The treaty's supporters say it will allow the EU to operate more efficiently and give it greater influence in world affairs. But critics say it will cede too much more of Britain's sovereignty to Brussels. Vaclav Klaus, the President of the Czech Republic, yesterday signed the Lisbon Treaty, ending eight years of resistance to its attempt to give more power to the EU.

The Czechs are the last of the 27 EU states to sign the treaty, and their move forced the Conservatives to abandon their pledge to hold a British referendum on Lisbon. William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary, said it was "a bad day for British democracy". David Cameron, the Conservative leader, will today set out plans for an alternative Tory pledge to renegotiate several parts of Britain's EU membership, trying to win back control over social and employment laws.

Gordon Brown hailed the Czech signature as "a historic step," and European leaders said it will create a more powerful EU. Despite the scale of the changes the treaty makes, THE BRITISH PEOPLE HAVE NEVER BEEN DIRECTLY CONSULTED ON THE DOCUMENT, which was ratified in a Commons vote and signed by Mr Brown in 2007.

Equally important, Wright is being introduced in the video by Robert W. McChesney, co-founder of Free Press, an organization which has come under scrutiny for its links to the Obama Administration and dedication to the transformation and control of the private media in the US In an article in the socialist Monthly Review, "Journalism, Democracy, and Class Struggle," McChesney declared, "Our job is to make media reform part of our broader struggle for democracy, social justice, AND, DARE WE SAY IT, SOCIALISM."

McChesney co-authored another piece for Monthly Review, "A New New Deal Under Obama?," in which he said, "In the end, THERE IS NO REAL ANSWER BUT TO REMOVE BRICK BY BRICK THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM ITSELF, REBUILDING THE ENTIRE SOCIETY ON SOCIALIST PRINCIPLES."

Last Friday night, I gave an address to the Christian Embassy banquet in northern Virginia. The title of my talk was, "Train Wreck: The Coming Collision of US-Israeli Relations." With deep concern and regret, I noted that just as the Iranian nuclear threat is worsening, WE ARE CURRENTLY WITNESSING THE WORST STRAINS IN US-ISRAEL RELATIONS IN MEMORY.

* Before January, polls showed 88% of Israelis believed President Bush was pro-Israel.

* In May, a Jerusalem Post poll found that only 31% of Israelis believed President Obama was pro-Israel.

* By August, a Jerusalem Post poll found only 4% of Israelis believed President Obama was pro-Israel.

Israel's plummeting confidence that the White House truly understands their security needs and will stand with them as a faithful ally is the result of numerous actions and statements by the President and his senior advisors.

On April 14th of this year, I said on the Glenn Beck show that I believed WE WERE WITNESSING A COMING "TRAIN WRECK" IN US-ISRAELI RELATIONS over the Iran and Palestinian issues. The situation has only worsened since then.

China says it manages the yuan's exchange rate against a basket of currencies, but if there is a basket, THE DOLLAR IS FAR AND AWAY THE HEAVIEST COMPONENT. Since removing the yuan from a formal decade-old dollar peg in July 2005, Beijing has insisted that it is perfecting the exchange rate's "formation mechanism," but the renewed rigidity over the past year has fueled growing anger abroad. US critics, especially business lobbying groups, complain that China has stopped the yuan from appreciating despite the Asian export giant's growing clout in the global economy.

China says that a stable exchange is an important help for its beleaguered exporters and that it also promotes stability in the global economy. The Obama administration feels that Beijing's policy thwarts normal market adjustments that would push up the value of the currency of a rapidly ascending economy like China's, thereby making its products more expensive for foreigners. As a result, CHINA IS AMASSING HUGE TRADE SURPLUSES as well as swelling foreign exchange reserves as money pours in from sales of its products around the world.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF CHINA LET ITS CURRENCY APPRECIATE? Theoretically, the cost of Chinese-made products would rise for consumers around the world. If prices rise sufficiently, other countries' goods might be substituted for those China now makes. Some in the United States hope that domestic firms that now say they cannot compete might decide that they can boost their share of export markets, in turn cranking up production and hiring. If Chinese consumers were empowered with a stronger currency, they might become more aggressive importers, perhaps even swinging China's trade surplus to deficit.

CHINA HAS AMASSED $2.27 TRILLION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES, the world's largest stockpile. The vast majority (analysts think about two-thirds) is invested in dollar-denominated assets. China is the single biggest holder of US Treasuries, owning at least $776.4 billion of US government debt at the end of June. US commentators fret that gives Beijing an effective tool to fend off US demands for yuan reform by THREATENING TO STOP BUYING MORE DEBT AND POSSIBLY SELLING WHAT IT HOLDS.

China has never actually uttered such threats, though it has for years said it is working to diversify its foreign currency holdings. Beijing, for its part, has expressed worries about Washington's massive and growing fiscal debt, as any resulting dollar weakness erodes the value of its American investments.

Look, here are a few of the things that we know. We know that BARACK OBAMA WAS MENTORED BY A COMMUNIST, FRANK MARSHALL DAVIS. We know that in his own words that HE PREFERRED THE COMPANY OF A MARXIST PROFESSOR in college and Marxist professors in college. We know that he thinks when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everyone. We know that that is one of the main tenets of Marxism. We know that HE HIRED VAN JONES, A REVOLUTIONARY COMMUNIST RADICAL. We know that HE HIRED RON BLOOM, A MANUFACTURING CZAR that kind of agrees with Mao and believes that the free market system is nonsense. We know that HE HIRED ANITA DUNN and that Chairman Mao is one of the two people she turns to most.

We know HE HIRED MARK LLOYD, someone who believes our freedom of speech rights are exaggerated, quote/unquote, and that Hugo Chavez, the revolution of Venezuela was, quote, really incredible, end quote! We know that HE APPOINTED CAROL BROWNER TO THE CABINET, a member of the International Socialist Organization. We know that HE HIRED JOHN HOLDREN who believes in redistribution of America's wealth and we know that this administration is eager TO SIGN A CLIMATE CHANGE TREATY IN COPENHAGEN WITH THE UN THAT WILL REDISTRIBUTE OUR WEALTH TO THIRD WORLD NATIONS.

For two years people looked at the Jeremiah Wright story: "Oh, he's just a crazy preacher." No, he is a Marxist, now an admitted Marxist, now with the audio from a month ago EXTOLLING THE VIRTUES OF A SOCIALIST REVOLUTIONARY MAGAZINE WHO HAS TIES TO THE ADMINISTRATION. I bring this up because I don't expect a single person to change their mind on Jeremiah Wright and think now, oh, he matters. It is jaw droppingly shocking to me every day that THERE ARE THOSE AMONG US THAT JUST CANNOT SEE… THEY CAN'T SEE THE PERFECT STORM THAT IS ABOUT TO UNLEASH ITS FURY ON US. It is time to build an ark because the rain is coming.

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It is high time that Europe declare a new, "POST-AMERICAN" age and do away with old myths about the trans-Atlantic relationship. Myths like the idea that the continent's security is dependent on American protection, is one example they cite. Or the one about American and European interests being the same at heart. Or the myth about European unity being damaging to the trans-Atlantic relationship because, as the authors put it, "ganging up on the US would be improper - indeed counterproductive - given the 'special relationship' that most European states believe they enjoy with Washington."

When Obama merely gave Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown a boxed set of DVDs after his visit to the US, the British press was quick to see it as A SIGN OF THE END OF THE UNITED KINGDOM'S "SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP" WITH WASHINGTON. The French were equally distraught when, during a visit there, Obama preferred to dine with his family in Paris than with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife. And the Germans are fretting because, although Obama came to Berlin as a presidential candidate, he still hasn't made an official state visit as president. The White House has no time for this sort of sentimentality and fuss.

Instead of this favor-mongering, the EUROPEANS SHOULD SET CLEAR GOALS FOR FOREIGN POLICY AMONGST THEMSELVES and communicate these to the Americans consensually, and with the same cool headedness that already exists among those working in trade and economics. Going into combat single handedly or clinging to sentimental memories of past partnerships won't get anyone anywhere.

Mr Cameron said that once the document is endorsed by all 27 EU members and comes into force, it will "NOT BE A TREATY" AND WILL INSTEAD BE PART OF EUROPEAN LAW. The last obstacle to the ratification of the treaty is likely to be removed today when the constitutional court in the Czech Republic rules that the treaty is compatible with the country's laws. Once the Czech court approves the Treaty, all that remains is for Vaclav Klaus, the Czech President, to sign it. Mr Klaus has repeatedly tried to block the treaty, but has now said he is prepared to sign it.

Speaking at a press conference in London today, Mr Cameron gave his signal that the Czech ratification of the treaty would change his policy. Senior Tories say that instead of a referendum on Lisbon, the Tories will now seek to renegotiate several of the changes it implements. A Tory source said: "It is clear that a post-ratification referendum is simply not possible. WE WILL LOOK AT THE PARTS OF THE TREATY THAT ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE AND SEEK TO RENEGOTIATE THEM."

Barry Legg, of the sceptic Bruges Group, said: "David Cameron needs to come clean with the British people: why is he breaking his pledge to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty? How can David Cameron claim he'll fight to repatriate powers from Brussels when he won't even fight to implement his own past words?"

Officials said cuts in water service were to be staggered throughout Caracas through the duration of the current dry season, which is not expected to end until May 2010.

Weather forecasters blame the "El Nino" weather phenomenon, saying the periodic weather system has markedly reduced rainfall and created drought conditions. Others blame the shortage on poor government management of the country's water resources, while President Hugo Chavez faulted the excesses of capitalism.

The government recently created A MINISTRY OF ELECTRICITY TO HELP CONSERVE THE USE OF POWER, WHICH ALSO IS IN SHORT SUPPLY. Officials also urged the public to employ better conservation practices, like shorter showers and the use of less water when brushing teeth.

The estimate comes from an analysis of 30 years of national data, and it bolsters other recent evidence on the pervasiveness of youngsters at economic risk. It suggests that almost everyone knows a family who has received food stamps, or will in the future, said lead author Mark Rank, a sociologist at Washington University in St Louis. "Your neighbor may be using some of these programs but it's not the kind of thing people want to talk about," Rank said.

The analysis was released Monday in the November issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. The authors say it's a medical issue pediatricians need to be aware of because children on food stamps are at risk for malnutrition and other ills linked with poverty. "This is a real danger sign that we as a society need to do a lot more to protect children," Rank said.

Food stamps are a Department of Agriculture program for low-income individuals and families, covering most foods although not prepared hot foods or alcohol. For a family of four to be eligible, their annual take-home pay can't exceed about $22,000. According to a USDA report released last month, 28.4 million Americans received food stamps in an average month in 2008, and about half were younger than age 18. The average monthly benefit per household totaled $222.

High-frequency trading (HFT) is AUTOMATED DEALING WHERE SHARES CHANGE HANDS, FREQUENTLY IN MICROSECONDS. Lord Myners said the process risked destroying the relationship between an investor and a company. HFT is based on computer programmes which, in effect, REMOVE THE HUMAN ELEMENT FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS by searching for trends in the market and trading automatically in a fraction of a second.

It is estimated that HFT has risen sharply in the USA and now accounts for up to 70% OF ALL SHARE TRADES and is rising rapidly in the UK and Europe. But Lord Myners told the BBC's File on 4 he already had doubts about this development. "I have been increasingly troubled that we seem to find ourselves in a situation in which shares are to be bought and sold rather than being part of an ownership relationship between investor and a company," he said. "The danger is that nobody really seems to think of themselves as owners."

The peer fears that this process denies capital to businesses which should be the main aim of share trading. "It has gone too far, it has now lost its supporting function for the provision of capital to business and HAS BECOME A GAME TO BE PLAYED."

And Gerald Celente of TrendsResearch.com says people right now should be bracing for "THE GREATEST RECESSION" which will hit worldwide and will mark the "decline of empire America." CROP FAILURES COULD BE AMONG THE MINOR CONCERNS. "Here we are in 2012. Food riots, tax protests, farmer rebellions, student revolts, squatter dig-ins, homeless uprisings, tent cities, ghost malls, general strikes, bossnappings, kidnappings, industrial saboteurs, gang warfare, mob rule, terror," he writes for a quarterly publication that is available through subscription on his website.

The recent surge in Wall Street indexes back to near the 10,000 level, still far below the 14,000 prior to the crash, should be no reassurance for anyone, he said. "THERE'S NO RECOVERY. THIS IS MERELY A COVER-UP," he said. "The market crashed in March of 2009 and around the world they papered over the damage from the collapse with phantom money printed out of thin air backed by nothing," he said. This is "much bigger" than an economic collapse, he said. "THIS IS THE DECLINE OF EMPIRE AMERICA."

Tim Barello in the Examiner noted that since 1980 Celente has made at least 40 accurate predictions about major world events, such as the 1987 stock market crash. "Throughout the 1990's, many other forecasts came true, including the collapse of the Soviet Union, surges in global terrorism, the popularity of spiritual and new age philosophies, public backlash against globalization, upsurges in online shopping, and the 1997 Asian financial crisis, to name a select few," he wrote.

Now comes his forecast for a global depression and for the United States, "OBAMAGEDDON". Never before has so much PHANTOM MONEY been printed out of thin air, backed by nothing, producing practically nothing," Celente continued. "You don't even have to be a student of history to know the outcome of this. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HAVE YOUR EYES OPEN, AND START THINKING FOR YOURSELF." He forecasts the possibility of a civil war, and says if people want to see what Main Street America will look like, they should "drive around Detroit. Look at all the blown out houses and empty neighborhoods. Look at the violence that's increasing. Look at the types of heinous crimes being committed by people – some blowing their whole families away."

Meanwhile, Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant is in theaters, and HBO's True Blood is reviving discussion of societal prejudice, along with Anna Pacquin's career. NOT COUNTING SHORT MOVIES AND DIRECT-TO-VIDEO RELEASES, 43 VAMPIRE MOVIES AND TV SHOWS ARE SLATED FOR RELEASE THIS YEAR.

It seems like only yesterday that zombies held the top spot in the pop-culture pyramid. With Shaun of the Dead's shambling undead parodying the mindless grind of modern life, and 28 Days Later's quarantined safe zones offering a thinly-veiled criticism of the military, zombies were the go-to metaphor for pop culture junkies. Now, however, they are fighting for position against an army of big-screen bloodsuckers.

Given the number of films in the hopper, it seems likely that vampires are here to stay, at least for the time being. Conversely, if the trend toward zombie slapstick is any indication, the walking dead may be poised for a major drop over the next year or two. The question is: what monster best represents the rebirth that accompanies the end of a recession. Werewolves, anyone?

ThyssenKrupp announced it would renounce on civilian ship production to CONCENTRATE ITS DOCKYARDS SOLELY ON ARMS PRODUCTION. It is entering a "strategic partnership" with the Abu Dhabi Mar Co from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Their deal seals the military alliance between Germany and the Emirates, possibly creating the opportunity for circumventing German arms exports regulations and ending efforts aimed at forging a German/French ship production - under German leadership.

Paris successfully repudiated German hegemony in warship production and therefore will now be confronted with the fait accompli. IF A GERMAN DOMINATED "EUROPEAN SOLUTION" CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED, BERLIN WILL DO WITHOUT "EUROPE" AND GO IT ALONE.

Abu Dhabi's joining the German maritime shipbuilding industry, signals Berlin's fundamental change of strategy in its long-term efforts to help BRING THE GERMAN ARMS INDUSTRY TO A POSITION OF PREDOMINANCE IN EUROPE. The aspired concentration of the European maritime shipyards under German leadership has so far been thwarted by France's opposition, which also seeks a predominating position in the production of warships.

"We are fast approaching a situation where the EU will have the full coercive machinery of a state, but WITHOUT THE PROPER DEMOCRATIC CONTROLS OR ROBUST CHECKS on power that citizens should expect."

The Telegraph quoted the report saying: "In practice, the UK has often been a key driver of policy, and has in some instances even exported domestic initiatives to the rest of the EU, particularly those that increase the power of the state over the individual."

Quoted in the Mail, Stephen said: "How can citizens expect their fundamental rights to liberty and independence from the state to be protected by UNACCOUNTABLE INSTITUTIONS WHICH HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN CREATING MORE LAWS?"

Built in 1936, and severely damaged in 1989 by the Loma Prieta earthquake, the Bay Bridge closed over Labor Day weekend for retrofitting designed to help it withstand further quakes. In the process of the repairs, an enormous crack was found in an I-bar, requiring further fixes. On Tuesday, a portion of the second emergency repair gave way, sending steel cables onto the roadway, damaging cars and closing the bridge to traffic once more.

Bridge safety is by no means an isolated issue, however. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, MORE THAN 26 PERCENT OF THE COUNTRY'S BRIDGES WERE FOUND TO BE EITHER STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT OR FUNCTIONALLY OBSOLETE. Even more worrisome, in 2008, 1 out of every 3 bridges in America's urban areas was found to be deficient.

Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak has personally witnessed the consequences of putting off infrastructure repair and maintenance. On August 1, 2007, his city's I-35W Bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed, killing 13 people and injuring 145.