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User talk:202.124.125.3

Welcome
Thanks for experimenting with Wikinews. Your test worked, and has now been reverted or removed. Please use Sandbox for any other tests you want to do, since testing in articles may disrupt the site's working and will be reverted quickly. , welcome to Wikinews! Please refrain from using content pages for testing. Here are a few good links for newcomers on how to edit Wikinews:

Our key policies - if you read anything, read these! Here a few pointers to help you get to know Wikinews: There are always things to do on Wikinews: By the way, you can sign your name on Talk pages using four tildes ( ~~~~ ), which produces your name and the current date. If you have any questions, you can ask them at the water cooler or to anyone on the Welcommittee, or ask me on my Talk page. Again, welcome! --+Deprifry+ 21:22, 24 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Neutral point of view - tell every side to a story in a fair and balanced way
 * Cite sources - everything in a Wikinews article must be sourced
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 * Writing an article - how to write and publish a complete article
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 * Existing articles need expanding and checking for spelling and mistakes
 * The front page lead articles often need updating
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 * And of course, stories need writing!

title: User talk:202.124.125.3


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Bodies retrieved from Philippine ferry capsized in typhoon

June 24, 2008 Divers from the combined teams of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard were able to penetrate the interior of the submerged sections of the MV Princess of the Stars.

Spokesman for the Navy confirmed fears that there were several passengers of the ill-fated passenger ferry who were trapped when the ferry listed and over turned at around noon of June 22.

Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo of the Navy said that there could have been survivors initially, passengers who were trapped within a pocket of air but the rescue team were only able to reach and enter the ferry, almost three days since it capsized.

The length of time for any survivor trapped inside the capsized ship to have breathable air would be limited.

Four bodies were retrieved and the team with the help of specialists and salvage teams from the USNS Stockham of the United States Navy, supported by the resources of the US carrier group USS Ronald Reagan will return on Wednesday morning to attempt to stabilize the ship and retrieve more bodies.

Philippine authorities are concerned that boring a hole or disturbing the ferry's present location could cause the ship to slide down into deeper waters or cause an environmental damage to the area due to the fuel the ship carries.

The ferry capsized some 500 meters off the coast of the town of San Fernando in Romblon province.

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


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Talk:City to sue owner of partially collapsed 19th century livery in Buffalo, New York

OR
All the quotes are mine. Most other information is taken from articles in related news, which was also OR. The only thing the WIVB source refers to is the potential buyer. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 21:58, 24 June 2008 (UTC)
 * I called Cynthia Van Ness, a preservationist and Erie County Historical Society director, who I talked to during the hotel project and she confirmed the article from 1906, which appears here on the Save The Livery website. I used a few bits, but it is technically public domain and she also made it a point to tell me that. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 22:38, 24 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Buffalo News refers to legal action references against the building's owner as well as demolition fees and court date conflicting report. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 03:45, 25 June 2008 (UTC)


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User talk:124.104.157.99

Welcome
Welcome!

124.104.157.99, welcome to Wikinews! Thank you for your contributions I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are a few good links for newcomers:

Our key policies - if you read anything, read these! Here a few pointers to help you get to know Wikinews: There are always things to do on Wikinews:
 * Neutral point of view - tell every side to a story in a fair and balanced way
 * Cite sources - everything in a Wikinews article must be sourced
 * Introduction - overview of the site
 * Writing an article - how to write and publish a complete article
 * Content guide - what's suitable for Wikinews
 * Style guide - how articles should look before publishing
 * Contents - the contents page.
 * Existing articles need expanding and checking for spelling and mistakes
 * The front page lead articles often need updating
 * Developing stories need finishing and publishing
 * Discussions need your input
 * And of course, stories need writing!

Here are some other hints and tips:

 * I would recommend that you get a username. You don't have to log in to read or edit articles on Wikinews, but creating an account is quick, free and non-intrusive, requires no personal information (not even an e-mail address), and there are many benefits of having a username.  (If you edit without a username, your IP address is used to identify you instead.)

 * When using talk pages (the "collaboration" tab at the top of the page), or the comments pages (tab "opinions"), please sign your name at the end of your messages by typing four tildes (~~). This will automatically produce your username (or IP address) and the date.

If you have any questions, you can ask them at the water cooler or to anyone on the Welcommittee, or ask me on my Talk page. Again, welcome! --SVTCobra 23:24, 24 June 2008 (UTC)

Keep trying
We all make mistakes, but using predecessor as opposed to successor is a kinda big one. --Brian McNeil / talk 20:04, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

A few pointers
Hi, thanks for your many contributions. I just want to share a few suggestions with you. Again, thanks for you recent contributions and I hope you join us on a permanent basis. Cheers, --SVTCobra 22:38, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Please don't publish on your first edit. Even the best contributors have mistakes in their first drafts.
 * Don't wikilink dates. This is per WN:SG.
 * The date format for sources should be "June 26, 2008" not "26 June 2008". This is per WN:SG.
 * Use local links instead of Wikipedia links whenever possible. We have local links for all countries and for many politicians who are frequently in the news.

title: User talk:124.104.157.99


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Brazilian tribe is neither a new discovery nor a hoax

June 25, 2008

In late May to early June of 2008, news broke that a previously undiscovered indigenous tribe had been found near the border between Brazil and Peru. Worldwide media was quick to publish the story and the accompanying photographs taken by José Carlos Meirelles. The photos showed people in full body paint aiming bows at the overhead aircraft from which the pictures were taken. Wikinews covered the story as well.

In its Sunday edition, British newspaper The Observer had a story called "Secret of the 'lost' tribe that wasn't" which was about this "discovery" and revealed that the tribe had in fact been known to scientists, including Fundação Nacional do Índio (FUNAI), the Brazilian protection agency for Indian interests.

After this revelation, media newswires branded the original story a hoax. These hoax claims spread nearly as quickly as the original story. Rapidly, news sites even claimed that the photos were fake. The true story, however, is more complicated than that.

The Observer's article featured an interview with José Carlos Meirelles, one of a handful so-called sertanistas that work for the FUNAI. These are field agents that map the areas of uncontacted indigenous peoples, so that their habitat can be protected. He admitted that his desire to protect these tribes had caused him to overstep his mission.

When given the use of an aircraft to seek out new tribes, Meirelles instead flew over an area where he knew a tribe had been observed decades ago. Ultimately, he was hoping to prove that FUNAI's policy of not contacting the tribes they observe is better for the tribes. With this flight he hoped to find evidence that the tribe, discovered long ago, was better off for not being contacted.

"When I saw them painted red, I was satisfied, I was happy," he said. "Because painted red means they are ready for war, which to me says they are happy and healthy defending their territory."

The photos are of a real tribe, long known to Meirelles and other scientists within FUNAI, but protected under Brazilian law.

Meirelles says he has no regrets, because he just wanted to prove these kind of tribes exist and deserve protection. He said that Peruvian President Alan García had claimed that these tribes were imaginary and that he needed to prove they existed. In doing so, he violated FUNAI policies by flying over their area and taking pictures. Both are prohibited. Meirelles claims he will protect the exact location of the tribe's territory, even if tortured.

Former president of FUNAI, Sydney Possuelo, agreed that the publication of the photos was necessary to quell the doubt about the very existence such uncontacted indigenous peoples.

Survival International, a human rights organisation formed in 1969 that campaigns for the rights of indigenous tribal and uncontacted peoples, admits complicity in the distribution of the original story. Survival International was instrumental in getting the original story international attention.

Nevertheless, Survival International said it did not mislead media because it never described the tribe as "lost".

"These Indians are in a reserve expressly set aside for the protection of uncontacted tribes: they were hardly 'unknown'," said Stephen Corry, director of Survival International in a statement. "What is, and remains, true, is that so far as is known these Indians have no peaceful contact with outsiders."

"Some of the media got very carried away and started talking about undiscovered tribes," explains Fiona Watson of Survival International. "There was this interpretation that this was a completely new tribe, completely undiscovered, without bothering to check with sources ... Neither the Brazilian government nor Survival has ever used that word, and 'uncontacted' means they don't have any contact with outsiders."


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State of Florida agrees to purchase U.S. Sugar to restore the Everglades

June 25, 2008

The U.S. state of Florida entered an agreement on June 24, 2008 to purchase the U.S. Sugar Corporation, the largest manufacturer of cane sugar in the U.S., in an effort to restore the Everglades. Terms of the agreement stated that the purchase would be completed within 75 days, but that U.S. Sugar would be able to operate for another six years. After that, the state of Florida will retain ownership of U.S. Sugar's manufacturing facilities in Clewiston, Florida, and 187,000 acres of fields that have grown sugarcane since the 1960s will be allowed to return to their natural state.

U.S. Sugar and the state of Florida have been in legal disputes since the Everglades Forever Act was passed in 1994. The act was an attempt to clean up water tainted with phosphorus, a component of fertilizer, which runs off the sugarcane fields and into the Everglades.

Phosphorus alters Everglades ecosystems, allowing invasive and exotic cattails to replace sawgrass when levels rise above 50 parts per billion (ppb). Tests in the 1980s in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge directly south of sugarcane fields indicated that the water had 500 ppb of phosphorus.


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Talk:State of Florida agrees to purchase U.S. Sugar to restore the Everglades

Is it so hard to add a few links and categories? --SVTCobra 01:02, 25 June 2008 (UTC)


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Comments:Blue Coat and AT&T take parts of FOSI for Internet Security

Does Mr. Olson know Fosi has members who...
FOSI has been notified about a member/donor who supposedly is in good standing that has hired affiliates who will send out adult links even if you say your underage. When I contacted Fosi they did not want to do anything about it. Why since they are donors?


title: Wikinews:CommonsTicker/20080624


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Australians getting drunker, fatter, but among the world's longest-lived

June 25, 2008

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) conference, held in Canberra, Australia, received mixed messages on Tuesday about the health of Australians. While average life expectancy is 81.4 years, second only to Japan's 82.2, and rates of cancer, heart disease and stroke are dropping, incidence of obesity, alcohol-related diseases, and sexually transmitted infections are on the increase.

The AIHW report highlighted the increasing gap between Australia's Indigenous population and the rest of the nation. Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders have a life expectancy around 17 years lower than the general populace, and in at least four states 71% of Aboriginals who died were under 65-years old, compared with 21% for the rest of the population. Indigenous Australians are reported to have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, respiratory illness, teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. People living in rural and regional areas were also found to have lower life expectancies and higher illness rates than their suburban and metropolitan counterparts.

While obesity is a growing concern in Australia, AIHW director Penny Allbon expressed skepticism over a recent report from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute that claimed that Australia had overtaken the United States as the "fattest" nation in the world, with "over four million adult Australians [...] currently obese". Allben commented that the institute's sample from 100 locations across the country may not be representative of the whole population. "At the moment the ABS [Australian Bureau of Statistics] is out there measuring height and weight in a population-based survey, so we don't know the results," Dr Allbon said. "We were just a bit concerned that the statistics that came out about us being the fattest in the world is not based on a population survey." AIHW reported the number of Australians being obese as closer to 2.5 million, with 7.4 million being overweight.

Between 1997 and 2005, the number of general practitioners in Australia has dropped 9%, although in regional areas there has been an increase of 15%.

Based on the report, the AIHW has recommended that Australians consider lifestyle change, such as healthier eating and more exercise, to alleviate the pressure on Australia's public health system. "In rank order, the greatest improvements can be achieved through reductions in tobacco smoking, high blood pressure, overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, high blood cholesterol and excessive alcohol consumption," according to Dr. Allbon.


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Comments:Associated Press goes after bloggers for copyright violation

How unfortunate. In an age where news from common media is increasingly referred to as 'opinion journalism' and 'editorial stories' and open-source news is increasingly doing quality investigative work, the AP decides to make itself look like the RIAA. Smart move...

I hope they demonstrate good intelligence when they issue these 'guidelines'... and how else should we view these 'guidelines' other than a statement on how to fairly use AP material? Isn't the purpose of these guidelines to spell out acceptable application of fair use?

AP to internets: "Hello!  We are outdated irrelevant suckfail!  Proceed to ignore us now!" Message received and understood. --on WP as User:Kasreyn 167.127.107.8 14:12, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * You do know you can use SUL to reserve user Kasreyn across all wikis and you will be logged into them all when you log into the first or second one.
 * How do I do that again? The last time someone told me this, I asked them to post an explanation on my wp user talk page, but they never did.  --on WP as User:Kasreyn 167.127.107.8 12:02, 30 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Anyway, the reality is, that a blogger or Wikinewsie in Seattle can't cover a story in Zimbabwe or South Africa without taking details "off the wire". AP, AFP, and Reuters aren't going away anytime soon; you also must remember that a lot of their income is from selling financial information, the 'global news' side of the business is a source to merge into this financial service; their reportage on unrest in Thailand feeds through to their analysts and on to traders and can impact a whole raft of things, like exchange rates. News for public consumption generally goes through another publisher who has, say, an AP subscription and license for reuse. This is something Wikinews has to be careful with. If AP gets it wrong the story can be carried by 20 or more sources and, voila!, you've tripled the number of elephants in Africa. --Brian McNeil / talk 18:08, 27 June 2008 (UTC)
 * You have a good point, but this problem will ease as we get more Wikinews members in places like Zimbabwe and S. Africa - the ideal situation would be, Wikinewsies would report on events in their area. (Of course, it's difficult to achieve this ideal).  If other major news agencies decide to be dicks like AP, then it may wind up being the only way forward for Wikinews.  --on WP as User:Kasreyn 167.127.107.8 12:04, 30 June 2008 (UTC)


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Comments:Mugabe: There will be an election in Zimbabwe

This person infuriates me. Beating up children and declaring yourself champion is not a glorious act at all... It is better to do nothing. - 202.156.53.154 06:59, 25 June 2008 (UTC)Saint Splattergut
 * Mugabe is the only African leader who successfully waged war against a colonial power. This made him a hero in the eyes of many of his neighbours. This is a significant contributory factor in them all standing idly by while he wrecked the country and caused hyperinflation by printing more and more money. The impact of the latter really comes home to you when you see something like a clip on youtube where someone buying a newspaper off a street vendor hands over a wad of notes nearly as thick as the paper they're buying.
 * The policy of driving white farmers off their land has been an utter disaster, both for Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa. Prior to the war, and independence, the country was the breadbasket of Africa and fed a significant portion of the continent's populace. Now farms lie in ruin, untended, and no crops grown. What Mugabe and his supporters know about farming would fit on the back of a postage stamp, with room left over. --Brian McNeil / talk 09:26, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

This is what Socialism will give you. Fephisto (talk) 15:31, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * This is what government will give you. Anonymous101 (talk) 15:43, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * It is a crock of shit to blame this on socialism and shows a complete and utter lack of understanding of the concept. Many of the Scandinavian countries could be described as socialist and have among the highest standards of living in the world. --Brian McNeil / talk 16:18, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree that the problem cannot be blamed on socialism but the problems of government (yes, including socialist governments) can cause incidents like this. Anonymous101 (talk) 17:22, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * I've taken socialism to be defined as a robbing property. But, whatever, maybe I'm way off on this definition.  How do you define it (also, if you want, could you lay down a definition of communism as well.  I've never received a good response on the difference between communism/socialism.  So I've pretty much taken them to mean the same thing)?Fephisto (talk) 19:59, 29 June 2008 (UTC)


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Comments:Brazilian tribe is neither a new discovery nor a hoax

Good to know these groups are still around, and that policies are in place to protect them from being exploited. 74.227.168.168 07:56, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

"happy and healthy" because they're warring internally? Does this guy even hear himself? Gah... --on WP as User:Kasreyn 167.127.107.8 14:43, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

We need more scientists, not more lawyers. This article suggests that both the man who took the pictures and the agencies involved acted dishonestly and with the intent to subvert one mission in support of another. Even if one agrees with the goals here (eg protecting 'uncontacted' tribes from contact), pursuing those goals through disingenuous means is detrimental to everyone (tribesmen, researchers, taxpayers).

__128.138.105.171 18:49, 28 June 2008 (UTC)


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User:Mehran Mangrio

 * My name is Qadeer Mangrio.
 * I am Sindhi.
 * I am a student of Science and I like World History & Knowledge presented here on Wikipedia.
 * I will do my best for Wikipedia, contributing articles about places and personalities not listed in Wikipedia's articles already.
 * I am Qadeer Mangrio from Hyderabad, Sindh and am a student.
 * I want to be a cooperative and helpful Person, and you will know all about me by reading my choices that are given below.

EDUCATION

Now I am doing B.Sc., and Primary(V) from my village.
 * I completed my Class of XII in 2006.
 * Inter (XII) Science in Grade "B",
 * Matric(X) Science in Grade "A",
 * I Passed (VIII)Middle classes from Hyderabad,

Passion & Intrest

 * Wikipedia is my passion.
 * My Interest is reading all the worthy books that develop skills and knowledge. I like playing cricket, watching movies, making friends, and getting together with them.

Contact

 * Webpage: Mangrio
 * E-mail: trighati07@yahoo.com
 * Cell:   0300-3010998

title: User:Mehran Mangrio


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User talk:GoldenHouse860

Welcome
Thanks for experimenting with Wikinews. Your test worked, and has now been reverted or removed. Please use Sandbox for any other tests you want to do, since testing in articles may disrupt the site's working and will be reverted quickly. , welcome to Wikinews! Please refrain from using content pages for testing. Here are a few good links for newcomers on how to edit Wikinews:

Our key policies - if you read anything, read these! Here a few pointers to help you get to know Wikinews: There are always things to do on Wikinews: By the way, you can sign your name on Talk pages using four tildes ( ~~~~ ), which produces your name and the current date. If you have any questions, you can ask them at the water cooler or to anyone on the Welcommittee, or ask me on my Talk page. Again, welcome! Anonymous101 (talk) 16:03, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Neutral point of view - tell every side to a story in a fair and balanced way
 * Cite sources - everything in a Wikinews article must be sourced
 * Introduction - overview of the site
 * Writing an article - how to write and publish a complete article
 * Content guide - what's suitable for Wikinews
 * Style guide - how an article should look before publishing
 * Contents - the contents page.
 * Existing articles need expanding and checking for spelling and mistakes
 * The front page lead articles often need updating
 * Developing stories need finishing and publishing
 * Discussions need your input
 * And of course, stories need writing!

title: User talk:GoldenHouse860


text:
Wimbledon Officials receive criticism from animal rights group after shooting birds

June 25, 2008 Animal rights activists have complained after officials from the shot down, allegedly because they were an inconvenience to players. This move was possibly illegal under Animal Welfare Act 2006, which prevents using lethal force unless it is used as a last resort.

Wikinews spoke to Bruce Friedrich, Vice President of, which has campaigned against the move. He said that "killing animals so quickly and for such frivolous reasons is cruel, illegal, and won’t work."

Wikinews has also been told by Friedrich that "the should still be prosecuted for cruelty to animals, since they broke the law and should be held accountable."Violation of the Animal Welfare act carries a maximum sentence of "imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks" or a fine "not exceeding £20,000"

Wikinews has also been given a copy of the letter sent to Wimbledon officials. Below is the text of the first paragraph:

I am writing to you from the European affiliate of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world's largest animal rights organisation, with more than two million members and supporters, to ask that if this morning’s reports of marksmen killing pigeons at Wimbledon are correct, you order an immediate halt to this cruel and illegal behavior. The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (which runs the Wimbledon Championships) has not yet released a statement regarding the incident, although  has reported that one will be made after the tournament.


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User:Gopinathradhakrishnan

this is the user page of gopinath radhakrishnan, india

title: User:Gopinathradhakrishnan


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Talk:Wimbledon Officials receive criticism from animal rights group after shooting birds

OR Notes
Refers to quotes obtained from Bruce Friedrich via email correspondence and information from a copy of the letter sent to Wimbledon officials. The copy of the letter is not, to my knowledge, available online and it was provided to me by PETA. Anonymous101 (talk) 17:54, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * By the way, if anyone wants a copy of the emails (for verifying my claims or for any other reason) just send me an email/leave a message on my talk page asking for a copy. Anonymous101 (talk) 18:32, 25 June 2008 (UTC)


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Comments:Wimbledon Officials receive criticism from animal rights group after shooting birds

PETA crying about animals getting killed when they killed 19,200 animals. (reasons very) --66.229.25.248 18:35, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Are you comparing this situation to euthanisation? Wikidsoup (talk) 20:03, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * 66.229.25.248, killing an animal to prevent it :suffering is slightly different to killing to make the tennis easier to play. Anonymous101 (talk) 20:36, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

That why i say "reasons vary" if a animal that been torture yeah i understand it, But perfectly find animals have been killed because PETA believe no animals belong as pets. If the humane society was raising this issue I won't have a problem.--66.229.25.248 21:07, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * PETA doesn't have a policy to discourage people from having pets. In fact, they actively encourage people to adopt animals from shelters, as opposed to purchasing them. Wikidsoup (talk) 22:46, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

Street pigeons are typically considered vermin. PETA is annoying. --SVTCobra 21:13, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Point? I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind seeming annoying to stand up for what I believe. Wikidsoup (talk) 22:46, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * My point is these disease-ridden vermin should be exterminated just like rats. PETA is just using Wimbledon to get their name in the news. PETA doesn't care about the pigeons. --SVTCobra 22:54, 25 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Should people with diseases be exterminated? No? What about a dog with a disease? Where do you draw the line? And please justify: "PETA doesn't care about the pigeons." Wikidsoup (talk) 00:17, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * That is a matter of opinion, of course, but PETA does exterminate dogs with diseases. However, I think the real question is not where do I draw the line (I tend to draw the line at humans), but where does PETA draw the line? Do I have to avoid exterminating head lice on my children's heads because they are just animals with feelings that are struggling to survive? I think not! It is one thing to oppose the intentional maltreatment of animals, it is another thing to elevate them to the same level as humans. --SVTCobra 01:23, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * They exterminate dogs with diseases because these dogs can't live in our society without our help, and there aren't enough resources to help them. Pigeons, on the other hand, CAN live in our society without our help, as they are much better scavengers, and so will not suffer as the dogs would. It's a tough call, as you can't tell when an animal is suffering since humans & other species can't communicate well together. Wikidsoup (talk) 19:17, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * And I don't know who was elevating animals to the "same level as humans," whatever that means. We are definitely different. But yes, I oppose the intentional maltreatment of animals.
 * Sorry, I forgot to justify "PETA doesn't care about the pigeons." Well, I guess I can't prove that, but I am unsure of what, if anything, PETA cares about. Nonetheless that remains my opinion. As Ingrid Newkirk said: "We are complete press sluts." --SVTCobra 01:54, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Being a press slut doesn't mean you don't care though. Being a press slut means you get your message out, and I think people like Newkirk are really passionate about their message! Wikidsoup (talk) 19:17, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Yes they are just proving heir stupidity by defending the rats with wings, that being said can't you kill these f*ck*ng thngs by raising hawks? Nyarlathotep (talk) 22:26, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

This counts as 'News'? Why does anyone care what PETA is whining about now? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.129.114.64 (talk) 03:47, 26 June 2008 (UTC), Sorry, wasn't logged in. Bo (talk) 03:52, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

PETA doesn't mind killing animals and dumping their bodies. It doesn't mind terrorising children at McDonalds. It does however mind if someone shoots vermin. Rather an odd group, PETA. Bo (talk) 03:52, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Can you see the difference between educating children and killing living animals that fell pain.
 * Can YOU see the difference in educating and terrorising? Bo (talk) 18:45, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

"It is one thing to oppose the intentional maltreatment of animals, it is another thing to elevate them to the same level as humans."

- SVTCobra

And what makes humans more superior.
 * perhaps the fact that the pigeons can't shoot back?
 * Or maybe the fact that they're not having this discussion?
 * Or perhaps the very nature of the beasts v. the nature of Man? Bo (talk) 18:45, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Animals shouldn't need to be elevated to the same level as humans because thay should already be there. Animals have emotions and feel pain, why should they be inferior? Anonymous101 (talk) 05:45, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * If you want to play the 'all equal' game, then play it to the hilt.
 * We are the premier predator, all creatures are below us on the food chain. Taking the pain of prey into consideration is actually a unwise caloric choice.  They are inferior because we can kill them for the fun of it and there is nothing they can do about it.

 * Of course you could take a more reasonable approach, and see that we are charged with the keeping of the garden, to include those pesky birds, but a garden is a well regulated place, not the 'weed field' that PETA would have...

Bo (talk) 18:45, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

=Pigeon shooting is a SPORT!= Out here in the English countryside pigeon shooting is a sport. It's not done on driven shoots like pheasants and the much smaller, faster, more intelligent and alert wood pigeons have a much fairer chance of survival.

People come here (many of them from the cities) to PAY to shoot pigeons. Often several hundred per day. And that's not even mentioning the thousands that are shot every year by sportsmen and farmers who live out here.

Of course.. it is also totally necessary... a bunch of pigeons will make short work of an entire crop in very little time. Short work of MANY crops if allowed. Yes, some of you city folk find it hard to stomach, even when you're eating your £50 stuffed wood pigeon from some fancy restaurant (ever wonder where it came from?) but that's how the real world is. You think that the pigeon on your plate came from some sort of pigeon farm? Chances are that it too was shot. And if it was shot then it can be considered lucky because it had a TRULY free range life before being dipatched quickly and humanely. Unlike the birds on poultry farms that are killed by very hit and miss automated machinery or minimum wage workers who often have little idea what they're doing. Keep your bullsh*t in Westminister and we'll keep ours in the countryside.

The fact remains that pigeon shooting is a perfectly legitimate past time. Yes... even on tennis courts! It has been for far longer than PETA and city folk have been on this Earth. It is most definitely NOT illegal! Shane.Bell (talk) 07:28, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * PETA: People for the Eating of Tasty Animals. --Brian McNeil / talk 08:13, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Haven't heard that one before. (damn, wish sarcasm could come across on the old www) Wikidsoup (talk) 19:17, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

3 PRESTONFIELD MILNGAVIE GLASGOW G627PZ.

KILLING OF PIGEONS AT WIMBLEDON, THEY ARE, AND ALWAYS WILL BE TREATED AS VERMIN THEY CAUSE A TOTAL MESS WITH THERE DROPPINGS, AND HAVE TO BE CONTROLLED IN MANY CASES THEY ARE TRAPPED IN CAGES FOR HEALTH REASONS PIGEONS ARE AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN CONTROLED IN PLACES LIKE DISTILLERYS GRAIN INTAKES ETC THERFORE FOR A FEW OF THE BIRDS TO BE SHOT DURING THE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS,JUST TO MAKE SURE THE DO NO     MAKE A MESS OF THE PROPERTY ,OR COURTS, OR THE PEOPLE WATCHING WILL DO NO DAMAGE WHATSOEVER IF THERE DROPPINGS LANDED ON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING THIS RIDICULOUS COMPLAINT JUST ASK THEM HOW THEY NOW FEEL AS THE LAUNDRY BILL COULD BE VERY HIGH.

YOURS MR J.G.CARNEGIE —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.10.108.213 (talk) 19:19, 26 June 2008 (UTC)


text:
User talk:Xeno

w:en:User talk:Xeno This page is a soft redirect.

title: User talk:Xeno


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Comments:Ban Ki-moon calls for Zimbawe elections to be postponed

why does he care who is president in another place.Just thank about yourself and it's conditions.

why does he care who is president in another place.Just thank about yourself and your state's conditions.


text:
Talk:Phoenix lander confirms presence of water ice on Mars

These photos to not prove the existance of "water ice" on Mars. Its NASA jumping to conclusion once again just to justify their need for such a large budget.

Category improvement
editprotected "Category:ESA" => "Category:European Space Agency" Van der Hoorn (talk) 15:17, 16 March 2009 (UTC)

 * ✅ ♪Tempo di Valse ♪ 16:46, 16 March 2009 (UTC)


text:
Comments:State of Florida agrees to purchase U.S. Sugar to restore the Everglades

As the state scrambles to cut everything from University budgets to juvenile rehabilitation programs, they do this. Brilliant. Spacehusky (talk) 21:00, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

We need to strike a better balance. cane ethanol is one of the most promising biofuels. --SVTCobra 22:12, 25 June 2008 (UTC)

Perhaps cane ethanol should be pursued, but it should not be grown in the Everglades. There is nothing common sense about trying to grow traditional agriculture in such a specialized environment. I don't know how the State of Florida will afford this since only a few weeks earlier they considered cutting all Everglades restoration programs, but the entire South Florida megalopolis will not be able to maintain itself unless care is taken to return the Everglades as close to their pre-drainage state as possible. --66.32.103.171 02:20, 26 June 2008 (UTC)


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US Supreme Court overturns death penalty for child rape

June 25, 2008

In a 5-4 vote, the United States Supreme Court overturned the death penalty for Patrick Kennedy, convicted of raping a child, saying it is not proportional to the crime and that it violates the Constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment, and thereby setting a precedent. In the case Kennedy v. Louisiana, Patrick Kennedy of New Orleans, Louisiana was convicted of raping his eight-year old stepdaughter, and was sentenced to death for the crime. A Louisiana law adopted in 1995 allowed the death penalty for those who had raped a child under 12 years old (later amended to 13). Five other states have similar laws, while the remaining states ban the death penalty for rape. The last execution for rape in America occurred in 1964.

The Louisiana Supreme Court defended Kennedy's sentence, saying that "short of first-degree murder, we can think of no other non-homicide crime more deserving" of the death penalty. Kennedy, who was one of two criminals on death row in America who did not commit murder, challenged the court's decision, and the case was brought to the U.S. Supreme Court. Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy said the Constitution did not allow the death penalty where the crime did not result, and was not intended to result, in a person's death. He noted exceptions in cases of crimes against the state, such as treason and espionage. Despite "the years of long anguish that must be endured by the victim of child rape," Justice Kennedy wrote, "the death penalty should not be expanded to instances where the victim's life was not taken." He added, "When the law punishes by death, it risks its own sudden descent into brutality, transgressing the constitutional commitment to decency and restraint."

The four liberal-leaning justices (Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg and Breyer) joined Kennedy, a moderate who often casts the deciding vote in close cases. The four conservative-leaning justices (Roberts, Scalia, Thomas and Alito) dissented.

Samuel Alito wrote in his dissent, "The harm that is caused to the victims and to society at large by the worst child rapists is grave... It is the judgment of the Louisiana lawmakers and those in an increasing number of other states that these harms justify the death penalty." Alito said the decision would bar the death penalty "no matter how young the child, no matter how many times the child is raped, no matter how many children the perpetrator rapes, no matter how sadistic the crime, no matter how much physical or psychological trauma is inflicted, and no matter how heinous the perpetrator's prior criminal record may be."

Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal also criticized the court's decision. "One thing is clear: The five members of the court who issued the opinion do not share the same 'standards of decency' as the people of Louisiana," Jindal said.


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Obama offers sympathies to Fengshen victims

June 26, 2008

The presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee and Illinois state senator Barack Obama conveyed his sympathies and condolonces to the people of the Philippines through President Gloria Arroyo, after the country was struck over the weekend by Typhoon Fengshen.

Obama also extended his regrets for not being able to meet Mrs. Arroyo who is on a 10-day official visit in the United States and met up with President George W. Bush at the White House.

The senator from Illinois stressed the strong bond between the Philippines and the United States, taking note of the two countries partnership during the Cold War era and during the Second World War. Obama also pointed out that the Philippines is also an important ally in the on-going war on terror.

He also expressed his desire on meeting Arroyo in the future and working closely with the people of the Philippines.

He also urged the Bush administration to provide more aid to the Philippines in the wake of the retrieval of victims of Typhoon Fengshen who drowned or were lost at sea.

Obama urged the "US government to provide emergency support to alleviate the suffering caused by the catastrophic natural disaster."

Typhoon Fengshen lashed through the islands of the Philippines last June 21 to 22 causing mud floods, landslides and the capsizing of a passenger ferry, the MV Priness of the Stars, killing more than 700 passengers on board off the coast of Romblon island.

The National Disaster Coordinating Agency of the Philippines reported that five days after the ferry tragedy, only 48 passengers survived and rescuers were able to retrieve 67 bodies.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza also reported that 138 fishing vessels were reported missing as a result of Typhoon Fengshen.

A cargo vessel, the MV Lake Paoay carrying 5,000 metric tons of coal from the mines in Semirara island was also lost off the coast of Iloilo province.

Marine inquiry begins
The Board of Marine Inquiry of the Philippines was convened Wednesday on the possible criminal and civil liability of the owners of the passenger ferry MV Princess of the Stars.

Rear Admiral Ramon Liwag ordered the management of Sulpicio Lines to submit several documents such as certificates of conveniences, permits to depart port, navigational manuals and other important papers by June 27.

Liwag was also hopeful that the ferry's captain, Florencio Marimon, Sr. survived the mishap and shed light on what really happened.

During Wednesday's inquiry, Sulpicio Executive Vice-President Edgar Go assured the panel that the ferry was in top condition.

Liwag questioned Go as to how the ferry was cleared to sail Friday night when Typhoon Fengshen was plotted by the weather bureau to strike the area Cebu province were the ferry was destined.

The inquiry told Sulpicio Lines that as of June 2007, the Philippine Coast Guard was mandated under a Memorandum Circular stating, "restricting movements during bad weather, vessels of any size are banned from travel when public storm signal 3 and 4 are raised within the point of origin, route and destination."

The representative of Sulpicio Lines denied any knowledge of such a circular.


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Nuclear power seriously considered for ASEAN power grid

June 26, 2008 The Philippines and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are becoming alarmed over the rapid increase of global oil prices and are seriously looking into prospects of building nuclear powered plants to energize the electric needs of the 10 member nations of ASEAN.

The heads of Asean Power Utilities/Authorities (Hapua) Council got together in Manila this week and are forming an ASEAN Power Grid.

Energy ministers and delegates from ASEAN member countries, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines are pursuing alternative sources of energy and connecting the power grids of the member countries.

A task force was created by the Philippines Department of Energy that will look into the possibility of using nuclear power as a counter-measure to dependence on oil to power up the Philippines and the rest of ASEAN's power generators.

Energy secretary Angelo Reyes also received the recommendations from a six-man team from the International Atomic Energy Agency on the prospects of operating the moth-balled Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.

The Bataan nuclear plant was first built in the late seventies under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos but was scrapped by President Corazon Aquino in 1986 owing to kick-backs in the plant's construction and safety concerns.

Reyes stated that the council and the department was also looking into alternative sources of renewal energy such as solar and wind power, biomass, geothermal and hydro-electric to reduce dependency on fossil fuel.

For the time, the Philippines has implemented several measures on conserving energy particularly the conversion to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).


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Wildfires started by lightning burn in California

June 25, 2008 A large lightning storm this week sparked over 800 wildfires in northern California. A lightning storm this past Friday caused wildfires burning from Mendocino County to Monterey County, the latter a county that has been declared an emergency zone, along with Trinity County. Of the 800 wildfires burning, recent numbers say that around 200 are unattended, some being left to burn themselves out.

Over 100,000 acres have been burned from these wildfires. Already an early fire season, the National Climatic Data Center reports this has been the driest spring in 114 years of record keeping. The lack of precipitation and dry thunderstorms have turned the northern part of the state into a smoky inferno. Smoke is so bad in Sacramento (and as far away as Reno) that health authorities have encouraged the public to stay inside, and in Monterey County some residents were ordered to evacuate.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger asked for help from other states, and Nevada and Oregon have thus far responded. Oregon has sent 2,400 firefighters already. Nevada itself has struggled with wildfires, nearly 100 fires are estimated to be burning. Oregon does not have as many wildfires due to their saturated climate.


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Basketball: UAAP opens 2008-2009 season with new rules

June 25, 2008 The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) announced the opening of the 2008-2009 season with innovations and new rules to spice up the premiere collegiate tournament in the country.

The sport sepak takraw will be introduced as a demonstration game in this season and in the popular basketball matches among the ten member universities, a 16-man team will be implemented and the season opens with an early meet-up between rival basketball teams of De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University.

Hector Callanta, secretary and treasurer of the athletic association said that there will be new rules, a definite new feel for this year's games.

Every school year, the UAAP opens its competition among its member academic institutions to accredited sports such as swimming, volleyball, archery, and others.

The game of basketball, especially between the UAAP's two top teams, La Salle and Ateneo are the much awaited event which will see action on July 6.

Defending champion La Salle, will square-off with arch nemesis Ateneo and a beefed up line-up of the Far Eastern University.

The season formally opens with a show and ceremony to be led by this year's host, the National University on July 5 at the Araneta Coliseum with an opening basketball match between Adamson University and Far Eastern University.


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Human Rights group seeks judicial remedy for Philippine torture victims

June 26, 2008

The Hong Kong based Asian Human Rights Commission or AHRC appealed to the Philippines government to seriously pursue judicial options against victims of torture in the country.

The AHRC press statement was issued as part of the commemoration of the United Nations' International Day in Support of Victims of Torture calendared every June 26.

AHRC is a regional non-governmental organization monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984

The statement claimed that the Philippines Constitution specifically prohibits torture but there was no specific law against it, The group also lamented that, "there no judicial remedy for a violation of this right, torture has also not been declared a crime in the Philippines."

An appeal was also conveyed to the Supreme Court to plan and implement remedies for torture victims and appealed to the country's law makers to enact a law specifically banning and criminilizing any acts of torture.

AHRC compared the Philippines to Sri Lanka, wherein both countries are signatories to the Convention against Torture Act of 1994 of the United Nations.

The group cited that, "Sri Lanka has already complied with its obligation under the convention, the Philippines, which has signed and ratified the same U.N. convention against torture, has not done so despite being a party to the convention since June 1987."


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Comments:US Supreme Court overturns death penalty for child rape

Untitled
Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal also criticized the court's decision. "One thing is clear: The five members of the court who issued the opinion do not share the same 'standards of decency' as the people of Louisiana," Jindal said.

lol. jindal critcizing others for lack of decency in this instance? - Imind (talk) 00:36, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Here's how I look at it...
Why kill them when we can let them rot away in prison for the rest of their lives and let them reflect on what they've done. --TUFKAAP (talk) 01:13, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

I'll let what someone else said summarize how I see it: Death is death. It's just one thing then BOOM!, it's over. Life without parole is worse, since they basically lose all of their freedom. 72.73.187.77 02:39, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

So your saying "LETS WASTE TAX PAYERS DOLLARS AND GIVE THEM FREE FOOD AND MEDICARE FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES!" that is what I'm hearing.--66.229.25.248 03:19, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * They still get that free food and medicare while they're languishing on death row and it takes a while for them to actually get their execution date, so while they're hanging out on death row, they're pretty much just serving a life sentence. There's a alot more money that can be blown on other things... such as the Iraq war for example. --TUFKAAP (talk) 04:57, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

ACTIVIST JUDGES STRIKE AGAIN! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.227.110.46 (talk) 06:50, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

you're an idiot. the courts are there to determine the constitutionality of laws. whats the point of a constitution without a body to ensure laws abide by it? -Imind (talk) 18:00, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Death row can be like a life sentence anyway, but it was a symbol of justice, death sentence wouldn't have repaired the damage he did to that poor girl, but atleast it was a message that we respect her... Or maybe I'm wrong I don't know.

My personal feelings on the matter, is that capital punishment is just punishment for murder, rape, torture, and nothing else. But again I could be wrong. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.228.57.113 (talk) 07:40, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

This is a positive development. The death penalty is just a leftover from the middle ages and has no place in a modern society. 74.227.163.17 08:26, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

in order to reduce overall barbarianism in the world it is neccessary that society responds to barbarian crimes with something less barbarian, not more. 131.169.103.150 11:05, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Wrong Decision
The Supreme Court made a mistake in this situation I believe. I think that if a person rapes an innocent child, or in my opinion rapes anyone, he or she should get the death penalty. This is one of the most heartless and phsycotic crimes a person can commit outside of murder. I dont understand the mindset of the people who say the death penalty is "cruel and unusual". Is it not cruel and unsual what these perverts have done to these children. They deserve to die for what they have done. Another thing that I dont understand is how these people fail to see is that if more people were sentenced to death and it was carried out it would make other criminals who were thinking about doing something stupid like rape or murder think twice. They may still commit the crime but at least they thought about it. I guarantee that some of those people would reconsider and lives would be saved and less people would be raped etc... Come on America, we are letting our country go in a very bad direction and if we dont do something about it America will fall. Think about it. And another thing, to the members of the court who opposed the death penalty for raping kids, would you feel different if it were your kids??? I bet you would. And lastly, some people say these people should get life in prison. True they would suffer for the rest of their lives, but are they really suffering? Free meals, free place to sleep, internet and t.v., workout facilities, showers, clothes to wear, etc... Life is better for some of these animals in prison than before. And who pays for all this? Taxpayers like you and I. Quite frankly, Im tired of it. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 72.158.157.2 (talk • contribs) 15:47, 26 June 2008

 * This is truly a Christian America turning the other cheek! --78.146.106.23 16:28, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

 * I'm just curious, anonymous: what is your advice when the system wrongfully puts a person to death?  What will you (Ie., "you" being those of you who support the death penalty) say to their families once their conviction is posthumously overturned?  "Tough luck"?  "Here's some cash"?  "He shouldn't have acted so suspicious"?  I'm just curious what you plan to say.  Because it will happen; human judgment is fallible, but death is permanent.  --on WP as User:Kasreyn 167.127.107.8 17:10, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

anybody have any evidence to suggest that the death penalty deters crime? didn't think so. -Imind (talk) 18:21, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

@Kasreyn 167.127.107.8

Personally I think a person should be on death row for a long time to prevent wrongful deaths, and I don't like the way some cases were handled.

Ironically I wouldn't have had such a big issue with this, if they were banning death penalty for treason and espionage too, but is treason/espionage worse than rape? What is the message the US SC gave to us and to those children with this decision?

Although I do support capital punishment for rape, murder (with exception of self-defense), and torture, I wouldn't support it for anything else.

On another note, I wonder if we breed more criminals with prisons? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.228.57.113 (talk) 23:55, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Wash the blood off your fangs people; it doesn't suit you since you're supposed to be humans, not dogs
Standards of decency? In Louisiana? Don't make me laugh.

Death penalty solves nothing, and there is no "justice", only vengeance and the gleeful, shaking-fist-in-the-air of armchair murderers. We do not solve inhumanity by becoming monsters ourselves.

-Victor Sheckels 12.207.133.59 13:16, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

Concern over escalation - Courts made right decision
While I agree that child rape is one of the worst non-homicide crimes that can be committed, and while I remain concerned that such crimes as treason and espionage are punishable by death primarily because they always have been, I feel that the decision to overturn the death penalty in this case was the correct one. The reason I believe this is the concern over escalation, not of criminal punishments (i.e. the "descent into barbarism" cited by the justices), but of criminal behavior.

Note my first statement; I believe homicide crimes are still worse, and most people will agree. The death penalty is typically reserved for homicide crimes, as it is the most severe punishment we can mete out. While I don't have the statistics readily available, it is fairly well known that rapes are more often and more easily solved than murders; having a living victim is the primary advantage for law enforcement. As long as rape carries a lesser penalty (i.e. life or less in prison) than murder, the knowledge of the potential penalty is a factor in the rapist's mind. While he/she is less likely to be caught if the victim is killed, he/she will face the death penalty if caught; the higher risk of discovery in leaving the victim alive balances with the lesser penalty. When rape carries the same penalty (i.e. death) as homicide, that check on his/her behavior disappears. It now makes much more sense to kill the victim, as the penalty is no worse, and the chance of being caught decreases drastically.

Granted, not all rapists are intelligent enough to realize this, and will leave their victims alive. However, as rational people, we should take steps to reduce the risk of people being killed, not increase it. --MJ the Prophet (talk) 14:02, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

THE SUPREME COURTS DESICION TO SPARE THE LIFE OF A RAPIST IS UNREAL. WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR 2 YEAR OLD? SPARE THE RAPIST LIFE BUT RUIN THE LIFE OF A CHILD!!!!!!! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.91.80.98 (talk) 06:27, 2 July 2008 (UTC)

They should kill him. Rape of a child is worse than murder. Why? Because a murder ends a life. A rapist destroys a life. Many of those victimized by rapists took years to recover, and many still relive the trauma. While rape of anyone is bad enough, the rape of a child is a crime so evil, so vile, it deserves nothing but death in the harshest most painful manner possible. These monsters have violated an innocent stripped away thier childhood and ruined their life. Whats worse is as rape is about power, many of these perpetrators with their need to control their victim, dream of raping them again, and some do. Its not a disease, not a sickness and there is no cure. If they did it once they will do it again, no matter how "reformed" the are, the desire will still be in them and eventulally they will seek to satify their sick desire, and perhaps their victims will rest just a bit easier knowing their attacker is gone, and will never harm another. To those of you who have survived, thrived and fought through such an experience, I comend and pray for you. To those whose loved ones have been victims in this most evil manner, stand by them, help them, encourage them and let them fight if that is what they want, but above all understand you cannot relate to them, so do not try. Show them love, support, and understanding, and encourage them to speak out against their aggressor. Perhaps together the United States will see this crime for what it is and the criminals will finally receive their just reward.

A Concerned Person —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 205.56.129.196 (talk • contribs) 15:02, 7 May 2009

I think that as far as brutally raping a child at all emotionaly takes away their life whether it be physical or not. They will never be the same and they will trust anyone. They may as well have killed the person being raped. I believe any offense against a child expecially under the age of 15 should always constitute a more severe punishment. What if it were your child, and they could no longer have you touch them without cringing or crying. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 207.255.139.240 (talk • contribs) 04:52, 18 August 2009


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Talk:Tibetans demand that China release Panchen Lama boy

Please Change the following from:
 * just days after the boy was recognized as the reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama .

to
 * just days after the boy was recognized as the reincarnation of the 11th Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama .

Regards, nat.utoronto 00:38, 26 June 2008 (UTC) never mind... nat.utoronto 00:39, 26 June 2008 (UTC)


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Conrad Black loses appeal against fraud conviction

June 26, 2008 On Wednesday, a United States federal appeals court upheld convictions of fraud and obstruction of justice against media mogul, along with three other executives from his former press corporation, Hollinger International.

Black, born in Canada and bearer of the title Baron Black of Crossharbour in the United Kingdom, was found guilty in July 2007 of three counts of wire and mail fraud for giving himself and others millions of dollars in illegal bonuses taken from Hollinger holdings, and for obstruction of justice based on surveillance footage of his moving 13 boxes of documents out of his Toronto office to his home the day after he was informed that he was being investigated. He was sentenced, and from March this year he began a 6 1/2-year prison term. Peter Atkinson and John Boultbee were convicted on the same fraud charges, and were sentenced to terms of 24 and 27 months respectively, while Mark Kipnis, who was implicated in the fraud, was given probation with 6 months of home detention.

The appeals panel from the, who heard the defence attorneys' oral arguments, presented its opinion in a 16-page document in which they rejected arguments against the fraud and obstruction charges. They noted that while the defence had presented a "no harm-no foul argument", in which it was argued that the accused were owed the money appropriated, "such arguments usually fare badly in criminal cases". They also dismissed claims that instructions given to the jury by the judge had been incomplete, or unclear, stating that "the defendants proposed a misleading statement as an alternative", and that in such situations the judge is allowed to stay with the original instruction, and in particular is not required "that a submitted charge be technically perfect to alert the court to the need for a particular charge".

The appeals judges also discounted arguments from the defence regarding the defendants being unaware of the illegality of the transactions, making reference to an "ostrich argument", based on the urban legend that sensing danger stick their heads in the sand. It was noted that choosing not to investigate the suspicious nature of the payments was equivalent to accepting their illegality. An argument from Black's defence regarding the obstruction charge, that in moving the documents he was not in fact escaping scrutiny, was similarly rejected, as "all that needed to be proved is that the document was concealed in order to make it unavailable in an official proceeding," according to the ruling as written by Judge Richard Posner.

Andrew Frey, the defence attorney for Conrad Black, said that the court's decision was based on "a number of factual misunderstandings", and that the defendants were considering a request for a rehearing of the appeal.


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Talk:Conrad Black loses appeal against fraud conviction

OR notes
I listened to the recording of the oral arguments (didn't get much from that, except a general sense of amusement at how these things play out), and read the judge's opinions, which I used for some quotes in the last couple of paragraphs. Chris Mann (Say hi!|Stalk me!) 06:44, 26 June 2008 (UTC)


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User talk:76.227.110.46

Welcome
Welcome!

76.227.110.46, welcome to Wikinews! Thank you for your contributions I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are a few good links for newcomers:

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If you have any questions, you can ask them at the water cooler or to anyone on the Welcommittee, or ask me on my Talk page. Again, welcome!

I have reverted your edit to US Supreme Court overturns death penalty for child rape as it was inappropriate. If you want to comment on the content of an article, you can click on the "Have your say" link at the bottom. Chris Mann (Say hi!|Stalk me!) 06:56, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

You have been temporarily blocked from editing for vandalism of Wikinews. If you wish to make useful contributions, you may do so after the block expires. -- Shakata Ga Nai ^_^ 01:44, 8 October 2008 (UTC)

title: User talk:76.227.110.46


text:
Wikinews:Dynamic quiz/quiz/2008/25

Welcome to the Wikinews World News Quiz, giving you a chance to test your knowledge on this week's news.

Last Updated: June 26, 2008

{Which U.S. politician recently described creationism as 'very best science'? - George W. Bush - Barack Obama + Bobby Jindal - John McCain
 * type=""}
 * See Gov. Bobby Jindal supports creationism as part of ‘the very best science’

{The Mozilla corporation is claiming a new world record for downloads on the Firefox 3 launch date. How many? - Over three million - Over five million + Over eight million - Over ten million
 * type=""}
 * See Mozilla sets record for most software downloads in 24 hours

 * Now you've finished the quiz, why don't you post your score on the talk page

title: Wikinews:Dynamic quiz/quiz/2008/25


text:
User:Kanesue

Main user page w:en:User:Kanesue

title: User:Kanesue


text:
User talk:GrawpIP

I am Grawp. Do not block please. I can get around the blocks using sockpuppetry so dont bother. GrawpIP (talk) 14:20, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * You have been checkusered. I will issue a year block on your college IP address if you start mucking around with sockpuppets. --Brian McNeil / talk 14:46, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

title: User talk:GrawpIP


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Talk:Government Accountability Office requests rerun of US Air Force tanker bid

Did some editing the other day - may be better suited for publication now. In mean time had been marked abandoned with "don't remove tags just because a few words are changed". On the basis of the previous edits, I'll mark this ready. What do you guys think? Or is the story a little old? I guess it's still of importance to the States involved, and the original author included a lot of useful information. - Notmyopinion (talk) 14:24, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Too old?
This is news from June 18, published on July 2. That's pretty old. --SVTCobra 00:01, 3 July 2008 (UTC)


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OPEC sees US$170 per barrel of oil

26 June 2008

The president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Chakib Khelil predicts that prices of world crude oil could reach the US$150 to $170 range per barrel before this year's summer ends.

In an interview on the French news channel France24, Khelil who is also Algeria's energy minister, also stated that prices won't reach $200 per barrel when asked as to how far would prices would go up.

During the interview, Khelil said that prices would depend on how far the United States puts pressure on oil producer Iran, over its nuclear program and on the stability of the euro, Europe's currency.

In a transcript of the France24 interview, the OPEC President said, "I think that the devaluation of the dollar against the euro, if everything goes as I think it will, will be of the order of perhaps 1-2 percent and this will probably generate an $8 rise in the price of oil," he said.

The OPEC president blamed the weakness of the U.S. dollar as the main reason for the current prices of oil.

Khelil was also quoted saying, "You can see it, every time there is a strengthening of the dollar, there's a drop in prices."

Come September, Khelil said that the thirteen member countries of OPEC will review its hands off policy on the sky rocketing prices of world crude oil.

Western nations has been pressuring OPEC to increase oil production to halt the soaring oil prices.

title: OPEC sees US$170 per barrel of oil


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US will remove 'terror' tag on North Korea

26 June 2008

Fulfilling a pledge of fairness, United States president George W. Bush announced Thursday that the United States will soon remove North Korea from a list of countries seen as 'sponsoring terrorism' in the world.

The announcement was made as a 'reward' to North Korea for turning over all documents related to its controversial nuclear program. Pyongyang turned over to China documents related to its plutonium core and waste activities.

Pyongyang finally turned over documents and plans of its nuclear enrichment facilities in Yongbyong.

North Korean state television also announced that the state will televise the demolition of the cooling tower of the Yongbyong nuclear facilities on Friday.

Mr. Bush called the North Korean action as a positive step with no illusions. He also said that the act truly pleased him and it's just the first step towards repairing North Korea's relation and status with the world community.

The president added that in response to the act, he will lift the trade sanctions under the Trading With the Enemy Act. The White House will also inform the U.S. Congress that in 45 days, the State Department will remove North Korea from a list of nations that sponsor terrorism.

The United States reminded North Korea that it still has some requirements to complete in order for the country to be completely removed from its diplomatic and economic isolation. Pyongyang still remains obliged to answer questions such as the degree of its uranium enrichment and proliferation that possibly benefited Syria.

The United Nations sanction sponsored by the United States issued on February 13, 2007 also demanded for a complete accounting of the alleged half a dozen units of nuclear bombs, the real number and its actual location.

U.S. National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley downplayed any heightened expectations from North Korea and branded the latest act as a mere "stepping stone." Hadley warned that the process remains delicate and there will still be "definite consequences," if North Korea fails to fulfill its end of the bargain.

Meanwhile, Japan expressed 'unease' over the decision of the United States to remove North Korea from the 'terror' list, claiming that there is still a need to resolve issues about the kidnapping of Japanese nationals by agents of Pyongyang.


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US Supreme Court rules DC gun ban unconstitutional

June 26, 2008

The US Supreme Court ruled Thursday in a 5-4 decision that a Washington, D.C. ban of personal firearms possession is unconstitutional. In a majority opinion written by Antonin Scalia, the court found that " [t] he Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home."

Justice John Paul Stevens delivered a dissenting opinion that acknowledged an individual right protected by the Second Amendment, but disagreed about the "scope" of that amendment, writing, " [w] hether it also protects the right to possess and use guns for nonmilitary purposes like hunting and personal self-defense is the question presented by this case."

The case, District of Columbia v. Heller, stemmed from a lawsuit brought by special police officer Dick Heller against the Washington, D.C. city government after it refused to issue a permit for him to keep a handgun in his home for personal protection. The District of Columbia had based this refusal on the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975.

The Supreme Court decision upheld a 2007 ruling by the D.C. federal appellate court that had nullified gun possession restrictions and trigger lock requirements in the 1975 law.

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty expressed disappointment in the outcome of this case, but stated that he will order the district's police department to provide a means for citizens to register handguns within 21 days. "It is important to respect the court's authority and to act quickly," Fenty said.


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Talk:US Supreme Court rules DC gun ban unconstitutional

Questions that the article should answer
When was the gun ban originally enacted? Who challenged it? --Brian McNeil / talk 16:17, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

 * Good questions; I have added this information to the article. Thanks!  CosineKitty (talk) 17:49, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Category:Human rights
I noted that this category was removed because, I suppose, the "right to bear arms" does not appear in very many constitutions beyond that of the US. However, the basis of the ruling seems to be laid in the "right to self-defence" which I consider a human right. --SVTCobra 23:11, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * I have just read most of the Wikipedia article on the Second Amendment. That is one of the arguments, that it is a common law right. However, I believe that for Wikinews to assert this is a Human Right is inappropriate. Have the UN defined it as such in the declaration? --Brian McNeil / talk 23:28, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

If Wikinews includes it in the category doesn't mean that Wikinews is declaring that it is or is not a human right. Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is about self-defence. --SVTCobra 23:45, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Right of self-defense has some of the viewpoints on this (it is where I initially got article 12). But just putting a news story in a category doesn't mean that Wikinews is endorsing anything, it is just news about a subject that seems to be debated. If we have news about an arrest and put it in "Crime and law" that doesn't mean that Wikinews is declaring that person guilty or even that a crime has been committed. It is merely a subject matter. Well, those are my thoughts on this. Cheers, --SVTCobra 23:58, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Heller's occupation
Factual correction needed. From District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U. S. ____ (2008), page 2: Respondent Dick Heller is a D. C. special police officer authorized to carry a handgun while on duty at the Federal Judicial Center. [Emphasis added.] This is a significant distinction, because had Heller been a regular police officer, I believe he would have been allowed by District law to carry his gun (inside and outside his home). Because he was a "special" police officer, the laws for civilians applied to him off-duty. --70.191.123.18 16:37, 5 July 2008 (UTC)
 * ✅ I believe it amounts to being a security guard at a government building. Cheers, --SVTCobra 17:53, 8 July 2008 (UTC)


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User talk:CosineKitty

Welcome
, welcome to Wikinews! I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are a few good links for newcomers:

Our key policies - if you read anything, read these! Here a few pointers to help you get to know Wikinews: There are always things to do on Wikinews: By the way, you can sign your name on Talk pages using four tildes ( ~~~~ ), which produces your name and the current date. If you have any questions, you can ask them at the water cooler or to anyone on the Welcommittee, or ask me on my Talk page. Again, welcome! --Brian McNeil / talk 16:17, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
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title: User talk:CosineKitty


text:
User:CosineKitty

Here is my Wikipedia user page

title: User:CosineKitty


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Comments:US Supreme Court rules DC gun ban unconstitutional

Very nice --66.229.25.248 16:35, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Welcome News for Freedom Loving People
It's too bad that it took so long for such a law to be constitutionally challenged at the SCOTUS. Can't wait to see what happens with the Sullivan Act and the Chicago gun ban laws. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Hildenja (talk • contribs) 18:56, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * And the rest of the civilised world will continue to think Americans are batshit crazy because they want to run round with guns. --Brian McNeil / talk 19:01, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * And as usual, we Americans won't lose too much sleep over their anxieties and assumptions. ;)  216.52.69.217 19:26, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Pleasantly surprised
I'm a bit surprised to see so many democrats supporting the decision. And from most places I've read (e.g. fark, digg), it seems most support the decision and many ask the question why it wasn't unanimous.

I don't know how to site; feel free to fix it for me.
 * ✅ --Brian McNeil / talk 09:03, 27 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Brianmc, did what? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.197.8.9 (talk) 10:44, 27 June 2008 (UTC)
 * The original poster linking to WTOP News had commented they were unsure if they had correctly cited the source. It was close, but not quite there. Usually you should not edit other people's comments on these pages, but there was an invitation to fixup what was a good contribution. --Brian McNeil / talk 11:03, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

The reasoning.
"[t]he Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home."

Come on now, the words "regulated" and "militia" are in the first clause of the second amendment! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.247.196.179 (talk) 22:05, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

you forgot "such as self-defense within the home." —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.229.25.248 (talk) 05:02, 27 June 2008 (UTC)
 * I'ld love to know how many people achieve to actulay protect their propety/familly with guns each years in USA. I never saw a title like :"Father saved is familly killing/chasing a thief". I am not afraid by guns (i know how to use these deadly tools as i made my military duty) but ban is a clear/simple thing in France and if you need one (for protection or in shoot club), you could have one but it's regulated (no military firearms).Jacques Divol (talk) 08:32, 27 June 2008 (UTC)
 * You know, this is COMPLETELY contradictory anyway! There are cases where the person defending themselves is found guilty for using the damn weapon on the person they were defending themselves against, so how is a gun helpful for self-defense? --66.67.187.203 00:52, 28 June 2008 (UTC)

Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
The above is a fascinating insight into the American reasoning behind gun ownership. A lengthy and detailed account of the historical context for the amendment, and the concerns it sought to address. Unfortunately it doesn't help address the image of Americans fervently asserting the NRA point of view that, "you can have my gun when you take it from my cold, dead hands". I'd recommend that not only Europeans who are baffled by American gun-nuts read it, but that any American who wants to make a reasoned argument in favour of gun ownership also do so.

The theory, of an armed populace ready to organise and defend against a foreign or domestic threat, seems somewhat obsolete in the modern world. The technology available to the conventional military forces would result in a massacre if they took on an armed militia, and in any case there have been numerous recent events where the American populace should have been up in arms; George W. Bush being declared president despite losing the popular vote, the imposition of "free speech zones" to keep protesters away from government officials, and warantless wiretapping. You have to wonder, what would it take for gun owners to organise against the government and send a clear "no" message? Gun ownership has become a "bread and circuses" topic that distracts from so many things, like the current administration's efforts to bankrupt the country with insane military spending. Eisenhower warned Americans about the military-industrial complex, seems nobody was listening. --Brian McNeil / talk 11:28, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

 * Common though the sentiment is, I'd say that the success with which Iraqi insurgents have resisted the US military occupation has obsoleted the "armed civilians can't resist a modern army" argument. You're thinking of the US Army "taking on" an armed militia on an open battlefield...  Imagine instead that the federal government needed to fight a sustained guerrilla war against its own heavily-armed populace (300 million people, and 35-40% of households own guns, usually multiple guns--the entire US army is about one million strong) to take and hold its 3.8 million square miles of varied terrain.  ...  Regardless of how such a war might turn out, I prefer to live in a country where the people have that option, and where the government _knows_ that the people have that option.  Those of us who value our gun rights on revolutionary grounds, we just don't want to sell out our great-grandchildren's ability to resist, simply because some people today are terrified of legally-owned guns.  216.52.69.217 12:53, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

 * The U.S. military fighting guerilla warfare against the U.S. populace in an attempt to impose an unwanted martial law set by a morally bankrupt government? That sounds like it would make a hell of a good movie - you might even stretch it to two if you do it from both viewpoints. Although, speaking as someone who thinks private gun ownership is a bad idea, and coming from a country where the government's response to a crazy guy killing people was to actually get people to hand in their semi-automatic firearms and destroy them, I'd be worried that such a movie would just encourage the so-called "gun nuts" to believe even more firmly in their "Constitutional right". Chris Mann (Say hi!|Stalk me!) 14:03, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

Preaching to the choir
I'm going to join the 'good-decision'-train here. Fephisto (talk) 15:14, 27 June 2008 (UTC)


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Mugabe says he's open to talks with Zimbabwe opposition

June 26, 2008

The day before Zimbabwe's presidential runoff is to be held, President Robert Mugabe says he is open to discussion with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the opposition party that has decided to boycott what they and other African leaders have called a "sham election".

On Wednesday, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai had called for pre-election talks on forming a transitional authority. Mugabe, who had previously shown little interest in talks with the opposition, said at a campaign rally, "Should we emerge victorious ... we will be magnanimous and say 'let's sit down and talk,' and talk we shall."

Earlier on Thursday, Tsvangirai said he would not participate in discussion after the election is held. "If the sham election goes ahead and Mugabe elects himself, how can I or the MDC negotiate with him?" Tsvangirai said in an interview with Britain's The Times. "In essence, we'll be negotiating with an illegitimate leader and we won't do that."

Mugabe left the offer for the MDC to either accept or reject, while warning against outside interference from the African Union. "The moment the outside world starts dictating, we will not proceed," he said. Mugabe also said that violence had been committed by his ZANU-PF party as well as Tsvangirai's party, and that the violence must stop.

Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga later clarified the president's comments. "What the president is saying to the MDC is that 'You are Zimbabweans. We want you to be part of this. We are willing to talk to you but let's finish this first." Matonga did not say how soon after the election the talks would take place.

Many southern African leaders have called for Zimbabwe to postpone the election, but Matonga says to do so would be illegal. "The president has said today that the election will go ahead because to postpone it would violate Zimbabwe's laws and he won't do that," he said.

Tsvangirai had been the only candidate facing Mugabe in the run-off election, before he announced on Sunday that he was withdrawing due to the threat of government-sponsored violence and intimidation against his party. Despite his withdrawal, election officials say his name will remain on the ballot, as they assert he missed the deadline to pull out.

While Tsvangirai fled to the Dutch Embassy for safety, other opposition members fled to the South African Embassy. Many opposition members have questioned South African president Thabo Mbeki's unwillingness to denounce Mugabe. Meanwhile, they welcomed the words of former South African president Nelson Mandela, who yesterday spoke of Zimbabwe's "tragic failure of leadership" at a London fundraiser.

Zimbabwe's government dismissed Mandela's remarks, calling them a result of pressure from Western nations like Britain and the United States. Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said, "I am condemning all Westerners for putting pressure on Mandela," while at the same time calling Mandela a "courageous" statesman. Meanwhile, Tsvangirai said his party appreciates Nelson Mandela's criticism. "It is something we cherish," he said.

During his campaign, Tsvangirai has been detained by police a total of five times, and his party's second-in-command, Tendai Biti, was charged with treason and publishing false statements. Biti was today granted bail after paying 1 trillion Zimbabwean dollars (USD$100) and surrendering his passport and the title to his home. He also must report to police twice a week.


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EU regulation prevents sale of 'small' kiwi fruit in Bristol shop

June 26, 2008 A grocer in Bristol has been told that, under regulations brought in by the European Union, he is not allowed to sell a recently imported batch of kiwi fruit because they are too small. A spokesperson for the UK's Rural Payments Agency said that they failed the EU standards for fruit.

Tim Down, the grocer involved, responded angrily to the action taken by government. "I was given 24 hours to think about it and my outrage grew." He continued "They are perfectly fit to eat. These regulations come at a time when rising food prices are highlighted and we're being forced to throw away perfectly good food." Down then claimed that there was no problem with the food. "There is nothing wrong with its palatability, it's purely because it is slightly less than the prescribed minimum size."

The government officials found that some of the Kiwis weighed only 58 grams, four grams below the required level. The EU has said that it plans to lessen the restrictions imposed by the regulation, potentially stopping an incident like this occurring in the future.

"The inspector's decision is consistent with RPA's commitment to protect consumers, who must feel confident that the produce they are buying is of the right quality," said a spokesperson of the Rural Payments Agency, explaining the move.

Under the Agriculture and Horticulture Act 1964, selling undersized fruit, or providing them at no cost, is an offence which can carry a penalty of £5,000. The Food Standards Agency has said that the act "provides for the application and enforcement in Great Britain of European Community Regulations specifying the grading, marketing and labelling requirements for certain fresh fruit and vegetables and makes certain acts or omissions that contravene those rules punishable offences. "


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Comments:Mugabe says he's open to talks with Zimbabwe opposition

yeah right... --71.254.107.195 17:30, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Everything in here screams what is the epitome of Socialism, especially near the end, "1 trillion Zimbabwean dollars (USD$100)". Fephisto (talk) 15:12, 27 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Part of the Wiktionary definition of socialism

Any of various political philosophies that support social and economic equality
 * No one can claim that Mugabe supports social and economic equalityAnonymous101 (talk) 17:45, 28 June 2008 (UTC)

Who exactly are the "other African leaders" who have called the elections a "sham"? Glich (talk) 17:05, 28 June 2008 (UTC)


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Comments:EU regulation prevents sale of 'small' kiwi fruit in Bristol shop

Protecting Consumers?
Good job that we have the EU to stop us from eating food the doesn't weigh enough. Imagine the chaos caused by having someone sell, or give away for free, fruit which doesn't weigh enough according to regulations. Anonymous101 (talk) 18:48, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Presumably this was obvious, but I would like to make it clear that I was being sarcastic Anonymous101 (talk) 20:14, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

The Nanny State in its best form! Is this what government is for, telling us how big our fruit must be? Whatever happened to the free market, where supply and demand regulated the market, where government set broad standards and allowed the market to determine the outcome. Why does the government feel the need to dictate every aspect of our day to day lives? Why should any government have such evasive control over the common citizen, especially governments that claim to be democracies. This is an abomination of government regulation and such stiflingly suppression should be cast off by every citizen. - J. L. Davison, USA

 * What if I want to buy a small kiwi? Blood Red Sandman  (Talk)   (Contribs) 20:01, 26 June 2008 (UTC)
 * You are stuck until we get a better government and pull out of the EU> Anonymous101 (talk) 20:12, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Wow Now I know why a lot of people don't like the EU. They're run by idiots. --66.229.25.248 20:49, 26 June 2008 (UTC)

Or
He could make kiwi jam. No law against selling that, is there? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.143.94.240 (talk) 00:13, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

EU (Lisbon Treaty)
What do you see in common between this news and the one about people were hoarding rice because of food crisis miles across the globe.

How come if the rich nations talk about poverty and food srisis so much and quietly pass legislation that makes its only worse.

And the press spread panic and makes the rich people (those who can afford to buy food what ever its price) start hoarding.

And then there are the speculators in the form of commodity trades with their easy money in the form of Debt/Leverage who can makes prices even worse under the cover of "making makets" more efficient. in this case it means since there are people somewhere in the world who can afford to pay more for food thwe price of food (soybean/cord/wheat) should go up.

Communism was a total disaster. Where is capitalism headed?

Does anyone see a happy ending to this?

Who cares if they are too small. Isn't it down to the consumer to think "Joe Bloggs down the road is selling bigger Kiwi fruits for the same price.....I'll go there instead"?

If someone is willing to sell them and someone else willing to buy them, there is no problem other than the one created by government.

The government needs to keep out of the markets and let the market decide what is right and what is wrong. The sooner the better.

A simple solution
(takes out a knife, looks menacingly at regulators.....cuts kiwi)

It's not a 'fruit', it's 'prepared food' now. Go away. Fephisto (talk) 15:10, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

honestly. isn't there a food shortage, are they just going to throw them away?!

honestly. isn't there a food shortage, are they just going to throw them away?!

—86.155.198.20 19:00, 27 June 2008 (UTC)
 * Unfortunately, they have to throw them away as they cannot even give the fruit away for free. That is how stupid the regulations are. Anonymous101 (talk) 20:03, 27 June 2008 (UTC)
 * This is untrue. Where the problem arises is that the local 'jobsworth' who started the whole thing is probably blissfully unaware they can be sold as "nonstandard" kiwi fruit. Call them 'mini-kiwi' and there's not a damn thing they can do about it. --Brian McNeil / talk 14:23, 29 June 2008 (UTC)

Once more a national nonsense granted for EU fool - once more EU urban myth
In the EU directives to protect consumers is stipulated the "standard size" (and other qualities like colour etc). But this does not prevent the goods from being sell.

The obligation is then to mark this goods as "non-standard" (to EU regulation).

Very often the national authorities (for rather foolish reasons) try to be more catholic then Pope. And this gives in case legislation forbidding to sell a fruit "too small" or "too big"  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 217.136.27.101 (talk) 13:23, 29 June 2008 (UTC)

Please don't waste food. If it's smaller, sell it for less01:50, 29 December 2012 (UTC)~


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Boxing: Pacquiao and Diaz trade verbal punches

26 June 2008 Two days before the actual slug out between US-born fighter "Dangerous" David Díaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs) and challenger, a three title holder Filipino boxing champion, Emmanuel "Pacman" Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs) occurs in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 28, 2008 the two trades verbal punches at each other during a meeting with members of sports media.

The camp of Manny Pacquiao led by manager Freddie Roach claimed that Diaz will need a "fucking miracle" to stop 'The Pacman' from moving up to the 135 lbs. weight class where Diaz is top brass.

The side of Diaz led by Jim Strickland warned that tough Pacquiao has three belts in boxing, Diaz should not be discounted.

Boxing punters observed that Diaz has a lot of heft in the way he delivers his punches but Pacquiao's speed and strong punches are something Diaz should be wary about.

Pacquiao has won three different belts in three different weight classes of the World Boxing Council or WBC.

Diaz debuted in the boxing world when he was part of the winning United States Olympic boxing team during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games.

The 32-year-old native of Chicago claimed the 135 lbs. title from Mexican Érik Morales and plans to defend it a third time against the Philippines' prize fighter.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao dedicated his bout against Diaz to all the victims of Typhoon Fengshen which devastated his home country, the Philippines, and killed hundreds of people.


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Mandela turns 90, world celebrities gather

26 June 2008 South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela will turn 90 on July 18, but despite his retirement from the public eye five years ago, his age has never prevented him from being pushed back into the limelight.

Political, business and showbiz elite from around the world arrived in London to greet South Africa's long-imprisoned champion of anti-apartheid with a fund-raising concert on Friday, June 27.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, former United States President Bill Clinton, talk-show queen Oprah Winfrey, Academy Award winning actor Robert De Niro and former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan were among the stars joining Mandela in the British capital.

The Mandela birthday celebration will be capped with a concert at Hyde Park on Friday that will feature Annie Lennox, Queen, Razorlight, Leona Lewis and the Soweto Gospel Choir.

The proceeds from the concert will go to Mandela's 46664 Foundation that looks after people suffering from HIV in his beloved South Africa.

Mandela was imprisoned for a total of 27 years by a then predominantly white South African government until the abolition of apartheid in the country.

In a sweeping change of the political landscape in the wealthiest country in the African continent, Mandela was elected as the first black president of the country in 1994.

Mandela said before members of media that, though he may be retired, he still works for his suffering people and he wants to take advantage of his landmark birthday to raise funds for his charity work.

Mandela criticizes Robert Mugabe
Former South African President Nelson Mandela criticized Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, labeling him a "tragic failure of leadership." Mandela expressed his sadness over the political and economic chaos that now rocks South Africa's biggest neighbor, to its north-west.

The former anti-apartheid leader broke his silence while in London after hearing of accounts that opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew from the scheduled next phase of the run-off presidential elections in Zimbabwe.

Mandela's statement is expected to put pressure on his successor, President Thabo Mbeki, to finally speak out against Mugabe.


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Sugar silos at centre of Georgia, US refinery blast that killed 13 demolished

June 26, 2008 The three 100 foot reinforced concrete sugar storage silos around which the investigation into the 2008 Georgia sugar refinery explosion is centred have been demolished. The February industrial disaster killed 13 people when the Imperial Sugar refinery at Port Wentworth, United States exploded.

The initial investigation concluded the disaster to have been a dust explosion that ignited under the silos, but investigators from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) have been hampered as OSHA declared them to be unsafe after the accident.

A 7,000lb wrecking ball has now been brought in and demolished the structures, which were 18 inches thick. This will allow access for investigators, and make way for replacement silos and a new sugar packaging building, which are scheduled to be in place by Summer 2009. The refinery hopes to restart sugar processing by the end of the year.

Imperial vice president Brian Harrison, who is overseeing reconstruction at the site, said of the move "Several people have indicated to me it's a passage from the old to the new and a significant sign of the progress we're making to rebuild."

2.8 million pounds of fire-hardened sugar were still present in one silo, and 500,000 pounds in another. Imperial brought in a crane with a bucket to retrive this and intends to recycle it for ethanol production.

Four workers are still hospitalised after the explosion, three in critical condition. The disaster is also blamed for a $15.5 million loss Imperial posted in this year's first quarter.


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User:Millbot-Stats

A bot (not currently in function) operated by Millosh. For the main page of this bot, see Millbot.

title: User:Millbot-Stats


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Bodies of victims of Typhoon Fengshen appear on Philippine shores

June 26, 2008

As the National Disaster Coordinating Agency continues to evaluate the reports coming from regions all over the Philippines, bodies of those who drowned or perished while at sea have started to float into the shores of islands in Central Philippines. On Thursday, the Philippines Coast Guard reported that villagers recovered 124 bodies whose identities are still uncertain.

Advanced decomposition has made identification difficult for authorities and, fearing a health epidemic, all of the bodies were immediately buried in makeshift graves.

The identification of the victims has caused a stir among relatives looking for their missing family members, as forensic investigators were rendered helpless in proceeding to the scattered locations where bodies have been washing ashore.

Over 100 divers from the combined Philippines and United States naval forces have been working overtime to retrieve the bodies of passengers trapped inside the capsized MV Princess of the Stars.

Disaster management officials in the country announced that the dead from the weekend battering from Typhoon Fengshen could reach to a high of 1,300 people nation-wide. State officials reported that some 2.4 million Filipinos were affected by the disaster, putting property damage at a conservative estimate of $125 million.

Relatives of missing passengers were finally brought near the site where the ferry capsized. On board a tug boat, relatives became severely emotional after a Roman Catholic mass was celebrated to commemorate the memory of those lost at sea.


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Category:Nelson Mandela

eo:Kategorio:Nelson MANDELA fr:Catégorie:Nelson Mandela ko:분류:넬슨 만델라

title: Category:Nelson Mandela