Could you kill this cat?

Muslim Children Gassed at Dayton Mosque After "Obsession" DVD Hits Ohio

From Daily KOS...

On Friday, September 26, the end of a week in which thousands of copies of Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West -- the fear-mongering, anti-Muslim documentary being distributed by the millions in swing states via DVDs inserted in major newspapers and through the U.S. mail -- were distributed by mail in Ohio, a "chemical irritant" was sprayed through a window of the Islamic Society of Greater Dayton, where 300 people were gathered for a Ramadan prayer service. The room that the chemical was sprayed into was the room where babies and children were being kept while their mothers were engaged in prayers. This, apparently, is what the scare tactic political campaigning of John McCain's supporters has led to -- Americans perpetrating a terrorist attack against innocent children on American soil.

Notice that this happened Friday evening. The only write up I've seen was on Sunday and I just was sent this article today. Why the fuck isn't this on the news?!?!

Need homes for 4 cats!

Fuchsia and I have 4 cats that were rescues who need new homes. Please get in touch if you're at all interested or know someone who may be!

The cats’ back story: a friend found them in the alley with a note attached, saying that the person's mother (the cats' human) had died and the child could not take care of the cats. What we know of them, besides their initial personality, is from the note attached to their carrier.

The note said "I know nothing of shots"- Fuchsia and I will be taking them to a vet asap to get them tests, etc.


There are:

-Baby Boy: a 3 year old cat who is orange and white, the father of the other three. He's very vocal (he makes adorable sounds!), litter box trained, very adventurous- running right out of the carrier to explore his new surroundings, and playful (he went right to the toys I left in the library!). His name can not be changed as he responds to it! He also stops (generally) when you say no and is a very, very people-oriented, affectionate cat. Lastly, he uses his nails instinctively (not maliciously)- carpets may not be a good idea, and you should be comfortable trimming his nails often along with offering lots of scratching posts!

-Eric and Dude: siblings from different litters, Baby Boy is their father. They are white with dark splotches and a bonded pair- they must be adopted together! Both are very shy, although Eric, the 2 year old, seems a bit more adventurous and loves sitting in the windowsill. Dude, the 1 year old, likes to hide in a corner until he feels safe. Eric is very protective of Dude. Their names *might* be changeable as they are young and seem not to respond to them.

-Sparkle: the lone girl is a 1 year old tortoiseshell. She is incredibly sweet and, once she feels comfortable in a space, seems to want nothing more than to cuddle on your lap. She doesn’t respond to Sparkle and may be renamed.


NONE ARE SPAYED/NEUTERED AND MUST BE BEFORE OR AFTER ADOPTION! They are all scared and need forever homes asap. You will be asked to sign an adoption contract, and an adoption fee would be appreciated, though not required.


Want to see pictures? Check out this album:
http://flickr.com/photos/dorkyvegan/sets/72157607563456193/

Email Fuchsia (dorkyvegan@gmail.com) or Emelda (veganemelda@gmail.com) for more info.

"To Every Man Who Never Called Himself A Feminist"

The Subprime Primer

Up until recently, I was very confused as to what was going on with the market. Besides that rich fucks were fucking over poor fucks. Nothing new, right? Then a friend explained it to me, finally, in a manner I could understand. Then, another friend linked me to this- The Subprime Primer, a slideshow that explains the origins of the crisis- with stick figures!!!

Check it out here.

Bristol Palin's Pregnancy.

(if the video won't load, click here for the comedy central page)

Amnesty International's Response to the Police Repression in St. Paul RNC

PRESS STATEMENT
For immediate release:
Friday, September 5, 2008
Contact: AIUSA media office
202-544-0200 x302

Use of Force Against RNC Protesters “Disproportionate,” Charges Amnesty International

London--Amnesty International is concerned by allegations of excessive use of force and mass arrests by police at demonstrations in St. Paul, Minnesota during the Republican National Convention (RNC) from September 1-4, 2008. The human rights organization is calling on the city and county authorities to ensure that all allegations of ill-treatment and other abuses are impartially investigated, with a review of police tactics and weapons in the policing of demonstrations.

The organization’s concerns arise from media reports, video and photographic images which appear to show police officers deploying unnecessary and disproportionate use of non-lethal weapons on non-violent protestors marching through the streets or congregating outside the arena where the Convention was being held.

Amnesty International urges that an inquiry be carried out promptly, that its findings and recommendations be made public in a timely manner. If the force used is found to have been excessive and to have contravened the principles of necessity and proportionality, then those involved should be disciplined, measures put in place and training given to ensure future policing operations conform to international standards.

Police are reported to have fired rubber bullets and used batons, pepper spray, tear gas canisters and concussion grenades on peaceful demonstrators and journalists. Amnesty International has also received unconfirmed reports that some of those arrested during the demonstrations may have been ill-treated while held at Ramsey county jail.

Amnesty International is also concerned at reports that several journalists who were covering the RNC were arbitrarily arrested while filming and reporting on the demonstrations. They include host of independent news program Democracy Now!, Amy Goodman, and two of the program’s producers, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar, who were both allegedly subjected to violence during their arrest. A photographer for the Associated Press (AP) and other journalists were also arrested while covering the demonstrations.

Kouddous described his arrest to media, “…two or three police officers tackled me. They threw me violently against a wall. Then they threw me to the ground. I was kicked in the chest several times. A police officer ground his knee into my back…I was also, the entire time, telling them, ‘I’m media. I’m press….,’ but…that didn’t seem to matter at all.”

Amnesty International recognizes the challenges involved in policing large scale demonstrations and that some protestors may have been involved in acts of violence or obstruction. However, some of the police actions appear to have breached United Nations (U.N.) standards on the use of force by law enforcement officials. These stipulate, among other things, that force should be used only as a last resort, in proportion to the threat posed, and should be designed to minimize damage or injury. Some of the treatment also appears to have contravened U.S. laws and guidelines on the use of force. The U.N. standards also stress that everyone is allowed to participate in lawful and peaceful assemblies, in accordance with the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For more information, please contact the AIUSA media office at 202-544-0200 x302 or visit our website at www.amnestyusa.org.