Inequality, 'Silver Spoon' Effect Found in Ancient Societies

Inequality, 'Silver Spoon' Effect Found in Ancient Societies: "The so-called 'silver spoon' effect -- in which wealth is passed down from one generation to another -- is well established in some of the world's most ancient economies, according to an international study coordinated by a UC Davis anthropologist.

The study, to be reported in the Oct. 30 issue of Science, expands economists' conventional focus on material riches, and looks at various kinds of wealth, such as hunting success, food sharing partners, and kinship networks.

The team found that some kinds of wealth, like material possessions, are much more easily passed on than social networks or foraging abilities. Societies where material wealth is most valued are therefore the most unequal, said Monique Borgerhoff Mulder, the UC Davis anthropology professor who coordinated the study with economist Samuel Bowles of the Santa Fe Institute.

The researchers also showed that levels of inequality are influenced both by the types of wealth important to a society and the governing rules and regulations. Hunter-gatherers rely on their wits, social connections and strength to make a living. In these economies, wealth inheritance is modest because wits and social connections can be transferred only to a certain degree. The level of economic inequality in hunter-gatherer societies is on a par with the most egalitarian modern democratic economies."

Eight New Weblogs from the US Government

Eight New Weblogs from the US Government: "

These new weblogs deal with science/technology, travel/transportation, and business.

1) Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) Blog (Dept. of Energy)

In the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) blog, members of the OSTI community discuss personal perspectives, national impacts, OSTI products and content, and technology.

2) TSA Blog

This blog is sponsored by the Transportation Security Administration to facilitate an ongoing dialogue on innovations in security, technology and the checkpoint screening process.

3) Fast Lane

This blog from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) provides a forum for discussing the nation’s transportation system and making announcements about future projects. Contributors will include Secretary LaHood, other senior officials from DOT, and guest bloggers.

4) Business Law Advisor

Help complying with business laws and regulations from Business.gov.

5) In the Loop

Information about Business.gov’s plans and status.

6) Small Business Cents

The official word on small business grants, loans, and finance from Business.gov.

7) Small Business Matters

This blog from Business.gov provides information about a range of small and home business issues.

8] The Industry World

This blog brings together a lineup of notable small business professionals to share their small-business expertise with the Business.gov community.

Source: USA.gov

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Benda Mirip Meteor Jatuh di Bone, Sulawesi Utara -- MAPer1ck9 Files

UK firm supplied armoured cars used in Guinea

UK firm supplied armoured cars used in Guinea: "

Human rights group claims South African subsidiary of BAE Systems sold Mamba vehicles, used to quell demonstrations

Recent brutal attacks on demonstrators in the west African state of Guinea have involved British-supplied armoured cars, Amnesty International alleged today.

The human rights organisation is calling for a freeze on all ammunition and riot gear exports to the military junta in Guinea, where a junior officer, Captain Dadis Camara, seized power last December. Soldiers subsequently fired on unarmed demonstrators at a football stadium in the capital, Conakry, killing an estimated 150 people.

European Union foreign ministers are expected to confirm an arms embargo when they meet this week in Brussels. Last week, the Economic Community for West African States (Ecowas) banned the sale of arms to Guinea.

Amnesty published links to footage which, it said, showed the use of Mamba armoured cars against protesters. Ten Mambas were sold to Guinea by a South Africa-based manufacturer which was a subsidiary of the British arms firm Alvis. The firm, Alvis OMC, was subsequently taken over by the British arms giant BAE Systems. According to Amnesty, Alvis OMC stated at that time of the 2003 sale that the vehicles were for border control.

The pictures are reported to show the use of the armoured personnel carriers by Guinea's security forces during attacks on demonstrators. The UN security council and the African Union strongly condemned the attacks.

The campaigners said photographs taken on 1 October showed security officers patrolling Conakry in a Mamba and video footage showed security forces arriving in these vehicles to suppress a demonstration in the city on 28 September.

Further footage of a funeral for victims showed Mambas arriving with security forces who fired teargas at people gathered at Conakry's main mosque, campaigners said.

Amnesty's UK's arms programme director, Oliver Sprague, said: 'The transfer of supplies should stop until the Guinean government has taken steps to prevent these violations from recurring and has brought to justice those responsible for the recent brutal attacks.

'The EU should immediately freeze all arms transfers to Guinea and BAE Systems must ensure that its companies do not supply any spare parts, repairs or follow-on equipment.'

In a previous report, Amnesty documented Mambas being driven into crowds of peaceful demonstrators in Conakry in January 2007. The rights group says the French government may also have authorised the recent supply of teargas and anti-riot grenades to Guinean security forces.

France, Portugal and Spain have reported to the UN Comtrade customs database that between 2006 and 2008 they made more than $5m (£3.1m) of exports to Guinea in categories covering ammunition and cartridges. France has insisted it has not authorised the supply of 'lethal' ammunition to Guinea since 2004.

The latest government review of UK arms export controls rejected calls from Amnesty and other organisations for UK-owned subsidiary companies operating overseas to be regulated by UK arms export controls. It said talks were taking place at the UN general assembly in New York on a proposed arms trade treaty that would be robust enough to stop irresponsible arms transfers.

Sprague said: 'An arms trade treaty that does not prevent supplies to those with a persistent record of grave human rights violations like Guinea's security forces will be a worthless gesture.'

The current arms trade treaty resolution tabled on 15 October by the UK and six other countries says formal negotiations for a treaty should be concluded by 2012. However, the resolution requires that the final negotiating conference in 2012 must take decisions on the basis of consensus: a procedure that could allow any single country to block decisions.

• Guinea
• Arms trade
• BAE Systems
• The BAE files
• Human rights
• Child protection
• Children

David Leigh

James Sturcke

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Impact of pope's decree dawns

Impact of pope's decree dawns: "

For many sitting in the pews of Saint Augustine's Anglican church in north London it was a particularly special Sunday. There were three confirmations and one man received his first communion.

But amid the applause and smart outfits there was another sense of occasion, with people coming to terms with one of the biggest developments in Christendom since the Reformation.

Last week's decree from Pope Benedict, announcing the creation of a special section in the Roman Catholic church for ex-Anglican communities, has aroused strong opinions among traditionalist clergy. It has cast doubt on the authority of the archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the future of the Anglican Communion.

And the impact of the announcement is beginning to dawn on rank and file members of the Church of England.

'I've been a member of this congregation for years and this is exciting news, it's really hopeful for us,' said Rachel Graham, a parishioner at St Augustine's in Kilburn. 'We appreciate that we are able to have worshipful integrity here. When this church was built there was a hope for unity with Rome. We're not here by mistake.'

It was too early to make a decision about the pope's decree – which would allow Anglicans to move to the Catholic church, but keep their own liturgy and married priests – she said. The Vatican has released no further details about the decree, an apostolic constitution, but its very existence has given Graham and other parishioners plenty to think about.

'We hope we can all come together and be looked after by the bishop of Rome.'

Graham, a mother of five, is not in a minority at Saint Augustine's. Before the general synod meeting in July 2008 – 'when it all went wrong', she said, and the Church of England's governing body threw out all concession to traditionalists – a petition was circulated among the parish's female members objecting to the introduction of women bishops. Only four did not sign.

'My problem with women [clergy] is that they don't understand it's not about discrimination, but the church,' Graham said. 'They take offence at being seen as not good enough, but there's no tradition of women in the priesthood. There's nothing in scripture. It's not reasonable that women stand as priests.' There were many other roles that women could play in the life of the church, she added.

Her friend and fellow parishioner Cecilia Anim also spoke of her support for the pope's initiative. 'It reaffirms our belief that the holy father is putting us in the direction we want to go in to keep the sacrament sacred.'

'We're sending man to the moon, but you can't change God's word or the Bible. Jesus chose 12 men as his apostles.'

Saint Augustine's has sought alternative oversight from the bishop of Fulham, the Right Rev John Broadhurst, and will not accept a female priest as an incumbent or team vicar.

While feelings on the subject vary, the congregation generally sticks to the ABC line, according to the Rev Canon Anthony Yates, who said the pope's decree had not distracted him or the rest of the Saint Augustine team from their daily business. 'At the back of the church is the Vatican statement and we're going to consider it.

'We had hoped unity [between Rome and the Anglican church] might be reached, but that's not possible because of recent events,' he said.

There was a significant group within the Anglican Communion who would be happy to move to Catholicism if some provision were made for them, he said, before adding: 'We think of group or groups, rather than the whole Anglican Communion.' We do welcome the pope's response. I'm not one to criticise it.'

Broadhurst, the bishop of Fulham, who was the principal celebrant and preacher at today'smass, would not say whether he would move to Catholicism.

As chair of Forward in Faith, the group pushing hardest at the Vatican's door, he said he would consider the question with his members. 'The pope's offer is very impressive and very generous and, in a sense, it has taken the initiative and will force us to consider our future together.'

He did not share the feelings voiced yesterday by the former archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, that the Vatican had behaved inexcusably towards Williams for not informing him of the decree until two weeks before its publication.

Nor did he believe the decree's arrival was the fault of Williams. 'You can't have a secret document and share it with everybody. The trouble with Rowan is his heart is conservative Catholic, but his brain is liberal progressive. There's a spat between the two sides of a very interesting man.'

The rebels

The Right Rev Andrew Burnham, bishop of Ebbsfleet

Looks after parishes and congregations opposed to women clergy; asked the Vatican last year to help him and like-minded congregations leave the Anglican communion; said in 2008 he would leave if provision were made

The Right Rev Keith Newton, bishop of Richborough

Also cares for flocks opposed to women clergy; met with Vatican officials last year to discuss defection

The Right Rev John Broadhurst, bishop of Fulham

Chair of Anglo-Catholic movement, Forward in Faith; married with four children, one called Benedict; was confirmed as a Catholic when younger

The Right Rev John Hind, bishop of Chichester

Signed letter opposing ordination of a gay bishop in 2003; said he may convert over the issue of women bishops

The Right Rev Michael Nazir-Ali,

bishop of Rochester

Used to worship as a Catholic; does not oppose ordination of women and has ordained them in the past; leading light among conservative evangelicals; has said he would not rule conversion 'in or out'.

• Anglicanism
• Pope Benedict XVI
• Catholicism

Riazat Butt

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JOE BIDEN THE ZIONIST

More Restrictions on Muslim Worshippers in Occupied Jerusalem

More Restrictions on Muslim Worshippers in Occupied Jerusalem: "al-Aqsa impasse continues

Israel imposes more restrictions on Muslim worshipers

Faced with a determined Muslim stance against persistent efforts by government-backed Jewish extremists to arrogate a foothold at the Aqsa Mosque, the Israeli government has imposed further restrictions on Muslim entry into the Haram al Sharif compound, considered the third holiest Islamic sanctuary.

Muslim officials in al-Quds ( Jerusalem ) told PIC that Israeli police forces stationed at the sanctuary's gates were forcing worshipers to leave their identity cards. Those refusing to leave their IDs with the police were refused entry and forcefully turned back or arrested.

The stringent measure is apparently meant to force the incoming Muslims to leave the Mosque as soon as possible and not remain ensconced at the cite in order to repulse Jewish intruders seeking to gain 'prayer rights' at the Islamic shrine.

Jewish groups are openly calling for the destruction of Islamic holy places in Jerusalem in order to build a Jewish Temple, which some Jewish theological circles claim would speed up the appearance of a Jewish Messiah, or Redeemer, who would rule the world from Jerusalem ."

Rev Martin Luther King Jr I've Been to the Mountain Top Pt 2

Floods wreak havoc in India.