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On April 1st, ThinkGeek put together a pretty hilarious April Fool's joke for a fake Star Wars Lightsaber popsicle maker. One of the best parts of the joke was definitely the commercial featuring Darth Vader selling Imperial ice cream out of an old fashion ice cream truck. One of the things that fans took notice was the ice cream menu on the truck. We can roughly make out the items in the video, but what we didn't know was that there was a dozen different Star Wars icy treats on that truck. Due to the demands of their customer and fans, ThinkGeek released the artwork of the Star Wars ice cream menu. Everything from "Admiral Snackbar", "TIE Biters", and "Falcon Fudgebar" is humorously illustrated on the menu. My favorite definitely has to be "Jabba the Push-Up" and "Wampa Claw". I don't know about you, but I could really go for a vanilla ice cream sandwich and a viewing of 'Empire Strikes Back'!
I think that might be the cutest 'Lord of the Ring's tee I have ever seen. Hobbits are cute. Elves are cute. Even dwarves are somewhat cute. How about goblins, Ringwraiths, and Golem? I do admit that through out LOTR, I had to stop myself from throwing things at the screen whenever Golem came into the scene, but I do admit that ThinkGeek's "Mordorable" tee does kind of makes me smile when I look at Golem's goofy face. One of the best parts of the tee has to be the cute Ringwraiths flying next to smiling clouds. It doesn't scream Modor, but its too cute to boot.
Talk about preciousssss!
One does not simply walk into Mordor. It's best if one skips. Holding hands and singing showtunes, preferably. This shirt features a montage of all the cuteness that's to be had when you visit Mordor. There's little Gollum waving hello or goodbye or something to The One Ring. Isn't it preciousssss? A big ol' snuggledy battle troll waits patiently to give out "Free Hugs," and an Uruk-hai says "o hai!" over his shoulder. In the distance, there's Mount Doom with its explosion of lava (read: candy) and happy, puffy clouds of vog. Through the sky flies a friendly Nazgul on his Fell Beast (rawr!). The whole scene is watched over by the big, blinky eye of Sauron perched between the pinnacles of Barad-dûr. Face it. It's Mordorable.
Ya lovely ladies can pick yours up at ThinkGeek for only $19.99! Sorry guys, these tees are made of the ladies so basically we are fucked.
Where to buy: ThinkGeek
ThinkGeek has been infamous for their April Fool's Day tricks for many years now. When April 1st comes around, ThinkGeek features products that you would kill to own. Unfortunately, as soon as you try to add the product in your shopping cart, you get a huge pop up tell you "April Fools" in which you have mixed emotions of sadness, embarrassment, and anger. It's not all bad. Sometimes, an April Fools item can be so awesome that the fans demand it to be made and in fact it does. Where do you think the Star Wars TaunTaun sleeping bag came from? April 1, 2009 of course! I just wanted to take the time to spotlight some of this years best from ThinkGeek. Hopefully, with enough people bitching, these can become real in the near future.
Hit the jump and check out some of my favorite April Fool's items from ThinkGeek!
Zombies are HUGE right now! So it's fitting that geek extroidinare online retailer, ThinkGeek created this pretty awesome zombie attack themed hooded sweater. Unfortunately, you aren't a survivor, and succumbed to the zombie apocalypse. The hoodie features bloody gashes, bandaged bite marks, and even an exposed spine on the back. On top of that, the inside of the hood is lined to look like your brain. Sick!
It was nice knowing you.
This hoodie features the battle scars you earned in your fight with the zombie hordes. Clearly, you've had better days. There are bloody handprints near the pockets and slashes across the chest. There's a deep slash across the back that reveals your exposed spine. There's a bandage on your left wrist revealing bite marks. There's a chunk of missing skull on the back of the hood, which is lined in brains. We'd say you ought to get that looked at, except there's a pretty massive blood spatter on the front of the hood around the area where your mouth would be. Which implies that you ain't one of us any more. But you put up a valiant fight, and for that we salute you. But we're not taking the helmet off, no how, no way.
This little fashionable badassery is available at ThinkGeek for a meer $59.99!
It is well known that ThinkGeek makes some of the coolest shit ever when it comes to Star Wars merchandise. This time, TG is dropping on us a really bitchin' Star Wars Wampa plush rug. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, TG has taken the fluffy bad ass beast of Hoth and made him into an adorably cute "bear rug" style rug.
Here at ThinkGeek we pride ourselves on offering nifty products covering all aspects of the Empire Strikes Back story… since it is the 30th anniversary and all. Last year we launched the coveted Tauntaun sleeping bag, allowing children of all ages to nestle safe in the guts of a tauntaun.
Now as a sort of product-based prequel we give you this amazing "bear rug" style Wampa. As you may recall from Empire, before Luke was preserved inside a dead tauntaun he had a fight with a hideous Wampa snow beast in the mountain caves of Hoth. Now you can catch your own Wampa and take him home to decorate your swank bachelor pad. The Star Wars fangirls will love the high-quality synthetic fur, plush pillow head and fearsome claws.
Measuring at 62 inches long and 30 inches wide, this Wampa would be a brilliant addition to anyone's home. Unfortunately, the buxom Slave Leia is NOT included in this deal. At the moment, ThinkGeek is completely booked and isn't taking any more order, but get yourself on the mailing list for a chance to get yours when the Wampa run releases in August!
Where to buy: ThinkGeek
Plush never have to be cute. Sometimes, plush can be of something terrible and gruesome such as an parasitoid "Facehugger" from Aliens. Unlike the real deal where they will lunge on your face and drop an embryo down your throat, this Alien Facehugger is soft and cuddly. Perfect to keep you company when your lonely. Even though this Facehugger is only a soft plush, don't let it fool you. The Facehugger plush has a mighty tight grip as the appendages of this plush features a wire skeleton for bending and posing. A Mighty fine buy to scare the crap out of your family at the dinner table. The Alien Facehugger plush is available at ThinkGeek for a $29.99 (awwweee shoot. ThinkGeek is sold out… shucks…)


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The thought of Iran, regime change, freedom and democracy in Iran and all the brave men and women who fight for these ideals on a daily basis occupy a lot of my time. For a long time I have looked for answers on how things can change... and the fact that I have not come up with a satisfying answer has been quite frustrating.
However for the first time tonight I came to a realization, it's OK not to have all the ANSWERS, what is important is to have QUESTIONS, as long as we continue to form questions, to think about issues and not to accept things at face value there is still hope that we can bring change, even great change to Iran. On the day we feel like we know everything and have all the answers ( like many unfortunate souls who are lost in their ignorance) is the day all hope will be lost and there will be no chance for a better Iran.
In my experience I have always found that those who felt like they knew everything were the exact people who were the most ignorant and did not know anything. As long as I have questions I will always feel fortunate, even if I don't always have the answers.
Long Live Freedom
Down With Dictatorship
Hunger Strike of Kurdish Prisoners in Iranian Prisons0 comments - published on Friday, August 29, 2008
A brief translation of article below:
According to the latest news from Rajaishahr Prison about 60 prisoners are currently on hunger strike. The total number of prisoners on hunger strike both in Rajaishahr and Orumiye Prison are more then 100.
It has been reported that in the central Orumiyeh Prison, prison officials have attacked the prisoners who are on hunger strike and taken away their personal belongings. further 5 other prisoners have joined the hunger strike. the number of prisoners in Sanandaj prison who are on hunger strike has reached 18.
The hunger strike in the Sanandaj Prison has led to the increase of security guards and Regime officials in the city of Sanandaj in order to create an atmosphere of fear among the people in the city.
This news release has been provided by Ahmad Andaryary.
احمد اندریاری
گزارش کامل چهارمین روزاعتصاب غذای زندانیان سیاسی و مدنی کرد در زندانهای ایران0 comments - published on Thursday, August 28, 2008
According to this news about 60 Kurdish prisoners are on their 4th day of hunger strike in Iranian prisoners. English Translation Coming Soon...
بنا بر اخرین گزارشها در زندان رجایی شهر 60 زندانی هم اکنون در اعتصاب بسر میبرند با این رقم تنها در دو زندان رجایی شهر و ارومیه بیش از 100 زندانی در اعتصاب بسر میبرند،گزارشها حاکی از انست که در زندان مرکزی ارومیه یگانهای سرکوب به زندانیانی که در اعتصاب بسر میبرند یورش برده اند وسایل شخصی زندانیان را با خود برده اند، و گزارشها حاکی از پیوستن 5 نفر دیگر از زندانیان سیاسی و فرهنگی سنندج به اعتصاب کنندگان است
که درحال شمار اعتصاب کنند گان در زندان سنندج به 18 نفر رسیده است.
به دنبال پخش اخبار اعتصاب زندانیان سیاسی در سنندج ، به سرعت نیروهای انتظامی در شهر پخش شدند ،تا فضا را نا امن جلوه دهند ؛ودر ضمن درشهر مرتب به مردم کوچه وبازار گیر می دهند؛واز آنها عکس و کارت شناسایی می خواهند
جنبش مستقل جمهوری خواهان دمکرات ولاییک نیز،درروز 27آگوست 2008 ،طی انتشار بیانیه ا ی پشتیبانی و حمایت خودرا اعلام نموده است .
همچنین پشتیبانی و حمایت از اعتصاب های سیاسی و مدنی کرد در خارج از کشور نیز ادامه دارد. شماری از سازمانهای مدنی و چندین حزب، قرار است فردا 29 اگوست تجمعی را در شهر لاهه هلند در مقابل دادگاه جنایات جنگی انجام خواهند داد.
طی فراخوانی که در این باره منتشر شده، از تمام ازدیخواهان ساکن هلند خواسته شده است که برای شرکت در این تجمع روز جمعه در مقابل دادگاه بین المللی لاهه گرد هم آیند. این تجمع ساعت 1 به وقت محلی شروع و تا ساعت 4 عصر ادامه خواهد داشت.
همچنین کردهای ساکن بلژیک نیز روز شنبه 30 اگوست به همین منظور و برای نشان دادن اعتراض خود علیه صدور احکام اعدام از سوی رژیم ایران، تجمعی برگزار می کنند. این تجمع ساعت 2 بعد از ظهر به وقت بروکسل، در برابر مرکز اصلی اتحادیه اروپا برگزار خواهد شد.
از طرف دیگر حبیب الله لطیفی دانشجوی کرد محکوم به اعدام، در زندان شهر سنندج ممنوع الملاقات شد.
خانواده حبیب الله لطیفی که روز دوشنبه ی گذشته برای ملاقات به زندان مرکزی شهر سنندج رفته بودند، مطلع شدند که شماری از زندانیان از جمله جبیب الله لطیفی ممنوع الملاقات شده اند.
احمد اندریاری
With the International Teachers day fast approaching, I can't help but to think about Farzad Kamangar, a Kurdish teacher who was recently sentenced to death. Mr. Kamangar was brutally tortured for months before being tried behind closed doors and being sentenced to death. The charges against him have never been proved; in fact there is no proof what so ever that Mr. Kamangar was anything but a teacher and a minorities rights activist.
As far as I know atleast two organizations International Committee Against Execution and Committee for Struggle to Free Political Prisoners have chosen this special day to protest against the executions taking place in Iran in general and Farzad Kamangar's death sentence in particular.
I also announce my solidarity with Farzad Kamangar, his family and this international campaign to fight against this grave injustice. I encourage all freedom loving people to raise their voices against this atrocity and to let the Islamic Regime know that the world will not remain silent in the face of these senseless murders!!!
In memory of all brave Iranian men and women who have lost their lives on the road to freedom,
In solidarity with those who have and are risking their lives to fight against the Islamic Regime, and towards a free Iran.
Long Live Freedom
Down with Dictatorship
Sayeh Hassan
Eagle of Iran (Oghab-e-Iran) - Newly formed Iranian Opposition Group1 comments - published on Thursday, August 28, 2008
A new opposition group called Oghabe Iran has recently been formed. This group is led by Mehdi Rohani, a Former Iranian Imperial Air Force Major General and other exiled Iranian Air Force commanders. From what I have heard and read about this group, they have chosen a peaceful approach to Regime Change, which is to be brought about by the expulsion of the top 100 Islamic Regime Mullah's. Those interested can watch their programs at www.parstv.tv and www.krsi.com every Monday and Thursday at 8:30pm US/PST
For more information on this group please check out the Iransara website
In the past few months I have really focused my activities on human rights issues only and have tried to stay away from politics. I thought I might be better able to help those in Iran if I only focused on human rights. However in the past few months I have come to certain conclusions:
1. There has been a huge rise in the number of human rights activists especially in Iran in the past few years. There doesn't seem to be a particular definition for a human rights activist or any necessary qualifications.
a. Having worked with a number of prominent human rights activists and human rights organizations what I have observed is these human rights activists are men mostly in their mid 20's or early 30's with a high school education (at the most), no or very little work experience and very poor communication skills.
b. Another thing I have observed is a lot of these individuals and groups are full of greed, whether for fame or fortune and are willing to do almost anything to reach their goals. This could mean lying, using activists and prisoners in Iran, or remaining silent when they should be speaking out.
2. Another conclusion I have come to is the only way to end the human rights violations in Iran is through REGIME CHANGE. This does not mean that human rights work is not useful, it is, but only through a certain frame. A regime change frame.
a. Call me crazy but writing polite letters to Islamic Regime officials asking them to stop their human rights abuses is counter productive. Considering that the IRI has been responsible for some of the worst human rights violations imaginable in the past 29 years, I don't think polite letters is going to make them stop.
b. Writing letters to human rights organizations maybe effective on a case by case basis, yes we might be able to save an individual from flogging, a lengthy jail term or even execution, but what about all the other people? What about all the unnamed prisoners who are tortured and executed without anyone even knowing their names? There is only one way to help ALL victims of human rights violations and that is Regime Change.
Human rights work is very important, especially for those of us who believe change will come from Inside Iran. It is necessary for us to raise the voices of those who are fighting for this very change inside Iran.
But at the same time we cannot use human rights work as a band aid solution to "fix" Iran. The only real solution to putting an end to the human rights violations in Iran is to work toward Regime Change. So I for one will start to tailor my activities accordingly. Although I will continue to translate and post human rights related news on my blog, and continue forwarding the news to different human rights agencies, I will also take a political stand and work towards Regime Change.
To clear up any possible misunderstanding I have always been an advocate of Regime Change, I just think I have not said it often or loud enough in the past few months. I don't have any clear cut answers or solutions; I will just work hard along with all other genuine activists who are truly working towards a free Iran.
Long Live Freedom
Sayeh Hassan
Dr. Mostafa Alavi has been Sentenced to 15 Years of Imprisonment0 comments - published on Sunday, August 24, 2008
According to news received from Section 6 of the Gohardasht Prison on Saturday August 22nd 2008, Dr. Mostafa Alavi was transferred to Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court to receive his sentence.
Dr. Alavi was transferred to court with handcuffs, his feet were also cuffed. Once at court he was informed that he had been sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment.
Dr. Alavi sufferes from numerous illnesses including diabetes, intestine and heart problems, as well he has lost most of his vision on his left eye.
Dr. Alavi was arrested under the order of Hassan Zareh Dahnavi on Esfand 1935 and after spending some time in Section 209 of the Evin Prison, he was transferred to Gohardasht Prison on Shahrivar of 1386.
In the past few months many political prisoners have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms. Some of these individuals are:
1. Ms. Shahnaz Keypour-5 years imprisonment
2. Ms. Azadeh Gerayi- 10 years imprisonment
3. Mr. Mohsen Gerayi-10 years imprisonment
4. Mr. Alijan Gerayi- 5 years imprisonment
5. Mr. Mahmoud sadigh Kaboudvand-11 years imprisonment
6. Ms. Hanna Abdi- 5 years imprisonment
7. Ms. Zeynab Bayzeydi- 4 years imprisonment.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran condemn the arrest and the lengthy sentences imposed on political prisoners and urge the international community to voice their concern and help put a stop to the inhumane treatment of political prisoners in Iran.
Published on Saturday August 23rd 2008
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
Tel: 0031620720193
Translation By: Sayeh Hassan
Arrest of 12 Student Activists in Laleh Park in Tehran0 comments - published on Sunday, August 24, 2008
According to news received from Tehran on Friday August 22nd 2008 12 student activists were arrested in Laleh Park by officers from Division 3 of the Intelligence Ministry.
All 12 students were transferred to Division 3 of the Intelligence Ministry. Five of the students arrested were women. Number of students who were arrested had previously been involved in the commemoration of the December 7 Student Day and had spent a lengthy period of time in Section 209 of the Evin Prison.
Names of some of the students who were arrested are:
1. Hamed Mohammadi
2. Nader Ehsani
3. Bita Samimizad
4. Elham Ehsani
5. Nima Nahvi
6. Saeed
All the female students who were arrested with the exception of Ms. Elham Ehsani were released on bail. As well an unnamed male student was also released on bail.
Those released on bail were told to report to the police station on Saturday August 23rd 2008.
The families of these individuals went to the police station to find out about their children's' situation; however the only answer they received was that their children were arrested for participation in an illegal gathering in Laleh Park. The families of these students spent most of the night in front of the police station.
The Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran condemn the new wave of mass arrests of activists and urge all human rights organizations to take steps to bring Islamic Regime's human rights violations before the United Nations Security Council.
Published on Friday August 22nd 2008
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
Tel: 0031620720193
Mahboubeh Karami (f), aged 40, journalist and women's rights defender0 comments - published on Friday, August 22, 2008
AI Index: MDE 13/119/2008
19 August 2008
Further Information on UA 169/08 (MDE 13/084/2008, 17 June 2008) and follow-ups (MDE 13/089/2008, 27 June 2008; MDE 13/097/2008, 25 July 2008) - Arbitrary arrest/fear of torture or other ill-treatment and new concern: Prisoner of Conscience
Mahboubeh Karami (f), aged 40, journalist and women's rights defender
About 200 others
Mahboubeh Karami was charged within the past week with "acting against national security," and the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad has scheduled her next hearing for 1 November, according to her lawyer. She has been held in Evin Prison in Tehran since 13 June. Amnesty International believes the charge is false, and that Mahboubeh Karami is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression and association.
About 200 women who were arrested with her have all been released.
Mahboubeh Karami's lawyer was only recently allowed to see the court documents concerning her case and will shortly be meeting with her for the first time.
The court set bail of one billion rials (approximately US$110,000) on 12 July, but her family have been unable to raise such a large amount.
Further Information on UA 214/08 (MDE 13/107/2008, 1 August 2008) Fear of torture or other ill-treatment and new concern: Prisoner of conscience
Zeynab Bayzeydi (f), women's rights activist
Kurdish women's rights activist Zeynab Bayzeydi has been sentenced to four years' imprisonment, and internal exile to the Turkish-speaking city of Zanjan, 246 km from her home, by Mahabad Revolutionary Court. Her family learned of this on 10 August, when they went to the court to find out how her trial had gone. Amnesty International considers her a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression and association.
She was convicted of a number of offences, all of which she has denied, except the one arising from her work on the One Million Signatures Campaign, which was working against laws that discriminate against women.
She is also a member of the Human Rights Organisation of Kurdistan (HROK). She had been arrested on 9 July, after the police ordered her to present herself for interrogation at a police station in Mahabad, which is in West Azerbaijan province.
Uncertainty about the Health and Wellbeing of Mr. Mansour Radpour in Gohardasht Prison:0 comments - published on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
According to news received from Gohardasht Prison there has been no news from Mr. Mansour Radpour who was taken to Section 1 (new torture chambers) of the prison on the third day of his hunger strike.
Mr. Radpour was taken to the new solitary cells in Section 1 of the Gohardasht August 6th 2008, while he was on the third day of his hunger strike. There has been no news from him since that date.
There is great concern for his well being not only because of the severe torture prisoners are subjected to in Section 1 of the Prison, but also because Mr. Radpour would have been on hunger strike when subjected to any type of torture, which might have much more serious effects. Mr. Radpour already suffers from numerous illnesses for which he has not been allowed any medical attention.
Mr. Radpour's mother who is an elderly lady, barely able to walk has been to the prison on numerous occasion only be treated rudely and turned away without being able to visit his son or to even get news about his health and well being. Mr. Radpour's family is very concerned about his safety and well being.
Mr. Radpour started his hunger strike on August 4th 2008 in objection to inhumane treatment of political prisoners and the recent wave of mass executions in Iran. On August 6th 2008 he was summoned to the office of Mahmoud Maghniyan Warder for Section 4 of the Prison (also responsible for carrying out bloody operations against political prisoners.). In Maghniyan's office he was faced with Kermani who is the head of prison security and intelligence as well as Navid Khodyavi who is second in command of prison security and intelligence. Mr. Radpour was subjected to humiliation and beatings at the hands of these three individuals and was transferred to Section 1 of the Prison.
Ever Since Navid Khodyvai was promoted to the security and intelligence branch of the prison the inhumane treatment of political prisoners has increased dramatically. Khodyavi was responsible for the transfer of Behrouz Javid Tehrani to Section 1 of the Prison and his torture for 50 days. He is also responsible for the transfer of Alijan Gerayi and Mohsen Gerayi to Section 1 of the Prison and their torture. These two individuals still remain in Section 1 of the Prison.
Khodyavi is also responsible for attacking cells of political prisoners and confiscating their personal writings, subjecting prisoners to the sun and extreme heat for long periods of time, bringing false charges against them, threats of physical violence, insulting behavior towards the families of political prisoners etc…
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran condemn the transfer of political prisoners to Section 1 of Gohardasht Prison and the torture of political prisoners and urge all human rights organizations to act immediately to help stop the inhumane treatment of political prisoners.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
tel: 0031620720193
mnesty International has condemned the hanging in Iran of Reza Hejazi, who was executed for a crime he committed when he was under 18 years old.
Hejazi was aged 15 in 2004 when he was among a group of people involved in a dispute which resulted in a man being fatally stabbed.
He was hanged in the city of Isfahan on Tuesday, Iranian media said.
Amnesty says the execution of juvenile offenders is prohibited under international law.
The rights group also says the Iranian authorities failed to give 48 hours' notice of the execution, in contravention of Iranian law.
Hejazi's lawyer, Mohammad Mostafaie, told the BBC Persian Service that he had gone to Isfahan prison on Tuesday after hearing from Reza Hejazi's family that he was about to be executed.
After spending several hours there, he was told the execution had been postponed and he passed this news on to the family.
Mr Mostafaie said he was on his way back to his office in Tehran when he was told by journalists that Reza Hejazi had been hanged.
According to Amnesty International, the execution brings the number of juvenile offenders put to death in Iran this year to five, with 132 more on death row.
In 2007, Iran was one of only three countries to execute such offenders. So far this year it is the only country known to have done so.
Last year, Iran was second only to China in the number of overall executions it carried out for crimes including murder, rape, drug trafficking and armed robbery.
Last month, 29 criminals were executed in Teheran's Evin prison on a single day.
With many contradictory reports on whether Reza Hejazi was executed or not I have done some digging, and it seems like many were under the impression that the execution had been postponed, due to the relentless efforts of his lawyer. However the execution was carried out illegally hours later without anyones knowladge. His family and lawyer were informed of the execution AFTER it had been carried out. Reza Hejazi's lawyer Mr. Mostafayi has confirmed the fact that the execution was carried out.
According to BBC news Mr. Reza Hejazi was infact Executed Today1 comments - published on Tuesday, August 19, 2008
According to news from BBC Persian Mr. Hejazi was infact executed today. There seems to be some contradiction in the reporting of this news with certain human rights organizations reporting that the execution had been postponed. I will post any new information I might receive in this regard.
قوه قضائیه
محمد مصطفایی وکیل مدافع رضا حجازی در گفت و گو با بخش فارسی بی بی سی از اجرای حکم اعدام وی در روز سه شنبه 29 مرداد خبر داده است.
رضا حجازی که در زمان اعدام 20 سال سن داشت، در 15 سالگی در جریان یک درگیری خیابانی، به اتهام قتل دستگیر و در دادگاه به قصاص محکوم شده بود.
محمد مصطفايی وکیل رضا حجازی روز گذشته نیز به بخش فارسی بی بی سی گفته بود که موضوع اجرای حکم را تنها از طریق خانواده رضا حجازی دریافته است.
آقای مصطفايی روز دوشنبه گفته بود: "شعبه 106 دادگاه عمومی اصفهان بدون درنظر گرفتن این موضوع که رضا حجازی طفل است و این پرونده باید در دادگاه اطفال مورد رسیدگی قرار بگیرد، او را طبق قانون مجازات اسلامی به قصاص نفس محکوم کرد."
بر اساس خبرهای منتشر شده در ایران، رضا حجازی در دادگاه اطفال محاکمه نشده بود و بر همین اساس مستنداتی از سوی وکیل وی به قاضی اجرای احکام تحویل داده شده بود که به تایید مسئولان زندان اصفهان نیز رسیده بود.
روز سه شنبه خانواده رضا حجازی که برای آخرین دیدار با فرزندشان به زندان مراجعه کردند، مطلع شدند که برای رسیدگی به شکایت وکیل متهم درباره اینکه رضا حجازی باید در دادگاه اطفال محاکمه شود، اجرای حکم اعدام به تاخیر افتاده است، اما ساعاتی پس از این، حکم اعدام رضا حجازی اجرا شد.
آقای مصطفايی یک روز پیش از اعدام رضا حجازی گفته بود که فکر نمی کرد که این حکم چنین به سرعت به اجرا در آید چون در این موارد از وکیل و یا خانواده فرد محکوم به اعدام برای حضور در جلسات صلح و سازش دعوت به عمل می آید که در این مورد چنین نشده است.
او گفته بود "از لحاظ قانونی اجرای این حکم بر خلاف قانون است چون در زمانی که او مرتکب جرم شد سن او زیر هجده سال بود و از طرفی باید حکم اعدام به وکیل ابلاغ می شد اما این ابلاغ صورت نگرفته است."
پیشتر "دروری دایک" از عفو بین الملل در این مورد به بخش فارسی بی بی سی گفته بود که این سازمان نگران این است که حکم اعدام برای رضا حجازی که در سن پائین مرتکب قتل شده به اجرا در آید.
او گفت که طبق قوانین بین المللی از جمله کنوانسیون حقوق کودک، اجرای حکم اعدام برای این افراد ممنوع است.
عفو بین الملل که از گروه های مدافع حقوق بشر است، می گوید دولت ایران در سال گذشته میلادی پس از چین، بیش از هر کشور دیگری دست به اعدام افراد زده است.
ایران با وجود پیوستن به کنوانسیون حقوق کودک، همچنان احکام اعدام را در مورد آنها صادر و اجرا می کند.
بر اساس قانون مجازات اسلامی، اطفال در صورت ارتکاب جرم از مسئولیت کیفری مبرا هستند. اما این قانون اطفال را در پسران، 15 سال قمری و در دختران 9 سال قمری تعریف می کند.
Reza Hejazi's Execution has been Temporarily Postponed0 comments - published on Tuesday, August 19, 2008
According to news received from Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran execution of Reza Hejazi has been postponed.
Mr. Hejazi is a young offender who was taken to solitary confinement to await his execution which was scheduled for today (Tuesday, August 19th 2008 at 4:00am).
A press release was issued by Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran yesterday afternoon, urging all international human rights organizations to help stop the execution of Mr. Hejazi. Thanks to the relentless efforts of numerous international human rights organizations the execution of Mr. Hejazi has been postponed.
Unfortunately there is no news about the status of three (3) other individuals who were taken to solitary cells to await execution yesterday. the names of these individuals are:
1. Asghar Ismaili- 25 years old- Ward 2- Central Esfehan Prison
2. Mehdi Karimi- Educational Ward, Central Esfehan Prison
3. Ali Mohammadi-23 years old – Ward 4 of the Central Esfehan Prison
For a more detailed report in Farsi please refer to the website of Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran.
I am no longer a member of The Voice of Human Rights in Iran0 comments - published on Monday, August 18, 2008
Due to major differences in political views I have decided to leave The Voice of Human Rights in Iran and am no longer affiliated with it. I wish them the best.
Sayeh Hassan
A Young Offender was Transferred to Solitary Confinement in Order to Await Execution:0 comments - published on Monday, August 18, 2008
According to news received from central Prison in Esfehan today Reza Hajazi was transferred to solitary cells along with three (3) other individuals to await execution. Mr. Hejazi was convicted of murder at the age of 15 in 2004.
According to his family he is to be executed at 4:00am on Tuesday August 19th 2008. Although many international human rights organizations have voiced their concern and condemned the execution order, Saeed Mortazavi the Prosecutor General has ordered for the execution to be carried out.
The family of Reza Hajazi has asked all human rights activists and organizations to take immediate steps in the few remaining hours to help stop the execution of their son.
Further today three (3) other prisoners (named below) were transferred to solitary cells to await execution.
1. Asghar Ismaili- 25 years old- Ward 2- Central Esfehan Prison
2. Mehdi Karimi- Educational Ward, Central Esfehan Prison
3. Ali Mohammadi-23 years old – Ward 4 of the Central Esfehan Prison
It must be noted that Bijan Shah Mansouri (30 years old) who was imprisoned for about three (3) years in Ward 4 of Esfehan Prison, was transferred to solitary cells on Tuesday August 12th and executed on Thursday August 14th 2008. However the General Prosecutors Office has not allowed for the publication of this news.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran condemn the execution of young offenders as well as execution of prisoners in general and urge all human rights organizations to take immediate steps to help save the life of Reza Hajazi.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
tel: 0031620720193
A Student Activist Javad Alikhani Has Been Subjected to Torture for the Past 45 Days by the Ministry of Intelligence0 comments - published on Sunday, August 17, 2008
According to news received from Sepaydar Prison in the city of Ahwaz, Mr. Javad Alikhani who is a veterinarian student at Chemran University was transferred to solitary cells in the Ministry of Intelligence detention centre in June.
Without any legal reason Mr. Alikhani was transferred to solitary cells in a secret Ministry of Intelligence detention centre on June 20th 2008. While in solitary confinement for 45 days he was subjected to brutal physical and psychological torture.
Some forms of torture he was subjected included:
1. electric shock
2. beatings with cables
3. being held in an extremely hot cell with a closed window and no air circulation.
The interrogators who subjected Mr. Alikhani to torture were hoping for a confession from him. For the past 10 months Mr. Alikhani has been in custody in a very uncertain legal state, without bail, trial or even a trial date.
Mr. Alikhani's family reside in the city of Karaj and need to travel a very long distance and spend a large some of money to be able to visit their son. During the 45 days Mr. Alikhani spent in solitary confinement his family had no news of his whereabouts or health.
Mr. Javad Alikhani was arrested on October 20th 2007 along with numerous other student activists in Chemran University in the city of Ahwaz. All other students who were arrested were released on bail with the exception of Mr. Alikhani.
Mr. Alikhani has been tried in two different courts. On April 30th 2008 he was tried in the Revolutionary Court and acquitted of all charges. Further on June 8th 2008 he was tried in a criminal court before an individual called Ali Saki. He was once again acquitted, but again informed that he would have a re-trial on September 6th 2008. In order to keep Mr. Alikhani incarcerated the Regime is setting up numerous unnecessary trials with dates that are very far apart.
Individual who has a role in constantly bringing new charges against Mr. Alikhani and not granting him bail is named Barani who is a persecutor in Section 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Ahvaz. He is a former interrogator who worked for the Ministry of Intelligence.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists condemn the arrest, imprisonment and torture of this activist and urge all human rights activists and organizations to take immediate steps to help the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Alikhani.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
tel: 0031620720193
Khaled Hardani and Mansour Radpour End Their Hunger Strike After Almost Two Weeks0 comments - published on Friday, August 15, 2008
According to news from The Voice of Human Rights in Iran, Mr. Khaled Hardani and Mansour Radpour have ended their hunger strike after almost two weeks.
Due to grave concern for Mr. Hardani and Radpour's health many human rights activists and organizations had asked them to end their hunger strike, believing that political prisoners could continue to fight against the Regime only as long as they were healthy.
Mr. Hardani has thanked everyone who supported him and Mr. Radpour during their hunger strike. Mr. Hardani ended his hunger strike on Friday August 15th 2008 at 12:00pm. According to news Mr. Radpour also ended his hunger strike on Friday.
It must be noted that Mr. Radpour was taken to solitary confinement on the second day of his hunger strike and still remains in solitary confinement.
A Message from the Son of Ahamd Daneshpazir(SOS for Help)0 comments - published on Friday, August 15, 2008
I urge all human rights activists and groups to support Mr. Daneshpazir in this very difficult time.
As many of you may be aware Ahmad Daneshpazir is a blogger and a political activist. Mr. Daneshpazir was arrested in his home on February 12th 2008 based on an arrest warrant from the Revolutionary Courts. Mr. Daneshpazir spent 3 months in Section 209 of the Evin Prison where he was interrogated.
Mr. Daneshpazir's son Damun Daneshpaiz was also arrested on March 2008, because of his contact with human rights activists/organizations and the media, and his request for help in regards to his father's situation.
He was also taken to Section 209 of the prison where he was interrogated for one week after which time he was released on bail. Both Mr. Ahmad and Damun Daneshpazir have been charged with "acting against the Regime" which carries a jail sentence of 3-12 months.
On August 13th 2007 both Mr. Ahmad and Damun Daneshpazir reported to Section 15 of the Revolutionary Court before Judge Salvati, based on a summon they had received 2 months earlier. However the trial did not go forward and was adjourned to August 13th 2008. However on August 13th the trial was once again adjourned and an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Ahmad Daneshpazir. He was arrested and taken to the Evin Prison. According to Mr. Damun Daneshpazir his father is in a very bad physical state.
Mr. Damun Daneshpazir has asked for help and support from all human rights activist and organization in regards to his fathers situation.
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran
نگرانی برای زندانیان سیاسی در ایران
من سایه حسن وکیل فعال حقوق بشر در ۱۳ ژوئیه سال جاری یک خط تلفن مستقیم از ایران را از یک کمپانی به نام «تلفن لین» خریداری کردم تا از این طریق زندانیان سیاسی و خانوداههایشان بتواننند بدون هزینه با من تماس بگیرند. به همین منظور مبلغ ۳۵ دلار پرداخت و شماره تلفن ۹۸۲۱۸۲۱۸۵۳۰۱ را دریافت کردم.
با این شماره برای مدت ۲ هفته با زندان گهردشت تماس داشتم ولی پس از آن متوجه شدم این خط تلفن مسدود شده است و در صورت گرفتن این شماره پیغام "تماس با مجاز نمیباشد" شنیده میشد. وقتی علت را جویا شدم، شرکت تلفن مذکورنامهای الکترونیکی برایم فرستاد و اعلام کرد چون من بر خلاف قانون با زندانیان سیاسی تماس داشتهام، این خط را قطع کردهاند. در صورتی که، انجمن حقوق بشر دیگری دو خط از تلفنها را به مدت طولانی در اختیار دارند که شمارههای آن به این قرار است: ۹۸۲۱۸۲۱۸۵۴۷۳ و ۹۸۲۱۸۲۱۸۵۴۳
من نمیدانم، شاید این گروه مورد اعتماد جمهوری اسلامی باشد که هنوز میتواند از این شمارهها بدون مشکلی استفاده کند. افراد این انجمن (آقای کیوان رفیعی و آقای اسفندیار بهار)کارهای خود را از شهر وان ترکیه اداره میکنند. هرچند، همه زندانیان بر این بودهاند که این دو فرد در ایران هستند و چون در راستای اهداف جمهوری اسلامی عمل میکننند پس کانال ارتباطیشان فعال است. نگرانی من این است زندانیان سیاسی با تماس با این گروه جان خود را به خطر بیاندازند. روشن است که این خطوط توسط رژیم ایران کنترل میشوند و احتمالا این اطلاعات بر ضد زندانیان سیاسی استفاده میگردد. امیدوارم اعضای این گروه به جامعهی بینالمللی، زندانیان سیاسی و خانوادههای آنها توضیح بدهند که چرا خطهای تلفن آنها در این مدت قطع نشده و نیز چرا با وجود اقامت در خارج از کشور به زندانیان سیاسی این را الغا کردهاند که در ایران به سر میبرند.
Sayeh Hassan
Barrister and Solicitor
Toronto, Ontario
Tel: 416-779-4726
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Human Rights Activists in Iran-Working within the Islamic Regime Frame??0 comments - published on Tuesday, August 12, 2008
On July 15th 2008 I purchased a direct Tehran line from a company called Iran Phone Lines. Being in touch with political prisoners and activists in Iran I felt a direct line where they could call without having to pay long distance fees would be very helpful. I had to pay $35 and my phone number was 982182185301.
After being in touch with a prisoner in Gohardasht (Rajaishahr) Prison for two weeks my line was filtered. Individuals trying to reach me through this number would receive a message "calling this number is not allowed", I was informed of this through a prisoner in Gohardasht Prison, and later on by individuals who were not in prison.
In correspondence with the Iran Phone Line Company I was informed that one of the terms and conditions of purchasing a phone line from this company was to abide by the Islamic Regime Laws. Following is a quote from an email I received from the company:
"va albate ma dar terms and condition e site nevehstim ke
bayad nahveh estefadeh shoma ba mavazin e jomhoori e eslami moghayerat
nadashteh bashe." Meaning my activities could not be against the Islamic Regime Laws otherwise I would lose my privileges.
There is another Human Rights organization that uses Iran Phone Lines to contact political prisoners in Iran. This group is Human Rights Activists in Iran, whose organizers are Mr. Keyvan Rafiee and Mr. Esfandiyar Bahar. Although both these individuals are in Turkey in the city of Van, (Mr. Rafiee for the past 8 months and Mr. Esfandiyar for the past 3 years), these individuals have created the illusion that they are in Iran and operating from Inside the country.
This group has two phone numbers from Iran Phone Lines, 982182185473 and 982182185438. Both these numbers are public and on their website at http://www.hra-iran.org/ . What has raised a question in my mind is why my line was filtered after two weeks, whereas the lines of this group which has been in operation for the past year has not been filtered or faced with any problems. I find it extremely hard to believe the Islamic Regime is not aware of Mr. Rafiee's activities given the fact that he was a former prisoner and both the website and the phone numbers are very much public.
Is it possible that the Human Rights Activists in Iran are acting within the frame of the Islamic Regime and that is why they have been able to use these lines for the past year? It is very clear from my own experience with this company that these lines are under control of the Islamic Regime and this has caused me great concern, knowing political prisoners call this group with much difficulty and much hope, not aware of the fact that these lines are controlled and what ever information is relayed through these lines could very well be used against them in the Islamic Courts or in Prison.
I am challenging both Mr. Rafiee and Mr. Bahar to come forward and explain why they have misled the entire International Community, human rights organizations, as well as activists and prisoners in Iran by making them believe they are operating from inside Iran, and to further clarify why they believe their lines have not been filtered by the Islamic Regime after being active for more then one year.
Sayeh Hassan
Barrister and Solicitor
Toronto, Ontario
Tel: 416-779-4726
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Shabnam Parastesh's execution is scheduled for today.0 comments - published on Tuesday, August 12, 2008
AI Index: MDE 13/111/2008
Death Penalty
12 August 2008
Shabnam Parastesh, (f), aged around 33 years
Shabnam Parastesh's death sentence has been upheld by the Supreme Court for the murder of her husband. Her execution was scheduled for 12 August and she is at imminent risk of execution.
In 2006, a criminal court in Tehran found her guilty of the murder of her husband and she has been detained for the past two years in Raja'i Shahr prison in Karaj, a city west of Tehran.
Shabnam Parastesh had been married for one month when she discovered that her husband had been married previously and that he continued to have intimate relations with his former wife and other women.
Her husband is reported to have said in the course of their final argument that she would either have to live with the situation or pay him a considerable amount of money for him to agree to divorce her.
Following this exchange, Shabnam Parastesh drugged him with a powerful relaxant and sedative as a result of which her husband fell unconscious. Shabnam Parastesh reportedly then stabbed him. With the assistance of an accomplice, Shabnam Parastesh transported her husband's body to scrubland outside Tehran where it was later found.
According to the latest news from Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran another prisoner has been sent to solitary cells to await execution.
Another Prisoner has been Transferred to Solitary Cells and is Awaiting Execution
According to news received from Dastgerd Prison in the city of Esfehan on Tuesday August 12th 2008 a prisoner in Esfehan Prison was transferred to solitary cells to await execution.
This prisoners name is Bijan Shah Mansouri, he is 30 years old and has been imprisoned in Section 4 of the Esfehan Prison for the past three (3) years.
It is reported that about 100 people are on death row in Esfehan Prison, number of them being young people under the age of 18.
According to Islamic Regime's state controlled media 39 people have been executed in the past 2 weeks. The person approving and ordering the executions is Shahroudi, the head prosecutor in prosecutors' office.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran condemn the mass executions in Iran and urge the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights and other international human rights organizations to act immediately to help stop the mass executions in Iran.
Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
tel. : 0031620720193
The hunger strike of Mr. Khaled Hardani and Mansour Radpour is on its 8th day. Mr. Radpour was taken to an unknown location on the second day of his hunger strike and there has been no news about his whereabouts, health or well being in the past 6 days.
Mr. Hardani's health has suffered significantly due to his hunger strike and is suffering from heart problems as well as internal stomach and intestine infection. Although the prison doctor Dr. Andali has indicated that Mr. Hardani needs to be treated in a hospital outside of the Prison he has not been allowed to seek the medical attention he requires.
Further the Prison Officials have not acknowladged the hunger strike or tried to meet the requests of these two political prisoners. The main requests of Mr. Hardani and Radpour are the seperation of political prisoners from non political prisoners, stop of mass executions, visitation of Gohardasht Prison by an independent committee and an investigation into the treatment of political prisoners in Gohardasht Prison.
In a telephone conversation today Mr. Hardani stated that he would not stop his hunger strike until his requests were met. He is also extremely concerned about the well being of Mr. Mansour Radpour who has been missing for the past 6 days.
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran is extremely concerned about the health and well being of both Mr. Hardani and Mr. Radpour. We strongly and urge all human rights organizations to act immediately and before it is too late to help bring attention to the situation of Mr. Hardani and Mr. Radpour.
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran.
The Islamic Regime has increased its crackdown on students in the past month. According to a recent news article from Radio Farda at least 13 students have been arrested this month. Ali Ojaghi a student activist in the city of Esfehan stated that another student activist Mr. Mohammad Mehdi Habibi (a student in Mohajer University in Esfehan) had been arrested without a legal arrest warrant on July 9th 2008. His personal belongings including his computer have also been confiscated. Mr. Habibi was able to call his family Monday night stating that he was well; however there was no mention of what he had been charged with.
Further on July 31st Amnesty International issued an urgent appeal asking for the immediate and unconditional release of 12 arrested students. The names of these students are:
Mehdi Khoda'i (m), student at Azad University,
Shahre-Ray Salman Sima (m), student at Azad University,
Shahre-Ray Farzad Hassanzadeh (m), student at Mashad University
Mohamad Zerati (m), student at Mashad University
Bahareh Hedayat (f), student at Tehran University
Mohammad Hashemi (m), student at Tehran University
Majid Asadi (m), student at Alahmeh University,
Tehran Arash Rayji (m), student at Zanjan University
Hassan Joneydi (m), student at Zanjan University
Payam Shakiba (m), student at Zanjan University
Student at Bushehr University only known as 'Anbaraki'
Student at Bushehr University only known as 'Khoeyni'
All of the above named students have been charged with acting against national security, propaganda against the regime, propagating lies, disturbing public opinion and promoting anti-religious attitudes.
Further according to the Amir Kabir News Agency at least 40 students were summoned to the disciplinary committee in the Teachers College in Amir Kabir University. At least 8 of these individuals have been expelled from university. The names of these students are:
1. Mohammad Sharifi
2. Farogh Maaroufi
3. Amir Salari
4. Sayvan Farokhzad
5. Mosleh Fattahpour
6. Amin Arya
7. Abbas Rashidi
8. Ms. Sedaghati
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran condemns the recent crackdown on students by the Islamic Regime and urges the international community and human rights organizations to condemn the recent crackdown, arbitrary arrest, torture and imprisonment of students in Iran and to put pressure on the Islamic Regime to stop its human rights violations.
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran.
August 8th 2008 Concern for the Health and Well being of Mr. Khaled Hardani and Mansour Radpour0 comments - published on Friday, August 08, 2008
According to news received from Gohardasht Prison this morning the hunger strike of Mr. Khaled Hardani and Mansour Radpour is on its 4th day. Mr. Radpour was taken to an unknown location on August 6th 2008 and there has been no news about his whereabouts or health for the past three days.
Further Mr. Hardani was seen by the prison doctor Dr. Andali this morning who indicated that Mr. Hardani is suffering from a stomach and intestine infection. Also there has been a widening of his hearth valves.
In a telephone conversation Mr. Hardani stated that Dr. Andali has written a letter to prison officials stating the prison does not have the facilities to treat Mr. Hardani and he must be treated in a hospital outside of Prison.
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran announces its solidarity with Mr. Hardani and Mr Radpour. We condemn the imprisonment of individuals based on their political and religious beliefs, as well as the inhumane treatment of political prisoners in Iran. We urge the International Community and Human Rights Organizations to condemn the inhumane treatment of political prisoners in Iran, and to take immediate action in the face of this great injustice.
The Voice of Human Right in Iran
To All Human Rights Organizations and Pro Bono Lawyers: A Cry of Help from an Iranian Woman on Death Row0 comments - published on Thursday, August 07, 2008
Helale Mohammadzadeh is an Iranian woman on death row. She was convicted of murder at the age of 27, however she has always maintained that death was a result of self defence. She has been imprisoned in the central jail in the city of Mahabad for the past 8 years. She has been waiting for a verdict from the Iranian Supreme Court regarding her death sentence for the past 4 years.
This lengthy 4 year wait, along with the psychological pressure of having to face a death sentence has been extremely difficult on Ms. Mohammadzadeh and has caused her great psychological pressure.
Ms. Mohammadzadeh is in desperate need of a defence lawyer and is seeking the help of all human rights organizations and humanitarian lawyers in this regard.
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran announces its support for Ms. Mohammadzadeh, and will do everything in its power to help her receive justice.
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran.
Further News on Hunger Strike of Two Political Prisoners in Iran0 comments - published on Thursday, August 07, 2008
According to the latest news received from Section 4 of the Gohardasht Prison in Iran Both Mr. Khaled Hardani and Mr. Mansour Radpour are on the 3rd day of their hunger strike. Mr. Hardani and Radpour started their hunger strike on August 5th 2008 in response to the increased physical and psychological torture towards political prisoners in Gohardasht Prison.
Mr. Hardani and Radpour have written a letter to the prison officials setting out their demands, however there has been no response from the prison officials in regards to this hunger strike. It must also be mentioned that Mr. Radpour was taken to an unknown location yesterday (August the 6th) at about 10:30 am, and up until this point there is no news about his whereabouts, safety and well being. This is a great cause for concern for The Voice of Human Rights in Iran.
A copy of the letter in Farsi can be found on the website of Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran.
The Demands of Mr. Hardani and Mr. Radpour are as follows:
1. The recognition of political prisoners in Iranian Prison.
2. End to the oppression and inhumane treatment of political prisoners and their families.
3. Separation of political prisoners from non-political and dangerous prisoners.
4. End to the mass executions which have been taken place in the last month in Iran.
5. A visit from an independent committee appointed by the United Nations to the Rajaishahr Prison to see and investigate the current inhumane treatment of political prisoners.
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran
Two doctors with HIV & AIDS expertise are in custody. Is their imprisonment justified? Are they protected from ill-treatment?0 comments - published on Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Two doctors with HIV & AIDS expertise are in custody. Is their imprisonment justified? Are they protected from ill-treatment?
AI Index: MDE 13/108/2008
Arbitrary arrest / Detention without charge
6 August 2008
Dr Arash Alaei (m), doctor
Dr Kamiar Alaei (m), doctor, brother of Arash Alaei
Brothers Arash Alaei and Kamiar Alaei, both of whom are doctors specialising in the prevention and management of HIV and AIDS, were arrested in June. They are believed to be held without charge in Tehran's Evin Prison. E'temad newspaper in Iran has reported that the brothers are held on "suspicion of plotting to overthrow the government". Amnesty International fears their arrest may be politically motivated and based on the brothers' association with non governmental organizations based in the US.
Dr Arash Alaei was arrested by Iranian security forces on 22 June. The following morning, they escorted him to his mother's house in Tehran, where they found his brother, Dr Kamiar Alaei, and arrested him too. They also seized documents belonging to the brothers.
Arash and Kamiar Alaei are well known for their work on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, especially for their work to prevent the spread of HIV among drug users. Both doctors have travelled abroad as a result of their work, and Dr Kamiar Alaei is a doctoral candidate at the State University of New York (SUNY) Albany School of Public Health. He holds a Masters degree in International Health from Harvard University and is due to resume his studies in Albany later in 2008. Earlier this year, the US-based non-governmental organization (NGO), the Asia Society, named him as a Fellow, "one of 23 new Fellows identified as being among the most promising trendsetters and emerging leaders in the Asia-Pacific region." Dr Arash Alaei is the former Director of the International Education and Research Cooperation of the Iranian National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. Neither man is known to have been involved in political activities.
Iran's response to HIV/AIDS has been accorded international respect, particularly the preventative measures promoted by Drs Arash and Kamiar Alaei. According to the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic (published by UNAIDS on 29 July 2008 and available at http://www.unaids.org/) "the… support for needle exchange projects in countries such as the Islamic Republic of Iran … serve as clear examples of courageous, visionary leadership in the response to HIV". However, the government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which took office in August 2005, has started to remove its support of such centres.
On 3 August, Tehran's deputy prosecutor Hassan Haddad was quoted as saying, "A case has been filed whose defendants are two brothers. They held conferences on such topics as AIDS, which drew the attention of domestic and foreign organisations and NGOs," and that "they would organise foreign trips for people and train them. They were aware of what they were doing, and their training was of the nature of a velvet revolution." However, Haddad did not confirm that Dr Arash Alaei and Dr Kamiar Alaei are currently in detention.
Authorities have now presented the 7 Baha'is with charges connected to national security. None have access to legal counsel and all are at risk of phy0 comments - published on Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Authorities have now presented the 7 Baha'is with charges connected to national security. None have access to legal counsel and all are at risk of physical assault.
AI Index: MDE 13/109/2008
6 August 2008
Further Information on UA 128/08 (MDE 13/068/2008, 15 May 2008) Arbitrary arrests / Prisoners of conscience
Members of the Baha'i community:
Fariba Kamalabadi Taefi (f)
Jamaloddin Khanjani (m)
Afif Naeimi (m)
Saeid Rezaei (m)
Behrouz Tavakkoli (m)
Vahid Tizfahm (m)
Mahvash Sabet (f)
The seven people named above, all members of the Baha'i religious minority, have been charged with vaguely worded charges relating to national security. According to press reports, Tehran's deputy prosecutor claimed that they had "confessed" to setting up an illegal organisation in Iran that took orders from Israel and other states to undermine the 'Islamic system'. Amnesty International considers the charges politically motivated and that those held are prisoners of conscience, detained solely because of their conscientiously held beliefs or their peaceful activities on behalf of the Baha'i community.
A spokesperson for the Baha'i International Community to the United Nations, rebutted claims made by the authorities, stating that "suggestions of collusion with the state of Israel are categorically false and misleading".
Six leaders of a group responsible for the Baha'i community's religious and administrative affairs in Iran (Fariba Kamalabadi Taefi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naeimi, Saeid Rezaie, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Vahid Tizfahm), were arrested following raids on their homes by officers from the Ministry of Intelligence in the early hours of 14 May. A seventh person, acting as a secretary for the group, Mahvash Sabet, has been in custody since 5 March.
The seven are in solitary confinement in Section 209 of Tehran's Evin Prison, which is run by the Ministry of Intelligence. Six of them – all except Behrouz Tavakkoli – have had two visits from relatives but none has been granted access to legal representatives.
Fariba Kamalabadi Taefi, Behrouz Tavakkoli and Jamaloddin Khanjani had previously been arrested for their activities on behalf of the Baha'i community.
Three other Baha'is are also currently detained in the city of Shiraz, southern Iran. The reason for their arrest is still not known. They may be prisoners of conscience (See UA 25/08; MDE 13/017/2008, 25 January 2008).
Further News on Hunger Strike of Khaled Hardani and Mansour Radpour0 comments - published on Wednesday, August 06, 2008
According to further news recieved through a phone conversation with Mr. Hardani, the hunger strike of Mr. Hardani and Mr. Radpour which started Yesterday on August 5th 2008 continues.
As a way of punishment the prison officials have taken Mr. Hardani and Mr. Radpour outside under the sun and kept them there for 1.5 hours, under the guise of head count, without giving them any protection from the sun or any water.
Today at 10:30am Iran time Mr. Mansour Radpour was taken to an unkonwn location in the prison. There is no furhter news regarding his condition.
The Requests of these two prisoners are:
1. An independent committee from the United Nations Visits the Prison and investigates the condition of political prisoners.
2. Transfer of political prisoners to a seperate ward away from non-political, dangerous inmates.
Please stay tuned for further updates.
Political Prisoner Khaled Hardani
Section 4 of Gohardasht Prison
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran.
Hunger Strike of Two Political Prisoners in Gohardasht Prison0 comments - published on Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Hunger Strike of Two Political Prisoners in Gohardasht Prison
According to the latest news received from the Gohardasht Rajaishahr Prison, through a telephone conversation with a political prisoner Mr. Khaled Hardani, Mr. Hardani and another political prisoner Mr. Mansour Radpour have gone on a hunger strike due to extreme physical and psychological pressure put on political prisoners by the prison officials in Section 4 of the Gohardasht Prison.
The recent pressures are due to the fact that the political prisoners in Section 4 had organized a memorial for the 2nd anniversary of Akbar Mohammadi's (a prominent political prisoner) murder in the Islamic Regime Prisons.
The hunger strike started yesterday, Sunday August 4th 2008, after Mr. Hardani and Mr. Radpour wrote a letter of protest against one of the head guards "Jaruyi". There is a possibility that other political prisoners might join the hunger strike as well. We will publish any further news that may come from Gohardasht Prison in this regards.
Political Prisoner Khaled Hardani
Section 4 of Gohardasht Prison
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran.
Another political activist Mr. Yaghub Mehrnehad was executed today in the city of Zahedan. He was a human rights activist working for the rights of the Balouch Minority.
Long live his memory...
His family will be in my thoughts and prayers
Long Live Freedom
About two weeks ago I purchased a direct Iran line from a company called http://www.iranphoneline.com/ (Iran Phone Line) by paying $35 a month I was given a direct Iran number where people in Iran would be able to call me free of charge and the call would be transferred to my cell phone. I wanted to use this line to keep in touch with activists inside Iran, without them having to pay the charges for long distance calls.
Yesterday (two weeks after the purchase of my phone line)it was brought to my attention by an activist in Iran that my line had been disconnected. When they tried to call my number they got a message saying (Mojaz nist) meaning not allowed to call this number. I had a number of other family members try the line to see if they would be able to call. They got the same message.
I have contacted the company and they have not answered my inquiries. I should also mention that another human rights activist group who shall remain nameless for now has been using the same direct lines from the same company for the past year, contacting many activists and political prisoners in Iran. Yet their line has never been filtered or disconnected. Which again makes me wonder why my line who was active for only 2 weeks was filtered and theirs after one year is still operational.
Since we spoke with the same activists in Iran it would make sense that all the lines would be disconnected and not just mine. This makes me wonder...
Ofcourse the disconnection of my line is not going to keep me silent or stop my activities, I have already found ways to overcome this obstacle. I just find it almost amusing that the Regime should be so afraid of a single person as to go to all of these lenghts!
And for anyone who might be using this company or thinking about it, there is a very very high possibility that the lines are being controlled by the Regime.
Long Live Freedom
Sayeh Hassan
Arrest and Torture of Two Human Right Activists in Iran0 comments - published on Monday, August 04, 2008
Mr. Alidad Hassani (Engineer), born on March 3, 1957 in the city of Shiraz is a human rights activist, and one of the first people who protested against the discriminatory laws against women and one of the members of the One Million Signature Campaign. The goal of the One Million Signature Campaign is to gather One million signatures in support of changing discriminatory laws against women in Iran. Mr. Hassani was attacked and arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence Officials in July 7th 2007.
During interrogation Mr. Alidad Hassani was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture by the Ministry of Intelligence Interrogators. Both Mr. Hassani and his family, including his wife were put under great pressure in order to keep quiet and not to report Mr. Hassani's situation to any human rights organizations.
Mr. Hassani was also personally threatened by the prison warden that if he or his family were to report his situation to human rights organizations, he would be transferred to the most dangerous section of the prison where those convicted of murder and other highly dangerous crimes are imprisoned.
It must be noted that Human Rights Watch has reported on Mr. Hassani's situation including the circumstances of his arrest and charges in their 2007 annual report.
After extensive interrogations Mr. Hassani was transferred to the "Adel Prison" in the City of Shiraz. For a number of months after his arrest he was deprived of even his most basic rights including the right to a lawyer and the right to visitation with his family.
Later on a lawyer named Mr. Karim Sadighi took on Mr. Hassani's case and was able to get him bail in the amount of 100 million toman. This amount however was too high for the Hassani family and Mr. Hassani remained in jail for further sometime until the bail was reduced to 50 million toman and he was released on bail on December 7th 2007.
However Mr. Hassani's freedom was short lived and on January 14th 2008 he was summoned to the Revolutionary Courts again.
Mr. Hassani had originally been charged with organizing anti-regime gatherings, making anti-regime speeches, acting against national security and being in contact with anti regime organizations outside Iran. No further charges were laid against him on January 14th 2008 when he was summoned to court however he was re-arrested and sent to prison.
His family who attended at the Revolutionary Court in Shiraz in order to obtain information about his whereabouts and to arrange for a visitation were faced with extreme brutality by the police (Niruye Entezami).
21 days after his arrest Mr. Hassani was still not allowed to have visitations which caused great concern for his family who were extremely concerned about his health and well being.
On February 6th 2008 Mr. Sadighi was finally able to secure Mr. Hassani's freedom from jail. Upon his release Mr. Hassani stated that once again he had been subjected to the most brutal physical and psychological torture in order to coerce him into doing a televised confession. However in spite of the torture Mr. Hassani has refused and indicated that as long as there was discriminatory laws in Iran he would continue his human rights activities.
Soon After his release Mr. Hassani's son Kamran Hassani was arrested on March 9th 2008 on the charges of drawing caricatures which insulted the Supreme Leader and other high government officials.
Since his arrest there has been no information about his whereabouts or well being. A few days ago the Hassani Family received a threatening phone call indicating that Kamran would be killed if they were to inform any human rights organizations of the current situation of Kamran.
They were further threatened that since Mr. Alidad Hassani's case had not yet been finalized, he could be sentenced to death if he or his family tried to contact any human rights organization in regards to Kamran's situation.
It must be noted that the oppression of human rights and political activists in Iran has greatly increased in the past year and many have been sentenced to long prison terms and even execution.
We urge all human rights organizations to take immediate action to help the Hassani Family and in particular to ask for the immediate and unconditional release of Kamran Hassani.
Yours truly,
Sayeh Hassan
Secretary General
The Voice of Human Rights in Iran.
A prisoner of conscience linked to the One Million Signatures Campaign risks serious physical assault.
AI Index: MDE 13/107/2008
Fear of torture or other ill-treatment
1 August 2008
Zeynab Bayzeydi (f), women's rights activist
Women's rights activist Zeynab Bayzeydi was arrested on 9 July, after the police ordered her to present herself for interrogation at a police station in the city of Mahabad, in the western province of Kordestan. She is in danger of torture or other ill-treatment.
Zeynab Bayzeydi is a member of the Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan (HROK) and the One Million Signatures Campaign, which aims to collect a million signatures of Iranians on a petition demanding changes to laws that discriminate against women.
Her family only learned that she had been arrested some days later, when she was allowed to telephone them. She told them she had been summoned for several hours of interrogation on 5 July, after which she was told to return on 9 July. This time she was questioned for three hours and then arrested. She was held at a detention centre in Mahabad run by the Ministry of Information and Security. She was brought before a revolutionary court in Mahabad on 31 July, and charged with membership of unauthorised human rights associations, and on account of her activities in support of women's rights. She has denied all the charges. She is a prisoner of conscience who is being detained solely because of her peaceful exercise of her rights to freedom of expression and association.
The HROK, which has over 200 members, was founded in April 2005. The authorities have never granted it official recognition as an NGO. Its founder, Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, is serving an 11-year prison sentence for "acting against state security by establishing the Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan" and "propaganda against the system."
Iran's Kurdish population live mainly in the west and north-west of the country, in Kordestan and neighbouring provinces, bordering Kurdish areas of Turkey and Iraq. They have long suffered extensive discrimination. Kurdish human rights defenders, including community activists and journalists, risk arbitrary arrest and torture.
Parents are banned from registering their babies with certain Kurdish names, and religious minorities that are mainly or partially Kurdish are targeted by measures designed to stigmatize and isolate them. Kurds are also discriminated against in their access to employment, adequate housing and political rights, and so suffer entrenched poverty, which has further marginalized them.
For more information on human rights violations against the Kurdish minority in Iran, see: Iran: Human rights abuses against the Kurdish minority, at: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE13/088/2008/en/d140767b-5e45-11dd-a592-c739f9b70de8/mde130882008eng.pdf
Saman Rasoulpour (m), Kurdish human rights activist, aged 230 comments - published on Saturday, August 02, 2008
A peaceful protester is in custody and at risk of torture.
AI Index: MDE 13/106/2008
Fear of torture or other ill-treatment
1 August 2008
Saman Rasoulpour (m), Kurdish human rights activist, aged 23
Kurdish human rights activist Saman Rasoulpour was arrested on 25 July at his home in the city of Mahabad, in West Azerbaijan province, and is in danger of torture. He is a senior member of an organisation that campaigns for better treatment of Iran's Kurdish minority, the Human Rights Organisation of Kurdistan (HROK), based in the city of Sanandaj, in the western province of Kordestan.
The police confiscated a number of his possessions when they arrested him. He is now held at a detention centre in the city of Oroumiye, in the north-western province of West Azerbaijan. He has been able to telephone his family once since he was arrested.
On 23 July he had taken part in a peaceful demonstration calling on the authorities to lift the death sentences handed down to three Kurdish human rights activists on 25 February 2008. Around 200 Iranian Kurds had taken part in the demonstration.
The HROK, which has over 200 members, was founded in April 2005. The authorities have never granted it official recognition as an NGO. Its founder, Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, is serving an 11-year prison sentence, imposed after an unfair trial, for "acting against state security by establishing the Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan" and "propaganda against the system."
Iran's Kurdish population live mainly in the west and north-west of the country, in Kordestan and neighbouring provinces, bordering Kurdish areas of Turkey and Iraq. They have long suffered extensive discrimination. Kurdish human rights defenders, including community activists and journalists, risk arbitrary arrest and torture.
Parents are banned from registering their babies with certain Kurdish names, and religious minorities that are mainly or partially Kurdish are targeted by measures designed to stigmatize and isolate them. Kurds are also discriminated against in their access to employment, adequate housing and political rights, and so suffer entrenched poverty, which has further marginalized them.
For more information on human rights violations against the Kurdish minority in Iran, see: Iran: Human rights abuses against the Kurdish minority, at: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE13/088/2008/en/d140767b-5e45-11dd-a592-c739f9b70de8/mde130882008eng.pdf
12 of an original 24 students remain in secret custody following their arrests earlier this month.0 comments - published on Friday, August 01, 2008
AI Index: MDE 13/104/2008
Arbitrary arrests / Fear of Torture or ill-treatment / Prisoners of conscience
31 July 2008
Mehdi Khoda'i (m), student at Azad University, Shahre-Ray
Salman Sima (m), student at Azad University, Shahre-Ray
Farzad Hassanzadeh (m), student at Mashad University
Mohamad Zerati (m), student at Mashad University
Bahareh Hedayat (f), student at Tehran University
Mohammad Hashemi (m), student at Tehran University
Majid Asadi (m), student at Alahmeh University, Tehran
Arash Rayji (m), student at Zanjan University
Hassan Joneydi (m), student at Zanjan University
Payam Shakiba (m), student at Zanjan University
Student at Bushehr University only known as 'Anbaraki'
Student at Bushehr University only known as 'Khoeyni'
The 12 university students named above were arrested at various locations across Iran in July and remain in detention. They were arrested around the eighth anniversary of student demonstrations held in Iran on 9 July 1999 that were violently suppressed by the security forces. The 12 are facing various charges, such as "acting against national security", "propaganda against the regime", "propagating lies", "promoting anti-religious attitudes", and "disturbing public opinion". They are prisoners of conscience, held on account of their conscientiously held beliefs and should be released immediately and unconditionally.
Mohamad Zerati and Farzad Hassanzadeh, were both arrested on 3 or 4 July, have had their bail set at 30 million rial ($3,229.9742 USD). Their place of detention remains unknown.
Mohammad Hashemi and Bahareh Hedayat were arrested by the security forces at their homes on 13 July; they are accused of having links with "illegal and anti-revolutionary groups abroad". Both are members of the Office for Consolidating Unity, the central council of a pro-reform student group. They are being detained in Evin Prison in Tehran.
Payam Shakiba, Arash Rayji and Hassan Joneydi, students at Zanjan University, were arrested on 8 July; their place of detention remains unknown.
At least 12 other students who were arrested in July have now been released without charge.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
CADIZ - Every now and then a game comes along that will be cemented in the memory banks forever.
One of them took place Friday night at Wagner Field.
A plethora of Harrison Central defenders stuffed a 2-point conversion run at the goal line during the third overtime to preserve a thrilling 49-47 Homecoming night triumph against Edison.
Article Photos
HARRISON CENTRAL'S Nate Olmstead tries to break free of an Edison tackler during Friday's game in?Cadiz. Olmstead caught the game-winning two-point conversion in the third OT to lift the Huskies to a 49-47 victory.
''What a great high school game,'' Huskies head coach Justin Kropka said moments after receiving plenty of congratulatory handshakes.
''I kept telling our kids that we'd had plenty of bad breaks go against us this year with this, that and the other and just told them to keep plugging away.
''I told them that one of those games would work out somewhere and it happened (Friday).''
Harrison Central (3-4) scored 13 points during the final 7:04 of regulation to get the game to overtime and then was able to keep pace with the Wildcats (4-3) in a nailbiter that had everyone in the stadium on the edge of their seats.
''I've been in a few games like this and it's a shame there has to be a loser,'' Edison head coach Derrick Stickles said. ''Unfortunately, we were on the losing end of this.
''It hurts. The hardest ones to lose are the ones you lose by two points.''
The teams headed into the third overtime tied at 41-41 and the Huskies had the ball first.
On the first play, quarterback David Miser dropped back and found a wide open Nate Olmstead in the end zone for a touchdown that made the score 47-41.
Miser and Olmstead hooked up on the 2-point conversion to make the score 49-41.
It didn't take the Wildcats long to strike back.
On the first play of their possession, quarterback Nolan Marcus ran virtually untouched up the middle for a 20-yard TD that made the score 49-47.
But after allowing nearly 300 yards rushing, the Huskies defense stood tall when it had to.
''We made the one stop we had to have that's for sure,'' Kropka said smiling.
''It just makes me proud as a guy that's been here a long time that these are kids we are raising and putting on the field. I'd have been proud of them if the score had been flipped.''
Miser scored on a 1-yard run to give Harrison the lead in the first OT before Rich Springer evened things up by hauling in a 2-yard pass from Marcus. Both teams converted 2-point conversions.
Devan Tennant hauled in a 20-yard strike from Marcus to give the Wildcats an 41-35 upperhand in the second OT. Nate Maykowski's 4-yard scamper was the equalizer for the Huskies. Neither team was able to convert a conversion in the second OT.
The Huskies turned the ball over on its first four possessions of the second half.
The fourth resulted in a 48-yard fumble return by Evan Shannon that gave Edison a 27-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
That score came 58 seconds after Marcus scored from 1 yard out on the first play of the fourth quarter. That play capped a 10-play drive, of which Marcus carried the ball on four of the final five plays.
Shannon had a big night, rushing for 210 yards on 30 carries.
''We certainly had the momentum going into the fourth quarter,'' Stickles said. ''We were excited and our kids were excited.''
Undaunted, Harrison Central came right back down the field and reached the end zone on an 8-yard strike from Miser to Dalton Rutter that trimmed the lead to 27-21 with 7:04 left.
On the night, the duo combined 12 times for 142 yards and two TDs.
The Huskies got the ball back with 4:56 left and drove 80 yards in 11 plays to tie the game at 27-27 when Miser found Olmstead near the back of the end zone. Geoff Pecar's extra-point failed and the game headed to overtime.
''This is certainly a confidence builder for us,'' Kropka said. ''But we have to move on and get ready for Bellaire next week.''
Paige Dunlap chose the odd-colored rose at halftime to become the 2013 Homecoming Queen. The King will be announced during festivities tonight.
Thorp can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
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text:
MediaWatch: November 1997
Table of Contents:
- MediaWatch: November 1997
- A Day in the Media's Warming Crusade
- NewsBites: Cuddly Killer
- CNN Touts Paris Over D.C.
- Chinese Intelligence Brags of "Thwarting" Thompson Hearings
- Big Government Solutions
- Where's Charlie Trie?
- Huaung Scored Better Than Thompson
- Janet Cooke Award: Washington Week in Revisionism
A Day in the Media's Warming Crusade
President Clinton must have found the coverage of his October 22 speech on global warming's dangers to be very heartwarming. With grim unanimity, the Big Three networks and CNN dutifully ran stories that conjured a chilling future of environmental degradation due to global warming. While each network took the most frightening premises of liberal environmental activists as truth, they gave more skeptical views the cold shoulder.
MediaWatch analyzed the six full stories on global warming that aired on the October 22 evening news shows and discovered a fourfold advantage (12-3) for soundbites from talking heads that supported Clinton's global warming hypothesis. Of the 12, five featured Clinton himself, and another four were spokesmen from left-wing environmental groups, two of whom claimed Clinton's plan did not go far enough.
All three opposing soundbites came from business sources, whose profit motives are easily questioned. Not a single skeptical scientist appeared, and while reporters relayed environmentalist claims about melting glaciers and rising sea levels as fact, they ignored alternative data on those claims, as well as polls which show that climatologists don't believe mankind has fueled warming.
ABC's World News Tonight. Anchor Peter Jennings introduced John Donvan's report with the most distorted view of scientific opinion, insisting that the "overwhelming majority of scientists" agree that global warming was caused by man. Donvan's soundbites tilted to the left 3-0, featuring Clinton, Les Brown of the left-wing Worldwatch Institute, and Clinton aide Gene Sperling.
Leading into ABC's next segment, Jennings put the blame on greedy Western ways: "To do something about global warming, we will have to come to grips with the fact that North Americans are increasingly driving the kinds of cars and trucks that do the most damage." Reporter Barry Serafin concluded his story by relaying how "environmentalists say along with technology there has to be some pain." For consumers, Serafin suggested, "fees imposed on the purchase of gas guzzlers. And for manufacturers, mandatory higher annual fuel economy standards to try to break the bigger-is-better vehicle habit." Serafin included comments from Clinton, an industry representative and an official from the leftist Natural Resources Defense Council. ABC's soundbites tilted 5-1 toward warming advocates over two stories.
CBS Evening News. Anchor Dan Rather cast the debate as a battle not between scientific formulations but between dueling agendas: "Reactions tonight from environmentalists and industry are equally heated over whether the real threat is catastrophic climate change or catastrophic change for the economy."
Reporter Scott Pelley then retraced Clinton's recent South American tour route. Standing on a mountain in Argentina, Pelley proclaimed, "It's up here, near the roof of Patagonia, that you can see some of the best evidence that the world is warming. The glacier on the peak behind me and all the other glaciers of the Andes have been shrinking...it is happening all around the world — the Earth's glaciers have been receding at an increasing pace over the last 100 years."
Pelley's two soundbites both came from the left: Clinton and Tom Karl of the National Climactic Data Center. Although Pelley did point out "some scientists believe the warming is natural, part of a centuries-old cycle," he quickly added, "it is clear that pollution at least hastens the trend. Fumes from this morning's rush hour will linger for 100 years."
NBC Nightly News. Anchor Tom Brokaw's summary left science behind: "President Clinton today joined that debate and managed not to satisfy the environmentalists or the industrialists." David Bloom put his wading boots on to deliver this warning from the deep waters of environmental hysteria: "The goal is to stop global warming, which some scientists predict could flood American cities such as Washington, D.C., and south Florida, if the oceans rise just three feet." Bloom's soundbites went 2-1 for global warming, with Clinton, a Sierra Club leader and a coal mine operator.
CNN's The World Today. Reporter Carl Rochelle opened: "With cars, trucks, and smokestacks belching greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at every increasing rates, President Clinton used the National Geographic Society as a forum to reveal his proposal to curb what some scientists say is a cause of global warming."
Although both Rochelle and Bloom declared "some" scientists believe in warming, neither cited what the majority of scientists thought. Rochelle quoted Michael Oppenheimer of the liberal Environmental Defense Fund: "If we don't act we're going to have record heat, record drought..."
Anchor Leon Harris subsequently noted European criticism that the proposal wasn't drastic enough and then, over satellite photos, presented "proof that pollution is gnawing away at the Earth's ozone layer is becoming even more pronounced." Next, Sharon Collins reported on businesses selling cleaner technology. In the two full stories, CNN soundbites favored global warming advocates by 3-1.
Reality Check. Nearly 100 climate scientists signed the Leipzig Declaration in 1996, expressing doubts about the forecasting accuracy of computer models. No network cited that fact nor a poll highlighted in a May 23 report from the National Center for Policy Analysis which sank Jennings' assertion of what the "overwhelming majority" of scientists think: "A Gallup poll found that only 17 percent of the members of the Meteorological Society and the American Geophysical Society think that the warming of the 20th century has been a result of greenhouse gas emissions."
Networks also failed to consider arguments suggesting warming fears are misplaced: While David Bloom foresaw a D.C. underwater, the May 23 NCPA analysis noted sea levels have risen more than 300 feet over the last 18,000 years, a trend far predating mankind's Industrial Revolution (and industrial pollution).
While CBS's Scott Pelley relayed scary anecdotes about melting glaciers, Fred Singer of the Science and Environmental Policy Project added context in a September 2 analysis: "Glaciers have been retreating for more than 10,000 years, a phenomenon generally regarded as a good thing."
Singer added, "There was a strong warming trend between 1850 and 1940, as the world recovered from the Little Ice Age. But there has been no significant global warming since 1940 and, according to weather satellite data, none at all in the last two decades." Singer's focus on long term temperatures would have provided a valuable point of view from a scientist with long work in the field of climatology.


text:
Volusia and Flagler County FCAT scores
Published: Friday, June 6, 2014 at 11:05 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, June 6, 2014 at 8:45 p.m.
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text: Nearly every projector made with LCD technology uses 3 separate LCDs, one each for red, green and blue. Light from the projector lamp is separated into RGB with a set of dichroic mirrors. The three light beams (RGB) are passed through separate LCDs and recombined to project a color image.


text:
Living in Saanich
Saanich news, project information, services and corporate documents.
Read this section and pick up some quick tips on how to stay active and healthy.
Settlers of the late 1800s and early 1900s transformed the forested land of the Saanich Peninsula into one of the oldest agricultural settlements in British Columbia.
Review some of Saanich's most commonly used bylaws and policies.
Learn about how Saanich is fighting climate change and how you can take action.
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SEJONG, May 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and China will hold a fresh round of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) next week, the government said Thursday.
The 11th round of South Korea-China FTA talks will be held from Monday through Friday in China's Sichuan, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
"The two sides are set to hold comprehensive, in-depth discussions on all areas of FTA from products, service and investment to regulations and cooperation," it said in a press release.
The negotiations hit a stumbling block at the latest round in March over the level of market liberalization.
The countries have agreed to liberalize their markets for about 90 percent of all products traded between them but have yet to decide which products would be excluded.
China is said to be asking for greater access for its agriculture products to the South Korean market, a demand strongly opposed by farmers here.
The Korea-China FTA negotiations began in May 2012.
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Bohemian Garden in Downers Grove is an inviting destination for Old World cuisine. Read about our Mystery Diner's experience at http://shawurl.com/q6c.
Customer Service: 630-368-1144
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Special Issue Article
Inappropriate Confidence and Retirement Planning: Four Studies with a National Sample
Version of Record online: 15 JUN 2011
DOI: 10.1002/bdm.745
Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Journal of Behavioral Decision Making
Special Issue: Individual Differences in Decision-Making Competence
Volume 25, Issue 4, pages 382–389, October 2012
Additional Information
How to Cite
Parker, A. M., de Bruin, W. B., Yoong, J. and Willis, R. (2012), Inappropriate Confidence and Retirement Planning: Four Studies with a National Sample. J. Behav. Decis. Making, 25: 382–389. doi: 10.1002/bdm.745
Publication History
- Issue online: 6 AUG 2012
- Version of Record online: 15 JUN 2011
Funded by
- RAND Center for Financial and Economic Decision Making
- National Institute on Aging. Grant Numbers: R01AG20717, P01AG026571
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
- confidence;
- knowledge;
- metacognition;
- competence;
- retirement
Financial decisions about investing and saving for retirement are increasingly complex, requiring financial knowledge and confidence in that knowledge. Few studies have examined whether direct assessments of individuals' confidence are related to the outcomes of their financial decisions. Here, we analyzed data from a national sample recruited through RAND's American Life Panel, an Internet panel study of US adults aged 18–88 years. We examined the relationship of confidence with self-reported and actual financial decisions, using four different tasks, each performed by overlapping samples of American Life Panel participants. The four tasks were designed by different researchers for different purposes, using different methods to assess confidence. Yet, measures of confidence were correlated across tasks, and results were consistent across methodologies. Confidence and knowledge showed only modest positive correlations. However, even after controlling for actual knowledge, individuals with greater confidence were more likely to report financial planning for retirement and to successfully minimize fees on a hypothetical investment task. Implications for the role of confidence in investment behavior (even if it is unjustified) is discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


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I have always enjoyed sewing and cooking and have done both to some extent since I was small. Recently, I started taking sewing lessons and have really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to a time when I can just whip up an outfit in a couple of hours! My sewing successes can be seen on my blog www.nonotionssewing.blogspot.com
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Head Coach Ruffin McNeill
April 7, 2014
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina began its third and final full week of the spring practice period with a lively two-hour workout Monday afternoon on Hight Field inside the Cliff Moore Complex.
The Pirates returned to action in shells after conducting their second intra-squad scrimmage of the spring Saturday morning. After turning in its 10th practice, ECU has just two more workouts scheduled - one being a mandated non-contact outing - before the playing of the Purple-Gold Game Saturday.
Head coach Ruffin McNeill added an extended video session to review Saturday's contest in position groups before heading out to the complex and beginning his on-the-field instruction. He reiterated his earlier thoughts after seeing the tape, citing the continuation of the Pirates' competitive spirit and the improvement of fundamentals as a few of the biggest positives produced by the scrimmage.
"The key to success is to be consistent, and when that happens, there's improvement," McNeill said. "The goal is always to play assignment-sound football with a clear mind and the reps we've been getting are starting to put us in a position to do that. I thought we came out today and had a competitive practice on both sides of the ball."
After Wednesday's shell workout and Friday's shorts-only outing, ECU's coaching staff will re-define their depth chart and evaluate the latest injury report to determine No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 matchups that will be utilized for the Purple-Gold Game, which is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
NOTES: Pirate quarterbacks combined on a 12-of-17, 159-yard passing effort during the team phase of Monday's practice ... Senior Shane Carden (7-of-11, 93 yards) had the longest play of the segment, connecting with sophomore inside receiver Isaiah Jones on a 46-yarder for a touchdown ... Redshirt freshman Kurt Benkert completed his first four passes to finish with a five-of-six performance (66 yards) that also included a TD ... Redshirt freshman running back Marquez Grayson recorded the longest rush of the day with a 16-yarder ... ECU's defense continued its pressure with six tackles for lost yardage, including a pair (and a sack) by sophomore lineman Frederick Presley ... Sophomore defensive back DaShaun Amos (right ankle) and sophomore defensive lineman Demetri McGill (illness) both returned to action today after missing Saturday's scrimmage, while sophomore outside receiver Jimmy Williams (right shoulder) remained sidelined ... McNeill indicated the Pirates would make-up their postponed practice (March 29) with an additional workout on Monday (April 14) following the Purple-Gold Game.
Next Workout: Wednesday, April 9 (3:30-5:40 p.m.)
Remaining Workouts: April 11, April 12 (Purple-Gold Game, 2:30 p.m.) and April 14