Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Prison libraries and the Bureau of Selective Memory
"... Earlier this summer the Bureau of Prisons, an agency under the Justice
Department, launched the Standardized Chapel Library Project,
essentially a purging of prison book shelves as a way of satisfying
recommendations from Justice's Inspector General. The 2004 report
pointed out flaws in the bureau's system for screening books in prison
libraries, a system which needed tightening in light of the terrorist
attacks of September 11. It suggested that the bureau screen existing
libraries and remove offending literature, keeping most other books
intact though under a carefully catalogued system.
The prison bureau's response instead was to dispose of all religious
materials in prison libraries with the exception of 150 titles
selected by a panel of unnamed bureaucrats. Untold religious authors
have had their spiritual messages rejected, denied to a population
which arguably could benefit from messages of hope and tolerance.
When asked by The Washington Times for the list of 150 religious
titles, a Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman said the information must be
formally requested under the Freedom of Information Act. The bureau
would not provide the list of "experts" brought in to craft the list
and has been reluctant to reveal the process and criteria used to
select the titles that would either receive the bureau's imprimatur or
be rejected. ..."
Department, launched the Standardized Chapel Library Project,
essentially a purging of prison book shelves as a way of satisfying
recommendations from Justice's Inspector General. The 2004 report
pointed out flaws in the bureau's system for screening books in prison
libraries, a system which needed tightening in light of the terrorist
attacks of September 11. It suggested that the bureau screen existing
libraries and remove offending literature, keeping most other books
intact though under a carefully catalogued system.
The prison bureau's response instead was to dispose of all religious
materials in prison libraries with the exception of 150 titles
selected by a panel of unnamed bureaucrats. Untold religious authors
have had their spiritual messages rejected, denied to a population
which arguably could benefit from messages of hope and tolerance.
When asked by The Washington Times for the list of 150 religious
titles, a Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman said the information must be
formally requested under the Freedom of Information Act. The bureau
would not provide the list of "experts" brought in to craft the list
and has been reluctant to reveal the process and criteria used to
select the titles that would either receive the bureau's imprimatur or
be rejected. ..."
New study: parallel universes do exist
"... In Everett's "many worlds" universe, every time a new physical possibility is explored, the universe splits. Given a number of possible alternative outcomes, each one is played out - in its own universe.
A motorist who has a near miss, for instance, might feel relieved at his lucky escape. But in a parallel universe, another version of the same driver will have been killed. Yet another universe will see the motorist recover after treatment in hospital. The number of alternative scenarios is endless.
It is a bizarre idea which has been dismissed as fanciful by many experts. But the new research from Oxford shows that it offers a mathematical answer to quantum conundrums that cannot be dismissed lightly - and suggests that Dr Everett, who was a Phd student at Princeton University when he came up with the theory, was on the right track. ..."
A motorist who has a near miss, for instance, might feel relieved at his lucky escape. But in a parallel universe, another version of the same driver will have been killed. Yet another universe will see the motorist recover after treatment in hospital. The number of alternative scenarios is endless.
It is a bizarre idea which has been dismissed as fanciful by many experts. But the new research from Oxford shows that it offers a mathematical answer to quantum conundrums that cannot be dismissed lightly - and suggests that Dr Everett, who was a Phd student at Princeton University when he came up with the theory, was on the right track. ..."
"You got rid of one Saddam and you left us with 50"
“There was this nonsensical idea that Saddam and everything he created was a kind of freak and that once you eradicated him the whole thing would fall apart and the potential for a liberal, democratic and a civil society would emerge as if somehow he was the only problem,” he [Charles Tripp] says. “But Saddam was a recognisable part of Iraqi history. Many Iraqis feel now that they’ve been delivered into the hands of many lesser dictators. As one of my friends said: ‘Thanks very much: you got rid of one Saddam and you left us with 50.’ ”
Israel rajects peace petition
The Israeli government has dismissed a petition calling for a cease-fire with Hamas. The document, which was written by some of Israel’s leading writers and intellectuals, notes that “Israel has in the past negotiated with its worst enemies.”
Bush shows his sense of humor is intact
Bush urges UN to champion human rights
"... Noting that world leaders had come together 60 years ago to draw up the Declaration of Universal Human Rights as part of the founding of the UN, Bush said, "Those standards must guide our work in this world," in addressing both "long-term threats" and "the immediate needs of today."
Bush has not always been universally well-received in his annual address to the opening of the General Assembly, and this year was no different. Some delegations made a point of sitting with hands in their laps as others applauded politely when Bush concluded.
But the president's principal audience may not have been the UN delegates seated before him, anyway, some experts say, but rather the American audience. ..."
$9.11 fundraiser for Giuliani
"... Tomorrow, a supporter of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is hosting a “$9.11 for Rudy” fundraiser, in which guests are asked to give $9.11 donations to Giuliani’s presidential campaign. The campaign has distanced themselves from the fundraiser, but has not asked it to stop. The event has angered the International Association of Fire Fighters, which argues the 9/11 terrorist attacks are being exploited ..."
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
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