates issues, attitudes and trends shaping the political landscape of the United States, centrism is on the rise in America. According to Pew, the number of Americans identifying themselves as independents has reached the highest level in 70 years.

Recently 36% of Americans say they are independents, 35% identify as Democrats, while 23% see themselves as Republicans. Some people are abandoning the major parties, re-registering as independent or joining third parties.

One of these third parties are the Modern Whig Party (MWP), who have enjoyed phenomenal growth over the past year; from just 3,000 members last summer to 30,000 now. With the Party's commitment to "fiscal responsibility" and "bold social progression", several conservative Democrats and centrist Republicans have been attracted to it.

Wikinews reporter Joseph Ford recently spoke with the Modern Whig Party's chairman, Mike Lebowitz, about the MWP's history, present state and future prospects. "Our membership is comprised of people from all parts of the mainstream political spectrum," Lebowitz explains. He says that the MWP has "pragmatic, realistic, and mainstream" approaches to the numerous issues facing America today.

"A number of print and broadcast media outlets have even gone so far as to proclaim that the Modern Whig Party is "potentially viable," and "makes sense"," Lebowitz points out. "We are building this organization realistically, methodically and gradually in an effort to get this right."

He went on to say much more — including why he thinks you should consider leaving the GOP or the Dems for the MWP — in the interview below.

Interview
In a nutshell, what does the Modern Whig Party stand for?

Founded by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, the Modern Whig Party represents a movement toward common sense, rational solutions ahead of partisan bickering and ideology.

Is the MWP on the left or right end of the political spectrum?

The general principles of the Modern Whig Party relate to fiscal responsibility, strong national defense and bold social progression. Looking a bit deeper into our detailed vision, the organization takes pragmatic, realistic, and mainstream approaches to areas such as energy independence and tax disbursement that take into account the needs of corporate America along with everybody else. To this end, our membership is comprised of people from all parts of the mainstream political spectrum. This tells us that we may be on the right track for developing that elusive formula where voters of all political stripes can find common ground with one political movement.

'''How old is your party? Who founded it and why?'''

The historic Whig Party was a dominant political force that included such luminaries as Abraham Lincoln. So in that regard, the Whigs are one of the oldest political movements in the nation. The modern revival was conceived by American soldiers serving in Iraq, who in turn communicated via the Internet such ideas with fellow soldiers in Afghanistan. In Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers have a lot of time to reflect. We watched how common sense rationality was being abandoned in favor of partisan bickering and decisions based solely on ideology. We noticed how the partisan fighting and ideological focus trumped common sense on not just military issues, but most other issues as well. This included traffic, education, trade, scientific development, fiscal soundness, energy independence, etc. Upon our return in 2006, we initially revived the Whig Party as a military advocacy organization on behalf of soldiers, veterans and military families. By 2008, we had attracted a group of military and non-military supporters to the point where we became a mainstream political organization. The historic Whigs represented a moderate, common sense movement focused on improving US infrastructure and education. In this regard, we found the Whigs to be an excellent fit in our modern context.

'''Over the past few months, the Modern Whig Party has been steadily increasing in membership. Around this time last year, the MWP had under 5,000 members. Today, that number has grown to nearly 30,000. In your opinion, what is the reason for the MWP's sudden and rapid increase and popularity? Do you expect it to continue growing at this pace?'''

As the word continues to get out about our organization, we do expect the Modern Whig Party to maintain its steady growth. A number of print and broadcast media outlets have even gone so far as to proclaim that the Modern Whig Party is "potentially viable," and "makes sense." Another outlet stated that this organization is the "fastest growing political movement in the nation." Perhaps the main reason we continue to gain traction is that these media outlets are recognizing that the Modern Whig Party is attractive to moderate Democrats, independents and disenchanted Republicans. At the same time, we are building this organization realistically, methodically and gradually in an effort to get this right.

How exactly does the Modern Whig Party differ from America's two largest political parties; the Republican and Democratic?

One important difference between the Modern Whig Party and the other two parties is that we look beyond partisan rivalry and will absolutely support a candidate or elected official from a different party if that person subscribes to a doctrine of common sense and rational solutions rather than ideology. We realize that most people are not limited to one distinct ideology and instead pick and choose based on specific issues.

Is your party running any candidates for federal or statewide office in the 2010 midterm elections?

Our strategy is to refrain from trotting out as many candidates as possible just to lose. Instead, we are diverting our resources and focus to a relatively small group of initial candidates who bring quality and viability to the table. We are continuing the vetting process for our potential candidates. So far, we have two announced candidates running for office. A well-qualified candidate named Gene Baldassari is running for the New Jersey State Assembly in the 14th District. That election is November 2009. In addition, Paul McKain is running for Congress in Florida's 2nd Congressional District. Paul McKain is a prominent entrepreneur, retired firefighter and recognized child-safety advocate who brings a wealth of down-to-earth experience and qualifications.

Currently, are there any elected officials in the United States that are members of the Modern Whig Party?

We have some prominent members who have signed onto this organization to include military generals, former GOP county/state officials and current/former elected officials on the local level. However, we do not have any elected officials on the Whig ticket as we still are a newly constituted political organization. In fact, many of our members remain on the GOP and Democratic rolls, which again, is something that we have no problems with as we continue to build.

'''While the Modern Whig Party's moderate standings are similar to those of many Americans, the majority of voters are wary of joining or supporting third parties. This is largely due to the massive - and often spectacular - failures of the Libertarian, Green, Constitution and Reform parties. None of these were ever able to gain mainstream notoriety and/or longevity. How do you plan to prevent the MWP from following the same path to destruction that these parties did?'''

The Modern Whig Party is essentially rewriting the book on building a viable, rational and realistic political movement. Third parties are actually similar to the GOP and Democrats in that they follow their own ideologies and remain unabashedly antagonistic toward opposing political organizations. In contrast, the Modern Whig Party will continue to focus on common sense, rational solutions ahead of such partisan bickering and ideology. At the same time, we are realistic as to the tough road ahead and understand that we are not entitled to members. This approach, along with our roots among our veterans, has proven to offer voters of all political stripes a viable, rational and non-fringe political home.

By the time of the next presidential election, do you expect the Modern Whig Party to be a major player in the American political arena?

You never know how events are going to develop. But nothing ever came out of doing nothing and we will continue to build and grow.

'''Right now - more than any time in recent history - Americans are disgusted with both the Republican and Democratic parties. Many feel that the GOP went too far in their attempts to legislate morality and that the Democrats are plunging the nation into fiscal crisis. Why should the Modern Whig Party be considered a viable alternative to both of these?'''

When people take a look at what the Modern Whig Party has to offer, a lightbulb seems to go off. So it is clear that people want a political party that places common sense, realistic, and rational solutions ahead of partisan bickering and ideology. Our job now is to get the word out and show people that it is ok to sign on and support what we are working to build. There is a profound desire for a non-fringe political movement that caters to independent-minded people in a rational manner. Founded by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, this organization is realistic and continues to catch on based on our recent history and political mentality.


text:
Talk:Wikinews interviews Mike Lebowitz, chairman of the U.S. Modern Whig Party

Transcript
Here is a complete email transcript of the interview:

Joseph,

Below are my responses to your questions. Please feel free to get back with me if you require any clarification, etc.

Best,

Mike From: joseph.ford@wikinewsie.org Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 1:47 AM To: chairman@modernwhig.org Subject: SPAM-MED: RE: Wikinews follow-up interview

Chairman Lebowitz, here are the questions:

Q: In a nutshell, what does the Modern Whig Party stand for?

Founded by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, the Modern Whig Party represents a movement toward common sense, rational solutions ahead of partisan bickering and ideology.

Q: Is the MWP on the left or right end of the political spectrum?

The general principles of the Modern Whig Party relate to fiscal responsibility, strong national defense and bold social progression. Looking a bit deeper into our detailed vision, the organization takes pragmatic, realistic, and mainstream approaches to areas such as energy independence and tax disbursement that take into account the needs of corporate America along with everybody else. To this end, our membership is comprised of people from all parts of the mainstream political spectrum. This tells us that we may be on the right track for developing that elusive formula where voters of all political stripes can find common ground with one political movement.

Q: How old is your party? Who founded it and why?

The historic Whig Party was a dominant political force that included such luminaries as Abraham Lincoln. So in that regard, the Whigs are one of the oldest political movements in the nation. The modern revival was conceived by American soldiers serving in Iraq, who in turn communicated via the Internet such ideas with fellow soldiers in Afghanistan. In Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers have a lot of time to reflect. We watched how common sense rationality was being abandoned in favor of partisan bickering and decisions based solely on ideology. We noticed how the partisan fighting and ideological focus trumped common sense on not just military issues, but most other issues as well. This included traffic, education, trade, scientific development, fiscal soundness, energy independence, etc. Upon our return in 2006, we initially revived the Whig Party as a military advocacy organization on behalf of soldiers, veterans and military families. By 2008, we had attracted a group of military and non-military supporters to the point where we became a mainstream political organization. The historic Whigs represented a moderate, common sense movement focused on improving US infrastructure and education. In this regard, we found the Whigs to be an excellent fit in our modern context.

Q: Over the past few months, the Modern Whig Party has been steadily increasing in membership. Around this time last year, the MWP had under 5,000 members. Today, that number has grown to nearly 30,000. In your opinion, what is the reason for the MWP's sudden and rapid increase and popularity? Do you expect it to continue growing at this pace?

As the word continues to get out about our organization, we do expect the Modern Whig Party to maintain its steady growth. A number of print and broadcast media outlets have even gone so far as to proclaim that the Modern Whig Party is "potentially viable," and "makes sense." Another outlet stated that this organization is the "fastest growing political movement in the nation." Perhaps the main reason we continue to gain traction is that these media outlets are recognizing that the Modern Whig Party is attractive to moderate Democrats, independents and disenchanted Republicans. At the same time, we are building this organization realistically, methodically and gradually in an effort to get this right.

Q: How exactly does the Modern Whig Party differ from America's two largest political parties; the Republican and Democratic?

One important difference between the Modern Whig Party and the other two parties is that we look beyond partisan rivalry and will absolutely support a candidate or elected official from a different party if that person subscribes to a doctrine of common sense and rational solutions rather than ideology. We realize that most people are not limited to one distinct ideology and instead pick and choose based on specific issues.

Q: Is your party running any candidates for federal or statewide office in the 2010 midterm elections?

Our strategy is to refrain from trotting out as many candidates as possible just to lose. Instead, we are diverting our resources and focus to a relatively small group of initial candidates who bring quality and viability to the table. We are continuing the vetting process for our potential candidates. So far, we have two announced candidates running for office. A well-qualified candidate named Gene Baldassari is running for the New Jersey State Assembly in the 14th District. That election is November 2009. In addition, Paul McKain is running for Congress in Florida's 2nd Congressional District. Paul McKain is a prominent entrepreneur, retired firefighter and recognized child-safety advocate who brings a wealth of down-to-earth experience and qualifications.

Q: Currently, are there any elected officials in the United States that are members of the Modern Whig Party?

We have some prominent members who have signed onto this organization to include military generals, former GOP county/state officials and current/former elected officials on the local level. However, we do not have any elected officials on the Whig ticket as we still are a newly constituted political organization. In fact, many of our members remain on the GOP and Democratic rolls, which again, is something that we have no problems with as we continue to build.

Q: While the Modern Whig Party's moderate standings are similar to those of many Americans, the majority of voters are wary of joining or supporting third parties. This is largely due to the massive - and often spectacular - failures of the Libertarian, Green, Constitution and Reform parties. None of these were ever able to gain mainstream notoriety and/or longevity. How do you plan to prevent the MWP from following the same path to destruction that these parties did?

The Modern Whig Party is essentially rewriting the book on building a viable, rational and realistic political movement. Third parties are actually similar to the GOP and Democrats in that they follow their own ideologies and remain unabashedly antagonistic toward opposing political organizations. In contrast, the Modern Whig Party will continue to focus on common sense, rational solutions ahead of such partisan bickering and ideology. At the same time, we are realistic as to the tough road ahead and understand that we are not entitled to members. This approach, along with our roots among our veterans, has proven to offer voters of all political stripes a viable, rational and non-fringe political home.

Q: By the time of the next presidential election, do you expect the Modern Whig Party to be a major player in the American political arena?

You never know how events are going to develop. But nothing ever came out of doing nothing and we will continue to build and grow.

Q: Right now - more than any time in recent history - Americans are disgusted with both the Republican and Democratic parties. Many feel that the GOP went too far in their attempts to legislate morality and that the Democrats are plunging the nation into fiscal crisis. Why should the Modern Whig Party be considered a viable alternative to both of these?

When people take a look at what the Modern Whig Party has to offer, a lightbulb seems to go off. So it is clear that people want a political party that places common sense, realistic, and rational solutions ahead of partisan bickering and ideology. Our job now is to get the word out and show people that it is ok to sign on and support what we are working to build. There is a profound desire for a non-fringe political movement that caters to independent-minded people in a rational manner. Founded by Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, this organization is realistic and continues to catch on based on our recent history and political mentality.

Thanks again for your time. Original Message Subject: re: Wikinews follow-up interview From: "Mike Lebowitz"  Date: Fri, July 10, 2009 6:27 am To:

Joseph,

Please feel free to provide your questions and I will be happy to respond in a timely and prudent manner.

Best,

Mike

From: joseph.ford@wikinewsie.org Sent: Friday, July 10, 2009 3:45 AM To: chairman@modernwhig.org Subject: SPAM-MED: Wikinews follow-up interview

Chairman Lebowitz,

Last year I held a brief interview with you regarding the Modern Whig Party. With the 2010 midterm elections approaching, and many of the campaigns for them already beginning, now would seem to be a good time for a follow-up. I would like to ask more in-depth questions regarding the Party's growth and its prospects in the years ahead. If you are interested, please reply within twenty-four hours.

Thanks for your time, Joseph Ford, Accredited Reporter, Wikinews

Demi-Review
Title is massively long, and mostly advertising. "fastest growing centrist political party"? Where does that come from. POV issues everywhere. The into sections is very promotional sounding. Also I changed all instances on the interview from Joseph Ford to Wikinews in WNI response, this is a Wikinews interview is it not? -- Shakata Ga Nai ^_^ 15:02, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

Title changed, article edited, sources added
I re-edited the article. Everything should be fine now. --WNewsReporter (talk) 18:13, 16 July 2009 (UTC)
 * The NPR source with the PEW survey doesn't seem to support the claim of millions, perhaps we should have stricter adherence to what PEW actually says and attribute it. Also, the claim that "most American third parties quickly descend into irrelevancy soon after being founded" definitely needs to be sourced. --SVTCobra 22:23, 16 July 2009 (UTC)\
 * I made the recommended changes regarding the Pew poll. It appears that the sentence regarding third party irrelevancy has already been edited out. Everything should be fine now. --WNewsReporter (talk) 01:10, 17 July 2009 (UTC)
 * I have made the changes as I saw necessary to comply with WN:NPOV, however, I feel I have now contributed to much to review. --SVTCobra 01:42, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Review

 * I made all of the changes mentioned above. I could find no image. --WNewsReporter (talk) 06:40, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Untrue Claims?
editprotected How can Mr. Lebowitz Claim Paul McKain as a candidate of the Modern Whig Party when he is running on the Florida Whig Party ticket? The Florida WHig Party is a recognised political party in the state of Florida that is not affiliated with the Modern Whig Party?

 * ❌ Ask him. We simply reported what he said. Is running? In case you missed it, Obama won. Blood Red Sandman  (Talk)   (Contribs) 22:20, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

 * What reasoning is that? So if you ask me now about myself and I claim to be an astronaut who is posting live from the space station does it make it so? And when did i ask about Obama?

 * Nope. But then, you weren't a decent target for an interview to start with. You didn't ask about Obama, but by the 'is running' comment I assumed you'd missed the election. My *real* point being that maybe things have changed since this went out, but obviously you missed the subtlety on that. You ask me my reasoning; well, what do you actually want me to do? Pretend he said something he didn't? If this man had said he was an astronaut posting from the space station we would have published it and let him deal with the consequences of his words. Blood Red Sandman  (Talk)   (Contribs) 23:09, 10 January 2010 (UTC)

 * Whats with the personal attack in your first sentence? I think your taking this a little personal don't you? Now that you explained your reasoning for not doing anything about it, I see why your not. Maybe you could have explained it in your first reply instead of making some stupid comment about Obama winning. Maybe I misunderstood Wiki calling this a news site and didn't realize that they would print anything anyone claimed. Do a little research off of Wikinews from real newspapers and see how many of the claims in this article have been challenged. Again, why are you taking it so personal and coming across as a smart a@s? did you write the article or something? If it was such a sore subject you couldn't control your reaction too maybe you should have passed on this one and let some other Mod deal with it.

 * Erm, how is calling a random IP a poor choice for an interview a personal attack? We repeat facts. The fact is, he said those things, so we report that. I don't exactly go round asking people to interview me, do I? I'm not exactly fascinating either. I responded like that because you didn't specify what wanted done, so I took the assumption you wanted me to change history. Sore subject? I've never more than skimread the interview. Blood Red Sandman  (Talk)   (Contribs) 23:24, 10 January 2010 (UTC)


text: Template:Wikinews community essay

title: Template:Wikinews community essay


text:
User talk:Plest

Welcome
--Brian McNeil / talk 11:03, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

Interwiki
I saw you adding interwiki links, does ru: have a template equivalent to the above one and the essay it links to? --Brian McNeil / talk 11:03, 16 July 2009 (UTC)
 * I believe that ru:Шаблон:Hello is equivalent to the above one. ru: has not equivalent to the essay yet. But we are working on translating recommended practices and official policies into Russian language according to the TODO list. Any advice is appreciated. --Plest (talk) 16:56, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:Plest


text:
Template talk:PDFlink

Consistency
Template:PDF and Template:PDF2 redirect here. Cheers, Van der Hoorn (talk) 15:05, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

title: Template talk:PDFlink


text: Talk:U.S. Capitol Police kill man during traffic stop turned chase


text:
User:DJSparky

 * Sparky's Law: "The amount of aggravation a security guard gives you is inversely proportional to their actual authority."

 * Sparky's Second Law: "When they say 'Aim Away From Face', they ain't kidding..."

 * "It's always better to be a pessimist than a optimist. Optimists are always either right, or disappointed. Pessimists are always either right, or pleasantly surprised."

 * Even the most widely accepted, readily verifiable, intrinsic facts about the universe won't disabuse some people of their opinions.

title: User:DJSparky


text:
User talk:MyBus

Spam
Hi, please do not place any kind of on our website - it will be  so no one will see it. If you do want to contribute to Wikinews, see the introduction. -Killing Vector (talk) 16:38, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:MyBus


text:
Talk:Pyrotechnics at Ecuador nightclub rock concert trigger 15-fatality fire

Category
editprotected Category:Pyrotechnics
 * ✅ Cheers, Van der Hoorn (talk) 13:01, 18 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Removed the category again, as by the deletion request. See Deletion requests. Van der Hoorn (talk) 14:42, 26 July 2009 (UTC)


text:
Tanker explodes on I-75 north of Detroit

July 16, 2009

A tanker explosion on Interstate 75 has destroyed a part of the Nine Mile Road overpass in Hazel Park, Michigan, a northern suburb of Detroit. One man, truck driver Ronald Martinez, has been killed and only 4 injuries have been reported. On July 15, 2009 at about 8:15 PM EST, a tanker carrying thousands of gallons of gasoline collided with a semi-truck from Meijer grocery stores, causing an explosion that resulted in heavy black smoke that could be seen for miles.

It is believed that the tanker was clipped from behind by driver Saied Haidarian-Shahri, 27, of nearby Clawson. The tanker's two parts broke in half when a semi-truck rammed into the gasoline-filled tanker and it exploded. The driver of the semi-truck sustained only minor injuries.

Saied Haidarian-Shahri was a relatively new driver, getting his license within the past 6 months. Reports say he was doing 70 mph in a 50 mph zone, called the "9 Mile Curve", along the Chrysler Freeway. There were no traffic violations on his license. He has been blamed for causing the accident.

The explosion resulted in the collapse of the Nine Mile Road overpass over the freeway. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has decided that the rest of the overpass cannot be saved.

MDOT has closed down the freeway between Interstate 696 and Eight Mile Road both northbound and southbound. Local streets surrounding the site have been closed too. This is expected to cause trouble for commuters who travel one of the most used freeways in the metro area.

About 2,000 residents of Hazel Park are now without power due to the accident.


text:
Chicago's Sears Tower renamed Willis Tower

July 17, 2009 On July 16, 2009, the largest skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois was officially renamed Willis Tower. Willis Group Holdings became a major tenant of the building in March, 2009. As part of the deal whereby they agreed to lease 140,000 square feet of the building, they were given the naming rights to the tower, which had been known as the Sears Tower since its opening in 1973. It is the largest skyscraper in the United States and was for a time the largest skyscraper in the world; though it has since been surpassed. Sears, Roebuck and Company owned the building from its conception until it sold it in 1994. It is currently owned by American Landmark Properties of Skokie, Illinois. Sears had mostly moved out of the building by 1992, and closed its last offices there by 1995. However, they retained the naming rights until 2003. Since no deal had been worked out to rename the building by that date, it retained the Sears Tower name until Willis Group Holdings negotiated the naming rights as part of their lease on the building. The naming rights did not cost Willis any additional money, and they will retain those rights until at least 2024.

Willis Group Holdings is a London-based insurance company, incorporated in Bermuda. They are leasing 140,000 square feet of the building at a rate of $14.50 per square foot, and are consolidating their five Chicago-area offices to the new space.

Though lettering on the building had been changed on July 15, the official change did not occur until July 16, during a private ceremony involving 500 Willis employees and invited guests. The date and time name change was kept quiet until the actual lettering was changed, though the change was anticipated for several months. The tourist areas to the building, which includes a 103rd floor observation deck, will retain its current name, Skydeck Chicago.

The renaming has received some criticism from columnists in local papers, such as the Chicago Tribune, as Willis has almost no name recognition in the Chicago area. Several local residents have expressed their displeasure in the renaming, including one who started the website www.itsthesearstower.com. Chicago Historical Society senior curator John Russick has stated of the name change, "The Sears Tower has been an icon here for the last quarter of a century. For the generation that grew up calling it the Sears Tower, it'll be hard for people to shift and start calling it something else."


text: Category:MG Rover

title: Category:MG Rover


text:
Delayed Endeavour carries Japanese lab to International Space Station

July 17, 2009 Space Shuttle Endeavour launched on a mission to finish construction of a new science lab at the International Space Station on July 15.

The seven astronauts aboard Endeavour began their journey Wednesday evening to deliver the third and final segment of the Japanese Kibō science laboratory. NASA commentator Mike Curie counted down to the liftoff from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

"We have main engine start, and four, three, two, one. Booster ignition and liftoff of Endeavour, completing Kibō and fulfilling Japan's hope for an out-of-this-world space laboratory," he said. The Endeavour was supposed to have launched last month, but a hydrogen leak forced officials to postpone while technicians fixed the problem. A series of thunderstorms caused further delays this week.

The Endeavour crew will spend nearly two weeks at the station to install the Kibō lab and perform other maintenance tasks, such as swapping out batteries in the station. The Kibō module will expand work space on the station and allow astronauts to conduct experiments that involve exposing materials to the vacuum of space.

Astronaut Timothy L. Kopra will replace Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, who has been living aboard the station since March.

While the shuttle is docked to the station, there will be 13 astronauts working in space at one time - the highest number in the station's history.

After Endeavour returns to Earth, only seven shuttle missions will remain before NASA plans to retire the fleet next year.


text:
Talk:Delayed Endeavour carries Japanese lab to International Space Station

"This article is based on Shuttle Carrying Japanese Lab to Space Station by VOA News which is in the public domain." -- Uh.... This isn't 'based on', this is copy and paste. -- Shakata Ga Nai ^_^ 22:35, 16 July 2009 (UTC)

 * WN:CG : "It is possible, but difficult, to import a story from another news site. The article must be freely licensed or public domain in a manner compatible with the Creative Commons Attribution license" Shooke (talk) 22:57, 16 July 2009 (UTC)


text: Talk:Chicago's Sears Tower renamed Willis Tower


text:
Comments:U.S. Capitol Police kill man during traffic stop

During a traffic stop?
I think the title is somewhat misleading. The incident had obviously turned into something other than a traffic stop by the time the police started shooting. 209.30.170.213 (talk) 04:03, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

 * I agree. The title is very one-sided and suggests that the article is about police violence rather than their self defense. Perhaps something more balanced like "Man killed in U.S. during traffic stop turned gun fight"? Shae (talk) 07:23, 17 July 2009 (UTC)


text:
Explosions kill eight in Jakarta

July 17, 2009 Eight people have been killed, including the two suicide bombers, and many more injured in two explosions at around 7.50 am local time in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta. Reports from local news cite a Canadian, an American, and a Swedish citizen as being among the dead. Most of the wounded have been taken to local hospitals for treatment.

The explosions were at two luxury hotels, the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton, popular with foreign businessmen in the business district and are reported to have occurred in the hotel restaurants during breakfast. The two hotels are connected by an underground tunnel.

Indonesian security were at first unwilling to confirm that this was a terrorist attack, however later reports revealed the attack to be the work of two suicide bombers.

A bomber and five victims died at the Marriott. At the Ritz-Carlton one person was killed in addition to the bomber.

According to police, the dozens of wounded included citizens of Indonesia, Australia, South Korea, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, Japan, India, and the United States.

Several amateur videos of the site after the bombing, taken by local residents, show large amounts of smoke; the two explosions took place only two minutes apart. The near simultaneous detonation of devices at multiple targets frequented by foreigners is a hallmark of the Indonesian terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah.

An additional unexploded bomb was later found and defused at the Marriott.

This has been the first successful bombing in some years. The same Marriott was previously the target of a terrorist car bomb in 2003.

A third explosion took place some hours later, in Muara Angke, North Jakarta. The police have declared this event to be unrelated to the other explosions, stating it was simply a car accident that lead to a tire burst and engine short circuit.

title: Explosions kill eight in Jakarta


text: Category:Jakarta

title: Category:Jakarta


text:
Comments:Chicago's Sears Tower renamed Willis Tower

Willis Tower? What a stupid name for a grand tower. Sounds like a wimp with small willies.

What you talkin' 'bout, Willis? —69.156.13.88 (talk) 08:16, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Who cares? It's not like they're going to have NAME ENFORCEMENT POLICE roming about, making sure you call it the "Willis Tower". To me it always has been and always will be the Sears Tower, and I will continue to call it by that name. 71.120.114.83 (talk) 17:27, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

 * Here, here. Sears Tower is a better sounding name with a long history of ingrained use, and I'll continue to use it for my part. That said, I don't necessarily have anything against the property owner or the new tenants, and they're surely free to call their own building whatever they choose. The public, however, chooses its own parlance, and I've seen no indication that they even intend to attempt controlling that. 209.30.170.213 (talk) 20:51, 17 July 2009 (UTC)


text:
Former Iranian president Hashemi Rafsanjani leads Friday prayers

July 17, 2009

Hashemi Rafsanjani, the Iranian cleric, former president of Iran, and current head of the Expediency Council, has given his first Friday prayer service in Tehran since the disputed June 12 Iranian presidential election.

In the sermon, which was held at Tehran University and twice disrupted by loud chanting from demonstrators, Rafsanjani first discussed the earliest days of Islam and Mohammed's lessons of the importance of human rights for all people and unity among all Muslims. He then made reference to Ja'far al-Sadiq, an 8th century C.E. Islamic leader who, while assisting a rebellion against the Umayyad caliphate, preferred to keep his own views on the conflict to himself.

In his first direct reference to current news events during the sermon, Rafsanjani called upon Chinese leaders to stop their violent suppression of unrest among the largely-Muslim Uyghur people of Xinjiang.

Turning to the disputed June 12 presidential election, Rafsanjani stated that "what happened after the election was not what we expected it to be." The people's participation was to be lauded, he said, and to not listen to the people's voice is against the advice of Ayatollah Khomeini. Rafsanjani first called for the government to obey the rule of law: We all need to follow the law. And I'm talking about the government, the parliament, the Islamic Courts and the security forces. We need to follow the laws. All problems can be solved if we only follow the framework of the laws. We need to create an environment where all sides could come together and discuss their issues. We need to be able to sit down like brothers and sisters and talk about our differences.

Rafsanjani listed several specific "proposals" for restoring unity and trust, all aimed at the government, and making particular reference to the Guardian Council's certification of the election results, which many have termed fraudulent: Unfortunately, The chance that was given to the Guardian Council of five days to get people together and regain their trust was not used. [...] We shouldn't imprison our own people, we should let these people return to their homes, we shouldn't let our enemies laugh at us because we've imprisoned our own people. We should sit together with mourners, And we should console them, And bring them back closer to the system. We should not be impatient now. Please do not censor media outlets that have legally obtained permits. Let them do what they want to do legally.

Rafsanjani did not specifically mention any current Iranian political figure by name.

Rafsanjani's speech was not broadcast by any Iranian state media outlet, in contrast to the usual practice of broadcasting the Friday prayers live. Loud chanting was occasionally audible in the speech, with large crowds reportedly present around Tehran University. Unconfirmed reports say that after the sermon ended, a large crowd began moving toward the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)'s headquarters on Vali Asr Avenue. According to an update to Mir-Hossein Mousavi's Facebook page posted last night and a report by Reuters news service, the candidate attended the ceremony.


text:
Talk:Former Iranian president Hashemi Rafsanjani leads Friday prayers

Live translation of sermon
Live translation by Josh Shayrar of the Green Brief: This is why Imam Khomeini was successful.
 * 13:51 The second part of my speech is about the revolution for which people did Jihad.
 * 13:53 I want to explain to the younger generation where we started and where we are going with this.
 * 13:53 The third part of my speech will be about the current situation of Iran. This will be my personal view.
 * 13:54 We are with you in your happiness and your grief.
 * 13:56 Nothing really important going on at this point. He's just speaking about the early days of the revolution. He's talking about how they opened up a school in Qom.
 * 13:56 He's basically just talking about the early revolution, Qom and such.
 * 13:59 He's only speaking about the early history of Islam.
 * 14:00 He's talking about how Mohammed built the first mosque in Madina.
 * 14:00 Now he's talking about he bought land in Medina to build the second Islamic mosque.
 * 14:01 Talking about Medina and the early days of Islam
 * 14:02 What we learn from government from Islam is this:
 * 14:02 Follow god and then there's the people.
 * 14:03 The Koran has Allah mentioned 3,000 times.
 * 14:03 and the word for people has been used 4 to 5 hundred times.
 * 14:03 What Mohammed did mostly was he created love and unity between the people. The first thing Mohammed did was he united all the tribes in Medina. Then he went to the people of other religions.
 * 14:03 When Jews, Christians and people of other religion came to Medina, he talked to all of them, and he created a unity within the city.
 * 14:04 He created a brotherhood between everyone inside the city. Between Muslims and non-Muslims. This was a pact between brothers, between different religions.
 * 14:04 This created eternal peace inside a small city.
 * 14:04 This small city was able to use this peace and topple gigantic empires.
 * 14:05 The government that Mohammed brought was unprecedented.
 * 14:05 There were governments, but they were autocracies and they acted against the people. Mohammed brought a government that was for the people. Based on god's law.
 * 14:06 When Gabriel came to Mohammed and gave him the first words of the Koran, (Now reciting those first verses) This was when the future of Mohammed was cleared for him. (Explaining the verses)
 * 14:07 God created man and gave him understanding and the power to write.
 * 14:07 The power that gave us this ability, He tells us that we have Him as the judge.
 * 14:08 And when we die, he will remember everything that we have done. Thus, we shouldn't be arrogant, We should consider god's creatures weak. Because He's the judge,
 * 14:09 (more religious jargon, talking about angels)(If the jargon is related to, I will translate)
 * 14:10 (Still religious jargon)
 * 14:10 Let's ask what sort of society the prophet wanted.
 * 14:10 Mohammed wanted all humans to have all the rights,
 * 14:10 He didn't want anyone's rights to be infringed upon.
 * 14:11 One of the last things he said before he died, he said,
 * 14:11 Oh people, I came to say good bye to you.
 * 14:11 If I have said something to you and I have not done it, please let me know.
 * 14:11 If I have taken something from you, then tell me so I could give it back. I don't want anything to be left for the afterlife.
 * 14:11 This is the kind of leader we have. He paved the way for Islamic unity.
 * 14:12 (recites a verse from the Koran)
 * 14:13 (Verse talks about unity of Muslims)
 * 14:13 God has put love between humans.
 * 14:14 It was god who created love between Muslims.
 * 14:14 That's how Mohammed created a society that was united as one. But when he was dying, he realized that this might come to an end.
 * 14:14 And that people might break apart and might create enemies with one another.
 * 14:15 (explains a couple of incidents that created rifts between earlier Muslims)
 * 14:16 Do know that Mohammed is the ideal for everyone,
 * 14:16 For all Muslims, for all humans.
 * 14:16 His life in Medina is the best example for how a government should operate.
 * 14:17 He fought along side his friends and his loved ones at times when he was being attacked from all sides.
 * 14:17 Then a day came when his friends captured the Empires of the Sassanids.
 * 14:17 But at the end of his life, he realized that there might be rifts between Muslims, And their unity might be in danger.
 * 14:18 In his ten years of prophecy, he created a system upon which we have based our own revolution.
 * 14:18(phone cut off for a little)
 * 14:18 (back on)
 * 14:19 (Recites a verse)
 * 14:19 (reciting more Koranic verses)
 * 14:20 (Praying for the martyred members of Mohammed's family)
 * 14:20 This week, Imam Jafar Sadigh's martyrdom's celebration will be held.
 * 14:21 He spent his entire life either in prison or being censored.
 * 14:22 (Talking about Imam Jafar Sadigh's life and how pious a man he was)
 * 14:23 (still talking about him)
 * 14:23 (OH!)
 * 14:23 I want to talk about the death of the Chinese citizens recently,
 * 14:23 (People are chanting Azadi .. Azadi ..
 * 14:23 People, I have asked you all to not chant slogans
 * 14:24 I am asking you as your Imam at this prayer,
 * 14:24 The government of China has quelled the protests.
 * 14:24 We would like to give them a brotherly advice,
 * 14:24 There are more than a billion Muslims in the world,
 * 14:24 China should pay attention to its relations between itself.
 * 14:25 Such cruelty could destroy those relations.
 * 14:25 There are fighting in Palestine and Pakistan and other places,
 * 14:25 Hopefully they will stop.
 * 14:25 The elections that took place,
 * 14:25 We liked what went before the election,
 * 14:25 The four candidates, They talked in an open environment, People became hopeful about the elections,
 * 14:26 We should have been proud of this election, Because people went to vote, in large numbers, We should thank them for voting. For taking part in the election is such huge numbers,
 * 14:27 Alas, if only that environment continued to this day. What happened after the election was not what we expected it to be. LEt's ask ourselves what we want, What does the revolution want? You are listening to someone who has been with the revolution every minute of the revolution> We know what Imam Khomeini wanted, What his ideas were,
 * 14:28 Imam Khomeini always said that you should always listen to the people, See what the people want, If the people are with us, then we have everything.
 * 14:28 The Islamic Revolution was the way of Mohammed. People should be brought into the system first,
 * 14:29 It took years of hardship for us to get to where we are. We remember when people filled the streets, When they took to protesting with the Imam Khomeini, Against a government that was getting help from the East and the West, But people stood firm. And they succeeded. After the success of the revolution, We were with Imam Khomeini,
 * 14:30 He always said that without the participation of the people the Islamic government would never be successful.
 * 14:30 The role that Imam gave the people was very high.
 * 14:31 (Story about Mohammed's late life about how important people are)
 * 14:32 (One second, gonna try and ramp up the volume. More religious jargon)
 * 14:33 (Volume better)
 * 14:33 When we were writing the new constitution,
 * 14:34 We asked the Imam for advice,
 * 14:34 He put a lot of emphasis on the role of the people.
 * 14:34 He also knew that people's vote was the most important thing inside our country.
 * 14:34 Everything depended upon the people's vote.
 * 14:35 People should directly elect the president, the parliament, the local council.
 * 14:35 It was all about the vote of the people.
 * 14:35 This is a theocracy, a theocratic republic
 * 14:35 (People chanting)
 * 14:35 Be patient, be calm.
 * 14:36 If the government is not Islamic, then we are heading no where.
 * 14:36 If it is not a republic, then it doesn't amount to anything.
 * 14:36 The elections that took place,
 * 14:37 We have taken a step.
 * 14:37 What I think is the solution to what is going on is that, at the end of the process,
 * 14:37 There were people who created false propaganda,
 * 14:37 (People chanting REALLY loudly)
 * 14:38 A large number of people became suspicious,
 * 14:38 We need to clear their suspicions.
 * 14:38 Today, we need unity more than ever.
 * 14:38 Our country needs to be united against this danger.
 * 14:39 My brothers, my sisters, my view is this
 * 14:39 We should all think together So our country could remain united, Against this danger that is facing us.
 * 14:39 Our enemies are trying to destroy our unity,
 * 14:39 I have several proposals for this,
 * 14:39 I have talked to my friends about this.
 * 14:40 I'm gonna express them to you as well.
 * 14:40 The most important thing that has happened is that the trust that brought the people to vote in such large number is not there anymore.
 * 14:40 We need to return this trust.
 * 14:40 We all need to follow the law. And I'm talking about the government, the parliament, the Islamic Courts and the security forces.
 * 14:41 We need to follow the laws.
 * 14:41 All problems can be solved if we only follow the framework of the laws.
 * 14:41 We need to create an environment where all sides could come together and discuss their issues.
 * 14:42 We need to be able to sit down like brothers and sisters and talk about our differences.
 * 14:42 Unfortunately, The chance that was given to the Guardian Council of five days to get people together and regain their trust was not used.
 * 14:42 That is not there anymore.
 * 14:42 But we still have time to unite.
 * 14:43 We shouldn't imprison our own people,
 * 14:44 We should let these people return to their homes,
 * 14:44 We shouldn't let our enemies laugh at us because we've imprisoned our own people.
 * 14:44 We should sit together with mourners, And we should console them,
 * 14:44 And bring them back closer to the system.
 * 14:44 We should not be impatient now.
 * 14:45 Please do not censor media outlets that have legally obtained permits.
 * 14:45 Let them do what they want to do legally.
 * 14:45 Allow a peaceful and friendly environment to prosper.
 * 14:45 We are all together in the Islamic Revolution,
 * 14:45 We've all spent years in suffering,
 * 14:46 We've all given martyrs for the cause of the revolution,
 * 14:46 This unity needs to fostered,
 * 14:46 I'm hopeful that we will be able to achieve this unity in the future,
 * 14:46 And I'm hopeful we will get out of this situation,
 * 14:47 Based on the wishes of the people, And consensus among the leaders.
 * 14:47 May God Bless You All.
 * 14:47 May God Bless You All.
 * 14:47 May God keep you all safe,
 * 14:47 Keep you with this spirit, around.
 * 14:47 (End of speech)


text:
User talk:Alastair Haines

Welcome
--Brian McNeil / talk 10:21, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Reflist
Wikinews does not use the reflist style for sources. See WN:SG.--Brian McNeil / talk 10:21, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

 * Thanks mate. Hope I've fixed it up now. Alastair Haines (talk) 10:23, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:Alastair Haines


text:
U.S. investigators probe in-flight hole in passenger jet

July 18, 2009 Investigators with the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are examining a damaged section removed from a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-300 that blew out in-flight on Monday, July 13.

The passenger jet was flying between Nashville, Tennessee and Baltimore, Maryland when the hole, which measured seventeen inches by eight, opened up in the jet's roof. A safe emergency landing was performed and the 126 passengers were evacuated from the aircraft without injury.

The damaged section arrived in Washington, D.C. yesterday for examination by the NTSB. They have reported that there is no corrosion or obvious pre-existing mechanical damage to the segment.

As a result of the incident Southwest have inspected all 180 of their Boeing 737-300s, without result, within 24 hours of the incident. Continental Airlines have done likewise to their own examples of the type.

In 2008, Southwest was fined after it was found to have operated 47 jets that were overdue for inspections. In the light of Monday's incident, former NTSB member and maintenance specialist John Goglia criticized the airline's maintenance practices and governmental oversight. "Where's the maintenance programs with this airline? Where's the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)? Where's the oversight? I mean, the list goes on and on. These people on this airplane really don't know how lucky they were." Southwest released a statement the day after the mishap in defense of their maintenance. "Southwest Airlines has an exemplary safety record that always is our focus. We are actively engaged with the NTSB in finding the cause of this incident and assuring that it does not happen again. We applaud our pilots and flight attendants for their expert handling of this situation and our customers for their cooperation."

The inspections Southwest failed to perform in 2008 concerned examining the top of their aircraft for structural damage after a weight reducing modification was discovered which could reduce the strength of the design. NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said that "It looks like that (Airworthiness Directive (AD)) would apply [to Monday's incident]. We are going to look at the maintenance records and the maintenance practices, and we are going to want to know if all of these (ADs) were followed."

However, the FAA said that the inspections did not apply to the section that failed and, in any event, Boeing and Southwest ultimately came up with an improved design that was up to standard.


text:
French workers use threats in compensation demand

July 17, 2009 Following similar threats by workers at New Fabris and Nortel, workers at JLG in Tonneins, France, threatened to blow up several platform cranes. The JLG factory announced in April 2009 that it will fire 53 of its 163 workers by the end of 2009, while the remaining 110 jobs will not be secure over the next 2 years.

JLG Tonneins was acquired in 2006 with its parent JLG Industries, a maker of aerial work platforms, by the U.S.-based Oshkosh Corporation. Despite being hugely profitable in the past, production has been much reduced since 2008 with the contraction of the construction industry and lower demand for its products. Despite excellent past results the new American management demanded sweeping cuts at the company.

In the view of locals, "the company's actions are a disgrace given the expensive perks, such as official cars, for its corporate fat cats, compared to the sacrifice, silence, and dignity demanded by the company of those it has made redundant."

The management offered severance pay of € 3,000 (US $4,200), however the workers demanded a severance package commensurate with "the wealth that their labor has generated." Worker's delegates requested a "supra-legal" payment of € 30,000, on Thursday 16 of July the management responded with a counter offer of € 16,000. On Thursday night the worker's actions secured the € 30,000 settlement initially demanded.

Interview:
A JLG Tonneins worker who wished to stay anonymous spoke to Wikinews.

Can you explain what inspired the workers at JLG to make these threats?

After four months of negotiations with very little progress, we saw the need for a media coup in our dispute. Similar threats in recent disputes, reported by the mainstream media, have proven to be productive. We were spurred on by redundancy pay of 3,000 Euro, derisory in view of the wealth that our labour has generated in previous years and the threat that these lay-offs pose to our families. Responsibility must also lie with the refusal by the management, these last four months, to negotiate an appropriate severance package; the movement in our company has therefore resorted to the media with a visually striking example. Machines designed and built at our workshops were therefore surrounded by two and four canisters of gas. The visual effect was created.

'''You have demanded a large severance payment. In the context of the crisis in the building industry, can JLG afford it?'''

JLG is part of the Oshkosh Corporation, the group brought JLG in 2007 because of its very good economic health, 2006 was a very good year, and the fiscal year of 2007-2008 was excellent for JLG, our best figures ever. So yes, with regards to the figures for 2007-2008 the results to come 2009, 2010 are very poor. But only in comparison with exceptionally profitable years! The crisis appears to be a belt-tightening one. This is not the optimal solution, almost exclusively the solution chosen is to lay off technicians and employees at the sites, when they are the least expensive [part of the work force]. Yes, JLG France has other ways to better manage this crisis. This would require that all tighten their belts, which does not appear to be the strategy chosen by the management. Hence the accumulation of tension in the company.

What is your take on the present situation and the rising tensions, is it morally justified?

The experience of these lay-offs is of punishment, while those who have made mistakes at higher levels are always protected. Executives with high salaries unfortunately seem to be more concerned with their own careers, to satisfy instructions from abroad, then with efficiency and pragmatism. The perception of supine obedience to directives from the U.S. is difficult to accept.

Things must change in the future, in order for the course to be corrected to ensure the good health of the JLG company, we are well aware of it. The changes involved, the massive dismissals, give the semblance of a brutal and symbolic pruning of the wage bill of the company, without touching and reducing costs or increasing the efficiency of the better-paid.

The best paid ten at JLG France obtained a 17% increase [in salary] for the year of 2008. The case of an expensive car park facility, that it is not planned to be reduced, is another strange case given the current crisis. Bizarrely, on the part of the technicians and employees on site, we are not offered similar increases: we are offered redundancies with a € 3,000 payoff.

While this is legal, it is not morally acceptable. A company is an organism, it is not just legal contracts and wages that ensure the loyalty of employees, but also the moral contract, of good governance, equity, efficiency. These moral conditions do not seem to have been offered to us. The proposal for a € 3000 payoff was ridiculous. There is a willingness on the part of employees to work, and behind these to-be dismissed employees, families who want to continue to progress, to educate their children, to continue living in their homes, to live with dignity.

The tension created is deplorable. We would all have preferred an amicable agreement from the beginning of the dispute. The tensions are the result of two forces, both equally responsible:

 * The knowledge, by we the employees, of the wealth created by our labour in recent years, and our pride;
 * Refusal of the French management in the context of the dislocation of the company to ensure an [equitable] distribution of this wealth.

We are pleased that the situation defused that night with dignified exits and fairness to all.

Had you considered other forms of pressure, are others in the movement you are in contact with as "hardball" as you are?

Yes, for sure! But we are trapped in a situation of general apathy, low unionisation, and the psychology of a media who are interested only in the spectacular! We first tried 3 months of negotiations in which we achieved almost nothing. In a second step, we embarked on 3 weeks of strikes and a blockade of the premises with calm and without overspill, however we did not achieve much more, all this has driven up tensions

As a last resort, we surrounded 4 machines with canisters of gas...and alerted the local media. That the cannisters were empty or full is of no importance: the visual effect was there. Radio and television (and the law) were on the spot within 45 minutes. The big boss in the United States was on the phone within an hour, for three months he had not wanted to hear of French labour movements. That evening, Thursday, 16 July, negotiations resumed and were finally resolved on the night of Thursday-Friday 16-17 July, instead of the original € 3000, an agreement for a redundancy payment of € 30,000 was signed. This will cover our backs.

I repeat, achieving it this way is really silly and a pity. But negotiations resumed and an appropriate agreement was signed on the night of Thursday to Friday. Within the circle of leaders of the company, the faction advocating negotiation finally prevailed. It is a great relief to us all.

It is to be noted that no political party or trade union has supported or have hijacked our movement, all employees have remained united behind our DSU representative.

Latest developments
According to AFP, the French authorities, after its threat of sending in the police, has announced that it "understands the plight of employees affected by this recession..." and suggests that the recent tactics are a radical media stunt rather than a real threat. In an Asiaone.com article Amadio Christian, leader of the labour movement at JLG Tonneins is reported as saying "It is ridiculous that we have had to come to this to get this result."

The police checked the gas cylinders to ensure that they were all empty.


text:
User talk:Tonneins

Welcome
--Brian McNeil / talk 13:56, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

Your article
Perhaps you should submit it to French wikinews?? --Killing Vector (talk) 17:08, 17 July 2009 (UTC)
 * It is already there. But an English version may be interesting. Especially since English articles on the web about this issue are not that deep, and show French people as crazy frogs hunting their bosses. That's more complexe. Tonneins (talk) 00:29, 18 July 2009 (UTC)
 * I have added an appeal for a good translator at Newsroom/Collaboration in our Newsroom. Cheers, --SVTCobra 00:33, 18 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Thanks a lot ! Tonneins (talk) 00:34, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:Tonneins


text:
Talk:Explosions kill eight in Jakarta

.es & .ta
Editprotected

Hi! Please add es:Tres atentados en Indonesia dejan al menos 9 muertos y 50 heridos & ta:ஜகார்த்தாவில் குண்டுத் தாக்குதல்: 9 பேர் இறப்பு. Thanks, ×α£đ~es 23:21, 3 August 2009 (UTC)
 * [[Image:Yes_check.svg|16px]] Done — Gopher65talk 06:11, 4 August 2009 (UTC)

title: Talk:Explosions kill eight in Jakarta


text: Talk:Tanker explodes on I-75 north of Detroit


text: Talk:Four Indonesian airlines allowed back into Europe; Zambia, Kazakhstan banned


text:
Comments:Wikinews interviews Mike Lebowitz, chairman of the U.S. Modern Whig Party

That was incredibly uninformative and repetitive. I basically just read a couple cryptic but catchy phrases of advertisement like 20 times in rapid succession.

Tag needed
"Right now - more than any time in recent history - Americans are disgusted with both the Republican and Democratic parties. Many feel that the GOP went too far in their attempts to legislate morality and that the Democrats are plunging the nation into fiscal crisis."

Where's that "citation needed" tag when you want it? 206.74.5.136 (talk) 05:09, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

This is something I can support! I would like to know what "bold social progression" means exactly.

Questionable Claims
How does Mr. Lebowitz claim Paul McKain in Florida as a candidate of the Modern Whig Party when Florida is a registered political party that is not affiliated with the Modern Whig Party?


text:
User:Newportm

Please see my user page on the English Wikipedia, at User:Newportm.

title: User:Newportm


text:
User talk:Captain Infinity

RE Harlan Ellison sues CBS-Paramount, WGA over Star Trek royalties
You can make the edit. Unprotected for 24 hours. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 00:04, 18 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Thank you, it's done and awaiting review. --Captain Infinity (talk) 00:37, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

title: User talk:Captain Infinity


text: Talk:U.S. investigators probe in-flight hole in passenger jet


text:
Iconic American newscaster Walter Cronkite dies at 92

July 18, 2009 , the American newscaster who was a household name in television journalism, has died at the age of 92, according to media reports. Cronkite died after a long battle with cerebrovascular disease. From 1962 to 1981, Cronkite anchored the CBS Evening News, and in that capacity reported the in 1963, the 1969 landing of the  astronauts on the Moon, and the 1974  to millions of Americans. As an editorial journalist, Cronkite's powerful criticisms of the reportedly moved then-president  to say, "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost Middle America." He will be remembered by some for his customary signoff, "and that's the way it is...", which ended most of his broadcasts. Also, his addition of "day..." counting up the days of the inspired a similar practice on .

Cronkite's career began in radio in the 1930s in, Texas. Joining in 1939 as a war correspondent, he covered the  following World War II. Cronkite's rise to television prominence began with the. The term "news anchor" was coined to describe his role in the coverage.

After retiring in 1981, Cronkite remained active and prominent in the media, advising an eponymous at, writing books, recording voice-overs for the film , and making guest appearances on the newsroom-based sitcoms  and . Cronkite was also an avid sailor.

"It is impossible to imagine CBS News, journalism or indeed America without Walter Cronkite. More than just the best and most trusted anchor in history, he guided America through our crises, tragedies and also our victories and greatest moments," said CBS News president, Sean McManus in a statement to the press.

Cronkite leaves behind three children, Nancy, Kathy, and Walter III ("Chip"); and four grandchildren.


text: User:Sacred Chao

title: User:Sacred Chao


text:
Talk:Iconic American newscaster Walter Cronkite dies at 92

Should we mention that we tried to talk to him before he died?
Both Brian and I tried to get an interview with him in 2008, with assurances that we would eventually speak to him, but ill health prevented it in the end. Should this be mentioned in the article? Mike Halterman (talk) 01:53, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

 * I think that would be self-serving and inappropriate, but now would be the time to kill the interview-prep. Just my opinion. --SVTCobra 02:01, 18 July 2009 (UTC)
 * I wouldn't call it self promoting. it might have been his last interview before his death. If a little research could be done to see when the last one he did was, I would not see an issue. Would not matter to me either way though. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 02:06, 18 July 2009 (UTC)
 * But it wasn't his last interview ... and "would have been"? How can we know if other people also had asked for interviews and were also waiting for his health to get better? I really think it is better to not mention it at all, but definitely don't call it the "would-be last interview". --SVTCobra 02:14, 18 July 2009 (UTC)

Category
edit protected Please add this article to Category:CBS News and change the link for CBS to. Thank you. Green Giant (talk) 11:35, 7 October 2015 (UTC)
 * Added cats CBS and CBS News (anything related to CBS News is therefore related to CBS), and localized some links. --Pi zero (talk) 15:54, 7 October 2015 (UTC)


text: User talk:Hugo999

title: User talk:Hugo999