Good Grief! How Did We End Up on the Verge of Another Government Shutdown?

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/news/2013/09/30/75994/good-grief-how-did-we-end-up-on-the-verge-of-another-government-shutdown/

Published on September 29th, 2013 | http://www.lobelog.com/remember-bibis-wisdom-on-iraq-11-years-ago/#more-21201

Remember Bibi’s Wisdom on Iraq 11 Years Ago

by Jim Lobe
On the eve of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House and subsequent speech at the UN General Assembly, it once again appears appropriate to recall the great geopolitical wisdom he displayed almost exactly 11 years ago when he appeared before Congress to bang the drums of war against Iraq with a confidence fully equal to that of the neoconservatives whose arguments he echoed (and may have helped shape). He subsequently drew heavily on his testimony in an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal’s neocon editorial page (September 20, 2002) and in an interview with the Washington Times a month later (October 23).

Obama, ObamaCare, and Health Care as a Right By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Obama, ObamaCare, and Health Care as a Right  By Lambert Strether of Corrente. 

Obama, ObamaCare, and Health Care as a Right

By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Read more at http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/09/obama-obamacare-and-health-care-as-a-right.html#VBKfp7ugsuQ3tctW.99

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/09/obama-obamacare-and-health-care-as-a-right.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29

FAS Roundup: September 30, 2013 Plutonium shortage, court rules against CIA and much more.

FAS Roundup

FAS Roundup: September 30, 2013 Plutonium shortage, court rules against CIA and much more.

From the Blogs Court Curbs CIA Use of a FOIA Exception: A federal court ruled last month that the CIA tried to make “inappropriate” use of an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act to withhold information that was not subject to the exemption. The judge ruled that the Agency was also wrongly attempting to withhold “information that relates to” CIA organization and personnel– which is almost everything the Agency does. Houston, We Need Some Plutonium: According to recent reports, the United States may be running out of plutonium – specifically the isotope Pu-238, which is used to fuel spacecraft. In a new post on the ScienceWonk Blog, Dr. Y investigates how Pu-238 is used as a power source, and other alternative energy sources that are being researched to ensure that the U.S. space exploration program continues. Reaching the Debt Ceiling and More from CRS: Secrecy News has obtained recently released CRS reports on topics such as the debt ceiling, private health plans under ACA, Pentagon operations during a government shutdown and an overview of federal funding gaps.

Office Space for Rent in Washington, DC FAS has three offices for rent in the heart of Washington’s central business district, within less than a minute’s walk to Farragut North metro stop on the red line, and less than four minutes walking distance from Farragut West metro stop on the orange and blue line. The offices are 130 sqft each and are furnished. Rent for each office is $1,200 per month; package deals with reduced rates are possible. Included is the use of one large conference room, as well as a small meeting room; kitchen; reception; the use of a copy room, and general work area; separate work area for interns.   For more information, click here.

Job Opportunity: Nuclear Scientist at NRDC The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is seeking a full-time nuclear scientist or nuclear engineer to work with the Nuclear Program team in the Washington, DC office on technical projects concerning: reactor safety and regulation, the role of nuclear power in an energy policy that addresses climate change, and the environmental and non-proliferation impacts of the nuclear fuel cycle. The position will directly support a recently-initiated NRDC project to prototype a citizen radiation monitoring network, including work with hand-held radiation detectors, data acquisition and analysis, and the development of the online network architecture. The position will also have a leading role in NRDC’s work on security aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, including MOX and cyber threat issues. Responsibilities will include performing calculations and technical analysis, authoring and contributing to NRDC publications and to scientific publication of research in peer-reviewed professional journals. The candidate will also provide technical support to NRDC’s nuclear regulatory and licensing interventions, and NRDC’s legislative work on the nuclear fuel cycle. Applications may be submitted here.

Event: Short Course on Nuclear Issues in the 21st Century The American Physical Society’s Forum on Physics & Society and the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs are sponsoring a short course on nuclear weapons issues in the 21st century on November 2-3, 2013 at George Washington University in Washington, DC. The workshop will bring together international experts who will give technical background on issues such as CTBT on-site inspections, India and Pakistan’s nuclear programs, ballistic missile defense and nuclear forensics. Director of the Nuclear Information Project Mr. Hans Kristensen will be presenting on modernizing the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Early registration is encouraged as the course may sell out; last day to register is October 25. For conference agenda and registration, click here.

FAS in the News Sept 25: Associated Press, "Iran Tries To Shine Light On Israeli Nukes" Sept 25: Time, "RIP Megatons For Megawatts" Sept 23: RT, "Aging US Atomic Bomb Caught In Strategic Tug-Of-War" Sept 22: Omaha World-Herald, "Clock Is Ticking On Aging B61 Bomb, StratCom Chief Says"

: September 30, 2013

Plutonium shortage, court rules against CIA and much more.

US rules ‘endanger’ derivatives reforms

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/dda5f480-26c4-11e3-bbeb-00144feab7de.html?ftcamp=traffic/email/content/editor//memmkt&siteedition=intl#axzz2gPKLLx2G 

China's Renminbi Is Well On Its Way To Becoming A Global Reserve Currency

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/renminbi-soon-to-be-a-reserve-currency-2013-9#ixzz2gPJU6mIV

http://www.businessinsider.com/renminbi-soon-to-be-a-reserve-currency-2013-9?utm_source=alerts&nr_email_referer=1

China wins $2 billion oil deal in Uganda

China wins $2 billion oil deal in Uganda
Kampala (AFP) Sept 27, 2013 - China's state-owned CNOOC has secured a $2-billion deal to develop a petroleum field in Uganda and help propel the east African nation into the club of oil-producing countries, an official said Friday. "This is a major breakthrough as a country," Uganda's junior energy minister Peter Lokeris told AFP, confirming that a deal had been reached earlier this month with the China National Offshore ... morehttp://www.oilgasdaily.com/reports/China_wins_2_billion_oil_deal_in_Uganda_999.html

Back Off, Bibi

• The Buzz

Ashley Frohwein

|
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/back-bibi-9150

CFR Daily News Brief 9/30 U.S. Government on Brink of Shutdown

Daily News Brief September 30, 2013

Top of the Agenda: U.S. Government on Brink of Shutdown

The U.S. government is on the brink of its first partial shutdown in seventeen years after a weekend of negotiations between the House and Senate over passing a clean budget ended in stalemate (Bloomberg). Republicans in the House, along with some Democrats, voted to delay the implementation of President Obama's landmark healthcare overhaul law for a year as a compromise to keep the government open, a position that was quickly rejected by Senate leaders (AP). Stock markets in Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, and South Korea declined over concerns about the shutdown (BBC).

Analysis

"Mr. Obama also refuses to bend on any part of ObamaCare—except when he unilaterally announces bending in his own political interest. He decided on his own, and contrary to the plain text of the law, to delay for a year the business mandate to provide insurance for employees. He also unilaterally delayed verifying the income of Americans seeking subsidies," the Wall Street Journal writes in an editorial.

"Delaying the health law by a year, supported by all but two House Republicans, would prevent 11 million uninsured people from getting coverage in 2014 and raise premiums for those buying coverage in the individual insurance market. The real goal is not to delay but to destroy health reform by making it appear unworkable," the New York Times writes in an editorial.

"And so we have arrived at the bizarre juncture where it makes more sense for Mr. Obama to talk to the leader of Iran than to talk to Congress. Republicans will soon face the choice of climbing down from their demands or pressing the fiscal equivalent of the nuclear button. Either route will bring them defeat. Everyone must hope that they opt for the less glorious version this time," writes Edward Luce in the Financial Times.

The LatestNational Security coverage from FP 9/30

The Latest from FP

• Why Bibi Should Rest Easy - By Aaron David Miller
• It's Time to Abandon 'Munich' - By Tom Shachtman
• A Singh and a Miss - By Michael Kugelman
• Absurdistan, D.C. - By Gordon Adams
• The Test We're Giving Iran Is Rigged - By James Traub
  The Latest National Security coverage from FP

  • Shutdown’s looming question: will the military get paid?; In South Korea, katchi kapshida; Why you shouldn’t joke about axe murderers at the DMZ; ICYMI: O’Bagy joins McCain; Forbes: members ignorant of defense issues; and a bit more.
  • It's Time to Abandon 'Munich'
  • E-mails by Pentagon contractor show 2012 exchanges about Iran shipments; Hagel is wheels up for Asia; Don’t criticize the troops, you could lose your job; Marine whistleblower, so relieved; The fallacy of the “sex jihad;” and a bit more.
  • When Rouhani Met Ollie North
  • A loss of confidence: HP fires The Experts; Vickers, Olson lead shooting panels; Hagel lunches with Bloomberg; JSF: hundreds of deficiencies; Amos, taking names; Josh Rogin, not laughing; and a bit more.
  • The Soldier and the State Go Public
  • “Furloughs: “A new day for federal service!” Cartwright loses his security clearance; Drones moved in Djibouti; Is Bill Caldwell in trouble?; Carter to announce Navy Yard panel; Syria solution came from an all-night bender (JK!); and a bit more.
  • Forget the Handshake
  • The wolf closest to the door at the Pentagon; Is Iran fahreal?; the Navy Yard shooter lied, the military says; A hate crime in New York; Stimson: Do these 27 things and save $50 billion; A retired Marine colonel sounds off; and a bit more.
  • Armageddon 2
    The Latest from FP

    • A new wave of car bombings hits Baghdad
    • The American-Iraqi Encounter
    • Iraqi Kurdistan's historic election
    • U.S. and Iran launch new round of nuclear negotiations
    • Erdogan’s Syria frustrations

A Chinese comment Try serious diplomacy with Iran

A Chinese comment

Try serious diplomacy with Iran

By Zhao Jinglun

September 29, 2013 | http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/2013-09/29/content_30167052.htm

Adjust font size:

Barack Obama got his response to Iran's peace offer "half right," in the words of Leslie Gelb of the Council on Foreign Relations. Obama said a "meaningful agreement" between the arch rivals is possible and added "I firmly believe the diplomatic path must be tested." He instructed U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to pursue diplomatic efforts with the Iranian government in close coordination with the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China. Trita Parsi, head of the National Iranian American Council, called it "very good news." Iran's President Hassan Rouhani also called for "time-bound and result-oriented talks" in his UN speech, and added that he hopes it will take months, not years, to reach an agreement.

Saudi Arabia "Outraged" At Obama's Peace Overtures With Syria, Iran

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-09-29/saudi-arabia-outraged-obamas-peace-overtures-syria-iran

---

Skip to: [Footnotes]

Why Have Americans' Income Expectations Declined So Sharply?*

Claudia Sahm†

September 26th, 2013

Data from the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers (Michigan survey) suggests that Americans' income expectations declined sharply in the 2008-09 recession and remain depressed. The reasons for this marked increase in pessimism are important because theory suggests that income expectations are a fundamental determinant of consumer spending and may help us understand the slow economic recovery.
In this article, I examine two related questions about income expectations:

• Was the decline concentrated among households with certain characteristics, or was it much more widespread in the population?
• Did the decline reflect the more adverse experiences of certain households, or was it reflective of a more general malaise?

I used the monthly individual-level data from January 2007 to April 2012 in the Michigan survey to answer these questions.¹

Large, Persistent Drop in Income Expectations

The first chart plots the survey responses to the following question on nominal income expectations: "During the next 12 months, do you expect your (family) income to be higher or lower than during the past year?"

Figure 1: Nominal Income Expectations

Figure 1 Description

As shown by the black line-from the start of the series in the late 1970s until 2007-on average, 60 percent of respondents expected their family income to be higher over the next year. The percent expecting higher income typically dipped in earlier recessions (the gray bars), but the decline in the last recession was much larger and has been much more persistent. The percent expecting lower income (the red line) reached an unprecedented high level in the last recession and has remained elevated. The responses to a separate survey question about real income expectations (not shown) display a similar pattern.

Pessimism Seen across a Wide Range of Households

The recent drop in income expectations does not appear to be limited to a select group of households. The summary measure of income expectations used here is the diffusion index, or the percentage of respondents expecting higher income minus the percentage expecting lower income plus 100. The left panel in the second chart shows that income expectations fell sharply in the recession for all levels of education. The decline was somewhat larger for individuals with less education (the red and black lines), but by the first half of 2012 the income expectations of all education groups were comparably depressed relative to their pre-recession levels.

Figure 2a: Income Expectations by Household Characteristics: Education

*Diffusion index for each group is calculated as the percentage of households expecting higher income minue the percentage of households expecting lower income plus 100.
Source: University of Michigan, Survey of Consumers.

Figure 2a Data

Figure 2b: Income Expectations by Household Characteristics: Age

*Diffusion index for each group is calculated as the percentage of households expecting higher income minue the percentage of households expecting lower income plus 100.
Source: University of Michigan, Survey of Consumers.

Figure 2b Data

The right panel shows the differences in income expectations by age. The data indicate that income expectations declined in all age groups. Interestingly, the income expectations of households headed by individuals over the age of 60 (the red line) also fell sharply, suggesting that the weak labor market, at least directly, may not be the only reason for the increased pessimism. This decline in expectations across all education and age groups, as well as similar patterns (not shown) in income expectations by gender, marital status, and position in the income distribution, point to a widespread decline in income expectations over the past several years.

Income Expectations Vary by Financial Experiences or Circumstances

There is a strong relationship in this survey between individuals' recent financial experiences and their income expectations. Income expectations are substantially higher for households who consider themselves to be better off financially than for those who are worse off financially. While this may seem obvious, if a household viewed their recent financial setback to be temporary, they might be even more likely to expect higher income growth than a household whose finances had improved recently. Within each group of financial experiences-the "better-offs" and "worse-offs"-there is only a modest decline in average income expectations from 2007 to 2012. However, as is well known, household finances generally deteriorated considerably during the recession. The percent of households reporting being worse off financially than the previous year rose sharply and the percent better off financially fell considerably. Altogether, this suggests that at least some of the steep decline in income expectations might simply be a reflection of more households than usual experiencing adverse shocks to their own finances. To further investigate this explanation, I use the variation across households to identify the relationship between income expectations and selected household characteristics and experiences. The household characteristics included are age, education, and gender. To proxy for households' experiences, I use the unemployment rate in a respondent's state of residence, the change in respondent personal finances (just presented above), and the change in respondent home value. For this regression analysis, I pooled all household responses from January 2007 to April 2012. I also remove the average differences in income expectations from quarter to quarter and across states of residence.

Household Circumstances Only Partly Explain Lower Expectations

The last chart uses the estimated relationships to decompose the change in income expectations by households' experiences, households' characteristics, and an unexplained residual.

Figure 3: Decomposition of Change in Expectations

Figure 3 Data

From 2007 to 2009, income expectations fell about 30 index points (the left bar), and almost two-thirds of the decline was accounted for by households' adverse experiences (the blue portion of the bar). Household characteristics played only a small role (the red portion), and one-third of the decline in income expectations was unexplained by the variables associated with households (the green portion).
The recovery in income expectations from 2009 to the first half of 2012 (the right bar) has mainly reflected modest improvements in economic experiences, whereas the unexplained improvement has been small. Notably, the unexplained drag on expectations in the recession has not been unwound. This pattern could imply a permanent downshift in income expectations. Alternatively, it might signal the potential for a bounce back in expectations.
In summary, the pessimism of households about their future income is deep and broad based. The large and persistent decline in income expectations in the aggregate data is evident among several different types of households. This analysis also shows that adverse experiences of households can account for half of the net decline in income expectations since 2007. Given the only modest improvement in household finances and the labor market seen in the aggregate, it is perhaps not surprising that income expectations remain downbeat. Moreover, the large, unexplained shock to income expectations might suggest a permanent change in households' views-a phenomenon that would continue to weigh against a recovery in consumer spending. Or the unwinding of this excess pessimism might provide an extra boost to spending as the economy picks up further. This article highlights some recent work on income expectations-an area of ongoing study.

---

Footnotes

* FEDS Notes are intended to stimulate discussion and critical comment. The analysis and conclusions set forth are those of the authors and do not indicate concurrence by other members of the research staff or the Board of Governors. Return to Text

† Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. E-mail: claudia.r.sahm@frb.gov Return to Text

1. The Michigan survey is a nationally representative monthly survey based on about 500 telephone interviews. Individuals are selected for the survey using random digit dial sampling (including a cell phone sample) and are interviewed twice, six months apart. See www.sca.isr.umich.edu for more information on the survey. Return to Text

---

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Long-term unemployment is a catastrophe

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/09/27/short-run-unemployment-is-below-where-it-was-in-2007-long-term-unemployment-is-a-catastrophe/?wprss=rss_ezra-klein

 

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N.S.A. Gathers Data on Social Connections of U.S. Citizens

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/29/us/nsa-examines-social-networks-of-us-citizens.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

ObamaCare’s shameful and lethal three-year history — and future

ObamaCare’s shameful and lethal three-year history — and future http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/09/45883.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29

Naked Capitalism's Links on Government shudown

Government shutdown

Live updates: The shutdown showdown WaPo
As government shutdown looms, fundraising zooms Politico. The crisis will end when the sales projections are met. Kidding!
House stands firm against Obamacare, Senate won’t budge. Shutdown looms. McClatchy
Budget bill booted back to House. Just shut down government, already? Christian Science Monitor (furzy mouse). Hilarious prayer by Senate Chaplain.
Last Shutdown a Lesson Lost on Capitol Hill Times
Shutdown Would Shave U.S. Growth as Much as 1.4 Pctg. Points in Q4 Bloomberg
Dems say shutdown is inevitable The Hill
Shutdown crisis shows Washington breakdown Karen Tumulty, WaPo. If it weren’t for those crazy Republicans, we could have a Grand Bargain!
As Senate clears way for Obamacare funding, how the House planned ‘from the beginning’ to angle for a one-year delay to set up 2014 election showdown Daily Mail. Dunno why “an aide to a senior Republican congressman” is leaking to the Daily Mail, unless to float a year’s delay for ObamaCare. Of course, what with the “soft launch” ObamaCare won’t really be going for another four months, so why not split the difference and delay ObamaCare for six months and not twelve? Then both parties can get back to doing the people’s business, like gutting Social Security.

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/09/links-92913.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29

The Geopolitics of Energy

http://energy.utexas.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=221

September 29th, 2013 | http://www.lobelog.com/watching-obama-in-tehran/

Watching Obama in Tehran

by Farideh Farhi

I read about the Obama-Rouhani phone call in Farsnews, the hardline Iranian agency sometimes referred to as False News for the way it manages to distort certain events. (The official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) was apparently the first to report the call). Feeling skeptical, I turned to the New York Times where no mention of the event could be found as of yet. By the time I turned to CNN International — which, unlike its American counterpart, thinks its audience deserves better than frivolity and drama — Obama was already talking about Syria with the streaming headlines below his image confirming the phone call.

It's time to retire 'isolationism': Column

Michael Ostrolenk and John Isaacs 3:06 p.m. EDT September 27, 2013

The term is inaccurately used to describe the logic of those who oppose military intervention overseas.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/09/27/isolationism-un-congress-republicans-democrats-column/2876955/

Editor's Note

  Dear Readers:

Too many household chores to do now .... especially with winter coming around the corner.  return  Regular blogging will  return tomorrow evening.

Best regards. 

Will the NSA Revelations Kickstart the Cybersecurity Industry in China?

Will the NSA Revelations Kickstart the Cybersecurity Industry in China?

One of the common arguments in the wake of the Snowden revelations about NSA surveillance is that other countries are going to double down on developing their own technology industries to reduce their dependence on U.S. companies. The Chinese press has made this argument numerous times–highlighting how IBM, Cisco, Intel and others have penetrated http://thediplomat.com/china-power/will-the-nsa-revelations-kickstart-the-domestic-cybersecurity-industry-in-china/

Time to Defund the Syrian Rebels Now that they’ve officially joined al-Qaeda

Time to Defund the Syrian Rebels

Now that they’ve officially joined al-Qaeda

http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2013/09/26/time-to-defund-the-syrian-rebels/

Taibbi's Latest Expose: How Teachers, Cops and Firemen Are Getting Their Pensions Fleeced at Lightning Speed

Taibbi in his latest expose revealing that hedge funds are making millions from public pension funds.

September 26, 2013  |  

 

In his latest article for Rolling Stone, Matt Taibbi reports that Wall Street firms are now making millions in profits off of public pension funds nationwide. "Essentially it is a wealth transfer from teachers, cops and firemen to billionaire hedge funders," Taibbi says. "Pension funds are one of the last great, unguarded piles of money in this country and there are going to be all sort of operators that are trying to get their hands on that money."
Full transcript below the video: 
http://www.alternet.org/corporate-accountability-and-workplace/taibbi-his-latest-expose-how-wall-street-hedge-funds-are

Noam Chomsky: 'The Foundations of Liberty Are Ripped to Shreds' The U.S. openly brags about boom times for its drone wars, while casually abandoning our 800 year-old system of due process.

Noam Chomsky: 'The Foundations of Liberty Are Ripped to Shreds'

The U.S. openly brags about boom times for its drone wars, while casually abandoning our 800 year-old system of due process.

http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/noam-chomsky-america-openly-brags-about-boom-times-its-drone-wars-while-casuallty

We Live Under a Total Surveillance State in America -- Can We Prevent It from Evolving into a Full-Blown Police State?

It's our duty to save democracy from the authoritarianism emerging from the Executive Branch.

http://www.alternet.org/activism/we-live-under-total-surveillance-state-america-can-we-prevent-it-evolving-full-blown-police

Seymour Hersh: Story About Killing Osama Bin Laden is One Big Lie

Plus, 90% of lamestream editors should be fired.

http://www.alternet.org/media/seymour-hersh-story-about-killing-osama-bin-laden-one-big-lie

NSA’s Spying On Metadata Violates Our Freedom of Association

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2013/09/nsas-spying-on-our-metadata-violates-our-freedom-of-association.html

Iraq Warn Iraq Warns the US: 'Don't Arm the Syrian Rebels'?s the US: 'Don't Arm the Syrian Rebels'?

Iraq Warns the US: 'Don't Arm the Syrian Rebels'?
BOB DREYFUSS | Vast carnage in Iraq as Syrian spillover threatens to reignite Iraq's own civil war. http://www.thenation.com/blog/176364/iraq-warns-us-dont-arm-syrian-rebels?rel=emailNation#

Add It Up: The Average American Family Pays $6,000 a Year in Subsidies to Big Business

Add It Up: The Average American Family Pays $6,000 a Year in Subsidies to Big Business

by Paul Buchheit

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/09/23

People Want Full Medicare for All by Ralph Nader

People Want Full Medicare for All

by Ralph Nader

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/09/26-11

Do you need help from on high?

Do you need help from on high? Do You Know the Three Angels Who Can Help Us in Our Needs? One of our sisters shared this story with me: My mother, Catherine, had a great devotion to Saint Michael the Archangel. This led her to beg his intercession so that her two daughters could attend the Catholic school in a nearby parish, since our own parish did not have one. One day at Mass a request was made for volunteers to help care for the altar linens. My mother thought, “I know how to do that,” but promptly dismissed the thought from her mind. After Mass, on the way to the car, she heard a voice call her, “Mrs. M., aren’t you going to see the sacristan about the altar linens?” Startled, she looked up and saw a tall young man in front of her. She later told me, “He had on a suit of the most beautiful material I’ve ever seen, almost iridescent.” She did not get a good look at his face because she was “so taken” by the material of his beautiful suit. “Oh, of course,” she replied. “The sacristan is coming now. Go ahead,” the young man prompted. A bit dazed, she murmured, “Thank you,” and headed over to sign up. When she turned around, he was gone. My mother later searched for him at church but never saw him again. She was convinced that Saint Michael answered her prayer. She remembered distinctly that he had called her by name, which she had thought odd since we had only been living there for a short time and did not yet know many people. My mother joined the Ladies Altar Society, and I was among the last of the first graders admitted to the parish school. My mother was convinced that God sent Saint Michael to answer her prayer. In gratitude, she cared for the altar linens for many years after that. This story about Saint Michael shows how the angels can help us in our daily lives.... http://pauline.org/StrengthforYourDay/Blog/tabid/1005/ArticleID/219/Default.aspx

Are Some Christians Massacres Less Important Than Others?

http://www.persecution.org/?p=49475

Iranian-Israeli Nuclear Relations: A ‘New’ Cold War?

http://www.e-ir.info/2013/09/28/iranian-israeli-nuclear-relations-a-new-cold-war/

New Syria Deal Proves Yet Again: The U.N. Is Russia's Home Court

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/09/26/new_syria_deal_proves_again_the_un_is_russias_home_court

Syria Has to Open Up Its Chemical Weapons Sites By Tuesday

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/09/27/syria_has_to_open_up_its_chemical_weapons_sites_by_monday_0?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foreignpolicy%2Fthecable+%28The+Cable%29

More FP Coverage SYRIA'S CIVIL WAR

• A Partial Syria Reset
• License to Kill
• New Syria Deal Proves Yet Again: The U.N. Is Russia's Home Court

Seymour Hersh on Obama, NSA and the 'pathetic' American media

http://www.theguardian.com/media/media-blog/2013/sep/27/seymour-hersh-obama-nsa-american-media

It's Not Just Rouhani. Many Israelis Want to Come Clean About Their Nukes, Too.

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/09/26/its_not_just_rouhani_many_israelis_want_to_come_clean_about_their_nukes_too

A “Nuclear-Free Zone” in the Middle East? Why Israel will not Join the Non-Proliferation Treaty

A “Nuclear-Free Zone” in the Middle East? Why Israel will not Join the Non-Proliferation Treaty

http://www.globalresearch.ca/a-nuclear-free-zone-in-the-middle-east-why-israel-will-not-join-the-non-proliferation-treaty/5351738

Why Netanyahu Spurns an Iran Deal

September 25, 2013 | http://consortiumnews.com/2013/09/25/why-netanyahu-spurns-an-iran-deal/

With new Iranian leadership eager for détente, a negotiated settlement over its nuclear program is within reach. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears determined to torpedo an agreement and press ahead toward war, a prospect that ex-CIA analyst Paul R. Pillar addresses.

By Paul R. Pillar

Have a Nice Day, N.S.A.

By VANESSA BARBARA

Published: September 26, 2013 117 Comments

AT the opening of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Dilma Rousseff, the president of my country, Brazil, delivered a scolding speech in response to reports that the National Security Agency has monitored electronic communications of Brazilian citizens, members of government and private corporations. Like a displeased school principal, Ms. Rousseff seemed to speak directly to President Obama, who was waiting in the wings to deliver his own speech.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/27/opinion/have-a-nice-day-nsa.html?_r=0

Sen. Ron Wyden: NSA 'repeatedly deceived the American people'

About the Snowden disclosures, the Oregon Democrat told the NSA chief: 'the truth always manages to come out'

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/27/ron-wyden-nsa-systematically-deceived

NSA Chief Pleads with Congress to Let the Tapping Continue

NSA Chief Pleads with Congress to Let the Tapping Continue
http://www.darkgovernment.com/news/nsa-chief-pleads-with-congress-to-let-the-tapping-continue/

US intelligence chiefs used an appearance before Congress on Thursday to urge
lawmakers not to allow public anger over the extent of government surveillance
to result in changes to the law that would impede them from preventing terrorist
attacks.



General Keith Alexander, the director of the National Security Agency, conceded
that disclosures by the whistleblower Edward [...]

U.N. Investigating 7 More Chemical Attack Reports

U.N. Investigating 7 More Chemical Attack Reports
http://www.darkgovernment.com/news/u-n-investigating-7-more-chemical-attack-reports/

UN chemical weapons inspectors in Syria are investigating seven cases of alleged
chemical weapons use, including three incidents around the capital Damascus.
This comes following the chemical attack on August 21 in Ghouta.

The inspectors are due to finalize their work on Monday, the UN team in Damascus
said in a statement on Friday, adding that [...]

FBI Plays the Role of Domestic Spy And Spy-Enabler, Says New Report - Hit & Run : Reason.com

http://reason.com/blog/2013/09/24/fbi-plays-the-role-of-domestic-spy-and-s

Secret Cold War Documents Reveal NSA Spied on Senators - By Matthew M. Aid and William Burr

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/09/25/it_happened_here_NSA_spied_on_senators_1970s?page=full

US rules ‘endanger’ derivatives reforms

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/dda5f480-26c4-11e3-bbeb-00144feab7de.html?siteedition=intl&siteedition=intl#axzz2g84cSdtB

Seymour Hersh on Obama, NSA and the 'pathetic' American media Pulitzer Prize winner explains how to fix journalism, saying press should 'fire 90% of editors and promote ones you can't control'

Seymour Hersh on Obama, NSA and the 'pathetic' American media

Pulitzer Prize winner explains how to fix journalism, saying press should 'fire 90% of editors and promote ones you can't control'

http://www.theguardian.com/media/media-blog/2013/sep/27/seymour-hersh-obama-nsa-american-media

So Why is Dimon Getting to Plead His Case for JP Morgan (and Maybe Himself) Directly with Holder?

So Why is Dimon Getting to Plead His Case for JP Morgan (and Maybe Himself) Directly with Holder?

Read more at http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/09/so-why-is-dimon-getting-to-plead-his-case-for-jp-morgan-and-maybe-himself-personally.html#1QHB2sRsB3Pg0DQk.99

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/09/so-why-is-dimon-getting-to-plead-his-case-for-jp-morgan-and-maybe-himself-personally.html

Taibbi on How Wall Street is Looting Public Pension Funds

Taibbi on How Wall Street is Looting Public Pension Funds

Read more at http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/09/taibbi-on-how-wall-street-is-looting-public-pension-funds.html#siWlo3LeOcYhHM47.99

  Taibbi on How Wall Street is Looting Public Pension Funds
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2013/09/taibbi-on-how-wall-street-is-looting-public-pension-funds.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29

IPS - Weekly Editor's Picks

	Pakistani Gays Stifled in Closet Living Zofeen Ebrahim It took fifty-something Sameer*, father of two, 25 years of marriage and deceit to eventually break free and come out of the closet three years back. Living with Ahmed*, a budding actor half his age, he says it had come to a point when living a life of “lies and more lies” had become ... MORE > >
	Poverty Declines as Inequality Deepens Thalif Deen As world leaders from 193 countries evaluate the successes and failures of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) during high-level meetings and special events here, the United Nations claims that extreme poverty worldwide has been cut in half. The number of people living on less than 1.25 ... MORE > >
	Sponsor a University Student in Spain Inés Benítez Adopt a tree. Adopt a polar bear. Sponsor a child in a poor country. The concept has caught on in Spain’s troubled academic system and now people and companies can sponsor a university student. The "Higher Education Sponsorship Programme" at the public University of Málaga in southern Spain ... MORE > >
	Southern Libya Awaits Another Spring Maryline Dumas “The government doesn’t care about us because we are from the south,” Mohamed Salah Lichekh, head of the Oubari local council in southern Libya, told IPS, expressing the majority sentiment in this part of the country. The feeling of being forgotten by Tripoli, which is very strong in southern ... MORE > >
	From Tanzania to Brazil in the Hold of a Ship Fabiola Ortiz Ornela Mbenga Sebo, a young Congolese woman, escaped in 2011 from a rebel camp in Tanzania where she was being held as a slave and stowed away in the garbage bay of a merchant ship, with no idea where it was headed. When the ship reached its destination two weeks later, she found out she was in ... MORE > >
	U.S., Iran Trade Cautious Overtures at U.N. Jasmin Ramsey While the U.S. and Iranian heads of state have yet to meet, the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly may mark a new era between the two countries. After more than 30 years of frozen US-Iran relations, President Barack Obama announced Tuesday during his address to the world body ... MORE > >
	Healthcare Loses Support in Somalia Ahmed Osman Maryan Yusuf, 39, is weak and barely able to speak because of her excruciating pain. A few hours earlier she delivered a baby at Somalia’s Afgooye Hospital, where essential drugs are dwindling at an alarming rate. “This is my fourth child delivered here. But I cannot get as much care and ... MORE > >
	Boats of Hope Head for Australian Rocks Amantha Perera It was a decision based on simple sums. Ananda, 28, from Weligama in the southern Sri Lankan district Matara decided to risk it all boarding a boat to Australia last year because he never had enough money. “I was working as a driver in someone’s three-wheel taxi and making around 25,000 rupees ... MORE > >
	It's Afghanistan Again in a Turkish Town Karlos Zurutuza People run back home at dusk, just when the shooting intensifies. To Sha Mehmed the experience is familiar. He was 11 when he left his native Afghan village to settle in this small Turkish town on the border with Syria. "We are all very scared because three bombs have already fallen very close ... MORE > >
	Cuban Athletes Score against Violence Ivet González It is unusual to see Cuban sports legends in public service announcements. However, a handful of champions and rising young stars are wearing messages or appearing in TV spots against violence among men or toward women. “We can reach our fans with campaigns like this one,” Daniel Luis, a member ... MORE > >