"Redacted" stuns Venice

VENICE (Reuters) - A new film about the real-life rape and killing of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl by U.S. soldiers who also murdered her family stunned the Venice festival, with shocking images that left some viewers in tears.

"Redacted", by U.S. director Brian De Palma, is one of at least eight American films on the war in Iraq due for release in the next few months and the first of two movies on the conflict screening in Venice's main competition. Inspired by one of the most serious crimes committed by American soldiers in Iraq since the 2003 invasion, it is a harrowing indictment of the conflict and spares the audience no brutality to get its message across. De Palma, 66, whose "Casualties of War" in 1989 told a similar tale of abuse by American soldiers in Vietnam, makes no secret of the goal he is hoping to achieve with the film's images, all based on real material he found on the Internet. "The movie is an attempt to bring the reality of what is happening in Iraq to the American people," he told reporters after a press screening. "The pictures are what will stop the war. One only hopes that these images will get the public incensed enough to motivate their Congressmen to vote against this war," he said. Abeer Qasim Hamza al-Janabi was gang raped, killed and burnt by American soldiers in Mahmudiya, south of Baghdad, in March 2006. Her parents and younger daughter were also killed.  

Five soldiers have since been charged with the attack. Four of them have been given sentences of between 5 and 110 years. "IT'S ALL ON THE INTERNET" Halfway between documentary and fiction, "Redacted" draws on soldiers' home-made war videos, blogs and journals and footage posted on YouTube, reflecting changes in the way the media cover the war. "In Vietnam, when we saw the images and the sorrow of the people we were traumatizing and killing, we saw the soldiers wounded and brought back in body bags. We see none of that in this war," De Palma said. "It's all out there on the Internet, you can find it if you look for it, but it's not in the major media. The media is now really part of the corporate establishment," he said. The film's title refers to how, according to De Palma, mainstream American newspapers and television channels are failing to tell the true story of the war by keeping the most graphic images of the conflict away from public opinion. "When I went out to find the pictures, I said (to the media) give me the pictures you can't publish," he said, adding that because of legal dangers he too had to "edit" the material. "Everything that is in the movie is based on something I found that actually happened. But once I had put it in the script I would get a note from a lawyer saying you can't use that because it's real and we may get sued," De Palma said.   Continued...

See Related Blog below: Army Murders

"So I was forced to fictionalize things that were actually real." The film, shot in Jordan with a little known cast, ends with a series of photographs of Iraqi civilians killed and their faces blacked out for legal reasons. "I think that's terrible because now we have not even given the dignity of faces to this suffering people," De Palma said. "The great irony about Redacted is that it was redacted." Distributor Magnolia has planned a limited U.S. release for later this year, and the film may be easier to sell to European audiences rather than to the American public. "This is a harrowing experience you put the audience through. It is not something you want to go to on a delightful Saturday evening but this message must be put forward and hopefully the public will respond," De Palma said

 

Sadr 'freezes' militia activities

The Mehdi Army is believed to have some 60,000 fighters Radical Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr says he is freezing the activities of his Mehdi Army militia for up to six months in order to re-organise it. He has also called on all its offices to co-operate with the security forces and exercise "self-control". Analysts see the move as an attempt by Moqtada Sadr to regain control over his increasingly divided militia. The order was read out at a news conference in Karbala, where fighting on Tuesday killed more than 50 people. Police blamed the Mehdi Army for the violence, but it denied involvement.

 

Last Updated: Wednesday, 29 August 2007, 02:20 GMT 03:20 UK 'Militants dead' in Afghan battle Fighting with the Taleban has raged since spring Nato-led forces in Afghanistan say they have been involved in a major battle against suspected Afghan insurgents in the southern Kandahar province. More than 100 militants were reported killed, but there was no independent confirmation of the figure. A statement said fighting erupted when insurgents ambushed a joint Afghan-Nato force in Shah Wali Kot. Aircraft bombed the insurgents' positions. Earlier, three US soldiers were killed in a suicide attack in the east. The troops were helping to build a bridge, AP news agency quoted an unnamed US official as saying. The US-led coalition also said three of its troops and two Afghan soldiers were killed in eastern Kunar province on Sunday. Attacks have soared in Afghanistan, with more than 3,000 people killed in 2007. Air support In clashes in Kandahar province, soldiers were attacked from several positions with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, according to an alliance statement. An Afghan security forces member was killed and three international and three Afghan troops wounded, the statement said. In the clash in Kunar province, 10 other coalition troops were wounded on Sunday, the coalition said. It said up to 22 militants had been killed in two other clashes in the south. There was no immediate reaction to the reports from the Taleban. Statements from the coalition said that all the incidents were sparked by ambushes from insurgent forces. In the other incidents, in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar, the coalition said insurgents had been repulsed by Afghan government forces acting with coalition supervision. In the Helmand encounter, it said 12 rebels had been killed after Afghan forces called in coalition air support, which helped identify targets but did not engage the insurgents

Be sure and see my previous Blog on said subject when all this first came to light months ago.  The question I put forth was, "What made them even think they could get away with it?"  Authoritative vindictive bastards in power "don't tread on me".  Gandalf

-- Embattled U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales intends to resign, senior administration officials tell CNN.  

     
   

Ms Berry you guys freaked me smooth out.  When I saw you duck down below the dash of that van and glare at me with that silly looking squint, I freaked.  I thought you were the law trying to frame me again.  You looked like a little kid behind that dash and I thought "they are trying to frame me again."  After the fact that the local narcs planted drugs on me and threw me in jail on that one million dollar bond: you might well understand why I reacted like I did.  Who ever was driving that day knows nothing about surveillance and I need to give him a few lessons.  The law was following you as you visited Lubbock and observed me; so I was convinced they were coming after me again.  You cannot imagine the hell I raised down town: so much so, that a Lubbock S.O. narc showed up at my house to say it was not me that they were watching.  This is a very dangerous situation I am in; for a lot of powerful people could go down because of my investigation and bringing the truth to the public.

Singleton All Up In Berry's Tulia
Date: July 25, 2007
By: Ryan 'The Rican with the Irish name' McLelland
Source: Blackfilm
As per Blackfilm, Carl Franklin is no longer attached to direct the Halle Berry/ Billy Bob Thornton vehicle,'Tulia'. Blackfilm.com has learned that John Singleton will now direct the long-delayed film for Lionsgate.

Berry will portray the key attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund in a case involving the 1999 arrests of 10% of the black population of Tulia, Texas. The arrests did not produce drugs or money, causing prosecutors and civil rights groups to denounce the bust as racial profiling. The undercover agent who conducted the bust was indicted for perjury; most of the 46 arrestees were pardoned by Texas Gov. Rick Perry last year.

The character that Berry plays is not African American but Indian. Thorton is definitely attached to the film and Columbus Short is being wooed for a role in the film as well. 'Tulia' is an adaptation of the Nate Blakeslee book "Tulia: Race, Cocaine, and Corruption in a Small Texas Town." Shooting will take place in Texas.

"Tulia" is a co-production between Element Films and Lift Films. Pic is being produced by Mike Tolin, John Singleton, and Charlotte Sumpter.

"Tulia," had been in development at Paramount-based Tollin/Robbins for several years until Lionsgate picked it up. As of a few days ago, Variety reported that Franklin will be directing 'The Maintenance Man' for Screen Gems. Berry's last film was 'Perfect Stranger' with Bruce Willis and will star opposite Benecio Del Toro in the upcoming, 'Things We Lost in the Fire'. Singleton last directed the ensemble film, 'Four Brothers' with Tyrese Gibson and Mark Wahlberg in 2005, but recently produced Craig Brewer's 'Black Snake Moan' and Franc Reyes''Illegal Tender', which opens on August 24th.

 America has greatly been weakened, no longer the world influence it once was.
Problem; World lawlessness and terrorism.
Solution; Solve the refugee problem for here is the root cause.
Problem; porous borders weapon and drug smuggling
Solution; legalize domestic production of drugs
Problem; Afghanistan heroin finances Ben Laden
Solution; Purchase poppy crop and turn the opium over to the medical world for use controllably
Problem; American financial crisis
Solution; Tariff China's goods
Problem; petroleum shortage
Solution; Temporary fix, open military reserves off the coast of California, Alaska and the East Coast
Problem; War
Solution; Seven major religions of the world must confess their sins and return to Gods work. One down six to go.
Problem; Immigration in a Consumer driven economy
Solution; Develop Central and South American resources not China's

Problem; The future is uncertain
Solution; Put God before all that you do and think defensively

CIA didn’t do enough to stop 9/11, report finds

Agency watchdog says officials lacked comprehensive plan to stop al-Qaida

 Gandalf's Audio Feed on the CIA will be returning soon, meanwhile see my related Blog entries on the CIA going back to 1984.

Be sure and catch my related story on my audio feed.  "USA worlds largest drug consumer and Mexico another Columbia in the making."   PEACE,   GANDALF

 

http://cbs11tv.com/topstories/local_story_228180412.html 

CLICK FOR VIDEO AND STORY

When you act like a Nazi the world not forgetting will react as if it were true. We cannot abandon the principles upon which we were founded. Peace to you all with sincere love for all of Gods creatures.  Gandalf 

 

BBC Current Affairs News Programs Ordered Off Russia's FM Airwaves

August 17, 2007 1:17 p.m. EST

Moscow, Russia (AHN) - British Broadcasting Corp. Russian language radio programming has been removed from broadcast by its last FM radio partner in Russia, BBC officials announced on Friday. The removal was ordered by the Russian government. It follows the recent removal of BBC programming from two other of Russia's FM stations.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008229919

Update:  08/15/07 Recent reports show 250000 Turkish troups are now massed on the border.  Peace  Gandalf

Iraq: Kurdish Region Feels Threat Of Turkish Invasion
By Abd al-Hamid Zibari  
ZAKHO, Iraq; July 13, 2007 (RFE/RL) – In recent weeks, Turkey has massed tens of thousands of soldiers on its border with Iraq and repeatedly threatened to launch a cross-border operation to pursue Kurdish militants. The reasons why many people in Kurdish-administered northern Iraq see a Turkish invasion as a real possibility become ever more apparent as you near the border. There are abandoned villages, craters in the road from recent shelling, some unexploded shells in the fields, and fires that have been lit on the mountainsides by artillery barrages. Residents of the Zakho and Kanimasi areas in Dahuk Governorate claim there is regular artillery and mortar fire coming from the Turkish side of the border. The targets are the militiamen of the separatist Turkish-Kurd PKK, who have bases in this mountainous area. But the locals say the shelling and Turkish raids into Iraq to chase the militants seriously threaten their own lives, too.

  

 Be sure and see related story on my blog: "High on Gandalf's Staff".  Peace  <ZZZZZZZZZ###~   GANDALF

Giant tree Gandalf's Staff saved from logging

 
Two views of Gandalf's Staff, Coupe SX13C, Styx Valley.
Forestry Tasmania recently announced that it would protect Gandalf's Staff under its Giant Tree Policy.

Gandalf's Staff, in logging coupe SX 13C, was home to the Global Rescue Station in the summer of 2003-2004, and previously earmarked for felling this financial year.

The protection of this tree comes after 18 months of solid campaigning by The Wilderness Society. Fortunately the measurements of the tree exceeded the Giant Tree threshold. Independent Victorian tree enthusiast Mr Brett Mifsud measured the tree at 285 m3, just over the minimum of 280 m3 needed for preservation.

Forestry Tasmania has said it will put an appropriate buffer zone around the tree. It has verbally confirmed that SX 13C will not be logged in this financial year, which had been its previous plan, and that the coupe will require a lot more "planning work" before any logging can occur. The Wilderness Society believes that effectively removes SX13C off the agenda.

Another giant tree in the Styx Valley is The Chapel Tree which is much loved by visitors. This has also been protected under the Giant Tree Policy.


Chapel Tree, Styx Valley.
In 1999, the Chapel Tree was part of coupe SX 15B, which was planned for logging the following year. The Wilderness Society's campaign delayed that logging.

In response to that campaign Forestry Tasmania developed its Giant Tree Policy. The Chapel Tree is now recognised as the second most massive living thing in Tasmania and is protected. Unfortunately, much of the surrounding forest remains under threat.
 

Discoveries at Bimini: Columns, Marble Building Ruins, and Possible Building Foundations in 100-Feet of Water

By Dr. Greg Little      http://mysterious-america.net/bimini2007.html

 

 

By STEVEN R. HURST

Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq's most senior Sunni politician issued a desperate appeal Sunday for Arab nations to help stop what he called an ``unprecedented genocide campaign'' by Shiite militias armed, trained and controlled by Iran. The U.S. military reported five American soldiers were killed, apparently lured into an al-Qaida trap. Adnan al-Dulaimi said ``Persians'' and ``Safawis,'' Sunni terms for Iranian Shiites, were on the brink of total control in Baghdad and soon would threaten Sunni Arab regimes which predominate in the Mideast. ``It is a war that has started in Baghdad and they will not stop there but will expand it to all Arab lands,'' al-Dulaimi wrote in an impassioned broadside e-mailed to The Associated Press 

 

Saying 'no' to Gandalf cost Sir Sean up to £225 million

SEAN Connery turned down the largest paycheck in cinema history when he refused an offer to play Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it has emerged. If the actor had put on the long white beard and clasped the wizard's staff as the hero of Middle Earth he would have earned as much as £225 million.  Peter Jackson, the director of the fantasy trilogy, has revealed that New Line Cinema, the production company behind the films, offered the Scottish actor between 10 and 15 per cent of worldwide box office takings to secure his participation. A copy of the script was delivered to the actor in 1999 and the lucrative offer was put to CAA, the agency that manages him. However Sir Sean turned the offer down as he did not understand the complicated plot of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy masterpiece. If he had accepted the terms of the contract, which included a small fee but a large chunk of the film's future earnings, he would have earned more from a single screen role than any actor in the history of motion pictures. The three films in the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring (2000), The Two Towers (2001) and The Return of the King (2002), earned a total of £1.5 billion at the box office, which would have meant the former Bond actor would have earned between £150 million and £225 million. The fee would have dwarfed the £23 million earned by Jack Nicholson under a similar deal for his role as The Joker in Batman, released in 1989. The offer, which had previously remained confidential, was revealed in a new biography of Mr Jackson, entitled A Film-Maker's Journey by Brian Sibley.

Taleban 'release two S Koreans'

Taleban negotiators   Taleban militants in Afghanistan say they have freed two women from among the 21 South Korean hostages they are holding as a "gesture of goodwill". Taleban negotiators, who have been holding talks with a South Korean delegation in the city of Ghazni, had said earlier that a deal could be near. No Afghan or South Korean officialS  have been able to confirm the release. The South Korean Christian aid workers were seized last month. Two have already been killed by the rebels. A Taleban spokesman, Yousuf Ahmadi, told the BBC the two women were sick and that the Taleban had freed them as a sign of goodwill.

 

   

 

Flying Saucers Go Into Production

 Updated: 11:40, Friday August 03, 2007

A "flying saucer" that glides three metres above the ground and carries two people has gone into commerical production.

 The M200G volantor: yours for under £45,000
 US company Moller International has begun to manufacture parts for its Jetsons-like personal flying pod, the M200G Volantor.

The M200G is the size of a small car and is designed to take off and land vertically.

Company founder Dr Paul Moller calls the craft "the ultimate off-road vehicle" as it is able to travel over any surface.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,70131-1278332,00.html
  

  Senate Passes Bush Terrorism Spy Bill
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate, in a high-stakes showdown over national security, voted late Friday to temporarily give President Bush expanded authority to eavesdrop on suspected foreign terrorists without court warrants. The House, meanwhile, rejected a Democratic version of the bill.

 Soldier Found Guilty of Rape, Murder
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) - A military jury on Friday found a soldier guilty of rape and murder in the slayings of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and her family. Jurors deliberated much of Friday evening before convicting Army Pfc. Jesse Spielman, 22, of conspiracy to commit rape, rape, housebreaking with intent to commit rape and four counts of felony murder.