Gary McKinnon and Richard ODwyer extradition threat over

15/12/2012

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Two cases which could have led to British men being extradited to the USA have finally drawn to a close this week. We have written about both Gary McKinnon and Richard O'Dwyer in the past and so it is good to be able to write a conclusion to both their cases, especially as it is a positive one.

Richard O'Dwyer
Richard was supported through his long ordeal by his mother Julia and ultimately Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales. Richard was accused of copyright infringement in the USA by way of his British website TV Shack. Whether he had committed any crime was open to interpretation and debate.

Online petitions offered support, one receiving £253,000 signatures and the authorities took notice, In the end Richard had to visit the USA and pay up £20,000 in "compensation" to those who were allegedly his "victims". Today finally the news that there will be no further action against Richard and an end to this case.

Below is the update from Change.org, which offers thanks to all of us who tried in even small ways to support Richard
"We're thrilled this ordeal is finally over for Richard and that his extradition has been withdrawn. We may not have convinced the UK Home Office to block the extradition but the US authorities certainly heard your voice and the 253,000 people who joined you in signing Jimmy Wales’ petition on Change.org, without which this outcome would not have been possible so thank you."  -- Julia O'Dwyer, Richard's mother

On Wednesday, Richard O'Dwyer's extradition was formally withdrawn at the High Court after an agreement was reached with US authorities in New York, halting Richard's extradition.

This is a fantastic outcome for Richard and his mother Julia, who has campaigned tirelessly for her son over the last 18 months.

You were one of over 253,000 people who signed Jimmy Wales' petition on Change.org calling for the UK Home Office to stop the extradition. Although Theresa May didn't block Richard's extradition, the public support for Jimmy's campaign was noted in negotiations with the US and helped to show the US authorities that their actions won't go unnoticed.

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Gary McKinnon
Gary McKinnon was chagred with hacking into military systems in the USA threatening security. He claims that he was merely looking for information online and the hacking was a consequence.

Mr McKinnon has Asperger's Syndrome a form of Autism and his fight against extradition to the US was on safety issues.  It was claimed that if he were extradited to the USA he could easily end up committing suicide.

His offences date back to 2002 so Gary has had a long fight. In the end the British government supported his appeal against extradition to the US. Yesterday the UK Crown prosecution announced that Gary will not face any charges in a British court of law.  The reason given was that the chance of a conviction were extremly slim. Authorities in the USA have said that they are disappointed at this decision.

Congratulations to both of the men and their families. For them the threat of extradition and possibly a long jail term in the USA is over. An early Merry Christmas

Related reading
http://www.tekjournalismuk.com/1/post/2012/11/richard-odwyer-extradition-deal-message-from-mum-julia.html
http://www.wherebuttheuk.com/1/post/2012/10/gary-mckinnon-usa-extradition-halted.html
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American murders back in the news

11/10/2012

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The USA is busy with their 2012 election. So much so that many other issues are being sidelined. Neither Obama nor Romney want to alienate potential voters. Sooner or later though the problems created by varying State laws regarding guns will have to be addressed.

Today as two of this year's most reported US gun crimes hit media reports again American's Right to bear Arms is under the microscope once more.

In February 2012 a young black man was shot and killed by one George Zimmerman. There is no question that Zimmerman was responsible for the death of Trayvon Martin but he has yet to stand trial. Since February those who stand on opposing sides of this murder have tried to discredit either Zimmerman or Martin. Trayvon was initially portrayed as a relatively innocent man by the media. After his death supporters of the man who shot him, George Zimmerman, ttried to portray him as a rogue and no stranger to wrong doing.

However they paint it though his killing was wrong. Even if he had been "up to no good" did he deserve to be shot and killed by a "volunteer security guard". Zimmerman was told by police to back off but he chose confrontation actually following Trayvon. No amount of wriggling as far as we are concerned let's him off the hook. Had the incident not happened in Florida and Trayon not been black the fall out from the killing would have been very different.

Zimmerman is due in court in October. It is hard to believe that almost 8 months after a shooting incident of this nature it is still not resolved. The family of Zimmerman have been showing up online and in the media attempting to clear Gerorge's name. Some have probably made matters worse. Through it all Zimmerman and his supporters have appeaedr to see nothing wrong with the murder of this 17-year-old man. Many claim to be god fearing individuals which is farcical.

Also in the news today is the July 2012  Aurora Cinema killings. In both of these cases the person who carried out the murders seems to be certain. It is the circumstances that appear to be cause for debate.

A preliminary hearing for the man accused of killing 12 people and wounding 24 others in an Aurora cinema looks set to be postponed. iIt is currently scheduled for mid November.  James Holmes walked into a late night cinema showing of the latest Batman film, armed and dangerous. His actions and demeanour had all the trappings of a madman on the rampage.

The preliminary hearing will be held to decide if Holmes should stand trial for the murders. In other words is he sane or not. It now looks like this hearing will be put back till at the earliest January 2013. The delay is due to the amount of evidence lawyers are still wading through.

Both these killers left innocent dead people. In the USA many however do not view it that way. Some excuse Zimmerman saying that Trayvon was intent on robbery and terefore not an innconet party. That is far from proved and probably far from the truth.

Even if it were true though, since when has the punishment for thinking about committing a robbery been death at the hand of a member of the public?

Note: In America also today a man convicted of the murder of a 12-year-old girl was executed by lethal injection. He was black. CBS reporting on the case have this statement, "Supreme Court guidance says mental illness can't disqualify someone from execution if they understand the sentence and reasons for the punishment, the state lawyers argued."

More here
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Mitt Romney six day overseas tour

25/07/2012

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US Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is visiting the UK and the Middle East this week, as part of his ongoing transformation into World Leader. Whether the US electorate will agree and vote him into the White House in November 2012 remains to be seen.

Currently both sides, that is the Democrats and the Republicans, are attempting to carry out a thorough character assassination of each candidate. In addition both of their track records in business is under the microscope. With more than a touch of spin both candidates appear to be left wanting. If you were to believe both camps the only conclusion would be that neither are fit to rule a hen-house let alone the USA. 

The US electorate will "pick the bones" out of the propaganda and choose their man for the next four years. If it is President Obama he is now a recognised figure on the World Stage. It is Mitt Romney he is a newbie.

Still we all have to start somewhere and Mitt's six-day tour this week will give him valuable exposure and experience.

We well remember President Obama visiting the UK when he was in this position. He appeared charismatic, winning fans from all walks of life. We also remember Obama's assessment of David Cameron, the then leader of the opposition. It was that Cameron was a "lightweight". In due course Dave Cameron became the UK's PM dealing with President Obama many times. Now they appear equally respectful of each other.

When Romney visits the UK will he meet with the opposition as well as members of the Coalition Government. If the past is anything to go by he should. 

Mitt will visit Britain, Israel and Poland in all. It will be his first overseas official tour since becoming heir apparent to the US Presidential role. His visit will include propaganda and spin speeches aimed at undermining President Obama. Mr Obama will no doubt reciprocate on the home front. Romney's team will cry foul and on it goes. Like reality TV that is out of control.

Romney's election campaign now has the capability to outspend Barack Obama's. If money wins the day in America he could be home and dry. He may have a good track record in big business but he is far from open and transparent.

Wonder what we in the UK will make of this one?

Romney has been attacked by the Obama camp for his apparent lack of knowledge as regard to World affairs. He will therefore have a lot to prove and no doubt will attempt to put the record straight. He is due to attend to opening of the Olympics on Friday, July 27, and meet various Ministers. One of these will be Chancellor George Osborne. It is expected that these two will have plenty in common, not least a desire to implement austerity.
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Rush Limbaugh - big man with big mouth damaging GOP

03/03/2012

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Some people become famous for utilising their natural talents. Others acquire skills which they then use to their best advantage. Then of course there are the big mouths. People who become famous for airing their, often off the wall, views. Enter Rush Limbaugh.

Ignorance can be bliss and that was the case for this blogger until Limbaugh came on her radar. Then it is a whole different ball game. Other forms of ignorance are far from blissful and perhaps this is the category Limbaugh belongs in  After all unless his comments are just headline grabbing ways to make money he does seem to be far from intelligently informed.

As part of the extreme right of America, GOP hopefuls must be wincing every time he opens his mouth to speak. Extremists will love his off the wall words but they are in the minority surely?  Limbaugh's comments must so often alienate less extreme voters and damage the GOP race. Good news of course for the Obama camp and their election campaign. Perhaps Limbaugh is in the pay of Democrats wanting to ensure an Obama win in November 2012. If so way to go Rush.

So what's all the fuss about?

Sandra Fluke, a Law School student, testified before US Congress regarding contraception. According to the Washington Post she did this in "support of women’s access to birth control" to protest at right wing attacks aimed at limiting this access. WP claim, "Fluke said her fellow students at Georgetown, a Jesuit university, pay as much as $1,000 a year for birth control because campus health plans do not include coverage of contraceptives for women."

Here is what Limbaugh said about Sandra:"What does it say about the college co-ed Susan Fluke [sic] who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex -- what does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex. She's having so much sex she can't afford the contraception. She wants you and me and the taxpayers to pay her to have sex."

Limbaugh then said, "ok, so she's not a slut. She's round-heeled." "Round-heeled" is an old-fashioned term for promiscuity.
 
I wonder what Sandra's parents felt about this. It does however show a great deal of ignorance on the part of Limbaugh. It is such a stupid statement that it needs no explaining why. Of course it might to Mr Limbaugh.

As a blogger viewing from across the Pond my other conclusion is that Limbaugh is simply a well known celebrity. Someone a little like Jeremy Kyle or Jerry Springer, no offence intended to you guys. What I mean is that he is simply an entertainer not a person to be viewed with any political credibility. 

Those American viewers who do take his words seriously should perhaps consider his thoughts on "Dumb" people. Speaking about people who he has deemed dumb Limbaugh said, "The first clue that a dumb person doesn't know they're dumb is they open their mouth. The way they dress. The political party that they join. There's all kinds of evidence. "Similarly, unfunny people don't have a good enough sense of humour to tell" they're not funny. Have you ever been around somebody who thinks they're funny as hell and they're not? It's 'cause they're too dumb to know that they're too dumb. This is why banning the ugly, making it voluntary, never worked. The ugly are too dumb to know it, and it's a blessing"

So I guess Limbaugh fits right in there along with many of the GOP bible belt?  He obviously feels that he is very funny, whilst he is not, and the bible belt evangelists keep opening their mouths. Perhaps Rush is simply an unfunny comedian who loves publicity and making money at other people's expense. One thing is for sure, some of his extreme views appear to break many rights and code's of conduct. 

Finally on "dumb people Rush said""The first clue that a dumb person doesn't know they're dumb is they open their mouth." Yes it would appear that you do Mr Limbaugh!
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