Pelosi defends doctored photo of female lawmakers

The photo that appeared on House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's Flickr page

As part of the festivities marking the first day of the 113th Congress, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi organized a photo op on Thursday with female Democratic lawmakers on the Capitol steps to mark the historic number of women in the new Congress.

Temperatures that morning were below freezing, and after several minutes of waiting atop the frigid marble for latecomers, Pelosi had the official picture taken without four members. But when her office released the photo, all the women in the party appeared. A Pelosi spokesman attached a message to the picture, noting it had been altered to add lawmakers who arrived late.

When asked about it Friday, Pelosi defended the practice.

"It was an accurate historical record of who the Democratic women of Congress are," she said during her weekly Capitol Hill press briefing. "It also is an accurate record that it was freezing cold and our members had been waiting a long time for everyone to arrive and had to get back into the building to greet constituents, family members to get ready to go to the floor," she said. "It wasn't like we had the rest of the day to stand there. ... Not only were they women, but they reflected the beautiful diversity of our country. Women who from every community, as well as every religious faith, so we were pretty excited about it."

She added: "Thank you for asking about it."

Andrew Beaujon of the Poynter Institute was the first to report that the four lawmakers on the top row were not in the original picture.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/nancy-pelosi-defends-doctored-photo-women-congress-174037761--election.html

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First meteorite linked to Martian crust

Friday, January 4, 2013

After extensive analyses by a team of scientists led by Carl Agee at the University of New Mexico, researchers have identified a new class of Martian meteorite that likely originated from the Mars's crust. It is also the only meteoritic sample dated to 2.1 billion years ago, the early era of the most recent geologic epoch on Mars, an epoch called the Amazonian. The meteorite was found to contain an order of magnitude more water than any other Martian meteorite. Researchers from the Carnegie Institution (Andrew Steele, Marilyn Fogel, Roxane Bowden, and Mihaela Glamoclija) studied carbon in the meteorite and have shown that organic carbon (macromolecular) similar to that seen in other Martian meteorites is also found in this meteorite. The research is published in the January 3, 2013, issue of Science Express.

The unique meteorite, dubbed Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034, has some similarities to, but is very different from other Martian meteorites known as SNC (for three members of the group: Shergotty, Nakhla, and Chassign). SNC meteorites currently number 110. And so far they are the only meteoritic samples from Mars that scientists have been able to study. However, their point of origin on the Red Planet is not known. In fact, recent data from lander and orbiter missions suggest that they are a mismatch for the Martian crust.

As co-author Andrew Steele, who led the carbon analysis at the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory explained: "The texture of the NWA meteorite is not like any of the SNC meteorites. It is made of cemented fragments of basalt, rock that forms from rapidly cooled lava, dominated with feldspar and pyroxene, most likely from volcanic activity. This composition is common for lunar samples, but not from other Martian meteorites. This unusual meteorite's chemistry suggests it came from the Martian crust. It is first link thus far of any meteorite to the crust. Our carbon analysis also showed that the meteorite likely underwent secondary processing at the Martian surface, explaining the macromolecular organic carbon. "

Lead author Agee, of the Institute of Meteoritics at the University of New Mexico, remarked: "The basaltic rock in this meteorite is consistent with the crust or upper mantle of Mars based on findings from recent Martian rovers and orbiters. Our analysis of the oxygen isotopes shows that NWA 7034 is not like any other meteorites or planetary samples. The chemistry is consistent with a surface origin and an interaction with the Martian atmosphere. The abundance of water, some 6000 parts per million, suggests that the meteorite interacted with the Martian surface some 2.1 billion years ago."

"Perhaps most exciting, is that the high water content could mean there was an interaction of the rocks with surface water either from volcanic magma, or from fluids from impacting comets during that time," said Steele. "It is the richest Martian meteorite geochemically and further analyses are bound to unleash more surprises."

###

Carnegie Institution: http://www.ciw.edu

Thanks to Carnegie Institution for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/126134/First_meteorite_linked_to_Martian_crust

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Stocks rise on steady jobs report

Stocks extended a New Year's rally Friday with the Standard & Poor's 500 index hitting a five-year high.?Stocks have surged this week after lawmakers passed a bill to avoid the "fiscal cliff."

By Steve Rothwell,?AP Markets Writer / January 4, 2013

A flag is seen outside the New York Stock Exchange in New York Friday. A steady December jobs report gave stocks an early lift.

Eric Thayer/Reuters

Enlarge

The Standard & Poor's 500 closed at its highest in five years Friday after a report showed that hiring held up in December, giving?stocks?an early lift.

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The S&P 500 finished up 7.10 points at 1,466.47, its highest close since December 2007.

The index began its descent from a record close of 1,565.15 in October 2007, as the early signs of the financial crisis began to emerge. The index bottomed out in March 2009 at 676.53 before staging a recovery that has seen it more than double in value and move to within 99 points of its all-time peak.

The Dow Jones industrial average finished 43.85 points, or 0.3 percent, higher at 13,435.21. It gained 3.8 percent for the week, its biggest weekly advance since June. The Nasdaq closed up 1.09 point at 3,101.66.

Stocks?have surged this week after lawmakers passed a bill to avoid a combination of government spending cuts and tax increases that have come to be known as the "fiscal cliff." The law passed late Tuesday night averted that outcome, which could have pushed the economy back into recession.

The Labor Department said U.S. employers added 155,000 jobs in December, showing that hiring held up during the tense fiscal negotiations in Washington. It also said hiring was stronger in November than first thought. The unemployment rate held steady at 7.8 percent.

The jobs report failed to give?stocks?more of a boost because the number of jobs was exactly in line with analysts' forecasts, said JJ Kinahan, chief derivatives trader for TD Ameritrade.

"The jobs report couldn't have been more in line," Kinahan said. "The market had more to lose than to gain from it."

Among?stocks?making big moves, Eli Lilly and Co. jumped $1.84, or 3.7 percent, to $51.56 after saying that its earnings will grow more than Wall Street expects, even though the drugmaker will lose U.S. patent protection for two more product types this year.

Walgreen Co., the largest U.S. drugstore chain, fell 61 cents, or 1.6 percent, to $37.18 after the company said that a measure of revenue fell more than analysts had expected in December, even as prescription counts continued to recover.

Stocks?may also be benefiting as investors adjust their portfolios to favor?stocks?over bonds, said TD Ameritrade's Kinahan. A multi-year rally in bonds has pushed up prices for the securities and reduced the yield that they offer, in many cases to levels below company dividends.

Goldman Sachs reaffirmed its view that?stocks?"can be an attractive source of income," and warned that there is a risk that bonds may fall. In a note to clients, the investment bank said that an index of AAA rated corporate bonds offers a yield of just 1.6 percent, less than the S&P 500's dividend yield of 2.2 percent.

The 10-year Treasury note fell, pushing its yield higher. The yield on the 10-year note fell 2 basis points to 1.91 percent. The note's yield has now climbed 52 basis points since falling to its lowest in at least 20 years in July.

In other notable?stock?moves:

? Accuray Inc. plunged $1.37, or 20 percent, to $5.41 after the radiation oncology equipment company reported weak sales and said it would cut 13 percent of its staff.

? Lululemon, a yoga apparel maker, dropped $3.14, or 4.2 percent, to $71.95 after Credit Suisse predicted slowing momentum and downgraded its?stock.

? Finish Line Inc., an athletic footwear and clothing company, fell $1.58, or 8.3 percent, to $17.18 after it reported a small loss after sneaker trends changed and customers didn't take to its new web site launched in November. Analysts had forecast a profit.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/mnj-VXbb75c/Stocks-rise-on-steady-jobs-report

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2013 Yamaha Grizzly 450 Auto 4x4 Auto Insurance ... - ATV pictures

Ultimate real world mid-class performance. - The Grizzly 450 features the ideal mix of off-road capability, reliability and comfort in a rugged, mid-size package.

The 2013 Grizzly 450 tackles touch terrain and even tougher chores with a host of Yamaha exclusive features including full automatic Ultramatic transmission, On Command 2WD/4WD with Diff Lock, rear sealed wet brake and more, all in a great handling package.

2013 Yamaha Grizzly 450 Auto 4x4 Key Features:

? Grizzly 450 Automatic 4x4 has many of the same great features as big brothers Grizzly 700 and 550, including four-wheel independent suspension, and it?s powered by a fuel-efficient, liquid-cooled engine.

? Industry-exclusive, fully automatic Ultramatic? transmission is the most advanced drive system in ATVs. An automatic centrifugal clutch maintains constant belt tension for reduced belt wear and uses a sprag clutch for all-wheel downhill engine braking in 4WD mode and reverse.

? Three-position On-Command? In/Out 4WD feature lets you switch between 2WD, limited-slip 4WD and a fully locked differential 4WD?all with the simple push of a button. Override button allows engine to make maximum rpm in full Diff. Lock mode.

? Fully independent long-travel four-wheel suspension features double-wishbone suspension front and rear.

? Ground clearance of 10.8 inches and a composite plastic skidplate provide terrainability and undercarriage protection.

? Trick digital instrument panel boasts a multifunction LCD display with speedometer, odometer, dual tripmeter, hour meter, 4WD status, transmission position and clock.

? Rear wet brake is a multi-disc system running in gear oil inside a sealed unit. This keeps out the elements (such as mud and water) while providing powerful, consistent stopping power and greatly reduced maintenance.

2013 Yamaha Grizzly 450 Auto 4x4 Features and Benefits:

? Semi-oval slide 33mm BSR Mikuni? carburetor and high-output DC-CDI ignition deliver fantastic throttle response and engine performance at all rpm.

? Pushbutton electric starting.

? Stainless steel muffler and header design provides superior power characteristics, exhaust sound and durability.

? Left-side?mounted (Hi/Lo/N/R/P) shift lever is easily accessible.

? Large-capacity radiator provides maximum cooling efficiency and is positioned high in frame for optimal protection.

? Compact engine design features a 45-degree cylinder angle for maximum ground clearance and lower seat height for quick, responsive steering and agility.

? Gear-driven crankshaft balancer and rubber-damper engine mounts reduce vibration.

? Specially designed drive system air intake vent helps prevent overheating and keeps water and mud from entering drive case.

? Tool-free air filter box for easy access and quick maintenance.

Chassis/Suspension:

? Light steering and a class-leading turning radius combine for increased comfort and incredible maneuverability?even in 4WD.

? Fully independent four-wheel suspension features a double wishbone suspension front and rear delivering 6.3 inches and 7.1 inches of travel.

? Using a newly-designed multi-disc system running in gear oil, the sealed rear wet brake combines strong, consistent stopping power and greatly reduced maintenance requirements.

? Large-diameter ventilated hydraulic front disc brakes deliver tremendous stopping power in a variety of conditions.

? Direct front shaft drive eliminates U-joint for greater durability and more efficient power transfer when engaged in 4WD.

? Heavy-duty composite front carry bar and CV joint guards help prevent damage to boot covers and won?t dent or rust.

Additional Features:

? Grizzly 700-inspired front-end styling boasts convenient water-resistant storage compartment on the front fender.

? The water-resistant DC outlet is located to the side of the multifunction instrument panel for convenient access; automotive style receptacle handles a wide range of accessories.

? Steel cargo racks with special, extra-durable wrinkle paint finish feature a combined cargo capacity of 264 pounds (88 front, 176 rear).

? Available in Realtree? AP? camouflage with a water-dipped process for durability.

? Large-capacity, 4-gallon fuel tank has a built-in gauge and easy-to-reach petcock valve.

? Water-resistant, large-capacity underseat storage box provides added convenience.

? Wide, fully integrated floorboards keep rider?s feet dry and feature serrated floorboards for extra grip in wet conditions.

? Large front and rear fenders with inner guards offer excellent mud/splash protection.

? Easy-access, underseat marine-spec electrical components ensure maximum protection from the elements.

? Dual, bright multireflector 30-watt Krypton bulb headlights with high and low beams; rear brake light.

?Assembled in Newnan, GA, U.S.A.

2013 Yamaha Grizzly 450 Auto 4x4
USA Specifications

USA MSRP: $6,899 (Hunter Green) Available from July 2012; $6,899 (Steel Blue) Available from July 2012; $7,249 (Realtree AP HD Camo) Available from September 2012

Engine

Type 421cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled single; SOHC

Bore x Stroke 84.5mm x 75.0mm

Compression Ratio 10.0:1

Fuel Delivery Mikuni? 33mm BSR

Ignition DC-CDI

Starting System Electric

Transmission Yamaha Ultramatic? V-belt with all-wheel engine braking/H, L, N, R, P

Drive Train Yamaha On-Command? pushbutton; 3-way locking differential; 2WD, 4WD, locked 4WD; shaft drive

Chassis

Suspension / Front Independent double wishbone; 6.3-in travel

Suspension / Rear Independent double wishbone; 7.1-in travel

Brakes / Front Dual hydraulic discs

Brakes / Rear Sealed oil bathed, multi disc

Tires / Front AT25x8-12

Tires / Rear AT25x10-12

Dimensions

Length 78.5 x 43.0 x 44.1 in

Seat Height 33.1 in

Wheelbase 48.5 in

Turning Radius 118 in

Ground Clearance 10.8 in

Fuel Capacity 4.0 gal

Wet Weight 606 lb

Rack Capacity 88 lb Fr./176 lb Rr.

Towing Capacity 1322 lb

Other

Instrumentation Digital LCD multifunction display: speedometer, odometer, dual tripmeter, hour meter, clock, gear position and fuel gauge

Lighting Dual 30W Krypton multireflector headlights & 21W/5W brakelight

Warranty 6 Month (Limited Factory Warranty)

Auto Insurance Information www.statefarm.com State Farm? has offered motorcycle insurance for 40 years Protection for the Open Road The open road is always an adventure. You never know what might be around the bend. So make sure you're prepared for whatever the road has in store for you, with a State Farm motorcycle insurance policy. Motorcycles Covered by State Farm We will consider any factory-built motorcycle, motorscooter, and other two or three-wheel vehicles including minibikes and trail bikes licensed for use on public roads. Available Coverage Options = Bodily injury to someone else or property damage that you accidentally caused while riding your motorcycle. = = Bodily injury to yourself because of an accident with an uninsured motorist. = = Damage to your motorcycle caused by an accident. = = Theft, fire, vandalism, and other losses even while your motorcycle is in storage for the winter. = = Customization work, such as paint or upgraded components = = Attached side cars. = Note: This is only a general description of available coverages and is not a statement of contract. All coverages are subject to policy provisions and applicable endorsements. For further information on motorcycle insurance see a State Farm Agent.

Source: http://atv-pictures.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013-yamaha-grizzly-450-auto-4x4-auto.html

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Do Your PC Games Keep Crashing? Try These 5 Easy Solutions ...

If you?re like me, then you spent a lot of your childhood playing video games. But I?ve spent even more of my adult life doing the same thing. You know what really grinds my gears when I try to play video games? Crashes.

Unfortunately, crashes seem like an inevitable part of being a PC gamer. But that doesn?t mean you have to sit down grumpily in your office chair and accept it. Instead, try troubleshooting your PC games with these five easy solutions.

5) Update your game

Games ship with plenty of bugs and glitches. Some games have fatal crashes right out of the box. Others have some obscure problem that makes them impossible to play on certain types of systems. In any case, no game developer is perfect, and that?s why they patch their games on a regular basis.

Try updating your game to fix any crashing problems you encounter. In fact, this should be the first thing you do. Not only will you iron out any bugs and glitches, but you could also gain access to new in-game content (if the game developer is nice and likes to give stuff away for free).

Look for patches to your PC games on the game developer?s website. Or, if you?re playing through a platform like Steam or Origin, you can search for updates or update your games automatically. If that doesn?t fix your problem, move on to the next step.

4) Update your graphics drivers

Your next job is to check for updates to your graphics drivers. If you?re using an Nvidia graphics card, check Nvidia.com for driver updates for your card (most modern cards have a single graphics driver that they all use).

If you?re using an ATI/AMD card, visit AMD.com and search for drivers. Run the .exe file you just downloaded, restart your computer, and see if that fixed your problem.

Even if graphics driver updates didn?t fix your problem, they?ll have a profound impact on performance. You should notice an increase in frames per second and you may even be able to bump your graphics settings to the next level.

3) Check your memory for problems

Your computer won?t work without memory. If your memory is having problems, then your PC games won?t work either. And since today?s latest PC games demand a high amount of memory, you might only notice memory problems when you?re in-game.

To check if you?re having memory problems, first run the Windows Task Manager and open whichever game you?re trying to play. Check the Task Manager to see how much RAM is being used as you start up the game. If it?s close to 100%, then you may need to upgrade your RAM.

However, RAM problems can sometimes be more serious. To check if your RAM is in proper working condition, download a free tool called Memtest and run it. If your memory has any errors, it will let you know. Then, you?ll have to order a new stick of RAM, which isn?t too expensive.

2) Update DirectX

DirectX helps your graphics card communicate with your computer and create the PC games we know and love. It?s a fundamental part of any PC gaming experience and it has been for many years.

Normally, DirectX is updated automatically by Microsoft Update and by PC games themselves. But this isn?t always the case. It never hurts to download the latest update copy of DirectX. To find the latest version of DirectX, visit this site.

1) Update Windows

The final step on your path of upgrades is to update Windows. Windows Update can search for the latest updates from the Microsoft server. There might be several dozen important updates to download. These updates range from minor security patches to full-blown program improvements. Whatever the case may be, open your Windows Start bar, search for Windows Update, then let the program go to work.

Still not working?

If you?ve tried all of the steps listed above, then we?ve clearly failed to fix your PC problems. We?re sorry. But here are a few other tips that might be able to help:

-Make sure your PC rig has the minimum recommended requirements to run the PC game.

-Check if your PC is keeping cool while the video game runs by using a program like CPU-Z. If heat is a problem for your computer, the PC game will generally crash several minutes into gameplay as opposed to immediately on startup.

-Google your problem to see if anybody else is experiencing the same issue. In most cases, you?re not alone.

-Run an antivirus scan to see if that could be the problem

-Exit out of all other programs and applications that aren?t directly necessary to the PC game. That includes any desktop theme software, music players, and applications that run in the background.

Related posts:

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Source: http://www.fixmypcfree.com/blog/do-your-pc-games-keep-crashing-try-these-5-easy-solutions/

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Web Marketing Tips For All Types Of Businesses - Maynas Eric

Web marketing is used by many to sell their services and products. Sales are created through Website marketing with the help of advertising and search engine optimization. If online marketing appeals to you, or you are already involved and just want to enhance your efforts, then the tips in this piece will help you.

If you are a good writer, try writing articles with your business information and submit them to magazines and websites that accept article submissions. Always add your website and business information in the ?about me? section of your article. Take the time to work with editors in order to increase your chances for publication.

Have a comment form available to consumers who choose not to purchase. They may offer helpful information you can use to increase sales. If you allow them to tell you what the issue was, you can focus your efforts more effectively.

TIP! Something you should consider when Internet marketing is that you should never spend all your money in one place. This concept is important in this type of venture because income is slow in the beginning and will not be steady until your business is well established.

Remember every detail when it comes to each page on your site. Every page on your site should share the same basic headline, including the site name and a little bit of information about it. Visitors are going to land on various pages of your site according to different searches that they do, and if they aren?t able to figure out your site, they usually leave immediately.

It is helpful to have a 500 error page that is user-friendly. Visitors will see this page when something goes haywire with your site?s automated database code. You do not want to let users see a generic page that just says the connection was timed out. You can let users know you?re aware of the problem and you are going to fix it.

When considering advertising your site, evaluate the different ways you can go about that. Some easy ways to share your site are to post on blogs, use social media, and put posters in businesses in your area. There are lots of ways to attract visitors to your site. You need to get creative.

TIP! If you have a robust internet marketing plan, you already know which products are your most profitable. Next, try using these products to think of new products that might generate a similar profit.

Sure, it sounds great to have a Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and 10 other profiles on 10 other sites, but each profile needs your full attention in order to keep it vibrant. Profiles that collect virtual dust are often considered spam.

Partnering with different-minded people can be mutually beneficial to both parties. Your partner and your can offer discounted bundles and lateral services to both your client bases.

One great way to make the most of Affiliate marketing is to pay attention to image searches. When a browser online searches some type of keyword, you will have a better chance of being found if you actually tag your images with the proper keywords. Even though it?s an image, it will still be indexed along with your site. You will find that more people will stop at your site and look around. This will make them more familiar with your company and they will return if they like it.

TIP! Place a chat box or open forum on your business website. This way, it will feel more like a club, or a group, rather than just a place that they can buy things.

Unique content that is useful and interesting will keep customers coming back to your website. E-books filled with tips or a humorous article or cartoon can also bring traffic to your site. You can set yourself and your business apart by being innovative and offering interesting content that will gain attention.

Have some promotions or events and see people flock to your site. A one-dollar sale is a great way to get people in your virtual door. Then when people check your website for the promotional options, there is a tendency for them to linger and check out other options as well. Some of them will probably buy a product or two.

Although, in general it is advisable to avoid mixing your business and personal life, this can be one of the exceptions. Instead of looking at the undertaking as a business, think of it more as a hobby that can earn you money. Do it together with your partner, and see how it goes.

TIP! A good website is essential to success in the realm of Internet marketing. Make sure you test the site often to fix bad links or bugs.

Review your business website from the perspective of a customer. Does it offer ease of use? Is reading it entertaining? Is the ordering process quick and effective? Using SEO techniques and struggling to attract more traffic will not get you anywhere if you do not offer quality content on your site.

Always offer freebies to visitors to your website, even if they consist of no more than a handy checklist or some good advice. Offer a screensaver or PDF file that can be downloaded from your website that contain helpful info that a customer may want to keep on hand about your product or service. For instance, if you are in the construction industry, you could offer an article or book on the changing code regulations in your area. People will perceive you as knowledgeable and helpful if you offer free quality content.

If you?re trying to gain more views on your website, and do better in search engine results, you have to provide unique and original content. This is even more important for retailers that are competing to sell the same items as many other retailers online. With your own original descriptions, peppered with choice keywords and manufacturer info, your site can really rise above the rest, even if you are all selling the same products.

TIP! On your site, have a banner with your mission statement or slogan. Using a banner will impart a professional look to your website and provide useful information about your product or service.

In conclusion, many businesses use Web marketing to sell products and services. Internet promotion uses methods such as search engine optimization and advertising to generate sales interest. If you remember the advice in this article, you can use Web marketing to seriously boost interest in your own products and services.

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Source: http://www.maynaseric.com/web-marketing-tips-for-all-types-of-businesses

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Is Russia trying a dead whistle-blower because of a US law?

At the center of the stormiest US-Russia diplomatic crisis since the cold war stands the enigmatic figure of Sergei Magnitsky, for whom the US Senate has named a punitive new law that imposes harsh visa and economic sanctions against scores of Russian officials who are deemed to have committed serious human rights violations.

The tale of Mr. Magnitsky, a corporate lawyer who blew the whistle on a vast corruption scheme, was arrested by the same officials he had implicated, and was allegedly beaten to death in prison over three years ago, appears to validate all the worst suspicions held in the West about the nature of Vladimir Putin's Russia. The Magnitsky Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama last month, is a controversial new breed of legislation that aims to compensate for the perceived failures of Russia's justice system by meting out punishment to about 60 Russian officials deemed to have been involved in the wrongful prosecution and alleged murder of Magnitsky.

Do you know anything about Russia? A quiz.

The Kremlin's incandescent response makes it likely that the mutual acrimony will expand in weeks to come. Mr. Putin called the Magnitsky Act a "purely political, unfriendly act" that demanded a stern riposte. Last week he signed the retaliatory Dima Yakovlev Act, whose key provision is a ban on all adoptions of Russian children by US citizens.

But in an apparent effort to overturn the widely-held Western narrative, which sees Magnitsky as the victim of corrupt officials and a lawless state, Russian prosecutors have announced they will put the deceased Magnitsky on trial later this month, seeking to prove that he and his former boss, Bill Browder, head of the London-based Hermitage Capital, were the real criminals.

The pending trial has been fiercely opposed by Magnitsky's mother ? who will be required to stand in for her dead son ? and lawyers, who argue that a posthumous trial is against Russian law in all cases except when a family asks the court to "rehabilitate" a victim of an unjust verdict (a common legacy of the Stalin era).

"We did not ask for this, and we do not think the deputy prosecutor had any right to revive Sergei's case after it was closed upon his death," says Natalia Magnitskaya, Magnitsky's mother.

"We seriously doubt that the very same people who prosecuted Sergei hold out any prospect of rehabilitating him. So, our family doesn't want to take any part in these illegal actions," she adds.

Last week a Russian court acquitted Dmitry Kratov, a prison doctor who is the only official ever to have been charged in connection with Magnitsky's death. Mr. Kratov had been accused of failing to render timely medical assistance on the night Magnitsky died in handcuffs on the floor of a Moscow prison cell. A post-mortem report issued by the Russian Ministry of Health indicated that "the injuries on Magnitsky's body were most likely caused by multiple injuring impacts of a blunt object that might possibly be a rubber baton."

"This case was never properly investigated by authorities," says Lyubov Volkova, a member of the Public Oversight Commission, an independent watchdog mandated by Russian law to report on prison conditions. It was the first non-governmental group to look into the circumstances of Magnitsky's death.

"In Kratov's court case, both the judge and prosecutors acted as though they were his lawyers.... It seems that Kratov was just a scapegoat from the very beginning. That's not surprising, since deputy prosecutor Viktor Grin's name is on the US Magnitsky List, so obviously he wants to do everything possible to protect himself and make Magnitsky look guilty."

The narrative of Magnitsky's prosecution and death accepted by the US Senate, and several other Western legislatures that are considering variants of the Magnitsky law, is largely based on a 75-page report compiled by investigators working for Mr. Browder and also a 2011 investigation presented to then-President Dmitry Medvedev by the Kremlin's own in-house human rights commission. At the time, a somewhat shaken Mr. Medvedev appeared to agree that "at least some crimes" had been committed leading to Magnitsky's death.

According to that version, Hermitage's attorney Magnitsky went twice in 2008 to the Kremlin's State Investigative Committee to testify that corrupt police and tax officials had embezzled $230 million paid in taxes by Hermitage Fund companies, using corporate seals and charters seized in an earlier police raid on Hermitage's Moscow headquarters.

"My offices and our law firm's offices were raided by about 25 officers of Russia's Interior Ministry, who took all our official company documents," says Browder ? once the biggest foreign investor in Russia ? who had been barred from re-entering Russia about 18 months earlier on "national security" grounds.

"Those documents were then used in a complicated scheme to steal $230 million we had paid in taxes the previous year to the Russian government," he says. When Browder complained, he was charged by the same officers, in absentia, with underpaying his taxes in 2001.

After Magnitsky testified, Browder says, the same officers arrested him and placed him in the Butyrka prison, where he died a year later.

The investigations bankrolled by Browder have found that many of the police officers and other officials implicated by he and Magnitsky have since become inexplicably wealthy, and some have purchased expensive foreign properties. Aside from the doctor, Kratov, no Russian investigations have been opened into any of the 60 or so officials Browder alleges to have been involved in the corruption scam and the subsequent prosecution and untimely death of Magnitsky.

The Russian government's case, which will feature at Magnitsky's upcoming posthumous trial, appears to be summarized in a document handed out to US senators last summer by visiting Russian parliamentarians. It alleges that Browder, who had long championed minority shareholder rights in Russia, was guilty of acquiring more shares of the state natural gas monopoly Gazprom than he was legally entitled to, and that Hermitage companies had engaged in tax evasion and other wrongdoing. It also appears to claim that the $230 million tax theft was the work of Browder ? who had been exiled to London more than a year earlier ? operating in league with Magnitsky.

"The case against Magnitsky and me was entirely trumped up," says Browder.

"The clear aim of Putin and his government is to say 'Magnitsky died of natural causes, he was not killed, and his arrest was lawful because he was a criminal'. In order to create the right formal backdrop for that narrative they have exonerated all 60 people who played a role in the Magnitsky case. The most recent was Kratov last week," he says.

"Now their next step is to prosecute and convict Magnitsky [and me].... This obviously won't play well in any forum where people have looked at the evidence, but Putin is more concerned about what they can put on state television to justify their actions before the less informed Russian audience," he adds.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/russia-trying-dead-whistle-blower-because-us-law-173033952.html

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