Kauffman Report

Goddess Calls it Quits

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:46:00 +0000

Wierd. One of the three "living goddesses" in Nepal retired at the age of 11. Her parents have decided that it's time for this girl to stop being a goddess and start the arranged marriage life.

My brother covered Turkmenistan's unique religion back at the old A Rational America at Home and Abroad blog.

John King is Lame

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:40:00 +0000

Tonight on Lou Dobbs Tonight Dobbs asked John King if he knew John McCain's middle name. John King said that he did know John McCain's middle name. Then Dobbs asked King to tell the audience McCain's middle name. King responded by saying that McCain's middle name slipped his mind.

His name is Sydney. John King lied when he said he knew it. That's really lame.

Iran: Less Public Executions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:18:00 +0000

On the surface it may seem that Iran's limiting of public executions is a step towards a less violent and moderate Iran. But, it may very well be that by reducing public executions human rights organization might have a harder time monitering executions. This move will also result in lower media and international scrutiny.

It sucks to get killed for apostasy, armed robbery, adultery, and homosexuality.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7217509.stm

Wexler Wonders Where Emails Went

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:49:00 +0000

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/01/21/cheney-emails-missing-from-day-leak-probe-started/

Where have all the emails gone Dick?

Wexler Calls for Cheney Impeachment Hearings

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:35:00 +0000

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0108/Wexler_renews_call_for_Cheneys_impeachment.html

Rah! Rah! Let's Go Wexler! Rah! Rah!

Oh Biofuels, Why Must You Destroy?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:19:00 +0000

I stumbled upon some articles relating to some statements I made earlier at tdaxp.

Dan was arguing that a rise in US biofuel production would lead to an increased demand for cheap food, Africa would provide cheap food, this production would lead to an infrastructure renewal in Africa.

I argued that US biofuel production would lead to higher food prices. Higher food prices would lead to increased hunger for the poor. An increase in infrastructure would only benefit the wealthy landowners, forgoing the needed infrastructure for rural communities and downtrodden urban masses. Essentially, a road from the port to the farm, forgoing benefits to anyone besides the landowner. The increased demand would lead to increased benefit for corrupt land owners, perhaps even causing evictions of the poor. An overall increase in food prices would ultimately hurt the peasant farmers of Africa.

http://biopact.com/2007/04/corn-ethanol-could-hurt-poors-food.html "C. Ford Runge and Benjamin Senauer, writing in the May/June issue of Foreign Affairs magazine, warn that the rise in prices will likely hurt the world's poor."
"Resorting to [corn based] biofuels is likely to exacerbate world hunger," they write in Foreign Affairs."
"United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation says, let the poor themselves produce biofuels..."

But, unfortunately letting the poor produce biofuels also has its share of problems.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7186380.stm

"Recent reports have warned of rising food prices and rainforest destruction from increased biofuel production. "

"EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said it would be better to miss the target than achieve it by harming the poor or damaging the environment. "

"some biofuels barely cut emissions at all - and others can lead to rainforest destruction, drive up food prices, or prompt rich firms to drive poor people off their land "

Hundreds Die for Ron Paul

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 09:13:00 +0000

What a bizarre story. Hundreds of Ron Paul supporters held an online rally in the online gaming community World of Warcraft. While fending off orcs and trolls Ron Paul supporters discussed the benefits of Ron Paul. They even stormed an orc city that they decided represented Washington D.C.

I believe that this is the precise reason why no one should ever be allowed to vote online.

http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0802,thompson,78817,2.html

Obama's New Hampshire Speech and Nevada's Union

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:19:00 +0000

Seems like he's turned to a more radical image (not saying that's necessarily bad). He made a comment that 9/11 can't be used as a scare tactic. The media was quick to portray Obama as a candidate vastly different from past black politicians. But his New Hampshire speech seems to take on that notion. He mentioned going to the mountain top, MLK, and a few other black references. Nice to hear him stepping out of all that hokey optimism and back to reality. Sounds real. Sounds gritty. Sounds like a fighter for once.

The all important Culinary Workers Union will announce their endorsement at 11am (pst). The Culinary Workers belong to an international organization called Unite Here. Unite Here's leadership is known to be close to Edwards. Unite Here's Iowa branches endorsed Edwards in Iowa as well. With 60,000 members in a state that doesn't know a lot about caucusing the endorsement could be critical to any candidates win. Maybe there's a resurgence there for him? Maybe, but if they won't back Obama because he came in 2nd in New Hampshire I doubt they'll back Edwards with his chance of winning.

UPDATE: Obama has recieved the endrosement. Nevada expects a mere 40,000 to show up to caucus - a 60,000 person union sure seems like a good boost for Obama's odds. Then again, casinos and restaurants don't have a legal obligation to let their employees off to caucus.

Afghan Prison Guards Shoot Americans and What Ever Happened to Being a POW

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:41:00 +0000

The U.S. has been expanding Bagram prison in Afghanistan. As part of an effort to turn the prison over to Afghan forces the US has been installing Afghan prison guards. It turns out that some of those guards are members of the Taliban. Two US soldiers have been killed by prison guards, with no guarantee that future infiltration will stop. Just thought it ties into a previous post about an Iraqi soldier shooting Americans. Gotta watch who you're training America.

On another note, what ever happened to holding a regular old prisoner of war. Many of the detainees in Bagram are Taliban fighters, while a few are foreign al Qaeda suspects. Most of the detainees are nothing more than ground fighters who obviously don't know about any terror plots. Why can't the US just treat them as POW's? Back in 2002, several prisoners were beaten to death. The Red Cross is still outraged at the conditions, rights, and international violations going on in Bagram.

How do Americans contend that we are the watchdogs of human rights. How do we think we have a moral authority? How can we not realize that the cries to stop Saddam the butcher should be thrown back at us? Good luck getting Afghanistan to ban torture when they're in control. We're the one's that teach them how to do it!

I hardly can see how beating prisoners to death is an effective interrogation method.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/07/world/asia/07bagram.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Supreme Court to Review Lethal Injection

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:08:00 +0000

Two death row inmantes in Kentucky are contending that lethal injections violate the 8th amendment's cruel and unusual punishment clause. Keep in mind that this case isn't going to decide the lagality of the death penalty, just this particular method.

Problems with lethal injection:

-Doctors do not administer injections.

-Past injections have been improperly measured causing severe pain.

-Past injections have been given improperly causing veins to burst and the process repeated.

Iraqi Soldier Killed Two U.S. Soldiers

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 12:57:00 +0000

"Two U.S. soldiers who died last month in Iraq were apparently shot to death by an Iraqi soldier during a combined U.S. and Iraqi Army operation, the U.S. military said."

Two things came to mind when I read this headline.

1: I watched the documentary Gunner Palace two or three years ago. Throughout the film you became familiar with the soldiers as well as their Iraqi informants. The informants were the soldiers friends and knew each other quite well. They even gave each other affectionate nicknames. By the end of the movie two of the three informants turned out to be giving information to insurgents and deliberately leading US troops into ambushes.

2: Back in 2006 I picked up Out of Iraq: A Practical Plan for Withdrawal Now. A well written and detailed account of US expenditures, pre-war Iraq, US impact, methods of withdrawing, how to stabalize the Iraqi government, and US post-war involvement. McGovern and Polk gave a dangerous warning: if the US invests its time, energy, and hope into the Iraqi Army rather than giving support to a future multinational peacekeeping force, militias, and police forces post US Iraq will be controlled by the only centralized, stable, and powerful force in the country - the Iraqi Military.

"Once American troops are withdrawn, the Iraqi public is unlikely to continue supporting insurgents, so the level of combat is almost certain to fall. This has been the experience in every comparable guerella war. But as the insurgency loses its national justification, new danger will confront Iraq: "warlordism" (as happened in Afghanistan) and other forms of large-scale crime. This breakdown of public order can best be addressed by a combination of a national police force, subject to central government control, and neighborhood, village, and tribal home guards."
...
"We suggest the the package should include provision of $1 billion to help the Iraqi government create, train, and equip such a force. This is roughly the cost of four days of the American occupation."
...
"It is not in the interest of Iraq to encourage the growth and heavy armament of a reconstituted Iraqi army...previous Iraqi armies have frequently acted against civil governments and Iraqi citizens. Iraqi armies have been a source not of defense but of disruption. Thus, until balancing civic institutions have time and oppurtunity to grow, the creation of an army is not in Iraq's interest. America cannot prevent the reconstitution of an Iraqi army, but it should not, as it is currently doing, encourage it at an estimated cost of $2.2 billion. Where possible, it should encourage the transfer of the soldiers it has already recruited to a national police force or to a national reconstruction corps..."

We need to be weary of who is joining up and who is recieving the armaments we hand out.

I'm not suggesting that the current Iraqi military is in a coordinated plot to attack America soldiers. Just a warning about the Iraqi military itself. While this lone guman may not have any ties to insurgents or terrorists - who knows it could have been an accident - we must be weary about what a coordinated and independent Iraqi military force will be capable of in the near future.

Will they repeat the mistakes of past Iraqi generations or will they act as a more benelovent force? Let's hope they act more like the Venezualen and Turkish armies than their own past.

United Nations goes to Darfur!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:30:00 +0000

Once again the UN member nations committed to peacekeeping operation have failed to organize and equip the contingencies they promised. African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) is finally, at least partially, beginning to pour into Darfur. Unfortunately for the people of Sudan almost all of the force members present are the AU troops that were previously stationed in Sudan.

UNAMID Mandate
Military Personnel - 19,555
Police Officers - 3,772
Civilians - 5,105
Current AU Forces
Military Personnel - 7,000
Police Officers - 1,200

UNAMID's commander Gen. Martin Luther Agwai said that only 1/3 of UNAMID forces would be on the ground January 1st. Forcing the besieged AU to hold off for the next several months.

China has already sent 100+ engineers over, but it appears their equipment won't make it over for another couple of months.

The force has continually stressed that in order to ensure the protection of NGO's, aid, and people 24 helicopters are needed. Amazingly not a single country in the UN can find even one helicopter to give to the force they committed to back.

In 1994 Lt. General Romeo Dallaire commander of UN forces in Rwanda (UNAMIR) requested to have just one plane fly over the country to monitor the ground situation. No one could find a plane. They ate month old rations and weren't supplied the fuel to put into their trucks. The Bangladeshi contingent was forbidden by Dhaka to fight and the Belgians couldn't be sent in the streets for too long before the formerly colonized Rwandans would turn against them.

Darfur's situation seems more stable and the AU troops have more leeway in engagement than UNAMIR did. I find it hard to believe that not a single UN nation can spare one of the 24 helicopters needed. I recall a post by Phil of the Pacific commenting on New Zealand's mothballing air force. Surely someone has some helicopters around.

The people of Darfur are getting a shell of a promise. Just as in previous UN peacekeeping efforts the people of a war torn region will put their trust and faith in the blue helmets only to find out that they don't have the resources to help. The Western nations original commitment has eased the pressure on them to do something about Darfur. It's easy for a legislature to create an agency or pass a bill, but seldom is the press watching when it comes to how the agency is run and its effectiveness. The pressure has been off of the West's carrying through with their commitment.

Criticizing the UN force for any failures would be a mistake. Given the rules of engagement and insufficient supplies the UN forces do heroic feats. The courage of men who can stand surrounded by armed mobs and refuse to open fire or lose sight of the task at hand is incredible. Any failure is clearly the fault of the UN nations who have the resources and capability yet come up short.

Breaking News: Bhutto Assassinated

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 13:51:00 +0000

Benazir Bhutto was assassinated by gunmen at a campaign rally. Twenty others perished.

Musharraf has lost credibility and support. Sharif will/can not run. Bhutto has been killed. Who will fill Pakistan's leadership vacuum?

Bhutto returned demanding democracy in the face of danger. Her bravery has gotten her killed. The Bhutto's have lost a father, two brothers, and now Benazir, all to political violence.

Bhutto has insisted to be given more state security. But has been continuously denied in the face of numerous assassination attempts. Mushareff did not allow for her to campaign via the media, and as a result she was forced to take to the dangerous streets of Pakistan to garner support.

Afghanistan: Militia to Provide Security?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 05:18:00 +0000

Areas of eastern Afghanistan that are largely under British control and outside of Kabul's influence are ready to shift to an elder lead tribal militia to ensure stability. Similair to what has been used to establish stability and healthier relations with central authority in Iraq.

In the past central government action has had a tinge of corruption and abuse. Hopefully now any abuse or excessive force will be linked to local elders rather than creating a loss of faith and respect for the central government.

Then again, militias are also prone to corruption and abuse. Ties to local warlords and drug lords doesn't seem promising. Let's hope militia authority will be used to benefit the local villages rather than intimidate them.

Concerns have been raised that politicians in the US and NATO may find it convenient to hold back troops in favor of granting the militias more power.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7155500.stm

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/18/MNGMMNKDK61.DTL&hw

Nativity Scene on Capitol Grounds

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:52:00 +0000

Bah Humbug: I Hate to be a Grinch

Down home in Arkansas our government thought allowing the placement of a nativity scene (made by an independent non-profit group) on the state capitol grounds would be a good use of public land. Despite public and private letters and complaints the Secretary of State and Governor Beebe's office have responded by saying that they haven't recieved any complaints. They also defend the state display of Christianity.

Legal action has been threatened and will probably prevail. You can't have the Ten Commandments on public property, then I doubt you can have the birth of Jesus. I hate to urge vandalism, but the state's use of property is sickening.

Christmas Lights on the Capitol Building is one thing, but using state property to display the birth of Jesus sure sounds a little fishy...

Australia Stays Put in Afghanistan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:06:00 +0000

Way to be Rudd! It's nice to see that many of our allies in the war on terror seem committed. Governments can change leadership and their troops can stay put in Afghanistan. Cheers to Sarkozy! Cheers to Rudd!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7157505.stm

Fixing a Colonial Border

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:14:00 +0000

Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are negotiating a change in border territory. Much blood has been spilled over an oil rich island in Lake Albert.

Colonial borders divided people, resources, and history in an arbitrary manner. This has contributed to many conflicts among African nations. With inklings of an oil boom about to occur in Africa it's refreshing to see the possibility that opposing sides are working to fix at least one of the problems the Belgians and British left for the two nations. Redrawing the map is a lesson that Ethiopia might heed.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200712181033.html

Palestinians Should Rule Israel?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:33:00 +0000

Just kidding...

The other day a friend of mine was telling me that Israel was immoral because they would not negotiate with other countries.

Well, dear friend, what do you have to say about this?

"Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya told the crowd the "choice of resistance and jihad" was "the shortest path to liberate Palestine. "This will not be achieved by way of negotiations and concessions and certainly not through... sitting at round tables or exchanging smiles with the killers and executioners of the sons of the Palestinian people. "We will not recognise Israel." Palestinians were capable of mounting a new uprising against Israeli occupation, like the intifadas of 1987 and 2000.

Sounds like Palestine really wants to negotiate for peace...

Hard to believe, but maybe Israel is more willing to negotiate than Palestinians.

Hey Ho Torture Must Go!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:57:00 +0000

Besides the army and the CIA itself banning many torture methods in 2003 President Bush still maintains that they should be used. You'd think he'd listen to the decisions of the Intelligence community.

Finally the Democrats seem to be getting a little bit more backbone. Maybe Pelose was emberassed when it was revealed that she had viewed detainees and not objected to their treatment earler in the decade.

Thirty retired admirals and generals, including the investegator of Abu Ghraib have written a formal letter requesting the passing of Section 327 of the Conference Report on the Intelligence Authorization Act.

"The administration particularly opposes restricting the CIA to interrogation methods approved by the military in 2006. That document prohibits forcing detainees to be naked, perform sexual acts, or pose in a sexual manner; placing hoods or sacks over detainees' heads or duct tape over their eyes; beating, shocking, or burning detainees; threatening them with military dogs; exposing them to extreme heat or cold; conducting mock executions; depriving them of food, water, or medical care; and waterboarding."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071213/intelligence-bill/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071213/intelligence-bill/

CIA Agent - Maybe We Shouldn't Have Tortured

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:22:00 +0000

Mr Kiriakou, a CIA Agent, claimed that his CIA team used waterboarding during an interrogation with Abu Zubaydah in Guantanamo Bay. Kiriakou attributes the success of their interrogations to the use of waterboarding.

However, Kiriakou did not provide substantial evidence suggesting that Abu Zubaydah's information actually lead to the disruption of plots. He claims that it did, but the American public has not yet seen this justification. We also have not heard how much disinformation was given by Abu Zaubaydah. Kiriakou also failed to mention whether or not the CIA team had used waterboarding against other detainees. Detainees who may have been released without charge or detainees who gave disinformation.

However, it becomes clear that Kiriakou himself has doubts about the information he recieved and the justification that torture and waterboarding have when looking at his own words.

"Like a lot of Americans, I'm involved in this internal, intellectual battle with myself weighing the idea that water-boarding may be torture versus the quality of information that we often get after using the water-boarding technique. And I struggle with it."
He said he felt water-boarding's use had "compromised [American] principles in the short term" and was unsure the technique would be justified any longer.
"At the time, I felt water-boarding was something we needed to do," he said.
"And as time has passed, and as September 11th has, you know, has moved farther and farther back into history, I think I've changed my mind."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7137750.stm

Those words seems telling.

Pelosi Quietly Accepted Torture - 2002 Detainee Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:05:00 +0000

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/08/AR2007120801664.html?hpid=topnews

How disgusting. At least four representatives, including Nancy Pelosi, were taken on tours of detention facilities and given graphic descriptions of interrogation techniques. None objected.

Their defense: We were caught up in the atmosphere of 9-11.

What kind of leader do you claim to be when you lose sight of your principles because of catastrophe. During crisis is when you need to stand strong. What a meek excuse.

Africa: EU-Africa Summit, Chinese Influence, South Africa's Cure

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 12:32:00 +0000

The close of the EU-Africa summit in Lisbon has been a dissappointment for most African leaders.

President Wade of Senegal: "Today [it] is very clear that Europe is close to losing the battle of competition in Africa."

President Wade is of course referring to China's increased influence, aid, and economic spending in Africa. China's help, unlike the EU's, doesn't entail political pressures calling for increased human rights or democracy.

Europe and Africa Disappointment
African leaders are displeased by the WTO calling for an end of preferential trade toward Africa, Gordon Brown's absence, the EU's plan for import tax reduction, the lack of debt reduction, and the effect European subsidied goods has on African economies.

The EU has also called for a goal of recruiting 20 million new skilled workers to the EU. Come on now don't drain away the skilled workers from Africa! Let them have some!

China's Influence Dominates the West
China on the other hand has cancelled over 10 billion dollars of debt and is continuing to cut it while bringing in more aid. China's also advocating zero-tariff trade. West-central African oil exports (25% goes to China), timber (60% goes to China), and economic diversification is heavily tied to China - and increasingly rapidly. This aid touches places like Zimbabwe and Sudan that the West forbids. While all this aid and economic interaction could surely be beneficial, ignoring human rights and corruption certainly can't be good.

China also does not have the stain of colonialism that the West has. The West's former domination over China and Chinese aid to Africa in the 1970's is something that sits well with African countries. While fears of new economic self-interest from China are held, China's plans in part because of indifference to domestic policy are regarded with much less suspician by African leaders.

The Solution is in Africa
Perhaps the answer to Africa's growth lies in its own regional players. South Africa has become a regional powerhouse ever since the abondonment of its isolationist Apartheid regime. A recent $500 million dam project in the Congo will generate much needed clean energy for much of the Congo as well as using excess energy to fuel South Africa's factories.

The African Union's presence is proving critical in its attempts in maintaining order and stopping human rights atrocities. Something the West and the EU has always seemed reluctant or slow to respond to.

Africa's Future is Promising
Internal diversification, regional trading blocs, the soon to emerge oil boom from countries like Chad (and of course Nigeria's established oil industry, increasing public outrage at corruption, construction of its own pharmecutical factories (hello cheaper drugs), and increasing African freedom from neo-colonial direction is guiding Africa to a brighter future.

Sealand: Pirate Radio to Pirate Broadband

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:35:00 +0000

Background History of the Principality of Sealand

Prior to Settlement

During World War II the United Kingdom set up numerous anti-aircraft stations off the eastern coast of the UK to fend off the German Luftwaffe. After the war's end these concrete platforms were abandoned and left in international waters - until Roy Bates came along.

Bates and Independence

Roy Bates, a former major in the UK armed services, settled his family into Roughs Tower (4 miles outside of UK territorial waters) on 2nd September, 1967. Roughs Tower became the Principality of Sealand and the Bates family became royalty. Bates moved in and set up a pirate radio station; pirate radio was an enormous problem in the UK in the 1960's.

1968 British Invasion and UK Court de facto Recognition

The British Navy was sent out in late 1968 to remove the Bates family. The Principality was confident of that legally the British could not evict them and fired warning shots at British Navy ships. The UK was quick to bring Roy Bates to court for firing at Her Majesty's Royal Navy. However, the court decided on 25 November, 1968 that the UK had no jurisdiction over Sealand. Sealand was after all outside of the UK's territorial waters. Seven years later a constitution was introduced; coins, flags, a national anthem, and passports followed over time.

1978 Invasion, Kidnapping, and Diplomats

In 1978 a German businessman, Alexander G. Achenbach, and his Dutch employees came to Sealand to negotiate a business agreement with Price Roy. While Prince Roy was busy in England the "businessman" kidnapped Prince Roy's son and occupied Sealand. Prince Roy returned with armed men in a daring helicopter raid. The Prince then held the kidnappers as prisoners of war.

The Netherlands and Germany both sent diplomats to England to negotiate the release of their citizens. England refused the diplomats stating they had nothing to do with Sealand. Germany consequently sent their diplomat to meet with Prince Roy - another instance of de fact recognition. The Principality released the Dutch but held the Achenbach longer - since he had accepted a Sealand passport he was guilty of treason unlike the Dutch who never accepted Sealand passports.

1987-Present, Continued Recognition

The UK expanded there territorial waters from 3 nautical miles (Sealand is 7) to 12. However, under international law such expansion can not incorporate territory - thus Sealand was protected.

Britain's Department of Health and Social Security have ruled that Bates no longer has to pay National Insurance, and he has not.

In 1990 the Principality fired warning shots at ships that sailed too close to Sealand. The ships complained to the UK. The UK refused to address the problem.

Government in Exile Scam

Since being released from the Principality Achenbach set up the Sealand government in exile, now led by Johannes Seiger (1989-present). The government exile is believed to be the source 150,000 fake passports sold for upwards of $1000 to citizens of Hong Kong attempting to flee in 1997 when the Chinese reoccupied the city from the British. As a result Sealand revoked all their passports.

The Great Fire and the Future

2006 saw the greatest catastrophe to ever face Sealand. On 23 June, 2006 a fire swept over Sealand forcing the Principality to be evacuated with British help. Fortunately Sealand had enough funds to restore the Principality to working condition by November 2006. In 2007 Sealand decided to rent out custodianship of the Principality. Since 2000 Sealand has effectively been run by HavenCo. The success of HavenCo has lead to plans to expand Sealand by raising up new man-made structures to increase operational space - quite possibly being completed within then next ten years.

Enough of Adventure: Sealand's Data Haven is Unique in the Global Economy

Micheal Bates (remember when he was kidnapped?) along with several business partners founded HavenCo in 2000. HavenCo is a data haven located in a fortress nation with little government interference.

Government Restrictions

Sealand has very few rules and regulations regarding HavenCo's operations. After all, HavenCo is run by Prince Micheal.

Current Sealand Internet Law:

No pornography that would be considered illegal within the EU.
No infringement of copyright. This includes warez sites and listing sites that index copyrighted material.
No SPAM or unsolicited advertising, including opt-out e-mail lists.
No hacking including port scans or network vulnerability testing, distributing viruses, phishing sites.
No material that is obscene, threatening, abusive, libelous, or encourages conduct that would constitute a criminal offense

Essentially, HavenCo provides a place for eCommerce, financial transactions, banking, email servers, site hosting, and security sensitive data backup with virtually zero government interference. This unique opportunity has not gone unnoticed. Over 200 articles were written about HavenCo's opening in 2000 as well as feature article in Wired magazine. Worried that Napster spin-off sites will close down - Sealand and HavenCo make it possible for these sites to run without government interference. HavenCo's equipment is top notch with top bandwidth and top security. Host almost any site or financial transaction without interference from a government and without any taxation - what a deal.

Almost zero restriction, regulation, interference, and zero taxes. Run by highly skilled personnel on top notch equipment. Protected by miles of ocean and armed guards on a fortress. An entire government is invested in your purchase of data or server space. Companies have the chance to run almost any online business for 100% profit in areas that are severely restricted in the countries your business is broadcasted to. What an opportunity. While all the nations in the world are working fast to reign in and regulate the internet's power the Principality of Sealand is working hard to ensure that there is a place for companies to operate without interference.

Possible Interference

In the event of a raid similar to that of 1978 Sealand is now well prepared. The only people allowed in the Principality are people associated with HavenCo or given explicit permissions by HavenCo or the royal family - visitation has been severely restricted. More importantly, armed guards monitor the station 24/7, it's claimed that the anti-aircraft guns put on the platform in World War II are still operational, .50 caliber machine guns are being installed on the platform, and the servers are installed in a purely nitrogen environment that prevents fire and human interference without oxygen tanks.

HavenCo has made sure to provide free hosting to sites such as Tibet Online. Providing free space to those who promote human rights and oppressed groups is a great PR move. While the shutting down of such benevolent sites would look bad on the part of the UK or US it does not guarantee that such action will not be taken in the future - however, as long as irritation remains low action is not likely to be taken in the near future. In addition any outside interference (other than the UK) runs the risk of the UK retaliating, since certain members of the UK don't view Sealand as sovereign.

.....

The Principality of Sealand has given me permission to visit Sealand, conduct interviews, and review exclusive documents and memos regarding Sealand's history. My research is planned to be conducted through Hendrix College in the spring and summer of 2010. All details and agreements regarding the research are to be settled with the Principality nearer the proposed date.

Supreme Court to Rule on Habeas Corpus

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:51:00 +0000

The Supreme Court will shortly be reviewing habeas corpus in relation to two detainees in Guantanamo.

Previously the Supreme Court ruled that Guantanamo was US territory and therefor US laws regarding detainees should apply. They also ruled that it was illegal to bring detainees up before military tribunals. Congress and the President acted by passing new legislation to bypass what the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional.

Come on court let's get back habeas corpus!

Declaring the detainees prisoners of war would allow for longer detention without trial. I suppose Bush rejects that idea - harder to torture someone designated a prisoner of war.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7128523.stm

CNN viewers love Montel Williams

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 07:53:00 +0000

1:53am

CNN's most popular story - "Montell Williams blows up at reporters, apologizes."

I would link it but then it would only serve to increase the story's popularity.

What's wrong America! Read something that actually matters. Your favorite talk show host got angry for a little bit and then apologized? Tell me more!

Soon to be post: Sealand's unique place in the global economy!
...I'm serious.