In the News:27 February 2009

Mentally ill Chicago man sends Obama letter with HIV infected blood on it, German labor unions crying, Comrade Putin won't tolerate economic protests in the Soviet Union, and Soviet warplane wanted to tell Obama hello during his visit to Canada.



Chicago Man Arrested for Allegedly Targeting Obama With HIV-Infected Blood

Fox News-A man from President Obama's hometown of Chicago has been arrested for allegedly sending Obama and his staff envelopes containing HIV-infected blood, in the hopes of killing or harming them.

It's only the second time ever that HIV-infected blood has been sent with malicious intent through the U.S. mail system, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said. read more...

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'We're Not Paying For Your Crisis!'

Spiegel Online-Anger rises in Germany as the economy falls. Trade unions and globalization-critical protesters are planning demonstrations in Berlin and Frankfurt under the banner: "We're not paying for your crisis." Alexis Passadakis, 31, an activist from the group Attac, tells SPIEGEL what's wrong with the system. read more...

They don't like spending their money, but, I betcha they wouldn't have a problem spending other people's money. Look at Arnie.

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Russia's Putin warns against economic protests

Reuters-Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned opposition critics on Friday not to use the economic crisis as an excuse to challenge his government and told them to abide by the law.

Unrest across Russia over economic upheaval has been muted, with the biggest protests so far taking place in the Far East port of Vladivostok where hundreds were arrested in January demonstrations over car tax.

Speaking at a meeting with leaders of Russia's dominant political party, United Russia, ahead of regional elections this weekend, Putin said that criticism of the Russian government during a crisis was allowed, but only within the laws.

"If opposition actions go outside the law, it means they are not pursuing the goals of improving people's lives, but their own selfish goals and the state has the right to defend itself properly," Putin said at his residence outside Moscow.

Russia has tight controls that restrict opposition groups from holding rallies or marches without official sanction. Applications from groups like chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov's 'Other Russia' movement are frequently rejected. read more...

I wonder if the Germans are glad they don't live in Mother Russia. At least the Fatherland lets you protest these days.

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CF-18s intercepted Russian plane before Obama visit

CTV.ca-As security officials worked to secure Ottawa on the eve of U.S. President Barack Obama's visit, Canadian fighter jets were scrambling to intercept a Russian bomber plane in the Arctic skies.

At a press conference Friday, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said the incident happened on Feb. 18th. read more...

They just wanted to say, "Здравствуйте!, товарищ президент." (Hello, Comrade President.)Guess they are realizing they have more in common than they first thought.