Genoa: is still there
http://www.indymedia.org/or/2004/10/111947.shtml

Sierra Leone: Lesbian Rights Activist Brutally Murdered
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/10/04/sierra9440.htm
The government of Sierra Leone should bring to justice those responsible for the brutal murder of FannyAnn Eddy, founder of the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association and a lesbian rights activist known across Africa, Human Rights Watch said today.

Afghanistan: Women Under Attack for Asserting Rights
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/10/04/afghan9436.htm
On Eve of Elections, Women in Public Life Face Attacks and Intimidation Warlords and the Taliban are undermining Afghan women?s participation in the political process through ongoing threats and attacks. Widespread intimidation of women and general insecurity threaten women?s right to vote freely in the October 9 presidential elections, stand for political office and fully participate in public life.

First, the happy talk. Ichiro Suzuki broke George Sisler’s record on Friday for the most base hits in a season. Sisler’s record of 257 base hits for the St Louis Browns in 1920 fell when Suzuki singled to centrefield in the third inning of Seattle’s 8-3 win over Texas on Friday night. Suzuki, and the Mariners, finished their season on Sunday, Ichiro extending his record to 262 base hits.

Associated Press reports that there were 115 Japanese journalists accredited for the Mariners-Rangers series. Items from Japan Today, Kyodo News Agency, and an editorial from The Asahi Shimbun.

Okay. Deep breath. Chicago Cubs.

Five losses in a row before winning ending the regular season on Sunday by defeating Atlanta 10-8. But it was too late by then. The Cubs (89-73) had squandered a 1.5 game lead over the Giants (91-71) in the NL wildcard race. But lo and behold, it was the Houston Astros (92-70) who surged through to snatch the wildcard place away from both.

The gruesome story of the Cubs’ final week of choking is documented by George Kyroudis and Al Yellon.

What can we get excited about? Moises Alou: 39 home runs, 176 base hits, 106 RBIs. Aramis Ramirez and Todd Hollinsworth batted .318. Corey Patterson stole 32 bases. Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux won 16 each, LaTroy Hawkins saved 25, Matt Clement struck out 190, Kent Mercker had an ERA of 2.55.

Barry Lamar Bonds finished the season with 45 home runs for a career total of 703. George Herman Ruth is 11 away, Henry Louis Aaron 52.

Coming blathers: final minor league wrap, Japan update, South Korea update, Dutch honkbal wrap, Olympic where-are-they-now and an Expos where-are-they-next.

1,000+ Dead: Bringing Death and Mourning to the White House
http://www.indymedia.org/or/2004/10/111940.shtml

October 4, 1:01 pm.
http://www.empirenotes.org/#04oct041
October 4, 1:01 pm. Here’s my latest radio commentary, on the collapse of the antiwar movement. …