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| Land-thievery is illegal! Jewish settlements in the rulings of the European Court of Justice!

2012-02-08T16:09:00.000-05:00

| Land-thievery is illegal! Jewish settlements in the rulings of the European Court of Justice!:

Jewish settlements in the rulings of the European Court of Justice ~ Dr. Abdulrahman Muhammad Ali

Wednesday, 01 February 2012 09:00

Introduction

After decades of human suffering resulting from Israel’s occupation and illegal colonisation of Palestinian territory; fruitless and stalled negotiations; moribund policies; and legal options being overlooked in favour of diplomacy, it is time to look at a new strategy using political action and negotiations based on international law.

Observers of the Palestine question note that some Western countries are openly pro-Israel, “right or wrong”, and the so-called diplomacy of most does nothing for the Palestinian cause. Western diplomats, for example, almost always avoid declaring that Israeli settlements are illegal, breach international law and are an obstacle to peace. Sadly, the Palestinian Authority usually displays the same reluctance.

The European judiciary, represented by the European Court of Justice, however, appear to have more courage than the diplomats; they are clear that the Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem are not part of the territory of the State of Israel. As such, goods and companies therein do not have the right to any preferential customs treatment from the European Union. This is based on a decision issued by European Court of Justice on 25 February 2010 in the case of Brita Gmbh v Hauptzollant Hamburghafen.

Issued by the highest European judicial body, this ruling is as important as that issued by the International Court of Justice on the Separation Wall in the West Bank.¹

The existence and continued expansion of Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories is a breach of UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and signed agreements based on the principle of land for peace.²

The occupying authority has to fulfil its legal responsibilities towards the Geneva Conventions of 1949, as whatever an “occupying authority” does regarding the confiscation of Palestinian land is a clear violation of all common humanitarian law. The occupying authority in this case (Israel) violates article 23³ of the Convention of The Hague for example, and article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Conventions of 1949 which considers seizure and confiscation of land through armed conflict to be illegal and to constitute seriously grave breaches.⁴

The International Court of Justice stressed clearly in its advisory decision that legal consequences arising from the construction of the separation wall in the occupied Palestinian territories are considered violations by the occupying state and stated:

“Regarding the issue of settlements, the Court notes that the article (49), paragraph 6 of the Fourth Geneva Convention stipulated that ‘The Occupying Power shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies’. The Court also notes that this article does not only deny deportation or transfer of the population as what had happened during World War II, but also denies any measures taken by the occupying state to regulate and promote the transfer of part of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies. In this regard, the information available to the court shows that the occupying authority, and since 1977, exercises a programmed policy and has sophisticated practices in establishing settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory which violates article (49), paragraph (6).”

The UN Security Council has adopted the view that this policy and these practices (ie Israeli settlements) have no legal basis and are regarded as illegal; the Security Council has also called on “the occupying authority” to apply and comply with the Fourth Geneva Convention.

It must be emphasised that the practice of population transfer into the occupied territory violate the right of the Palestinian people in self-determination in two distinct ways: First, the removal of people from their land strikes at the very heart of the right, impairing the ability of the people to determine the destiny of their territory. It follows that mass expulsions or deportations from the occupied land and the transfer of settlers therein violate not only the individual rights of self-determination but also the collective right of self-determination.

Second, even in the absence of mass expulsion or population transfer, policies may serve to defeat core elements of the right of self-determination. The transfer of settlers into the occupied territory may be used as a means of depriving the indigenous people of their land or other natural resources essential to their traditional life style.⁵

Article 8/2/b/viii of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court states that “war crimes” includes, “Other serious violations of the laws and norms applicable in international armed conflicts within the established outline of international law, namely, any of the following acts… (viii) The transfer, directly or indirectly, by the Occupying Power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies, or the deportation or transfer of all or parts of the population of the occupied territory within or outside this territory”.

According to the elements of crimes that have been adopted by the Assembly of States Parties on 09/09/2002, which are explanations of the articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Rome Statutes,⁶ this offence⁷ needs to be accompanied by the following elements:

1. The perpetrator, directly or indirectly, transfers part of its population into the territory it occupies, or deports or transfers of all the population of the occupied territory or some of them inside or outside it.

2. The conduct took place in the context of international armed conflict and was associated with it.

3. The perpetrator was aware of the factual circumstances that proved the existence of an armed conflict⁸.

The prohibition of deportation or transfer of the population outside or inside the occupied territory by the occupying power is considered a firm and common principle and does not allow for any exceptions, except for that stated in the second paragraph of article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention; these exceptions are the security of the people themselves and for imperative military reasons. This principle is stated in article 49, paragraph 1and 2,⁹ and has been confirmed in article 51, paragraph 3¹⁰ and article 76, paragraph 1¹¹ of the Fourth Geneva Convention.¹² Besides this, article 85, paragraph 4 of the Additional (Protocol I) prohibits transfer or deportation of the population outside or inside the occupied territory by the Occupying Power. This article stipulated: “In addition to the grave breaches defined in the preceding paragraphs and in the Conventions, the following shall be regarded as grave breaches of this Protocol, when committed wilfully and in violation of the Conventions or the Protocol:

(a) the transfer by the Occupying Power of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies, or the deportation or transfer of all or parts of the population of the occupied territory within or outside this territory, in violation of Article 49 of the Fourth Convention…

The prohibition bans the occupying state from transferring its own civilian population into the occupied territory as this will lead to a change in the geographical structure of the occupied territory and will restrict the rights of the population of the occupied territory in their rights of ownership of the land (the right of refugees to return to their homes, for example), and create physical changes on the ground.

The transfer, directly or indirectly of the people of an occupying state into the occupied territory, through the establishment of settlements, violates in turn international humanitarian law, because the occupying state is acting as an administrative and military power in the territory which it occupies, and this is forbidden, regardless of its objectives.¹³

The transfer process must be carried out by the occupying state, and requires clear governmental involvement. Illegal acts by individuals acting on their own in relocating Jewish settlers in occupied Palestinian territory without the approval or support of the occupying state, or its knowledge, cannot be pinned on the state.

Population transfer into and out of occupied territory can be done directly or indirectly according to the text of article 8/(2)/(b)/(viii) of the Rome statute. This phrase, which was in neither the Fourth Geneva Conventions nor in Protocol I, was added at the request of the Arab states and was approved by a majority vote.

Indirect transfer includes the land confiscation, government settlement-plans, and providing protection for settlers and the settlements. “Transfer” includes economic incentives provided by the occupying state to encourage the settlers to build in the occupied territory; these could include granting loans to settlers and offering tax exemptions to settlers and foreign investors.

All of this has been confirmed by the decision of the European Court of Justice in the case of Brita.

The European Court of Justice, now called “The Court of Justice”, is the highest court in the European Union on matters of European law. The court’s main function is to interpret European law and implement it uniformly across the European Union. It has 27 judges representing 27 states, was established in 1952 and is based in Luxemburg, playing a role in the arbitration of conflicts and disputes among the European Union’s institutions. National judicial decisions cannot be taken to the Court of Justice for appeal, but national courts may ask it to decide on issues related to European Law.¹⁴

There are 8 general judges helping the main judges in the Court of the Justice. The Advocate General is responsible for providing legal opinions in cases submitted to the court; he or she can ask questions of parties to disputes before providing an opinion for the judges prior to them issuing their final judgement. Although the Advocate General’s opinion serves only as an advisory view for the judges to consider, in practice, the judges generally take the same view.¹⁵

The decision issued by the Court of Justice in the case of Brita Gmbh v Hauptzollant Hamburghafen, included the court’s view on the subject of Jewish settlements through its interpretation of the provisions of the EU Israel Association Agreement. This was based not on European economic law, but public international law with which the Court confirmed the borders of 1967 with the Palestinian territories under Israeli administration and Jewish settlements not constituting part of the occupying state.

Regrettably, this judgement has not been addressed by Arabic jurisprudence nor by researchers despite its legal importance.¹⁶

I will shed some light on the main points mentioned in the Advocate General’s opinion and give a brief explanation of what was mentioned in the Court’s decision.

Brita and the European Court of Justice

1. The nature of the dispute

Brita is a German company which imports drink-makers for sparkling water, as well as accessories and syrups, all of which are produced by an Israeli supplier, Soda Club Ltd., at a factory in Mishor Adumin in the occupied West Bank to the East of Jerusalem.¹⁷ Mishor Adumin is considered to be one of the most important economic hubs in the occupied territory.¹⁸

During the first six months of 2002, Brita submitted requests for free passage of imported goods and more than 60 requests to the German Customs Authorities to make use of the preferential tariff on imported goods from Soda Club according to the partnership agreement signed between Israel and the European Union. The source of the goods was listed as “Israel”.¹⁹

German Customs Authorities decided to grant a temporary preferential customs tariff for Soda Club products imported by Brita, but they asked for verification of the place of origin of the items.

Israeli Customs Authorities confirmed to their German counterparts that the goods originated with a company in an area that is under the control of the Israel Customs Authorities and, as such, they comply with the EU-Israel Association Agreement. According to the agreement’s terms, therefore, these goods were entitled to preferential treatment.²⁰

On 6 February 2003, the German Customs Authorities asked the Israelis by way of supplementary information if the goods exported to Brita by Soda Club had been manufactured in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip or Golan Heights; the question was not answered.²¹

In September 2003, the German Customs Authorities withdrew the preferential treatment that had been granted previously to Brita and its goods imported from Soda Club on the grounds that it could not be established conclusively that the imported goods are entitled to benefit under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Consequently, the Customs Authorities in Germany sought post-clearance recovery of customs duties amounting to a total of €19,155.46 from the German company.²²

Brita then brought an action before the Finanzgericht Hamburg (Finance Court) and asked for the annulment of the decision taken by the German Customs authorities with regards of recovery of customs duties.²³ The Finance Court took the view that the dispute depended on the interpretation of the EU-Israel Association Agreement on the one hand, and the EU-PLO Interim Association Agreement on the other. As a result, the Finance Court referred the dispute to the European Court of Justice.

2. The legal opinion of the Advocate General put before the judges

The Advocate General presented his legal opinion on 29 October 2009. He pointed out during his presentation that the application of the EU-Israel Association Agreement faced obstacles, especially with regards to issuing the required “Certificate of origin of products”. He confirmed that the European Commission has alerted importers to doubts about the validity of such certificates issued by Israeli Customs Authorities.²⁴

Referring to a communication between the EC, the Council and the European Parliament dated 12 May 1998, the Advocate General said that that there is an obstacle in implementing the EU-Israel Association Agreement, especially Protocol 4, which was applicable even before the implementation of the agreement in 2000, that most of the products certified as originating in “Israel” were actually produced in the occupied Palestinian territories.²⁵

He added that on 23 November 2001, the European Commission issued an official opinion declaring “the results of the verification procedures carried out by the Commission confirming that Israel issued many ‘Certificates of origin’ [confirming] that products which come from places under its administration since 1967 are from Israel.” Therefore, these products are not entitled to benefit from preferential treatment under the EC-Israel Association Agreement.²⁶

The Commission confirmed that all European importers who present documentary evidence of certificates of origin of products with a view to securing preferential treatment for products originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights are informed that they must take all the necessary precautions as the goods coming from these territories may give rise to a customs tariff.²⁷

The Advocate General explained before the Court of Justice that the EU-Israel Association Agreement applies to Israeli territories according to Article 83 of that agreement. He added that the boundaries of the Israeli state were defined in the Partition Plan of the UN General Assembly in 1947 as per Resolution 181. Later on, the Israeli state was declared based on the boundaries defined by the partition plan.²⁸

He added further that UN Security Council Resolution 242 dated 22 November 1967 referred to in the EU-PLO Interim Association Agreement stipulated that Israeli forces were asked to withdraw from the occupied territories and respect the sovereignty of all states in the area.²⁹

The Advocate General confirmed to the judges that according to the aforementioned circumstances of the case, the Court cannot but conclude that the West Bank territory, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip are not part of the territory of the State of Israel.³⁰

As a result, the Advocate General stressed that it was difficult to say that products coming from the West Bank and the occupied territories generally, should enjoy preferential treatment according to the EU-Israel Association Agreement.³¹ Hence, granting such preferential treatment to products originating in the West Bank is not acceptable according to the EU-Israel Association Agreement.³²

The Advocate General added that during the meeting about the EU-Israel Association Agreement held on 3 December 2004, the European Commission asked Israeli Customs authorities to define the origin of manufacturing the products on the certificate of origin of products coming from Israel. The aim of this request, as asserted by the Advocate General, was to differentiate between the products manufactured in Israel which are entitled to the preferential treatment according to the Agreement, and those manufactured in Israeli settlements which are not entitled to preferential treatment according to the same agreement.³³

The Jewish settlements are illegal according to the judgement of the European Court of Justice

The European Court of Justice referred in its preliminary ruling to several legal provisions regarding the case before it and which are applicable, before explaining its legal logic in the final decision.

1. The legal scope

The Court referred to Article (31) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties which asserted that any treaty must be interpreted in good faith and in accordance with ordinary meaning to be given to the terms of the treaty in their context and in the light of its object and purpose. The Court asserted that article 31/3 stipulated that in the interpretation of any treaty, there shall be taken into account any relevant rules of International Law applicable in relations between the states. As for Article (34) of the Vienna Convention, it provided that a treaty does not create either obligations or rights for a third state without its consent.³⁴

The Court confirmed that the EU-Israel Association Agreement came into force on 1 June 2000 and article (6) of this agreement provided that “the free trade of area between Israel and the European Community shall be reinforced according to the modalities set out in the agreement and pursuant to the articles of the agreement on Tariffs and Trade of 1994 and of other multilateral agreements on trade in goods annexed to the agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation”.³⁵

Referring to Article (8) of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, the Court said it provided that customs duties are prohibited on industrial products as defined in that agreement between the two parties when importing or exporting.³⁶

It also referred to the territorial scope of the EU-Israel Association Agreement which is defined in Article (83) as follows: The Agreement shall apply on the land to the territories establishing the European Community and, on the other hand, to the territory of the state of Israel.³⁷

The Court mentioned that Protocol (4) to the EU-Israel Association Agreement laid down the rules relating to the definition of “originating products” as well as the methods of administrative cooperation.³⁸ It asserted that article (2) of Protocol (4) laid down that products wholly manufactured in Israel, within the meaning of article (4) of Protocol (4), are to be treated as originating in Israel.³⁹ The Court also referred to article (32) of Protocol (4) which stated the procedure for verifying “proof of origin of the products” where the customs authorities requesting the verification for the proof of origin of these products shall be informed by the exporting state of the result of this verification within 10 months at most.⁴⁰

Then the Court referred to the EU-PLO Interim Association Agreement (which was for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority later) which came into force on 1 July 1997. Article (3) stipulated that the PLO and the European Community must establish progressively a free trade area according to the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade of 1994 and of the other multilateral agreements on trade in goods annexed to the agreement establishing the World Trade Organisation.⁴¹ Article (5) and (6) of the EU-PLO Interim Association Agreement provided that the products imported from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip shall not be subject to any customs duties.⁴² The Court indicated that the territorial scope of the Agreement is defined for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Every treaty has its own territorial scope to be applied; the first is to be applied on the territories of the state of Israel and the second on the territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.⁴³

2. The legal logic adopted by the Court in its judgement

The Court stated that the EU-Israel Association Agreement stipulated that Israeli customs authorities are the competent authority to issue proof-of-origin certificates for products produced in the state of Israel. The EU-PLO Interim Association Agreement gave the Customs department there the competent authority to issue proof-of-origin certificates for products produced in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.⁴⁴

Hence, to interpret article (83) of the EU-Israel Association Agreement as meaning the Israeli Customs Authorities are competent to issue certificates in respect of products originating in the West Bank will deprive Palestinian customs authorities of exercising the competence conferred upon them by the agreement with the European Community. Therefore, the Court considered that for the Israeli Customs Authorities to issue certificates that the origin of products is the West Bank would thus be contrary to article (34) of the Geneva Convention.⁴⁵

The Court added that article (83) should be interpreted as meaning that the products originating in the West Bank do not fall within the territorial scope of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and do not therefore qualify for preferential treatment under that agreement.⁴⁶

Hence, the Court confirmed that the German Customs Authorities have the right to refuse to grant Brita and its products preferential treatment under the EU-Israel Association Agreement as the origin of these products is the West Bank and not Israel.⁴⁷

Regarding the certificate of the proof-of-origin of the products, Article (32)/6 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement provided that the exporting state is the one which issues such certificates while the importing states can, through the Customs Authorities, verify the original source of the products. The Court added that the German Customs Authorities’ request for additional information from the Israeli Customs Authorities regarding the origin of the products did not concern the question of whether the manufacture of the products had been undertaken sufficiently in a certain area, but to verify the precise place in which the exported products to Brita via Soda Club were manufactured, for the purpose of determining if this place fell within the jurisdiction and territorial scope of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.⁴⁸

The Court made it clear that the European Union, undoubtedly, took the view that the products manufactured in the locations under Israeli administration/occupation since 1967 do not qualify for the preferential treatment provided for under the EU-Israel Association Agreement.⁴⁹ It supported its view in paragraph 66 when it stated that the Israeli Customs Authorities did not reply to the letter sent by the German Customs Authorities asking whether the exported products had been manufactured in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem or the Golan Heights.

Hence, the Court finally ruled that the customs authorities of any European State importing products may refuse to grant the preferential treatment provided for under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, where the products concerned originated in the West Bank.⁵⁰ The Court also ruled that the customs authorities of any European State importing products are not bound by the proof of origin certificate or the reply given by the exporting state to questions submitted by the importing states where that reply does not contain sufficient information for the purpose of implementing article 32/6 of the Protocol of the EU-Israel Association Agreement to determine the real origin of the products.⁵¹

Conclusion

Through looking at this case, which was considered by the highest judicial body in the European Union, we can assert that an insistence on the language of International Law being applied to the Palestinian issue can give results. The European Court of Justice ruled that Israeli settlements in the occupied territories in the West Bank and the East Jerusalem are illegal and violate international law. The Court affirmed in its decision on the Brita case that the European States must not recognise the status quo created by Israeli settlements, and every European State must prohibit preferential tariff treatment for all products coming from Jewish settlements.

On the other hand, European civil society supporting the Palestinian issue, such as the campaign for BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) must.⁵² In the Arab World everyone should alert the local authorities to all the products which originate on illegal Israeli settlements. Reference to the European Court of Justice’s resolution on this matter should be made in order to ensure that such goods do not benefit from any preferential treatment. A copy of the Court’s resolution should, perhaps, be sent to Trades Unions and Employers associations, and to national Ministries of Trade and Foreign Affairs in each European state to encourage them to apply the judgement to goods classed by Israel as “Israeli” but which, in fact, originate on an illegal Jewish settlement.

Civil society campaigners must expose the fraud committed by Israel when it claims that products manufactured in the settlements originate in the state of Israel and not from occupied territory.

The author holds a Phd in International Law/ France and a Certificate from the Research Center of The Hague Academy of International Law

ENDNOTES

¹For more information regarding this topic, read the book “Israel and the international law” issued by al Zaytuna centre for studies 2011.

²Interim Agreement signed in Washington on 28 September 1995, article XXX1.7

³Art.23 (g) from Convention (IV) respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land and its annex: Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land. The Hague, 18 October 1907 “To destroy or seize the enemy’s property, unless such destruction or seizure be imperatively demanded by the necessities of war;

⁴Article (147) Grave breaches to which the preceding Article relates shall be those involving any of the following acts, if committed against persons or property protected by the present Convention: …taking of hostages and extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly.

⁵Catriona J. Catriona J. Drew, “Self-determination and population transfert”, In, Human Rights, self-determination and political change in the occupied Palestinian territory, edited by Stephen Bowen, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 1997, pp. 141-142

⁶See http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/rdonlyres/9CAEE830-38CF-41D6-AB0B-68E5F9082543/0/Element_of_Crimes_English.pdf

⁷COTTIER (M.), FENRICK (W.), SELLERS (P.), Andreas ZIMMERMANN (A.), “War Crimes”, PP. 173-288, In THRIFTERER (O.) (ed.) Commentary on the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court, Observers, Notes, Article by Article. Baden-Baden, 1999. Simpson, Gerry (ed.), War crimes law / Gerry Simpson. Ashgate/Dartmouth, 2004, pp. XXXIII, 484 p. CHUTER (D.), War crimes : confronting atrocity in the modern world. Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2003. MAC GOLDRICK (D.), War crimes trials before international tribunals : legality and legitimacy. Domestic and international trials, 1700-2000 / ed. by R.A. Melikan, 2003. NIEMANN (G.), War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity, and Genocide in International Criminal Law. Handbook of Transnational Crime & Justice / ed. Philip Reichel. Thousand Oaks, CA [etc.]: Sage, 2005, pp. 204-229.

⁸http://www.icc-cpi.int/NR/rdonlyres/9CAEE830-38CF-41D6-AB0B-68E5F9082543/0/Element_of_Crimes_English.pdf

⁹Article (49) Individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from occupied territory to the territory of the Occupying Power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive.

Nevertheless, the Occupying Power may undertake total or partial evacuation of a given area if the security of the population or imperative military reasons so demand. Such evacuations may not involve the displacement of protected persons outside the bounds of the occupied territory except when for material reasons it is impossible to avoid such displacement. Persons thus evacuated shall be transferred back to their homes as soon as hostilities in the area in question have ceased.

¹⁰Article 51/paragraph 3 “The work shall be carried out only in the occupied territory where the persons whose services have been requisitioned are. Every such person shall, so far as possible, be kept in his usual place of employment.

¹¹“Protected persons accused of offences shall be detained in the occupied country, and if convicted they shall serve their sentences therein.”

¹²See International Committee of the Red Cross, Commentary on the fourth Geneva Convention, ICRC,

http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/7c4d08d9b287a42141256739003e636b/6756482d86146898c125641e004aa3c5 ; See ROUCOUNAS (E.J) , Les infractions grave au droit humanitaire (article 85 du Protocole Additionnel I aux Conventions de Genève, 31 Revue Hellénique de droit international 116 (1978).

¹³Progress Report of the Special Rapporteur Awn Shawkat AL- KHASAWANEH on the Human Rights dimensions of population transfer, including the implantation of settlers, U.N.doc. E/CN.4/sub.2/1994/18 (30 June 1994) par. 73, Preliminary Report of the Special Rapporteurs Awn Shawkat AL-KHASAWNEH and Ribot HATANO on Human Rights dimensions of population transfer, including the implantation of setters U.N.doc E/CN.4/sub.2/1993/17 (6 July 1993).

¹⁴Refer to the following articles to learn more about the Court of Justice and its jurisdiction:

Official website of the court: http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo2_7024/

Some general information on the court:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Court_of_Justice#Advocates-General

Site last visited on 19 March 2011.

¹⁵Refer to the following articles to learn more about the functions of the advocate general visit: Advocate General http://www.ena.lu/ Laure CLEMENT-WILZ, ” The function of the advocate general at the european court of justice”, http://www.u-paris2.fr/1268901575081/1/fiche___article/&RH=RECHERCHE_EN Site last visited on 19 March 2011

¹⁶This issue was considered in brief studies:

http://www.alhaq.org/etemplate.php?id=508 European Court of Justice: Israeli Settlement Goods do not Fall into Israeli Customs Authority 2 March 2010

http://www.mondialisation.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=17830 , La Cour européenne de Justice dessine les frontières d’Israël, par Gilles Devers, 27 février 2010

http://www.ism-france.org/news/article.php?id=13481&type=communique , Décision Brita de la Cour de Justice Européenne sur l’importation dans l’UE de produits de territoires occupés (Jérusalem Est), Par Gilles Devers, 25-02-201

¹⁷See clause 30 of the court’s judgement:

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

¹⁸Mishor adumim is one of the several settlement sited on what is called Ma’ale Adumim. Its population exceeded 35,000 and it situated on the highway no. 1 which joined it with East Jerusalem. These settlements surrounded East Jerusalem within a great settlement plan, planned more than 10 years ago.

Soda Club company is one of the most famous companies in the Mishor Adumim settlement and it was criticised highly by the Sweden commissions after Israeli organisation for the right to work published a report showing discrimination and exploitation of the Palestinian workers in Soda Club company.

After a big campaign in Swede against Soda Company by Empire Company which distributes products of the Soda Club to manufacture the products coming to the Sweden market outside Mishor Adumim as this area considered illegal settlement by the International law and the company agreed hesitatively.

¹⁹See clause 31 of the court’s judgement:

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

²⁰See clause 30-32 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

²¹See clause 33 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

²²See clause 34 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

²³See clause 35 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

²⁴See clause 27 of the Advocate General’s opinion

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

²⁵See clause 29 of the Advocate General’s opinion

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

²⁶See clause 31 of the Advocate General’s opinion

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

²⁷See clause 31 of the Advocate General’s opinion

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

²⁸See clause 109 of the Advocate General’s opinion

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

²⁹See clause 111 of the Advocate General’s opinion

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

³⁰See clause 112 of the Advocate General’s opinion

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

³¹See clause 115 of the Advocate General’s opinion

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

³²See clause 120 of the Advocate General’s opinion

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

³³See clause 122 of the Advocate General’s opinion

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

³⁴See clause 3-6 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

³⁵See clause 8 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

³⁶See clause 9 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

³⁷See clause 11 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

³⁸See clause 12 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

³⁹See clause 13 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁴⁰See clause 17 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁴¹See clause 21 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁴²See clause 22 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁴³See clause 46 and 47 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁴⁴See clause 49-51 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁴⁵See clause 52 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁴⁶See clause 53 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁴⁷See clause 54 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁴⁸See clause 64 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁴⁹See clause 64 of the court’s judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁵⁰See clause 74/1 if the courts judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁵¹See clause 74/2 if the courts judgement

http://curia.europa.eu/jurisp/cgi-bin/form.pl?lang=EN&Submit=rechercher&numaff=C-386/08

⁵²Boycott, Désinvestissement, Sanctions :Le cadre juridique de l’action des militants

http://www.enfantsdepalestine.org/IMG/pdf/cadre-juridique-de-laction-des-militants-bds-2mai.pdf

WadeSimMiser5's Webcam Video from February 8, 2012 07:40 AM

2012-02-08T10:45:00.000-05:00

Cancer cure : soursop

2012-02-03T22:36:00.000-05:00

Cancer cure : soursop

President Obama Question Google+ Hangout Response by Mike Mozart re: Ric...

2012-02-02T18:34:00.000-05:00

NV3 - Florida 2012 Republican Primary Results - Romney, Gingrich, Santor...

2012-02-01T09:16:00.000-05:00

2012 - Florida Election Watch

2012-01-31T18:24:00.000-05:00

2012 - Florida Election Watch

WadeSimMiser5's Webcam Video from January 31, 2012 01:43 PM

2012-01-31T16:57:00.000-05:00

President Obama on SOPA + Answering Mike Mozart's (JeepersMedia) Richard...

2012-01-31T16:40:00.000-05:00

Nickelback Responds To Their Haters On Twitter

2012-01-29T18:36:00.000-05:00

Nickelback Responds To Their Haters On Twitter:

Looks like they've finally lost it.

View Entire List ›

HELP SAVE UK Student Richard O'Dwyer NOW! Please Thumb Up Question for O...

2012-01-29T08:58:00.000-05:00

The Moral Battle Between Pirates and Copyright Lobbyists | TorrentFreak

2012-01-29T08:55:00.000-05:00

The Moral Battle Between Pirates and Copyright Lobbyists | TorrentFreak

ACTA TRUTH HORROR STORY SOPA Exposed in the UK Richard O'Dwyer by Mike M...

2012-01-28T17:59:00.000-05:00

SOPA Is Dead: Smith Pulls Bill

2012-01-26T20:52:00.000-05:00

SOPA Is Dead: Smith Pulls Bill
:)

Text of Obama's State of the Union address | 6abc.com

2012-01-24T21:47:00.000-05:00

Text of Obama's State of the Union address | 6abc.com

State of the Union 2012 | The White House

2012-01-24T20:42:00.000-05:00

State of the Union 2012 | The White House

Utah Drivers Have A Tough Time In Snow

2012-01-24T18:39:00.000-05:00

Utah Drivers Have A Tough Time In Snow

Never mind worrying about the Ides of March because Black March is coming

2012-01-23T20:11:00.000-05:00

Never mind worrying about the Ides of March because Black March is coming

This Article Explains Why Apple Makes iPhones In China And Why The US Is Screwed

2012-01-22T18:24:00.000-05:00

This Article Explains Why Apple Makes iPhones In China And Why The US Is Screwed

An unlikely farewell - phillyBurbs.com : Phil Gianficaro: phil gianficaro, joe paterno death, penn state, jerry sandusky scandal, paterno legacy

2012-01-22T12:33:00.000-05:00

An unlikely farewell - phillyBurbs.com : Phil Gianficaro: phil gianficaro, joe paterno death, penn state, jerry sandusky scandal, paterno legacy: This is not how he was supposed to go out.

WadeSimMiser5's Webcam Video from January 22, 2012 07:51 AM

2012-01-22T10:54:00.000-05:00

| Reality Check ~ Working and Poor in the USA! | | truthaholics

2012-01-21T09:48:00.000-05:00

| Reality Check ~ Working and Poor in the USA! | | truthaholics

MegaUploads Dangerous Secrets affect YOU, Mike Mozart JeepersMedia ACTA ...

2012-01-20T17:46:00.000-05:00

Even The 2nd richest man in the world is simple | uberHumor.com

2012-01-20T08:34:00.000-05:00

Even The 2nd richest man in the world is simple | uberHumor.com

PIPA Co-Sponsor Abandons His Awful Bill

2012-01-18T15:00:00.000-05:00

PIPA Co-Sponsor Abandons His Awful Bill: Senator Marco Rubio has had a change of conscience. The legislation abomination known as PIPA, birthed in part from Rubio's Floridian law-womb, just officially lost his support.

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video January 17, 2012 04:50 PM

2012-01-17T19:55:00.000-05:00

The author of the internet-censoring SOPA bill would be in violation if it were to pass!

2012-01-12T21:49:00.000-05:00

The author of the internet-censoring SOPA bill would be in violation if it were to pass!: The author of the internet-censoring SOPA bill would be in violation if it were to pass!

Lamar Smith is a convressman from Texas and the author of the Stop Online Piracy Bill. We've covered SOPA before (here, and here).

As you've probably heard, most internet companies are in an uproar about the restrictive nature of this legislation, which would put the US on par with the most restrictive regimens in the world when it comes to the internet.

The website Vice did some investigating, and they found that the congressman's website is using a photo wihtout the consent of the man who took the photograph. This means that under the rules of SOPA, the photographer could order Internet service providers to block the congressman's website for violating his copyright!

We know we've been harping on this, but it's important that everyone recognizes how bad this legislation is for the average internet user.

Check out Vice's report here and the petition against SOPA here

This Cute Sea Snail Can Swallow a Fish Three Times Its Size and Kill Humans [Video]

2012-01-12T09:29:00.000-05:00

This Cute Sea Snail Can Swallow a Fish Three Times Its Size and Kill Humans [Video]:

Watch this nice snail. It slowly moves across the ocean floor—lah-di-lah-di-lah!—until it finds a sleeping fish three times its size. Does it say hello, Mr. Fish, sorry to wake you up? No. It just opens its giant mouth and swallows it. More »

Awfully Good - DECK THE HALLS "Cleavage, Twins and One Happy Boy" - JoBlo Video

2012-01-11T21:15:00.000-05:00

Awfully Good - DECK THE HALLS "Cleavage, Twins and One Happy Boy" - JoBlo Video

Alaska town buried in 18 feet of snow; National Guardsmen recruited to help - NY Daily News

2012-01-09T16:05:00.000-05:00

Alaska town buried in 18 feet of snow; National Guardsmen recruited to help - NY Daily News

This is a lot of snow even for THEM.

Former NBC 10 Weatherman Herb Clarke Dies | NBC 10 Philadelphia

2012-01-08T21:06:00.000-05:00

Former NBC 10 Weatherman Herb Clarke Dies | NBC 10 Philadelphia

Internet giants seriously considering 'nuclear option' to stop SOPA

2012-01-07T15:29:00.000-05:00

Internet giants seriously considering 'nuclear option' to stop SOPA

Illinois Lottery bounces 85 checks to winners – USATODAY.com

2012-01-07T09:27:00.000-05:00

Illinois Lottery bounces 85 checks to winners – USATODAY.com

Looks like they should have checked their bank balance first!

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video January 6, 2012 02:08 PM

2012-01-06T17:15:00.000-05:00

List of local Catholic schools proposed for closure - phillyBurbs.com : Courier Times: catholic school closing list for bucks and montgomery, bucks school closing list, montgomery school closing list,

2012-01-06T17:06:00.000-05:00

List of local Catholic schools proposed for closure - phillyBurbs.com : Courier Times: catholic school closing list for bucks and montgomery, bucks school closing list, montgomery school closing list,: In addition to Conwell-Egan High School the
blue ribbon commission has also recommended closing five elementary
schools in Bucks and six in Mo…

Maldives President Considers Moving His Nation’s Population To Australia Because Of Rising Seas

2012-01-06T17:00:00.000-05:00

Maldives President Considers Moving His Nation’s Population To Australia Because Of Rising Seas:

If the tiny archipelago of the Maldives disappears below rising sea levels caused by global warming, the nation’s president is warning Australia to prepare for a wave of climate refugees. President Mohamed Nasheed said his government is considering Australia, as well as Sri Lanka and India, as possible new homes if sea levels rise so high that the nation’s islands are no longer inhabitable. The country has a sovereign wealth fund to buy land overseas and finance the relocation of 350,000 people living in the Maldives. ”It is increasingly becoming difficult to sustain the islands, in the natural manner that these islands have been,” Nasheed told the Sydney Morning Herald.

NatGeo Life statistics

2012-01-05T20:35:00.000-05:00

NatGeo Life statistics:

Adam and the Madam Ant

2012-01-05T20:16:00.000-05:00

Adam and the Madam Ant:

"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise!" - (Proverbs 6:6, NLT).

Adam Ant and his wife, Madam Ant, were busily sorting and stacking their storehouse of corn, kernel by kernel, one winter. Along came a grasshopper.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Ant," the grasshopper said. He would have doffed his hat, but of course grasshoppers don't wear hats. "I noticed you working so hard this fine winter day, and I wondered if you might be able to spare a few kernels of corn." The grasshopper cleared his throat and added, "I would be most grateful, for I am simply starving."

Adam and Madam Ant, who had kept working while the grasshopper addressed them, stopped working for a moment.

"Why do you not have a storehouse of corn like ours?" Adam asked.

The grasshopper smiled sheepishly. "Well, you see, I spend my summers singing beautifully in the grass. I had no time to work."

Adam and Madam Ant nodded knowingly.

"I see," said Adam. "If you spend your summers singing, you should not expect to spend your winters eating." And with that, Adam and Madam Ant returned to their work, leaving the grasshopper to regret his laziness.

That story, based on a famous fable, illustrates the fact that work is better than laziness. A willingness to work is a virtue, and a person who is not willing to work should not be admired, but pitied or despised. As the Bible says, "Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise! Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? I want you to learn this lesson:

A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber" (Proverbs 6:6-11, NLT).

The person who works hard--whether it's at school, at home, or in a job--is worthy of respect and admiration, because the Bible makes it clear that working well and working hard is right and good.

Review: Compare the following translations of Proverbs 6:6; which version do you like best, and why?

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise" (KJV)

"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazy fellow. Learn from their ways and be wise" (TLB)

"Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise!" (NLT).

Reflect: Who is the hardest working person you know? Do you admire him or her? If so, why? If not, why not? Which do you resemble most (in your work habits): an ant, a grasshopper, a snail, or a dead skunk in the middle of the road? Why?

Reinforce: Keep your eyes open today for someone who is working hard, and take a moment to thank that person for his or her example of hard work.

Remember: "Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry" (Proverbs 19:15, NIV).

Pepsi CEO mulls layoffs, salary freeze to woo Street - NYPOST.com

2012-01-05T10:52:00.000-05:00

Pepsi CEO mulls layoffs, salary freeze to woo Street - NYPOST.com

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video January 3, 2012 12:42 PM

2012-01-03T15:47:00.000-05:00

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video December 29, 2011 01:53 PM

2011-12-29T17:03:00.000-05:00

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video December 27, 2011 05:20 PM

2011-12-27T20:30:00.000-05:00

Prison Vs Work

2011-12-27T10:07:00.000-05:00

Prison Vs Work:

In prison you spend the majority of your time in an 8x10 cell.

At work you spend most of your time in a 6x8 cubicle.

In prison you get 3 meals a day.

At work you get a break for 1 meal and you have to pay for it.

In prison you get time off for good behavior.

At work you get rewarded for good behavior with more work.

In prison you can watch TV and play games.

At work you get fired for watching TV and playing games.

In prison a guard locks, unlocks...opens and closes all the doors for you.

At work you must carry around a security card and unlock and open all doors yourself.

In prison you get your own toilet.

At work you have to share.

In prison they allow you to visit your family and friends.

At work you can't even speak to family and friends.

In prison all expenses are paid by taxpayers, with no work required.

At work, you get to pay all the expenses to go to work and then they deduct taxes from your salary to pay for the prisoners.

In prison you spend most of your life looking through bars from the inside wanting to get out.

At work you spend most of your time wanting to get out and inside bars.

In prison you can join many programs which you can leave at any time.

At work there are some programs you can never get out of.

In prison there are wardens who are often sadistic and psychotic.

At work we call them managers.

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video December 24, 2011 08:10 AM

2011-12-24T11:13:00.000-05:00

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video December 19, 2011 03:03 PM

2011-12-19T18:12:00.000-05:00

What words do not have rhymes?

2011-12-18T11:51:00.000-05:00

What words do not have rhymes?

Horribly true these days..

2011-12-17T10:11:00.000-05:00

Horribly true these days..:

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video December 15, 2011 02:55 PM

2011-12-15T18:00:00.000-05:00

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video December 9, 2011 03:07 PM

2011-12-09T18:14:00.000-05:00

He Knows When You’ve Been Facebook Gossiping

2011-12-02T19:21:00.000-05:00

He Knows When You’ve Been Facebook Gossiping:

Tagged: comic, creeper, facebook, reindeer, santa

Submitted by: Unknown

Via: Scott Metzger

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video December 2, 2011 11:50 AM

2011-12-02T14:57:00.000-05:00

The 27 "reportable offenses" - phillyBurbs.com : Courier Times

2011-11-27T17:09:00.000-05:00

The 27 "reportable offenses" - phillyBurbs.com : Courier Times: What are the 27

Tentative deal moves the NBA lockout closer to end | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

2011-11-26T16:36:00.000-05:00

Tentative deal moves the NBA lockout closer to end | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

Time for some hoops!

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video November 25, 2011 03:05 PM

2011-11-25T18:09:00.000-05:00

8 Conversation Topics To Avoid At Thanksgiving Dinner

2011-11-24T11:35:00.000-05:00

8 Conversation Topics To Avoid At Thanksgiving Dinner:

You're going to be tempted to engage on these subjects… Don't. It won't be worth it. You'll just end up hating your family even more than you already do.

Occupy Wall Street

You may think "this is what democracy looks like." And hey, we would agree with you, but Uncle Anthony who fought in Vietnam thinks "this is what a bunch of stupid hippies look like" and he's just about to have his fifth scotch. Danger. Say how excited you are to watch the Lions and the Packers, but that you miss Brett Favre. That should get him going on an angry rant that isn't going to hurt anyone.

(Getty Images / STAN HONDA)

Your Cousin's Newly Revealed Bisexuality

Don't get us wrong. Feel free to talk to your cousin about it. Congratulate him. Let him know you support him. That said, I wouldn't talk about it in front of Aunt Carol. If he had come out as gay she would have at least had her long standing fandom of the male cast of "Will & Grace" and Neil Patrick Harris to help her figure out how to feel. But this? She doesn't know what to make of it, but every time he leaves the room, she keeps muttering about how he needs to "make up his mind" and "get through this phase." Our advice, change the subject immediately. Thanksgiving is no time for a civil war. Ask her what she thinks of NCIS. We don't know her tastes for sure, but mathematically speaking, she watches it.

(Reuters / RANU ABHELAKH)

Barack Obama

It may seem innocent to mention your admiration of the President, but then you might have to listen to your Aunt Em's conspiracy theory that he's actually a terrorist sleeper cell agent who is hoping to institute Sharia Law ("Did you know his middle name is HUSSEIN?!"). And as entertaining as that is... Probably best to dodge the topic. She loves "Dancing With The Stars." JR Martinez won. I don't know who that is either, but she does. Ask her about it.

Your Aunt's "Casserole Surprise"

If you talk about it, you'll probably have to eat it. Nobody wants that.

View Entire List ›

Why You should NEVER Fry a Frozen Turkey

2011-11-24T07:59:00.000-05:00

The Scariest Airplane Landings You've Ever Seen!

2011-11-19T19:20:00.000-05:00

Flying a plane is easy ... the hard part: LANDING!

Death within inches!!!

2011-11-15T14:30:00.000-05:00

Don't do what this guy did.

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video November 13, 2011 04:55 PM

2011-11-13T19:59:00.000-05:00

This makes me so proud to be Scottish…

2011-11-13T11:59:00.000-05:00

This makes me so proud to be Scottish…:
Makes you wonder.

A guinea pig fathered 42 babies in just 2 nights!

2011-11-12T18:14:00.000-05:00

A guinea pig fathered 42 babies in just 2 nights!: A guinea pig fathered 42 babies in just 2 nights!

A guinea pig called Sooty went missing from the farm that he lived at. The owners of the farm looked everywhere, but didn't think to look in the female pen until 2 days later. When they found him, he was asleep in a corner.

When they found him, the owners said that Sooty "was absolutely shattered - we put him back in his cage and he slept for 2 days." Later they would find the reason for his tiredness: over those 2 days he had had sex with all 24 females he was hanging out with! Over his 2 nights of steamy guinea-pig fashion, he managed to not only bag every female in town, but also fathered 42 babies.

(Source)

Infecting Children With Chickenpox... On Purpose!?

2011-11-10T21:15:00.000-05:00

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video November 8, 2011 02:28 PM

2011-11-08T17:33:00.000-05:00

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video November 7, 2011 02:30 PM

2011-11-07T17:41:00.000-05:00

Beavis Impersonates Andy Rooney

2011-11-06T15:49:00.000-05:00

Beavis Impersonates Andy Rooney:

I wouldn't exactly call it a tribute, but it's nice to know B&B were even aware of him.

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video November 5, 2011 01:12 PM

2011-11-05T16:18:00.000-04:00

Epic Double-Board Trick Dive

2011-11-03T17:53:00.000-04:00

Did he mess up? Well he didn't die.

Rebecca Black - OFFICIAL Friday Remix (Feat. B.C. Walk) The Best Remix E...

2011-10-28T19:11:00.000-04:00

an actual mix you might enjoy

Fear Factor is Back

2011-10-27T21:21:00.000-04:00

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video October 27, 2011 04:11 PM

2011-10-27T19:16:00.000-04:00

Highlights From My Wedding!

2011-10-25T21:13:00.000-04:00

True Romance: Elderly Couple Dies Holding Hands

2011-10-23T17:53:00.000-04:00

True Romance: Elderly Couple Dies Holding Hands:

There are plenty of stories of loving, elderly couples dying within a few years or even months of one another, but an hour apart is pretty impressive. That’s what happened when Norma and Gordon Yeager recently passed away. The couple, who had been married for 72 years, were rushed to a hospital after they had been involved in a car accident.

Hospital workers put Norma and Gordon in an ICU room together, where the couple continued to hold hands even after losing consciousness. In fact, Gordon’s heart monitor continued beating after he stopped breathing—it was sensing Norma’s heartbeat through his hand. Exactly one hour later, Norma slipped away as well.

While the couple’s kids are obviously disappointed their parents have died, they were touched to see them pass away in such a manner. “Neither one of them would’ve wanted to be without each other. I couldn’t figure out how it was going to work,” said their daughter, Donna Sheets. “We were very blessed, honestly, that they went this way.”

150 years ago, a primitive Internet united the USA - Boston.com

2011-10-23T15:05:00.000-04:00

150 years ago, a primitive Internet united the USA - Boston.com

BBC News - Is the US Declaration of Independence illegal?

2011-10-22T22:34:00.000-04:00

BBC News - Is the US Declaration of Independence illegal?

Barack Obama Has Written Personal Checks To Struggling Americans

2011-10-21T22:18:00.000-04:00

Barack Obama Has Written Personal Checks To Struggling Americans

TEXAS MAN GETS A $330,000 HOME FOR $16 DOLLARS 7-19-2011

2011-10-21T21:17:00.000-04:00

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video October 21, 2011 03:14 PM

2011-10-21T18:19:00.000-04:00

credit cards and a good friend of mine

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video October 20, 2011 03:02 PM

2011-10-20T18:10:00.000-04:00

“Fear Factor” Revival Set to Debut December 12th | BuzzerBlog

2011-10-20T14:31:00.000-04:00

“Fear Factor” Revival Set to Debut December 12th | BuzzerBlog

Spelling Matters

2011-10-19T19:49:00.000-04:00

At it Again: Viacom and Google Back in Court Over YouTube Copyright Issues

2011-10-19T16:16:00.000-04:00

At it Again: Viacom and Google Back in Court Over YouTube Copyright Issues

Official Scott Roberts Web Site - Scoville Scale for Hot Sauces and Hot Peppers

2011-10-18T19:19:00.000-04:00

Official Scott Roberts Web Site - Scoville Scale for Hot Sauces and Hot Peppers

Road trip in korea

2011-10-16T21:51:00.000-04:00

WadeSimMiser5's webcam video October 16, 2011 08:52 AM

2011-10-16T11:57:00.000-04:00

I know this is old, but it makes me cry every time…

2011-10-15T21:37:00.000-04:00

I know this is old, but it makes me cry every time…:

How to get the baby phone toy to curse

2011-10-15T12:45:00.001-04:00

If only Mike Mozart could see this!

The Beatles Pick a Twitter Handle

2011-10-14T09:15:00.000-04:00

The Beatles Pick a Twitter Handle:

George Martin: Alright, mates, first of all let me just say how happy I am that we not only managed to convince the four of you to reunite but were also able to bring both John and George back from the dead.

Ringo: It sure was a crazy weekend!

George Martin: Yes, yes it was. Anyway, we’re really excited to get you guys touring again, but as Paul and Ringo…well, as Paul can tell you, anyway, the music business has changed a lot since the 60s.

George Harrison: How so?

George Martin: Well, for one thing, you need a Twitter account now. Luckily, I explained all the boring, technical details concerning what Twitter is and how the internet works yesterday, so there’s no need to get into any of that now. We can skip right ahead to picking your guys’ handle.

Paul: Easy: The Beatles.

George Martin: Perfect. Only it’s already taken.

Paul: Someone took The Beatles? Who the fuck chose “The Beatles” as their Twitter handle?

George Harrison: I’ll bet it was Clapton.

John: Who cares who took it? I say it’s a good thing. We can be more creative now! How about “@?”

Paul: @? As in, “at?” Pray tell, John, why should our Twitter handle be “@?”

John: Think about it: if you’re trying to get in touch with someone on Twitter, you have to type in “@” before their name. So by making our Twitter handle “@,” we’ll be engaging in a form of social criticism about the way we live and communicate in the modern age.

Paul: Oh, wow, John. Of course. That’s totally brilliant.

John: Thank you!

Paul: And, hey, maybe we can even play it on a loop for eight minutes over some vague, inchoate background noises and release it as our first new single! Because that was so well received last time!

John: Oh, fuck off, Paul. Why don’t you go lose our songs’ rights to Michael Jackson again?

Paul: Maybe I will, John. And while I’m doing that, you and Yoko can go cover yourselves in bags! That really helped bring about world peace, didn’t it?

George Harrison: What about The_Real_Shaq?

George Martin: Sorry, that one’s taken, too.

George Harrison: Damn.

Ringo: Hey, how about—

Everyone: No.

Ringo: Yeah, it was a stupid idea.

George Martin: Look, maybe this was the wrong issue to start off the reunion with. There are plenty of other things we need to work on, too. For instance, who do you want to open for you at your first live show in 40 years?

Paul: Michael Bublé.

John: Definitely.

None of The Beatles Could Read Music

2011-10-13T14:16:00.000-04:00

None of The Beatles Could Read Music: None of The Beatles Could Read Music

The Beatles are talked about as one of the best bands of all times but surprisingly none of The Beatles could even read music! Although they could play the guitar, and wrote their own lyrics, they never learned how to read music.

They did know the chords and knew where middle C was on a piano. In a 1980 interview with Playboy, John Lennon said: “I think Paul and Ringo stand up with any of the rock musicians. Not technically great — none of us are technical musicians. None of us could read music. None of us can write it. But as pure musicians, as inspired humans to make the noise, they are as good as anybody”

Paul is the only one of The Beatles who attempted to learn how to read music. He tried to take piano lessons from his girlfriend’s mother but did not have the time or the patience. None of the others even tried.

(sources: 1, 2)

5 Every Day Things Made More Macho

2011-10-12T19:04:00.000-04:00

5 Every Day Things Made More Macho:

Is your toothpaste making you feel like a nancy? Your homeowner's insurance not virile enough? Does your internet service provider put the ISP in lisp? With the new Dr. Pepper being made for men only , I thought I'd try the same approach with other normally gender-neutral products.

View Entire List ›

Statler and waldorf (excellent)

2011-10-11T21:35:00.000-04:00

Dear father who told me crying doesn't help anything,

2011-10-09T18:40:00.000-04:00

Dear father who told me crying doesn't help anything,: Dear father who told me crying doesn't help anything,

I just found out crying helps with the flow of serotonin in your brain to boost energy levels and cheer you up.

Sincerely, kids cry sometimes, deal with it.

CNET.UK.CraveTV.The iPhone Animated Journey Through Time.flv

2011-10-08T17:47:00.000-04:00

dedicated to the memory of Steve Jobs

It's over!

2011-10-07T23:09:00.002-04:00

The Philadelphia Phillies have lost the series. Thank you, Philadelphia Phillies, for a wonderful season.

Carl Sagan Day 2011- Throw him a bone, will ya?

2011-10-06T16:11:00.000-04:00

from YouTube/blogTV user ChunxofEarth

Steve Jobs Has Died

2011-10-05T20:57:00.000-04:00

Steve Jobs Has Died:

Steve Jobs has passed away at 56.

Apple’s board of directors have issued the below statement and Apple’s homepage holds the picture above..

“We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today.

Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.

His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.”

His family has also issued the following statement:

“Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family.

In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve’s illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.

We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief.”

You’ll also find a warm tribute to a man who has truly changed the world on Apple.com here and a screenshot below.

Our deepest condolences to his friends and family. For an idea of just how magical the man was, please read this piece by Robert Scoble, a Front Row Seat to Steve Jobs’ Career. And here are our 10 most unforgettable Steve Jobs moments.

Money Dispute May Mean The End Of The Simpsons

2011-10-04T17:58:00.000-04:00

Money Dispute May Mean The End Of The Simpsons:

By Radar Staff

Say it isn’t so!

Cartoon favorite, The Simpsons may finish at the end of the next series.

The future of the long-running animated sitcom is reportedly in jeopardy because of a dispute of salary negotiations between the six main voice actors – Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria and Harry Shearer - and studio 20th Century Fox Television, who have told the cast they must take a 45 percent pay cut.

The cast – who currently earn around $8 million each for 22 weeks work - had offered to take a 30 per cent cut in exchange for a small percentage of profits taken from global syndication and show-related merchandise.

PHOTOS: Stars Who Look Like Other Stars

A source told The Daily Beast: “Fox is taking the position that unless they can cut the production costs really drastically, they’ll pull the plug on new shows.

“The show has made billions in profits over the years and will continue to do so as far as the eye can see down the road. The actors are willing to take a pay cut of roughly a third, but that’s not good enough for Fox.”

PHOTOS: Stars Without Make-up

A spokesperson for Fox Television admitted the show – which was created by Matt Groening and James L. Brooks – cannot continue “under its current financial model” but insisted they have not yet called a halt to negotiations.

The representative said: "23 seasons in, The Simpsons is as creatively vibrant as ever and beloved by millions around the world. We believe this brilliant series can and should continue, but we cannot produce future seasons under its current financial model.

PHOTOS: Topless Bikini Babes

“We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement with the voice cast that allows The Simpsons to go on entertaining audiences with original episodes for many years to come."

The show first aired in December 1989 and had a spin-off movie in 2007.

LeAnn Rimes’ Husband’s Show The Playboy Club Is Cancelled

Kat Von D’s Reality Show LA Ink Canceled

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: The Voice Of Bart Simpson Shows Off Her Other Voices

3091474

2011-10-04T09:42:00.000-04:00

3091474: Today, I decided to play the iPod game. I shuffled it and I asked it how would I die, and it gave me "Kim". I tried it again and asked it where I would die and it came up "Aberdeen". I tried it one last time and asked when would I die. It came up "Tomorrow". I live in Aberdeen with my roommate Kimberly. I am currently under my bed, shaking. MLIA.

Christie offers incentives for NJ towns to merge - phillyBurbs.com : Burlington County Times

2011-10-01T08:49:00.000-04:00

Christie offers incentives for NJ towns to merge - phillyBurbs.com : Burlington County Times: TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Gov. Chris Christie wants to give New
Jersey towns more incentive to consider mergers.