The EU should be stronger and more united. Great Britain should belong to the Union.
Die EU sollte stärker und geeinter sein. Großbritannien sollte der Union angehören.
L'UE devrait être plus forte et plus unie. La Grande-Bretagne devrait appartenir à l'Union.
Friday, March 12, 2010
BNP Barred from Taking New Members
THE TELEGRAPH: The British National Party was barred from taking new members on Friday after a judge ruled its constitution could discriminate against non-white people.
Mr Griffin had been met with angry scenes as he arrived at court, with a small group of protesters chanting "Nazi scum". Photo: The Telegraph
Judge Paul Collins issued an injunction ordering the far-Right group to comply with race equality laws and said the membership list would have to be closed until it did.
Under the injunction, prospective BNP members will not in future have to be vetted at home before they are accepted.
Last month the BNP scrapped its whites-only policy in an attempt to avoid legal sanctions brought by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
But on Friday at Central London County Court, Judge Collins ruled: ''I hold that the BNP are likely to commit unlawful acts of discrimination in the terms on which they are prepared to admit persons to membership under their constitution.''
The judgment found that, while it is not unlawful to hold discriminatory views, it is unlawful for such principles to be used for controlled entry to a political party, the EHRC said. >>> | Friday, March 12, 2010
President Sarkozy Irritated by Questions Over His Marriage
THE TELEGRAPH: Nicolas Sarkozy, the French President, has angrily rebuked a journalist for asking about rumours surrounding his marriage to Carla Bruni.
At a joint Downing Street press conference with Gordon Brown, Mr Sarkozy was twice pressed on the recent flurry of speculation that his marriage was in trouble.
He snapped at a French journalist who raised the subject calling his question idiotic.
And minutes later when a British member of the press asked him to deny the rumours the French president simply refused to answer before Mr Brown called the briefing to an end.
Mr Sarkozy’s irritation was plain when he responded to the first question.
He told the journalist: "You must know very little about what the President of the Republic actually has to do all day long. I certainly don't have time to deal with these ridiculous rumours, not even half a fraction of a second.
"I don't even know why you use your speaking time to put such an idiotic question." >>> Andrew Porter, Political Editor | Friday, March 12, 2010
Grossbritanniens Premier Brown und Frankreichs Präsident Sarkozy sind nicht zufrieden mit dem Gebahren der USA. Bild: NZZ Online
Brown und Sarkozy werfen den USA Protektionismus vor: Reaktion auf verpassten Rüstungsauftrag für EADS
NZZ ONLINE: Nach dem verpassten Rüstungsgeschäft für die Lieferung von Tankflugzeugen für die US-Luftwaffe durch den EADS-Konzern hat es Vorwürfe aus Frankreich und Grossbritannien gegeben. Der britische Premier Brown und Frankreichs Präsident Sarkozy warfen den USA Protektionismus vor.
Der französische Staatspräsident Nicolas Sarkozy und der britische Regierungschef Gordon Brown haben den USA im Streit um einen verpassten Rüstungsauftrag für den europäischen EADS-Konzern Protektionismus vorgeworfen.
«Nicht die richtige Art»
«Das ist nicht die richtige Art, wie die USA ihre europäischen Verbündeten behandeln sollten», sagte Sarkozy am Freitag nach einem Besuch bei Brown. Der Brite erklärte, er sei wegen der entstandenen Situation enttäuscht. >>> ddp/sda/Reuters | Freitag, 12. März 2010
Hysterische Kontroverse um Westerwelle: FDP-Generalsekretär Lindner sieht Demokratie in Deutschland gefährdet
NZZ ONLINE: In Deutschland scheint es derzeit kein wichtigeres Thema zu geben, als die Begleiter von Aussenminister Westerwelle auf seinen Auslandreisen. Die Vorwürfe werden zum Teil ins Groteske gesteigert. Die Partei schlägt nicht minder heftig zurück.
Der deutsche Aussenminister Guido Westerwelle beendet am Freitag eine einwöchige Reise in lateinamerikanische Länder. Er tat dabei das, was Aussenminister bei solchen Anlässen so tun: Er traf verschiedene Minister, Industrielle und Vertreter gesellschaftlicher Gruppen. Er verhandelte über Exporte, Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen und Atomkraft. Zu wesentlichen Differenzen mit seinen Gastgebern oder gar einem Eklat ist es dabei nicht gekommen. Trotzdem titelt Spiegel Online: «Reise ins Fiasko». >>> spi./(ddp) | Freitag, 12. März 2010
Selma Aliye Kavaf, die türkische Familienministerin, die das Schwulsein für eine Krankheit hält. Sie glaubt sie soll „behandelt“ werden. Bild: Google Images
Streit in der Regierung: Türkische Ministerin hält Schwulsein für krank
WELT ONLINE: Die türkische Familienministerin hat in der islamisch geprägten Regierung einen Streit ausgelöst, weil sie Homosexualität für eine Krankheit hält, die behandelt werden müsse. Andersartige Sexualität ist in der Türkei ein heikles Thema. Die Intoleranz endete schon mehrmals tödlich.
Homosexuelle haben in der Türkei einen schweren Stand: Diese Gruppe portestierte 2008 in Istanbul gegen ihr Verbot. Bild: Welt Online
Seit einigen Tagen streiten türkische Minister um das Wesen der gleichgeschlechtlichen Liebe. Die Familienministerin der islamisch geprägten Regierung, Selma Aliye Kavaf, erklärte in einem Interview mit der Zeitung „Hürriyet“, Homosexualität sei eine „Krankheit“ und müsse „behandelt“ werden.
Der Reporter hatte sie nach ihrer Meinung über Eheschließungen zwischen gleichgeschlechtlichen Partnern gefragt, und dies war ihre Begründung für die Antwort, sie habe „keine positive Meinung“ über solche Ehen.
Istanbul mit grosser Schwulenszene
Da sie Schwulsein als Krankheit bezeichnet hatte, fühlte sich ihr Kabinettskollege Recep Akdag angesprochen, der Gesundheitsminister. Denn wenn Homosexualität eine Krankheit ist, dann wäre ja wohl sein Ressort gefragt, um sie zu bekämpfen.
Akdag ließ die Kollegin wissen, dass Homosexualität als gesellschaftliches Problem eher in ihren Bereich gehöre: Es sei ein Fall für „Freiheiten“ – also Toleranz und Gleichberechtigung. >>> Von Boris Kálnoky | Donnerstag, 11. März 2020
”Reporter ohne Grenzen”: 120 Blogger sind wegen Internetzensur eingesperrt
WELT ONLINE: Das Internet ist als Plattform für Diskussionen und freie Informationen häufig nicht akzeptiert. So haben weltweit fast ein Drittel aller Staaten eine Internetzensur und rund 120 Blogger sitzen im Gefängnis. Für "Reporter ohne Grenzen" ein Grund zur Besorgnis, auch wenn die Zensur umgangen werden kann.
Das Internet kann eine politische Waffe sein: In Diktaturen bietet es die Plattform für Debatten und freie Informationen. Soziale Netzwerke wie Facebook und Twitter werden für Protest und Widerstand genutzt, You Tube-Videos stellen autoritäre Regime bloß.
Etliche Regierungen allerdings haben etwas gegen Meinungsäußerung im und freien Zugang zum Internet und reagieren mit drastischen Maßnahmen. Etwa 60 Staaten haben im vergangenen Jahr Internetzensur ausgeübt. Derzeit sitzen fast 120 Blogger im Gefängnis, im vergangenen Jahr waren es zur gleichen Zeit rund 70 kritische Internet-Nutzer.
Das ruft die die Organisation Reporter ohne Grenzen auf den Plan, sie veranstaltet zum zweiten Mal den „Welttag gegen Internetzensur“. Die Journalisten prangern zwölf Staaten als „Feinde des Internets“ an. Diese verfolgen der Organisation zufolge unliebsame Internetnutzer systematisch und zensieren unerwünschte Online-Informationen.
In Nordkorea, Birma und Turkmenistan ist ein Großteil der Bevölkerung komplett vom World Wide Web abgeschnitten. >>> Von Jan David Sutthoff | Freitag, 12. März 2020
L'Amérique latine célèbre ses premiers mariages gays
Une cérémonie collective a été organisée jeudi dans l'Hôtel de ville de Mexico pour l'union de quatre couples gays. Photo : Le Figaro
LE FIGARO: Quatre couples homosexuels ont prêté serment jeudi à Mexico. La capitale mexicaine avait légalisé en décembre dernier le mariage homosexuel.
La scène est inédite. Deux femmes sont devenues jeudi à Mexico les premières homosexuelles à se marier en Amérique latine. Une union rendue possible par la légalisation du mariage gay, votée en décembre dernier dans la capitale mexicaine.
Un autre couple féminin et deux masculins se sont unis quelques minutes plus tard, lors d'une cérémonie collective organisée dans l'Hôtel de ville de la capitale et retransmise à la télévision. Ils avaient pris pour témoin le maire de Mexico, Marcelo Ebrard, une des principales figures de la gauche. Un parti minoritaire dans ce pays administré par le président conservateur Felipe Calderon.
«Je vous déclare unis légitimement par le mariage, avec tous les droits et prérogatives que le mariage impose, je vous souhaite beaucoup, beaucoup de bonheur», a annoncé le juge qui a officialisé les unions. Ces premiers couples homosexuels «constituent maintenant une famille reconnue par la loi», grâce à une révision de la législation «soucieuse des valeurs de tolérance, de respect et d'égalité», a ajouté le magistrat. >>> Par Marion Brunet | Vendredi 12 Mars 2010
Arabie saoudite : la vidéo qui fait scandale
LE FIGARO – BLOG – CHRONIQUES ORIENTALES: Les autorités saoudiennes auraient préféré que l'affaire ne s'ébruite pas. Mais force des nouvelles technologies oblige, la diffusion clandestine - par texto et par courriel - d'une vidéo embarrassante pour les bigots du royaume vient de pousser la police à en confirmer l'existence, et à annoncer publiquement l'arrestation d'un de ses auteurs...
De quoi s'agit-il ? Le petit film amateur de 2'30 (voir lien ci-dessus - avec sous-titres en anglais) y montre un jeune homme déguisé en policier « flirter », dans une voiture, avec le caméraman, en train de le filmer.
- Donne moi ton permis de conduire, lui demande-t-il. Puis, après avoir constaté qu'il est périmé, il reprend : - Je dois te donner une amende. Face à la résistance du caméraman/chauffeur, il lui propose alors une solution de rechange, pistolet à la main : - Procure moi du confort, lui ordonne-t-il. La suite est prévisible. Sur fond de musique pop, le « policier » se met à déboutonner sa chemise en se caressant la poitrine...Scandale ! (avec vidéo) >>> Par Delphine Minoui | Jeudi 11 Mars 2010
Pope Defends Celibacy Rule Amid Sex Abuse Scandals
BBC: Pope Benedict XVI has defended celibacy among priests, saying it was a sign of "full devotion" to the Catholic Church.
He was speaking at a theological conference before meeting Germany's top bishop for talks about a new crisis over sexual abuse of children.
German Bishop Robert Zollitsch apologised again to victims of abuse by German priests.
The Archbishop of Vienna had suggested that the Church should examine celibacy and priests' training. >>> | Friday, March 12, 2010
Ground Zero Workers Win $657m Settlement for Health Problems
THE TELEGRAPH: Thousands of workers who suffered health problems after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 have reached a settlement worth up to $657.5 million (£437m) with an insurer representing the city of New York.
An explosion rips through the South Tower of the World Trade Towers after the hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into it. Photograph: The Telegraph
Thousands of firefighters, police, contractors and others who worked at "Ground Zero" in the ruins of the World Trade Center sued the city and its contractors for claims of injuries associated with their rescue and clean-up work.
The settlement will be drawn from a federally financed insurance fund - the WTC Captive Insurance Company - created in 2004 with a $1 billion grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"The resolution of the World Trade Center litigation will allow the first responders and workers to be compensated for injuries suffered following their work at Ground Zero," New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a statement.
The parties will appear before US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein on Friday to request his preliminary approval of the settlement. >>> | Friday, March 12, 2010
George Bush Adviser Karl Rove: I Am 'Proud' of Waterboarding
THE TELEGRAPH: Karl Rove, the senior adviser to George W. Bush, has said he is "proud" of the interrogation methods used by US intelligence services such as waterboarding.
He said they had helped prevent terrorist attacks.
Mr Rove also told the BBC in an interview that he did not believe waterboarding – a simulated drowning method – amounted to torture.
He said: "I'm proud that we used techniques that broke the will of these terrorists and gave us valuable information that allowed us to foil plots. I am proud that we kept the world safer than it was by the use of these techniques. They are appropriate, they are in conformity with our international requirements and with US law."
"Flying aeroplanes into Heathrow and into London ... bringing down aircraft over the Pacific, flying an aeroplane into the tallest building in Los Angeles" were all terror plots that were thwarted by tough interrogation, he insisted. >>> | Friday, March 12, 2010
Rove 'Proud' of US Waterboarding Terror Suspects
BBC: A senior adviser to former US President George W Bush has defended tough interrogation techniques, saying their use helped prevent terrorist attacks.
In a BBC interview, Karl Rove, who was known as "Bush's brain", said he "was proud we used techniques that broke the will of these terrorists".
He said waterboarding, which simulates drowning, should not be considered torture. Read on (with video) >>> | Friday, March 12, 2010
THE TELEGRAPH: Criticism of Israel and Zionism led to a rise of anti-Jewish sentiment around the world in 2009, the US said on Thursday in a report that denounced "new forms" of anti-Semitism.
"Traditional and new forms of anti-Semitism continued to arise, and a spike in such activity followed the Gaza conflict in the winter of 2008-2009," the State Department said in an annual report.
"Often despite official efforts to combat the problem, societal anti-Semitism persisted across Europe, South America, and beyond and manifested itself in classic forms," it said. >>> | Friday, March 12, 2010
Teachers Can Keep BNP Membership, Government Review Says
THE TELEGRAPH: Teachers will be allowed to keep their membership of the BNP and the National Front after a Government review ruled that there was no justification for banning them from joining extremist organisations.
Maurice Smith, the former chief inspector of schools, said banning BNP members from teaching would be using a "very large sledgehammer to crack a very small nut".
His review of measures to prevent racism in schools, commissioned by Ed Balls, the children’s secretary, recommended against a ban because he said there was little public concern about extremism among teachers. >>> Heidi Blake | Friday, March 12, 2010
I’ll be on air today at 12 noon PST, 3pm EST, 8pm GMT, and 9pm CET. Always On Watch, WC, and I will be discussing growing anti-Semitism in Europe, JihadJane, and much else besides. I'll be on for the full hour. We do hope you can join us. ALL are welcome. The number to call is (646) 915-9870. Click HERE for the show.
NY Restaurants Face Total Salt Ban If Politician Gets His Way
THE TELEGRAPH: The nannying tendencies of New York's civic leaders have reached a new level with a proposal to fine restaurants that add salt to food.
Felix Ortiz* has proposed a bill that would ban the use of salt in New York restaurants. Photograph: The Telegraph
Bill A10129 would fine restaurateurs $1000 (£600) each time they were caught adding salt to food.
Felix Ortiz, a New York assemblyman who proposed the bill, said it would allow diners to choose whether to do it themselves.
The administration of Michael Bloomberg, New York City's mayor, has already outlawed smoking from many public areas, banned unhealthy trans fats from prepared food and ordered many restaurants to list the calories in each item on the menu. He also favours a new tax on sweet fizzy drinks to help cut obesity. >>> Tom Leonard in New York | Friday, March 12, 2010
Is this man TOTALLY bereft of culinary knowledge? Does this man know ANYTHING about cooking at all? Does he not understand that salt has to be added when the food is being cooked to have any real effect on the taste? Salt added at table is simply not the same. One must ask oneself ONE simple question: Has Felix Ortiz EVER cooked ANYTHING in his life? It appears that he has NO CULINARY SKILLS WHATSOEVER! Furthermore, it appears that he also has NO MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE, for salt is a foodstuff. Without ANY salt, we would ALL be in very BAD shape! Dead!
Roger L. Simon: Beck, Krauthammer and the Geert Wilders Perplex [sic]
PAJAMAS MEDIA: Geert Wilders – the sometimes-libertarian Dutch politician currently on trial for “hate speech” in his country – has become a kind of Rorschach test for right-of-center American pundits. He has recently been under attack by Glenn Beck, who seems to have called him a fascist, and by Charles Krauthammer, who, while more judicious, claims Wilders does not understand, or misconstrues, the difference between Islam and Islamism (and is therefore not worthy of our support).
Beck’s criticism of Wilders is pretty dismissible since the populist TV commentator does not appear particularly versed in European affairs. Indeed, in the video linked at his name, Beck erroneously identifies French politician Dominique de Villepin as “far right” and then mispronounces his name – in fingers down a blackboard fashion – as if he had confused the Chirac protégé with the truly fascist Jean Marie le Pen. Maybe he had. Only his producers, who have served him poorly here, know for sure. And maybe even they don’t, which is the problem. (Beck should also have another look at Jonah Goldberg’s book and at Hayek’s The Road to Serfdom before he makes such simplistic conclusions about fascism, the left and the right across the pond.)
I could go on about how the American Right ought to become sophisticated about international affairs (not that the American Left is!), but I will pass on to Charles Krauthammer, a man many of us – myself included – regard as the sine qua non of conservative columnists. He too seeks to distance himself from Wilders:
What he says is extreme, radical, and wrong. He basically is arguing that Islam is the same as Islamism. Islamism is an ideology of a small minority which holds that the essence of Islam is jihad, conquest, forcing people into accepting a certain very narrow interpretation [of Islam].
The untruth of that is obvious. If you look at the United States, the overwhelming majority of Muslims in the U.S. are not Islamists. So, it’s simply incorrect. Now, in Europe, there is probably a slightly larger minority but, nonetheless, the overwhelming majority are not.
Read on >>> Roger L. Simon | Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Sean Penn: Journalists Who Call Hugo Chávez a Dictator Should Be Jailed
THE GUARDIAN: Actor accuses US media of smearing Venezuelan president
Sean Penn, pictured, said journalist who smeared the Venezuelan president should be punished. Photograph: The Guardian
Sean Penn has defended Hugo Chávez as a model democrat and said those who call him a dictator should be jailed.
The Oscar-winning actor and political activist accused the US media of smearing Venezuela's socialist president and called for journalists to be punished.
"Every day, this elected leader is called a dictator here, and we just accept it, and accept it. And this is mainstream media. There should be a bar by which one goes to prison for these kinds of lies."
Penn, who has visited Chávez in Caracas, said Venezuela's poor majority had willingly embraced his leftist revolution, but that this view was concealed from Americans.
"We are hypnotised by the media. Who do you know here who's gone through 14 of the most transparent elections on the globe, and has been elected democratically, as Hugo Chávez?"
Penn, speaking on Bill Maher's HBO chatshow, is part of a small but vocal pro-Chávez Hollywood group which includes Oliver Stone and Danny Glover. >>> Rory Carroll in Caracas | Thursday, March 11, 2010
New Death Tax for All Shock
DAILY EXPRESS: LABOUR wants to hammer every home owner in Britain with a spiteful 10 per cent death tax, it emerged yesterday.
The levy would be charged on all estates up to the current inheritance tax threshold of £325,000. Any amount above the existing threshold is already taxed at 40 per cent. But the extra charge would add a huge £32,500 on top of the tax bill for such properties.
It means people with an estate valued at £500,000 would find their relatives hit with a bill of £102,500 after their death. >>> Sarah O’Grady | Thursday, March 11, 2010
