The Social Poets: Libya War: Funny Late Nite Jokes Roundup

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The Social Poets: Libya War: Funny Late Nite Jokes Roundup: "Check out what the comedians lampoon about The Peace President, Obama, going into Libya. Boy, I tell ya, a guy tries to help out some desperate people in a foreign country from getting slaughtered and all he gets is flak from the Republicans and comedians.

Of course, like so many sticky political situations, it's all about The Ego. The mostly male media ratchets up The Ego Meter by declaring Prez Obama is a wimp if he doesn't succeed at deposing Gadafi now that he's declared, 'Gadafi must go!' So, suddenly out come The Big Guns: the CIA operatives magicly appear in Libya 'advising' the rebel forces. Read that as, 'These guys are so clueless the only way to keep them alive is knock some sense into them and show them how to win.'"

The Social Poets: Japan: TEPCO Chief MIA. Why and Where Is He?

Tokyo, city of 39 million - Image by w00kie via Flickr

The Social Poets: Japan: TEPCO Chief MIA. Why and Where Is He?: "TEPCO Chief Masataka Shimizu, who has not been seen in public since 16 March, is the subject of speculation. Japanese media is swirling with suicide rumors as an explanation for his absence.

It was March 15 when the Prime Minister Naoto Kan angrily demanded to know from Shimizu and other TEPCO executives, shouting, 'What the hell is going on?' PM Kan was furious at how slow Shimizu was at informing him of the crisis at the plant and the seriousness of the situation.
The next day Shimizu claimed to be sick in his bed though he was still collecting information from the task force pulled together by the company and the government. Yet he was never visible to anyone, again claiming to be just in the next room resting or at home sick. He never attended crisis meetings or visited TEPCO HQ nor did he relinquish control of the crisis to deputies until just recently."

The Social Poets: Libya: Gadafi Regime Cracking Under Pressure Says Intel

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The Social Poets: Libya: Gadafi Regime Cracking Under Pressure Says Intel: "The intelligence community is reporting 'the morale of Gadhafi forces is on the decline,' according to one official. 'Do ya think?' Your morale would be on the decline after witnessing coalition bombings taking out whole regiments of troops along with bombing cities. It's a lot different when the horror you once inflicted upon others becomes your own blood and guts horror.

Sounds like America's intelligence community so owes me a paycheck. :) They have finally come to the same conclusion as I have that The Gadafi Crowd can't handle the international heat and fear the massing crowds of Libyans who hate him."

Related articles

• Peoples Revolution Recaptures Port Cities: Libya Political Cartoons (dennysglobalpolitics.blogspot.com)
• Libya Update: No-Fly Zone Allies Pound Gadafi Forces Over Weekend (dennysglobalpolitics.blogspot.com)

Peoples Revolution Recaptures Port Cities: Libya Political Cartoons

Tripoli business district - Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Since the U.S. and the minority coalition established the No-Fly Zone over Libya last week, the rebels have fared better. To gain control over the skies, it was necessary to destroy Gadafi compounds, tanks, anti-aircraft batteries, weapons dumps and whole regiments of troops on the move. In short, America, the British and the French decimated most of the Gadafi regime.

At present, the rebels have marched along the coastal cities, taking back ownership after Gadafi drove them out with aerial bombings and tank bombardments. Turn about was fair play and Gadafi's troops got a taste of the horror they inflicted upon others, now visited upon themselves.

As a result, the Gadafi troops are severely demoralized, scattered, deserting as they cast aside uniforms. The true test will be when the rebels get closer to Tripoli where the last of the Gadafi loyalists and military are holding out.

Military analysts gave little hope to the Rag Tag Fleet of the rebels because they seem so disorganized, ill equipped and just plain militarily clueless. But what you can never discount is a desperate man who is fed up and his spirit burns bright, strong enough to face anything.  A person does reach a point where they would rather die honorably in the fight than continue to live badly, afraid to fight the tyranny.

Much of the rebel force is made up of college kids, teenagers, engineers, teachers and fishermen. Consider this: as this civil war continues these sectors of professionals will find their strengths as any opposition group does over time. With the help of the coalition forces commanding the air, they stand a fighting chance to capture Gadafi or force his removal.

How? Think of their strengths instead of focused upon their weaknesses. The teenagers and college kids have the passion, the physical strength and idealism. The teachers know how to put situations into structure and teach new information to others of varied experience and ability.

The engineers are practical and mechanical. They will figure out the weapons, how to use them effectively, focusing upon details of strategies. The fishermen know how to hunt in vast large spaces, chasing after the elusive and unseen. They will anticipate where their prey will go and how it will act, devising ways to capture that prey.  As these groups pool their strengths they will move in interesting ways the traditionally trained Gadafi military cannot predict.  It's like a giant psy-ops campaign devised on the fly that will prove successful.

It will be hard going and many will die as they figure out how to best deploy their strengths, ignoring the critics. What they possess, the most valuable for any army, is unity of spirit and agreement of mission.

The Obama critics need to quit with the whining.  Does America need to spend the majority of the money for the mission?  That would be a "Hell, no!"  Pony up to the banking bar oh, Arab League and put your money where your loud mouth is right here, right now.  America has done her part now you do yours.

Since the Libyan rebels took back key oil ports, promising to restore oil exports. Oil prices fell today.

The Social Poets: Japan: We Are Far Beyond Level 5 Nuclear Threat

Three Mile Island - Image via Wikipedia

The Social Poets: Japan: We Are Far Beyond Level 5 Nuclear Threat: "Today it was finally acknowledged the radiation is now 10,000,000 times safety levels.

New reports stream in about how TEPCO did not do safety inspections over many years. Today another blow to their credibility:"

The Social Poets: Japan: Probable Breach, Time to Kill The Reactors, Cartoons

Plutonium Finishing Plant personnel have finished stabilizing one of the riskiest forms of plutonium-bearing materials at Hanford. Polycubes are small cubes of polystyrene impregnated with pure plutonium oxide. Hundreds of polycube items remained at PFP after being fabricated for use in criticality experiments at Hanford during the 1960s and early 1970s. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory assisted in the cleanup of these difficult materials. - Image by PNNL - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory via Flickr

The Social Poets: Japan: Probable Breach, Time to Kill The Reactors, Cartoons: "As engineers scramble to discover the details of what is happening inside the most dangerous reactor, number three, the one containing plutonium, the politicians scramble their message and the truth of information.

This week the Japanese decided to change the standard of what the plant workers are exposed to when they discovered it was 250 times the acknowledged international standard. Leave it to the dogma crowd to downplay the severity of this situation by declaring 'new standards' of radiation levels so that the plant workers are only exposed to 2.5 times their new standard."

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: Post Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 24 March 2011

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: Post Roundup at Dennys Blogs - 24 March 2011: "Check out news, politics, great food, funny political humor, sassy opinion, astronomy and science, great quotes,  awesome photography, poetry and spiritual thoughts.

Sometimes, I think if I didn't do posts roundup on all these crazy blogs I would never realize just how much I've been writing or on what subjects as the writing moves so quickly. The news is running at a rapid rate these days with all the revolutions in the Middle East and destructive world weather.

Fortunately, we have the comedians and the chefs to perk up our spirits and tantalize our taste buds so we don't get overwhelmed with too much negativity in the news and our politics."

The Social Poets: Obama: End Libya War Now and 14 Political Cartoons

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The Social Poets: Obama: End Libya War Now and 14 Political Cartoons: "While America's war hawks and profiteers are thrilled to have spent $1 billion this week bombing Libya, it's time to complete The Hand Over to anyone else but us. Americans did not expect to be the country spending 95 percent of the money in this police action and we are not happy about it. American taxpayers are fed up with footing the bill for everything all the time and for far too long. We spend decades in idiot unnecessary expensive wars started by previous presidents, then start 'police actions' in a current administration."

The Social Poets: 56 Political Fitness Comedy American Style Cartoons

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The Social Poets: 56 Political Fitness Comedy American Style Cartoons: "With all the emotional saturation of the tragic news coming out of Japan we all need a comedy break. I've been collecting this silly political humor for a couple of weeks and it looks like now is the time for its debut when we all could use a stress reliever."

Libya Update: No-Fly Zone Allies Pound Gadafi Forces Over Weekend

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From Denny:  Once the United Nations and The Arab League agreed to a no-fly zone late last week, they wasted little time in implementing it. That has to be the fastest the United Nations has ever moved to agreement or action to help a besieged people.

From the sea over 100 miles away, the UK and America lobbed cruise missiles at Gadafi installations, most especially his air defense ones. After all, if you are going to send up French and American planes to enforce the no-fly zone you first have to take out the military capability of Gadafi to fire upon them.

While America claims to only be part of the operation it is clear we are the majority of it during the first few days of establishing air superiority over Libya. Of the 136 cruise missles launched, only eight were from the UK, the rest were American.

There were over 30 air strikes, again, mostly by Americans. I don't know why France was not the lead here since Gadafi is their Problem Child they enabled for four decades.  They should be the ones to deal with him.

The Social Poets: Newt Gingrich Cartoons: Newtie 4 President - NOT!

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The Social Poets: Newt Gingrich Cartoons: Newtie 4 President - NOT!: "Two words: Newt Gingrich. Two more words: Laughable Hypocrite. This guy has more ex-wives than should be possible. He lays a line of huge BS on them, they swallow it hook, line and sinker. Then, years later, they are shocked Newt admits he is shallow, two-timing and a total hypocrite."

The Social Poets: Japan: Plutonium Reactor Careening Out of Control, 18 Political Cartoons

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The Social Poets: Japan: Plutonium Reactor Careening Out of Control, 18 Political Cartoons: "The whole world watches, waits, and holds its breath dreading nightmarish nuclear disaster. We are transfixed upon every tiny bit of streaming news coverage to the point of emotional saturation. And the news does not get any better. Even the Japanese government called the situation today 'very grave.'"

The Social Poets: Japan: Thousands Flee From Terror of Deteriorating Nuclear Situation

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The Social Poets: Japan: Thousands Flee From Terror of Deteriorating Nuclear Situation: "As many countries increasingly do not trust what the Japanese government is telling them, a number began ordering their citizens out of the country. At the very least they are advising people to move far south of the nuclear plant site in trouble."

The Social Poets: Japan: Nuclear Update, Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear Political Cartoons

The Social Poets: Japan: Nuclear Update, Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear Political Cartoons: "The Japanese keep changing and downplaying the radiation level numbers. At one point last night one Japanese official said the radiation levels at the troubled nuclear plant had reached 1,000 times the healthy levels. He was later forced to back off on that number, claiming it was a mistake in translation. No, it wasn't. Read that as a diplomatic way for a bureaucrat to get out the truth, knowing he would have to walk it back but at least the information would get out to the public."

The Social Poets: Updates: Wisconsin, Islamaphobia, Newsman David Broder and Political Cartoons

The Social Poets: Updates: Wisconsin, Islamaphobia, Newsman David Broder and Political Cartoons: "This past weekend 100,000 protesters came out again into the Wisconsin winter weather, committed to carrying the fight to the public court of opinion. While the governor and the Republicans believe they have won they may find they have ignited an Employee Firestorm across America against all politicians."

The Social Poets: Japan: Nuclear Plants in Peril 3 Days After 9.0 Earthquake, Tsunami

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The Social Poets: Japan: Nuclear Plants in Peril 3 Days After 9.0 Earthquake, Tsunami: " BREAKING NEWS: Today it was confirmed by Japanese officials that three reactors are in complete meltdown. "

The Social Poets: Japan: Lying About Nuke Plant Meltdowns, Evacuate Americans

The Social Poets: Japan: Lying About Nuke Plant Meltdowns, Evacuate Americans: "Watching CNN interview Japan's ambassador to the U.S., Ichiro Fujisaki, one thing is clear: the official word from the Japanese government to all their diplomats is to lie and hard sell the official party line. Right now, in the middle of all this devastation, they are lying to President Obama and other world governments."

The Social Poets: Funny But True: Exorcist Chasing Demons Out of Big Bank Chase

The Social Poets: Funny But True: Exorcist Chasing Demons Out of Big Bank Chase: "We are all outraged at the greed of America's Big Banks. Feel helpless? Feel vulnerable? No worries. Your local exorcists are here to save the day."

The Social Poets: Wisconsin: Dark Side Karl Rove, GOP War On Working Families, Anti-Union Ad

The Social Poets: Wisconsin: Dark Side Karl Rove, GOP War On Working Families, Anti-Union Ad: "It's official. Karl Rove, the lying hyena Bush political strategist is running an ad against the unions and paid for by the Koch Brothers."

The Social Poets: Wisconsin Poll: Gov. Walker Gets Thumbs Down From Voters

The Social Poets: Wisconsin Poll: Gov. Walker Gets Thumbs Down From Voters: "Talk about bad. Gov. Walker does not fare well in the very Republican-leaning Rasmussen polling. So, you know that polling is really about five to seven points worse than these guys want to tell you since they spin it in favor of Republicans."

President Obama Executive Order 13568: Extending Provisions of the International Organization Immunities Act

• March 08, 2011

  Executive Order 13568--Extending Provisions of the International Organization Immunities Act

  
  
  The White House

  Office of the Press Secretary

  For Immediate Release

  March 08, 2011

  Executive Order 13568--Extending Provisions of the International Organization Immunities Act

  EXECUTIVE ORDER

  EXTENDING PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IMMUNITIES ACT TO THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA AND THE INTERNATIONAL CIVILIAN OFFICE IN KOSOVO

  By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 1 of the International Organizations Immunities Act (59 Stat. 669, 22 U.S.C. 288), and the Extending Immunities to the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Civilian Office in Kosovo Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-177, 124 Stat. 1260), it is hereby ordered that all privileges, exemptions, and immunities provided by the International Organizations Act be extended to the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to its officers and employees, and to the International Civilian Office in Kosovo and to its officers and employees.  In the event either the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina or the International Civilian Office in Kosovo is dissolved, the privileges, exemptions, and immunities of that organization under the International Organizations and Immunities Act, as well as those of its officers and employees, shall continue to subsist.

  This extension is not intended to abridge in any respect privileges, exemptions, or immunities that the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina or the International Civilian Office in Kosovo, or the officers and employees thereof, otherwise may have acquired or may acquire by law.

  BARACK OBAMA

  THE WHITE HOUSE,
  March 8, 2011.

The Social Poets: America Is NOT Broke Wisconsin Speech: Activist Michael Moore

The Social Poets: America Is NOT Broke Wisconsin Speech: Activist Michael Moore: "Moore spoke at a rally against Gov. Walker's decision to deny collective bargaining rights to the teachers he has decided to fire. First the public workers lose their rights, then the rest of us across the country watch our wages drop like a rock to ten cents an hour like in a third world country."

President Obama Executive Order 13567: Periodic Review of Individuals Detained at Guantanamo Bay Naval Station Pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force

• March 07, 2011

  Executive Order 13567--Periodic Review of Individuals Detained at Guantánamo Bay Naval Station Pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force

  
  
  The White House

  Office of the Press Secretary

  For Immediate Release

  March 07, 2011

  Executive Order 13567--Periodic Review of Individuals Detained at Guantánamo Bay Naval Station Pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force

  EXECUTIVE ORDER

  PERIODIC REVIEW OF INDIVIDUALS DETAINED AT GUANTÁNAMO BAY NAVAL STATION PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE

  By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Authorization for Use of Military Force of September 2001 (AUMF), Public Law 107-40, and in order to ensure that military detention of individuals now held at the U.S. Naval Station, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba (Guantánamo), who were subject to the interagency review under section 4 of Executive Order 13492 of January 22, 2009, continues to be carefully evaluated and justified, consistent with the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and the interests of justice, I hereby order as follows:

  Section 1. Scope and Purpose. (a) The periodic review described in section 3 of this order applies only to those detainees held at Guantánamo on the date of this order, whom the interagency review established by Executive Order 13492 has (i) designated for continued law of war detention; or (ii) referred for prosecution, except for those detainees against whom charges are pending or a judgment of conviction has been entered.

  (b) This order is intended solely to establish, as a discretionary matter, a process to review on a periodic basis the executive branch's continued, discretionary exercise of existing detention authority in individual cases. It does not create any additional or separate source of detention authority, and it does not affect the scope of detention authority under existing law. Detainees at Guantánamo have the constitutional privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, and nothing in this order is intended to affect the jurisdiction of Federal courts to determine the legality of their detention.

  (c) In the event detainees covered by this order are transferred from Guantánamo to another U.S. detention facility where they remain in law of war detention, this order shall continue to apply to them.

  Sec. 2. Standard for Continued Detention. Continued law of war detention is warranted for a detainee subject to the periodic review in section 3 of this order if it is necessary to protect against a significant threat to the security of the United States.

  Sec. 3. Periodic Review. The Secretary of Defense shall coordinate a process of periodic review of continued law of war detention for each detainee described in section 1(a) of this order. In consultation with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Defense shall issue implementing guidelines governing the process, consistent with the following requirements:

  (a) Initial Review. For each detainee, an initial review shall commence as soon as possible but no later than 1 year from the date of this order. The initial review will consist of a hearing before a Periodic Review Board (PRB). The review and hearing shall follow a process that includes the following requirements:

  (1) Each detainee shall be provided, in writing and in a language the detainee understands, with advance notice of the PRB review and an unclassified summary of the factors and information the PRB will consider in evaluating whether the detainee meets the standard set forth in section 2 of this order. The written summary shall be sufficiently comprehensive to provide adequate notice to the detainee of the reasons for continued detention.

  (2) The detainee shall be assisted in proceedings before the PRB by a Government-provided personal representative (representative) who possesses the security clearances necessary for access to the information described in subsection (a)(4) of this section. The representative shall advocate on behalf of the detainee before the PRB and shall be responsible for challenging the Government's information and introducing information on behalf of the detainee. In addition to the representative, the detainee may be assisted in proceedings before the PRB by private counsel, at no expense to the Government.

  (3) The detainee shall be permitted to (i) present to the PRB a written or oral statement; (ii) introduce relevant information, including written declarations; (iii) answer any questions posed by the PRB; and (iv) call witnesses who are reasonably available and willing to provide information that is relevant and material to the standard set forth in section 2 of this order.

  (4) The Secretary of Defense, in coordination with other relevant Government agencies, shall compile and provide to the PRB all information in the detainee disposition recommendations produced by the Task Force established under Executive Order 13492 that is relevant to the determination whether the standard in section 2 of this order has been met and on which the Government seeks to rely for that determination. In addition, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with other relevant Government agencies, shall compile any additional information relevant to that determination, and on which the Government seeks to rely for that determination, that has become available since the conclusion of the Executive Order 13492 review. All mitigating information relevant to that determination must be provided to the PRB.

  (5) The information provided in subsection (a)(4) of this section shall be provided to the detainee's representative. In exceptional circumstances where it is necessary to protect national security, including intelligence sources and methods, the PRB may determine that the representative must receive a sufficient substitute or summary, rather than the underlying information. If the detainee is represented by private counsel, the information provided in subsection (a)(4) of this section shall be provided to such counsel unless the Government determines that the need to protect national security, including intelligence sources and methods, or law enforcement or privilege concerns, requires the Government to provide counsel with a sufficient substitute or summary of the information. A sufficient substitute or summary must provide a meaningful opportunity to assist the detainee during the review process.

  (6) The PRB shall conduct a hearing to consider the information described in subsection (a)(4) of this section, and other relevant information provided by the detainee or the detainee's representative or counsel, to determine whether the standard in section 2 of this order is met. The PRB shall consider the reliability of any information provided to it in making its determination.

  (7) The PRB shall make a prompt determination, by consensus and in writing, as to whether the detainee's continued detention is warranted under the standard in section 2 of this order. If the PRB determines that the standard is not met, the PRB shall also recommend any conditions that relate to the detainee's transfer. The PRB shall provide a written summary of any final determination in unclassified form to the detainee, in a language the detainee understands, within 30 days of the determination when practicable.

  (8) The Secretary of Defense shall establish a secretariat to administer the PRB review and hearing process. The Director of National Intelligence shall assist in preparing the unclassified notice and the substitutes or summaries described above. Other executive departments and agencies shall assist in the process of providing the PRB with information required for the review processes detailed in this order.

  (b) Subsequent Full Review. The continued detention of each detainee shall be subject to subsequent full reviews and hearings by the PRB on a triennial basis. Each subsequent review shall employ the procedures set forth in section 3(a) of this order.

  (c) File Reviews. The continued detention of each detainee shall also be subject to a file review every 6 months in the intervening years between full reviews. This file review will be conducted by the PRB and shall consist of a review of any relevant new information related to the detainee compiled by the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with other relevant agencies, since the last review and, as appropriate, information considered during any prior PRB review. The detainee shall be permitted to make a written submission in connection with each file review. If, during the file review, a significant question is raised as to whether the detainee's continued detention is warranted under the standard in section 2 of this order, the PRB will promptly convene a full review pursuant to the standards in section 3(a) of this order.

  (d) Review of PRB Determinations. The Review Committee (Committee), as defined in section 9(d) of this order, shall conduct a review if (i) a member of the Committee seeks review of a PRB determination within 30 days of that determination; or (ii) consensus within the PRB cannot be reached.

  Sec. 4. Effect of Determination to Transfer. (a) If a final determination is made that a detainee does not meet the standard in section 2 of this order, the Secretaries of State and Defense shall be responsible for ensuring that vigorous efforts are undertaken to identify a suitable transfer location for any such detainee, outside of the United States, consistent with the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and the commitment set forth in section 2242(a) of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-277).

  (b) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, shall be responsible for obtaining appropriate security and humane treatment assurances regarding any detainee to be transferred to another country, and for determining, after consultation with members of the Committee, that it is appropriate to proceed with the transfer.

  (c) The Secretary of State shall evaluate humane treatment assurances in all cases, consistent with the recommendations of the Special Task Force on Interrogation and Transfer Policies established by Executive Order 13491 of January 22, 2009.

  Sec. 5. Annual Committee Review. (a) The Committee shall conduct an annual review of sufficiency and efficacy of transfer efforts, including:

  (1) the status of transfer efforts for any detainee who has been subject to the periodic review under section 3 of this order, whose continued detention has been determined not to be warranted, and who has not been transferred more than 6 months after the date of such determination;

  (2) the status of transfer efforts for any detainee whose petition for a writ of habeas corpus has been granted by a U.S. Federal court with no pending appeal and who has not been transferred;

  (3) the status of transfer efforts for any detainee who has been designated for transfer or conditional detention by the Executive Order 13492 review and who has not been transferred; and

  (4) the security and other conditions in the countries to which detainees might be transferred, including a review of any suspension of transfers to a particular country, in order to determine whether further steps to facilitate transfers are appropriate or to provide a recommendation to the President regarding whether continuation of any such suspension is warranted.

  (b) After completion of the initial reviews under section 3(a) of this order, and at least once every 4 years thereafter, the Committee shall review whether a continued law of war detention policy remains consistent with the interests of the United States, including national security interests.

  Sec. 6. Continuing Obligation of the Departments of Justice and Defense to Assess Feasibility of Prosecution. As to each detainee whom the interagency review established by Executive Order 13492 has designated for continued law of war detention, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Defense shall continue to assess whether prosecution of the detainee is feasible and in the national security interests of the United States, and shall refer detainees for prosecution, as appropriate.

  Sec. 7. Obligation of Other Departments and Agencies to Assist the Secretary of Defense. All departments, agencies, entities, and officers of the United States, to the maximum extent permitted by law, shall provide the Secretary of Defense such assistance as may be requested to implement this order.

  Sec. 8. Legality of Detention. The process established under this order does not address the legality of any detainee's law of war detention. If, at any time during the periodic review process established in this order, material information calls into question the legality of detention, the matter will be referred immediately to the Secretary of Defense and the Attorney General for appropriate action.

  Sec. 9. Definitions. (a) "Law of War Detention" means: detention authorized by the Congress under the AUMF, as informed by the laws of war.

  (b) "Periodic Review Board" means: a board composed of senior officials tasked with fulfilling the functions described in section 3 of this order, one appointed by each of the following departments and offices: the Departments of State, Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security, as well as the Offices of the Director of National Intelligence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

  (c) "Conditional Detention" means: the status of those detainees designated by the Executive Order 13492 review as eligible for transfer if one of the following conditions is satisfied: (1) the security situation improves in Yemen; (2) an appropriate rehabilitation program becomes available; or (3) an appropriate third-country resettlement option becomes available.

  (d) "Review Committee" means: a committee composed of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

  Sec. 10. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall prejudice the authority of the Secretary of Defense or any other official to determine the disposition of any detainee not covered by this order.

  (b) This order shall be implemented subject to the availability of necessary appropriations and consistent with applicable law including: the Convention Against Torture; Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions; the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005; and other laws relating to the transfer, treatment, and interrogation of individuals detained in an armed conflict.

  (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

  (d) Nothing in this order, and no determination made under this order, shall be construed as grounds for release of detainees covered by this order into the United States.

  BARACK OBAMA

  THE WHITE HOUSE,
  March 7, 2011.

Libya Update and 23 Political Cartoons - 5 Mar 2011

Image by Abode of Chaos via Flickr

From Denny:  Today in the port city of Zawiya, Libya, fierce fighting between rebel forces and Gadhafi (Kadafi, Qadaffi) loyalists killed scores while Gadhafi was embattled on many fronts throughout the country. Gadhafi threw tanks, bombs and militia at the rebels in Zawiya where at least 40 people died early this morning.

Zawiya is west of the capitol city of Tripoli where Gadhafi is headquartered, his stronghold, considered the rebel forces' prize to capture. Currently, Zawiya is littered with bodies of the brave not properly trained or equipped to sustain such an assault. And yet the rebels still hold much of the town which Gadhafi considers too close for comfort.

Gadhafi claims portions of the city under his control. The local hospital is overwhelmed and Gadhafi has been firing upon the ambulances as they try to help the wounded or remove the dead from the streets.

Rebel forces are made up of teachers, fishermen, former military, all with a passion to take control of their country. It's an uphill battle which they are willing to give their lives to accomplish. Fighting could go on for months unless the military is willing to quit supporting Gadhafi and his sons.

The situation grows more desperate in Libya as Gadhafi thugs occupy the mosques, preventing the people from speaking their minds. Gadhafi's militia is also going door to door to ferret out anyone they think is against the government. Already, people are being arrested just for suspicion. Relatives do not know where their loved ones are taken or if they still live after being taken away in the middle of the night in this ruthless police state.

Meanwhile, America and the rest of the international community deliberates as to the best course of action to remove him from power should the rebels not be strong enough to finish the job.  A no-fly zone is finally considered but will it be one as defensive to fire upon Libyan jets?  Will it just be NATO jets in the area to fly nearby as a warning to Gadhafi not to bomb civilians?

The United Nations is moving to gather humanitarian aid should this be a sustained civil war.  While the U.N. suspended Libya from the Security Council, word is the U.N. placed Iran on the Women's Rights Council.  Does the news get any more weird when International Women's Day is just around the corner on 8 March 2011?

Please remember the women in these war torn countries of the Middle East as their governments are in transition. In time of economic chaos and civil war it is always the women who are most at risk.

Visual Insights: Dennys Photo Gallery: Invisible Women Around The World

Visual Insights: Dennys Photo Gallery: Invisible Women Around The World Remember International Womens Day is 8 March 2011

The Social Poets: Women in Peril: Ivory Coast Protesters

The Social Poets: Women in Peril: Ivory Coast Protesters The defiant leader of the Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo, ordered his forces to fire upon thousands of unarmed female protesters. Six were killed. In this culture, when women march as protesters it is considered a last resort against an unrestrained Army.

Libya News Update: Political Cartoons of Gadhafi Last Stand

Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Today news reached the West that Gadhafi air bombed a rebel held town in eastern Libya in a desperate attempt to retake control. Two bombs were dropped near al-Brega.

Why did Gadhafi choose that town when so many others are now under rebel control? Try the fact this town possesses key oil and natural gas facilities: money makers.

Gadhafi decided to drop yet a third bomb for good measure. People on the ground retaliated with what meager means they had like shooting or throwing stones. Then they did the wise thing and fled the area.

Fighting was seen on the ground as Gadhafi's forces moved in to take control of the university in al-Brega. People were rushing to the bombing site with stretchers. Doctors report there are at least four dead, 23 wounded, all victims of gunshot wounds.

Here is the good news: Locals say the rebels were successful in repelling the Gadhafi ground forces and are still in control of al-Brega.

Another town getting the Gadhafi bombing treatment?

The town of Ajdabiya took a beating as Gadhafi's aircraft bombed military camps located just outside of the town.  A local tribal leader says that the youth of Ajdabiya gathered together and headed toward the conflict to help defend their town. This town has been in rebel hands for several days and they do not want to give it up easily.

What about the military bases in Libya: who is in control?

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