Take The News Challenge: Can You Find A Positive Headline?

I decided today that I was going to do the impossible. Well, perhaps not the impossible, but it feels that way at times. What is this I speak of? Finding a POSITIVE news story in the Top Stories headlines. These are the results of my findings:

YAHOO

• Suicide car bomber kills at least 13 Iraqi soldiers

• Russia urges U.S. to freeze missile defense plans

• British police find no evidence to support CIA flights claim

• Democratic president would end Iraq war, Dean says

• Civil rights leader James Bevel charged with incest

• Dinosaurs died agonizing deaths, paleontologists say

• Man accused in Letterman kidnap plot escapes from prison

Nothing there....

CNN

Shuttle engineers eye heat-shield tear Video
Crying Paris Hilton back behind bars Video
Bush urges senators to try again on immigration
Six killed in attack on U.S. prison in Iraq
Cindy Sheehan to sell her protest camp
Records show murder suspect threatened sister
Teen's death blamed on sports cream
Breeders raise lions -- to shoot them
Alleged threat to Letterman's son escapes prison
Mick Jagger joins his brother on pub stage
Elderly drivers race their scooters
Webbys honor human slingshot, cursing Bowie

One there, the elderly drivers racing their scooters. They seemed happy enough in the video.

BBC

Bush calls for action over Kosovo

Russia warns US on missile plan

Iraq condemns Turkish 'shelling'
Australia storm death toll rises
Gaza militants launch Israel raid
Sri Lanka troops 'kill 30 Tigers'
Israel 'tests' Syria peace aims
UK police reject rendition claims
Paris Hilton is sent back to jail

The Israel Story looks promising, although I am doubtful that these countries will find peace.

GOOGLE NEWS

Hispanic Voters Enjoy New Clout With Democrats

Pace out as Joint Chiefs chairman

Russia Wants Freeze on US Missile Plan

Rep. Jefferson pleads not guilty to corruption charges

Bush reassures pope on Iraq's beleaguered Christians

G8 Leaders Pledge $60 Billion To Fight Disease In Third World

Review of Khadr ruling sought

Brownback To Compete In Iowa Straw Poll

If the G8 leaders keep their promise and actually "give" the money that is a good thing.

WASHINGTON POST

U.S. Cities Race Ahead of Feds on Climate Change
In Arctic Ice, Lessons on Effects of Warming
VIDEO: Melting Glacier Draws Scientists
Special Report: The Threat of Climate Change
A Changing French Assembly
Alliance of Last Resort in Iraq
Suicide Bomber Kills 13 Iraqi Soldiers
Bush, Pope Benedict XVI Discuss War in Iraq
Joint Chiefs Chair Will Bow Out VIDEO
Romney Boys Dish on Dad
GRAPHIC: Meet Romney's Sons PostTalk
Twitter Develops a Following
Book World: Two Attempts to Get at the Real Hillary
Iran Confirms U.S. Man Jailed
Paris Hilton's Grim-Reality Show

The first story looks promising! If cities would implement changes, it would be a positive step for our climate!

FOX

Bush Makes Historic Visit To Meet Pope Benedict XVI

Italian Police Fire Tear Gas on Anti-Bush Protesters

Shuttle Fold Causes Concern

MLK's Pal Charged With Incest

Track Star ODs on Muscle Cream
Justine Henin Wins French Open
Jefferson: 'I Am Absolutely Innocent' VIDEO
Cops: Stepdad Drowned Child for Insurance
Woman Sentenced for Starving Stepdaughters
Letterman Kidnap Plot Con Escapes
Tyson Recalls 40,000 Lbs. of Ground Beef
Kelsey Suspect Had Threatened Sister

18 Iraqis Killed in New Wave of Violence

I would say the Bush and The Pope's meeting, but it doesn't look as if anything "positive" really came out of that. So that leaves us with the winner of the French Open.

ABC

Hanging With the Pope: Bush, Pontiff Talk 'Worrisome' Iraq

Thermal Breach? NASA Checks Shuttle

Sports Cream Said to Kill Teen Runner

Crying for Her Mom, Paris Returns to Jail

Will Paris Stay in Jail This Time?

'Sopranos' Swan Song: How Will It End?

6 Die in Attack on U.S. Jail Facility in Iraq

Cover-up of Secret CIA Prisons Alleged

Sanitary State Rep Wages Germ Warfare

Meet France's Sexy, Enigmatic First Lady

Cold Cash Congressman Pleads Not Guilty

Pace Retires As Head of Joint Chiefs

Golfer Daly Claims Knife Attack by Wife

Kate Hudson-Owen Wilson: Fated to Fail?

The Germ warfare looks promising, although it's a shame it will only affect one state....

AFP

Bush reassures pope on Iraq's beleaguered Christians

US missile shield threatens resolution of Iran stand-off: Russia

Iraq protests Turkish bombardment of Kurdish north

Japanese envoy hopeful of saving Sri Lanka peace bid

Atlantis heads for International Space Station

Russia's Ivanov seeks to reassure West at economic forum

Aeroflot signs order for 22 Boeing Dreamliners

Well, at least someone(Aeroflot) in Russia had a good day.

ASIA TIMES

Everlasting US pyramids in Iraqi sands

US eyeing bigger UN role in Iraq

An insurgency beyond the Taliban

Putin's smart Gabala gambit

News of Wen's retirement shot down

Philippines puts on a political show

US ire over trigger-happy North Korea

I like the looks of the UN playing a bigger role, that is something to keep an eye out for.

IRNA

Kuwaiti emir calls for enhanced ties with Iran

Egypt calls for cooperation with Iran

Iran's neighbors not concerned over N-case: Haddad-Adel
Iran's envoy to Mongolia submits credentials
Headlines in major Iranian newspapers
Quake hits northern cities
Haddad-Adel slams Zionists' atrocities
Security official confirms arrest of three Finns in Hormuzgan
Mazandaran province welcomes Italian investors
Mottaki calls for expansion of Iran-Hungary ties

I'm not real sure where to go with this one.... I suppose some of it is good news for the Iranians, although, I think we (US) should be very concerned...

CCTV

Reasonable exam environment created for quake area students
Chinese panda in Washington zoo may be pregnant again
China enhances ties with Indonesia, Barbados
Blue-green algae discovered in another E China lake
China urges intensified prevention and control of blue-ear pig disease
Preparations begin for election of HK and Macau deputies to 11th NPC

Kenyan police kill 11 as crackdown on sect intensifies
S Korea lifts ban on quarantine inspection on U.S. beef
Putin suggests U.S. deploy missile defense system in Azerbaijan
Malaysia detects new outbreak of bird flu
Jews want control of grave in Ukraine
Cyclone Gonu kills three in Iran

Enhancing their ties is a positive thing.

AL JAZEERA

Lebanese army resumes camp shelling

Iraqi troops die in Hilla bombing

Musharraf cancels media decree

Egypt court permits face-veil use

Palestinian groups in border raid

Bush visits pope amid protests

Quelling Iran's thirst for petrol
Kenyans flee sect crackdown
UN 'concerned' about Darfur
Three killed in Pakistan bus blast
Colombo court halts Tamil evictions
The changing face of my Beijing
Dalai Lama warns of 'lost' Tibet
France invites Lebanese dialogue
Tortured by the Palestinian police
Bush firm on missile shield plan
Chile judge orders Fujimori arrest

G8 leaders in $60bn aid pledge
Syrian arms dealer held in Spain

Once again, I think that 60 million dollar pledge is about the best we can do here.

Why this Quest? I did this to prove a point, the world as a whole is wrapped up in reporting the negative. Rarely, does something positive make the headlines. If so much negativity is floating around the world, how do we honestly expect to make the world a better place for future generations? Take the Challenge, see what positive news you can spread. Maybe by one blog at a time, we can introduce something positive in the world, for a change..

Azerbaijan: The New Solution?

When I read the headlines about Putin's suggestion, I scrambled to find out what information I could on this Unknown country. For those of you who haven't read the news yet today, Putin has proposed a new missile site. He told Bush he would not seek to retarget Russian missiles on Europe if the United States agreed to put the system in the central Asian nation of Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic. The Russian leader said the proposed relocation would alleviate Russia's concerns about a missile shield based in Europe. Moreover, he said an Azerbaijan-based system would cover all of Europe rather than part it.
What have I found out so far? (thanks to wikipedia & BBC, links to full new story on yahoo at the bottom of the page)

Azerbaijan

Full name: Republic of Azerbaijan
Population: 8.4 million (via UN, 2006)
Capital: Baku
Area: 86,600 sq km (33,400 sq miles)
Major language: Azeri, Russian
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 63 years (men), 70 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 manat = 100 qapik
Main exports: Oil, oil products
GNI per capita: US $1,240 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .az
International dialling code: +994

President: Ilham Aliyev, which his rise to power was steeped in controversy.

Azerbaijan is an active member of international coalition fighting international terrorism. The country is contributing to peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Azerbaijan is an active member of NATO “Partnership for Peace” program.

Azerbaijani land borders is 2,648 km, of which Armenia constitutes 1007, Iran 756, Georgia 480, Russia - 390 and Turkey - 15.



2/3 of Azerbaijan is rich in oil and natural gas .



Azerbaijan is also an important economic hub in terms of the raw materials transportation. 2 pipelines run through the country, transporting crude oil. ON top of that they have a natural gas field that supplies gas to the European market.



The main religions there are: Muslim (Shia & Sunni), Christianity, Judaism, Animism

The questions that are swirling around in my mind, are these:

If, the US complies, how is Iran going to react having it built in a country that borders them?

What will their backlash be?

If they are truly just developing "energy" then they have NO need to be concerned. But, in retrospect, it is still a smear upon them. An insult, if you will. It will be interesting to see what is going to happen with this new proposal and the reaction of the international community as a whole. I still stick to my stance yesterday. I think it's ridiculous that we are going to be spending an exuberant amount of money on this. If we do decide to do this, our country better not be the only one that finances this project, especially if the whole of Europe will be "protected" as claimed.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070607/ap_on_re_eu/bush_116
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1235976.stm

How Many More Countries Can We Piss Off?

Let's take a look at the list so far:

Iraq
North Korea
Iran
Now, Russia?
My question is this: Why in the world are we even contemplating spending THAT much money on building this in FOREIGN countries?

Who gives a flying rip if Iran or North Korea attack the Czech Republic or Poland? I have nothing against these countries, but let them protect themselves. Is this honestly worth pissing off the Russians even more? Bringing us to another Cold War?

A few News bits today:

Bush, in an interview with The Associated Press and other reporters, said no U.S. military response was required after Putin warned that Russia would take steps in response to a U.S. missile shield that would be deployed in Poland and the Czech Republic.

"Russia is not an enemy," Bush said, seeking not to inflame a heated exchange of rhetoric between Washington and Moscow. "There needs to be no military response because we're not at war with Russia. ... Russia is not a threat. Nor is the missile defense we're proposing a threat to Russia."

The president's plan to deploy an anti-missile radar system in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles in Poland is likely to be a key topic in Bush's meeting Thursday with Putin.

Asked if he anticipated a tense encounter, Bush replied "Could be. I don't think so ... I'll work to see that it's not a tense meeting."

Putin has accused the U.S. of starting a new arms race and said if the U.S. pressed ahead with its plan, Russia would revert to targeting its missiles on Europe as it did during the Cold War. China joined Russia in saying the missile defense plan could touch off a new escalation in nuclear weapons.

The move to put the missile defense shield in former Warsaw Pact nations — purportedly as a defense against a future missile launch from Iran — clearly fanned Putin's anger.

Bush cited Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's declaration that it was "too late" to stop Iran's nuclear program as justification for the U.S. missile defense system. "Therefore, let's build a missile defense system," Bush said, adding that it was time to return to the U.N. Security Council to tighten pressure on Iran to give up its suspected weapons program.

The system, which Washington hopes to install by 2011, comprises a radar station in the Czech Republic and 10 interceptor missiles, which could be split between that country and Poland. The US already has a network of alert satellites and radars, as well as anti-missile shields in California and Alaska. The cost? At least 550 million.

On Monday the commander of Russia's space forces warned that the missile defence system for eastern Europe would pose a "clear threat" to his country.

"Our analysis shows that the location of the US base would be a clear threat to Russia," ITAR-TASS news agency quoted General Vladimir Popovkin as saying.

"It's doubtful that Iranian or North Korean rockets would go across Poland or the Czech Republic... (But) the radar in the Czech Republic would be able to monitor rocket installations in central Russia and the (Russian) Northern Fleet."

Kisliak reiterated Russia's concerns on Tuesday.

"Of course it is the prerogative of every state to guarantee its own security but this must be done without creating a sense of danger in neighbouring states," he insisted.

US, Czech and Polish leaders have rejected Moscow's fears as groundless.


With regards to Iran, I find it quite funny, now that Iraq is weakened and Iran is growing stronger, our issues with Iran are becoming more and more vocalized. Does anyone else see this pattern? All this is about, is who is going to control the "oil"- rich gulf.... That's it.

If we can cast doubt upon their intentions and cause the whole world to eye Iran warily, then our argument becomes more validated. The Power of Fear, that is all that it is.

Instill Fear by means of propaganda and the public will support any measure you want to take.

History behind the facility in question:

An Iranian opposition group first revealed publicly the existence of this site in August 2002.

The Iranian government has announced that over the next 20 years it wants to build several nuclear power reactors for a total capacity of 6,000 megawatts of electricity. Tehran has also stated that it wants to be self-sufficient in the nuclear area, implying that it wants to produce the low enriched uranium it would need for at least some of these reactors. It does not appear to want to produce all its low enriched uranium fuel. For example, it has announced that it will buy low enriched uranium from Russia for the Bushehr power reactor that Russia is providing.

Some words coming out of Iran in the last 48 hours:

"The only way for a nation to realise its rights is vigilant resistance. They should be alert, recognise their rights and insist on it," Khamenei told thousands of people attending Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's shrine in the southern outskirts of Tehran.

"A nation that wants to reach independence must pay a price. If it wants to preserve its rights against bullies, then it has to pay a price."
Khamenei's speech was interrupted by chants of "nuclear energy is our natural right" and "death to America".

He said: "It cannot sit in a corner and expect development and progress."
"Iranians should not beg for their right to obtain nuclear energy. They should not beg to the domineering world powers. This is not the way of an independent and free nation." Ayatollah Khameini


Tehran insists it wants only to generate energy for a growing population and its leaders have vowed they will hit back hard against any attack on atomic installations.

Read an earlier post that I wrote for my thoughts on Iran's rights to develop Nuclear Energy: http://outofmymindleaveamessage.blogspot.com/2007/05/its-our-right-to-tell-you-what-to-do.html

Our country NEEDS to stop being so concerned with other countries and focus on ourselves, before we get ourselves into a bind.

It's Our Right To Tell YOU What To Do!

So, I was laying bed last night watching the History Channel, I start watching a show called History Declassified, profiling Ayatollah Khomeini and his rise to political power, the steps that took place, so on so forth... After that show was over, another came on about the History of Iran. Very interesting stuff, especially with the tensions increasing in that area.

How many times has it been said, all great empires fall.....Why, do we as men, seek to reinstate that power? I do feel bad for them. Persia was a great empire! Highly enlightened, developed, and well run.Cyrus the Great was an awesome ruler! My opinion of course, take it or leave it...Obviously, he was doing something right, since the empire still continued to run successfully for over a hundred years after his death. But then of course entered Alexander The Great and all came to an end... Of course you have to admire him as well.....

But, I am getting off track here...

Healthy Debate if you will...

Questions: How would you feel if two countries joined together and put our next leader into power so their interests could be protected? What steps would you take to ensure that doesn't happen again? How would you defend your rights?

My response to this is long, so bear with me....

If, I was a citizen of a country and knew that my political leader was a puppet on a string, I would be outraged...(oh, wait, our leader is a puppet on a string, working for the big corporations, not our interests....my opinion folks, take it or leave it) I would want to see that person put out of power. Now, here is the tricky part though, Who is the best to take their place?

Granted, Shah Pahlavi did great things for their industries, but as far the people of the country go, he didn't do much. He was a puppet doing as he was directed to do. Things only can get worse, as we all remember they did....

Enter the Ayatollah Khomeini. Here is a religious leader, who was respected and loved by many, stepping up, causing outcries for change among the people. His goal? To bring Iran back to it's former glory with no outside interference, no one trying to take over, no outside interests pulling the strings. After all, they were once great...Until they were invaded by Alexander and it was all downhill from there.Admirable? Maybe....should we still be concerned? You betcha...Did you know that every Friday after prayers, they still gather to holler Death to America? By the thousands...They blame us for their hardships. Are they validated in doing so? I don't know, you be the judge....

Ayatollah Khomeini, is dead and gone now...but the people still remember him and honor him. His views are still shared by many of the people.

Now, lets move forward to the present.

Ahmadinejad, elected as president August of 2005. He was the only candidate that spoke out against future relations with the US. Once again, should we be concerned?

Just a few news bits lately:

Iranian officials have warned repeatedly that they may feel forced to respond aggressively if the Security Council takes action against them, but their strongest words were reserved for the United States. Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, told the gathered ambassadors in Vienna on Wednesday: "The United States has the power to cause harm and pain, but the United States is also susceptible to harm and pain. So if that is the path that the U.S. wishes to choose, let the ball roll out."
When asked if Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil supplier, would use its oil exports as a weapon to punish the West, Javad Vaeedi, deputy head of Iran's National Security Council, said: "We will not do so now, but if the situation changes we will have to review our oil policies." Los Angeles Times, March 9,2006.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the West could not force Iran to give up its right to nuclear power through "bullying and brutality".
US officials have called for continued international pressure on Iran.
The UN nuclear agency has decided to send a report on Iran's nuclear activity to the UN Security Council.
"Western countries know that they are not capable of inflicting the slightest blow on the Iranian nation because they need the Iranian nation," Mr Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying in a speech. "They will suffer more and they are vulnerable," he said, without elaborating.
BBC NEWS, March 9, 2006.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) March 10, 2006 - President George W. Bush said on Friday he assumed Iran's threat to impose pain and suffering on the United States was related to the U.S. need for imported energy resources.

I only have one response to this.... Hasn't anyone told you about assuming things Bush??? All it does it make an ASS out of U and ME......I think it is very arrogant and naive to underestimate the power of an ANGRY country...

In short, not that any of my writings are that, I can understand the outrage of the Iranian people. I understand the steps that they have taken. I understand their need to be thriving, healthy, and free from all outside influences. But, do I condone war? Hell NO! Do I want them developing nuclear warheads? Hell NO!! But, on the flipside of that, I am not so naive to think that our country doesn't have a few of those armed and ready if necessary....

So, who are we to tell them, that they can't have them as well?