Salem-News.com - News with Video Page 201

Somber Homecoming for NW Soldier Killed in Afghanistan (VIDEO)

Sgt. Elijah J Rao was killed by an improvised explosive device, or roadside bomb, in Afghanistan.

(HILLSBORO, Ore.) - A somber and reverent group was on hand for the arrival of a local soldier December 12, 2009, who was killed fighting in Afghanistan. The family of Elijah J Rao says he will be sorely missed.

We first reported on this loss the day after it happened when the family released word of Elijah's death. They said at the time it is the last knock a family ever wants to hear at their door.

Deadly Shooting in Las Vegas Recorded on Video Phone

“My thoughts are with the victims of today’s shooting and their families. The law enforcement personnel who protect the courthouse put their lives at risk every day to keep the people who are inside safe and I greatly appreciate their service” -Nevada Senator Harry Reid

(LAS VEGAS, Nv.) - A shootout in a Las Vegas, Nevada federal courthouse left two people dead today. Amazingly, a passer-by with a cell phone recorded the sound of what are clearly dozens of rounds being fired.

KVVU FOX-5 in Henderson reports that a court security officer was killed as well as a gunman.

Noam Chomsky Says Media is Blacking Out Effort to Aid Gaza

Money from Israel is closely tied to all of the major networks and newspapers that ignore the plight of Gaza.

(SALEM/CAIRO) - U.S. and British media sources have been laying low in their coverage of a humanitarian aid mission to help the people of Gaza.

Noam Chomsky, noted author, lecturer and MIT Professor, told the group of well over a thousand, "Despite the media blackout, which is a disgrace, this is turning out to be a really spectacular triumph, I think, and it's hard to express properly my admiration and respect for those who are directly engaged."

Oregon`s Pattern of Failure Allows No Protection for Disabled Woman

Black, Disabled and Discriminated Against (in Oregon in ways that are hard to believe, yet documented and true...)

(SALEM, Ore.) - We cover issues related to racism in Oregon regularly; our ongoing series about a former Corrections Officer from Oregon prisons; William Coleman, has illustrated the extreme lack of transparency and corruption in Oregon's government.

His story, like this one, places a particular emphasis on racism toward African-Americans.

`I Was Raped Twice in Iraq` US Veteran Speaks Out

US Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Sandra Lee, who was raped twice while serving in Iraq, shared her story in an interview with Russian Television.

(MOSCOW, Russian Federation RT) - According to a new study by the US Department of Defense, one in three women in the military is raped. Veterans for Peace add to those statistics, claiming 75% of raped women in the military fail to report it.

Sandra Lee has decided to break the silence five years after she was assaulted by a fellow soldier. She had been rebuilding schools in the middle of a war zone in Iraq when the incident occurred.

Caught in the Crossfire (VIDEO)

Police say 7 to 10 shots were fired on Lancaster Dr NE in Salem and it probably was gang related.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Scary moments for bystanders in Salem Thursday when a gunfight erupted on Lancaster Dr. NE at the Arco AM/PM mini mart and gas station on Lancaster and Ward Dr. NE.

A father and son in their family mini van was caught in the crossfire of the gunbattle that happened around 4:15 p.m. Thursday. It happened quickly, Artemio Mendez said. Neither he or his father were hurt, but this local man says it was no way to close out 2009.

Life After Prohibition II

Plant Saves Planet!
Weed Saves World!
Herb Saves Earth?

(SAN ANTONIO, TX) - These are some of the headlines we might see, if things continue the way they've been going - with the increasingly global movement towards a more rational policy regarding the use of a naturally occurring, yet chemically compelling plant/substance called Cannabis.

Cannabis Sativa, and its sister, Cannabis Indica, otherwise know as Pot, Marijuana, Mary Jane, Herb, Weed, Reefer, Gage, Kind, Ganja, Grass, et cetera (the list goes on and on) is the world's most popular social relaxant, but simultaneously most controversial "narcotic" drug.

Film Review: Avatar, A Humanist Call from Mt. Hollywood

As in the case of Avatar, by the time America and Britain will start to train its forces to understand Islam, it may as well be ready for its new enlightened soldiers to change sides once they arrive on the battlefield.

(LONDON) - Avatar may well be the biggest anti War film of all time. It stands against everything the West is identified with.

It is against greed and capitalism, it is against interventionalism, it is against colonialism and imperialism, it is against technological orientation, it is against America and Britain.

Remembering the Tragedy of Gaza

Looking back at the innocent victims of Israel's U.S. powered death machine and it's visit one year ago to Gaza.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The people of Gaza suffered horribly one year ago during Israel's operation called "Cast Lead" which involved the deaths of over 1,400 people in Gaza, among them several hundred children.

The war crimes committed by Israel during this attack are horrific and the damage they inflicted will last decades in terms of human loss and scars, and also environmental damage wrought by the radioactivity in Israel's U.S. supplied bombs.

Viva Palestina Still Blocked From Reaching Gaza

The Convoy, which is made up of more than 200 vehicles, planned to reach Rafah on December 27th.

(CAIRO, Egypt AL JAZEERA) - Al Jazeera's Sohail Rahman reports and discusses Egypt's decision to block the Viva Palestina Convoy from entering Egypt at Nuweiba.

The video includes commentary from Institute of Palestinian Studies' Mouin Rabbanu and a live phone interview with George Galloway at the Jordan/Syria Jaber border crossing.