Darwin Award finalist
Two men have been charged with manslaughter over the death of a student involved in a âhuman catapultâ stunt. A Bulgarian teenager was killed last November when he was thrown from a replica medieval catapult. He should have landed in a large safety net during the event at Middlemoor Water Park, Woolavington near Bridgwater, Somerset. "Should" being the key phrase.
But he hit the ground before he reached it, sustaining serious injuries, and died later in hospital. The law of gravity is not subject to appeal.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 9:23:26 AM ||
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Sounds like somebody watched too many cartoons. Was it an Acme Catapult?
Posted by: Dar ||
07/15/2003 9:45 Comments ||
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"But I don't understand - it always worked before"
(I think that really will be their defence)
The deceased was an Oxford student. They've obviously omitted the "If I was to invite you to step into a home made catapult and fling you across a field, would you say yes?" question from the entrance exam in recent years. D'Oh!
#10
Bulldog--That's one way of getting her out of your house! Then you can chuck her stuff after her, too.
Boy, this sort of thing sure makes me wish we had socialized medicine in the US. I love the idea of my tax dollars paying for the treatment of volunteer catapult riders, extreme bikers, rock climbers, extreme skateboarders, drag racers, etc., etc.!
Posted by: Dar ||
07/15/2003 12:26 Comments ||
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If only she had landed on her neck, then they wouldn't have to worry about her lawsuit. And as a plus, they get treated to the UK's prison system AKA a hotel.
Posted by: Charles ||
07/15/2003 20:52 Comments ||
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Several hundred protesters have taken to the streets of Kabul, chanting anti-Pakistan slogans. The demonstration comes a week after the Pakistani embassy was attacked and ransacked by a group of men following reports Pakistani troops had made military incursions into Afghan territory. This time heavy security measures were in force and the protest passed off peacefully. This is the first such demonstration since the attack on the Pakistani embassy last week. At the time, the Pakistani ambassador had criticised the Afghan authorities for failing to protect the embassy even though they had known a demonstration against Pakistan was being held that day. This time, the roads around the embassy were sealed off and large numbers of troops present. The latest protest coincided with a meeting in Kabul of Afghan, Pakistani and United States officials to discuss the recent tensions over the border. The demonstrators tried to march past the venue where the talks were being held, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but were blocked by police officers, who used their truncheons to form a human chain in front of the protesters. "Move along." (whack) "Ouch!"
The demonstration comes a day after Afghanistan said its investigations had confirmed that Pakistani troops have crossed the border between the two countries. But the incursions are only said to have been several hundred metres in two places on what is a poorly-defined border, and it is not clear if the troops are still there. How far they crossed the border is open to question.
Pakistan has denied crossing over into Afghan territory, saying it is only operating on the border to catch suspected Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters. Then how come we donât see any prisoners, humm?
They're hunting for Qaeda and Talibs, but they seem to be finding Pandjiris. Somehow I'm not convinced they're not running interference for the Talibs. Only a pile of beturbanned bodies'll convince me otherwise...
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 2:38:15 PM ||
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So who is organizing these anti Pak demos and who are the participants? Just curious.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
07/15/2003 22:31 Comments ||
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Tidbit found in a much longer story about how Afghanistan is going to hell, etc, etc. EFL
Also Saturday, two pro-government Afghan soldiers were wounded in a skirmish with Pakistani troops along Afghanistan border with Pakistan. "There was fresh fighting for a few hours late on Saturday between members of the Afghan border patrol and the Pakistani military," Haji Ibrar, a security official based in the main eastern city of Jalalabad said. Ibrar said the fighting, the latest in a series of incidents involving Pakistani troops along the mountainous border between the two countries, prompted the residents of two nearby villages to flee their homes. Elders in the surrounding province of Nangarhar, particularly tribesmen living near the border, say Pakistani troops have been infiltrating up to 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) into Afghan territory for the past three weeks. Naughty, naughty.
That's more than a few hundred yards...
During this period, Pakistani troops, Afghan pro-government soldiers and Pakistani tribal militia have been clashing almost daily over disputed land. Pakistani officials have admitted the sporadic clashes, but denied incursions into Afghanistan. "Nope, ainât us. Must be them Eskimos."
Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the main backer of the now-ousted Taliban regime, have increased recently.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 10:25:35 AM ||
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Oops, should be in Afghanistan.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 10:42 Comments ||
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Suspected Taliban fighters attacked a police headquarters in southern Afghanistan, killing the police chief and four other officers, an official said Tuesday. Two other policemen were wounded in the attack Monday in Ghorak district, 72 miles northwest of Kandahar, said Mohammed Salim, deputy police chief in Kandahar. About 12 suspected Taliban drove up to the district police headquarters in two cars and a pickup truck. They stormed the station killing police chief Sakza Mama and his men. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but Salim blamed the Taliban, who are usually the first ones to be accused of any attack on government offices in Afghanistan. The AP is trying to be unbiased.
The Taliban have warned Afghans not to work for the government of President Hamid Karzai. They are believed to have been behind a spate of such assaults in recent months. Or it could be, er, Eskimos.
Last weekend, suspected Taliban fighters ambushed a police vehicle near Thaloqan village about 25 miles southwest of Kandahar, injuring a senior police official and his brother. Looks like they have decided itâs safer attacking the police than the Afghan army.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 9:37:04 AM ||
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KABUL: Afghanistan on Monday rejected allegations by Pakistani authorities that terrorists with links in Afghanistan were behind a recent attack on a Quetta mosque that left 50 people dead. The Afghan Foreign Ministry described the allegations as âbaseless and unwarranted.â
"Nope. Nope. Wudn't us. Heh heh!"
On Friday, Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat blamed terrorists with âroots in Afghanistan.â
"No terrorist with roots in Pakistan would do such a thing! Well, not many of them, anyway..."
âIt is incumbent upon both governments to pursue their quest for expanded relations and cooperation and avoid actions or statements that needlessly complicate bilateral ties,â the foreign ministry statement said.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 00:06 ||
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asia times is claiming India was behind the Quetta bombing, and implying India was behind the riot at the pak embassy in Kabul. Of course Asia times should be taken with lots of salt.
KUWAIT CITY : Islamist writer Mohammed Al-Awadi has launched a scathing attack against the American Ambassador to Kuwait, saying he has been manipulating the Kuwaiti public opinion and intervening in the country's internal affairs. "The Ambassador is meddling in our affairs and jockeying the public opinion through his frequent visits to some newly-elected MPs under the pretext of congratulating them for the new parliamentary post," Al-Awadi told the Arab Times.
Oh, horrors! Visiting them!
"What the American Ambassador is doing does not whatsoever relate to an ambassador's designated activities. He is exceeding the limitations of his duties," said Al-Awadi. He added with this kind of attitude, the Ambassador is subjecting himself to danger "which cannot be shouldered by Kuwait in the current circumstances and harms its interests."
That means somebody's gonna take a pot shot at him. Not Al-Awadi, of course — he'd never do anything like that. Nope. Nope. Why, he wouldn't even know whoever'd do it...
Al-Awadi said some MPs are annoyed by the Ambassador's visit to them at their electoral headquarters. "They (the MPs) were forced to compliment the Ambassador with a smile in a gesture of courtesy," he added. Al-Awadi claimed the Ambassador, through his visits to some MPs, seeks to waver the trust of citizens in Islamist MPs.
"Hey! I thought you guys were against infidels and stuff! What're you doin' yukkin' it up with the Merkin ambassador? Damn. I'm gonna vote Republican next time..."
"Some other ambassadors were uncomfortable by their American counterpart as the only player in the arena. So they seized this opportunity to also imitate him," said Al-Awadi. He added although all Kuwaitis consider the United States unfair they believe they currently need the US "but they can never be slaves to the US."
"Yeah. Them suckers gave us back our country after Sammy stole it from us, but that's all we're lettin' them do.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 22:44 ||
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In its recent Fatwa, the Shariah Court in Qatar has banned the travel of young Muslims to another country for Jihad without having the permission of their parents. âIt is considered against Islam to travel to another country for Jihad without permission from oneâs parentsâ, the Sharia Courts said in statement yesterday. "Dad, can I go to Afghanistan for the jihad?"
"Ask your mother, Iâm busy."
Quoting the Holy Quran, sayings of Prophet Mohammed and several Islamic scholars, the Sharia Court said in its Fatwa that young Muslims should know the conditions of Jihad and the provisions of Islamic thinking before leaving their country. Is there a test?
The Court also said the permission of âthose charged with authority among Muslimsâ is necessary to initiate Jihad. Like the Sharia Court, for example.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 1:21:31 PM ||
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Don't knock it, Steve. The more that stay home, the better!
Posted by: Tom ||
07/15/2003 13:56 Comments ||
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Devout Muslims are actually if this - following the ruling of "those charged with authority among Muslims" against 'preemptive jihad' - is what they're devout to ... (sorry about the grammatical FUBAR)
Posted by: Lu Baihu ||
07/15/2003 15:24 Comments ||
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...the Sharia Court said in its Fatwa that young Muslims should know the conditions of Jihad and the provisions of Islamic thinking before leaving their country.
Conditions? Try to kill everything that isn't Islamic, and maybe even some things that are. We'll let you know. As far as our thinking... we're nuts. Keep it to yourself. It'll be our little secret.
KUWAIT: The Criminal Court on Sunday acquitted six people of charges of working with a foreign country in order to undermine political status of the State of Kuwait and imposed a KD 2,000 fine on two of the defendants for unauthorized possession of arms and ammunition. Chaired by Justice AbdelSalam Al-Buaijan, the court issued a verdict acquitting Ahmad M., Nawaf M., Jaber J., Abdullah M., Musaed I., and Fares I. of the charges of "seeking at time of war to collaborate with a foreign state in order to damage the political stance of Kuwait." The court also set a fine of KD 2000 against Ahmad M. and Fares I. for unauthorized possession of arms and ammunition. Charge sheets noted that the defendants had trained on arms and attempted to kill Americans and monitor their movement. The defendants denied all charges.
"Nope. Nope. Wudn't us."
"Hokay. That'll be KD 2000 fer them shootin' arns!"
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 00:06 ||
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Islah Charitable Welfare Society cooperating with the number of regional and international organizations have recently adopted the program of developing small projects. Mr. Fouad Abdualateef, manager of the program for development of the small projects in the society, told Yemen Times âThe program of development of small projects offers a series of small-size finance to be easily repaid by the vocational and small-business owners within their aim to participate indirectly in alleviating employment and improving the level of individual- income as well as poverty reduction. Mr. Fuad pointed out that the projects have been distributed as 540 service projects, 1915 commercial projects and 498 industrial projects that are supported by UNDP, AGFUND and IDF. Only Yemeni nationals are allowed to benefit from the program, added to that they should have constant activity of at least 6 months and the finance should be offered in raw materials. The program is ambitious to finance 8000 men and women till 2007 besides preparing constant development program for beneficiaries in the sectors of health, education, social, illiteracy eradication, training and rehabilitation, particularly educate and rehabilitate woman in all fields.
That's a nice change from buying arms and ammunition for needy turbans.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 00:06 ||
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Yemeni security forces arrested Thursday five of the militants of the banned extremist Aden-Abyan Islamic Army (AAIA). An official source said that security and counter terrorism forces were able to catch the five militants while mopping up the two governorates of Abyan and Lahj. By this the number of the arrested militants rise to 27 persons. The government troops launched two weeks ago an intensive arrest campaign against 80 AAIA militants who were camping in the Hatat mountainous and rugged area in Abyan. This operation came as a result of an attack by the militants against a military medical convoy.
Bad move on the turbans' part...
Among the militants who are still at large are the ten USS Cole bombing suspects who escaped an intelligence prison in Aden last April.
They're halfway to Pakistan, too. Gonna meet with al-Ghozi when he gets there...
The campaign to hunt down for these fugitives is still going on in Abyan and Lahj. On the other hand, the Yemeni-Saudi authorities are preparing for mutual extradition of 13 al-Qaeda suspects and criminals, an official source said Thursday. The Saudi authority is to hand over to Yemeni authorities eight suspects, including two persons suspected of being involved in the terrorist attack on the French Oiltanker Limburg last October at Hadhramut port. Yemen is to extradite five Saudi nationals; three of them are al-Qaeda suspects while the other two are charged with criminal acts. Saudi Arabia already extradited some suspects to Yemen. This action taken by the two countries is a part of the implementation of the security accord signed between the two countries, which they have stressed during their coordination council meetings last week that they would enhance cooperation against terrorism.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 00:06 ||
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Britain has rebuffed a call from Israelâs prime minister to break off contacts with Yasser Arafat. During talks in London with Ariel Sharon, the Foreign Secretary said the Government would continue dealing with Mr Arafat "as we see fit". Tony throws a bone to Labour rebels(?)
Israelâs leader is to meet Tony Blair for talks in a visit intended to repair relations following the strains of recent months. The 45 minute meeting with Jack Straw focused mainly on the Middle East peace process and the implementation of the "road map". Mr Sharon was said to have raised the issue of contacts with Palestineâs President. A spokesman said: "The Foreign Secretary made clear our position, as with the rest of the EU, is that Arafat is the democratically elected dictator for life president of the Palestinian Authority and we will continue to have dealings with him as we see politically expedient fit."
Mr Sharon wants European leaders finally to cut their ties with Mr Arafat, who he accuses of interfering in the work of the moderate Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen. Although Mr Arafat has been partly sidelined since Mr Abbas became premier in April, he retains considerable powers.
Posted by: Bulldog ||
07/15/2003 7:24:54 AM ||
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The Labour government are treading a very risky line in relation to Arafat. The charge of hypocrisy swings over Blair's head, as any insistence from Whitehall that Israel goes 'soft' on Palestinian terrorism is liable to be held in comparison with British actions against the IRA. The fact is, the British government have assassinated members of the IRA, and had incidents during which innocents have died during operations against terrorists. The British government has protested when Gerry Adams has visited the White House, yet refuses to refrain from discourse with Arafat. The British government expects IRA disarmament (yet ignores the fact that the IRA fails to do so), yet does not expect the same from Palestinian groups, before Israel makes political concessions.
And this expectation of ever more Israeli flexibility comes despite the obvious difference in both the gravity and the intensity of the threats posed by Palestinian terror organisations and the IRA, towards Israel and the UK, respectively.
Sharon will apparently also be meeting IDS (Iain Duncan Smith, leader of the Tories) during his visit. He can expect a more sympathetic response from the leader of the party that hopefully will yield considerably more influence in two years' time.
#2
BBC says that privately brit officials say they really prefer to deal with Ababs and not Arafat. This may be a bone to UK lefties, but i think more likely its an attempt to avoid a break with the other Euros on this issue, and preserve Tony's role as bridge between the US and the weasels.
#5
Of course this antisemitic thug received the highest medal the Central Council of Jews in Germany has: The Buber-Rosenzweig-Medal (March 2003). For quite a few reasons. One was for being a real "true friend of Israel".
EFL
The Solomon Islands plans cutting a proposed amnesty period for the handing in of weapons from 30 to 14 days following consultations with both militant groups and the Australian Government, Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza said yesterday.
There had been concerns that the longer amnesty would pose dangers for the Australian-led police and military intervention force, due in the country as early as next Thursday. There are estimated to be more than 1000 unlawful military-style weapons at large, many in the hands of criminals and ethnic militants. Sir Allan predicted that a parliamentary debate on legislation to provide a legal framework for the intervention force - due to begin today - would be long and difficult. However, he said its passage would be assisted by a late additional provision under which Australian and other foreign police and soldiers could be subjected to civil actions for any wrongdoing when they were not on operational duty. "There will be a hard debate, but I have confidence that eventually it will get through," Sir Allan told the Herald. The Australian Government has demanded immunity from prosecution for the force of about 2000 police, soldiers and support staff for actions undertaken during the performance of their duty. Wonder where they got that idea?
Australia has also insisted on the right for foreign personnel to be able to use lethal force where considered necessary. New Zealand and Fiji agreed yesterday to contribute about 260 personnel to the Australian-led intervention force. Fiji agreed to send 123 troops with peacekeeping experience. New Zealand said it would send 105 soldiers, 35 police and four helicopters to join the deployment, the largest in the region since World War II. "There is always some risk element in such a deployment, but current reports from Honiara are that it is calm and that violent confrontation is not expected," the New Zealand Foreign Minister, Phil Goff, said. "Since we donât expect to have to fight, weâll send troops."
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 10:39:50 AM ||
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The Federal Government has dismissed warnings that Australia could face a nuclear strike from North Korea if it intercepts ships believed to be carrying nuclear weapons. The executive director of the Centre for Korean-American Peace, Kim Myong-Chol, has warned that if Australia interdicts North Korean ships, North Korea will retaliate with a nuclear missile attack.
Only in the Hermit Kingdom would the director of a Center for Peace threaten nuclear war...
Prime Minister John Howard, in the Philippines on his Asian tour, says Mr Myong-Chol has no authority. "The unofficial spokesman — well he doesn't have a lot of credibility," Mr Howard said. "He's made these sort of statements before and I don't intend to react to rhetoric of that kind."
"They're bullies, just not very good bullies..."
A spokeswoman for Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says Mr Myong-Chol is a self-appointed voice belonging to a North Korean support group in Japan. A senior fellow at the Australian National University's Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Alan Dupont, says a nuclear attack is highly unlikely. "North Korea technically doesn't have the capability to target Australia because technically the range of the missiles is much shorter than would be required to get here," Dr Dupont said. "I think this is a little bit of bluster here designed to put pressure back on the countries which are trying to actually do something about the illegal trade in nuclear material and missile technology."
I think they're frothing at the mouth, myself...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 00:06 ||
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I guess the NKers don't realize that "spokesmen" that blather on without even the techno expertise to know their rantings (notice the Rantburg plug) are silly and impossible, just make the country seem impotent and weak. I think its time to isolate and conquer the Nothern peninsula and get it over with!!! Just cause they "may" have nukes doesn't mean they need to be swinging then round pointing at everyone like little children!
#2
Nuclear weapons, blah, blah, blah, Sea of Fire(TM), blah, blah, blah, nuclear missiles, blah, blah, blah... They sure talk a good fight, don't they? Reminds me of the old game Civilization II: "Our words are backed by nuclear weapons!"
Only the AI in that game was far smarter than anybody in Kim Jong Il's regime.
Posted by: Dar ||
07/15/2003 8:21 Comments ||
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...and besides our buddys across the Pacific have those things too and if NK sends one our way the world will be missing North Korea.
#6
Never underestimate the potential of havoc of a foaming raging lunatic. The NorKs would fall in jig time if the ChiComs and the SorKs SKors quit supplying them. God, I hate appeasment! If the NorKs fall, this cuts Iran and others including PakLand off of alot of nuke and rocket technology.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
07/15/2003 15:37 Comments ||
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#7
Sounds like an alternate begining for "Mad Max"
Posted by: Yosemite Sam ||
07/15/2003 18:03 Comments ||
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Two suspected Basque separatists have been arrested near the Spanish town of Pamplona, days after a bomb was planted in a tourist hotel at the height of the annual bull-running festival. Explosives, guns, timers and detonators were also found, officials said. Media reports said the arrest may be linked to the Pamplona bombing, but officials have not confirmed the suggestion. A total of 150kg (330lb) of explosives were found in the raid, including 30kg which had been prepared for imminent use, said Interior Minister Angel Acebes. The haul was found in a flat in the town of Berriozar, not far from Pamplona. As well as the device in a Pamplona hotel, ETAâs other recent attacks in Navarre have included the killing of two policemen in a car bomb in Sanguesa on 30 May.
A series of attacks blamed on ETA has been carried out since elections on 25 May in which Batasuna, labelled by the government as ETAâs political wing, was banned from taking part. The device in Pamplona had been planted in a basement toilet in a town centre hotel. It was defused after a caller claiming to represent ETA gave a telephone warning.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 8:51:53 AM ||
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I get the feeling the ETA will try something when le Tour gets to the Pyrenees later this week, regardless of this 'truce' worked out with them and the Tour organizers. I hope I'm wrong.
Franceâs call to ease the eurozoneâs strict budget rules has created an uproar at the meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels. In his traditional Bastille Day interview, President Jacques Chirac called for a softening of the so-called Stability and Growth Pact which aims to keep public debt levels in check and maintain confidence in the euro. "This is July 14, the day the Bastille was stormed, and now itâs the day the stability pact has been stormed," said Dutch Finance Minister Gerrit Zalm angrily going into the meeting. "The storming of the Bastille was a better idea." Indeed. Which brave revolutionaries were turned loose? Four fraudsters, a couple of lunatics and a young noble.
"We have no room for softening the pact, not even temporarily," said Finnish finance minister Antii Kalliomaki. "We shouldnât even be discussing this - itâs one of the pillars of our economic policy and the single currency," said Austriaâs economy minister Karl-Heinz Grasser. The row over the stability pact has been raging for months, reaching a climax when the president of the European Commission called the rules "stupid" and then backtracked furiously. Real world economics must be oh-so-tiresome for a left-wing Poo-bah like Prodi.
The rules - which dictate that a budget deficit cannot exceed more than 3% of national economic output - were designed to help regulate the economies of the 12 nations that use the euro. But, with Germany and France in particular suffering from an economic slowdown, these countries have already exceeded the limit in order to stimulate growth. France, the eurozoneâs second biggest economy, had a public deficit of 3.1% in 2002 and the European Commissionâs provisional forecasts see it rising to 3.7% this year and 3.6% in 2004. Germany, meanwhile, has just initiated hefty tax cuts in order to spur growth, but insists it can still keep its deficit below 3%. "Stability is not the priority right now," said German Finance Minister Hans Eichel, "we need growth." But he stopped short of echoing President Chiracâs call for a relaxing of the rules, saying the finance ministers knew how to apply the rules in a "reasonable and coordinated way". Prior to Mr Chiracâs comments, the ministers had been hoping to avoid discussing the controversial pact again, leaving it for the autumn agenda. Then ministers will have an even tougher decision to make - whether to impose hefty fines on those countries who continue to offend. And theyâd expect the French to pay?
Posted by: Bulldog ||
07/15/2003 4:58:38 AM ||
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I think that to say the storming of the Bastille was meaningless because no revolutionary was actually in there is like saying that a certain tea shipment being thrown overboard in a certain English colony was also unimportant... From what I gather both actions had more symbolic meaning than actual, but that doesn't make either action meaningless.
#5
Thank you for your contribution, anonymous idiot. It's not circular reasoning to say that I never accused someone of what he's accusing me of accusing him.
#6
Well then Aris, who did "say the storming of the Bastille was meaningless", if not me? The Dutch Finance Minister? An invisible commentator whose posts only you can read? Or were you conversing with yourself, hypothesising on the error of judgement of anyone who should be foolish enough to consider the storming of the Bastille "meaningless"?
#7
Dude. You made a disparaging comment about the storming of Bastille. I agreed with the facts you mentioned, that there was nobody really worth freeing in there, but indicated that nonetheless we can't say the event was meaningless. You didn't indicate whether you thought it meaningless or not, and I didn't say you said it. Each of us made a rather heavy implication on whether we considered it meaningful or not, of course. :-)
Should I have added a "however" in there, as in "I think that to say *however*" ?? Consider it added, if you're gonna be that nitpicky. :-)
#9
Yes, Aris, your spelling is spot on, but I try to limit my cursing for the sake of sensitive souls and internet censorbots.
Making a disparaging coment about something does not indicate you think it's meaningless. I don't suppose George Mallory believed ascending Everest to be a meaningless exercise when he responded "because it's there" to the question "why do you want to climb it". Storming of the Bastille was important symbolically; its immediate effect wasn't as glorious or triumphal as one might at first believe. I pointed out one of its overlooked or ignored aspects, which, being disparaging towards the French, is topical. ;) Read too much from between the lines and you'll forget the text itself.
#11
Well, at least the French threw out the Royal parasites--England is still supporting that bunch of inbred Germans
Posted by: Not Mike Moore ||
07/15/2003 12:06 Comments ||
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#12
Aris, Bulldog, and all: Let's grow up a bit and stop insulting each other. Civil, well-reasoned discourse is the goal. You're going to need to be making a PayPal donations soon -- you're costing Fred a lot of traffic for little value!
Meanwhile, the point is that the EU made a budget rule and France and other members are breaking it. What does it mean that the EU's second biggest economy violates the rules and then calls for a softening of the rules? Is France declaring independence from the EU? Or just abiding by the rules only when it suits?
Posted by: Tom ||
07/15/2003 12:16 Comments ||
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#13
Not meaningless - reprehensible.
Because not only was no actual liberation performed, but the governor of the Bastille was murdered after surrendering. A significant portent of things to come.
#14
What you all seem to ignore is that France can want a lot of things... but it won't get them. No country (not even the Germans who could need a more flexible stability pact as well) have supported the French. And as the saying goes: "Pacta Sunt Servanda." So much for France "dominating" the EU.
Former U.N. weapons inspector Scott Ritter released a new book, accusing President Bush of illegally attacking Iraq and calling for "regime change" in the United States at the next election. You knew he had to have a book deal, didnât you?
Ritter criticized key figures caught up in the U.S.-led war at Mondayâs U.N. news conference. He said Bush lied to the American people and Congress about Iraqâs weapons of mass destruction; U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan lacked courage; former chief weapons inspector Hans Blix was "a moral and intellectual coward." Two out of three ainât bad.
Ritter, a former U.S. Marine, was a weapons inspector in Iraq from 1991 to 1998. He has been a vocal critical of the Bush administrationâs policy on Iraq. He keeps going, and going, and going.......
Ritter said he wrote "Frontier Justice, Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Bushwacking of America" to educate people. The 209-page paperback, published by Context Books, has on its cover a picture of Bush in jeans and a cowboy hat, behind the wheel of a truck. In the book, Ritter notes that the Bush administrationâs stated reason for launching the war was to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. The book argues that there is no evidence that Iraq possesses, produces or concealed nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. Therefore, Ritter argues that "the United States carried out an illegal war of aggression." Bush, responding Monday to similar charges about the lack of evidence of illegal Iraqi weapons, insisted: "When itâs all said and done, the people of the United States and the world will realize that Saddam Hussein had a weapons program." Ritter said Bushâs real goal was to get rid of Saddam Husseinâs regime.
Which seems like a good idea in itself...
"What is needed in America is regime change," Ritter writes. "Anything but Bush and (Vice President Dick) Cheney." At the news conference, Ritter accused France and Germany of failing to get a Security Council or General Assembly resolution calling the war illegal and demanding a U.S. withdrawal. Heâs pretty much down on everybody.
Ritter had kind words for Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. He said ElBaradei was "much more honest" than Blix about appraising Iraqâs nuclear weapons and the threat they posed. "Plus, he introduced me to the cutest little gi..., oops!"
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 2:02:27 PM ||
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Ritter writes. "Anything but Bush..." Sayeth the confirmed pedophile.
High school teacher Kathy Eder has created a deck of cards of her own, taking a cue from the Pentagon. But instead of featuring Iraqâs must-wanted, Ederâs cards have pictures and comments critical of administration officials.
How very original...
The San Jose, Calif., teacher a teacher of morality and social justice at San Joseâs Bellarmine High School] says her "Hidden Agenda" cards are not hateful, but factual. Bellarmineâs tepid response can be found at its web page under "A Message from the Principal"
In Ederâs version, President George W. Bush is the ace of spades with the title, "Dictator of the World." Compare the previous affirmation - "the cards are not hateful but factual" - with this one. Yet another indication of the moral bankruptcy of the left and its departure from reality. Also see: http://www.santa-cruz.com/archive/2003/June/23/local/stories/01local.htm
Eder, who teaches the class ââMorality and Social Justiceââ at Bellarmine, an all-boys Catholic high school in San Jose, says the idea for the cards came to her when her students insisted the war in Iraq was justified, but they couldnât offer facts or reasons to back up their statements. Well, someone needs to direct these kids to Rantberg and the blogosphere.
I imagine the boys could offer facts and reasons and Kathy just discounted them...
"This war was totally wrong and totally about greed," she said. "We were told lies the whole time."
Just like most people discount anything she says...
The cards are a lesson in truth, she said. "It became clear to me that I needed to do what I have always encouraged my students to do," Eder said, "use my life to try and make a difference in the lives of others." She gathered information for her cards from The New York Times, the BBC, Mother Jones magazine, iraqbodycount.net, ... the Washington Post and several other international news organizations and publications. O.K. This pretty much sums up the case against Comrade Eder. All highly biased sources. Mother Jones? How can you take her seriously.
Her sources are all cited on the cards. She said her cards reflect the teachings of Catholicism, that "no war is justified." That is factually and historically untrue. It was Saint Augustine who developed the "just war" doctrine.
Former Santa Cruz County Supervisor and outspoken conservative Marilyn Liddicoat is not amused. "This is very unpatriotic," Liddicoat said. "I think it is very hostile to America to do this." Liddicoat, also a former chair on the Santa Cruz County Board of Education, said she thinks Eder should be fired for brainwashing students. "When I served on the board 20 years ago I could see how kids were being brainwashed by very liberal teachers," Liddicoat said. But Eder â who borrowed $8,000 from her credit card for 3,000 decks of cards â said she was simply called upon by God to tell "the truth," as she sees it. "To tell the truth as she see it."
Yet another reason for me to distrust our teachers and their unions, the latter of which is becoming a de facto arm of the Democratic party.
Posted by: ColoradoConservative ||
07/15/2003 11:52:57 AM ||
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#2
The more I ponder this, the more upset I become.
She said her cards reflect the teachings of Catholicism, that "no war is justified."
Given that Ms. Eder is a teacher of social justice at a Catholic school - and in the Jesuit "seek the truth" tradition - what does it tell you about her agenda in that she completely ignores the almost 1,600 year "just war" philosophy first propounded by St. Augustine? It is one thing to advance your agenda, it is quite another to disavow your chosen profession of teaching truth.
#3
Good, good, we need all the moonbats to start barking in public - saves us the time of having to root 'em out ourselves. In case you missed it on Drudge, our local community college boasts a professor who incited his students to send emails with "..kill the president". Oh of course he defends himself by saying "...we didn't say kill George Bush". Riiiiiiiiiiiiight. Who did you mean.....Clinton? We're all so proud here in Santa Rosa. Must be. I only saw one letter to the editor on the matter. Of course, our local paper is owned by the NYT. Go figure.
As maddening as it is....these stories are encouraging - not to mention entertaining at times. The loons are panicking...and they're getting more and more desperate.However, this Eder broad is simply full moon loony. Somebody get her some meds!
Posted by: Rex Mundi ||
07/15/2003 12:10 Comments ||
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A Catholic School? No unions there. Real easy to can her sanctimonious ass.
#5
Well, it pleases me that she has gone into debt for this. It wastes her credit that she might use more-effectively in some other way. I suspect that most of the boys in her classes have already recognized that she's rabid and foaming at the mouth.
Posted by: Tom ||
07/15/2003 12:25 Comments ||
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Here are the current conditions for a just war as first defined by St Thomas Aquinas and amended by the Catholic Church. She has no idea of what she's talking about. I'm sure she could sell her left over cards for a profit to the readers of The Nation or The Progressive.
#7
hey wait a minute - this is a Catholic school, why are the local pols talking about it. Isnt this something for the local CATHOLIC hierarchy to resolve? Or do they have their hands full?
Frankly i doubt we'd see anything like this at the public schools, at least where i live. And i would point out that the American Federation of Teachers was supportive of the war (now NEA maybe another thing - what can you expect from a group of people claiming to be a professional association instead of a union, and practicing dual unionism at that?)
"We believe that the president has not fulfilled his responsibility to make a compelling and coherent explanation to the American people and the world as to why military action in Iraq is necessary at this time. We are also gravely concerned that the president is pursuing a deeply partisan domestic agenda at a time of prospective war. The Bush administration's use of the Iraq issue, as admitted by Republican strategists, is deplorable. The country needs leadership that rises above partisanship."
Maybe in Liberhawk's mind this counts as non-partisan support for the Iraq war, but most rational people would dispute that assertion. The AFT's statement is not unlike that of Daschle's or Byrd's et al.
#9
I found the following on the AFT's website which can be construed as a strained endorsement of the war but, God forbid, not support for the Commander-in-Chief:
"AFT supports the U.N. resolution with the hope that war can be avoided, but with the sober recognition that military conflict may become unavoidable as a last resort," reads the AFT resolution. It expresses the AFTâs strong preference that "military action in Iraq be taken in concert with an international coalition of allies or the United Nations," but "recognizes that the United States may at times have to act unilaterally in defense of its national security."
The resolution also acknowledges the Executive Councilâs concern that President Bush is pursuing a partisan domestic agenda at a time of war. "Nevertheless," the resolution states, "we know that our position on national security issues must be taken in response to security threats and not from our disagreement with the administration on other issues."
#11
By the way, Rex, if you're interested in the Santa Rosa professor story, blogger Emily Jones covered it, and the professor replied in her comments! He 'splained himself at length, concluding:
And finally, as to the charge that I'm incompetent? I'll let the quality and persuasiveness of my arguments speak for itself...
And, unfortunately for him, it does.
Emily replies to his comments in a separate post here.
#12
" ... she was simply called upon by God to tell "the truth," as she sees it."
Does that statement strike anyone else as the kind of idiotic drivel that spews from Oral Roberts or Pat Robertson? We knew we had right-wing religious zealots and - lo and behold - here we have one residing firmly on the left.
#13
Well, it pleases me that she has gone into debt for this. It wastes her credit that she might use more-effectively in some other way. I suspect that most of the boys in her classes have already recognized that she's rabid and foaming at the mouth.
Posted by: Tom 2003-7-15 12:25:03 PM
Unfortunately there is a market among the loony left for this garbage. If she has more than 3 brain cells she could make a profit.
JODHPUR, India - Police in the western Indian state of Rajasthan bordering Pakistan Tuesday arrested four people allegedly running a racket that sent unemployed Indian youths across the border for "terrorist training". Police said the operation was being conducted by Pakistan's secret service, the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI). The alleged gang was busted when Syed Imran, 23, a resident of Nanded, was caught at the international border adjoining Barmer district by the Border Security Force (BSF) and later handed over to local police. Police sources said that while he was in custody, Imran tried to commit suicide twice and a close watch was now being kept on him.
"Honest! He kept throwin' himself down the stairs and bangin' against doors!"
Director General of Police (Intelligence) Arun Kumar Duggar said police also arrested three of Imran's accomplices and more arrests were expected in Rajasthan and neighbouring Maharashtra state. During interrogation, Duggar said Imran disclosed "many astonishing facts" and admitted he too was trying to cross over to Pakistan for training to become a "fidayeen" (suicide bomber). Police sources said Imran has a technology degree and was unemployed. A camera, without a film roll, and a diary containing the names and telephone numbers of top ISI officers in Pakistan were found in his possession.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 22:48 ||
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Hizbul Mujahedin supreme commander Syed Salahuddin on Tuesday warned of âlarge-scaleâ suicide attacks if the international community does not step in to resolve the long-running row over the territory. He called for the United States to mediate a solution to Kashmir. No thanks, we have enough problems right now.
"If the international community, particularly the US, does not take steps to rescue us from Indiaâs state terrorism and there is no let-up in killing of children, molestation of women, looting and arson of properties, the Hizbul Mujahedin will be compelled to shortly launch fidayeen (suicide) attacks at large scale," Salahuddin said. Dire Revenge(tm)
The Hizbul leader also supported the use of suicide attacks in Kashmir, terming them "legitimate under the mujahedinâs code of conduct." Thereâs a Code Of Conduct for suicide boomers?
Salahuddin said the attackers were mujahedin (holy warriors), but were not from his group. "Ainât my guys, they belong to that group over there!"
"What is the alternative for the Kashmiris, when the US does not help them, the international community is silent on their systematic massacre and Pakistan is being stopped to extend any aid to them? It was purely a military target. The Indian Army is killing the Kashmiris and when we kill them, it is dubbed as terrorism. This is unfortunate and unfair," he added. "Yeah, why canât we kill women and children without being called names. Itâs unfair!"
Salahuddin said his group had never been involved in civilian or communal killings, "but the military personnel and installations are our target." "And if somebody else gets in the way, itâs Godâs will that we kill them too!"
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 10:57:17 AM ||
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#1
Ya know, a good solution would be to fry Pakistan to a crisp. That should putr a dent in the Islamofascist problem in Kashmir, and send a neat little message to Islamozoid nut jobs in other countries that patience with their bullshit is starting to wear thin.
#3
So when will India and Pakistan realize that nobody cares if they blow themselves up? It wouldn't even make the top of the newscycle after a week or so.
Here is a somewhat old article I found that goes into depth into the major players in the Islamist movements in Pakistan, I donât think I have posted this before. Itâs important to point out that is is the Pak Army that has spent the past 2 decades nuturing these groups, and under no circumstances to they want to undo their hard work, which is why they willingly arrest Al-Qaeda Arabs and those who Pakistanis found helping them. And they will those Jihadis who go ârogueâ and attack either Shias or start bombings in the country. But they wonât do anything to hurt these Jihadis because they serve the Armyâs strategic interests, first in setting up a client state in Afghanistan in order to provide strategic depth in any war with India, and second in bleeding the Indians in Kashmir, which the Generals believe is the first step in splintering India the same way they Soviet Union collapsed. This is the same aim shared by Qazi and the like, they just want themselves to rule over the bulkanised India instead of the Generals.
Qazi the first challenger:
The biggest opponent of the government of President Musharraf is Qazi Hussain Ahmad. He is the strongest enemy because of his better organisation of the party and clever adoption of policy. He has stayed clear of sectarianism, a wisdom that is the legacy of the founder of the party, Abul Ala Maududi, who was trained in a Deobandi seminary but hid the certificate of qualification, and sought to be a bridge in the Deobandi-Barelvi divide in Pakistan. Since the participation of the Jamaat in government under General Zia, its inroads into the state apparatus are deep, and its upper echelon leaders have become men of substance and independent means. The Jamaat supporters come from rich entrepreneurs whom the Jamaat has helped create chains of lucrative English-medium schools and colleges. His partyâs economic manifesto is statist, opposed to privatisation of the state sector economy and in some cases re-nationalisation of certain segments of the private sector. Although Qazi Sahib has shown suppleness in foreign policy, seeking to communicate with the United States and Iran, considered hostile by most clerics in Pakistan, he remains fundamentally an isolationist in foreign policy.
I'd call him a xenophobe, myself. And a psychoceramic...
The most intractable problem of the Jamaat is that it is not supported by the other big parties. Qazi Sahib was close to Hekmatyar and benefited from the attentions of the ISI and the government when Pakistanâs Afghan policy was tied to the foot of Hekmatyar. Since 1994, the Jamaat dominance of the Afghan policy has lessened. Militias belonging to the Deobandi school of thought have become powerful because the ISI was now running the Taliban policy. Although Qazi Hussain Ahmad is a Pakhtun, the Deobandi Pakhtun leaders of the JUI do not see eye to eye with him. For instance, Qazi Sahibâs friend, Hekmatyar, has written anti-JUI articles in the Urdu press, alleging that Maulana Fazlur Rehman took American dollars as bribery. It was due to the money he made on smuggling oil that led to Fazlur becoming known as "Mullah Diesel".
The Grand Deobandi Alliance:
The grand Deobandi alliance is probably the biggest force in Pakistan after the stateâs armed forces. Based in Karachi, the Binori Complex houses leaders that sit in the shuras of the various Deobandi jehadi militias. Its religious scholars sit in the shura of Sipah-e-Sahaba as well as he shura of the two militias Harkatul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Muhammad. Since they also have similar influence over the JUI, the Sipah-e-Sahaba of Maulana Azam Tariq and the JUI, both factions have a kind of secret liaison, so that the manifest anti-Shia orientation of the Sipah doesnât encompass the JUI although the latter has the same unspoken view. The Deobandi leaders are less committed to the state of Pakistan because of their Indian Congress background and think nothing of issuing fatwas of death against foreigners coming to Pakistan on business. It is these fatwas in part that have caused the embassies in Islamabad to issue advisories to their nationals not to visit Pakistan. The Binori complex is the most important madrassa in Pakistan and the spiritual base of radical Deobandism. It is led by Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai and Abdul Razzaq Sikander and is where Osama Bin Ladin and Mullah Omar first met.
Maulana Azam Tariq:
His sectarian party has produced a violent offshoot, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, whose killings Azam Tariq disavows by saying that the Lashkar has been removed from the umbrella of his party. Yet when Lashkar activist Haq Nawaz was about to be hanged he tried all means his disposal, including threats to the state, to get him absolved from the crime of killing an Iranian diplomat. Azam Tariq announced in 2001 that he would select 20 cities in Pakistan and enforce his Deobandi sharia there, mainly in the shape of compulsory business shut-down during namaz and the compulsory attendance at namaz of all Muslims. In addition, he promised to impose hijab on all women venturing out of the house. Since this article was written, Azam Tariq was released from house arrest and allowed to set up a ânewâ political party with the same platform as the Sipah-e-Sahaba, except that it supports the Musharaff government in parliament. The hundreds of murders the party was responsible for have been forgiven. Cynicism at itâs most breathtaking.
Hardline injunctions against women are also issued by his Deobandi colleague Maulana Samiul Haq who vows to treat the women with the same severity as the Taliban. Sami ul-Haq is widely known as "Sami the Sandwich", after being found in a compromising position with two women in a brothel many years ago.
Power and glory of Hafiz Saeed: Lashkar-e-Taiba functions under the aegis of Dawatul Irshad of Muridke near Lahore. It is a rich organisation because of its hold on civil society in small districts where it can actually dictate to the administration somewhat in the style of Sipah-e-Sahaba. Its leader Hafiz Muhammad Saeed of the Gujjar community is a retired Islamiyat teacher of University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore. His headquarters, a city within city, in Muridke was built with Arab money. Even when he was an employee of the state-run university he was powerful enough on the basis of his contacts with the ISI, and therefore the army, to insult the government in power and denounce democracy as an un-Islamic system. The power of the Lashkar also derives from its salafi origin. Its contact with the wahhabi camps in Kunar in Afghanistan has never been disowned although Muridke carefully mutes its obvious connection with the Arab warriors in Afghanistan. Its connections with Osama bin Laden have also been craftily hidden although news appearing in the national press have linked the two. Lashkarâs office in Muridke used to receive a large of number of Arabs on a daily basis and was a transit camp for those leaving for Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Al-Badr used to be linked to Jamaat Islami but now the commander of the outfit Bakht Zameen has asserted himself against Qazi Hussain Ahmad to some extent, which probably makes it easy for him to maintain good relations with the ISI. This is probably the richest organisation in terms of the funds it can gather from the population. There was a time when a lot of funding came in from abroad, including sectarian funding in which Iran and the Arab states competed, but now over 85 percent of the collections are made in the cities of Pakistan from the common man. In some cases, even prosperous businessmen give funds to avail of the âarbitrationâ services offered by the jehadi outfits. This âleveragedâ judicial service is available to anyone who can contribute to the coffers of the outfits. So are they Jihadis who run an extortian racket, or an extortian racket who ocassionaly fight Jihad?
I think they spend more time and effort on extortion than on jihad. They don't show up that often in Kashmir news...
Pakistanâs jehad in Kashmir has created an alternative state apparatus in the outfits that fight there as surrogate warriors. The price that civil society pays for this deniable covert war has been climbing over the years and has now become almost intolerable. During the latest round of war in Afghanistan most of these outfits have opposed General Musharrafâs policy of joining the world coalition against terrorism. All religious leaders of these jehadi outfits know their activity can easily fall in the category of terrorism and therefore try to scare the common citizen by predicting that the next American target will be Pakistan. They see hazily the possibility of a takeover, not by themselves, as that would be impossible given their internecine nature, but by someone else from within the establishment, that will give them a new lease of life â a lease whose foreclosure became certain the day Osama bin Laden decided to attack New York and Washington.
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
07/15/2003 6:17:01 AM ||
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The link doesn't work and I'd like to see the full article.
Posted by: Brian ||
07/15/2003 18:28 Comments ||
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ISLAMABAD: The Presidentâs Secretariat has told the Prime Ministerâs Secretariat to stop the unnecessary growth of mosques and madrassas in Islamabad, fearing religious extremism in the federal capital.
"Keep it in the hinterlands, where it belongs..."
Sources told Daily Times on Monday that the Presidentâs Secretariat had written to the PMâs principal secretary, after law-enforcement agencies reported that some mosques were being turned into madrassas in the capital. According to the report, over 300 mosques in Islamabad had increased the threat of religious extremism âbeing a potent and motivated forceâ which needed to be countered. It added that Islamabad was more prone to religious extremism than other parts of Pakistan.
Hey! There's noplace more prone to religious extremism than Karachi! Unless it's Peshawar... Or Quetta... Or Multan... Or Lahore...
âAt present, a silent competition is in progress between Deobandis and Brelvis to increase the number of mosques. Their managements, instead of producing broad-minded and educated Muslims, are nurturing a rigid young breed who work as a tool for subversive elements to harm Pakistan,â the report said.
Noticed that, did you?
According to the statistics, there are 90 Auqaf-run mosques in Islamabad: two belong to Ahle Hadith, 39 to Brelvis, 46 to Deobandis and three to Shias. There are 161 others for which the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has provided land. In addition, there are at least 40 âunauthorisedâ mosques built by some members of the public, which are: Ahle Hadith (four), Brelvi (16), Deobandi (17), Shia (one) and disputed sects (two).
That'll tighten the old turbans. Qazi and Fazl will probably have 100,000 unwashed bodies in the streets by tomorrow afternoon...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 00:06 ||
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#1
The Brelvi have historically been moderate Muslims, worshipping local saints and doing other things that the Deobandi-Wahabis consider to be Kufr.
But in the past decade or so (at least in Pakistan), the Brevlis have become increasingly intolerant in order to compete with the Deobandis who have been busy taking converts away from them. So although the Brevli groups are not likely to attack Americans or Indians, it is possible that they will begin fighting back against the Deobandis-Wahabis, which could lead to much worse bloodshed than the current Deobandi-Shia conflict.
I read a report in the Friday Times that claimed that leaders of the Lashkar-e-Taiba had given permission for Brehvli girls to be taken as slaves, and that some of the leaders themselves had undertaken this practice, because they don't consider them to be 'real' Muslims, and thus the prohibition on enslaving Muslims can be avoided.
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
07/15/2003 5:38 Comments ||
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LAHORE: Suspected tribesmen set fire to natural gas pipelines near Dera Bugti, 550 kilometres east of Quetta, the third time in five months, officials said.
"I thought you get those Bugti boys jobs to keep them out of trouble?"
"I did!"
"What kind of jobs?"
"I made them firemen!"
An official of Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), the owner of the pipelines, said, âTwo sub-pipelines caught fire, but they were later brought under control.â A provincial government official said a tribal dispute was suspected, adding the attackers had AK-47 assault rifles. Pipelines have been attacked in the past in the province and officials have blamed tribal chieftains fighting for a share of benefit from exploration.
The want to wet their beaks...
Dera Bugti District Coordination Officer (DCO) Sarmad Khan confirmed damage to the sub-pipeline and Federal Petroleum Secretary Abdullah Yousaf said, âIt is a minor incident.â
"Nobody was even killed. Hardly..."
However, Federal Interior Secretary Syed Tasneem Noorani denied any firing incident near the sub-pipeline and said the fire was caused by a technical fault. The gas supply to the purification plant was restored within hours after stopping leakage from the sub-pipeline, he said.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 00:04 ||
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A new Iraqi war crimes court will try ousted President Saddam Hussein and his top associates, a party in Iraqâs Governing Council said Tuesday. The U.S.-backed Council agreed to set up a commission charged with laying down laws, local or international, that would allow it to put suspected war criminals on trial, said Entifadh Qanbar, spokesman for the Iraqi National Congress. "The Council decided to form a judicial high commission to look into the various types of crimes ... and to try war criminals," he told Reuters. "The United States has not declared until now what itâs going to do with the 55 (most wanted members of Saddamâs government). The Governing Council will take it upon itself to try them and to punish them according to law," said Qanbar. "That includes Saddam Hussein, the biggest criminal." Good, it will help them to do it themselves.
The 25-member Council was formed Sunday, the first Iraqi national political body since a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam on April 9. Qanbar said the Council also decided to form a commission to look into ways to "uproot" Saddamâs once all-powerful Baath Party from Iraqi society. Just donât take too long talking it to death.
Qanbar said the Council would start with reviewing bylaws for a government before considering naming ministers. The Council has some executive powers, like nominating ministers, changing laws, helping in naming a committee to draft a new constitution and prepare for free elections. But the final say remains in the hands of U.S. administrator Paul Bremer. Itâs early, but they seem to be off to a good start.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 12:55:08 PM ||
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EFL
A group alleging links to the al-Qaeda claimed in an audio tape broadcast by al-Arabiya satellite station Sunday, July 13, that it is responsible for growing attacks against the U.S. forces in Iraq. However, analysts ruled out the tape was authentic, as it offered no evidence to back up the claims by the white-bearded man on it. The voice said the "Armed Islamic Movement for al-Qaeda, the Falluja Branch," a previously unheard-of name, vowed to keep attacks against American forces, one day before one an American soldier was killed and eight others injured in separate attacks.
"We donât have any way of proving or disproving what was said on that tape," a spokesman in Florida for the United States Central Command was quoted by Agence France-Presse (AFP) as saying.
A number of analysts and observers said the tape could not be released by al-Qaeda, as it bears none of its hallmarks of messages previously broadcast by the group on Arab channels.
"The tape might rather be a sort of psychological pressure on American soldiers by an Iraqi resistance group," Diyaa Rashwan, an analyst in Al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, told Islamonline.net. The man appearing on the tape was unidentified, a style al-Qaeda did not use in its audio and video tapes, Rashwan said, adding that it was clear the voice "was doctored" electronically. "All al-Qaeda earlier tapes did not end with praying for Bin Laden or Taliban leader Mulla Omar, unlike the al-Arabiya tape," the Egyptian analyst added.
"So the audio was probably recorded by an Iraqi resistance fighter who wants to wage a psychological war on American soldiers," said Rashwan. Conspicuously, the tape mentioned the western calendar before the Islamic calendar and included no Koranic sayings, which did not also confirm with the style followed by al-Qaeda. Seems reasonable.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 10:16:26 AM ||
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Tue July 15, 2003 08:30 AM ET
HABBANIAH, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S. forces killed five Iraqis and captured another Tuesday after they came under ambush while driving out of an ammunition depot west of Baghdad, the commander of the unit said.
The clash, between the cities of Ramadi and Habbaniyah about 60 miles west of Baghdad, took place in particularly hostile territory for U.S. troops. The military has blamed a spate of attacks in the predominantly Sunni Muslim area on die- hard loyalists of ousted President Saddam Hussein.
"Our unit was making its way out of the ammunitions dump when we were ambushed. Our Bradleys (fighting vehicles) fought back and we killed five attackers," Captain Mark Miller, the commander of the company involved, told Reuters. Sounds like they are missing a few more thugs - good riddance!!
There were no U.S. casualties. Kinda of nice to have that armor and some big guns to cut up some "rebel" bastards!
Miller said the ambushers had probably been expecting the soldiers to be in soft-skinned Humvee vehicles but instead they were in tank-like Bradleys, which overpowered the attackers.
More than 100 Iraqis have been killed in fighting since major combat was declared over on May 1 but the U.S. military has not provided figures. A good start to calming things down - let some more hothead shoot at a tank and see what happens !!
Posted by: Fiddler ||
07/15/2003 9:21:03 AM ||
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#1
Sounds like the Army is learning how to kick some butt in Iraq! Horah! I have a prediction what the NEXT convoy will consist of......BRADLEYS. Hmm I wonder how this will be played out in the U.S. press?
#2
Here I am "back on the same horse," but notice the difference between this outcome and that of the attack on the Russians in Chechnya where the Russians lost nine killed. Our people are doing a good job.
Posted by: Ralph ||
07/15/2003 11:18 Comments ||
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#3
well good for our troops. But we're not going to win this by attrition. The baddies can recruit from a pool of fedayeen, plus unemployed ex- Rep Guards - some died during the war, but some ex regular army types and islamist nut jobs make up for that - so figure a recruiting pool of at least 150,000. If we kill or capture 100 a week thats only 5000 a year - so it could go on for years, during which time we can expect far more recruits.
No, we have to target the leaders, the weapons, and the money to win. And/or win the political war to build a new Iraqi regime to takeover the task.
#4
It looks like the Humvees are getting torn up on a regular basis. On one of the earlier raids, soldiers found detailed diagrams of all the US vehicles.
Bush should be shipping more tanks and Bradleys to the region.
#5
LH--I agree with your point on attrition. I think the best solution is to get Iraqi security trained, equipped, and deployed ASAP so we can get our people out.
Everytime our people get attacked, we not only risk losing American lives, thereby eroding support at home and morale, but our troops also respond in a way that does not win us any friends. Going house-to-house, searching and interrogating families, and in the process terrorizing and alienating them.
I'm not faulting our troops for their response, because they have to respond to these attacks, but the sooner we can get them out and get the Iraqis to handle it themselves, the better.
PJ--I can't agree with more tanks and Bradleys as being a solution. Tanks are not suited for police actions, and the maintenance costs for tracked vehicles are horrendous.
I would support easing up the ROE restrictions on the Army, as the Marines are not nearly as restricted and they haven't been targeted like the Army has. The Marine convoys and patrols bristle with weapons, while the Army is trying to be "friendlier" and appear less threatening, which is inviting attacks.
Posted by: Dar ||
07/15/2003 12:21 Comments ||
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#6
LH,
I don't completely agree. Attrition takes its toll on everyone. The "fedayeen" are NOT super human, and the more they see their buddies killed for no effect the harder it will be to recruit more volunteers. I'm not by that sggesting that we shouldn't be doing more, but it's very easy to see only the stress on our side since that's all that gets reported.
Remember when we went into Afghanistan and all of the doom sayers were crying about the vast numbers of fedayeen who would be coming from Pakistan to help the Taliban? I saw one interview of a survivor of such a group (I believe it was on FOX) when he got back to Pakistan. He was bemoaning the fact taht he was the only one of ten to survive, and that it was very difficult to find any others to volunteer for the jihad.
We need to recognize that stress of continual combat works both ways. IF they were inflicting serious casualties on us, it would be much easier for them to find more recruits. Strategy Page reports that the "incidents" are now up to 25 a day, so while the tempo of the bad guys has increased, they're results have not. That has to strain their resources. They're not like the 'Cong who were receiving extensive outside aid from the Soviets.
So, while I support doing more, and reports indicate that we are, and that our network of informants is improving, I'd not belittle the impact of this type of attrition on the bad guys.
All the Best.
Posted by: Ralph ||
07/15/2003 12:44 Comments ||
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#7
interesting point Ralph - and one might expect discouraging recruits to work better in Iraq, where many of the baddies may actually be in it for cash, than in Afghan, where the core taliban were ideological recruits. OTOH in afghan there is something of a tradition of being a part time soldier, then melting away from superior force. Im not sure Iraq may not have more sticking power - not out of greater bravery than Pashtuns (I very much doubt that) but out of a less supple style of war. Also I dont think we have as much time as in Afghan - not to agree with idiotarians, but the fact that afghan was a direct response to 9/11, with almost unanimous international support, made US sticking power far greater, with discouraging impact on the baddies. Plus we had very tough (as it turned out- despite press bad mouthing) local allies. In Iraq we have a more reluctant US, with no particularly effective local allies (yet) - even steady combat losses may not be as discouraging to baddies as in Afghan - in that sense this MAY be more like Viet Nam.
The way in which it is most unlike VN - and the clearest way to win - is that here there is no sanctuary for leadership or protected supply lines. Cutting off supplies and disrupting the leadership should be much more effective (BTW, I think those were important war winners in Afghan as well)
#8
interesting point Ralph - and one might expect discouraging recruits to work better in Iraq, where many of the baddies may actually be in it for cash, than in Afghan, where the core taliban were ideological recruits. OTOH in afghan there is something of a tradition of being a part time soldier, then melting away from superior force. Im not sure Iraq may not have more sticking power - not out of greater bravery than Pashtuns (I very much doubt that) but out of a less supple style of war. Also I dont think we have as much time as in Afghan - not to agree with idiotarians, but the fact that afghan was a direct response to 9/11, with almost unanimous international support, made US sticking power far greater, with discouraging impact on the baddies. Plus we had very tough (as it turned out- despite press bad mouthing) local allies. In Iraq we have a more reluctant US, with no particularly effective local allies (yet) - even steady combat losses may not be as discouraging to baddies as in Afghan - in that sense this MAY be more like Viet Nam.
The way in which it is most unlike VN - and the clearest way to win - is that here there is no sanctuary for leadership or protected supply lines. Cutting off supplies and disrupting the leadership should be much more effective (BTW, I think those were important war winners in Afghan as well)
#9
Winning a "convoy war" is a multidimensional problem. Think Battle of the Atlantic. Some of the elements are
Reconaissance: Use overflights if feasible. Recon the best routes (no multistory buildings, marshes, etc.) Recon multiple routes between each set of destinations.
Security: Convoys should bristle with weapons. Maintain the proper spacing so that the whole convoy doesn't end up in the kill zone at once. Soldiers should keep situational awareness (i.e. know the warning signs).
Intelligence: Infiltrate cells. Make friends among the locals. They'll almost always see the ambush prep and when the assault team moves into position. Give them cell phones if need be.
Deception: Never keep a fixed schedule. Never take the same route twice (see Recon, above). Use baited attacks (Convoy starts out. Pulls into secure warehouse along the way. Armor/mech team resumes roadmarch on same convoy route. Lots of Jihadis go to paradise).
Training: Your truck drivers aren't always your most motivated troops. Train them in ambush reaction drills. Ensure that they know how to use their radios to call for fire and air support. If you do this, they will know that they are being taken care of and morale will increase.
A battle of attrition is not a battle of annihilation. Going back to the Battle of the Atlantic example above, Donitz was forced to return the wolfpacks to the pens on May 31, 1943 after losing only about 25% of his total force. He never recovered the initiative after that, but it took two more years to end the war.
#11
Sounds like now would be a good time to field test the Striker,it is the military's newest armored vehicle.Same punch as the Bradley.It is lighter but the armor is almost as effective,it's also a wheeled vehicle.
The army should also consider bringing back an upgraded version of the Sheridan.Sheridan was an air-dropable,wheel mounted,light armored vehicle.This bad-boy mounted a 120mm smooth bore gun.
Should be able to research details on both at military.com.
The US and Turkish military have expressed regret over the arrest of Turkish commandos by American troops in northern Iraq. US troops arrested 24 people - 11 soldiers and 13 civilians - in the northern Iraqi town of Sulaymaniyah on 4 July. A statement released following a joint investigation into the affair said both sides regretted the incident and the treatment faced by the Turkish soldiers in detention.
"Turkey and the United States have decided to ensure better co-operation and co-ordination in Iraq and have agreed to take all measures required to prevent the repetition of such incidents in the future." Note the very careful use of diplomatic language.
The statement, released by Turkish military headquarters, followed bilateral talks on how the Turkish soldiers were arrested and detained for 60 hours. But it did not explain the reasons behind the arrests, which Washington said were based on the "reports of disturbing activities" that the soldiers may have been involved in. However Ankara has denied this. "Disturbing activities", they were suspected of planning to kill Kurdish leaders.
The arrests triggered what Turkeyâs chief of general staff, Hilmi Ozkok, described as a "crisis of trust" between Ankara and Washington. The crisis is that we donât trust the Turks and they know it.
A phone call between the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the US Vice President, Dick Cheney on 4 July is thought to have played a crucial role in the soldiersâ release.
Mr Erdogan called the situation "a totally ugly incident" and ordered the immediate closure of Harbur gate - the vital roadway that links Turkey to Iraq. The Turkish commandos were taken to Baghdad for interrogation by the Americans but were released 60-hours afterwards and returned to north Iraq by helicopter. The Turkish media almost universally condemned the arrests as an insult to Turkish pride and a long alliance with Washington. There were angry scenes in Ankara and Istanbul as public anti-US sentiment spilled onto the streets. Turkey, which fought a 15-year war against Kurdish separatists of its own, fears that self-ruling Kurds in northern Iraq could fuel new clashes within Turkey. It previously threatened to increase its military presence in northern Iraq to thwart a possible move by Iraqi Kurds to declare independence, but backed off under US pressure. "Regret", we regret the Turks did it and they regret getting caught.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 9:14:32 AM ||
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#1
This is the second time this has happened. I hope that someone has advised Ankara that if it happenes a third time, we'll send them back in body bags.
Posted by: Mike ||
07/15/2003 12:23 Comments ||
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#2
"The Turkish media almost universally condemned the arrests as an insult to Turkish pride and a long alliance with Washington."
The hypocrisy of the Turks is amazing - they must be getting pointers from Phrawnce. They have zero business crossing the border - I don't care what they did in the past as it's irrelevant, now.
If you caught someone in the henhouse and he was carrying all the fixins to whip up some fried chicken - would you describe it as "disturbing" - or as something else, something a little more direct?
#3
First we offer them $15 billion to let the 4th ID to transit their rocky little country. This is an on again/off again deal that leaves our troops floating in the Med.
Next we tell keep your stupid little countryand send our guys around thru the Suez and up the Persian Gulf.
Then they make noises about a stronger Kurdish state. (Eh, go back to point one.)
Finally, they are trying to carve out a piece of Iraq as a 12 mile buffer zone, and threaten to send us packing from their bases.
*** Newsflash ***
We now control a big stretch of sand to south. You know the patch between Syria and Iran.
Posted by: Douglas De Bono ||
07/15/2003 17:45 Comments ||
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EFL
Iraq will replace its existing currencies with a new dinar, according the US civil administrator Paul Bremer. The new dinar will supersede notes used in the south of the country that currently carry images of the former president Saddam Hussein. The northern Kurdish-controlled areas of Iraq will also adopt the new dinar in exchange for their current currency, the so-called Swiss dinar.
"On October 15, new Iraqi dinar banknotes will be available to the Iraqi people," Bremer said in a televised address. "They will replace the existing Iraqi âprintâ dinars at parity. After October 15 you will have three months to swap your existing notes for the new ones." The Swiss dinar used by the Kurds will be replaced at the value of 150 new dinars to one Swiss Dinar, Mr Bremer added. Officials were forced to continue printing the Saddam notes in denominations of 250 after the war in an effort to stem a growing cash crisis.
Mr Bremer also announced on Monday that he had approved a new budget of 9 trillion dinar ($6.5bn, £4bn at street exchange rates) for the second half of 2003. "This is a very important step in getting Iraq and Iraqis back to work," he said. "With this budget, ministries will be able to spend money on important projects. Many state companies will be able to begin operating again." Half of the revenues are expected to come from oil sales, he added.
Posted by: Bulldog ||
07/15/2003 7:02:05 AM ||
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I still say they should put Alfred E. Neuman on the 10,000 Dinar note.
The Arab League chief has shown little eagerness to embrace a new US-backed Iraqi national council as its peopleâs representative, reflecting wider Arab wariness about Americaâs intentions in Iraq. âIf this council was elected, it would have gained much power and credibility,â Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said in a statement released by the league Sunday night, hours after a 25-member governing council bringing together Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians and ethnic Turks met for the first time in Baghdad. The councilâs makeup was ironed out in negotiations involving US officials and Iraqis who had opposed Saddam Hussein.
"Nope. Nossir. I don't like it."
The council, which was to meet Monday to name a leader, has the power to name ministers and approve the 2004 budget, but L. Paul Bremer, a former State Department anti-terrorism official who took over the civilian operation in Iraq on May 12, has the last word on Iraqâs affairs. The council is meant to be the forerunner of a larger constitutional assembly that will have about a year to draft a new constitution. Moussa said he hoped the council would be a step toward âregaining Iraqi sovereignty and the emergence of a new Iraq governed by the sons of its people and toward an end to occupation.â But he said its powers were not yet clear, and added that the league and the Arab world would âclosely monitorâ its work.
Do that. Try and stay out of the way while you're doing it...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 00:06 ||
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#1
Moussa's disparaging comment re the council's credibility shows how little credibility he, Mubarek, and rest of AL have. Egypt's presidential elections consist of putting Mubarek's name on a ballot with yes/no boxes.
Posted by: Michael ||
07/15/2003 9:05 Comments ||
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Their big hope is that it is massively ineffective... like the Arab League.
#3
How can the Arab League even consider recognizing a council that will lead to self rule? When Iraq turns back into a dictatorship, the Arab league will welcome them back. Until then keep you democracy cooties to yourself.
Defense Sec. Angelo Reyes thumbed down the New Peopleâs Army guerrillasâ extortion plans on candidates for next yearâs presidential elections. Reyes ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to monitor the rebelsâ activities and intensify the militaryâs security operations in rebel-influenced areas to prevent the NPAs from carrying out their plans. Col. Victor Ibrado, commander of the 303rd Infantry Brigade, backs Reyesâ directive. He said that the military is willing to support the running parties if they wish to visit and campaign in the hinterland barangays of Negros Occidental.
Ibrado added that they are also conducting âpulong-pulongâ or conferences with the community especially in the hinterlands of the province.
Reyes said that the military will see to it that âthese leeches of society who stick fast to the skin of these candidates and anybody for that matter and suck blood will not make a mockery of the nationâs rule of law.â He added: âThe AFP is monitoring them so that they will be prevented from carrying out their plans. These leeches who think that they can get away with murder are very much mistaken. The AFP has stepped up its security operations in areas where they operate.â Leeches....yuck!
Intelligence reports showed that some P4.2 million has been extorted by the CPP in Permit to Campaign (PTC) fees from candidates last year alone. Most of the funds, Reyes added, found their way into the pockets of the top honchos in the rebel organization and not to its supposed revolutionary cause. Well, duh!
Declassified intelligence information also showed that in rebel-influenced barangays, the PTC rate that the CPP extorts is P50,000 for the mayors and P20,000 for the councilors.
Moreover, Reyes called on the citizens to help the authorities in putting a stop to the âevil plansâ of the CPP saying that "the fight against NPA extortion requires their help."
âA military solution is not enough. The people themselves are an integral part of the solution. Reporting crimes and anomalous activities to the authorities is our obligation as peace-loving citizens of the republic and we must perform this always,â said Reyes.
Communist guerrillas on Monday said they will demand that candidates in next yearâs elections give them money, guns or bullets in exchange of permits to campaign in far-flung rebel influenced villages. You want bullets? Weâll give you bullets!
Reyes said that declassified intelligence reports showed that part of the rebelsâ plan is the âactivation of its local organs in the barangays, preparations of permit to campaign, collection of PTC fees, solicitations, dispersion of small rebel units for terrorist operations, and provide support for the National Democratic Frontâs organizations.â What do they think this is, Chicago?
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 2:27:21 PM ||
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Two Liberian deputy Cabinet ministers who were arrested last month when a coup plot was announced have been killed, relatives of the men said Tuesday. The ministers were arrested June 5 about the time President Charles Taylor announced he had uncovered the plot. Relatives said they were informed that Issac Nuhan Vaye, deputy minister of public works, and John Winpoe Yormie, deputy minister of national security, were killed. Harrison Karnwea, a cousin of Yormie's, said Taylor informed the relatives Sunday that the men died in circumstances that needed to be investigated. He said Taylor did not elaborate.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 23:11 ||
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Lebanon said on Monday it had arrested five people allegedly plotting to carry out attacks on Western targets in the country, the latest in a series of blows it says it has dealt to "terrorist" groups.
The ones that "kill" people...
In a statement, the Interior Ministry said it had arrested a group of five people who had been trained in a Palestinian refugee camp that is home to a range of militant Islamist groups. The five were planning attacks on targets including a Western fast food restaurant in Beirut, it said. "As the members of this group moved to the phase of preparation to carry out their criminal act, a unit ... conducted a raid on the places where the members of the group were, and arrested them," the statement said. "During interrogation, they confessed they had received training and plotted to carry out terrorist acts," it said, adding the detainees had been referred to Lebanon's public prosecutor to face unspecified charges. Lebanon, and Syria — which has ultimate authority in its smaller neighbour — face intense US pressure to root out Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas and militant Palestinian groups. Lebanon earlier this month charged dozens of people in connection with alleged plots to kidnap the US ambassador and attack the embassy, as well as targets including Western fast food restaurant that have been hit by a string of bombings.
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 22:51 ||
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EFL - Hereâs a surprise
Government efforts to crack down on terrorism contributed to an increase in reports of discrimination and harassment of Muslims in the United States last year, an Islamic advocacy group says. The Justice Department called the allegations "unfair."
Hmmm... Which one to believe?
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said Tuesday that post-Sept. 11 government actions have broadly targeted Arabs and Muslims. THEYâRE GOING TO KILL US ALL!!
Say! Didn't 9-11 actions by Arabs and Muslims broadly target us? I seem to remember something to that effect. Maybe we should ask an al-Ghamdi...
"The government has employed and is employing policies and practices based on religion and ethnicity," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Washington-based group.
Kinda like a jihad, huh?
Such as?
Of particular concern were special registration requirements that single out students and visitors from Muslim nations as well as raids on Muslim homes and businesses that ended with no charges being filed. Well, there was that 9/11 thing a couple of years back. It was in all the papers. There was all that Saudi entity money funding this or that Islamo-Nazi school over here. There was the fact that getting a condemnation of terrorism out of you people that didnât include the words "Israel" or "Palestine" was impossible. The governmentâs actions seem prudent in such cases. Donât like it, you might want to complain to the folks in the Middle East who havenât found out yet how peaceful your religion is.
CAIR Research director Mohamed Nimer said the governmentâs actions have encouraged other citizens to target Muslims. In Florida, the report said, there have been a number of attacks against Islamic institutions. In one case, a man drove his truck into a mosque in Tallahassee. No one was hurt. One nutcase drives into one mosque and CAIR thinks the government encouraged it. CAIR would have to improve to be a joke.
Tell 'em about the Muslims shooting up and grenading the churches in Pakland. Not to mention the Sunnis detonating in the Shia mosque in Quetta...
Besides government actions, the councilâs Nimer also laid some of the blame for the overall increase on "high profile religious and political leaders making crude anti-Muslim statements, people like Jerry Falwell calling the Prophet Muhammad on national TV a terrorist." Falwell later apologized for the remark. As opposed to all the peace and moderation coming out of the Middle East these days. Islamic religious leaders have been calling Jews and Christians pigs and monkeys a lot lately. Is CAIR going to insist that these Muslims apologize for these crude anti-Jewish and anti-Christian statements? Thought not.
Falwell is a dumbass who's unable to control his mouth. Cetainly no Muslim preacher would say something like
"I am against America until this life ends, until the Day of Judgment;
I am against America even if the stone liquefies.
My hatred of America, if part of it was contained in the universe, it would collapse.
She is the root of all evils, and wickedness on earth. Who else implanted the tyrants in our land, who else nurtured oppression? Oh Muslim Ummah donât take the Jews and Christians as allies."
"Muslim Brothers in Palestine, do not have any mercy neither compassion on the Jews, their blood, their money, their flesh. Their women are yours to take, legitimately. God made them yours. Why donât you enslave their women? Why donât you wage jihad? Why donât you pillage them?"
Posted by: Christopher Johnson ||
07/15/2003 8:35:13 PM ||
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This is just the tip of the iceberg. I saw one young muslim woman who said that someone on campus look at her 'funny'! On the flip side one Young Saudi who returned from studying in the states said that he NEVER was the target of ANY racist comments or violence. CAIR has no leg to stand on and if a screener gives someone of Arab decent a closer look than some old white lady then TOUGH SH**!
#2
Well, the wining and pissing used to work for CAIRS. Now all they have is 1-800-WAAHWAAH and all they get is a recorded message. I hope that CAIRS is becoming loud background noise by now.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
07/15/2003 22:42 Comments ||
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Syria pulled out its last remaining forces from south Beirut and cut its military presence in northern Lebanon in the fourth redeployment operation staged by the Syrian army in less than three years. Goodbye, donât let the door hit you in the ass.
Convoys of military buses have been moving some 1,000 Syrian troops from south Beirutâs suburbs of Khaldeh and Aramoun via the Beirut-Damascus highway in the direction of Damascus since midnight Monday-Tuesday, A Nahar website reported. The southern pullout left only a nominal contingent guarding the Beirut headquarters of Syriaâs military intelligence and a few checkpoints to help Lebanese forces firm up control of the Palestinian refugee camps of Chatilla and Bourj el Barajneh in Beirut. Similar convoys streamed out of the Batroun region and the northern province of Akkar in the direction of Syriaâs central city of Homs. The Syrian military positions in Arida and Deir Ammar have been dismantled and troops manning them were withdrawn. The Lebanese army has put several battalions on standby to move into all positions that were vacated by Syrian troops.
Lebanese military sources said details of the operation were submitted beforehand to President Lahoud in southern France, where he is vacationing, Speaker Nabi Berri and Premier Rafic al Hariri in Beirut. The sources said this was the fourth redeployment operation after Israel terminated a 22-year occupation of south Lebanon. I guess this is a good thing.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 2:47:17 PM ||
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I wonder how much of this was done under threat, but done to allow them to save face. If this was done to avoid US smart bombs falling on Assad Jr. then the Bekaa Valley will be vacated next.
#4
They probably have lots of reasons but one reason is financial. It costs money to deploy and they may have already looted everything lootable in south Beirut, which isn't that wealthy in the first place. North Lebanon is a bigger deal. If they are abandoning the area near Turkey there may be a lot of reasons.
#5
Assad's little boy can no longer sustain a military deployment without Saddam's free oil. This is a reasonable consequence of the second Iraq War, which involved turning off the two pipelines running through Syria.
Posted by: Douglas De Bono ||
07/15/2003 17:35 Comments ||
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A Palestinian militant group has claimed responsibility for a knife attack at a Tel Aviv nightclub that killed one Israeli and wounded another. The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a group linked to Palestinian President Yasser Arafatâs Fatah Movement, claimed responsibility for the early Tuesday assault. Thanks for the confession. Weâll put it in the file.
Israeli police say a bystander shot the attacker in the leg as he tried to flee. He was later arrested. Followed the blood trail.
Israeli authorities say the attack was the first by a Palestinian in an Israeli city since Palestinian militant groups announced a three-month truce on June 29. You forgot about this one on July 7: A woman was killed Monday evening when the ceiling of her home collapsed after a suicide bomber blew himself up in Moshav Kfar Yavetz in the Sharon region.
The attack occurred just hours after Mr. Arafat met with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas to resolve their differences over negotiating with Israel. "Iâm in charge!" "No, me!" "No, Iâm the leader, see, Iâve got the guns!" "OK"
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 1:11:14 PM ||
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Iran has postponed a planned visit by a top U.N. official charged with promoting free speech after a string of arrests of pro-reform journalists, the United Nations said Tuesday. Ambeyi Ligabo, the U.N. Commission for Human Rights special rapporteur on promoting the right to freedom of opinion and expression, had been due to arrive in Tehran Thursday for a 10-day visit on the governmentâs invitation. "The mission to Iran of the special rapporteur...was postponed today at the request of the government," the office of the UNCHR said in a statement. You invite him and then you cancel, whyâs that?
Iranâs official IRNA news agency said the visit was postponed due to problems arranging Ligaboâs schedule.The visit would have coincided with a renewed crackdown on reformist media in the Islamic Republic. Oh, thatâs why.
Around a dozen journalists and newspaper editors have been arrested since violent protests last month against clerical rule. A Canadian-Iranian photojournalist died last week after being arrested for taking pictures outside a Tehran prison. Note that they donât mention how she died.
The U.N. said Ligabo was in contact with the Iranian government to reschedule his visit for later this year. Come back after the protests have been crushed, weâll have lunch.
Iran welcomed back U.N. human rights investigators for the first time since 1996 earlier this year after the U.N. Human Rights Commission lifted an 18-year censure of Iran. A U.N. team visited several prisons and interviewed jailed political dissidents in February. French jurist Louis Joinet, who headed the team, said many of those interviewed had been jailed for expressing their views. "The problem is less one of freedom of expression as freedom after expression," he said. Clever turn of phrase
An unnamed Iranian Foreign Ministry official insisted Iran was keen to work with the United Nations on human rights.
"Cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran with the United Nations human rights groups has entered a new phase," IRNA quoted the official as saying. "Not a good phase, but a phase just the same."
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 12:12:07 PM ||
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On August 3rd, vote early, often and if your life depended on it (which it does).And whatâs the date in Juche years? Is it like Kim Il Sung 23, Juche 666? Life ainât hard enough for the poor bastards and they pull this Juche calender shit on them.
The Central Committee of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland issued an appeal to all the Korean people on July 13 calling upon them to participate as one in the elections of deputies to the Supreme Peopleâs Assembly and those to the peopleâs assemblies of provinces, cities and counties to be held on August 3 and all of them to vote for all the candidates. Is Jimmy Carter heading over to monitor this thing so itâs on the up and up? Iâd be convinced.
The appeal says:
Through the elections the Korean people will powerfully demonstrate to the world their unshakable confidence and will to glorify through generations the immortal exploits performed by President Kim Il Sung, father of socialist Korea, in building the state and to consolidate and develop the DPRK regime as a powerful weapon implementing the Songun leadership of Kim Jong Il. Anybody have the latest poll numbers on this? How close is this thing?
It calls upon all the citizens to participate in the elections of deputies to the Supreme Peopleâs Assembly and those to the peopleâs assemblies of provinces, cities and counties with ardent loyalty, absolutely believing in and upholding only Kim Jong Il, and thus always glorify the immortal exploits of the president who devoted his whole life to the country and nation in building state. ...or else. And weâll know who you are.
Appealing to the whole party, the whole army and all the people to uphold Kim Jong Ilâs Songun policy with one mind and one will, it calls upon them to increase national defence capabilities to the full by thoroughly implementing the idea of the Workersâ Party of Korea on attaching great importance to military affairs in all fields of the revolution and construction. When he getâs 100% of the vote will the New York Times say that this validates his presidency, dictatorship, godheadocracy, whatever?
Let all of us celebrate the 55th anniversary of the Democratic Peopleâs Republic of Korea as a grand festival of socialist victors by fully implementing the calls of the Central Committee of the Workersâ Party of Korea, the appeal says. Noting that the Korean people are now in a do-or-die confrontation with imperialists, it stresses that all the peopleâs army men and officers and people should firmly defend the prosperous socialist fatherland, the cradle of true life and happiness of the people, by destroying the aggressors to the last man with telling blows when they invade our inviolable land, air and sea even an inch. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
It calls upon them to greet this year in which the 55th anniversary of the DPRK falls as a year of a decisive turn in accomplishing the cause of national reunification under the banner of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration and further consolidate international solidarity by firmly uniting with all countries and peoples desirous of independence. The KCNA election coverage is probably a hoot, "The polls have been closed for ten seconds and KCNA projects Kim Jong Il as the winner with 100% of the vote! Good night!"
The appeal stresses:
Let us all participate as one in the elections of deputies to the Supreme Peopleâs Assembly and those to the peopleâs assemblies of provinces, cities and counties to fully demonstrate the might of single-hearted unity around Kim Jong Il. Let us all vote for all the candidates of deputies to the Supreme Peopleâs Assembly and those to the peopleâs assemblies of provinces, cities and counties, true representatives of workers, peasants, servicemen and intellectuals, who are boundlessly loyal to Kim Jong Il and devotedly working for the country and people. ... or else.
Posted by: tu3031 ||
07/15/2003 11:12:35 AM ||
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#1
This article seemed sort of biased. They didn't even mention the opposition party or candidates.
Count them: 5 mentions of Kim Jong Il, 2 Songun's (leadership AND policy), and a "President Kim Il Sung, father of socialist Korea" topping it all off for extra flava points. This dude rocks!
Yeah daddy-o, talk dirty to me summore: "do-or-die confrontation with imperialists", "destroying the aggressors to the last man"...ohhh you're so good.
I give this one a 9.5 for an stompin' internal affairs Juche rally cry. To be raised as a mighty single-hearted unity slogan coming to you, real soon.
#6
And let us not overlook "destroying the aggressors to the last man with telling blows when they invade our inviolable land, air and sea even an inch."
Classic! Classic! Bravo!
Posted by: Fred ||
07/15/2003 22:32 Comments ||
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A special committee, formed on President Mohammad Khatamiâs order to probe the sudden death of an Iranian photojournalist who worked for a Canadian journal, has prevented the burial of her body until investigations were final. IRNA being careful not to mention her coming down with "sudden death" after being arrested.
An informed source told IRNA Tuesday, that the committee had ruled against a request from Zahra Kazemiâs mother to transfer the body from the coronerâs office to her birthplace in Shiraz for interring. A little too high visability a case to sweep under the rug.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 10:01:00 AM ||
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Three men transporting money in an armored truck through Algeriaâs Kabylie region were killed in a bomb explosion Monday, in a fresh attack blamed on the countryâs Islamic extremists, residents said. The truck, owned by the publicly-owned Bank for Local Development, triggered a bomb planted at the base of a bridge it was crossing, in a region east of Tizi Ouzo, about 110 kilometers (70 miles) east of Algiers, the locals said. The locals said men dressed in Afghan garb and sporting Kalashnikov and Seminov weapons then seized the money from the destroyed truck. Raising funds for the cause.
They said army forces had launched an operation in the mountainous and wooded region to hunt for the attackers, whom they said were from the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC). The ongoing war pitting the Salafist Group and the rival Islamic Armed Group (GIA) against the Algiers government has left a trail of bloodshed across the north African country, with mostly civilian casualties. Most recently, on July 4 and again near Tizi Ouzo - Kabylieâs main city - three others were killed including a lawmaker from Algeriaâs ruling party. At the time, locals also said that GSPC gunmen, dressed as Afghans and also as soldiers and policemen, had stopped cars and extorted money from drivers. Dressed as Afghans, or real Afghans on "vacation"?
The GSPC, which officials link to Osama bin Ladenâs al-Qaeda network, is the best armed and organized armed group in Algeria. The extremist groups are battling the government in a bid to establish an Islamic republic in Algeria. Cuz you canât have too many Islamic republics.
Posted by: Steve ||
07/15/2003 9:52:29 AM ||
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Former Clinton defense secretary William Perry warned that the United States and North Korea are drifting toward war, perhaps as early as this year, in an increasingly dangerous standoff that also could result in terrorists being able to purchase a North Korean nuclear device and plant it in a U.S. city.
From his discussions, Perry has concluded the president simply wonât enter into genuine talks with Pyongyangâs Stalinist government. "My theory is the reason we donât have a policy on this, and we arenât negotiating, is the president himself," Perry said. "I think he has come to the conclusion that Kim Jong Il is evil and loathsome and it is immoral to negotiate with him." As our good friend Juan Gato would say, "with cheese!" Interesting article. Hereâs the real nut graf though:
Rather than escalate in this way, [high seas interdiction of NK drug and arms shipments] Perry said, the administration should engage in "coercive diplomacy," which he explained as, "You have to offer something, but you have to have an iron fist behind your offer." He didnât specify what should be offered, but others have suggested that North Korea would like economic aid, trade deals, diplomatic recognition or a nonaggression pact. There must be an echo in here--the echo of a failed Clinton NK policy? Iâm sure the NKors would like the moon if they could get it, but Bush doesnât want to make a deal with the Devil. At least I hope not...
Posted by: Bent Pyramid ||
07/15/2003 7:21:06 AM ||
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He was one of the guys who F*cked it up last time, and he presumes to tell Bush how to fix it? STFU loser!
#2
North Korea would like economic aid, trade deals, diplomatic recognition or a nonaggression pact
...or a just a big, fat, monthly check, c/o Kimmy. I hope that Bush doesn't budge. It's time to call their rhetoric (and the world's for that matter). I guess Kimmy was asleep when 9-11 happened.
Posted by: Rafael ||
07/15/2003 9:05 Comments ||
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Thank you, Mr. Perry, for doing absolutely nothing about the situation when you were in control and passing it off to the next. Bastard.
Posted by: Dar ||
07/15/2003 9:49 Comments ||
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Tell the Fridge to stick to the hot dog eating contests at Coney Island. Oh, wrong guy? Sorry.
#6
Don't call ex-Secretary Perry "the Fridge." The Fridge was a great and entertaining football player and a classy guy. He's twice the man any of the Clinton cabinet weenies could ever be--and not just in the physical sense.
Posted by: Mike ||
07/15/2003 12:20 Comments ||
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My idea of "coercive diplomacy" with NK: Target 'em with 100 nuke warheads, tell 'em they are targeted, tell 'em to STFU, tell 'em they're out of the arms and drug businesses (and mean it), and ask them to submit their weapons-for-food program requests. When they are reasonably disarmed, we will pull out of SK and help them learn to feed themselves.
Posted by: Tom ||
07/15/2003 12:36 Comments ||
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Perry's got a set on him for offering criticism of Bush's handling of NK.
I have a suggestion on dealing with the not-yet-reprocessed fuel rods -- bomb the holding ponds (which are in the open, as I recall) with some sort of cement or epoxy substance that makes them unusable. If we don't bomb the reactors, all that's left to bomb is the fuels rods, it seems to me.
Posted by: Tibor ||
07/15/2003 13:37 Comments ||
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Next up: 'Madeline Albright will show Colin Powell how to cobble together an arms treaty with North Korea.' Does anyone really take these Clintflunkies serious? I hate to quote Chirac but 'these guys are missing a good oppurtunity to STFU.'
BBC Monitoring has observed that the official Palestinian television channel has cut back substantially on anti-Israel rhetoric since the ceasefire declared by Palestinian militant groups on 29 June. Question is: will the BBC follow their lead?
On Tuesday, the Palestinian Information Ministry announced it had issued specific instructions to all media outlets in the West Bank and Gaza to ensure their compliance with a presidential decree banning "incitement". How sweet.
Palestinian and Israeli officials agreed to set up two committees "to reach an understanding of the concept and forms of incitement," according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. "Such programmes are now almost extinct. Instead of incitement and hate passages, the channel broadcasts quiet songs as well as songs in praise of [Palestinian leader Yasser] Arafat," says Israel Radioâs Arab affairs correspondent. Palestine TV had toned down its programming during several previous ceasefires, but this time, it has also aired a new music video aimed at showing Palestinian aspirations for peace with the Israelis. Wow! Living, breathing, Israelis?
Media analysts with experience of Palestine TVâs output say that while the channel continues to broadcast some music videos containing what some would class as inflammatory material, the effort to tone down its broadcasts - and to be seen to be doing so - is evident. For instance, a phone-in talk show presenter cut off several callers last week after they attempted to express support for suicide attacks or call for the return of lands the Palestinians say were confiscated after Israel became an independent state in 1948. Palestine TV subsequently broadcast a talk show on incitement which included an unprecedented music video dedicated to Israeli-Palestinian peace. The footage gave prominence to scenes of doves, flowers being scattered and Christian, Muslim and Jewish children and adults joining in dance sequences. Holy Macaroni, WTF?!!!
In an indication that Palestinian officials are attempting to tighten state control over private media, the Information Ministry set a one month deadline on 2 July for media organisations to obtain licences to continue operating. Citing a 1995 law, the Palestinian director-general of Printing and Publications Hani al-Masri said a licence for broadcasters, the press and polling organisations was vital in order to "prevent anarchy and lack of discipline".
Posted by: Bulldog ||
07/15/2003 6:54:28 AM ||
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#1
I'm about as skeptical as can be on the whole peace between Israel and Palestine issue, but I would love to be proven wrong. This is encouraging.
Posted by: Dar ||
07/15/2003 8:29 Comments ||
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You can only imagine what the natives' reactions are to tuning in to the gogglebox for today's anti-Joo bloodlust and brainwash, only to see Julie Andrews-style all-singing all-dancing Peace and Love(TM). What would you tell the kids, the baby-boomers?! Even if it's not sincere, it's got to be a welcome change from the usual.
#4
The footage gave prominence to scenes of doves, flowers being scattered and Christian, Muslim and Jewish children and adults joining in dance sequences.
Sounds like they just broadcast a retro Coca-Cola commercial, to me. Let's test their limits by playing some of the Britney Spears Pepsi ads...
#6
apparently the new Pal info minister is pro-Abbas (and therefore non-loony) rather than pro-Arafat. Is suspect here, as in the security forces, the battle will come at the lower levels. Expect Arafat to reach directly to lower levels in Pal media to maintain incitement, and then to make a bureaucratic/political stink when the info minister tries to fire those people.
Look at the security situation. Dahlan is trying to gain control,and place some limits on terror - but arafat is setting up rajoub against him, and denying him control of much of the security forces
#7
I wonder how many people Arafathead will execute for daring to portray Jews as the decent folks that most of them are, rather than monsters to be destroyed like required.
Iran has found new oilfields, with total reserves as high as 38 billion barrels. Analysts say that only a small fraction of that may be commercially worthwhile, but it is nonetheless a very large find. This discovery serves to reinforce an important feature of the long term outlook for oil supplies - that reserves available for future exploitation are dominated by the Middle East and Opec, the oil producersâ cartel.
Much will depend on how quickly oil consumption increases. But most analysts think that Opec is likely to account for an increasing share of world supplies. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves, followed by Iraq. The discovery underlines that Iran too is likely to play a major role in future energy markets. And who says God doesnât have a sense of humour?
The new oilfields have the advantage of being near the coast, which will help with transport costs. But the crude oil they contain is heavy. It is more expensive to process and commands a lower price than the lighter oil which Iran produces at many other sites. Much of the new oil will not be worth recovering. And it will take many years to come on stream. Another recent discovery in Iran, made four years ago, has still not been developed and analysts say it is still years away.
Posted by: Bulldog ||
07/15/2003 5:06:32 AM ||
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I guess they don't need that nuclear power now, huh.
#2
Much of the new oil will not be worth recovering. And it will take many years to come on stream. Another recent discovery in Iran, made four years ago, has still not been developed and analysts say it is still years away.
Well, that's what technology and progress are for, right? Give us a few more years--enough time for the mullahs to become history--and we'll have the recovery and refinement technology to make it worthwhile.
In the meantime, it's good to know where the reserves are, so we can "encourage" a government and trade policies friendly to us.
Posted by: Dar ||
07/15/2003 8:25 Comments ||
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It is a poor grade of oil. Fit only for export to Kafirs. Thus the continuing need for a nuclear power structure.
#4
Hey Where's France? I'm sure yhey'd be willing to put their collective lips on the mullahs' genitals just to get first crack at developing this new find.
Potentially interesting subject rendered meaningless and dull by typical junk from New York Times journalists reporters
On this desolate stretch of desert along the Iraqi frontier, tensions with the American soldiers just across the border are running so high, Syrian soldiers say, that four fedayeen villagers have been shot by American soldiers in the past month. Soldiers on the Syrian side of the border said American soldiers shot dead two cousins, one Iraqi and one Syrian, as they crossed into Iraqi territory about three weeks ago. Since then, they said, two other Syrian possible guerillas civilians have been wounded in separate incidents this month. The Syrians said that American helicopters and planes routinely violate Syrian airspace while patrolling. The events described at this Syrian border post are the latest in a series of incidents along the frontier. They include the American attack, on June 18, on a convoy suspected of ferrying loyalists of Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi leader. That incident, along a smugglersâ route about 30 miles from here, and the others have apparently fueled intense anti-American rage the word "rage" appears 3 times in this article
in the villages on the border. Among the signs of that anger the word "anger" is repeated 4 times, but they didnât use "seethe" or "boil"
is a series of video discs circulating through the villages exhorting viewers to attack the Americans in Iraq. Blech. Jihadi snuff videos. No doubt some of Saudywoodâs finest productions. Theyâre everywhere the jihadis go so maybe some of the folks in this area....
Indeed, the locals here say the anger is high enough to prompt young Syrians to go across the border to stage attacks against Americans soldiers. ...are engaging in jihad.
It is unclear whether the four villagers shot in the recent incidents had crossed into Iraq with that intention. Nah, that seems highly unlikely.
American officials could not be reached today to discuss the accusations. Although Syrian officials said American soldiers were as close as 25 yards from the Syrian posts, an American reporter wait, the author didnât go himself?!
who visited the border was blocked by Syrian soldiers from getting close enough to contact the Americans. So youâre telling us that the whole piece comes from material provided by a stringer, using unconfirmed reports from Syrian sources, right?
Villagers say the 300-mile frontier, mostly desert, is traversed by smugglers as well, and that much of the trouble the Americans have encountered has been from their effort to contain smuggling. Smuggling what? I guess such trivial details are unworthy of The NYTimesâ attention.
When a reporter approached the house of the man said to have been killed after wandering into the no-manâs land, he was approached by two men who said they had been sent by the Syrian secret police. Stay out of the village, the men said. The other man said to have been wounded by the Americans could not be located. Great reporting guys! Unsubstantiated rumors and sloppy analysis Pulitzer worthy stuff from the New York Times about the situation on the Syrian border. But thereâs more...
There are other indications here that anger against the Americans is running strong. A Syrian man in the nearby village of Abu Kamal invited an American reporter into his home for lunch, and then began to play videos exhorting Muslims to fight against the Americans in Iraq. Was this a video or were they watching the BBC?
"Jihad is oxygen," one of the videos said. "Without jihad, the future prospects for peace, freedom and prosperity for the region increase dramatically we cannot breathe." One of the videos played by the Syrian man, Sulaiman Abu Ibrahim, showed what appeared to be the beheading of a soldier from a Western country by a crowd of Middle Easterners. Whatâs wrong with these people, canât they just buy pirated copies of Braveheart or something?!
Mr. Ibrahim said it was an American who was being shown in the video, and that he had been beheaded during the battle for the Baghdad airport in early April. Mr. Ibrahim, who showed a visitor several such tapes, said they accurately expressed the rabid dementia rage felt by many villagers on both sides of the border toward the Americans over their occupation of Iraq. "There is so much anger here," Mr. Ibrahim said. As the video of the beheading unfolded, Mr. Ibrahim ran a finger across his throat with evident satisfaction. "Ameriki," he said, "Ameriki." The feeling is mutual, Mr. Ibrahim.
Posted by: Tokyo Taro ||
07/15/2003 4:13:52 AM ||
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#1
I would like to know where this video was from.
Chechnya maybe?
Posted by: Paul Moloney ||
07/15/2003 5:40 Comments ||
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Well, hell, we certainly don't want the Syrians to hate us, do we? I mean, I thought they all loved us there! Guess we better pull out of Iraq and the ME in general so everybody will love us--just like they did right up to 9/11!
Posted by: Dar ||
07/15/2003 8:27 Comments ||
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#3
(thump, thump)
Want some more?
(thump, thump)
No? You sure?
#4
'American helicopters and planes routinely violate Syrian airspace' Hey Bashir, we will let you know when it's 'your airspace', until then: SUCK IT UP. I think we lost patience when the 10th or so Saddam Chum was found to be in Damascus and sent back.
#5
During Gulf War 1 the Syrians forbid us SAR helicopters from using their airspace and even threatened to fire on them. The result was at least one pilot grabbed by the Iraqi's. They were our freaking ally. They can suck it up now, and get out of the Bekka Valley, before we notice them and start to get mad.
#6
It's easy to think that this is the exception - the extreme. But this is how the majority of Arabs think across Arabia. They're schizophrenic, in fact. When you talk to them, one on one, most will tell you they like Americans and American "stuff" - TV, movies, etc. But they'll say they don't like the American Govt. If you point out that the Govt is elected and, therefore generally reflects the beliefs and wishes of Americans - they are surprised. It becomes obvious in short order that they do not follow cause-effect chains of logic as we do in the West. Rantburg, as a microcosm, serves us well - even it has its exceptions (read: illogical participants), of course. ;->
Arabia's demographics are startling - the explosion of the birth rate in all of the oil-rich countries has put them in the utimate job bind - all those Dictators and Royal jerkoffs have skimmed too much, reinvested almost nothing, and there just aren't enough jobs - by a wide margin. The population bubble is almost as bad in the poorer countries, such as Egypt, and the economics are at least as bad.
The young Arab men have a huge problem: no future. In strict Islamic societies, like SaudiLand, it's even worse - they can't marry until they have the goodies: job, money, status. Can you imagine not getting laid until you're 30 or 35 - and only then if your family's connected and you can get a good job at Aramco or somewhere? These frustrated youths are also the inheritors of a social system that lays some amazingly absurd macho BS on them. Fantasy BS of long-faded greatness. What do they see when they look out at the world? Not greatness. They see Arab failure and Arab defeat. For social reasons, they don't accept that they were lied to - they believe the Arabs are victims. This is the simple secret of media whore Al Jizzwadi's success - they told them what they wanted to hear. And after the smoke clears, they find it was failure and defeat, again.
What's left to many? Not much. Religion. What are they told & taught? Whatever the local Imam or Mullah wants to, in fact. There is no real heirarchy in Islam. There's the top layer of Shi'a Black Hats and Sunni "respected spiritual leaders" - and then there's all the local mullahs doing their own thing on Friday. They have mucho power at this grass-roots level. It's no wonder the young men are ripe for the picking by the asshat Izzoids among these clowns.
Unfortunately, there is very little we can do about it that we're not already doing. It's their stew - they made it - and in it Arabia sits. Despite the foolish goofs who empathize and think we (the West, US in particular) can and should "fix" everything, it's impossible, of course. We are the target of convenience. Our support of Israel makes us the easiest target to sell to the masses - and the Pals are the favorite diversion, encouraged by the Arab Govts. I think the fall of the Shah and the return of Khomeini, who knew more about hate than anyone since Stalin it seems, accelerated the acceptance of this mass delusion. Great Satan. Sigh. What a load.
Iraq might make a big difference in demonstrating that Arabs can have good middle-class lives, too, and do it in Arabia. But that will be some years coming. Afghanistan never had a chance. An oasis here or there of slightly less demented tribalistic thuggery seems to be all that will happen - they're far too much like PakiLand - and will prolly stew forever.
So, for now, we have to protect ourselves. We have to kick Govt ass wherever it fosters this delusional hatred. We have to kill the twits, the Ibrahim's, to keep from being killed. I don't see much chance of overcoming all of the shortcomings of Arabia - for generations to come. They certainly aren't doing dick for themselves. A shitload of Arabs are going to throw themselves on our swords before they believe they have an alternative, given their social, economic, political, and religious situation. All self-inflicted.
#7
We all know there's nothing Arabs can do to control that seething anger and rage. I guess we'll just have to kill them all before they cut all our heads off.
On the other hand, it's interesting to contrast this piece of New York Times gold with the previous article, from Arab Times (Kuwait). I'm not too sure the two pieces fit together.
Posted by: Fred ||
07/15/2003 22:09 Comments ||
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#8
Spoke to a 21-year-old Pakistani recently. He doesn't believe OBL was responsible for 9-11. What else is there to say?
Posted by: Rafael ||
07/16/2003 0:54 Comments ||
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Five local residents were killed and nine people were seriously injured by a fierce explosion yesterday that rocked a supermarket in Xiâan, capital of Northwest Chinaâs Shaanxi Province. The blast, believed to be deliberate, occurred about 11:30 am in Tanshijie, the largest grocery supermarket in downtown Xiâan, which is only about 500 metres away from the Shaanxi provincial government site. Witnesses said the huge explosion resembled an earthquake. Three died at the site and the injured are receiving treatment in hospital, according to a local police source. After the incident, police blocked the site and used a special vehicle to sweep the supermarket for any possible explosive devices. Investigations are continuing. The cause of the tragedy is still unknown but it is not considered an accident, local police said. Tanshijie is frequented by tourists who want to get a better idea of how local residents live. No foreign tourists were in the market when the explosion occurred.
Related, also from People's Daily, June 20th...
The man suspected of bombing a McDonald's restaurant in Xi'an in a failed bid to extort money from the fast food chain has been detained by police. Xu Yonggang, 28, was arrested on Tuesday on a bus en route to Xi'an, where he is accused of detonating the bomb in the bathroom of a McDonald's in the center of the ancient imperial capital. He is being quizzed over the June 15 bombing of McDonald's in Xi'an, which caused serious damage to the property. Police said the bomb was a crudely made device that had been planted in the men's toilet of the Gulou branch of the fast food chain in the city. Police allege that Xu decided on the bombing after falling heavily into debt from playing the lottery for two years.
I guess y'gotta play to win, but you don't always win...
Xu sent threatening letters to four restaurants and supermarkets in the city on June 14, saying he would target them with explosives if they did not give him money, police claim. All the restaurants and supermarkets reported the demands to the police and did not pay any cash. Xu worked at a trading company in Xi'an. "My motivation was to arouse attention," he said in comments broadcast by the station. "I didn't think it would create such a large social impact." Xu said he would ask for leniency when his case goes to court.
"I've considered your plea for leniency, and I am moved to accept it. Huang, only shoot him in the head once."
According to local newspaper reports, Xu planted the bomb in an effort to extort 200,000 yuan ($24,400) from McDonald's to pay back debts incurred from playing the lottery.
Sian seems to have an attraction for lovers of explosives...
Posted by: 11A5S ||
07/15/2003 12:33:46 AM ||
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Palestinian security forces have safely detonated a large bomb found in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. The device was found after police questioned several suspects. Meanwhile, the Israeli army has closed the Palestinian town of Ramallah, as soldiers continue to search for an Israeli cab driver believed to be held there by militants. The 61-year old taxi driver went missing near Ramallah on the weekend, and Israeli police fear he has been kidnapped by Palestinian militants. The Israeli military has slapped a closure on Ramallah, using a loudspeaker to order Palestinian residents into their houses. Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen has vowed to work for the safe release of the missing man.
A little late for that. He'll be dead by now. But it is interesting to see the Paleo cops actually acting like cops...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 00:09 ||
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So something is actually happening?
DAMASCUS (RTRS): The party with a stranglehold on power for decades suggests it will back out of politics. Schoolchildren, long uniformed as cadets in an army comprising the whole of Syrian society, are told to get new clothes. Both changes hint that the shock of seeing Saddam Hussein give way to US occupation in neighbouring Iraq could speed what many hope is a break with Syria's authoritarian legacy. But even optimists time the move with a calendar, not a stopwatch.
There are probably dictators who've given up power willingly. I just can't think of any after Cincinnatus off the top of my head...
The dilemma of President Bashar al-Assad remains â how to ease the militarism of Syrian society and remake the socialist economy he inherited from his father and predecessor, without undermining his own authority and unleashing chaos? "Was all this in the pipeline since the president took office and picked up speed because of Iraq?" asks Frank Hesske, head of the European Union delegation in Syria, of a decree by the ruling Baath Party vowing not to meddle in politics. "I would tend to say it was, but you still can't expect the head of state here to accede openly to US demands. There remains this almost philosophical problem of managing change without the fear of instability, with zero margin for error, which is what the government feels is its situation."
It's called "a rock and a hard place," damned if you do, damned if you don't...
The decree, lauded in the state press ahead of publication last week, was the latest in a string of gestures widely read to mean Syria has taken to heart US rhetoric about forcing change in the region, one way or another. After Baghdad fell and US hawks turned their attention to Syria â accusing it of supplying the dying Iraqi government with arms, sheltering fugitives and developing chemical weapons â the Education Ministry announced Syrian boys and girls would swap their military khaki shirts for blues and pinks.
That always helps...
More concretely, Damascus turned back or expelled Iraqis who crossed its border and steered clear of interfering with the occupation of Iraq, while making it plain that it did not want confrontation with Washington, diplomats say. Even as Syria protested last month over the detention of Syrian border guards wounded in a US attack on a convoy thought to be carrying aides of Saddam, Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara stressed his wish for dialogue and "quiet diplomacy."
"Like, no gunfire, y'know? Us Syrians hate gunfire..."
Syria's tone after the fall of Baghdad has not gone unnoticed among those in Syria who saw the younger Assad's intentions for reform put to the test, with results that showed reform would be gradual and limited. His pledge of "modernisation" â understood to mean political and economic liberalisation â after taking office in 2000 spawned political debate clubs whose participants dared to demand an end to martial rule and criticise official corruption. Tolerated at first, the forums grew numerous and stridently critical of the Baath, until they were closed in 2001 and several leading participants tried and convicted on charges such as advocating insurrection and inciting sectarian strife.
Kind of "Let a hundred flowers bloom," only without... ummm... only with... ummm... only different.
They are back, on a smaller scale, with one recent meeting in a patrician Damascene home devoted to the question of what the US conquest of Baghdad could mean for Syrians who want less of their state, but none of Washington's. "It's despotism that builds the foundation for all such defeats," says one speaker, suggesting there was now an opportunity to advance the cause of political liberty.
Best way to do that is by advancing the cause of personal liberty. We haven't seen that happen in any Arab country yet...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 00:06 ||
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#1
Freedom is considered a disease in places like Syria and Iran. If Syria does fall without the force or American arms, then the impact of the Second Gulf War is truly astounding.
Posted by: Douglas De Bono ||
07/15/2003 0:09 Comments ||
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Dictators that have given up power willingly: I think both South Korea and Taiwan had dictatorships that morphed into democracies. Somewhere in there someone had to give up a bit of power. Oh, and there is also General Pinochet, who gave up power willingly.
It is a short list and only includes Western allies.
Thirty-one people were injured in a grenade attack on a small hotel in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, at the weekend, ENA news agency has quoted police as saying. "Some 31 people suffered serious and minor injuries on Saturday evening in a bomb blast thrown by an individual into a hotel in the metropolis," the police were quoted as saying. Three people were still in intensive care in hospital on Sunday night, they said. ENA did not say if police had identified or arrested the person who threw the grenade into the Segen Hotel, in the city's Megenagna district, just before 9:30 pm.
Likelihood of involvement of a turban: 98%...
Posted by: Fred Pruitt ||
07/15/2003 00:06 ||
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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
