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Area: WoT Operations    Non-WoT    Opinion        Politix   
A deputy, a relative, an ideologue: key Houthi leaders reportedly killed
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 2: WoT Background
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Page 4: Opinion
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Page 6: Politix
6 17:22 junkiron [2]
-Lurid Crime Tales-
NSA Gunfight: Don't believe everything you read in the papers, Chapter 118,209
...in which was have a slightly cooler look at yesterday's story and wonder what it will look like tomorrow.

[USATODAY] Police opened fire on an SUV that tried to crash a gate Monday near NSA headquarters after it rammed one of the agency's police vehicles and refused to stop, NSA officials said.
Turns out the attack wasn't at the Llewellyn Avenue gate, but the Route 32 exit from the BW Parkway. (Actually it's a restricted exit just before Route 32.)
One of the occupants of the vehicle died during a firefight that erupted afterward at Fort Meade, where about 11,000 military personnel and 29,000 civilian employees work — including thousands for the National Security Agency — the post's garrison commander, Col. Brian Foley, said in a statement.
None of whom were involved so that paragraph's just filler, starting with the word "where."
The other man was wounded, Foley said but did not disclose his condition.
Yesterday he wasn't expected to make it. Close your eyes and hope real hard, boys and girls. Otherwise Tink might go titzup.
Both men in the SUV were dressed as women, NSA officials said without elaborating on that or why the vehicle tried to enter the NSA campus at the Army base about 25 miles northeast of Washington.
The audio that goes with the story kinda sorta mentions that the two were transvestite hookers who spent the night with the car's owner and stole his car.
The vehicle later was determined to have been stolen from the parking lot of the Terrace Motel about 7:30 a.m. in nearby Elkridge, Md., according to the Howard County Police Department. The victim whose car was stolen had picked the two men up in Baltimore before checking into the motel, Scott Broom of WUSA-TV reported.
So there you have it: if you pick up a coupla transvestite hookers in Baldymore and take 'em to a seedy motel in Jessup, don't use your good car. To get to Fort Meade from Jessup, take Route 175 east--the intersection's conveniently located to the motel. Take the exit for the BW Parkway south and then take the next exit, that's clearly labeled "NSA Employees Only." Wave to the State Trooper as you go by. Then you can have a snotty argument with the guards at the gate, of which there are several, and start any trouble you need to start.
When the car approached the NSA, an agency officer gave the driver "routine instructions for safely exiting the secure campus," but the driver disobeyed them, so barriers were deployed, NSA spokesman Jonathan Freed said in a statement.
I guess a few snorts of cocaine first thing in the morning might befuddle a guy, especially if he's wearing a becoming off-the-shoulder gown.
The driver accelerated toward an NSA Police vehicle blocking the road, and police fired at them when the driver refused to stop.
As far as I know, this is the first time the FPS guards have expended any ammo in anger since they took over the job from Marines, around 1975. (Good Lord! Has it been that long?)
The SUV crashed into the police vehicle, wounding an NSA police officer, Freed said.
"Near broke my neck!"
Both of those injured are being treated at a nearby hospital; none of the names of those involved has been released.
That implies they both went to the same hospital. The nearest is BW Medical Center, across the post and a coupla miles. But they said yesterday that the guy who got shot up was taken to Shock Trauma, which is University of Maryland Hospital in the city. We saw the bunged up FPS officer being loaded into an ambulance, which to me implies that he went to BWMC. Just a quibble and maybe they took him up to the city. It's not that far. Meade ambulance's usual hospital is BWMC.
"Just after 9 a.m. today, one person was killed and another injured when they attempted to drive a vehicle into the National Security Agency portion of the installation without authorization," according to a statement from Fort Meade officials. "NSA security personnel prevented them from gaining access to the installation."
Kinda recaps the whole incident, doesn't it?
The incident, which has been contained to the area around a gate near an off ramp from Interstate 295, is not believed to be related to terrorism, said the FBI, which is working with the NSA on the investigation.
No mention of Llewellen Avenue. I-295 is the BW Parkway. It doesn't sound like terrorism. Since they were dressed in simply fab evening gowns or some such thing, rather than burkas it sounds more like commercial love, or at least commercial passion. I wonder if the car's owner was slipped a mickey?
Agents have been interviewing witnesses, FBI spokeswoman Amy Thoreson said. They also are working with the U.S. Attorney's office in Maryland to determine whether federal charges are warranted.
Getting involved in a gunfight with Federal Protective Services on a federal compound located on an Army post sure sounds like federal charges to me. I suppose the state could handle the hooking, auto theft, and creating a ruckus charges.
Cocaine and a weapon were found near or inside the men's vehicle, said an official, who asked not to be identified because of not being authorized to speak about this incident.
Doesn't matter if they fired a shot, though if the guy lives he might be able to plea bargain it down to reckless driving on federal property.
There's a Washington Post story that's actually coherent here.

And today's AP story to wrap up:
The FBI has identified a man fatally shot at a National Security Agency gate after disobeying orders from guards there.
Hokay. That agrees with the original story.
Spokeswoman Amy Thoreson says the dead man was 27-year-old Ricky Shawatza Hall. His passenger and an NSA police officer were injured and hospitalized and have not been identified.
Ummm... I thought his name was Kevin?
Thoreson says the two men were dressed as women but "not in an attempt to disguise themselves from authorities."
Betcha they were lesbians. "That gown sets off your eyes perfectly, Kevin... I mean Ricky Shawatza..."
Authorities say they had stolen a sport utility vehicle minutes before from a 60-year-old man who had picked them up in Baltimore and brought them to a Howard County motel to "party."
Old lech + transvestite hookers + seedy motel. It's the old formula.
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 13:25 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Useful as well as amusing. Thank you, Fred.
Posted by: trailing wife || 03/31/2015 16:32 Comments || Top||

#2  Is that what the canine road entrance looks like anymore? Been years...
Posted by: OldSpook || 03/31/2015 20:56 Comments || Top||

#3  I guess a few snorts of cocaine first thing in the morning might befuddle a guy

Aw, no man. That's a well-known way to jump start the day. It's the Jack you wash it down with that leads to befuddlement. And regrets later in the day.
Posted by: SteveS || 03/31/2015 22:28 Comments || Top||

#4  I lived just down the street on Defranzo Loop. I'm surprised the golf course is gone in the aerials.
Posted by: whitecollar redneck || 03/31/2015 22:29 Comments || Top||


-Short Attention Span Theater-
40 maps that may help explain the middle east.
Good gawd we're citing Vox. But the maps are useful.
Posted by: Besoeker || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  do they show that Gaza to West Bank highway bridge Israel closed?
Posted by: Frank G || 03/31/2015 7:55 Comments || Top||


Africa North
Tuareg want their language made an official Libyan language
[Libya Herald] The Tuareg Social Council, along civil society activists, has told the Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA) that the Tuareg want to be given equal rights as Libyan citizens and see their language become an official Libyan language. Called Tarigia by the Tuareg themselves, it is related to Tamazight, the language of the Amazigh, and in Libya uses the same script.

In a meeting with the CDA in Beida this week, various Tuareg speakers voiced their support of the assembly, saying that they were closely following the drafting process and eagerly awaiting the constitution's completion.

Representatives from the Tuareg cautioned the assembly against challenging the nationality of those who were given citizenship post-1969, as a number of the Tuareg were, warning that such action could further threaten the peace in southwestern Libya.

Furthermore, they requested that the country not forget their region and rather make plans for investment and development in the area.

"The South has long suffered the ravages of scarcity and marginalisation," they charged.

For its part, the CDA has welcomed the requests and proposals made by the Tuareg and said that they will be taken into serious consideration, along with the rights of all Libyans.

The Tuareg are a nomadic people spread over the countries of the Western Sahara: Algeria, Mali, Niger and Burkino Faso, as well as Libya.
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring

#1  "and our Official Font will be Wing Dings"
Posted by: Frank G || 03/31/2015 7:56 Comments || Top||

#2  Stolen from Frank Zafpha.
Posted by: Shipman || 03/31/2015 10:05 Comments || Top||

#3  recall reading a few years ago that the Tuareg language is the closest existing language to ancient Egyptian... so maybe they do have a claim based on primogeniture.... on the other hand, "Talk like an Egyptian" may infringe on some '80s rock group....
Posted by: Greatle Thrutle7161 || 03/31/2015 14:32 Comments || Top||


Human rights defenders in Libya at serious risk of being murdered says UNCHR
[Libya Herald] Human rights defenders in Libya face threats of physical attacks, abduction, harm to their family and even murder on a daily basis, said a joint report of the UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UNSMIL.
Both of which seem to be tasked with tut-tutting when something unpleasant happens
In a stark and chilling 16-page document, OHCHR described episode after episode of attempts to silence human rights
...which are usually open to widely divergent definitions...
defenders in Libya, saying that violence and threats towards them have increased since May 2014. The report highlighted abuses across the country, from Benghazi and Derna to Tripoli
...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
and Misrata, saying that with the rise in abuses, freedom of expression has been effectively curtailed in Libya.

Human rights defenders have been the victims of physical attacks, illegal detention, abductions and murder. The report recalls the murders of Benghazi-based newspaper editor Muftah Awad Buzid, of Salwa Bughaigis, youth activists Tawfik Bensaud and Sami Al-Kawafi and activist Intisar Hasairi.

The consistent failure to complete any meaningful investigations of these murders or any other incident, said OHCHR, was indicative of a failure of the criminal justice system. Personnel in the justice system had themselves been targets of threats. OHCHR specifically mentioned the investigation into the murder of Bughaigis. The lead investigator in the case, public prosecutor Abdel Nasser Al-Jaroushi, was himself kidnapped and is reportedly being held in Gernada Prison.
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Arab Spring


Your guide to 'Operation Decisive Storm'
Posted by: Hupineger Glomomp52169 || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Arabia
Pakistan calls on international community to resolve Yemen crisis
[DAWN] Pakistain called upon the United Nations
...the Oyster Bay money pit...
, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the international community to play a constructive role in finding a political solution to the crisis in Yemen.

The appeal was made in a high-level civil-military meeting on Monday, presided by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
to review the situation in Yemen.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif, Advisor to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz
...Adviser to Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on National Security and Foreign Affairs, who believes in good jihadis and bad jihadis as a matter of national policy...
, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and secretary foreign affairs among other bigwigs.

An official statement from the PM House said the meeting concluded that Pakistain remains firmly committed to supporting the illusory sovereignty and territorial integrity of Soddy Arabia
...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face...
in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Pakistain.

It was also emphasised in the meeting that Pakistain is committed to playing a meaningful role in resolving the deteriorating situation in the Middle East.
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan

#1  They don't want to pay the favors being called in by the Saudis?
Posted by: 3dc || 03/31/2015 0:52 Comments || Top||

#2  3dc, you are right there.
Posted by: phil_b || 03/31/2015 5:20 Comments || Top||


Evil designs of Iranian regime should be exposed, say Saudi intellectuals
[ARABNEWS]
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Saudi Arabia

#1  Not that I disagree with the basic premise but, Saudi intellectuals?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 03/31/2015 4:01 Comments || Top||

#2  My take is it would be easier to agree if it was anyone but the Saudis saying this. (I mean, how many Iranian hijackers were there on 9-11?)
Posted by: ed in texas || 03/31/2015 7:28 Comments || Top||

#3  hahah grom exactly what i was thinking

that is an oxymoron right there

saudi intellectual

your honour, as evidence I present: Saudi's former top cleric Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz. Died 1999.

In 1966, when Ibn Baz was vice-president of the Islamic University of Medina, he wrote an article denouncing Riyadh University for teaching the "falsehood" that the earth rotates and orbits the sun".

From wikipedia:

In his 1966 article, ibn Baz did claim that the sun orbited the earth, and that "the earth is fixed and stable, spread out by God for mankind and made a bed and cradle for them, fixed down by mountains lest it shake".

As a result of the publication of his first article, ibn Baz was ridiculed by Egyptian journalists as an example of Saudi primitiveness, and King Faisal was reportedly so angered by the first article that he ordered the destruction of every unsold copy of the two papers that had published it.

In 1982 Ibn Baz published a book, Al-adilla al-naqliyya wa al-ḥissiyya ʿala imkān al-ṣuʾūd ila al-kawākib wa ʾala jarayān al-shams wa al-qamar wa sukūn al-arḍ ("Treatise on the textual and rational proofs of the rotation of the sun and the motionlessness of the earth and the possibility of ascension to other planets"). In it, he republished the 1966 article, together with a second article on the same subject written later in 1966, and repeated his belief that the sun orbited the earth.

In 1985, he changed his mind concerning the rotation of the earth when Prince Sultan bin Salman returned home after a week aboard the space shuttle Discovery to tell him that he had seen the earth rotate.
Posted by: anon1 || 03/31/2015 11:22 Comments || Top||

#4  Makes no difference, the earth doesn't move.

"But we Muslims also have ideas and brains...are you with me? Concentrate now..."

People like this are so blinded by faith and ignorance that they are impervious to argument - it's a waste of time.
Posted by: KBK || 03/31/2015 13:24 Comments || Top||

#5  Impervious, I tell you.
Posted by: KBK || 03/31/2015 13:34 Comments || Top||

#6  KBK, kinda like progressives hmmm?
Posted by: AlanC || 03/31/2015 14:47 Comments || Top||

#7  Fight! Fight!
Posted by: irishrageboy || 03/31/2015 17:07 Comments || Top||


Skilled Saudi pilots outwit Houthi defenses
[ARABNEWS]
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Don't bother with the link, except for the semi-funny parts.
Posted by: Shipman || 03/31/2015 5:03 Comments || Top||

#2  I was laffing at the 'skilled Saudi pilots' part in the headline.
Posted by: SteveS || 03/31/2015 17:44 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
Convicted 3 years back, Bachchu Razakar still traceless
[Dhaka Tribune] Bachchu Razakar used to preach Islam on private television channels. No one, apparently, was aware of his complicity in killing, rape, abduction, torture and arson attacks during the 1971 Liberation War in Faridpur until a war crimes tribunal issued arrest warrant against him upon a prosecution plea.

He fled his house – amid surveillance of law enforcers – in between filing of the plea and issuance of the warrant that took a week. Unofficial sources say he went to Pakistan via India and Nepal – without a passport or visa.

He never came back, neither to prove himself innocent during the trial period nor to challenge the death sentence he was awarded on January 15, 2013 by the International Crimes Tribunal.

He was the first war crimes accused to face judgement after a trial in absentia.

The law enforcers, however, have not been able to locate him until date let alone bringing him back. Even no agency or government official agrees to confirm that he fled to Pakistan.

Abul Kalam Azad, known as Bachchu Razakar during the war, had been an associate of Zahid Hossain Khokon of Faridpur. Khokon and another convicted war criminal Mohammad Abdul Jabbar managed to flee the country.

Campaigners say the suspected war criminals would not have fled the country had the law enforcers been sincere.

Bachchu Razakar managed to flee the country sensing that he could be arrested. He got several days to chalk out an exit route, and with the help of family members and aides, he went to Dinajpur from his house at Dhaka’s Uttarkhan, then to India through Hili Land Port, and finally reached Pakistan via Nepal.

The prosecution sought a warrant for his arrest on March 25, 2012 and the tribunal issued the warrant on April 2 after receiving a report from its investigation agency. But it was too late to catch him.

Bachchu Razakar was under watch, police and detectives said, since the prosecution had sought the arrest warrant. He left the capital on March 30.

The tribunal on October 7 the same year decided to continue the trial in absentia. He was indicted on November 4 on the eight charges brought against him by the prosecution. After the trial, the tribunal handed down death penalty for the committing war crimes.
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Islami

#1  Kogelo, Kenya? Perhaps there's an executive link-up in the making.
Posted by: Besoeker || 03/31/2015 9:28 Comments || Top||


Two members of third gender catch killers of blogger Oyasiqur
[Dhaka Tribune] Salafists hacked to death secular blogger Md Oyasiqur Rahman Babu yesterday morning in Tejgaon, Dhaka allegedly for his atheist views.

A travel agency executive, Oyasiqur's murder was premeditated. Three assailants swooped on Oyasiqur, 27, armed with machetes around 9am on Dipika Mosque Lane of Begunbari, close to Tejgaon Textile Engineering University, when he was going to office in Motijheel.

While fleeing, two of the killers -- Zikrullah, a student of Hefajat-e-Islam
...a madrassa-based false nose and mustache of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, formed in 2010 to protest against secular education. In 2011 demonstrated violentyly against women's rights and in 2013 held large rallies demanding capital punishment of Shahbag Square protesters and banning women working outside the home...
's Hathazari Madrasa in Chittagong, and Ariful, student of Mirpur Darul Uloom Madrasa -- were held by two hermaphrodites as locals remained reluctant to chase the killers. The other member of the team, Abu Taher, escaped.

The duo was handed over to police, who later recovered the machetes from the scene of the crime, Tejgaon industrial police OC Salauddin said.

The incident took place only a month after secular blogger and former Buet teacher Avijit Roy and his wife Rafida Ahmed Bonya came under attack by krazed killers. Avijit departed this vale of tears at a hospital. Police are yet to solve the case but claim that the killers might be linked to the banned Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir
...an al-Qaeda recruiting organization banned in most countries. It calls for the reestablishment of the Caliphate...
and Ansarullah Bangla Team.

Deputy Commissioner of Tejgaon zone Biplab Kumar Sarker told news hounds that in preliminary interrogation the arrestees said they had killed Oyasiqur for writing on religious issues. "We are investigating whether they are involved with any organization."

Known as Oyasiqur Babu on Facebook where he had more than 2,600 friends, the blogger used to write under pseudonyms on popular blogs. On his Facebook account, Oyasiqur wrote several notes opposing irrational religious beliefs, superstitions and radical Islamists.

He was also an admirer of Avijit Roy. After the attack on Avijit, he changed his profile picture to the hashtag "#iamavijit" on a black background. His Facebook cover photo also displays the hashtag #WordsCannotBeKilled.

Witness Ziauddin, brother of the owner of Khokon General Store near the spot, told the Dhaka Tribune: "I heard some women screaming. Soon I along with some customers came out of the shop and found an injured person lying on the street and three attackers running towards the main road."

Two Hijras, whose identities could not be ascertained, chased the killers and held Zikrullah and Arif.

Locals took Oyasiqur to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead.
He's dead, Jim!
He had deep cuts on the eyes and left cheek, according to the inquest.

OC Salauddin said the killers hacked him mainly on the face.

The murder spot is beside the boundary wall of the Textile Engineering University. There is another building on the other side of the 10-foot lane. There are no shops close to the spot and only a few people were around at the time of murder.

Oyasiqur's house is around 50 feet from the spot.

His cousins Helal and Shilpi told the Dhaka Tribune that he had no enemies and that they did not understand why he would be killed.

They said he had been working as a trainee at Fareast Aviation in Motijheel after graduating from Tejgaon College.

He used to write against Jamaat-e-Islami
...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores...
and radical Islamist groups. He was vocal against human rights
...which are usually open to widely divergent definitions...
violations on the religious minorities and indigenous people of the country.

Tamanna Setu, one of Oyasiqur's friends, said: "I asked him several times not to write about these issues ... but he replied: 'I have no photos on my Facebook account. So they will not recognise me.'"
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Jamaat-e-Islami

#1  were held by two Hermaphrodites

LGBTH?
Posted by: Skidmark || 03/31/2015 9:43 Comments || Top||


The Grand Turk
Yemen conflict: Iran asks Turkish envoy to explain Erdogan comments
[DAWN] Iran has asked The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire....
's top diplomat in Tehran to explain remarks by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
... Turkey's version of Mohammed Morsi but they voted him back in so they deserve him...
heavily critical of Iran's role in Yemen
...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of. Except for a tiny handfull of Jews everthing there is very Islamic...
and the region.

In the absence of its ambassador, Turkey's charge d'affaires has been "invited" to respond to "the Islamic republic's objection and regret over Erdogan's inappropriate and unusual comments," foreign ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said in a statement.

"We demand a clear and convincing response," Afkham added amid calls for Erdogan's planned visit to Tehran next month to be cancelled. Turkey has expressed support for a Saudi-led coalition that is conducting air strikes against Shia Houthi
...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ...
rebels in Yemen.

The coalition has vowed to keep up the raids until the rebels abandon their insurrection against President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who has fled to Riyadh. Hadi and his backers charge that the rebels, who overran the capital last year and have since advanced across much of the country, have support from Iran.

On Thursday, Erdogan demanded that "Iran and the terrorist groups must withdraw" from Yemen. He also accused Iran of meddling in other regional countries, citing its role advising and coordinating Shia militia groups in the fight against Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems....
(IS) jihadists in Iraq.
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran


Home Front: WoT
Report: Obama Supports Military Retirement Pay Cuts
President Barack Obama said Monday that he supports the idea of reducing military retirement pay by about 20 percent.

According to the Washington Times, Obama wrote a letter to congressional leaders saying he favors the recommendations put forth by a military commission.

Under the plan, troops serving at least 20 years would not be affected and would continue to receive full retirement benefits. Those serving less than 20 years, however, would have their retirement checks slashed by about 20 percent.
They must have changed the rules. Back in the Upper Paleolithic twenty was the minimum. Unless he's talking about medical retirements? In that case he's an even rattier busturd than even I thought.

Posted by: Hupineger Glomomp52169 || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Someone is blowing smoke here, the Administration, the reporters, or both. Remember these are the people who call military equipment such as armored personnel carriers and self propelled artillery vehicles tanks.

Those serving less than 20 years, however, would have their retirement checks slashed by about 20 percent.
On the other hand, the proposal would help boost troops' retirement savings accounts, as the Department of Defense would contribute up to 6 percent of a soldier's basic pay for those serving more than two years. Under the current system, the Defense Department automatically contributes 1 percent.


As noted, there is no less than 20 years retirement unless its medical. There is no 'retirement' account. There is Social Security which is taken out from pay from the very first pay check because it is anticipated that very few who join will be around in 20 years. Anything else is someone playing games with the accounting books of moving appropriations and numbers from one department's books to another.


"About 83 percent leave with absolutely nothing," Todd Harrison of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments told USA Today

They leave as any worker with money in their SS accounts and usually with the minimum period for future access. They also receive VA benefits which as we've witnessed in this administration's handling has dwindled in practical coverage.

I smell a Trojan Horse in play.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 03/31/2015 6:45 Comments || Top||

#2  Under the plan, troops serving at least 20 years would not be affected and would continue to receive full retirement benefits. Those serving less than 20 years, however, would have their retirement checks slashed by about 20 percent.

The 'formula' for retirement is 2.5 percent per year towards retirement. 20 years x 2.5 percent is 50 percent. Slashing that by .5 percent to 2 percent makes it 40 percent for 20 years or a "20 percent" reduction. The to receive full retirement benefits is the misrepresentation (aka lie) in this case.

They played that game before in the late 80s, reducing retirement computation from 2.5 to 2 percent a year. It resulted in middle grade officers and enlisted disappearing at about the 12 year mark as they took their skills (with much prompting by the senior retention officer - aka mom) out to civilian market. By the mid-90s Congress restored the old 2.5 percent to the formula in order to stem the hemorrhage of trained and skilled personnel.

Posted by: Procopius2k || 03/31/2015 6:55 Comments || Top||

#3  Regime Bureau of Public Relations distraction. Taunting the little people.

File under 'DoD enlistment - Lifting of drug testing.'
Posted by: Besoeker || 03/31/2015 9:24 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
President postpones Saulat Mirza's execution for one month
[DAWN] Machh Jail Superintendent Muhammad Ishaq Zehri confirmed that jail authorities have received the order from presidency regarding the postponement of Saulat Mirza's execution for one month.

"The execution (of Saulat Mirza) has been postponed for a month," Zehri told DawnNews after receiving orders from presidency.

Earlier, preparations had been finalised for executing Mirza, a former Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
(MQM) worker convicted in a triple murder case, as per the new black warrants on April 1 at 5.30 am.

"Saulat will be hanged on April 1 as per the fresh black warrants," the officer had said.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
had issued fresh black warrants following the postponement of the death row convict's execution. Mirza was originally scheduled to be hanged on March 19.
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [3 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Altaf takes back decision to resign as MQM chief
[DAWN] Within a span of a few hours, Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
(MQM) chief Altaf Hussain
...think of the head of the Barzini clan, only in Urdu...
withdrew his earlier decision to sever ties with the party on Monday.

The MQM chief had tendered his resignation to party leadership on Monday morning, saying he was not able to bear the burden of leading the party any longer.

He had asked the party politicians to elect a new party chief by evening, drawing cries of disapproval from party activists.

Altaf's resignation had drawn emotional pleas and chants from MQM workers who urged him to take back his decision.

The MQM leader had made the announcement during a telephonic address to party leaders at MQM's Nine-Zero headquarters.

"I will not be leading MQM from now on," the MQM chief said.
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Govt reluctant to book seminary students over Daesh pledge
[DAWN] The government is reluctant to register a case against the Shohada Foundation and students of Jamia Hafsa
... the Islamic nunnery maintained by Lal Masjid....

on charges of waging war against the state and inviting the self-styled Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems....
Death Eater group -- commonly known by its Arabic acronym Daesh -- to avenge Operation Silence, which was launched against the Lal Masjid
...literally the Red Mosque, located in Islamabad and frequented by all sorts of high govt officials. The proprietors, Ghazi Abdul Rasheed and Maulana Abdul Aziz Ghazi, unleashed their Islamic storm troopers on the city, shutting down whorehouses and beating people up who weren't devout enough. The Musharraf govt put an end to the nonsense by besieging the place. Abdul Aziz Ghazi was nabbed while he was trying to escape dressed up like a girl. BBC reported that the corpse count at 173, but other claims, usually hysterical, say there were up to 1000 titzup. Among their number was Abdul Rashid Ghazi. Everyone then said tut-tut and what a nice guy he had been...
in 2007, officials of the interior ministry and coppers told Dawn.
Shohada Foundation is a domino mask of Lal Masjid.
In December, the Shohada Foundation had issued a blurb and a video message, inviting the head of Daesh to come to Pakistain to avenge the deaths of their brethren.

After the blurb and video message went public, a report was prepared by Superintendent of Police City Rizwan Omar Gondal and sent to Inspector General of Police Tahir Alam Khan for further legal action.

The prosecution department also suggested that because the matter related to the illusory sovereignty of the country, the case should be sent to the appropriate forum and legal advice sought before proceeding further.

The legal opinion was then sent to the interior ministry with the recommendation that a case be registered under the suggested PPC sections, officials said, adding that so far, written directives in the case had yet to be issued.

According to an official from the interior ministry, "coppers reminded a senior government functionary in a few meetings, but were asked to wait for a response. Now, whenever the senior functionary is reminded about the matter, he expresses his displeasure in no unclear terms."

The official said that the last time the case was mentioned, the functionary had replied that "The government has categorically denied the presence of Daesh in the country and the government strongly and firmly stands by this denial."

"Taking legal action against supporters and followers who had pledged allegiance to Daesh would lead to a panic and the issue would be unnecessarily highlighted," the official quoted the functionary as saying.

"Those who pledge support to Daesh or distribute literature or carry out wall-chalkings should not be booked now, because that would only spread fear among the populous."

A senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity
... for fear of being murdered...
, told Dawn that, "The police had done their job in the first week of January, but high-ups are refusing to register a case."

Sarfaraz Hussain, who deals with the media on behalf of the interior ministry, denied that the ministry had issued any such directives in this case. Adeel Sattar, another ministry official, refused to comment on the matter.
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Syria-Lebanon-Iran
Arsal becomes ISIL Main Stronghold, Implementing Self-Rule
[AnNahar] The Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems....
of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) reportedly warned a family residing in the northeastern border town of Arsal to leave the town as soon as possible or they will be executed.

According to As Safir newspaper published on Monday, the family of Ali Ezzedine, who was killed last week by ISIL bully boys, were compelled to depart their village after jihadists gave them several warnings since Friday, threatening to kill Ezzedine's parents, sister, wife and three kids.

Ezzedine was reportedly famed for opposing ISIL.

The relatives of the victim managed to avenge their cousin by murdering Syrian national Mohammed al-Rankousi (al-Tartousi), who belongs to the Islamic group.
Mr. al-Rankousi is a senior ISIS official, according to another An Nahar report.
However,
if you can't say something nice about a person some juicy gossip will go well...
the family of Ezzedine refused to let the family of Ali to leave their home.

As Safir newspaper said that this incident is not the first of its kind, however, security forces in the area are not moving to clamp down on ISIL's control over the residents of Arsal.

The daily said that a prominent ISIL security official, identified as Houssam Trad, detained Ahmed Qassem Wehbi from his residence in Arsal and locked him in a room in Wadi Atta "on charges of collaborating with the Lebanese army."

Wehbi was expected to stand trial before ISIL's court in the area before fleeing his captors.

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq had voiced concern recently that Arsal is "under occupation."

On Sunday, the body of Younis al-Hujeiri , an Arsal resident, was found decapitated in the outskirts of the town, more than two months after he was kidnapped by bully boys.

The state-run National News Agency said the man was nabbed on January 19 from the Wadi Hmeid area, east of Arsal, at the hands of an gang.

Arsal lies 12 kilometers from the border with Syria and has been used as a conduit for weapons and rebels to enter Syria, while also serving as a refuge for people fleeing the conflict.

It currently hosts tens of thousands of Syrian refugees.

The Sunni-majority area was sympathetic to the uprising against Bashir al-Assad, when it kicked off in 2011.

Arsal has been the battlefront of the Lebanese army in its fight with jihadists since they crossed the border from Syria and overran the town in early August. The Death Eaters from al-Nusra
...the current nom de guerre of al-Qaeda in the Levant, which isn't to be confused with al-Qaeda in Iraq and the Levant...
Front and the Islamic State kidnapped Lebanese servicemen during their withdrawal. Four of them have been executed.

Jihadists remain holed up in the mountainous region around Arsal.
Posted by: trailing wife || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under: Islamic State

#1  Arsal, appropriately pronounced "arse-all"
Posted by: OldSpook || 03/31/2015 20:47 Comments || Top||


Iran nuclear talks race towards deadline
[Hurriyet Daily News] Global powers were due to gather with Iran March 30, seeking to slot into place the last pieces of a complex puzzle to curtail Tehran's nuclear programme as diplomats said tentative agreement on some parts had been reached.

US Secretary of State John F. I was in Vietnam, you know Kerry
Former Senator-for-Life from Massachussetts, self-defined war hero, speaker of French, owner of a lucky hat, conqueror of Cambodia, and current Secretary of State...
will lead the team of six world powers -- who hope an end to more than a decade of nuclear tensions with Iran may be in sight -- for their first full plenary session of the latest round of talks.

While diplomats said some key points appeared to have been resolved to ensure Iran cannot make a covert dash for a nuclear bomb, they cautioned that the outlines of a political understanding were not yet fully agreed.

"We are here because we believe a deal can be done," British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told news hounds in Lausanne late Sunday as he became the last of the P5+1 group of foreign ministers to arrive in the Swiss town for the talks.

"But it has to be a deal which puts the bomb beyond Iran's reach," he said, adding he hoped for success before Tuesday's midnight deadline.

"There can't be any compromise about that," Hammond insisted, before meeting with his Chinese, French, German, Russian and US counterparts, as well as EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.

As negotiators in Switzerland
...home of the Helvetians, famous for cheese, watches, yodeling, and William Tell...
raced against the clock, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a blistering attack on the "dangerous" deal.

One Western diplomat said Iran had "more or less" agreed to slash the number of its sophisticated centrifuges from 20,000 to 6,000 and to ship abroad most of its stockpile of nuclear material.

But Iran's chief negotiator Abbas Araqchi insisted: "There is no question of sending the stocks abroad."
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [8 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Iran

#1 

Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran's oil production is the number 6 out of 115 oil producing nations, and has no need for this much nuclear production other than to destroy Israel and conquer all who they consider enemy.

The US Officially during the past 6 years has done a complete change from good and now seeks to facilitate Iran and other dark forces of evil.
Posted by: Ebbomosh Hupemp2664 || 03/31/2015 9:13 Comments || Top||


UN warns of Syria 'catastrophe' as NGOs pledge donations
[ARABNEWS] A UN envoy warned Monday of a "horrifying" humanitarian situation brewing in Syria as non-governmental organizations pledged more than $480 million for refugees on the eve of a major donor conference.

The United Nations
...a formerly good idea gone bad...
aims to raise $8.4 billion at the Syria donor meeting, which starts on Tuesday in Kuwait.

"Failing to meet the required funds risks resulting in a horrifying and dangerous humanitarian catastrophe," Abdullah al-Maatuq, UN special envoy for humanitarian affairs, told a meeting of NGOs.

Among the aid groups which gathered on Monday, The Sick Man of Europe Turkey
...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire....
's IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation made the largest pledge of $100 million. Other donors included Qatar
...an emirate on the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It sits on some really productive gas and oil deposits, which produces the highest per capita income in the world. They piss it all away on religion, financing the Moslem Brotherhood and several al-Qaeda affiliates...
's Red Islamic Thingy Society and Kuwait's International Islamic Charity Organization.

UN humanitarian affairs chief Valerie Amos said the donor response at Tuesday's conference "needs to be comprehensive."

She said that the humanitarian situation had deteriorated in Syria with no reduction in violence and children particularly affected.

The aid is urgently required to provide life-saving assistance to half of Syria's population as several UN aid agencies have said they remain underfunded and warned they could halt or downsize their operations.

The Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference to be held on Tuesday will be chaired by UN Secretary General the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon
... of whom it can be said to his credit that he is not Kofi Annan...
and will be opened by Kuwait's emir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

At the first and second conferences, also hosted by Kuwait, pledges of $1.5 billion and $2.4 billion were made, but the United Nations has complained that not all pledges were honoured.

In a report on the worsening humanitarian crisis in Syria released last week, Ban said devastation from the fighting had left around 7.6 million people internally displaced.

Another 3.9 million people have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.

"Every day brings more death, displacement and destruction," the UN report said.
Posted by: Fred || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [10 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Syria


Another Iranian bait-and-switch ?
[Hot Air] The deadline for an agreement in the talks with Iran arrives tomorrow, and the talks have taken a surprising turn in the last few hours. Surprising, that is, only to those who have never paid attention to nuclear talks with the Iranians before. At the last minute, the Iranians have refused to part with their already-enriched uranium as discussed in the talks, the New York Times' David Sanger and Michael Gordon reported late last night. Russia had offered to hold it in "escrow" in order to facilitate a deal, but as they have done at every turn, the Iranians have demanded a last-minute change to the fundamentals of any arrangement that the West might accept.
Posted by: Besoeker || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [4 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Iran ought to demand that Kerry dress up in a chicken suite for the next meeting.
Posted by: lord garth || 03/31/2015 3:25 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Culture Wars
Women’s groups campaign in D.C. to help victims of forced marriages
Long story in WaPo -- the wimmins groups in the story genuinely are trying to help young women born into immigrant Pakistani and other Asian families avoid the trap of the arranged marriage. Of course it's WaPo so turn your bias filters on.
Posted by: Steve White || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Make note that those who inhabit the bubble of 'modern' Western urban civ do not understand that for thousands of years arrange marriages were and are an economic contractual relationship between families and clans. When you are among the poorest, and lack the social economic structure that the West has enjoyed for generations, these have been among the means to survival of blood. In the West, that component has largely disappeared in practice and in awareness. Let them eat cake?
Posted by: Procopius2k || 03/31/2015 7:04 Comments || Top||

#2  OK, here goes... "Proposed Social Postulate: Western Liberalism is a symptom of affluent women with too much time on their hands."
Comments, anyone? Bueller?
Posted by: ed in texas || 03/31/2015 7:25 Comments || Top||

#3  Not much help for women riding in cars driven by drunk senators though...
Posted by: M. Murcek || 03/31/2015 8:33 Comments || Top||

#4  Instead of bashing western men? Vow, what will they think of next?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 03/31/2015 14:42 Comments || Top||


O'Keefe Finds Another University Willing To Sanction An ISIS Club (As Long As They Change Name So It's Not Obvious)
[YidWithLid] The latest video takes place at Barry University and the school's only objection to the club was the name, they suggested the group find a more politically correct name 'because technically our country is at war with ISIS'
Also links to their report of Project Veritas' previous outing at Cornell University for the same purpose. Barry U video is about 9 1/2 minutes, Cornell U about 5 1/2 minutes.
Posted by: Hupineger Glomomp52169 || 03/31/2015 00:00 || Comments || Link || [6 views] Top|| File under:

#1  They all support Paleo cause---so why not ISIS?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 03/31/2015 4:03 Comments || Top||

#2  Barry Soetero University?
Posted by: Frank G || 03/31/2015 8:00 Comments || Top||

#3  Frederique Frage? Daisy Santiago?

Snickergasm. Keep it up, God. You'll get me yet.
Posted by: Zenobia Floger6220 || 03/31/2015 10:24 Comments || Top||

#4  "Barry University" seems so appropriate for O'Keefe's project as Frank G. has suggested. O'Keefe has a certain sense of humor tinged with a bit of irony.
Posted by: JohnQC || 03/31/2015 10:50 Comments || Top||

#5  If you are fine with ISIS, but you think Hobby Lobby and Chick-Fil-A are evil, that would pretty much have to be the definition of insanity, right? Is there any to define that term which would not include this behavior?
Posted by: Iblis || 03/31/2015 11:11 Comments || Top||

#6  Iblis, is pure evil insane?

If not, that is the alternative explanation.
Posted by: AlanC || 03/31/2015 11:55 Comments || Top||

#7  AlanC:

Not sure that does it. Evil implies an ability to discern between good and evil, awareness of which is which, and a choice.
Posted by: Iblis || 03/31/2015 12:16 Comments || Top||

#8  If you are fine with ISIS, but you think Hobby Lobby and Chick-Fil-A are evil, that would pretty much have to be the definition of insanity, right?

"It's not evil if they're sort-of on our side?"
Posted by: Pappy || 03/31/2015 12:35 Comments || Top||

#9  ..as in toppling walls on gays?

At worst the (non-Westboro) Christian fundamentalists practice ostracism of the behavior. The Islamic fundamentalists kill.

However, both the Left which includes a vast following in academia and the Islamics both are on the side to take down Western civ.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 03/31/2015 12:50 Comments || Top||

#10  I thought O'Keefe was gonna produce more on Sharpton. What happened with that?
Posted by: rjschwarz || 03/31/2015 14:27 Comments || Top||

#11  I thought O'Keefe was gonna produce more on Sharpton. What happened with that?

NSA?
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 03/31/2015 14:43 Comments || Top||

#12  ..as in toppling walls on gays?

If they're not Western gays, or have a sizable internet presence, or aren't of the arts & crafts community, or they can't be used to advance The Agenda, they don't count.
Posted by: Pappy || 03/31/2015 21:38 Comments || Top||

#13  The Papster is right - that's just noble brown people practicing their quaint indigenous customs. Nothing to see here. Move along.
Posted by: SteveS || 03/31/2015 22:10 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
32[untagged]
7Islamic State
7Arab Spring
6Govt of Iran
6Govt of Pakistan
5Jamaat-e-Islami
3Govt of Iraq
3Houthis
1TTP
1al-Qaeda
1Govt of Saudi Arabia
1Govt of Syria
1Moro Islamic Liberation Front
1Salafists

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In no particular order...
Steve White
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Two weeks of WOT
Tue 2015-03-31
  A deputy, a relative, an ideologue: key Houthi leaders reportedly killed
Mon 2015-03-30
  One Dead, Two Injured in Shooting at Gate of NSA HQ
Sun 2015-03-29
  Joe Biden demanded Porosheno sack Kolomoisky
Sat 2015-03-28
  Nigeria Recaptures Gwoza from Boko Haram
Fri 2015-03-27
  Egyptian navy has fired shots at Iranian warships
Thu 2015-03-26
  Yemen's Houthis take over state institutions in Aden
Wed 2015-03-25
  Unknown plane fires 3 rockets at Hadi's palace in Aden
Tue 2015-03-24
  White House: Israel's '50-year occupation' must end now
Mon 2015-03-23
  Yemeni president declares Aden provisional capital
Sun 2015-03-22
  US evacuates troops from south Yemen base
Sat 2015-03-21
  Westgate mastermind confirmed dead in Somalia airstrike
Fri 2015-03-20
  46 killed, 100 injured in suicide attacks on 2 Yemen mosques
Thu 2015-03-19
  117 BIFF millitants, six soldiers killed so far
Wed 2015-03-18
  19 Killed in Attack at Tunisia Museum; 2 Gunmen Dead After Firefight
Tue 2015-03-17
  Baghdad seeks airstrikes to rid Tikrit of IS; Saddam tomb leveled


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