Amelia's Thoughts

The Guardian reported today on Russia's upcoming parliamentary elections to give President Vladamir Putin and his United Russia party an inflated win despite his inability to run for a 3rd term.

The Kremlin has been intimidating Russian workers across the board warning them if they don't vote for the United Russia they could face losing their jobs, wages, and a variety of other threats. Students have been warned they could face failing exams or being removed from courses if they fail to vote for United Russia. There have also been numerous reports of bribery.

The Kremlin ironically insists Sunday's elections will be free and fair. The Guardian asked Vladimir Churov, the head of Russia's central election commission whethere or not the Kremlin was planning on manipulating Sunday's election, "They will be the most free, most transparent, and most suitable elections for citizens," he said.

Putin is obliged to step down from his second term as President of Russia in May, however a landslide victory could be used to legitimise his return to power, possibly as early as the summer, the Guardian reports.

The President's popularity is stated at 55%, but in reality independent sources say its really around 35% popularity.

Russia's use of intimidation, fraud and bribery to all sorts of Russian workers across the world's largest country is truly appaling. Russia is really making a name for itself as an authoritarian state completely lacking in credibility. The U.S. should certianly call on Russia to change its manipulative ways and create free and fair elections.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 10:11 PM | Permalink

A 20-year-old man was killed today after being Tasered by a police officer. The man was involved in a scuffle with three other men when deputies arrived on the scene at 5 am in Maryland. A deputy then used his Taser on one of the men who then fell unconscious.

The man was then taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

This death is just one of many deaths attributed to the use of Taser's. According to Amnesty International more than 150 people have died since June 2001 after being subdued by a stun gun.

The article from CNN goes on to tell the story of another man who died after being subdued by a Taser last week. Critics of Amnesty have said there are a myriad of other reasons people die after being Tasered. They also said that many media outlets have placed blame on the Taser and the police without sufficient evidence.

Regardless of what the exact truth may be, further research should be done on the Taser and its actual effects on its victims. And perhaps police-like Amnesty International has called for-should suspend the use of the Taser until further research has been completed.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 10:25 PM | Permalink

A Saudi court has just upped a gang raped victim's sentence. The 19-year-old woman who received a sentence of 90 lashes, went to meet with an unrelated male and former friend from whom she was receiving photographs. The two of them were abducted and raped by 7 rapists-who only received sentences ranging from 10 months to five years in prison.

The victim's attorney contested the rapists sentence saying they should be reconsidered due to the sinful violent nature of the crime-and that they should receive a punishment of death.

After a year of deliberation the courts increased the rapist's sentences. But to the shock of both victim and her lawyer they increased her sentence as well to 6 months in prison and 200 lashes. The reason-the victims " attempt to aggravate and influence the judiciary through the media," according to Arab News, an English-language Middle Eastern daily newspaper.

In a further unjust decision the court also decided to bar the lawyer from further representing the victim and also revoked his law license. The attorney is appealing this decision.

Women in Saudi Arabia are subjected to countless restrictions that when crossed come with serious consequences. Among the restrictions include a strict dress code, a prohibition against driving and the need for a man's permission to travel or have surgery. Women are also not allowed to testify in court unless it is about a private matter that was not observed by a man, and they are not allowed to vote, according to CNN.

The story goes on to say that Saudi Arabian government has taken steps to better the situation for women in their country. But it is clear they have a long way to go.

Stories like these truly make me sick and seem to prove in my mind that the world would perhaps be a better place if we didn't have religion to control people.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 1:33 PM | Permalink

Millionaire's these days apparently include televangelists like the Rev. Creflo Dollar who runs the World Changer's Church International which took in $69 million last year.

The reverend seems to lead a pretty lavish lifestyle like riding around in a Rolls Royce and and profiting from both business and real estate ventures. In fact his lifestyle is so lavish the Senate Finance committee has launched an investigation into his and several other televangelists finances and expenses.

Ironically the Rev. Dollar is among the religious leaders who preach the "prosperity gospel," the teaching that God will shower faithful followers with material riches. But he said he uses only his personal finances to pay for his luxuries, according to WGCL TV Atlanta's website.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 10:50 PM | Permalink

Soccer fan clashes are apparently quite common in Italy. According to a CNN article violence between rival soccer fans in Italy has been a problem for some time.

During one of these clashes at a rest stop while traveling from Rome to Milan for a soccer match, a 26-year-old fan was shot in the neck by a policeman trying to break up the arguments. Gabriele Sandri, of Rome was unable to be revived by medic crews.

Fans in Rome are now storming the Olympic Stadium, several Olympic committee headquarters, as well as the police station. Several police officers have already sustained minor injuries. Several soccer games have also been canceled or postponed due to unruly and angry fans. The rioters in Rome have also been smashing windows, blocking bridges and burning buses.

It looks like Italy has a long way to go before soccer fans can get along amicably. Under new anti-violence measures some fans have been barred from traveling to games. Clearly, more measures will have to be taken before peace ensues.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 6:05 PM | Permalink

The newly created body of government called "fusion centers" is something that grew out of the new terrorist prevention methods following September 11th. Minnesota's fusion center is called the Minnesota Joint Analysis Center or (MNJAC).
The purpose of these centers-of which there are 40 across the United States, is to disseminate important information to law agencies.
One of the criticisms before 9/11 was that nobody was sharing information. Fusion centers are meant to create synergy and fill in the cracks of the law enforcement body as a whole.
Many legislatures and law makers are worried about these centers, and whether or not they are encroaching on our first amendment rights.
These fusion centers seem to be tiptoeing a line between doing a vigilant job of staying on the defensive in times of terror, and slowly taking away American's rights. The passing of the Patriotic Act into law saw several of the same discussions over first amendment rights. It remains to be seen whether fusion centers will act in a purely synergistic way, or if they begin to overstep their boundaries.

Posted by Amelia Cerling at 11:15 PM | Permalink