Your Bottled Water is Killing You

Bottled Water, Cinema, Documentaries, Film, Food Inc., IFC, Tapped

EAT ME DAILY

Here’s the trailer for the documentary Tapped (warning: window-resizing website), a film about the multi-billion dollar bottled water industry and its effect on “climate change, pollution, health and our reliance on oil.” Kind of like the Food, Inc. of bottled water, the film goes into terrifying detail about the highly unregulated industry that supplies 29 billion bottles of water each year. Fun summer viewing!

Tapped is playing at the IFC Center in New York City through August 6th, moving on to the ArcLight in Los Angeles for a week-long run. If you can’t make the screenings, perhaps the five minute-plus long trailer will do:

So You Think You Can Dance Finale

Broadcatching, Kids, Reality Television, so you think you can dance finale

My four and one quarter year-old daughter Rose is fascinated by this show:

“Why is that crazy woman always yelling”

Those judges are pretty bizarre

What's Not to Love About Having Our Healthcare Decisions Made by Insurance Company Accountants?

Big Pharma, Birthers, Blanche Lincoln, Charles Grassley, GOP, Health Care Lobbyists, Health Care Reform, Insurance Companies, Kent Conrad, Lynn Samuels, Max Baucus, Salon, Tom Tommorrow

hcttTOM TOMMORROW in Salon

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Blackwater Founder Erik Prince Accused of Murder in Court by Former Marine and Employee

Broadcatching

Jeremy Scahill

THE NATION

blackwater-001

A former Blackwater employee and an ex-US Marine who has worked as a security operative for the company have made a series of explosive allegations in sworn statements filed on August 3 in federal court in Virginia. The two men claim that the company’s owner, Erik Prince, may have murdered or facilitated the murder of individuals who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company. The former employee also alleges that Prince “views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe,” and that Prince’s companies “encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life.”

In their testimony, both men also allege that Blackwater was smuggling weapons into Iraq. One of the men alleges that Prince turned a profit by transporting “illegal” or “unlawful” weapons into the country on Prince’s private planes. They also charge that Prince and other Blackwater executives destroyed incriminating videos, emails and other documents and have intentionally deceived the US State Department and other federal agencies. The identities of the two individuals were sealed out of concerns for their safety.These allegations, and a series of other charges, are contained in sworn affidavits, given under penalty of perjury, filed late at night on August 3 in the Eastern District of Virginia as part of a seventy-page motion by lawyers for Iraqi civilians suing Blackwater for alleged war crimes and other misconduct. Susan Burke, a private attorney working in conjunction with the Center for Constitutional Rights, is suing Blackwater in five separate civil cases filed in the Washington, DC, area. They were recently consolidated before Judge T.S. Ellis III of the Eastern District of Virginia for pretrial motions. Burke filed the August 3 motion in response to Blackwater’s motion to dismiss the case. Blackwater asserts that Prince and the company are innocent of any wrongdoing and that they were professionally performing their duties on behalf of their employer, the US State Department.

A hearing before Judge Ellis in the civil cases against Blackwater is scheduled for August 7.

The former employee, identified in the court documents as “John Doe #2,” is a former member of Blackwater’s management team, according to a source close to the case. Doe #2 alleges in a sworn declaration that, based on information provided to him by former colleagues, “it appears that Mr. Prince and his employees murdered, or had murdered, one or more persons who have provided information, or who were planning to provide information, to the federal authorities about the ongoing criminal conduct.” John Doe #2 says he worked at Blackwater for four years; his identity is concealed in the sworn declaration because he “fear[s] violence against me in retaliation for submitting this Declaration.” He also alleges, “On several occasions after my departure from Mr. Prince’s employ, Mr. Prince’s management has personally threatened me with death and violence.”

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Killer of Three Policemen in April 2009 Pittsburgh Tragedy Was Afraid of Obama Gun Policy

Broadcatching

ASSOCIATED PRESS  (pulled-Google Cache)

By RAMIT PLUSHNICK-MASTI

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh police say a man wearing a bulletproof vest opened fire on officers during a domestic disturbance call, killing three of them.

Police chief Nate Harper says the motive for Saturday’s shooting isn’t clear. Friends say the gunman recently had been upset about losing his job and that he feared the Obama administration was poised to ban guns.

The three dead officers are Eric Kelly, Stephen Mayhle and Paul Sciullo III. Kelly had been on the force for 14 years and the other two only two years each. Another officer was shot in the hand and a fifth broke his leg on a fence.

The gunman, 23-year-old Richard Poplawski, was arrested after a four-hour standoff.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A man opened fire on officers during a domestic disturbance call Saturday morning, killing three of them, a police official said. Friends said he recently had been upset about losing his job and that he feared the Obama administration was poised to ban guns.

Neighbors described how a quiet street in the city’s Stanton Heights neighborhood turned into a battlefield with hundreds of rounds cracking through the morning air and fallen police officers lying bleeding in the street, their colleagues unable to reach them.

Three officers were killed, said a police official at the scene who spoke on condition of anonymity because was not authorized to talk to the media. Police spokeswoman Diane Richard would only say that at least five officers were wounded, but wouldn’t give any other details.

Friends identified the suspect as Richard Poplawski, 23, but police would not immediately confirm his name. The gunman was arrested after a four-hour standoff, police said.

The shooting occurred just two weeks after four police officers were fatally shot March 21 in Oakland, Calif., in the deadliest day for U.S. law enforcement since Sept. 11, 2001. The officers were the first Pittsburgh city officers to die in the line of duty in 18 years.

Neighbors said the shooting began at about 7 a.m. and that two officers were shot almost immediately.

“When I looked down I saw two police officers laying in the street,” said Don Sand, who lives across the street and was awoken by the sound of gunfire.

A short time later, more officers, SWAT teams and other law enforcement arrived and a third officer was shot, Sand said.

“They couldn’t get the scene secure enough to get to them. They were just lying there bleeding,” Sand said. “By the time they secured the scene enough to get to them it was way too late.”

Gail Moschetti, who lives diagonally across the street from the Poplawski house, said she heard hundreds of shots as she and her husband took refuge in their basement. Tom Moffitt, 51, a city firefighter who lives two blocks away, said he came to the scene and heard “hundreds, just hundreds of shots.”

Police planned to release more details at a mid-afternoon news conference Saturday.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gxAP_ul1xtDvN-3H8XQ5EaI6_7cAD97BR6T00

‘Twilight’ Author Accused of Plagiarism

Stephenie Meyer, The Nocturne, The Twilight Saga, Twilight

800px-Nighthawks
‘The Nocturne’ author Jordan Scott plans to sue Stephenie Meyer
updated 5:16 p.m. ET, Tues., Aug 4, 2009

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LOS ANGELES – A writer plans to sue “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer, accusing her of plagiarism by lifting passages from an obscure book she wrote called “The Nocturne” and using them in vampire romance “Breaking Dawn,” an attorney said on Tuesday.

J. Craig Williams, who represents ““The Nocturne” author Jordan Scott, told Reuters by phone that the passages in question involve few word-for-word similarities but that the two books have similar plot and character points.

Meyer’s publisher, Hachette Book Group, called the accusation meritless, saying “The Twilight Saga” is entirely Meyer’s creation and that she knew nothing of “The Nocturne.”

“Breaking Dawn,” which came out in 2008, is the fourth book in the series of novels about a teenager, Bella Swan, caught in a forbidden romance with vampire Edward Cullen.

The “Twilight” books, which the publisher says have sold 70 million copies worldwide, are the basis for a movie series from Summit Entertainment. The first film, “Twilight,” has earned more than $380 million at worldwide box offices, and the second, “New Moon,” hits theaters in November.

In “Breaking Dawn,” Bella marries the blood-sucking Cullen and the book follows Bella through a difficult pregnancy and her new life as a vampire.

In a cease-and-desist letter Williams sent to Hachette Book Group, he provided comparisons from the two books of a wedding, a sex-on-the-beach episode and a passage where a human-turned-vampire describes the wrenching change.

As another instance of similarities, Williams pointed out that characters in both books call their wives “love.”

Hachette Book Group said in a statement that Meyer’s books “have been a phenomenal sensation” and that “it shouldn’t be surprising to hear that other people may seek to ride the coattails of such success.”

Williams said Scott plans to file a copyright infringement lawsuit against Meyer this week or next in U.S. federal court.

“I think the fans have to read both books and make up their own mind, like a judge is going to have to,” Williams said.

He said Scott does not plan to seek monetary damages.

Scott made chapters from “The Nocturne” available online as she was working on the vampire book, which she wrote in her teenage years and released in book form in 2006, Williams said. He said he did not know how many copies the book sold.

Copyright 2009 Reuters. Click for restrictions.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32289030/ns/today-today_books/

The Dead | Shoreline Amphitheatre | Mountain View , California ~ May 10, 2009

Broadcatching

The Dead | Shoreline Amphitheatre | Mountain View , California ~ May 10, 2009

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Sarah Palin and "Todd" Are Splitsville; Palin Denies and Accusations of Infidelity Fly

Alaska, G.O.P., Media Distractions, Republicans, Sarah Palin

August 1, 2009

ALASKA REPORT

Todd and Sarah Palin to divorce

Affairs on both sides

Updated 10:22am AKDT

AlaskaReport has learned this morning that Todd Palin and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin are to divorce. Multiple sources in Wasilla and Anchorage have confirmed the news.

A National Enquirer story exposing previous affairs on both sides led to a deterioration of their marriage and the stress from that led to Palin’s resignation as governor of Alaska.

The Palins were noticeably not speaking to each other at last Sunday’s resignation speech in Fairbanks. Sarah ditched Todd (MSNBC) right after the speech and left without him. Sarah removed her wedding ring a couple of weeks ago.

Sarah has recently purchased land in Montana and is considering moving the family there. Sarah Palin is originally from Idaho.

Todd Palin told Fox News last week that he was heading back to his job in the oil fields of Alaska, yet Sarah recently signed a book deal reportedly worth $11 million.

Editor’s note: AlaskaReport was the first website to report that Sarah Palin was running for governor of Alaska and the first website to report that Sarah was picked as John McCain’s VP candidate.

Sarah Palin on “hurt feelings”

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin says politicians need to have thick skin “Just as I’ve got” Which of course is hilarious since she quit as Alaska’s governor complaining about her hurt feelings from Alaska’s bloggers reporting on her numerous ethics violations.

Michael Schumacher Returns To Formula One To Replace Badly Injured Ferrari Driver Felipe Massa; Gearheads Worldwide Experience Chills

F1, Felipe Massa, Ferrari, Formula One, Michael Schumacher, Motor Sports, Ross Brawn
Reaction to Schumacher’s return

michael schumacher

The news that Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher will return to the track and replace injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa has fired the imagination of those in and around the sport.

The seven-time world champion will come out of retirement to step into the breach after Massa fractured his skull during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix and will cover for the Brazilian’s expected absence until the end of the season.

The German’s first race will be the European Grand Prix in Valencia on 23 August, where he will face British world champion Lewis Hamilton for the first time, as well as former foes Jenson Button, Rubens Barrichello and Kimi Raikkonen.

Here, BBC Sport gathers the reaction to the 40-year-old’s comeback from the great and the good of F1.

NIKI LAUDA, Three-time F1 world champion

“The return of Michael Schumacher is such a massive sensation that Bernie Ecclestone should pay him half his wages. Has there ever been anything more exciting in motor racing?

“I am not saying that Michael will win because that depends on the speed of the car but I have absolutely no doubts about his ability to perform as well as ever.

“I was 33 when I came out of retirement and he is 40 – but you are what age you want to be. I have no concerns about his reflexes. He will be brilliant.

“The most interesting thing will be to see him up against Kimi Raikkonen in the other Ferrari – who will be faster? Put it this way: Kimi has to get his act together or be shown up.

“After all the politics, the return of Michael Schumacher is the best thing for him, Ferrari and Formula One. Watch him get in and go.”

JOHNNY HERBERT, Former F1 driver and Le Mans 24 Hours winner

“He looks after himself anyway, so I’m sure his fitness level will be to a high performance anyway but it’s the extra little thing he needs to do before he gets back into a car.

“Also, at least he’s doing from Valencia to the end of the year so it’ll give him time to get back into the situation or driving an F1 car and everything that comes with at the race weekend.

“He’s got everything to gain – Ferrari haven’t a won this year so if he comes out of retirement and wins for them this year, he’ll be the biggest god in Italy for sure.

“It’d be awesome if was able to do that, but I think it’ll be very hard – he’s got a very tough team mate to have in Kimi Raikkonen, it might wake him up.

“The other guy who was disappointed when he retired in 2006 was Lewis Hamilton, he always wanted to go against him, now he’s got the chance.”

MAURICE HAMILTON, BBC Radio 5 Live F1 analyst

“Schumacher’s canny racing brain, his ability to think of several things at once while driving at 175 mph, will be as sharp as ever but his fitness will not.

“No amount of graft in the gym will act as a substitute for time spent in the cockpit.

“That burning competitiveness, which clearly has not been extinguished by racing a motorbike and frequently falling off it while being an also-ran, will play havoc with Schumacher’s pride if, as suspected, his presence motivates Kimi Raikkonen like never before.

“In the past, the driver in the other Ferrari was number two, even if he dared to be faster, and knew his place. It would be a brave man who suggested to Raikkonen that he should fall into line.

“It is a splendid story for sport, for motor racing, for F1 – but not necessarily for Michael Schumacher in the long run.” MURRAY WALKER, F1 broadcasting legend

“It’s a gigantic mountain for even him to climb.

“I have no doubt that he will be physically fit and I don’t doubt that he’s mentally on top of it.

“It’s just that he’s bound to be rusty and he’s got very little time to catch up.”

JONATHAN LEGARD, BBC F1 commentator

“You’ve got to remember that Michael Schumacher just loves competition. I spoke to him last year about him racing bikes and it was clear that he did it mainly for the competition.

“The temptation was clearly too great. Once you’re a racing driver, you’re always a racing driver – you always have that competitive instinct.

“The cars have changed and are different to what he left in October 2006 but I can’t believe that it will take him too long to blow away a few cobwebs. Whether he can be a winner is another matter.”

EDDIE JORDAN, Former F1 team boss and BBC pundit

“Michael Schumacher is absolutely hard core.

“I think whether he is 20 or 40 years old makes little difference.

“His reactions may be a millisecond away but then he was a millisecond better than everyone else previously so I think he’s just levelled it out.

“Well done to Ferrari for making this happen but especially well done to Michael because he has nothing to gain out of this and a lot to lose.

“I’ve been massively critical of Kimi Raikkonen and I think this is going to be the big wake-up call for him.

“You will see a new Raikkonen because he will not want to be disgraced by Michael.

“In fact, it could rejuvenate the whole of the Ferrari team, which has been a bit lacklustre this year.”

JODY SCHECKTER, Former F1 world champion

“Niki Lauda came back and won the world championship, so it’s not impossible.

“He’s been trying to become competitive on motorcycles, which is probably more stupid. You’ve got to say he’s probably the greatest of all time in F1 so I would think he’ll be competitive pretty quickly.”

JOHN WATSON, Former Brabham and McLaren driver

“Michael will spend a lot of time in the Ferrari F1 simulator between now and Valencia.

“He’s not race fit but that simulator is almost as good as the real thing. Believe me, he will not go to Valencia unless he thinks he has not only a chance to pick up points for the team but also that he can win the race.

“There’s every chance he will be there for the rest of the season. Michael will be the best available to Ferrari – and he might be so good that they will offer him a drive for 2010.”