Bobbie and Claudia on her return visit to Monroe St. after 18 years.

We live in Mt. Pleasant, a community in Northwest Washington, D.C.
Slavery on the grounds of the National Zoo: The Holt House.
Also, please visit Global Peace Services USA.
Chet Ramo interview on the Diane Rehm Show, 22 May 2001, with a phone-in from Geoff Chester.
Professional false prophets Robertson and Fallwell on the 9/11 Terror Attacks.
Hier sind einige nette Katzenstories.

News

Amnesty International has just released a report detailing how the US is serving as a bad example to the rest of the world regarding its behavior in the "war on terror." The report includes a discussion on the children being held captive at Guantanamo Bay. It's not exactly bedtime reading. Here are the first two paragraphs:

Launching the State Department's latest report on human rights in other countries in March, Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke of the "steadfast commitment of the United States to advance internationally agreed human rights principles worldwideAs we lead an international campaign against terrorism, we are also working to extend the blessings of freedom at home and abroad". In a letter to a US Senator in June, the Pentagon's General Counsel stated that the administration "fully share[s] your concern for ensuring that in the conduct of this war against a ruthless and unprincipled foe, the United States does not compromise its commitment to human rights in accordance with the law". In July, the Assistant Secretary of State for human rights wrote to Amnesty International: "It is the policy of the United States Government to pursue human rights and the rule of law as a central element of foreign policy. The US approach to countering terrorism does not conflict with or violate this policy".

Actions, however, speak louder than words, and some of the US administration's actions since 11 September 2001 threaten to erode international law and standards forged over the past half-century or more. Prior to the invasion of Iraq, diplomat John Brady Kiesling resigned from the US Foreign Service. He wrote in his resignation letter to Secretary Powell: "We are straining beyond its limits an international system we have built with such toil and treasure, a web of laws, treaties, organizations, and shared values that sets limits on our foes far more effectively that it ever constrained America's ability to defend its interests".

Click here to see the entire report.

Mars Mania

There is a good story on Bob Bunge, his 20-inch telescope and his nightly observations of Mars in The Washington Post. Bob has also written an article about Observing and Drawing Mars. Last Sunday there was an article telling how to Get a Close Look at Mars, including a list of places you can to to view Mars.

Humor

• Astronomical humor.
• When John Ashcroft gets you down, remember you can still laugh: Die guten alten Tagen in der DDR (in German).
• Are you confused about musical terminology? Then refer to this new musical glossary.
• America's finest news source: The Onion.
• Switzerland's finest news source: Schrege Vögel.
• The Stealth Geek, by the Stealth Geek Goddess, Shanna Swenson.
• Christine Kronberg's DAU Story Collection, in German. Andere. (DAU= Duemmster Anzunehmender User).
• The Annals of Improbable Research presents: Hot Air.
• Confused about Lyotard and Postmodernism? (And mental debility in general?) Try the Postmodernism Generator.
• Confused about professions? Here's how to understand engineers. How to understand managers.
• The Creator, on the subject of lawns, forwarded to me by Dr. KJ Williams.
• Confused about life, the universe and everything ?

Tool tips by

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Last modified: Thu 3 Nov 2005