The latest on Philly's "Bahrain Man"
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The latest on Philly's "Bahrain Man"
It was May when we last checked on ex-Philadelphian "Sheik of Police" John Timoney and his work for Bahrain's monarchs -- seeking to put down a pro-democracy movement in that small Persian Gulf nation.
What's the latest?
Despite a pledge to stop abuses by its security forces, the ruling Sunni minority in the tiny Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain is engaged in systematic and disproportionate use of tear gas on its restive Shiite majority, permitting police officers to routinely fire volleys at point-blank range at crowds and into homes and vehicles in Shiite neighborhoods, a leading rights group said in a report released on Wednesday.
The group, the Physicians for Human Rights, which has been highly critical of the Bahraini monarchy’s behavior since the Shiite protests inspired by the Arab Spring uprisings began there 18 months ago, called the policy on tear gas use unprecedented in the world, even among dictatorships where tear gas is a staple tool for crowd control.
Its report, based on dozens of interviews of victims in Bahrain and forensic evidence gathered there by the group’s investigators in April, said the Shiite populace’s abnormally prolonged exposure to the tear gas’s toxic components had already led to an alarming increase in miscarriages, respiratory ailments and other maladies.
It documented examples of grievous wounds suffered by civilians whose skulls and limbs had been struck by metal tear gas canisters blasted from a few feet away. The report also described instances in which people not engaged in protests were attacked with tear gas fired into their cars and through the windows or doors of their homes, including at least two cases in which residents died from complications from exposure to the gas because they were trapped in enclosed spaces.
OK, that is not good. And the visit of the PHR investigators and the photo of the incident captured at the top of this post are both from this spring...after Timoney arrived in Bahrain. No one is making the case that Timoney is promoting these activities, but he was brought in to clean things up. Clearly, he's not -- and he ought to resign. The bigger problem is this -- we're Americans, and I was taught growing up that we support democracy and oppose kings. Why is John Timoney working on the wrong side?
A Mittens Presidency will lead to more wars in the middle east. His foreign policy "advisors" are the same people Bush trusted on issues of Iraq and Iran.
Want a war in Iran.....Vote Mittens!— The Fundamentals of the Economy are Fine- you forgot lolz... — Tom813
- Come on Will. I thought you would make a post about the Romney tax plan and how it would raise taxes on 95% of Americans while protecting and giving bigger tax cuts to the top.
I thought you would wonder how many Republicans wold jump ship once they found out they aren't in that 5%. So with the rest of us we will be adding another 2 trillion of debt instead of paying off the 10 trillion of debt bush left us that the Republicans never had a plan on paying for.
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/08/01/study-romneys-tax-plan-hits-middle-class/— Bush Destroyed America - "he was brought in to clean things up. Clearly, he's not -- and he ought to resign."
Great line. Can only imagine how attentive and focused our politicians would be if they were forced to resign for not fixing a problem they were elected to fix.
Timoney had less than a year and you want him out. I'm good with that. I mean if a person can't fix things in a year clearly more time won't matter right?— barlowjames1 - Clearly "Timoney" was not up to the task for which he was elected, and should not be given another 4-year term to continue to display his lack of aptitude for the job.— Mr. Smith
- Hey Republicans. Quick question. Are the red states culturally inferior.
Let's apply Willard's analysis to the United States.
Of the top 10 states (and including DC) in per capita GDP, only two -- Alaska and Wyoming -- are Republican. And Alaska is heavily subsidized by the federal government.
Of the bottom 10 states in per capita GDP, only two -- Michigan and New Mexico -- are Blue.
So, 8 of the 10 most prosperous states are Blue, and 8 of the 10 poorest states are Red. A rather "stark difference in economic vitality," is it not?
And there's more.
Red states have higher rates of divorce, teen pregnancy, higher crime crates, and lower education levels than Blue states.
So what gives?
...why haven't Republicans had more success rejuvenating the economies of deep red states? Why are so many deeply conservative states among the worst performers on a range of statistics, from output and income, to educational attainment, to life expectancy and literacy?
Sounds like an inferior culture to me. Does Willard agree?— Bush Destroyed America - http://reason.com/archives/2011/07/14/the-redblue-paradox
http://www.alternet.org/story/154338/ayn_rand_worshippers_should_face_facts%3A_blue_states_are_the_providers,_red_states_are_the_parasites
http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/politics/red-blue-states-summary.htm
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Everyone knows this is true. Just as everyone knows that no one cared about the Clinton surplus or the Reagan deficit.
— Cuddles - well, you and I both know, Bush destroyed America, that the people with money and paying taxes in blue states are Republicans— Northeaster
- BDA-
Gotta look at the rural/urban/suburban breakout, but you are right, there is a clear, proven correlation between the superior culture of traditional family/parenting and economic success.— Mr. Smith
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