Dreaming of Simplicity

Former Haliburton Subsidiary KBR Sued in Human Trafficking Case

2008-08-28T16:45:00.002+01:00

KBR, the former Haliburton subsidiary, is being sued for human trafficking of Nepali workers in Iraq. 13 Nepali men, between the ages of 18 and 27, were recruited in Nepal to work as kitchen staff in hotels and restaurants in Amman, Jordan. But once the men arrived in Jordan, their passports were seized and they were told they were being sent to a military facility in Iraq, said Agnieszka Fryszman of Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll, the law firm that has brought the action against KBR.

KBR split from Haliburton in 2006 with all ties between the two companies completely severed in 2007. Vice President of the United States Dick Cheney was the CEO and Chairman of Haliburton from 1995 to 2000, when he resigned to run as George W. Bush's VP nominee. He recieved a severence package worth some $34 million.

This is far from the first time that Haliburton or KBR have come under fire, KBR have been accused of inflating prices when importing oil into Iraq and installing faulty wiring that led to the death of a US soldier by electrucution in a shower. The video below is a Dispatches documentary which looks at all companies and individuals who have committed questionable operations in Iraq, it's 48 minutes long though.

Full Story Here.

Biden Wipes the Floor with John McCain in DNC speech

2008-08-28T05:34:00.001+01:00

Senator Joe Biden gave what was easily the best speech of the night. The newly elected (by acclimation) Democratic VP nominee attacked John McCain saying that, "I profoundly disagree with the direction that John McCain wants to take this country in".

He acknowledged that McCain was his friend and had served his country well, but he said that McCain equals "not change [but] more of the same". He spoke of America's standing in the world, "the world used to trust us, and looked to us for leadership... Barack will restore that". Biden claimed that the "American Dream is slowly slipping away" and that it is "our responsibility to embrace change".

Biden said that "Barack Obama is the American story". Biden's wife brought out Barack Obama who appeared as a 'surprise' (the Huffington Post reported that he would hours ago). Obama said that he is "proud to have Biden family on this journey with me". Obama also said that President Clinton "reminds us of when a President puts people first".

Biden's speech ticked all the boxes, and then some. It was possibly the first to attack McCain and the Republicans in such an impassioned way, while still being respectfull and not turning to dirty politics. Our verdict: speech of the week (so far).

Biden Speech Reaction

2008-08-28T05:31:00.002+01:00

Check out the reaction of MSNBC's Chris Matthews and Keith Olberman below. Matthews was very impressed by what Biden brings to the Obama campaign.

At the Podium: Senator John Kerry's brilliant speech

2008-08-28T04:01:00.001+01:00

Bill Clinton "Join me, Hillary & Chelsea in voting for Obama"

2008-08-28T02:27:00.007+01:00

Bill Clinton gave a speech that ticked all the boxes and put his full support behind Barack Obama. However, in my opinion, it was a fairly mediocre speech at best and John Kerry, who followed him, was much much better. Then again, Keith Olbermann says the speech was superbly delivered.

Barack Obama Claims Historic Nomination

2008-08-28T01:05:00.003+01:00

Barack Obama is now officially the Democratic Presidential nominee. Hillary Clinton made the motion to stop the roll call and accept his nomination by acclimation.

Will Bill Back Barack?

2008-08-28T00:17:00.003+01:00

So, we heard Hilary Clinton's endorsement of Barack Obama last night. Tonight, however, it's her husband President Bill Clinton's turn to take to the stage at the Democratic National Convention; and the Obama camp is likely shaking with anticipation.

President Clinton has was consistently accused of overstepping the line when attacking Obama during the primaries and is widely believed to still be pouting over Hilary's loss even now.

Speaking at a PUMA (People United Means Action, a political action committee) appearance he asked, "[what if] you have two candidates, candidate X and candidate Y, candidate X agrees with you on everything but you don't think that person can deliver on anything, candidate Y disagrees with you on half the issues, but you believe that on the other half the candidate will be able to deliver."

The question then is, what will Bill say when he reaches the podium. Barack Obama's VP nominee Joe Biden is the other principle speaker at the third night at the DNC.

Picture: dbking at Flikr

Hilary Clinton: Send Obama to the White House

2008-08-27T04:21:00.010+01:00

Hilary Clinton pulled off a tremendous speech at the Democratic National Convention today. With her husband Bill in the audience sat with Michelle Obama, Clinton said that, "McCain would squander the promise of a country that fulfils the dreams of its people... Barack Obama is my candidate and he must be our President".

She thanked her supporters and repeatedly spoke of women's rights. She asked her supporters "were you in it for me, or were you in it for the cancer sufferer, the single working mum, the marine?". She said that "after 8 years of George W. Bush people are hurting". Clinton suggested that Obama stood for the same things that she did, "there is not a moment to loose or vote to spare... this is why I ran for President and this is why I support Barack Obama".

The speech was pretty brilliant, you can see the (almost) line by line text of the speech at our Twitter page as we covered her speech live on Twitter.

The Political Analysts Verdict on Clinton's Speech

2008-08-27T04:15:00.006+01:00

MSNBC Contributor and host of Radio Air America Rachel Maddow, soon to start her own show on MSNBC, said that by adding the third part of the speech, the 'why' she supports him, Senator Hilary Clinton suceeded in bringing most supporters over to Obama. Video below.

MSNBC stable-mate and Countdown host Keith Olberman agreed, whilst Chris Matthews called the performance "powerful as hell" Video below.

CBS News Political Correspondent Bob Schieffer said she made a"very effective attack" on the Republicans. Video below.

Also from MSNBC, Governor Bill Richardson who endorsed Barack Obama in March, (video below)...

...and Tom Brokaw. Video below.

DNC Tribute to Senator Hilary Clinton

2008-08-27T04:06:00.001+01:00

The warm tribute to Senator Hilary Clinton at the DNC before she spoke

At the Podium: Mark Warner Gives Keynote

2008-08-27T03:19:00.003+01:00

Former Virginia Governor speaks at the DNC.

At the Podium: Gov. Ed Rendell

2008-08-27T03:12:00.002+01:00

Governor Ed Rendell speaks at DNC

The Convention: What's It All About?

2008-08-27T01:14:00.002+01:00

Veteran US news correspondent Ted Coppel, of ABC News fame and currently managing editor of the Discovery Channel and contributing analyst to BBC World News America, takes a humorous look at what the Democratic Convention is really about.

Tonight at the Podium: Hillary Clinton

2008-08-26T22:44:00.000+01:00

Hilary Clinton is to take to the stage tonight as Tuesday's principal speaker at the Democratic National Convention. The Obama team will be hoping that she says enough (and makes it believable) to bring her flock of die-hard HC supporters over the Obama.

Some have suggested that Hilary may not be the problem, enter Bill. Bill Clinton will be one of the principal speakers on Wednesday, with Senator Joe Biden. The Obama campaign is likely to be biting their nails in anticipation of that one. Only a few days ago Bill Clinton was heard complimenting McCain's environmental credentials.

Tuesday's keynote speaker will be Mark Warner (right), former Governor of Virginia. However, he may be trouble for the Obama campaign himself. Warner is fighting for the seat of retiring Republican Senator John Warner and is doing so by painting himself as a centrist. In trying to woo independents, his words tonight may not go down to well with ordinary Democrats.

Pictures: Hilary Clinton in New Hampshire: Marc Nozell - http://commons.wikimedia.org; Mark Warner in Philadelphia: Forward Together PAC - http://commons.wikimedia.org

Russia Recognises Breakaway Georgian Regions

2008-08-26T22:39:00.001+01:00

Russia's relations with the west plunged to their most critical point in a generation today when the Kremlin built on its military rout of Georgia by recognising the breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.

Declaring that if his decision meant a new cold war, then so be it, President Dmitri Medvedev signed a decree conferring Russian recognition on Georgia's two secessionist regions. The move flouted UN Security Council resolutions and dismissed western insistence during the crisis of the past three weeks on respecting Georgia's territorial integrity and international borders.

Tonight, Medvedev accused Washington of shipping arms to Georgia under the guise of humanitarian aid.

Read the Full Article Here.

"Our children will tell their children how this time we listened to our hopes instead of our fears" - Michelle Obama at the DNC

2008-08-26T04:17:00.005+01:00

Michelle Obama speaks at the DNC.
The first night at the Democratic Convention has ended, Dreaming of Simplicity will have live coverage of the second night tomorrow.

"Hope Rises Again and the Dream Lives On" - Senator Edward Kennedy at DNC

2008-08-26T03:12:00.006+01:00

Senator Ted Kennedy speaks at the DNC. LIVE Coverage of DNC.
Keep up with DNC with Dreaming of Simplicity Twitter channel.

DNC Tribute to Senator Kennedy

2008-08-26T02:52:00.003+01:00

The DNC's touching tribute to Senator Ted Kennedy.

Caroline Kennedy speaks at DNC

2008-08-26T02:49:00.001+01:00

“Barack Obama is right and John McCain is wrong’ - Pelosi at DNC

2008-08-26T01:24:00.002+01:00

Speaker of the House (D-Calif) Nancy Pelosi speaks at DNC '08.
Transcript Here.

DNC Kicks Off

2008-08-26T00:22:00.000+01:00

The Democratic National Convention has kicked off in Denver. Meanwhile, police have reportedly disrupted an Obama assassination plot and are to hold a press conference tomorrow. Full coverage of DNC at Dreaming of Simplicity.

Obama Introduces Biden

2008-08-24T00:16:00.000+01:00

Obama introduces his Vice-Presidential nominee Delaware Senator Joe Biden.

Obama-Biden '08!

2008-08-23T15:50:00.004+01:00

Remember that 3.am call? Well at 3.am this morning, Barack Obama supporters got the text that they had been waiting for.

"Barack has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be our VP nominee. Watch the first Obama-Biden rally live at 3pm ET on www.BarackObama.com. Spread the word!"

So, there it is, Delaware Senator Joe Biden will be Democratic Presidential candidate Obama's running mate.

So where does he stand on the issues? Let us have a look.

On...

Crime - he supports rehabilitation and community policing
Education - he supports teachers unions but also supports abstinence education. He is against student voucher systems and voluntary prayers in schools. He also supported the abolition of an education grant fro prisoners.
Energy - he opposes drilling in the Arctic, supports the creation 0f a new treaty on climate change and supports the idea of a cap and trade scheme.
Environment - he called for the US to be a part of UN climate change negotiations
Gun control - he is pro-gun control scoring a healthy 'F' on the NRA's rankings.
Immigration - he supports giving illegal immigrants a path to citizenship.
Security - voted for the PATRIOT Act but voted to limit wire tapping. Supports restoration of habeas corpus for Gitmo detainees. 60% approval rating by ACLU indicating a mixed record.
Economics - he is against Bush's tax cuts for the rich and supports a balanced budget. He is scored 100% by the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) indicating a pro-union record. One of the few Democrats that supported NAFTA. Supports funding for healthcare for all.
Foreign policy - voted in favour of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, has since withdrawn support for Iraq war. Supports repositioning troops to Sudan to end the Darfur genocide. Opposes abstinence only HIV-AIDS prevention programs. Strongly supports Israel and a two state solution. Supports sanctions on Iran but also proposes a sort of 'promise tree' (my words) that would show Iran what it could look forward to if it complied with American demands.
Abortion - he has voted against parental notification, scored 100% by the NARAL Pro-Choice America but scored just 36% in 2003. Supports federal funding for stem-cell research.
Drugs - he supports removing drug users from the prison system into specialist facilities and opposes stronger drug laws.
LGBT rights - voted in favour of the Defence of Marriage Act but against the Federal Marriage Ammendment. Supports civil unions and adding sexual orientation to hate crime laws.

Parts of this article have been summarised from the Wikipedia article on the Political Positions of Joe Biden.

Bayh, Kaine Not to be VP

2008-08-23T02:49:00.002+01:00

It is being reported that both Indiana Senator Evan Bayh and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine have been told by Barack Obama that they are no longer in the running to be his VP. Fox News has reported that the text messages to Obama's supporters informing them of his choice will go out some time after 10.am Eastern Stand Time (14.00 GMT; 15.00 London Time - differs from GMT at the moment due to daylight saving).

Georgia: Russia Rejects UN Resolution

2008-08-20T19:35:00.005+01:00

Russia has rejected yet another United Nations resolution, while downgrading the death toll in South Ossetia. The Kremlin claims that 133 civilians are dead in South Ossetia, down from the 1,600 figure it originally gave.

George Bush has reiterated his call for Russia to respect Georgian territorial integrity and said, "The world has come together to condemn this assault".