Friday, June 5, 2009

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Schwarzenegger Suggests State Consider Flat Tax Top
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said today that he would like to see such "radical" proposals come out of a commission now studying an overhaul of the state's tax system. The governor told the editorial board of the Sacramento Bee that he hoped the commission would not be afraid to propose something like "a 15% straight tax." More on Taxes
 
Submarines Now Account For A Third Of The Cocaine Smuggled Into U.S. Top
When anti-narcotics agents first heard that drug cartels were building an armada of submarines to transport cocaine, they thought it was a joke.
 
BofA CEO Lewis To Testify Over Merrill Top
Bank of America Corp on Friday said Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis will testify in Congress on June 11 about the largest U.S. bank's purchase of Merrill Lynch & Co, which prompted a federal bailout. More on Merrill Lynch
 
Catholic Relief Services: A Clash of Civilizations Between Islam and the West: Is it Inevitable? Top
By Ken Hackett Is a clash of civilizations inevitable between the West and Islam? President Barack Obama doesn't think so. In his recent speech in Cairo to the Muslim world, he sought out the common ground and values that unite all people of good will, noting that America and Islam "share common principles--principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings." As someone who leads a humanitarian organization that works in the five nations in the world with the largest Muslim populations, I could not agree more. Whether carrying out education programs enabling girls to attend school for the first time in Afghanistan, rebuilding communities after an earthquake in Pakistan or helping poor families start small businesses through microfinance in India, we have built strong and effective relationships with a multitude of Muslim communities around the globe. These relationships, built around shared values, are examples of the type of partnership that President Obama spoke of. Such partnerships must be characterized by mutuality and solidarity, recognizing that each partner brings unique resources to the table, such as knowledge, history, finances, expertise and relationships. And, each partner must be accountable to the other for achieving results. Indeed, only through this kind of partnership can our humanitarian assistance and development efforts be successful and sustainable. In our successful partnerships with Muslims communities, we have found that working together to meet the needs of real people helps demystify our respective religions and cultures and fights attempts to demonize the other. As a result, our staff have benefitted from amazing generosity, hospitality, and even protection from those we work with. As the President noted, interfaith dialogue can and should lead to interfaith cooperation in service to others. Another part of President Obama's speech that resonated was his call for a just and peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by ensuring a secure homeland for Israel and statehood for the Palestinian people. I wholeheartedly support this message of peace for the Holy Land. A negotiated solution to this conflict has long been advocated by my organization, Catholic Relief Services, and by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The legitimate right of both Israelis and Palestinians to live securely and in peace, each in a homeland of their own, must be recognized and supported. Violence must be abandoned, rights recognized, obligations of previous agreements fulfilled, settlements stopped, the humanitarian crisis and lack of opportunity ended and Jerusalem shared by all faiths. This vision of peace was shared by Pope Benedict XVI during his pilgrimage last month to the Holy Land. "Allow me to make this appeal to all the people of these lands: No more bloodshed! No more fighting! No more terrorism! No more war!" the pope said. "Let us break the vicious circle of violence. Let there be lasting peace based on justice, let there be genuine reconciliation and healing. Let it be universally recognized that the State of Israel has the right to exist, and to enjoy peace and security within internationally agreed borders. Let it be likewise acknowledged that the Palestinian people have a right to a sovereign independent homeland, to live with dignity and to travel freely. Let the two-state solution become a reality, not remain a dream." Having supported humanitarian programs in the Holy Land for nearly 50 years--and having relationships with communities there--CRS believes a negotiated solution is the only way to end the growing humanitarian crisis there. We urge President Obama to provide a clear framework for an end to the conflict, help Israelis and Palestinians make the difficult decisions necessary to achieve lasting peace, and hold both parties to account when they fail to honor their commitments. Ken Hackett is president of Catholic Relief Services, the official overseas humanitarian organization of the Catholic Church in the United States. More on Barack Obama
 
Cameron Sinclair: Home: A truly global event celebrating Planet Earth Top
Today saw the release of HOME, a new film by acclaimed filmmakers Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Luc Besson. What makes this event exceptional is that it is the first film to be released simultaneously in the cinema, on TV, on DVD and via the Internet across the globe. This evening even saw a free screening at the Eiffel Tower, in Central Park and Trafalgar Square. WATCH IT NOW Shot in 54 countries, Home takes us on an journey all around the planet, to contemplate and understand how humanity has upset the balance of the planet, established by nearly four billion years of evolution. View the May 5th press release: View the trailer: If you would like to watch the 90 minute documentary for free online you can see it here until June 14th. Watch it in HD for truly beautiful footage. WATCH IT NOW
 
Millions Still Unprepared For Switch To Digital TV Top
Millions of households will lose television reception next week when about 1,000 broadcasters around the nation shut off their analog signals and complete their conversion to digital programming, federal officials say.
 
Carradine Had Rope Around Genitals: Thai Police Top
BANGKOK — Police are speculating that accidental suffocation, not suicide, may have caused the death of American cult actor David Carradine, whose body was found in a hotel closet in the Thai capital with a rope tied to his neck, wrist and genitals. Celebrity blogs and social networking Web sites were abuzz with news of the death of Carradine _ best known for the 1970s TV series "Kung Fu." The circumstances under which he died have led to speculation that the 72-year-old actor may have been engaged in a dangerous form of sex play known as auto-erotic asphyxiation. The practice involves temporarily cutting off the supply of oxygen to the brain to heighten the effects of a sexual climax. Carradine's body was discovered Thursday morning in his luxury suite by a chambermaid at Bangkok's Swissotel Nai Lert Park Hotel, said its general manager, Aurelio Giraudo. Police embassy representatives while preparations were being made for its repatriation to the United States, expected to be in the next few days. Under U.S. privacy laws, the embassy is not allowed to release further details without permission of the family of the deceased. Dr. Nanthana Sirisap, director of Chulalongkorn Hospital's Autopsy Center, told reporters that the autopsy was conducted because of the "unusual circumstances surrounding Carradine's death," but did not elaborate. Police Lt. Teerapop Luanseng had said Thursday that Carradine's body was found "naked, hanging in a closet," and police at that time suspected suicide. However, no suicide note has been found. Carradine's friends and associates insisted he would not kill himself. "All we can say is, we know David would never have committed suicide," said Tiffany Smith of Binder & Associates, his management company. "We're just waiting for them to finish the investigation and find out what really happened. He really appreciated everything life has to give ... and that's not something David would ever do to himself." Pornthip Rojanasunand, director of Thailand's Central Institute of Forensic Science, said the circumstances suggested that Carradine may have died performing auto-erotic asphyxiation, which is said to result in a form of giddiness and euphoria _ similar to alcohol or drug intoxication _ that enhances the sexual experience. "In some cases it can suggest murder, too. But sometimes when the victim is naked and in bondage, it can suggest that the victim is doing it to himself," said Pornthip, who is considered the country's top criminal forensics expert but who did not take part in the autopsy. "If you hang yourself by the neck, you don't need so much pressure to kill yourself. Those who get highly sexually aroused tend to forget this fact." Carradine had flown to Thailand last week and began work on a film titled "Stretch" two days before his death, Smith said. He had several other projects lined up after the action film, which was being directed by Charles de Meaux. Carradine was in good spirits when he left the U.S. for Thailand on May 29 to work on "Stretch," his manager Smith said by phone from Beverly Hills. Monica Donati, a spokesman for the French film company MK2, which was making "Stretch," said in statement from Paris that the film crew in Bangkok was "clearly shocked" by Carradine's death but would finish shooting. Carradine only had three more days of filming left in Bangkok, she said. "David was apparently very happy about this new role and about filming again," she said. Hotel manager Giraudo described Carradine as "very much a person full of life" who chatted with the staff. "He was a great piano player and played a few nights in the hotel lobby," he said, "He also played the flute and the guests really enjoyed it. I mentioned to him that I had seen (the movie) 'Crank' with my family and that was the last smile he gave me." Carradine, a martial arts practitioner himself, was best known for the U.S. TV series "Kung Fu," which aired in 1972-75. He played Kwai Chang Caine, an orphan who was raised by Shaolin monks and fled China after killing the emperor's nephew in retaliation for the murder of his kung fu master. Carradine also appeared in more than 100 feature films with such directors as Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman and Hal Ashby. He returned to the top in recent years as the title character in Quentin Tarantino's two-part saga "Kill Bill." Bill, the worldly father figure of a pack of crack assassins, was a shadowy presence in 2003's "Kill Bill _ Vol. 1." In that film, one of Bill's former assassins (Uma Thurman) begins a vengeful rampage against her old associates, including Bill.
 
Steve Parker: This weekend's auto shows on TalkRadioOne.com Top
Join us LIVE Saturday and Sunday at 5pm Pacific time on www.TalkRadioOne.com for our exclusive LIVE motoring and motorsports talk shows! Steve Parker's The Car Nut Show Saturday starting at 5pm Pacific Legendary mega-dealer and race team owner Roger Penske is buying Saturn and a Chinese company is buying Hummer as GM divests itself of ... itself ... as fast it they can. The state of Indiana is taking Chrysler to the US Supreme Court saying their deal with Fiat is unfair to state investment funds. And Ford keeps rolling along, introducing a new program which has put their crucially-important 2011 Fiesta in the hands of a few dozen 20-something's for free for six months. Plus Steve test-drives a couple of new cars sold in the US for under $10,000. Call-in and be part of the show! Roger Penske in the Long Beach Grand Prix pits (www.SteveParker.com photo) Steve Parker's World Racing Roundup Sunday starting at 5pm The racing continues unabated as the season builds momentum towards it half-way mark. The IndyCars are in Texas, F1 is in Turkey, NASCAR is in Pocono, where naturally it's been raining all weekend NHRA is just outside Chicago for a huge racing weekend. Cole Coonce, author of TOP FUEL WORMHOLE, a wildly alternative, grass roots history of American drag racing, will be our guest. Has Tony George found a job yet? How will the GM an Chrysler failures affect their privateer and professional racing sponsorships? Call the show and join us! That's this Saturday and Sunday at 5pm USA Pacific time on www.TalkRadioOne.com! More on Cars
 
Security Guard Charged Over Shoving Match With Stephanie Seymour Top
GREENWICH, Conn. — A security guard has been charged with shoving former model Stephanie Seymour into a door at her Connecticut home. Greenwich police tell the Greenwich Time newspaper that they arrested the guard, 50-year-old Joseph Babnik of Carmel, N.Y., on Thursday. He was given a misdemeanor summons on a disorderly conduct charge. The 39-year-old Seymour and her estranged husband, wealthy newsprint magnate Peter Brant, are divorcing. Police say Babnik is watching the estate while the 62-year-old Brant is out of the country. The couple have been living in different houses on the estate. Babnik told police that Seymour had taken a slip of paper from him and he was trying to get it back. He says he fell into the door while trying to stop her from entering.
 
Kennedy Bill Would Make Employers Provide Health care Top
WASHINGTON — Employers would be required to offer health care to employees or pay a penalty, and all Americans would be guaranteed health insurance, under a draft bill being circulated Friday by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's health committee. The bill would provide subsidies to help poor people afford care, and give patients the right to select any doctor they want. Insurers would be required to provide a basic level of care and cover all comers, without turning people away because of pre-existing conditions or other reasons. It's already been known that Kennedy's health committee was planning to pursue most of the concepts outlined in the draft of the bill, called the "American Health Choices Act." But it's the first actual bill language to circulate since Congress began working on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. "It's a draft of a draft. HELP democrats are still actively talking amongst themselves and their Republican colleagues," said Anthony Coley, spokeswoman for Kennedy's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. More on Ted Kennedy
 
Lemonheads' Evan Dando Sues GM For Stealing Song Top
LOS ANGELES — Lemonheads founder Evan Dando (DAN'-doh) is suing General Motors, saying the auto giant copied one of his songs for an ad. Dando sued GM and advertising and licensing firms in federal court Thursday, claiming the automaker violated his copyright on The Lemonheads song "It's a Shame About Ray." The complaint alleges the song was re-recorded and included in a 2008 TV campaign for Chevrolets and Buicks. Dando seeks damages and a portion of profits from the campaign. GM, which sought federal bankruptcy protection this week, and the licensing firm Asche & Spencer Music, Inc. did not immediately respond to calls Friday. The Lemonheads had several hits in the 1990s, including "Into Your Arms" and a remake of "Mrs. Robinson."
 
Cameron Sinclair: Hats Off To A Bright Green Future Top
Roland Saekow, a product design major at University of California Berkeley just graduated. He, like many students graduating this year, has been involved in pushing the sustainable agenda. He helped to pass the Green Initiative Fund (TGIF) legislation on his campus, which generates $200,000 annually for green projects at Berkeley. He taught the Joy of Garbage for six semesters to explore the impact of our waste on the past, present and future. To top things off he served as the waste reduction manager at his housing cooperative for four semesters. The fact that their are waste reduction managers in college is mind blowing in of itself but it was his final act of college that puts him ahead of his fellow graduates. His energy efficient graduation cap. Roland added a solar panel and a wind turbine to make the worlds first graduating power plant. Check out Robert explain how it works. and watch his graduation. Congrats Roland and the new army of sustainable entrepreneurs across this nation.
 

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